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-Allen,








The first


Three English books on America.


[? 15I I]-1555 A.D.








The first
Three English books
on
America.
[? '5I1]-      I555      A.D.
Being chiefly Translations, Compilations, &c., by
RICHARD EDEN,
From     the  Writings, Maps, &c., of
PIETRO MARTIRE, of Anghiera (I455-I526),
Apostolical Protonotary, and Councillor to the Emperor CHARLES V.;
S E B A S T I A N M U N S T E R, the Cosmographer (I489-I552),
Professor of Hebrew, &c., at the University of Basle;
SEBASTIAN CABOT, of Bristol (1474-I557),
Grand Pilot of England:
With    Extracts, &c., from       the Works of other Spanish,
Italian, and     German     Writers of the      Time.
EDITED     BY
E DWMA RD A RB ER, I. S x
Fellow of King's College, London; Hon. Member of the Virginia and Wisconsin Historical Societies;
Examiner in English Language and Literature, Victoria University, Manchester;
Professor of English Language and Literature,
Sir Josiah Mason's College, Birmingham.
Editor of Englise Reprints, English Garner, English Scholar's Library,
A Transcript of the Registers of the Cozmany of Stationers of London, 1554-1640; &c.
I 1I R   I N G H A M
i MONTAGUE ROAD.
22 June 1885.
(All rights reserved.)




I




v


To THE READER.
a-~ _Ir l;        Ach of the three Texts in this Volume is of
i                      great rarity; the firft two are extraordinarily
fcarce.
w          ^_0The prefent impreffion of them was begun
fo far back as I87o, and was nearly finifhed by
I872; when it came to a fand Rill through the
great preffure of other work on all concerned,
but more efpecially on myfelf.
For then, there came to me the overpowering vocation, for the fake of the Literature
of our Golden Age, of attempting (fingle-handed
though it might be, and when every one elfe forfook it and fled) the printing of A
Tranfcrzji of the RcilZers of the Compancy of Stationers of London, 1554-I646 A.D.
through the toil and anxiety of the years I873 to  877, that great piece of work
was religioufly and accurately accomplifihed, in four Demy 4t volumes, containing in all
Ben Jonfon, and their contemporaries, was fafely fecured from deitruction or oblivion,
to the end of time.
Other circumftances then intervened; fo that it was not till January 1885, on the
occafion of my firft vifit to Edinburgh (where the book was in hand), that I was able to
refume it. Once, however, the reproduction was again taken up, it was refolutely pufhed
through to its completion.
This Volume cannot fail to intereft the cultivated reader.  One is able therein
to look out on the New World as its Difcoverers and firft Explorers looked upon it.
Now-a-days, this Globe has but few geographical myfteries; and it is lofing its romance as
faft as it is lofing its wild beafts. In the following Texts, however, the Wonderment of
its Difcovery in all its frefhnefs, is preferved, as in amber, for all time: and they alfo
contain notices of not a few barbaric civilizations which have long fince paffed away
from off the face of the earth.


I
i
i
i
i


B2




vi


To the Reader.




But this book has alfo fome very fpecial points of intereft:
It is in many refpects, an Englifh Cyclopedia of the geographical and fcientific
knowledge of its Age.
No one can read the portion of the Decades of Pietro Martire given herein, without
wifhing to know a great deal more about him and his writings.
A large portion of what little we do know about Sebaftian Cabot, will be found in
the notices of him fcattered through this volume.
It may alfo be regarded as a fitting Literary Monument of one of the Private
Secretaries of Lord Burlegh, and a very worthy Englifhman, Richard Eden: of whom
fome account will be found at pp. xxxvii.-xlviii.; and who was certainly one of the
principal Authors of the reign of Mary Tudor.
It is alfo clear, that from the third Text in this book (Eden's tranflation of the
Decades of Pietro Martire), which was publifhed in I555, Francis Drake muft have
obtained all the knowledge that Englifh books could give him refpecting the Weft
Indies and the Spaniih Main, before he first went out there, under Captain John
Lovell, in 1565.
Laftly, William Shakefpeare read this third Text alfo, and created the character of
Caliban in the Temzpef/ out of the description of the Patagonian giants given at pp. 25 I-2.
But for us Moderns, the chief intereft in thefe three 1Works may be, that they are
the very beginning of a mighty Literature. The future of Mankind lies with the AngloSaxon race: and of all Englifh books relating to the American portion of that race, the
three reprinted in this volume are the very firj.
The large initial letters are in the ftyle of the Spanifh defigns of the Bifcayan, Juan
de Yciar (b. 1523), as they are found in the two editions of his Orthographia practica,
Saragoffa, 1548 and 1550, 4to. Yciar, who evidently looked upon them as the gems of
his Work, calls them Le/ras de Compaspai-a illuminadores.
In conclufion I desire moft gratefully to acknowledge and record the very kind and
cordial help rendered to me in the reproduction of this volume at Edinburgh, by the late
Mr William Burnefs and the late Mr John Stevenfon, with whom it was commenced:
and alfo by Mr James Skinner, of the firm of Meffrs Burnefs & Co., and Mr James
Turnbull, of the firm of Meffrs Turnbull & Spears, by whom it has been brought to a
succeffful conclufion.
EDWARD ARBER.
SIR JOSIAH MASON'S COLLEGE,
BIRMINGHAM.




Contents


To the Reader
Contents
PREFACE


v.-V1.
vii.-x.
xi.-xxii.


The First English book on America.
This Text is the first English book containing the word America (Armenica). t,,


Ofth
[Of the
Arabia
Of gre
Of Gui
9l
The fy
The se
The th


CI Of the newe landes and of ye Jeo~ple founde by the messengers of the kyn~ge
olportyn~gale named Emanuel.
Of the. x. dyuers nacyons crystened.                                                                       X.
Of pole John and his landes and of the cost ely keyes and wonders molodyes
that in that lande is.                               [Antwerp,? 151 IJ] 4t0.
7The voyage round Africa to India.           xxvii-xxix.]  The fourth nacyon [The Jacobiles (? Abyssinians)]!blacke Mores [of Guinea]...xxviii.            The fyfth nacyon [ The Nestorians]
e lande of Allago]....xxviii.             The syxte nacyon [The Maronites]
xxviii.   The seuenth nacyon [The Armenians]!ate Indyen.....xxviii.             The eyght nacyon [The Georgians]
tchin [Cochin] that Kyngedome..xxix.               The nynthe nacyon [The Syrians and Samnaritains]
______The tenthe nacyon [The Morabites]
'[the x. dyverce cristened nacions.           xxx-xxxr.
rst nacion [ The Latins and Germany].xxx.                [An abridgement of the mediteval Legend of [Prester john
~conde nacyon [The Creeks]...xxx.                    Of the people named Pygnies.iyrde nacyon [They of India under Pote Jo/n].       xxx..xiii-xxxvl.
xxx.
xxxi.
xxxi.
xxxi.
xxxi.
xxxi.
xxxi.
xxxii-xxxvi.]
xxxiii.


The Life and Labours of Richard Eden


xxxvii-xlviii.


Richard Eden's Contributions to our Literature, drnthregsoEwadV.ndM                     y,1553-I 555, A.D.
The Second English book on America.
EfA treatyse of the newe India, with other new fozinde landes and I/andes.,
aswell eastwarde as westwarde, as they are knowen and found in these oure dayes,
after the descrz>5cion of Sebastian Munster in his boke of vniversall Gosmographie:
wherein the diligent reader may see the good successe and rewvarde of noble and34
honeste enterfryses, by the which not' only wordly ryches are obtayned, but also
God is glorifled, and the Christian fayth enlarged. Translated out' of Latin into
Englishe.    By Rycharde Eden.                    [London.     ' 5 53.1  8vo.
(Richard) Eden.   [Dedication] To... the Duke of Northumberlande, hys Grace.        5.
(Richard) Eden.                To the Reader...7-I
THE    TABLE.
Of the newe India, as it is knowen and found in these our dayes.13 2
[The description of the Navigations from Spain to the new  Of the maners of the Indians in Calicut.    17-:
India, Eastward                                1.. I3]  Of Pepper and other spices which growe in the region of Calicut
Of the Diamande stone, called in Latin Adamas.   14    Of byrdes and beastes which are found in the region of
Of the kingdoms and cities of Narsinga and Canonor.14      Calicut: and of the wyne of the merueylous tree. a
How the Elephantes in India are prepared to warre.15I-i6  Of the sundrye kindes of Spices, which are founde in Calicut,
Of the beaste called Rhinoceros....     i6       and from whence they are brought thyther
Of Calicut, the most famous market towne of India  i 6-17  Of the Iland of Zaylon, and of Cinomome found there


~2
-6.1
I2


27
iS
'9
20
20




viii


Coilden s.


Of the cytie of Tarnuasseri, and the maner of the cytezins there
Of the kingdoms and cities of Pego and lBangella
Of the greate and ryche Ilande of Sumiata, or Samohra, sometyme called Taprobana.
Of the Ilande of lBornei.
Of the Iland of Giaua...
Of the hland of Iaua.
Of the Band of Mladagascar.
Of the Iland of Zanzibar..
Of the two hlandes, in one of the which dwell onely men, and
in the other onely women


20-21
21
22
22
23
23
23
24


Of the greate Empyre of Cathay, being vnder the dominion of
the great Chain (whiche some call the great Can) Emperoure of Tar/aria, in olde tyme called &yihiia..    24-25
Of certaine Prouinces and regions subiect vnder the dominion
of the greate Chain Eniperour of Cathay               252
Of the Prouince of 31Ia~izi, and merueylous cyties conteyned
in the same...                          26
Of the region of Tanguti, and of the great desertes, and
voyces of deuylles heard in the same, and of the Salamandra......   26-27


(Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, how, when, and by whom they were found,  84


[Of the new Islands and India found in the West Ocean sea,
from Spain Westward and South-west.          28-31, 33-39]
Of the two Ilandes Johanna and Hisjlana...      28
Of the people called Canibales or Anthraopophagi, which are
accustomed to eate mans fleshe....      29
Of the maners of the inhabitantes of the Bland of Hispana and
of suche thynges as are found there..      29
How Columbus, after he had found new Ilandes, returned
agayne to Spayne, where preparinge a newe nauie, he
toke his viag'e to ye Canibales...   29-30
How the Admirall passed manye Ilandes, and what thynges
chaunced. to hym and his companie in that viage          303
How the Spaniardes abused the submission and frendeshippe
of the inhabitantes of the Ilandes,..                    31
How the Portugals sought new Ilandes in the East partes,
and how they came to Cahicul                             32-33
How Magellanus by a strayght or narrow arme of the sea,
sayled by the west into the East to dyuers Ilandes: where
also he was slayne....   33-34


How the Spaniardes came to the Ilandes of MVolucca, and of
the people with great hanging eares
The thyrde nauigacion of ('hirislophorus Columbus
Howe Petrus Alonsus soughte newe Ilandes
Howe Pinzonus, companion to the Admiral], sought newe
Ilandes...
Of the foure nauigacions of Amzericus Vesp~utius to the newe
11andes...
The fyrste viage of Americus Ves utius
The seconde viage of Ves~putius.
The thyrde viage of Vesjputius.
The fourth viage of Vesputius..
How the king of Portugale subdued certayn places in India:
and of the ryche Cytie of Afalachia
Of the Iland of Medera, and the fortunate Ilandes, otherwyse
called the Ilandes of Canar-ia.
Whether vnder the ~Equinoctial circle or burninge lyne (called
Torrida zona) be habitable Regions


34-55
35-36
36
36.37
37-3)8
38
39
39
4c
40-41
41-42
42


(Richard) Eden. To al aduenturers, and suche as take in hande greate enterpryses
The Third English book on America.
The Decades of the newe woride or west India, conteynyng the nauztations
and con questes of the S~panyardes, wi/h the particular description of the moste
Yyche aud large landes and Ilandes lately founde in the west Ocean perteynyng
to the inheritaunce of the kinges of Spayne. In the which the diligent reader
may not only consyder what commoditie mray hereby chaunce to the hole christian
world in tyme to come, but also learne many secreates touchynge the lande, the sea,
and the starres, ver:y necessarie to be knowen to al such as shal attempte any nauigations, or otherwise haue defle to beholde the strang-e and woonderfull woorkes
of God and nature. Wrytten in the Latine tounge by Peter Mlartyr of
Angleria, and translated into Englysshe by Rycharde Eden..Londini, In axdibus Gujihelmi Powell. Anno. 1555.


4'.. 3 i3


THE TABLE
(Richard) Eden.
(Richard) Eden.


OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOKE (BESYDE THE DECADES)                    45
Latin Epistle to King Philip and Queen Mary...                 46-48
To the Reader....             I        I            49-6o


[Section I.


0  0       0    6 I-2c4.]


(Pietro) Martire's Epistle to the Emperor Charles V., 30 September I $ i666


63-64




Colz/elzs.


ix


Book L.
Book II.
Book II I.
Book I V.
Book V.
Book I.
Book II.
Book III.
Book IV.
Book V.
Book I.
Book ILI.
Book I II..
Book IV.
Book V.


The First Decade (or Ten Books)
*....    65.68  Book VI.
*..                    68-72  Book VI I.
* (For contents, seelP5. 391-3). 73-79  Book Vlhf.
a                         79-82  Book IX.
*  *I.    82-87  Book X.
The Second Decade     a


*..               io6-ii i
*  (For contents, see PP. 393-4)                 I4-xII8
*   *  *     *               *
*                    *                       120-122


Book VI.
Book VII.
Book VIII.
Book IX..
Book X.


*..65-IO5
*  *  -    *     90-93
*  *  *    *     94-96
*  *.96-102
*  *  *    *    103-105
*.  *     *   o6-I36
*  *  *.    122- I25
*  *  *    *    126-129
*     *    *    129. 130
*     *    *    130-134
*  *  *    *    134-1I36
*  *        *137-i85
*  *  *    *    i6i-i65
*     *    *    i65-169
*  *            170-174
*  *       *    175-178
*     -    *    178-I85
*     *     *  x86-200
the Portuguese,
*.  *.201-204


(For contents, see lfi. 395-7)


The Third Decade
137-142    Book VI.
142-145    Book VII.
146-150    Book VIII.
150-156    Book IX.
156-i6o    Book X.


Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde
Pope Alexander VI. Bull dividing the New World between the Spaniards and
4 May I1593... In Latin and English..


[Section IL.


205~-242.1


(Richard) Eden. To the Reader.      *.
(Gonzalo) Fernandez de Oviedo y Valde's. Epistle to the Emperor Charles V.
The [Natural] Hystorie of the weste Indies


i


Of the ordinary nauygation from Spayne to the Weste
Indies               -.
Of twvoo notable thynges as touchyng the West Indies:
And of the great rychesse brought from thense into
Spayne..
Of the mynes of golde, and the maner of woorkynge in
theym...      *       -
Of the maner of fyshynge for perles..
Of the familiaritie which certeyne of the Indians haue
wiith the deuyll, and howe they receaue answere of
hym of thynges to coomne    *       *.       -
Of the temperature of the regions vnder or neare to the
burnt lyne cauled Torridla zonza or the Equinoctiall:
and of the dyuers seasons of the yeare             -
Of dyuers particular thynges, as woormes, serpentes,
beastes, foules, trees. etc..
Of trees, fruites, and plantes.


210
21I
211-2I3
213-215
215-216
217-2I8
219-225
225-227


Of Reedes or Canes.             -       -
Of venemous apples wherwith they poyson theyr arrowes
Of fysshes and of the maner of fysshynge..
Of th[elincrease and decrease, (that is) rysynge and
faullynge of our Ocean sea and Southe sea caulled the
sea of Sur                 -      -      -      -
Of the strayght or narowe passage of the lande lyinge betwene
the North and South sea, by the whiche spyces may
much sooner and easlyer be brought from the Ilandes
of Molucca into Spayne by the West Ocean then by
that way wherby the Portugales sayle into East India
Of the maners and customes of the Indians of the firme
lande, and of theyr women..      -
Of the chiefe Ilandes Hispaniola and Cuba
Of the Ilande of Cuba and other       -      -
Of the lande of Bacoaleos cauled Terra Baccalearum,,
situate on the North syde of the firme lande.   1


*    207
208-209
2I0-242
227-229
229-230
230-233
233-234
234-23,6
237-238
239-241
241
242
249-262
263-269
270
270
27 1-274


[Section I II..                      243-280:]
Of the Universal Carde and Newe Worlde -             245   (Antonio) Pigafetta. A briefe Declaration of the Vyage
(Richard) Eden. A Discourse of the Vyage made by               or Navigation made abowte the Worlde
the Spanyardes rounde abowte the Worlde. -   246-247   Of the prices of Precious Stones and Spices -
Maximilian Transilvanius.  Epistle to the Emperor          Cadamosto of the Dooues of the Ilande of Ma dera -
Charles V..                 *     -          247-248   Of the Ilande of saynt Thomas under the Equinoctiall line
(Francisco) Lopez de Go'mara. The Debate and Stryfe betwene the Spanyardes and Portugales
for the diuision of the Indies and the trade of Spices [at the Conference at Badajos, in 15 24]1
(Amerigo) Vespucci.       OftePlAnatk            an   thStreabutesm,&c
(Andreas) de Corsali.     OftePl5natk               n    h   tre     bu    h   ae    C


277-280


[Section IV.


28I-334.]


Of Moscouie and Cathay(Galeazzo) Butrigarius
(Sebastian) Cabot




283         (Sebastian) Miinster.  (Jacopo) Gastaldo.    A   briefe
*    283          description of Moscouia.


283-294


291-293




x


Contenlts.


(Jacobus) Ziglerus....     Of the North Regions.....295-306
Of the North Regions and of the moderate and continuall  Laponia.....   301-303
heate in coulde regions aswell in the nyght as in the  Norwegia or Norway..303-304
day in the soommer season...295-298          Suecia or Svethlande...                     305
Schondia....298-299                    Bothnia.....305
Gronlande....      299   Gothia or Gothiande..      306
Islande.....                300   Finland and Eningia....306
(Girolamo) Cardano. Of the difference of Regions, and causes of great cities...                307
(Paolo) Giovio, Bishop of Nocera. The Historie... of the Legation or Ambassade of thce
greate Basilius Prince of Moscouia to Pope Clement VII. of that name....308-3 17
(Sigismund) Liber. Other notable Things concerning Moscovia....... 3i8-321
The description of the regions, people, and ryuers, lying  More directly from Moscouia to Cathay... 325-326
North and Easte from Moscouia...   322-324  Of the Tartars......   327-330
Of the famous ryuer of Tanais....   324-325 IThe nauigation hy the frosen sea....   330-332
Edward VI. The Copy of the Letters Missive...     sent to the Kynges, Princes, and other
potentates inhabytynge the Northeast partes of the worlde towarde the myghtye
Empire of Cathaye. 1553.. In Latin and English.......          333-334
[Section V...           335-35 2.]
(Francisco) Lopez de Go'mara.)  Ohrntbetygsa            ouhneteIde                             3-5
(Sebastian) Cabot.          3    te    oal    hne     stuhneteIde                              3-5
Of the foreknowleage that the Poet Seneca had of the  Of the hygher East India cauled India Tercera or Terciera  3441
fyndynge of this new Worlde and other Regions not  Of the landes of Laborador and Baccalaos, lyinge west and
then knowen.....      337      northwest from Englande, and beinge parte of the
Of the great Ilande wvhich Plato cauled Atlantica or  firme lande of the West Indies..   344-345
Atlantide..3 37-33 8        The discouerynge of the lande of Floryda.. 345-346
Of the colour of the Indians....      338   An opinion that Europa, Africa, and Asia, are Ilandes:
Why they were cauled Indians....      339      and of certeyne nauigations ahowt the same.. 346-347
The fyrste discouerynge of the Weste Indies.. 339  That the Spanyardes haue sayled to the Antipodes (that
What maner of man Chrystopher Colon was: and howe      is) suche as go fiete to fiete ageynst vs, and inhahite
he Came fyrst to the knowleage of the Indies. 340  the inferiour hemispherie or halfe glohe of the earthe,
What lahour and trauayle Colon tooke in attemptyng his  contrarie to th[e]oppinion of the owlde writers. 347-348
fyrst vyage to the Indies....   340-342  Who fyrst founde the needle of the compasse, and the vfo
Of newe Spayne cauled Noua Hispania, or Mexico. 342  therof...    348-349
Of Peru.   -.....      343   The Situacion and byggenes of the earth.   - 349
Of the great ryuer cauled Rio de la Plata (that is) the  What degrees are...    349-350
ryuer of syluer.. 343-344
(Richard) Eden. A demonstration of the roundnesse of the Earth...          350
Diodorus, Siculus. What credit ought to bee gyuen to Wryters as touchynge the workes of naturC    35 1
[Section VI...353-369.]
(Richard) Eden. The preface to The Booke of Mfetals.....          3 55
(Vannuccio) Biringuccio. Of the generation of Metalles, and their mynes; with the maner of
fyndinge the same..........     3 56-362
Of the myne of golde and the qualitie therof in particular  362-366 1 Of the myne of siluer and the qualitie therof.366-368
Diodorus, Siculus. The maner of workynge in golde mynes in Egipt in owid tyme..          369
[Section VII....      371-390.]
(Richard) Eden. The Description of the two Viages made owt of England into Guinea.          373
(Richard) Eden. A breefe Description of Aifrike.....          374
The fyrst Vyage to Guinea.....                                       375-378
The Second Vyage to Guinea....      -                                 379-388
Gemma Phrysius. The maner of fyndynge the Longitude of Regions by dyuers waycs -               8-390
A  BRYEFE REHERSAL          OF THE CONTENTES, OF THE D-ECAD.ES..      39I-398
(Richard) Eden. Thre] Interpretours excuse......          398
I N DEX........                                 399-408




AL114h,           (I        MP        I


the united wit and genius of the nation (t
vicissitudes of earthly empire) can raise it. I
at the summit; but first declines, and then dec
ripeness, it oftentimes lights up the mind of y
ceeding races: and so, at length, its life and vi
Thus has the now blazing, now dim, torch of hu
and mind-craft been handed down to us ov<
the nations, through all the successive Ages of
Human literature is also, like human nature,
tials evermore the same in all Ages. As is the
so is the mind, that is, the higher life, which i,
Nation. Both alike pass through Inception,
cence, Decay, and Death: both alike but
purposes of a Power greater than they, until tl
plans shall be completed. Then cometh the
World shall crack at the fiat of the Almighty T
Instances of this Law of successive I
inter-ringing one with the other, readily sugg
Such was the Literature of Greece in its earlier re
and Phcenicia; and in its later to Rome. S
the Renaissance in Italy, in respect to the Gr
Byzantium; and to its subsequent influence (v
to fulness or extent, has hardly yet been me
rawer nations of Spain, Germany, France,


'ILL labouring in the diffusion of English Literature: we here, with heart-felt
pleasure, present the reader with reprints of three exceedingly rare, curious,
and costly Cosmographical Works; which are also the very earliest printed
documents in our language, relating to South, Central, and North America.
It rarely falls to the lot of man to be able to put one's hand on the very
earliest beginnings of a mighty literature. Yet it is not too much to say, that of
all the vast multitude of English books that have been, or ever will be, produced, either in, or relating to, what we call our New World; the three Works
reprinted in this Volume are the very first and earliest. However mighty and
majestic, however subtle and eloquent, however deep and far-reaching, the
American-English literature may become; here are its first fruits! Whatever
period of mental florescence and splendour may yet be in store for the Englishspeaking races on that vast Continent; with these three Works begins the
printed English Story of their Action, their Mind, and their Progress.
Almost all nations light their lamp with fire borrowed from their predecessors. They commence with translations; progress to imitations; and then,
often by distinctly marked steps, the Literature mounts up to the height to which
hrough all the  Such was that of Spain (which now we consider so dead), with
t rests not long  reference to the anterior civilisation and letters of the Moorish:ays. In its full kingdom there. Such undoubtedly has been, and will be the
ounger and suc- literature of England; now, it may be, in the early afternoon
tality pass away. of its glory. And such has been, and will be that of Englishlman knowledge  America; now in the morning of its strength and power.
er the heads of In the words of the great and wise Preacher, "To every
Time.           thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under, in many essen- heaven."
e life of a Man;
s the glory of a  Under any circumstances, therefore, the present Texts would
Growth, Flores- excite great interest; whatever might be the nature of their
minister to the  contents. It is pleasant, however, to find that each of them has
he cycle of His for us modern readers, a distinct interest and a strong charm:
end, when the  while all three do afford us a most vivid picture of those early
'rinity.        days of oceanic discovery; of the terrible real dangers, and the
Literary Cycles still more terrible imaginary ones, undergone and dared by the
rest themselves. many noble-hearted Portuguese and Spaniards for themselves
lations to Egypt and for us; when they wan, in their little cockboats, for the
uch also that of succeeding Human Race, a truer knowledge of the Globe in
eek literature of which, by the Divine Providence, it has been placed.
vhich, either as  But the first impression-the most salient and significant
*asured) on the  interest of this volume-is that it contains reprints of The
and  England. first Three English books on America.
xi




xii


P REFACE.


II.


Ur next consideration respects their conlemporary standpoint; their relation to the
story of the nation, for whom  the three
< > S     Texts were printed: and especially to
supply Eden's omissions, as regards the
very early oceanic voyages of the English,
both East and West.
These publications are of great and perpetual interest,
inasmuch as they photograph for all time, the fragmentary and
imperfectly attained knowledge, and the vast and credulous
wonderment, prevailing in England in respect to far-distant
countries, during the reigns of Henry VIII. and his two immediate successors. The Texts of this volume embrace, in fact,
all that the gentry and merchants of England could, down
/ to the year I555, A.D., read in the tongue in which they were
born, of the wonderful discoveries, and still more marvellous
conquests, of the Portuguese and Spaniards in the two Indies.
Neither was this amount of printed information much added
to, in Eden's lifetime. His greatest literary feat-the Compilation of 1555-found no immediate imitators: so that it was left
to himself (after twenty years more, of great vicissitude, had
passed over his head) to undertake its repetition, in the forn
of a Second and much revised Edition of this labour of
love; in the preparation of which he died. This revised Compilation finally appeared in I577, "set in order, augmented,
and finished" by Richard Willes, under the fresh title of The
History of Tracnayle in the VVest and East Indzies, and other
countreys lying either way,,&c. It was five years later (1582),
that R[ichard] H[akluyt] published his first Collection, under
the title of Diners zoyages, &'c.
An enquiry into the printed naval literature of Queen
Elizabeth's reign, has also elicited the fact, that it was not
until about that same year (I577), that our Oceanic Literature
fairly began to constitute a distinct section of English books.
It soon, however, greatly increased in bulk, variety, and
interest; until now, it has no compeer in any other language.
Eden is therefore, in very deed, the Pioneer of British
geographic research, the very First of our Naval Chroniclers, and the Herald and Forerunner of all our subsequent
discoveries and victories at sea. So that in English literary
history, Richard Eden stands in the same relation to Richard
Hakluyt, that Richard Hakluyt does to Samuel Purchas; and
Samuel Purchas, to our present Hakluyt and Royal Geographical Societies.
This multifarious volume should be studied in conjunction
with the inland Chronicles of Halle, Grafton, Stow, and others;
together with the more modern histories of the Reformation
Age. These are chiefly, if not exclusively, occupied with home
and continental affairs; and but rarely travel further abroad.
In this direction, this Work will help, in a very important
manner, to complete for us, the external history of England,
during the period 1511-1I555, A.D.
2. It will soon, however, be seen that it does this rather by
way of narrating the deeds of other nations, and thereby teaching
and guiding our forefathers to do the like; than by describing


the English navigations of its own time. Indeed, there are
only two English voyages described in it with any detail, and
those are rather late ones, viz., the voyages to Guinea in 1553
and I554. Yet these accounts (the very earliest of their kind
ever printed in our language) were not, as it is quite evident
from page 388, included in the original conception and plan
of the Work: but were added, just as the book was being completed, by way of a postscript; the extra expense of which, was
borne by Master Toy, the London printer and publisher.
It is also to be especially noted, that this omission did not
arise because there were no English Voyages to relate; but because the custom of narrating them in print had not yet arisen
in our language. Sea-Histories had not, as yet, become an
section of our Literature.
Inasmuch, therefore, as so large a portion of this Volume is
occupied with the famous deeds of other nations, and particularly of those of the Spaniards; it may be well (as it is indeed
but just to our own race) to place in the forefront of them all,
a very slight account, by way of a rescue from oblivion, of the
sea-doings and sea-daring of our forefathers in the reigns of
Henry VIII., Edward VI., and Mary:-narrating the Oceanic
voyages with fuller detail than those to the Continent and the
Levant, as they were the more adventurous and difficult.
3. From the capture of Constantinople in I454, till after the
battle of Lepanto in 1572; there was an almost ceaseless fight
between the Christians and the Turks along the eastern shores
of the Mediterranean Sea. The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, after they had been driven from Rhodes in 1522, finally
settled at Malta in I530; where by their heroic valour in the
frightful siege in I565, they materially contributed, with the
great naval victory of Don John of Austria, to stem the flow
of Turkish invasion, which else threatened to swallow up all
Christian States.
Recollecting that the formidable, ruthless, and barbaric power
of the Turkish empire was at this time ever surging onward
and westward in those eastern seas; it will interest most of us to
know that there was a regular organised and direct commerce
by sea between England and the Levant so early as 1511, A.D.;
and for many years afterwards. For our knowledge of this we
are indebted to our great English Worthy and famous Cosmographer Richard Hakluyt, Preacher; sometime a Student of
Christ Church in Oxford: who, in the second edition of his great
work entitled The Principal Navigaitions, Voylages, Traffiques, and
Discoueries of the Englis/ Nation, &c. &c., London, 1599-I 6oo
fol., has preserved for us the following important note onThe antiquitie of the trade with aEng/ /TzJhizs into the Leuant.
N the yeeres ofoure Lord, 15II, 1512, &c., till the yeere 1534.
diuers tall fliips of London, namely, The Chr/zifop/her Czampion,
wherein was Factor one Rol'ger Wh/itcome; the Al/ry George,
wherein was Factor If'illiam Greg/am; the great Mary
Grace, the Owner whereof, was William GunfzJo, -nd the
mafter one lohn Hely; the Trinitie Fitz-williams, whereof was mafter
Laurence Arikey; the Mattaew of London, whereof was mafter William
Capling, with certaine other fhips of Southampton and rfJtIow, had an
ordinarie and vfuall trade to Sicilia, Candse, Chio, and fomewhiles to
Cypr'us, as alfo to Tripolis and Barztti [Beyrout] in Syria. The com



PREFACE.


xiii
* *
Xlll


----— ~- --------— ~C

-


I


modities which they caried thither were fine Kerfies of diuers colours,
courfe Kerfies, white Wefterne dozens, Cottons, certaine clothes called
Satutes, and others called Cardinal-whites, and Caluefkins which were well
fold in Sicilie, &c. The commodities which they returned backe were
Silks, Chainlets, Rubarbe, Ma!mefies, Mufkadels and other wines, fweete
oyles, cotten wooll, Turkie carpets, Galles, Pepper, Cinamom, and fome
other fpices, &c. Befides, the naturall inhabitants of the forefayd places,
they had, euen in those dayes, traffique with Iewes, Turkes, and other
forreiners. Neither did our merchants onely enploy their owne Englifh
ihipping before mentioned, but fundry ftrangers alfo: as namely, Candiols,
Ragufeans, Sicilians, Genouczes, Venetian galliaffes, Spanish and Portugale
fhips. All which particulars doe moft euidently appeare out of certaine
auncient Ligier bookes [i.e. Ledgers] of the R[ight]. W[orfhipful]. Sir
tilliam Locke Mercer of London, of Sir William Bowyer Alderman of
London, of mafter John GrefZam, and of others; which I Richard Hakluyt
haue diligently perufed and copied out.- Vol. II., Part I., p. 96, Ed. I599.
4. Next in the order of time comes the mythical voyage of
I 5157 of Sebastian Cabot and Sir Thomas Pert from England
towards Cathay; the sole authority for which is Eden's statement at page 6 of this Volume: in which, so far as we have
been able to inquire, we believe him to have been utterly
mistaken, and that the voyage had no existence; and the more
especially because Sebastian Cabot was at that date in Spain,
where he remained until after the Conference of Badajos in
1524, which (as Gomara tells us atp. 272) he attended as an
expert on behalf of the Emperor Charles V.
5. Important and authentic as is that early Levant traffic;
it was a very different thing from a voyage across the then but
half discovered Atlantic. As Pietro Martire vaunts, few or
none but Spaniards were licensed to go from Spain to the
New World. It is, therefore, very striking to find, ere Cortes
had consolidated his marvellous conquest of Mexico, or Pizarro
had finally set forth to imitate him in Peru; and while at home,
the great Cardinal was in serene prosperity and unruffled
power, our first printed New Testaments were being secretly
read in the principal English towns, and our nation's Reformation was just beginning to bud forth: it is indeed surprising to
trace one Englishman at least in the West Indies; to learn, of
a certainty, that one, if not two English expeditions had
reached the American coast; and, most startling of all, to
know that one of these squadrons found in the harbour of
St John's, Newfoundland, not another royal fleet of discovery,
but a fleet of fourteen fishing-boats (and, if Spanish reports be
correct, thirty or forty more in the neighbourhood), that had
ventured (at a time when, to us, so little appears to have been
known of the north-eastern seaboard of America; and so much
to have been dreaded in a voyage thither) across the wide
Atlantic, simply for the sake of codfish.
6. Hakluyt gives the following account of Thomas Tyson
or Tison, the first Englishman known to have reached the
West Indies:A briefe note concerning an ancient trade of the Engl6/h Marchants to the
Canarie-ilands, gathered out of an olde ligier booke [ledger] of M. Nicolas
Thorne the elder a worJhipfull marchant of the city of Briftoll.
T appeareth euidently out of a certaine note or letter of remembrance, in the cuftody of me Richard Hakluyt, written by M.
icolas Thorne the elder a principall marchant of Brifioll,
to his friend and factour Thomas Midnall and his owne
feruant William Ballard at that time refident in S. Lucar
in Andeluzia; that in the yeere of our Lord 1526 (and by all circumstances






and probabilities long before) certaine Englifh marchants, and among the
reft himfelfe with one 7homas Spacheford exercifed vfuall and ordinary
trade of marchandife vnto the Can.rie Ilands. For by the fayd letter
notice was giuen to Thomas Midnall and William Ballard aforefayd, that
a certaine ihip called The Chriftopher of Cadiz bound for the WeJZ Indies
had taken in certaine fardels of cloth both courfe and fine, broad and narrow of diuers forts and colours, fome arouas [arobas] of packthreed, fixe
cerons or bagges of fope, with other goods of M. Nicolas Thorne, to be
deliuered at Santa Cruz, the chiefe towne in Tenerifa, one of the feuen
Canary-ilands. All which commodities the fayd Thomas and William were
authorized by the owner in the letter before mentioned to barter and fell
away at Santa Cruz. And in lieu of fuch mony as fhould arife of the fale
of thofe goods, they were appointed to returne backe into England good
itore of Orchell (which is a certaine kinde of moffe growing vpon high
rocks, in thofe dayes much vfed to die withall), fome quantity of fugar, and
certaine hundreds of kid-fkinnes.  For the procuring of which and of
other commodities, at the beft and firft hand, the faid Thomas and William.
were to make their abode at Santa Cruz, and to remaine there as factours
for the abouefaid M[after] Nicolas Thorne.
And here alfo I thought good to fignifie, that in the fayd letters mention
is made of one Thomas Tifon, an Englifh man, who before the forefayd
yere I526 had found the way to the Weft Indies, and was there refident,
vnto whom the fayd M[after] Nicolas Thorne fent certaine armour and
other commodities fpecified in the letter aforefayd.-PFrincipal Navigations,
&'c. &dc. of the English Nation, Vol. II., Part II.,/. 3, Ed. 1599.
Hakluyt, referring again to this note, hazards the following
surmise:This Thomas Tifon (fo farre as I can coniecture) may feeme to haue bene
fome fecret factour for M. Thorne aud other Englifh marchants in thofe
remote partes, whereby it is probable that fome of our marchants had a
kind of trade to the Weft Indies, euen in thofe ancient times and before
alfo.-Idem, Vol. III., p. 500, Ed. i6oo.
This conjecture is confirmed by the fact that Nicolas Thorne,
at his death in 1527, owed this Thomas Tyson the sum of
/J12: 5s. (probably on account of business).-See Letters and
Papers on the Reign of Henry VIIJ., Edited by the Rev. J. S.
Brewer, M.A., IV. (2),p. 1256.
7. Imbedded in Halle's Chronicle is the following note,
quite unconnected with anything going before or after, and to
which also he makes no subsequent allusion whatever:This fame moneth [May 1527, 19 Hen. VIII.], the kyng fent two fayre
fhippes, well manned and vitailed, hauing in theim diuers conning men, to
feke ftrange regions; and fo furth thei fet, out of the Thamis, the twentie
day of May, if thei fped well you (hall here at their retorne. fol. 158, b.
This note Richard Grafton, who had printed Halle's Chronicles in 1548, transferred (with but variations of spelling) top.
1149 of his own Chronicle, printed by Henry Denham in I569.
Richard Hakluyt, in his Principal Navigations, Voyages, and
Discoveries, thus records his researches as to this expedition:A  ND whereas mafter Hall and mafter Grafton fay, that in thofe
fhips there were diuers cunning men, I haue made great
inquirie of fuch as, by their yeeres and delight in nauigation,
might giue me any light to know who thofe cunning men
fhould be, which were the directers in the aforefayd voyage.
And it hath bene told mee by Sir Martin Frobifher, and mafter Richard
Allen a Knight of the Sepulchre, that a Canon of S. Paul in London,
which was a great Mathematician, and a man indued with wealth, did much
aduance the action, and went therein himfelfe in perfon, but what his name
was, I can not learne of any. And further they told mee that one of the
fhips was called the Dominus vobiscum, which is a name likely to bee giuen
by a religious man of thofe daies. and that failing very farre Northweftward, one of the fhips was caft away as it entred into a dangerous gulphe,
about the great opening, betweene the North partes of New found land,
and the countrey lately called by her maieftie Meta Incogn.ita [i.e. Labrador].
xiii


_ ___ _ ~ __I_ _






X1V


PREFACE.


Whereupon the other ]hip fhaping her courfe towards Cape Brittor, and the
coaft of Norumbega [Hakluyt substitutes Arambec in his i6oo Edition],
and oftentimes putting their men on land to fearch the Itate of thofe
vnknowen regions, returned home about the beginning of October, of the
yeere aforefaid. And thus much (by reafon of the great negligence of the
writers of thofe times, who fhould haue vfed more care in preferuing the
memories of the worthie actes of our nation) is all that hitherto I can learne,
or find out of this voiage.-p. 517, Ed. 1589; also, iii 129, Ed. I600.
Of this enterprise, Purchas some thirty-five years later has
preserved for us, at pp. 808-9         of the Third volume of his
Pilgrimes, i625, the following more authentic testimony:EE will recreate you with a plaine Mariners Letter endorsed
in homely phrafe, To the Honourable Kings Grace of England, here (as I thinke) giuen you from the Originall.  I
haue alfo another written to Cardinal Wolfey touching the
fame voyage in Latin, by Albertus de Prato; for the
antiquitie rather then any remarkable raritie, worthy here to be mentioned.1
2 I mentioned before Maoter Thornes fathers finding out 2ew-found Land,
with Mailer Eliot. Thefe animated King Henrie the eight to fet forth
two (hips for difcouerie, one of which perifhed in the North parts of Newfound Land. The Mailer of the other, lohn Rut, writ this Letter to King
Henrie, in bad Enl J/7z and worfe Writing. Ouer it was this fuperfcription.
Mailer Grubes two (hips departed from Plymouth the to. day
of Iune, and arriued in the New-found-Land in a good Harbour,
called Cape de Bas, the 2. day of Iuly: and after we had left the
fight of Selle [? Scilly], we had neuer fight of any Land, till we
had fight of Cape de Bas.
leafing your Honorable Grace to heare ofyourferuant Iohn Rut,
M   /  with all his Company here, in good health, thanks be to God,
and your Graces f]ip, The Mary of G[u]il[d]ford with all
her                thanks be to God: And if itpleafeyour
honorable Grace, we ranne in our courfe to the Northward, till
we came into 53. degrees, and there wefound many greatflands of Ice and
deepe water, we found no founding, and then we durJi not goe no further to
the Northward fr fea) e of more Ice, and then we cay? about to the Southward,
and within foure dayes after we had one hundred and fixtie fathom, and then
wee came into 52. degrees, and fell with the mayne Land, and within ten
lealgues of the mayne Land we met with a great Iland of Ice, and came hard
by her, for it wasJfanding in deepe water, andfo went in with Cape de Bas,
agood Harbor, and many small lands, and agreatfrejh Riuergoing vpfarre
into the mayne Land, and the mayne Land all wildernefe and mountaines and
woods, and no naturall ground but all moffe, and no inhabitation nor no people
in thefeparts: and in the woods we foundfooting of diners great beais, but we
faw none not in ten leagues. And pleafe your Grace, the Samfon and wee kepi
company all the way till wilhin two dayes before wee met with all the Ilands of
Ice.  That was thefirJ? day of July at night, and there rofea great and a mariuailous greatJ7or me, and much foule weather; I truji in Almightie lefu to
heare good newes of her.  And pleafe your Grace, we were coinidering and a
writing of all our order, how we would waJT [? watch] vs, and what courfe
wee would draw, and when God doefendfoule weather, that with Cape de
Sper./he [i.e. each uhip] Jzould goe, and he that came firl Jyhould tarry the
fpace of fixe weeks one for another, and watered at Cape de Bas ten dayes,
ordering of your Graces Jhii, andfij/hng, andfo departed toward the Southward to feeke our fellow: the third day of Augufl we entered into a good
Iiauen, called Saint Iohn, and there we found eleuen faile of Normans, and
one Brittaine, and two Portugall Barkes, and all a fiJfing, and fo we are
readie to depart towaJ d Cape de Bas,4 and that is twentie fiue leagues, as
1 The very high antiquity of these letters-which are the earliest ever known to have
been sent home by Englishmen from America-constitutes their great modern value.
2 The next two sentences are a jumble of error. It is clear from the text that the
expedition consisted of three ships: Master Grube's or Grub's two ships, one of which was
called the Samp5son, the name of the other does not transpire (if it could be ascertained
to be the Dominus Vobiscum, the chain of testimony would be complete): together with
the King's ship, the Mary of Guildford, commanded by John Rut.:' Purchas evidently intends us to understand that the endorsement is contemporary
with the letter.
4 This is evidently a mistake through the hurry in writing. It should be Cale de Suer
[Cabo de Spera, "the Caoe of the Spear"]. For the two ships, after having stayed
xiv


Jhortly as we haue fiJzed, and fo along the coaft till we may mcete with our
fellow, andfo with all diligence that lyes in me towards parts to that Ilands
that we are commanded by the grace of God, as we were commanded at our
departing. And thus Iefu faue and keepe your honorable Grace, and all
your honourable Reuer., in the Hauen of Saint Iohn, the third dlay oj Augift,
written in hajte.  1527.
By your feruant lohn Rut, to his vttermoil of his power.
I haue by me alfo Albert de Prato's 1 originall Letter, in Latin flille,
almoft as harsh as the former Eng/lit, and bearing the fame date, and was
indorfed, Reuerend in Chr/llo Patri Domino Domino Cardinali el Domino
Legato Anglizw: and began, Reuerendiffime in Chryfo Pater falutem.
Reuerendi7ime Pater, placeat Reuerendijinice paternitati veoirce fcire Deo
fauente pojlquam exiuimus a Plemut qu cfuit x. lunij &c. (The fubitance
is the fame with the former, and therefore omitted.) Datum apudle Baya
Saint Johan in Terris Nouis, die x. AuguJi I527. Reuer. Patr. vey?.
humilisferuus, Albertus de Prato (the name written in the loweft corner ot
the fheet).
We are fortunately able to trace this expedition still further.
By " towards parts to that Ilands that we are commanded,"
John Rut meant the West Indies; and we have accounts by
two Spanish historians of his arrival there, which will demand
of us some further attention.
Gonzales Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes-b. at Madrid 1478,
d. at Valladolid 1557, and who resided for many years in the
West Indies-wrote, in addition to the Natural hystoria de las
Indias printed at Toledo on i5th February I526, from which
Eden    has translated    large  extracts at pp. 208-242 of this
Volume; another and his most important work, entitled La
historia general de las Indias, the printing of which was completed at Seville on 3oth September I535 (or about eight years
after Rut's expedition); every copy of which is attested with
Oviedo's written signature. It does not appear that Eden had
met with this important work, or he would have assuredly
have made the following extract from it.
On folio clxj. of this work, being the Thirteenth chapter of
the Nineteenth book, is the following passage, for the literal
translation of which we are much indebted to the courtesy
and kindness of the celebrated Spanish scholar, Don Pasgual
de Gayangos.
Before we come to the extract; an error as to its date (which
misled Hakluyt, and may mislead others) must be noted for
avoidance, in the Third Volume of J. B. Ramusio's Navigalioni
e Viaggi.  Each Volume of this celebrated Collection was printed
in a different year by L. A. Giunti at Venice. Vol. I., of which
a First Edition had been printed in I55o, appeared corrected
and enlarged in March 1554. Of Vol. II., the Preface of which
is dated 7th July 1554, the earliest known is that of I559;
while Vol. III., the Preface of which is dated 2oth June 1553,
appears to have been first printed in 1556; that is to say, in
the year after Eden's Compilation was published in London.
Now, at p. 204 of this Third Volume, of 1556, occurs this
important typographical error. Oviedo in 1535 begins Elanno
ten days, 21-31 July 1527, at Cape de Bas, sailing southward, had reached St. John's
harbour on the 3d of August, and then purposed to go 75 miles more, evidently to the
southward, to Cape de Sper, the appointed rendezvous, where they hoped to meet the
Sampnson.  From the date of the priest's letter, however, it is evident that the two
English ships stayed a week longer at St. John's. These letters were probably sent to
England in one of the Norman or Breton fishing boats.
1 I have quite failed to find any notice of this Albertus de Prato. Might that be a
latinised form of Albert Prat? or was the bearer of the name a foreigner? I can trace
no such name in Le Neve's Fasti or Newcourt's Relertortum. It would be interesting
if he could be identified with Hakluyt's mathematical Canon of St. Paul's.




PREFACE.


XV




de M.d.xxvij. annos, &c.; which Ramusio in 1556 translates
Nel 1517 instead of Ne 1527.     Hakluyt in 1589, not suspecting any falsification, thereupon adduces the following extract
in support of fabulous English voyage of I517, hereafter
asserted by Eden at p. 6: but the date being wrong, his
argument, of course, falls to pieces.
It would also seem that Oviedo was residing in the city of
Santo Domingo, when he wrote this portion of his history.
CHAPTER 13. Of certain foreign corsairs which passed to these parts and
Indies, and what has been the cause and origin of their bad thoughts.
N the year Mdxxvii. an English corsair, under colour or pretence that he was going to discover land, came with a large
ship to the Brazil on the coast of Tierra Firme, and from
thence crossed to this Island Hispanola, and arrived close to
the mouth of the harbour of this city [Santo Domingo]. He
sent his boat properly manned, and asked for permission to come into port,
saying that he came with merchandise and to barter [with the inhabitants].
At the same moment the Governor, Francisco de Tapia, ordered a gun to
be fired against the said [English] ship, which was coming straight into
the harbour; which being observed by the English, they went away, after
taking on board the said boat's crew. And, to tell the truth, the Governor
[Tapia] was wrong in what he did, for had the English vessel entered the
harbour, armed though she was, she could not have left without the consent of this city and castle.
So that the English, seeing the reception that was made to them, sailed
in the direction of the Island of San Juan, and having entered the Bay of
San German, spoke to the inhabitants of that town, and asked for provisions: uttering complaints against the people of this island [Hispaniola],
and saying that they had not come to annoy the people, but to traffic with
them, if they consented, for money or merchandise. Provisions were given
to them, and they gave pewter vessels and other goods in return. After
which the ship sailed for Europe; but it is supposed that she never reached
her destination, for nothing more was heard of her.
Considering that Oviedo printed the above less than eight
years after the event, there can hardly be any mistake as to the
year being 1527.   Yet in a later Spanish historian we find these
circumstances, in much fuller detail, narrated as occurring in
15 9.   So that of the three dates 15I7, I5I9, and 1527; the
last is the true one.
Antonio de Herrera Tordesillas, [b. 1559 at Cuella de Segovia;
d. 29th March I625 at Madrid], was born two years after the
death of Oviedo. The first four Decades of his Historia General
de los Heclhos de los Castellanos en las Islas i tierra firme were
printed in I60o, the last four in i6i5;both at Madrid. In the
second Decas, which was published seventy-four years after
Rut's voyage, we have an account of him and his doings, evidently derived from a written deposition; as Oviedo's had been
either from hearsay or from personal observation. It consists
of the narrative (for the translation of which I am indebted
to my friend, the late H. Pyne, Esq., Assistant Tithe
Commissioner) of Gines Navarro, master of a Spanish caravel,
who apparently piloted Rut's ship from Porto Rico by the
island of Mona to Santo Domingo, and then back again to
San Germano in the island of Porto Rico.
THE ARRIVAL OF AN ENGLISH SHIP IN THE INDIES, AND THE STATE
OF AFFAIRS IN THE ISLANDS.
FTER the departure of the ships which carried [? to Spain]
the gold pearls and ordinary merchandise; a caravel of
Saint Domingo being in the island of San Juan [de Porto
Rico], loading with casava; there arrived [at Porto Rico] a
-         ship of three masts, and of the burden of I50 tons. The


master of the caravel, [who] went out in his boat to this ship, supposing
it to be a Spanish vessel, discovered [coming towards him] a pinnace
containing twenty-five men armed with corslets and cross-bows, and having
two pieces of artillery in its prow.
They said that they were Englishmen, and that their ship was from
England; that, in company with another armed ship, they had sailed to
seek the country of the Great Khan, but that the ships had been separated
in a tempest: and that theirs, proceeding on its voyage, came to a frozen
sea, where they found large islands of ice; that they had then altered their
course, and came to a hot sea [? the Gulf Stream], which seethed like water
in a caldron; and in order that the caulking of the ship might not be
melted, they went in search of the Baccalaos,:l where they found fifty2
Spanish, French, and Portuguese ships, and that they wishing to land there
in order to obtain an Indian interpreter, they [the Indians] killed the pilot,
who was a Piedmontese. From thence, they had coasted as far as the
Rio de Chicora [the River of Chicora, i.e. River in Carolina], and had
crossed over from that river to the island of San Juan [de Porto Rico].
Upon being asked, What they were searching for in those islands? they
said that they were desirous of seeing them, for the purpose of giving an
account of them to the King of England, and to take a cargo from Brazil.
They invited the master of the caravel, who was called Gines Navarro,
to come on board their ship, and to show them the course to Saint Domingo. He saw in the ship a quantity of wine, flour, and other provisions;
as well as much cloth, linen, and other articles of merchandise. They
carried much artillery and a forge, and carpenters for ship-building, and an
oven for baking bread; and there were [in the ship] threescore men.
Gines Navarro further stated that, if he could have read them, the
captain of the ship wished to show him the instructions which he brought
from the King of England; that they had sent a company ashore at the
Island of Mona,3 and that they had bartered some pewter in the Island of
San Juan.
This ship went to the port of Santo Domingo, and sent the bark ashore,
saying That they were desirous of trading; and [it] tarried there two days,
The governor of the Castle, upon the arrival of the ship, sent to inform the
Magistrates [? the Royal Audience], for the purpose of their giving him
orders what to do; and as they returned no answer, he discharged a gun
at the ship, in consequence of which, she forthwith recalled the bark, and
by and by set sail.
The ship then returned to the back of the island of San Juan, and
tarried a short time there, trading with the inhabitants of the town of
Saint Germans; and did not appear again.
The magistrates [of Saint Domingo] arrested the governor, saying that
he ought to have waited for their answer; and sent information of this affair
to the King [of Spain], as well as of the bad condition of the fortress, so
that orders might be given for the fortification of it, and [that] there should
be directions [given] for the providing it with men, artillery, and military
stores.-Decades, ii., Book v., Chapter 3., Ed. I60I.
Thus from    four perfectly distinct and independent sources,
comes to us the certainty of this English voyage across the
Atlantic in 1527; for a further discussion of which see that
masterpiece in its way, and rare book (in the Eastern
hemisphere at least), Mr. J. G. Kohl's History of the Discovery
of Maine, published by the Maine Historical Society at Portland, in I869; and Mr. Biddle's Memoir of Sebastian Cabot,
London 1832. Both these writers think that the Piedmontese
pilot was the celebrated Verazzano.
It is interesting to know that John Rut got back safely to
England. For in Sept.-Dec. 1528, while still in the command
1 The Indian word for codfish, applied by S. Cabot to the land he first discovered,
and afterwards loosely and vaguely applied to the American coast from Labrador far to
the southward. Here it evidently includes Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and the northern seaboard States of the United States.
2 This number may be an exaggeration. If it be correct, the English squadron mrst
have met thirty or forty other fishing-boats on the Newfoundland 'banks,' beside the
fourteen they saw in St. John's harbour
3 Mona is a small island in the track from Port Rico to Santo Domingo.
xv


1
i




xvi


PREFACE.




of the Mary of Guildford, he was employed in freighting
home, on the King's behalf, wine from Bourdeaux. See Royal
M.S. 14. B. xxix., in the British Museum.
8. We have seen by the above that the King's ships left the
Thames on 2oth May 1527. Whatever else may be doubtful,
that is certain: and therefore it is equally certain that the
' Book' which Robert Thorne, the Bristol merchant, wrote at
Seville in that year, and sent to Doctor Leigh, the King's
almoner, and the English ambassador in Spain, had nothing to
do with the fitting out of that London expedition.
This far-seeing discourse, with its preliminary exhortation to
the King, was first printed by R[ichard] H[akluyt] in his
Diuers Voyages, &rc. in 1582.   Its only date is I527, which
occurs twice; each time after the author's signature-' Robert
Thorne. 1527.'    As Hakluyt reproduced      Thorne's curious
' Carde ' or map, it is quite evident that he had before him, in
I582, the original and autographic book penned by the author;
and therefore the date 1527 must be accepted by us without a
doubt.
Now it was the English custom at that time, to reckon the
year from  the 25th March, the Feast of the Annunciation of
the Virgin.  The 'Book' was therefore written at the earliest
after the 25th March 1527.
The two following passages in it, taken together, would seem
to show that it was not written till the summer was far advanced,
probably while Rut's expedition was skirting the American coast.
In a flote of three fhippes and a carauell that went from this citie, armed
by the merchauntes of it, which departed in Aprill laft paft, I and my
partner haue I400. Ducates that we employed in the fayd fleete, principally
for that two Englifhmen friends of mine [see p. xiii.] whiche are fomewhat
learned in Cofmographie, fhoulde go in the fame fhippes, to bring mee
certaine relation of the fituation of the countrey, and to bee experte in the
Nauigation of thofe feas, and there to haue informations of many other
things, and aduife that I defire to know efpecially.  Seeing in thefe
quarters are fhips, and marriners of that countrey, and cardes [charts] by
which they fayle, though much vnlike ours, that they fhould procure to
haue the faid cards, and learne howe they vnderitande them, and
efpecially to know what Nauigation they haue for thefe Ilandes Northwardes and Northeaftwarde. B. 4.
But if it pleafe God that into Englande I may come with your Lordfhip,
I will fhewe fome coniectures of reafon though againft the generall opinion
of Cofinographers, by which ihall appeare this that I fay not to lacke fome
foundation. And tyll that time I befeeche your Lordfhip let it bee put to
filence: and in the meane feafon, it may pleafe God to fende our two
Englifhmen, that are gone to the fpicerie, which may alfo bring more plaine
declaration of yat which in this cafe might be required... D. 3.
It would seem that Thorne by 'April laft pafle' means April
1527; for if he had intended April 1526, and wrote this ' Book'
in the seven days of 25-3I March, then by English custom
reckoned as the first days of 1527, he would assuredly have
said 'April laft year.' It is also evident from the allusion that
a considerable time had elapsed since the two Englishmen had
left for the West Indies; and that, at the time of writing, Thorne
was looking forward to their return. The earliest approximate
date that can therefore be assigned to its composition is the
summer of I527. Dr. Leigh did not return to England till
January I530.
We must therefore assign the occasion and preparation of
this English voyage of Oceanic discovery of I527 to other
xvi


persons than Robert Thorne. Such an important effort, as this
expedition most certainly was, could not have been suddenly
determined upon, and probably originated in the previous year.
Thorne's ' Book' is also interesting for another reference to
a very early English voyage across the Atlantic.
So that as afore is fayde, if betweene our Newe founde landes or Norway,
or Iflande the Seas towarde the north be Nauigable, wee fhoulde goe to
thefe Ilandes a fhorter way by more then 2000. leagues. And though wee
went not in the faide Ilandes, for that they are the Emperours or Kinges
of Portingale, wee fhoulde by the way, and comming once to the line Equinoctiall, finde landes no leffe riche in Golde and fpicerie, as all other landes
are vnder the faide line Equinoctiall: and alfo fhoulde, if wee may paffe
vnder the North, enioye the Nauigation of all Tartarie.
Which fhould bee no leffe profitable to our commodities of clothe, then
thefe fpiceries to the Emperour, and King of Portugale.
But it is a generall opinion of all Cofmographers that paffing the feuenth
clyme, the fea is all ice, the colde fo much that none can fuffer it. And
hitherto they had all the like opinion that vnder the line Equinoctiall for
muche heate the lande was inhabitable.
Yet fince by experience is proued no lande fo much habitable nor more
temperate. And to conclude, I thinke the fame fhoulde bee founde vnder
the North, if it were experimented.  For as all iudge, Nihilfit vacuum in
rerum naturas, fo I iudge there is no lande inhabitable [i.e. uninhabitable],
nor Sea innauigable. If I fhould write the reafon that prefenteth this
vnto me, I fhoulde be too prolixe, and it feemeth not requifite for this
prefent matter. God knoweth that though by it I fhoulde haue no great
intereft, yet I haue had and itill haue no little minde of this bufineffe: So
that if I had facultie to my will, it fhoulde bee ye firft thing that I woulde
vnderftande, euen to attempt, if our Seas Northwarde be nauigable to the
Pole or no. I reafon, that as fome fickeneffes are hereditarious, and come
from the father to the fonne, fo this inclination or defire of this difcouerie
I inherited of my father, which with another merchant of Briflowe named
Hugh Eliot were the difcouerers of newe found lands, of the which there
is no doubt, as now plainly appeareth, if the marriners would then haue
been ruled and folowed their pilots mind, the lands of the Weft Indies,
from whence all the gold commeth, had beene ours. For all is one coafte,
as by the carde appeareth, and [as] is aforefaide.... D. 2.
A most excellent account of the merchant family of the
Thornes   of Bristol will be found      in  English   Merchants,
I869, written by my fellow-student at King's College, Mr. H.
R. Fox Bourne.
9. The next English Voyage on our record introduces us to
a very famous name. It is thus preserved to us by Hakluyt.
A VOYAGE TO BRASILL, MADE BY THE WORSHIPFULL M[ASTER] WILLIAM HAUKINS OF PLIMMOUTH, FATHER TO SIR IOHN IIAUKINS,
KNIGHT, NOW LIVING,1 IN THE YEERE 1530.
Lde M. William Haukins of Plinmouth, a man for his wifdome,
valure, experience, and fkill in fea caufes, much efteemed and
beloued of King Henry the eight, and being one of the principall Sea Captaines in the West partes in his time, not contented with the fhort voyages commonly then made onely to
the knowen coaftes of Europe, armed out a tall and goodly fhip of his owne
of the burthen of 250 tunnes, called the Pole [Paule, Ed. I 6OO] of Plimmouth, wherewith hee made three long and famous voyages vnto the coaft
of Brafill, a thing in thofe dayes very rare, efpecially to our Nation. In
the courfe of which voyages he touched at the Riuer of Scios vpon the
coaft of Guinea, where hee trafiqued with the Negroes, and tooke of them
Oliphants [Elephants, Ed. I600] teeth, and other commodities which that
I As this was printed in 1589, old William Hawkins lived to see the overthrow of the
Spanish Armada, and so is very properly introduced by the Rev. Canon Kingsley, with
his usual truthfulness in details, in his celebrated Elizabethan romance of Westward Ho!
as a very old man, present at Plymouth with the Captains who were waiting the arrival ot
the great Spanish Fleet.




PREFACE.


xvii


place yeeldeth: and fo arriuing on the coaft of Bra/il, vfed there fuch difcretion, and behaued himfelf fo wifely with thofe fauage people, that he
grew into great familiaritie and friendflip with them. Infomuch that in
his 2. voyage, one of the fauage kings of the countrey of Bra/ill, was contented to take fhippe with him, and to bee tranfported hither into
England, whereunto AM[afer] Hfaukins agreed, leauing behinde in the
Countrey as a pledge for his fafetie and returne againe, one fartinz Cockeram of Plimmouth. This Brailian king being arriued [i.e. in 153I], was
brought vp to London, and prefented to King Henry the 8. lying as then
at Whitehall: at the fight of whome, the King and all the Nobilitie did not
a little marueile, and not without caufe: for in his cheekes were holes made
according to their fauage maner, and therein fmall bones were planted,
iHanding an inche out from the faid holes, which in his owne Countrey was
reputed for a great brauerie. He had alfo another hole in his nether lippe,
wherein was fet a precious flone about the bigneffe of a peafe. All his
apparell, behauiour, and geflure were very ftrange to the beholders.
Hauing remained here the fpace almoft of a whole yere, and the king
with his fight fully fatiffied, M[ajfer] Ilaukins according to his promife
and appointment, purpofed to conuey him againe into his Countrey: but it
fell out in the way that, by change of ayre and alteration of diet, the faid
fauage king died at Sea, which was feared would turne to the loffe of the
life of afartin Cockeram his pledge. Neuertheleffe, the Sauages being fully
perfwaded of the honeft dealing of our men with their Prince, reilored
againe the faide pledge, without any harme to him, or any man of the companie: which pledge of theirs they brought home againe into England,
with their fhippe fraighted and furnifhed with the commodities of the
Countrey. Which Afartine Cockeram, by the witneffe of Sir iohn Haukins,
being an officer in the towne of Plimmouth, was liuing within thefe fewe
yeares.-p. 520, Ed. 1589.
10. Let us now look eastward. In 1592, (three years after
the appearance of the First edition of his Voyages, &c.), Hakluyt
became acquainted with a very old man, a Londoner named
John Williamson, then apparently the sole suivivor of our first
traffic in the Levant; which dying out, had been revived in 1580.
These early Levant voyages were very important; inasmuch
as they were the school in which some of the principal Agents
and Captains of the Moscovy Company, like Richard Gray and
Richard Chancellor, received their chief training.
A voyage made with the J7/ippes called the Holy Croffe, and the Matthew
Gonfon, to the fles of Candia and Chio, about the yere 1534, according to
a relation made to Af/ler Richard Hackluit by lohn Williamfon, Cooper
and citizen of London, who liued in the yere 1592, and went as cooper in
the Mathew Gonfon the next voyage after.


Another voyge to the Iles of Candia and Chio made by the J7zipe, the Mathew
Gonfon, about the yeere 1535, according to the relation of Iohn Williamfon,
then Cooper in thefamneJzi2p, made to M[after] Richard Hackliut, in the
yeare I592.
lHe good fhippe called the Mathewv Gonfon, of burthen 300
tunnes, whereof was owner old M[aiter] William Gonfon,
pay-mafler of the Kings Nauie, made her voyage in the yere
I535. In this fhip went as Captaine, Richard Gray, who long
after died in Rufia. Mailer William Holflocke, afterward
Controuller of the Queenes Nauie, went then as purfer in the fame voyage.
The Malter was one John Pichet, feruant to old M[after] William Gonfon.
fames Rumnie was Maiters mate. The mailer cooper was John Williamfoil, citizen of London, liuing in the yeere 1592, and dwelling in Sa[i]nt
DuniZons parish, in the Eait. The M[after] Gunner was John Godfrey of
Brifoll. In this fhip were 6 gunners and 4 trumpetters, all which foure
trumpetters at our returne homewards went on land at fefzina in the Iland
of Sicilia, as our fhip road there at anker, and gat them into the Gallies
that lay neere vnto vs, and in them went to Rome. The whole number of
our companie in this fhip were about Ioo. men, we were alfo furnifhed with
a great bote, which was able to carry IO tunnes of water, which at our
retume homewards we towed all the way from Chio vntil we came through
the itraight of Gib[r]altar into the maine Ocean. We had alfo a great
long boat and a fkiff. We were out vpon this voyage eleuen months, yet
in all this time there died of fickneffe but one man, whofe name was George
Forreft, being feruant to our Carpenter called Thomas Plummer.-Idem.
The Island of Scio, the extreme point of the above two
voyages, had long been the property of a Genoese family, the
Justiana, under the sovereignty of the Senate of that city.
How the Turks first put it to tribute, and finally took possession of it in i568, is thus narrated in two letters, written on
the I4th of February 1569 by an Englishman, Gaspar Campion,
who had "traded in this countrey [i.e. the island and its vicinity] about this 30. yeres [i.e. 1539-1569], and haue beene
maried in the towne of Chio full 24. yeres [i.e. I544-1569]."
Ir, you fhall vnderiland that the Ifland of Chio in time patil
3      '4   hath bene a Signiorie or lordfhip of it felfe, and did belong
'2~         to the Genowaies. There were 24. of them that gouerned
the ifland which were called Maunefes. But in continuance
of time the Turke waxed fo itrong and mightie, that
they, confidering they were not able to keepe it, unleffe they fhould
become his tributaries, becaufe the Ifland had no come, nor any kind of
vitailes to futtaine themfelues, but onely that which muit of neceffitie come
out of the Turkes dominions, and the fayd ifland being inclofed with the
Turks round about, and but 12. miles from the Turks Continent, therefore
the faid Genowaies did compound and agree to be the Turkes tributaries, and
to payhim 14ooo. thousand ducates yeerely, Alwayes prouided that they fhould
keep their lawes both fpiritual and temporall, as they did when the Iland
was in their owne hands. Thus he granted them their priuiledge, which they
inioyed for many yeeres, fo that all itrangers and alfo many Englifh men
did trade thither of long continuance, and went and came in fafety. In this
meane time, the prince Pedro Doria [being a Genouois) became a captaine
to ferue the Emperour with 30. or 40. gallies againilft the Turke. And fince
that time diuers other captaines belonging to Genoa haue beene in the
feruice of king Philip againil the Turke. Moreouer, whenfoeuer the Turke
made out any army, he perceiued that no nation did him more hurt then
thofe Genouois, who were his tributaries. Likewife at the Turkes fiege of
Malta, before which place he lay a great while, with loffe of his men, and
alfo of his gallies, he found none fo troublefome vnto his force as one
luanette Doria, a Genouois, and diuers others of the Iland of Chio, who
were his tributaries. At which fight, he tooke fuch difpleafure againit them
of Chio, that he fent certaine of his gallies to the Iland, for to feife vpon all
the goods of the 24. Maunefes, and to turne them with their wiues and
children out of the Iland; but they would let none other depart, becaufe
the Iland fhould not be vnpeopled. So that now the Turke hath fent one
of his chiefe men to rule there.- Iakluyt, Vol. II., Part I.,p. I 4, Ed. 1599.


lie fhippes, called the Holy Croffe and the,M1atthew Gonfon,
made a voyage to the Ilandes of Candia and Chio in Turkie,
about the yeere 1534. And in the Mathew went as Captaine
M[after] Richard Gonfon, fonne of old Malter William
Gonfon, paymatter of the kings Nauie. In this firit voyage
[i.e. of the two described by Williamson] went W'illiam IHolfocke (who afterwards was Controuller of her Maietlies [i.e. Queen Elizabeth's] Nauie, lately
deceafed) as page to M[aiter] Richard Gonfon aforefaid, which M[alter]
conlon died in Chio in this his firit voyage. The fhip called the Holy
Crqffe was a Ihort fhippe, and of burden I60 tunnes. And hauing beene
a full yeere at the fea in performance of this voyage, with great danger fhe
returned home, where, vpon her arriuall at Blackwall, in the riuer of Thames,
her wine and oyle cafke was found fo weake that they were not able to
hoyfe them out of the fhip, but were conftrained to draw them as they lay,
and put their wine and oyle into new veffels, and fo to vnlade the fhippe.
Their chiefe fraight was very excellent Mufcatels and red Malmefie, the like
whereof were feeldome feene before in En,,land. They brought home alfo
good quantitite of fweete oyles, cotton woolles, Turkie Carpets, Galles,
Cynamon, and fome other fpices. The faide fhippe called the Holy Croffe
was fo flaken in this voyage, and fo weakened, that Ihe was layd vp in the
docke, and neuer made voyage after. —Vol. II., Part I., p. 98, Ed. 1599.
EDEN.




c


xvii




xviii


P REFAC E.


Another letter of Campion's, begins thus:
T may pleafe your worfhip to vnderftand, that as concerning
the voyage to Chio, what great profit would be gotten, both
for merchants and alfo for owners of fhippes (as it was well
knowen in thofe dayes when the Maitthew Gonfon, the Trinitie
Fitzwilliams, and the Sauiour of BriJtow, with diuers other
fhips, which traded thither yerely, and made their voyage in ten or twelue
moneths, and the longeft in a yeere), M[after] Francis Lambert, M[after]
lohn Brooke, and M[after] Drauer can truely inform you hereof at large.
And by reafon that wee haue not traded into thofe parts thefe many yeeres
[i.e. previous to 1569], and the Turke is growen mighty, whereby our hips
doe not trade as they were woont.. —irakhity, Voyages, Vol.
II., Part I., p. I6, Ed. 1599.
Finally we may take leave on this occasion of the interesting
subject of the early English trade in the Mediterranean, with
the following note of Hakluyt's.
His trade into the Leuant...       was very vfuall and much
frequented from the yeere of our Lord 1511 till the yeere
534, and afterwards alfo, though not fo commonly, vntil the
yeere 1550, when the barke Ancher under the conduct of
M[after] Roger Bodenhamn made a profperous voyage into
Sicilia, Candio, Sio, and other places within the Leuant. Since which
time the forefaid trade (notwithftanding the grand Signiors ample priuilege
granted to M[after] Anthony lenkenfon 1553, and the ftrong and weighty
reafons of Gafpar Campion for that purpofe) was vtterly difcontinued, and
in maner quite forgotten, as if it had neuer bene, for the fpace of 20. yeares
or more [i.e. from the date of Jenkinson's privilege of 1553 until 1575; when
the preliminary steps which resulted in the formation of the Turkey Company, were taken]. Voyages, Vol. II., Part I., p. I36, Ed. I599.
11. We now come to the tragical English voyage to Newfoundland, in 1536; as narrated by Master Oliver Daubeny, a
London merchant, to Hakluyt's cousin and namesake, Richard
Hakluyt of the Inner Temple; and by Master Thomas Butts
of Norfolk, to himself. It will ever be thought one of the
worthiest acts of our younger Hakluyt's worthy life, that, for the
simple assurance, with further details, of this voyage, he travelled
200 miles on horseback, probably into Norfolk and back.
The voyage of zmafer f/ore and diuers other Gentlemen, to Newfound land
and Cape Breton, in the yeere 1536. and in the 28. yeere of it'iizg Henry
the eight.
Ne mailer Hore of London, a man of goodly ftature and of
great courage, and giuen to the ftudie of Cofmographie, in
i         the 28. yeere of King Henry the 8. and in the yeere of our
Lord I536. encouraged diuers gentlemen and others, being
affifted by the kings fauour and good countenance. to accompany him in a voyage of difcouerie vpon the Northweft partes of America:
wherein his perfwafions tooke fuch effect, that within fhort fpace many
gentlemen of the innes of court, and of Chauncerie, and diuers other of good
worfhip defirous to fee the ftrange things of the world, very willingly entered
into the action with him, fome of whofe names were as followeth: M[after]
Wickes, a gentleman of the Weft countrey of flue hundred markes [equvalent to an income of 2500 of the present day] by the yeere liuing. Mafter
Tucke, a gentleman of Kent. Malter Tuckfield. M[after] Thomas Buts,
the fonne of Sir William Buts, Knight of Norfolke, which is yet aliue, and
from whofe mouth I wrote moit of this relation. Mafter Hardie, Mafter
Biron, Matier Carter, Mafter Wright, Mafter Raftall Sarieant Raftals
brother, Mailer Ridley, and diuers other, which all were in the admirall
called the Trinitie, a lhip offeuen fcore tunnes, wherein MP[ater]. Hore himfelfe was imbarked. In the other fhippe, whofe name was the Minion,
went a very learned and vertuous gentlemen, one maiter Armigil Wade,
father to the worflipfull malter William Wade, now clerke of the priuie
counsell, Master Oliuer Daubeney merchant of London, M[after] Ioy afterward gentleman of the kings chappell, with diuers other of good account.
The whole number that went in the two tall fhips aforefayd, to wit, the...11


Trinitie and the Minion, were about fix fcore perfons, whereof 30. were
gentlemen, which all were muftered in warlike maner at Grauefend, and
after the receiuing of the facrament, they embarked themfelues at the end
of Aprill, I536.
From the time of their fetting out from Goranefende, they were very long
at fea, to witte, aboue two moneths, and neuer touched any lande vntill
they came to part of the Weft lindes about Cape Breton, fhaping their
courfe thence Northeaftwards, vntill they came to the Ifland of Penguin,
which is very full of rockes and itones, whereon they went and founde it
full of great foules white and gray, as bigge as geefe, and they fawe infinite
nombers of their egges. They draue a great nomber of the foules into their
boates vpon their failes, and tooke vp many of their egges, the foule they
flead and their Ikinnes were like hony combes full of holes being flead off:
they dreffed and eate them, and found them to be very good and nourishing
meate. They fawe alfo ftore of beares both blacke and white, of whome
they killed fome, and tooke them for no badde foode.
M[aiter] Oliuer Dawbency, which (as it is before mentioned) was in this
voyage, and in the Minion, tolde A [after] Richard iakluyi of the middle
Temple thefe things following: to wit, That after their arriuall in Nezwfound
land, and hauing bene there certaine dayes at ancre, and not hauing yet
feene any of the naturall people of the Countrey, the fame Dawbeny walking one day on the hatches fpied a boate with Sauages of thofe partes,
rowing downe the bay towarde them, to gafe vpon the fhippe and our people,
and taking viewe of their comming aloofe; hee called to fuch as were vnder
hatches, and willed them to come vp if they would fee the naturall people
of the Countrey, that they had fo long and fo much defired to fee: Whereupon they came vp and tooke view of the Sauages rowing toward them and
their fhippe, and vpon the viewe they manned out a fhipboote to meete
them and to take them. But they fpying our fiipboote making towards
them, returned with maine force, and fled into an Ifland that laye vp in the
bay or riuer there, and our men purfued them into the Ifland, and the
Sauages fledde and efcaped: but our men founde a fire, and the fide of a
beare on a wodden fpit left at the fame by the Sauages that were fledde.
There in the fame place they founde a boot of leather garnifhed on the
vtter fide of the calfe in certain braue trailes, as it were of rawe filke, and
alfo founde a certaine great warme mitten: And thefe carried with them,
they returned to their fhippe, not finding the Sauages, nor feeing any thing
elfe betides the foyle, and the things growing in the fame, which chiefly
were itore of fire and pine trees.
And further, the faid M. Dawbeny told him, that lying there they grewe
into great want of victuals, and that there they found finall reliefe, more then
that they had from the neft of an Ofprey, that brought hourely to her yong
great plentie of diuers forts of fifhes. But fuch was the famine that increafed
amongft them from day to day, that they were forced to feeke to relieue
themfelues of rawe herbes and rootes that they fought on the maine: but
the famine increafing and the reliefe of herbes being to little purpofe to
fatiffie their infatiable hunger, in the fieldes and defertes here and there, the
fellowe killed his mate while hee itouped to take vp a roote for his reliefe,
and cutting out pieces of his body whome hee had murthered, broyled the
fame on the coles, and greedily deuoured them.
By this meane the company decreafed, and the officers knewe not what
was become of them; and it fortuned that one of the company driuen
with hunger to feeke abroade for reliefe, founde out in the fields the fauour
of broyled flefh, and fell out with one that hee would fuffer him and his
fellowes to fierue, enioying plentie as he thought: And this matter growing
to cruel fpeaches, he that had the broyled meate, burit out into thefe wordes,
If thou wouldeft needes knowe, the broyled meate that I had, was a piece
of fuch a mans buttocke. The report of this brought to the fhip, the
Captaine found what became of thofe that were miffing, and was perfwaded
that fome of them were neither deuoured with wilde beaftes, nor yet deftroyed
with. the Sauages: And hereupon he ftcod vp and made a notable Oration,
containing, How much thefe dealings offended the Almightie, and vouched
the Scriptures from firft to laft what God had in cafes of diftreffe (lone for
them that called vpon him, and told them that the power of the Almightie
was then no leffe, then in al former time it had bene. And added, that if
it had not pleafed God to haue holpen them in that diitreffe, that yet it had
been better to be punifhed in body, and to haue liued euerlaitingly, then
to haue relieued for a poore time their mortal bodies, and to bee condemned euerlastingly both body and foule to the vnquenchable fire of hel.




PRE FAC F.


XIX


And thus hauing ended to that effect, he began to exhort to repentance, and
befought all the company to pray, that it might pleafe God to looke vpon
their miferable prefent Rlate, and for his owne mercie to relieue the fame.
And fuch was the mercie of God, that the fame night there arriued a
French fhippe in that port, well furnifhed with vittaile, and fuch was the
policie of the Englifh, that they become mailers of the fame; and changing
fhip: and vitayling them, they fet faile to come into England.
In their iourney they were fo farre Northwards, that they fawe mightie
Iflands of yce in the fummer feafon, on which were haukes and other
foules to reft themfelues, being wearie of flying ouer farre from the
maine. They fawe alfo certaine great white foules with redde bils and
redde legs, fomewhat bigger then Herons, which they fuppofed to be ftorkes.
They arriued at S[aint]. lues in Cornewall about the ende of October.
From thence they departed to a certaine Cattle belonging to sir lohn
Lultrel, where M[after] Thomas Buts and M[iafer] Ra/qall and other gentlemen of the voyage were very friendly intertained: after that they came to
the Earle of Bathe at Bathe, and thence to Brijfoll, and fo to London.
AI[afer] Buts was fo changed in the voyage with hunger and miferie, that
sir William his father and my Lady his mother knewe him not to be their
fonne, vntill they found a certaine fecret marke which was a wart vpon one
of his knees, as he tolde me Richard Hakluyt of Oxforde himfelfe, to whome
I rode 200. miles onely to learne the whole trueth of this voyage from his
owne mouth, as being the onely man nowv aliue [i.e. in or about 1589] that
was in this difcouerie.
Certaine moneths after, thofe Frenchmen came into England, and made
complaint to king ienry the 8: the King caufing the matter to be examined, and finding the great diftreffe of his fubiects, and the caufes of
the dealing fo with the French, was fo moued with pitie, that hee punifhed
not his fubiects, but of his owne purfe made full and royal recompenfe vnto
the French.
In this diftreffe of famine, the Englifh fomewhat relieue their vitall
fpirits by drinking at the fprings the frefh water out of certaine wooden
cups, out of which they had drunke their Aqua compqfita before. -Hakluyt,
Voyages, pp. 517-5 9, Ed. 1589.
12. These are all the oceanic voyages performed by the
English in the reign of Henry VIII. which we have been
able to trace.  It was under Edward, that our sailors first began
to creep down the African coast. The special significance of
these voyages lay in the then accredited proprietorship (through
the Papal Bull, reprinted at pp. 201-204) of the Portugese to
the entire continent of Africa; and in the intentional and studied
ignorance of its coast line, in which the World was kept by that
nation. Every English voyage to its west coast was therefore
at once an act of revolt against the Papacy, and a challenge to
the pretensions of Portugal.
The Levant trade was open to all who would dare to run
the gauntlet of the Turks. The Spaniards recognised the claim
of the English discovery, by the Cabots, of Baccalaos; and had
not yet worked up northward to it. But the African sea coast,
so honourably and so patiently discovered, was (by all laws,
human and divine, hitherto accepted) the possession of its brave
discoverers. It was therefore a new impulse, that made our
English ships, passing the familiar Straits of Gibraltar on their
left hand, to go forward southward, first to Barbary, and then
to Guinea; cost what it might.
Discoveries are made by successive steps, one after another;
and the passage of English ships around the world and to the
Eastern seas was but the succession and development of these
first attempts to Marocco. All that we know of these Barbary
voyages is preserved to us by Hakluyt, who collected his
information forty to fifty years after the event, and has thus
transmitted it to us.


THE FIRST VOYAGE TO BARBARY IN I551, DESCRIBED BY JAMES
ALDAY, SERVANT TO SEBASTIAN CABOT.
The originall of the firit voyage for traffique into the kingdom of Marocco
in Barbarie, begun in the yeere 1551, with a tall ihip called the Lion of
London, whereof went as captaine Matter Thomas Windham, as appeareth
by this extract of a letter of lames Aldaie, to the worfhipfull maiter Michael
Locke, which Aldaie profeffeth himfelfe to haue bene the firil inuenter of
this trade.
Orfiipfull Sir, hauing lately bene acquainted with your intent
to profecute the olde intermitted difcouerie for Catai, if
therein with my knowledge, trauell or induitrie I may doe
you feruice, I am readie to doe it, and therein to aduenture
my life to the vttermoft point. Trueth it is, that I haue bene
by fome men (not my friends) euill fpoken of at London, faying that
although I be a man of knowledge in the Arte of Nauigation and Cofmographie, and that I haue bene the inuenter of fome voyages that be now
growen to great effect; yet fay they malicioufly and without iuit caufe, that I
haue not bene willing at any feafon to proceed in thofe voyages that I haue
taken in hand, taking example efpecially of two voyages. The one was
when I was matter in the great Barke Aucher [which left Gravesend on
I31h November I550] for the Leuant, in which voyage I went not, but the
caufes they did not know of my let from the fame, nor of the other. But
firft the very trueth is, that I was from the fame voyage letted by the
Princes letters, which my Matter Sebajyian Gabota had ubatined for that
purpofe, to my great griefe.
And as touching the fecond voyage which I inuented for the trade of
Barbarie, the liuing God knoweth that I fay moft true, that when the great
fweate was [The sweating sickness began in London on 9th Suly 1551, and
continued till the following September] (whereon the chiefe of thofe with
whom I ioyned in that voyage died, that is to fay, Sir John Lutterell, lohni
Fletcher, iHenry Ofjrich and others), I my felfe was alfo taken with the
fame fweate in London, and after it, whe.her with euill diet in keeping, or
how I know not, I was cait into fuch an extreame feuer, as I was neither
able to ride nor goe; and the fhippe being at Portfnmouth, Thomas FWindham had her away from thence before I was able to fland vpon my legges,
by whom I loft at that inftant fourefcore pound [=;8oo of the present day].
Befides I was appointed by them that died (if they had liued) to haue had
the whole gouernment both of fhippe and goods, becaufe I was to them
the fole inuenter of that trade.
In the firft voyage to Barbary there were two AMoores, being noble men,
whereof one was of the Kings blood, conueyed by the faid Mailer Thomas
Windham into their countrey out of England.
Yours humble at your commandement,    JAMES ALDAY.
THE SECOND VOYAGE TO BARBARY IN 1552, DESCRIBED BY
MASTER JAMES THOMAS.
The fecond voyage to Barbary in the yeere 1552. Set foorth by the right
worfhipful Sir John Yorke, Sir William  Ger[r]ard, Sir Thomas Wroth,
Matter Frances Lambert, Mailer Cole, and others. Written by the relation
of Mailer James Thomas, then Page to Mailer Thomas Wfindham, chiefe
Captaine of this voyage.
He fhippes that went on this voyage were three, whereof two
were of the Riuer of Thames, That is to fay, the Lyon of
London, whereof Mailer Thomas Windham was Captaine
and part owner, of about an hundred and fiftie tunnes: The
other was the Buttolfe [Botolph] about fourefcore tunnes, and
a Portugall Carauel, bought of certaine Portugals in ANewport in Wales, and
fraighted for this voyage, of fumme fixtie tunnes. The number of men in
the Fleete were an hundred and twentie. The Mailer of the Lyon was
one John Kerry of Mynhe[a]d in Somerfetfhire, his Mate was Dauid
Landman. The chiefe Captaine of this fmall Fleete was Mailer Thomas
Windham a Norfolke gentleman borne, but dwelling at Marjhfield-parke in
SomerfetIhire.
This Fleete departed out of King,[s]-rode neere Br/ifoll about the beginning of May 1552. being on a Monday in the morning [The 2d and 9th oJ
xix




XX


P R EF A C E.


May I 552, were Mondays], and the Monday fortnight next enfuing in the
euening came to an ancker at their firft part in the roade Zafia or AjfZi on
the coaft of Barbarie, flanding in 32. degrees of latitude, and there put on
land part of our marchandife to be conueid by land to the citie of M[arocco:
which being done, and haue refrefhed our felues with victuals and water,
we went to the fecond port called Santa Cruz, where we difcharged the
reft of our goods, being good quantitie of linnen and woollen cloth, corall,
amber, Iet, and diuers other things well accepted of the foores. In which
road we found a French fhip, which not knowing whether it were warre or
peace between EnZtgland and France, drewe her felfe as neere vnder the
towne wals as fhe could poffible, crauing aide of the towne for her defence,
if need were, which in deed feeing vs drawe neere, fhot at us a piece from
the wals, which came ouer the Lion our Admirall, between the maine
mafte and foremaft.  Whereupon we comming to an anker, prefently came
a pinnes aboord vs to know what we were, who vnderftanding that we
had bene there the yere before [ This confirms Alday's statement], and came
with good leaue of their king in merchant wife, were fully fatiffied, and
gaue vs good leaue to bring our goods peaceably on flore, where the Viceroy,
whofe name was Sibill Azanache, within ihort time after came to vifite vs,
and vfed vs with all curtefie. By diuers occafions we fpent here very neere
three moneths before we could get in our lading, which was Sugar, Dates,
Almonds, and Malaffos or fugar Syrrope. And for all our being here in
the heate of the Sommer, yet none of our company periflied by fickneffe.
Our flips being laden, wee drew into the Sea for a Wefterne wind for
England. But being at fea, a great leake fell vpon the Lion, fo that we
were driuen to Lancerota and Fortelenltura, where, betweene the two
Ilands, we came to a road, whence we put on land out of our fayd fiip 70.
cheftes of Sugar vpon Lancerota with fome dozen or fixteene of our company, where the inhabitants fuppofing we had made a wrongftll prize of
our carauell, fuddenly came with force vpon our people, among- whom I
my felfe was one, tooke vs prifoners, and fpoiled the fugars: wlih-thinng
being perceiued from our fhips, they manned out three boates, thinking to
refcue vs, and draue the Spaniards to flight, whereof they flewe eighteene;
and took their goucrnour of the Iland prifoner, who was a very aged gentle

man about 70. yeeres of age. But chafing the enemie fo farre for our
recouerie, as pouder and arrowes wanted, the Spaniardes perceiuing this,
returned, and in our mens retire [retreat] they flewe fix of them. Then a
Parle[y] grew, in the which it was agreed, that we the prifoners fhould be
by them reftored, and they receiue their old gouernour, giuing vs a teftimonie vnder his and their hands what damages wee had there receiuedl;
the which damages were there reftored, and made good by the King of
Spaine his marchantes on our returne into England.
After we had fearched and mended our eake, being returned aboord,
we came vnder faile, and as wee were going to the fea on the one fide of
the Iland, the Cacafuego and other flips of the King of Portlgals Armada
entered at the other, and came to anker in the road from whence we were
but newly departed, and fhot off their great ordinance in our hearing. And
here by the way it is to bee vnderftood that the PoFrtnals were much
offended with this our new trade into Barbarie, and both in our voiage the
yeere before, as alfo in this they gaue out in England by their marchants,
that if they tooke vs in thofe partes, they would vfe vs as their mortall
enemies, with great threats and menaces. But by God and good prouidence wee efcaped their handes.
From this Iland fhaping our courfe for England, we were feuen or eight
weekes before we could reach the coaft of E~ngland. The firft port wee
entered into was the haten of Plimzmonth, from whence within fhort time
wee came into the Thames, and landed our merchandife at London, about
the ende of the moneth of October 1552. -Hakhlyt, Voyages, Vol. II.,
Part II., pp. 7-9, Ed. 1599.
13. All these English Voyages, therefore, had been planned
and carried out before either of the two following Works, translated &c. by Eden, had come from        the press.   As he has
given no account of them; it has been all the more necessary
to say thus much here, in order to shew      that in these very
early days of oceanic     discovery, our forefathers were not
altogether idle.


III.


Unique, imperfect, copy of A    new   interlude
andi  a nery of the nature of the. iiij. elementes,
^&c., written in the reign of Henry VIII., and
probably printed [? by John Rastel] about
I 519, is in the Garrick Collection of Plays,
in the British Museum    (Press mark, C. 39,
b. I7).
This interlude contains [at C i.] the following reference
to the New    World, in a dialogue between Expelryence and
Studyous desire. —
Ex. 41 Syr this ys ynglande Iyenge here
And this is skotlande yat Ioyneth him nere
Compassyd a boute euery where
With the occian see rownde
41 And next from them westwardly
Here by hym selfe alone doth ly.
Irelande that holsome grounde
( Here than is the narowe seey
To Calyce and Boleyne the next wey
And flaunders in this parte
Here lyeth fraunce next hym ioynynge
And spayn southwarde from thens standynge
And portyngale in this quart
This contrey is called Italye
Beholde where Rome in ye myddes doth ly
And Naples here be yonde
And this lytell See that here is
xx


Is callyd the Gulfe of Venys
And here venys doth stande
41 As for almayne lyeth this way
Here lyeth denmarke and norway
And northwarde on this syde
There lyeth Iselonde when men do fyshe
But be yonde that so colde it is
No man may there abyde
(4 This See is called the great Occyan
So great it is that never man
Coude tell it sith the worlde began
Tyll nowe within this. xx. yere
Westwarde be founde new landes
That we neuer harde tell of before this
By wrytynge nor other meanys
Yet many nowe haue ben there
4 And that contrey is so large of rome
Muche lenger than all cristendome
Without fable or gyle
For dyuers maryners haue it tryed
And sayled streyght by the coste syde
Aboue. v. thousand myle
(4 But what commodytes be within
No man can tell nor well Imagin
But yet not longe a go
Some men of this contrey went
By the kynges noble consent
It for to serche to that entent
And coude not be brought therto
I4 But they that were the ventere[r]s




PREFACE.


xxi


Haue cause to curse their maryners
Fals of promys and dissemblers
That falsly them betrayed
Which wold take no paine to saile farther
Than their owne lyst and pleasure
Wherfore that vyage and dyuers other
Suche kaytyffes haue distroyed
( 0 what thynge a had be than
Yf that they that be englyshe men
Myght haue ben the furst of all
That there shulde haue take possessyon
And made furst buyldynge and habytacion
A memory perpetuall
And also what an honorable thynge
Bothe to the realme and to the kynge
To haue had his domynyon extendynge
There into so farre a grounde
Whiche the noble kynge of late memory
The most wyse prynce the. vij. He[n]rry
Causyd furst for to be founde
1 And what a great meritoryouse dede
It were to haue the people instructed
To lyue more vertuously
And to lerne to knowe of men the maner
And also to knowe god theyr maker
Whiche as yet lyue all be[a]stly
For they nother knowe god nor the deuell
Nor neuer harde tell of heuyn nor hell
Wrytynge nor other scripture
But yet in the stede of god almyght
The[y] honour the sone for his great lygg[h]t
For that doth them great pleasure
( Buyldynge nor house they haue non[e] at all
But wodes / cotes / and cauys small
No merueyle though it be so
For they vse no maner of yron
Nother in to[o]le nor other wepon
That shulde helpe them therto
C Copper they haue which is founde
In dyuers places aboue the grounde
Yet they dyg not therfore
For as I sayd they haue non[e] yryn
Wherby they shuld in the yerth myne
To serche for any wore
( Great haboundaunce of woddes ther be
Moste parte vyr and pyne aple tre
Great ryches myght come therby
Both py[t]che and tarre and sope asshys
As they make in the eest landes
By brynnyng therof only
( Fyshe they haue so great plente
That in hauyns take and slayne they be
With stauys withouten fayle
Nowe frenchemen and other haue founden the trade
That yerely of fyshe there they lade
A boue an. C. lhundred] sayle
( But in the south parte of that contrey
The people there go nakyd alway
The lande is of so great hete
And in the north parte all the clothes
That they were / is but be[a]stes skynnes
They haue no nother fete [feat]
But howe the people furst began
In that contrey or whens they cam
For clerkes it is a questyon[.]
Other thynges mo I haue in store
That I coude tel therof but now no more
Tyll a nother season


Stu. ( Than at your pleasure shew some other thinge
Yt lyketh me so wel your commyninge
Ye can not talke a mys
Ex. ( Than wyl I tome a gayne to my matter
Of Cosmogryfy where I was err [ere]
Beholde take hede to this
( Loo estwarde beyonde ye great occyan
Here entereth the see callyd mediterran
Of. ii. M. [two thousand] myle of lengthe
The Soudans contrey lyeth here by
The great Turke on ye north syde doth ly
A man of merueylous strengthe
<[ This sayde north parte is callyd europa
And this south parte callyd affrica
This eest parte is callyd ynde
But this newe landes founde lately
Ben callyd america by cause only
Americus dyd furst them fynde
( Loo Iherusalem lyeth in this contrey
And this be yonde is the red see
That moyses maketh of mencyon
This quarter is India minor
And this quarter India maior
The lande of prester Iohn
C But northwarde this way as ye see.
Many other straunge regions ther be
And people that we not knowe
But estwarde on the see syde
A prynce there is that ruleth wyde
Called the Cane of catowe 1
( And this is called the great eest see
Which goth all a longe this wey
Towardes the new landis agayne
But whether that see go thyther dyrectly
Or if any wyldernes bytwene them do ly
No man knoweth for certeyne
But these newe landes by all cosmografye
Frome the cane of catous lande can not lye
Lytell paste a thousand myle
But from those new landes men may sayle playne
Estwarde and cum to englande againe
Where we began ere whyle
( Lo all this parte of the yerth which I
Haue here discryuyd openly
The north parte we do it call
But the south parte on the other syde
Ys as large as this full and as wyde
Whiche we knowe nothynge at all
( Nor whether ye most parte be lande or see
Nor whether the people that there be
Be be[a]styall or connynge
Nor whether they knowe good or no
Nor howe they beleue nor what they do
Of this we knowe nothynge
The Voyage referred to, clearly took place in Henry VIII.'s
reign. It was probably the Bristol expedition sent out by N.
Thorne's father and Hugh Eliot, which discovered Newfoundland; of which Thorne tells us, at p. xvi, " There is no doubt,
as now plainly appeareth, if the marriners would then haue
been ruled and folowed their pilots mind, the lands of the
West Indies, from whence all the gold commeth, had beene
ours."
1 Khan of Cathay.


C 2




xxii


PREFA CE.


---


IV.


HE special purpose of this Preface has now
/  1        been carried out. It has been to shew
what our forefathers actually accomplished,
B    1      ere Eden set about the following Trans-!!I      lations, or during the time he was actually
engaged upon them: and so to supplement
the other accounts of Oceanic Discovery
contained in the volume.
We have, in conclusion, only space briefly to touch upon one
other point, and that is but a simple act of justice.
Most notable is Eden's position as a Man of Science in the
Tudor Age.   He had the true modest scientific spirit; as
when he wrote in 1562, to Sir W. Cecil, "Syth only the
respecte of suche vertues as it hathe pleased you to thinke
commendable in me, hath moved your Honour not only in
maner to seeme carefull for me howe I maye hereafter with
quietnesse spende my tyme in studie (as is my most desire),"
p. xliii.; and likewise when, in I574, he thus dwelt at large
upon what he did not know, a list of disqualifications that
must not be pressed too literally, " For yf there be any thing in
me, wherein I maye by good reason please my selfe, it is
cheefely this, that I haue euer loued and honoured men of


singular vertue or qnalitie, in what so euer laudable Art or
Science, euen of those whereof mee selfe have litle knowledge, as are Geometrie, Astronomie, Architecture, Musicke,
Payntyng, feates of Armes, inuentions of Ingens, and suche
lyke," p. xlvi.
But whatever may have been his knowledge or his ignorance,
actual or relative; Eden had already grasped the Inductive
Method. His life overlapped that of Lord Bacon. May he
not be regarded as a near Herald and Forerunner of the
Father of Scientific Enquiry, when he uses such language as
this; of which his whole life was but the'fuller expression?
"Experience, the teacher and mestres of all sciences, for
lacke of whose ayde (experience I meane) lyke as many greate
wittes haue fallen into great errours, so by her ayde, many
base and common wittes haue attayned to the knowledge and
practise of such wonderfull effectes, as could hardely be
comprehended by the discourse of reason.
" Nought els to say, but that experience to be most certayn
which is ioyned with reason or speculacion, and that reason to
be most sure which is confirmed with experience." p. 9.
And thus, from henceforth will the reputation of Richard
Eden continue to increase, both as a Scholar and a Scientist.


xxii




[The First English book on America.
~I fM the nrett lanrit anr of ge pterple
faunrie  b  tfhr mnegrrene  of thre fQn
gr of portTngale nameWrt  marnul.
<f the. r. tMuer  nacan~ trcrMterne.
Of pape 3Eai   anir hite lanrte  antr o
thle catel[ teres  anr uoanrerbr m^Ca
rim6 that in that Iante ti.]


It








XXV


[A Note on
Jan van Doesborch,
a printer at Antwerp, between 1508-1530 A.D.


Nything that concerns the printer of the
first English Work relating to America,
must henceforth be of increasing interest.
There does not appear to be in exist-iB p  1 ence, any typographical history of Antwerp for the period during which the
first Text in this volume was produced.
The learned and most courteous
Librarian of the Royal Library at the Hague, Dr M. F. A.
G. Campbell, the author of the well-known Annales de la
Typographie neerlandaise au XVe siecle, La Haye, I874-8,
8vo, thus writes, on the 2ISt April 1885.
How glad should I have been if I had been able to give you full
information about Jan van Doesborch, the Antwerp printer in the first
half of the sixteenth century. But, alas, the History of Printing in
that century has been, without any sound reason, neglected to that
point that even sixteenth-century books are now-a-days more rare than
their predecessors of the fifteenth. If Jan van Doesborch had had only
one foot in the fifteenth century, I should have been able to give you
matter enough to compose his history: because I, and my predecessor
as Iibrarian of this Library (Mr Holtrop), have devoted the better part
of our lives to the study of the typography and typographers before the
year 1500. Now John of Doesborch did not print till after 1508,
because in that year, he entered the Guild of St Lucas at Antwerp, as
vcrlichtere, "miniature painter."
When such an authority as Dr Campbell writes thus,
the present Editor may be excused of his ignorance on this
subject. Nevertheless the following is offered as a mere
beginning of this study.
2. Doesburg is a Dutch town, about ten miles to the east
of Arnheim.
Jan van Doesborch, Doesborcke, Doesburgh, or as he
styles himself in (f) the xv. tokens, Iohan fro doesborch, may
have succeeded to the printing business of Roeland van der
Dorpe, at Antwerp.      He was contemporary with      our
Wynkyn de Worde and Richard Pynson: and occupies a
similar position in Antwerp typography, to that filled by
those two English printers at Westminster and London.
He seems to have printed in three different houses. His
earliest books were printed at the sign of Aen dijsere wage,
"the Iron balance."    Those produced about I518, are
printed "besides the Camer porte."      His latest books,
finished about 1530, are at die Lombaerde veste, "the Lombard fortress."
It is very remarkable that Doesborch should, at such an
early date, have printed the English books that he did;


especially such an important work as Arnold's Chronicle.
He was probably employed in this work by some
of the merchants of the English House at Antwerp. He
stands in the same relation to our Literature at this time,
that Hans Luft of Marburg did fifteen or twenty years later.
No books are so scarce as the early English books printed
by foreign printers on the Continent; of which the following
Text is one of the earliest.
3. The first book attributed to this printer, by P. C.
van der Meersch, in his Recherches sur la vie et les travaux
des imprimeurs BeIges et Neerlandais etablis c l'etranger, i.
131, Gand i856, is(a) Die destructie van Troyen, " the destruction of Troy." Antwerp,
folio, no date.
The late eminent bookseller of Amsterdam, Mr Frederick
Muller, issued, in 1872, a Catalogue of Books, Maps, Plates
on America; and of a remarkable Collection of Early Voyages, offered by him   for sale.   At p. 6, he states that he
acquired, in I87I, at the sale of an insignificant library at
Antwerp, a volume containing four pieces, "all printed
there in the first ten years of the i6th century."
One of these was(b) Van der nieuwcir werell oft landtscap nieuwcelier ghenoden vaden
doorluch tighen conn. van Portugad door den ad erbeste pyloet ofte zeekenedr d'werelt, "Of the new world or landscape, newly found for the
illustrious King of Portugal by the best pilot or mariner in the world."
This is a translation from the Italian (through the Latin) into Dutch,
of the Third Letter of Amerigo Vespucci.    The colophon runs,
Gheprent Thantwerpen aen Dyseren waghe. Bi Jan van Doesborch,
" Printed at Antwerp, at the iron-balance, by Jan van Doesborch."
It consists of eight unnumbered leaves, [with] 6 woodcuts. The verso
of the last leaf is filled up by a wood engraving. On the recto of the
first leaf [is the identical cornerwise engraving that is described hereafter at p. xxix., col. 2]; on the verso of leaf I, Jonas thrown into the
mouth of the whale; recto of leaf 3, four female aborigines [see p.
xxviii.]; verso of leaf 4, fighting Indians [see p. xxix.]; verso of leaf 6,
repeated from the recto of leaf I; and verso of the last leaf, repeated
from the recto of leaf 3.
Mr Muller statesThe book bears no date, but it is out of question, that it has been
printed in the period I506-9, the time when all the separate editions of
Vespuccius were published. It is one of the first productions of the
famous printer, Jan van Doesborgh, at Antwerp; whose publications
(principally romances of chivalry with woodcuts, curious popular books,
&c.) rank among the rarest of the Antwerp printers. Just the kind
of publications that makes it easy to understand that they have disappeared, as it were, under the hands of the reading public.




xxvi [A Note on Jan van Doesborcli, a irinter at A.ntwer5, betlzeen I508-1530 A.D.]




Another text in this precious volume is thus described, at
p. 277, by Mr Muller(c) Van de zionderlichedte en costelichen van Rape lans landendes,
" Of the wonders and precious things of Pope John's lands."
The remainder of the first page filled with four curious woodcuts,
representing l~, a wild man with a beast's head bearing a fish [see p.
xxxv.]; 2~, an elephant [see p. xxxii.]; 3~, a griffon with a man in his
paws [see p. xxxiv.]; and 40, three men fighting against three birds
[see p. xxxiii.]
Recto of the last leaf, Gheprint Thantwerpen. Aen dijsere wage by
my Jan. van Doesborch. " Printed at Antwerp at the iron balance by
me, Jan van Doesborch."
Eleven different woodcuts in the text, four of them repeated from
the recto of leaf I. On the 5th leaf, a woodcut of the bird Phoenix in
flames [see p. xxxiv.] The verso of the last leaf filled with two wood
engravings, one representing the Virgin with the Child, the other the
printer's mark of Roeland van der Dorpe, used in 1497, &c. [a herald
with his attributes, holding a trumpet].
It is therefore perfectly clear that the First English book
on America is mainly a translated compilation from these
two early Dutch tracts; and that most of the woodcuts
of the English text had already appeared in its Dutch
originals.
We therefore place next(d) Of the new landes, &'c.
Clearly, the latest date that can be assigned to this tract
is 1511.    Had it been written later, the information contained in it would not have been so crude. See the progress of knowledge as shewn in the English Interlude of
I519, quoted at p. xx.      It would seem    to have been
translated by a priest in the Low Countries, who had but an
imperfect acquaintance with English; for he uses hemls for
heavens; drycantyche, for three-cornered, ferswynmygnes,
ketters, &c.
The Catalogue of the Grenville Collection, in describing
the unique copy here reprinted (Press mark, G. 7xo6),
states"From mentioning Emanuel, King of Portugal, and exclaiming
against Luther, the present tract may be about I52I or I522, when
Kug Emmanuel died, and Luther was burned in effigy."
There is not a word about Luther in the tract; and it is
typographically evident from the above, that the tract can
hardly be later than I 5 1
4. It is quite impossible, at present, to give a chronological list of books produced by Jan van Doesborch. A
few only can be cited.
(e) [The compilation by R. Arnold, known as Arnold's Chronicle.]
In this booke is conteyned the names of ye bayliffs of the cite of London from the tyme of king richard the furst, and also th[e] artycles of
the Chartur and libarties of the same Cyte, &c.  No date or place of
printing. British Museum (Press mark, 21, a. io).
This is attributed to Doesborch's press, and was a very
large work to be undertaken by him, in what was probably
a foreign language to him.   It contains the original text of
the poem of The Nut-brozein Maid.
In the British Museum (Press mark, C. 25, e. 29) there is
an imperfect copy of a tract on the Fifteen tokens of the
Day of Doom. It wants the title page. The colophon is
as follows:(f) " A lytill treatyse that whiche is called he xv. tokens which been
ate translated out of frenshe in to Englishe.
u Emprinted by me Iohan fro doesborch dwellinge at Anwerpe by
the Iron ballaunce, &c.
These six texts are probably among the earliest productions
of Doesborch's press.


I


5. We now come to the middle period of his life's work.
In the British Museum (Press mark, 1073, b. 32) there is
a Dutch life of the fabulous necromancer of the Middle
Ages, Virgilius.
( ) Virgilius (4 Van zijn lezent doot ende vaunen, &c. No date or
place of printing.
This tract is probably the original of the rare English
Virgilius among the Douce books at the Bodleian, which
has been reprinted by Mr Utterson, and also by Mr Thoms,
in his Early Eng~lish Prose Romances, Vol. 2, Ed. i858.
(h) The title runs thus:
The lyfe of Virgilius and of his deth and many marvayles that he dyd
in his lyfe tyme by whychcrafte and nygramancye thorowgh the helpe
of the devyls of hell.
The colophon is
Thus endethe the lyfe of Virgilius with many dyuers consaytes that he dyd.  Emprynted in the cytie of Anwarpe By me
Iohnn Doesborcke dwellynge at the camer porte.
Mr W. C. Hazlitt, in his Handbook of Popular Liter'ature,, p6.. 381, Ed. I867, quotes the following titleof a
Work apparently at present in an English private library.
(i) Here begynneth a lytell story that was of a trewthe done in the
land of Gelders, of a mayde that was named Mary of Nemegen that was
the dyuils paramoure by the space of vij yere longe.
Imprinted at Anwarpe by me Iohn Duisbrowghe dwellynge besyde
the camer porte.
Dr Campbell states that in the Royal Library at the Hague,
is a copy of the following Work, printed by Doesborch.
(/) Den oosproinck onser Solicheyt. Printed at Antwerp on 3I May
1517. With woodcuts and printer's mark.
Also, a Work, sometimes erroneously attributed to Jan van Naeldwyck,
(k) Die alder excellentste Cronyke va Brabant 1518. With woodcuts
and printer's mark.
Of this work, there is a copy of an earlier edition printed
in October I512 in the British Museum (Press mark, G. 405,
f.) This may also have been printed by Doesborch.
The next Work that we can quote is, for the time it was
produced, a wonderful book. It is a pictorial representation of all the birds, beasts, and fishes, real and imaginary,
of the time. It is in three Parts.
(Z) Der dieren palleys en die vgaderinge vanden beesten. The colo.
phon is Gheprent bi my Jan van doesborch Thantwe7rpen lit iaer ons
heeren M.CCCCC. ende. xx. den vijfsten dach in Afeye. [5 May 1520.]
Copies are in the British Museum, the Royal Library at
the Hague, and elsewhere.
Mr Hazlitt, Handbook, &c., p. 8, gives the following
account of Lawrence Andrewe's translation of this work.
(m) The noble lyfe and natures of man, of beestes, serpentys, fowles,
and fysshes, that be made known.
Andwarpe by John of Doesborowe, n.d. fol.
In the prologue, Andrewe, the translator, says, " In the name of oure
Saviour criste Iesu maker and redemour of al mankynd, I Laurens
andrewe of the towne of Calis haue translated for Iohnes doesborrowe
book prenter in the cite of Andwarpe this present volume deuyded in
thre partes which was neuer before in no maternall langage prentyd till
now. "
6. One other Work will complete our present provisional
list of this printer's productions.
(n) Van Brabant dieexcellente Cronike. Ofwhich the colophon runs,
Gheprent tot Antwerpen op die Lombaerde vesle, bi miJan van Doesborch,
int iaer ons heren M.. CCcc. xxx, in luino.
Copies of this work are in the British Museum, the Royal
Library at the Hague, and elsewhere.
7. This is all we have been able to learn, so far, of the
printer of the First English book on America. Much
more, no doubt, remains to reward the researches of the
bibliographer.]


I




xxvii


4(I       f the nrtue lanter                             antr ot           e C       rpotC
founlt bt                   tht meienger~ of the 1fn
t orf plortnfalth naamet                                 emanuel.
E~ tThe. r. tJruer                        nactaon               crgtenetl.
Of pope 3Etohn                         ant hit Ianlrre                           ant aof
the             coRtel             f   Ve6et     ant         baoniirtr                mol
1trtB that in that Iante ti.
Ere aforetymes in the yere of our Lorde god. M.CCCC.xcvi. [I496] and fo be/ we
with fhyppes of Luffeboene fayled oute of Portyngale thorough the commaundeR          il   m1 nlent of the Kynge Emanuel So haue we had our vyage/ For by fortune
ylandes ouer the great fee with great charge and daunger fo haue we at the lafte
founde oon lordfhyp where we fayled well. ix. C. [goo00] mylee[s] by the coofte of
Selandes there we at ye lafte went a lande but that lande is not nowe knowen
for there haue no mafters wryten therof nor it knowethe and it is named
Armenica/ there we fawe meny wonders of beefRes and fowles yat we haue neuer
feen before/ the people of this lande haue no kynge nor lorde nor theyr god
But all thinges is comune/ this people goeth all naked But the men and women
haue on theyr heed/ necke/ Armes/ Knees/ and feted ll with feders bounden for
there bewtynes and fayrenes. Thefe folke lyuen lyke beftes without any refonablenes and the wymen be alfo as comon. And the men hath conuerfacyon
h                 with the wymen/ who that they ben or who they fyrft mete/ is he his fyfter/
his mother/ his daughter/ or any other kyndred.  And the wymen be very
hoote and dypofed to lecherdnes. And they ete alfo on[e] a nother The man
etethe his wyfe his chylderne/j as we alfo haue feen and they hange alfo the bodyes or perfons fleefhe in the fmoke/ as men
do with vs fwynes fleffihe. And that lande is ryght full of folke/ for they lyue commonly. iii. C. [300] yere and more as with
fykeneffe they dye nat/ they take much fyffhe for they can goen vnder the water and fe[t]che fo the fyfihes out of the water.
and they werre alfo on[e] vpon a nother/ for the olde men brynge the yonge men therto/ that they gather a great company therto
of towe partyes/ and come the o:4[e] ayene the other to the felde or bateyll/ and flee on[e] the other with great hepes. And nowe
holdeth the fylde/ they take the other pryfoners And they brynge them to deth and ete them/ and as the deed is eten then
fley they the reft And they been than eten alfo/ or otherwyfe lyue they longer tymes and many.yeres more than other people for
they haue coftely fpyces and rotes/ where they them felfe recouer with/ and hele them as they be feke.


xxvIi




xxviii  [ Te firft EugliJki book coutaining the word America (Armzenica), &c.]


[(Here follows a woodcut of the Natives of) GEN N EA]
Of the blacke Mores.
T the fyrfle cam we in the lande of Canarien/
whyche is. C. and. 1. [1 50] myles from Lyffebone. And ther betwyn been. ij. ylandes.
* *     In yat one is well made people and men
make there moche cheefe of great wylde
gootes. alfo is ther fifihe and suykere good
cheep. That other yland is not enhabite
ther be lytell people therin/ and they be all a frayde and
wylde/ alfo ther ayeen lyeth the lande of Barbera/ and is from
them in to ye Gennea. CC.1. [250] myles. and that is the
blackes mores land. and ayen ye begynnyng of this lande is
oon aforemontayen and hooth caput viride/ and thereby is ye
towne Bitfagitfch. v. C. [500] myles from Luffebonen there by
be many w[h]alefyffhes and flyinge fyffhes on the on fyde of
Bifagitfche. ij. C. and 1. [250] myles fayle men vnder yat fone
fo ferre/ that men the northe fayle fterre or pollumarticum/ or
the waghen called/ no more may be feen/ but pollum ante
articum or yat fowth layd fterre fawe we fourth with[.] the
forfayde Morelande is M. iiij. C. [1400] myles great/ there
ye people goeth all naked with golden rynges on handes
and fete.
[(Here comes a woodcut of Natives) IN  ALLA GO]
Hat lande of Allago is. v.C. [500] myles
greater And gothe ayenfle the begynnynge
of Arabien and there is that kyngdom
Safale[.] in this lande Allago is the people
clothed as aboue is marked/ the[y] were
and bere for there clothes fkynnes of wylde
beftes. The men bere clokes made of barkes
of trees and ledder to kyuer theyr members with. And the
women kyuer theym with fkynnes of belles. and take vpon
there heddes for kerehers fkynnes of oxen or other beftes[.]
alfo py[t]che the[y] theyr mennes forhed lyke as men pytche the
fhyppes/ and there dwellynge is vnder the erthe. There is
many cowes. oxen/ great fhepe and other fayre belles. This
is on fayre and lufty lande of good water and fwete herbes.
This people hathe a fwyfte hafty fpeche. There is no money
but o' yrou [? iron] and that euery body take it for there ware
they bere whyte tfaues there wepyns is lange pykes and flones
ther they cafte myghtly with. That Lande is fo full of fande
yat they mufle goo vpon brode trenchers that they falle not
and fynke. After that cometh men into the lande of arabyen.
xxviii


[(Here is another woodcut representing Natives) IN: ARABIA]
A4rabia.
IOrmyng in Arabia fawe we ye people clothed
lyke as here is figured flande. and out [of]
this kyngdome hath be oon of the three holy
kyngys. Item ther bynde they ther oxe fon
with Arabie gold about ther hornes/ and
erys. And alfo goldyn rynges aboute th[e]yr
legges. And for gold take they of marchaundes fylkyng kerchers and lynen clothe. Item ther after
fe we now. v. ylandes. the fyrft yland named Momfabith.
fixty myles from Safalen. is leeid ye towne Quiola that was
founde of the kynges folke of portyngal And they flewe
there moche people and robbed the towne. And there without
had there kynge edyfyed on caftell that is named feynt Iacobis
cafell there in lyeth a. C. [Ioo] bolde and hardy men that
lyeth and kepeth it.
[Here is a striking woodcut representing, with great life and action, a
spirited attack on the gate of some European town; which has evidently been borrowed by John of Desborough from some other printed
book, chronicle, or other work, printed by himself or other printer.]
He[n] feuente myles from Quiola lyeth the
towne Bombaffa that they alfo byrned and
robbed that alfo there they gatte moche
goodes. From thens nowe. xxiiij. myle[s]
lyeth the great towne Meli[n]da and they
be frendes/ and there be many floueynes
and fell people out of Geneen    From
Melinda it is. iiij. fcore and. x. myles to on Perfia there gowe
they ouer the fee. For by the towne Megha into the ylande.
Auxendia  There is alfo one that hath be of ye three holy
kynges of the eefl. C. [ioo] myles into the Kyngdome of
Canenor and there begyn the fpyces to growe and from thens
fare they forthe in to the great lande of great Indyen.
C Of great Indyen.
[(Here follows a woodcut of the Inhabitants of) MA I0 R: IN D I A]
Hey gowe from Cananor into great Indyen
there the people goo all naked but yat
the[y] kyuer there members with lynen
cloth and they be brounde blacke/ with
longe here and of tho women is not wryten
but on kaute the fee fawe men manye merueloufe people of manereren the women
bere there chyldren and theyr houfeholde fluffe. Here fynde
men gynger/ peper/ comeyn/ and all manere of fpyces/ and




[A Jhort def'cription of Africa and Indaia. writfte after I509 A.D.]


xxix






coltely ftones for lytell moneye. There be alfo many maner
of frute fygges of good fauyour. vij. ynches longe and. iij.
ynches brode. There be bulfeldes and coyes but the coyes
flepe they not/ there groweth good wyne/ muche honeye/ ryfe/
coftely corne whyte as wete mele/  Ther by flandeth the
towne of Banderana and it is. vij myles into Callienten
from thens is. xl. myles there men goo for all maner of
fpyces that men were wonte to caray and conuey ouer the
redde fee thorowgh Alexander but nowe is there one newe
way founden ouer the the fee[.] in Calacuten is many folke out
of feynt thomas lande yat alfo be cryflened/ and folke of other
landes and nacyons they goo ouer into that kyngdome Kyngry che Gutfchyn as hereafter flandes wryten.
C Of Gutfchin that Kyngedomze.
[IHere is a woodcut representing two Natives fighting, seep. xxv.]
_        Nd than cam we in the kyngdome of Gutfchyn and ther hath the kynge of portyngale
do make. ij. Cafteyles from here was the thre
l       ~holy kynges. there groeth much peper and
the propereft flapell therof. That kyngdom
Colen is. xxiiij. myles from there/ and there
been many kryftened men/ we fynde alfo
great Olyfantes and many dyuers maner and wonders beftes and
other thynges that men cannot wryghte all. gardeynes frutes is
there muche gretter than in our landes of Europa. That ylande
Melaqua is from thens. viij. C. [800] myles/ There alfo is
moche coftely fpyces. There is nowe. ij. ylandes the on is
Bandan and therin groweth the cloues. That other Tanagora
or Narnaria and there groeth not no other wodde than whyte
and red fandelen wodde/ This is fortuned that for a bell of a
glaffe men may haue one handfull of peerles. In Gutfchin
bere fome tymes there kynge but that do the people of his
courte and holde obedyance vnder theym one with a nother
They doo all there thynges all fleyghtly  For as as they be
affembled in one gatherynge/ than cryeth the capitayne I will
fowe/ and as the fubiectes here theyr capitayne crye fowe than
take they parte of/ the fede and no man fayth the contrary and
letteth the other lye and that takethe the lorde with out any
body contrary faynge/ and fo do they in all merchaundyfe.
Forthe by that kyngdome Gutfliyn/ Colum/ Bandan/ and
Nagaria. xxx. [thirty] myles[.] in Arlinia there hath the kynge.
xij. kynges vnder hym/ and there lyeth buryed feynt Thomas
apoltell.


[HIere is a woodcut of a tree apparently intended to represent a fig-tree.
It might do equally well for many other kinds of trees.]
N fome of thefe aforfayde wrytten landes ben
great and fayre frutes and they be greater
than in thefe our landes of Europa  In Ifla
mandra be great hygh trees for the people of
yat contrey hewe great fleppes aboute to
clyme vp in to the tree to gather the frutes
that groweth there on for whan they be a
thruft to take there of. In Arfinia is great brode fygge Trees
with great fygges well. vij. ynches longe and. iij. ynches brode
and the Fygge tre is fo brode of braunche and leues that. xl.
[forty] men may be hydde vnder the forefayd braunches and
leues for the hete of the fonne/ and there for to relte all to
gather at theyr one pleafure.
[Here are two woodcuts cornerwise, one representing two Indians, the
other two men and a woman of Europe, see p. xxv.]
E haue in this vyage fayled aboute the forth
parte of the worlde for to reken from Luffyngboren whiche is ferre equinoccyall fcher
linien. xxxix. [thirty-nine]grades and on halfe
fo haue we fayled ouer ye linie equinocciall
1. [fifty] grades that maketh xc. [ninety]
grades therfore they of Luffbone is vnder yat
forfayde linie. xxxix. grade and one halfe in the hygh bed of the
hemels is the breyde of weftes/ fo is them of Luffbone to thefe
folke to fene the. 1. [fifty] grades is ouer the felfe lyne foth
cornerwyfe. v. grades in perpendiculer linia whiche linie as we
flande ryght of yat poynt the hemls hange vpon our hed and
thefe folke in theyr fydes or rybbes and woort fet in the maner
of on tryanghel or on drycantyche cornard. therfore it muft nedes
be yat the fowth landes be tempered with fwete erthe for the
northe wyndes can nat there blowe.
[Here, across the middle leaf of the tract, is an excellent representation o.
the King of Cochin seated on a kind of tressel, carried by four men, surrounded with armed attendants: and with an umbrella borne by one
man, and not a canopy borne by four men, as stated below in the text.
The woodcut extends across about two-thirds of the folio, in the margin
of which occurs the following note.]
Fter this maner of fourme is the Kynge of
Gutfchym   borne with the noblefle of his
lande/   And before hym is borne many
s   i   inItrumentes of mufyke as trompettes and
other and. iiij. of the noblefle bereth the
canapie ouer his hed left that the foon
fluld burne hym/ and this kynge is beloued
of all his eftates and common people.


xxix




xxx      I Thefirl Englizjz book conzailing the word America (Alrenica), &c.]
[This fresh tract is headed by a woodcut representing angels bearing the pyx. ]
C OF THE. X. DYVERCE CRISTENED NACIONS.


T is to knowe that
ye people ofcryfindom  isdeuided
and ben in. x.
Nacyons. That
saintis           to   vnderfland the Latyne/
Grekes/ ndien/
Iacobites/neftorijnes/m oronites/
H B kyngArmenes georgianes/ Surianes/
mororabes /wherof ye mooft deyle
is kettersand kyt
of/ of the holy
Romes chyrche.
(r  Thefyr/le nacyooz.
[Two woodcuts, evidently taken from some Martyrology, come in here.
One represents an angel standing by the cross, the other a female
saint with a sword sticking in her breast.]
Irfte nacyon is the Latynes and they haue to
theyr lorde the Emperour of Almayne and
many Kynges/ as the kynge of caftyly an
of Aragon/ of portyngale/ of nauaryen/ and
thefe kynges is for fpaynnes nacyon. In
yat nacion of the frenche lande is one kynge
of Fraunce and many dukes and Erles. In
the nacion of Italian is the kynge of Cicylian/ the kynge of
Naples and many dukes and Fries and there is alfo many lordfhyppes as Veneyfe Florence feuen Ienuen [? Sienna, Gcnoa].
N the nacyon of Germanien is nowe many
kynges with out the emperoure/ as the Kynge
of Englande/ of Scotlande/ of Vngerien/ of
Bohemen/ of Polen/ of Denmarke/ of fweden/
of Northwegen/ of Dalmacyen/ and there is
many Dukes and Erles &c. In that ylande
of Sypers [? Cjyprus] is the kynge of Sypers/
All thefe a fore wryten is vnder the obeyifaunce or [? of] the
chyrche of Rome.


h The feconde nacyon.
He Grekes haue fpyrytually the Patriarcke of
Conflantynnoplen/and manyArchebyffhops/
byffhops/ and abbottes. And in ye temperalte haue they one Emperour and many
dukes and erles/ and there is but fewe of
them that be cryftened/ For the Agarenen
and Turkes hath nowe the mooft parte of
Grekes/ and is not obedient to the chyrch of Rome. And they
haue a great erre for they faye that the holy ghoft cam not of
the fone but alone of the fader. And they fay alfo that there
is no purgatory/ that is all a yenfte our belefe.
C  The thyrde nacyon.
[Here follows a woodcut representing St. Thomas kneeling to our Saviour.]
Hey of Indyen hath one prynce and that is
pope Iohn whofe myghtynes and rychedome
amounteth aboue all prynces of the world
for he hath vnder hym. lxxij. [feuenty-two]
kynges and as pope Iohn dayely rydeth he
bere a fore hym one croffe of wode for to
thynke on at all tymes and remember vpon
the paffion of I[es]hu and to the batayle doth he bere. xij.
croffes of golde made and fet with precyoufe itones for his
baners/ in this lande is the body of feynt Thomas.
(     The fourt/h nacyon.
Acobyten named alfo of on ketter Jacob and
was be one dyffyple of the Patryarche of
Alexandryne/ and this helde the one great
land in Oryenten and Afyen and is named
that lande of Mambrone and it is by Egypten and gothe to Ethyopen and into Indien
to/ and hathe vnder hym well. xl. [forty]
kynges rychedom/ thefe be kytte and chryflened with a byrnynge yren for they branne the token of the holy croffe in theyr
forehed/ vpon the brefte/ vpon the arme/ they confeffe them to
God alone and none prefles/ and they fay that in chrifto is alone
the godhed without the manhod/ and fome of them fpeketh
Caldefche fome Arabier/ fome other fpe[e]ches after theyr langage of the lande/ and thefe been condemned of the holy
chyrche in that counfayll of Ceden.


xxx




[Of the fen divers chrijlian nations.]


xxxi


C  The fyth nacyon.
Here be alfo Neftorijnen named of the ketter
Neftorinus that was one byffhope of the
byffhops of Conflantynenoplen and they
fett ij. perfones in chrifto that is the Godhed
and ye perfones/ and they forfake that
maria is the moder of god/ but they beleue
well of I[es]hu. and theyr wrytynge is in
caldenffher fpeche and they make the facrament in broune
brede and there be great multytude of theym and they dwell
in Tartarien and in great Indyen/ and theyr lande is as great
as a thoufande of Italy/ and thefe ketters be condamned in that
thyrde counfayll of Ephefyn and is departed of the holy Romes
chyrche and abyde in theyr opynion.
e  The fyxte nacyon.
Y the ketter Moren they be named Moroniten
they fay alone in chrifto is one vnderflande
and one wyll and thofe dwell by Lybien in
the lande of Phenicen and there be great
multitude and they be bolde and hardey
men. and great warryars with the bowe/
And they haue theyr byffhops clothed as
the Latynes with the biffhops myter on his hed/ and with the
croyfers flaffe and rynges/ Thefe hath ben fome tyme vnder
the obeyiffaunce of the chyrche of Rome whan Innocentius
was pope/ but afterwarde came they ayen in theyr opynion
and there abyde in theyr opynyon.
r The feuenth nacyon.
Rmennyten is alfo named for that they dwell
in the lande of Armeneten nere vnto Anthiochyen and there is whrythyn feruyce of the
Z*      maffes. and theyr other tydes is all in theyr
one comon fpeche fo that they all mey
vnderflande it what they fynge or rede/ and
they haue theyr hed or fader to whome they
do reuerence as we do the pope. And they fafte the lenton
with greatter deuocyon than we doo/ for they ete in the lenton
no fyffhe/ nor they drynke no wyne/ but they ete fleffhe vpon
frydays.
[Here is a woodcut representing a squadron of English knights, with St.
George's flag, armed cap a pie, and galloping in battle. It has nothing
whatever to do with the text.]
E  The eyght nacyon.
His nacyon is named Georgidni of feynt
George for they haue hym in theyr batelles
for theyr patrone/ and they dwell in the
lande of Oryenten/ and they be fayer/ lufty/
and fironge pepyll/ and they be fore a drad
4  S             of the Medon perffen Affiryen there they
aboute dwelle  And they haue theyr fcryp

ture in ye Greekes fpeche and they haue theyr facramentes as
the Grekes/ and the clarkes haue rounde crownes/ and they
ieke the holy graue to Iherufalem with open or fpred baners.
And they gyue the farafons no trybute for the farafons fereth
thofe folke very fore/ there women bere harneyfe lyke the
men and they haue alfo beardes as ye men and they bere
vpon theyr heddes and vpon hye cubettes hye hattes and
as the[y] wryte to the Sodan than gyueth he them that they
dyffyre.
E The Nylzthe nacion.
He Surianen is named after theyr towne Surie
that is the gretteft in all Suryen or Affyryen
theyr fcrypture and feruyce of god in ye
Grekes fpeche but they fpeke farafons
fpeche and they holde the manere of ye
grekes/ and haue byffhoppes that in all
thynges be obedyent and they make theym
facrament of browne brede and they haue the opynyon of the
Grekes ayen the Latynes there be fome cryftened that in the
holy lande is namyd Samerytanes that were conuerted in the
tyme that the apoftels preched but they vnderftande them not
well in the cryften beleue.


E The ten/he nacyon.
Ororaben fo called affter the laten for theyholde
and vfe the maner of the cryften of Ar[a]bien/
and of there were wonte to be manye people
lf  0    in Afrijken and in Spaengnien but nowe is
there lytell in the tellyng/ They haue in
theyr feruyce of god lateyne as we do/ And
they be vnder the obeyifaunce of the chyrche
of Rome. And the latynes prelates but in many thynges ben
they dyuerfe departed for alfo the day hath xxiiij. houres/ Alfo
many tymes hymnes and pfalmes and other orafouns haue they
and very longe/ And that that ye Latyns rede in the begynnyng of theyr feruice that rede they in the mydle or in the
lafte ende. And that facrament of the auter breketh fome of
them in. vij. partes and fome in. x. partyes/ and thefe people
be very deuoute and they mareye but ones in theyr lyfe and as
the women hath lofte theyr fyrfl hufbond fo dothe they meddle
no more with no man/ but abyde fro thenffourth in chaftyte.
Or. ij. caufes cometh the departynge of ye
cryften nacyons. The fyrfle caufe is that
men in olde tyme myght the cryften haue
only haue generall confilium/  Therfore
as the ketters ftode vp ayen the cryften
belefe fo was there no body turned nor
faught counfayll there ayen.  The other
caufe was the ferfwynmyngnes of ye oppreft pope of ye fchole
of Rome that no meffengere nor lerned ihulde to the kryften
thow that were come in feche lodyng/ for had they do that
they fhulde haue be conuerted to the ryght belefe. Thorowfth
whiche ryght belefe brynge vs to the hygheft glorye the fader
the fone the holy ghofte thre perfones and one god. Amen.
xxxi




xxxii. [J'ze fitI  Englifz book contraning tl e / word0 A;merica (4rmZemica), &c.]


[AN ABRIDGMENT OF THE MEDILEVAL LEGEND OF PRESTER JOHN].
[This third Tract has a very large initial letter I, containing what appears to be a representation of Prester John, and of a Roman Catholic monk or
pilgrim kneeling beneath him.]


Pope Iohn by yee
grace of god the
mooae myghtyfte
kynge a boue all
kyngys   of ye
worlde gyue faluyte the Emperour
of Rome. and alfo
thekinge of France.
Oure wel belouyd frynde We
late you vndertfande and knowe
of our lande And
the maner of oure lyuinge and of our people beeftes and fowles.
And you faye that we beleue not in god and praye not
to hym as you do. So late we you vnderftande that we beleue in god the father. in god the fonne. and in god the holy
goofte. The whyche be vnpartyble and one very god. and is
all thynge myghty.
And alfo certefye yow with oure lettres fealed and doo you
knowelege of oure folke or people and of our lande. And yf
there be ony thynge yat we kan doo for you. fende vs worde
and we fiall it doo with good herte and wyll. And yf it pleafe
ony of you to come in oure lande we fhall gyue theym gold
and fyluer to th[e]yr neceffitie/ and make them great lordis. and
gyue to them alfo lande and good[s] to lyue on. and do to [t]hem
worflhyp and honor. For the goodnes that we haue herde fay
of you. And we do you knowledge that we haue the richefte
crowne of the worl1e as of golde and syluer and of precyous
flones in great multitude And we haue alfo vnder vs mighty.
xlij. kingdomes and al good criflen people. and we kepe alfo
the poure people with our almes alle that cometh be it firenger
or of oure owne people thorough the loue of almyghty god
oure lorde Ihefu Crifte.
( Item Oure lande is parted in. iiij. For the landes of
Indien/ there be two. and in that gretteft Indien is the body
of feynt Thomas. And this fame Indien is partiner of ye corte
xxxii.


of orient for it lyeth befyde a toure ye whych is caalled babel/
and it id [? is] not ferre fro Babilonyen. And alfo that other
parte of Indien is aboute Septentryon. and there is great
plenty of wyne/ bredde and all maner of vytayle.
( Item alfo in our lande be gryffons/ and it is a great byrde
and a myghty. for he wyll well cary in his nefLe an oxe/ or an
horfe for his yonge byrdes to ete. Alfo in Saxen is a towne
whych is called Grounzwyk ther is one of the clawes yat which
is well as great as an horn of an oxe.
[HIere comes, in the original, at the side of the page, a woodcut of an
elephant with a castle on its back.]
I In our lande be olyphantes/ dromedaries/ wylde oxes
the whyche haue. vij. homes. alfo Beeres and Lyons of dyuers
colours/ as ye redd/ grene/ blacke/ and whitte
( Item and also be wylde affes the whych haue longe eeres/
and haue twoo finale hornes. &c.
N our lande be alfo fowles ye whyche that
haue the mayflery of all birdes of the worlde/
and haue a colour lyke ye fyer/ and his
wingis kyt [?cut] lyke a rafour. and this byrdes
ben called Ilerion. and in alle the worlde is
no more than two. and they lyuen. iij. fkore
yere and thenne they laye eggis and fytte vpon theym. xl.
dayes and as fone as they haue yonges they flee awaye/ fader
and moder to the zee and ther they drowne theym felf. and
alle tho byrdes yat come ayenft them do them company to the
zee. and as fone as the[y] be drowned all the other byrdes
tourne ayen to the nefte there they yonge byrdes ben lefte/
and gyue them mete and drinke to the tyme that the[y] can
flee and nurter them felfe. &c.
(I Yet ben there other byrdes the whyche ben called
Tygris/ and they be fo fironge that they wyll bere or cary in
theyr nefte a man fytting vpon an horfe all armyd fro the hede
to ye fote.




[The Medieval Legend of PrefJer yohn.]


xxxiii


- -----------


[Here, at the side of the page, is the representation of a naked man with
one eye in his forehead, and bearing a club. ]
{ Item In our lande is alfo a grete deferte or foreft therin
dweleth people bothe men andwymmenthewhychehauenomore
than one eye afore. and behinde they haue. iij. or. iiij. eyen
([ Yet is in oure lande an other maner of people the whiche
ete none other than rawe flefhe. and they care not yf it were
of man or woman or of beeftis and alfo the[y] care not of ther
owne deth. and as fone as there one of them dyeth the[y] ete
theym all rawe/ both there one [? own] fader or moeder. And
they faye yat mans fleyfhe is good and natur[a]ly to ete rawe/
for they faye that they doe it for parte of penaunce for there
fynnes. And they be alfo curfed of god/ and they be called
Gog and Magog And of them be no more than one maner
of people of this worlde and they fhall be dyflributed or parted
thorough all the world whan Antechryft fhall come. and thefe
fame were the people or folke the whych they hadde put in
pryfone or in holde the great kynge Alexander of Macedonien.
But for all that he wente his way And of this people fhalbe
no iugement at the dredefull day of dome lyke the prophete
fayeth.  ( Nefcio quis. &6c.
But neuertheles thonder and lytenynge fhall come fro heuen
and bourne theym all in po[w]der And whan that we haue
ony enemyes thanne gyue we theym lycence to put theym
downe and ete them that be ayenffe vs and then make we
them to tourne ageyne into there owne lande. For if they
fholde abyde longe with vs they fhuld vndo vs all and ete vs
lyke as they do there owne propre folke.
[here, also at the side, is the pictorial representation of the creature
described in the next paragraph.]
([ And yet is there another manere of people/ the whyche
hath rownde fete lyke an horfe/ and alfo they haue. iiij. fharpe
clawes behynde/ at there Heles. Wherewith they ftrongely
fyght that there is no manere thyng can flonde ayenfte them/
nether hamayfe/ yrone/ nor flele they paffe all thorowth/ and
this people gyue vnto vs great trybute. and they be alfo without dowte great labourers.
( Yet is there a nother fmale lande in a parte of that fame
foreft aforefayde/ and it is. xlij. [forty-two] dayes Iourneyes longe.
And it is called Feminie the great. And in that fame lande
there be thre Quenes without all other landes/ thowe that
holden there been of there quenes forefayde And whan thefe
quenes fhall goo to felde/ then eche of them hath. iij. hondered.
M. [300,000] wymen and all in harneyfe/ with out all the
other women the whych that caray vytayle with carte horfe
and alfo with olyfauntes. And thefe women be very manly
in fytynge and hardy.  ([ And in this fame lande may come


no men but. ix. dayes in the yere and no lenger/ and than
they haue conuerfacion and felyffhyp with the men and nomore
of the hole yere. For if the men there wolde abyde the
women fhulde them flee all.
( And this fame lande is clofed all aboute with a water
called Cyphon comynge out of paradyfe And in this fame
lande may come no man without a great fhyp or a great barke.
( Of the people named Pygnies.
[Here is a woodcut representing the battle of the Pigmies and the storks.]
Nd yet is there a nother fmale lande and alfo
another Ryuer called Pyconye that is. x.
dayes iourneye longe/ and. vij. brode and
this people of this forfayde lande be not
great/ but they be lyke chyldren of. vij.
yere of age and they haue horfeys as great
as a great dogge and they be good cryflened folke and they
haue no warre ayenfte noman/ But they haue warre ayenfte
the fowles euery yere/ whan they fhall haue in there frute and
come And than the kynge putteth on his harneyfe. and than
they fyght ayenfte the byrdes. And than there be flayn on
bothe partyes many on/ and alfo they be great labourers/ and
whan the fylde is don than the byrdes flee a waye fro them.
[Here, at the side, is a circular woodcut of Sagittarius, evidently one
of the signs of the Zodiac taken from some illustrated almanac. ]
([ Alfo in our lande been ye Sagittary. the whyche ben fro
the myddel vpward lyke men/ and fro ye myddell donwarde
ben they lyke the halfe neder parte of an horfe. and they bere
bowes and arowes. And the[y] fhute fironger than ony other
nacyon of people.
( And in our lande be alfo vnicornes and they been of the
manere with blacke and grene/ and thefe vnicornes flee many
Lyons. and the Lyon fleeth the vnicorne with fubtylnes.
Whan the Vnicorne hath put hym to reft at a tree/ and than
cometh the Lyon and ronnyth aboute the tree and after hym
than ronnyth the vnycorne and wolde fayne fley hym/ and than
he ronnyth hym felfe into the tree with his home fo harde that
he cannot pull it out a geyne. than commeth the Lyon and
hath the maftery vpon the vnicome.
( Item there is a nother parte of a foreft therin dwelleth
another maner of folke and this people ben. xx. Cubettes of
heythe. But they were in tyme pafte to be of the heyth of.
xl. Cubettes. And they haue nat the pore to come out of that
deferte or forefte and all is thorowe the myghte of almyghty
god.  For if they fholde come out by there ftrength and
hardyneffe the[y] wolde conquere all the worlde.


EDVN.


D


xxxiii




xxxiv [The frJl English book containing tIe wvord Azcrica (Axzlrmeica), &c.]


-


[Here, at the side, is a curious cut representing the Phoenix burning. ]
E Here begynnith of ye birde the whyche is called Fenix.
41 In oure lande is alfo a byrde ye whyche is called Phenix
and is ye fayreft byrde of all ye world and there is nomore
than one in all ye cours of nature. and he lyueth C. [Ioo] yere.
and thenne flyeth he fo hyghe that the fonne fett the fyre in his
wynges/ and thenne cometh he don ayen to his neff and there
he burneth to p[o]udre and of the affhes comyth a worme/and
within. C [Ioo] dayes after growyth there out another byrde
as fayre as euer that other was.
( Item Alfo in our lande is plenty of wyne bredde/ flefhe.
All that is neceffary for mannys body
([ Item In our lande maye come none venyn beefte on that
one fyde
( Item Betwene oure lande and the Turkes lande is a ryuer
ronnynge and is called Sydon it commeth out of paradyfe of
the erthe/ and is full of precyous flones.
( And alfo in oure lande ben ronnynge many fmale riuers
the whyche that come out of this forfayde riuer. and they alfo
ben fulle of precyous flones. As Yfmaraddus Iafpis Saphyrus
Scobaffus Dyamant Topafius/ Carbonkel. Rubin. and yet more
other they whyche I not all can reherce.
([ Alfo in oure lande groweth on herbe and is called Parmanabel/ and that fame herbe is fo myghty euer foo who that
fame herbe beryth a boute hym he may coniure the deuyll of
helle and do hym faye what fo euer he wyl axe of hym and
therfore the deuyll dare not come in to our lande.
Item alfo in our lande growith pepper in foreflis full of
fnakes and other venym beeftes. and whan it is rype than fende
we for our folke and they put that fyre ther in/ and than they
venym beeftys flee awaye. than we gadder it and caryed to
oure houfes and waffhed in two or. iij. waters/ and than we
drey it ayen/ and alfo it waxed black and good
( Item aboute this paffage is a fonteyne or a conduyte/ fo
who of this watere drinked. iij. tymes he fhall waxe yonge/
and alfo yf a man haue had a fykenes. xxx. yere and drynked
of thys fame water he fhall therof be hole and fonde. And
alfo as a man therof drinked hym femeth that he had occupyed the befte mete and drinke of the worlde. and this fame
fonteyne is full of the grace of the holy gooft. and who fo we
in this fame water waffhed his body he fhall become yonge of.
xxx. yere.
And ye fhall knowe that I am haloweth in my moder wombe/
and I am old. v.C.lxij. [562] yere. and I haue me weffhed. vi.
tymes in that fame water.
xxxiv


[Here, at the side, is a woodcut of a flying griffon carrying a man.]
E Item In our lande is alfo a zee very peruulyous/ and
there can we haue noo paffage with noo maner of fllyppyng
and than do we vs cary there ouer with our gryffons.
( Item at that one fyde of this zee ronnyth a finale ryuere
and therin be many precyous ilones. and alfo ther growyth a
certen herbe that is good to all maner of medycyne.
([ Alfo ye flall vnderflande that betwene vs and the Iewes
ronnyth a great ryuer that is full of precyous ftones and it is
fo ftronge in here ronnyng yat noman ther ouer can paffe/
excepte ye faterdaye/ and than parted fhehere and toke with
here all that fhe fyndeth in here waye. And this fame lande
mofle we ftrongely kepe for oure ennemyes. an[d] vp thefe
cofles haue we. xlij. [42] ftronge cartels none ftronger in ye
world. and ben well kepte of people. To vndeftande. x. M.
[0o,ooo] knyghtes on horfbacke. vi.M. [6000] Croffe bowes.
xv. M. [15,000] longe bowes. and. xl.M. [40,000] othere men
on horfbacke well armed. ye whyche thefe Caftels haue in
kyping by caufe that the great kynge of Ifrahel fhall not therpaffe with his people. For he is twyes as fironge as I am.
And his lande is twyes as grete as all Cryftente and turkey.
For he hath in his kepynge the feconde parte of the worlde.
And the great kynge of Ifrahel hath vnder hym iij. C. [300]
kynges. iiij. M. [4000] princes. duces. erles. barons knyghtes/
fquyers without nombre. and all thefe be fubgette to the great
kynge of Ifrahel. But yf he myght paffe ouer this forfayde
ryuer with his people they fholde flee both cryflen and turkes.
And ye Ihall knowe that we all faterdaye late paffe. viij. C. or.
M. [800 or a Iooo] men for beye fuche manere good[s] or marchaundyfe as they wyll haue. but we late them not come with
in ye wallis of thys caflels. for they bye it without ye walles
of thys fortreffes. and they paye ther marchaundyfes with
platis of fyluer or of gold for they haue none other money.
and whan they haue don ther befynes they tourne home ayen
in theyr owne lande. and thefe forfayde cartels be fete to gydcr
within a bowe fhotte. And ye fhall vnderftande that within a
myle of thefe caflels is a great Cite and a fayre and it is the
firongeft of all the worlde. the whyche cite is in our kepyng of
one of our kyngis. and he receyueth tribute of the great kyng
of Ifrahel. And alfo gyueth vs euery yere. ij. C. [200] horfes
laden with golde/ fyluer/ and precyous flones. Except alle
charges and coftes that men doth in the cyte and in thyfe
forefayde caftels. And whan that we haue warre ayenft them/
than flee we them alle and late noman alyue. and therfore
they wyll kepe no warre ayenfle vs. and the wymmen of the
Iewes be very fayre none fayrer in erth nowe a dayes lyuinge.
And by this forfayle ryuer is a zee ther noman may paffe/ but




[ The Mediweval Legend of PrefJer yohn.]


XXXV


I


whan the wynde blowythe fro benethe fIrongely than parted fhe
here/ and thanne the[y] paffe with great haft. and than they
take with hym all maner of precious ftones. but they may
felle none therof [be]for[e] that wee haue taken therof our chofe.
aE In a parte of our lande is an hylle there noman may
dwelle for hete of the fonne/ and there bee wormes many on
without fyre can not lyue. And by this fame hylle we kepe.
xl.M. [40,000] people that no thyngeells but make fyre/ and
whan this wormes feele the fyre than thei come oute of the
erthe and goo in too that fyre. and there they fpynne lyke the
wormes yat the fylke fpynneth And of that fame fpynnyng
we make our clot[h]ynge that we were on fefte dayes. and
whan they be foule/ than they be caft in to ye fyer and they
becom as fayre as euer they were afore
And ye fhall vnderIlande that faint Thomas doeth more
myracles/ than ony feynt in heuen For he comyth bod[i]ly
euery yere in his chirche and doth a fermon/ and alfo in a
palays there ye here after of hym fhall here.
[Here, at the side, is the representation of the creature described in the
next paragraph.]
([ And ye fhall alfo knowe that there be dyuers of people
of fafon in our lande/ alfo there be people that haue the body
of a man and the hede lyke a dogge and they be good takers
of fyffhe. and they be good to vnderflande of theyre fpeeche.
and they wyll goo in to the zee a hole daye longe to the tyme
that they haue taken fuche as they wolde haue/ and than ye
[they] come ayen charged with fyffhe. and bere them in to ye
houfes for they haue there dwellinge places vnder erthe. and
thenne take we part of there fyffhes that vs befle lyketh. and
they do great harme among our bee thow yat be wylde. and
they fyghte alfo ayenfte our archers. &c.
( In oure londe is alfo one manere of byrdes and laye ther
eggis in the zee. xxi. and ther out growen yonge byrdes. and
than the[y] flee away and we take fomtyme of theym for they
bee good for to ete whan they be yonge For yf theyr were
ony man that hathe loft his nature and ete of this fame byrde
he fholl it gete ayen and becom as ftronge as euer he was
afore.
[Here is a woodcut of a tree dropping oil, guarded by a dragon, as described
in the next paragraph.
([ Alfo in our lande is that fame tree/ ther yat holy creftendom or olye [? oyle] out ronnith. and this tree is dreye/ and
ther is a great ferpent which yat tree hath in kepynge all the
hole yere nyght and daye but alone vp[on] feynt Iohns daye
and night and than flepyth the ferpent or dragon. and than
goo we to the tree and take yat crifma. and of this fame is
nomore than iij. po[u]nd. and than tourne we ayen fecretely


with great drede and fere yat he vs not fee/for ells he wyll
flee vs. and this fame tree is a dayes iourney fro ye paradys of
ye erthe. but whan this ferpent is a waked than maked he
great mone and forow. and this dragon hath. ix. hedes and. ij.
wynges. and is as great as twoo horfes. But for all yat it
followeth vs flylle tyl we ben come to the zee ayen. and than
tourned it ayen. and thenne bere we that crifma. to ye patriarch
of feynt thomas and he haloweth it/ and ther with they make
vs al cryften. and ye remenaunt fende we to ye patriarche of
Iherufalem. and he fende it forth to the Pope of rome. and he
puth therto olye tof lyfe [?oyle of lyfe] and than halowyth it/
and then he fendeth all cryftente through
(E Alfo ye fhall vnderftlande whan we fhall goo to warre than
doo we afore vs bere with. xiiij. [I4] kynges. xiiij. [14] cofers
with golde and fyluer really wroght with precious flones. and
the other kynges come after vs with grete ftremers and baners
of fylke and fyndale very rychely wrought. Ye fhall knowe
alfo that afore vs gone. xl. M [40,000] clerkis and alfo many
knyghtis. and men afote there be ij.C. M. [200,000] without
cariers and cariers that go with the olyphantes and cary our
harneys and vitales.
Ed Ye fhall vnderftande alfo as we goo to fylde than put we
oure lande in the kepyng of the Patriarche of feynt thomas.
And whan we pecefably ryde than do we bere afore vs a croffe
of wodde in worfhyp of oure lorde Ihefu Cryfle. Alfo in the
incomynge of euery cyte flande. iij. croffes made of wodde/ for
to remembre ye paffion of oure lord Ihefu cryfte. And whan
we ryde pecefably than do we alfo bere afor vs a bafyn full of
erthe to remembre yat we be come of erthe and that we fhall
waxe erth ayen. and we do alfo bere for vs another bafyn full
of fyne gold to a token that we be the noblefle and myghtyeft
kyngis of all the worlde.
EU There is alfo in our lande noman fo hardy that dare breke
his wedloke. but yf he dyde he fholde be incontynent be
burnyd. For our lorde hym felfe hath ordeyned wedlok therfore it fhold be kept by reafon yf that we louyd oure lorde
Ihefu Cryfle. For it is one of the facramentes of the holy
chyrche.
(E Alfo there dare noman make a lye in oure lande. for of
he dyde he fholde incontynent bee fleyn and we be feythful in
oure faying and doying.
([ Alfo ye fhall vnderftand that we euery yere goo vyfite
the holy body of the prophete danyel in oure forefl/ and we
take with vs. x M. [io0,000] clerkis and as many knyghtys.
and. CC. [200] cartels. made vpon Olyphantes fore to kepe vs
from ye dragons ye whyche haue. vij. hedes. the whych that
haue theyr dwellynge in that forefl
(E And there bee alfo in that fame place dates ye winter
and fomer hange on the trees fayr and grene. And ye forefte
is great a. C. and xxx. [130] dayes journey. and ye. ij.
xxxV




xxxvi   [The firJ  LEnzglij book containzig Ihe word America (Armenica), &c.]


patriarches ben before vs at table for they haue the myght of the
pope of rome. And we haue twyes as many abbotes in oure
lande as there be dayes in the yere. [and] xv. more And euerich
one of them cometh ones in ye yere and faythe maffe vpon
faint Thomas auter. And I my felffeye alfo maffe in the grete
feftis of ye yere. and ther for I am called pope Iohn. For I
[am] prifle after the outfhewyng of facrificie of the auters. and
kinge after outfhewing of Iuflice. [ And I pope Iohn was
halowid afore T was borne. for oure lorde fende his angell to my
fader and fayde to hym make a pallays the whyche Ihall be of
the grace of god and a chamber of that paradyfe for your fonne
comynge   For hi Ihall be the gretteft kynge of the worlde. and
he fhalle a longe tyme lyue. So who that in this pallays
comyth he fhall haue no hongre or thryfte. and he fhall not
deye and as fone as my fader was a wakyd he was very mery/
and incontynent he began to make thys pallays lyke ye fhall
here. At fyrfl of ye incomynge of thys pallays is made of
criflall and the couerynge of it is of precious ftones and with
in realy wrought with fterres lyke yf it were ye heuen. and
that pauing is alfo of crifrall and within this fame pallays
be none wyndowes. and within this fame pallays be.
xxiiij. [24] pyllers of fyne gold and of precyous flones of all
maner fortes. and ther am I at great fefte dayes of the yere


people. And whithin this fame pallays is a conduyte or a fonteyne is lyke wyne in drynkynge/ fo who thereof drincketh he
defyred none other mete nor drinke and noman can telle fro
whens it cometh or whyther it gothe. Alfo ther is another
great merueyll in this fame pallays whan we fhall goo to our
dyner/ fo is there no maner of mete made redy for vs/ nor
there is no manner of inftrumentes to make mete redy with
all. but there comith before vs all maner of delycious mete
that comyth there thoroughe the holy gooft.  And it is
not wel poffyble to wrytte all maner of goodnes they [haue]
whiche yat be in oure lande. And ye fhall vnderftande that
we wntte nothinge to you but trewe is. For if we fholde wryte
lyes to you/ god and feynt thomas fholde punyffhe vs/ for we
fholde lefe all our dignyte and oure worfhyp.
And we praye you that ye wyl writte vs ayen with the berer
of this lettre. and fende to vs ayen a good knyght of ye generacyon of fraunce.
And we praye the kynge of Fraunce that he wyll vs recommaunde to the myghty kyng of Englande. and alfo to all other
kynges the whyche yat dwelle be yonde the zee thow that ben
cryftened and we praye god that he you wyl gyue the grace of
the holy gooft Amen.
Written in oure holy pallays in the byrth of my felfe. v.


and feynt Thomas prechyth in middell of this pallays to the I [five] hondred. and feuen.


Qxinprentatb bp mn      [obn of    oetsborobne:




xxxvii


The
Life and Labours
of


Richard


Eden,


Scholar, and Man of Science.
[? 1521]-1576..
* Probable or approximate dates.
The best Life of our Author hitherto, is in Cooper's Athene Cantabriglgienses, ii., 2, Ed. t86I.


15C9. Apr. 22. 1cnrp V3t3f. comes to the tbrone.
1521.*            The year of our Author's birth has not yet been ascertained, but it cannot be much later than 1521. He
would therefore be of nearly the same age as Sir
William Cecil, Lord Burleigh, who was born on I3th September 1520.
He stated in 1573 (see under that year) that 'he was of a respectable
family in Hertfordshire; where he, in that year, had a sister still living.'
1526 *-1534.*     He is well educated as a boy. ' When I was a yonge
scoler, I haue read in the Poet Hesiodus.' —p. xli. col. 2.
1526.             Pietro Martire of Anghiera dies.
1526. Feb.        The printing of the Sumario de la natural y general
istoria de las Indias, written by Goncalo Fernandez de
Oviedo y Valdes, is finished at Toledo.
1530. Jan. 25.    Sir Thomas Smith Lb. 28th March 1514 at Saffron
Walden], being then B.A., is elected Fellow of Queen's
College, Cambridge.
1533. Aug. 31.    The printing of the Third edition of Pietro Martire's
Latin Decades is finished at Basle. It is undoubtedly
the text from which Eden translated pp. 63-200 of
this present work.
1533-1539.        Sir T. Smith is resident at Cambridge.
1540.             Vaunuccio Biringnccio's Pyrotechnia is first printed;
at Venice.
1535-1544.        Eden studies at Cambridge for ten years (see under
1573). What he states there, he confirms elsewhere, see
p. 1. col. I, 'that the ryght worflypfull and of fingular


learynge in all fciences, Syr Thomas Smyth, in my tyme the floure of
the Vniuerfitie of Cambridge, and sometyme my tutor.' He does not, however, seem to have taken any degree, while up at the University.
1539-1541.        Sir T. Smith is travelling abroad.
1542.             A folio edition of Chaucer's works is published, remarkable for being an early instance of joint enterprise
among English printers, 'each having his own name alone
as printer, in the colophon of so many copies as were his proper share.'Herbert's Typographical Antiquities, p. 557, Ed. I785-90.  The joint
partners in this edition were W. Bonham, F. Petit, R. Kele, and R. Toy.
1142-1547.        Sir T. Smith is again resident at Cambridge. It
was probably during this period, that he taught Eden:
who had, for his fellow pupils under Sir T. Smith,
Edward Vere, afterwards the Earl of Oxford and a most exquisite poet;
and John Ponet, afterwards Bishop of Winchester.
1544-1546.        Eden comes to Court, and holds a position in the
Treasury, for about two years; which is his first appointwent in the Civil Service.
1545. Oct.       The First edition of Thomas Geminus' important
' Epitome of The Fabric of the Human Body, by A.
Vesalius,' is published in Latin in London, in folio size;
illustrated with remarkable engravings, 'all drawen out, and graven
in braffe, and fo impriented by my own labour.'  The dedication to
Henry VIII. is dated London, 4 Kal. Oct. [28th September] 1545.
Geminus, in his next edition of 1553, states that King Henry very much
wished that this anatomical work should be widely published abroad: and
that he himself had subsequently heard that it had been 'notably well


D 2


xxxvl.




xxxviii


TIlE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.


accepted, and hath doen mnuche good in Italye, Fraunce, Spaine, and
Germaine, and other foren parties.'
1547.              Eden is destined to the office of the Distillery; when
the King dies: see p. xlv.
1547. Jan. 28.    EtWarb El1. succrto to tl)e (trown.
1547.             The Lord Protector, however, gives the Distillery to
one, who held it down to, at least, so late as 1573.
1547.*             Eden marries; and has by his wife twelve children in
the next fourteen years: who all apparently grow up to
manhood; else the argument and appeal then used by
him in 1573, would seem to be faulty.
1548. Sept.       Master William Cecil, rt. 28, is appointed Secretary
to the Lord Protector Somerset.
1549. Oct. 10.    In the political revolution, occasioned by the advent
to power of the Earl of Warwick, afterwards the Duke
of Northumberland-to whom Eden, in 1553, dedicated
his Trea/jfe of the newe India-Master W. Cecil is
Nov.      confined to his house (Oct. Io); and in November is
sent to the Tower; from whence he is set free on the 25th
1550. Jan. 25. January following.
The First edition of Girolamo Cardano's work, De
Subtilitate, is printed at Nuremberg in folio.  It was written in eight
months; but under constant correction for three years before it appeared.
Eden thought very highly of it.
1550. May.         The First edition, of the First Volume only, of Navigatiowi e Viaggi [collected by J. B. Ramusio] is printed
at Venice. It was probably this First impression; and
not the Second edition of the same Volume printed in March 1554, that
Eden made use of in his Compilation.
Sept. 5.    Master W. Cecil is appointed oone of the Secretaries
of State and a Privy Councillor.
1551. July 3.     The sweating sickness, which had begun on 15th
April at Shrewsbury, begins in London; where 500
persons die in the first week. At this time, the first
English ship that ever went to Barbary, leaves Portsmouth; under the
command of T. Windham (seep. xix).
Oct. 11.    Sir W. Cecil is knighted.
1552. Spring.      Eden writes thus, at p. 355, about the middle of I555,
'And wheras as concernynge the knowleage of metals,
I was once mynded to haue tranflated into Englyfhe
the hoole worke of Pyrotechnia, wherof I fynyffhed. xxii. chapitures now
more then three yeares fence, and lefte the copie therof in the handes of
one of whome I coulde neuer get it ageyne (omyttynge to fpeake of other
ingratitudes) I was therby difcouraged to proceade any further in that
woorke.' From this, it is evident that, by this time, Eden was a good
Italian scholar. Iis translation of the first three chapters will be found at
pp. 356-368.
1552.              About this date, Eden was, I believe, acting as private
secretary to Sir W. Cecil. I have, however, lost the
reference to the authority for this.
1552. April 22.    Sir W. Cecil is made Chancellor of the Order of the
Garter.
May 2 or 9. The second English voyage sets out for Barbary,
p. xix.
June 3.     Girolamo Cardano, on his way from Italy, reaches
London; and after a rest of three days, travels in
twenty-three days to Edinburgh: where he somewhat
successfully prescribes for Cardinal Beaton. After a
stay of seventy-five days there; he leaves Edinburgh on
Sept. 12. I2th September, on his return towards Italy.
See further respecting this famous Italian magician or physician-this
considerable genius-this prolific author (he wrote in all 222 treatises, large
and small)-this most impudent liar and profligate liver, in Professor
Morley's L/fe of 7eromee Cardan, 1856.  It is quite possible that Eden saw
Cardano-whose works, he quotes as of the highest authority-while he
was staying in London.
1552. July 20.     Geminus, in the Dedication prefixed to the Second
edition of his "Epitome of Vesalius' Anatomy &ec."
xxxviii


(with the explanations to the plates, greatly augmented and in English),
which is dated  "At Windfore, the. xx. July 1552," (the engraved
title is, however, dated I553) goes on to state, after what we have already
quoted above, under 1545, as follows:-' And now of late by the informacion of fundrye fiendes and alfo of diuerfe furgeons, I haue ben borne
in hande, that the fame worke beeyng fet foorth in the Englifll tounge
might greatly auaile to ye knowledge of the vnlatined Surgeons,
and by meane of them, fiould bee muche more beneficiall, then in latin
it is to an infinite nombre of people in thys your Maiefiies Royalme of
Englande.  Wherefore myndyng to rendre vnto this Countrey, in which
by your graces proteccion and bounteous liberalitie I liue, as muche
firuite as my poore induftrie and continuall trauaile may poffibly bee hable
to yelde, I haue earneftly applyed my felfe to make common and familiar
to all Englifhe people that which hath ben found profitable among fo
many foren nacions. Whereunto forafmuch as I am not my felfe fo
perfeict and experte in the Englifie tonge that I dare warraunt or truft
myne owne dooynges, I haue vfed the ftudious peines of Nicholas Vdall
[the author of Roister Doister, our earliest known English comedy] and
certain other learned men whofe exercife in tranflaccions and pennyng in
this tounge hath ben (as I vnderftande) not without fome fruite to the
common weale.' Eden edited the next edition in 1559.
1552. Dec. 2.     The printing of the first edition of Francisco Lopez de
Gomira's Istoria de Ias lidis y consnis/a de AL'exico, is
finished at Saragossa.
1553. May 9.      The date of the Ordinances &c. for the English fleet
going for the discovery of Cathay by the North-IEast;
given by Sel astian Cabot, as 'Gouernour of the myfterie
and companie of the Marchants aduenturers for the difcouerie of Regions,
Dominions, Ilands, and places vnknokwn;' who were not, however, incorporated by royal charter, until 6th February I555 (I and 2 Philip and Mary).
For these Ordinances, see Hakluyt's Voyages, &c., p. 259, ed. I589.
1553. May 20.     The first English fleet, consisting of the Bona Esperaiza, I20 tons, Captain Sir Hugh Willoughby, General
of the whole fleet; the Edward Bonaventure, r6o tons,
Captain Richard Chancellor, Pilot Major, with Stephen Burrough (or as
Eden calls him at p. xli. co/. 2, Steuen a Burrough), for Master; and the
Bona Confidenlia, go tons, Cornelius Deerfoorth, M\aster: leave Ratcliff
on their voyage, and get as far as Deptford.
May 21.     About 2 P.M. they leave Deptford. Then occurred
the scene thus vividly described to us by Clement
Adams: of which it is almost certain that Eden was
an eye-witness.
'The greater flhippes were towed downe with boates, and oares, and
the mariners being all apparelled in watchet or flie coloured clothe,
rowed a maine, and made way with diligence. And being come neere to
Greenewich (where the Court then laye) prefently vpon the newes thereof
the Courtiers came running out, and the common people flockt together,
ftanding very thicke vpon the fioare: the priuie Counfell, they lookt out
at the windowes of the Court, and the reft ranne vp to the toppes of the
towers: the fhippes hereupon difcharge the Ordinance, and fhoote off their
pieces after the maner of warre, and of the fea, infomuch that the tops of
the hilles founded therewith, the valleys, and the waters gaue an Eccho,
and the mariners they fiouted in fuch fort, that the fkie rang againe
with the noyfe thereof. One ftoode in the poope of the flippe, and by
this gefture biddes farewell to his friends in the beft manner he coulde.
Another walkes vpon the hatches, another climbes the fhrow[d]es, another
flandes vpon the maine yarde, and another in the toppe of the fhippe.
To bee fhort, it was a very triumphe (after a fort) in all refpects to the
beholders. But (alas) the good King Edwarde (in refpect of whome
principally all this was prepared) hee only by reafon of his fickneffe was
abfent from this fhewe, and not long after the departure of thefe Uhips,
the lamentable and moft forowfull accident of his death followed.'Hakluyt, Voyages, p. 282, Ed. 1589.
May        This voyage seems to have aroused a general interest
in cosmography. People began to think of the great
unknown world outside and beyond England. Some
one printed a tract or single sheet, entitled Of the zne7 found lands, which
Eden derides at p. 5. This publication stirred him up to a rapid translation of a part of the Fifth book of Mucnster's colossal Coflnoigraphy.


I




THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.


xxxix


I


June.*        Thus appeared Richard Eden's first literary work,
\                  (see title at p. 3), printed by Edward Sutton. He
dedicates it to John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, the then all-powerful Protector.  The Dedication is important
in relation to the controverted life of Sebastian Cabot. It is to be noticed
k    that in it Eden boasts of having already read the Decades.  To this month
and year is therefore also to be assigned the composition of his address
'To the Reader' at pp. 7-11; in which he so manfully strives to uproot
the general ignorance and timidity of his time.
1553. July 6. faIar' t rcigtn commCentlce.
1553. Aug. 12.    The first English voyage to Guinea leaves Portsmouth, see p. 375.
Aug. 20. The printing of the second edition of Lopez de
Gcmnara's Historia is finished at Medina del Campo.
Aug. 22. John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland (to whom,
Eden had dedicated, within less than three months before,
his first work), is beheaded at the Tower; with Sir T.
Gates, and Sir T. Palmer.
1554. Summer.* Richard Chancellor's ship, the Edward Bonaventure,
returns to England; but is robbed on the way home, by
some Flemings. The crews of the other two ships,
Spring.* under Sir Hugh Willoughby, to the number of seventy
persons, are frozen to death; while wintering at Arzina fiord, for 'want
of experience to have made caues or stoues.' It appears from a will
found in one of the ships, that Sir Hugh Willoughby and most of his
company, were alive in January 1554.
1554. July 25. Queen Mary is married to Philip, Prince of Spain, at
Winchester. 'Shortly after King Philip and Queene
Alary remooued from Winchester to Basing, [and] from
Aug. 5. thence to Windsor, where, on the fifth of August, the
King was stalled in the noble order of the garter, where he kept a great
feast, and at that time the Earle of Sussex was made knight of the garter.'
-Stvow, p. 1057, Edl. i6oo.
Aug. 17.    'The King and Quene remooued to Richmond, from
thence by water to Southwarke, accompanied with the
noble men and ladies, the King in one barge, the Queen
in another, and landed at the Bishop of Winchesters staires neere to S.
Maries Oueries church, and so passed through that place and park into
Suffolke place, where they rested that night.'-Stow, idem.
Aug. 18. 'And the next day, being the I8 of August, they rode
through Southwarke ouer the bridge, and so through
London, where they were with great prouision received of
the citizens, pageants in places accustomed, the crosse in Cheape new gilt,
&c., and passing through Paunes churchyard, a man came sliding, as it were
flying upon a rope, from Paulessteeple down tothe deans wall.'-Stow, idem.
As Eden tells us, at p. 46, intoxicated by the shows, the triumphs, and
universal acclamations that greeted the gorgeous royal procession through
the City, he was led first to debate within himself as to whether he could
by any original publication perpetuate to future Ages, not so much the
glorious reception, as its worthiness and significance: but thinking of
nothing sufficiently worthy, he was led to consider the marvellous
discoveries, conquests, and empire of the Spanairds; all of which bade
fair to become (should the royal pair have issue) the joint heritage of
England. Hence his great Compilation is distinctly the result of the
Marriage Procession of this day.
Within the following twelve months (working incessantly, and for
nothing), Eden translated or wrote all that is reprinted in this volume,
between pp. 43 and 398. Inasmuch as the work was one of great bulk
(though, at the time, of national importance), several printers combined
together for its risk of its publication: while the printing of it was
wholly intrusted to William Powell. There are copies extant with the
colophons of Robert Toy, Richard Jugge, Edward Sutton, and also, as
Herbert states at p. 738, William Seres, and perhaps others. These are
the "parteners" to whom Eden refers atp. 330.-See I542 above.
Leonhardus Gorecius, a Polish knight, writes a congratulatory Latin
Oration to the people and nobles of England on the royal marriage, which
was printed by William Powell, who was also, at the same time, busily
engaged on Eden's Compilation. Eden refers to this Oration at p. 47.


1554. Oct. 2.     ' There came to the Tower in twenty carts made for the
show, accompanied with certain Spaniards of the King's
Guard, ninety-seven little chests, of a yard long and four
inches broad, of silver, which will make by estimation fifty thousand
pounde' [equivalent to /750,000 of the present day]: Hard. MS. 194
[which is a ' Pocket Diary of a resident in the Tower between July 1553
and October 1554'] reprinted by the Camden Society under the title of
7iTe Chronicle of Queen Jane, I850. John Foxe, in his Actes and Monumentes,
&-c., Ed. I563, states that the silver was 'matted about with mats, and
mayled in little handles, about two feet long and almoft halfa foot thick, and
in euery cart fixe of thofe bundles.' I presume this is what Eden refers
to at p. 56, as the S8,ooo pounds 'weyght of fyluer which was coyned
to the Kynges vfe in the towre of London where neuer fo much hath
byn feene at once as fuche as haue byn owlde officers in the mynte doo
affirme.' It was brought there from Peru and Rio de la Plata, by the
celebrated Spanish historian Augustin de Zarate; whose Historia d'el
descubrimiento y conquista del Peru was published at Antwerp in the
next year.
It was probably after the formation of this acquaintanceship with Zarate,
and while his great Collection, here reprinted, (itself an honour to the
Spanish nation) was in the press; that by the favour of certain Spanish
nobles, Eden obtained a place in the English Treasury of the Prince of
Spain.
1554. Oct. 11.    The second expedition to Guinea leaves the River
Thames, seeP. 379.
Oct. 12.    The third edition of Go6nara's Historia is finished at
Saragossa.
1554. Nov. 28.    The Council of State announce by letter, at Dr. Chedsey's sermon at Paul's Cross, that the Queen is enceinte.
1554. Nov. 11. \ Parliament sits at Westminster.
1555. Jan. 16. ~ Among other Acts passed by it, was the following
short one, r.(,w known as I & 2 Philip and Mary,
c. 6-entitled An Acte for renueng of three Eftatutes
made for the punnifement of Herefies:-" For th[e]exchuing   and
avoiding of Errours and Herefies which of late haue ryfen growen
and much encreafed within this Realme, for that th[e]ordinaries
haue wanted aucthoritee to procede agaynfte thos that were infected
therwithe: BE IT therfore ordeined and enacted by th[e]aucthorite
of this prefente Parliament, That the Statute made in the fifthe yere of
the Reigne of King Richarde the Seconde, concerning th[e]alTefting and
apprehencion of erronious and hereticall Preachers, And one other Statute
made in the feconde yere of the Reigne of King Henrye the Fourthe
concerning the repreffing of HIerefies and puniffiment of Heretikes, And
alfo one other Eftatute made in the feconde yere of the Reigne of King
Henrye the Fifthe, concerning the fuppreffion of Herefie and Lollardye,
and euery Article, Branche and Sentence contained in the fame three
feuerall Actes and every of them, fiall from the xxth day of Ianuarye next
coming [I555] be revived and be in full force ftrengthe and effecte to all
Intentes conflruccions and purpofes for ever." —Statutes of the Realm,
iv. 244, ed. I819.
1555. Jan. 1.     The date of John Elder's letter describing the marriage of the King and Queen in the previous July; which
letter was immediately printed.
Jan. 20.    The burning of Protestants becomes lawful on and
after this day, by the above Act of Parliament.
Feb. 4.    John Rogers, the first of the Marian martyrs, is burnt
at Smithfield.
Feb. 6.     The Moscovy Company is incorporated by Royal
Charter: having for its Executive; Sebastian Cabot,
Governor; four Consuls; and twenty-four Assistants.
Eden must have watched the proceedings of this Company with the deepest
interest. Indeed, it is probable that the entire section, Of Aoscovie and
Cathay (which has nothing whatever to do with the title-page or original
plan of his Compilation; at which he must have been working hard, all
through this winter) was suggested by the return of Richard Chancellor
and the subsequent Incorporation of this Company; and put forth by him,
as a goodwill offering towards their success and information.
1555. Feb. 8.     Laurence Saunders is burnt at Coventry; and so the
legalized religious massacre goes on.
xxxix


t/




xl


THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.




May 21.     Is the latest actual date in Eden's Compilation, and
therefore in the three Works here reprinted. It will
be found towards the bottom of p. 382. On this day
the English ships, returning on their way home from
Guinea, were in 39~ 30' N. At their rate of progress
they could hardly have reached England before the end
July.*    of July.
Aug.*       Therefore Section VII. of Eden's Compilation was
written and printed in August; and, at the earliest,
his newly printed Compilation and the printing of the
entire book could hardly have been finished before
Sept.*    September.
Immediately after which; Thomas Watson, Bishop of
Lincoln,-the fellow-student of Roger Ascham; by
whom his Latin play of Absalom [? if the MS. is
now at Wilton House] is exceedingly praised in his Schoolmaster, 1570
-accuses Eden before Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, for heresy; of
which his newly printed Compilation would afford ample evidence.
Oct. 24.    Bishop Gardiner, however, dies; and Eden somehow
escapes punishment, with simply the loss of his office:
and then seems, for the next three years to be living in
retirement; his family steadily increasing all the while.
1556. Jan. 10.    The printing of Martin Cortes' Breve comependio de la
sphera y de la arte de nauegar is finished at Seville.
Nov. 7.     Richard Chancellor, in the wreck of his ship the Philip
and Mary in Pettislego Bay, Scotland, is drowned-while
endeavouring in a boat to save the Russian Ambassador's life; in accomplishing which, he loses his own.
1557. Feb. 27-28.     Eden probably witnessed the splendid reception
by the Moscovy Company, of Osep Gregorevitch
Napea, the first Russian Ambassador, on his arrival
in London, for the priocs verbal of which, see Hakluyt, Voyages, L&c.,
p. 321, Ed. 1589. From the omission in this notarial document of all
allusion to Sebastian Cabot; it is evident that he was but recently dead.
v For Eden's account of his death-the only one extant-see. xlvii., coal. 2.
It probably occurred about this date: for when Eden, about the Summer
of I555, wrote the heading at p. 283, ' that woorthy owlde man Sebaftian
Cabote, yet liuynge in Englande,' was still ' Gouernour of the coompany
of the marchantes of Cathay.'
1558. Nov. 17. SIiiabctf) succrtbs to tf)e tfljrone.
We now come to the two earliest printed notices of Eden. His reputation had travelled over the Continent to the English Protestant exiles
in Switzerland; and two of them thus vaguely and incorrectly refer to his
literary labours, but give him the wrong Christian name.
1558.             Lawrence Humphrey (who died Dean of Winchester,
on I Feb. 1590), in his three books of Interpretatio
linguarum, the Dedication of which is dated, Basilite,
Feb. 3, 1559, thus refers to our Editor-Author, atp. 520. ' Petrum quoque
Martyrem Argleriensem Joannes Eden, Cosmographus et Alchumista uertit
De insulis nuper invent /s.'
1558.             Bp. Bale, atp. I io of his Supplement (written in I558),
to his Scriptorium illustrium, &'c. the printing of which
was finished in Feb. I559, is a little more explicit; but
still follows Humphrey closely.  "Johannes Eden, Cosmographus et
alchumista ut a quibusdam [i.e. L. Humphrey] narratur, ingeniosus ac
peritissimus, inter alia scripsit De nauigationibus Portugalensium, Lib. I.
[This is evidently Eden's first publication, Of the newe India.] Transtulit
Petrum Martyrem Angleriensem. De insulis nuper inuentis. Lib. I. [or
rather the Decades]. Aliaque fecit multa. Clariut anno Domini. 1556."
1559. Sept.       The printing of the Third edition of Geminus' Anatomy,
&6-., ' enlarged, amplified, and fo corrected and diligently
perufed, that it maye seeme a newe worke, and rather an
other than it was before,' is finished. Richard Eden is, this time, the English
reviser; and the fresh Dedication to the new Queen is evidently written by
him for Geminus, as its smooth connected style abundantly demonstrates.
1561.             Eden's next literary work seems to have been the
translation (and probably also, in part, the devising of
the numerous, and, for that time, difficult woodcuts of
xl


this work of Martin Cortes' Arte de Navigar, at the expense of certain
members of the Moscovy Company: towards which, Eden appears, at this
time, to have stood in the same relation as Hakluyt did, fifty years later, to
our East India Company. This work is remarkable not only for the number of the wood engravings (some of them moveable) of different mathematical instruments; but also for a small outline map of The Newe Worlde,
or more properly of the North Atlantic basin. This is probably the
earliest printed map of America ever produced in England: and is
evidently copied from the original in Cortes' Comipendio.
To this translation, Eden prefixed the following excellent Preface:
in respect to which, it is significant to notice that Sebastian Cabot's name
is omitted from the inscription.
To the riytht woy7zJypfull fyr VVyllyam Garrerd Knyght, and
Majler Thomas Lodge, Aldermen of the Citie of London, and
Gouernours of the honorable felorzrtyp or focietie, afwell of certeine
of the Nobilitie, as of NMarchauntes aduenturers, for the difcouery
of Landes, Territories, Ilandes, and Seignories vnknowen, and not
before their firjl aduenture or enterprife by Seas or Nauigations
commonly frequented:
And to the right worJhzypfull the Confulles, AJfJifentes, and comminaltie of thefamejocietie, Richarde Eden wyffJleth health and
p;-ofperitie.
Hat foeuer he was (ryght honorable and worfhypfull) that
fyrfte beleued that the frame and coaptacion of the bodye
of man, with the functions, offices, and duities of the partes
and members of the fame, knytte together in a certen
vnitie to a common miniftration, dyd reprefent a lyuely
Image and fimilitude of a perfecte common wealth: I thynke that he was
a man of no vulgare iudgement or abiecte mynde, but rather of finguler
wyfdome and prudence in the contemplacion of Diuine and humane
thynges. For he fawe, that as in the fmall natiue feede of all growyng or
lyuing thinges, is conteyned the fourme that bryngeth them to theyr
perfection: fo in certeyne fmall and obfcure members of the common
wealth, confifteth no fmall increafe to the perfection of the whole.
He fawe lykewyfe that herein, as in the bodye of man reprefentyng
the partes and members of the worlde (as I haue fayde) are dyuers partes
of dyuers and fundrye actions and motions, greatly dyfferyng in fourme,
number, and quantitie, yet all the fame to be fo knytte together, and fo
to confent in one vniformitie to the common profyte of the whole,
that a greater concorde and harmonye can not be imagined, then is
proportioned by the frendly vnitie of dyuers and contrarye. He fawe lykewyfe in the fame, fuch a mutuall compaffion of parte to parte, and member
to member, by one common fence exiftent in them all, that no one part or
member can feele eyther ioye or payne, but that in maner all the other
are parttakers therof more or leffe, yf they be lyuely members, and not
wythered or otherwyfe vnfenfate by reafon of dead flefhe, which onely
by cuttyng and burning ought to be deuyded from the founde and
whole. But as in man (whom Plato calleth the leffe world) the
vigour and agilitie of the immortall foule and mynde, neuer ceaffeth
from continuall mouyng, but is euer exercyfed in excogitacions and inuentions of great thinges (herein refemblyng God, whofe caracte it beareth)
by prouidence forefeing, and by intelligence vnderftandyng and deuyfyng
what is to be done, and what to be efchewed, doth immediatly moue and
rayfe vp the faculties, powres, and members of the body to execute the
fame: Euen fo in the greater worlde, the prouidence of God, and vniuerfall counfayle and confent of men, hath elected and appoynted certen prin.
cipall men, to beare lyke rule and auctoritie in the bodye of the common
wealth, as hath the intellectiue foule in the members of our bodye to moue
and commaunde the fame. To Princes therefore counfaylours, rulers,
gouernours and magiftrates, as to the moft intellectiue and fenfitiue partes
of the focietie of men, hath God and nature geuen preeminence and gouernaunce of the common wealth, that by theyr prouidence, wyfdome, and ayde,
it may vniuerfally floryfh, not onely by iufte adminiftration of good lawes,
with due correction of malefactours, but alfo by lyberall rewardyng of
fuche as haue well deferued: and efpecially by maintenaunce of fuche artes
and fciences, as the common wealth can not well be without. And to
draw nearer to the applyinge of my fimilitude: I faye, that whatfoeuer
vertue, whatfoeuer arte, or the ingenious induftry of men hath to this day
inuented, all the fame is to be imputed to the beneuolence and liberalitie


-




THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.


xli


of fuche as haue honourablye maintayned and freelye rewarded the trauayles, paynes, and charges of them that haue fpente theyr lyues, goodes, and
wyttes (as many haue done) in the inuentions of neceffarye and profytable
artes and fciences. For euen as holfome and temperate ayre with feafonable wether and fauorable influence of the heauens and planettes, caufeth
fruitefulnes on the earth, and contrarywyfe, barenneffe by the contrarye: Euen
fo the fauour of Princes and Magiftrates norylheth, augmenteth, and amplyfyeth all artes and fciences by liberalitie, and extynguyfheth the fame
by miferable couetoufnes and parcimonie. And althoughe in fome men of
rare and noble nature, the defyre of honour and fame onely for vertues
fake, and ftudy toward theyr countrye and common wealth, hath moued
them in maner to theyr owne vndoyng through theyr greate loffe and
hynderaunce, to fette foorth and inuent diuers thynges for the commoditie
of the common wealth and other, rather then for theyr owne: yet vndoubtedly, who fo wel confidereth and indifferently wayeth that I haue fayde,
fhal fynde and fee by daylye experience, that in maner onely munificence,
liberalitie, and rewarde, or the hope thereof, geueth fpurres to them that
attempte great and vertuous enterprifes, as I coulde more largely proue by
fo many teftimonies of Hyflories, both holy and prophane, that the rehearfall therof fhoulde be but tedious and not greatelye neceffarye for my
purpofe, efpecially wrytyng vnto your honoures and worfhyps, of whofe
munificence and liberalitie, I haue had great experience, bothe in my felfe
and others, who by your ayde and mainteynaunce haue attempted and perfourmed many goodly inuentions, viages, nauigations and difcoueries of
landes and Seas heretofore vnknowen. Wherein, what great charges you
haue fufteyned, and howe lyberall and conflant you haue ben in furtherynge
the fame, doth well declare that hyther to you are rather lofers than gayners
therby. The whiche thyng doubtelefle is the more to your commendation,
in that it maye hereby appeare that you haue attempted the fame rather
for knowledge and vertues fake, then for couetoufnes of gaynes: as is
furthermore well knowen by your fyrfle viages of difcouerye attempted to
Cathaye by the Northeaft feas, vpon certen loffe and detriment, for vncerteyne hope eyther of gaynes, or of any fuch way to be founde, otherwyfe
then by certen lykely coniectures: not much vnlyke to the fhynyng flowres
of Marchafites, which outwardly appearyng in minerall mountaynes, are
fignes and token wherby is coniectured what metal is conteyned therein,
and whether the fame is to be folowed or not. And although it fometyme
fo chaunce that fuch fignes are fayleable, fhewyng more in appearaunce
then they conteyne in fubftaunce: yet are not fuch fignes tokens, or fhewes
to be contemned, but rather earneftly to be folowed, forafmuch as it hath
ben often proued and founde by experience, that by folowyng the fame,
haue ben founde great and riche mynes of metalles: as Geogius Agricola
in his bookes De rebus metallicis, doth largely declare and proue by manye
examples. But to wryte at large what greate thynges haue proceaded of
fmall and obfcure begynninges, and in maner mere coniectures: it woulde
fo farre exceade the meafure of an Epiftle or Preface, that it woulde rather
mcreafe to the iuft quantitie of a booke. For in maner all the late difcoueries both of the Spanyardes and Portugales, had theyr begynnyng of
fuch fmall coniectures, with vncerteyne hope (as it were preterfpemfubifpe)
vntyll God and good happe, by the conflant trauayle and valiaunt mynde
of fuch as fyrft attempted the fame, gaue them to enioye that they hoped
for. But whatfoeuer they haue obteyned and do enioy, this may I boldly
fay in your behalf (right honorable and worfhipfull) that there hath not
lacked in you eyther the lyke or greater promptnefle of mynde, forwardnes
in attemptyng, magnificence in expences, and liberall in rewardes. For
befyde the great charges and loffes that you haue ben at otherwyfe, what
fhould I fpeake of the great gyftes that you haue fente to the Emperour of
Ruffia? What of your laft chargeable vyage of difcouerye among the
innumerable Rockes, Ilandes, and moueable mountaynes of Ice in the
frofen fea, by innumerable landes and Ilandes vnknowen to the Antiques,
euen vnder and farre within and beyonde the circle Artike, where they
thought that no lyuynge creature coulde drawe breath or liue for extreme
colde: wheras neuertheleffe the fame hath ben by you difcouered euen vnto
the myghtye ryuer of Ob, that falleth into the Scithian Ocean, or Oceanus
Hypierboreus, not farr from the mountaynes called Hyperborei, fo named
becaufe they are fituate almoft vnder the North pole, and thought therfore
to be inacceffable. A vyage doubtleffe of fuch difficultie and in maner
impoffibilitie, that confyderyng the infinite daungiours therof (as I haue
learned by th[einformation of Steuen a Burrough, that was then the chiefe


Pilote of the fame vyage) it may feme impoffible that they fhoulde euer
haue efcaped, excepte the myghtye hande of God, by the experte flylfulneffe of fo excellent a Pilot, had delyuered them from thofe daungers.
And although in dede (as religion byndeth vs) it is conuenient in all
thynges to geue all honour, glorye and thankes to God, yet are we not
thereby reftrayned to be thankfull to fuch men, as by theyr arte, ingenioufnes, trauayle, and diligence, haue deferued both iufte commendation and
large rewarde. And therfore referryng the rewarde to you (ryght honorable
and worfhypfull, to whom it apperteyneth) yf I Ihould not here geue hym
at the leafte fuche commendation, as in my iudgement he hath well deferued,
I myght feme both to defraude hym of his worthye defertes, and alfo to
forgette the frendfhyp and good wyll I beare hym, onely for his vertues
and excellencie in his profeffion. For certeynly when I confider how
indigent and deflitute this Realm is of excellent and expert Pilottes, I can
do no leffe of confcience, then in refpect of your owne commoditie, yea
rather for the commoditie of the Queenes Maief.ie and the whole Realme,
to exhort you and put you in remembraunce (although I may herein feme
to put the fpurres to a runnyng horfe, as faith the Prouerbe) fo to regard
hym and efteme hym and his faythfull, true, and painefull feruice towarde
you, that he maye thereby be further encouraged, and not difcouraged,
eyther for lacke of maintenaunce, or other wyfe by the iniurious affaultes
of fuch his enemies, as onely his vertues and excellencie haue moued to
beare hym difpleafure, as enuye doth euer folowe vertue, as faith the
Latine Prouerbe, Virtuti comes inuidia. And howe true a fentence this is,
is well verified by the faying of a certayne Philofopher (whofe name I do
not remember) who hearynge one vaynely reioyce that he had no enemies,
aunfwered that that was a token he hadde done lyttle good: Meanyng
thereby (as dayly experience proueth) that yf he had excelled in any vertue,
he coulde not haue lacked fome enemies. And hauyng here touched to
fpeake of enuye, I remember that when I was a yonge fcoler, I haue read
in the Poet Hefiodus of two kyndes of enuye, whereof the one is called
Inuidia, and the other Aemulatio, which is more tollerable then the fyrfte,
for that it is ioyned with fome vertue, and enuyeth that anye fhoulde excell
hym in any excellent qualitie that he profeffeth. But forafmuch as this
enuy of emulation proceadeth of fome finguler vertue of them that are fo
maliced, they maye herein reioyce, that they fimall euer haue a hundreth
frendes for one enemie: yea and although they hadde none, yet is vertue
a rewarde to it felfe, and to be embrafed for it felfe onelye, as the Philofophers affirme. What then Ifall we fay to fuch, as forgettyng this rewarde
of vertue, do not onely [not] fauour, but rather hynder the preferment and
mayntenaunce of fuch experte men, more eftemyng certayne Fyfhermen
that go a trawlyng for fyfhe in Catches or mongers, and dradgies for Oyfters
about the fandes, betwene the South furlande and Wynterton neffe, and the
fandes about Temmes mouth, then they do fuche excellent Pylotes as are
able without any Rutter or Carde of Nauigation, not onlye to attempte
longe and farre viages, but alfo to difcouer vnknowen landes and Ilandes,
as haue doone of late yeares many excellent men, to the great honour and
enrychyng of their Prynce and countrye. But as touching Steuen A Burrough, the chiefe Pylote of your viagies of difcouery, it may hereby well
appeare yat he is neyther malicious nor enuious of his arte and fcience, in
that he defireth ye fame for the common profite to be commen to al men:
And for the fame intent was the fyrft that moued certen worfhypfull of your
company, as Syr William Garrerd, Maifter William Mericke, Maifter Blafe
Sanders, and Maifter Edwarde Caftlen, to haue this worke tranflated into
the Englifh tongue. Who of their own good nature fauouryng al vertuous
fludies and the profeffours of the fame, did fone incline to his honeft requeft
herein: and therewith not only defired me, but alfo with liberall rewarde
enterteined me, to take in hande the tranflation. Whiche being nowe
finifhed as well as my poore learnyng may perfourme, I defyre your honours
and worfhyppes, to accepte in as good parte as I haue ment herein to
gratifie you, and doe fuche feruice as my abilitie may fuffice. Nowe therfore this worke of the art of Nauigation, beyng publyfhed in our vulgar
tongue, you may be affured to haue rmore ftore of fkylful Pilotes. Pilotes
(I faie) not Pirottes, Rulers, not Rouers, but fuche as by their honeft
behauour and conditions ioyned with arte and experience, may doe you
honeft and true feruice: whiche is not to be looked for of fuche as beynge
deftitute as well of the feare of God as of all moral vertues, fuperbounde in
all notorious vyces, accoumpting defperatneffe for boldneffe, raflneffe for
hardineffe, impudencie for floutnefie, and crueltie for manhod. What other
xli




xlii


THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.


thyng (I faye) is to bee looked for of fuche, then of fuche trees fuch fruites,
Et mali coriz manlum ouum. But for as muche as there haue no place
appointed them in the bodie of our common wealth, whiche we haue here
before compared to the members of the bodie of man: therefore are they
no otherwyfe to be effemed then as excrementes of the bodye, to whom
nature hath appointed no place in the fame, but laboureth continuallye to
caff them forth dyuers wayes, leafle by theyr filthyneffe they ihould infecte
the other members, euen as the pompe of the fihyppe if it be not auoyded,
is noyous to the Ihippe and all that are therein.  But the wyfe and honeft
Pylot, fyrfl hauyng before his eyes the feare of God, and puttyng his chief
truft in hym, fhall fecondarely truft to his arte and fcience, without any
fuche vayne obferuations as the fuperftitious Itorofcopers (Aftrologiers I
meane, and not Aftronomers) are accuftomed to vfe in the elections of
houres, tymes, and dayes, by conflellations and afpectes of the Starres and
Planetes, as many fonde menne haue doone, thynkynge thereby to haue
efcaped fuche daungers, as they haue thereby the rather fallen into, throughe
contempte of arte and fcience by folyfhe confidence in fuperftitious Aftrologie: which for the vanitie and vncertaintie thereof, the ryght worfhypfull and of fingular learnynge in all fciences, Syr Thomas Smyth, in my
tyme the floure of the Vniuerfitie of Cambridge, and fometyme my Tutor,
was accuftomed to call Ingenliofjimam artem nmentizedi. (That is) the mofte
ingenious arte of lyinge. Omitting therefore the fuperftitious and phantafticall obferuations of the iudicials of Aftrologie, it fhalbe better and more
neceffary for all Pylotes that defyre to excelle in theyr profeffion, to learne
and obferue the principles of thys booke, whereby they may haue fuche
knowledge of the Sphere, as may inftructe them the makynge and vfe of
dyuers goodly Aftronomicall inftrumentes perteyninge to the arte of Nauigation, by knowledge of the mouynges of the Sunne and Moone in their
Spheres, and the other Planetes and fixte Starres: thereby to attayne to
the true knowledge of houres, tymes and tydes, with the variation of the
Compaffe, and many other goodly naturall obferuations of weathers,
tempeftes, and calmes, by certain infaileable fygnes and tokens of the fame,
very neceffary to be obferued. And this by the true principles of AfIronomie and not of Aftrologie. And this is the true Aftronomie wherof
the Diuine Philofopher Plato hathe wrytten fo diuine a fentence, that
I haue thoughte the fame here worthy to be alleaged, that by the aucthoritie of fo famous an aucthour, we maye knowe what is true Aftronomie,
with the vfe and commoditie therof. Therfore in his booke intituled
7Ti7eus vel De NAtura, thefe are his wordes. Rerum autem optimarum
cognitlionem, nobis oculi alttilerunt. Nam hec quc d(e numido difiputantur,
nunquamn inuenta fit/fen/, fi neque fjydra,,neque Sol, neque celum ifuf'ici
potuiJf'et. Cog'niiio -vero diea ac noctis, ab ocilis orta, fecit vt ditmenlfone quadem,
mentiun annorumque ambilus nmeliremurt^, /empus cornoeferemus, ac vniucrfi
naturwe ordincmn fi'ruaremur. Quibus ex rebus, jhilofophiaim adeptifumus.
That is to faye. Our eyes haue brought vnto vs the knowledge of mofte
excellent thinges. For what fo euer is difputed of the worlde, had neuer
bene inuented, yf neither the Starres, neither the Sunne, neither heauen,
coulde haue bene feene. For the knowledge of the daye and nyght,
takyng beginning at ye eyes, caufed vs as it were by certen limites and
boundes to meafure the circuites of monethes and yeares, wherby we came
to the knowledge of tymes and the order of vniuerfall nature. And hereby
alfo we obteyned the knowledge of Philofophie. &c. And thus by the
aucthoritie of Diuine Plato (whome for hys excellencie Cicero called Deum
P'liloiophorum (that is) the God of Philofophers) we maye vnderflande that
the true Afironomie, is the perfecLe knowledge of the miraculous mouinges
of ye Planetes, Starres, and heauens (and efpecially of the Sunne and
Moone) whereby is caufed the varietie of times and dyuerfitie of all naturall thynges, by naturall caufes: as by the qualities of Elementes, as hoate,
colde, moyfte and drye, whyche are augmented or dymynyfhed by the more
or leffe influence of thefe twoo Luminaries, as they comme nearer vnto vs
at fome tymes, or depart further from vs at other tymes, with diuers motions
in diuers climates whiche caufeth not onely varietie of tymes in fundry
climates, but alfo the varietie of diuers complexions, formes, and difpofitions of all creatures vnder the face of heauen, none other accidentall contyngent, voluntarie or violent caufe to the contrarie notwithftandinge.
And this is it that Plato meaneth by thofe wordes. Vt temipus cognofceremus
ac vwueitJe naturte ordinem, &-c. That is, to knowe the tymes and vniuerfall order of nature. And doubtleffe, who fo well confidereth the marueilous effectes that are caufed, efpecially by the variable mouing of the Sunne
'ii


in the Zodiac, muff needes acknowledge it to be the chiefe inffrument and
meane that God vfeth in the generation, perferuation, and alteration of all
creatures that are conteyned in the worlde of generation and corruption.
And for this confideration, certen of the auncient Philofophers called it the
foule of the worlde: Other the eye, and other alfo the heart of the worlde.
Plato alfo affirmeth that the foule of the worlde is in the Sunne: And that
all other liuing thynges, receyue lyfe from hence. And hereof commeth
the fayinge of the Philofopher, Sol et homno generant hominem: (that is) the
Sunne and man, begette man. And therefore (as wryteth Alzrcilius
Ficinus) of all Idolaters they are moft tollerable that honour the Sunne for
God. The whiche although it bee not, yet vndoubtedlye are his effectes
fo greate and wonderfull in this inferiour worlde, that it may feme in maner
to be Gods Viceregent, Lieftenant and Viceroy in al the woorkes of nature,
excepte where and when it pleafeth hym in any thyng myraculoullye,
otherwyfe then by the common order and courfe of nature, to commaunde
the contrarie.
And yf it may not be tedious vnto you (ryght honorable and worfnypfull)
it fhalbe a pleafure vnto me, for the better declaracion hereof, to make a
briefe difcourfe of the marueilous and ftraunge effectes that are caufed by
the Sunne: whiche perhappes fewe haue done, otherwyfe then difpearfedly
here and there, as occafion hath ferued. Fyrft therfore let vs confider whI.t
it hath done ouer the Equinoctiall line, and vnder both the poles at one
inftant, yet diuerfely and contrarely the one to the other. For fo hath the
infinite wyfedome of the greate God of nature, the fupreme Architecture of
the vniuerfall worlde, difpofed all thynges in fuch perfecte order, that to
them that are vnder the Equinoctiall, and haue theyr Horizon paffyng by
the two Poles, the daye is of xii. houres and the nyght as much, and theyr
yeare alfo is deuyded into. xii. monethes: But they that dwell iuft and
perpendiculerly vnder our pole, and that haue their Horizon paffyng ouer
the fayde line, haue the daye of fyxe monethes. That is to faye: hegynnyng from the tenth daye of Marche, when the Sunne commeth ouer the
fayde Horizon, whyle it returne to paffe vnder the fame at the tenth of
September.  And contrarywyfe one nyght of fyxe monethes haue th[e]
inhabitauntes vnder the Pole Antartyke: whofe yeare (that is to faye, all
the courfe that the Sunne maketh by the. xii. fignes of the Zodiac) is
accomplyffhed in one daye and one nyght. A thyng doubtleffe mofle
wonderfull and marueylous. Lykewyfe, when we haue Sommer, they that
are vnder our Pole haue the daye of fyxe monethes, and they of the
oppofite or contrary Pole, haue theyr nyght of the fame length. Agayne,
when it is wynter with vs, then vnder our Pole is the nyght of the fayde
fyxe monethes: and vnder the oppofite Pole, is the day of the fame length.
So that as it were courfe by courfe, when we haue the night, they haue
the day: And contrarywyfe, when we haue the day, they haue the night.
The which although it be fo longe and of fo great fpace of tyme, yet is it
not continuallye obfcured with darkeneffe. For the Sunne maketh his
courfe in fuch order, that th[e]inhabitauntes of that parte, lyue not durynge
that tyme altogether in darkeneffes, as Moles lyue vnder the grounde, but
as other creatures that lyue vpon the globe and face of the earth, they haue
fuche lyght as maye fuffice to fuftayne and mayntayne theyr lyfe. For the
bodye of the Sunne declineth no more eyther beneath the Equinoctiall line,
eyther aboue the fame line (which is the Horizon to both the Poles) than.
23. degrees: That is to faye, no lower or hygher then the Tropikes, whiche
are no more then 23. degrees or there about from the fayde Equinoctiall
that is theyr Horizon, as is aforefayde. And yet in thefe 23. degrees he
maketh not his courfe by the oppofite Diameter, but goeth continually
rounde about in circuite: fo that his beames reuerberatyng heauen, reprefente fuche a maner of lyght, as we haue in Sommer two houres before the
Sunne ryfe. And this example which we haue taken of the diuerfitie of
the Horizons of the Equinoctiall and vnder the two Poles, is to demonfirate
the marueylous effecte that the Sunne maketh departyng ffrom the. xii.
houres of the Equinoctiall (that is to fay, from Aries to Libra) and commyng
by lyttle and lyttle, illuminatyng the globe of the earth, and fo rcduceyng the
yere of. xii. monethes, into one onely day and one nyght, as is fayde before.
Vnder the infinite varietie of the which courfe, fometyme with lung dayes
and fometyme with fhorte, all the inhabitauntes of the worlde are foulmled
and difpofed of fuche complexion and ftrength of body, that euery of them
are proportionate to the Climate affigned vnto them, be it hotte or colde:
And may dwel and abyde there, as in theyr natural place and temperament,
not lamentyng or defyryng to dwell elfwlere, fo grete a loue reftith in




THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.


xliii




them to their natiue fituation. But not to departe from the vyage whiche
the Sunne maketh in one whole yeare, as fometyme approchyng neare vnto
vs, and fometyme departyng from vs. I faye that at one felfe fame tyme
in dyuers partes vpon the rounde globe of the earth, it caufeth the Spryng,
Sommer, Autumne, and Wynter. And neuertheleffe at the fame inftant
and punct of time it maketh day and high noone in one place, and nyght and
mydnyght on the oppofite part. The which varietie although it appeare
incomprehenfible to the flenderneffe of our wyttes, yet beholdynge the fame
with the eyes of vnderftandyng, and therwith confideryng the vneftimable
mouyng that the Sunne maketh continually, we ihall fynde it to be true,
hauyng refpecte to the dyuers fituations of the earth, as it is continuallye
illuminate more or leffe by the Sunne. And this varietie is made with fuch
a IHarmonye and confonancie, and fuch a lawe perpetuall and immutable,
that yf any poynt or pricke therof fhoulde fayle, it is to be doubted leafl the
elementes fhould be confounded together, and returne to their fyrit Chaos.
And to haue fayde thus muche of the wonderfull effectes of the courfe of
the Sunne, it maye fuffice for an example to proue howe neceffary a thyng
it is, not onlye for all Pilottes and Sea men to haue the knowledge hereof,
but alfo for all other such as fhall attempt great and farre viagies in vnknowen
landes and ilraunge countryes, as dyd of late mailer Jenkynfon a worthye
gentleman, fette foorth by you and mainteyned at your charges, more lyke
an Ambaffatoure fente from anye Prince or Emperour, then from a companye of marchaunt men. Wherein, what commendation you haue deferued, to the encreafe of your perpetual fame and honour, I referre it to that
I haue fayde before. And as touching mailer Ienkynfon, what trauayles,
paynes, and daungers he hath fuileyned, and hardely efcaped, and what
diligence and arte he hath vfed in the fearching of Ilraunge countryes, and
in the defcription of thofe his viages, it were but in vayne for me to wryte
much vnto you, vnto whom the fame is better knowen then to me. And
therfore to conclude, with rendring iuft commendations both vnto you
and him, I can fay no more, but as Plato wryteth in his booke De Legibus.
Decens ct cos ciues ltadibus ornare, qui corporis vel animi viribus, res ardutas
plrccwralfque refJsrunt, et legibus libenter paruerunt. That is to fay: It is
decent to commende thofe Citifens that by theyr induftry of bodye or
mynde, haue done greate affayres, and haue willingly obeyed good lawes.
And thus eftfones defyryng your Honours and Worfhyppes to accept
in good parte whatfoeuer I haue faide of good wyll and affection
towarde you and your proceadynges, and with your Ihielde
of Iuftice and auctoritie, to defende me agaynfte the
affaultes of fuch as are enemies to vertue, and captious of other mens doinges: I refle at yourcommaundement to the vttermoft of my powre,
to do you what feruice I maye.
1562. March 1. John Taisnier, Doctor of Laws [b. at Ath, in Brabant],
a writer in astrology and chiromancy, publishes at
Cologne a tract, De natura magunetis et ejus effectibus.
Graesse, in his Tresor, states that it is a gross plagiary from Pellegrine
de Maricourt's De Magnete, printed in August I558.
1562.              The Civil Wars in France begin by the unpremeditated
massacre of Hugenots at Vassy by the Duke of Guise.
1562.              Eden's wife is apparently dead, and he himself
residing in the house of a friend; when the following
Aug. 1. letter was written. It is manifestly addressed to Sir W.
Cecil, who was brother-in-law to Sir John Cheke. Both
the writer and the Secretary of State were now about forty-two years of age.
Apparently Eden was to receive ~20 [=  I50 now] as an earnest penny
for a translation of Pliny into English.
O    HE only fearcher of mens hartes the eternall god I take to
'.  "     wytneffe (right Honorable) that neuer the greefes of aduerfe
_         fortune (wherof I haue had my parte), dyd fo muche protirate
my mynde and pearce my harte with forowes, as the vnderftonding of your honours fauour and goodneffe towarde me in
your lately erneft travaile in my behalfe (as I was informed by the Matier of
Savie) hathe reioifed me and revived my Difcouragied fpirites, heretofore no
leffe languyffhed for lacke of fuche a Patrone, then nowe encouragied by the
fauoure of fuche a Macenas, as I haue iuft caufe to name your honoure, fyth
only the refpecte of fuche vertues as it hathe pleafed you to thinke commend
able in me, hath moved your Ionour not only in maner to feeme carefull for


me howe I maye hereafter with quietneffe fpende my tyme in ftudie (as is my
motl defire) but alfo to be more erneft in folowing the fame, then I might
without prefumption demaunde, and muche leffe without defertes dequire.
As touchinge the which matter (right Honorable) as it was no parte of my
diuife, but fuche as the Maler of Savoy had then in hande as I fuppofe no
leffe to pleafure hym felfe and his frende then for xxli therof to be lotted
to me for an earneft penye to begynne the booke (as he faith), Even fo
am I right forie that for fo fmaule a matter, and not fo favorable a fute as
I wolde have wyffied, not only your Honour hathe taken fuche paynes,
but that alfo fuche contention is ryfen therof betwene the Mailer of Sauoy
and Mailer Baptift of the privie chamber, that by reafon therof the pardon
being leyed be your Honour, the younge gentleman his kynfman (as he
hathe informed me) is in Daungiour of his lyfe. But vnder your honours
fauour to fpeake playnelye as I thinke, I fuppofe that here Aliquid later
quod non apparet. ffor as this fute for dyuers confyderations at the firft
dyd not greatly like me, yet perceauing his erneftneffe therin for the fafegarde of his kinfmans life and gratifying his frendes, I no leffe willing
therin to do hym pleafure alfo, was well contented to affent to his requeft,
and to ftande to his appoyntment, not fufpecting his frendeihippe, but
rather commending his wyfdome, fo to doo for his frende as therwith not
to forget hym felfe, quia nihilfapit quifibi nonfapit. But if at that tyme,
I might fo boldelye haue prefumed vppon your honours fatour, as by your
erneitneffe in my behalfe I nowe perceaue I might haue doonne, I wolde
haue moued your Honour of an honelter fute (for a leafe to be had at the
queenes handes) wherof I made hym priuie, and was longe fenfe fo mynded
to haue doonne, but that he Deterred me frome the fame, alleaging certen
commiffionars to haue the Doinges therof, and that therfore no fuche thing
might be had at her Maieilies handes: Albeit, I haue fythens hard of
Dyvers that haue obteyned the like. Notwithilonding (as in my former
letters I wrotte to your Honour) my meaning is, fo to move your Honour
hereof, as neyther to be an importunate futer; or otherwyfe to thinke the
fame to be folowed, then fhall feeme good vnto your Honour, vnto whof[e]
will I fubmitte my felfe in all thinges: Only putting your Honour in rememberaunce of the commodious place and tyrne that I nowe enioye for that
purpofe: for the contynuance wherof, I was a futer vnto your Honour for
your letters vnto the gentleman my frende in whofe house I yet remayne,
Who alfo being one that fauoureth learninge, and my greate frende, and no
leffe gladde to further fo good a purpofe, is well willing the rather to my
vfe, to departe frome a piece of his commoditie, in fuche forte as appeareth
by the byll herein inclofed. Wherof, further to aduertyfe your Honour if
you fhall fo thinke it convenient, he will hym feLfe repayre vnto your Honour
to giue you perfecte informacon of all thinges as touching the fame.
And wheras the Mailer of Savoye tolde me that your Honour fumwhat Doubted that the booke coulde not be tranflated into the Englyffhe
toonge, I affure you Honour that this I Dare faye without arrogancie, that
to tranflate the variable hiftorie of Plinie into our toonge, I wolde be
afhamed to borowe fo muche of the Latine as he Dothe of the Greke,
althowgh the Latine toonge be accompted ryche, and the Englyfihe indigent
and barbarous, as it hathe byn in tyme pat,:muche more then it nowe is,
before it was enriched and amplyfied by fundry bookes in manner of all
artes tranflated owt of Latine and other toonges into Englyffhe. And it
is not vnknowen vnto your Honour that the Latins receaving bothe the
fcience of philosophie and phitike of the Grekes, Do itill for the moft parte
in all ther tranflacions vfe the Greke names, in fo muche that for the
better vnderitondyng of them, one Otto Blrumfe/fius, a learned man, hathe
writen a large booke Intiteled OnomaJficon medicins, where he hathe thefe
woordes. Res iSfas, atque artium vocabula, fcite, appofite, defgnatasque efferre,
atque ad Polycleti regulam (quod aiunt) exprimetre, res efj non minus diffcilis
quam gloriofa. Quo, nullumjiudii genus, mnaiori conJat moleftia. Id quod
in caufa ef'e reor, quod hodie tam pauci in ea palcwsira fefe exerceant etc.
Agen, it is not vnknowen vnto your Honour that ons all toonges were
barbarous and needie, before the knowleage of thinges browght in plentie
of woordes and names. Wherby it maye well appeare that men in the
firft age of the worlde, had a fhorte language, confiftinge of fewe woordes:
which euer after increafed by the knowleage and inuention of thinges.
Exercife alfo maketh fuche woordes familier, which at the firlt were
Difficulte to be vnderftode. ffor children at the firft (as faithe Ariftotle)
caule all men fathers. But fhortely after by exercife, caule them by there
names. And I haue learned by experience, that the maryners vfe manye
xliii




xliv


T HEr- LI F E A ND LABOURS OF RICH A RD ED EN.






Englyffihe woordes which were as, vnknowen vnto me as the Chaldean
toonge before I was conuerfant wvith them.  It maye therfore fuflice that
the woordes and termes of artes and fciences be knowven to the profeffours
therof, as partely by experience, and partely by tbe helpe of dictionaries
defcribing them. Per proprium, geinus, et duffierentiamn, as the logitians
teache, and as Geor~jus 4g-ricola vfeth to do in the Germanye toonge
which as well in that parte of philofophie as in all other, was barbarous
and indigent before it was by longe experience browght to perfection.
But not to trouble your H-onour any longer with this matter, one thinge
remayneth wherof I wolde gladlye haue certified your Honour at my laft
being at the courte at Grenewich, if I might haue had conuenient acceffe
vnto you. And tbis is. That perceauinge your Honour to take pleafure
in the wonderful woorkes of arte and nature (wherin doubtleffe (hyneth the
fparke of the dinine Spirite that god bathe gyuen you) I was then mynded
to hia[ue] delyuered vnto your Honour this philofophicall booke, whe[r~in
is defcribed (as appeareth in folio. ii.) fo excellent and precious an experimient, wrought by arte to the fimilitude of the vniuerfall frame of the worlde
made by the omnipotent and greate God of nature, that I helene the like
was neuer doonne fynife the creacion of the worlde. And maye therfore in
my iudgement, more woorthely be cauled Michinocofomos, then eyther man
or any other creature that euer was made of corporall fubifance. An~Vlus
Peliliaonus in his epiftells, defcribeth an inflrument cauled Au/onuaton made
in his tyme in the citie of Efiorence, obferuing the exacte mouing of Primium
li/oblie and Ociaua Sphwr-a, with alfo the moninges of the 7 planetes in there
fpheres, in all poyntes agreable to there moning in the heauen. Of the
like inftrument alfo, our Roger Bacon wrotte longe before inl his booke De
Aflirabili otojl/ate arils et no/nra-, where he writeth in this maner. Jf1aius
omuluim fi,,urationum et rerum figuratearum c1'? vi Ca'ltJia dejeribereniur
Jecundum juaes losugrliudincs et laijiudines in fi,,ura cor7porali, qua moucutur
corpora/iher momu diurno. LI lhac valeret Reg,,nunm /omini/spaicnii ec/. The
which inifrumente doubtleffe, althowgh it be of a diuine inuention: yet
dothe this Alich'rocofmnos fo far furmount it, as nature paffeth arte, and as
Afotus aniois paffeth /lloius violenius, for as the other is moued only by
waight or wynde inclofed (as is feene in clockes and organs) fo is this
mooed by the fame Spirite of life wvherby not only the heauen, but alfo all
nature is moued: whofe mover is god hymn felfe as faith S. Paule: Ipfus
ell in quo vivisus,;noucmur, ciJu snus. As alfo Ariftotle, Plato, and Philo,
in there bookes De A/undo, do affirme. And efpecially Alizarcus Alanilsus
in 4/lironomicis ad Augz-q/1um Ctvlzremi, writing thus
I/oc opus immenji cosn//ructum cos~pore Al'undi,
A/cenbraque nauius' diucujfa condiialorsna,,,Eris aiquc ig-nis, Terra', pe/agique iacentis,
Vis aninma diuiua regil. Sacroque macaiu
Cosjpirai Deus, ei iaeiia raijouc gubernai, etc.
AEre librainum vacuo, quiuf/'/linci orbem,  Item Lucanus
Totius pars mnagnus Louis.
And wheras the autoure that defcribeth this A1fic/rocofinos affirmeth that
the Chaos therof, is. A/aieria La~pidis Phsilf~jop/orumn (which is alfo Chaos, vel
Ounum, vel primat Alaicria Mfundi maioris) it feemeth to agre with that
Cornelius Ag;iitpa bathe written in his feconde booke De Occulia p/hilofoqp/ia, in Scala Vnilia/is, where bie wryteth thus: La~pis phuilojo'phorum 9y7
vunsam jubiecium ci is~f/runzciusn omnnium virinutum naiuralium ei iranfnaiura~lium etc.  And that this greate and diuine fecreate of this A/fichrocoJ-mos maye not feeme incredible vnto your Honour, I affore you that I
that am Aliinimus Phsilofop/horum, dyd long fenfe (as I haue to wytneffe Mr
Thomas Whalley, th[e]elder foonne of Mr Richard Whalley) woorke a
fecreate practife, fumwbat like vnto this, in maner as foloweth. I diffolued
two fubftances in two waters. Then I put the waters togyther in a glaffe,
fuffering them fo to remayne for a tyme. Then I flilled of[f] the water
fromne the maffe or Chaos ldfte of them bothe. And put it on ageyn. And fo
dyd dyuers tymes. In fine, the mnaffe being diffolued in the water, I let it
reft all night in a coulde place. In the morning, I founde fwymming on
the water and in the myddeft therof, a little rounde Iland as brode as [a]
riall or fumwliat more, with at the leaft a hundreth fyluer trees abowt an
ynche high, fo perfectly formed with trunkes, ftalkes, and leaves, all of
moft pure and glyftering fyluer, that I fuppofe no lymne[r] or paynter is
able to conterfecte the like. Then fhaking the glaffe, all fell in pieces into
the water, and fille~d] it with glyftering fparkes, as the firmatment fhyneth
w[ith] ftarres in a cleare wynter nyght.  Then putting the glaffe to a fofte
b                             b v


fyre vp~poii warme affhes, all turned agen into cleare water, wvhich agen
being put in a colde place all nigTht, made anl Iland with the like t ees as
before. What this wolde biane byn in fine, god knowethi, and not I. But
of this I am fore, that if the floure of learning of our tyme and fumitymne
Tutor and brother in lawe vnto your Honour Mr [i~e., Sir jo/n] Cheeke,
had feene any of thefe two fecreates, he wolde greatly haue reioyfed: As I
knowe the diuine fparke of knowleage that is in your Honour partelyreceaved
of bym, will move you to don the like, fythe to a pbilofophicall and vertuous
man, there is nothing fo delectable as to bebolde the infinite poure and
wyfdome of God in his creatures, in the which, bis deitie is not only vifible,
but in maner palpable, as fum philofophers bane written. And as touching
thefe matters, I bane red a maruelous fentence in an olde written boole
where thefe woordes are written: Qui pote//facere Alediam naturams, Po/c/I
creare..AlundZos nonos. B-ut to difcourfe of this oracle, or to interprete the
fame, it were to muche to moleft your Honour therewith: and an argument
muche meeter for a feconde Socrates then for me. And of thefe fecreates,
writeth Roger Bacon in his booke before alleaged, where hie bathe thefe
woordes: ul/l/a Juni arc/hone adomirandla in operibus or/is ci snatura': Qua'.
licet mun/tam v/ili/a/essu non isobeani (iobeni zero moximn[anm] vi Japientiblus
coguni/nu n  cs)  iamncn  jpec/aculus   isnifubile  japien/ice  pra'lscni  ci  p q//unt
app/iconi 0(1 probationein ossuniusm occul/ornun quibus anuhcus incxs cruo
con/roelicit, ci indica/fieri per opera Da'sniosios-nm, c/c.
And thus molt humbly defyring your Honour to pardon my boldneffe in
writing vnto you, and according vnto your accuftomed clemencie to accept
in good parte this my prefumptuous attempte which only the lone I beare
to your vertues bath mooed me vnto, my troll is that thefe thinges ifhall
not be all togytber vnpleafaunt vnto your Honour otherwyfe occupied ini
greate affayres bothe in the courte and common wealthe, as was Plato with
King Dyosul/ius, Ariftotle with greate Alexander, and Cicero Senator and
Conful. of Rome. The eternall God and imimortall mover of the greate
worlde and the leffe, preferue your Honour in healthe and profperitie.
Ffrome the ifolde byfyde Barnet. The firft of Auguft. I562.
Moft bownde to your Honour.
RICJIARDE EDEN.
Tuae Domzintijoni addichis, a//os non qunero Acenaics.
Sententia  Hippocratis.-/sulecreiis  ci oeculiis,j'crctuus  ci ocezuis  c//.
ENDORSED-Primo Augufli. 1562. Richard Eden.
Landls. illS. io1, art. 5.
The advancement which Eden sought, came almost immediately after he
wrote this letter: but it is sad to know, that it ultimately ruined him both
in health and fortune, and brought him to a premature grave.
We must now introduce a celebrated historical personage, with whose
wanderings and trials Eden's life was for the next ten years indissolubly
identified; and in the narration of which, we shall be telling the story of
our Author's life during the period he was on the Continent. In doing
which, we thankfully acknowledge our obligations to the Vie de -7ean de
Ferri/res, Vidassue de Chhartres, Sci,,neur de A/alignyi, by a Member [Count
L. de Bastard] of the Historical and Natural Science Society of the
Yonne. 170 copies only of which, were printed at Auxerre in 1858.
A Vidame' was originally the principal lay officer of a bishop. In
France, however, only five bishops had such an officer, viz., those of
Rheims, Amniens, Mans, Laon, and Chartres; together with certain
Abbeys. In process of time, howvever, it became a mere hereditary title;
dependent for its renown on the person who held it and the wealth whereof he was possessed.
JEAN DE FERRI~ERES, disinherited by his father, Fran~ois de Ferriesres,
in I1540; became Seigneur de Maligny in 1544; went to Rome in the
embassy of M. de Urfe in I549; accompanied the then Vidame, Frangois
de Vendome, to the relief of the Siege of Metz in I~553; and went to
Piedmont in 1557. Franqois de Vendome having died on 22d December
I 560: the Seigneur of Maligny then became Vidamne of Chartres; and
thereby immensely rich, if he could have enjoyed his own in peace. But
not daring to administer to his vast estate in person, for fear of attracting
the attention of his enemies to it: his sister Beraude, by secret agreement
with him, presented herself as the sole heir to Franqois de Vendome.
On the breaking out of the Civil Wars, Conde' sent the new Vidamne
(whose riches gave him great influence among the Protestant party) over to
England, witb the Seigneur de Saint Aubin, to induce Elizabeth to join




THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.


xlv


I


-


I


in so holy and just a quarrel.  Being joined by La Haye, they finally
arrived in England about 15th August I562; and after many secret conferences, the Treaty of Hampton Court was signed by them, on 20th September following. Colt. AIMS. Cal. E. v. f. I 13, is a copy of this Treaty
bearing the signature of the Vidame.
At this moment, Eden, who was an excellent linguist, entered the service
of the Vidame. Time pressed. 3000 men under Sir Adrian Poynings, and
with them the Vidame and Eden, left Portsmouth on 2d October, and
wore in Havre on the 4th: the majority of them to be killed, or die of
the plague by the 29th of July following, when Havre was surrendered to
the French. Such as survived brought with them to England, the plague
which they had there caught.
In the meantime, the Civil Wars had been stopped by the Edict of the
Pacification of Ambois on 19th March 1563.
All the goods of the Vidame were pronounced confiscated, under
pretence that he had brought the English into Havre. The French Court,
while in progress after the Pacification, reached Troyes on the 23d March
I564; when the Vidame [and Eden] joined on the 8th April the Prince de
Conde there, and received a simulated welcome from Charles IX. and
Catherine de Medecis. Leaving the Court at Vitry on 27th April, he
rejoined Conde, at Paris; where he appears to have chiefly resided for
the next two or three years.
Eden states below, and at p. xlvii., that he had been in Germany, and, among
other places, at Strasburg. He probably accompanied the Vidame there.
A fresh rising of the Protestants occurred on 27th September I567, when
they nearly captured by a coup de main the entire French Court. Then
came the Battle of St. Denis on ioth November, and the Pacification of
Longjumeau on the 23d March 1568.
The Vidame and his newly married wife (Francoise Joubert, widow of
Ch. Chabot) and suite [including, it is presumed, Eden] arrived on the
Cornish coast, on 28th April 1569; and after some delay, were allowed to
come to London. The Vidame was received by the Queen, on i8th July,
at Greenwich. On the 23d September 1569, he was burnt in effigy, for
the second time within a year, on the Place de Grave, at Paris, by an arret
of the French Parliament.
In consequence of the Peace of St. Germain; the Vidame, after about a
year's stay in England, returned in October I570, by Dieppe, to Paris:
where some of his servants being attacked in the street, he retires to Boubige,
in Poitou. In February 1572, he was at La Ferte, on private affairs.
Soon afterwards he returned to Paris; where he found all the chiefs of
the Huguenot party lulled into a belief of perfect safety, through their trust
in the King's word. He, however, did not trust the Court, and would not
reside in the city, but in the Faubourg of St. Germain. When questioned for
the reason of this; he replied ' that the air of the Faubourgs was better than
that of the City, and that of the fields better than that of the Faubourgs.'
Maurevert, the assassin of the Count de Mouy, attempted the assassination
of Admiral Coligny; but fails to kill him. Charles IX. had hardly left the
wounded Huguenot chief; when the Vidame called on him, and let loose
his indignation at the dastard cowardice of the act.
On the next day, Saturday, 23d August, at a meeting of the Protestant
chiefs at Coligny's house, the Vidame urged that the Admiral should be
conveyed out of Paris; and that the Protestants should quit the city: but
he was overruled.
That night, occurred the MASSACRE OF ST. BARTHOLOMEW, commencing on the right bank of the Seine. The Vidame, his brother-in-law
Jean de la Fin, and ten others [including probably Eden], who were living
on the left bank of the river-warned by the firing-escaped for their lives,
riding first to La Ferte. Hearing, however, that the Duke de Guise had
sent the Sieur de St. Leger to take them: they hurriedly left the Chateau,
and-after some wandering up and down the country-managed to reach
the coast; where they found a ship, which carried them safely to England.
The Vidame arrived in London on 7th September 1573.
1573. Sept.       The Vidame, in a very flowery letter, solicits of the
Queen, that Richard Eden, who had given him good
and faithful companionship for the space of ten years,
may be admitted one of the poor knights of Windsor. He also refers to
his erudition, and the experience he had acquired in the secrets of Nature.
IHe further encloses the three following autographic memoranda; by the
side of which, we have put an English translation:





I

Si placeat sume Maiestaticoncedere
Richardo Eden proximam vocationem Militum illorum, qui Winsori
Milites Oratorij vocantur, a Rege
Henrico 8~ fundati.


If it may please Her Majesty to
grant to Richard Eden the next
vacant place among the Knights,
who are called the Knights of the
Oratory of Windsor, founded by
King Henry VIII.






IT.


Richardus Eden natione Anglus,
ex honesta familia natus in agro
Herfordensi, ubi adhuc sororem habet
viventem, sux Maiestati bene cognitam, nempe uxorem equestris ordinis
viri Iohannis Butleri de Lamer: A
pueritia educatus in bonis literis,
studuit in Achademia Cantabrigiensi
decem annis sub tutore doctissimo
viro, domino Thoma Smyth, nunc
Secretario suze Maiestati, qui de eius
eruditione et morum integritate satis
testari potest.
Deinde a serenissimo Rege Henrico Octavo ab achademia vocatus,
ipsius Regis mandato, in AErario
officium obtinuit, ubi usque ad
mortem Regis, hoc est duobas annis,
permansit; qui etiam moriens illius
non immemor assignavit illi domus
distillatorii officium. Quod tamen
Rege mortuo Sumerseti Dux illi
concessit qui nunc fruitur.




Postea uxorem duxit, ex qua in
xiiij. annis xij. infantes generavit, ut
vel hac ratione videatur de patria
bene meritus.
Qui etiam tempore aliquot Rei.
publicae utiles libros ex sermone
Latino Italico Hispanico traduxit,
qui typis im pressi extant, ut Decades
de Novo Orbe, liber iusti voluminus,
vizt. 600 foliorum; ac deinde librum
de Arte Navigandi a Martino Cortesio in lingua Hispanica ad Carolum
V. scriptum; insuper ex Pyrotechnia
Italica multa de rebus metallicis, quae
antea in nostra lingua extitere.
Tempore vero Mariae Reginse Hispanorum quorundam nobilium fauore,
denuo in Regis Philippi AErarium
electus: hereseos apud Wintoniense
Episcopum accusatus a Watsone Lincolinensi Episcopo, officio privatus
est.
Mortua vero uxore, illius fama ad
illustrissimi Domini Vidami aures
pervenit. Cum quo, quomodo his x.
annis et amplius in Germania et
Gallia vixerit in utraque fortuna, nec
mercenarius nec desertor, et semper
illi charissimus, ipsemet Dominus
Vidamus pro sua humanitate, veri.
tate testimonium feret. A quo etiam
multis amplissimis muneribus donatus, si tamen non ditatus nulla profecto illustrissimi Domini incuria vel


Richard Eden, an Englishman,
born of a respectable family in Herefordshire,-where he still has a sister
living, well known to Her Majesty,
being the wife of a knight, John
Butler of Lamer,-was well educated
as a boy, studied at Cambridge for
ten years under that most learned
man, Sir Thomas Smyth, now Her
Majesty's Secretary [of State], who
can testify to his erudition and blameless character.
Afterwards, being summoned from
the University by the most serene
King Henry VIII., he held, by his
order, an office in the Treasury,
where he remained for two years
until the King's death; who, when
dying, did not forget him, but assigned to him the office of the distillery. After the King's death, the
Duke of Somerset granted the office
to the present holder.
Afterwards he married, and in
fourteen years begot twelve children, so that for this reason also he
seems to deserve well of his country.
At this time he translated from the I
Latin, Italian, and Spanish several
books useful to the State, which are
still in print, as Decades de Novo Orbe,
a book of good size, viz. six hundred
folios; andabookDeArteNavigandi,
written by Martin Cortes to Charles
V. in Spanish; and in addition many
portions of Pyrotechnia Italica concerning metals; which did not exist
before in our language.
In the time of Queen Mary, he
was again placed in the Treasury
of King Phillip, through the favour
of certain Spanish nobles: but being
accused of heresy before [Gardiner]
the Bishop of Winchester by Watson,
Bishop of Lincoln; he was deprived
of his office.
After the death of his wife, his
repute came to the ears of the most
illustrious Lord the Vidame. How
he lived [with him] for ten years
and more in Germany and France,
with varying fortune, neither a mercenary nor a deserter, and always
most dear to him; the Lord Vidame
himself will kindly bear witness.
From whom also he received many
large gifts. And assuredly it is not
through carelef;sness or oblivion on
clv






xlvi


THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.


- -


oblivio in causa fuit, sed sola volubilis et nouercxe fortuna culpa.
Nunc vero, senio affectus, et corporis infirmitate, cogitur peregrinandi
finem facere; nihil magis habens in
votis quam ut sume Maiestatis gratia
et favore, possit tandem in patria
honestis studiis et Reipublicce utilibus vitam finire. Nulla vero magnarum divitiarum, authonoris ambitione
flagrans solam vitam tranquillam et
studiis commodam exoptat.
Deus optimus maximus suam Celsitudinem semper seruet incolumen.
II
Quando quidemmaxima parshominum non est semper melior pars, sed
reperiuntur quamplures Ardeliones
quibus nihil est magis gratum quam
ex quauis leuissima occasione bonos
viros calumniari. Ideoque ut agni a
luporum faucibus in tuto vivant, necessum erit ut leonis animalium regis,
hoc est, Regia autoritate tueantur.
Quis enim nunc in Anglia potest
Paracelsi admiranda medicamenta ex
metallis et mineralibus componere
(qune cum Alchimiaaliquomodosymbolizantur) nisi statim ab ignaris et
calumniatoribus Alchimise legibus
prohibitre infamiam et periculum incurrat. Cui malo obuiando Principis
diplomatae opus erit. Nec dubito
quin quum Brocardo multisque aliis
peregrinis libere permittitur exercere.
Idem milhi oequiori iuditio Principis
autoritate concedatur.


the part of his illustrious Lord, but
only in consequence of changeful and
adverse fortune; that he was not
enriched.
Now affected by age and bodily
infirmity, he is obliged to make an
end of wandering; desiring nothing
more than, by Her Majesty's favour,
to end his life in his own country,
in honourable studies, and useful to
the State. He has no ambition
for great riches or honour; but only
desires a quiet life, suitable for study.
May God ever preserve Her Ma

Since, indeed, the greater part of
mankind is not always the better
part, but many busybodies are found
who have no greater pleasure than
in calumniating good men on the
most trifling occasions; therefore
that lambs may live safe from the
jaws of wolves, they must be protected by the lion, the king of beasts
-that is, protected by royal authority.
Who can at this preset time, in
England, compound the atm.iirable
medicaments of Paracelsus from
metals and minerals (which are symbolized by an alchymical method),
without immediately incurring from
ignorant calumniators the infamy
and peril of practising alchmy,
which is prohibited by the laws.
To obviate this evil, a royal license
is needed. Neither do I doubt that
since it is permitted to Brocardus
and many other foreigners freely to
practise [the art]; that the same will,
with more justice, be granted to me
by the royal authority.-State Papers,
Donm. Eliz., Vol. 92, No. 32.


To the ry/ght oooJi/spfull Syr Wylliam Wjynter, Azyght/, Maai/cr
of the Ordinaunce of the Queenes Maiejlies Sjhipcs, and Surucyor of the fayd Shippes, Richarde Eden zqjycth health and
prosfperitie.
t^Y      ^ —T is nowe about twelue yeeres pafte (gentle Maifter Wynter)
fince the curtefie and fauour which long before I founde at
your hande, mooued me no leffe for the good wyll that I
haue euer borne you and your vertues, to excogitate or
deuife fomethyng, within the compaffe of my poore abilitie,
that myght be a witneffe, and as it were a feale, to teftifie both that I haue
not forgotten your gentleneffe, and alfo how defyrous I am to pay the
debtes of frendefhyp which then I promifed you, and alfo attempted to
perfourme: But beyng at that tyme preuented, by meanes of my fodayne
departyng out of Englande, with my good Lorde the Vidame, with whom I
remayned for the fpace of ten yeeres, vntyll the calamities of that miferable
countrey, with loffe of goods, and danger of lyfe, hath dryuen me home
agayne into my natiue countrey: Where fyndyng my felfe at fome leyfure,
and defyrous to paffe foorth parte of my tyme in fome honeft exercife,
which myght be profytable to many, domagable to none, and a meanes to
geat me newe freendes, the olde in my fo long abfence, in maner vtterly
wafted: I chaunced in the meane tyme, to meete with my olde acquayntance and freend, Richard Iugge, Printer to the Queenes Maieflie, who
had many yeeres before, printed the Booke of Marten Curtes, of the Art of
Nauigation, by me tranflated out of Spanyfhe tongue. Whereof, hauyng
with him fome conference, he declared that he woulde prynt that booke
agayne, yf I woulde take the paynes to deuife fome addition touchyng the
fame matter, that myght be ioyned thereto. At whiche tyme, hauyng with
me in the Latine tongue, thefe books here folowyng printed, whiche I brought
with me out of Fraunce, I foone agreed to his honeft requeft, to tranflate
them into Englyfhe: Whiche beyng accomplyfled, this onely remayned,
accordyng to the common cuflome, to confecrate and dedicate the fame to
fome worthie perfonage, whofe fame, auc[t]horitie, and dignitie, myght
defende them from the euyll tongues of fuch as are more redie rather to
reprooue other mens dooynges, then to doo any good them felues. And
therfore (gentle Maifter Wynter) knowing your aucthoritie and fame in
well deferuyng, and honorable feruice vnto your Prince and Countrey, to
be fuche as all men thynke fo well of, and fo greatlye efteeme, to whom
(rather then to you) may I dedicate this booke of Nauigation? In confyderation whereof, and the hope that I haue in your approoued curtefie,
fauourably to accept this dedication, as procee[d]yng from one that defyreth
nothyng more then to doo you feruice, and remayne in your grace, I fhall
thynke my trauayle wel beflowed, and fufficiently recompenced, yf it flall
pleafe you to accept the fame as thankfully, as I wyllyngly offer it vnto
you.
For yf there be any thyng in me, wherein I maye by good reafon
pleafe my felfe, it is cheefely this, that I haue euer loued and honoured
men of finguler vertue or qualitie, in what fo euer laudable Art or Science,
euen of thofe whereof I mee felfe haue litle knowledge, as are Geometrie,
Aftronomie, Architecture, Muficke, Payntyng, feates of Armes, inuentions
of Ingens, and fuche lyke: Of the whiche, this our age maye feeme not
onely to contende with the Auncientes, but alfo in many goodly inuentions
of Art and wyt, farre to exceede them. For (not to fpeake agaynfI all the
marueylous inuentions of our tyme) what of theirs is to be compared to the
Artes of Printyng, makyng of Gunnes, Fyre woorkes, of fundry kyndes of
artificial Fyres, of fuche marueylous force, that mountaynes of moffe harde
rockes and flones, are not able to refyft their violence, but are by them
broken in peeces, and throwen into the ayre with fuche violence, that
neyther the fpirite of Demogorgon, or the thunderboltes of infernal Pluto
can doo the lyke. What fhoulde I here fpeake of the woonderfull inuen.
tions of Fartalio, in his booke De Arte maiori? or of many other, whereof
Vannucizs Beringocius wryteth in his booke, entituled, Pyrotechnia. As
touchyng which terrible inuentions, and the lyke, although fome men be of
opinion that they were inuented by the inftigation of the deuyll, for the
deftruction of mankynde: yet other weyghyng the matter more indifferently
thynke that the inuention of Gunnes hath ben the fauyng of many mens
lyues, becaufe before the vfe of them, men were not woont fo long tyme to
lye batteryng in the befiegyng of Townes or Fortreffes, but in fhort fpace
to come to hande ftrokes, and to foughten feeldes, to the great flaughter of
great multitudes. And feeyng that nowe our cnimies the Turkes, and


There were thirteen poor knights of Windsor, whose annual allowance
was paid by the Dean of Windsor. It consisted of ~18: 5s. in money;
a gown or coat of red cloth; and a blue or purple cloth mantle with
the badge of St. George embroidered on the left sleeve. Eden's application
does not appear to have been successful.-See Tighe and Davis, Annals
of lVindsor, i. 223. Ed. 1858.
1573.             Sir W. Winter is knighted this year.-See Sylvanus
Morgan's Sphere of Genhty, Book 3, f. I4, Ed. i66i.
1574. Win-        Eden writes the following dedication to Sir W. Winter
tertide.        of his translation of John Taisner's book De natura
magnetis, &c., which he designed as a complement
to a new edition of his previous translation of Martin Cortes' Arte de
Navifgar. Though written at this time, it did not appear in print for four
or five years afterwards, in consequence of the successive deaths of Eden,
Richard Jugge the printer, and his son John Jugge.
The most important allusion in it is the account of Sebastian Cabot's
death, the only one on record.
A very neceffarie and profitable Booke concerninge Nauigation,
compiled in Latin by Zoannes Taifnierus, a publike profeffor in
Rome, Ferraria, and other Vniuerfities in Italie of the Mathematicalles, named a treatife Of continuall motions. Tranflated into
Englifhe, by Richarde Eden.
Imprinted at London by Richarde Jugge.
xhi




TiIE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.


xlvii


-


other Infidels, haue the vfe of thefe deuylylhe inuentions (as they name
them) it may be thought requifite for vs, agaynft fuche deuylles to vfe alfo
the lyke deuylyfle inuentions, left refufyng the fame, and geuyng place to
euyl, we fhoulde wyllyngly fuffer the kyngdome of the deuyll to triumphe
ouer vs, not otherwyfe able to refyft, and much leffe to ouercome fo puiffant
and horrible enimies (except befyde al hope) myght aryfe in our defence
fome newe Moyfes, or Elias, or the Prieftes of Iericho, whiche onely with
the noyfe and founde of Homes or Trumpettes ouerthrewe the walles of
the towne. Neyther wyl the example of Dauid and Goliath, or of Samfon
and the Philiflines, ferue our turne at this tyme, although I beleeue that
the arme of the Lorde is not weakened, yf there lacked not a Moyfes with
his rodde, and woorthie Aft lentes, which myght helpe to holde vp his
weerye arme.
But to returne to fpeake of ingens, and ingenious inuentions, whiche
inuented and vfed to the glorie of God, and defence of his people,
againft the furie and tyrannie of Infidelles, they may as woorthyly be
called the gyftes of God, as were the inuentions and Art of them that
buylded eyther the Temple of Hierufalem, or the Arke of God: And
Fxod. xx.   yet is it there wrytten of thofe Artificers, that God gaue
lBezaleel and  them the fpirite of knowledge and cunnyng in fuche Artes.
Alialiab.   And therefore I thynke it may alfo be fayde without offence,
that the knowledge of Archimedes, and other men in fuche commendable
inuentions, are the gyftes of God, for as muche as the gyftes of God are
free, and not bounde to any nation or perfon.
And yf it mnay be graunted that the fpirites of men, or the fpirite of
God in men, may be diuided (as was the fpirite of Moyfes to twelue other)
or otherwyfe that the fpirites of dead men may reuiue in other (after
the opinion and tranfanimation of Pythagoras) we may thynke that the
foule of Archimedes was reuiued in Be/fon, that excellent Geometer of
our tyme, whom I knewe in Fraunce the Maifter of the engins to the
Frenche kyng, Charles the nienth, vnder whom that lamentable flaughter
at Paris was committed, in the whiche were flayne fo many noble men.
Whiche crueltie the fayde Befson abhorryng, fled hythel into England,
and here dyed, in the yeere. 15 73. and left in witneffe of his excellencie
in that Art, a booke in prynt, conteynyng the fourmes or portractes of
fyxtie engins of marueylous ftrange and profytable deuice, for diuers
commodious and neceffary vfes.  Of the whiche, for as muche as
three of them, that is to meane, the 54. 57. and 60. be engines cheefely
parteyning vnto Shyppes, it fhall not be from my purpofe here to make a
breefe rehearfal of them.
The. 54. therefore (as he wryteth) is an engin not vnlyke vnto that
whiche in auncient tyme Archimedes inuented for the Syracufians, wherewith a man with the ftrength of onely one hande, by helpe of the
inftrument called TriJfpafton (which in our tongue fome cal an endlefle
Scrue), brought a Shyp of marueylous greatneffe from the lande into
the fea, in the fyght of kynge Hieron, and an infinite multitude, whiche
with all their force coulde not doo the fame. &c. Of the which alfo, our
countrey man, Roger Bacon, a great Philofopher (and no Nicromancer, as
that ignorant age flaundered him) feemed to haue had fome knowledge:
For in his booke of the marueylous power of Art and Nature, he maketh
Of hi istr- mention of an Inftrument (as farre as I remember) no bygger
ment reade, the then a mans hande, wherewith one man myght drawe to
Cosmolabe of  hym the ftrength of three hundred men. And I well remember, that at my beyng in Fraunce, I hearde credible
reporte, that the Earle of Rocumdolfe, an Almaine, made an engin, wherewith the fayde kyng Charles when he was but. xvi. yeeres of age, lyfted
from the grounde a weyght, whiche the firongeft man in the courte was not
able to remooue. Almofte the lyke deuice we vfe in the bendyng of a
Croffebowe. Alfo at my being in Germanie in the citie of Strofburge, a
woorthy and learned Gentleman, Monfieur de Saleno, tolde me that in that
citie one had inuented an engin of iron, no bygger then a mans hande,
wherevnto faftenyng a rope, with a hooke of iron, and caftyng the hooke
vpon a wal, tree, or other place, where it myght take holde, he coulde with
that engin lyft hym felfe vp to the wal, or other place. But to returne to
the other two engines of Be5on, parteynyng to our purpofe. Therefore
the. 60. fygure (as he there wryteth) is the inuention of an engin, fcarfely
credible, wherewith by ballance and eafie motion, beyond the order of
nature, a Shyp may be fo framed and gouerned, that in the calme fea it
ihall mooue forewarde, and in litle wynde haften the courfe, and in too much


I


I


wynde temper and moderate the fame: A thyng woorth tl.e knowledge to
a kyng, as he fayeth. Of the thyrd engin, which is the. 57. fygure of his
booke, he wryteth thus. An Artifice not yet diuulgate or fet forth, whiche
placed in the pompe of a Shyp, whyther the water hath recourfe, and
mooued by the motion of the Shyp, with wheeles and weyglltes, dooth
exactly fhewe what fpace the Shyp hath gone. &c. By whiche defcription, fome doo vnderftand that the knowledge of the longitude myght fo be
founde, a thyng doubtleffe greatly to be defyred, and hytherto not certaynely
knowen, although Sebanfian Cabot on his death bed told me that he had the
knowledge thereof by diuine reuelation, yet fo, that he myght not teache
any man. But I thinke that the good olde man, in that extreme age, fomewhat doted, and had not yet euen in the article of death, vtterly fhaken of
all worldlye vayne glorie.
As touchyng whiche knowledge of the longitude, to rehearfe the faying
of that excellent learned man, Zohannes Fernelius, in his incomparable
booke De abditis rerum caufis, where in the Preface to King Henrie of
Fraunce, he writeth in this maner. We haue put our helpyng hande
to the Arte of Nauigation and Geographic: forby obferuation of the houres
of the Equinoctialles, we haue inuented howe, in what fo euer region or
place of the worlde a man fhalbe, he may knowe in what longitude it is:
which certaynly we haue not taken of the fountaynes of the ancientes, but
fyrfte, of all other (as I thynke) haue drawen it of our ryuers, as our owne
inuention. &c. So that (faith he) whiche way fo euer you turne your eyes,
you may fe that the pofteritie hath not ryotoufly wafted the inheritance of
Artes and sciences, left them by their predeceffors, but haue greatly encreafed the fame, and inuented other: For certaynely, the multitude of
thinges incomprehenfible, is infinite, and fo therfore inuentions muft
needes alfo be infinite, and without ende. And therefore, as touchyng this
thing (fayth he) to fpeake freely what I thynke, they feeme to me to offende
as muche, whiche contende that the auncientes haue inuented and comprehended al thynges, as doo they whiche attribute not vnto them the fyrft
inuentions, fo depryuyng them of theyr right poffeffion. Forwhereasnoweby
the benefite of almightie God (who hath geuen vs his Chrifte, and with hym
all good thynges) the lyght of trueth fhyneth in our vnderftandyng by godly
infpiration, there is no iuft caufe why we fhoulde in fuche thynges thinke vs
inferior to the auncientes. Of which Argument, who lyfteth may reade more
in the fayde Epiftle of Fernelius.
And for as much as I haue made mention of fuch inuentions, it ihal not
be from the purpofe, to defcribe the goodly inftrument wherof
Angelus Policianus in the fourth booke of Epiftles to Fran- in motion agreecifus Cafa, wryteth in this manner, I haue receyued your yng with the
motion of
Epiftle, wherein you fignifie vnto me, that you haue hearde heauen.
of the ffrange engine or inftrument Automaton inuented, and Anno Domo.
made of late by one Laurence a Florentine: in the which is  1584.
expreffed the courfe and motions of the Planettes, conformable and
agreeyng with the motions of heauen: And that (for as muche as the
reporte thereof is hardly beleeued) you greatly defyre that I fhould wryte
vnto you, what certayne knowledge I haue of that thing, wherein I am
redie to obey your requeft. And although nowe it be long fince I fawe
it, yet as farre as I beare in memorie, I wyll breefely declare the fourme,
reafon, and vfe thereof. And yf the defcription of it tial feeme vnto
you fomewhat obfcure, you fhall not afcribe it altogeather to my declaration, but partly to the fubtiltie and nouiltie of the thyng. It is in fourme
of a fquare pyller, fharpe towarde the top, in maner of a Pryamis, of
the height of almoft three cubites: ouer and aboue it, in maner of a
couer, is a flat or playne rounde plate of gylted copper, garnyfhed
with fundry colours, on whofe other part is expreffed the whole courfe of
the Planets, and whofe dimention or meafure is fomewhat fhorter then a
cubite, and is within turned or moued with certayne litle denticle wheeles,
an immouable circle comprehendyng the hyghefl border or margent, and
diuided with the fpaces of xxiiii. houres within it, in the hygheft turnyng
rundel, the twelue tignes are difcerned by three degrees. Further, within are
feene eyght rundels, in maner all of one greatneffe. Of thefe, two obteyne the
myddle poynt, the one fafttened in the other, fo that the loweft beyng fomewhat bygger, reprefenteth the Sunne, and the hygher the Moone. From the
Sunne a beame commyng to the circle, flieweth in it the houres: and in the
Zodiacke, the monethes, dayes and number of degrees, and alfo the true
and halfe motion of the Sunne. From the Moone alfo procedeth a pynne,
or wyre, whiche beneathe or downwarde in the border or margent of the
xlvii




xlviii


THE LIFE AND LABOURS OF RICHARD EDEN.




grcateft rundell, flieweth the houres: and paffing by the center of the Epicicle of the Moone, and extendyng to the Zodiacke, floweth the halfe
motion of his Planet. Another alfo ryfyng from thence, and cuttyng the
border of the center of the Moone (that is of the Epicicle) fheweth her true
place, whereby are feene the flowneffe. fwyftneffe, al motions and courfes,
coniunctions alfo, and ful Moones. About thefe are fyxe other rundels:
of the whiche, one, whom they calle the head and tayle of the Dragon,
fheweth the Eclipfes both of the Sunne and Moone. The other are attril)uted to the Planets: from euery of whiche, proceede two poyntes, affigning the motions (as we haue fayd) of the Moone: but they alfo goe backwarde, whiche chaunceth not in the Moone, whofe Eclypfe is mooued
contrarywyfe. And thus the reafon of coniunctions, departynges, and latitudes, is manifeft in all. There is alfo an other border lyke vnto a Zodiacke, cutting or diuidyng vpwarde or aboue, thofe fyxe litle rundels (whereof
we haue fpoken) being the rundels of the Planettes: whereby appeareth
the degrees of the Eaft fignes, and the fpaces of the dayes (that is to fay)
at what houre the Sunne rifeth, by the whiche, euery of the Planettes are
carried in their rundels or circles by courfe, in the day tyme to the Eaft,
and in the nyght to the Weft. Agayne contrarywyfe, the greateft rundel
of al, draweth with it al the Planettes, in the nyght to the Eaft, and in the
day to the Weft, in the fpace of. 24. houres. Az which, to agree with the
motions of heauen, both reafon and experience doo confyrme. And therfore ought ye not to marueyle, yf thefe thynges feeme incredible to many.
For (as fayth the wyfe Prouerbe) fayth is flowlye geuen to great thynges,
for euen we fcarfely beleeue our ovne eyes, when we fee fuche thynges.
And therefore, whereas in tyme paft I read, that fuche a lyke inftrument
was made by Archimedes, my faith yet fayled me to geue credite to fo great
an Aucthour, which thyng neuertheleffe this our Florentine hath perfourmed.
The worke doubtleffe beyng of fuch excellence, that all prayfe is inferior to
it, and can not therfore for the woorthyneffe thereof be otherwyfe praifed,
then to fay that it paffeth all prayfe. The Artificer him felfe alfo being a
man of fuch integritie of maners, that the funne is nothing inferior to the
excellencie of his wyt: in fo much that he may feeme a man fent from
heauen, where he learned the makyng of this heauen, by the example of the
other. Hytherto Policianus. Of the lyke inftrument, Roger Bacon alfo
maketh mention in his fayde booke, of the maruellous power of Art and
Nature, affyrmyng the fame to be woorth a kyngdome to a wyfe man.
But for as muche as the fubiect whiche I haue nowe in hande, is cheefely
touchyng inuentions parteinyng to Shyppes, and the Art of Nauigation, I
thynke good to fpeake fomewhat of the inuention of a certayne Italian
wryter, named Leonardo Fiorauanti, who in his booke, entitled
Lib. 3. Ca. 8. Specchio de fiientia vniuejale, doeth greatly glory in the inuention of Shyppes, whiche can not peryfhe eyther on the fea, or the lande,
affyrmyng that the lyke was neuer inuented fince the creation of the worlde.
But I feare me, left vayne glorie of difcourfyng in the Italian tongue, hath
caufed him more then needes, to commende his owne inuention, as for the
mofte parte is the maner of the Italian writers. Therfore
oThf a Shyp  committing the iudgement hereof to men of greater experiwhich can not ence and knowledge in thefe thynges, I wyl onely tranflate
be drowned.
be drowne his woordes, whereby in the booke before named, he
defcribeth the fayde Shyppe in this maner. Take beames of Fyre, or
Pyne tree, which of their owne nature can neuer goe downe, or fyncke, or
abyde vnder the water, and with thefe beames forme an engine (Machina,
yf I may fo call it) of the length of three fcore foote, and of the breadth of
twentie foote, and of the heyght of fyxe foote, laying the fyrfte ranke in
length, and the other trauerfe, or ouerthwarte, and the thyrde againe in
length, fafhionyng the fore parte lyke vnto other Shyppes, and in lyke
manner, bryngyng the poupe or hynder parte to good forme: then with
fuch irons as apparteyne, bynde it, and ftrengthen it in fuche maner that it
can not breake. And vpon this frame or fundation buylde your Shyppe,
of fuche fafhion as you thynke beft. &c. It were here too long to rehearfe
with what proude woordes and oftentation he magnifieth this inuention.
But whether this frame or engine fhoulde be bylden vpon the keele or
bottome of the Shyp, or otherwyfe, I commit it to them of better iudgement, as I haue fayde.
But wheras it may for this tyme fuffife to haue wrytten thus muche
of thefe thynges, I wyll make an ende with onely a breefe rehearfal of
the inuention and encreafe of the Art of Nauigation. After that the Art
of Nauigation was founde, euery man began to chalenge vnto hym the


dominion of the fea, and there to dwel and kepe warre euen as on the land.
Minos (as wryteth Strabo) was the fyrft that ruled on the fea, whiche
neuertheleffe, other afcribe to epltunus, who fyrft founde the Art of Nauigation, and was therefore (as wryteth D)iodorus) appoynted by Saturnus to
be Admiral of the fyrfte Nauie: and thereby the pofteritie afterwarde
afcribed to him the gouernaunce of the fea, and named him the God
thereof. After whom the Cretenfies euer were efteeired moft expert in the
Art of Nauigation. But (as wryteth Plinie) boates were fyrft inuented,
and with them was the fyrfte faylyng in the Ilandes of the redde fea, vnder
kyng Erythra, as alfo witneffeth Quintilian, faying, If none had proceeded
further then the inuentions of our predeceffors, we had had nothyng in the
Poets aboue Andronicus, and nothing in hiftories aboue the Annales or
Cronicles of Byffhoppes, and had yet haue fayled in troughes or in boates.
Other haue afcribed this inuention to diuers other nations and perfons, as
to the Troians and Myfians in HeIlefponto, and alfo that the ancient Britanes
made boates of leather or hydes, and fayled with them in the Ocean fea.
Plinie wryteth, that Danaus was the fyrft that brought a Shyppe out of
Grece into Egypt. Some alfo geue the fame to Minerna. But moft ryghtfully, the inuention both of the Shyp, and Art of Nauigation, is afcribed to
Noe, who (as wryteth Etfebus) was longe before Neptune or Danaus.
For doubtleffe (fayth he) the Arke of Noe was none other then a Shyp, and
the fyrfte and onely exemplar of the buyldyng of all other Shyppes or
veffelles of faylyng. Alfo the mofte ancient wryter Berofus the Chaldean
(as wryteth lofpthus) calleth the Arke of Noe, a Shyp. The fame lojephus
alfo fayth, that the Nephues of Noe, departyng to inhabite diuers partes of
the worlde, vfed many Shyppes. &c. Long after Noe, the Tyrians were
counted moft expert in the Arte of Nauigation: and after them, diuers
other nations. For whereas no Art is fo perfect, but may receaue encreafe,
hereof doth it folowe, that this Art alfo hath been greatly augmented, and
brought to further perfection by witty inuentions of the pofteritie, euen
vnto our age: whereof, who fo lyfteth to know further more particulerly
who inuented all other partes and inftrumentes parteyning to al fortes of
Shyppes, and Art of Nauigation, may read ye thyrde booke of Polidor
Virgil, Cap. xv. De Inuentorib. Rer. and Bayf/cs, de re nauali.
Thus gentle Maifter Wynter, befeechyng your woorfhyp to take
in good part this teftimonie of my thankfull hart (fuche as it
is) I befeeche the immortall God to profper all your dooinges to his honor, and the benefite of your Countrey.
1576.             The last work which it was permitted to Eden to
undertake, was an English translation from a Latin
version of Ludovico Barthema's Travels in the Eafl in
I503, which was posthumously printed by R. Willes, the next year.
He was also endeavouring to collect the Reports of the Agents of the
Moscovy Company, which form so important a part of Hakluyt's Collection;
when death exchanged his earthly life of troubles and labours, for, we can
but think, the blessed peace of heavenly rest.
I am indebted to my friend the late Mr. C. Bridger, Hon. Mem. of the
Soc. of Ant. of Newcastle, for the following note:
1576. July 20.     Letters of Administration were granted, in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, to the estate of Richard
Eden, of the parish of St Dunstan's in the East, (the same
parish in which Sir John Hawkins lived), in favour of Alban Eden, his son.
1577. Summer. R. Willis published a second and altered edition of
the Third Work here reprinted, under the title of The
History of Trauayle in the West and East Indies, &'c.
1586. April.      It would appear from T. A. D'Aubigne's Histoire [Uni7'erscLc, iii. book i. c. 3, p. 15, Ed. I620, that the Vidame,
after many wanderings, was captured by one Captain
Carles: who (not crediting that a member of so good a
family was unable to pay his ransom) suffered this distinguished Nobleman,
whom the King of Navarre had called his Uncle, and who was now about
sixty-six years; to die like a dog, while bound to the magazine at the bottom
of the hold of his galley. A prisoner so placed would be situated immediately below the planking of the passage which extended between the two
rows of galley slaves from the prow to the stern of the galley: and therefore, when the galley was in motion, would ceaselessly suffer from all the
noise of the sixty or eighty rowers; from whom he would be separated, only
by the thickness of the planking above his head.


xlviii




Richard


Eden's


Contributions to our Literature,
during the reigns of
Edward VI. and Mary.


I 553- 555 A.D.




t




[The Second English book on America.]
C  %1 treattfe    f the   newt ZIndia,
Vith   ather   ne      flounte lanrVe
ani *Ian re, aftWtl eaitwiarre am
W   tvtartr, a6 thttj are    enoiten
ant foun~l in        therfe  urre ia  ~,
after  the  ~recripctin laf     Peta;
tan    *unnterr in hti taoer of bnit
uerralI Catm    s3raphfi: t h ertn tht
i siCent reaier ma    Oree thtte  00!ucctetf  ant reo arie of nodIt
ant tOnVete ernttrprrte,
Ib tfte tuWhTfT not LrnIp bnrTiIn rpehtd are obtaytnet,
but alxa gotr itd gtlriet, anul tfthe Cfthr —
dtian faptf tni
lar gti.
Trandlattlf out of tatfn intiffel. 38fi
l   trtr^     qllfteT


- Prater spem sub spe.








5


([ To THE RIGHT HYGHE AND MIGHTY PRINCE,
THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLANDE,
HYS GRACE.
-           Reade in auncient writers (moit noble prince) how
-_                 _that mightie kyng and conquerour of the world,
o        Alexander the great, at fuch tyme as he beheld ye
tombe of fearfe Achilles, and therewith called to his
remembraunce howe excellently the Poet Homere
I       had fet forth his heroical factes, which notwithftandlt               ing he thoughte to be muche inferiour vnto his, he
fighed and fayde: Oh the moft fortunate, which hafte
te  of lte       11t cfounde fuche a trompe to magnifi thi doinges, meanbei calle       ing hereby, that the fame of Achilles was no leffe
notable to hys pofteritie by homers writing, then
it was in hys lyfe tyme by hys owne marcial
affayres. Wherby we maye perceue fuch magnanimitie to haue ben in our prediceffours, men of
noble and lout courage, yat they thought it not fufficiente in their life time to deferue prayfe
and honour, except the fame might alfo redounde to theyr pofteritie, yat they mighte therby
bee encouraged to do the like. Whyche thing truely hath ben ye caufe, yat in al ages
noble enterprifes haue ben commended, and fuch as haue attempted ye fame, haue
bene honoured.  Wherfore if honeit commendacions be a iuft reward dew to noble
enterprifes, fo much do they robbe and fpoyle from ye dignitie therof, which in any
poynt diminifhe the fame: no leffe confoundinge the order of thinges, than he whiche
cloteth an ape in purple, and a king in fackecloth. This I fpeake ye rather, beecaife
there chaunfed of late to come to my handes, a fhiete of printed paper, (more worthy fo to
bee called then a boke) entytuled of the newe founde landes. The whyche tytle when I
readde, as one not vtterlye ignoraunt hereof, hauynge before in my tyme readde Decades,
and alfo the nauigations de nouo orbe, there feemed too me no leffe inequalitye betwene the
tytle and the booke, then if a man woulde profeffe to wryte of Englande, and
entreated onelye of Trumpington a vyllage wythin a myle of Cambrydge. Wherefore
partelye moued [by] the good affeccion, whyche I haue euer borne to the fcience of
Cofmographie, whyche entreately of the defcripcion of the worlde, whereof the newe
founde landes are no fmal part, and much more by ye good wyll, whych of duetie I
beare to my natyue countrey and countreymen, which haue of late to their great praife
(whatfoeuer fuccede) attempted with new viages to ferche ye feas and newe found
landes, I thought it worthy my trauayle, to their better comfort, (as one not otherwife
able to further theyr enterprife) to tranflate this boke oute of latin into Englithe.
The which, albeit it do not fo largely or particulerlye entreate of euery part, region or
commoditie of ye fayd new found landes, as the worthines of the thing might requyre:
yet fure I am that afwel they which fet forth or take vpon them this viage, as alfo
they which fhal hereafter attempt ye lyke, may in this fmal boke as in a little glaffe,
fee fome cleare light, not only how to learne by the example, dammage, good fucceffe,
Eden.                   E 2.




6


[Decdicalion to the Duke of Northumberland.]


and aduentures of other, how to behaue them felues and direct theyr viage to their
moft commoditie, but alfo if dew fucceffe herein fhoulde not chaunce according vnto
theyr hope and expectation (as oftentimes chanceth in great affaires,) yet not for one
foyle or fal, fo to be difmayd as with fhame and difhonor to leaue wyth loffe, but
rather to the death to perfift in a godly, honefte, and lawful purpofe, knowing that
whereas one death is dewe to nature, the fame is more honourably fpent in fuch
attemptes as may be to the glorye of God and commoditie of our countrey, then in
foft beddes at home, among the teares and weping of women.    Which manlye
courage (like vnto that which hath ben feen and proued in your grace, afwell in forene
realmes, as alfo in this oure countrey) yf it had not been wanting in other in thefe
our dayes, at fuche time as our fouereigne Lord of noble memorie Kinge Henry the.
viij. about the fame yere of his raygne, furnifhed and fent forth certen fhippes vnder
V    the gouernaunce of Sebaftian Cabot yet liuing, and one fyr Thomas Perte, whofe
faynt heart was the caufe that that viage toke none effect, yf (I fay) fLich manly
courage whereof we haue fpoken, had not at that tyme bene wanting, it myghte
happelye haue comen to paffe, that that riche treafurye called Peruzaria, (which is now
in Spayne in the citie of Ciuile, and fo named, for that in it is kepte the infinite ryches
brought thither from the newe found land of Peru,) myght longe fince haue bene in
the towre of London, to the kinges great honoure and welth of this his realme.
What riches the Emperoure hath gotten oute of all the newe founde landes, it
may wel appeare, wheras onlye in the Ilandes of Hitfpana or Hizpaizzola and CG1ba
and other Ilandes there aboute, were gathered in two monethes twelue thoufand
poundes weyght of gold as youre grace maye reade in this boke, in the defcripcion of
the Ilandes.  Yet fpeake I here nothynge of perles, precious ftones, and fpices.
Neyther yet of the greate aboundaunce of golde, whiche is engendred almoft in al
regions neare vnto the  Eqruinod7ial line.  And whereas I am aduertifed yat youre
grace haue bene a greate fortherer of thys viage, (as you haue bene euer ftudious for
the commoditie of your countrey,) I thought my trauayl herein coulde no wayes be
more worthely beflowed, then to dedicate the fame vnto your grace: Moft humbly
defiringe youre honoure fo to accepte mine intente herein, as one whofe good will
hath not wanted to gratifie your grace with a better thing if mine abilitie were
greater.  Thus Almighty God preferue your grace in health and honour long to
continue.
C Your graces poore oratour Rychard Eden.


6




7


1


CI RYCHARDE EDEN TO THE READER.
H ereas in this Booke      (welbeloued Reader) thou mayeft
reade many itraunge thinges, and in maner incredible, except
the fame were proued moft certayn by dayly experience, and
approued auctoritie, (as fhall hereafter appeare) I thought it
good for thy better initruction to make this Preface, wherby
thou mighteft more playnly and fenfibly comprehend the reafons
and caufes, yf not of al, yet of fome of the chiefeft thinges,
which are conteyned in the fame. Therfore wheras thou fhalt
reade of the great abundaunce of gold, precious fiones and
fpices, which the Spaniardes and Portugales haue brought from
the South partes of the worlde, as from the newe founde landes
and Ilandes, the fodeyn itraungenes or greatnes of the thing
fhal not fo much amafe thy wittes, and gender in thee
incrudelitie, yf thou confider the faying of wyfe Salomon, who
foe  o                 -    _affyrmeth yat there is no new thing vnder the Sunne, and that  Nothing new
vnder the Sunne.
the thing that hath been, cometh to paffe again: which fayingthe
doeth greatly confyrme the trueth, of fuch thinges as are fpoken
of in this Boke, wheras the fame perhappes to fome men might otherwyfe feme in maner incredible,
yf the lyke had not been fene in tyme pafte, and approued by auctoritie of mofte holy Scripture, which
declaring the great wyfdom, ryches, and noble viages of King Salomon, fayth that God gaue him widom  3. Re. 4
and vnderftanding exceding muche, and a large heart, and that he prepared a nauie of flippes, in the  3 Reg. 9
porte of Azion Gabler, by the brinke of the redde fea, which fayled to Ohir, and brought from thence.  3 Re.
xxi. fcore hundreth (which is. xlii. M. [forty-two thousand]) weyght of golde.  Agayne, that the weyghte of
golde which was broughte to Salomon in one yere, was. vi. hundreth, thre fScore and. vi. talentes of gold,
wheras the Hebrue talente, called Talente Hebraicum fans7uaria, was of our flerling money 500. pounde,
and Talent Hfebraicum uoulgare, was halfe fo much  Lykewyfe yat filuer was nothing worth in the dayes of
Salomon, and yat he made filuer and gold in Hierufalem as plentious as flones Agayn, that he ouerlayd  2. Par.
the houfe of the Lord with precious flones beautifully, and the gold wherwith he couered it, was golde of  IPar 3.
Paruaim.  Alfo that the kinges nauie of fhippes went once in thre yere to Tharfs, and brought Gold,  Golde Apes
Siluer, Apes, Peacockes, and Elephantes teeth. Which wordes furely feme fo to confirme fuch thinges as are  Elephantes
Salomons
fpoken of in the nauigacions wherof this boke entreateth, that nothinge can make more for the truth of the  shippes.
fame: and briefely to fpeake of the places whether Salomons fhippes fayled for Gold, as Tharfis and Ophir. w 0he
This ought to be confydered for a general rule, that neareft vnto the fouth partes of the world betwene the
two Tropikes vnder ye Equinofial or burning lyne, where the funne is of greateft forfe, is the chiefeft place  Where Gold is
where gold is engendred, although it be fometymes founde in colde regions as in Scotland, in Crayford  |Scgtland.
more, likewyfe in Hungary, yet nether pure of it felf, nor in great quantitie: the reafon whereof is largely  Hungary
declared in the Bookes of George Agric, and Albertus Magnus. And wheras it is written in ye Boke of
Kinges in the Actes of Salomon that he prepared his fhippes in Azion Gaber, beyng by the brinke of the  3- Reg. g
readde fea, and fayled from thence to Op/zir for Golde, it is apparaunt, that (howfoeuer the names of thinges  Azion Gaber
haue altered and perished in tyme) he fayled from thence fouthwarde towarde the Equinoctial lyne, for 1The Equinoc.ial
afmuche as there is none other paffage oute of the narowneffe of the readde fea, but onely into the mayne  |
South fea, by the which the Portugales euen at this daye make theyr viage to Calicut, Samotra, Madagalcar,  calicus.
and fuch other Ilandes in the South eaft partes of the worlde, where Golde, Spyces, Apes, and Elephantes
are nowe founide in lyke manner. But as for Tharfis beynge a cytye of Cilicia in Afia the leffe and the  Thars-s in
natiue countreye of S. Paule the Apoflle, and fituate muche more toward the North, then is Iudea, and in  Cilicia.
maner directlye ouer againfle Iudea on the otherfyde of the fea called Mare Mediteraneum, and in the
fame clime, in the which flandeth the Ilande of Sicilia, and the cytie of Ciuile in Spayne, it hardelye agreeth |sicilia.
with the principles of Philofophie and common experience, that golde fiould be there engendred in lyke  Ciuile in Spayne.
abundaunce as in Regions more towarde the fouth, much leffe Elephantes and Apes, which are no where
engendred farre from the Afquinoflial lyne, or beyonde the two Tropikes, nor yet wil engendre yf they be




8


[Epistle to the Reader.]


__ 


Spyces.
Pepper.
Orange tree.
East India.
Solomon boughte
golde of
marchauntes.
The south and
southeast.
Mat. 12.
3 Reg. x
i. Par. 9
The quene of
Saba, the quene
of the south.
2 par. 9
3 Reg. x
Saba in Ethioafia
vnder Egipt.
Saba in Arabia.
I tie quene of
Saba came from
the Iland of
Meroa.
From Rome to
England.
The viage of our
men to cathay
Norway, Lappia,
Finmarchia.
Globes and
mappes.
Ptolomeus.
v      America.
The strayghtes of
lMagellanus.
The Ilandes of
Molucca.
Passage by the
north sea into
the East.
Pius secunduzs.
lib. i. Capit. ii.
Note wel the
passage by ye
North sea.
Augustus
th[e]emperour
Cimbria.
Caspia.
The warres of ye
Macedonians


broughte into thofe partes of the world.  The lyke is to be vnderflande of Popingiayes and fpyces, and
dyuers other beafles, fruites, and trees, which are engendered in certayne climes of the worlde, and
wyll not profpere in other places: the reafon wherof were here to longe [to] declare. For lyke as pepper
wyll not growe in Spayne, no more wyll the Orange tree bringe foorth fruite in Englande.  Wherefore, it
may feme by good reafon, that the Golde, Apes, and Elephantes teeth which were broughte from Tharfis (yf it
were Tharfis of Cilicia) were not engendered there, but rather brought thether by merchauntes from the fouth partes
of the world, out of Mauritania, Marmarica, Ethiopia, Libia, and Araia, or otherwife by lande, from the Eaft
India, lyke as at this daye, the greate multitude of Spyces, Golde, Precious ifones, Sylke, and Iuerye, whyche is at
Calicut and Cambaia, growe not al in the regions there about, but are brought thether from dyuers other countreys,
as doeth more largely appeare in this Boke. And that Salomons factours for exchaunge of other marchaundyfe,
bought the fame in Tharfis, beyng brought thether from oher countreyes, as it is written in the thyrde Boke
of the Kinges, that Salomon had great plentie of Gold of Marchauntes and Apothecaries.  So that to
conclude, I would rather thinke (fauing reformacion of other better learned) that this Tharfis (and not
Tharfis of Ci/icia,) from whence Salomon had fo great plentie of Gold and luerie, were rather fome other
countrey in the fouth partes of the world, then this Tharfis of Ciicia.  For, not onely olde and newe
Hiftories, dayly experience, and the principles of natural Philofophie doe agree, yat the places moft apte to
bring forth gold, fpices, and precious tfones, are the South and Southeaft partes of the world, but alfo cur
Sauiour Chrift approueth the fame, declaring that the Quene of the South (meaning the Quene of Saba)
came from the vtmofle partes of the worlde to heare the wyfdom of Salomon. And lyke as by the auctoritie
of thefe woordes it is playne from what partes of the world fhe came, the fame to a philofophical head is
apparent by fuche ryches and prefentes as the broughte with her.  For albeit that in the Chronacles of
Salomon it is not written by expreffed wordes that ihe came from the Southe, yet is it wrytten that ofe came
to Hierufalem with a very great trayne, with camels laden with fpyces, fwete odours, and exceading much
gold and precious tfones, which defcripcion doeth well agree, both with the fituation of the cytie of Saba in
Ethiopia vnder Egipt: and alfo with the countrey of Saba, being in the middel of Arabia, inuironned about
with great rockes wherein is a great wood of Precious trees, ome of Cinomome and Caia, and fe   bringing forth frankencenfe and myrre, as writeth Plinius fib. 12. and Theoph/-afus li. 9. de HLn/. Plant. Wherefore
the Quen e of Saba myghte worthely be caled the quene of the South, forafmuch as bothe Saba (or rather
Sabat) in Ethiopia, whiche Iofephus thinketh to be the Iland of Meroe, now called Eajaba, beinge in the ryuer
of Nilus, and thaat the quene came from thence, and alfo Saba in Arabia, are fituate farre Southwarde from
Hierufalem, euen in maner in the middeft of the lyne, called Tropicus Cancri, and the Equinoaial lyne, where
the Pole Artike is eleuate not paffing. I3. degrees or thereabout (as in Me-roe) where as the fame pole is eleuate
at Hierufalem. 32. degrees: whereby it may appeare yat the quene of Saba (whom Chrifte calleth the quene
of ye fouth,) came from the fouth partes about. xi. hundreth and. xl. miles from Hierufalem for the fame
diftaunce is from Saba in iMeroe to Hierufalem, as betwene Rome and England.  But as touching this
matter, it fhall fuffyfe to haue fayde thus muche. Nowe therefore to returne home from thefe farre countreys,
and to fpeake fomewhat of this viage which oure countreymenne, haue attempted to fayle into the Eafte
partes, by the coaftes of Norway, Lappia, and Finmarchia, and fo by the narrowe tracte of the Sea by the
coaftes of Grouelande, into the frofen fea, called Mare Congeiatum, and fo forth to Cathay (yf any fuche
paffage may be found) whiche onely doubte doeth at this daye difcorage many faynte hearted men, fpeciallye
beecaufe in the mofte parte of Globes and Mappes they fee the continente or fyrme land, extended euen to
the North Pole without any fuch paffage. Which thing ought to moue no man greatly, forafmiuch as the
moft parte of Globes and mappes are made after Ptolomeus Tables: Who, albeit he was an excellent man,
yet were there many thinges hyd from his knowledge, as not fufficientelye tryed or fearched at thofe daies, as
manifeflly appeareth in that he knew nothing of America with the hole fyrme lande adherent thereunto,
which is nowe found to be the fourth parte of the earth. Neyther yet knew he any thinge of the paffage by
the Wefte into the Eafte, by the fitrayghtes of M/agellanus as you thal reade in this Boke. Neyther of the
Ilandes in the Wefte Ocean Sea, nor of the Ilandes of Molucca fituate in the mayne Eafle Indian Sea. And
as touchinge this paffage, albeit, it were not knowen in Ptolomeus dayes yet other auctors of later time, who
perhappes haue hadde further experience of the thing (as good reafon is) doe wryte not onely that there is
a paffage by the Northe Sea into the mayne Eafte Sea, but doe alfo further declare, howe certayne fhippes
haue fafely fayled throughe the fame, as Pius fecundus (otherwyfe called  uEineas Siztiu/s) an excellente
auctour defcrybeth in his Boke of Cofmographie, where he hath thefe wordes folowing. Of the North Ocean
Sea, whether it may be fayled aboute or not, the contencion is greater, yet is it apparaunte that the greatefte
parte thereof aboute Germanie, hath been fearched by the commaundemente of Auguflus th[e]emperour, euen
vnto the promontorie or landes ende of the people, called Cizmbri. The feas alfo and coaftes of Cafpia were
fo fearched during the warres of the Macedonians vnder the dominion of Sclecucls and Anlt/iocus, that al
8




[Epistle to the Reader.]


9


__ __


moft all the North on euery fyde was fayled about. Plinie rehearfeth the teftimonie of Cornelius Nepos, who
wryteth that the King of Sueuia (or Swethelande) gaue to Metellus celer, proconfull or leauetenaunte of
Fraunce, certayne Indians or menne of Inde, whiche faylinge out of India for marchaundyfe, were by
tempeft drieuen into Germanie. We alfo reade in Otho, that vnder th[e]empyre of the Germaynes, there was
a fhippe of Indians taken in the North fea of Germanie, and drieuen thether by contrary wynd from the
Eafl partes: which thing coulde by no meanes haue comen to paffe, yf (as many menne thinke) the North
fea were not nauigable by reafon of extreme cold and Ife. And thefe be the very wordes of Pius Secundus,
whereunto I adde, that thys, notwithftandinge, yf it fhould fo chaunce, that ether there can no fuch paffage be found, or the fame fo daungerous, or otherwyfe that the very cutte thereof by which onely perhappes
any Ihippes might paffe, could not be founde, yea, or to cafte the worfIte, yf they fhoulde perifhe in this viage, yet
I woulde wifhe all men to be of fuch corage and conftancie in thefe affayres, as are valiaunt capitaynes
in the warres: who, yf by miffortune they take a foyle, doe rather fludie how by fome other wayes to recouer
theyr honour and reputacion diminifhed by the fame, then with fhame, loffe, and difhonour, euer afterwarde
to geue place to theyr enemyes, or forfweare the warres. Wherefore, to conclude, yf no good can be done this
way, it were worthy the aduenture to attempt, yf the fame viage may bee broughte to paffe, another waye, as
by the ftrayght called Fretum trium fratrum, weftward and by North from England, whiche viage is fufficiently
knowen to fuche as haue any fkyll in Geographie. As for other landes and Ilandes in the weftll fea, where
the Eagle (yet not in euery place) hath fo fpled his winges, that other poore byrdes may not without offence
feke theyr praye within the compaffe of the fame, I wyll fpeake nothing hereof, bycaufe I wold be loth to lay
an egge, wherof other men might hatche a ferpent. Wherfore to let this paffe, and to entre into another
matter. Forafmuch as in thefe our daies hath chaunced fo great a fecret to be found, as the like hath neuer
been knowen or heard before, (what foeuer God meant to kepe this miftery hyd fo long) I thoughte it good
to fpeake fomwhat hereof: trufling yat the pleafaunt contemplacion of the thing it felfe, fhal make the length
of this preface leffe tedious, efpecially yf it find a reader whofe foule delyteth to prayfe God in his workes.
The thing therfore is this, how the hole globe of the world (of the earth and water I meane) hath been fayled
aboute, by the Weft into the Eaft, as doth more largely appeare in this boke in the nauigacions of Magellanus,
who from Spayne fayled Weftward to the Ilandes of Molucca being in the Eaft fea, farre beyond ye furthefl
partes of Eaft India: and the portugales came to the fame Ilandes from Spayne fayling Eaftward by the
coaftes of Aphrica, Arabia, and the vttermoft India beyond the ryuer of Ganges where, in yat Indian fea the
fayd Ilandes of Molucca are fituate. A thing furely moft wonderful, and in maner incredible, but that the
fame is proued moft certayne by experience, the teacher and meftres of all fciences, for lacke of whofe ayde
(experience I meane) lyke as many greate wittes haue fallen into great errours, fo by her ayde, many bafe
and common wittes haue attayned to the knowledge and practife of fuch wonderfull effectes, as could hardely
be comprehended by the difcourfe of reafon. Which thing or other lyke, I fuppofe was the caufe why the
noble Philofopher Arifloteles fayde: Quod nihil eJt in intelleclu quod non fuit prius in fenfu, that is, that
nothinge is in vnderftandinge, but the fame was fyrIt in fenfe, that is to faye subiect to ye fenfes. Yet would
I not that any rafhe witte fhoulde hereby take holde, as thoughe eyther Ariflotle or I, meant that fence
were more excellent then reafon, but rather that reafon vfing fenfe, taketh his principles and fyrft fedes of
thinges fenfyble, and afterwarde by his owne difcourfe and fearching of caufes, encreafeth the fame from a
feede to a tree, as from an acorne to an oke. Nought els to fay, but that experience to be moft certayn
which is ioyned with reafon or fpeculacion, and that reafon to be moft fure which is confirmed with
experience, accordinge as the Phificians determen in theyr fcience, that neyther practyfe is fafe without
fpeculacion, nor fpeculacion without practyfe. Wherfore, whereas men of great knowledge and experience,
are to great affaires, theyr attemptes haue for the mofte parte good fucceffe, as doeth mofte playnly appeare
in all hifltories: notwithflanding that fome ignoraunt men wyl alledge that certayn raffhe aduentures haue
profpered well: which fayinge proueth no more then yf a man fhould fay, that twife or thrife a man vnarmed
flew a man armed (as dyd fometyme the wyld Irifhmen at bullen) Ergo, it were better to fight vnarmed
then armed. And wheras I haue here fpoken of knowledge ioyned with experience, I meane by knowledge
yat which we commonly call learning, whether it be gotten out of bokes (which are the writinges of wyfe
and expert men) or otherwyfe by conference and educacion with fuch as are lerned: meaning nought els by
learning, but ye gathering of many mens wittes into one mans head, and the experience of many yeres,
and many mens lyues, to the lyfe of one, whom we call a learned, wyfe, and expert man.   The which
defynicion and effect of learning, the noble and learned cortier Baltaffar Caftaglione (the auctour of the boke
called in the Italian tongue il cortegiono,) diligently confideringe, doeth greatlye blame and reproue the
frenfhmen in that they thinke yat the knowledge of letters doeth hinder the affayres of warre, ye which
perfwafion he proueth by many reafons and examples to be moft falfe.  But as concerninge the matter
whereof this boke entreateth the greate Philofopher Albertus Magnus, onelye by learninge, wythoute
9


Plinius.
Cornelius Wehos.
Sueuia, called also
Suecia nere vnto
gothland and
norway.
A ship of Indians
driuen from the
East into the North
seas.
The viage to
Cathay
Westwarde and
by north.
The earth
compassed about
The viage of
Magella n us.
The Ilandes of
Molucca.
Experience, ye
teacher of al
sciences.
Sense and
vnderstandinge.
A sentence of
AristotelL
Experience ioined
with speculation
A perticuler
proueth no
vniuersall.
What is
knowledge and
learning
Baltassar
Castaglione.
A false
perswasion of ye
Frenshmen.


A lbertfs Magn: s




10


[Epistle to the Reader.]


Temperat regions
vnder ye
quinoctial line.
An error of S.
Augustine and
Lactantiuts.
An tzpo5des.
A pianus.
Lactanlzis.
The roundnes of
ye earth.
S. augustyne.
Atfianus.
The apostles,
An ipodes the
one againste
th[e]other.
The spanyardes
and the Indians
are Antipoades.
S. augustine of
the heresie of
Manicheus.
S. augustines
boke of retractes.
Mountaynes, let
not ye roundnes
of the earth.
A galle.
A Sentence of S.
augustines.
Commendacion of
s. augustin
Iactntius.


experyence, affyrmed that habitable or temperate Regions myghte be vnder the Equinoctial or burninge
lyne, as appeareth in hys Boke de Natura locorum, contrarye to the opinion of other wryters whyche were before
hys tyme, and yet is nowe proued by experience to bee mofte true, albeit not in all places vnder the fayde
lyne, the caufe whereof were here to longe to declare.  And lyke as Albertus Magnus by knowledge of
Aftronomye (wherein he excelled) came to the vnderflandinge hereof, euen fo that greate Clerke (but better
dyuyne then Phylofopher) Sayncte Auguftyne and alfo Lactantius, for lacke of lyke knowledge in that fcience,
fell into a chyldifhe erroure, denyinge that there is anye people, called Antipodes, of whom the greate
Aflronomer of our tyme, Apianus wryteth in thys maner. Antipodes are they, whyche walke wyth theyr fete
dyrectelye contrarye agaynfte oures, and haue the heauen dyrectelye ouer theyr heades as we haue. Yet haue
we nothinge common wyth them, but all thinges contrarye: for when the Sunne caufeth Sommer wyth vs,
then is it Myddewynter wyth them: and when it is day wyth vs, it is nyghte wyth them: And when the daye
is longefte wyth vs, then is the longefte nyghte wyth them, and the fhortefte daye. Whiche, Lactantius, a
manne otherwyfe well learned, in his thyrde Booke, Capittulo foure and twentye, childiffhelye erringe, wyth
hys lyghte and opinionate argumentes, denyeth that there is anye fuche, and mocketh the Aftronomers,
beecaufe they affyrme the earth to bee rounde, whiche neuertheleffe they proue wyth mofte certayne and
apparente demonftracions of Geometrye, and vnfayleable experymentes.   Whome, Sayncte Auguftyne
folowing, in his fixtenth Booke. de Ciuitat. Dei. Capittn. ix. wryteth after thys forte.  Suche as fable that
there is Antipodes, that is to faye, menne of the contrarye parte, where the funne ryfeth when it falleth to vs,
and to haue theyr feete agaynfte oures, we oughte by no reafon to beeleue.  Thofe bee the woordes of
Sayncte Auguftyne.  Nothwithftandinge (fayeth Apianus) putte thou no doubte Gentle Reader, that the
Apoftles of Chrifte were Antipodes the one to the other, and flode feete to feete the one agaynfte the
other, when lames th[e]elder and brother to Iohn the Euangelifte, the fonne of Zebedeus, was in Spayne in
Galitia, and Thomas the Apoftle in the hygher India, they were moofte certaynelye Antipodes, walking feete
to feete one agaynfte the other, almoft as directly as a diametrical lyne. For the Spanyardes are Antipodes
to the Indians, and the Indians in lyke maner to the Spanyardes. Which thinge alfo the excellente and
aunciente Auctour Strabo confyrmeth to bee true, and likewife Plinius Nat. fiji. lib. 2. Cap. 67. Dolateranus
alfo, and all other Cofmographers and Aftronomers. Hetherto Apianus: and to declare my opinion in fewe
woordes, I thinke it no greate marueyle that Saincte Augufltyne fhoulde fall into an erroure in the fcience
of Aftronomie in whiche he trauayled but as a ftraunger, forafmuche as he erred in many thinges in diuinitie
which was his chief profeffion: and was longe of the herefye of Manicheus beefore he was conuerted by
Saincte Ambrofe: and wrytte alfo at the lengthe a Booke of retractes, in whych he correcteth hys owne
errours. And I beleue playnely that, that excellent witte of hys, could not haue remayned in yat errour yf
he had been wel exercyfed in Aftronomy, or had knowen any fuche experyence as is fpoken of here beefore,
howe the Spanyardes by the Wefte and the Portugales by the Eafte compaffed aboute the earth, whiche
coulde neuer haue come to paffe yf the earthe were not rounde (Quantum ad maximas fui jartes) as they call
it. For, as for hylles and Mountaynes, though they be neuer fo greate, yet in refpecte to the byggenes of the
earth, they doe no more lette the roundneffe hereof, then doe the lyttle knobbes of the berrye, which we call
a galle, lette the roundneffe of the fame. Wherefore I am certaynely perfwaded, that yf Sayncte Auguftyne
had continued hys ftudye in Aftronomye (as it hadde been pytye he fhoulde) or were alyue at thys daye, he
woulde alfo haue retracted this erroure. But yf here anye fuperflicious head fhall thinke it a heynous matter
in any poynte to contrary Sainct Auguftyne, lette hym hearken howe Auguftine hym felfe fayeth: that
he wyll neyther hys writynges or other mennes, of howe greate name or fame foeuer they be, otherwife
to be beleued then the fame fhall, by reafon bee approued to be true: ANeque quorumiibet difputaciones, &6c.
And lyke as the greate Philofopher Ariftotel, when he wryte agaynfte hys mayfter Plato of the queftion
de Idais, and agaynfte Socrates who by the oracle of Apollo was proued to be moft wyfe, and certayne
of hys frendes afked hym why he durfte be fo boulde, he aunfwered that Plato was hys frende, and
fo was Socrates: but trueth hys frende more then they bothe, euen fo I thinke it no iniurye nor
contumelye to Saynct Auguflyne, yf the fame were fayde of hym alfo geuynge hym otherwyfe hys dewe
commendacions, as he was furelye an excellente man, of dyuyne witte, and knowledge, and fo trauayled in
fettynge foorth Chriftes true Relygion in thofe turmoylous dayes, in perpetual combatte, agaynfte learned
heretykes and Prynces of the worlde, that he is worthelye called a Doctour and Pyller of Chriftes Churche.
And as for Lactantius, the intente of whofe wrytinges was chiefelye to thys ende, to dyminifhe th[e]eftimacion
of Philofophye, (as at thofe dayes it was neceffarie to doe amonge the Gentyles) and to aduaunce Goddes
woorde, (whyche they contemned for the fimplicitie of the fame,) albeit, he attempted as farre as hys learninge woulde ferue hym, to make all thynges in Philo[fo]phie vncertayne, yet are hys argumentes fo flender,
that vnleffe G 0 D by the fecrete working of hys fpyryte, hadde called the Gentyles to the true Faythe, I feare
me leafte fewe or none of them, (fpecyallye of the greate wyttes) woulde haue been conuerted by Lactantius




[Epist/l   to the Reader.]


II


argunlentes.  Howe he dalyeth in denyinge the yearth to bee rounde, and that it is poffyble that it
myghte bee longe and rounde, (lyke an Egge,) or otherwyfe longe and holowe lyke a bote, (meanynge I
fuppofe that the Sea myghte bee conteyned in the holowneffe of the fame, wyth fuche other opinyons
grounded of no reafon, it were to longe to rehearfe.  Yet, forafmuche as he was a learned manne, and
for the better fatiffyinge of fuche wyttes as are defyreous to know fome apperaunce of truth by naturall
reafon and demonflracions, lette vs admytte that the earth were rounde after anye of thofe faffhions whiche
he defcrybeth: yet can it not bee denyed, but that it is conteyned wythin the holoweneffe (yf I maye
fo call it) of the ayre, hauynge the heauen in euerye place dyrectelye ouer euery parte of the fame, as fayeth
the Poete and Philofopher Virgill, Coelum undique furfum: Excepte perhappes Lactantius fhoulde thinke
that it honge by fome thynge, or were otherwyfe borne vppe wyth pyllers as the Poetes Fable, that the
Gyaunte Atlas beareth the worlde on hys Ihoulders, whereby they meane that a manne of valiente mynde
muft floutelye beare the chaunces of the worlde. Of whyche hangeinge or bearynge of the earth, I reade
a better and more true fayinge in the holye Scripture, where it is written, Fert omnia uerbo orisfui, that
is, that God fuftayneth and beareth all thinges with the woorde of hys mouth.
Holye lob alfo fayeth, that the LO RD ftretcheth oute the Northe ouer the emptye, and hangeth the
earth vpon nothynge: Meaninge by nothinge, the ayre, becaufe to oure fenfes it appeareth in maner as
nothynge: Or otherwyfe that it is not dependynge of anye other fubftaunce, but to bee fuftayned onelye by
the power of G 0 D who hath appoynted the Elementes theyr places and lymittes, and caufeth the heuye to
ftande fafle: as wytneffeth Moyfes in hys fonge, fayinge: By the wynde of thy nofirels the waters gathered
together, the flouddes floode ftyll as an heape, and the deepe water congeled togeather in the heart of the Sea.
Wherefore yf the heauen be rounde (whiche no manne can reafonably denye that euer fawe the Sunne and
flerres moue.) And yf the earth bee the center of the worlde dependinge as we haue fayde beefore, then
mufte it needes folowe, that they whiche inhabiting the Northwefte partes of the earth, haue the Pole Artike
eleuate thyrtye degrees, muff needes bee Antipodes to them whiche inhabitinge the Southeafte partes of the
earth, haue the Pole Antartike eleuate in the fame degree, and fo the lyke to bee vnderfiand of all other
eleuacions and degrees. And yf here anye wyll obiect, that eyther the earth or firme land is not fo large, or
fo farre extended, or other wyfe not inhabited althoughe it were fo large, or that the fea is greater then the
lande, to thys I aunfwere, that no man knoweth further hereof then is tryed and founde by experience, as
we haue fayde beefore. And albeit that the fea were larger then the firme lande, yet forafmuche as there are
Ilandes founde in all places of the mayne Sea, and in maner all inhabited, there is no reafon to the contrarye, but that the people of thofe Ilandes maye be Antipodes to fuch as dwel on the fyrme lande, on the
contrary parte, whether the earth bee round and longe, yea or fquare, (yf you wyll) notwythftandynge. But
wyth what certayne demonflracions the Aftronomers and Geometricians, proue the earth to bee rounde, and
the Sphericall or rounde forme to bee moofte perfecte, it were to longe to declare. I wyll therefore make
an ende of thys matter wyth the fayinge of Sayncte Paule in hys Oracion, to the menne of Athens. That
G O D made of one bloudde, all nacions of menne, to dwell vpon the hole face of the earth.
C I hadde entended here (well beeloued Reader) to haue fpoken fomewhat of fuche ftraunge thynges
and Monffers, whereof mencion is made in thys Booke, to th[e]ende that fuche as by the narownes of theyr
vnderflandinge are not of capacitie to conceaue the caufes and natures of thynges, myghte partely haue been
fatiffyed wyth fome fenfyble reafons. But beynge at thys tyme otherwyfe hindered, it flrall fuffife al good
and honeft wittes, that whatfoeuer the Lorde hath pleafed, that hath he done in heauen and in earth, and in
the Sea, and in all depe places.
I Ecclefiafticus. Capit. i.
C The eye is notfa/iffyed with fyght, and the eare is notfylied with hearinge.


Of the roundenr'
of ye earth.
The earth hangeth
in ye aire
The fable of
A tlas.
The word of God
beareth vppe the
world.
lob. 26.
The elementes.
Exo. xv.
The eleuation of
the pole.
The largenes of
the earth.
Ilandes
Astronomers and
Geometricians.
Act. xvij


Psa. 135


II




12


C1 The      Table.
E Of the Ilande of laua.                                                                 [p. 23.]
Of the Ilande of Madagafcar.                                                              [P. 23.]
Of the Ilande of zanzibar.                                                               [p. 23.]
Of the two Ilandes in the which men and women dwell a funder.                            [p. 24.]
Of the mightie Empyre of Cathay, fubiect vnder the dominion of the great Cham or Cane,
Emperour of Tartaria.                                                                 [p. 24.]
Of certayn Prouinces fubiect vnder the dominion of the great Cham.                        [p. 25.]
Of the Prouince of Mangi.                                                                  [p. 26.]
Of the Region of Tangut.                                                                 [p. 26.]
Of the newe Ilandes, howe, when, and by whom they were founde.                           [p. 28.]
Of the two Ilandes Iohanna and Hifpana.                                                  [p. 28.]
Of the Canibales, which eate mens flefhe.                                                [p. 29.]
Of the maners of the inhabitantes of Hifpana.                                             [P. 29.]
How Chriftophorus Columbus, after that he had founde the newe Ilandes, returned to Spayne:
and preparing a new nauie, failed agayn to ye Canibales.                              [f. 29.]
How Columbus the Admiral, paffed many Ilandes and what chaunced to hym and his in that viage.  [p. 30.]
Of the newe India, as it is founde and knowen in thefe oure dayes.                         [p. 13.]
Of the Adamant flone, otherwife called the Diamant.                                       [p. I4.]
Of the Kingdoms and cities of Narfinga and Canonor                                         [p. I4.]
Howe the Elephantes in India are prepared to the warres.                                 [p. 15.]
Of the beafte called Rhinoceros.                                                           [p. i6.]
Of Calicut, the mofte famous markette towne of India.                                     [p. i6.]
Of the maners of the Indians in Calicut.                                                   P. 7.]
Of Pepper and other fpyces which growe in the Region of Calicut.                          [p. i8.]
Of the byrdes and beaftes which are found in the Region of Calicut: and of the wyne of the tree.  [P. 19.]
From whence all kyndes of fpyces are brought to the cytie of Calicut.                     [p. 20.]
Of the Iland of zaylon, and of the cinomome tree.                                         [p. 20.]
Of the cytie of Tarnafferi, and of the maners of the cytezyns.                            [P. 20.]
Of the excellent cytie and Kingdom of Pego.                                               [p. 21.]
Of the Ilande of Sumatra, or Taprobana.                                                   [p. 22.]
Of the Ilande of Bornei.                                                                  [p. 22.]
Of the Ilande of Giaua.                                                                   [p. 23.]
Howe the Spanyardes abufed the fubmiffion and frendfhip of the inhabitauntes of the Ilandes.  [p. 31.]
Howe the Portugales foughte newe Ilandes in the Eaft partes, and howe they came to Calicut.  [p. 32.]
Howe Magellanus by a ftrayght or narow arme of the Sea, fayled by the Wefle into the Eaftle
to dyuers Ilandes, where alfo he was flayne.                                          [P. 33.]
Howe the Spanyardes came to the Ilandes of Molucca, and of the people with great hanging eares.  [P. 34.]
The third nauigacion of Chriftophorus Columbus.                                           [P. 35.]
[How Petrus Alonfus foughte newe Ilandes.                                                  P. 36.]
How Pinzonus companion to the Admiral, fought newe Ilandes.                               [p. 36.]
The foure nauigacions of Americus Vefputius to the newe Ilandes.                          [P 37.]
The fyrfte viage of Vefputius.                                                            [P. 37.]
The fecond viage of Vefputius.                                                            [P. 38.]
The thyrde viage of Vefputius.                                                            [p. 39.]
The fourth viage of Vefputius.                                                            [p. 39.]
Howe the Kyng of Portugale fubdued certayne places in India, and of the ryche cytie of Malacha.  [P. 40.]
Of the Ilande of Medera, and the fortunate Ilandes, otherwyfe called the Ilandes of Canaria.  [p. 40.]
[Whether vnder the ~Equinoctial circle or burninge lyne (called Torrida Zona) be habitable Regions.  p. 41.]
( Finis.




I3


-I


aI Of the newe India,
as it is knowen and found in thefe our dayes.
In the yeare of oure Lorde. M.D.LIII.
After the defcripcion of Sebaftian Munfter in
his Booke of the vniuerfall Cofmographie.
Libr. v. De terris 4sice Maioris.
And tranflated into Englifhe
by Richard Eden.


Here are two viages or nauigacions made oute of Europa into
India.  The one foutheaft from fpayne, by the' coaftes of
Aphrica and Ethiopia, euen vnto Arabia to the citie called
Aden.   And from thence to the Ilande of Ormus, and from
Ormus to the citie of Cambaia, and from thence euen vnto the
citie of Calicut. Cambaia is fituate nere vnto the floudde Indus.
*        I     This citie is of great powre, riche, and abundaunt in al kyndes of
grayne and cornme.  The foyle hereof bringeth forth fondry
ae               kyndes of fwete oyntmentes, and cotten which groweth on certain
trees called Gofsampini, this cotton, is otherwyfe called Bombage
or fylke of the trees.  The Kynge of Portugall fubdued this
cyl tie, and bylded hard by the fame a frong fortreffe: with
which thing the Turke beeing fore greued, commaunded a greate
inl lnauie of fhippes with greate fumptuoufnes to bee furnifhed in
the goulfe called Sinus Arabicus: to the ende that he might
L                     dryue the Portugalles out of India, and the better to accomplifhe this his purpofe, he appointed one Soliman a noble man of
warre (beyng alfo the Captayne of Alcayre,) to be the admiral general, or gouernour of his nauie, hauing in his
retenue. xx. thoufand fouldiers beefyde mariners and gonners, whiche were in numbre foure thoufand. This
nauie was appointed in the haieuen Suezio, beeinge a port of the redde ea, in the yeare of Chriful cytie,538. As euerd
arryued fyrtoe at the cifpoye Aden: where laying anker, the gouernour of the nauie fent letters to the king of
Aden, certifying him that he woulde take his viage into India, from thence to expell the King of Portugall.
The Kinge of Aden whiche was then tributarye to the King of Portugall, receyued the Turkes letters thankefully, offering him felfe and all that he might make, to fo mightie an Emperoure, defyringe the gouernoure to
come forth of the ihip, and to beholde the cytie obedient and readye at his commaundemente, in the which alfo
accordinge vnto his dignitie and office, he fhould be worthely interteyned: but the gouernour agayne allured and
entyfed hym to come out of his citie, and fo by crafte circumuented him, that he toke him priefoner, and commaunded him to be hanged on the fayle yarde of the fhyp, and with hym foure other of the rulers of the citie of
Aden, affyrming that he was commaunded of the Turke fo to handel them, becaufe the cytiezins of Aden had
not only made a leage with the Portugales, but had alfo payde them tribute: whiche nacion the Turke playnely
entended to drieue out of India. And thus after the Kynges death, that moft riche and beautiful cytie, was euer
a praye to theues, fpoylers, and murtherers without refyflaunce. Then the gouemoure departing from thence, lefte
there behynde him a garrifon of two thoufand men of warre, and faylyng forwarde on hys viage, he came to the
citie called Dium, whiche the Portugales held: and his armie was greatly encreafed by the waye, as wel by land
as by fea, by reafon of the great confluence of the Turkes which on euery fide reforted to him, fo that in a ihort
fpace they rowled before them a bulwarke or countremure of earth, in maner as bigge as a mountayne, which
by little and litle they moued neare vnto the trenche or ditche of the caffell, fo that they might fafely fland
tehynde the bulwarke, (thus rayfing a mount,) they befieged the cafltell on euery fyde, and battered the walles
and towres thereof very fore: yet that notwithftanding, were at the length, enforfed to departe, not withoute
greate loffe and flaughter of theyr fouldiers: for this Dium, is the firongeft citie that is vnder the dominion of


The -
ther is
Southweste.
The citie of
Cambaia.
Calicut.
Gossifium,
Bombage or
cotton of the trees.
The turkes nauie
agaynste the
king of Portugale.
The cytie of Aden.
The kinge of
Aden is hanged.
The destruction
of the citie of
Aden.
The turke
besiegeth the
cytie of D u-n.
The turke is
repulsed.


13




I4


[Of the newe India, as it is knzowen & folund, &c.]


Cambaia: but the cytie of Cambaia, is fituate in the goulfe called Guzerat, and is well inhabited, and in maner
The excellencie  moft excellent of all the cities of India, and is therefore called Cayrus, or Alcayr, or Babilon of India. It is
of the citie of
Cambaia.      enuironned with a walle, and hath in it very fayre byldinges. Ye Soldan or chefe ruler hereof, is of Mahumets
Lacha is gumme  fecte as are ye Turkes. Lacha groweth there more plentifully then in any other countre. The inhabitauntes,
of a tree, and is
vsed in dying of  for the mofte parte goe naked, couering only theyr priuie partes: they bynd theyr heades about with a clothe
silkof purple color. The Soldan or prince of this citie, hath in a redines for the warres. xx. thoufand horfemen,
he hath alfo a mightye and magnifical court. When he waketh in ye morning there is heard a great noyfe of
cimbals, drumflades, timbrelles, fhames, pipes, flutes, trumpettes, and diuerfe other mufical inftrumentes, hereby
fignifying that the king lyueth and is in health and merye: in lyke maner doe they whyle he is at dyner. To
The Kyngdom of  the kyngdom of Cambaia, is the Kingdom of loga nexte adioyning, which reacheth farre on euerye fide. In this
kingdom, by reafon of the greate heate of the fonne, the bodyes of men begin to waxe blacke and to be fcorched:
the people of thys countreye haue ringes hanging at their eares and colers aboute theyr neckes of fundry fortes,
al befet and fhyninge with precious tfones. The foyle hereof is not very fruitful, this region is rough with
mountaynes, the byldinge[s] are defpicable, and euyl to dwel in: there is beyonde this, another Kingdom
The Kyngdomof  called Dechan: this cytie is very beautiful to behold, and fruitful in maner of al thinges: the king hereof vfeth
great pride, and folemnitie: his pompes and triumphes are in maner incredible, they that wayt vpon the kinge,
weare on the vpper partes of theyr fhoes certayne fhyning precious fltones, as Piropi (whiche are a kind of
Rubies or Carbuncles) with Diamandes and fuch other. But what maner of Iewelles they vfe in ye ftlede of
collers, eareringes, and ringes, you may well confyder, whereas they geue fuche honour to theyr fete. In this
The diamonde  kingdom is faid to be a mountayne, out of the which Diamandes are digged.
Atone.
(   Of the Diamande Jlone, called in Latine Adamas.
He Diamande is engendred in the mynes of India, Ethiopia, Arabia, Macedonia, and CJpr5s,
and in the golde mynes of the fame countries. That of India excelleth all other in beautie
The stone                      and clearenes: that which is of the coloure of yron, is called Siderites, it is often tymes found
il         in colour like vnto criftlal, and though it be fometimes lyke thereto in whytnes, yet doth it
differ from criftall in hardnes, in fo much that if it be layd vpon an anuil and ftrongly firiken
The hardnes of                 with a hammer, the anuyl and hammer fhall toner be wounded and leape away, then the fltone
the diamond. 'perifhed or diminished: it doth not onelye refufe the forfe of Iron, but alfo refifteth the power
of fyre, whofe heate is fo farre vnable to melte it, that it can not fo muche as heate it, if we geue credit
to Plinie, and is alfo rather made purer therby, then anye wayes defyled or corrupted: neuertheles, the
How the diamand finguler and excellent hardnes of this tlone, is made fo fofte with ye hoate blood of a Goate or a Lyon,
that it may be broken: and if it be put with molten lead in hoate fornaces, it waxeth fo hoate that it wylbe
diffolued: yet are not all Diamandes of fuch hardneffe, for that of Cyprus, and alfo that of the coloure of
Iron called Siderites, may be broken with hammers and perced with another Diamand: his vertue is to
The montayne of  bewray poifons, and to fruftrate th[e]opperacion therof, and beeing therefore greatly eftlemed of Kinges and
diamantes.    Princes, it hath euer been of great price. The mountaine of India out of the which the Diamandes are
digged, is compaffed with a walle on euery fyde, and kepte with a ftrong defence.
C Of the kingdoms and cities of Narfinga and Canonor.
The citie of                 He King of Narfinga, in riches and dominion excelleth all other Kinges in thofe partes. The
Narsinga.            i         chiefe cytie where the King is refident, is in fituacion and fynenes, much lyke vnto the cytie
of Milayne, but that it flandeth in a place fomewhat declyning and leffe equall. This king
hath euer in a redines manye thoufandes of men of armes, as one that is euer at warre with
other countreys, borderers nere aboute him. He is geuen to mofte vile Idolatrie, and
honoureth the deuyll, euen as doth the king of Calicut. The maners and fafhions of the
inhabitantes, are after this forte. The gentlemen or fuch as are of greateft reuenewes, vfe to
weare an inward cote or peticote, not very long: hauing theyr heades bounde aboute with liftes and rowles of
fundry coloures after the maner of the Turkes. The common people, couer onli their priuie parts and are
The kinge of  befyde all together naked. The Kynge weareth on his head a tfately cap made of the riche cloth of Afra,
beyng two handfulles in length. When he goeth to ye warres, he weareth a vefture of ye filke called Goffampine,
which he couereth with a cloke adorned with plates of gold: ye hemme or edge of his cloke is befet with all
maner of ouches and lewelles. Hys horfe is iudged to be of fuch valure if you refpect ye price, as is one of




[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


I5




__


our cities. And this is by the meanes of ye innumerable multitude and fundrie kindes of precious flones, and
perles wherewith ye trappers, barbes, and other furnitures of his horfe are couered, with an incredible pompe and
glori. The foyle of Narfinga, beareth nether wheate nor grapes, and is in maner without al kinde of fruites,
except citrons and gourdes: the inhabitantes eate no bread, but ryce, fifhe and fleihe, and alfo walnuttes, which
that countrey beareth, there begin fpyces to be found, as ginger, pepper, mirabolanes, Cardamome, Caffia, and
dyuers other kyndes of fpyces.
Cananv, is a very excellente cytie, fayre and beautifull in all thinges, fauing that the Kinge thereof is an
Idolater. This citie hath a hauen whether the horfes of Perfia are brought, but theyr tribute or cuftome, is
excedinge great: the inhabitantes lyue with ryce, fleffhe, and fyfhe as do they of Narfminga: in the warres they vfe
the fweorde, the round target, fpeares and bowes, and haue nowe alfo the vfe of gonnes, they are all naked
fauing their prieuie partes, and go beare headed, except when they goe to the warres, for then they couer theyr
heades with a redde hatte which thei folde double, and bind it fait with a lyft or bande. In the warres they
vfe neither horfe, mule, or affe, neither that kynde of camels which we commonly call dromedaries: but
ve onely Elephantes. There is alfo in the kingdom of Narfinga another godly citie called Bifinagar: it is
compaffed aboute with a walle, and fituate on the fide of a hyll, beeyng. viij. myles in circuite hauinge alfo in it
a famous market place. The foyle is very fruitful, there are all delicate thinges to be found that may encreafe
the pleafures of this lyfe. There maye no where be found more pleafaunt feldes and woddes for hauking and
huntinge, a man woulde thinke it were a very Paradyfe of pleafure. The king of this citie is of great power, he
keepeth dayly many thoufandes of men at armes, vfinge Elephantes in the ftede of horfes. And hath euer foure
hundreth Elephantes prepared for the warres.
(  How    the Elepiantes in India are prepared to warre.
He Elephant is a beaft very docible and apte to be taught, and little inferiour from humaine
fenfe, excellinge all other beaftes in fortitude and ftrength. Therfore ye Indians, when they
prepare them to the warres, put great packfaddels vpon them, which they bind fait with two
chaines of Iron, comning vnder theyr belyes. Vpon the packfaddels, they haue on euery fide
a little houfe or towre, or cage (if you lilt fo to call it) made of wood. Thefe towres ar made
fait to the necke of the beafte with certayne fawed bordes of the thickenes of halfe a hande
breath. Euery towre receyueth thre men. And betwene both the towres, vpon the back of
the beaft fytteth an Indian, a man of that countrey which fpeaketh vnto the beafte. For this beafte hath
marueylous vnderftanding of the language of hys natyue countrey, and doth wonderfulli beare in memorie
benefytes fhewed vnto him. It is alfo mofte certayne that none other beafl draweth fo nere to the excellence
of humayne fenfe or reafon as doeth this beaft, as maye moft playnly appeare, yf we confidre, how he is geuen to
loue and glory, to a certeyn frendly gentlenes and honeft maners, ioyned with a marueylous difcrecion, to know
good from euil, more redy to recompence benefites then reuenge iniuries, which excellent properties are not to
be found in other brute beaftes. Therfore when the Elephantes go forward to ye warres, feuen armed men
are appoynted to be caried vpon one Elephant, bearing with them, bowes, iauelins, fweordes and targettes:
alfo the longe fnout of the Elephant (which thei cal his hand) is armed with a fweorde of two cubites in length,
and in bredth and thickenes a handfull, ftandinge righte forth, tyed fafte to the fnowte of the beaft, and thus
beeing furnifhed, they procede to the battaile: and whereas occafion requyreth to go forward or backwarde,
the ruler of the beaft geueth him warninge, whofe voyce he vnderftandeth and obeyeth: firyke hym, fayth the
ruler, forbeare hym, be fearfe agaynit thefe, abifayne from thefe, the beafte obeyeth hym in all thinges, as
though he had humayn reafon, but yf it fo chaunce that being made afrayd with fire (which thinge they feare
aboue all other) they beginne to flye, they can by no meanes bee allured to ftoppe theyr courfe, or retourne
agayne, for the people of that nacion, can with many fubtyl deuifes as often as them lifteth, raife vp fires to make
thofe beafles afrayde. There be fome men which thincke that Elephantes haue no ioyntes in theyr legges,
which opinion other affirme to be vntrue, for they haue ioyntes as haue other beaftes, but that they are very low
and almoft at their fete. The females are of greater fierceneffe then the males, and of much greater ftrength
to beare burdens: they are fometime taken with madnes, declaring the fame by theyr furious running. An
Elephant excedeth in greatnes thre wilde oxen called Bubali, and is much lyke of heare, and eyed lyke a fwine,
hauing a long fnout, hanging downward, with the which he putteth into his mouth whatfoeuer he eateth or
drinketh, for his mouth is vnder his throte, not muche vnlyke the mouth of a fwyne: his fnowte hath holes in it,
and is holowe within, with this they ouerthrow ye ftumpes of trees: and that of fuche bignes, that the forfe of.
xxiiij. men is not able to do the fame. The two great tufkes which they haue comming farre oute of theyr


The riche trapping
of the kinges
horse.
Spices of
Narsinga.
The cytie of
Cananor.
The vse of
Elephantes in the
warres.
The cytie
Bisinagar.
Hauking and
huntinge.
The kinge of
bisinagar.
The Elephantes
towre.
Elephantes
vnderstandeth the
language of theyr
countreL
Seuen armed
men vpon one
Elephant
The ruler
speaketh to the
Elephant.
The Elephantes
ioyntes.
The bignes and
shape of the
Elephant.


i5




I 6


[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


The painters erre
herein.
Vnderstande the
handebredth with
the thumbe
stretched forth.
The Elephantes
pase.
The Elephante is
vexed with flyes.
How the Elephant
kylleth flyes.


mouth, or placed in the vpper iawe, hauinge on euerye fyde lappes hanging downe of the bignes of two hand
brea[d]th. Theyr fete are round like vnto a flat trene difhe, hauing fyue toes like hoeues vndeuided, of the bignes
of great oyfterfhelles. Theyr tayles are lyke vnto the tayles of wilde oxen, thre handful in length, hauing but
few heares. The males are hygher then the females. They are of fundry bignes: fome are of. xiij. handfullep
hye, fome of xiiij. and fome. xvi. Their pafe in goyng, is fomewhat flowe and walowinge, by reafon whereof,
fome whiche ryde on them and haue not been accuftomed thereto, are prouoked to vomitte, euen as they were
toffed on the fea. Yet it is great plefure to ride on the yong Elephantes, for they goe as foftely as ambeling
moiles. When you attempt to geat vp, to ryde on them, they bow downe toward you, as though they would
eafe you with a fterope, that you may the eafelier geat vp, which neuertheles cannot wel be done without
helpe. They are all vnbrideled hauinge neither withe nor coller aboute theyr neckes, but goe with theyr heades
al together lofe. And becaufe they are not couered with briflels or bigge heares, they haue not fo muche as in
theyr tayle anye helpe to dryue awaye flyes. For euen this greate beafte alfo (fayeth Plinie) is troubled with
this lyttle vermyne. Theyr fkinne is very rowghe, and full of chappes, and riftes, like the barke of a tree, being
fomwhat filthye and full of fwette, whiche by heate refolued into vapoure, by fauour draweth flyes vnto it: therefore when any flyes or other creping vermen are entered into the fayde riftes of theyr ikinnes, fodeynly bending
and drawing together their fkinne, they hold them faRi and kyl them, and this is to them in the Rfede of a tayle,
a mane, or rough and brifteled heare.
c Of the beafle called Rhinoceros.


Enlnitie betwene
the Elephant and
Rhinoceros.
The Rhinoceros
ii. homes
The fight betwene
Rhinoceros and
the Elephant
Rhinoceros
naturally armed.
Rhinoceros sene
in Portugale.
Rhinoceros
ouercometh the
Elephant.
Lowe and simple
houses.


Hinoceros is comonly found in the fame countrey, where Elephantes are engendred, and
is borne an enemy to the Elephant (as faith Plinie) no leffe feking his deftruction then doth
the dragon: wherfore the Romaynes confidering the natures of thefe beafles, were wont to
put them together vpon the theater or Rage, for a fpectacle, therby to declare the natures of
enemies. This Rhinoceros hath two homes, whereof the one is of notable bignes, growing
oute of his nofethrilles, and is of flatte forme, and as harde as Iron. The other groweth aboue
in his necke, and is but a little one, but wonderful firong: when this beaR attempteth to
inuade the Elephant, he fyleth and whetteth his horne on a flone and firyketh at the belly of the Elephant,
which place he knoweth to be moft open to his firipes, and eafyeft to receaue hurt, becaufe of the foftenes thereof,
which he cutteth with his home as with a fweord. Some auctours write that Rhinoceros is vnequall in bignes to
the Elephante: but Iuhus Solinus faith, that he is as long as the Elephante, but hath fhorter legges: when
Rhinoceros therfore and the Elephant ioyne together in fighte, they vfe theyr naturall weapons: the Rhinoceros
his home, and the Elephante his tufkes, wherewith he fo violentlye beateth and teareth the fkinne of Rhinoceros
being as harde as horne or fhell, and fcarcelye able to be pearfed with a dart, that he neuertheles enforfeth him
to fall downe. Rhinoceros agayne on the other partie fo woundeth the belye of the Elephante with the home of
hys nofethrilles, yf he doe not preuente hys ftrokes, yat he fainteth with bleding. In the yere of Chrift. 1513.
the firit day of Maye, was broughte oute of India to Emanuel the king of Portugale Rhinoceros alyue, of the
coloure of boxe, fomwhat variable and as it wer chekered, couered with fhelles lyke fcales, or rather lyke fhieldes.
This beaf was in bignes equall to an Elephante, but had ihorter legges, and was armed on euery parte. He
had a Rironge and fharpe home in his nofethrilles, the whiche (as I haue fayde) he fyleth, when he prepareth
him to fight. All this great hatered betwene thefe two beafles, is for ye beft paftures which one Ririueth to take
from the other as fome wryters faye. In the yeare of Chrifte. 1515. King Emanuel fet forth a fpectacle in the
citie of Lzfbona, in which was a combat betwene the Elephant and Rhinoceros. A fight doubtleffe worthy great
admiracion. But in this fight, the Elephant had the ouerthrowe.
Ci Of Calicut, the mojl famouts market lowne of India.
He cytie of Calicut is in the continente or mayne lande. And the houfes therof adioyning to
the fea. It is not walled about, but conteyneth in circuite. vi. thoufand houfes, not adherent
together as the maner of bylding is with vs, but one being ditfant from another, a further
fpace. It is extended in length a thoufand pafes. The houfes thereof, are but fimple and very
lowe, not paffinge the heygth of a manne on horfebacke from the grounde. In the flede
of a roofe, they are couered with bowes of trees, harde and thicke couched together, the caufe
hereof is, that yf the earth there be in anye place digged fyue handfull depth, the water




[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


I 7


fpringeth forth, by reafon wherof they can lay no depe foundacions for theyr houfes, fufficiente to beare anye.
heauye roofe. The Kinge of thys citie is geuen to Idolatrie, and honoureth the deuyll himfelf. Yet he denieth
not but that there is a God which made heauen and earth. And the fame to be the chiefe auctour and fyrfte
caufe of all thinges. But fayth that he hath committed the rule and iudgemente of the world, to the deuil, to
whom he hath geuen power to rewarde men with good or bad according to their defertes. This deuil they cal
Deumo, but the mightie God and maker of the world, they cal Zamerani. The king hath in his Chappell the
Image of this deuyl Deuini, fytting with a diademe or crowne on his head, much lyke vnto the myter which the
Romayne Bifhoppes weare, faue that this deuils myter hath foure notable hornes. He fytteth gapinge and hath
a greate wyde mouthe, with foure teeth and a deformed nofe, lowringe eyes, a grimme, terrible, and threatening
countenaunce, with hooked handes lyke flefhehookes, and feete not much vnlyke the feete of a cocke. Al fuch
as behold this horrible monfler, are fodeynly aftonied. For it is furely a thing moft vyle to beholde, and no
leffe terrible. The chappel is on euery fyde ful of painted deuyls: and in euery corner thereof fytteth a deuyll
made of copper, and that fo workemanly handeled, that he femeth like flaming fire, miferably confuming the
foules of men. This deuyl with his righte hande, putteth a foule to his mouth, and with his lefte hand, he
taketh another from a place beneth. Euery morning their Prieftes (called Bramini) wafhe the Image of the
deuyll with rofe water, or fuch other fwete liquoure, and perfume hym with dyuerfe fwete fauours, kneling on
theyr knees and praying vnto him. Euerye feuenth day, thei take the bloud of a cocke and put it in a filuer
veffel, ful of burning coales: addinge thereunto innumerable odoriferous gummes and pouders to make a fwete
fmoke or fumigacion. Then the Priefle taketh his fenfer with burning coles, putting therto frankencenfe, and
thus maketh his oblacion to Sathan, during which tyme of facrifice, a lyttle fyluer bell, is ronge continuallye.
The king fytteth not downe to his meate, vntyll foure of his chapleins haue offred parte of the fame meate to
the deuyl. And when the Kynge goeth to dyner, he fytteth on the grounde withoute eyther carpet or table
cloth. And as he fytteth at diner, foure of the prieftes wayte vpon him flanding: not approchinge nere vnto
hym by the diflaunce of foure pafes, geuing reuerent attendaunce vnto the kinges talke. When he hath dyned,
the Priefles take the meate that is left, and geue it to the crowes to eate: which byrdes they haue in fuch
eftimacion, yat it is not lawful to hurt them.  When the king fhal marie a wife, he goeth not to bed with
her, vntil fhe be defloured of ye high Prieft, whom the king for his paines rewardeth with. v. C. [five hundred]
pieces of golde.
aI Of the maners of the Indians in Calicut.
Ext after the King, ye prieftes which ferue ye Idols, are had in chiefe reuerence. Nexte vnto
them, the Magiftrates, called Ner/, are no leffe eftlemed then amonge vs Senatoures or Lordes
of the counfayl. When thefe goe abroade, they cary with them fwordes, targettes, bowes and
iauelins. Such as are counted of the thyrde order, are in like place with them, as are Artificers with vs. They of the fourth order, lyue by fifhinge. And to them of the fyfthe order,
perteyneth the gathering of pepper, wyne, and walnuttes. The bafeft and pooreft fort, are
they which fowe and gather ryce, beyng contemned both of the prieftes and Senatours. The
Kinge, the Quene, and the inhabitantes of the cytie, haue almoft no apparel, couering onely theyr fylthy partes
with cotton of the tree called Goffampisne, and not with filke: and are befide altogether naked. They goe
barefoted and bareheaded. When the King is dead, yf there remayne alyue any heyres, males, either children
or brethren, or brethers children, they fuccede not in the kingdome: for by cuftome of the countreye, the
fyfters fonnes are inheritours to ye crown: but yf there bee no fuche lyuinge, he fuccedeth in the kingdom
which is neareft of bloud to ye king, of whiche coflume, the reafon is (as they faye) becaufe the Prieftes defloure
the Quenes. When the King taketh any farre iourney, or rydeth a hunting, the Prieftes wayte vpon the Quene
at home, and kepe her company: for nothinge can be more thankefull to the kynge, then to haue the Quene
thus accuftomed in adulterye with the Prieftes, by whiche common proftitucion of the quene, he maye well iudge
that the chyldren borne of her, are not to be eftemed as his owne: and therfore affigneth the right of his inheritaunce to his fyfters children, as to the nereft of his bloude, becaufe his brothers children (as is fayd before) may
not fuccede him in the kingdome by the cuflome of the countrey. The noble men and marchauntes vfe this
fafhion among themfelues. Such as haue wyues, do often tymes chaunge theyr wyues, one frende with an other
for th[e]encreafe of further frendfhip. At which exchaunging of wyues, one of them fpeaketh to another after this
manner. Forafinuch as you are my veri frend, let vs chaunge wyues: on fuch condicion, that I maye haue
yours and you myne. The other afketh him yf he fpeake in earnefte. He fweareth yea: let vs goe then (fayth
his felow) to my houfe: when they are come thether, the good man calleth forth his wife, faying vnto her:
EDEN.                            F                                    17


The king honoreth
the deuil.
The Image of the
deuill.
The bisshop of
Romes vicar at
Calicut.
The deuil eateth
soules.
The deuiles
chaplins.
Sacrifice to the
deuyl.
The chapleins
offer to the deuyL
The priestes wait
on the kyng.
Crowes had in
estimacion
The priestes
defloure ye
queene.
Priestes.
Magistrates;
Artificers.
Labourers.
The succession of
the kingdom.
As are ye priestes,
such is ye people.
The priestes kepe
the quene.
Exchaunginge
of wyues.




[Of the newe India, as it is knozwen & found, &c.]


Obedience in
euylL
One woman
maried to seuen
men.
The punishment
of murther.
Sinne redemed
for money.
Superstition.
Outeward
clenlynes.
Deuylishe
gestures.


Woman, come hether and folow this man: for he fhall from henceforth be thy hufband. She afketh him yf he
fpeake in earneft: he anfwereth, in good earneft. Then fayth the woman: I wil folowe him gladly. He taketh
her away with him, and in lyke maner fendeth his wyfe to his frende. And this is the cuflome which thei vfe
in chaunging of wyues. But the children remaine with theyr fyrite father. Other of thefe Idolaters vfe dyuerfe
other cultomes. For among fome of them, one woman is maried to feuen hufbandes, which lie with her by
courfe one after another. And when fhe hath broughte forth a child, fhe fendeth it to whiche of her feuen hufbandes fhe lift: who maye in no cafe refufe it. When they eate, they lye along on the grounde, and haue theyr
meate in great diffhes, or treys of copper. In the tfede of fpones, they vfe leaues of trees. Their meate, is ryce,
fifhe, fpyces, and fruites of the common forte. Yf any man committe murther, and bee apprehended, he is
punifhed after this maner.
They haue a kynde of gallowes made, with a pofte of the lengthe of foure pafes: On the whyche, not farre
from the toppe, are faftened two ftaues with fharpe endes, ye one lying ouer the other after the maner of
a croffe: then the body of ye offender is thruft through vpon one of ye flaues. And fo the miferable wretche
hangeth vntyll he haue geuen vppe the ghoft. But yf any man wound another, or beate hym with a flaffe,
he redemeth th[e]offence, payinge to the king a certayn of golde. When they pray, they go fyrit before the
ryfing of the funne, to fome ryuer or flandinge water, wherein they plunge themfelues, to th[e]intent to wafhe them
cleane: And fo beeinge wafhed, they touche nothing vntyll they haue at home at theyr houfes, poured forth
theyr prayers before theyr Idols. When they laye them felues down on the grounde, fecretely to praye, they
make certayne deuylifhe geftures lyke vnto madde men, flaring with theyr eyes, and turning them inward
after a firaunge forte, wyth no leffe deforminge their countenaunce, very monifrous to beholde. When the
king prepareth him to ye warres he hath in a readyneffe a hundreth thoufand fotemen. For of horfemen they
haue no vfe, but only of fuch as fyght on Elephantes.  Al that are of the Kinges bande, have a filken
fyllet of fcarlet colour, tied about their heades. When thei go to the warres they vfe round fweordes, targets,
iauelins, and bowes.
4  Of Pepper and other f/       ices which growe in the region of Calicut.


Howe pepper
groweth
Fruitful grounde
without tillage
Ginger.
A rote for a sede.
Fruytes vnknowen
to us.
Aloe.


Epper groweth in ye fuburbes of the citie of Calicut. There is fome alfo gathered within the
citie. The ftalke of pepper is veri weake: fo that it can not ftande vpryghte, without a flake
or proppe to fuftein it, as haue ye vynes. It is not much vnlike vnto Iuie: and in like maner
l _    |    crepeth and ftretcheth forth it felf embrafing and ouerfpreading fuch trees as grow nere vnto
it. This tree (or rather fhrubbe) is deuided into many braunches, of the lengthe of two or
thre hand bredth. The leaues are lyke the leaues of an Orenge tree: fauinge that thefe are
fomewhat groffer and fatter, with fmall vaynes running betwene on the contrarye fide. On
euery twigge ther hangeth fixe thicke clufters of beries, a hand breadth in length, and of the colour of wild
grapes. They are gathered in the monethes of October and Nouember: Inclininge yet to a grene colour, and fo
laying them on mattes or couerlettes, they fet them in the funne to be dried: where, within the fpace of
thre dayes, it waxeth black, euen as it is brought hether. They vfe neyther cutting nor digging, or other tillage,
but onely the fimple and pure fruitfulnes and encreafe of the earth. Plinie fayth that the trees of pepper are lyke
vnto oure iuniper trees. And that in his time, fome affyrmed yat they were brought foorth only in the front of ye
mount Caucafus on the fouthfyde toward the fonne. But the Portugals, whiche in this our daies fayle into the
Eaft partes, haue found it otherwife. The region of Calicut, beareth alfo Ginger: which doubtles is a roote, and
is often tymes founde of the weighte of. xii. vnces: but al are not of lyke bignes. This roote entreth no deper
into ye ground, then. iii. or. iiii. handbredth, like vnto the rede. When ginger is digged out of ye ground, they
leaue the knotte or ioynte of the roote, in the pytte out of which they digged the ginger: couering ye fame with
earth as a fede, agaynft the next yeare to encreafe and bring forth more ginger. It is found in playn ground of
a redde erth, as ar Mirabalanes. Ther groweth alfo diuers other frutes and fhrubbes vnknowen to vs, as laceri,
graccara, amba, Carocapel, Comolanga, and fuch other of which fome haue the tafte and fauoure of quinces, fome
of peaches, fome of damafke prunes, fome of melones, and fome of figges, etc. Aloe groweth alfo in that region:
and is a certayn gumme, gathered from a litle tree, which is faftened in the earth, onely with one roote after ye
maner of a flaffe, pytched in the grounde. The bodie of the tree, is tender and redde, of ftrong fauour and
bitter taft. It fomtyme putteth forth droppes of gumme withoute anye cuttinge. And this of India, is muche
better then that which groweth in Izdlca.


1s




[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


19


-. --- —    ~-I


( Of byrdes and beaJies which are found in the region of Calicut: and
of the wyne of the merueylous tree.
Here is found in Calicut, diuers and fundry kyndes of foure footed beafles and foules. As lions,
wilde boores, hartes, hyndes, wolues, kyne, wylde oxen, goates, and Elephantes: whych neuer/      f   theles are not engendred there, but brought thether. There bee alfo grene popingiays, and  Papingiayes of
fome [of] white fethers of variable colours, lying like fcoutchins. Some alfo of purple coloure.  dy   ky
Of thefe there is fuch plentie, that they are fayne to appoint men to kepe them from the rice
which groweth there in the feldes.  They are merueilous chatteringe and of fmall price.
There are alfo birdes called Sarau, fomwhat leffe then popingiayes, but make a much fweter
noyfe. There are alfo manye other kyndes of byrdes vnlyke vnto oures: Of which, euerye morning and euening  Sweete singinge
is hearde fuche a harmonie and fo fwete a noyfe, that nothing can be more delectable: In fo little mouthes
confifteth in maner al muficke, and therfore the inhabitauntes lyue in greate pleafure, as though they were in an
earthly paradife, where floures are euer fpringing, and trees continue grene al the hole yeare. The heauen is  Earthly paradise
beneficiall vnto them, and the ayre moft temperate continually. So that thei are nether bytten with colde in  Temperate ayre.
winter nor burnt with heate in fomer, but lyue as it were in continual fpringe tyme. The fame region bringeth  Continual spring.
forth alfo Marmafets and Munkeys, whiche are great hinderaunce to ye men of the countrey: and fpecially to the  Munkeys.
poore forte, beecaufe they clyme the walnut trees, and fpylle the fweete liquoure of the fruyte thereof, of which
the Indians make moft pleafaunt wyne. For thefe Indians haue a tree moft excellent aboue all other trees of
the world, which bringeth foorth dates lyke vnto the Palme tree. This tree ferueth them for firewood: and  A tree ofsundrye
beareth a kynde of walnuttes moft delicate to be eaten: Alfo a kind of cordes, fofte cloth, wine, oyle, and  commodities.
fuger. But chiefly it bringeth foorth this excellent kynde of nuttes like vnto dates. From thefe they take awaye
the fyrfte rynde or barke and cait it in the fire. The other fruite is not muche vnlyke Goffampine cotton, or fylke.  Silke of trees.
Of the floures they make cloth lyke filke: the flaxe whiche is lefte, they fpinne agayne, and make therof final
roopes or cordes. The lait barke or rinde, conteineth the nutte, whofe thickeneffe is no more then the lyttle  Ropes of trees.
fynger of a mans hande.  Furthermore the fweete liquoure or wyne, is engendered with the nutte, fo that as the  Wyne of treenutte groweth, the liquoure alfo encreafeth: In fo much that when the nut is full growen, the lyquoure fyllethe
the inne warde partes of the fame. And thys liquoure or wyne, is moft cleare, not muche vnlyke vnto rofewater: Of which neuertheles is made a very fatte oile. They cut alfo the trunke or ftocke of the tree in ye  Oyle of water
morning and euening: by whiche meanes they gather a moft excellent liquour, which they feeth on the fyre,
and make thereof fo merueylous a drinke, that if a man drinke thereof beyond meafure, he is drieuen into furie
and madnes. This liquour is vfed there in the fiede of wyne. But let vs nowe returne to the beaftes which are
found in Calicut. Serpentes growe there vnto fuch houdge greatneffe, that they are in maner as bigge as fwyne.  Serpents as bigge
They haue heades muche larger then bores heades. Thei are foure foted, foure cubites in length, engendered  as swine
and conuerfaunte in fennie and marrifhe groundes. The men of that countrei faye that thefe beaftes are without  Serpents without
poyfon. There are alfo found other kyndes of ferpentes: of the whiche one kynde hath fo mortall venime, that  poyson.
yf they drawe neuer fo lyttle blud, it caufeth prefent death. There are other ferpentes which in quantite
reprefent the ferpent called Affis. Again, otherfome are much higher of whiche there are greate plentie.
The men of the countrey thinke yat they are fpirites fallen from heauen: and therfore haue them in great  Serpentes counted
reuerence. Thei haue conceaued this opinion of them, becaufe that in maner with touching, they bringe   spirites.
prefent death. And this is the caufe whi there is fo great abundaunc[e] of ferpentes, that by the kinges
commaundement it is not lawful to hurt them: and therefore they wander fafelye where them liiteth, and
are eftemed of them as thinges that bring good fortune. For whereas the men of yat countrey, goe abroade
aboute anye bufines, thei take it for good luck to mete any of them by the waye. The popingiayes of India  Grene
are for the moft part, of grene colour befyde ye head, which is ether redde or yelowe like golde. They haue  poping[i]aies
a great and large toung, and are therfore of a louder voyce, and fpeake more plainly. They learne the
fyrit and fecond yeare fuch thinges as are taughte them. And beare them longer in memory. They drinke
wyne, and vfe theyr fete in the ftede of handes when they feede.


s9




20


[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


Caoonor.
Zaylon.
Corimucol.
ieluza.
Alolucha.
Pego.
Ormus
Cambain.
A rabia.
Chiua.
Samotor.
Darnasseri.
Elephantes.
Precious stones.
Cinomome.
The Equinoctial
lyne
Weapons of redes


E  Of the fundrye kindes of Spices, which are founde in Calicut, and fronm
whence they are brought thyther.
Inger groweth in Calicut, yet is there much broughte thether from the cytie of Canonor.
5    Cinamome commeth from the Ilande of Zaylon, whyche is fyftye leages beeyonde Calicut
Eaftwarde.
is. xij. leages beyonde Calicut.
Cloues are gathered in a place, called Meluza, certayn leages diftant from Calicut.
Nutmegges and Mace, growe in foluch/a, beyng diftante from Calicut hundreth and thre
fcore leages, and fomewhat more.
Mufke and Caftoreum, is brought from the region of Pego, whiche is from Calicut, almofte hundreth
and fyftye leages.
Pearles of the biggeft forte, are gathered neare vnto the Iland and cytie of Ormus, fituate in the goulfe
called Sinus Perficus: And are fente from thence to Calicut, as to the generall market towne of all the Eaft partes.
Spikenarde, and Mirabalanes, are brought from Cambaia to Calicut.
Frankencenfe, and Myrre, come from Arabia.
Aloe, and Camjhyre, are brought from Kyui, or Chiua. 1. [fifty] leages from Calicut.
Long pepper cometh from Samotor. Cardamome ye greater, is brought from Canonor.
Prefilium, or brafyll, cometh from Darnafseri, otherwyfe called Tarmafferi, almoft. CC. [two hundred]
leages from Calicut.
E Of the Iand of Zaylon, and of Cinomome found there.
Aylon is a very large region, and bringeth foorth chefelye Elephantes in greate plentie. It hath
alfo Mountaynes of merueylous length: at the rootes wherof are found Rubines, Hiacinthes,
Saphyres, Topafes, and fuche other precious ftones. In this Iland groweth the Cinomome
tree, not much vnlyke ye bayetree, fpecially in the leaues. It bringeth forth graynes much lyke
vnto baye beries, but fomwhat leffe and whytifhe. That which we commonly call Cinomome,
is nothinge els but the barke or rynde of a tree, which is gathered after this maner. Euery
thyrde yeare they cut of the braunches of the trees, and take of the barke or rynde thereof,
which is our Cinomome. They cut not the body of the tree, but only the branches. When it is firft gathered,
it is grene, and not perfectly fwete vntyll it be kept a moneth. This Iland is fituate vnder the Equinoctial line,
where is continuall fpringe all the yeare. The inhabitauntes weare clokes, with one arme oute vncouered,
and haue clothe made of Goffampine cotton, or of filke. A rede is to them in the ftede of fworde, rapyre,
and iauelyne. And are therefore feldome layne in the warres.
c Of the cytie of Tarnafseri, and the maner of the cytezins there.


Narsinga.
The beast whiche
beareth the furre
called Sables.
Foules of
ineruelous bignes.


He cytie of Tarnafferi, is diftaunte from the Kingdome of Narfinga. xiiij. dayes fayling
Eftward, and hath a king of great puyffaunce and marueylous riche. The foyle of this citie,
bringeth forth wheate, cotton of Gofsampine trees, and plentie of filke. The fieldes bringe
foorthe all kindes of fruites; quinces alfo and oranges. It is repleniihed with manye and
fundrye kyndes of beaftes afwell wyld as tame, as kyne, fhepe, gotes, fwyne, hartes, hyndes,
wolues and lyons. There are alfo feene thofe kyndes of cattes which beare the riche furres
called Zibellini, which we call Sables. In all the fieldes and woodes of this region are founde
many Peacockes, Faulcons, and moft fayre Popingiayes of white colour intermingled with feuen variable coloures.
There is alfo maruelous plentye of hares and partryches. There are manye of other ftraunge kyndes of foules:
and fpecially fuch as lyue by praye, whiche are muche higher then Eagles: whofe vpper beakes are of fuche
bignes and hardnes, that handles for fweordes are made thereof. Alfo the cockes and hennes of thys region are
20




[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


21




muche hygher and bigger then ours. When the people of the countreye goe to theyr meate, they lye downe on
the grounde withoute carpet or cloth: Yet vfe they woodden veffelles, workemanlye made. Theyr drinke
is water myxte with fuger: but the poorer forte, drinke onelye water. Their beddes are made of Goffampine
cotton, wyth couerlettes alfo of cotton or fylke. They goe all in generall barefooted excepte the Priefles. The
Kynge of this cytye, doeth not commytte his wife to the Prieftes to bee defloured, as doth the king of Calicut,
but to whyte men, as are the chriftians and Turkes. For this office is not committed to the Idoloters. But
after that the new maried quene hath been thus defloured the fyrft night, yf euer after (he doe difhonour
the Kyng her hufband, by violating the faith made to him, from thencefoorth neuer to knowe any other
man carnally, her punifhment is death incontinently. When the Kynges or the Prieftes dye, their bodies are
laid on a great fyre, and the afhes thereof referued in erthen pottes, putting thereto a porcion of falte petre,
and buryinge the fame in theyr owne houfes. While the bodies are burning, they caft into the fyre al
kyndes of fwete fauouring gummes, and fpices: as Aloe, Frankencenfe, Myrre, Storax, Coralle, fandalles,
and fuche other innumerable: In the meane tyme blowing trumpets and fhawmes, after the maner of them which
amonge the gentiles were canonized into ye numbre of the goddes. And within xv. dayes after ye hufbandes
death, the wyfe calleth to her all her kinffolkes, bidding them to a banket: and fo being decked with al her
iewels, fhe procedeth with them to the place where her hufbande was buried, where a graue is redye digged for
her, inclofed about with filken cloth, hauinge in it a fyre made of fweete wood. When the woman hath
thus feafled her kynffolkes, fhe eateth much of the herbe called Betola, wherby (he is driuen into a madnes. In
thys meane whyle, innumerable trumpetters (wearing fuch veflures as they vfe in the deuyls feruice) go as it were
on proceffion aboute the graue, while the woman runneth vp and down, daunting continually like a frantike
bodie. And thus when the ceremonies are fynifhed, fhe cafteth her felfe headlong into the fyre and graue:
and that with no leffe cherefulnes then yf fhe fhould be receaued into heauen. And vnleffe the woman fhould
performe thys cuflome, (he fhould incurre mofl vyle infamie, and be a mocking flocke to all her nacion, as one
that loued not her hufband. But the common people vfe not thys cuftome: but only the rulers and
princes. And therfore the king him felfe is often tymes prefente at thefe folemnities.
( Of the kingdoms and cities of Pego and Bangella.


Beddes of silke.
Priestes.
The quene
defloured of white
menne.
Adulteri punished
with death
Howe the kinge
is buried.
Ministrels.
The quene dyeth
willingly.
The herbe Betola.
What credulitic
maye doe in false
religion.
Honour dere
boughte.


'Rom the cytie of Tarnafferi, to the cytie of Bangalla, is. xi. dayes faylinge. This cytie hath a
l             kynge: and the countrey is very fruyteful with great plentie of wheat, flefhe, fuger, ginger, and
citie fyftie fhyppes frayghted wyth goffampine cotton, and filke clothes: which are caried from
thence to the Turkes, Syrians, Arabians, Perfians, Ethiopians, and Indians. Here are alfo./        l founde certayne Chriftian merchaunt men, which come out of Th[e]empire of the great Cham
of Cathay: bringing with them Aloe, Caftoreum and the fwete gumme called Laferpitium, with
other fwete fauours. In this cytie, the men fpinne and carde and make clothe, and not the womenne. From
this cytie Eaftwarde, is another great citie called Pego, beyng fituate by a verye fayre ryuer. The Kinge of
thys cytie, is an Idolater, and hathe innumerable menne of warre, both horfemenne and footemenne. The
foyle beareth wheate plentifullye: and bringeth foorth in maner all kyndes of beaftes, and hath therfore great
abundaunce of flefhe, yet are there but fewe Elephants: But of other beaftes and foules, great plentie as is at
Calicut: and fpeciallye of popingiayes, whiche are of louder voice then in any other place. There is little
trafficque or marchaundife in this region, except iewels and precious flones, and fpeciallye Rubies, called Pyroji,
whiche are broughte thether from the cytie of Capelan. Thefe precious ftlones fhyne fo brighte in the darke
nyghte, as thoughe it were the fonne beames. The countrey adioyning, bringeth forth Lacha, Sandalum, called
launders: Alfo brafile, goffampine cotton and fylke. From Pego to the cytie of Malaccha (whiche fome call
Melaqua) is eygh[t]e dayes faylinge: where on the other fyde is fene a great Iland called Sumatra, otherwife
Samotra, and was in time pafte called Taprobana. This Malaccha, hath a goodly and commodious hauen: by
reafon wherof, moe (hippes arriue there then in any other place: bringinge with them fpyces and other
marchaundife in great abundance. The region is not generally fruytful, yet hath it wheat and flefhe: but
greate fcarceneffe of wood. The foules wander in the feldes as they doe in the region of Calicut. But the
popingiayes are here much fayrer. It bringeth foorth alfo fpices, faunders, tinne, elephantes, horfes, fhepe,
wilde oxen, pecokes, and fuch other kyndes of beaftes. It is not lawfull there to bye and fell, except you bye
fpices and fylke. It is alfo there very daungerous to walke in the citie in the nighte feafon, beecaufe of the theft
and cruelnes of the inhabitantes, which kil one another like dogges. And therfore the marchaund ftraungers
lodge not out of their fhippes. How the Portugales fubdued Malaccha, fhalbe faid hereafter in the defcripcion
of the newe Ilandes.


The king and
citie of Bangella
Silke.
Christian men of
Cathay.
The citie of Pego.
Rubies shyning by
night.
Lacha, Lacca, or
Lacta, is ye
gumme of a tree
wherewith silke is
colored.
Malaccha.
Sumatra.
Tairobana.


F 2


21




22


[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


_ ____1__~1________1____LI__C




C Of the greate and ryche Ilande of Sumatra, or Samotra, sometynae
called Taprobana.


The Iand of
Ta probana.
Men of a hundreth
yeres of age.
Shelles of fishes
for houses.
Great pearles.
Coyned golde and
siluer for moneye.
Fishes of
monstrous
bignesse.
Lacha.
Pepper solde by
measure.
Cathay.
The Iland of
banda.
The nutmeg tree.
Mace.
The Iland of
Monoch.
Cloues.
Charles Waine.
Pole Antartike.
Idoloters.
Camphire.


Ome thinke this Sumatra, to be that Iland which of the old writers is called Taprobana.  It is
verye great and riche: and hath in it foure Kinges crowned with Diademes. They are
Idolaters: in religion, maner of lyuinge, and apparell, not muche vnlyke the Kinge of
T'arnafseri. They exceade all other men in bigneffe of bodie. They haue greye or blewe
eyes, and are of cruell countenaunce, and terrible voyce. They are long lyued and lyue euen
vntyl an hundreth yeares of age. The fea in certaine chanels is of fuch heigth and depth, that
no anker may come to the bottome therof. The inhabitantes are great fyfhers on the fea, and
haue great pleafure to take the fhelle fyfhe, called the Tortoyfe of the fea: of whiche, fome are of fuche houdge
bignes, that the ihelle of one of them may fuffife to make a houfe well able to receaue a hole famelie. For
fome of them beare fhelles of xv. cubites in length: and are therefore apt for that purpofe. The mofl part of
this Ilande is burnte with heate, and hath in it many defolate places and wilderneffes. There are founde many
and greate Pearles. For theyr money, they vfe coyned golde, fyluer and tynne. The golden coyne, hath on
the one fyde a deuils head grauen, and on the other fyde a chariot which Elephantes draw. This region
bringeth foorth more plentie of Elephantes, of greater fltature, and a better broede, then are found in any other
place. In the fea about this Ilande, are often tymes fene the great monflrous fyfhes, and kynde of Whales,
called Balene, which bring many incommodities to the inhabitantes. They are of fuch monftrous bignes, that
when they approche to the Sea bankes, they feeme lyke vnto hylles: they haue rough backes full of fharpe
prickes. And except men walke very warely by the fea bankes, they are in daunger to be fodeynly fwalowed
vp of thefe monflers. Some of them haue fo greate and wyde mouthes, that they fometymes fwallowe whole
fhippes with the men. This countrey bringeth foorthe Lacha, Lacca, or Lacta, which fleyneth filke and cloth
in high redde or crimifon coloure. It is engendred in a tree, not much vnlyke vnto our walnut trees. Ther is
alfo great plenty of pepper, higher then is founde in other places. In their mother tonge pepper is called
Molaga. It is folde there by meafure, as wheat is with vs, and not by weight. There is fo great plentie hereof,
that there are yearely certayne fhippes laden therwith to Cathay, where ye aire is colder. From Sumetra to
the Iland of Banda, which is but rude and barren, and of playne and lowe grounde, whofe inhabitantes are
barbarous, and little differinge from beaftes, hauing lowe houfes, and no apparell but Ihertes, barefoted and
bareheaded, with long heare, of defpicable flature, dulle witted, of no ftrength, and Idolaters. The foyle of
this countrey, bringeth forth nothing but nutmegges, and a few other fruites. The ftalke or bodi of ye nutmegtree, is not much vnlike ye ftalke of a peache tree, bringing forth lyke braunches and leaues, but fomewhat
narower. Before thefe nutts be rype, ye mace crepeth on the tree, lyke a florifhing rofe. And when the nutte
waxeth rype, the mace embrafeth it round about. And fo they gather both together in commune, at a tyme
appointed: for they vfe no diflribucion thereof, but he that gathereth moft, hath moft. This tree bringeth
forth his fruyte plentifully without any arte of hufbandrye or tyllage. They are gathered at fuch time as we
gather cheflnuttes.  From this Iland within fixe dayes fayling, is the Iand of Monoch, in the which cloues are
founde, as alfo in other Ilandes, therto adioyninge. The tree whiche beareth cloues, hath his flalke not much
vnlike vnto the boxe tree, with leaues lyke the Cinomome tree, but fomewhat rounder. And when the cloues
beginne to waxe rype, they beate the trees with redes, fpreding fyrft couerlettes or mattes vnder ye fame. The
grounde where thefe trees grow, is of ye colour of cleye or fand. This region is fituate fo low, that ye feuen
flarres called Septentriones (being not farre from  Vrfa maior, called charles wayne) can not there be fene,
becaufe ye fouth pole (called pole Antartike) appeareth aboue the earth.
C Of te Ilande of Bornei.
He Iland of Bornei (which fome call Pome) is diflant from Monoch fiftie leages. The inhabitantes are Idolaters, very quick witted, and of maner of liuing not greatly to be difcommended.
Thei vfe not al one kynde of apparell. Some weare fhertes of goffampine cotton, fome
beaites fkinnes, and fome high cappes lyke myters, of redde colour. This Iland bringeth
forth yearely great plentie of Camp/hora, called camphyre, whiche they affirme to be the
gumme of a certayn tree. Of this Ilande I wil fpeake more hereafter in the nauigacions
toward the Eafl partes.


23




[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


23
---- -----  - - -


c Of the fland of Giaua.
He Iland of Gyaua, is diftant from Bornei. v. dayes fayling towarde the fouth. This Iland is
fo great, yat it conteineth in it many kingdoms: ye inhabitantes ar geuen to idolatri. It
bringeth forth filke, which of it felfe groweth there plentifullye in the wooddes. The precyous
ifone called Smaragdus (which is ye true Emerode) is found there more excellent, then in any
other place of the worlde. It hath abundaunce of golde and copper of the beft kynd. The
l       foyle beareth wheat and other corne, with al kindes of fruites in great plentie. When the
men of this countrie goe to the fea, theyr weapons are bowes, and arrowes of redes. They
vfe alfo to infect theyr arrowes with venime, and to blowe them oute of a trunke as we doe pellets of claye:
with the which yf they drawe neuer fo little bloud, prefente death foloweth immedia[t]lye. They haue alfo this
cuftome, that when they fee theyr parentes by reafon of age to be vnprofitable, they bring them to the market
towne, and there fell them to the people called Anthropophagi, which eat mens flefhe, of whom they are incontinently fayne, and eaten. The fame doe they with the yonger forte alfo, yf they fall into any defperate difeafe.
E  Of the Iland of Laua.
Here are two Ilandes of thys name, as Iaua the more and Iaua the leffe. The biggeft
reacheth forth toward the South, and is fayd to haue in it many kingdoms. The
inhabitantes are Idolaters and haue a peculier language. In this Iland is greate plentie
of pepper, Nuttemegges, Spikenarde, Galangale, and other fpices. Mani marchauntes of
other countreies are wont to reforte thether, and geat great riches by ye fpices which
they cane from thenfe. In this Iland alfo are people called Anthropophagi, which are
wont to eate mens flefhe.
C Of the Iland of Madagafcar.


T
I




Silke groweth in
woodes.
The smaragde or
emerode.
Go'de and copper
Arrowes of redes.
Arrowes infected
with venime.
A strange
custome.
A n th ofopJ zagi.
Spyces.


His Iland is counted to be one of the greateft and rychefte Ilandes of the worlde. The
inhabitantes are of Mahumets fecte as are the Turkes. It bringeth forth many Elephantes,
by reafon wherof there is greate plentie of Iuerye which is the Elephantes tothe. For it
is thought that there is no greater plentie of Iuerie, then in this Iland and in the Iland of
Cuzibet. They eate the flefhe of none other beaftes, but onely of Camels, becaufe the Ilande
is full thereof, and alfo that it is founde to be more holefome for the people of that
---- countrey then any other flefhe. There are alfo in this Iland many woddes that bringe
foorth redde fanders, for the which many marchauntes refort thether. In the fea about this Iland, great
whales are taken, out of the which amber is gathered. There are lions, leopardes, hartes, hyndes, goates, and
many other beaftes and foules, by reafon whereof, they vfe muche haukinge and huntinge.
cr Of the fland of Zanzibar.
He Ilande of Zanzibar, hath a peculier Kinge and language. The inhabitantes are idolaters,
and are of groffe and fhorte ftature: but yf theyr heygth dydde aunfwere to theyr thickeneffe
and breadth, they mighte feme to be giauntes. They are all blacke, and goe naked,
onely couering theyr pryuie partes. The heare of theyr heades, is merueylouflye corlde.
They haue greate mouthes, nofethrilles flyrtting vpwarde and wyde, with great eares
and cruell eyes. Theyr women are deformed by reafon of theyr greate eyes, greate mouthes,
and greate nofethrilles. They liue with milke, fleffhe, ryce, and dates. They lacke wyne:
yet they make a pleafaunt drinke of ryce, fuger, and other fpices. Many marchauntes reforte thether for yuerie
and Amber, for there is greate plentye of Elephantes and greate whales.


I




Mahumetistes
Elephantes.
luerie
The Iland of
Cuzibet.
Camels fleshe
eaten.
Woddes of redde
Sanders.
Whales
Amber.
Lions, and
Leopardes.
Bigge men of
low stature.
People deformed
Ryce and Dates.
Drinke of spices.
Amber.


I


23




24


[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


_~I


r Of the two Ilandes, in one of the which dwell onely men, and in the
other onely women.
N the mayne fea, there are two Ilandes, diflante the one from the other aboute. viiij. or. ix.
The Hand of men.              leages toward the fouth, fituate betwene the cytie of Aden and Calicut. In one of the which
dwel onely men without the company of women, and is called the Ilande of men. And in
The hand of                  the other dwell onely women, without men, and is called the Ilande of women. They
Christians                    are Chriflians and contract matrimonie. The women neuer come to the Ilande of men, but
the men are accustomed to vyfyte the women once in the yeare, and tarye with them
thre monethes continually, euery man with his owne wife in his owne houfe: after which time
they returne agayn to [t]her owne Ilande, where they remayne all the yere after. The women kepe the
men children with them vntyll they bee xv. yeares of age, and then fend them to theyr fathers. The
women haue nought els to do, but to take charge of their children, and to gather certayne fruites. But
the men labour and haue care how they may fynde theyr wyfe and chyldren. They are exercyfed in
Fishing.      fyfhing, and fell fyfhes both newe taken and olde dryed, to marchaunte ftraungers, whereby they receaue
great commodities.
q   Of the greate Emtyre of Cathay, being vnder the dominion of the great
Chain (whichefome call the great Can) Emteroure of Tartaria, in
olde tyme called Scythia.
He fuperiour or high India, whiche is nowe called Cathay, is a region excedinge large and
The great Cham                 of greate power, whofe Emperour is ye great Cham of Tartaria, hauinge vnder him many
of Tar tar                  Prouinces, people and Princes, and innumerable Ilandes in the great Eaft fea, called
the greate Ocean.  He hath vnder his dominion great and famous cities, as are there:
Famous cities                  Cambalu, Quenquinafu, Mien, Cacaufu, Canglu, Tadinfi, Tingui, and dyuers other. Among
vnder the greate  Ihe people of this countrey, one man hath manye wyues, whiche declare theyr loue to
Manye wyues.                  their hufbandes after this fort.  When the hufband is dead, euery one of his wiues
What naturall  pleade their caufe before a iudge, to proue which of them was moft louing to her hufband and befle beloued of
him: fo yat fhe which by the fentence of the iudges is found to haue been moft faythful and diligente, decketh
her felfe mofle gorgioufly in all her fumptuous araye, and procedeth like a Virago floutly and cherefully to the
fire, where the corps of her hufbande was burnte, caftinge her felfe into the fame fyre, embrafing and kiffing the
dead bodi of her hufband, vntyll fhe alfo be confumed by the fyre, whiche fhe reputeth for an honourable
fepulture: whereas his other wyues are eflemed to lyue in fhame and infamie. They ioyne in mariage, neyther
in refpect of riches or nobilite, but onlye for loue and beautie: and rather for ye encreafe of pofteritie, then for
A strange     pleafure. There is alfo another ftraunge cuftome among thefe Indians: and yat is, that whereas the
custompoorer fort are not able to geue any dowry with theyr doughters to mariage, they bringe them forth, euen in ye
floure of their age to ye market place, with trumpettes and fuch other inflrumentes as they vfe in the warres.
Where, the multitude beynge called together, the maydes fyrfle of all, difcouere theyr backe partes, euen vp to
the Ihoulders, and afterward theyr forepartes in lyke maners. And vpon this declaring their pouertie and
The people of  nakednes, are maried to fuch as lyke them beft. This people of Cathay, are of the nacion of them
Ca tay.       which in tyme paft were called Scythians, a kind of men (as faith Haitho) of fubtill wyt: affyrming that
onely they fee with two eies, and that all other men befyde them are blind of the one eye. Theyr quickenes ot
witte is great, but their boafting is more. The hole nacion is perfwaded that they greatly excel all other men
in fubteltie of wit and knowledge. The inhabitantes are whyte men, with fmall eyes, withoute beardes,
Idootours.   and vtterly voyde of all godly knowledge. For fome of them pray to the funne, fome to the mone,
fome to Images, fome to an oxe, and fome to other monfters of theyr phantafticall fuperfticion. They haue no
law written, and are of no faith. And albeit that in workemanfhip and artes they are marueylous wyttie,
yet haue they no knowledge of dyuine or godly thinges. It is a timorous kynde of men, and greatly fearinge
death. And are therefore in theyr warres, more politike then valient. In the warres, they vfe arrowes, and
Mloney of paper  certayne other kyndes of weapons vnknowen to men of other countreis. The monie which they vfe, is made of
a certayne paper, beeinge foure fquare, with ye Kinges ymage printed theron. Theyr houfholde fluffe is
24




[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


25


of golde and fyluer and other metals. They haue greate fcarcenes of oyle. The great Emperour of Cathay,
keepeth his courte in the riche and mightie cytie called Cambahu, being the chefeft citie of all the Empyre, and
of fuch greatneffe that it conteyneth in circuite fixe leages. This citie is foure fquare, fo that euery quadrature
or fyde of the wall, hath in it thre principal portes or gates. Alfo in all the corners of the walles, are veri faire
palaces, in which the artillery or armure of the cytie is referued. The firetes are made very fireyght and right
forth: fo that from any one gate to the other beinge directly ouer againIt the fame, a man may fe plainly
through the cytie, hauing ye houfes on euery fyde lyke palaces, placed in goodly ordre, moft beautifull to
behold. Without the cytie, there are twelue great fuburbes, adherent to the. xii. gates of ye cytie, whether the
marchauntes and firaungers, haue their continual recourfe as to ye burfe or firete. It can not be fpoken what
great abundaunce of marchaundife and riches is brought to [t]his citie: a man wold thinke that it were fufficient
to ferue all the worlde. Precious flones, pearles, filke, and fpices of dyuers kindes are brought thether,
from India and Mangi, and other regions. There paffeth not a daye in the yeare in which there are not about a
thoufand waynes laden with filke which are brought to this citie by firaunge marchauntes. What greate pompe,
glory, and forniture of all thinges, is obferued in the Emperours courte, it can not be fpoken. He hath
in his courte twelue thoufand horfemen, whiche haue the cuflodie of his body: and difiribute their
waytinge dayes after this order, yat whereas one of ye captaynes of this garifon with his thre thoufand fouldiers
hath wayted vpon the kinges perfonne, three dayes, another captayne in lyke order wyth as manye
menne fuccedeth in hys rowme for other three dayes, and lykewyfe an other after hym, executethe the
fame offyce.  When the Emperoure maketh anye bankette, it cannot be faid what great pompe is
obferued. He hath fytting at his lefte hand his chefeft quene whom  he moft eftemeth: and at his
right hand hys fonnes, and fuche as are of the kinges bloud: but thei fyt fomwhat lower and further of.
The other noble men which wayte not, fytte in a place yet fomewhat lower. All fuch as in the court fyt
at meat, vfe none other drinking cuppes then of gold. The Princes whiche wayte on the Emperoure at
hys meate, haue all theyr mouthes couered with fyne filken clothes, leait in any cafe they lhould blow or
breath on the kinges meate or drinke. And when the Emperour lifteth vp his cup to drinke, al the muficions
and minitrels that fland about him, playe on theyr inflrumentes, while in the meane time all fuche as wayte on
hym, ftoupe downe and make lowe curtefie. How great honoure is exhibited to this Emperour, and howe many
precious and riche prefentes are offred vnto him by his Princes, Dukes, Leauetenauntes and prefydentes
of prouinces, and rulers of cities, no man is able to expreffe, forafmuche as he hath vnder him in maner
innumerable Kingdomes, Prouinces, Nacions and Dominions, which are on euery fyde about Cathay, and
acknoweledge him to be theyr onelye Lorde and King, whom they honoure and reuerence as a great God
and mighti Mahumet. In what pompe and triumphant magnificence he fheweth him felf when he goetht
to hauke or hunt, and how many tentes he pitcheth in the felde, which being fene afarre of, a man
would thinke to be a greate cytie, he that defyreth to knowe, let him reade Paulus Venetus, in the fecond
boke of hys nauigacions into India, where he fhal find thinges to marueyl at. In Cathay they make a pleafaunt
drinke of ryce and certayne fpyces, which in drinking excelleth the fwetenes of wine. In many places they haue
great lacke of wood: In the flede wherof, they digge out of the mountaynes a certayn kinde of blacke fRone
whiche burne in the fyre like coles, and continue fo long, that yf they be kyndled ouer night, they kepe
fyre vnto the morning.
C  Of certaine Prouinces and regions fubiec             vnder the dominion of the
greate Cham Emperour of Cathay.
Here paffeth through the kingdom of Cathay, a certayne greate ryuer called Pulzifachnites, which
emptieth it felfe in the great Ocean Sea, by the whiche ryuer, fhyppes haue their paffage
into that lande. Ouer this ryuer is a very fayre bridge of marble, beyng in length three
hundreth pafes, and in breadth, eyghte pafes, with. xxiii. arches, and grauen Lions on euery
fyde, adourning the rayles or higheft margentes of the fame. From hence it is not farre to
the fayre and greate kingdom of Tainfu, in the which are many goodli vynes. For in the
kingdom of Cathay there groweth no wyne, but is brought thether from this region. In this
kingdome is greate vfe of marchaundyfe, and hath plentie of conning artificers, fo that al the armure which the
great Cham vfeth in his warres, is made there. Toward the region of Mangi, is fituate the ryuer Caromoramn,
whiche fi)r the greate breadth and depth, hath no bridge. In this region is greate abundaunce of Ginger, filke,
byrdes, and fpeciallye Phefantes. Somewhat beyonde this, is the great cytie of Quenquinafu, beynge the chief
cytie of the fame kingdome. In this region are founde many mufKecattes. This beait in this countreye, is


Golde and Syluer.
The cytie of
Cambalu.
Marchandyse.
Precious stones
and spyces.
Note.
The king of
Cathay his court
The Quene.
Golden plate.
Worldly glory.
A liuing Idol.
Paulus Venetus.
Drinke of rice and
spyces.
Digged cole.
A greate bridge of
marble.
The kingdome of
Tainfu.
Connyng artificers
Ginger.
_Quenquinafu.
The muske catte.


25




26


[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


Siuet or muske.
Marchandyse.
Salte.
Sylke.
Cloth of golde.
Ryce.
vi. M [six
thousand] bridges
of stone.
The great citie of
Quinsai.
xij. M. [twelve
thousand] bridges
of stone.
Artificers.
Marchauntes.
Common
banketinge houses.
A good prouysion
againste fyre.
Flesh of horses
eaten.
A prouision
against rebellion.
A    nthroqfoiphagi.
Hennes hauinge
heare in the stede
of fethers.


but lyttle and fayre, aboute the bigneffe of a meane catte, with groffe heare lyke a harte, hauinge blunte clawes
on his fete, with two longe teeth in the vpper iawe, and two in the nether iawe: and hath nere vnto the nauell
a bladder full of a certayne matter like vnto bloud, being of wonderful fragrant fauoure, and is the true
mufke.
(r Of      he Prouince of Mangi, and merueylous cylies conleyned in the fame.
He Prouince of Mangi, hath in it many notable and great cities, in the whiche is great exercyfe
of marchaundyfe: and fpecially in the citie of Conligangui, is folde great plentie of falt. In
the cytie of Panchi, there is great fale of filke. In the cytie of Sianfu, is made great plentie
of clothes of golde and filke. In the cytie Singui is a famous market. where great abundance
of marchaundife is brought by the ryuer. Nere vnto the citie of Caigui, groweth plentie of
blade and ryce, that it is caried from thence to the court of the greate Cham. In ye citie of
Singui, are numbred to be about fixe thoufande bridges of flone, hauinge fo highe arches, that
greate fhippes maye paffe vnder the fame without bowing down of the maft. There is another citie called
Quinfai, which is fo fayre and great, that there is thought to be no bigger in al the worlde. It conteyneth in
circuite, a hundreth Italien miles, which make. xxv. leages. It hath twelue thoufande bridges of flone, and thofe
fo highe that greate fhippes with the maite flanding vp right, maye paffe vnder. This cytie is fituate in a mariffhe
ground, muche lyke vnto venes. Therfore if they fhould lack bridges, they could not paffe ouer from the one
fyde of the ftreete to the other. It hath innumerable artificers and many marchauntes. The cytezins lyue
pleafantly, and fpecially the women, which are fayrer then in other partes of India.  Toward the South fyde of
the cytye, there is a great lake or poole within ye walles of the cytie, whiche conteyneth in circuite about. viii.
leages, hauinge about the bankes therof many noble mens houfes, very fayre both without and within. In the
middefle of this lake, there are two litle Ilandes and in euery of them a goodly palace, in ye which are referued
al fuche ornamentes and veffels as they vfe for theyr mariages and folemne feafles, for whereas any of the
cytezins entende to make any great banket, or feafl, they bring theyr geffes to one of thefe palaces, where they
are honorably enterteined. In the flretes of ye citie, are certaine comon towres, into ye which, al fuch as
dwell neare therto, carie theyr goodes and fluffe, yf it fo chaunce, yat fyre be in the citie. The inhabitantes
are Idoloters: and eate the flefhe of horfes and camels, and of other vnclene beafles. The great Cham hath in
this cytie a myghtie garifon to the intente to auoyde rebellion, thefte and murther. For on euery bridge there
wayteth dayly and nightlye. x. watchmen for the fame purpofe: and becaufe the Prouince of Mangi is exceding
large, the great Cham hath deuyded it into nyne Kingdomes, affigninge vnto euery one a peculier Kynge:
whiche are al of greate powre, and yet fubiecte to the greate Cham. One of them dwelleth in the citie of
Quinfai. In thys Prouince of Mangi, is an other Kyngdomme, called Fugui, in whiche the people eate mannes
fleffhe, fo that they dye not of any difeafe. They drinke the bloud and eate the flefhe of fuch as are flayne in
ye warres. There are hennes found in this region, which in the flede of fethers, haue heare much lyke cattes
heare of blacke colour: And laye very goode egges.


The way from
Persia to Cathajy
The cytie of Loi.
The iorney by y:
desertes.
BBtter waters.


El Of the region of Tangut, and of the great desertes, and voyces of deuyles
hearde in the same, and of the Salamandra.
Rom   the Kingdome of Perfia, there are two iourneyes to the region of Cathay. For
either the fouth fide muft be obferued towarde India, or elles to paffe by the prouinces
of Carcham, Cotam, and Peim, Northeaftwarde to the citie of Lop, beynge the greateft
and moft notable cytie in all that region, lying betwene the Eait and the North at the
entraunce at the great defert. In this cytie, al fuche marchauntes, as entende to paffe
the defertes, make preparacion for all thinges neceffarye for their yourneye: And reft in the
fame, vntill they are well prouided of ftrong affes and camels to carye there vitayles.
And when in ye defert their vitayles begin to fayle them, they kyl their affes or leaue them there in the
wyldernes, becaufe they can no longer prouide them of paflure, vntyll they haue paffed ouer the deferte.
But they preferue theyr camelles, beecaufe they are fufteyned wyth leffe meate, and beare greater burthens.
In this deferte are often tymes founde bytter waters: but more often freffhe and fweete waters: fo that
in maner euerye daye for the fpace of thyrtye dayes, a man maye fynde freffhe water, but that in fo
lyttle quantitie that it doeth not fuffice al the marchauntes whiche paffe that waye together. That


26




[Of the newe India, as it is knowen & found, &c.]


27


~ —~ — -I


deferte is verye full of mountaynes. And when you are come to the lowe and playn ground, the refidue
of the iourney is all together by the fandes: it is throughout baren and faluage, fo that it is not able to nourifhe
any beaftes for lacke of paflure. In this wildernes are often tymes heard and fene, as well by daye as by night,
fundrie illufions of euyl fpirites. And therefore fuche as trauayle throughe the fame, haue nede to take great
hede leaft they diffeuer or depart farre in fundre, or leafte any linger behynde his companie, afwel for that he
may hereby lofe the fight of them  by reafon of mountaynes or hilles, lyinge beetwene, as alfo becaufe
there are heard voyces of deuyls, calling them that wander alone, by theyr proper names, conterfeyting
the voyces of theyr companie that goeth beefore, by this meanes withdrawing them from the right waye,
and bringinge them to deftruccion. There is often tymes heard in the ayre, as it were a noyfe of muficall
inftrumentes: but more often like the founde of drumflades or timbrels. This great defert being paffed ouer,
they come to the cytie called Sac/zion, which is fituate in the enteraunce of the greate Prouince of Tangut, where
amonge certayne Mahumetiftes, are found a fewe Chriftian men called NefJoriani of the fecte of NeJiorius.
There are alfo manye Idoloters, hauinge theyr monafteries consecrated to dyuers Idols, to which they
offre many facrifices and attribute greate honor to deuy]s. And when a man hath a fonne borne, he
forthwith commendeth him to fome Idol, in whofe honoure he nourifheth a ramme al that yeare, which
after that his fonne be twelue monethes olde, at the nexte feafte of the fame Idoll, he and his fonne
offre with many ceremonies. When this oblacion is finifhed, thei bringe the facrificed flefhe to a place
appoynted, where al his kinffolkes being gathered together, they eate that flefhe with great religion, and
kepe the bones reuerently in a certayn veffell: but in the funeralles of the dead they vfe thefe ceremonies and
fuperfticions. Al the neighbors of the dead, prouyde that the dead corps be burned: which cuftome all
the people of the Eaft partes do obferue. Yet fome of them kepe ye dead bodye by them certayne
dayes beefore they burne it: As fome, feuen daies: fome for the fpace of a moneth and fome fixe
monethes, preparing for the fame a clofe chefte, fo inuoluinge with cereclothe, and pouderinge with fpyces the
bodye therein inclofed, that no euyll fauoure maye paffe foorth. Thys done, they paynte the chefte very
curiouflye, and couer it with a precious clothe, placinge theyr dyninge table harde by the fame, where they
dyne continually as long as the dead bodie is thus referued at home. And in the dyner tyme for the
fpace of one hole houre, they fette wyne and meat vpon the chefte, fuppofing the foule of the dead bodye
to be partaker of the fame. The Region of Tangut, is verye large, and conteyneth in it many priuate
Prouinces, as the Prouince of Camul, of Cinchital, and Suchur, wyth dyuerfe fayre Cyties, whiche are all
Subiecte and obeye to the great Cham of Cathay. Some of the inhabitantes beleue in Mahumet: fome
acknowledge Chrifle after the herefye of NeZforius. In the land of Chinchital, is a Mountayne oute of the whyche
is dygged the myne of flele and Audanici. There is alfo founde the Serpente called Salamandra, which
lyueth in the fyre wythoute any hurte. Of the heare of this ferpent, is made a certayne cloth, which
being caft in the fyre when it is foule, is thereby made cleane and very white if it remaine there for ye fpace of
an houre. Such other innumerable and marueilous thinges, writeth Paulus uenetus that he hath fene and
founde in his nauigacions into thefe partes: of whom alfo I haue gathered thus muche, lettinge paf.e
manye other thinges whereof he fpeaketh more at large.


Illusions of euyl
spirites
Voices of deuyls.
Straunge noises
in the ayre.
The citie of
Sachion.
Christians
of the heresie
of Nestorius.
Monasteries of
Idoloters.
A strange custome
Ceremonies in
funerals
A grosse and
vayne perswasion,
The region of
Tangut.
Mahumetistes.
Stele.
Salamandra.
Paulus Venetus.


( Here endeth the defcrizpcion of the Nauigacions
from S5ayne to the newe India EaJlward,
andfolowekt
Of the newe Ilandes and India found in the Weft Ocean fea,
from Spayne Weftward and SouthwefJe.


27




28


I
I


tl Of the newe India,
and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea,
how, when, and by whom they
were found.


Chrisloj horus
Columbus.
Great enterprises
have euer ben
counted
phantasticall.
The fyrst viage
of Chnistophorus
Columbus.
The Ilandes
called Gades.
The Ilandes of
Canaria,
Zohanna.    S
Hispana or
Hispaniola.  /
Gold for earth
and glasse.
The king of the i
Iland.
Bylding without
the vse of Iron. r


Hr/ = ophorus Columbus, a Gentleman of Italie, and borne in the
citie of Genua, when he had been longe conuerfaunt in the Kyng
of Spaynes courte, he applyed hys mynde to fearche vnknowen
partes of the worlde. And for his better furtheraunce herein,
made humble peticion to the kinge, to ayde him in this his
enterpryfe, which doubtleffe fhoulde redownde to his great
honour, and no little commoditie to all the hole countreye of
Spayne, yf by his helpe and charges, he might fynde new regions.
But the Kinge and Quene laughed him to fcorne, faying that
his ymaginacion was but vayne and phantafticall. At the length,
eyght yeares beynge passed ouer, and Columbus t fyll perfiftinge
in his purpofe and fute, the Kyng began to geue eare to his
talke, and after muche reafoninge and debating of the matter,
determined to trie the witte of the manne. And there vpon
commaunded a foyft and two brigantines to be furnilhed with
all kynde of ordinaunce and vitalyes: which being prepared, the fyrft of September, in the yere of Chrift 1492, Columbus departed from the coaftes of Spayne, and
wente forwarde in his viage longe defyred. And when he had paffed the Ilandes called Gades, he diuerted
toward the fortunate Ilandes called Tnfulce Forlunath, which are now called Canarie, becaufe they are full of
dogges. They were in time paft called Fortunate, for the excellente temperatenes of the ayre, and greate
fruytefulnes.  Columbus departinge from henfe, fayled towarde the WeRfe, and at the length founde certayne
Ilandes, of the whiche two were very greate, wherof the one he called iflajana, and the other vlhanna.
Of t/he two IZandes Iohanna and Hifpana.
S Columbus came to the Ilande whiche he called Iohanna, he hearde a merueylous fweete noyfe
of innumerable byrdes, and efpeciallye of Nightingaleswhiche wandred in the thicke wooddes
in the Moneth of Nouembre. He founde alfo moofle fayre Ryuers, fwete to drinke, and many
goodly hauens. And as he fayled by the coftes of the Ilande Southwefte warde, and coulde
fynd no ende, he thought it had been the mayne land, and therfore determyned to drawe
backe, being partly enforfed by roughnes of the fea: and thus returning fome what Eaftward,
he came to an Iland whiche heafterwarde calledHif~ana, where arriuing to the land, he and
his companye was fene of the Inhabitantes of the Iland, which fodeinly fled into the thicke woodes: whom the
Spanyardes purfewinge, toke a womanne whome they brought to theyr fhippe, entreatinge her verye gentillye,
fyllinge her with delicate meates and wyne, and clothing her in fayre apparel, and fo let her depart: for thei goe
naked, and are not vfed to delicates. And as this womanne returned to her companie, fome beyng moued by
the lyberalitie declared vnto her, came by greate multitudes to the fea bankes, bringinge golde with them, which
they chaunged for earthen pottes, and drinkinge glaffes. Thus a further frendfhip by this meanes contraded,
the Spanyardes begonne more diligently to fearche theyr maner of lyuinge and maners, and fo vnderftode that
they had a king. And therefore entering further into the Iland, they were honorably receyued of the king. Thei
vewyde their houfes, and merueyled to fee them fo bylded without the vfe of Iron, which they are vtterly without:
in the ftede whereof they vfe a certeyn Rone, wherwith the cut and fawe theyr timbre.


28




[Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.]


29


~ Of thefpeople called Canibales or Anthropophagi, which are accujiomed
to eate mansflejhe.
Heras the people of the forenamed Ilandes, fled at the fight of our menne, the caufe thereof
was, that they fufpected them to haue been Canibals, that cruel and fearfe people which eate, mans flehe, which nacion our men had ouerpaffed, leauinge them on the fouthfyde. But
after they had knowledge of the contrary, they made greuous complaynt to our men, of the
beaftly and fearfe maners of thefe Canibales, which were no leffe cruel agaynft them, then
the Tyger or the Lyon agaynfte tame beaftes. Declaring furthermore, yat when foeuer they
take any of them vnder the age of. xiiij. yeares, they vfe to gelde them, and francke them
vntyll they be very fat, as we are wont to doe with capons or hennes: and as for fuche as drawe towarde. xx.
yeare olde, to kyll them forthwith and pull out theyr guttes, and eate the fame frefhe and newe, wyth other
extreme partes of the bodye, poudering the refidue with falte, or keping it in a certayne pickle as we do iegottes
or fanfages. Yet eate they not the women, but referue them to encreafe, as we doe hennes to lay egges. And
if thei take any old women, they kepe them for drudges. And therfore when the Canibales make incurfion, the
people of thefe Ilandes flye with all fpede. For albeit they vfe arrowes, yet are they not able to refyfle theyr
fearfenes.
4 Of the maners of the inhabitantes of the /and of Hifpana and offuche
thynges as are found there.


Canibales
A nthropophagi.
The fearsenes of
the Canibales.
Mans fleshe
poudered.


He inhabitantes of this Ilande, vfe in ye ftede of bread, certayne rotes like vnto nauie rotes,
hauing the taft of foft and grene cheftnuttes. Gold with them is in eftimacion, for they hange
certayne peces therof at their eares: they go not out of ye limities of their own contrie, nor
exercife any marchandife with ifrangers: thei gather gold in ye fandes of a certen riuer which
fpringeth out of veri high montaines  They gather it with great laboure and melte it and
cafte it, fyrfte into maffes or wedges, and afterwarde into brode plates. They haue no foure
foted beaftes, except connies: they haue ferpentes of monftrous greatnes, but without hurte
or venime. They haue alfo wylde turtle doues and duckes, muche greater then ours, and gefe whyter then -
fwannes, fauing yat they haue redde heades. Thei haue alfo many popingiayes: fome grene, fome yelowe,
and fome not muche vnlyke them of India, with redde circles about their neckes. This Iland bringeth forth
alfo Mafjix, Aloe, and fuche other gummes: and efpecially certayne redde graynes, which are fharper
then pepper.


Rootes in ye
stede of bread-Gold in estimacion.
Howe golde is
gathred.
Serpents wythowt
venime.
Popingi.yes.
Spices and
Gummes.


4 How Columbus, after he had found new Ilandes, returned agayne to
Stayne, where pre5aringe a newe nauie, he toke his viage to
ye Canibales.
Olumbus, not a little ioyeful of the landes newly found, the fpring tyme drawing nere, he
determined to returne to his countrey: leaning with the king of the Iland. 38. men which
fhould diligently fearche the fituacion of the Ilande, the maners of the people, and the
natures of trees and fruites. But he, hoyfeninge vp his fayles, directed hys viage towarde
Spayne, bringing with him tenne menne of the fayd Ilande, to th[e]ende that they mighte
learne the Spanifhe tonge, which they might eafely doe, becaufe al the wordes of theyr
language may well be written with our letters. Columbus, after thys his retume, and fortunate
fucceffe in his fyrtfe viage, was honorablye receyued of the Kynge and Quene, and greatlye magnified with
innumerable glorious tittles: willinge that he Ihould no more thenceforth be called Columbus, but the Admiral
of the great Ocean Sea: and prepared for him towarde his fecond viage. xvij. foiftes and. xij. brigantines, wel
furnished with al kynd of artillerye and plentie of vitayles, and in them twelue hundreth men wel appoynted:


The Indian tong
Columbus, at his
retume, is made
Admiral of the
Ocean sea.
The second viag,
of Columbus




30


[Of the newe India, and l/anides in the West Ocean Sea, &c.]


Gades.
The Ilandes of
Canaria.
The Iland of
Dominica.
Insula Crucis.
Lisertes.
Houses of trees.
Young men stalled
to be made fatte.
Fine cokerye.
Canibales allured
wyth lyberalite.


Corne alfo to fowe, and al kindes of feedes and plantes. For, excepte pine apple trees and date trees, there
growe none in thefe Ilandes that are knowen to vs. The Admirall toke alfo with him al fortes of Iron tooles
to th[e]intent to byld townes and fortreffes where his men might lye in fafegarde. Therfore the firft day of
September departing from the Ilandes called Gades, with a profperous wind he arryued at the Iland of Canaria
the fyrft daye of October: from whenfe directing his viage towarde the lefte hande, he fayled toward ye South,
and at ye length came to the Ilandes of the Canibals. And becaufe he came thether on the Sundaye called the
Dominical day, he called the Iland where he arryued, Dornzinica: which when he perceyued to be but faluage
and rude, he fayled on further: and in twentie dayes fayling, came to another Iland replenifhed with al kindes
of trees, from which came a marueylous fragrant fauour: By reafon whereof, fome being allured by the pleafantnes of the place, went aland, where they fawe no kynde of lyuinge beaftes, fauinge lyfertes of wonderful houdge
greatnes. This Ilande he called Infula Crucis, whiche was alfo an Ilande of the Canibales, as afterward they
proued in dede. For as they fayled about the Iland, they founde certayne lowe cotages made of trees, lyke
vnto ftlagies. For they fet trees vpright in order round about, fattening pofles in them croffe ouer, where vnto
the trees cleaue fafte, fo that by this meanes they cannot fall. They frame the roofes of thefe cotages, with
fharpe toppes after the maner of rownde tentes. And laft of al, they inclofe and couer thefe trees thus fet in
order, wyth the leaues of date trees, and certen other trees, to th[e]intent to make them a ftronger defence
agaynft wynd and wether. And within the cotage, they tye the poftes together with ropes of bombage cotton,
and a certayne longe roote. They haue couches made, one aboue another, the flowres whereof they firawe
wyth heye and cotton. And as foone as they hadde fpied our men, they fled incontinente. And when oure
men came into theyr houfes, they found in theym certayne young men bound to poftes, and kept to be made
fatte, and lykewyfe many olde womenne whiche thefe Canibales kepte to be their drudges. They founde there
alfo earthen veffelles of all fortes, in which they fodde mens flefhe with popingiayes, geefe, and duckes flefhe, al
together in one veffell. They rofted alfo mans flefhe vpon fpyttes, referuing the bones of the armes and legges,
whiche they vfe in the fRede of Iron, to piece and typpe theyr arrowes. For they are vtterlye without Iron.
The[y] found alfo the head of a yong man, yet bleding and faftened to a pofte. But certayne womenne whiche
had fledde from the Canibales to oure menne, the Admiral commaunded to be gorgioufly decked after the
maner of our women, and with manye rewardes to be fent agayne to theyr owne companye. By meanes
whereof, the Canibales beynge allured by the lyberalitie and gyftes of our men, hoping that they alfo fhoulde
be lykewyfe rewarded, came running toward our men: but when they drew fomwhat nere vnto them, they
fled immediatly into the nexte wooddes. And thus our men departing from thence, returned to the Ilande
of Hifpana.
r How the A dmirall affed manye andes andes, and what thynges chaunced
to hym and his companie in that viage.


Malinina An
Iland of women
onelye.
The names of
sundrye Ilandes.
Arrowes infected.
with venime.
A rchipelogus. '
Bucherma


S the Admirall departed from the Iland of the Canibales, and went foreward on his viage,
he paffed by many Ilandes: among the whiche was one called Matinina, in whyche
dwell only women, after the maner of them, called Amazones, as he learned of the men
of the Ilandes which he brought with him into Spayne at his fyrfte viage, and faued
them from the fearfenes of the Canibales. He paffed alfo innumerable other Ilandes of
which to fome he gaue names, as Mons.Farratus, Sanha Maria rotunda, Sanaa Martinus,
SanB  a Maria antiqua, and Sancla Crux. Into the which oure men entering to th[e]intent to
fetche frefhe water, found foure Canibales, which had taken foure yonge women: who, as foone as thei
had fpied our men, wringed theyr handes, feming therby to defyre ayde of oure men: at whole coming
to delyuer them, the men fled into the woodes and left the women. Shortly after, our men Law a bote coming on
the Lea with. viij. men and as many women: with whom oure men bickeringe loft one of theyr companions,
by reafon that thefe barbariens are accuftomed to infecte theyr arrowes with venime: yet oure men preuayled
and flewe parte of them, and broughte the refydue by forfe to the Admyrall. As they departed from
hence, they found many other Ilandes, but fuch as they could not come to for the roughnes of the Lea
and multitude of rockes. But fome of the fmalleft brigantines which drewe no great depth, went fomewhat
nearer, and noumbred aboue feuen and fortie Ilandes, and called the place Archipelagus. Sayling from hence,
they found another Iland called Buchema, into the whiche ye Canibales make fundry incursions, by reafon
wherof the inhabitantes are at continual warre with them. Thus at the length, the Admiral with his hole nauie
retuimrned to the Iland of Hifpana: but in an euyl tyme. For they which he hadde lefte there for a


30




[Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.]


3I


garrifon, were all dead: as were alfo they whiche he toke with him from the fame Ilande into Spayne to
vfe them for intrepretours. Of whiche feuen dyed by chaunge of the ayre. One of them was permitted of the  Chaunge of ayre
Admirall to departe, when the nauie came neare to hys countrey. The refidue flole awaye priuelye, and  is aungerous
fwamme to lande: but the Admirall doubting whether all his men were dead or no, whiche he lefte in
the Iland, commaunded certayne ordinaunce to be fhot of, that by the noyfe thereof they myghte haue
warning to come forth, yf any laye lurkinge in corners: but none appeared, whofe fatall dayes had
fynifihed theyr lyfe. At the length, the kyng of the Ilande beyng therto enforfed, declared the hole  The king
matter to the Admyrall as well as he coulde by interpretours: affyrming that there were in the Iland  the Admyrall.
other Kynges befyde him: and of greater power then he, which were fore offended that the Spaniardes
hadde fubdued the Ilandes: and in reuenge therof, came to the town where the Spaniardes lay, which
they ouercame and burnt, and flew al the men therin: and that he alfo at the fame conflicte, taking part
with our men, was fore wounded with an arrow on the arme, for the better tryall whereof he bore hys
arme in a towell, becaufe it was not yet hole of that wounde. But fhortelye after they had knowledge,
that the King fayned this tale: fo that he hardely efcaped the handes of the Admiral, who was determyned
wyth fome kynd of punifhment to haue examined him further. But he fufpecting the matter, fled into ye
inner partes of the Iland, declaring therby, that he was the deftruction of our men: whom, certayn of
our companie, purfuinge, founde manye marueylous thinges: and efpeciallye ryuers in whiche is founde muche
golde, and a mountayne, whofe fande is fparkeled with gold. In this place, the Admiral bylded a citie, which  Goldefound in
he compaffed about with a walle. And departing from hence, he fearched almoft all the land: in ye    ountaines
inner partes wherof he bylded a towre, and named it S. Thomas towre, whiche he made to th[e]intent that
he might the more fafely fearche out the fecretes of fo plentifull a region, and efpecially the gold mines of the
fame: and thus leauinge a garrifon there, he departed, takinge with him three foyftes, wherwith he fayled to
feke newe Ilandes, and came firft to the Ilande of Cuba, and from thence to Jamaica, being greater then Sicilia,  The Ilandes
of Cuba and
very fruytfull and wel inhabited. Which, when he had vewed, he departed from thence, and fayled about the,amaica.
fea coftes where he fawe innumerable other fmall Ilandes, flandinge fo thicke, that the fhip was in maner  A multitude of
borne a lande: and was therfore enforfed to returne home, the fame way which he came.
r How the Spaniardes abufed the fubmijjion and frendejhippe of the
inhabitantes of the Ilandes.
N this meane tyme, the Spaniardes which the admiral had left in the Iland of Hiifpana,
had euyll entreated the inhabitauntes: fo that for wante of vitayles and foode, they begonne
to famyne: imputinge the fault hereof vnto the Chriftian men, which had digged vp al the  The crueltieofthe
rootes wherwith thei were accuftomed to make theyr bread.  And whereas they yet per.  Chrstian men
ceaued, that ye Chriftien men entended to continue there, thei fent an ambaffadour to the
admiral to defyre him to reftrayne the outragioufnes and crueltie of his men, at whofe handes
they fuftained fuch iniuries and violence, as they fcarcely loked for at the handes of mortal
enemies. Declaringe further, that vnder the pretence of feking for gold they committed innumerable wronges
and mifchieuous actes, fpoyling in maner all the hole region: and that for the auoyding of fuch enormities and
oppreffions, they hadde rather paye tribute, then to be thus dayly vexed with incursions, and neuer to be at  Crueltie of
quiete. Vpon this complaynte it was agreed, that they fhoulde paye yearely tribute to the Chriftian king and  couetousnes.
that they fhould applie them felues to gather and encreafe theyr rotes, whiche were to them in the ftede  Bread of rotev.
of flowre and wheat, and fo confumed that with great labour they coulde fcarcely fynde any in the wooddes.
They payde therefore for their tribute, euery thre monethes, certayn pound weyghtes of gold: but fuche as had  The tribute of
no gold, payde fpyces, and goffampine cotton. In the meane time the Spaniardes, who fhould haue been  thebarbarans
occupied in digging for golde, gaue them felues to play, wantonnes and idlenes, contemning, and falling  Disobedience
into hatered with their gouernour, by which theyr licentioufnes, the people of the Iland beyng prouoked, became  foloweth Idlenes
more difobedient and wyld, degeneratinge from al kind of honeflie and faithfulnes: yea ye fpaniardes alfo
became fo negligent in feking for gold, yat fometyme the charges exceaded the gaynes. Neuertheleffe in the
yere of Chrift, 150I. they gathered within ye fpace of two monethes twelue thoufand poundes weyght of golde.,Note.
But the Admirall appoyntinge his brother Bartholomeus Columbus, to be gouernour of the Iland, he in the  Barthoomews
yeare. 1495. determined to returne to Spayne, to certifye the kyng of al thefe matters. In which viage, olms
he manfullye defended him felf in battayl againft the rebelles of certayne other Ilandes which had confpyred
agaynft the Spanyardes.


II




32


[Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.]


4r How the Portugals fought new Ilandes in the Eajl artes, and how
they came to Calicut.


The bishop of
rome deuideth ye
world.
Hesperides or
Caput ueride.
How the
Spanyardes and
ye Portugales
deuided the world
betwene them.
Gold and Pearles
The Equinoctial
lyne.
The ryuer of
Ganges.
Calicut.
Taprobana.
Samotra.
The great cytie
of Malaccha.
The region of
Sinarum
The Ilandes of
Molucca.
Sayling into the
East by the west
The roundnes of
the erth.
The firme land
Spices
The viage from
the West vnto
the Easte.
A merica.
The firme land.
Regio
Baccalearum
Terra Florida.
The king of
spayne sendeth
foorth shippes.
The viage of
Magellanus by
the west into ye
east.
The Ilandes of
Molucca
The Ilandes of
canaria.
Promotorium S.
Marie.
Canibales
The eleuacion of
the south pole. 46
degrees
The Region of
giauntes.


N this meane tyme that ye Spanyardes foughte newe and vnknowen landes in the Weft
partes, the Portugales attempted to doe the fame in the Eafte partes.  And leaft one of
them Ihould be a lette or hinderaunce to the other, they deuyded the world betwene them
by the aucthoritie of the Bifhop of Rome, Alexander the. vi. of that name. And that on
this condicion, that from the Ilandes called Hefperides (whiche are now called Caput ueride)
the one fhould fayle Weftwarde, and the other towarde the South pole, thus deuyding the
world betwene them in two equal partes. So that whatfoeuer vnknowen landes fhoulde be
difcouered in the Eaite partes, the fame to be dewe to the Portugales: And all fuche as Ihoulde be founde in
the Wefte partes, to appertayne to the Spanyardes. Whereby it came to paffe, that the Spaniardes, euer by the
South, fayled into the Wefte, where they founde a large mayne land, with Ilandes great and litle innumerable,
hauing in them great plentie of golde and pearles, and other great riches. But the Portugales, by the Southe,
and coftes of the Ilandes called lHefperides, and Equinotial lyne, and Trop5icus Ccapricorni, came into ye Eaft,
by the goulfe called Sinus Perficus, euen vnto the coftes of India, within the riuer of Ganges, whereas is now the
great market towne, and kingedom of Calicut. And from thence to the Iland of Taprobana, (now called Sunzctra,
Zamara or Samotra) and fo forth to Aurea Cherfonefus, whereas is nowe the great cytie of Malaaccha, beyng one
of ye moft famous market townes of al ye Eaft partes. From Malaccha, they entered into a great goulfe,
by which they came to the region of Sinarum. Not farre from Mfalacc/ia, are the Ilandes called Molucce,
in which al kyndes of fpyces growe and are brought to the cytie of Malaccha. But the Spanyardes hauing
knowledge what greate commoditie the Portugales had receyued by the Ilandes of Molucca attem[p]ted to
proue yf they alfo might find the fame Ilandes in fayling fo farre Weftward that they mighte at the length by
Weft and fouthweft come into the Eaft, as by good reafon they prefuppofed the roundneffe of the earth would
permitte, if they were not otherwyfe lette by the fyrme or mayne land lyinge in the waye and ftoppinge theyr
paffage, whereof as yet was no certeyntie knowen. And this dydde they to th[e]intent that by this meanes they
myghte more eafelye and wyth leffe charge bringe fpyces from thence into Spayne. Therefore, the maner of
this viage was, that they fhould fayle from the Wefle, vnder the loweft hemifpherye or halfe compaffe of the
earth, and fo to come into the Eaft. A thinge furelye that myghte feeme verye harde to attempte, beecaufe it
was vncertaine whether that, moft prudente and beneficiall nature, (who worketh al thinges with moft
high prouidence) had not fo deuided and feperated the Eaft from the Weft, partely by fea, and partely
by land, that there might by this way haue been no paffage into the Eaft. For it was not yet knowen, whether
that great region of America, (whiche they call the fyrme or mayne lande) dyd feperate the Wefle fea from the
Eaft: But it was founde that that fyrme lande extended from the Weft to the South. And that alfo towarde
the North partes were found two other regions, whereof the one is called Regio Baccalearunz, and the other
Terra Florida: which, if they were adherent to the fayde fyrme land, there could be no paffage by the Wefle feas
into the Eafl India, forafmuch as ther was not yet founde any ftrayghte of the fea, wherby any enteraunce
mighte be open into the Eaft. In this meane while, the kyng of Spayne beynge elected Emperoure, prepared
a nauie of fyue fhippes, ouer the whiche he appointed one Magellanus to be captayne, commaundinge him that
he fhould fayle towarde the coaftes of the fayd fyrme land, dyrectinge his viage by the fouth partes thereof, untyl
he had eyther found the ende of the fame, or elles fome ftreyghte wherby he mighte paffe to thofe odoriferous
Ilandes of Molucca, fo famoufly fpoken of for the great abundaunce of fwete fauours and fpices founde therein.
The fhippes therefore, beyng well furniffhed with all thinges neceffarie, MIagellanus departinge from Ciuile in
Spayne, the tenth day of Auguft, in the yeare of Chrifl. 1519. came fyrft to ye Ilandes of Canaria, and
from thence to ye Ilandes called Hefperides: from whiche dyrectinge hys courfe betwene the Weft and
the EafR toward the fayd fyrme land, in few dayes with profperous fayling, he difcouered a corner or poynt of
the fayd mayne land, called Promontorium S. Marice, where the people dwell, called Canibales, whiche are
accuftomed to eate mans flefhe. From hence he fayled on fouthwarde by the long tracte of this firme
land, which reacheth fo farre into ye fouth and extendeth fo many degrees beyond ye circle called Tropicus
Capricorni, yat the fouth pole (called pole Antartike) is there eleuated fortie and fyxe degrees. And
thus beyng brought into the EafR, they faw certayn Indians gatheringe fhel fyfhes by the fea bankes:
beyng men of very high flature, clothed with beaftes fkinnes. To whom, whereas certayne of the Spaniardes
went a land, and fhewed them belles and paynted papers, they begon to daunce and leape aboute the
Spaniardes, with a rude and murmuring fonge.  At the length there came three other, as thoughe they




[Of tihe neze   India, and Ilandes in/ t/e Jlest Ocean Sea, &c.]


33


were ambaffadours, whiche by certayn fignes defyred ye Spaniardes to go with them further into the land,
mnaking a countenaunce as though thei wold intertayn them wel, where vpon, ye captayne Magellanus fent with
them. vii. men well intfructed, to th[e]intent to fearche ye region and maners of the people. And thus
they went with them into ye defertes, wher they came to a low cotage couered with wylde beafles
fkinnes, hauing in it two manfions, in one of ye which were women and children and in the other only
men. They interteined~ their gefles after a barbaros and beaflly maner, whiche neuertheles femed to
them princelike: for they killed a beaft, not much vnlike a wylde affe, whofe fleffhe (but halfe roited) they fet
before our men, without any other kind of meate or drinke. Here were our men of neceffitie conftrained
to lye al night vnder thefe fkinnes, by reafon of the great abundaunce of fnowe and wynde. And when it was
day, our men were very earneft with them, and would in maner haue enforfed them to goe with them to
the fhippe: which thing thei perceauing, couered them felues from the head to the foote with certayn horrible
beatles fkinnes, and paynted theyr faces with fundrye colours. Thus taking their bowes and arrowes, and
bringing with them other of theyr companie, of much greater flature and terrible afpect, then they were, they
fhewed them felues to oure men in araye, as thoughe they were ready to fight. But the Spanyardes, whiche
thoughte that the matter would haue comen to hand firokes, commaunded a piece of ordinaunce to be fhotte of.
The which although it dyd no hurte, yet thefe hardy giauntes, which a little before femed to be as bold
as though they durft haue made warre againft Iupiter, were by the noyfe thereof put in fuche feare, that
they foorthwith beganne to entreate for peace. Our men entended to haue brought fome of thefe Gyauntes
wyth them into Spayne for the firaungenes of the thinge: but they all efcaped oute of theyr handes.
Mage/llanu therfore vnderflandinge that it were vnprofytable to tarie there any longer, and that alfo the fea was
very rough, and the wether flormie and boyfle[r]ous, and that furthermore the firme lande extended further
toward the fouth, in fo muche, that the further they fayled that waye, they fhould fynde it fo much ye colder,
he deferred hys proceding vnto [in?] the moneth of may, at whiche tyme, ye fharpenes of winter, exceadeth with
them, when as with vs, fommer is begon. He found there greate plentie of wood. The fea alfo minifired
vnto them  great abundaunce of fhelfifhe, befyde other fyfhes of fundrie kyndes. He found lykewyfe
many fpringes of frefhe and holefome waters: and vfed huntinge and taking of foules. Only bread and
wyne, was lackinge in the fhippe. The fouth pole was there eleuated fortie degrees.


Cotages couered
with beastes
skinnes.
Onager.
Abundaunce of
snowe and wynde
The Giauntes are
putte to flyght.
Extreme winter
in maye.
The south pole
eleuate.xl. degrees. How     Magellanus by a Jlrayght or narrow             arme of the fea, jayled by the
wejt into the Eajf to dyuers I/andes: where alfo he wasflayne.
He wynter now being pafl, the. xxiiij. day of Augufte, MAagellanus departed from the place
aforefayde, and flyll folowed the tracte of the firme land toward the fouth, vntyl at the length,
the. xxvi. day of Nouember, he found in that firme land, certayn open places lyke vnto
ftrayghtes or narrow feas. Into the which entring with his nauie, he commaunded that
certayn fhippes fhould fearche the goulfes on euerye fyde, yf anye way or paffage might be
found into the Eaft. At the length, they found a certayn depe ftraight, by the which they
were perfwaded yat there was enteraunce into fome other mayne fea, infomuch that Magellanus attempted to fearche ye fame. This itraight was found to be fomtime of ye bredth of thre Italian myles,
fometyme r two, and fometime of tenne, and reached fomwhat toward the Weft. The altitude or eleuacion of
the fouth pucl, in this place, was founde to be. lii. degrees. They coulde fee no people ftering in the coftes of
this entraunce Therfore Magellanus feing thys lande to be rough and faluage, and vnpleafaunt to abide in,
by reafon of extreme cold, he thought it not worthye the trauayle, to fpend any time in ferching the fame.
Therfore failing forward in his viage thus attempted by ye faid ftrayghte, (which is now called the ftrayght of
Magel/anus) he was therby brought into another mayn fea, verye greate and large. The length of this flrayght
or narrow fea, is eftemed to be a hundreth fpanifhe miles. The land which he had on his right hande, he
doubted not to be mayne lande: and that on the left hand, he fuppofed to bee Ilandes. AMagellanus fawe
lykewyfe the fyrme lande to be extended directly toward ye North: wherefore letting paffe that great lande, he
fayled by that greate and large fea betwene the Weft and the North: and that for this intente, that at the length
he might by the Weft come into the Eaft, and agayne vnder the burning lyne called Zona Torrida, beynge well
affured that the Ilandes of Molucca (which he foughte) were in the Eaite, and not farre from the Equirnolial lyne.
When they hadde thus fayled fortie dayes, and came now agayne vnder the line or circle called Tropicus Capricorni, they founde two lyttle Ilandes inhabyted, but very barren, and therfore called them infortunate Ilandes.
Departinge from thence they failed on for a great fpace, and found a certayne Ilande which ye inhabitantes called
EDEN...


The strayght of
Magellanus.
The altitude of
the south pole. lii.
degrees.
The main sea
beyond the
strayghtes.
The fyrme land.
The burning line
Torrida Zona.
The Ilandes of
Molucca
Troiicus
capricorni.


J33




34
The Iland of
ioinaagena.
The Ilandes cf
Gadles called
Cales Males.
A rchipe ellagus.
A ca ta n.
Sclani.
Matssanz.
Subuth.
Bread of the
trunke of trees.
Drinke of the
dropping of date
trees.
Golde and Ginger.
Magellanazus is
slayne.
The new
captaine Serranus
is betraied of his
bondman.
The king of
Subuth conspyreth
agaynst the
Spanyardes.
The captayne
Serranus is taken
prisoner.
The Ilandes of
Gibeth and P'ort
Siloli.


[Of thI ne ee India, antd Iancdes in Ite Icest Ocean Sea, t&.]


InZtagana, where ye eleuacion of the Northe pole, (called pole Artike) was. xij. degrees: And the length fiom the
Ilandes called Gatles, by the Wefte, was iudged to bee. c.lviii. [one hundred and fifty-eight] degrees. Thus preceding,
they faw dyuers other Ilandes, and that fo manye, that theyfuppofed they had been brought into a great fea lyke vnto
that called Ar/ui)c/iasus, where with fygnes and poyntinges (as the dumme are wont to fpeake with the dumme)
they afked of thefe Indians, the names of the Ilandes, whereby they learned that thei were in Acatan, and not
farre from the Ilande called Selani, wel inhabited and replenifhed with abundaunce of al thinges neceffarie for
the commodities of this life. Sayling therfore toward the Ilande of Serani, thei were with a contrary wind
drieuen on the Iland of Maffana, from whenfe they came to the greate Iland of Subut/f, where ye Spanyardes
were wel enterteyned of the Kinge of the Iland, who brought them into a certayn cotage, and fet before them
fuch delicates as he hadde. Theyr bread, was of the trunke of a certen tree, cut in pieces, and fried with oyle.
Theyr drinke was of the humoure or ioyfe which droppeth out of the braunches of the date trees, when they are
cutte. Theyr meate was fuche as they toke by foulinge, with fuch fruites as the contrei brought forth. This
Ilande was very riche of gold and ginger. In thefe partes AagesI/anus made warre agaynfte the inhabi
tauntes of certayne other Ilandes: In whiche conflicte, the fpaniardes hauing the ouerthrow Mlag/c/aanus was
flayne with feuen of hys men. When the Spaniardes hadde thus loft theyr captayne, they elected a new
gouernoure of theyr nauie, appointing one lohannes Serranus to that office. Jazc//anus had alfo a bondman
borne in the Ilandes of lolucca, whom he had bought in the citie of lalaaccha. This bondman vnderftode the
Spaniffie tonge: and where as the captayn Serranus could do nothing without him, who now lay ficke by
reafon of the woundes which he had receaued in the faid conflicte, fo that he was fayne to fpeake fharpely to
him and threaten to beate him or he could geat him out of the fhyppe, he here vpon conceaued fo great hatered
and indignacion agaynfte the Spanyardes, that he wente immediately to the Kinge of Subutlh, declaring the
couetoufnes of the Spaniardes to be vnfaciable, and yat thei wold ffiortely vfe crueltie againflt him alfo, and
bring him into fubiection and feruitude. The barbarous king beleued his wordes, and therwith pryuelye with
the ayde of the other Ilandes, confpired.againflt the Spanyardes, and toke or flew as many of them as came to
a banket whereunto they were bidden vnder pretence of frendfhip. Among the which alfo, Serranus the
Captaine was taken priefoner. But the refydue of the Spanyardes which remayned in the fhippes, beyng taught
and warned by the euyll chaunce which befell to theyr companions, and fearing greater deceytes and confpiracies, lyft vp their ankers and gaue wind to their fayles. In the meane tyme was Serranus brought bound to
the fea bankes, defiring his companions to delyuer or redeme him from that horrible captiuitie of hys enemies.
Piut the Spaniardes, albeit they toke it for a difhonour, to leaue or forfake theyr Captayne, yet fearing fraude or
further diffimulacion, they fayled afyde from that Iland, and came to the Ilandes of Gibeth/ and Po-une. In this
mayne fea, were two great Ilandes, wherof the one was called Silozi, and the other Porne the leffe, where our
men were wel entreated. The inhabitantes of Porne honoure the funne and the mone: they keepe alfo a certayn
ciuile iuftice and frendly loue one to another. And aboue all thinges, defyre peace and ydlenes. Therfore
their chiefe ftudie is, in no cafe to molefte their neyghboures or ftraungers, or to be iniurious to anye man.
They haue lyttle houfes, made of earth and wood, and couered partely with rubbifhe, and partly with ye bowes
of date trees. They take as manye wyues as they are able to kepe. Theyr comon meat, is fuch as they take
by foulinge or fiffhinge. They make bread of ryce: and drinke, of the liquor whiche droppeth from the
braunches of date trees, cutte. Some vfe marchaundyfe in the Ilandes nere about them: fome applie themfelues to huntinge and fyffhing, and fome to hufbandry. Theyr apparell, is of Goffampine cotton. They haue
greate abundaunce of camphyre, ginger and cinomome.


Peace and Idlenes.!


Bread of Rice
Canphire


Pearles as bigge
as turtle doues
egges.
A maruelous big
shelfishe
Gilona.
Men with
hanging eares.


i How     the Spaniardes casme to the Ilandes of Molucca, and of the
people with great hanging eares.
He Spaniardes takinge theyr leaue of the king of Porne, departed: dyrecting theyr viage
towarde the Ilandes of.Molucca, whiche were ihewed vnto them by the fame King. They
came fyrft to the cofles of the Ilande called Solo, where are found Pearles as bygge as
turtle doues egges: but they are gathered in the depth of the fea.  The inhabitantes
of this Ilande, at fuche tyme as the Spanyardes came thether, toke a fhelfyffhe of fuche
houdge bignes yat the flefhe therof wayed. xlvij. pound weyght. Wherby it is apparaunt yat
great pearles fhould be found there forafmuch as pearles are the byrth of certayn fhelfifhes.
From  hence thei came to the Iland of Gilona, in which are certayn people hauing hanging eares of
fuch length, that they hang downe to theyr fhoulders. Wherat as the Spaniardes marueyled, the men


34




[Of the newve India, and Ilazdies in t/ie West Ocean Sea, &c.]


of the Iland tolde them, that not farre from thence was another hand in which were a kind of men, not onely
with hanging eares, but alfo with eares of fuche breadth and length, that with one of them they myghte couer
theyr hole head. But the Spanyardes, who foughte for gold and fpyces, and not for monfters, fayled dyrectly to
the Ilandes of Molucca, where they arryued, the eyghte ironeth after the death of their gouernour Magellanus.
Thefe Ilandes are fyue in noumbre, the names wherof are thefe Tharant, Muthil, Thedori, Maizre, and Malh/iez.
Some of thfm are fytuate on thys fyde the Equinoc7iall lyne, fome vnder it, and fome beyonde it. Some
beare cloues, fome Nutmegges, and fome Cinomome. They are not farre diflaunt the one from the other.
They are but little and narowe. The inhabitantes are very poore, becaufe ther is no encreafe of anye
other thinge fauing onely of fpyces.  They lyue with bread and fyfhe, and fometime popingiayes.  They
lurke in lowe cotages: And in fyne, all thinges with them are defpicable and vile, betide peace, idlenes,
and fpyces. In Thedori is great plentie of cloues, as alfo in Tarante and Mathien. The trees which bringe
forth cloues, growe not, but on rockes and broken cliffes, which fometime they grow fo thicke, that they
appeare lyke a lyttle woode or groue. This tree, bothe in leaues, biggenes, and heyght, is much lyke vnto the
baye tree. It beareth the fruite in ye toppes of euery braunche. The budde fpringeth out fyrft, and then in
it the floure, not much vnlike the floure of an orange tree. The cloue is fyrft redde: but after beyng fcorched
by the heate of the fonne, it is made blacke. The inhabitauntes deuide the groues of thefe trees betwene them,
as we doe the vynes. The Iland of Mluthil bringeth forth cinomome. This tree, is ful of fmall braunches and
baren, beft lyking in a drye foyle, and is very like vnto the tree, that beareth the pomgranate. The barke of
this tree, by reafon of the great heate of the fonne, ryfing from the braunches, or bodie of the fame, is gathered
and dried at the fonne, and is fo made perfecte cinomome. Neare vnto this, is another Iland, called
Bada, greater and larger, then anye of the Ilandes of Molucca. In this Iland groweth the Nutmegge, whofe tree
is bigge and highe, and much lyke vnto the walnutte tree, for as is the walnutte, fo is this fruite defended with
a double couering, as fyrfle with a grene hufke, vnder the whiche is a thinne Ikinne or rimme like a
nette, encompaffing the fhell of the nutte: which fkinne we call the flowre of the nutmegge, but of the
Spanyardes, it is called mace, an excellent and holefome fpyce. The other couering, is the Ihell of the nutte,
within the which is the fruite it felfe' which we call ye nutmegge. Ginger groweth here and there in all
the Ilandes of this Archijpelagus, or mayne fea. Of the whiche, fome is fowen, and fome groweth of it
felfe. But that which is fowen, is the better. The herbe of this, is lyke vnto that which beareth faffrane
and hath hys roote, (which is Ginger,) much lyke vnto the fame. In this meane time came two other fhyppes
out of Spayne: whereof the one fayled directely to the poynte of Alphrica, called Promontorium boncefjei: And
the other by the greate mayne South fea, to the coatles of that continent or fyrme land whereof we haue fpoken
here beefore. It fhallfuffyfe that we haue hetherto declared of the nauigacions whiche the Spanyardes attempted by
the Wefle to fayle into the Eafte, by the ftrayghte of Magellanus, where the paffage by Sea is open into the Eafle,
by the continente or fyrme lande of the newe worlde, called America. Nowe therefore lette vs retourne to the
other Nauigacions of Columbus, otherwyfe called the Admyrall, who longe beefore was the fyrft fynder of
the newe Ilandes, and of the fayde mayne or fyrme land, and yet founde not that firayght or narow lea, by the
which Magellanus fayled from the Weft into the Eaft.
C   The thyrde nauligacion of Chriftophorus Columbus.
N the yeare of Chrift. I498. Columbus the Admyral departed from Spayne with eyght foiftes,
and arryued fyrft at the Ilandes of Medera, where he deuyded hys nauie into two partes.
For. v. of there fhippes he directed to the Iland of Hifpana: and with the refidue, he failed
towarde the fouth, entendinge to paffe ouer the -Equinoc7ial line, and from thenfe to turne
towarde the Wefle, to fearche fuche landes as were hetherto vnknowen to the Chriflian men.
i ii  Coming therfore to Capult ueride, he failed to the burning line, called Torrida zona where he
found fo great heate, that he was in daunger of death: but returninge his fhyppes towarde
the Weft, he found a more holefome ayre and (as God woulde) came at the length to a lande well inhabyted,
where there came agaynft him and his, a bote with. xxiiij. young men, armed with bowes, arrowes, and fhieldes,
couering only theyr priuie members with a clothe of Goffampine cotton, hauing alfo very longe heare. The
admirall, (as well as he could by fignes) allured them to communicacion. But they trufted not our men, fearing
fome deceate. The Admirall'perceauing that he could nought preuayle, by fignes and tokens, he determined
with Mufical inftrumentes to appeafe their wildneffe. As the minifrelles therefore blewe theyr fhaulmes,
the barbarous people drew neare, fufpecting that noyfe to bee a token of warre, whereupon they made ready
theyr bowes and arrowes. But the Spaniardes drawinge nearer vnto them, cafte certayne apparell into theyr


35
The spanyardes
arriue at the
Ilandes of
Molucca.
The tree that
beareth cloues,
The cinomone
tree.
The nutmeg tree
Mace.
The nutinegge.
Ginger
Promnonlorium
bonac slei
Columbus the
admyral, first
finder of the new
Ilandes
The Ilandes of
Medera
tIisjpana or
HisAtanitia
Greate heate vndei
the burning lyne.
Signes and
pointing


35




36


[Of lth newe Itia/a, aled Ilazndes in /Ie WHest Ocean Sea, &c.]


The faire region
of Parias.
Gold and Pearles
Fearse beastes.
Canibales
The Spanyardes
refuse to obey the
admiral.
Parias
Cartana.
Pearles for belles
and nedles
Peacockes.
Phesants.
The Region of
Canchietes
The region of
Ciniana
Pearles
Naked people.
Gold for belles.
A conflict betwene
the wild men and
the Spanyardes
The Region of
Payra.
Woodes of
Sanders.
The tree yat
beareth Cassia
fistula.
A monsterous
beast.


bote, willing by this token of frendfhippe to concile them, although all were in vayne. For they fled all awaye.
Wherefore the Admyrall departing from thence, came to a region called Parias, wel inhabited and ful of ciuiie
people, declaring muche humanitie toward firaungers. They fhewed our men Pearles and Gold, and fuch other
riches; defyring them to come a land, where they gentelly entreated them. When our men aflied them where
they had fuche plentie of golde: they (with home poynting was in the ftede of fpeech) declared by fignes and
tokens, that thei had it in certayne mountaines, and that thei could not without great daunger refort thether, by
-reafon of certaine fearfe beaftes in thofe partes, and alfo becaufe of the cruell people called Canibales, whiche
inhabite thofe mountaynes. But the Admiral, becaufe his wheate fayled, was enforfed to departe thence.
Dyrectinge therfore his viage toward ye North eaite, he came to the Iland of Hif/pana, where he found
all thinges confounded and out of ordre. For the Spanyardes which were lefte in the Ilandes, refufed to obeye
the Admirall and his brother, mouinge greuous complayntes agaynfle them before the King of Spaine, and at
the length fente them thether bound.
r Howe Petrus Alonfus foughle newe I/andes.
Fter that the Admyrall hadde incurred the indignacion of the Kynge, manye of his companions,
f uche as hadde been broughte vppe with him, and were experte Sea menne, decreede to
fearche other partes of the worlde yet vnknowen. Among which number was Petrus Alonfus,
S  S        wwho with a fhippe wel furnifhed, fayled to Parias, and from thence to Curtania, where he
begon to exercyfe merchaundife with the inhabitantes, receauinge Pearles for belles and
nedles. Entring alfo into the land, he was honourably entertayned. In their woodes, he
faw innumerable Peacockes, nothinge vnlyke vnto oures, fauing that the males differ litle
from the females. In this region are great plentie of Phefantes. A4lofus departinge from henfe, failed to the
region of Cancaietes, beynge fixe dayes fayling from Curtana, toward the Weft. In this region is great abundaunce of golde, Popingiayes, Goffampine cotton, and mofte temperate ayre. From hence he fayled into
another fruiteful region, but inhabited with wilde menne, which could by no gentilnes be allured to frendfhippe.
Departinge therefore from thence, he came to the region of Ciniana, whereas pearles are found in great plentie:
but before he came there, he chaunced to come amonge the Canibales: agaynft whom, difchargeing a piece of
ordinaunce, he droue them eafely to flight. But Alonfus laden with pearles, returned home into Spayne.
|   Howe Pinzonus, compzanion lo th/e Admirall, fozught newe Ilandes.
Incefni/us, otherwife called Pinzonus in the yeare of Chrifte. 1499. prepared foure brigantines,
and failed fyrft to the Ilandes of Canaria, and from thence to Capult zteride. From whence
directinge his viage toward the fouth farre beyonde the Equinof7ial lyne, he found men in a
certayne Iland, but fuch as he could by no meanes concyle vnto him. Therefore leauinge
them, he came to another lande, in whiche were innumerable naked people, diffimuling that
thei defired to ioyne frendfhip with the Spaniardes. And whereas one of our men cafle a
bell amonge them oute of the fhippe, they againe caft to the Spanyardes a maffe or piece of
golde: which, one of oure companye fomewhat to bolde, attemptinge to take vp, they fodeynlye toke him and
caried him awaye with merueylous fwiftenes: but our men leauing their fhippes, made haft to help their fellowe,
in fo muche that the matter came to handftrokes. This conflict was fo fharpe, that our men hadde much a doe
to efcape wyth theyr lyues, by reafon of the fearfenes of the barbarians. Departing therefore from thence, they
fayled toward the Northeafte, and came to the region of Payra, and to the Ilandes neare aboute the fame in
the whiche are woodes of fanders wherewith the marchauntes lade theyr fhippes, and carie it into other countreys. In this Region alfo growe the trees, whiche beare Cafsiafijf/a of the befte kynd. There is alfo founde
a foure foted bealt of monflrous fhape, whofe former parte is lyke vnto a wolfe, fauing that the feete are lyke
vnto the fete of a man, with eares like an owle: Hauinge alfo beneath his comon belye, an other belye lyke
vnto a purfe or bagge, in which he kepeth his yonge whelpes fo longe, vntyll they be able fafely to wander
abrode alone, and to geat theyr meate withoute the helpe of theyr parents. The whelpes while they are very
yong, neuer come out of this bagge but when they fucke. This portentous beaft with her three whelpes, was
broughte to Ciuile in Spaine, and from thence to Granata.


30




[OJ the newe India, and Ilandes in the VWest Ocean Sea, &c.]


37


C  Of tIke foure nauigacions rf Americus Vefputius to the newe Ilandes.
IMfericus Vejputius, beyng fent with ChriJzophorus Columbus, in the yeare of Chrift. M.cccc.xcij.
at the commaundement of Ferdinando King of Catfile, to feke vnknowen landes, and wel
initructed in fayling on the fea, after a fewe yeares, fet forward foure viages of hys owne
*       proper charges. That is to witte, two vnder the fayd King Ferdinando, and two other vnder
Emanuel, king of Portugale, of the which he himfelfe wryteth after this maner.
cE The fyrjte viage of Americus Vefputius.


Ferdinando kinge
of castile.


N the yere of Chrift, M.cccc.xcvij. the. xx. daye of Maye, we came with foure fhippes, to
the fortunate Ilandes, called Infiule fortunate, where the North pole hath his eleuacion.
xxvij. degrees, and. xl. minutes.  And from  thence within the fpace of. xxvii. dayes,
we came to a land more Wefiwarde then the fortunate Ilandes, where the North pole
was eleuate. xvi. degrees: where alfo we founde a nacion of naked people, of innumerable
multitude, whiche as fone as they fawe vs, fled to the next mountayne.  From hence
within two dayes fayling, we came to a fafe port wher we founde manye men, which
with much adoe, we could fcarcely allure to communicacion, although we profered them belles, lokinge
glaffes, criftallyne cuppes, and fuche other iewelles. But at the length perceauing our good wyll and
liberalitie towarde them, they came to vs by heapes, and ioyned frendfhyp with vs without all feare. They
goe all as naked as they came forth of their mothers wombe. They fuffre no heare on their bodie fauing
only on theyr head, in fo much that they pulo[f]ye heares of their browes.i They are all fo perfectelye
exercyfed in fwimminge, that they can continue therein, for the fpace of two leages without any thinge to beare
them vp and efpeciallye the women. Theyr weapons are bowes and arrowes. They arme theyr arrowes with
ye teeth of beaftes and fyfhes, bycaufe they lacke Iron and other metals. They kepe warre againfi their
borderers whiche are of ftraunge language. They fyght not for the enlargeing of theyr dominion, forafmuche
as they haue no Magiftrates: nor yet for th[e]increafe of riches, becaufe thei are contente with their owne commodities: but onely to reuenge the death of theyr prediceffours. At theyr meate, they vfe rude and barberous
fafhions, lying on the ground without any table clothe, or couerlet. They flepe in certayne greate nettes made
of Goffampine cotton and hanged a lofte in the ayre beetwene trees. /Theyr bodies are verye fmothe and clene
by reafon of theyr often wafhinge. i They are in other thinges fylthy and withoute fhame. Thei vfe no lawful
coniunction of mariage, but euery one hath as many women as him lifteth, and leaueth them agayn at his
pleafure 'The women are very fruiteful, and refufe no laboure al the whyle they are with childe. They
trauayle in maner withoute payne, fo that the nexte day they are cherefull and able to walke. Neyther
haue they theyr bellies wrimpeled, or loofe, and hanginge pappes, by reafon of bearinge manye children.' Theyr
houfes and cabbens, are all in common. Theyr houfes are fafhyoned lyke vnto belles: are made of greate trees
faftened together, couered wyth the leaues of date trees, and made very ftronge againft wind and tempeftes.
They are alfo in fome places fo great, that in one of them fixe hundreth perfons may lodge. Thei vfe euery
feuenth or eyght yeare, to remoue and chaunge theyr dwelling places, becaufe that by theyr longe continuaunce
in one place, the ayre fhoulde bee infected. They vfe no kynd of marchaundife or bying and felling, beyng -
content onely with that which nature hath lefte them. As for Golde, Pearles, precious flones, iewelles,and fuche other thinges, which we in Europa efteme as pleafures and delicates, they fette noughte by. They
haue no kynde of corne. Theyr common fedinge, is a certayne roote whiche they drye and beate and make
floure or meale therof. They eate no kynd of flefhe except mans flefhe: for they eate all fuche as they kyll in
theyr warres, or o[t]herwife take by chaunce When we had thus vewed the countreye, and confydered the
maners of the people, we determyned to fayle further, downe by the landes fyde, and came after a few daies, to
a certayn hauen, where we fawe about twentie greate houfes, rayfed vppe muche after the fafhion of belles.
There came vnto vs a great multittrde of men vnder pretenfe of frendefhip. Some fwimminge, and fome in
botes. Who, as fone as thei drew neare vnto vs, fodeynly bent theyr bowes againft vs, where we defended oure
felues manfully. In this bickeringe, we flewe of them about twentie, beefyde manye that were wounded: But
of our men, were onlye fyue hurte, whiche were all perfectelye healed. Thus departinge from this hauen, we
fayled on, and came to another nacion, in conuerfacion and tongue vtterlye differing from the fyrfl. For
EDEXN.                            G 2                                   2y


Insult forituna t,
Naked menne.
Wylde men
allured with
gentlenes
People expert in
swinmlnge.
Cabens hanging
betweene trees.
Women in
commen.
Women very
stronge and
fruitfuL
Houses made of
trees.
Houses of
maruelous bignes.
Ryches and
superfluites
contemned
Bread of a certain
roote.
Mans flesh eaten
A conflict


37




38


[Of the newe India, and l/andes in tIe [Vest Ocean Sea, &c.j


A gentle nacion  comming oute of our fhippe, we were very frendly entreated of them, where we continued for the fpace of nyne
Parias.       dayes. This region is verye fayre, and fruitefull, hauinge manye pleafaunt woodes, which continue grene all the
vnto oures.   yeare longe. They haue fruites innumerable, vtterlye vnlyke vnto oures. The Region is fituate dyrectelye vnder
the lyne, called Tropicus Calieri. The inhabitantes them felues, call it Parias. Saylinge farre beyond this
Gold everywhere,  Region, and ouerpaffinge manye countreyes and nacions, fyndinge Gold euery where, (but in no great
quantitie) we came to another nacion full of gentleneffe and humanitie, where we refted. xxxvij. dayes. Thefe
Canibales.    people made greuous complaynte vnto vs, that there was not farre from them, a certayne fearfe and cruell
nacion, whiche vexed them fore, and made incurfion into theyr countreye at a certayne tyme of the yeare,
kyllinge them and violentlye carying them awaye, to th[e]intent to eate them, in fo muche that they were not
able to defend them felues againfle theyr fearfeneffe. Whiche thinge when they hadde fo lamentablye declared
vnto vs, and we hadde made them promyfe that we woulde reuenge theyr fo manye iniuries, they ioyned vnto
oure company feuen of theyr men. Thus we wente forward: and after feuen dayes, came to an Ilande, called
agaynpstei  -  fy': where thefe fearfe people dwelte. Who, as fone as they hadde efpyed vs, came armed agaynRe vs.
Canibales     We ioyned with them   in battaile, which contynued for the fpace of twoo houres.  At the length we
droue them to flyghte, and flewe and wounded a greate numbre of them, and toke. xxv. captiues. But of our
men was onely one flayne, and. xxi. wounded, and fhortely after reflored to health. We gaue to thofe feuen
men which went with vs, thre menne of oure prifouners and foure women, whom with greate reioyfinge
they caried with them into theyr countreye: and we returninge home toward Spaine, with many captiues came
fyrfIe to a porte of Spayne called Calicium, where we folde oure priefoners, and were ioyefullye receaued: In
the yeare of Chrifl. M.cccc.xcix. the. xv. daye of Octobre.


4 The feconde viage of Vefputius.


The Equinoctial
line.
Canibales
Fyue hundreth
pearles for one bell.
Wine of the iuyse
of frutes
An Iland wythout
fresh water.
Broad leaucs.
The land of
Giauntes.
Pearles
A hundreth and
xxx. pearles in one
shelfishe.
Antingia.
Caliciumf


N the moneth of May folowing Vefputius attempted another viage and came by Ilandes of
Canaria, euen vnto the burninge lyne, called Torrida zona, and founde a lande beeyonde the
Equinotial iine, toward the South, where the South pole is eleuate fyue degrees. And wheras
he coulde fynde no apte enteraunce into the land, and fayled vp and down alonge by the
fame, he efpyed a bote in which was aboute twentie men: who, as fone as they faw the Spanyardes, lepte into the Sea and efcaped all, excepte two, which they toke. In theyr bote which
they forfoke, were founde foure young men which they had by force taken oute of another
countrey, hauinge theyr priuie members newelye cutte of. Thefe, Vefpulius toke into his fhippes and learned by
theyr fignes and tokens, that they hadde been taken of the Canibales, and fhould fhortly haue been eaten. But
departinge from thefe coftes, and faylinge on forward, they came to a commodious hauen, where they founde
muche people, with whom they ioyned frendfhyp, and fell to chaungeinge of ware, receauinge for one bell, fyue
hundreth Pearles. In this lande they drinke a certayne kynde of wyne, made of the iuyfe of fruites and fedes,
being lyke whyte and redde fydar. Departinge from hence, and faylinge yet further, they founde a certayne
Ilande in which was a beaflly kind of people, and fimple, yet very gentle. In this Ilande is no frefhe water:
but they gather the dew which in the night feafon falleth vpon certayne leaues muche lyke vnto the eare of an
Affe. They lyue for the moRe parte, by fea fifhe. They haue no cotages or houfes: but haue certayne broade
leaues, wherewith they defende them felues from the heate of the Sunne, but not from fhowres: but it is verye
lykely, that it rayneth but lyttle in that Iland.  Vefpuutius wyth his companye departinge from hence, fayled
vnto another Ilande: into the whiche when he hadde entered, he founde certayne cotages, and in them two old
women, and three young wenches, whiche were of fo greate fRature, that they marueyled thereat. And whereas
our menne fIryued with them to bringe them to the fhyppe, to th[e]intente to haue caryed them into Spayne,
they efpyed cominge toward them fyxe and thyrtie men, yet of muche greater flature then were the women,
bearing with them bowes, arrowes, and great Rakes lyke vnto clubbes: at the fyghte of whome, oure menne
beinge afrayd, made hafte to theyr fhyppes. But thefe Gyauntes folowinge them euen to the Seafyde, bended
theyr arrowes towardes the Spanyardes, vntyll they difcharged two pieces of ordinaunces, wyth the horryble
founde whereof, they were immediatly drieuen to flight. Oure menne therefore departinge from thence, called
that Ilande, the Ilande of Giauntes. And came to another nacion, which frendlye entreated them, and offered
them many Pearles: in fo muche that they boughte. xix. markes weyghte of pearles, for a fmal price. They
gaue vs alfo certayne fhelfyfhes, of the whiche fome conteyned. in them a hundreth and thyrtie Pearles,
and fome fewer. Departinge from thence they came to the Ilande of An/iglia, which Columbus had difcouered
a few yeares before. Leauinge this, they fayled directely to Caliciumn, a porte of Spayne, where they were
honourablye receaued.
38




[Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.]
4 The thyrde viage of Vefputius.


39


-   1


Efputius beyng called from Caftile to ferue Emanuel the King of Portugale, in the yeare
of Chrifte. M. ccccc. ij. the tenth daye of May, departed from the hauen of lifburne, and
fayled downe by the coafles of the fea Atlantike, vntil he came vnder the Equinoitial lyne.
And the. xvij. daye of Augufte, they arryued at a certayne lande where they found a kind of -
beaflly people. This land is fituate toward the South, fyue degrees beyonde the Equinotial -
lyne. A gleate multitude of the inhabitantes wer gathered together, and as wel as they coulde
by fignes and poyntinges, defired oure men to come alande and to fee theyr countrey. There
were two in the Ihippe, which toke vpon them to vewe the lande, and learne what fpyces and other commodities
might be had therein. They were appoynted to returne within the fpace of flue daies at the vttermofl. But
when eyght dayes were now pafle, they whiche remayned in the fhippes, heard yet nothing of theyr returne:
vheras in the meane time great multitudes of other people of the fame lande reforted to the Sea fyde, but could
by no meanes be allured to communicacion. Yet at the length they broughte certayne women, which fhewed
them felues familier towarde the Spaniardes: Wherupon they fent forth a young man, beyng very ftrong and
quicke, at whom as the women wondered, and flode gafinge on him and feling his apparell: there came fodeynly
a woman downe from a mountayne, bringing with her fecretely a great flake, with which Ihe gaue him fuch a
firoke behynde, that he fell dead on the earth. The other womenne foorthwith toke him by the legges, and
drewe him to the mountayne, whyle in the mean tyme the men of the countreye came foorth with bowes and
arrowes, and Ihot at oure men. But the Spaniardes difchargeing foure pieces of ordinaurice agaynft them,
droue them to flighte. The women alfo which had flayne the yong man, cut him in pieces euen in the fight of
the Spaniardes, fhewinge them the pieces, and rofting them at a greate fyre. The men alfo made certayn tokens.
wherby they declared that not pafl. viii. daies before, they had in lyke maner ferued other chriflian men.
Wherfore ye Spaniardes hauinge thus fuflayned fo greuous iniuries vnreuenged, departed with euyl wil: fayling
therfore further toward ye fouth, they found a nacion of great multitude, and of much genteler condicions, with
whom thei remained. viij. dayes, bartering and changeing ware with them. Sayling on yet farther, they went
beyond ye line called Trojicus Capricorni, where the fouth pole is eleuate. 32. degrees: and wheras in thofe
parts thei found no great riches, they failed yet further fouthward vntill ye pole was eleuate. lij. degrees: where
thei came into fuch a tempefle, that they were enforfed to gather vppe theyr fayles, and to rowe only with the
mafle, directinge theyr viage toward the cofles of Ethiopia, from whence they returned againe to Lifburne
in Portugale.


The sea Atlantike.
Three of the
Spanyardes slayne
and eaten.
Fearse and cruele
women.
A ciuile people.
The south pole
eleuate. lij.degrees.
Lisburne.


c The fourth viage of Vefputius.
His nauigation was attempted in the yeare of Chriit. M.ccccc.iij. but was not brought to the
ende hoped for, by reafon of a miffortune which chaunced in the goulfe of the fea Atlantike.
1Vefputius entended in this viage to fayle to the Ilande of Melcha, beyng in the Eaft, in
which is fayde to be great ryches, and the flacion of reflinge place of all fhippes comming
from the goulfe Gangeticus, and from the Indian Sea. This Melcha, is fituate more toward
the Welt, and Calicut more enclininge towarde the fouth.  Vefputius came fyrft to ye grene
Ilandes, called Infuice uerides: and fayled from them to Serraliona, beynge in the Southe
partes of Ethiopia: from whence faylinge on yet further, he fawe in the middefl of the fea an Iland, high and
merueylous: where alfo the M[asfter]. Pilate of this nauie, loft his fhippe by running vpon a rocke: but all the
mariners efcaped. This fhippe was of thre hundreth tunne, and had in it al the power of the nauie. When
Vefputius had entered into the Iland, he found it rude and vnhabited: yet was it full of byrdes: but had no
beaftes except Lifertes with forked tayles, and Serpentes. Thus makinge prouifion for neceffaries, he was
enforced to returne to portugale, failing of his purpofe.


The Iland of
melcha.
Calicut.
Insule uei ides
A shippe wracke.
Lisertes and
Serpents


39




40


[Of the newe India, and Ilandes inz the Iest Ocean Sea, &c.]


1 How the king of Portugale fubdued certayn Ipaces in India:
and of the ryche Cytie of Malacha.


The Portugales
bild fortes in the
Easte partes.
A lib/onsus
A urea
chersonesus.
The great and
ryche cytie of
Malacha
Saracens.
Malacha besieged
The king fighteth
on an elephant.
Plenty of copper.
Marchaunts.
Spyces.
The cytie of Goa.
The Ambassadors
make a league
wyth A Iphonsus
The west Iandes
Cuba.
Inca ztana.
Cozumel or
Sancta Crux.
Hispana.
Suger presses.
The wood called
Guaiacum.


Orafmuche as therefore in the yeares folowinge, there were more often nauigacions made from
the Wcft by the fouth into the Eat, and the Portugales had now founde a fafe paffage by
ye fea, they thought it expedient for theyr better fafetie, to make certaine fortifications and
places of refuge in the Eafte. The which theyr intent the better to accomplifhe, King
Emanuel appoynted one A/phonfus an experte man on the fea, to be captayne of this viage.
Who, defyring to reuenge the loffes and iniuries which the Portugales had before futlained,
fayled directly to Aurea Cherfonefus, now called l/alacha, a merueylous great and riche
citie, whofe king is an infydel of the fecte of the Moores: for euen thus farre was the fecte of Mahumet extended.
Alphonfus therfore at his coming thether, befieged the cytie, and made warre agaynft the Saracens whiche helde
the fame. In this conflict a greate noumber of theyr enemies beynge flayne, the Portugales entred into the
citie by forfe and kept the fame, permitting free libertie to theyr fouldiers to fpoyle, kyll, and burne. The
king himfelfe, fyghting vpon an Elephante, and beyng fore wounded, fledde with the refydue of his companye.
A greate numbre of the Moores were flaine with the loffe of a fewe Portugales: manye were taken, and great
fpoyle carfed awaye, in the whiche were feuen Elephantes, and all kyndes of ordinaunces perteyning to the
warres, mile of copper, to the noumbre of two thoufande pieces. The cytye beinge thus taken and facked,
and the enemyes drieuen to flyghte, A4lphonus the Capitayne the better to prouyde for the fauegarde of the
Chriftians, buylded a firong forte at the mouth or entraunce of the riuer which runneth through ye citie. At
this time, that it tb witte, in the yeare of Chrifl. M. ccccc. xij. there were in Malacha many firaungers and marchauntes of dyuerfe nacions, whereby the cytie was replenithed with great ryches and abundaunce of fpyces.
They of theyr owne mocion, defyred to make a leage with Alphzonfus, and were of him gently receaued: So
that for theyr better fafetie, he permitted them to dwell in the houfes neare about the forte. And by this
meanes, this markette towne was reedified and broughte to muche better flate than euer it was before. Thefe
thinges thus happely atchiued, and al thinges in Malacha fet in good order, A4phonfus leauing in the forte a
garrifon of. vi. hundreth valiante fouldiours, returned into India, where he befieged the chiefe caRlell of the
cytie of Goa, which (he) a fewe yeares beefore, hadde with no final daunger of our men, and great flaughter of
their enemies, fubdued vnder the dominion of Emanuel kynge of Portugale, and was now poffeffed of the mores,
he manfully recouered agayne, and enforfed them to render vp the fame. Alfo the ambaffadours of the Kinge
of NArfmiga, the Kinge of Cambaia, and the King of Grofapha with the legates of dyuers other kinges and
Princes, offered them felues to be at a leage wyth Alhoonfus, and thereupon broughte theyr prefentes vnto hym.
No leffe power and dominion obtayned the king of Spayne in the Ilandes of the WeRe partes: In fo muche
that at his commaundement,' were buylded fixe townes in the Ilande of Cuba. Lykewyfe in the Ilande of
Iucalana, was buylded a greate eytie wyth fayre houfes. The Ilande of Cozumell/a, the Spanyardes called
Sancta Crux, beecaufe they came fyrfle thether in Maye, on the daye of the Inuencion of the Croffe. In the
Ilande of Hiifpana or Hifpaniola, were erected. 28. fuger preffes, to preffe ye fugre whiche groweth plentifully
in certaine canes or redes of the fame countrey. From hence alfo is brought the wood of Guaiacum, other.
wyfe called, Lignumi Sanctimt, wherewith dyuerfe difeafes are healed by the order of the newe dyete.


Mledera or
Madera.
Sawe milles.
Fayre tree


r Of the I/and of Medera, and the fortunate Ilandes, otherwyfe
called the Ilandes of Canaria.
Etwene Spaine and the Ilandes of Canaria, is the Ilande of Medera, which the Spaniardes in
our time founde vnhabited and faluage. But perceauinge that the foyle thereof, was very
fruitefull, they burnt the woodes, and made the ground apt to bringe foorth come, and
buylded many houfes, and fo tilled the fame, that at this day is no where founde a more
fruiteful lande. It hath in it many fpringes of freffhe water and goodly ryuers, vpon the
which are bylded manye fawe mylles, wherewith manye fayre trees, lyke vnto Ceder and
Cypreffe trees, are fawed and cut in funder, whereof are made moft fayre tables, coberdes,
cofers, and chayres, and fuch other curious workes made of wood. Thefe trees are of redde colour, and fwete


40




[Of the newe India, and Ilandes in the West Ocean Sea, &c.]


fauour, the bodies and braunches whereof are broughte into Spayne in great plentie. The Kynge of Portugale
thought it goode to plante in this Iland, that kynde of redes in which fuger groweth: wherein he was not
deceaued in his opinion: For they growe there mofle fruitefully, and beare fuger which excelleth the fugre of
Candye or Sicilia. There were alfo vynes broughte out of Candye and planted in this Ilande, where they
profper fo wel, that for ye mofte parte they bring forth more grapes then leaues, and thofe very great. In this
Iland is alfo great plentie of Partriches, wyld doues, and Peacockes, wild bores, and diuers kindes of other
beafles, which onely poffeffed the Iland before men dyd inhabite the fame. Alfo the Ilandes called Infulce
fortunate, (whiche are now called Canaria, for the multitude of dogges which are in them) are fayd to be no
leffe fruytefull. Thefe Ilandes are tenne in noumbre, of the which feuen are inhabited, and thre remaine
defolate. They which are inhabited, are called by thefe names: Fraca laZcea, Magna fors, Grancanaria,
Tenerigfa, Ginera, Palma, and Ferrum.  At Columbus firft comming thether, the inhabitantes went naked,
without ihame, religion, or knowledge of God. But in fucceffe of time, foure of the greateft Ilandes embrafed
the Chriftian faith: They haue eche of them a priuate language.  Teneriffa and Grancanaria, are bigger then
the other. Teneriffa may be fene afarre of, to the diflaunce of fiftie leages, in a fayre and clere daye. The
reafon whereof is, that in the middeft of the Iland, ryfeth a marueylous great and firong rock, which is thought
to be. xv. leages high, and cafteth foorth continuallye greate flames of fyre and pieces of brimftone, as doth the
mount Etna in the Iland of Sicilia. The people of thefe Ilandes, lyue with barlye bread, fleffhe, and mylke.
They haue alfo greate plentie of Goates, wylde Affes, and Fygges. They lacke wyne and wheate.






Suger
Vynes
The Ilandes of
Canaria.
Christians
A mount of
burninge
brimstone.
Fygges.


I Whether vnder the AEquinotial circle or burninge lyne
(called Torrida zona) be habitable Regions.
s fecundus (otherwife called Eneas Siluius,) of this queflion, wryteth in this maner.
It hath been muche doubted whether habitable regions maye be founde vnder the EquiB    I   notial lyne. Eratofihenes is of th[e]oppinion, that the ayre is there verye temperate. So
thinketh Polybius alfo, affirming that the earth is there verye highe, and watered with
many ihowers. Pofsidonius fuppofed that there is no Mountaynes vnder the Equinolial.
Some thoughte that the Equinoctial lyne was extended beyond the earth ouer the mayne
Ocean fea: whiche thinge the Poete Homere femeth to infinuate, where he faineth
that the horfes which drawe the chariote of [the] funne, drinke of the Ocean fea, and the funne it felfe to take
his norifhement of the fame. Whiche fentence Macrobius alfo foloweth. Neither was Albertus Magnus farre
from this opinion, who fuppofeth yat the funne draweth vp fo much moyfture vnder the Equinoflial circle, as
engendreth the cloudes vnder the poles, where by reafon of th[e]excedinge coldneffe, ayre is continualli turned
into water. But Ptolomeus thinketh the earth to bee extended beyonde the Equinocial, whereas he placeth a
part of the Iland of Taprobana, vnder the Equinocaial, and alfo many nacions of the Ethiopians. Many
haue thought that th[e]earthly Paradyfe was fette vnder that lyne: which opinion is contrary to th[e]auctoritie of
the holy fcripture which witneffeth the two famous fluddes Tigris and Euphrates to fpringe oute of Paradife:
whiche neuertheleffe we know from the North partes to fal into the goulfe called Sinus. Perficus: but as
concerninge the heate vnder the Equinoilial lyne, the neareneffe of the funne, or the directe beames of the fame,
are no fufficiente caufes why vnder that line fhould be no habitable regions, if we confider how thofe places are
otherwyfe fhadowed, and tempered with the moyftenes and dewes of the nightes, which are all the yeare
throughe of equal length with the dayes. Yet wyl no man denye, but that vnder the Equinotial throughoute
all the burninge lyne there are manye wilderneffes and defolate places, lacking water, and incommodious for the
lyfe of man: Albeit euen in Ethiopia, people dwell neare to the ryuers and woodes. Plinie alfo fayth that one
Dalion, and Ar/iJoc/eon, and Bion, and Bafilides, went Southward beyonde Meroce whiche is almofte vnder the
Equinoc7ial. And that Simonides who writte the defcripcion of Ethiopia, dwelte fyue yeres in Meroce: whiche
Ilande, (beeynge in the fyrme lande and compaffed aboute wyth the Ryuer of Nilus) he affyrmed to bee fituate.
972. thoufande pafes beeyonde Syenes of Egypte, as the fearchers of Nero declared. But at Sienes the
Afironomers appoynte the fommer conuerfion of the funne: and that there the burninge lyne beginneth, being
diftaunte from the,EquinocTial foure and twentie degrees, that is twelue thoufande furlonges. Wherby we maye
perceaue that Meroc is fituate fome what beeyonde the myddeft betwene the EquinoCtial and Sienes.
Ptolomeus alfo defcrybeth the Region of Agifimba to bee inhabited beeyonde the Equinodial. Lykewyfe the
Mountaynes of the Mone, called Montes Luna, out of the which, the fennes or marifes of the riuer Nilus haue
their fpring and originall. He addeth hereunto that there are certayne Ethiopians called Anthropophagi,
41


f
I


Libr. i. Cajit. v.
Erathosthenes.
Polibius.
Possidonius.
The Equinoctial
line
The poet Homere
Macrobius.
A Ibertus Maguss.
Ptolomeus.
Taprobana
Ethiojes
Tigris and
Euphrates.
Sinus Persicus.
The nearenes of
the sunrie.
Temperatenes
vnder the
Equinoctial.
Torrida zona
Ethiopa.
Plinie.
The Iland of
Meroac
Syenes in Egipte.
The conuersion
of the sunne.
Of the furlonges
of Italie viii. doe
make one Italien
myle, conteyning
a. m. [thousand]
pases.
Agisimba.
Monies Luna.
Paluades Nili
Ethiooes:




42


A nth rohofilagi.
Habitable regions
how farre
extended.
CiI~na.


[Of tlhe newe Indlia, and Ziandes in lIke Wlest Ocean Sea, &c.]
that is, fuch as eate mans fleflie, which inhabite regions beyond the Equinoc~ial about the fpace of. xvi.
degrees. And thus the inhabitacion of mien is found to be extended. x. hundreth thoufand pafes beyonde the
Equinoc~iai lyne. Whiche fpace conteyneth no leffe then two clymes of earth. And a clyme is a porcion
of the worlde betwene South and North, wherein is variacion in length of the daye, the fpace of halfe an
houre.
41 Finis.
II Thus endeth the fyfth boke of Sebajilan Munfler,
of (lie landes of A'fia the greater, and of the
newefounde landes, and I/andes.
1553.
El Ihnrinted at London, in Loin'barde Sire/c, By Edward
Sulion.


El To a' acluen/urers, andfitche as /ake in h4ancie greale en/erpryfs
Who hath not of fowrenes felte the bitter taft,
Is not worthy of fwetenes to take his repaft.
To cracke the nutte, he muft take the pay-ne,
The which would eate the carnell. fayne.
Who that of bees feareth the ftinge,
Shal neuner by honyhI aue great wonninge.
As the fwete Rofe bringeth forth the thorne,
So is man truely to ioye and payne borne.
The byrde vpon hope byldeth her nefte,
Where oftentymes ffie hath but euyll refle,
Yet is fhe not therby drieuen to fuche feare,
But yat fhe performeth the fame the nexte yeare.
Much calling of periles doth noble corage fwage
Yet do not I commende rafhenes or outrage.
What foles do fable, take thou no hede at all,
For what they know not, they cal phantaftical.
Nought venter nought haue, is a faying of old.
Better it is to blow the cole, then to fyt a cold.
For/es for/zena adiuual, the Latin prouerbe faith,
But fayleth to fuch as faynt and lacke fayth.
God giueth al thinges, but not ye bul by ye home
The plowman by trauaile encreafeth his comne.
As fortune fauereth thou mayft be riche or Poore,
As Crefus or frues that beggeth at the dore.
([QOmms ialgafil a/ca.


42




43


[Th e Third Englsh boo on


Amn-erica.]




I




C The table of the contentes of this booke.


45


BcJfye thle Deczades (the table of whofe contentes yow may reade in thze ende of tfle booke [see pp. 39 I-39 7.]) arc conteylned
furthermore in this boooke thefe thynges foillowynge.


1 Of the landes and Ilandes lately founde...  Folio. I49. [p. 186.]
The popes bulle and donation...     67. and. I71. [p. 201.]
The hyftorie of the Wefte Indies, wrytten by Gonzalus
Ferdinandus.                                       174. [P. 208.]
The ordinarie nauigation from Spayne to the Wefle Indies.  175. [p. 210.]
Of two notable thynges as touchynge the Weft Indies:
and of the greate ryches brought from thenfe into Spaine.  176. [p. 211.]
Of the golde mines and maner of woorkynge in them..  77. [p. 2II.]
The maner of fyffhynge for pearles...           80. [p. 213.]
The familiaritie that the Indians haue with the deuyl.  I81. [p. 2I5.]
Of temperate and habitable regions vnder the Equinoctiall line. &c.                                    184.. 84. [ 27]
Of dyuers particular thynges, as woormes, ferpentes,
beaftes, foules. &c...                            85. [p. 218.]
Oftrees,fruites,and plantes,&c. 194. [p.225.] [Of Reedes orCanes. 96. p. 227.]
Of the venemous apples wherwith the Canibales inueneme
theyrarrowes.I99.[p.229.] Of fyffhes&theyrmanerof fyffhynge. 201. [p.230.]
Of the ryfynge and faulynge of owre Ocean fea and the
fouth fea called the fea of Sur.                   204. [p. 233.]
Of the ftreight of lande beinge betwene the north and
fouth fea.                                         205. [p. 234.]
Howe thynges of one kynde, dyffer by the nature of the
place: and of the beaftes cauled Tygers...     206. [p. 235.]
Of the maners and cuftomes of the Indians of the firme
lande and of theyr women......   208. [p. 237.]
Of the Ilandes Hifpaniola and Cuba....    210. [p. 239.]
Of the Ilande of Cuba and other....    2I3. [p. 24I.]
Of the lande of Baccallaos...                   213. [p. 242.]
Other notable thynges gathered owt of dyuers autours:
and of the vniuerfall carde and newe worlde..    214. [. 245.]
A difcourfe of the maruelous vyage made by the Spanyardes rounde about the worlde.                    215. [p. 246.]
The order of the ftarres abowt the pole Antartike.  222. [p. 253.]
The prices of precious flones and fpices with their weightes
and meafures as they are foulde bothe of the Moores and
Gentyles.                                          233. [p. 263.]
Of the weightes of Portugale and India, and howe they agree. 239. [p. 269.]
Of the dooues of the Ilande of Madera...       239. [P. 270.]
Of the Ilande of faynt Thomas vnder the Equinoctial line. 240. [p. 270.]
The debate and ftrife betwene the Spanyardes and Portugales for the diuifion of the Indies and the trade of fpyces.  240. [p. 271.]
Of the pole Antartike and the ftarres about the 'ame:
and of the qualitie of the regions and difpofition of the
elementes abowt the Equinoctiall line: Alfo of certeyne
fecreates touchynge the arte of faylynge..       245. [P. 277.]
A difcourfe of dyuers vyages and wayes by the which
fpices, precious ftones, and golde were brought in owlde
tyme from India into Europe and other partes of theworlde.
Alfo of the vyage to Cathay and Eafte India by the northe
fea: And of the viages of Sebaftian Cabot.         249. [P. 283.]
Of the vyages to Mofcouia and Cathay...        249. [p. 283.]
A breefe defcription of Mofcouia.                  259. [p. 291.]
The defcription of the north regions: and how they are
habitable, contrary to th[e]opinion of the owlde wryters.  264. [p. 295.]
Scondia. 267. [p. 298.] Gronlande. 268. [p. 299.] Iflande. 269. [p. 300.]
Laponia. 270. [P. 30I.]                    Norway. 273. [p. 303.]
Suetia or Suethlande. 275. [p. 305.) Gothia or Gothlande. 276. [p. 306.]
Finlande and Eningia. 276. [p. 306.]       Bothnia. 275. [p. 305.]
The dyfference of regions and caufes of great cities..  277. [p. 307.]


The hyftorie of Paulus Iouius of the ambaffade of great
Bafilius Prince of Mofcouia to pope Clement the feuenth.  278. [p. 308.]
Other notable thynges as concernynge Mofcouia, gathered
owt of the bookes of Sigifmundus Liberus....   289. [p. 318.]
The defcription of the regions and people lyinge North
and Eafte from Mofcouia to the ryuer Petzora and the prouince of Iugaria and the ryuer Obi. &c....    294. [p. 322.]
Of the famous ryuer of Tanais..                   297. [p. 324.]
More directly from Mofcouia to Cathay....   298. [. 325.]
Of the Tartars. 299. [p. 327.] The nauigation by the frofen fea. 303. [p. 330.]
The letters miffiue which kynge Edwarde the. vi. fent to the
kynges, princes, and other potentates inhabitynge the north
eaft partes of theworlde towarde the Empire of Cathay. 306. and. 308. [p. 333.]
The letters of the prince of Mofcouia fente to kynge
Edwarde. 319. [These are not included in the work.]
Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies: 'and of
the foreknowleage that the poet Seneca had of the fyndynge of the neweworlde and other regions not then knowen. 310. [p. 337.]
Of the greate Ilande whiche Plato cauled Atlantica or Atlantide. 310. [p. 337.]     Of the coloure of the Indians. 311. [p. 338.]
Why they were cauled Indians...            3. [. 339.]
The fyrft difcouerynge of the Weft Indies.    3....      339.]
What maner of man Chriftopher Colon was, and howe he
came fyrft to the knowleage of the Indies.          313. [p. 340.]
What laboure and trauaile he tooke in attemptynge his
firfte vyage to the Indies...               313. [p. 340.]
Of newe Spaine cauled Noua Hifpania or Mexico.      315. [p. 342.]
Of Peru. 316. [p. 343.] Of the great ryuer cauled Rio de la Plata. 316. [p.343.]
Of the hygher or fuperior India cauled India Tercera
or Terciera..                                        317. [p. 344.]
Ageyne of the landes of Laborador and Baccalaos.    318. [p. 344.]
The difcouerynge of the lande of Florida....  39. [   345.]
An opinion that Europe, Africa, and Afia, are Ilandes:
and of certeyne Nauigations abowt the fame...   320 [p. 346.]
That the Spanyardes haue fayled to the Antipodes whiiche
inhabite the vndermoft halfe of the baule of the earth, contrary to th[e]opinions of the owlde wryters...   321. [p. 347.]
Who fyrft founde thenedle of the compaffe and the vfe thereof. 322. [p. 348.] The fituation and byggeneffe of the earth. 323. [p. 349.]
What degrees are.                                   324. [p. 349.]
A demonftration of the roundeneffe of the earth..  324. [p. 350.]
What credit owght to be gyuen to wryters as touchynge
the woorkes of nature.                             325. [p. 35I.]
The preface to the booke of metals..          326. [p. 355.]
Of the generation of metalles and theyr mines, with the
maner of fyndynge the fame.                         327. [p. 356.]
Of the mine of golde and the qualitie therof..    334. [p 362.]
Of the myne of fyluer..                             340. [p. 366.]
The maner of woorkynge in the golde mines of Egypte
in oulde tyme.                                      342. [p. 369.]
The difcription of the two vyages made owt of Englande
to Guinea in Afrike..343. [. 373.]
A briefe defcription of Afrike...                344. [p. 374.]
The fyrfte vyage to Guinea.....               345. [P- 375.]
The feconde vyage to guynea..350. [p. 379.]
The maner of fyndynge the Longitude of regions by
dyuers wayes.                                        360. [p. 389.]
A newe maner of fyndynge the Longitudes of regions..  361. [p. 390.]
A briefe rehearfall of the contentes of the bookes of the Decades,&c. [p. 39I.]


F IN IS.: The interpretacion of certeyne woordes.
4( Continente (that is) the firme lande not inclofed  Equinoctial, the line that diuideth the heauen and  Paralleles, are lines whereby the fonne paffynge
with water, or no Ilande.                   the earthe in the myddeft betwene the two poles,  caufeth variation of tyme.
A Carauel or Caruel, a kynde of fhyppes.      in the which when the fonne commeth, the days  Gatii Mammoni, Monkeys.
Hemzifpherium, the halfe globe of the earth and  and nyghtes are of equal length         Schoenus, is a fpace of. xl. furlonges.
water.                                     Clime, is a portion of the worlde betwene north  Werfj, is an Italian [? Rujlan] mile.
Pejus, a ducate and a halfe.                  and fouth.                                 Colonie, an habitacion.
The Indian language.


C Canoa, a boate or barke.
Caciqui, kynges or gouemours.
Zemes an Idole.
Tuyra, the deuyll.
41 Note that the Ilande of


Mfachana, a fworde.              Quines, preftes.                 Cauni, golde.
Areitos, fonges or balades.      Chiuy, a man.                    Mayani, nothyrge. &c.
Tona, the moone.                 Irra, a woman.
7onatico, the foonne.            Boa, a houfe.
Hifpaniola, is nowe cauled San Domingo by reafon of the chiefe city fo named.  Alfo faynte Iohns Ilande
cauled lancti Iohannis, or Burichena, is otherwyfe cauled Boriquen.
45




46


II POTENTISSIMO AC SERENISSIMO
PIIILIPPO, AG SERENISSIMA/E POTENTJSSIM-/EQVE MARIA3,
Dei gratia Regi ac Reginxe, Angliai, Erancie, Neapolis, Jerufalem, et
Hibernixe: Fidei defenforibus, Principibus Hifpaniarum et Siciliax,
Archiducibus Auftriax, Ducibus Mediolani, Burgundiaie, et
Brabantixe, comitibus Hafpurgi, Flandriax, et Tiroli's,
Richardus Edenus perpetuam optat foelicitatem.
VM IN PRIMO VESTRO ingreffu in hanc celeberimam Londini vrbem (illuftrifsimi Principes)
cernerem qiuanto omnium applaufu, populi concUrfu, ac cinium frequentia, quanto infuper
fpectaculorum nitore, nobilium virorum fplendore,
equorum multitudine, tubarum clangore, caiterifque
F.2               magnificis pompis ac triumphis, pro dignitate
veftra accepti eftis dum omnes quod fuii eft officij
facere fatagebant, vbi in tanta hominum turba, vix,
vnus reperiatur qui non aliquid agendo aduentum.
veftrum gratulabatur, ccepi et ego quoque aliorum
exemplo (propius prefertim ad me accedentibus Gelfitudinibus veifris) tanto animi ardore ad aliquid
agendum accendi ne folus in tanta horinmum corona
otiofus viderer, quoci vix me continebam quin in aliquam extemporariam orationeml
temere erupuiffem, nifi et prxfentix veftrxe maieftas, et mea me obfcuritas a tarn audaci
facinore deterruiffent. Verum, cum poftea penitius de hac re mecum cogitaffem, confyderaffemque quam haxc omnia alioqui per fe laude digna, veftris tamen meritis ac
regiax dignitatis eminentia — comparata, plebeia ac ludicra videantur, ccepi dentio cum
animo meo reputare qua in re ita. cum immortali rerum memoria fcelicifsimum veftrum
aduentum gratularer, vt inde nominis vefiri fama et fplendor, non vilis fpec'taculorurn
temporarijs oftentis, fed rerum geftarum gloria, ad pofteros perpetuo emanaret.  Excutio
flatim diuitias incas. Perfcrutor fi quid ex penu. meo depromere poffum quod me ad
aliquid agendum veifris heroicis virtutibus dignum excitet. Sed cum penes me nihil. tale
reperio, ag-nofco nuditatem meam, atque ad vos confugio. Patrum, auorum, proatiorum,
atque atauorum vitas et faala recolo.  Syluam rerum cyeftaruim video, totque preclarifsimorum principum propagines, vt merito ab ipfis heroibus, Saturno videlicet, Ioue, ac
Hercule, cxeterifque theanthropis, originem duxiffe videantur. Quod cum ita fit, non
aliunde profe~to quam ex hac fylua materies mihi petenda, erit quo in ment~bus
hominum et zeterna rerum memoria, perpetua fpe~tacula rerum a vobis et progenitoribus
vefiris praxclare geftarum, in mundi theatro ab omnibus cum fumma nominis veftri fama
ac. veneratione cernantur. Gum itaque inter cactera a maioribus veftris praeclare gefla,
nihil. fit admirabilius aut maiori laude dignum, quam quod incredibili fiducia, et plus quam
Herculeis laboribus fuperato Oceano, fcelicifsimo tandem euentu, Indize Occidentalis




an- 7  *  -   't   1


lie Lpz/te.                                          47
ditifsimas Insulas atque Continentis amplifsimas regiones, mortalium primi inuenerunt,
in quibus infinitas incolarum myriades ad fidem Chrifti conuerterunt (quo nihil auguftius
aut Chriftianis principibus magis dignum excogitari poteft) vifus fum mihi quod non alia
in re magis poffem fcelicitati veftrae merito gratulari, quam fi noftris quoque hominibus
quibus haec hactenus nihil aut parum  cognita funt, innotefcere faciam, vt perfpefEis
illorum fimul et veifrorum amplifsimis imperijs non fine diuina prouidentia (vt credere
par eft) ad ipfos vfque Antipodes et P LVS V LT RA terminatis, omnes boni, ipfa rerum
magnitudine in admirationem duti, vos ament et venerentur: Malis vero et improbis,
os obftruatur fi quam in maledicendo voluptatem capiunt. Haec dum cogito, venit mihi
in mentem quod olim adolefcens perlegi Decades de Nouo Orbe a Petro Martyre ab
Angleria, illuftrifsimi Ferdinandi regis Catholici, ac tui (Serenifsime rex) proaui oratore,
Latine confcriptas, atque facrae Czefariae maieftati patri tuo dedicatas.  Tanti itaque
autoris fide et eruditione motus, eum prze cxeteris in noftram linguam traducendum fufcepi,
quod non folum vt hiftoricus res Indicas cum fumma fide fcriptis mandauit, fed etiam vt
philofophus (quod in caeteris fcriptoribus defyderatur) naturalium rerum occultas caufas
reddit, ac admirabilium naturae operum (quibus haec veftra India plena eft) rationes
inueftigat. Atque vt huius Indite pofterior ftatus cognofcatur, quantufque thefaurus auri,
gemmarum, aromatum, aliarumque ditifsimarum mercium ac annui cenfus inde quotannis
in Hifpaniam aduehitur, adiunxi doftifsimi viri Gonzali Ferdinandi Ouiedi libellum
quem ille Indicae hiftorixe generalis Summarij titulo infcripfit, eiufdemque illuftrifsimi
Caroli Imperatoris patris tui nomini confecrauit: Caeteraque plurima ex recentioribus
fcriptoribus excerpfi, quxe mihi in tam immenfa rerum memorabilium bibliotheca, praecipue
adnotanda videbantur.  Quze, quanta et qualia funt, quantifque parafangis, omnium
heroum ac Argonautarum res geftas toto terrarum orbe tantopere celebratas fuperent,
haec mea fequens proefacio vulgari fermone ad huius hiftoriae lectores populumque
Anglicum confcripta, fatis prolixa oratione indicabit, adeo vt idem hic repetere fuperuacaneum fit, minimeque neceffarium, quandoquidem Anglica lingua tibi Serenifsima
Regina vernacula eft, idemque illuftrifsimo Regi quod tibi fcriptum aut didum exiftimen,
non folum quod diuino vinculo vnum fitis in carne vna, fed etiam quod eadem animi
lenitate, humanitate, affabilitate, caeterifque virtutibus, non minus animi moribus quam
carnis vinculo vnum fitis.  Sed neque hic opus eft vt ego Latino fermone veftras
virtutes, animi moderationem, clementiam, religionem, pietatem, educationem, caftitatem
fcelicitatem, fortunas, opes, munificentiam, viEdorias, imperia, ftemmata, caeteraque huiufmodi multa enumerem, cum przefertim vir nobilis et doctus Leonhardus Goretius Polonus
de his omnibus deque fcelicifsimo veftro matrimonio, orationae fatis fufa tradtauit, in qua
nihil pretermifit quod ad Celfitudinis veftrae et progenitorum veftrorum gloriam virtute
partam, pertineat. Cxeterum cum regiae veftrae virtutes nominifque fplendor ac regnorum
amplitudo alias per vniuerfa Chriftiani orbis imperia fatis nota fint, nifi forte ibi minime
vbi maxime nota effe deberent, nempe in hoc Angliae regno, ideo opere praecium et rem
omnibus bonis gratam, quodque mei eft officij erga Celfitudines veftras me faFturum
exiftimaui, fi hsec noiftris (vt dixi) hominibus, noftraque lingua ob oculos contemplanda
propofuero. Quod quam foeliciter aut dextre a me factum fit, aliorum efto iudicium
Quam vero fidelitur, fyncere, ac animo in Maieftatis veiftras propenfo hoc idem aggreffus
fum, teftis eft mihi confcientia mea in confpectu illius qui hominum corda et renes
fcrutatur. Macte igitur virtutis iftius animi veftri eftote Serenifsimi Principes, atque Diuino
auxilio freti, pergite ea qua coepiftis fiducia, huius deploratze ac collapfie reipublicae noftrxe
ftatum, priftino decori reftituere, id quod omnes a vobis expeftant atque efflagitant,
47




48


Th ze Eh ifl le.


pollicentes infuper vobis in eo negotio fuam operam in nullo defuturam. Ne terreat vos
quorundam canum latratus qui bonis omnibus oblatrant, et tunc definent latrare cum
definent viuere. Vulgatifsimum femper fuit improbos homines viris probis vel propter
inuidiam vel propter difsimilitudinem, folere latrare. Et tamen ille probus femper habitus
eft, quem peruerfi maxime improbauerint.  Non eft igitur curandum quid de nobis
homunculi, fed quid viri boni loquantur. Cogitate (Serenifsimi Principes) quod magnanimitate ac maiorum  infignijs, aquilis et leonibus fimiles eftis.  Aquilae natura
eft, alta petere, et aduerfus folis radios in altum volare. Leonis proprium eft parcere
fubieftis et debellare fuperbos.  Generofus equus per plateas incedens, canes vt
animalcula imbella praeterit non perturbatus, Virtus non exercita (inquit Seneca ad
Neronem) paruam   laudem  meretur.  Non admodum    magnificum fuerit mediocrem
fortunam probe adminiftrare: Sed tanta rerum omnium licentia non abuti, hoc vero
admirabile eft: Multo autem admirabilius in iuuenili ac lubrica Xetate cui accedat atas
magiftra: hijs praefertim qui contumelia lacefcuntur, quxe alioqui homines vel placidifsimos folet de gradu dejicere. Sed (vt fupra dixi) non eft hic mei propofiti (Serenifsimi
Principes) veftras laudes pro meritis decantare, aut exprimere quo modo in fummo rerum
faftigio vos humiles praebuiiftis, de quare fufius in praefacione ad lectores tra6laui. Iam
itaque vt huic epiftolae dedicatoriae finem imponam, rogo Serenifsimas Maieftates veitras
vt has meas lucubrationes in hijs autoribus vertendis, (quas veftro nomini confecraui) ea
humanitate ac fauore fufcipiatis, quibus omnes beneuolo animo ad vos accedentes, facile
admittitis ac neminem  rejicitis.  Quem  admodum enim  qui pomarium aut vineam
plantauit ac maturos inde fructus collegit, illi merito primitias foluit a quo prima femina
primafque arborum infitiones habuit, ita et ego qui a maiorum veiftrorum rebus geftis
primis fumptis feminibus, hos qualefcumque frucltus aedidi, videor profe6to mihi, debito
veftro honore vos defraudaffe, nifi eofdem veftro nomini ac numini obtuliffem.
Deus. Opt. Max. Celfitudines veftras perpetuo feruat incolumes,
faxitque vt fcecunda fobolis propagine, fummaque pace
'c tranquillitate, huius regni habenas ad Diuini
nominis gloriam, diu gubernetis.


FINIS.




49


r


RYCHARDE EDEN TO THE READER.
_               H Ie mofte famous oratoure and learned Phylofopher Marcus Tullius
Cicero, wryteth, that in all confultations as touchynge owre
behauoure and order of lyuynge amonge men, it behoueth
a                vs euer to beare in mynde howe farre the dignitie of mans
nature, excelleth the condition of brute beaftes.  For they,
beinge ruled altogether by fence, delyte in nothynge but beafRely
appetites, whereunto they runne headlonge as to theyr onely
felicitie. But the mynde of man, beinge of more noble nature,
is nuryffhed with knowleage, and taketh pleafure in diuifynge
or excogitatynge fume honeft thynge, whereby it not onely
leaueth amonge men a memorie of his immortall nature, but alfo
engendereth the lyke affection in other that delyte to fee and
heare fuch thinges as are commendable in theyr prediceffours.
And this furely thynke I to bee the caufe that eyther the famous  Commendation
of noble f.cts.
_ _ _       P     factes of woorthy men, or ingenious inuentions of experte artificers, haue not onely nobilitate the autours and diuifers of the
fame, or fuch to whom they haue byn dedicate, but alfo that parte
of theyr commendations haue redounded to all fuche as haue fpente theyr tyme and taken peynes in
illufiratynge and fettynge furthe theyr doynges.  For who fhulde at this daye haue knowen Maufolus
the kynge of Caria, with his wyfe Artemifia, or thefe famous artificers, Scopa, Bryaces, Timotheus,  Mausolur.
Leochares, or Pythis, if the wonderfull and fumptuous woorke of the fepulcher whiche Artemifia made for kynge  fy
Maufolus her hufband (beinge of fuch woorkemanfhyppe that it was accompted for one of the marueyls of the
worlde) had not geuen vnto all thefe immortall fame, whereas neuertheleffe it coulde not defende it felfe ageynft
th[e]iniurie of tyme confumynge all thynges. There remayneth at this daye no token of the laborious Tabernacle  The Tabernacle
whiche Moifes buylded, or of the renoumed and marueilous Temple that was buylded in Hierufalem by Salomon  of Moses of
and renewed by Efdras. Yet fhall the name of the excellente artificers Ooliab and Befelchel, and Hyram the  Salomon.
kynge of Tyrus, lyue for euer in the memory of men. Furthermore alfo, Salomon hym felfe, although he were  Hyram.
many other wayes famous, yet gaue he a greate parte of his glory to that princely buyldynge. But certeynely  Trewe glory.
the moft trewe and permanent glory, procedeth of fuch monumentes as brynge fume great and notable commoditie
and profite to the lyfe of men, rather then of the hugious heapes of flones of the Pyramides of Egypt, wherin is  Great and
nought els to fee but the fonde and barbarous ofentation of fuperfluous riches: Or of the Mazes cauled Labyrinthi,  sumptuous works
or of horryble great Images cauled Coloffi, of knottes inexplicable, of brafen caudrons of monflrous byggeneffe,
of hauens with echo feuen tymes reboundynge, and dyuers fuche other portentous inuentions, the which as they
do delite vs in confiderynge the maruelous arte and witte of fuche artificers as diuifed and made the fame, fo
are they othe erwyfe vprofitable: And brynge rather a fame to theyr inuentoures, then trewe glorye. Perillus was  Fame differeth
famous by diuifynge his brafen bulle: yet fo, that it had byn better for hym to haue byn obfcure and vnknowen.  from true glory.
They haue therefore deferued more trewe commendation whiche in buyldynge of cities, townes, fortreffes, bridges,
cundites, hauens, flhyppes, and fuche other, haue fo ioyned magnificence with profecte, that bothe may remaine
for an eternal teflimonie of abfolute glory, whofe perfection extendeth to the gratifyinge of vniuerfal mankind as  Absolute glory.
farre as mans mortalitie wyll permit. The whiche thinge whyle I confider, and caule to memorie howe Cicero
defineth trewe glory to bee a fame of many and greate defertes eyther towarde owre citizens, owre countrey, or  What is true
towarde all man kynde, and the fame to bee o0 fuch excellencie that the owlde poetes for fume effecte fayned it  glory.
to bee the fweete Ambrofia and Nectar wherwith the goddes are fedde, and that of fuch force that who fo may
drynke therof, fhal alfo become a god, (that is to fay immortal! and happy) mee thynke verely that (yf man maye
be a god to men as holy fcripture fpeaketh of Moifes and other) the kynges of Spayne of late dayes (if I may  The kynges of
fpeake it without offence of other) may fo much the more for theyr iuft defertes and good fortune be compared  SPayne
Heroes.
to thofe goddes made of men (whom the antiquitie cauled Heroes and for theyr manyfolde benefites to man
kynde honoured theym with diuine honoure) as theyr famous factes fo farre excell al other, as I dare not fpeake
to fuch as haue not yet harde or redde of the fame, leaft the greatneffe therof fhulde at the firfl brunte fo muche
aflonyfhe the reader that he myght geue the leffe credite to the autoure of this booke, who neuertheleffe hath
o ofe faythfully   wrytl  ten this hyforye of fuche thynges wherof he hath feene a greate parte him felfe (as being by  The certentic ur
H I


t4




50


The 'Preface to Itc Reader.




The house of the
contractes of
India.
The counsayl for
the Indies
The heroicall
factes of the
Spanyardes.
Great Alexander.
The Spanyardes
warres in the
Indies.
The benefites that
the Indians haue
receaued by the
Spanyardes.
Lybertie.
The Canibales,
Feareful idlenesse.
Isai. 65.
The warres of
Moises.
The Indians
subdued to the
fayth.
Isai. 42.
The contemplation
of gods workes.
The Christian
Empire enlarged.
The conuersion of
the gentyles.
Leuiathan.


the mofle catholyke and puiffaunt kynge Ferdinando appoynted a commiffionarie in th[e]affayres of India) and
gathered the refidewe partly by information and partly out of the wrytinges of fuch as haue byn (as Vyrgyll
wryteth of Eneas, Et quorum pars magnlafui) that is, doers and parte of fuch thynges as are conteyned in the
hyflorie: as Gouernours, Lieuetenauntes, Capitaynes, Admirals, and Pylottes, who by theyr paineful trauayles
and prowes, haue not onely fubdued thefe landes and feas, but haue alfo with lyke diliger ce commytted th[e]order
therof to wrytinge: And not this onely, but for the better tryall of the trewth herein, haue and yet doo in maner
dayly fende from thenfe into Spayne fuch monumentes as are moft certeyne teftimonies of theyr doynge, as yow
may reade in dyuers places in this boke. This newe worlde is nowe fo much frequented, the Ocean nowe fo
well knowen, and the commodities fo greate, that the kynge erected a houfe in the citie of Siuile (cauled the
houfe of the contractes of India) perteynynge onely to th[e]affayres of the Ocean, to the which al fuch reforte for
neceffaries as attempte anye vyage to this newe worlde, and lykewyfe at theyr returne make theyr accompte to
the counfayle for the Indies for the golde and fuche other thynges as they brynge from thenfe. It is therefore
apparent that the heroical factes of the Spaniardes of thefe days, deferue fo greate prayfe that th[e]autour of this
booke (beinge no Spanyarde) doth woorthely extolle theyr doynge aboue the famous actes of Hercules and
Saturnus and fuch other which for theyr glorious and vertuous enterpryfes were accoumpted as goddes amonge
men. And furely if great Alexander and the Romans which haue rather obteyned then deferued immortall fame
amonge men for theyr bluddye victories onely for theyr owne glory and amplifyinge theyr empire obteyned by
flawghter of innocentes and kepte by violence, haue byn magnified for theyr doinges, howe much more then fhal
we thynke thefe men woorthy iuft commendations which in theyr mercyfull warres ageynfl thefe naked people
haue fo vfed them felues towarde them in exchaungynge of benefites for victorie, that greater commoditie hath
therof enfewed to the vanquiffhed then the victourers. They haue taken nothynge from them but fuch as they
them felues were wel wyllynge to departe with, and accoumpted as fuperfluities, as golde, perles, precious flones
and fuch other: for the which they recompenfed theym with fuche thynges as they muche more eflemed. But
fum wyll fay, they poffeffe and inhabyte theyr regions and vfe theym as bondemen and tributaries, where before
they were free. They inhabite theyr regions indeede: Yet fo, that by theyr diligence and better manurynge the
fame, they maye nowe better fufteyne both, then one before. Theyr bondage is fuche as is much rather to be
defired then theyr former libertie which was to the cruell Canibales rather a horrible licencioufneffe then a
libertie, and to the innocent fo terrible a bondage, that in the myddeft of theyr ferefull idleneffe, they were euer
in daunger to be a pray to thofe manhuntynge woolues. But nowe thanked be God, by the manhodde and
pollicie of theandes he Spanyardes this deulye generation is fo confumed, partely by the flaughter of uche as coulde
by no meanes be brought to ciuilitie, and partly by referuynge fuch as were ouercome in the warres, and conuertynge them to a better mynde, that the prophecie may herein bee fulfylled that the woolfe and the lambe
hall feede together, and the wylde fieldes with the vale of Achor, albe the folde of the hheard of gods people.
Moifes as the minifter of the lawe of wrath and bondage geuen in fyer and tempeftes, was commaunded in his warres
to faue neyther man, woman, nor chylde, and yet brought no commoditie to the nations whom he ouercame and
poffeffed theyr landes. But the Spaniardes as the mynifters of grace and libertie, browght vnto thefe newe gentyles
the victorie of Chryfles death wherby they beinge fubdued with the worldely fwvorde, are nowe made free from the
bondage of Sathans tyrannie, by the myghty poure of this triumphante victourer, whom (as fayth the prophet) god
hath ordeyned to be a lyght to the gentyles, to open the eyes of the blynde, and to delyuer the bounde owt of
pryfon and captiuitie. What other men do phantafie herein, I can not tell: but fuer I am, that lyke as the flowe
and brutyffhe wyttes, for the fclenderneffe of theyr capacitie and effeminate hartes, do neuer or feldome lyfte vp
theyr myndes to the contemplation of goddes workes and maieflie of nature, but lyke brute beafles lookynge
euer downewarde, thynke the worlde to be in maner no bygger then theyr owne dungehylles or cagies,
lyttle paffynge whether the Chryftian fayth do fpreade through the worlde, or bee dryuen to one corner:
Euen fo al good wyttes and honeft natures (I doubte not) wyl not onely reioyce to fee the kyngedome
of God to bee fo farre enlarged vppon the face of the earthe, to the confufion of the deuyll and the
Turkyffhe Antichryfle, but alfo do the vttermoft of theyr poure to further the fame.  For furely, as
Gonfalus Ouiedus wryteth to the Emperours maieflie in his hyflorie of the Wefle Indies, that he thynketh
hym no trewe Spanyarde whiche reioyceth not in the good fortune of theyr kynges by whofe ayde and
godly zeale this myghtie portion of the worlde hath byn added to the flocke of Chryftes congregation,
Euen fo do I thinke them no trewe Chryfltian men that do not reioyce with the Angels of heauen for the
deliuerie of thefe owre brootherne, owre fleffhe, and owre bones, from the handes of owre commune enemie the
oulde ferpente who hath fo longe had them in hys poffeffion, vntyll the fulneffe of the gentyles be accomplyfihed
accordynge to the time prefinite by hym, who vnto the yeare after his incarnation. M. CCCC. lxxxxii. hath
fuffered the greate ferpente of the fea Leuiathan, to haue fuche dominion in the Ocean and to cafle fuch
myftes in the eyes of men, that fence the creation of the worlde vntyll the yeare before named, there
hath byn no paffage from owr knowen partes of the world to thefe newe landes, whereas nowe the fame
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The Preface to      /ze Reader.                                           51
are mofie certeynely knowen to be not pafl. xxx. dayes faylynge from Spayne. Neyther yet had the
church of Europe any knowleage of the myghtie Chryflian Empire of Preciofus Iohannes, otherwyfe cauled  PresterIohn
the Christian
Prefbyter Iohannes, Emperour of many Chryilian nations in Ethiope, vntyll the yeare of Chryfte.   Enperour of
M. CCCC. xxxiii. as largely appeareth in the nauigations of the Portugales, and efpecially in the booke of  Ethiope.
Damianus a Goes, wrytten to the byffhop of Rome, Paule the thyrde of that name, of the fayth and
religion of the Ethiopians which they haue hadde fence the tyme of the Apoftles. A thynge certes moft
woonderfull, and fuche, that yf the fame were not hydde hetherto by gods vnfercheable prouidence, I can
not but thynke much negligence or ignorance in owr forefathers and prediceffours vntyll the dayes of the
ryght noble, prudent, and Catholike kynge of Aragon Don Ferdinando grandfather to Th[e]emperours  Don Ferdinando
maieftie by his eldeft dowghter, and to the queenes hyghneffe by his feconde dowghter the molt vertuous  kynge of Aragon
lady queene Catherine her graces moother: A prince doubteleffe of fuche nobilitie, prowes, magnificence,
and all other vertues commendable in a prince, that who fo ihall indifferentely way all his doinges and
good fucceffe in all his affayres, comparinge the fame to th[e]enterpryfes and doinges atchyued by fuche
famous princes in whome the Greekes and Romans haue fo greately gloryed, maye with one eye perceaue
not onely howe farre his noble factes do furmount theyrs, but alfo wel confyder what noble braunches
of iffhewe were lyke to fprynge owt of fo woorthy a ftocke. And fuerly if fence the begynning of the
worlde, the fauour of god toward men hath byn knowen by fuch benefites and bleffynges as he hath  The fauour of god
knowen by his
geuen to men, it feemeth to me that in maner (onely Chryfe excepted) there neuer lyued man to whom  benefites.
god hath geuen greater benefites and fhewed more fauoure. Great doubtleffe was the fauour and mercie
that god Ihewed vnto Noe, by whom he faued the remanent of mankynde beinge but fewe in number.    Noe.
But much greater was the grace which he {hewed to kynge Ferdinando vnder whom and by whofe meanes  What god hath
he faued not onely the bodies but alfo the foules of innumerable millions of men inhabytynge a great  Ferdinando.
part of the worlde heretofore vnknowen and drowned in the deluge of erroure. What fhulde I here
fpeake of Abraham the father of fayth whofe promyfes were great, and he cauled the frende of god: Dyd  Abraham.
he or his pofleritie fee Ifraell increafe to fuch multitudes and nations as kyng Ferdinandos pofteritie may  Spirituall Israel
fee th[e]increafe of this fpirituall Ifraell vnto whome as a feconde Abraham he was the father of fayth?
Moifes was fo great in the fyght of god that he difclofed vnto hym his fecreate name, and miraculoufly  Moifes.
caufed a corner of the fea to open at his prayer. But howe greater a myracle was it that he opened
vnto the nauie of Don Ferdinando the greate Ocean thowght before that tyme to bee without ende,
where neuertheleffe he and his pofteritie the kynges of Spayne haue nowe planted a newe Ifraell muche
greater then that whiche Moifes ledde throughe the red fea. It were here fuperfluous to fpeake of Dauid  Dauid.
whom Godde founde a man accordynge to his hartes defyre: and yet maye it be doubted whether his
plages and fcourges were greater then his benefites? His fonne Salomon for al his inconflant and  Salomon.
wauerynge wyfedome and his great ryches obteyned by his nauigations to Ophir, yet was there at this  Ophir.
tyme no knowleage of Antipodes, neyther dydde any of his fhyppes fayle abowt the hole worlde, perce  Antipodes.
the Ocean, and trauerfe the Equinoctial line to th[e]inferiour hemifpherie or halfe globe of the earthe and fea  The nauigation
as dyd the famous fhyppe Victoria fent furth by Th[e]emperours maieftie. A thyng doubtleffe fo ftrange  worlde.
and marueylous that as the lyke was neuer done before, fo is it perhaps neuer lyke to be done ageyne:
fo farre haue the nauigations of the Spanyardes excelled the vyage of lafon and the Argonauts to the
region of Colchos, or all that euer were before. And although in the booke of kynges and Paralipomenon it
bee hyperborically wrytten that in the dayes of Salomon golde and fyluer were in Hierufalem in maner
as plentiful as ftones, and that his feruantes brought from Ophir foure hundreth and fiftie talentes of gold, yet
do we not reade that any of his fhyppes were fo laden with golde that they foonke, as dyd a fhyppe of
kynge Ferdinandos as yow maye reade in the lait booke of the fyrfte Decade. Neyther was the dominion of  The dominion
of Salomon.
Salomon extended from the ryuer of Euphrates to the lande of the Philiftians and th[e]extreme confines  Paral, 9.
of Egypte to be compared with the large Empire whiche the kynges of Spayne haue in the weft Indies:  The Indies.
Nor his ryches of golde to be thought much in refpect of that which hath byn browght from thenfe into
Spayne as fhall playnely appere to al fuche as wyll feeke to knowe the truth hereof. But to let paffe to
fpeake any further of the myracles which god hath wrought by the handes of this noble prince in this
newe world among thefe newe gentyles. Is it not well knowen to all the world what a defence and   Thewarresof
kynge Ferdinando
brafen wall he hath byn to all Chryflendome in that he hath quite dryuen out of Spayne the Moores  ageynst he
or Sarafens and Iewes which fo many hundreth yeares poffeffed a greate parte of Spayne ofto no fmaule  msens
daungioure of the hole Chriflian Empire, and yet coulde neuer before bee cleane vanquyffhed vntyll
the dayes of this noble and Catholyke prince fo named for his warres ageynfte the infidelles, whom God
rayfed for a Capitayne of his people as an other Gedion vnder whofe banner they myght ouercome theyr
enemies and pourge his vineyarde from fuche wycked weedes. The which thynge doubteleffe may feeme
fo much the greater and more difficulte, forafmuch as in the myddeft of the chiefe heate of his chargeable


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The Preface to   he 'Reader.


warres ageynfle the Moores of Granada, he euen then and at the fame tyme fente furth fhllyppes for the
The conqueste of  conqueflynge of the Indies, as thowgh he and the nation of the Spanyardes had byn appoynted by god
the Indies
eyther to fubdue the enemies of the fayth or to bringe theym to Chriftes religion. The felfe fame kynge
The conquest  Ferdinando alfo abote the yeare of Cry. 503   te  nauie of hyppes into Italy, where they vanquyled,
achafed, and flewe the Frenchemen, and recouered the kyngedome of Naples with all the dominions belongynge
thereunto. By which noble victory, his fucceffion and pofleritie as the[e]mperours maieflie and nowe his fonne
the kynge owre maltter and foueraigne lorde haue euer fence enioyed th[e]inheritaunce of the fame as of
antiquitie by iuft and ryght tytle dewe to them and theyr prediceffours. And as it is the nature of god
not only to fhewe his loue and fauour to fuch as haue pleafed hym, but alfo to poure furth the plentie
of his grace vppon theyr fucceffion from generation to generation, fo hath he with lyke felicitie profpered
The Emperours  the reigne of Th[e]emperours maieflie who by his wifdome and prowes hath not onely pollitikly gouerned,
but alfo augmented and inlarged fuch dominions as fel to hym by difcente of inheritaunce. What fluld I
fpeake of his warres and conqueftes in India, in Aphrike, in Italie, in Fraunce, in Germanie, and in Flaunders:
all the which to be declared accordyngely wolde rather require hole volumes then fewe fheetes of paper. Yet
hath one in fewe woordes effectually expreffed his dominions and conquefltes in thefe verfes folowynge,
Imnpiger expauit rapidas tranfire er zndas
Oceani Alcides: continuitque gradum.
Maximus at Ccefar, PL VS VL TRA tendere cufium
Aufus, e' zignotis ef1 dare iura locis.
Et domita aurifera nune victor gente reuerfus,
Ceetera Jub fceptro ponat vt ipfe fuo.
Aam pater omnipotens vt famam terminet aflrii
Iufsit, et imperium fineat Oceano.
[ An other alfo breefely hath declared the fame in thefe verfes.
Confortem Imjerij voluit quia luppiter orbis,
AJIra Deo cedunt, Carole terra tibi.
And certes who fo well eonfidereth the progenie of kynges that in fo fhorte a time haue linially defcended from
Don Ferdinando, and howe many kyngedomes they poffeffe, may fee that God hath fulfylled in hym alfo the
Gen. 17.      promifes and bleffynges of Abraham, as to make hym the father of many nations, and his feede to growe great
vpon the earth: Alfo that many kynges fhulde come furth of his loynes, and to make a perpetuall league and
conuenaunt with hym and his potleritie to bee theyr god for euer. And here to omytte to fpeake of other: Was
there euer better hope or more likenes then now, that thefe bleffynges and promyfes of god fhulde continewe in
this princely progenie, fyth the vertues and felicitie of them al doo fo Ihyne and floriffhe in owr noble and gratious
The kinges    prince kynge Phylyppe, to whom euen in his youth his father (occupied in the warres of Italye and Aphrike)
maiestie      commytted the hole gouernaunce of the kyngedomes of Spayne and the Indies. Of his behauour in Englande,
his enemies (which canker, vertue neuer lacked) They I fay (if any fuch yet remaine) haue greaterl caufe to
reporte well: ye fo well, that yf his naturall clemencie were not greater then was theyr vnnaturall indignation
they knowe them felues what myght haue folowed. The properties of fooles and wyfe men are declared in
thefe owld verfes.
QuidJiulti proSprium? Non poffe et velle nocere.
Quid fapientis ous: Non velle et p5ofe nocere.
That is to fay: What is the propertie of a foole? To wyl to doo hurte and can not. What is the woorke of a
wyfe man? Not to wyll to hurte though he may. But whether he hath lacked poure or wyll, it is knowen to
barbers and blere eyde men. Who lamented theyr folly more then he? Who more humbly admytted theyr
futes and fupplications? Ye who obteyned theyr pardon but he? Beynge a Lion he behaued hym felfe as a
Apostrophe to  lambe, and firooke not his enemie hauynge the fwoorde in his hande. Stoope Englande floope, and learne to
Englalnde.   knowe thy lorde and mafler, as horfes and other brute beafles are taught to doo. Be not indocible lyke Tygers
and dragons, and fuch other monflers noyous to man kynde. God by the mouth of Ifaias the prophet reproueth
the Ifraelites that they knewe not fo well theyr dewtie towarde hym as dyd the brute beaftes the mangiers of
Isai..       theyr matters. The oxe and the affe (fayth he) knoweth the mangier of theyr mafter, but Ifraell knoweth not
me. For fhame let vs not be woorfe then oxen and affes, and lyke vnto horfes and mules in whom is no vnderflandynge. But 0 vnthankefull Englande and voyde of honeftl fhame? Who hath geuen the the face of a hoore
and toonge of a ferpent withowt fhame to fpeake venemous woordes in fecreates ageynfl the annoynted of god.
0 paynted hoore that haft Chryfle in thy mouth and the deuyl in thy harte. Hathe not the pocke of thy
licentioufneffe brufle furth in maner to thyne owne deflruction. Howe longe wylt thou nuryffhe in thy boofome


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The Pe rece oe Revader.


53


that ferpente whofe nature is to deuoure her moother?  Take a vomyte in tyme leaft thy difeafe become
vncurable. What neede I r hearfe vnto the thy manyfolde infirmities and deformities whiche thou arte faulen
into by thyne owne owtrag'ouCneffe? If the greefes of them bee to thee vnfenfible by reafon of thy feebleneffe
and longe fickenes, take vnto the that glaffe wherin thou gloryeft with the Iewe and thynkeft that thou feeft al
thynges and canfl iudge all myfleries: Looke I fay in that pure glaffe and beholde thy owne deformities, which
thou canfte not or wylte not feele. I feare greatly that if thou looke therein diligently and looke euen throughe
thy felfe, thou wylte abhorre thy felfe to fee howe many monflers lye hid in the vnder the hape of man. There  Monstrous
is euen nowe great talke of the in the mouthes of all men that thou haft of late yeares brought furthe many  byrthes.
monflers and ftraunge byrthes, wherof dyuers men make dyuers interpretacions more monifrous then the
monflers theim felues. But fhall I breefely and fimply declare vnto thee the fignification of thy monifers? Fyrft  The significations
of monstrus
then confyder that they are monfters of mankynde and not of other beafRes. Secundarily marke well that in  byrthes.
them al, the headde is perfect, fo that the monflrofitie groweth owt of the body, although not owt of the hole
body but certeyne partes therof. But not to go to farre. Confyder ageyne that diforder of the partes is a
deformitie to the hole. One hath well interpreted that fuch monifrous byrthes fignifie the monifrous and  The deformity
of monstrous
deformed myndes of the people myffhapened with phantaftical opinions, diffolute lyuynge, licentious talke, and  myndes.
fuch other vicious behauoures which monflroufly deforme the myndes of men in the fyght of god who by fuche
fignes dooth certifie vs in what fimilitude we appere before hym, and thereby gyueth vs admonition to amende
before the day of his wrath and vengeance. What deformed beatles are more monflrous then lyinge, rebellion,
firife, contention, priuie malice, flaunderynge, mutterynge, confpiraces, and fuch other deuilyffhe imaginations.
But O Englande whyle tyme is gyuen thee, circumcife thy harte. Put to onely thy good wyll, and thou mayfle
fynde grace and fauoure to recouer thyne aunciente bewtie whiche hath fo longe been defaced. Thou hafle
nowe a kynge and queene that defyre thee to remember thy dewtie, and holde theyr armes abrode to embrafe  The kyng and
thee yf thou wylt drawe nere vnto them. They are fory to occupie the whyppe yf thou mighteft otherwyfe bee  Queene.
brought to obedience. But yf thou take pleafilre to perfift in frowarde floobberneffe, knowe thou that they are
Lions whelpes and conquerours of monflers whereof thou haft had fuche experience, that proudely truflynge in
thyne owne flrengthe, and attemptynge lyke an other Nemroth to buylde a newe towre of confufion, the
woorkes of thy giantes were miraculoufly ouerthrowne by a woman who deliuered thee from that captiuitie,
whereby thou oughtefle to knowe the daungiour thou waft in, and bee thankefull to thy deliuerer. Beware
therefore leafte whyle thou contemne the peaceable princes that god hath fent the, thou bee lyke vnto Ifopes
frogges to whom for theyr vnquietneffe, lupiter fent a hearon to picke them in the hedes. Confider what benefites thou mayfl receaue at theyr handes if thou doo thy dewtie towarde them. Confyder ageyne that as they
are able, fo may thy gentelneffe make them wyllynge to recompenfe the fame. Stoppe thyne eares from vayne
fables as from the inchauntynge Mermaydes. For as manye fpeake of Robbyn Hoode and of his bowe that
neuer fhot therin, fo doo fooles prate of fuch thynges as they knowe not. But 0 god? what phantafies are
nowe in the heades of men? Howe redy they are to inuent lyes and tales? and of howe fmaul fparkes they
kyndle great flames? Summe are fo curious to fynde faute in other, that for lacke of iuftI matter woorthy reproche
in them whom they defyre to depraue, they fpeake euyll of theyr parentes and kynred of whom they knowe as lyttle.
And not fo fatiffyed they difpife and with lyinge difprayfe theyr hole nation and countrey. Ye fum take fuch  How curious
summe are to
pleafure herein, that if they can fynde noughte els to difprayfe, they wyll fynde faute in fuche as they fauour  fyndefaute in
not, bycaufe they weare not theyr apparell as they doo, or perhappes are not fo effeminate as they, or eate not  other.
as they eate, or fight not as they fyght, fo parciall is the iudgement of fooles in theyr owne rudeneffe, thynkyng
them felues the better for difprayfynge of other. Spayne is a beggerly countrey fayth one: Th[e]emperour is  Lyes Imagined.
but poore fayth an other: He is deade fayth an other: The Indies haue rebelled fayth an other, and eyther
there commeth no more golde from thenfe, or there is no more founde nowe: with fuche other falfe and licentious
talke diuifed by vnquiet braines in whofe heades the hammers of fedition feafe not to forge ingens of iniquitie.
If I Ihulde here anfwere to all thefe querels particularly and as the woorthyneffe of the thynge requireth, I
myght fynde matter fufficient to make a volume of iufte quantitie and perhappes be tedious to fumme. Yet not
to paffe ouer fo great a matter vntouched, and partely to floppe the mouthes of fuche impudente lyers, I haue
thought good to fpeake fumwhat hereof. Fyrft therfore to fpeake of Spayne, and by the teftimonie of oulde  Commendations
autours to declare the commodities therof: Plinie a graue and faythful autour, in the laft boke and laft chapiture of of Span
his natural hiflory greatly commendynge Italy aboue al other contreys, giueth the fecond prayfe vnto Spaine,
afwel for al fuch thynges as in maner the heuen can geue and the earth brynge furth for the commoditie of this
lyfe as alfo for the excellente wittes of men and Ciuile gouernaunce. Alfo Diodorus Siculus in the fixt booke of
his Bibliotheca fpeakynge of Spayne (cauled of the Greekes Iberia) writeth that when in the mountaines named
Pyrinei th[e]inhabitantes bumte vp the wooddes, there ranne owt of the mountaynes as it were dyuers fireames of  Ryche syluer
pure fyluer molten by the heate of the fyre. But the etflimation and price of fyluer beinge at thofe dayes to  mynes m Spayne
them vnknowen, the Phenician marchauntes bought the fame of them for thynges of fmaule value: And caryinge
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54


The Preface fo Mte Reader.


I


it into Grecia, Afia, and other countreys, got great rycheffe therby. For the defyre of gaynes (fayth he) fo greatly
moued the marchauntes, that when more fyluer remayned then myght lade theyr fhyppes, they tooke the leade
frome theyr ankers, and put fyluer in the place therof. The Phenices by thefe gaynes beinge made very ryche,
dyd affigne many colonies both in Sicilie and the Ilandes there abowt, and alfo in Libya, Sardinia, and Iberia.
But after many yeares when the Iberians (that is the Spaniardes) knewe the price of fyluer, and applyed them
felues to the feekynge of metals and founde great plentie of fyluer, they obteyned greate ryches therby forafinuch
as in maner al that earth of the mountaynes is fo replenyffhed with fyluer that it is a marueylous thynge to confyder the nature of the region and the continual laboure of the woorkemen in thofe mynes. Lykewyfe when
The Romans    afterwarde the Romans fubdued the Iberians, the Italians which for the defyre of gaynes fearched thofe metals,
inriched by the
syluer of Spayne.  gotte great rycheffe by the fame. For they deputed to that laboure a multitude of bowghte feruauntes, whiche
fearchynge the vaynes of metals in dyuers places, and percyng the earth dyuers wayes for the fpace of many
furlonges, browght furthe great plentie of golde and fyluer. But the rycheffe of thefe mynes was fyrfl founde at
The      fuch tyme as the Carthaginenfes (the enemies of the Romane Empire) had the Iberians in fubiection: which
Carthaginensis
inriched by the  was the caufe that theyr poure afterwarde increafed. For, with monye hyringe the befl and mofle experte
syluer of Spain.  fouldiers, they kepte greuous warres ageynft theyr enemies. And not vfynge the ayde eyther of theyr owne
fouldiers or theyr affociates, they were a terrour to the Romanes, Sicilians, and Libyans, whom they browght
into great daungiour by reafon they paffed them al in abundaunce of golde and fyluer. With better fortune
therefore, and greater hope of gayne are ryche metals fought in Spayne, the goodneffe of whofe foyle yeldeth
cloddes of earth conteynynge much golde and fyluer. And thefe be the very wordes of Diodorus Siculus, which
the later wryters doo alfo confirme. For I ulius Solinus in his Polyhiflor, compareth Spayne to the befl contreys
in plentie of grayne, vyttayles, oyle, fyluer, golde, and Iron. Likewyfe Strabo, Statius, and Claudius, do no leffe
The commoditie s  commende it. It were to longe here to fpeake of the greate plentie of fine woolles lyttle inferiour vnto owrs:
of Spain      alfo abundaunce of fugar, vines, pomegranates, limondes, and orangies in fuch plentie that they fuffice not only
Spayne, but alfo in maner all Europe: whereas the apples and crabbes of Englande are fcarfely able to ferue it felfe.
And althowghe here fumme wyll obiecte, that they lacke corne, woodde, and certeyne other thynges, yet are theyr
The sygne of  commodities fo greate otherwyfe, that al fuch thynges are browght them owt of other countreys for theyr wares:
the steeple   and that in fuch plentie, that they are there better chepe then euer they were in Englande fence the figne of the
fleeple the poore mans Inne was pulled downe in all places. Summe for lacke of other matter, fynde greate
faute that in trauaylynge in Spayne, men ihalbe ferued with halfe a henne, and go to the cookes for theyr meate
and to the tauerne for theyr drynke. And what then I praye yow? What inconuenience enfeweth hereof? Is it
not better fo to doo then to pay thryfe for one thinge as is the maner to doo in fumme of owre Innes and in
tauernes where all that eate rofte meate are beaten with the fpitte, as where they that of late in Barthelmewe
fayre payde fortie penfe for a pygge, where the good man of the houfe was not a fhamed to make his vaunte that
Englande      he had made foure Ihyllynges of a pygge, and had in one day taken foure pounde for pygges. But if I fhuld
impouerisshed,
Spayne inriched.  here particularly and at large declare howe Englande is in fewe yeares decayed and impoueryffhed, and howe
on the contrary parte Spayne is inryched, I fhulde perhappes difpleafe more in defcrybyng the myferie of the
one, then pleafe other in expreffynge the floryffhynge itate of the other, which by all reafon is lyke dayly to
Siluer mines  increafe, afwell for the great rycheffe that are yearely browght thyther from the Indies, as alfo for the ryche fyluer
in Spayne.    mynes that are founde of late in Spayne in the countrey of Afturia as I was credably informed by the woorthy
and lerned gentelnan Auguflinus de Ceratta, Contador (that is) the auditour of the kynges myntes who had
Syluer brought  longe before byn furueyoure of the golde mynes of Peru, and browght from thenfe and from Rio de Plata. xiii.
frome Peru into
Englande.     thoufand pounde weyght of fyluer which was coyned to the kinges vfe in the towre of London where neuer fo
much hath byn feene at once as fuche as haue byn owlde officers in the mynte doo affirme. What fhulde I
heare fpeake of the golde which th[e]emperours maieflie receaueth frome all the Indies, whereas onely in the two
Th[e]emperours  meltynge fhoppes of the gold mines of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, is molten yearely three hundreth thoufande
te ndes ro    pounde weyght of. viii. vnces to the pound, wherof the fyfte parte is dewe vnto hym, whiche amounteth to three
fcore thoufande weyght yearely. Yet doo I not here fpeake of the golde mines of the other Ilandes and the
firme lande reachynge. viii. thoufande myles from the north to the fouth: Neyther of the ryche Ilandes of the
The Ilandes of  fouth fea cauled Mare del Sur, where the kynge of one lyttle Ilande named Tacarequi, Margaritea, or de las
the Southe sea.  Perlas, lying in the goulfe of Saynt Michael, payeth yearely for his tribute a hundreth pounde weight of perles:
Neyther yet of the fyfte parte of other thynges, as precious ifones, brafile, goffampine cotton, fpices, and dyuers
The Ilandes of  other thynges, wheras alfo the ryche Ilandes cauled the Maluchas perteyne to the inheritaunce of Cafile,
Maluca.       althowgh the kynge of Portugale enioy them for certeyne yeares by compofition. But the Indies haue rebelled
(fay they) and there commeth no more golde from thenfe. But what if fumme of them haue rebelled? dooth it
therby folowe that there commeth no more gold from the other that lyue vnder obedience? But if thou wylte fay
that they haue al rebelled at once, thou muit proue that thou fayeft eyther by hyflorie or wytneffe of fuch as
know the truth herof, as I (hauing made diligent fearche for the fame) am able to proue the contrarie, and that


54




The Preface to the Reader.


55


fuche talke is pnely imagined by bufie headdes. Ageyne: what if they haue rebelled in fumme prouinces?
dooth it folowe that they maye not ageyne be browght vnder fubiection as were oftentymes the prouinces of the
Romanes and as were in owre dayes dyuers countreys of Englande whiche haue byn fore afflicted with that
plage. But whether the fandes of the ryuers and the mountaynes of the Indies bee fo emptied with golde that
no more can be founde there, I thinke it here fuperfluous to anfwere to this obiection, forafmuch as it is hereafter confuted in the booke of metals where yow Ihall fynde by experience that metals growe and increafe, and
that after certeyne yeares. fuche owlde caues of the mynes as haue byn dygged, are ageyne replenyffhed with vre:
Alfo that the fprynges of fuche mountaynes turnynge theyr courfe and breakynge furth in other places, brynge
with them greate plentie of fuch golden fande as is founde in the ryuers into the which they faule. What
impudencie is it tlerfore with woordes of reproche to caule hym poore whofe poure is fo greate, his treafure fo
infinite, and his doinges fo chargeable, that I beleeue that when fo euer it pleafe almyghtie God to caule hym
frome this lyfe to the greate domage of all Chryflendome, it fhalbe harde to fynde an other that fhall in all poyntes
bee fo well able to fupplye that roome and maynteyne th[e]imperiall dignitie. Let al honeft natures therfore learne
to fpeake well of princes accordynge to the fentence De Principibus nil nili bonum, forafmuch as they are the
miniiters of god who hath theyr hartes in his hande and ruleth the fame as feemeth befle vnto hym. For there
is no poure neyther good nor badde, but of god: and he that refyfteth or fpeaketh euyll of the poure, refifleth
and fpeaketh euyll of god. Thou fhalt not fpeake euyll of the prince or ruler of thy people faith faint Paule.
But wheras nowe by the poure of Neptunus (I wot nere with what wynde) I haue byn dryuen thus fanre
from my nauigations, I haue thought good to turne my fayles and to folowe the ordinarie courfe which I beganne,
and by th[e]exemple of this woorthy capitayne kynge Ferdinando, encourage al other to theyr poure to attempte
the lyke vyages: As touchynge the which in fewe woordes to declare my opynyon, if any man a hulde ake me
what I thynke thefe thinges wyll growe to in tyme, I wyll anfwere as dooth the autoure of this booke,
that when I confyder howe farre owre o poteritie fhall fee the Chriflian religion enlarged, I am not able
with tounge or penne to expreffe what I conceaue hereof in my mynd. Yet one thyng I fee which enforceth
me to fpeake and lament, that the harueft is fo great and the workemen fo few. The Spanyardes haue fhewed a
good exemple to all Chryllian nations to folowe. But as god is great and woonderfull in all his woorkes,
fo befyde the portion of lande perteynyng to the Spanyardes (beinge eyght tymes bygger then Italye as
yowe maye reade in the lafle booke of the feconde Decade) and betide that which perteineth to the Portugales,
there yet remayneth an other portion of that mayne lande reachynge towarde the northeafl, thought to be
as large as the other, and not yet knowen but only by the fea coafles, neyther inhabyted by any Chriflian men:
whereas neuertheleffe (as wryteth Gemma Phrifius) in this lande there are many fayre and frutefull regions,
hygh mountaynes, and fayre ryuers, with abundaunce of golde and dyuers kyndes of beafles. Alfo cities
and towres fo wel buylded and people of fuch ciuilitie, that this parte of the worlde feemeth lyttle inferiour
to owre Europe, if th[ejinhabitauntes had receaued owre religion. They are wyttie people and refufe not
barterynge with flraungers. Thefe regions are cauled Terra Florida and Regio Baccalearum or Bacchallaos
of the which yow may reade fumwhat in this booke in the vyage of the woorthy owlde man yet lyuing
Sebafliane Cabote, in the. vi. booke of the thyrde Decade. But Cabote touched only in the north corner
and moft barbarous parte hereof, from whenfe he was repulfed with Ife in the moneth of Iuly. Neuertheleffe,
the weft and fouth partes of thefe regions haue fence byn better fearched by other, and founde to bee
as we haue fayde before. The chiefe citie in the fouthweflt partes of thefe regions, is cauled Temixtetan,
or Mexico in maner vnder the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri, and ftrongely defended by the nature of
the place. For it flandeth in a very great lake hauynge abowt it innumerable bridges, and buyldynges
to be compared to the woorkes of Dedalus. Th[e]inhabitauntes alfo can wryte and reade. Summe wryters
connecte this lande to the firme lande of Afia: But the truth hereof is not yet knowen. And althoughe
the Spanyawdes haue certeyne colonies in that part of this lande that is nowe cauled Noua Hifpania, yet are
the people for the mofle parte Idolatours. Howe much therfore is it to be lamented, and howe greatly
dooth it founde to the reproche of all Chriftendome, and efpecially to fuch as dwell nereft to thefe landes
(as we doo) beinge muche nearer vnto the fame then are the Spanyardes (as within. xxv. dayes faylinge
and leffe) howe muche I faye fhall this founde vnto owre reproche and inexcufable flothfulneffe and
negligence bothe before god and the worlde, that fo large dominions of fuch tractable people and pure
gentiles, not beinge hytherto corrupted with any other falfe religion (and therefore the eafyer to bee allured
to embrafe owres) are nowe knowen vnto vs, and that we haue no refpecte neyther for goddes caufe nor
for owre owne commoditie to attemnpte fumme vyages into thefe coafles, to doo for owr partes as the
Spaniardes haue doone for theyrs, and not euer lyke Iheepe to haunte one trade, and to doo nothynge
woorthy memorie amonge men or thankes before god, who maye herein woorthely accufe vs for the
flackeneffe of owre dewtie towarde hym. Saynt Paule the doctoure of the gentiles (to whofe Apoltelfhippe
alfo thefe newe gentiles doo perteine) was of fuch zeale toward the lewes whom god had reiected, that
55


The nauigations
of the Spanyardes,
Itali is. 1020 myles
in lengthe and.
126. in breadthe.
The lande cauled
Terra florida, and
regio baccalearum.
Looke the last
booke, thirde
decade.
This region is
now cauled Noua
Hispania. Sum
thinke that this
citie is Quinsai of
Marcus Paulus.
Looke the last
booke of the 3
decade, and the
beginning of the
booke of the
landes lately  ' '
found.
The godlye zeale
of. S. Paula.




56


The   reface to t/ e RReader.


I                              ------- --


Isai. 66.
Gregorie the First.
Th[e]office of
byshoppes.
England
converted to the
faith of christ.
This vnifride was
afterwarde
named Boneface.
Whether any may
bee compelled to
the faythe.
The tyme of
miracles.
Miracles of late
dayes.
Howe Israell
possessed the
iande of
promesse.
Esdra. 2.
cap. 4.


he wyffhed hym felfe to bee accurfed of god for theyr fakes. He went from Damafcus to Arabie, preached
the gofpell in Grecia, came prifoner to Rome, was fcourged and floned, and fuffered thryfe fhypwracke,
what then thinke yow he wold do if he were now aliue? Is it to be thought that he wolde not aduenture.
xxv. dayes faylynge to come to fuch a marte of foules in fuch redineffe to bee eafely obteyned? I beleue
verely that neyther death, nor the deuyll, nor Leuiathan, nor the worlde, fhulde let hym but that he wolde geue
th[e]onfet ageynft them all in hope of victorie by hym by whom he fayth he can doo all thynges. He was not
negligent in his office nor ignorant of his rewarde, but trufled to the promeffe of him that fayde by the
mouth of the prophet Ifai: Of them that fhalbe faued, I wyl fende fum to the gentyles in the fea, into
Aphrike and Libia, Italie, and Grecia, and into the Ilandes a farre of, to them that haue not harde of me,
and haue not feene my glorie. The like zeale that Paule had, and proceadynge of the fame fpirite, hath
euer fence Chryfles tyme, moued not only the Apoftles, but alfo many other famous and godly men (as
fuperuifours of his teflamente) to fende owte preachers into dyuers partes of the worlde to fhewe furth the
gladde tydynge of the gofpell. By this zeale dyd Gregorye byfihoppe of Rome and fyrfle of that name,
when he fawe Englyffhe mens chyldren in Rome and afked what nation they were, when anfwere was
made hym in the laten tounge that they were Angli, (that is, Englyffle men) he fayd (alludyng to the
fimilitude of the worde) that they myght wel be cauled Angeli, that is, Angels: Meanyng therby that
lyke as god had done his part in geuyng them bodies of natural bewtie and comelyneffe, fo it apperteyned
to his office beinge the cheefe paftoure of goddes flocke, to prouyde that theyr foules might be made
woorthy to inhabite fuch bodies and the hole nation confecrated vnto god by baptifme. For he fayde
furthermore: It is meete that vnto thefe alfo, the gofpell of life bee preached: And hereuppon immediatly
fent preachers into Englande whereby the hole nation was in fhorte tyme conuerted to Chriftes faith,
although fum had receaued the gofpell long before euen from Chryftes tyme by the preachyng of Iofeph
of Arimathia who afked the body of Chryfte of Pilote, and buryed it reuerently. I wolde to god that
there were now many mo fuch Gregories in the worlde: And that there might lyke zeale and gentelneffe
bee founde in vs Englyffhe men towarde other nations, as we haue founde in other towarde vs. Owre
prediceffoures were not vtterlye vnmyndefull of thefe benefites, but applyed them felues lykewife to fpreade
the gofpell in other nations. For Vadianus in his booke De tribus terrce partibus, wryteth, that more then
feuen hundrethe yeares after the death of Chryfte, one Vnefride an Englyffhe man and byffhoppe of Mogunce,
(nowe cauled Menfe) was the fyrfte that tawght the fayth of Chryfte amonge the Germaynes, at fuch tyme
as the Frankes and Almaynes had paffed ouer the ryuers of Rhene and Danubius, and by puttynge the
garryfons of the Romans to flight, had poffeffed a great parte of theyr moft notable prouinces. For albeit
that thefe rude and barbarous nations then accuffomed onely to warre and robberie did hardly admitte
that holfome doctrine at the beginning.  Yet by the pollicie and wifedome of the Frankes, it came fo to
paffe that in maner through owt all Germanie, greate increafe of the Chriftian religion folowed there mofte
ample victories, as the lyke fucceffe is alfo feene in thefe barbarous nations fubdued by the Spanyardes.
Whereby it is apparent, that although fum holde opinion that none owght to bee compelled to the faythe,
yet we fee by experience that withowt difputynge of opinions (lefte the pacientes fhulde dye before the
phifitians agree of the remedie) thefe entreprifes haue taken good effect to the great glory of god who cauleth
men vnto hym by dyuers meanes and at dyuers ages of the declinynge worlde, otherwyfe nowe then in
the tyme of Chryfte and his Apoi1les when the poure of miracles was giuen vnto men to confirme the
newe fayth which had yet preuailed iio where in the worlde. Albeit, I beleue verely, that if we wolde take
the matter in hande accordyngly, god wolde not forget to ayde vs with miracles if it fhuld fo be requifite,
as yowe may reade in this booke howe he wrought miracles by the fayth of a fimple mariner euen in
th[e]infancie of faythe. And fuerlye, lyke as there is no caufe why we fhulde anye thynge doubte of goddes
goodneffe in this behalfe if the faut be not in owre felues. Euen fo, if we wolde fyrfle fette owre handes
to the plowe, we ought to hope that he wolde giue encreafe and woorke with vs as he hath doone with
other, by whofe profperous fucceffe we may plainely fee that it was his wyll that fuche thynges flulde
go forwarde. For euen Ifraell to whom promeffe was made by fignes and miracles that they fhulde poffeffe the
lande to th[e]inheritaunce wherof, the fea opened it felfe to giue them free paffage, yet were they commaunded by
the poure of the fwoorde to make way, with greate loffe and flaughter of men and by force of armes to obteyne
the lande promyfed to theyr fathers, whiche neuertheleffe fewe of them poffeffed that firft fought for the fame,
but lefte theyr carkefes in the wilderneffe. Is it not alfo written of the Iuwes which repayred the walles
of the citie of Hierufalem after theyr captiuitie in Babilon, that Nehemias theyr capitaine fet the people in
order with fwoordes, fpeares, and bowes to defende the woorkemen? And that alfo euen the Princes of Iuda
wrought vppon the wailes and caried burdens? lykewyfe that they wrought with one hande and held theyr
fwoordes in the other? And if it were lawful for Ifraell accordynge to the fleffhe, to vfe all meanes and
pollicies to buylde vp the walles of earthly Hierufalem, howe muche more then ought the fpirituall Ifraclites to




The Preface to the Reader.


57


- LI


vfe all poffible ineanes to buylde vp the walles and temples of fpirituall Hierufalem, whofe fundation is Chrifte,
wyllynge all the nations of the worlde to be buylded vppon the fame. It is the propertie of a wyfe buylder to
vfe fuch tooles as the woorke requireth. And not at all tymes or in all woorkes to vfe one toole. For that
that ferueth in fofte tymber, wyll not ferue in knottie pieces, nor yet for flones. Th[e]expert phifitian vfeth
vehement remedies for defperate difeafes: And cunninge furgians vfe burnynge and cuttynge if the cafe fo
require, as in cuttynge of the fynger to faue the hande, or in cuttyng of the hand to faue the hole body. Ye it
hath fumtymes fo chaunfed that wheras men haue entended hurt, there hath good proceaded therof in fine: As
he that wolde haue flaine Prometheus, wounded his wenne with his fwoorde, whereby he was healed of that
difeafe. So is god able to turne euyll into good, and to make thynges that are not, as thynges that are. Euen
fo although fumme wyll obiecte that the defyre of golde was the chiefe caufe that moued the Spanyardes and
Portugales to fearche the newe founde landes, trewly albeit we ihulde admitte it to bee the chiefe caufe, yet dooth
it not folowe that it was the only caufe, forafmuch as nothyng letteth but that a man may bee a warrier or a
marchaunte, and alfo a Chriffian. Therefore what fo euer owre chiefe intente bee, eyther to obteyne worldely
fame or rycheffe, (althoughe the zeale to encreafe Chriftian religion ought chiefly to moue vs) I wolde to god we
wolde fyrft attempte the matter: And then I doubte not but that it wolde fo comme to paffe with vs as it dyd
with them who of longe time after the beginning of the worlde before menne were accuftomed to eate fleffhe,
thought it firit fufficient fo to vfe them felues amonge beafles that they were not hurte of them: but Ihortly after,
vfed them for theyr commoditie: Then begunne to weare theyr fkinnes: And in fine, fell to eatynge of theyr
fleffhe, and to vfe certeine partes of them for remedies ageinft difeafes. Euen fo may thefe barbarians by the
only conuerfation with the Chrifltians, (although they were enforced therto) be brought to fuch familiaritie with
ciuilitie and vertue, that not onely we maye take greate commoditie thereby, but they may alfo herewith imbibe
trewe religion as a thing accidental although neyther they nor we fhulde feeke the fame. For lyke as they that
goo much in the foonne, are coloured therewith although they go not for that purpofe, So may the conuerfation
of the Chriflians with the gentyles induce theym to owre religion, where there is no greater caufe of contrarye
to refyfle as is in the Iuwes and Turkes who are alredy drowned in theyr confirmed erroure. But thefe fimple
gentiles lyuinge only after the lawe of nature, may well bee lykened to a fmoothe and bare table vnpainted, or
a white paper vnwritten, vpon the which yow may at the fyrft paynte or wryte what yow lyfte, as yow can not
vppon tables alredy paynted, vnleffe yow rafe or blot owt the fyrfle formes. They may alfo th[e]eflyer bee allured to
the Chriftian fayth, for that it is more agreable to the lawe of nature then eyther the cerimonious lawe of Moifes,
or portentous fables of Mahometes Alcharon. If we were therfore as defyrous to enlarge the fayth of Chryfte
as to feeke worldly gooddes, why do we deferre to aduenture that wherin we may doo bothe. We mufte not
nowe looke for a newe Paule or doctoure of the gentiles to bee conuerted by heauenly reuelations: Or for a
newe Moifes to leade men through the fea: Or for an Angel to cary men in the ayer from one place to an other
as Habacucke the prophete was caryed by the heare of his heade from Iudea to Babilon: Or as Phylippe
th[e]appoftle was caryed by the fpirite from Gaza to Azotus: but mufte (as fayth the prophete Ifaias) euery man
exhorte his neyghboure, and bid his broother be of good chere: That the mafon and carpenter may buylde
togyther, and fay to the glewe or cemente, it is good and fafte byndynge. What negligence and flackeneffe hath
hytherto byn in Chrifltian men in this kynde of buyldynge of goddes lyuely temple, the greate clerke Erafmus
hath declared in his booke intiteled Eccleffiaftes, whofe woordes for the woorthyneffe of the autoure, I haue here
thowght good to rehearfe as they are wrytten by hym in the laten tounge in the fyrfle booke of the fayde woorke.
He wryteth therfore as foloweth.
Audimus quotidianas queremonias deplorantiumn collapfam Chriftianam religionemt, eamque ditionem quce quondam
complexa eft vniuerfum terrarum orbem, in has anguJfias eIfe contraCtam. Hoc igitur quibus ex animodolet, eos decet
ardentibus afsiduifque votisflagitare a Chriflo vt operarzos dignetur mittere in meffem fuam, aut (vt melius dicam)
feminatores mittere in fegetem fuam. Deum immortalem, quantum in orbe patet agrorum in quibus aut non dum
iac7um el7 femen Euangelicum, aut ita ia7um eft, vt plus fit zizaniarum quam triici.  Orbis minima pars eJt
Europa: Omniumflorentzfsima pars e? Graecia et Afa minor in quam magnofucceffu primum a ludcea demigrauit
Euangelium. At hzcfere tota, nonne tenetur a Mahumetanis et ijs qui ChriJi nomen habent inuifum? lam in
Afia maiore quae lati/simepatet, quid obfecro noftrum e0f? quum ipfa PaleJiina vndeprimo effluxit lux Euangelica,
feruiat Allophylis? In Aphrica vero quid noflrum efJ? Nec dubitandum ef? quin in tanta vaftitate regionum fint
populi rudes etfimplices quifacile pofent ad Chrifum alici,fi mitterentur quifacerent bonam femente/m. Quid quod
quotidie regiones hacenus incognita reperiuntur, ferunturquefupereffe quo nullus ad huc noJfratium peruenit.  Omitto
nunc infinitam Iudcorum vim nobis admixtam: omitto plurimos qui titulo ChriJti tegunt Ethnicos: omitto tantas
fchifmaticorum et hcereticorum phalanges.  Quantus in his effet prouentus Chri/lo, f gnaui ac fideles mitterentur
operarij qui iaciant femen bonum, qui reuellant zizaniam, qui plantent plantuas bonas, malas exterpent, qui extruant
domium Dei, demolianturflrufluras non innitentes petrch  Chrifto, denique qui mefant maturamfegetem, fed Chrifto
57


The buylding
of spirituall
Hierusalem.
The conuersion of
the gentiles.
The christian
faythe.
Isai 45.
Augustia
Christiania
ditionis.




58


The Preface lo Mei Reader.


Prestiean       nie tani non fbi, ei animas Domlino co//ilani, 1101 o/cs fibi.  Ak/cr Aet/io/iw rex quern vu/gits a//l/a  rf n
A ethioji rex.relean
/ c ex  Pr oralorem fumn fbinijit fe fedi ZRomanaT, non ni/ill exg//n  iin/nfteqodc        esqoi       ieci
non fi a/lena, tam dizi fucrit a toclus orbis /~afIore;icl/cca. Quldani v/ri boni, ci /ro/agandw re/i,,ioniis f/uin/mo,
Pilai.         qucruntur P1/a/los Scyhi/il fe/tOenrirona/Is /po/u/um mnlrefnq5/liccni ac rudem, a nefelo qulbus /rinK/-blbs Vir~i/lanis
teneri dli'lone, fed i/a durop/remzilg  liuniano, vi cis non in/nirfaemg-r     lrl     iu iafoir       oi
exiernis, vi non diteniur o/lbns euang~,e/liis. Puiclierrimnuni, Deoque gratifslnuiun erat dare /oius quamm acczj/ere ijs
quosfnudcrnis C/ir~/o lucrifacere, acfic eos in ditioneni nofqrani rccij/re vt gaudeanife fubieflos ef /rincij/b sf b
quorun ilmn/erio commodlus de~gani quamn an/c degebani. Noulnius cicurare bcfliasfcras ei liorribi/es, vel ad vo/n/iaicni, ve/ ad vfurn vulgaremn: et miom nouinius manaficfacere lioni/nes vi feru/aaii Crirf/o? Afonarc/ice a/uni qui
doceant e/c/kanios ad fa/iandurn, qui donicni leones ad imfurn, qui donicii lyncs ci ieo/ardos ad venainni: et
mionarelia eccc/cfw non inuenii quo uounmices a/llcai ad aniabl/e Glirfli feriiciirn  Scio vix v/lain rc/re   b/a;
domnitu d~fficil/orcni quamn eii Indees o/?linains, et obdurains licere/lcns.: quanquarn nul/uni ~i7 aninial tiau iIninile
quod noni cicuretur beneficentia eifuauiiaie. E re/er/is. regionibus ucheiliur auruni ei genirnw: Scd rirlumn//o d~g-n/us
erai i//nc inuc/icre Chrirllianani fa/icuiiiar auro /rcciofiorcun, ac unaigarilun cuang~eficuni quod omnibus dincndltis
bence corn/araiur. Donilnus hibeifuis rog-are doniinumn nefsis vi cxirudai o/crarios quod nicfsis c/jet ani//a, o/erar~ij
/Pauci. ANon minimus o/us cf mill/i rogare dcnni vi ii iani /aie /a/cmuics agros ejiciai o/erarios, Scd excimfanit ommucs,
Franciscani    a/ins a/mud.  Aiqui Chiristiania di/lo ioi /abct niyriadas Francifcauioruun iii quibus /robabi/e ef quapumi/rilnos
Serajzici.   effe qul vcre flagramnt ignii fcra//iico: mice /anciorcs fumii mmiyiadcs -Dorinicanoruni, ci in li/s couifcn/ancitrn eji
Cherubici.     /ermnu/ios c/fe Cherub/cl f//ri/us.  Ex li/s coliorilbus e/igani/ur yVn niudo vcre niorini, Cliroviuulfice
imzhtca.       a/nd barbaras genies doceamit verbuni Del. -Exeufatur /iumguw iun/cr-l/ia. Aiqui /princicmj/s ob hiuniamias /eg-,a/ionies
Miracula.      iinenilunt qui varias /imignas /crdifcauii: Et Thernfoc/es Aikcmiicnfes vuio animo fie didicit fermnioicn Afiaticuni
vi abfque inter/rete cuimn rege /oqmui /ojcet: Ami idemnimomi fudeblnin1s in.1 tani fib/imni neg-oco?  Iuiicr barbaras
cti gmioias miatiomis A/posto/i inuenlerunt v/flm~n ci anilinni: ci Dcims po//id/uts ef muill defuturumn qucerenuitbus regnuun Dei. A/cc niiracu/a qiiideni dcf i/nra fumitfi res /ofn/ei, niodo ad fit fyucecra fides cumn fera/li/ca
charitaic, &'c.
Damanu a oes Furthermore Damnianus a Goes, wryteth in his booke De d//loratione La//ap       eguts     hth      a   h
fyrft that moued Erafmus to fpeake fumnwhat hereof: And that he (Erafmus I meane) was determined to
write a iuft volume of this matter yf he had not byn preuented by death. Albeit (fayth Damianus) in
his booke entiteled Ecciefiafles, he dyd not keepe filence of fo wicked an vngodlyneffe, whiche furely is
To the christian  fuche, that it may in maner make all Chriflian men (and efpeciallye fuch vnto whom      god bath gyuen
prince&        poure and knowleage) giltie of fo heyghnious a crime, that he may take vengeance of them in the day of
iudgement before the iuffe iudge Chryff. Nowe therfore (fayth he) let the Chriftian Monarches take heede
what accoumpte they ffiall make before the tribunal of Chryfte at the laffe daye, when neyther fauioure,
nor pardon, or flatterie can take place to bee any excufe for the loffe of fo manye foules. And thefe be
the very woordes of the woorfhipful and lerned man Damianus a Goes, wrytten to the byifhoppe of Rome
Paule the thyrde of that name, whom he further chargeth to looke diligently hereunto, as a thynge mofte
The sheepe of  chiefely perteynynge to the office of Chriftian prelates.  Mfee thynke verely that the fh-eepe of Europe
Europe.        flmlde by this tyme be fo well fedde, that they fhulde by good reafon be fo ifronge and mightie in Chrifics
religion (excepte they be infected with the dyfeafe which the phificians caule Cachexia, beinge an euyl
difpofition of the body whereby the more they are fed the worfe they lyke) that many fheppardes myglit
well bee fpared to bee fent to other fheepe which ought to be of the fame foulde. For this purpofe the
The doctoure   doctoure of diuinitie when he commenfeth, hath his fcapular call ouer his headde in token that hie bathe
of diuinitie   forfaken the worlde for Chriftes fake: And his bootes on his legges in token that he flall euer bee in a
redineffe to go forwarde in preachynge the gofpell, as I doubte' not there bee many in Englande wolde
gladly doo euen amonge thefe newve gentyles if they were therto mainteyned by the ayde of the fecular
poupe as in this cafe it fhalbe requifite for the furniture of neceffaries hereunto apperteynynge, I muff
An admonition  nowe therfore appele vnto yow, yow riche men and rulers of the worlde, to whom god bath giuen gooddes
to rche en. as thynges neyther good nor badde of them    felues, but onely as they are vfed wel or euil.   If yowe vfe
them well, they are the gyftes of god wherwith yow may doo many thynges acceptable both to god and men.
And if yow vfe them otherwyfe, yowe poffeffe not them, but they poffeffe yow, and theyr canker and rufte
(as faythe the Apoftle) flhalbe a teffimonie ageinif yow in the day of the great audit. Thinke not therfore
that this thynge perteyneth not vnto yowe, if yowe perteyne vnto Chrifte and looke to bane any parte
with bym. Confyder with yowre felues if it were onely to get worldely ryches, howe redye and gree(ly
yowe wolde bee to venture a greate deale to get a thyrde part, withowt caftynge of any perell by lande or
The marchant   by fea, as the wyttie poet Horafe hath in fewe wordes defcrybed the marchauntes defyre and aduenture,
Ito obteyne rycheffe.
1          58




The Preface to t/e Reader.


59


_I _ 


Impoiger extremos currit mercatcr ad Indos,
Eer mare pauperiem fugiens,'perfaxa, per i^gies.
The which verfes are thus much to fay in effecte.
The marchaunt in hope greate rycheffe to fynde,
By fyer and by water paffeth to Inde,
By the burnte line or Equinoctiall,
To flye from pouertie and hafarde all.
As the poet hath in thefe verfes, by the marchaunt declared the defyre that couetous men haue to  The decyre of
obteyne lippery riches, the lyke affection to obteyne worldly fame and honour, maye we fee in valiant  wordely fane.
and noble capitaynes in the warres where they contende to put them felues forwarde to the mofle daungerous
aduenture as to haue the forewarde of the battayle: a token furely of much nobilitie and manly corage.
But oh immortall god? Is it not to bee lamented that men can be fo valient, ftowte, and in maner defperate in
theyr owne priuate matters, perteynyng onely to theyr bodies, and yet fo coulde, negligent, and fearefull  Men are slothfill
in goddes caufe and thynges touchynge the health of theyr foules? If there were neyther deuyll nor lawe  i goddes cause.
to accufe men before god in this cafe, Ihall not theyr owne confciences bee a lawe of condemnation ageynfte
theym in that they haue not fhewed that loue to mankynde, which the very lawe of nature moueth brute
beaftes to fhewe one to an other in theyr generations?  But what hope is there (excepte god wolde in
maner by myracle conuerte the hartes of fuch men) what hope is there I fay, that they wyll depart with
any of theyr gooddes, muche leffe aduenture theyr bodies, to the furtheraunce of Chriftes religion in thefe
regions beinge fo farre from them, wheras many fhewe lyttle loue, charitie, or liberalitie (if not rather crueltie,
tyrannie, and oppreffion) to theyr poore neighbours and brootherne dwelling euen at home at theyr owne
elbowes. But as this couetoufneffe is to bee reproued, fo is the liberalitie of fuch to be commended as haue
byn at greate coafte and charges in fettynge tbrwarde fuche viages: wherein not onely the marchauntes
of London, but alfo diuers noble men and gentelmen afwell of the counfayle as other, which bothe with  Vyages from
theyr money and furtheraunce otherwyfe haue furnyffhed and fent furth certeyne fhyppes for the difcouerynge  Englande
of fuche landes and regions as were heretofore vnknowen, haue herein deferued immortall fame, for as
much as in fuch attemptes and daungerous vyages, they haue fhewed no fmaule liberalitie vppon vncerteyne
hope of gayne: wherein they haue deferued fo much the greater prayfe as theyr intent feemed to bee rather
to further honeft enterprifes then for refpecte of vantage. And here certeynely in the mention of thefe
viages I myght feeme vngratefull if I fhulde omitte to giue dewe commendations to the two chiefe capitaynes
of the fame as the woorthy knyght fyr Hugh Wylloby and the excellent pilotte Rycharde Chaunceler who  Syr Hugh
haue therein aduentured theyr lyues for the commoditie of theyr countrey: Men doubtleffe woorthye for theyr  Wycoanrde
noble attemptes to bee made knightes of the Ocean or otherwyfe preferred if euer god fende them home  Chaunceler.
ageyne although they fayle of theyr purpofe. For as fuche haue obteyned abfolute glory that haue browght  Glory and fame.
great thynges to paffe, fo haue they deferued immortall fame which haue only attempted the fame: forafmuch
as fortune (who fumtymes fauoureth the vnworthyeft) is not in the poure of man. Xerfes obteyned glorie
in makynge a bridge ouer the fea Hellefpontus ioynynge Europe to Afia, and Darius ouer Bofphorus when
he paffed with his armye towarde the Scythians. No leffe fame and commendation (although not lyke
glory) deferued Demetrius, Cefar, Calligula, and Seleucus Nicanor, whiche attempted to cutte in fundre
certeyne places cauled Ifthmi, (beinge narrowe portions of lande fo diuidynge twoo feas, that there is no
paffage from the one to the other) and yet neuer finiffhed that they tooke in hande, beinge hyndered
eyther by deathe, warres, or other chaunces. The auncient Romans and Greekes gaue fuch glorye vnto  Therewardeof
them that had eyther well deferued of the common welthe, or otherwyfe attempted fuch great enterprifes  noble enterprises.
as might bee profitable for mankynde, that after theyr death they caufed Images of golde, fyluer, braffe,
Iuery, and marble to bee made to theyr lykeneffe, and the fame to be placed in theyr folemne hauies,
palaices, or temples, with certeyne verfes made to the commendation of them whom the Images reprefented.
And this no leffe to prouoke and encorage other forwarde natures to th[e]emulation of their vertues, then
alfo to geue them the due honoure of theyr iuft defertes. And furely if euer fence the begynnynge of the  The vyage to
worlde any enterpryfe haue deferued greate prayfe as a thynge atchyued by men of heroicall vertue,  north syeahe
doubtleffe there was neuer any more woorthy commendation and admiration then is that whiche owre
nation haue attempted by the north feas to difcouer the mightie and riche empire of Cathay, by which
vyage not only golde, fyluer, precious flones, and fpices, may be browght hether by a fafer and fhorter
way, but alfo much greater matters may hereof enfewe in tyme if it Ihall pleafe God to gyue vnto Chrifltian
men fuch plffage into thofe regions, whereby fuch familiaritie may further growe betwene the Chrifltian princes


59




60


The Preface to the Reader.


Societie betwene  of Europe and the greate emperoure of Cathay, that (as wryteth Haytho De focietate Chriz/ianorim et
the Tartars and
the Christians  Tartarorumi) there can nothynge be imagined more effectuali for the confufion of the Turke if the great
The Turke.     Chaim of Cathay and the Sophie of Perfia on the one fyde, and the Chriflian Princes on the other fyde,
The Sophie.
Tambulanes.   flulde with one confent inuade his dominions, as dyd Tamburlanes Th[e]emperoure of the Tartars who abowte
Baiasetes.    the yeare of Chrifte. M. CCC. lxxxxviii. toke prifoner Baiafetes Ottomanus Th[e]emperoure of the Turkes and
flewe. xx. thoufande of his men in one battayle befyde many other great victories, as yowe may further
reade in this booke in the hyftorie of Paulus Iouius. And to haue fayde thus muche in maner of a preface it
may fuffice.


6o




[The Third English book on


America,


Which is also
THE FIRST ENGLISH COLLECTION OF VOYAGES, TRAFFICS, & DISCOVERIES.
loht trt 0rae   of the  rtrut uorIet rr tebt 3nrtia, etc.


SECTION


I.


Pietro
The First Decade,. 6
Firs


Martire.


tf the Ocean.
t printed in 1511.


The Second Decade,
The Third Decade,


Of the supposed Continent.


[The discovery of the Pacific by
Vasco Nunez de Balboa,on the


25th    September     I5I3.
voyages of Pedro Arias,
Sebastian Cabot.]
The Second and Third Decades were first printed in 1516.


The
and


Of the new found islands


(i.e. Yucatan and Mexico.)


First printed in 1521.]


A




A




vs


7he epistle of Peter Martyr.


63


J


- --


[This eloquent Dedication first appeared in the Second and enlarged Edition of the Decades, the printing of which was finished at
Alcala on 9th November 1516.   Nearly the whole of the following First Decas (pp. 65-105) had, however, been previously
printed in 151I, and was for the most part written even earlier than that year.]
I TO THE MOSTE NOBLE PRINCE AND CATHOLIKE KYNGE, CHARLES,
PETER MARTYR OF ANGLERIA WYSHETH
PERPETUALL FELICITIE.


He diuine prouidence, frome the tyme that he fyrfte
created the worlde, hathe referued vnto this day the
knowleage of the great and large Ocean fea: In the
which tyme he hath opened the fame, chiefely vnto
yowe (mofte mightie Prince) by the good fortune
and happie fucceffe of yowr grandfather by yowr
mothers fyde. The fame prouidence (I knowe not
by what deftenie) hath brought me owt of my natiue
h   countrey of Milane, and owt of the citie of Rome
*\o afmu/c/^/ a(where I continued almoft. x. yeares) into Spaine,
that I myght particularlye collecte, thefe marueylous
and newe thynges, which fhoulde otherwyfe perhappes haue line drowned in the whirlepoole of
obliuion: forasmuch as the Spanyardes (men
woorthy [of] greate commendation) had onely care to the generall inuentions of thefe
thynges. Notwithftandinge, I doo not chalenge vnto me only, the thankes of the trauaile
befrowed herein, wheras the chiefe rewarde therof is due to Afcanius vicounte Cardinal,
who perceauynge that I was wyllyng to departe owt of the citie to be prefent at the warres
of Granatum, diffuaded me from my purpofe.  But feing that I was fully refolued to
departe, exhorted and required me to wryte vnto hym fuch newes as were famous in Spayne
and woorthy to be noted. I tooke therfore my iorney into Spaine chiefely for the defyre I
had to fee th[e]expedition whiche was prepared ageynft the enemies of the fayth:
forafmuche as in Italye, by reafon of the diffention among the Princes, I coulde fynde
nothynge wherewith I myght feede my wytte, beinge a younge man defyrous of knowleage
and experience of thynges. I was therefore prefente at the warres: from whenfe I writte
to Cardinal Afcanius, and by fundry epiftels certifyed hym of fuch thynges as I thought
mofte woorthye to be put in memorie. But when I perceaued that his fortune was turned
from a natural moother to a fteppedame, I ceafed from wrytynge. Yet after I fawe, that
by th[e]ouerthrowe of the enemies of owre faythe, Spayne was pourged of the Moores as
of an euyll weede plucked vp by the rootes, Leafte I ihulde beftowe my flippery yeares
in vnprofitable Idleneffe I was mynded to returne to Italie. But the finguler benignitie
of bothe the Catholyke Kynge and queene nowe departed, and theyr large promifes
towarde me vppon my returne from my legacie of Babilon, deteyned me frome my
purpofe. Yet dooth it not repent me that I drewe backe my foote: Afwel for that I
fee in no other place of the worlde at this time the lyke woorthy thinges to bee done:
As alfo that in maner throwgh owt all Italy, by reafon of the difcorde of the Chriftian


The largenes of
the Ocean
vnknowen to this
day.
Cardinal Ascanius.
The warres of
Granatum ageynst
the Moores.
The autour was
sent ambassadour
to the Soltane of
Alcayr in Egypte.


Italy disquieted
with warres.




64


The ef is/le of Peter AIartyr.


Tle sequeles of
warre.
Kynge Frederike.
Leo the tenth,
byshoppe of Rome.
Spayne subdued
from the Moores.


The kyn[g]dome
Naples.


of


Note, frome the
begynnyng of the
worlde.
The temperatness
of the Equinoctial
vnknowen to the
owlde wryters.


Princes, I perceaued all thynges to runne headelonge into ruine, the countreys to be
deftroyed and made fatte with human bludde: The cities facked, virgines and matrones
with theyr gooddes and poffeffions caried away as captiues and miferable innocentes
without offence to be flayne vnarmed within theyr owne houfes. Of the which
calamities, I dyd not onely heare the lamentable owtcryes, but dyd alfo feele the fame.
For euen the bludde of mine owne kinffolkes and frendes, was not free from that crueltie.
As I was therfore mufynge with my felfe of thefe thynges, the Cardinal of Arragonie,
after that he had feene the two fyrife bookes of my Decades wrytten to Afcanius,
required me in the name of kynge Frederike his vncle, to put foorth the other eyght
epiftell bookes, In the meane tyme alfo, while I was voyde of all care as touchynge the
matters of the Ocean, the Apoftolicall meffengers of the byffhoppe of Rome Leo the
tenth, (by whofe holfome counfayle and autoritie we trufte the calamities of Italy fllalbe
fynyffhed) rayfed me as it were frome fleape, and encoraged me to proceade as I had
begunne. To his holyneffe I writte two Decades compryfed in fhort bokes after the
maner of epiftels, and added them to the fyrft, which was printed withowt myne aduife,
as fhall further appeare by the preface folowynge.
But nowe I returne to yow (moft noble Prince) from whom I haue fumwhat
digreffed. Therfore wheras yowr graundefathers by your moothers fyde, haue fubdued
all Spayne vnder yowr dominion except onely one corner of the fame, and haue alfo lefte
yowe the kyngedome of Naples with the frutefull Ilandes of owr feas, it is fuerly a greate
thynge and woorthy to be noted in owre cronacles. But not offendynge the reuerence due
to owre prediceffors, what fo euer frome the begynnynge of the worlde hath byn doone
or wrytten to this day, to my iudgement feemeth but little, if wee confyder what newe
landes and countreys, what newe feas, what fundry nations and tounges, what golde
mynes, what treafuries of perles they haue lefte vnto yowre hyghneffe, befyde other
reuenues. The whiche, what they are and howe greate, thefe three Decades fhall declare.
Come therfore mofte noble Prince elected of God, and enioy that hyghe eftate of
thynges not yet vnderftode to men. We offer vnto yowe the Equinoctiall line hetherto
vnknowen and burnte by the furious heate of the foonne and vnhabitable after the opinion
of the owlde wryters a fewe excepted: But nowe founde to bee moft repleniffhed with
people, faire, frutefull, and mofte fortunate, with a thowfande Ilandes crowned with golde
and bewtifull perles, befyde that greate portion of earth fuppofed to bee parte of the firme
lande, excedynge in quantitie three Europes. Come therfore and embrafe this newe worlde,
and fuffer vs no longer to confume in defyre of yowr prefence. From henfe,
from henfe I faye (moft noble younge Prince) fhall inftrumentcs
be prepared for yow, whereby al the worlde fhalbe
vnder yowr obeyfaunce.
And thus I byd yowr maieftie farewell: To whofe tafte if I fhal
perceaue the fruites of this my tyllage to be delectable, I wyll
hereafter doo my endeuoure that yowe maye receaue the
fame more abundauntly.  From Madrid.   The
day before the Calendes of October,
In the yeare of. Chryfte.
M.D. XV I.


Continente or firme
lande as bygge as
thre Europes
Ryches are the
instrumentes of
conquestes.


jlr 3  x.




65


C THE FIRSTE BOOKE OF THE DECADES
OF THE OCEAN, WRITTEN BY PETER MARTYR OF
Angleria, Milenoes, counfiler to the kyng of Spayne and
Protonotarie Apoftolicall, To A4canius
Spjhorcia, vicount Cardinall. etc.


I_                      3H E REV EREN D E AN D thanckefull antiquite was accuitomed
to efteme thofe men as goddes, by whofe induifrie and magnanimitie fuche Landes and Regions were difcouered, as were
vnknowen to theyr prediceffoures. But vnto vs hauynge onely
one god whom we honour in triplicitie of perfon, this reileth,
that albeit we do not woorfhip that kind of men with diuine
llll^  s il     hhonoure, yet do we reuerence them, and woorthely maruell
at theyr noble actes and enterprifes. Vnto kynges and princes
we gyue due obeyfaunce, by whofe gouernaunce and furtheraunce they haue bin ayded, to perfurme theyr attemptes. We
commende bothe, and for theyr iuft defertes worthely extoll
them. Wherfore, as concernyng the Ilandes of the weft Ocean,
lately difcouered, and of the auctours of the fame, (whiche
thynge you defyre by your letters to knowe) I wyll begynne at
the fyrft auctoure therof, lefte I be iniurious to any man. Take
_                          it therfore as foloweth.
( Chritopbhorus Colonus (other wife called Columbus) A gentilman of Italy, borne in the citie of Genua, perfwaded Fernando and Elyzabeth, catholike prynces, that he
doubted not to fynde certayne Ilandes of India, nere vnto owre Occean fea, if they wolde furnyffhe hym with
fhyppes and other thynges apperteynynge. Affyrminge that therby not onely the Chriftian religion myght be
enlarged, but Spayne alfo enryched by the great plentie of golde, pearles, precious ftones, and fpices, whiche
might be founde there. At the lengthe three Ihyppes were appoynted hym at the kinges charges: of the which
one was a great caracte with deckes: and the other twoo were light marchaunte fhyppes without deckes, whiche
the Spaniardes call Carauelas. Thus he departed from the coftes of Spaine about the calendes of September,
in the yere of Chrift I492. and fet forward on his viage, being accompanied with. CC. xx. [two hundred and twenty]
Spanyardes. The fortunate Ilandes (as manye thinke them to be, whiche the Spaniardes call Canariaz, found but
of late dayes) are diftaunte from the Ilandes of Gades, a thoufande and twoo hundreth myles, accordyng to theyr
accompte: for they fay they are diflant three hundreth leaques: wheras fuch as are expert fea men, affyrme that
euery leaque conteyneth foure myles, after theyr fupputations. Thefe Ilandes were called fortunate, for the temperate ayre whiche is in them. For neyther the coldeneffe of wynter is fharpe vnto them, nor the heate of fommer
intollerable. Yet fome men are of opinion, that thofe were in olde tyme called the fortunate Ilandes, whiche
the Portugales call Capo Verde.  Colonus therfore fayled fyrile to the Ilandes of Canarie, to the intente there
to refrefhe his fhyppes with frefhe water and fuell, before he committed him felfe to thys fo laborious a vyage.
And bycaufe I haue here made mention of the Ilandes of Canariaz: It fhall not be muche from my purpofe to
declare howe of vnknowen they became knowen, and of faluage and wilde, better manured. For by the longe
courfe of manye yeres, they were forgotten, and remayned as vnknowen.
Thefe feuen Ilandes (therfore) called the Canaries, were founde by chaunce by a frenche man, called
Betanchor, by the permiffion of queene Katharine, protectrixe of kyng Iohn her fon, while he was yet in his
nonage, about the yere of Chrifle. M. CCCC. V. This Be/anchor inuaded twoo of thefe Ilandes called Lancelotus and Forlifuentura, whiche he inhabited and brought to better culture. He beinge deade, his fon and
heire folde bothe the fayde Ilandes to certayne Spaniardes.
After this, Fernandus Peraria and his wyfe, inuaded Ferrea and Gomera. The other three were fubdued
in our tyme. Grancanaria, by Petrus de Vera, citezen of the noble citie of Xericium, and Michaell of Moxica.
EDEN.                             I                                   65


1
The reward c f
vertue
The Ilandes of
the weste Ocean.
ChristophoIus
Colonus.
India.
The fyrst viage
of Colonus.
The Ilandes of
Canarie.
Gades or
Cals mals.
A leaque, what it
conteyneth by sea.
The fortunate
Ilandes.
Cabouerde.
The seuen Ilandes
of Canarie.
Betanchor A
frenche man
subdued the
ilandes of Canarie
Lancelotus.
Fortisuentura.
Ferrea.
Gomera.
Grancanaria




66


The fyrfl Decade.


Palma.
Tenerifen.
Alphonsus Lugo.
2
Colonus men rebel
against hym.
Faire wordes and
promises.
Hispaniola.
Iohanna.
Nightingales
synge in
Nouember.
The Ilande of
Ophir.
The ilandes of
Antilia.
A shypwrack
The people of
the ilande.
Naked people.
Expert swimmers.
Gold for erth and
glasse.
Many kinges
Relygious and
humaine people.
Canoas.
Monoryla.     3
They haue no -
Iren.
Canibales or
Caribes
Anthropophagi.
The crue'tie of
the Canibales.


Palma and Tenerifen, by Alphonfus Lugo, at the kynges charges. Gomnera and Ferrea were eafely fubdued: But the
matter wente harde with Ahzonzfus Lugo. For that naked and wylde nation, fyghtinge onelywith ftones and clubbes,
droue his armie to flighte at the fyrfte affaulte, and flewe about foure hundreth of his men. But at the length he
ouercame them. And thus all the Ilandes of Canaric were added to the dominion of Spayne. From thefe
Ilandes Colonus directynge his viage towarde the wefte, folowinge the fallinge of the fonne, but declining fomv'hat
towarde the left hande, fayled on forwarde. xxxiii. dayes continually, hauynge onely the fruition of the heauen
and the water. Then the Spanyardes whiche were accompanied with hym, beganne fyrfte to murmure fecretely
among them felues: and fhortly after with wordes of reproche fpake euyll of Colonus theyr gouernoure, and confulted with them felues, eyther to rydde hym out of the waye, orelles to caif hym into the fea: Ragyng that they
were deceyued of a ftraunger, an outlandifhe man, a Ligurian, a Genues, and brought into fuche daungerous places,
that they myght neuer returne ageyne. And after. xxx. days were pafle, they furioufely cryed out againfte him, and
threatned him that he fhulde paffe no further. But he euer with ientyll wordes and large promyfes, appeafed
theyr furie, and prolonged day after day, fome tyme defyring them to beare with hym yet a whyle, and fome
time putting them in remembrance that if they fhulde attempte any thinge agaynft him, or other wife difobey
hym, it wolde be reputed for treafon. Thus after a fewe dayes, with cherefull hartes they efpied the lande longe
looked for. In this iyrft nauigation, he difcouered. vi. Ilandes, wherof twoo were exceding great: Of whiche,
the one he called Hiffpaniola, and the other Iohanna. But at that tyme he knewe not perfectely that Zohanna
(other wyfe called Cuba,) was an Ilande. As they coafted alonge by the fhore of certayne of thefe Ilandes, they
harde nyghtingales fynge in the thycke woodes in the month of Nouember. They found alfo great riuers
of frefhe water, and naturall hauens, of capacitie to harborowe greate nauies of fhippes. Saylinge by the coaftes
of Iohanna, from the northe poynte to the weft, he rode lyttell leffe then eyght hundreth miles (for they call it a
hundreth and foure fcore leaques) fuppofyng that it had byn the continent or fyrme land, bicaufe he coulde
nother fynd the landes ende, nor any token of the ende, as farre as he coulde iudge with his eye: wherfore
he determined to returne backe agayne, beyng therto partly enforced by the roughneffe of the fea. For the fea
banckes of the Ilande of ohalnna, by fondrye wyndinges and turnynges, bende them felues fo muche towarde
the Northe, that the northnortheafte wynde roughely toffed the fhyppes by reafon of the wynter. Turnynge
therfore the femmes of his fhyppes towarde the Eafte, he affyrmed that he had founde the Ilande of Ophir,
whyther Salomons fhyppes fayled for golde. But the defcription of the Cofmographers well confidered, it
feemeth that bothe thefe, and the other Ilandes adioynyng, are the Ilandes of Antilia. This Ilande he called
Hifpaniola: on whofe northe fyde as he approched nere to the lande, the keele or bottome of the biggefte
veffell ranne vpon a blynde rocke couered with water, and cloue in funder. But the playneneffe of the
rocke was a helpe to them that they were not drowned. Makynge hafte therfore with the other two fhips
to helpe them, they brought awaye al the men without hurte. Here comming fyrft a land, they fawe certayne
men of the Ilande: who perceauynge an vnknowen nation comminge towarde them, flocked together and ranne
al into the thycke wooddes, as it hadde byn hares courced with grehoundes. Owre men purfuing them, tooke
onely one woman, whom they brought to the fhyppes: where fyllinge her with meate and wyne, and
apparelinge her, they let her departe to her company. Shortly after a greate multitude of them came runnynge
to the fhore to beholde this newe nation, whom they thought to haue difcended from heauen. They cafl them
felues by heapes into the fea, and came fwimminge to the fhyppes, bryngyng golde with them, which they
chaunged with owre men for erthen pottes, drinking glaffes, poyntes, pynnes, hawkes belles, lokinge glaffes,
and fuche other trifles. Thus growing to further familiaritie, owre men were honorably enterteyned of the
kynge of that parte of the Ilande, whofe name was Guaccanarillus: for it hath many kynges, as when
Eneas arriued in Italy, he founde Latium diuided into many kyngedomes and prouinces, as Latium, fMezeutium,
Turnum, and Tarchonlem, which were feperated with narow boundes, as fhall more largely appere hereafter.
At the euen tyde about the faulyng of the fonne, when owre men went to praier, and kneled on their
knees after the maner of the Chriftians, they dyd the lyke alfo. And after what maner fo euer they fawe them
praye to the croffe, they folowed them in all poyntes as well as they coulde. They fhewed much humanitie
towardes owre men: and helped them with theyr lighters or finall boates (whiche they call Canoas) to vnlade
theyr broken fhyppe: And that with fuche celeritie and cherefulneffe, that no frende for frende, or kynfeman for
kynfeman, in fuche cafe moued wif*- pitie, coulde do more. Theyr boates are made only of one tree,
made holow with a certain fharpe flone (for they haue no yron.) And are very longe and narowe. Many affirme
that they haue fene fome of them with fortie ores. The wylde and myfcheuous people called Canibales or
Caribes, whiche were accuftomed to eate mannes fleffhe (and called of the olde writers, Anthropophagi) moleft them
excedyngly, inuadynge theyr countrey, takynge them captiue, kyllyng and eatyng them. As owre men fayled
to the Ilandes of thefe meke and humayne people, they lefte the Ilandes of the Canibales, in maner in
the middeft of theyr viage towarde the fouth. They complayned that theyr Ilandes were no leffe vexed with
the incurfions of thefe manhuntyng Canibales when they go forth a rouynge to feeke theyr praye: then are
66




The fyr f Decade.


67


_ 


other tame beaftes, of Lyons and Tigers. Such chyldren as they take, they geld to make them fat as we
doo cocke chikyns and younge hogges, and eate them when they are wel fedde: of fuche as they eate, they fyrft
eate the intralles and extreme partes, as handes, feete, armes, necke, and heade. The other mofte fleffhy partes,
they pouder for ftore, as we do peftelles of porke and gammondes of bakon. Yet do they abfteyne from
eatynge of women and counte it vyle. Therfore fuche younge women as they take, they keepe for increace, as
we doo hennes to leye egges. The olde women, they make theyr drudges. They of the Ilandes (which
we may nowe caul owres) bothe the men and the women when they perceaue the Canibales coming, haue none
other Ihyfte but onely to flie: for althoughe they vfe very Iharpe arrowes made of reedes, yet are they of fi nall
force to repreffe the furie of the Canibales: for euen they them felues confeffe, that tenne of the Canibals
are able to ouercome a hundreth of them if they encountre with them. Theyr meate is a certeyne roote which
they cal Ages: muche lyke a nauew roote in fourme and greatneffe: but of fweete tafte, muche lyke a
greene cheftnutte. They haue alfo an other kynde of rootes, whiche they call lucca, wherof they make
breade in lyke maner. They vfe Ages more often rofted or fodden, then to make breade therof. But
they neuer eate lucca, excepte it be firfte fliced and preffed, (for it is ful of lycoure) and then baked or
fodden. But this is to be marueled at, that the iuyce of this roote is a poyfon as ftrong as Aconitum, fo
that if it be dronke it caufeth prefent death, and yet the breade made of the maffe therof, is of good tafte
and holfome, as all they haue proued. They make alfo an other kynde of breade of a certayne pulfe, called
Panicum, muche lyke vnto wheate, wherof is great plentie in the dukedome of Mylane, Spayne, and Granatum.
But that of this countrey is longer by a fpanne, fomewhat fharpe towarde the ende, and as bygge as a mannes
arme in the brawne: The graynes wherof are fette in a maruelous order, and are in fourme fomwhat
lyke a peafe. While they be 'foure and vnripe, they are white: but when they are ripe they be very blacke.
When they are broken, they be whyter then fnowe. This kynde of grayne, they call Maizium. Golde is
of fome eftimation among them: for fome of them hange certain fmall pieces therof at theyr eares and
nofethrilles. A lyttell beyonde this place, our men wente a lande for freffhe water, where they chaunced vpon
a Ryuer whofe fande was myxed with muche golde. They founde there no kindes of foure foted beaftes excepte
three kyndes of lyttell conyes. Thefe Ilandes alfo nourifhe ferpentes: but fuch as are without hurt. Lykewife
wylde geefe, turtle doues, and duckes, much greater then ours, and as whyte as fwannes, with heades of purple
coloure. Alfo Popiniaies, of the whiche fome are greene, fome yelowe, and fome lyke them of India,
with yelowe rynges about theyr neckes, as Plinie defcribeth them. Of thefe they broughte fortie witrhthem, of mofte liuely and delectable coloures, hauyng theyr fethers entermengled with greere, yelowe,
and purple, whiche varietie, deliteth the fenfe not a litle. Thus muche thought I good to fpeake of Popingiaies,
(ryghte noble Prynce) fpecially to this intente, that albeit the opinion of Chriftophorus Colonus (who affirmeth
thefe Ilandes to be parte of India) dothe not in all poyntes agree with the iudgement of auncient wryters
as touchynge the bigneffe of the Sphere andi compan of the Globe as conceoynge t as he nauigable portion
of the fame beynge vnder vs, yet the Popingiaies and many other thynges brought from thence, doo
declare that thefe Ilandes fauoure fomwhat of India, eyther beynge nere vnto it, or elles of the fame nature:
forafmuche as Ariftotle alfo, about the ende of his booke De CGelo et Mundo, and likewife Seneca, with diuerfe
other authours not  nonrant in Cofmography, do affirme that India is no longe tracte by fea, diflante
from Spayne by the wefte Ocean, for the foyle of thefe Ilandes, bryngeth forthe Maflix, Aloes, and fundrye
other fweete gummes and fpyces as doth India. Cotton alfo of the goffampine tree, as in India in the
countrey of the people called Seres.
( The languages of all the nations of thefe Ilandes, maye well be written with our Latine letters. For
they cal heauen Turei. A houfe, Boa. Golde, Cauni. A good man, Taino. Nothing, Mayani. All other
wordes of theyr language, they pronounce as playnely as we doo the Latine tongue. In thefe Ilandes they
founde no trees knowen vnto them, but pyne app[l]e trees, and date trees: And thofe of maruelous heyght and
exceding harde, by reafon of the greate moyflneffe and fatneffe of the grounde, with continuall and temperate
heate of the fonne, whiche endureth fo all the hole yere. They playnely affyrme the Ilande of HiffanioZa to
be the moft fruiteful lande that the heauen compaffeth aboute, as fhall more largely appere hereafter in the
particular defcription of the fame, whiche we intende to fette foorthe when we Ihall be better inftructed.
Thus makynge a leage of frendfhyppe with the kynge, and leauynr^.with hym. xxxviii. men to fearche the
Ilande, he departed to Spayne takynge with hym. x. of the inhabitauntes to lerne the Spanifhe tongue, to the
intent to vfe them afterwarde for interpretours. Colonus therfore at his returne, was honorably receaued of the
kyng and queene: who caufed him to fytte in theyr prefence, whiche is a token of great loue and honoure
amonge the Spaniardes. He was alfo made Admirall of the Ocean: and his brother goue[r]noure of the Iland.
Towarde the fecond viage, he was furnifhed with. x[v]ii. Ihippes: wherof three were great caractes of a
thoufand tunne: xii. were of that forte, whiche the Spaniardes call Carauelas: without deckes: and twoo other
of the fame forte fomewhat bygger, and more apte to beare deckes, by reafon of the gretneffe of theyr maftes,
67


Ages.
Rootes in the
steede of meate.
Iucca.
Breade of rootes.
An herbe of a
straunge nature.
Maizium.
Golde in
estimation.
Golde in the
sandes of ryuers
Serpentes without
venime.
Turtle doues
Duckes.
Popingiayes.
Plini
These Ilandes are
parte of India.
The Indians are
Antipodes to the
spaniardes.
Aristotle.
Seneca.
India not far
from Spaine
4
Mastix.
Aloe.
Gossampyne
cotton or bombase.
Seres.
The language of
these Indians.
Trees and frutes
vnknowen to vs.
Fat and moyste
grounde.
Heate continuall
and temperate.
The fruitfulnes of
hispaniola
The seconde viage
of Colonus.




68


The fyrJt Decade.


__ ___ __ 


Come and sedes
to sowe.
Tooles and
artillery.
Water droppyng
from a tree
continually.


He had alfo a thoufand and two hundreth armed footemen well appoynted: Amonge whiche were many
artificers, as fmythes, carpenters, myners, and fuche other: Certayne horfemen alfo, wel armed: Likewife
mares, fhiepe, heyghfers, and fuch other of bothe kindes for incrafe.  Lykewife all kynde of pulfe or grayne
and corne, as wheate, barlye, rye, beanes and peafe, and fuche other, as well for food as to fowe: Befyde
vynes, plantes and feedes, of fuche trees, fruites, and herbes, as thofe countreyes lacke. And (not to be for,gotten) fundry kindes of artillery and iron tooles, as bowes, arrowes, croffebowes, bylles, hargabufes, brode
fwoordes, large targettes, pikes, mattockes, fhoouelles, hammers, nayles, fawes, axes, and fuche other. Thus
beynge furnifhed accordyngely, they fet forwarde from the Ilandes of Gades, (nowe called Cals,) the. vii. day
before the calendes of October, in the yere of Chrifte. 1493. and arriued at the Ilandes of Canarie, at the
calendes of October. Of thefe Ilandes, the lafte is'called Ferrca, in whiche there is no other water that maye
be drunke, but onely that is gathered of the dewe whiche continually diftilleth from one onely tree growynge
on the higheft backe of the Ilande, andtfalleth into a rounde trenche made with mannes hande. We were
infourmed of thefe thynges within fewe dayes after his departure. WXhat Ihal fuccede, we wyl certifie yowe
hereafter. Thus fare ye well, from the courte, at the Ides of Nouember. I49.3
r;
( THE SECONDE BOOKE OF THE FYRSTE DECADE
to Afcanius Phorcia, vicouz        te Cardinall, etc.


Methymna Campi
Castella Vetus.
Gades
5
The Iland of
Ferrea.
Ilands of the
Canibales.
The Iland of
Dominica.
viii. hundreth and
xx. leaques in. xxi.
dayes.
Lysertes,
The Ilande of
Galanta.
The Iland of
Guadalupea.
Vilages of. xx or.
xxx. houses
The building of
theyr houses.


Owe repete (ryghte honorable Prynce) that yowe are defirous to knowe what newes we haue in
Spayne from the newe worlde: and that thofe thynges haue greatly delyted you which I wrote
vnto yowre highneffe of the fyrfte nauigation. Yowe fhal now therefore receaue what hath fucceded. Methymna Campi, is a famous towne in high Spayne in the refpecte frome yowe, and is
in that parte of Spayne whiche is called CaJlella Vetus: beynge ditfante from Gades about. xl.
myles. Here the courte remayned, when aboute the. ix. of the kalendes of Aprell in this yere
of nynetie and foure, there were poftes fente to the kynge and queene, certifyinge them that
there were. xii. fhippes come from the newe Ilandes and arryued at Gades. But the gouernoure of the fhyppes
fente worde to the kynge and quene that he had none other matter to certifie them of by the poffes, but onely
that the Admiral with fiue fhippes and. iiii. fcore and tenne men remayned ifyll in HifPaniola, to fearche the fecretes
of the Ilande. And that as touching other matters, he hym felfe wolde fhortly make relation in theyr pretence, by
worde of mouthe. Therfore the daye before the nones of Aprel, he came to the courte him felfe. What I learned
of him and other faythefull and credible men whiche came with hym from the Admirall, I wyl reherfe vnto yowe
in fuch order as they declared the fame to me when I demaunded them. Take it therfore as foloweth. The
thyrde daye of the Ides of October, departynge from Ferrea, the lafle of the Ilandes of Canariaa, and from the
cofes of Spayne with a nauie of. xvii. ihippes, they fayled. xxi. dayes before they came to any Ilande: inclyning
of purpofe more towarde the lefte hand then at the fyrft viage, folowyng the northnortheaft wynde: and arriued
fyrf at the Ilandes of the Canibales, or Caribes of which, onely the fame was knowen to our men. Amonge
thefe, they chaunfed fyrfle vpon one, fo befet with trees, that they coulde not fe fo muche as an elle fpace
of bare earthe or flony grounde. This they called Dominica, bicaufe they found it on the funday. They taried
here no tyme, bycaufe they fawe it to be deferte. In the fpace of thefe. xxi. dayes, they thynke that they fayled
viii. hundreth and. xx. leaques, the Northenortheaft wynde was fo full with them, and fo freffhely folowed the
flerne of theyr fhyppes. After they hadde fayled a lyttell further, they efpied dyuerfe Ilandes replenyffhed
with fundrye kyndes of trees, from the whiche came fragrant fauours of fpyces and fweete gummes. Here they
fawe neyther man nor beafle, except certayne lifartes of huge bigneffe, as they reported whiche went alande to
viewe the countrey. This Iland they cauled Galana, or Galanta. From the cape or poynt of this Iland,
efpying a mountayne a farre of, they fayled thyther. Aboute. xxx. myles from this mountayne, they fawe a
ryuer difcending whiche teemed to be a token of fome great and large fludde. This is the fyrfte lande whiche
they founde inhabited from the Ilandes of Canaria, and is an Ilande of the Canibales, as they lerned by the
interpretours whiche they tooke with them from HfiJaniola into Spayne at theyr fyrfte viage. Serchynge the
Ilande, they founde innumerable villages of. xx. houfes or. xxx. at the moorfe, fette rounde abowte in order,
makynge the fireete in coompaffe lyke a markette place. And forafmuch as I haue made mention of theyr
houfes, it fhal not be greately from my purpofe to defcribe in what maner they are buylded. They are made
rounde lyke belles or rounde pauylions. Theyr frame is rayfed of excedynge hyghe trees, fette clofe together
and fafr rampaired in the grounde, fo ftandyng a flope and bending inward that the toppes of the trees ioyne
68




ThefyrfJ Decade.


69


1


together and beare one agaynfte an other, hauynge alfo within the houfe, certayne fironge and fhorte props or
poites whiche fufteyne the trees from fallynge. They couer them with the leaues of date trees and other trees
Ifrongly compact and hardened, wherewith they make them clofe from wynde and wether. At the fhort poftes
or proppes within the houfe, they tie ropes of the cotton of goffampine trees, or other ropes made of certayne
long and toughe rotes much lyke vnto the ihrubbe called Spartuni, wherof in olde tyme they vfed to make
bondes for vynes and cabuls and ropes for fhyppes. Thefe they tye ouerthwarte the houfe from poite to pofle.
On thefe they ley as it were certayne mattreffes made of the cotton of the goffampine trees, whiche growe
plentifully in thefe Ilandes. This cotton the Spaniardes call Algodon, and the Italians Bombafine. And thus
they fleepe in hangynge beddes. At the enteraunce of one of theyr houfes, they fawe two Images of woodde
lyke vnto ferpentes, whiche they thoughte had byn fuch idoles as they honour. But they lerned afterwarde that
they were fette there onely for coomlyneffe. For they knowe none other god then the Sunne and Moone,
althoughe they make certaine Images of goffampine cotton to the Similitude of fuch phantafies as they fay
appere to them in the nyghte. Our men found in theyr houfes, all kyndes of erthen veffels, not muche vnlyke
vnto oures. They founde alfo in theyr kichens, mannes flefihe, duckes fleffhe, and goofe flefthe, al in one pot:
and other on the fpittes redye to be layde to the fire. Entrynge into theyr inner lodgynges, they founde
faggottes of the bones of mennes armes and legges, which they referue to make heades for theyr arrowes,
bycaufe they lacke iron. The other bones they cafte awaye when they haue eaten the fleffhe. They founde
likewife the heade of a yonge man fattened to a pofte and yet bledinge. They haue in fome villages, one great
haule or pallaice, aboute the whiche theyr common houfes are placed. To this they refort, as often as they
come together to playe. When they perceaued the commynge of our men, they fledde, in theyr houfes they
founde alfo about. xxx. chyldren and women captiues which were referued to be eaten, but our men tooke them
awaye to vfe them for interpretoures. Searchyng more diligently th[e]ynner partes of the Ilande, they founde.
vii. other ryuers, bygger then this whiche we fpake of before, runnyng throughe the Ilande, with fruitefull ancd
pleafante banckes, delectable to beholde. This Ilande, they called Guadalupea, for the fimilitude that it hath
to the mounte Guadalupus in Spayne, where the Image of the virgin MARIE is religioufly honored. But the
inhabitauntes caul it Carucueria, or Queraquiera.  It is the chiefe habitation of the Canibales. They brought
from this Iland. vii. Popingayes, bygger then phefantes, muche differynge from other in coloure: hauynge theyr
backes, brefles, and bealies of purple coloure, and theyr wynges of other variable coloures. In al thefe Ilandes
is no leffe plentie of popingiayes then with vs of fparrowes or flarlinges. As we brynge vp capons and hennes
to francke or make them fatte, fo do they thefe bigger kyndes of popyngaies for the fame purpofe. After that
they hadde thus fearched the Ilande and dryuen thefe Canibales to flyghte, (whiche ranne awaye at theyr fyrfl
approche as fone as they had efpied them) they cauled theyr company together. And as foone as they had
broken the Canibals boates or lyghters (whiche they call Canoas) they lowfed theyr ankers the daye before the
Ides of Nouember, and departed from Guadalupea. Colonus the admirall, for the defyre he hadde to fe his
companions, whiche at his fyrft vyage he lefte the yere before in HifJpaniola to fearche the countrey, lette paffe
many Ilandes bothe on his righte hande and lefte hande, and fayled directly thyther. By the waye, there
appeared from the Northe. A great Ilande which the captiues that were taken in Hifpaniola, cauled Mfadanino,
or Matinino: Affirmynge it to be inhabited only with women: To whom the Canibales haue acceffe at certen
tymes of the yeare, as in owlde tyme the Thracians had to the Amazones in the Ilande of Lefbos. The men
children, they fende to theyr fathers. But the women theye kepe with them felues. They haue greate and
Rfronge caues or dennes in the ground, to the which they flye for fafegarde if any men reforte vnto them at any
other tyme then is appoynted. And there defende them felues with bowes and arrowes, agenfl the violence of
fuche as attempte to enuade them. They coulde not at this tyme approche to this Ilande, by reafon of the
Northenortheafl wynde which blewe foo vehemently from the fame, wheras they nowe folowed the Eaflefoutheafle. After they departed frome Madanino, and fayled by the fpace of. xl. myles, they paffed not farre frome
an other Ilande which the captyues fayde to bee verye peopulous, and replenyfhed with all thynges neceffarie
for the life of man. This they cauled Mons Serratus, bycaufe it was ful of mountaynes. The captyues'
further declared that the Canibales, are wonte at fome tyme to goo frome theyr owne coaRfles aboue a
thoufande myle to hunte for men. The daye folowynge, they fawe an other Ilande the whiche, bycaufe it was
rownde, they cauled Sancta Maria Rotunda. The nexte daye, theye founde an other, which they cauled S.
Martini. Which they lette paffe alfo bycaufe they had no leafure to tarye. Lykewyfe the thirde daye they
efpyed an other, whofe Diametral fyde extendynge frome the Eafle to the wefle, they iudged to bee a hundreth
and fyftie myle. Theye affirme all thefe Ilandes to be maruelous fayre and frutefull. This lafle, they cauled
Sancta Maria Antiqua. Saylyng yet forwarde, and leauynge many other Ilandes, after they had fayled aboute fortie
myle, they chaunced vpon an other muche bygger then any of the refte, which th[e]inhabitan[t]s caule Ay Ay, but
they named it Infiula crucis. Heare they cafl anker to fetche freffhe water. The Admiral alfo commaunded.
xxx. men to go a lande out of his owne fhyp, and to fearch the Ilande  Here they founde fowre dogges on the
1 2                                   69




I
I


GossamFine
cotton.
Bombase.
Hanginge beddes.
Images.
Fyne cookery
Arrowe heds of
bones.
6
The mount
Guadalupus.
Carucueria.
Popyngayes
bygger then
phesauntes
The Canibales
dryuen to flyght.
Matinino an
Ilande of women.
The Ilandes of
Mons Serratus.
Huntinge for men.
Sancta Maria
Rotunda.
Sanctus Martinus.
Sancta Maria
Antiqua.
Insula crucis
An Ilande of the
Canibals.


I




70


The fyrt Decade.


The Canibales are
expert archers.
Arrowes infected
with veneme.
A conflict with the
Canibales.
The fiercenes
and terrible
countenaunce of
the Canibales.
Methymna Cainpi.
Innumerable
ilandes.
The mynes of
Metales and
precious stones.
The sea catled
Archipelagus.
Insula. S.
Iohannes or
Buchena
Death for deathe
The mountaynes
are coulder then
the playnes.
From Dominica
to Hispaniola fyue
hundreth leaques
The Spanyardes
lefte in the Iland
are slayne.
Kynge
Guaccanarillus
rebelleth.


fhore. The Inhabitants are Canibales, and maruelous experte in fhutinge, as well women as men: And vfe to
infecte theyr arrowes with poyfon: when they had taryed there two dayes, they fawe a farre of, a Canoa, in the
whiche were eight men and as manye women hauynge with them bowes and arrowes. They fearfly affayled
owre men withoute all feare, and hurte fum of them with theyr venemous arrowes. Amonge thefe there was a
certen woman to whome the other gaue reuerence and obeyde as though fhe were theyr queene. Her fonne
wayted vppon her, beinge a younge man, ftrongly made, of terrible and frownynge countenaunce and a lyons
face. Owre men leafte they fholde take the more hurte by beinge wounded a farre of, thowght it befte to ioyne
with them. Therfore with all fpede fettinge forewarde with their ores the brigantine in whiche they were fette
alande, they ouerturned their Can;oa with a great violence, which beinge ouerwhelmed, they notwithflondinge,
as well the women as the men fwymminge, cafte theyr dartes at owre men, thicke and threefowlde. At the
lengthe, gatherynge them felues together vpon a rocke couered with the water, they fowght manfully vntyll they
were ouercome and taken, one being flayne, and the queenes fonne fore wounded. When they were browght
into the Admirals ihippe, they dyd no more put of their fiernes and cruell countenances, then do the Lyons of
Libia when theye perceaue them felues to be bownde in chaynes. There is no mall able to behowlde them,
but he fhall feele his bowelles grate with a certen horroure, nature hath endewed them with foo terrible
menacynge, and cruell afpecte. This coniecture I make of my felfe and other which often tymes wente with me
to fee them at Methymnna Campi. But nowe to returne to the viage. Proceadinge thus further and further,
more then fiue hundrethe myles, firife towardes the Weflefouthewefte, then towarde the Southweft, and at the
lengthe towarde the Wefle northe wefte, they entered into a mayne large fea hauinge in it innumerable
Ilandes, maruelouflye differinge one frome an other, for fum of them were verye frutefull and full of herbes and
trees. Other fum, very drye, barren, and rowgh with high rockye mountaynes of flone, wherof fum were
of bright blewe or afurine coloure, and other glytferinge white: wherfore they fuppofed them by good reafon to
bee the mynes of metalles and precious flones. But the rowghnes of the fea, and multitude of Ilandes
ftandinge fo thicke togyther, hindered them foo, that they cowlde cafte no anker leaflte the bigger veffelles
fhulde runne vppon the rockes. Therefore they deferred the fearchinge of thefe Ilandes vntyl an other tyme
They were fo manye and floode fo thicke, that they coulde not number them. Yet the fmauler veffelles which
drewe no greate depthe, entered emonge them and numbered fortie and fyxe Ilandes. But the bigger veffelles,
kepte aloofe in the mayne fea for feare of the rockes. They caule the fea where this multitude of Ilandes are
fituate, Archipelagus. Frome this tracte proceadinge forrewarde, in the mydde waye there lyeth an Iland which
th[e]inhabitantes caule Burichena, or Buchena.  But they named it Infula S. lohannis. Dyuers of theym
whome we had delyuered frome the Canibales, fayde that they were borne in this Ilande: affirminge it to be
very peopulous and frutefull, hauinge alfo manye fayre wooddes and hauens. There is deadly hatred and
continual battayle betwene them and the Canibales. They haue no boates to paffe from their owne coafles to
the Canibales. But if it bee their chaunce to ouercome them, when they make incurfion into theyr countreye
to feke their praye (as it fumtyme happeneth, the fortune of warre beinge vncerteyne) they ferue them
with like faufe, requitinge deathe for deathe. For one of theym mangeleth an other in pieces, and rofte them
and eate them euen before their eyes. They taryed not in this Ilande. Yet in the weflte angle therof, a fewe
of them went a lande for freffhe water, and fownd a greate and high howfe after the maner of their buylding,
hauinge. xii. other of their vulgare cotages placed abowte the fame: but were all lefte defolate, whether it were
that they reforted to the mountaynes by refon of the heate which was that tyme of the yeare, and to returne to
the playne when the ayre waxeth cowlder, or els for feare of the Canibales which make incurfion into the Ilande
at certen feafons. In all this Ilande is only one kinge. The fouth fyde hereof extendeth abowte two hundrethe
myles. Shortlye after, they came to the Ilande of Hifpaniola, beinge diflante frome the firfle Ilande of the
Caniba/es, fyue hundrethe leaques. Here they fownde all thynges out of order, and theyr felowes flayne which
they lefte here at their fyrfle vyage. In the beginninge of Hifpaniola, (hauinge in it many regions and
kyngedomes as we haue fayde) is the region of Xarmana whofe kinge is named Guaccanarillus. This
Guaccanarillus ioyned frendefhippe with owre men at the fyrfte viage, and made a league with them: But
in the abfence of the Admirall, he rebelled, and was the caufe of owre mens deftruction, althowgh he diffimuled
the fame, and pretended frendfhip at the Admirales returne. As owre men fayled on yet a litle further, they
efpied a longe Canoa with many ores, in which was the brother of Guaccanarillus with only one man waytinge on
hym. He browght with hym two Images of goulde, which he gaue the Admirall in the name of his brother.
And towlde a tale in his language as concerninge the deathe of owre men, as they proued afterwarde, but at
this tyme had no regarde to his communication for lacke of interpretours, which were eyther all deade, or
efcaped or floulne awaye when they drewe nere the Ilandes. But of the. x. [ten.] vii. [seuen] dyed by change of
ayre and dyet. The inhabitantes of thefe Ilandes haue byn euer foo vfed to liue at libertie, in playe and paflyme,
that they can hardely away with the yoke of feruitude which they attempte to fhake of by all meanes they maye.
~ And furely if they had receaued owre religion, I wolde thinke their life mofle happye of all men, if they might
70


Two images of
goulde.
8


Libertie and
idlenes.
A happy kind of
lyfe.!




The fyrJl Decade.                                                    71
therwith enioye their aunciente libertie. A fewe thinges contente them, hauinge no delite in fuche fuperfluites,  Superfluite.
for the which in other places men take infinite paynes and commit manie vnlawfull actes, and yet are neuer
fatiffied, wheras many haue to muche, and none inowgh. But emonge thefe fimple fowles, a fewe clothes ferue  Many haue to
much and none
the naked: weightes and meafures are not needefull to fuch as can not fkyll of crafte and deceyte and haue not  inough.
the vfe of peftiferous monye, the feede of innumerable myfcheues. So that if we ihall not be afhamed to
confeffe the truthe, they feeme to lyue in that goulden worlde of the whiche owlde wryters fpeake fo much:  The goulden
wherin men lyued fimplye and innocentlye without inforcement of lawes, without quarrellinge Iudges and
libelles, contente onely to fatiffie nature, without further vexation for knowelege of thinges to come. Yet thefe  Naked men
troubled with
naked people alfo are tormented with ambition for the defyre they haue to enlarge their dominions: by reafon  ambicion.
wherof they kepe warre and deftroy one an other: from the which plage I fuppofe the golden world was not
free. For euen then alfo, Cede, non cedam, that is, gyue place, and I wyll not giue place, had entred emonge  Gyue place.
men. But nowe to returne to the matter from which we haue digreffed. The admiral defyrous to knowe  The Admiral
further of the death of his men, ent for Guaccanarillus to come to him to his ip, diffimulinge that he knew  sendeth for the
further okynge.
any thinge of the matter. After that he came aboord fhyp, faluting the Admiral and his company gyuing alfo
certen golde to the Capetaynes and offycers, turned him to the women captiues which not lorige before our
men had deliuered from the Canibales. And erneflly beholding one of them whome owre men cauled Catharyne, he -
fpake gentelly vnto her. And thus when he had feene and marueyled at the horfes and fuche other thinges as  No horses in
were in the fhyppe, vnknowen to them, and had with a good grace and merelye afked leaue of the Admirall, he
departed. Yet fum there were which counfeyled the Admirall to kepe hym flyll: that if they might by any
meanes proue that he was confentinge to the deathe of owre men, he might bee punifhed accordinglie. But  A tyme for all
the Admirall confidering that it was yet no tyme to incenfe th[e]inhabitantes myndes to wrathe, dyfmyffed  thynges.
hym. The next daye folowing, the kinges brother refortyng to the fhyppes, eyther in his owne name or in his
brothers, feduced the women. For on the next nyght about mydnight, this Katherine afwell to recouer her  A desperate
aduenture of a
owne libertie as alfo her felowes, being fuborned therto eyther by the kinge or his brothers promifes attempted  woman.
a much more difficulte and daungerous aduenture then dyd Cloelia of Rome, which beinge in hotfage with other  Cloelia of Rome.
maydes to the kynge Porcena, deceaued her kepers, and rode ouer the ryuer Tiber, with the other virgins
which were pledges with her. For wheras they fwamme ouer the ryuer on horfebacke. This Katharyne with
feuen other women, truftynge onlye to the firengthe of theyr owne armes, fwamme aboue three longe myles:
and that alfo, at fuche tyme as the fea was fumwhat rowghe. For euen foo farre of frome the fhore, lay the
fhippes at rode, as nigh as they could coniecture But owre men folowinge them with the fhippeboates, by the fame
light feene on the fhore wherby the women were ledde, tooke three of them: fuppofinge that Katharyne with
the other foure, went to Guaccanarillus. For in the fpringe of the morninge, certen meffengers beinge fente to
hym by the Admirall, had intelligence that he was fledde with all his familie and fluffe, and the women alfo.
which thinge miniftred further fufpection that he was confentinge to the death of owre men. Wherfore the  Guaccanarillus
is sought.
Admirall fente forthe an armye of three hundrethe men, ouer the which he appoynted one Melchior to be  Melchior.
capitayne, wylling him to make diligent fearche to fynde owte Guaccanarillus. Melchior therfore with the
fmaulefte veffels enteringe into the countreye by the ryuers and fcouringe the fhores, chaunced into certen
croked goulfes defended with. v lyttle and fliepe hilles, fuppofinge that it had byn the mouth of fum greate
ryuer. He founde here alfo a verye commodious and fafe hauen, and therefore named it Portus Regalis.
They faye that the enteraunce of this is fo crooked and bendinge, that after the fhippes are once within the  9
fame, whether they turne them to the lefte hand, or to the ryght, they can not perceaue where they came in
vntyll they returne to the mouth of the ryuer: Although it be there fo brode that three of the byggefte veffels
may fayle together on a froont. The fharpe and high hilles on the one fyde and, on the other, fo brake the
wynde, that they were vncerten howe to rule theyr fayles. In the myddle gulfe of the ryuer, there is a
promontorie or point of the lande with a pleafaunte groue full of Popingayes and other byrdes which breede  Popingayes and
therein and finge verye fweetlye. They perceaued alfo that two ryuers of no fmaule largenes fell into the hauen.  yrdes
Whyle they thus fearched the lande betwene bothe, Melchior efpied a high houfe a farre of, where fuppofinge
that Guaccanarillus had lyne hyd, he made towarde it. And as he was goynge, there mette hym a man with a
frownynge countenaunce and a grymme looke, with a hundreth men folowynge hym, armed with bowes and
arrowes, and long and fharpe ftaues like iauelynnes, made harde at the endes with fyre. Who approchyng
towardes owre men, fpake owte alowde with a terryble voyce, fayenge that they were Taini, (that is) noble men,  Taini.
and not Canibales. But when owre men had gyuen them fignes of peace, they lefte bothe theyr weapons and
fiercenes. Thus geuynge eche of them certen- haukes belles, they tooke it for fo greate a rewarde, that they  Haukes belles.
defyred to enter bondes of nere frendefhyppe with vs, and feared not immediatly to fubmitte them felues vnder
owre power, and reforted to our fhyps with theyr prefentes. They that meafured the houfe (beinge made in  A large hous
rounde forme) fownde it to be from fyde to fyde. xxxii. greate paces, compafed abowte with. xxx. other vulgare


houfes, hauinge in them many beames croffe ouer, and couered with reedes of fundry colours, wrethed and as it
't




72


The fyrfi Decade.


Reedes of     were weaued with maruelous art When owre men afked fum of them where they myght fynde Guaccanarillus.
sundry colours.  They aunfwered that that Region was none of his. But theyr kynges beynge there prefente. Yet they fayde
they fuppofed that Guaccanarillus was gone from the playne to the mountaynes.  Makynge therfore a brotherly
Cacci[c]us.   league with this Caccicus, (that is to faye a kynge) they retourned to the Admyrall to make relation what they
hadde feene and harde: whervppon he fent forth dyuers other Centurians with their hundrethes to fearche the
Hoiedus and   countrey yet further.  Emonge the which were Hoiedus and Gorualanus, noble younge gentlemen and of great
Gorualanus.
courage.  And as they went towarde the mountaines to feeke Guaccanarillus, dyuidinge the mountaynes betwene
them, one of them fownde on the one fyde therof foure ryuers faulynge frome the fame mountaynes: and the
Golde in ryuers  other founde. iii. on the other fyde. In the fandes of all thefe ryuers is fownd great plentye of goulde, which
faulinge from
mountaynes.   th[e]inhabitantes of the fame Ilande which were with vs, gathered in this maner.  Making holes in the fande
The maner of  with theyr handes, a Cubette deape, and takynge vp fande with their lefte handes from the botome of the fame,
gathering golde.
raynes ofgolde.  they picked out graynes of goulde with their ryght handes withowte any more arte or cunnynge. And fo
deliuered it to owre men: who affirme that many of them thus gathered, were as bygge as tares or fytchis.
A masse of rude  And I my felfe fawe a maffe of rude goulde, (that is to fay, fuch as was neuer molten) lyke vnto fuche flones as
golde weighinge.
ix ounces.     are founde in the bottomes of ryuers, weighinge nyne ownces, which Hoieda him felfe fownde. Beinge contented
with thefe fignes, they returned to the Admirall to certifie him hereof.  For the Admirall had commaunded
vnder payne of punyfhement that they ihuld meddle no further then their commiffion: which was only to
fearche the places with their fignes. For the fame went that there was a certayne kynge of the mountaynes
Caunaboa, kynge  from whenfe thofe ryuers had their faule, whom they caule Cacicus Cannaboa that is, the lord of the houfe of
of the house of
gold           golde. For they caule a houfe Boa;, goulde, Cazui: and a kynge or Lorde, Cacicus, as we haue fayde before.
Holsome water
and plentie of  They affirme that there can noo where be found better fyffhe, nor of more pleafant taft, or more holfome then in
fysshe.       thefe ryuers: alfo the waters of the fame to be moft holfom to drynke. Melchior hym felfe towld me, that in the
The day and nyght
of equal length  moneth of December, the days and nyghtes bee of equal length among the Canibales. But the fphere or circles
rdesreed i.   of the heauen, agreeth not thervnto. Albeit that in the fame moneth, fume byrdes make their neftes, and fume
Byrdes breed in
December       haue alredy hatched their egges by reafon of the heate beinge rather continuall then extreme. He towlde me
The eleuation
of the pole    alfo when I queftioned with hym as concernynge the eleuation of the pole from the horizontal lyne, that
The starres are  al the  erres cauled PlaJtrum or charles wayne, are hydde vnder the Northe pole to the Canibales. And
cauled gardens
of the pole. 10  furely there returned none from  thenfe at this viage, to whome there is more credit to be gyuen, then
to this man. But if he had byn fkilfull in Aftronomye, he fhulde haue fayde that the day was almofte
The Equinoctial  equall with the night. For in no place towarde the ftay of the fonne (cauled Solfticium) can the night
lyne.          be equall with the day. And as for them, they neuer came vnder the Equinoctiall, for afmuch as they
had euer the northe pole theyr guyde, and euer eleuate in fight aboue the Horizontal. Thus haue I
briefely written vnto yowre honoure, as muche as I thought fufficiente at this tyme. And fhall fhortly hereafter
(by Gods fauoure) wryte vnto you more largely of fuche matters as fhalbe dayly better knowen. For the
admirall hym felfe (whome I vfe famylyerly as my verye frende) hathe promyfed me by his letters, that he wyl
gyue me knowlege of al fuch thynges as fhall chaunce. He hath nowe chofen a ftronge place where he may
A chapel and  buyld a Citie nere vnto a comodious hauen. And hath alredy buylded many houfes and a chapell in the
preestes.      whiche (as in a newe worlde heretofore voyde of all religion) god is dayly ferued with. xiii. preeftes accordinge
to the maner of owre churches. When the tyme nowe approched when he promyfed to fende to the kynge and
queene, and hauynge profperous wynde for that purpofe, fent backe the. xii. Carauelles wherof we made mencion
before it was no fmaul hynderance and greefe, vnto hym: Efpecially confyderynge the death of his men whom
he lefte in the Ilande at the fyrfl vyage, wherby we are yet ignorant of many places and other fecretes wherof
we might otherwyfe haue had further knowleage. But as tyme fhall reueale them ageyne, fo wyll I aduertyfe
yowe of the fame. And that you may the better knowe by conference had with the Apothecaries and marchaunt
Marchaunts    ftrangers Sirophenicians, what thefe Regions beare, and howe hotte theyr ground is, I haue fent you all kyndes
Sirophenicians.  of graynes, with the barke and inner partes of that tree whiche they fuppofe to bee the Cinamome tree. And
tree.         yf it be your pleafure to tafte eyther of the graynes, or cf the fmaule feedes the which you fhoulde perceaue to
haue fawlen from thefe graynes, or of the wodde it felfe, touch them firfle foftely mouinge them to your lyppes.
For although they bee not hurtefull, yet for theyr exceffe of heate, they are fharpe and byte the tongue, yf they
remayne any whyle theron. But if the tongue be blyftered by taftynge of them, the fame is taken away by
drynkynge of water. Of the corne alfo wherof they make theyr breade, this brynger fhall delyuer fume graynes
Xiloaloes or  to your Lordefhyppe bothe whyte and blacke: And therwith alfo, a Trunke of the tree of Aloes The which if
ignun oe      you cutte in peeces, you fhall feele a fweete fauoure to proceade from the fame. Thus fare you hartely
wel. From the courte of Mfelhimna Canmpi. The thyrde day before the Calendes of May. Anno. Domnzi,
M. CCCC. XCIIII.


7.




The fyrfi Decade.


73


( THE THYRDE BOKE OF THE FYRST DECADE,
to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonye and Neuie to the kynge.


Owe defyre that folyfhe Phaeton fhulde ageine rule the Chariotes of the Sunne: And contende
to drawe fweete lycoures out of the harde flynte, wheras you requyre me to dyffcribe vnto
you the newe worlde, fownde in the wefle by the good fortune and gouernaunce of the
Catholike Princes Ferdinandus and Helifabeth, your Vncle and Aunte: fhewyng me alfo
the letters of kynge Frederike your vncle, wrytten to me in the fame behalfe. But fythe
you haue layde this burden on my backe, in whofe power it is to commaunde me to take
vppon me more then I am wel able. Ye bothe fhal receaue this precious ftone, rudely
clofed in leade after my maner of workemanihyppe. Wherfore when you fhall perceaue the lerned forte frendelye: The malicious, enuioufly: And the backebyters, furioufly, to bende theyr fclaunderous dartes ageynft
owre fayre Nimphes of the Ocean, you fhall freely protefte in howe fhort tyme, and in the myddefte of what
troubles and calamities, you haue enforced me to wryte of the fame. Thus fare you well frome Granata the
ninthe day before the Calendes of May.
( We haue declared in the boke here before, howe the Admirall paffed by the coaftes of the Canibales to
the Ilande of Hifpaniola with his whole nauie. But nowe we entende further to fhewe what he fownde as
concernynge the nature of this Ilande, after that he had better fearched the feacreates of the fame: Likewyfe
of the Ilande of Cuba nere vnto it which he yet fuppofed to bee the firme lande.  Hifpaniola therfore
(which he affirmeth to bee Ophir, wherof we reade in the thyrde boke of the kynges) is of latitude, fyue fouthe
degrees: hauynge the northe pole eleuate on the northe fyde. xxvii. degrees: And on the Southe fyde (as they
faye) xxii. degrees. It reacheth in length from the Eafle to the WeRfe, feuen hundrethe and foure fcore myles.
It is diftant from the Ilandes of Gades (cauled Cales) xlix. degrees, and more as fum faye. The forme of the
Ilande, refembleth the leafe of a chefnutte tree. Vppon a high hyll on the North fyde of the Ilande, he
buylded a citie, bycaufe this place was moft apte for that purpofe by reafon of a myne of flones which was
nere vnto the fame, feruynge well bothe to buylde with, and alfo to make lyme. At the bottome of this hyll,
is there a great playne of three fcore myles in lengthe: and in bredth fumwhere. xii. fumwhere. xx. myles where
it is brodeft, and. vi. myles where it is naroweft Through this playne runne dyuers fayre ryuers of holfome
waters. But the greateft of them which is nauigable, fauleth into the hauen of the citie for the fpace of halfe a
furlonge. Howe fertile and fruitfull this valley is, you fhal vnderfland by thefe thynges which folowe. On the
fhore of this ryuer, they haue lymyted and enclofed certeyne grounde to make gardeynes and orchiardes, in the
which al kyndes of bygger herbes, as radyfhe, letufe, colewortes, borage, and fuch other, waxe rype within. xvi.
dayes after the feede is fowen. Lykewyfe Melones, Gourdes, Cucumers, and fuche other, within the fpace of.
xxxvi. dayes. Thefe garden herbes, they haue freffhe and greene all the whole yeare. Alfo the rootes of the
canes or reedes, of the lycour wherof, fuger is made, growe a cubette high within the fpace of. xv. dayes: but
the lycoure is not yet hardened. The lyke they affirme of plantes or fhrouddes of younge vines: And that
they haue the fecond yeare gathered ripe and fweete grapes of the fame. But by reafon of to muche rankenes,
they beare but fewe clufters. Furthermore, a man of the countrey fowed a lyttle wheat about the Calendes of
February, and brought with hym to the citie a handefull of the rype eares of the fame the thyrde day before
the calendes of Aprell: which was that yeare the vigile of the Refurrection of owre Lorde. Alfo, al kyndes of
pulfe, as beanes, peafon, fytches, tares, and fuche other, are rype twyfe in the yeare, as all they which come
from thenfe, affirme with one voyce: Yet that the grounde is not vniuerfally apte to beare wheate. In the
meane tyme whyle thefe thynges were doinge, the Admirall fent owte a companye of. xxx. men to fearche the
Region of Cipanga, otherwyfe cauled Cibana This Region is full of mountaynes and rockes: And the myddle
backe of the hole Ilande in the whiche is greate plentie of goulde. When they that went to fearche the Region,
were returned they reported maruelous thynges as touchinge the great ryches of this Region. Frome thefe
mountaynes, defcende foure greate ryuers, which by the maruelous induflrye of nature, deuided the hole Ilande
into foure partes, in maner equall, ouerfpreadinge and wateringe the hole Ilande with their branches. Of thefe
foure ryuers, the one reacheth towarde the Eafte. This the inhabitantes caule lunna: An other, towarde the
Wefle, and is cauled Attibunicus. The thirde towarde the Northe, named Iachem: the lafte reacheth into the
Southe, and is cauled Naiba. The daye before the Ides of Marche, the Admiral him felfe with al his horfe
men and foure hundreth footemen, marched directly towarde the South fyde of the goulden Region. Thus
paffinge ouer the ryuer, the plaine and the mountayne which enuironed the other fyde of the playne, he
chaunced vpon an other vale the which a ryuer muche bygger then the fyrfle, and many other meane ryuers


The fable of
Phaeton.
Kynge
Ferdinandus and
queene Helizabeth
Nereides.
He meaneth
the Ilandes.
Hispaniola.
11
Ophir whether
Salomons ships
sayled for golde.
Isabella.
A playne of
threescore myles
of lengthe.
A token of
maruelous
fruitfulnes.
Herbes grene al
the hole yeare.
Suger reeds
plantes and vines.
Corne and grayne
rype twise a yeare
The Region of
Cipanga or
Cibana.
Golde.
Foure greate
ryuers.
The golden
region of Cibana.


73




74


The fyrJl Decade.


Vales and
mountaynes
The vale of
Cibana.
Golde for haukes
bels.
12
Graynes and
pipple stones of
golde.
They passe not
for golde, in that
it is golde onely
but. etc.
Stones of golde as
byg as the heade
of a chylde.
Spyces.
Wylde vines of
pleasaunte taste.
Fruitful
mountaynes
Golde in the
sandes of ryuers
faulinge from the
mountaynes.
Libertie and
Idelnes.
The mountaynes
are coulde.
The Ilande of -
Cuba.
Least any other
prince, &c
Discencion
betweene the
Portugales and
Spaniardes.
The Ilandes of
Cobouerde or
Hisperides
13
The Portugales
viages


runne throwgh. When he had alfo conueighed his armye ouer the ryuer and paffed the feconde vale whiche
was in no part inferiour to the firfle, he made away through the thirde mountayne, where was no paffage before,
and defcended into an other vale which was nowe the beginninge of Cibana. Through this alfo runne many
fluddes, and ryuers, out of euery hyll, and in the fandes of theym all, is fownde great plentie of goulde. And
when he had nowe entered three fcore and twelue myles into the goulden region from the citie he entended
to buylde a fortreffe vppon the toppe of a hyll, ilanding by the Ihore of a certeyne great ryuer, that he might
the better and more fafelye fearche the fecreates of the inner partes of the Region. This he cauled the fortreffe
of faynte Thomas. The which in the meane tyme whyle he was buyldynge, th[e]inhabitantes beinge defirous
of haukes belles and other of owre thinges, reforted dayly thyther. To whom the Admirall declared, that
if they wolde brynge goulde, they fhulde haue what fo euer they wolde afke, Forthwith turnynge theyr
backes and runnynge to the fhore of the next ryuer, they returned in a fhort tyme, brynginge with them
their handes full of goulde. Amongeft al other, there came a owld man bringynge with him two pybble ftones
of goulde weighinge an vnce, defyrynge them to gyue him a bell for the fame who when he fawe oure men
maruell at the byggenes therof, he made fignes that they were but fmaule and of no value in refpecte of fume
that he had feene. And takynge in his hande foure ftones the leaft wherof was as bygge as a walnut, and the
byggeft as bygge as an orange, he fayde that there was fownde peeces of goulde foo bygge in his countrey,
beynge but halfe a dayes iourney from thenfe, and that they had no regarde to the gatheringe therof. Wherby
we perceaue that they paffe not muche for goulde in afinuch as it is goulde only, but fo farre efteeme it, as the
hande of the artificer hathe fafhioned it in any coomely fourme. For who doth greatly efteeme rowgh marble
or vnwrought Iuerye. But if they be wrought with the cunninge hande of Phidias or Praxileles, and fhaped to
the fimilitude of the fayre nimphes or fayeres of the fea (cauled Nereiades) or the fayres of the wods, (cauled
Hamadriades) they fhal neuer lacke byers. Befyde this owld man, there came alfo dyuers other, brynginge with
them pypple flones of gold weighing. x. or. xii. drammes: And feared not to confeffe, that in the place where they
gathered that golde, there were found fumtyme ftlones of gold as bygge as the heade of a chyld When he had
taryed heare a fewe dayes, he fent one Luxanus, a noble younge gentylman with a fewe armed men to fearche
all the partes of this Region. Who at his returne, reported that th[e]inhabitantes fhewed him greater thinges
then we haue fpoken of here before. But he dyd openly declare nothynge therof: which they thought was
doone by the Admirales commaundement. They haue wooddes full of certeyne fpyces: but not fuche as we
commonly vfe. Thefe they gather euen as they do golde: that is as much as wyl ferue for theyr purpofe, euery
man for hym felfe, to exchange the fame with the inhabitantes of other countreys adioyninge to them, for fuch
thinges as they lacke, as dyffhes, pottes, ftooles, and fuche other neceffaries. As Luxanus returned to the
Admiral, (which was about the Ides of Marche) he fownde in the wooddes, certeyne wylde vines, rype and of
pleafaunt taftle. But th[e]inhabitantes paffe not on them. This Region though it bee full of ftones and rockes
(and is therfore cauled Cibana, whiche is as muche to faye as a flone) yet it is well replenyfhed with trees and
paftures. Ye they inflantly affirme, that if the graffe of thefe mountaynes bee cutte, it groweth ageyne within
the fpace of foure dayes, higher then wheate. And for as muche as many flowers of rayne doo faule in this
Region, whereof the ryuers and fluddes haue their increafe, in euery of the which, golde is fownde myxte with
fande in all places, they iudge that the golde is dryuen from the mountaynes, by the vehement courfe of the
fireames which faule from the fame, and runne into the ryuers. The people of this Region are gyuen to
Idelnes and playe. For fuche as inhabyte the mountaynes, fyt quakynge for coulde in the wynter feafon, and
had rather foo wander vppe and downe Idelly, then take the peines to make them apparell, wheras they haue
wooddes full of goffampine cotton. But fuch as dwel in the vales or plaines feele no coulde in wynter. When
the Admirall had thus fearched the beginninge of the region of Cibana, he repayred to Ifabella (for fo he named
the citie) where, leauinge the gouernance of the Ilande with his deputies, he prepared hym felfe to fearch further
the lymettes of the Ilande of Cuba or flohanna, which he yet doubted to bee the firme lande, and diflant from
Hifipaniola, onely three fcore and ten myles. This dyd he with more fpeedy expedicion, caulyng to remembraunce the kinges commaundement, who wylled hym fyrfl with all celeritie to ouer runne the coafles of the
newe Ilandes, leafle any other prince fhulde in the meane tyme attempte to inuade the fame. For the Kynge
of Portugale affirmed that it perteyned only to hym to difcouer thefe vnknowen landes. But the byfhop of
Rome Alexander the. vi. to auoyd the caufe of this difcention, graunted to the Kynge of Spayne by th[e]auctoritie of his leaden bulles, that no other prince fhulde bee fo boulde as to make any viages to any of thofe
vnknowen regions, lyenge without the precinct of a directe lyne drawen from the North to the Southe a
hundreth leaques weftwarde without the paralelles of the Ilandes cauled Capaid Viride. or Cabouerde, which we
thynke to bee thofe that in owlde tyme were cauled Hefjerides. Thefe perteyne to the kynge of Portugale.
And frome thefe, his pylottes whiche doo yearely fearche newe coaftes and regions, directe their courfe to the
Eafte, faylynge euer towarde the lefte hande by the backe of Aphrike and the feas of the Ethiopians: Neyther
to this day had the Portugales at any tyme fayled Southwarde, or Weflewarde from the Ilandes of Caboue)-de.
74




The fyrJ Decade.


75


_ _


Preparyng therfore three fhippes, he made hafle towarde the Ilande of lohanna or Cuba whyther he came in
fhorte fpace, and named the poynt therof where he fyrfl arryued, Alpha and 0: that is, the fyrfte and the lafle:
for he fuppofed that there had byn th[e]end of owre Eafte bycaufe the fonne fauleth there: And of the wefte,
bycaufe it ryfeth there. For it is apparente, that weftwarde, it is the beginninge of India beyonde the ryuer of
Ganges: And Eaflewarde, the furtheft ende of the fame: which thinge is not contrary to reafon forafmuche as
the Cofmographers haue lefte the lymites of India beyonde Ganges vndetermyned: where as alfo fume were of
opinion that India was not farre from the coafles of Spaine as we haue fayde before. Within the profpecte of
the begynnynge of Cuba, he founde a commodious hauen in the extreme angle of the Ilande of Hi/zfpaniola.
For in this part, the Iland receaueth a greate goulfe. This hauen, he named faynt Nycolas porte, beinge -
fcarfely. xx. leaques from Cuba. As he departed from henfe and fayled wefiwarde by the fouth fyde of Cuba,
the further that he went, fo muche the more the fea teemed to bee extended in breadth and to bende towarde
the fouth. On the fouth fyde of Cuba, he fownde an Ilande which th[e]inhabitantes caule Jamaica. This he
affirmeth to bee longer and broder then the Iland of Sicilie: hauyng in it only one mountayne, which on euery
parte begynninge from the fea, ryfeth by little and little into the myddeft of the Ilande: And that foo playnely
without rowghnes, that fuche as goo vp to the toppe of the fame, can fcarfely perceaue that they afcende. This
Ilande he affirmed to bee very fruitfull and full of people as well in th[e]inner partes of the fame as by the fhore:
And that th[e]inhabitantes are of quicker wytte then in the other Ilandes, and more experte artificers and
warrelyke men. For in many places where he wouldce haue arryued, they came armed ageynft him and
forbodde him with threatening wordes. But beinge ouercome, they made a league of frendefhip with hym.
Thus departynge from lamaica, he fayled towarde the Wefle with a profperous wynde for the fpace of threefcore
and tenne dayes: thinkinge that he had paffed fo farre by the compaffe of the earth being vnderneth vs, that he
had byn nere vnto Aurea Cherfonefus (nowe cauled Malaccha,) in owre Eafte India beyonde the beginninge of
Perfides. For he playnely beleued that he had lefte onely two of the twelue howres of the fonne, which were
vnknowen to vs, for the owlde wryters haue lefte halfe the courfe of the fonne vntouched, where as they haue but
onely difcuffed that fuperficiall parte of the earth which lyeth betwene the Ilandes of Gades and the ryuer of Ganges:
or at the vttermofle, to Aurea Cherfonefus. In this nauigation, he chaunced on many furious feas, running with
a faule as it had byn the fireames of fluddes: Alfo many whorlepooles, and fhelfes, with many other daungers,
and ftreyghtes by reafon of the multytude of Ilandes, which ley on euery fyde. But not regardinge all thefe perelles,
he determyned to proceade vntyl he had certaine knowledge whether Cuba were an Ilande or firme lande. Thus
he fayled forward coaftinge euer by the fhore towarde the wefte for the fpace of CC. xxii. [two hundred and
twenty-two] leaques, that is, abowte a thoufande and three hundreth myles': And gaue names to feuen hundreth
Ilandes by the waye: Leauynge alfo on the lefte hande (as he feared not to reporte) three thoufande here and
there. But let vs nowe returne to fuche thinges as he fownde worthy to be noted in this nauigation. Saylinge
therfore by the fyde of Cuba, and fearchinge the nature of the places, he efpied not farre from Alpha and 0, a
large hauen of capacitie to harborowe manye fhippes: whofe enteraunce is bendinge, beinge inclofed on bothe
fydes with capes or poyntes which receaue the water. This hauen is large within, and of exceadinge depthe.
Saylinge by the fhore of this porte, he fawe not farre frome the fame, two cotages couered with reedes, and in
many places fyer kyndeled. Here he fente certeyne armed men owte of the fhippes to the cotages: where they
fownde nother man nor woman, but roftemeate enowgh. For -they fownde certeyne fpyttes of woodde lyenge
at the fyre, hauinge fyfhe on theym abowt a hundreth pownde weight, and two ferpentes of. viii. foote longe a
piece, wherat marueylinge, and lokynge abowt if they coulde efpye any of th[e]inhabitantes, and that none
appeared in fyght (for they fledde all to the mountaynes at the comminge of owre men) they fell to theyr meate,
and eate the fyfhe taken with other mens trauayle: But they abfteyned from the ferpentes, which they affirme to
differ nothinge from Crocodiles of Egypt, but onely in byggenes. For (as Plinie fayth) Crocodiles haue fumetymes
byn fownde of. xviii. cubettes long. But of thefe the byggeft were but of. viii. fote. Thus beinge well refreffhed,
they entered into the next woodde where they fownde many of the fame kynde of ferpentes hangynge vppon
bowghes of trees: of the which, fume had theyr mouthes tyed with ftrynges, and fume theyr teethe taken owte.
And as they fearched the places nere vnto the hauen, they fawe abowte. lxx. men in the toppe of a hyghe rocke,
whiche fledde as foone as they had efpied owre men. Who by fignes and tokens of peace, caulinge them ageyne,
there was one which came nere them and floode on the toppe of a rocke, feemynge as thowgh he were yet
ferefull. But the Admiral fent one Didacus to hym, a man of the fame countrey, whom he had at his fyrfte
vyage taken in the Ilande of Guanahaini, beinge nere vnto Cuba: wyllinge hym to come nere and not to bee
afrayde. When he harde Didacus fpeke to him in his owne tonge he came bowldly to hym: and fhortly after
reforted to his company, perfuadinge them to come without all feare. After this meffage was doone, there
defcended frome the rockes to the fhippes, abowt three fcore and ten of th[e]inhabitantes, proferinge frendefhippe and gentelnes to owre men: whiche the Admirall accepted thankefully, and gaue them dyuers rewardes:
And that the rather, for that he had intelligence by Didacus th[e]enterpretoure, that they were the kynges
75


Alpha and 0
The ende of the
Easte and west.
Note.
India not far
from Spayne.
Saynt Nycolas
porte.
The Iland of
lamaica.
Iamaica.
Quicke wytted
people.
The compaseinge
of the earth.
Aurea
Chersonesus, or
Malaccha.
A secreate of
Astronomie.
The ryuer of
Ganges.
Daungerous
streightes by
reason of many
Ilandes.
The Admiral gaue
names to seuen
hundrethe Ilandes.
Thre thousand
Ilandes.
A large hauen
Rosted fysshe and
serpents of. viii.
foote longe.
14
Crocodiles of
Egypte.
Didacus
th[e]interpretour.
The kynges
fvsshers.




76


The fyrfJ Decade.


I


Serpentes
esteemed for
delicate meat
Ophiophagi.
Blossomes and
fruites bothe at
one tyme.
Trees which
beare gourds
A multitude of
Ilandes.
Hotte water.
A straunge kynde
of fysshynge.
A huntynge
fysshe.
Abundance of
tortoyses.  15
Fyssher men.
The fysshe
Guaicanum.
Humaine people.
A mountaine
fruitefull and well
inhabited.
Dogges of strange
shape and dumme.
Duckes.
Hearons.
Streightes.


fyffhers, fent of theyr lorde to take fyffhe ageynft a folemne feafte which he prepared for an other kynge. And
wheras the Admirales men had eaten the fyffhe whiche they lefte at the fyre, they were the gladder therof,
bycaufe they had lefte the ferpentes. For there is nothinge amonge theyr delicate dyffhes, that they efleeme fo
muche as thefe ferpentes: In foo muche that it is no more lawfull for the common people to eate of them, then
peacockes or phefantes amonge vs. As for the fyffhes, they doubted not to take as many more the fame nyght.
Beynge afked why they fyrft rolled the fyffhe which they entended to beare to their kynge. They anfwered, that
they might bee the freffher and vncorrupted. Thus ioyninge handes for a token of further frendefhip, euery
man reforted to his owne. The Admirall went forwarde as he had appoynted, folowing the faulinge of the
fonne from the beginninge of Cuba cauled Alpha and 0. The fhores or fea bankes euen vnto this hauen, albeit
they be ful of trees, yet are they rowgh with mountains. Of thefe trees, fume were ful of bloffoomes and
flowres, and other laden with fruites. Beyonde the hauen the lande is more fertile and peopulous, whofe inhabitantes are more gentyll and more defyrous of owre thinges. For as fone as they had efpied owre Ihippes, they
flocked all to the ihore, brynginge with them fuche breade as they are accuftomed to eate, and gourdes full of
water, offeringe theym vnto owre men, and further defyringe them to coome alande. In all thefe Ilandes is a
certeyne kynde of trees as bygge as elmes, whiche beare gourdes in the fleade of fruites. Thefe they vfe only
for drinkynge pottes, and to fetche water in, but not for meate, for the inner fubftance of them, is fowrer then
gaule, and the barke as harde as any fhelle. At the Ides of Maye, the watche men lokinge owte of the toppe
caftell of the Ihyppe towarde the Southe, fawe a multitude of Ilandes flandinge thicke together, beynge all well
replenifhed with trees, graffe, and herbes, and wel inhabyted. In the fhore of the continent, he chaunced into
a nauigable ryuer whofe water was foo hotte, that no man myght endure to abyde his hande therein any tyme.
The day folowinge, efpying a farre off a Canoa of fyfher men of th[e]inhabitantes, fearinge leaft they fhulde flye
at the fyght of owre men, he commaunded certeyne to affayle them pryuily with the fhyppe boates. But they
fearinge nothinge, taryed the comminge of owre men. Nowe fhal you heare a newe kind of fyfhinge. Lyke
as we with greyhoundes doo hunte hares, in the playne fieldes. So doo they as it were with a huntyng fyffhe,
take other fyffhes. This fyffhe was of Ihape or fourme vnknowen vnto vs: but the body therof, not muche
vnlyke a greate yele: hauinge on the hynder parte of the heade, a very towgh fkynne, lyke vnto a greate bagge
or purfe. This fyfihe is tyed by the fyde of the boate with a corde lette downe foo farre into the water, that the
fyffhe maye lye clofe hyd by the keele or bottome of the fame, for Ihee may in no cafe abyde the fight of the
ayer. Thus when they efpie any greate fyfihe, or tortoyfe (wherof there is great abundance bygger then great
targettes) they let the corde at lengthe. But when ihe feeleth her felfe loofed, fhee enuadeth the fyffhe or
tortoyfe as fwiftly as an arrowe. And where Ihe hath once faftened her howld fhee cafteth the purfe of fkynne
wherof we fpake before: And by drawyng the fame togyther, fo grafpeleth her pray, that no mans ftrength is
fufficient to vnloofe the falne, excepte by lyttle and lyttle drawinge the lyne, Ihee bee lyfted fumwhat aboue the
brymme of the water. For then, as fone as Ihe feeth the brightnes of the ayer, fhee lettethe goo her howlde.
The praye therfore, beinge nowe drawen nere to the brymme of the water, there leapeth foodenly owte of the
boate into the fea foo manye fyffihers, as maye fuffice to holde fafte the praye, vntyll the refte of the coompany
haue taken it into the boate. Which thinge doone, they loofe fo muche of the cord, that the hunting fyffhe,
may ageyne returne to her place within the water: where by an other corde, they let downe to her a piece of
the praye, as we vfe to rewarde greyhoundes after they haue kylled theyr game. This fyffhe, they caule
Guaicanum, But owre men caule it Reuerfum. They gaue owre men foure tortoyfes taken by this meanes:
And thofe of fuch byggenes that they almofte fylled theyr fyfnhinge boate. For thefe fyffhes are efteemed
amonge them for delicate meate. Owre men recompenfed them ageyne with other rewardes, and foo lette them
departe. Beinge afked of the coompaffe of that lande, they aunfwered that it had no ende wetlewarde. Moft
intfantly defyringe the Admirall to coome alande: or in his name to fende one with them to falute their
Cazicus, (that is) their kinge: Affirmynge that he wolde gyue owre men many prefentes, yf they wolde goo to
hym. But the Admiral, leafle he Ihulde bee hyndered of the vyage which he had begunne, refufed to goo with
them. Then they defyred to knowe his name, and towld owre men lykewyfe the name of theyr kyng. Thus
fayling on yet further euer toward the Weft, within fewe dayes he came nere vnto a certeyne exceding high
mountayne, wel inhabyted by reafon of the great fertilitie of the fame. Th[e]inhabitauntes of this mountayne,
browght to owre Ihippe, breade, goffampine cotton, cunnies, and fundry kyndes of wyldfowle: demaundynge
relygioufly of th[e]interpretoures, if this nation defcended not from heauen. The kynge of this people, and
dyuers other fage men that floode by hym, informed hym that that lande was no Ilande. Shortly after,
enteringe into one of the Ilandes beinge on the lefte hande of this lande, they fownde no body therin: for they
fledde al at the commyng of owre men. Yet fownde they there fowre dogges of maruelous deformed fhape,
and fuche as coulde not barke. This kynd of dogges, they eate as we do goates. Here is great plentie of geefe,
duckes, and hearons. Betwene thefe Ilandes and the continente, he entered into foo narowe ftreyghtes, that
he coulde fcarfely turne backe the fhippes: And thefe alfo fo fhalowe, that the keele of the Ihyps fumtyme rafed
76




The fyrfl Decade.


77


on the fandes The water of thefe ftreyghtes, for the fpace of fortie myles, was white and thycke lyke vnto
mylke, and as thowgh mele had byn fparkeled throwgh oWte al that fea. And when they had at the lengthe
efcaped thefe ftrayghtes, and were nowe coome into a mayne and large fea, and had fayled theron for the fpace
of foure fcore myles, they efpyed an other excedinge hygh mountayne, whyther the Admirall retorted to flore
his fhyppes with freffhe water and fuel. Heare amonge certeyne wooddes of date trees, and pyneable trees of
excedyng height he fownd two natiue fprynges of freffhe water. In the meane tyme whyle the woodde was
cuttynge and the barrelles fyllyng, one of owre archers went into the wood to hunt: where he efpyed a certeyne
man with a whyte veflure, foo lyke a fryer of th[e]order of faynt Marye of Mercedis, that at the fyrfle fight he
fuppofed it had byn the Admiralles preefie which he browght with hym, beyng a man of the fame order. But
two other folowed hym immediatlye owte of the fame wooddes, Ihortly after, he fawe a farre of a hole coompany
of men clothed in apparel, beinge abowte. xxx. in nomber. Then turning his backe and cryinge owte to his
felowes, he made hafte to the fhyppes with all that he myght dryue. Thefe apparelled men, made fignes and
tokens to hym to tary and not to bee afrayde. But that notwithftandinge, he ceafed not to flye. The Admirall
beinge aduertifed hereof, and not a lyttle reioyfynge that he had fownde a ciuile people, incontinently fent
forth armed men, with commaundement, that yf neede Ihould foo requyre, they fhulde enter fortie myles into
the Ilande, vntyl they myght fynde eyther thofe apparelled men, or other inhabitantes of that countrey. When
they hadde paffed ouer the woodde, they came into a greate playne full of graffe and herbes, in which appeared
no token of any pathe way. Here attemptinge to goo throwgh the graffe and herbes, they were foo entangled
and bewrapte therin, that they were fcarfely able to paffe a myle, the graffe beinge there lyttle lower then owre
rype corne. Beinge therfore weryed, they were enforced to returne ageyne, fyndyng no pathe way. The day
folowing he fent foorth. xxv. armed men an other way: Commaunding them to make diligent fearche and
inquifition what maner of people inhabited the land. Who departinge, when they had fownde not farre from
the fea fyde certeyne fteppes of wylde beaftes, of the which they fufpected fum to bee of Lyons feete being
firiken with feare, returned backe ageyne. As they came they fownde a woodde in the which were many
natiue vines here and there crepinge abowte highe trees, with many other trees bearinge aromaticall fruites and
fpyces. Of there vines they browght with them into Spaine many clufters of grapes very ponderous and full oflycoure. But of the other fruites, they browght none bycaufe they putrified by the waye in the fhippe, and were
cafle into the fea. They faye alfo that in the laundes or medowes of thofe wooddes, they fawe flockes of greate
cranes twyfe as bygge as owres. As he went forward and turned his fayles towarde certeyne other mountaines,
he efpied two cotages on the fhore, in the whiche he fawe onely one man: who beinge browght to the fhyppe,
fignified with heade, fyngers, and by al other fignes, that he coulde deuife that the lande which lay beyonde
thofe mountaynes, was very full of people. And as the Admirall drewe nere the fhore of the fame, there mette
hym certeyne Canoas hauinge in them many people of the countrey, who made fignes and tokens of peace and
frendefhyp. But here Didacus th[e]interpretour whiche vnderfloode the language of th[e]inhabitantes of the
beginning of Cuba, vnderftode not them one whytte, wherby they confydred that in fundry prouinces of Cuba,
were fundry languages He had alfo intelligence, that in the inlande of this Region, was a kynge of greate
power, and accuftomed to weare apparell. He fayth that all the tracte of this fhore, was drowned with water
and full of mudde, befette with many trees, after the maner of owre maryffhes, yet whereas in this place they
wente alande for freffhe water, they fownde many of the fhel fyffhes in the whiche pearles are gathered. But
that coulde not caufe the Admirall to tracte the tyme there, entendinge at this viage, only to proue howe many
landes and feas he coulde difcouer accordinge to the kynges commaundement. As they yet proceded forwarde,
they fawe here and there al the waye alonge by the fhore, a great fmoke ryfinge, vntyll they came to an other
mountayne foure fcore myles diftant. There was no rocke or hyll that coulde be feene, but the fame was all
of a fmoke. But whether there fyers were made by th[e]inhabitantes for their neceffary bufynes, or as we are
wont to fette beacons on fyre when we fufpecte th[e]approche of owre enemies, thereby to gyue warninge to
theyr neyghbours to bee in a redines, and gather togyther if perhappes owre men fhulde attempte any thinge
ageynft them, or otherwyfe as feemethe moft lykely, to caule them togyther as to a wonder to behould owre
fhippes, they knewe yet no certentie. In this tracte, the fhores bended fumetyme towarde the Southe, and
fumetyme towarde the Wefle and weftefouthweft: And the fea was euery where entangeled with Ilandes: by
reafon whereof, the keeles of the fhippes often tymes rated the fandes for fhalownes of the water: So that the
fhyppes beinge very fore brufed and appayred, the fayles, cables, and other tackelinges, in maner rotten, and
the vytayles, (efpecially the byfkette breade) corrupted by takynge water at the riftes euyll clofed, the Admirall
was enforced to turne backe ageyne. This lafte poynte where he touched of Cuba (not yet beinge knowen to
be an Ilande) he cauled Euangelifa. Thus turning his fayles toward other Ilandes lyinge not farre from the
fuppofed continente, he chaunced into a mayne fea where was fuche a multitude of greate tortoyfes, that
fumtyme they flayed the fhyppes. Not longe after, he entered into a gulfe of whyte water, lyke vnto that
wherof we fpake before. At the length fearing the fhelfes of the Ilands, he returned to the fhore of Cuba by
7,


Whyte and thicke
water.
Wooddes of date
trees.
Men appareled
like white fryers.
16
Grasse almost as
hyghe as come.
Steppes of wyld
beastes feete.
Natiue vines
Trees bearinge
spyces and sweete
fruites.
Greate Cranes.
Dyuers languages
in the Ilande of
Cuba.
Pearles in
shelfysshes.
The sea entangeled
with Ilandes
Euangelista.
A multitude of
great tortoyses




78


The fyrJl Decade.


A goufe of whyte
water
Humaine people.
Stock doues of
more pleasaunt
tast then
partriches.
17
The humanitie of
a reuerende owlde
gouernour.
An oration of the
naked gouernour.
Theyr opinion of
the soul of man.
Desyre of golde
founde that
which religion
coulde not fynde.
Virtus Host
niumtMos. &c.
The Iland as
common as the
sunne and water.
The golden
worlde.
Prouision without
care.
Simple diete
18
The Iland of
Iamaica.
Hispaniola.
The Canibales.


the fame way which he came. Here a multitude of th[e]inhabitantes, as well women as men, reforted to hym
with cheerefull countenaunce and without feare: bringynge with them popingayes, breade, water, and cunnyes:
But efpecially flocke doues much bygger then owres: which he affirmeth, in fauour and tafte, to bee muche
more pleafaunt then owre partryches. Wherfore where as in eatinge of them he perceaued a certeyne fauoure
of fpyce to proceade from them, he commaunded the croppe to bee opened of fuche as were newely kylled, and
fownde the fame full of fweete fpyces, whiche he argued to bee the caufe of theyr firange tafle. For it flandeth
with good reafon, that the fleffhe of beaftes, ihulde drawe the nature and qualitie of theyr accuftomed nuryfhemente.
- As the Admirall harde maffe on the fhore, there came towarde hym a certeyne gouernoure, a man of four fcore
yeares of age, and of great grauitie, althowgh he were naked fauinge his pryuie partes. He had a great trayne of
menne waytinge on hym. All the whyle the preefte was at maffe, he fhewed hym felfe verye humble and gaue
reuerente attendaunce with graue and demure countenaunce. When the maffe was ended, he prefented to the
Admirall, a bafkette of the fruites of his countrey, delyueringe the fame with his owne handes. When the
Admirall had gentelly interteyned hym, defyringe leaue to fpeake, he made an oration in the prefence of
Didacus th[e]interpretoure, in this effecte. I haue byn aduertifed (mofle mighty prince) that you haue of late
with greate power fubdued many landes and Regions hytherto vnknowen to you: and haue browght no little
feare vppon all the people and inhabitantes of the fame. The which your good fortune, you fhal beare with
leffe infolencie, if you remember that the foules of men haue two iourneyes after they are departed from this
bodye. The one fowle and darke, prepared for fuche as are iniurious and cruell to mankynde: The other
pleafaunt and delectable, ordeyned for them which in theyr lyfe tyme, loued peace and quietnes. If therefore
you acknowleage your felfe to bee mortall, and confyder that euery man fhall receaue condigne rewarde or
punyfhement for fuch thinges as he hath done in this life, you wyl wrongefully hurte no man. When he had
fayde thefe wordes and other lyke, which were declared to the Admirall by th[e]interpretoure, he marueylinge
at the iudgemente of the naked owlde man, anfwered, that he was gladde to heare his opinion as touchinge the
fundry iourneys and rewardes of fowles departed from theyr bodyes: Suppofinge that nother he, or any other
of th[e]inhabitantes of thofe Regions, had had any knowleage thereof. Declaringe further that the chiefe caufe
of his comminge thyther was to inflructe them in fuch godly knowleage and trewe religion: And that he was
fente into thofe countreys by the Chriftian kynge of Spayne (his lorde and maifter) for the fame purpofe: And
fpecially to fubdue and puniffhe the Canibales and fuch other mifcheuous people: And to defende innocentes
ageynft the violence of fuch euyl doers wyllynge hym and all other fuch as embrafed vertue, in no cafe to bee
afrayde: But rather to open his mynde vnto him, if eyther he, or any other fuche quiete men as he was, hadde
fufteyned any wronge of theyr neyghbours: and that he wold fee the fame reuenged. Thefe comfortable
wordes of the Admirall foo pleafed the owlde man, that notwithftandyng his extreeme age, he woulde gladly
haue gone with the Admiral as he had doone in deede, if his wyfe and chyldren had not hyndered hym of his
purpofe. But he marueyled not a lyttle, that the Admirall was vnder the dominion of an other: And muche more,
when th[e]interpretour towlde hym of the glorye, magnificence, pompes, greate powre, and furnymentes of
warre of owre kynges, and of the multitudes of cities and townes which were vnder theyr dominions.
-Intendyng therfore to haue-gonne with the Admirall, his wyfe and children fell proftrate at his feete, with teares
defyrynge hym not to forfake them and leaue them defolate. At whofe pytifull requeftes, the worthy owlde man
beinge moued, remayned at home to the comfort of his people and famylie, fatiffyenge rather them then hym
felfe. For not yet ceafinge to woonder, and of heauy countenaunce bycaufe he myght not departe, he demaunded
oftentymes if that lande were not heauen, which browght foorth fuche a kynde of men. For it is certeyne, that
amonge them, the lande is as common as the fonne and water: And that Myne and Thyne (the feedes of all
myfcheefe) haue no place with them. They are contente with foo lyttle, that in foo large a countrey, they haue
rather fuperfluitie then fcarfenes. Soo that (as wee haue fayde before) they feeme to lyue in the goulden worlde,
without toyle, lyuinge in open gardens, not intrenched with dykes, dyuyded with hedges, or defended with
waules. They deale trewely one with another, without lawes, without bookes, and without Iudges. They take
hym for an euyll and myfcheuous man, which taketh pleafure in doinge hurte to other. And albeit that they
delyte not in fuperfluities, yet make they prouifion for th[e]increafe of fuche rootes, wherof they make theyr
breade, as Mfaizium, Iucca, and Ages, contented with fuche fimple dyet, wherby health is preferued, and
dyfeafes auoyded. The Admirall therfore departinge from thenfe, and myndinge to returne ageyne fhortly after,
chaunced to coome ageyne to the Ilande of lamaica beinge on the fowthe fyde therof: and coafted all alonge
by the fhore of the fame, from the Wefle to the Eafte. From whofe laft corner on the Eaft fyde, when he fawe
towarde the North on his lefte hand, certeyn high mountains he knewe at the length that it was the fowthe fyde
of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, which he had not yet paffed by. Wherfore at the Calendes of September, enteringe into the hauen of the fame Ilande, cauled faynt Nycolas hauen, he repayred his fhippes to th[e]intent that
he myght ageyne waft and fpoyle the Ilandes of the Canibales, and burne all theyr Canoas, that thofe raueninge
wolues myght no longer perfecute and deuoure the innocent fheepe. But he was at this tyme hyndered of his


78




The fyrfl Decade.


79


79


purpofe by reafon of a dyfeafe which he had gotten with to muche watchinge. Thus beinge feeble and weake,
he was ledde of the maryners to the citie of Ifabella, where, with his two brytherne which were there, and other
his familiers, he recouered his health in fhorte fpace. Yet coulde he not at this tyme affayle the Canibales, by
reafon of fedicion that was ryfen of late amonge the Spanyardes which he had lefte in Hifpaniola, wherof we
wyll fpeake more heareafter. Thus fare ye wel.
C THE FOURTH BOOKE OF THE FYRST DECADE
to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonie.


Sickenes of to
much watchinge.

Olonus the Admirall of the Ocean, returning (as he fuppofed) from the continent or firme
lande of Eaft India, had aduertifement that his brother Boilus and one Peter Margarita, an
owld familier of the kinges, and a noble man, with diuers other of thofe to whom he had
left the gouernement of the Iland, were of corrupted mynde ageynft him, departed into Spayne.
Wherfore as wel to purge him of fuch crimes as they fhuld ley to his charge, as alfo to make
a fupply of other men in the place of them which were returned, and efpecially to prouyde
for vitailes, as wheat, wyne, oyle, and fuch other which the Spanyardes are accustomed to
eate, bycaufe they coulde not yet well agree with fuch meates as they fownde in the Ilandes, determined fhortly
to take his vyage into Spayne. But what he dyd before his departure, I wyll brefely rehearfe.
The kynges of the Ilandes which had hytherto lyued quietly and content with theyr lyttle whiche they
thowght abundante, wheras they nowe perceaued that owre men began to fallen foote within theyr Regions and
to beare rule amonge them, tooke the matter fo greuoufly, that they thowght nothynge elles but by what meanes
they myght vtterly deftroy them, and for euer abolyffhe the memory of theyr name. For that kynde of men
(the Spanyardes I meane which folowed the Admirall in that nauigation,) was for the moft parte vnruly,
regardynge nothinge but Idlenes, playe, and libertie: And wolde by no meanes abfleyne from iniuries:
Rauyfhynge the women of the Ilandes before the faces of their hufbandes, fathers, and brethrene: By which
theyr abhomynable myfdemaynour, they difquieted the myndes of all th[e]inhabitantes: In fo much that where fo
euer they fownde any of owre men vnprepared, they flewe them with fuche fyercenes and gladnes, as thowgh
they had offered facryfyce to God. Intendynge therefore to pacifie their troubled myndes, and to punyfhe them
that flew his men before he departed from thenfe, he fent for the kynge of that vale, which in the booke before,
we defcrybed to bee at the foote of the mountaynes of the Region of Cibaua. This kynges name was Guarionexius:
who, the more ftreyghtly to concyle vnto hym the frendefhyppe of the Admirall, gaue hys fyfter to wyfe to
Didacus, a man from his chyldes age browght vp with the Admiral, whom he vfed for his interpretoure in the
prouinces of Cuba. After this, he fent for Caunaboa, cauled the lorde of the howfe of goulde: that is, of the
mountaynes of Cibaua. For this Caunaboa, he fente one capitayne Hoieda, whom the ditionaries of Caunaboa
had enforced to keepe his howlde byfiegeinge for the fpace of. xxx. dayes, the fortreffe of faynte Thomas, in the
which Hoieda with his fyftie fouldiers, ftoode at theyr defence, vntyll the comminge of the Admirall. Whyle
Hoieda remayned with Caunaboa, many ambaffadours of the kynges of dyuers Regions were fent to Caunaboa,
perfuadinge hym in no condicion to permitte the Chriftians to inhabite the Ilande, except he had rather ferue then
rule. On the other parte, Hoieda aduertifed Caunaboa to goo to the Admirall, and to make a league of frendefhip
with hym. But the ambaffadours on the contrary part; threatened hym, that yf he wolde foo doo, the other kynges
wolde inuade his Region. But Hoieda aunfwered theym ageyne, that wheras they confpired to maynteyne their
libertie, they fhuld by that meanes be browght to feruitude and deftruction if they entended to refift or keepe
warre ageinft the Chriftians. Thus Caunaboa on the one fyde and the other, beinge troubeled as it were a
rocke in the fea, beaten with contrary fluddes, and much more vexed with the flormes of his gyltie confcience
for that he had priuilie flaine. xx. of owre men vnder pretence of peace feared to coome to the Admirall. But
at the length, hauing excogitated this deceyte, to haue flayne the Admirall and his coompany vnder the colour
of frendfhippe if oportunitie wold foo haue ferude, he repayred to the Admiral with his hole familie and many
other wayting on hym, armed after theyr maner. Beinge demaunded why he browght foo greate a rout of men
with hym, he aunfwered that it was not decente for foo great a prince as he was, to goo foorth of his howfe
without fuche a bande of men. But the thinge chaunced much otherwyfe then he looked for. For he fell into
the fnares which he had prepared for other. For wheras by the way he began to repente hym that he came
foorthe of his howfe, Hoieda with many fayre wordes and promyfes, browght hym to the Admirall: At whofe
commaundement, he was immediatly taken and put in prifon: So that the fowles of owre men were not longe
79


Easte India.
The Spanyardes
rebelle in the
Admirals absence.
The kynges of the
Ilande rebell.
The Spaniardes
misbehauour.
Guarionexius the
kynge of the
great vale
Didacus the
interpretour
Caunaboa, the
kynge of the
house of golde.
Capitayne Hoieda
19
Kynge Caunaboa,
had slain the
Spanyardes.
Caunaboa
conspireth the
Admiralles death.
Fayre words
make fooles fayne.




80


The fyrfl Decade.




Famine In the
Ilande of
hispaniola.
The hunger of
golde causeth
great famine.
The towre of
conception.
A masse of gold
weighinge. xx.
ounces.
Tofus.
Electrum is a
metall naturally
mixt of one portion
of golde and an
other of siluer
beinge of propertie
to bewray poyson,
and was     20
therfore in
owlde tyme in
greater estimation
then golde.
The myne of
Electrum.
An other kynde of
amber is taken out
of greate whale
fishes
Orpement or oker.
Wooddes of
brasile trees.
Causes of
hinderance.
Licenciusnes of
to much libertie
And this only
gathered and not
digged out of the
bodi of the mine
The people make
supplication to
stand to their
tribute


from their bodies vnreuenged. Thus Caunaboa with all his familie beinge taken, the Admirall was determined
to runne ouer the Ilande. But he was certified that there was fuch famine amonge th[e]inhabitantes, that there
was alredye fyftie thoufande menne deade therof: And that they dyed yet dayly as it were rotton fheepe: The
caufe wherof was wel knowen to bee theyr owne obftinacie and frowardnes. For where as they fawe that owre
men entended to choofe them a dwelling place in the Ilande, fuppofinge that they myght haue driuen them from
thence if the vytailes of the Ilande fhoulde fayle, they determyned with them felues, not only to leaue fowing and
plantyng, but alfo to deftroy and plucke vp by the rootes euery man in his owne region, that whiche they had
alredye fowen of both kyndes of breade wherof we made mencion in the fyrft booke. But efpecially amonge
the mountaynes of Cibaua, otherwyfe cauled Cipanga, for as muche as they hadde knoweleage that the golde
which abundeth in that Region, was the cheefe caufe that deteyned owre men in the Ilande. In the meane tyme,
he fent foorth a Capitayne with a bande of men to fearche the fowthe fyde of the Ilande. Who at his returne,
reported that throwghe out all the Regions that he trauayled, there was fuche fcarfenes of breade, that for the
fpace of. xvi. dayes he eate nowght elles but the rootes of herbes, and of younge date trees, or the fruites of
other wylde trees, But Guarionexius, the kynge of the vale lyinge beneth the mountaynes of Cibaua, whofe
kyngedoome was not foo wafted as the other, gaue owre menne certeyne vytayles.
Within a fewe dayes after, bothe that the iourneys myght bee the Ihorter, and alfo that owre men myght haue
more fafe places of refuge, if the inhabitantes Ihuld hereafter rebell in lyke maner, he buylded an other fort[r]effe
(whiche he cauled the towre of Conception) betwene the citie of Ifabella and faint Thomas fortreffe, in the
marches of the kyngdome of this Guarionexius within the precincte of Cibaua vpon the fyde of a hyll, hauynge
a fayre ryuer of holfome water runnynge hard by the fame. Thus when the inhabitantes fawe newe buyldynges
to bee dayly erected, and owre fhippes lying in the hauen rotten and halfe broken, they beganne to defpayre of
any hope of libertie, and wandered vp and downe with heuie chere. From the towre of Conception, fearchynge
diligently the inner partes of the mountaynes of Cibaua, there was a certeine kyng whiche gaue them a maffe
of rude golde, as bygge as a mans fyfl, weighing. xx. vnces. This golde was not fownde in the banke of that
ryuer, but in a heape of drye earthe: and was lyke vnto the flone cauled Tofus, whiche is foone refolued into
fande. This maffe of golde, I my felfe fawe in Caflile, in the famous citie of Methymna Campi, where the
courte lay all that wynter. I fawe alfo a great piece of pure Ele-rum: of the whiche belles and apothecaries
morters, and many fuche other veffels and inflrumentes maye bee made, as were in owlde tyme of copper of the
citie of Corinthus. This piece of Elderum, was of fuch weight, that I was not onely with both my handes
vnable to lifte it from the grownde, but alfo not of firengthe to remoue it eyther one waye or an other. They
affyrmed that it wayde more then three hundreth pownde weight, after. viii. vnces to the pownde. It was
fownde in the howfe of a certen prynce, and lefte hym by his predeceffours. And albeit that in the dayes of
th[e]inhabitantes yet liuynge, E/efrum was no where digged, yet knewe they where the myne therof was: but
owre men with muche adoo, coulde hardely caufe them to fhewe them the place, they bore them fuche priuie
hatred. Yet at the length, they browght theym to the myne, beyng nowe ruinate and flopped with flones and
rubbiffhe. It is muche eafier to dygge then is the iren myne: and myght bee reftored agein, if myners and
other woorkemen fkylfull therin, were appoynted therto. Not farre from the towre of Conception, in the fame
mountaynes, is fownd great plentie of Amber: and owte of certen rockes of the fame diftilleth a fubflance of
the yelowe coloure whiche the paynters vfe. Not farre from thefe mountaynes are many greate wooddes, in the
which are none other trees then brafile, whiche the Italians caule Verzino. But here perhappes (right noble
prynce) yowe wolde afke what fhoulde be the caufe, that where as the Spanyardes haue brought owte of thefe
Ilandes certen fhyppes laden with brafile, fumwhat of goffampine cotton, a quantitie of amber, a lyttel golde, and fum
fpices, why they haue not broughte fuche plentie of golde and fuche other ryche marchaundies as the fruitfulneffe
of thefe regions feeme to promiffe. To this I anfwere, that when Colonus the admirall was lykewife demaunded
the caufe hereof, he made anfwere that the Spanyardes whiche he tooke with him into thefe regions, were gyuen
rather to flepe, pley, and ydleneffe, then to laboure: And were more fludious of fedition and newes, then
defyrous of peace and quietneffe: Alfo that beynge gyuen to lycencioufnes, they rebelled and forfooke hym,
fyndynge matter of falfe accufations agaynft hym, bycaufe he went aboute to repreffe theyr owtragioufenes. By
reafon wherof he was not yet able to breake the power of the inhabytantes, and freely to poffeffe the full
dominion of the Ilande. And thefe hynderaunces to be the caufe that hitherto the gaynes haue fcarfely
counteruayled the charges. Albeit, euen this yere whyle I wryte thefe thynges at yowre requefle, they gathered
in twoo moonethes the fumme of a thoufande and twoo hundreth poundes weight of golde. But bycaufe we
intende to fpeake more largely of thefe thynges in theyr place, we wyll nowe retourne from whenfe we haue
digreffed. When the inhabitantes perceaued that they could by no meanes ihake the yoke from their neckes, they
made humble fupplication to the Admirall that theymyght flande to theyr tribute, and apply them felues to reincreafe
the fruites of theyr countrey, beinge nowe almofle wafted. He graunted them theyr requefte: and appoynted
fuch order that euery Region fhulde paye their tribute, with the commodities of theyr countreys, accordinge to
80




The fyrJ Decade.


8i


theyr portion, and at fuche tyme as they were agreed vppon. But the violent famine dyd fruftrate all thefe
appoyntmentes. For all the trauayles of theyr bodyes, were fcarfely able to fuffice to fynde them meate in the
wooddes, whereby to fufleyne theyr lyues, beinge of long tyme contented with rootes and the fruites of wylde
trees. Yet manye of the kynges with theyr people, euen in this extreme neceffitie, browght parte of theyr
tribute: Mofte humbly defyringe the Admirall to haue compaffion of theyr calamities, and to beare with them
yet a whyle, -ntyll the Iland were reftored to the owlde flate. Promyfinge farther, that that which was nowe
wantinge, fhulde then bee dowble recompenfed. But fewe of the inhabitantes of the mountaynes of Cibaua,
kepte theyr promyfe, bycaufe they were forer oppreffed with famine then any of the other. They faye, that the
inhabitantes of thefe mountaynes, differ no leffe in maners and language from them which dwel in the playnes,
then amonge vs, the rufticalles of the countrey from gentylmen of the courte: wheras notwithtfandinge, they lyue
bothe as it were vnder one portion of heuen, and in many thinges, much after one faffhion, as in nakednes, and
rude fimplicitie. But nowe lette vs returne to Caunaboa, the kynge of the howfe of golde, beinge in captiuitie.
When he perceaued him felfe to be cafte in pryfon, fretinge and gratinge his teethe as it had bin a lyon of Libia, and
dayely and nightlye deuifinge with hym felfe howe he myght bee delyuered, beganne to perfuade the Admirall, that
for as muche as he had nowe taken vnto his dominion the Region of Cipanga or Cibaua (wherof he was king) it
fhulde bee expedient to fende thyther a garryfon of Chriftian men, to defende the fame from the incurfions of his
owld enemyes and borderers. For he fayde, that itwas fignyfied vnto hym, that the countreye was waited and fpoyled
with fuche incurfions. By this crafty deuife, he thought to haue browght to paffe, that his brother whiche was in
that regyon, and the other his kynfefolkes and frendes with their adherentes, fhoulde haue taken, eyther by
fleyghte or force, as many of owre men, as myght haue redeemed hym. But the Admyrall vnderftandynge his
crafty meanynge, fente Hoieda with fuche a coompany of men, as might vanquifhe the Cibauians, if they fhulde
moue warre ageynfle them. Owre men had fcarfely entered into the Region, but the brother of Caunaboa
came agenfte them with an armie of fyue thoufande naked menne, armed after theyr maner with clubbes,
arrowes typte with bones, and fpeares made harde at the endes with fyre. He tfole vpon owre men beyng in
one of theyr howfes: and encamped rownde about the fame on euery fyde. This Cibauian, as a man not
ignorant in the difciplyne of warre, abowte the diftance of a furlonge from the houfe, diuided his armye into
fyue batayles, appoyntinge to euery of them a circuite by equal diuifion: And placed the froont of his owne
batayle, directlye ageynft owre men. When he had thus fet his batayles in good array, he gaue certeyne
fignes that the hole army fhulde marche forwarde in order with equal paces, and with a larome freffhly affayle
theyr enemies, in fuch fort that none might efcape. But owre men iudginge it better to encounter with one of
the batayles, then to abyde the brunt of the hole army, gaue onfet on the mayne batayle aranged in the playne,
bycaufe that place was moft commodious for the horfemen. When the horfemen therfore hadde gyuen the
charge, they ouerthrewe them with the breftes of theyr horfes, and flewe as many as abode th[e]ende of the
fyght. The refidue beinge ftryken with feare, difparcled, and fledde to the mountaynes and rockes: from
whenfe they made a pytifull houlynge to owre men, defyringe them to fpare them: proteftinge that they wolde
neuer more rebelle, but doo what fo euer they woulde commaunde them, if they wolde fuffer theim to lyue in
theyr owne countrey. Thus the brother of Caunaboa beinge taken, the Admirall licenced the people to reforte
euery man to his owne. Thefe thinges thus fortunately atchiued this Region was pacified. Amonge thofe
mountaynes, the vale which Caunaboa inhabited, is cauled Magona, and is excedynge fruitfull: hauinge in it
many goodly fpringes: and ryuers, in the fande wherof, is fownde great plentie of golde. The fame yeare in
the mooneth of Iune, they faye there rofe -fuche a boyft[r]ous tempefle of wynde from the fowtheafte, as hath not
lyghtly ben harde of: The violence hereof was fuch that it plucked vppe by the roots what fo euer greate trees
were within the reache of the force therof. When this whirle wynde came to the hauen of the citie, it beate
downe to the bottome of the fea, three ihippes which lay at anker, and broke the cables in fundre: and that
(which is the greater maruail) without any florme or rowghnes of the fea, onely turnynge them three or foure
tymes abowte. The inhabitantes alfo affirme, that the fame yeare, the fea extended it felfe further in to the
lande, and rofe higher then euer it dyd before by the memory of man, by the fpace of a cubet. The people
therfore, muttered amonge them felues, that owre nation hadde trowbled the elementes, and caufed fuch
portentous fignes. Thefe tempeftes of the ayer (which the Grecians caule Tiphones, that is, whyrle wyndes)
they caule, Furacanes: which they fay, doo often tymes chaunce in this Ilande: But that neyther they nor
theyr great grandfathers euer fawe fuche violent and furious Furacanes, that plucked vppe greate trees by the
rootes: Neyther yet fuche furges and vehement motions on the fea, that foo wafted the lande. As in deede it
may appeare, for as muche as, where fo euer the fea bankes are nere to any plaine there are in maner euery
where, florifhing medowes reachinge euen vnto the fhore. But nowe let vs returne to Caunaboa. As kynge
Caunaboa therefore and his brother fhoulde haue binne browght into Spayne, they dyed by the waye for verye
penfyuenes and anguyfhe of mynde. The Admiral, whofe fhippes were drowned in the forfayde tempefte,7
perceauinge him felfe to bee nowe enclofed, commaunded foorthwith two other fhippes (which the Spaniardes
EDEN.                            K                                   8x


Famine.
The nature of the
Region disposeth
the maner of the
people.
Kynge Caunaboa
in captiuitie.
The persuasion
of Caunaboa.
21
Caunaboa his
brother rebelleth.
A conflict betwene
the Cibauians and
the Spanyardes.
The Cibauians
haue the
ouerthrowe.
A great tempest
in the moneth
of Iune.
Three ships
drowned lyinge
at anker
Whyrle wyndes
Furacanes.
The death of
kynge Caunaboa
and his brother.




82
Bartholomeus
Colonus the
leauetenaunt
searcheth the
golde mines.
22
The golde mynes
of Salomon.
Golde in the
superficiall partes
of the earth.
The Admiral
taketh his viage
to spaine
The golden towre.
Lacke of vytayles.
Huntinge
houndes.
Kynge
Manlcautexius.
Vytayles browght
from Spayne.
Saynt Dominikes
towre.
Groues of
date trees.
Isabella.


The fyrfl Decade.


caule Carauzelas) to bee made. For he had with hym, all maner of artificers perteyninge therunto. Whyle thefe
thinges were dooinge, he fent foorth Bartholomeus Colonus his brother, beinge leauetenaunt of the Ilande,
with an army of men to fearche the golde mynes beinge dyflant three fcore leaques from the citie of Ijabella,
which were fownde by the conducte of certeyne people of the Ilande, beefore the mynes of CiSanga or Cibaua
were knowen.  In thefe mynes, they fownde certeyne deepe pittes which had byn digged in owlde tyme, owte
of thefe pyttes, the Admirall (who affirmeth this Ilande of Hifpaniola to bee Ophir, as we haue fayde before)
fuppofeth that Salomon the kynge of Hierufalem had his greate ryches of golde wherof we reede in the owlde
teftamente: And that his fhippes fayled to this Ophir by the goulfe of Perfia cauled Sinus Perficus. But
whether it bee foo or not, it lyeth not in me to iudge, but in my opinion it is farre of. As the myners dygged
the fuperficiall or vppermoft parte of the earthe of the mynes, durynge for the fpace of. vi. miles, and in dyuers
places fyfted the fame on the drye lande, they fownde fuch plentie of golde, that euery hyred labourer could
eafely fynde euery day, the weyght of three drammes. Thefe mynes beinge thus fearched and fownde, the
Lieuetenaunte certifyed the Admirall hereof by his letters. The which when he had receaued the. v. daye of the
Ides of Marche. Anno. I495. he entered into his newe fhippes, and tooke his viage directly to Spayne to aduertife
the kynge of all his affayres, leauinge the hole regiment of the Iland with his brother the Lieuetenaunte,
(i THE FYFTE BOOKE OF THE FYRST DECADE,
to Lodouike Cardinal! ofAragonie.
Fter the Admyralles departyng into Spain his Brother the Lieuetenaunte, buylded a fort[r]effe
in the golde mynes, as he had commaunded hym. This he cauled the golden towre,
bycaufe the labourers fownde golde in the earth and flone wherof they made the waules of
*  *     the fortreffe. He confumed three monethes in makynge the inftrumentes wherwith the
golde fhulde bee gathered, wafhed, tryed, and molten. Yet was he at this tyme by reafon
of wante of vitayles, enforced to leaue all thynges imperfecte, and to goo feeke for meate.
Thus as he with a bande of armed men, had entered three fcore myles further within the
lande, the people of the countrey here and there refortynge to hym, gaue hym a certen portion of theyr breade
in exchange for other of owre thynges. But he coulde not long tary here, bicaufe they lacked meate in the
fortreffe, whyther he hailed with fuch as he had now gotten. Leauyng therfore in the fortreffe a garryfon of
tenne men, with that portion of the Ilande breade whiche yet remayned, leauynge alfo with them a hownde
to take thofe kyndes of lyttle beaftes which they caule Vfias, not muche vnlyke owre conyes, he returned to
the fortreffe of Conception.  This alfo, was the moonthe wherin the kynge Guarionexius, and alfo
Manicaulexius, bortherer vnto hym, fhulde haue brought in theyr tributes. Remaynynge there the hole
moonthe of Iune, he exacted the hole tribute of thefe twoo kinges, and vytayles neceffary for hym
and fuche as he brought with hym, whiche were abowt foure hundreth in number. Shortely after, abowte
the calendes of Iulye, there came three Caraueles from Spayne, bringynge with them  fundry kyndes of
vitayles, as wheate, oyle, wyne, bacon, and marckelmas beafe: whiche were dyuyded to euery man accordynge as neede required. Sum alfo was loft in the cariage for lacke of good lookyng too. At the arryuall
of thefe fhyppes, the lieuetenaunte receaued commaundment from the kynge and the Admyrall his brother, that
he with his men fhulde remoue theyr habitation to the fowthe fyde of the Ilande, bycaufe it was nerer to the
golde mynes: Alfo that he fhoulde make dilygent fearche for thofe kynges whiche had flayne the Chriftian men,
and to fende them with theyr confederates, bownd into Spayne. At the nexte vyage therfore, he fent three
hundreth captiues with three Kinges: And when he had diligently fearched the coaftes of the fouth fyde, he
tranfported his habitation, and buylded a fortreffe there, vpon the toppe of a hyll, neere vnto a fure hauen.
This fortreffe, he cauled faynt Dominikes towre. Into this hauen, runneth a ryuer of holfome water, replenyfhed
with fundrye kyndes of good fyffhes. They affyrme this ryuer to haue many benefytes of nature. For, where
fo euer it runneth all thynges are excedynge pleafaunte and fruitfull: hauynge on euery fyde, groues of date
trees, and dyuers other of the Ilande frutes fo plentyfully, that as they fayled alonge by the fhore, often tymes
the branches therof laden with flowres and fruites, hunge foo ouer theyr heades, that they miiite plucke them
with theyr hagdes. Alfo that the frutefulnes of this grownde, is eyther equall with the foyle of Ifabella, or
better. In Ifabella, he lefte only certeyne ficke men and fhippe wrightes, whom he had appointed to make
certeyne carauels The refidue of his men, he conueighed to the fowth, to faint Dominickes towre. After he
had buylded this fortreffe, leauinge therin a garryfon of. xx. men, he with the remanent of his fouldiers, prepared


23


82




The fyrjl Decade.


83


them felues to fearche the inner partes of the Wefle fyde of the Ilande, hytherto knowen onely by name.
Therfore abowte. xxx. leaques, (that is) foure fcore and tenne myles from the fortreffe, he chaunced on the
ryuer Naiba, whiche we fayde to defcende from the mountaynes of Cibaua, ryght towarde the fowth, by the
myddeft of the Iland. When he had ouerpaffed this ryuer with a coompanye of armed men diuided into. xxv.
decurions, that is, tenne in a company with theyr capitaynes, he fent two decurions to the regions of thofe
kinges in whofe landes were the great woods of brafile trees. Inclyninge towarde the lefte hande, they fownde
the woodes, entered into them, and felled the hygh and precious trees, which were to that day, vntouched.
Eche of the decurions fylled certeyne of the Ilande howfes with the trunkes of brafile, there to be referued
vntyll the fhyppes came which fhulde cary them away. But the Lieuetenaunt directinge his iourney towarde
the ryght hande, not farre from the bankes of the ryuer of Naiba, fownde a certeyne kynge whofe name was
Beuchius Anacauchoa, encamped ageynfi th[e]inhabitantes of the prouince of Naiba,to fubdue them vnder his
dominion, as he had doone manye other kynges of the Ilande, bortherers vnto hymjThe palaice of this great
kynge, is cauled Xaragua: and is fituate towarde the Welte ende of the Ilande, diflante from the ryuer of
Naiba. xxx. leaques. All the prynces which dwell betwene the Welte ende and his palaice, are ditionaries
vnto hym. All that Region from Naiba, to the furthefte marches of the welte, is vtterly withowte golde,
althowgh it bee full of mountaynes. When the kynge had efpied owre men, layinge a parte his weapons, and
gyuinge fignes of peace, he fpake gentelly to them, (incerteyne whether it were of humanitie or feare) and
demaunded of them what they woolde haue. The Lieuetenaunte aunfwered: That he fhulde paye tribute to
the Admirall his brother, in the name of the Chriftian kynge of Spayne. To whom he fayde: Howe can yowe
requyre that of me, whereas neuer a Region vnder my dominion bringeth foorth golde. For he had harde,.
that there was a ftrange nation entered into the Ilande, whiche made greate fearche for golde. But he fuppofed
that they defyred none other thynge. The leauetenaunt anfwered ageyne: God forbydde that we fhulde enioyne
any man to pay fuch tribute as he myght not eafely forbeare, or fuch as were not engendered or growinge in the
Region: But we vnderftand that your Regions brynge foorth great plentie of Goffampine cotton, and hempe,
with fuche other, whereof we defyre yowe to gyue vs parte. When he harde thefe woordes, he promyfed with
cherefull countenaunce, to gyue hym as muche of thefe thynges as he wolde requyre. Thus difmiffinge his
army, and fendynge meffengers beefore, he hym felfe accoompanyed the Leauetenaunte and browght hym to
his palaice, beinge dyftante (as we haue fayde). xxx. leaques. In al this tracte, they paffed throwgh the Iurisdiction of other princes beinge vnder his dominion: Of the whiche, fume gaue them hempe, of no leffe goodnes
to make tackelinges for fhippes then owre woodde. Other fume, browght breade, and fum goffampyne cotton:
And foo euery of them payde tribute with fuche commodities as theyr countreys browght foorth. At the lengthe
they came to the kinges manfion place of Xaragua. Before they entered into the palaice, a greate multitude_
of the kynges feruauntes and fubiectes reforted to the courte, honorably (after their maner) to receaue theyr
kyng Beuchius Anacauchoa, with the ftrangers which he browght with hym to fe the magnificence of his courte.
But nowe fhall yowe heare howe they were interteyned. Amonge other tryumphes and fyghtes, two are
efpecially to bee noted. Fyrfle there mette them a company of. xxx. women, beinge al the kynges wyues and -
concubines, bearinge in theyr handes branches of date trees, finginge and daunfinge: They were all naked,
fauynge that theyr pryuie partes were couered with breeches of goffampine cotton. But the virgins, hauynge
theyr heare hangynge downe abowte their fhulders, tyed abowte the foreheade with a fyllet, were vtterly naked.
They affirme that theyr faces, breftes, pappes, handes, and other partes of theyr bodyes, were excedynge fmoothe,.
and well proportioned: but fumwhat inclyning to a louely brown. They fuppofed that they had feene thofe
moft beawtyfull Dryades, or the natyue nymphes or fayres of the fontaynes wherof the antiquites fpeake fo
muche. The branches of date trees which they bore in theyr right handes when they daunced, they delyuered
to the Leauetenaunt with lowe curtefy and fmylynge countenaunce. Thus enteringe into the kynges howfe,
they fownde a delycate fupper prepared for them after theyr maner. When they were well refrefhed with
meate, the nyght drawinge on, they were browght by the kynges officers, euery man to his lodginge, accordyng
to his degree, in certeyne of theyr howfes abowte the palaice, where they refled them in hangynge beddes
after the maner of the countrey, wherof we haue fpoken more largely in an other place.
(I The daye folowyng they browght owre men to their common haule, into the whiche they coome together
as often as they make any notable games or triumphes, as we haue faid before. Here, after many daunfynges,
fynginges, mafkinges, runnynges, wrefllynges, and other tryinge of maflryes, foodenly there appered in a large
plaine nere vnto the haule. ii. greate armies of men of warre, whiche the kynge for his paftyme had caufed to bee
prepared, as the Spaniardes vfe the playe with reedes whiche they caule luga de Canias. As the armies drewe
neere together, they affayled the one the other as fierfely, as if mortal ennemies with theyr baners fpleade, fhulde
fight for theyr goodes, theyr landes, theyr lyues, their libertie, theyr countrey, theyr wyues and theyr chyldren. Soo
that within the momente of an howre, foure men were flayne, and many wounded. The battayle alfo fhoulde haue
contynued longer, if the kynge had not at the requeft of owre men, caufed them to ceafe. The thyrde day, the
83


The ryuer of
Naiba
Wooddes of
brasile trees.
Kinge Beuchius
Anacauchoa.
The palaice
of xaragua.
Mountaynes
without gold
Tribute.
The woolfe
entreateth the
sheepe.
Hempe and
gossampine cotton.
Howe the
Lieuetenant was
receaued at the
kynges palaice.
The kynges wyues.
Well fauered
women.
Dryades.
24
A delicate supper.
Hanginge beddes.
A common haule.
A pretie pastyme.
Foure men slaine
in sport




84
A.i


Prouision for
diseased men
The castels or
towres of
hispaniola.
The golden
mountaynes
of Cibaua.
Bonauum
Tribute.
The kynges
rebelle.
Guarionexius
capitaine of
the conspiracie.
An army of xv.
thousande
Barbarians.
25
The kynges are
taken prisoners.
Kynge
Guarionexius
is pardoned.
Lacke of vytayles.
Beuchius
Anacauchoa, the
kynge of Xaragua


The fyrJl Decade.
Lieuetenant confelynge the kynge to fowe more plentie of goffampine vppon the bankes nere vnto the waters
fyde, that they myghte the better paye theyr tribute priuately accordynge to the multitude of theyr howfes, he
repayred to Ifabella to vyfite the ficke men whiche he had lefte there, and alfo to fee howe his woorkes wente forwarde. In the tyme of his abfence. xxx. of his men were confumed with diuerfe difeafes. Wherfore beinge fore
trowbled in his mynde, and in maner at his wyttes ende what he were befl to doo, for as muche as he wanted al
thynges neceffarie as well to reflore them to healthe whiche were yet acrafed, as alfo vitayles to mayntaine the
hole multitude, where as there was yet no fhippe coome from Spaine, as at the length he determyned to fende
abrode the ficke men here and there to lundrye Regions of the Ilande, and to the catfelles which they had
erected in the fame. For directly from the citie of Ifabella to faynt Dominikes towre, that is, from the north to
the fouth, throwgh the Iland, they had buylded thus many caftelles. Fyrfle. xxxvi. myles diftante from Ifabella,
they buylded the caftell of Sperantia, from Sperantia. xxv. myles, was the caflell offaynte Catharine, from faynte
Catharines. xx. myles, was faynt Iames towre. Other. xx. miles from faynte Iames towre, was a ftronger
fortreffe then any of the other, which they cauled the towre of Conception: which he made the ftronger bicaufe it
was fituate at the rootes of the golden mountaynes of Cibaua, in the greate and large playne foo fruitefull and
well inhabited as we haue before defcribed. He buylded alfo an other in the mydde waye betwene the towre
of Conception and faynt Dominikes towre. The which alfo was fironger then the towre of Conception, bycaufe
it was within the lymittes of a great kynge, hauinge vnder his dominion flue thowfande men: whofe chiefe Citie
and heade of the Realme, beynge cauled Bonauumn, he wylled that the caftell fhulde alfo bee cauled after the
fame name. Therfore leauynge the ficke men in thefe cartels and other of the Ilande howfes nere vnto the fame,
he hym felfe repayred to faynte Dominikes, exactinge tributes of all the kynges whiche were in his waye. When
he had taryed there a fewe dayes, there was a rumor fpredde, that all the kynges abowte the borders of the
towre of Conception, had confpyred with defperate myndes to rebell agenfle the Spaniardes. When the
Lieuetenaunte was certified hereof, he tooke his iorneye towarde them immediately, not beyng difcoraged eyther
by the lengthe of the waye, or feebleneffe of his fouldyers, beynge in maner forweried with trauayle. As he
drewe nere vnto them, he had aduertifement that kynge Guarionexius was chofen by the other prynces to bee
the Capitayne of this rebellion: And that he was enforfed therto halfe vnwilling, beynge feduced by theyr
perfwafions and prouocations. The whiche is more lykely to be trewe, for that he had before had experience of
the power and policie of owre men. They came together at a daye appoynted, accoompanied with. xv.
thoufande men, armed after their maner, once agen to proue the fortune of warre. Here the Lieuetenaunte
confultynge with the Capitayne of the fortreffe and the other fouldiers of whom he had the conducte, determyned
to fette vpon them vnwares in their owne howfes before they coulde prepare theyr army. He fent foorthe
therfore to euery kynge, a Centurian, that is, a capitaine of a hundreth, which were commaunded vppon a fudden
to inuade theyr howfes in the night, and to take them fleepinge, beefore the people (beinge fcattered here and
there) might affemble togyther. Thus fecreatly enteringe into their vylages, not fortified with waules, trenches, or
bulwarkes, they broke in vppon them, tooke them, bounde them, and led away euery man his prifoner according
as they were commaunded. The Lieuetenaunt hym felfe with his hundreth men, affayled kynge Guarionexius
as the woorthier perfonage, whom he tooke pryfoner as dyd the other capitaynes theyr kynges, and at the fame
howre appoynted. Foureteene of theym were browght the fame nyght to the towre of Conception. Shortlye after,
when he had put to death two of the kynges which were the chiefe autours of this newe reuolte, and had fuborned
Guarionexius and the other kynges to attempte the fame: leaft the people for forowe of theyr kynges fhulde
neglecte or forfake their countrey, whiche thinge myght haue byn greate incommoditie to owre men, who by
th[e]increafe of theyr feedes and fruites were oftentymes ayded, he freely pardoned and difmiffed Guarionexius
and the other kynges. The people in the meane tyme flocked togyther abowte the towre, to the nomber
of fyue thowfande withowte weapons, with pytiful houling for the delyueraunce of theyr kynges: The ayer
thundered, and the earth trembeled throwgh the vehemencie of theyr owtcry  The Lieuetenaunt warned
Guarionexius and the other kynges, with threatenynges, with rewardes, and with promyfes, neuer hereafter to
attempte any fuche thynge. Then Guarionexius made an oration to the people of the great power of owre men,
of theyr clemencie towarde offenders, and liberalitie to fuche as remayne faithfull: defyringe them to quiet theyr
myndes: and from henfefoorth nother in deede nor thowght to interpryfe any thynge ageynft the Chriftians, but
to obeye and ferue them, excepte they wolde dayly brynge them felues into further calamyties. When the
oration was fynyfhed, they tooke hym vp and fet hym on theyr fhulders, and foo caryed hym home to his owne
palaice. And by this meanes, this Region was pacified for a whyle. But owre men, with heauy countenaunce,
wandered vppe and downe, as defolate in a ftrange countrey, lackinge vytailes, and worne owte of apparell,
whereas. xv. moonethes were nowe paffed fence the Admirals departure: duringe which tyme, they coulde heare
nothynge owte of Spayne. The Leauetenaunt comforted them all that he coulde with fayre wordes and promyfes.
In the meane tyme, Beuchius Anacauchoa, the kynge of the Wefte partes of the Region of Xaragua (of whom


{.  we fpake before) fente meffengers to the Lieuetenaunt to fignifye vnto hym, that he hadde in a redynes the
84




The fyrJf Decade.


85


goffampine cotton and fuche other thinges as he wylled hym to prepare for the paymente of his trybute.
Whervppon the Lieuetenaunt tooke his iorney thyther, and was honorably receaued of the kynge and his fyfter,
fumtyme the wyfe of Caunaboa the kynge of Cibaua, bearing no leffe rule in the gouernaunce of her brothers
kyngedome, then he hym felfe. For they affirme her to bee a wyfe woman, of good maners, and pleafaunt in
company. Shee ernefUy perfuaded her brother by th[e]example of her hufbande, to loue and obeye the
Chriftians. This woman was cauled Anacaona. He fownde in the palaice of Beuchius Anacauchoa. xxxii.
kynges whiche hadde browght theyr tributes with them, and abode his comminge. They browght with them
alfo befyde theyr trybute affigned them, further to demerite the fauour of owre men, great plentie of vytayles:
as bothe kyndes of breade, cunnyes, and fyffhes, alredy dryed bycaufe they fhulde not putrifie: Serpentes alfo
of that kynd which wee fayd to bee efteemed amonge them as moft delicate meate, and lyke vnto Crocodiles
fauing in byggenes. Thefe ferpentes they caule Iuannas, which owre men learned fumewhat to late to haue byn
engendred in the Ilande. For vnto that day, none of them durfte aduenture to tafle of them by reafon
of theyr horrible deformitie and lothefumnes.  Yet the Lieuetenaunt beinge entyfed by the pleafantnes
of the kynges fyfler, determined to taRle of the ferpentes. But when he felte the flefhe therof to bee fo
delicate to his tonge, he fel too, amayne without al feare. The which thinge his coompanyons perceauinge,
were not behynde hym in greedines: In foo muche that they hadde nowe none other talke then of the
fweetenes of thefe ferpentes: which they affyrme to bee of more pleafaunte taite, then eyther owre phefauntes
or pertriches. But they lofe theyr tafle, excepte they bee prepared after a certeyne faffhion: as doo peacockes
and phefauntes except they bee interlarded beefore they bee rofted. They prepare them therefore after this
maner. Fyrft takynge owte theyr bowels euen from the throte to the thyghes, they wafhe and rubbe theyr
bodies very cleane bothe within and withowte. Then rouling them togyther on a cyrcle, inuolued after the
maner of a flepynge fnake, they thrufte them into a potte of no bygger capacitie then to houlde them only.
This doone, puttinge a lyttle water vnto them with a portion of the Ilande pepper, they feethe them with a
foft fyer of fweete woodde, and fuche as maketh no greate fmoke. Of the fat of them beinge thus fodde, is made
an excedinge pleafaunte brothe or potage. They fay alfo, that there is no meate to bee compared to the egges
of thefe ferpentes, which they vfe to feethe by them felues. They are good to bee eaten as fone as they are
fodde: And may alfo bee referued many dayes after. But hauinge fayde thus muche of theyr intertaynement
and daintie fare, let vs nowe fpeake of other matters. When the Lieuetenaunt had fylled one of the Ilande
howfes with the goffampine cotton which he hadde receaued for trybute, the kynges promyfed furthermore to
gyue hym as muche of theyr breade, as he wolde demaunde. He gaue them hartie thankes and gentely
accepted theyr freendly profer. In the meane time whyle this breade was gatheringe in fundry Regions to bee
browght to the palaice of Beuchius Anacauchoa kynge of Xaragua, he fent meffengers to Ifabella for one of the
two carauelles which were lately made there: intendinge to fende the fame thyther ageyne laden with breade.
The maryners gladde of thefe tydynges, fayled abowte the Ilande, and in fhort fpace browght the fhippe to the
coaftes of Xaragua.  The fyfler of kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, that wyfe and pleafaunt woman Anacaona, (the
wyfe fumtyme of Caunaboa the kynge of the golden howfe of the mountaynes of Cibaua, whose hufbande dyed in
the way when he fhulde haue byn caryed into Spayne,) when fhee harde faye that owre fhyppe was arryued on
the fhore of her natiue countrey, perfuaded the kynge her brother that they bothe myght goo togyther to fee it.
For the place where the fhyppe lay, was not pafle. vi. myles diflante from Xaragua. They refted all night, in
the mydde way, in a certeyne vyllage in the which was the treafurye or iewell howfe of Anacaona. Her
treafure was nother goulde, fyluer, or precious flones, but only thynges neceffary to bee vfed, as cheyars,
flooles, fettels, dyffhes, potingers, pottes, pannes, barons, treyes, and fuche other howfholde luffe and inftrumentes, workemanly made of a certeyne blacke and harde fhyninge woodde which that excellent lerned phifition
Iohn baptifte E1iftus, affirmeth to bee hebene. What fo euer portion of wytte nature hath gyuen to the inhabitantes of thefe Ilandes, the fame doth moft appeare in there kynde of woorkes, in whiche they fhewe great arte
and cunnyng. But thofe which this woman had, were made in the Iland of Guanabba, fituate in the mouth of
the wefle fyde of Hi-fpaniola. In there they graue the lyuely Images of fuch phantafies as they fuppofe they
fee walke by night which the Antiquitie cauled Lemures. Alfo the Images of men, ferpents, beaftes, and what
foo euer other thyng they haue once feene. What wolde yowe thinke (moft noble Prynce) that they coulde
doo, if they had the vfe of Iren and flteele? For they onely fyrfle make thefe fofte in the fyre, and afterwarde
make them holowe and carue them with a certeyne flone which they fynde in the ryuers. Of ftooles and
chayers, fhee gaue the Lieuetenaunt. xiiii. And of veffelles perteynynge to the table and kychen, fhee gaue hym
three fcore, fum of wood and fume of earthe. Alfo of goffampine cotton ready fpunne foure great bottomes of
excedinge weight. The day folowing when they came to the fea fyde, where was an other vylage of the kynges,
the Lieuetenaunt commaunded the fhyppe boat to bee browght to the fhore. The kyng alfo had prepared two
canoas, paynted after theyr maner: one for hym felfe and certeyne of his gentelmen: an other for his fyfler
Anacaona and her waytinge women.   But Anacaona defyred to bee caried in the fhyppe boate with the
K 2                                  85


Queene Anacaona,
the wife of kynge
Caunaboa.
xxxii. kynges.
Serpentes eaten.
26
The dressing of
serpentes to be
eaten.
Serpentes
egges eaten
Gossampine
cotton.
Queene Anacaona.
The treasurie of
Queene Anacaona
Hebene woode.
The Ilande of
Guanabba
Conninge artificers
A stone in the
steede of Iren




86


The fyrjl Decade.


Gunnes.


27
Musical
instrumentes.
Ignorance causeth
admiration.
Roldanus
Xeminus.
The intemperancie
and malice of a
seruile witte
aduaunced.
Ciguaians.
Maiobanexits, the
great kynge of
the mountaynes
The inhabytantes
of the mountaynes.
Guarionexius
rebelleth ageyne.
Roldanus
Xeminus rebelleth.
28
Licenciousnes
in libertie
Hercules pyllers.
A violente
persasion.


Lieuetenaunte. When they nowe approched nere vnto the fhyppe, certeyne great pieces of ordinaunce were
difcharged of purpofe. The fea was fylled with thunder, and the ayer with fmooke. They trembled and
quaked for feare, fuppofinge that the frame of the world had byn in danger of fauling. But when they fawe
the Lieuetenaunte lawgh, and looke cherefully on them, they cauled ageyne theyr fpirites.  And when
they yet drewe nerer to the ihippe, and harde the noyfe of the fluites, fhalmes, and drummes, they
were wonderfully aftonyed at the fweete harmony therof. Enterynge into the fhyppe and beholdinge the forefhippe and the flerne, the toppe caflel, the mafte, the hatches, the cabens, the keele, and the tackelinges, the
brother fixinge his eyes on the fyfter, and the fyfler on the brother, they were bothe as it were dumme and
amafed, and wyfte not what to faye for too muche wonderynge. Whyle beholdinge thefe thinges they wandered
vp and downe the ihippe, the Lieuetenaunt commaunded the ankers to bee loofed, and the failes to be hoyfed
vp. Then were they further aflonyfhed, when they fawe foo greate a mole, to moue as it were by it felfe,
without ores and without the force of man. For there arofe from the earth fuche a wynde as a man wolde haue
wyfhed for of purpofe. Yet furthermore, when they perceaued the fhyppe to moue fumtyme forwarde and
fumtyme backewarde: fumtyme towarde the ryght hande and fumtyme towarde the lefte, and that with one
wynde and in maner at one initante, they were at theyr wyttes ende for to muche admiracion. Thefe thynges
fynifhed and the Ihyppes beinge laden with breade and fuche other rewardes, they beinge alfo recompenfed
with other of owre thynges, he difmiffed not onely the kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, and his fyfter, but lykewife
all theyr feruauntes and women replenyfhed with ioye and woonderinge. After this, he hym felfe tooke his
iorney by foote with his fouldiers to the citie of Ifabeilla: where he was aduertifed that one Roldanus Ximenlus,
a nawghty felowe, (whom before beinge his feruante, he had preferred to bee capitayne of the myners and
labourers, and after made hym a ludge in caufes of controuerfie) had vfed hym felfe owtragioufly and was
malycioufly mynded ageinft hym, and further, the caufe of muche mifchiefe in his abfence. For kynge
Guarionexius (who a whyle before was pardoned of his former rebellion, and perfuaded the people to obeye the
Spanyardes) was by his nawghty vfage, and fuche other as were confethered with hym, fo accenfed to reuenge
the iniuries which they fuftleyned at his handes,byfyde the abhominable actes which they folowynge onely the
lawe of nature, abhorred to admytte, that he with his famelie, famylyers, and ditionaries, of defperate mynde
fledde to the mountaynes beinge diflant from Ifabella onely tenne leaques Weflwarde, towarde the north fyde
of the fea. Thefe mountaynes, and alfo the inhabitantes of the fame they caule by one name Ciguaios. The
greate kyng of al the kynges and regions of thefe mountayne[s], is cauled Maiobanexius: and his courte or
palaice is named Caj5ronus. The mountaynes are rowgh, hygh, and fuche as no man can paffe to the toppes
therof. They are alfo bendynge: and haue theyr corners reachinge downe to the fea. Betwene bothe the
corners of the mountaynes, is there a greate playne, by the which many riuers faule from the mountaynes into
the fea. The people are verye fierfe and warlyke men, hauing theyr original of the Canybales. For when they
defcende from the mountaynes to the playnes to keepe warre with theyr bortherers, they eate all fuche as they
kyll. Guarionexius therfore, flyinge to this kyng of thefe mountaynes, gaue hym many prefentes of fuche
thynges as are wantinge in his countrey: therwith declaringe howe vylely, vylaynoufly, and violently, he had
byn vfed of owre men: with whom he could nothinge preuayle nother by fayre meanes, nor by foule: nother
by humilytie nor by floutnes. And that to bee the caufe of his refortinge to hym at that tyme: mofle humbly
defyring hym to bee his defence ageynft th[e]oppreffions of fuche myfcheuous people. Maiobanexius here
vppon, made hym promeffe to ayde and helpe hym ageynfl the Chriflians al that he myght. The Lieuetenaunt
therfore made haft to the fortreffe of Conception: whyther as foone as he was coome, he fent for Roldanus
Xeminus, who with fuche as folowed hym, lay in certeyne of the Ilande vylages, twelue miles diflant from the
fortres. At his comminge, the Leauetenaunt afked hym what al there flurres and tumultes ment. He anfwered
without abafhement: Yowre brother the Admirall hath to do therwith, and fhall anfwere for the fame before the
kynge. For we perceaue that the kynge hath foo put hym in trufle, that he hath hadde no regarde to vs.
Here we peryfhe for hunger whyle we folowe yowe: and are dryuen to feeke owre vnhappy foode in the defertes.
Yowre brother alfo, affigned me affiflant with yowe in gouerninge the Ilande. Wherfore fyth yowe haue no
more refpecte vnto vs, we are determyned noo longer to bee vnder yowre obedience. When Roldanus had
fpoken thefe wordes and fuche other, the Lieuetenaunte wolde haue layde handes on hym: but he efcaped
his fyngers, and fledde to the wefte partes of the Region of Xaragua, hauinge with hym a trayne of
threefcore and tenne men whiche were of his confetheracie. Here this fylthy fynke of rebels thus confpired,
played their vages and lyued with loofe brydels in al kyndes of myfchefe, robbynge the people, fpoylinge the
countrey, and rauyfhinge bothe wyues and virgines. Whyle there thynges were doing in the Ilande, the Admirall
hadde eyght fhyppes appoynted hym by the kinge: Of the whiche he fent two laden with vitayles, from Cales or
Cades of Hercules pyllers, directly to the Lieuetenaunt his brother. Thefe fhyppes by chaunce arryued fyrfl on
that fyde of the Ilande where Rolandus Xeminus ranged with his coompanyons. Rolandus in fhorte tyme hadde
feduced them: promyfinge them in the fleade of mattockes, wenches pappes: for laboure, pleafure: for hunger,
86




The fyrJf Decade.


87


i


abundance: and for wearynes and watchinge, fleepe and quietnes. Guarionexius in the meane tyme, affemblynge
a power of his freendes and confetherates, came oftentymes downe into the playne, and flewe as many of the
Chriflian men, as he coulde meete conuenientlye, and alfo of the Ilande menne whiche were theyr freendes:
waftynge theyr grounde, deflroyinge theyr feedes, and fpoylinge theyr vylages. But Roldanus and his adherentes,
albeit they had knowleage that the Admiral wolde fhortly coome, yet feared they nothynge bycaufe they had feduced
the newe menne whiche came in the fyrfte fhippes. Whyle the Lieuetenaunt was thus toffed in the middeft of
thefe fltormes, in the meane tyme his brother the Admyrall fet forwarde from the coaftes of Spayne: But not
directly to Hifpaniola: For he turned more towarde the fouthe. In the which vyage, what he dyd, what coaftes
bothe of the lande and fea he coompafed, and what newe regions he difcouered, wee wyl fyrft declare. For to
what ende and conclufion the fayde tumultes and feditions came, wee wyll expreffe in th[e]ende of the booke
folowynge. Thus fare ye well.
ET THE SYXTE BOOKE OF THE FYRSTE DECADE,
to Lodouike Cardinall of Aragonie.


The furie of
guarionexius
The thyrde vyage
of Colonus the
Admirall.


Olonus the Admyral, the thyrde day of the Calendes of Iune, in the yeare of Chrifle. 1498.
hoyfed vp his fayles in the hauen of the towne Barramedabas, not farre diftante from Cales:
and fet forwarde on his vyage with eyght fhippes laden with vytayles and other neceffaries.
He diuerted from his accuftomed rafe which was by the Ilandes of Canarie, by reafon of
certeyne frenchemen pirates and rouers on the fea, whiche laye in the ryght way to meete
with hym. In the way from Cales to the Ilandes of Canarie, abowte foure fcore and ten
myles towarde the lefte hande, is the Ilande of Madera, more fouthwarde then the citie of
Ciuile by foure degrees. For the pole artyke is eleuate to Ciuile, xxxvi. degrees: But to this Iland (as the
mariners faye) only xxxii. He fayled therfore fyrfte to Madera. And fendinge from thenfe directly to
Hifpaniola, the refydue of the fhippes laden with vytayles and other neceffaries, he hym felfe with one fhyppe
with deckes, and two marchaunt carauelles coafted towarde the fouthe to coome to the Equinoctial lyne, and
fo furth to folowe the tracte of the fame towarde the Wefl, to th[e]intent to fearche the natures of fuche places
as he coulde fynde vnder or nere vnto the fame, leauinge Hifpaniola on the north fyde on his ryght hande. In'
the myddle of his rafe, lye. xiii. Ilandes of the Portugales, whiche were in owlde tyme cauled Hefperides: And
are now cauled Caput Viride, or Cabouerde. Thefe arefituate in the fea, ryght ouer ageynft the inner partes of
Ethiope, Weftwarde two dayes faylinge. One of thefe the Portugales caule BonauiJta. With the fnayles, or rather
tortoyfes of this Ilande, many leprous men are healed and denfed of theyr leprofitie. Departing fodainly from henfe
by reafon of the contagioufnes of the ayre, he fayled. CCCCLXXX. [four hundred and eighty] myles towarde the
Wefte fouthweft, which is the myddeft betwene the wefte and the fouthe. There was he fo vexed with maladies and
heate (for it was the moneth of Iune) that his fhyppes were almofte fette on fyre. The hoopes of his barrels cracked
and brake, and the freffhe water ranne owte. The men alfo complayned that they were not able to abyde that
extremitie of heate. Here the northe pole was eleuate only. v. degrees from the Horizontall. For the fpace of.
viii. dayes in the which he fuffered thefe extremites, only the fyrft day was fayre: but all the other, dowdy and
rayny: yet neuertheleffe feruent hotte. Wherefore it oftentymes repented hym not a little that euer he tooke
that way. Beinge toffed in thefe dangiours and vexations eyght contynuall dayes, at the lengthe an Eaflfoutheafle
wynde arofe, and gaue a profperous blafte to his fayles. Which wynde folowinge directly towarde the wefte, he
fownde the flarres ouer that paralelle, placed in other order, and an other kynde of ayer, as the Admirall hym felfe
towlde me. And they al affirme, that within three dayes faylinge, they fownde mofle temperate and pleafaunte
ayre. The Admirall alfo affirmeth, that from the clime of the great heate and vnholfome ayer, he euer afcended
by the backe of the fea, as it were by a hygh mountayne towarde heauen. Yet in all this tyme, coulde he not
once fee any lande. But at the length, the day before the Calendes of Iuly, the watcheman lookynge foorth of
the toppecaftell of the greateft fhyppe, cryed owte alowde for ioy that he efpyed three excedynge hyghe
mountaynes: Exhortinge his felowes to bee of good cheere, and put away all penfiuenes. For they were very
heauy and forowfull, as well for the greefe which they fufteyned by reafon of th[e]intollerable heate, as alfo that
their frefhe water fayled them, which ranne owte at the ryftes of the barels, caufed by extreme heate as we haue
fayde. Thus beinge wel conforted, they drewe to the lande. Yet at theyr fyrft approche, they coulde not arryue by
reafon of the fhalownes of the fea nere the fhore. Yet lookyng owte of theyr fhyppes, they might wel perceaue
that the Region was inhabyted and well cultured. For they fawe very fayre gardens, and pleafaunte medowes:


Frenche men
pyrats.
The Iand of
Madera.
The Admiral
[s]ayleth to the
Equinoctiall.
xiii. Ilandes of
Hesperides, now
cauled Cabouerde.
Healynge of the
leper.
Contagious ayre
and extreeme heate
The pole eleuate.
v degrees.
29
The starres placed
in other order.
A sea rysyng lyke
a mountayne.
Heate causeth the
barrels to breke.


87




88                                                 The fyrfJ Decade.
Swete sauours  frome the trees and herbes wherof, when the mornynge dewes beganne to ryfe, there proceaded manye fweete
fromeatl de.  fauoures. Twentie myles diflant from henfe, they chaunced into a hauen, verye apte to harborowe fhippes, but
it had no ryuer runninge into it. Saylinge on yet fumwhat further, he fownde at the lengthe a commodious
hauen wherin he might repayre his fhippes and make prouifion of freffhe water and fuell. Arenalis cauleth
The IlandofPuta. - this lande Puta. They fownd no houfes nere vnto the hauen: but innumerable fteppes of certein wilde beaftes
People of[good]ly  feete, of the which they fownde one deade much lyke a goate. The day folowynge, they fawe a Canoa
corporature and
longe heare nere  commynge afarre of, hauinge in it. xxiiii. younge men of godly corporature and high flature, al armed with
the Equnociall.  targets, bowes and arowes The heare of theyr heds, was longe and plaine, and cutte on the forheade much
after the maner of the Spanyardes. Theyr priuie partes were couered with fillettes of goffampyne cotton, of
fundry coloures enterlaced: And were befyde al ouer naked. Here the Admirall confideringe with hym felfe
the corporature of this people and nature of the lande, he beleaued the fame to bee foo much the nerer heauen
The higher the  then other Regions of the fame paralelle, and further remoued from the groffe vapours of the vales and maryffhes,
coulder.      howe muche the hyghefte toppes of the byggefl mountaynes are diflante from the deepe vales. For he erneftly
affirmeth, that in all that nauigation, he neuer wente owte of the paralelles of Ethiope: So greate difference is
there betwene the nature of th[e]inhabitantes and of the foyles of dyuers Regions all vnder one clyme or
Difference    paralelle: as is to fee betwene the people and regions being in the firme lande of Ethiope, and theym of the
etne w people of  Ilandes vnder the fame clime, hauinge the pole flarre eleuate in the fame degree. For the Ethiopians are all
Ethiopia.     blacke, hauinge theyr heare curld more lyke wulle then heare. But thefe people of the Iland of Puta (beinge
as I haue fayde vnder the clyme of Ethiope) are whyte, with longe heare, and of yelowe colour. Wherfore it is
Note the cause of  apparente, the caufe of this foo greate difference, to bee rather by the difpofition of the earthe, then conftitucion
diference.   of heauen. For wee knowe, that fnowe fauleth on the mountaynes of the Equinoctiall or burnte lyne, and the
fame to endure there continually: We knowe lykewyfe that th[e]inhabitantes of the Regions farre diftante frome
that lyne towarde the northe, are molefted with greate heate.
( The Admiral that he myght allure the younge men to him with gentelnes, fhewed them lokynge glaffes,
fayre and bright veffelles of copper, haukes belles, and fuche other thynges vnknowen to them. But the more
they were cauled, fo much the more they fufpected crafte and deceate, and fledde backewarde. Yet dyd they
with greate admiracion beholde owre men and theyr thynges, but flyll hauinge their ores in theyr handes redy
to flye. When the Admirall fawe that he coulde by no meanes allure them by gyftes, he thought to proue what
Musical       he coulde do with muficall inftrumentes: and therefore commaunded that they which were in the greateft fhippe,
instrumentes.  fulde play on theyr drummes and fhalmes. But the younge men fuppofinge this to bee a token of battayle,
lefte theyr ores, and in the twyn[k]lynge of an eye hadde put theyr arrowes in theyr bowes and theyr targettes
30   on theyr armes: And thus directinge theyr arrowes towarde owre men, floode in expectacion to knowe what
this noyfe myght meane. Owre men lykewife preparinge theyr bowes and arrowes, approched toward them by
lyttle and lyttle. But they departinge from the Admirals fhippe, and truftinge to the dexteritie of theyr ores
came foo neare one of the leffe fhippes, that one of theym plucked the cloke from the gouernour of that fhippe,
and as wel as they coulde by fignes, requyred hym to coome alande, promyfinge feyth that they wolde common
with hym of peace. But when they fawe hym goo to the Admirals fhippe whether he went to afke leaue that
he might common with them, fufpectinge heareby fume further deceate, they lept immediatly into the Canoa,
and fledde as fwyft as the wynde. So that to conclude, they coulde by no meanes be allured to familiaritie.
The violent course  Wherfore the Admirall thowght it not conuenient to beflowe any longe tyme there, at this vyage. No greate
of the water from
the Easte to the  fpace frome this Ilande, euer towarde the wefte, the Admirall faith he fownde fo owteragious a faule of water,
Weste.        runninge with fuch a violence from the Eafte to the Wefte, that it was nothynge inferioure to a myghty fireame
faulynge from hyghe mountaynes. He alfo confeffed, that fince the fyrft daye that euer he knewe what the fea
mente, he was neuer in fuche feare. Proceadinge yet fumwhat further in this daungerous vyage, he fownde
certeyne goulfes of. viii. myles, as it had byn the[e]nteraunce of fume greate hauen, into the which, the fayde
The goulfecauled  violent fireames dyd faule. Thefe goulfes or ftreyghtes, he cauled Os Draconis, that is, the dragons mouth.
Os Draconis.  And the Iland directly ouer ageynfte the fame, he named Margarita. Owte of thefe fireyghtes, iffhewed no
the freshe water  leffe force of frefihe water: whiche encounteringe with the faulte, dyd firyue to paffe foorth: Soo that betwene
bothe the waters, was no fmaule conflict. But enteringe into the goulfe, at the lengthe he fownde the water
therof very freffhe and good to drynke. The Admyrall hym felfe, and they which were his companions in this
vyage, beinge men of good credit, and perceauinge my diligence in fearchinge for thefe matters, towlde me yet
A sea of fresh  of a greater thynge. That is, that for the fpace of. xxvi. leaques, amountynge to a hundreth and foure myles, he
water.        fayled euer by frefhe water: In fo muche, that the further he proceaded, efpecially towarde the weft, he affirmMarmasets and  eth the water to bee the freffher. After this, he came to a highe mountayne, inhabited onely with moonkeys or
monkeys.      marmafits on that part towarde the Eaft. For that fyde was rowgh with rockye and ftony mountains: And ther

fore not inhabyted with men. Yet they that went alande to fearche the countrey, fownde nere vnto the fea,
many fayre fieldes well tylled and fowen: But noo people, nor yet houfes or cotages. Parhappes they were
88




The fyrfl Decade.


89


gone further into the countrey to fowe theyr come and applye theyr hufbandry, as wee often fee owre hufbande
men to leaue theyr flations and vylages for the fame purpofe. In the wefte fyde of that mountayne, they
efpyed a large playne, whither they made hafte, and caft anker in the brode ryuer. As foone as the inhabitantes had knowleage that a ftrange nation was arryued in theyr coaftes, they came flockinge withowte all feare
to fee owre men. We vnderftode by theyr fygnes and poyntynges, that this Region was cauled Paria: andthat it was very large: In fo muche that the further it reacheth towarde the weflte, to be fo muche the better
inhabited and replenished with people. The Admiral therfore, takynge into his fhyppe foure of the men of
that lande, fearched the wefte partes of the fame. By the temperatenes of the ayer, the pleafauntnes of the
grownde, and the multytude of people which they faw dayly more and more as they fayled, they coniectured
that thefe thynges portended fum great matter: As in deede their opinion fayled them not, as we wyll
further declare in his place. The foonne not yet ryfen, but beginninge euen now to ryfe, beinge one day allured
by the pleafauntnes of the place and fweete fauours which breathed from the land to the ffihippes, they went
alande. Here they fownde a greater multytude of people then in any other place. As owre men approched
towarde them, there came certeine meffengers from their Cacici, that is, the kynges of the countrey, to defyre
the Admirall in the name of theyr princes to coome to theyr palayces withowte feare, and that they and al
theyrs fhulde bee at his commaundement. When the Admirall had thanked them and made his excufe for
that tyme, there came innumerable people with theyr boates to the fhippes: hauyng for the moft parte cheynes
abowte theyr neckes, garlandes on theyr heades, and brafelettes on theyr armes of pearles of India: And that
fo commonlye, that owre women in playes and tryumphes haue not greater plentie of ftones of glaffe and cryftall
in theyr garlandes, crownes, gerdels, and fuche other tyrementes. Beinge afked where they gathered them,
they poynted to the next fhore by the fea bankes. They fignified alfo by certeyne fcorneful gieftures which
they made with theyr mouthes and handes, that they nothyng efteemed perles. Taking alfo bafkettes in theyr
handes, they made fignes that the fame might bee fylled with them in fhorte fpace. But bycaufe the corne
wherwith his fhyppes were laden to bee caryed into Hifpaniola, had taken hurt by reafon of the falte water, he
determined to deferre this marte to a more conuenient tyme. Yet he fent to lande two of the fhippe boates
laden with men, to th[e]intent to fetch fum garlandes of perles for exchange of our thynges, and alfo fumwhat
to fearche the nature of the Region and difpofition of the people. They enterteyned owr men gentelly: and
came flockynge to them by heapes, as it hadde byn to beholde fume ftraunge monflers. Fyrfte there came to
meete owre men, two men of grauitie, whome the multitude folowed. One of there was well in age, and the -
other but younge. They thinke it was the father with his foonne whiche fhulde fuccede hym. When the one
had faluted and embrafed the other, they browght owre men into a certeyne rownde howfe, nere vnto the
whiche, was a greate courte. Hether were browght many chayers and flooles made of a certeyne blacke woodde,
and very coonningely wrowght. After that owre men, and theyr Princes were fette, theyr wayting men came in
laden, fume with fundry delicate dyffhes, and fume with wyne. But theyr meate, was only fruites: and thofe
of dyuers kyndes and vtterly vnknowen to vs. Theyr wyne was both whyte and redde: not made of grapes,
but of the lycour of dyuers fruites, and very pleafaunte in drynkynge. After this banquette made in the owlde
mans howfe, the younge man browght them to his tabernacle or mancion place, where was a greate coompany
bothe of men and women, but they floode deceauered the one from the other. They are whyte, euen as owre
men are, fauynge fuche as are much conuerfant in the fonne. They are alfo very gentyll, and full of humanitie
towarde firangiers. They coouer theyr pryuie partes with goffampine cotton wrowght with fundry coloures:
and are befyde all naked. There was fewe or none, that had not eyther a coller, a cheyne, or a brafelette of
golde and pearles, and many had all. Beinge afked where they had that golde, they poynted to certeyne
mountaynes, feemynge with theyr countenaunce to diffuade owre men from goinge thyther. For puttinge theyr
armes in theyr mouthes, and grynninge as thowgh they bytte the fame, flylle poyntinge to the mountaynes, they
teemed to infinuate that men were eaten there: But whether they mente by the Canibales, or wylde beaftes
owre men cowlde not well perceaue. They tooke it excedinge greeuouflye, that they coulde nother vnderftande
owre men, nor owre men them. When they which were fente to lande, were returned to the fhippes abowte
three of the clocke at after noone the fame daye, bringinge with them certeyne garlandes and collers of pearles,
they loofed theyr ankers to departe, myndinge to coome ageyne Ihortly, when all thynges were fette in good
order in Hifpaniola. But he was preuented by an other, which defeated hym of the rewarde of his trauayle.
He was alfo hyndered at this tyme by reafon of the Ihalownes of the fea and violent courfe of the water, which
with continual toffing, broofed the greateft fhip as often as any great gale of wynde arofe. To auoyde the
daungiours of fuche fhalowe places, and fhelfes, he euer fent one of the fmauleft carauelles before, to try the
way with foundinge: and the byggeft fhyppes folowed behynde. The Regions beinge in the large prouince of
Paria for the fpace of. CCXXX. [two hundred and thirty] myles, are cauled of th[e]inhabitantes, Cumana, and
Manacafana: from thefe regions diflant three fcore leaques, is there an other Region cauled Curiana. When
he had thus paffed ouer this long tract of fea, fuppofing flyll that it had byn an Ilande, and doutinge that he
S9


The fayre and
large region of
paria.
Temperate ayer
and frutful
grounde.
Swete sauours
proceadynge
frome the lande.
Humayne people.
Cheynes and
garlandes of gold
and perles
31
Baskettes ful of
pearles, I knowe
who had bags ful.
Howe the
Admirals men
were enterteyned.
Cheyers and
stoles of hebene.
Fruites and wyne.
Wyne of the
lycour of fruites.
Whyte men nere
the Equinoctial
Mountaynes are
the matrices of
golde.
Canibales
Shalownes of the
sea.
The vse of
careuelles or
brigantines.
Cumana and
Mlanacapana
regions of the
prouince of Paria.
Curiana.




90


The fyrfi Decade.


A ryuer of
maruelous depth
and bredth.
A sea of weedes.
Lentiscus.
Mastix.
32
The eleuation of
the pole at Paria.
Note a secreate
as concerning the
pole starre.
An experience
A maruelous
secreate.
That the earth is
not perfectly
rownde.
Paradise is in the
mountaynes of
paria.
Looke the ninth
booke seconde
decade.
Paria is part of
the firme lande of
india
Tyme reuealeth al
things
Paria more
southewarde then
hispaniola
The spanyardes
rebell in the
Admirals absence


might paffe by the Wefte to the Northe directlye to Hifpaniola, he chaunced into a ryuer of. xxx. cubettes
depthe, and of fuch breadth as hath not lyghtly byn harde of. For he affirmeth it to bee. xxviii. leaques. A
lyttle further toward the Wefle, yet fumwhat more fowthwarde as the bending of the fhore requyred, he entered
into a fea full of herbes or weedes. The feede of the herbes whiche fwymme on the water, are muche lyke the
berryes of the tree cauled Lentifcus, which beareth the fweete gumme cauled MaJfix. They grewe foo thicke,
that they fumetyme in maner ftayed the flippes. The Admirall reported, that here there is not one daye
thorowghe owte all the yeare muche longer or fhorter then an other: And that the Northe pole is here eleaute
onely fyue degrees as at Paria, in whofe tracte all thefe coaftes lye. Hee alfo declared certeyne thynges as
concerninge the variete of the northe pole: The which becaufe they feeme contrarye to th[e]oppinions of all the
Aftronomers, I wyll touche them but with a drye foote as fayth the prouerbe. But it is wel knowen (mofte
noble prince) that the fltarre which we caule the pole flarre, or northe flarre, (cauled of the Italians Tramontana)
is not the very poynte of the pole Artyke vppon the whiche the axes or extremities of heauens are turned abowte.
The which thynge may well be proued, if when the flarres fyrft appeare, yowe beeholde the pole fltarre throwgh
any narowe hole. For foo, applyinge yowre instrument therto in the morninge fumwhat before the day
fpringe haue blemyfhed theyr lyght, yf then yowe looke throwgh the fame hole, yowe Ihall perceaue it to bee
noued from the place where yowe faweit fyrf. But howe it commeth to paffe, that at the beginnynge of the euenyng
twilight, it is eleuate in that Region only fyue degrees in the moneth of Iune, and in the morninge twylight to
bee eleuate. xv. degrees by the fame quaadrante, I doo not vnderftande. Nor yet doo the reafons which he
bringeth, in any poynt fatyffye me. For he fayth, that he hereby coniectured, that the earth is not perfectlye
rownde: But that when it was created, there was a certeyne heape reyfed theron, much hygher then the other
partes of the fame. So that (as he faith) it is not rownde after the forme of an apple or a bal (as other thynke)
but rather lyke a peare as it hangeth on the tree: And that Paria is the Region which poffeffeth the fupereminente or hygheft parte thereof nerefle vnto heauen. In foo muche that he erneftly contendeth, the earthly
Paradyfe to bee fituate in the toppes of thofe three hylles, which wee fayde beefore, that the watche man fawe
owte of the toppe caflell of the fhippe: And that the outragious ftreames of the frefhe waters whiche foo
violentlye iffhewe owte of the fayde goulfes and ftryue foo with the falte water, faule headlonge from the toppes
of the fayde mountaynes. But of this matter, it Ihall fuffice to haue fayde thus muche. Lette vs nowe therfore
returne to the hiftorye from which we haue dygreffed. When he perceaued hym felfe to bee thus inwrapped in
foo greate a goulfe beyonde his expectacion, foo that he had now no hope to fynde any paffage towarde the
northe whereby he myght fayle directly to Hifpaniola, he was enforfed to turne backe the fame way by the
which he came, and directed his viage to Hifpaniola by the northe of that lande lyinge towarde the Eafle.
They which afterwarde fearched this lande more curiouflye, wyll it to bee parte of the continente or firme lande
of India, and not of Cuba as the Admiral fuppofed. For there are many which affirme that they haue fayled
rownd abowt Cuba. But whether it bee fo or not, or whether enuyinge the good fortune of this man, they feeke
occafiorns of querelinge ageynfle hym, I can not iudge: But tyme fhall fpeake, which in tyme appoynted,
reuealeth both truth and falfehod. But whether Paria be Continent or not, the Admirall dothe not muche
contende. But he fuppofeth it to bee Continente. He alfo affirmeth that Paria is more fouthewarde then
Hifpaniola, by eyght hundreth fourefcore and two myles. At the length he came to Hifpaniola (to fee his
fouldiers which he left with his brethren) the thyrde day of the calendes of September: In the yeare I498.
But (as often tymes chaunceth in humayne thynges,) amonge his foo many profperous, pleafaunte, and luckye
affayres, fortune mengeled fume feedes of wormewoodde, and corrupted his pure come with the malicious
weedes of coccle.
THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE FYRST DECADE,
to the fame Lodouike Cardinall. etc.
Hen the Admirall was nowe coome to the Ilande of HifJpaniola, he fownde all thynges
confounded and owte of order. For Roldanus (of whom wee fpake beefore) refuted in his
abfence to obey his brother, truftinge to the multitude of fuch as were confethered with him.
And not onely behaued hym felfe proudely ageynfl the Admiralles brother and Lieuetenaunt
fumtyme his maifter, but alfo fente letters to his reproche to the kynge of Spayne, therin
accufinge bothe the brethren, leying heynous matters to theyr charges. But the Admirall
ageyne, fent meffengers to the kynge, which myght informe hym of theyr rebellion: Inflantly
defyringe his grace, to fende hym a newe fupplye of men, wherby he myght fuppreffe theyr licentioufnes and




The fyrfJ    Decade.                                                 9I
punyfhe them for theyr mifcheuous actes. They accufed the Admirall and his brother to bee vniuft men, cruel  33
enemies and Iheaders of the Spanyfhe bludde: declarynge that vppon euery lyght occafion, they wolde racke  Thaccuse thyardes
them, hange them, and heade them: And that they tooke pleafure therin. And that they departed from them  Admirall.
as from cruell tyrantes and wylde beaftes reioyfinge in bludde, alfo the kynges enemyes. Affyrminge lykewyfe
that they well perceaued theyr intente to bee none other then to vfurpe Th[e]empire of the Ilandes: whiche
thynge (they fayde) they fufpected by a thoufand coniectures. And efpecially in that they wolde permitte none
to reforte to the golde mynes, but only fuche as were theyr familiers. The Admirall on the contrary parte,  The Admirales
when he defyred ayde of the kynge to infringe theyr infolencie, auouched that al thofe his accufers, which had  answere.
deuifed fuche lyes ageynfle hym, were nowghtye felowes, abhominable knaues and vylaynes, theues and baudes,
ruffians aduouterers and rauifhers of women, faulfe periured vagabundes, and fuche as had byn eyther conuict in
pryfons, or fledde for feare of Iudgment: foo efcaping punyihement, but not leauinge vice wherin they flyll
contynued and browght the fame with them to the Ilande, lyuinge there in lyke maner as before, in thefte,
lechery, and all kyndes of myfcheefe: And foo gyuen to Idlenes and fleepe, that wheras they were browght  Insolencie and
thyther for myners, labourers, and fcullyans, they wolde not nowe goo one furlonge from theyr houfes except  idelnes of libertie.
they were borne on mens backes, lyke vnto them whiche in owlde tyme were cauled Ediles Curules. For, to  These had the
custodies of the
this office, they put the miferable Ilande men, whom they handeled mofte cruelly. For leafte theyr handes  temples.
fhulde difcontinewe from Iheadinge of bludde, and the better to trye theyr firength and manhod, they vfed nowe
and then for theyr paflyme to ftryue amonge them felues and proue who coulde moft cleanely with his fwoorde  A cruel and
deuelyshe
at one ftroke ftryke of the heade of an innocente. Soo that he which coulde with mofte agilitie make the  pastyme.
heade of one of thofe poore wretches to flye quyte and cleane from the body to the grounde at one firoke, he
was the beft man and counted mofte honorable. Thefe thynges and many fuche other, the one of them layde
to the others charge beefore the kynge. Whyle thefe thynges were doinge, the Admirall fente his brother the
lieuetenaunt with an army of foure fcore and tenne footemen, and a fewe horfemen, (with three thoufande of
the Ilande men which were mortall enemies to the Ciguauians) to meete the people of Cigruaua, with Kynge  Kynge
Guarionexius is
Guarionexius theyr graunde capitayne, who had doone muche myfcheefe to owre men and fuche as fauoured  capitaine of. vi.
theym. Therefore when the Lieuetenaunt had conducted his army to the bankes of a certeyne greate ryuer  thousan.
runnynge by the playne which we fayd before to lye betwene the corners of the mountaynes of Ciguaua and
the fea, he fownde two fcoutes of his enemyes lurkinge in certeyne buffhes: wherof the one, caftynge hym felfe
head longe into the fea, efcaped: and by the mouthe of the ryuer fivamme ouer to his coompanyons. The other
beinge taken, declared that in the woodde on the other fide the ryuer, there lay in campe fyxe thoufande
Cyguauians redy, vnwares to affayle owre men paffynge bye. Wherfore the Lieuetenaunte fyndyng a fhalowe
place where he myght paffe ouer, he with his hole army entered into the ryuer. The which thyng when the
Ciguauians had efpyed, they came runnynge owte of the wooddes with a terrible crye and mofte horrible afpect,
much lyke vnto the people cauled Agathyrfi of whom the poete virgile fpeaketh. For they were all paynted  PictiAgathyrsi.
Naked men
and fpotted with fundry coloures, and efpeciall with blacke and redde whiche they make of certeyne fruites  panted with the
nooryfhed for the fame purpofe in theyr gardens, with the ioyce wherof they paynt them felues from the for-  oyce of certen
fruites.
heade, euen to the knees: hauing theyr heare (whiche by arte they make longe and blacke if nature deny it  Heare made long
them) wrethed and rowled after a thoufande faffhions. A man wold thinke them to bee deuylles incarnate newly  ad black by arte
broke owte of hell, they are foo lyke vnto helhoundes. As owre men waded ouer the ryuer, they fhotte at
them and hurled dartes foo thicke, that it almofte tooke the lyght of the fonne from owre men. In fo much
that if they had not borne of the force therof with theyr targettes, the matter hadde gonne wronge with them.  The vse of
Yet at the length, many beinge wounded, they paffed ouer the ryuer, which thynge when the enemies fawe, they  targettes.
fledde: whome owre men perfuinge, flewe fume in the chafe: but not many, by reafon of theyr fwyftenes of  are dryuen to
foote. Thus beinge in the wooddes, they fhotte at owre men more fafely. For they being accuftomed to thewooddes and naked without any lette, paffed throwgh the buffhes and fhrubbes as it had byn wylde bores or
hartes: wheras owre men were hyndered by reafon of theyr apparell, targettes, longe iauelens, and ignorance of  34
the place. Wherfore, when he had reited there all that nyght in vayne, and the daye folowynge fawe none
fleringe in the wooddes, he went (by the councel and conducte of the other Ilande men which were in his
armye) immediatly from thenfe, to the montaynes in the which king Miaiobanexius had his cheefe manfion  Kynge
place in the vylage cauled Capronum, by the which name alfo, the kynges palaice was cauled, beinge in the  aobaeus
fame vylage. Thus marchinge forwarde with his army, abowte twelue myle of, he encamped in the vylage of
an other kynge, which th[e]inhabitantes had forfaken for feare of owre men. Yet makynge dyligent fearch,
they fownde two, by whom they had knowleage that there was tenne kynges with Maiobanexius in his palaice
of Capronum, with an army of eight thoufand Ciguauians. At theLieuetenantes fyrf approche, he durf not  An army of viii.
thousand
gyue them battayle vntyll he had fumwhat better fearched the Region: Yet did he in the meane tyme fkyrmyffhe  Ciguauians.
with them twyfe. The nexte nyght abowte mydnyght, he fent furth fcoutes, and with them guydes of the Ilande


men which knewe the countrey. Whom the Ciguauians efpyenge from the mountaynes, prepared them felues
91




92


The fyrjl Decade.


A Larome.
The Ciguauians
put to flyght
ageine
The Lieuetenaunt
his ambassage
to kynge
Maiobanexius.
Kynge
Guanonexius.
Maiobanexius his
answere.
Natural hatred
of vyce.
The
Lieuetenauntes
gentelnes toward
maiobanexius
35
A rare faythfulnes
in a barbarous
kynge.
The
Lieuetenauntes
messengers are
slayne.
Al the kirges are
dryuen to flyght.


to the battayle with a terrible crye or alarome after their maner: but yet durft not coome owte of the wooddes,
fuppofing that the Lieuetenaunt with his mayne army had byn euen at hande. The day folowynge, when he
brought his army to the place where they encamped, leaping owt of the wooddes, they twyfe attempted the
fortune of warre, fiercely affayling owre men with a mayne force, and woundinge manye before they coulde
coouer them with theyr targettes. Yet owre men put them to flyght, flewe many, and tooke many. The
refydewe fledde to the wooddes, where they kept them ftyll as in their mofte fafe houlde. Of them which were
taken, he fent one, and wyth hym an other of the Ilande men which was of his parte to Maiobanexius with
commaundement in this effect. The Lieuetenaunt brought not hether his army (O Maiobanexius) to kepe
warre eyther ageynit yowe or yowre people: For he greately defyreth yowre frendefhippe. But his entent is,
that Guarionexius who hath perfuaded yowe to bee his ayde ageynfte hym to the greate delfruction of yowre
people and vndoynge of yowre countrey, may haue dewe correction afwell for his difobedience towarde him, as
alfo for rayfing tumultes amonge the people. Wherfore, he requyreth yowe and exorteth yowe, to delyuer
Guarionexius into his handes. The which thynge yf yowe fhall performe, the Admirall his brother wyll not
only gladly admitte yowe to his frendefhyppe, but alfo enlarge and defende yowre dominion. And if herein
yowe refufe to accomplyffhe his requefte, it wyll folowe, that yowe Ihall fhortelye repent yowe therof. For
yowre kyngedome fhall be wafted with fwoorde and fyer, and yowe ihall abyde the fortune of warre wherof
yowe haue had experience with fauour, as you ihall further know here after to yowre payne, yf with tfobernes
yowe prouoke hym to fhewe the vttermofle of his poure. When the meffenger had thus doone his errante,
Maiobanexius anfwered, that Guarionexius was a good man, indued with many vertues as all men knewe: And
therfore he thought hym worthy his ayde: efpecially in as muche as he fledde to hym for fuccoure, and that he
had made him fuch promeffe, whom alfo he had proued to bee his faithfull frende. Ageyne, that they were
nawghty men, violent and cruell, defyringe other mens gooddes, and fuche as fpared not to iheede innocentes
bludde: In fyne, that he wolde not haue to doo with fuche myfcheuous men, nor yet enter into frendefhippe
with them. When thefe thynges came to the Lieuetenauntes eare, he commaunded the vylage to be burnte
where he hym felfe encamped, with many other vylages there abowte. And when he drewe nere to the place
where Maiobanexius lay, he fent meffengers to him ageyne, to common the matter with hym, and to wyll hym,
to fende fume one of his mofte feythful frendes to entreate with hym of peace. Where vppon the kynge fent
vnto hym one of his cheefe gentelmen, and with hym two other to wayte on hym. When he came to the
Lieuetenauntes prefence, he frendly requyred hym to perfuade his lord and mafRer in his name, and ernefUly
to admonyffhe hym, not to fuffer his floryfhinge kyngedome to bee fpoyled, or hym felfe to abyde the hafarde
of warre for Guarionexius fake: And further to exhorte hym to delyuer hym, excepte he wolde procure the
deftruction bothe of hym felfe, his people, and his countrey. When the meffenger was returned, Maiobanexius
affembled the people, declaring vnto them what was doone, but they cried owte on hym to delyuer Guarionexius:
And beganne to curfe the daye that euer they had receaued hym, thus to difturbe theyr quietnes. Maiobanexius
anfwered them, that Guarionexius was a good man, and had well deferued of him, giuinge hym many princely
prefentes: And had alfo tawght both his wyfe and hym to fynge and daunce, whiche thynge he dyd not lyttle
efteeme. And was therfore fully refolued in no cafe to forfake hym, or ageynftle all humanitie to betraye his
frende whiche fledde to hym for fuccoure: but rather to abyde al extremities with him, then to minifler occafion
of obloquye to flaunderes to reporte that he had betrayed his gefle whom he tooke into his houfe with warranties. Thus difmiffinge the people fighinge and with forowfull hartes, he cauled Guarionexius before hym,
promyfinge hym ageyne, that he wolde bee partaker of his fortune whyle lyfe lafted. In fo muche that he
thowght it not beflte to fende any further woorde to the Lieuetenaunt: but appoynted hym whome before he
fent to hym, to keepe the way with a garryfon of men, to th[e]intent that if any meffengers fhulde be fent from
the Lieuetenaunt, to fleye them by the way, and admitte none to communication or further entretie of peace.
In the meane tyme, the Lieuetenaunt fent twoo, wherof the one was a captiue Ciguauian, and the other an
Ilande man of them which were frendes to owre men: They were bothe taken and flayne. The Lieuetenaunt
folowed them onely with ten footemen and foure horfemen. Fyndinge his meffengers deade in the waye, he
was further prouoked to wrathe, and determyned more extremely to deale with Maiobanexius. And therefore
wente forwarde incontinently with his hole army to his cheefe palaice of Capronum where he yet laye in campe.
At his approche, all the kynges fledde, euery man his way, and forfooke theyr capitayne Maiobanexius: who
alfo with all his famelye, fledde to the rowgh mountaynes. Sum of the Ciguauians, fowght for Guarionexius to
fley hym, for that he was the caufe of all thefe troubles. But his feete faued his lyfe. For he fledde in tyme
to the mountaynes where he lurked in maner alone amonge the defolate rockes.
Whereas nowe the Lieuetenauntes fouldiers were forweryed with longe warre, with watchinge, laboure,
and hunger, (for it was nowe three moonethes fence the warres beganne) many defyred leaue to departe to
the towre of Conception, where they had graneges and exercifed tyllage. He gaue them theyr paffeportes
with alowance of vytayles, foo that only thyrtie remayned with hym. Thefe three moonethes warre, they


92




The fyrjl Decade.


93


I


contynued very paynefull and myferablye: Soo that duryng al that tyme, they had none other meate but only
Cazibi: that is, fuche rootes whereof they make theyr breade, and that but fyldome to theyr fyll: Alfo Vjias,
that is, lyttle beaftes lyke Conyes, if by chaunce now and then, they tooke fume with theyr houndes. Their
drinke was none other then water, fuch as they fownde, fumtyme fweete, and fumtyme muddy faueringe of the
maryffhes. Emonge thefe delicates, that lyttle fleepe that they had, was euer for the mofte parte abrode vnder
the firmamente: And that not without watchemen, and in contynual remoouinge as the nature of warre
requyreth. With thefe fewe therfore, the Lieuetenaunt determined to fearche the mountaynes, dennes, and
caues, if he coulde in any place fynde the fteppes of Maiobanexius or Guarionexius. In the meane tyme certeyne
of his menne (whom hunger enforced to goo a huntinge to proue if they coulde take any conies) chaunced
vppon twoo of Maiobanexius familyers, whiche were fent to certeyne vylages of his, to make prouifion of breade.
Thefe he enforced to declare where theyr lord lay hydde. And vfed the fame alfo for guides to bringe owre
men to the place. Twelue of owre men tooke this enterpryfe in hand, painting them felues after the maner of
the Ciguauians. Soo that by this firatageme or policie, they came fodenly vppon Maiobanexius, and tooke
hym prifoner with his wyfe, children, and familie, and conueighed them to the towre of Conception to the
Lieuetenaunt. Within a fewe dayes after, hunger compelled Guarionexius to coome owte of the dennes:
whome, certeine of the people fearinge the Lieuetenaunt, bewrayde to owre hunters. The Lieuetenaunt beinge
certified hereof, fent furthe a bande of foote men, commaunding them to lye in ambuihe vntyll fuche tyme as
Guarionexius wente from the playnes to the mountaynes, and then foodenly to intrappe hym. They went as
they were commaunded, tooke hym, and browght hym awaye with them.    And by this meanes were
all the Regions nere abowte, pacified and quyeted.  A certeyne noble woman of nere kynred to
Maiobanexius, and wyfe to an other kynge whofe dominion was yet vntouched, folowed hym in al thefe
aduerfities. They affirme this woman to bee the fayreft and mofte bewetifull that euer nature browght foorthe
in the Ilande. Whom, when the kynge her hufbande who looued her mofle ardently (as her bewetie deferued)
harde faye that fhee was taken prifoner he wandered vppe and downe the defertes lyke a man owte of his
wytte, not knowinge what to doo or faye. But at the lengthe, he came to the Lieuetenaunte, promyfinge moRe
faythfully that he wold fubmitte hym felfe and all that he coulde make, vnder his poure, foo that he wolde
reftore hym his wyfe. The Lieuetenant accepted the condition and reflored him his wife, with certeyne other
rulers and gentelmen which he had taken prifoners before: Charginge them, and byndinge them with an othe,
to bee euer redye at his commaundement. Shortly after, this kynge, of his owne free motion, came ageyne to
the Lieuetenaunt, bringyng with hym fyue thoufande men without weapons, fauynge onely fuche inftrumentes
as they vfe in tyllage of theyr grownde. He brought with hym alfo, feedes to fowe: wherwith at his owne
charge, he caufed fuche plentie of theyr come and fruites to growe in fundry places of the large vale whereof
wee fpake before, that ihortely after, were feene manye fayre and fruitefull fieldes that came therof. And for
his gentelnes beinge rewarded of the Lieuetenaunte with certeyne of owre thynges, he departed ioyfiilly. When
the report hereof came to the Ciguauians, it mooued the myndes of the kynges to hope of clemencie. Where
vppon they came togyther to the Lieuetenaunt with humble fubmiffion and faythful promeffe euer after to bee
vnder his obedience: defyring hym to reftore vnto them theyr kynge, with his famylie. At theyr requefte, the
kynges wyfe and his houfeholde was fette at Libertie, but he kepte ftyll as a prifoner. Thefe thynges dyd the
Lieuetenaunt in the Ilande, not yet knowinge what his aduerfaries and accufers had layde to his charge before
the kynge of Spayne: who beinge difquyeted with theyr querelinges and accufacions, and efpecially for that by
reafon of theyr difcention, of foo greate abundaunce of golde and other thynges, there was as yet but lyttle
browght into Spayne, appointed a newe gouernour which fhuld fee a redreffe in thefe thinges: And eyther to
punyfhe fuche as were fautie, or elles to fende them to hym. What was fownde ageynRfe the Admirall and his
brother, or ageynft his aduerfaries whiche accufed hym, I doo not wel knowe. But this I am fure of, that both
the brethrene are taken, browght, and cait in prifon, with their goodes confifcate. But as foone as the kynge
vndeHltoode that they were browght bounde to Cales, he fent meffengers in pofte, with commaundemente that
they fhulde bee loofed and coome freely to his prefence: wherby he declared that he tooke theyr troubles
greeuouflye. It is alfo fayde, that the newe gouemoure fent letters to the kynge, wrytten with the Admiralles
hande in itraunge and vnknowen fypheringes, to his brother the Lieuetenaunt beinge abfente, wyllynge hym to
bee in a redynes with a poure of armed men to coome and ayde hym if the Gouernoure ihulde profer hym any
violence. Wherof the gouernour hauinge knowleage (as he faythe) beinge alfo aduertifed that the Leauetenaunt
was gonne to his brother before the men which he had prepared were in a redines, apprehended them bothe
vnwares, before the multitude came togyther. What wyl folowe, tyme, the moile trewe and prudent Iudge, wyll
declare. Thus fare ye well.


The Spanyardes
are peinful in the
warres.
A desperate
aduenture with
xxx. men
A polic[i]e.
Kynge
Maiobanexius
is taken.
Guarionexius is
taken.
36
A Bewtifull
woman.
A kynge sendeth
the ]ieuetenaunt
fyue thousand men
to tyll the grownde.
The kynges submit
themselues to the
Lieuetenaunt
A newe gouernour
of the ilande.
An vnwoorthy
rewarde for soo
greate paynes.


93




94


The fyrjl Decade.


C4 THE EYGHTH BOOKE OF THE FYRSTE DECADE,
to Cardinall Lodouike.


The Ocean sea
heretofore
vnknowen.
Shipmasters vnder
the Admiral.
The fiftr. portion
dewe to the kynge.
37
The nanigation of
Petrus Alphonsus.
Paria.
Cumana.
Manacanana.
Curiana.
Perles for tryfels.
Great plentie of
penrles.
Humayne people.
Shel fyshes in
which perles are
engendred.
Beastes and
foules.
Hunters and
archers.
Theyr maner of
bargening
The vse of pynnes.
Haukes bels in
great estimation.
Roringe of wyld
beastes


He greate, ryche, and plentifull Ocean fea, heretofore vnknowen, and nowe fownde by Chriyiojphorus Colonus the Admyrall, by th[e]autoritie and furtherance of the Catholyke kynge, I
haue prefented vnto yowre honoure (ryght noble Prince) lyke a golden cheyne vnwoorkmanly
wrought. But yowe fhall nowe receaue a precious iewell to bee appendaunt therto. Therfore
emonge fuche as were pylottes or gouernoures vnder the Admyrall, and had dylygently
marked the courfes and differences of the wyndes, many had licences graunted them of the
kynge to feeke further of theyr owne charges, vppon condicion to pay hym faithfully his
portion, which is the fyft parte. But bycaufe emonge all other, one Petrus Afhponfus (cauled Nzgnus by his
furname) fayled towarde the Southe with more profperous fortune then any of the other, I thinke it belt firft to
fpeake fumwhat of his vyage. He therfore, with only one fhippe, well furnyfhed at his owne charges, after that
he had his paffeporte with commaundement in no cafe to catfe anker pafte fyftie leaques diflante from any
place where the Admyrall hadde touched, fayled fyrfie to Paria where the Admyrall fownde bothe the men and
women foo laden with cheynes, garlandes, and brafelettes of pearles, as wee haue fayde before. Coaftynge
therfore alonge by the fame fhore accordinge to the kynges commaundement, (yet leauinge behynde hym the
Regions of Cumana and Manacapana) he came to the Region which th[e]inhabitantes thereof, caule Curiana:
where he fownd a hauen (as he faythe) muche lyke the porte of Gades or Cales. In to the which enteringe, he
fawe a farre of certeyne howfes on the fhore, and perceaued when he drewe nere, that it was a vylage of onely
eyght howfes. Proceadynge yet further for the fpace of three myles, he efpyed an other vylage well replenyfhed
with people, where there met hym fyftie naked men on a coompany hauinge with them a certeyne ruler, who
defyred Alphonfus to coome to theyr coafles. He browght with hym at this tyme, many haukes belles, pynnes,
nedels, brafelettes, cheynes, garlandes, and rynges with counterfet ftones and glaffes, and fuch other tryfelles,
the which within the momente of an houre, he hadde exchaunged for. xv. vnces of theyr pearles which they
wore abowte theyr neckes and armes. Then they yet more erneflly defyred him to fayle to theyr coaftles:
Promyfynge hym that he fhulde there haue as many pearles as he wolde defyre. He conde[f]cended to their
requefte: And the daye folowynge, came to the place where they appoynted hym: Lyinge there at anker, a
great multytude of people reforted to hym, inflantely requyringe hym to coome alande. But when he confydered
the innumerable multytude of people which was there affembled, and that he had only. xxxiii. men in his coompany, he durfle not commyt hym felfe to theyr handes, but gaue them to vnderfland by fignes and tokens that
they fhulde coome to the fhyppe with theyr canoas. For theyr boates (which the men of the Iland caule
Canoas) are made only of one hole peece of woodde as in the Ilandes: yet more rude, and not foo artificially
as theyrs are. Thefe they caule Gallitas: They fwarmed therefore to the fhyp as fafte as they myght, brynginge
with them great plentie of pearles (which they caule Tenoras) exchaunginge the fame for owre marchaundies.
He fownde this people to bee of gentyl nature, fimple and innocente, beinge conuerfant with them in theyr
houfes, for the fpace of. xx. dayes. Theyr houfes are made of woodde, coouered with the leaues of date trees.
Theyr meate for the mofle parte, is the fhelfyffhes in the whiche pearles are engendred, wherof theyr fea coafles
are ful. They haue alfo greate plentie of wylde beaftes, as hartes, wylde bores, and coonys lyke vnto hares,
both in colour and byggenes. Stocke doues alfo, and turtle doues. Lykewyfe geefe and duckes which they
nooryfhe in theyr houfes as wee doo. Peacockes flye abowte in maner in euerye woodde and groue: but they
are not diftinct with fundry coloures as ours are: for the cockes are lyke vnto the hennes. Thefe people of
Curiana, are craftie hunters and exceding cunning archers, foo that they wyll not lyghtly myffe any beaft or
byrde that they fhoote at. Owre men confumed certeyne dayes here very plefauntely. Durynge which tyme,
who foo euer brought them a peacocke, had for the fame, foure pynnes. He that brought a pheafaunt, had
twoo: And for a flocke doue or turtle doue, one: And for a goofe, a fmaul lookyng glaffe or a lyttle flone of
glaffe. Thus they bought and foulde with proferynge and byddynge, denyinge and refufinge as it had byn in
a greate market. When pynnes were profered them, they afked what they fhulde doo with them, beinge naked.
But owre men fatiffied them with a craftie anfwere, declaring by tokens that they were very neceffary to picke
theyr teeth and to pul thornes owte of theyr fleffhe. But aboue al thynges haukes belles were moft efteemed
amonge them, for theyr founde and faire coloure: And wolde therfore gyue much for one of them. Owre men
lodginge in theyr houfes, harde in the nyght feafon horryble noyfes and rorynges of wylde beaftes in the
wooddes which are full of exceadinge greate and hygh trees of fundry kyndes.  But the beafles of thefe


94




The fyrJi Decade.


95


I


wooddes, are not noyfome to men. For the people of the countrey goo dayly a hunting, naked, with theyr
bowes and arrowes: Yet hath it not byn harde of, that any man hath byn flayne of any wylde beafte. As many
hartes or wylde bores as owre men woolde defyre them to brynge, they woolde kyll in the wooddes with their
bowes and arrowes, and not fayle to brynge theim. They lacke kyne, goates, and fheepe. Theyr breade is
made of rootes, as is theyrs of the Ilandes. This nation, hath blacke heare, groffe and fumwhat curlde, yet
longe alfo. They keepe theyr teeth very whyte: And for that purpofe vfe to cary a certeine herbe betwene
theyr lyppes for the moft parte of the day, and to waffhe theyr mouthes when they cait it away. The women
doo all theyr bufynes at home in theyr howfes, and haue alfo the cure of tyllage of the grounde. But the men
apply them felues to the warres and huntynge, to playe, fingynge and daunfing. They haue fundry kyndes of
water pottes, iugges, and drinckinge cuppes made of earthe in other places abowt theym and brought thether
for exchaunge of other thynges: For they vfe fayres and markettes for the fame purpofe: and are gretly
defyrous of fuch thynges, as are not brought forth or made in theyr countrey, as nature hath gyuen a difpofition
to al men to defyre and bee delyted with newe and ftrange thynges. Many of them, had hangynge at theyr
pearles, the Images of certeine beatles and birdes very artificioufly made of golde, but not pure. Thefe alfo
are brought them from other places for exchange of other thynges. The golde wherof they are made, is natiue,
and of much lyke finenes to that wherof the florenes are coyned. The men of this countrey, inclofe theyr
priuie members in a gourde, cutte after the fafhion of a coddepiece: or els, coouer the fame with the fhelle of
a tortoyfe, tyed abowte theyr loynes with laces of goffampine cotton. In other places of that tract, they thruft
the fynew within the fheethe therof, and bynde the fkinne faft with a ftringe. The greate wylde beaftes wherof
wee fpake before, and many other thynges whiche are not founde in any of the Ilandes, teftifie that this region
is part of the continent or firme land. But the chiefeft coniecture wherby they argue the fame, is, that by the
coaftes of that lande, from Paria towarde the wefte, they fayled aboute three thoufande myles, fyndynge no
figne or token of any ende. Thefe people of Curiana (whiche fum caule Curtana) beinge demaunded where
they hadde fuche plentie of golde, fignified that it was brought them from a Region cauled Canchiefa or Cauchieta,
being diftant from them fyxe foonnes, that is, fyxe dayes iourney weftwarde: And that theyr Images of goulde,
were made in the fame Region.  Where vppon owre men directed theyr vyage thyther immediatly: and -
arryued there at the calendes of Nouember, in the yeare of Chrift a thoufande and fyue hundreth. The people
of the countrey reforted to them withoute feare, bryngynge with them of the golde which we fayde to bee natyue
in that Region. This people had alfo collers of pearles abowte theyr neckes, whiche were brought them frome
Curiana for exchange of theyr marchandies. None of them wolde exchaunge any of thofe thinges which they
had owte of other countreys: as nother the Curians golde, nor the Canchietans pearles. Yet amonge the
Canchietans, they fownde but little gold redy gathered. They toke with them from thenfe, certen very fayre
marmafets or munkeys, and many popingayes of fundry coloures. In the monethe of Nouember, the ayer was
there moft temperate, and nothyng coulde. The guardens of the north pole, were owte of fyght to bothe thefe
people, they are foo nere to the Equinoctiall. Of the degrees of the pole, they can gyue none other accoumpte.
Thefe people, are wel difpofed men, of honeft condicions, and nothinge fufpicious. For all moft all the nyght
longe, they reforted to the fhippe with theyr boates, and went aboorde fhip withowte feare, as dyd the Curians.
They caule pearles, Corixas. They are fumwhat ielyous. For, when any ftraungers coome emonge them,
they euer place theyr women behynd them. In this Region of Canchieta, the goffampine trees growe of them
felues commonly in many places, as doo with vs elmes, wyllowes, and falowes. And therfore they vfe to make
breeches of cotton, wherwith they coouer theyr pryuie partes in many other Regions there aboute. When
they had yet fayled on forwarde by the fame coaftes, there came foorth ageynfte them abowte twoo thoufande
men, armed after theyr maner, forbydding them to coome aland. Thefe people were foo rude and faluage,
that owre men coulde by no meanes allure them to familiaritie. Owre men therfore, contented only with their
pearles, returned backe the fame way they came: where they remayned with the Curians continually for the
fpace of twentie dayes, and fylled theyr bellyes wel with good meate. And here it feemeth to me, not farre
from my purpofe, to declare what chaunced vnto theim in theyr returne, when they came nowe within the
fyght of the coafte of Paria. They happened therefore in the way, at Os Draconis and the goulfes of Paria,
(wherof wee fpake before) to meete with a nauie of. xviii. Canoas of Canibales which went a rouyng to hunt
for men. Who as foone as they had efpyed owr men, affailed theyr fhippe fiercely and without feare encloIed
the fame, diflurbing owre men on euery fyde with theyr arrowes. But owre men fo feared them with theyr
gunnes, that they fledde immediatly, whom owre menne folowinge with the fhippe boate, tooke one of theyr
Canoas, and in it, only one Canibal (for the other had efcaped) and with hym, an other man bownde: Who,
with teares runninge downe his cheekes, and with giefture of his handes, eyes, and heade, fignified that fyxe of
his coompanyons had byn cruelly cutte in pieces and eaten of that myfcheuous nation: and that he fhulde
haue byn lykewyfe handeled the day folowynge. Wherfore they gaue hym poure ouer the Canyball, to doo
with hym what he wolde. Then with the Canibales owne clubbe, he layde on hym al that he might dryue with
95


Hartes and wyld
bores.
38
Blacke and curlde
heare.
White teethe.
Earthen vessels.
Conninge
artificers.
Base golde.
A strange maner
of coueringe theyi
priuities.
Tokens of the
continent or firme
lande.
The golden
Region of
Canchieta.
Temperate ayer
in Nouember.
The Equinoctial
lyne.
Humane people
Gossampine trees.
Chorlyshe people
Alphonsus
retumeth to Paria.
Canibales in the
goulfes of Paria.
39
Death for death.




96


The fyrJl Decade.




Howe the
canibales fortifie
theyr campe
Hciraia.
Salte engendred
of the water of
the sea.
Sprynges of salt
water.
The bodies of
princes dryed and
reserued
Threescore and
xvi. poundes
weight of perles
for. v. shillynges.
The course of the
sea toward the
weste.
Perles as common
as chaffe
Petrus Alphonsus
in prison.
Orient perles as
bygge as hasel
nuttes.


hande and foote, grinninge and fretinge as it had byn a wylde bore: Thinkynge that he had not yet fufficiently
reuenged the death of his companyons, when he had beaten owte his braynes and guttes. When he was
demaunded after what forte the Canibales were woont to inuade other contreys, he anfwered that they euer
vfed to carye with them in theyr Canoas, a greate multitude of clubbes: The whiche, where foo euer they
lande, they pitche in the grownde, and encampe them felues within the coompaffe of the fame, to lye the more
fafely in the nyght feafon. In Curiana, they fownde the head of a capitaine of the Canibales, nailed ouer the
doore of a certeyne gouernoure, for a token of victorie, as it hadde byn the flanderde or helmette taken from
the enemye in battayle.  In thefe coatfes of Paria, is a Region cauled Haraia, in the whiche, greate
plentie of falte is gathered after a firange forte.  For the fea beinge there toffed with the poure of the
wyndes, dryueth the falte waters into a large playne by the fea fyde: where: afterward when the fea
waxeth caulme, and the foonne begynnethe to fllyne, the water is congeled into mofte pure and whyte falte,
wherewith innumerable fhyppes might bee laden, if men doo reforte thether for the fame beefore there faule
any rayne. For the rayne meltethe it, and caufeth it to fynke into the fande, and foo by the pores of the earthe,
to returne to the place from whenfe it was dryuen. Other fay, that the playne is not fylled from the fea, but
of certeine fpringes whofe water is more fharpe and falt then the water of the fea. Th[e]inhabitantes doo
greatlye efleeme this bay of falte. Which they vfe, not only for theyr owne commoditie, but alfo woorkinge
the fame into a fquare forme lyke vnto brickes, they fell it to firangers for exchaunge of other thynges whiche
they lacke. In this Region, they firetche and drye the deade bodies of theyr kinges and noble men, layinge
the fame vpon a certeyne frame of woodde much lyke vnto a hurdle or grediren, with a gentell fyre vnder the
fame, thus by lyttle and lyttle confuminge the flefihe and keepinge the Ikynne hole with the bones inclofed
therein. Thefe dryed carcafes, they haue in greate reuerence, and honour them for theyr houfeholde and
famylier goddes. They fay that in this place they fawe a man, and in an other place a woman, thus dryed and
referued. When they departed from Curiana, the. viii. day of the Ides of February to returne to Spayne, they
had three fcore and. xvi. poundes weight (after. viii. vnces to the pownde) of perles, which they bought for
exchange of owre thynges, amountinge to the value of fyue fhyllinges. Departinge therfore, they confumed
three fcore dayes in theyr iourney (althowgh it were ihorter then frome Hifjpaniola) by reafon of the contynuall
courfe of the fea into the weflte, whiche dyd not only greately fley the fhippe, but alfo fumtymes dryue it backe.
But at the length they came home foo laden with perles, that they were with euery maryner, in maner as common as chaffe. But the malter of the fhyppe, Petrus Alphonfus, beinge accufed of his coompanyons that he
had flowlen a great multitude of precious perles, and defrauded the kynge of his portion which was the fyueth
parte, was taken of Fernando de Vega, a man of greate lerninge and experience and gouernour of Gallccia,
where they arryued, and was there kepte in pryfon a longe tyme. But he flyll denyethe that euer he deteyned
anye parte of the perles. Many of thefe perles were as bygge as hafell nuttes, and oriente, (as we caule it) that
is, lyke vnto them of the Eafte partes. Yet not of foo greate price, by reafon that the holes therof are not foo
perfecte. When I my felfe was prefente with the ryght honorable duke of Methyna, and was bidden to dyner
with hym, in the citie of Ciuile, they browght to hym aboue a hundreth and twentie vnces of perles to be
foulde: which furely did greatly delyte me with their fayrenes and brightnes. Sum faye, that Alphonfus hadde
not thefe perles in Curiana being diflante from Os Draconis more then a hundreth and twentie leaques, but
that he had them in the Regions of Cumana and Manacapana, nere vnto Os Draconis and the Ilande of
Margarita. For they deny that there is any perles fownde in Curiana. But tithe the matter is yet in controuerfie, we wyll paffe to other matters. Thus muche yowe haue whereby yowe maye coniecture what
commoditie in tyme to coome may bee looked for from thefe newe landes of the weit Ocean, whereas at the
fyrfte difcoueringe, they Ihewe fuch tokens of greate ryches. Thus fare ye well.
( THE. IX. BOOKE OF THE FYRST DECADE
to Cardynall Lodouike.
Incentiagnes Pinzonus, and alfo Aries Pinzonus, his neuie, by his brothers fyde, which accompanyed the Admiral Colonus in his fyrile vyage, and were by him appoynted to bee mafters
of twoo of the fmaule fhippes which the Spaniardes caule Carauelas, beinge mooued by the
greate ryches and amplytude of the new landes, furnyfhed of theyr owne charges, foure
carauels in the hauen of theyr owne countrey which the Spanyardes caule Palos, bortheringe
on the wefte Ocean. Hauynge therfore the kynges licence and paffeporte to departe, they
loofed from the hauen, abowte the Calendes of December, in the yeare I499. This hauen


40


Curiana
Os Draconis.
Cumana.
Manacapana.
The Iland of
Margarita.


The nauigation:f
Vincentius and
Aries Pinzonus
Licence and
passeporte.


96




_ _ _ _ _ -- -4


The fyrj Decade.


97


of Palos is three fcore and twelue myles diftant from Gades, commonly cauled Ca/es: and three fcore and foure
myles from Ciuile. All th[e]inhabitantes of this towne, not one excepted, are greately gyuen to fearchinge of
the fea, and continually exercyfed in fayling. They alfo directed theyr vyage fyrft to the Ilandes of Canarie by
the Ilandes of Hefperides, nowe cauled Cabouerde, which fum  caule Gorgodes Meducias. Saylinge therfore
-directly towarde the fouthe frome that Iland of the Hefperides which the Portugales (being poffeffers of the
fame) caule San~ci lacobi, and departinge frome thenfe at the Ides of Ianuary, they folowed the fouthweft wynde,
beinge in the myddeft betwene the fouth and the wefte. When they fuppofed that they had fayled aboute three
hundrethe leaques by the fame wynde, they fay that they lofte the fyght of the Northe ltarre: and were ihortelye
after, toffed with excedinge tempeftes bothe of wynde and fea, and vexed with intollerable heate. Yet fayled
they on further (not without greate daunger) for the fpace of twoo hundrethe and fortie leagues, folowing yet
the fame wynde by the loft pole. Wherfore, whether habitable Regions bee vnder the Equinoctiall lyne or not,
let thefe men and the owlde wryters, afwel Philofophers as poetes and cofmographers difcuffe. For thefe men,
affirme it to bee habitable, and marueloufly replenished with people: and they, that it is vnhabitable by reafon
of the foone beames dependinge perpendicularly or directlye ouer the fame. Yet were there many of the oulde
wryters, whiche attempted to proue it habitable. Thefe maryners beinge demaunded, if they fawe the fouth
pole, they anfwered that they knewe no ftarre there lyke vnto this pole, that myght be decerned aboute the
poynte. But that they fawe an other order of ftarres, and a certeyne thicke myft ryfynge from the horizontall
lyne, which greatly hyndered theyr fyght. They contende alfo, that there is a great heape or ryfynge in the
myddeft of the earth, which taketh away the fyght of the fouthe pole, vntyll they haue vtterly paffed ouer the
fame. But they verely beleue that they fawe other images of ftarres, muche differinge from the fituation of the
flarres of owre hemifpherie or halfe circle of heauen. Howe foo euer the matter bee, as they informe vs, wee
certifie yowe. At the lengthe, the feuenth day of the calendes of Februarye, they efpied lande a farre of. And
feinge the water of the fea to bee troubelous, foundinge with theyr plummet, they founde it to bee. xvi. fathames
deepe. Goinge a lande, and tarienge there for the fpace of twoo dayes, they departed bycaufe they faw no
people fleringe, althowghe they fownde certeyne fteppes of men by the fea fyde. Thus grauinge on the trees
and the ftones nere vnto the fhore, the kynges name and theyrs, and the tyme of theyr comming thether, they
departed. Not farre from this ftation, folowynge the fyers on the lande by nyght, they founde a nation lyinge
vnder the open fyrmamente after the maner of warre. Owre men thought it not befte to trowble them vntyll.
"the morninge. Therefore, at the ryfinge of the foone, fortie of owre men well armed, wente toward them:
ageynft whom came furth. xxxii. of them, with bowes, flinges and dartes, euen redy to the feyght. The other
coompanye folowed them, armed after the fame maner. Owr men affirme that they were of hygher ftature then,
eyther the Almaynes or Pannonians. They behelde owre men with frownynge and threatenynge countenaunce.
But owre men thought it not good to faule to bickeringe with them, vncerteyne whether it were for feare, or
bycaufe they wolde not dryue them to flight. Wherfore they went aboute to allure them by faire meanes and
rewardes. But they refufed all kynde of gentelnes, and ftoode euer in a redines to feight, declaringe the fame
by fignes and tokens. Thus owr men reforted to theyr fhippes, and they to the place from whence they came,
without any further bufynes. The fame nyght abowte mydnyght, they fledde, and left the place voyde where
they lay in campe. Owre men fuppofe them to bee a vagabunde and wanderinge nacion lyke vnto the
Scythians, withowte houfes or certeyne dwellinge places, lyuinge onely with the fruites of the earth, hauing
theyr wyues and chyldren folowinge them. Such as meafured their footefteppes in the fande, affirme with,
greate othes, that one of theyr feete is almoft as longe as twoo feete of owre men of the meane forte. Saylinge
on yet further, they founde an other ryuer, but not of deapth fufficient to beare the carauels. They fent
therfore the foure fhippe boates to lande, ful of armed men to fearch the countrey. They efpyed vppon a
hyghe hyll nere vnto the fea fyde, a greate multitude of people, to whom owre coompany fent furthe one man
with certeyne of owre thynges to allure them to exchaunge. And when he had caft a haukes bell towarde
them, they caft downe a wedge of golde a cubette longe. The which as he ftouped to take vppe, they foodenly
inclofed hym, and caryed hym awaye. But he was fhortly after refcued by his coompanyons, to fum of their
paynes: for they flewe eyght of owre men, and wounded many a farre of, with theyr arrowes, and dartes made
of wood hardened at the endes with fyre. After this, they encoompafed owre fhippe boates within the ryuer,
and came raffhelye within the reache of owre men, layinge houlde on the boates fydes, where they were thruft
throwgh and hewen in peeces as it had byn fheepe, by reafon they were naked. Yet wolde they not for al
this, gyue ouer: but tooke from owre men one of their boates, hauing noo men in it. For the gouernour
therof being flayne with an arrowe, the other fledde and efcaped. And thus they lefte this fierce and warlyke
people, faylinge towarde the northwefte alonge by the fame coaftes, with forowfull hartes for the death of theyr
coompanyons. When they had fayled abowte. xl. leaques, they chaunced into a fea of fuche freffhe water,
that they fylled theyr barelles and hogges heades therwith. Searching the caufe hereof, they vnderstoode that a
vehement courfe of ryuers difcended with great violence from the toppes of certeyne greate hylles. They fay
EDEN.                           L                                   97


Cales. Ciuile.
The Ilandes of
Canarie
Cabouerde.
S. Iames Ilande.
The North pole
owte of syght.
Habitable Regions
vnder the
Equinoctial lyne.
An other order of
starres
A thycke mist
A rysinge in the
myddest of the
earth.
41
People of hygh
stature.
A vagabunde
kynde of men
Giantes.
Desperate
bouldenes.
A sea of freshe
water.::..::   0
0   *   4
0.  ". 0:  00




98                                                   The fyrJl Decade.
Many fruitefull  alfo that there lyeth within the fea, many fortunate and fruitfull Ilandes, and well inhabyted: And that th[e]inIlandes.
Humane people.  habitantes of this tracte are men of meeke nature and fuche as doo not refufe ftrangers: Yet lyttle profytable
to them, bycaufe they had noo marchandyes for their purpofe, as golde or precyous ftones. For lacke wherof,
Mariatamball.  they brought frome thenfe thyrtie captiues to fell for flaues. Th[e]inhabitantes caule this Region Mariatambal.
Camomorus.    The Region of the eafte parte of that ryuer, is cauled Camomorus: And that of the wefte parte, Paricora: in
Paricora.     the mid lande wherof, th[e]inhabitantes fignified that there is greate plentie of golde. For, folowynge this
ryuer directly toward the Northe (as the bendynge of the fhore requyred) they recouered ageyne the fyght of
Regions of Paria.  the north pole. All the coafte of this tracte, perteyneth to Paria, the which (as we fayd before) was fyrft
Golde and perles.  founde by Colonus hym felfe, and hath in maner in euery place, greate abundaunce of pearles. They faye that
Os Draconis.  thefe coaftes are adioynynge vnto, and all one with Os Draconis, and alfo bortherynge vppon the Regions of
Cuwrana.      Cumana, Manacapana, Curiana, Cauchieta, and Cuchibachoa. Wherfore they thought it to bee parte of the
Manaca5ana.   firme lande of India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges. For the greate and large coompaffe therof, dothe not
Curiana
The hole earth  permit that it fhulde bee an Ilande. Albeit, the hole earth vncouered with water, largely taken, may bee
largely taken,
maye bee cauled  cauled an Ilande. From the poynte of that land where they loft the fight of the north pole, faylynge by a
an Ilande.    continuall tracke abowte three hundreth leaques towarde the wefte fyde of Paria, they fay that almo1fe in the
Maragnonus
Maragnonus    mydde way, they chaunced into a ryuer cauled Maragnonum, which they affirme to bee of fuch excedinge
o eeadh and u  breadth, that it myght feeme incredible, if the antiquitie dyd not make mention of the lyke.  Beinge
of Ilandslooke  demaunded of me if it were not falte water where it diuided the lande, they anfwered, that the water therof
42   was very freffhe and fweete: And that the further it ranne, to bee foo muche the freffher: Alfo full of Ilandes
and holfome fyfhe. They dare auouche the breadth therof, to bee more then thirtie leaques. Yet if wee well
Boriostomea, and  weighe and confyder the largenes and wydenes of Boriojtomea and SpiriqJtomea, the mouthes of the famous
Spiriostomea,
mouthes of the  ryuer of Ier (nowe cauled Danubius) and howe farre they violate or corrupte the falte water with their frefhenes,
ryuer oanubius. wee hall ceafe to marueile, althowgh this other ryuer bee greater.  For, who can diminyffhe the poure of
nature, but that it may make this bigger then the other, and an other bygger then this. And I fuppofe this to
bee the ryuer wherof Colonus the Admirall made mention in the difcription of his vyage in thefe coaftes. But
The commodities  wee fhall hereafter haue further knowleage hereof. Let vs nowe therfore returne to the commodities of thefe
of the Regions
and Ilandes about  Regions. They fowde in many Ilandes abowte Paria, great wooddes of brafile trees: And brought awaye
Paris.        with them, three thoufande poundes weight thereof. They fay that the brafile of Hifpaniola, is muche better
then this, to dye clothe with a more fayre and durable colour. From henfe, folowynge the wynde (whiche the
Mani fruitful  Spanyardes caule Norrduef, and the Italians Greco) they paffed by many Ilandes very fruitefull, yet lefte
Ilandes lefte
desolate.     defolate and wafted by reafon of the crueltie of the Canibales. For they went alande in many places, and
Canibales.    fownde the ruines of many deftroyed howfes. Yet in fum places, they founde men, but thofe exceadinge
fearefull, flyinge to the mountaynes, rockes, and wooddes at the fight of euery ftraunger or fhippe, and wanderinge without houfes or certeyne abydinge places, for feare of the Caniballes layinge wayte and huntinge after
Tof assia them. Herees of Cassia them. they founde thofe great trees which of them felues in dyuers places bringe furth the fruite or fpice
whiche the Apothecaries caule Caia fij7uza: And that of noo leffe goodnes then that which the phifitians
minifter to fuch as bee difeafed with the ague. But it was not ripe at theyr beinge there. They affirme that
Trees ofmaruelous  there are trees of fuche byggenes, that. xvi. men ioyninge handes togyther and ftandinge in coompaffe, can
byggenes.
A monstrous   fcarfely embrafe fum of them. Emonge thefe trees is fownde that monftrous beafte with a fnowte lyke a foxe,
beaste.       a tayle lyke a marmafette, eares lyke a batte, handes lyke a man, and feete lyke an ape, bearing her whelpes
abowte with her in an owtwarde bellye much lyke vnto a greate bagge or purfe. The deade carkas of this
beaft, you fawe with me, and turned it ouer and ouer with yowre owne handes, marueylynge at that newe belly
and wonderfull prouifion of nature. They fay it is knowen by experience, that fhee neuer letteth her whelpes
goo owte of that purfe, except it bee eyther to play, or to fucke, vntyl fuche tyme that they bee able to gette
theyr lyuing by them felues. They tooke this beafte with her whelpes: But the whelpes dyed fhortely after in
Alteracion of ayer  the fhyppes. Yet the damme liued certeyne moonethes: But at the length, not beinge able to abyde foo greate
and change of
meate         alteration of ayer, and chaunge of meate, fhee dyed alfo in the way. But of this beafte, wee haue fayde enowgh.
Let vs now therfore returne to the autoures of thefe thynges. Thefe twoo Pinzoni, the vncle and the neuie,
fufteyned manye great trowbles and horrible tempeftes and perilles in this nauigation. For when they had nowe
Cathay in India  fayled by the coafles of Paria abowte. vi. hundreth leaques, and (as they fuppofed) beyonde the citie of Cathay
beyonde the,
ryuer of Ganges  - and the coaftes of Eafte India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges, there rofe foodenly foo fierce a tempefte in the
A shipwrake    mooneth of Iuly, that, of the foure carauels which they had with them, twoo were drowned euen beefore theyr
by tempest.
eyes: and the thyrde lyenge at anker, with lyke foodennes caryed owte of theyr fyght throwgh the violence of
the tempefte: The fourth alfo lyinge at anker, was foo fhaken and broofed, that al the feames therof were almoft
loofed. Yet came they to lande owt of this lafte fhyppe, but vtterlye defpayrynge of the fhyppe. Wherfore
confultynge with them felues what was beft to bee doone in foo extreeme a cafe, and how to prouide them a
fafe dwellinge place in thofe Regions beinge owt of al hope how to departe from thenfe, they determined




The fyrJl Decade.


99




to fley all the inhabitantes of the contrey nere abowte them, leafte they with the other fhulde confpire togyther
to kyl them, but theyr fortune was better. For the carauell which the tempefle had caryed away, was coome
to them ageyne. This had in it. xviii. men: And the other that remayned, was faued and repayred. With
thefe two therfore, they tooke theyr vyage directly to Spaine And thus beinge toffed with tempeftes and vexed
with aduerfities, they returned to theyr natiue contrey of Palos, to theyr wyues and children, the day before
the Calendes of October, with the loffe of many of theyr dere frendes and neighbours. They browght with
them Cinamome and gynger: but not very good, bycaufe they were not there fully feafoned with the heate of
the foone before they brought them from thenfe. They browght alfo, certeyne precious flones, whiche Bapztiza_
Elyfius, that excellent philofopher and yowre lordefhippes phifitian, affirmeth to bee trewe Topafes. After
thefe mens returne, other of theyr neighbours beinge moued thereto by a certeyne emulation, to proue yf theyr
fortune wolde bee anye better, lyke men of good corage, beinge nothing difcomforted by the harde fortune of
theyr neighboures, knowinge that it often tymes chaunceth that that which is one mans vndoinge is an other
mans makynge, attempted a newe vyage towarde the fowthe by the coaftes of Paria, folowynge the fteppes of
Colonus the Admiral, who had fyrft difcouered the fame. They alfo browght with them greate plentie of Caffia
fiftula: And fownde that precious medicine cauled of the Spanyardes, Animc? album, whofe perfume is of moft
excellent effect to heale the reumes, murres, and heauines of the heade. As touchinge this vyage, as yet I
knowe noo other newes that I thought worthy to certifie yowe of. Wherfore, I wyl nowe make an ende of this
booke, bycaufe yow put me fo often in rememberance of your departure. Yet to accomplyffhe the Decade, I
wyll declare fumwhat of the fuperftitions of Hifpaniola. Yowe fhall nowe therfore vnderftand the illufions
wherwith the people of the Ilande haue byn feduced after the errours of the owlde gentilitie, and wandered in
the ignorance and blyndenes of humane nature corrupted by the difobedience of owr fyrft parentes, which hath
remayned in all nations vpon the face of the earth, except where it hath pleafed god by the lyght of his fpirite
by his woorde, to poure vppon his electe the grace of renouation, by the lyght wherof the naturall darkenes
receaueth fume clearenes as in a glaffe, vntyll imperfection fhalbe abolyfhed. Owre men therefore, were longe
in the Ilande of Hifpaniola, before they knewe that the people thereof honorede any other thynge then the
lyghtes of heauen, or had any other Religion. But when theye had byne nowe longe conuerfante with them,
and by vnderftandyng their language, drewe to a further familiaritie, they had knowleage that they vfed dyluers
rytes and fuperftitions. I haue therfore gathered thefe fewe thynges folowynge, owte of a booke wrytten by\
one Ramonus an heremyte, whom Colonus had lefte with certeyne kynges of the Ilande to inftruct them in the/
Chriflian fayth. And bycaufe in maner their hole religion is none other thing then Idolatry, I wyll begynne
at theyr Idoles. It is therfore apparente by the Images which they honour openly and commonly, that there
appere vnto them in the nyghte feafons certeyne phantafies and illufions of euyll fpirites, feducinge them into
many fonde and folyfhe errours. For they make certeyne Images of goffampine cotton foulded or wrethed
after theyr maner, and harde flopped within. Thefe Images they make fytting, much lyke vnto the pictures of.
fprites and deuelles which owr paynters are accuitomed to paint vppon waules.- But forafmuch as I my felfe
fent yowe foure of thefe Images, yowe may better prefently fignifie vnto the kynge yowre vncle, what maner of
thynges they are, and howe lyke vnto paynted deuelles, then I can expreffe the fame by wrytynge. Thefe
Images, th[e]inhabitantes caule Zemes: wherof the leafte, made to the lykenes of younge deuels, they bind to
theyr forheades when they goo to the warres ageynft their enemies: And for that purpofe haue they thofe
ftrynges hangynge at them which yowe fee. A Of thefe, they beleue to obteyne rayne if rayne be lackyng, and
lykewyfe fayre wether. For they thinke that thefe Zemes are the mediatours and meffengers of the greate god,
whom they acknowleage to be only one, eternall, withowte ende, omnipotent and inuifible. Thus euery kynge
hath his particuler Zemes which he honoureth. They caule the eternall god, by thefe twoo names, locauna,
and Guamaonocon, as theyr prediceffours tawght them. Affirminge that he hath a father cauled by thefe fyue
names: that is, Attabeira, Mamona, Guacarapita, Liella, Guimazoa.  Nowe fhall yowe heare what they
fable on the earth as touchinge the originall of man.t There is in the Ilande a Region cauled Caunana,
wher they fayne that mankynde came fyrft owte of twoo caues of a mountayne: and that the byggefl
forte of men, came furth of the mouth of the byggeft caue, and the leaft forte owte of the leafte
caue.  The rocke in the which thefe caues are, they caule Cauta. The greateft denne, they name
Cazibaxagua, and the leffe Amaiauna.  They fay, that before it was lawful for men to come foorth of
the caue, the mouth of the caue was kepte and watched nyghtly by a man whofe name was Machochael. This
Machochael, departinge fumwhat farre from the caue to th[e]intente to fee what thynges were abrode, was
foodenly taken of the foonne (whofe fight he was forbydden) and was turned into a tflone. They fayne the lyke
of dyuers other, that whereas they went foorthe in the nyghte feafon a fyffhynge, fo farre from the caue that they
coulde not returne before the ryfynge of the foone (the which it was not lawful for them to behold) they were
tranfformed into myrobalane trees, which of them felues growe plentifully in the Ilande. They faye furthermore, that a certeyne ruler cauled Vagoniona, fent one furth of the caue to goo a fyffhynge, who by lyke chaunce
99


Extreme remedie
in a desperat
case
43
Cinamome and
gynger
Topases.
Men of noble
corage.
A nother vyage
Animce album.
The superstitions
of hispaniola.
The errours of the
owlde gentilitie.
The grace of
renouation.
Ramonus an
heremyte.
Idolatry and
Idoles.
Illusions of euyl
spirites.
Images of
gossampine cotton
Zemes.
Younge deuyls.
Mediatours.
Only one god
eternall.
The names of god.
The father of god.
The originall of
man kynde
Fables much lyke
Ouide his
transformations
44
The original of
Mirobalane trees.




100


The fyrJl Decade.


The nightingale.
The Iland of
Mathinino.
Children turned
into frogges.
A speciall grace.
Holy reliques
Women are
slippery cattayle.
Al wisedome goeth
not by age.
Here nedeth sum
tropologicall
interpretour.
Myrmidones
Preachers for the
deuyl.
A vengeable
greate gourd.
The originall of
the sea.
45
The originall of
Ilandes.
A holy caue.
Images.
The originall of
the soone and
inoone.
Pylgramage.
Walkynge sprytes.
Incubi.


was turned into a nyghtyngale bycaufe the foonne was ryfen beefore he came ageyne to the caue: And that
yearelye abowte the fame tyme that he was turned into a byrde, he dothe in the nyght with a moornynge fonge
bewayle his myffortune, and caule for the helpe of his maifler Vagoniona. And this they thynke to bee the
caufe why that byrde fingeth in the night feafon. But Vagoniona, beinge fore troubled in his mynd for the
loffe of his familier frende whom he loued foo intierly, leauinge the men in the caue, brought foorth onely the
women with theyr fuckynge chyldren, leauinge the women in one of the Ilandes of that tracte, cauled Mathinino,
and caryed the chyldren awaye with hym: which poore wretches oppreffed with famine, fainted and remained
on the banke of a certeine ryuer where they were turned into frogges, and cryed toa, toa, that is, nmama, mama,
as chyldren are wont to crye for the mothers pappe. And hereof they fay it commeth that frogges vfe to cry fo
pytifully in the fprynge tyme of the yeare: And that men were fcattered abrode in the caues of Hiffaniola
withowte the companye of women. They fay alfo, that whereas Vagoniona hym felfe, was accuftomed to
wander in dyuers places, and yet by a fpeciall grace, neuer traniformed, defcended to a certeyne fayre woman
whom he fawe in the bottome of the fea, and receaued of her certeyne pibple fltones of marble (whiche they
caule Cibas) and alfo certeine yelowe and bright plates of laton, whiche they caule Guaninos. Thefe thynges
to this day are had in greate eflimation amonge the kynges, as goodly iewels and moft holy reliques. Thefe
men whiche we fayde before were lefte in the caues withowte women, went furth in the nyght (as they fay) to
waffhe them felues in a ponde of raine water and fawe a farre of by the way a greate multitude of certeine
beaftes in fhape fumwhat lyke vnto women, creping as thicke as antes aboute the myrobalane trees: And that
as they attempted to take thefe beafles, they flypped owte of their handes as they had byn yeles. Where vppon
they confulted, and determyned by th[ejaduice of the elders, that al fuche fhulde bee fowght foorthe amonge
them, as were fcabbyd and leprous, to th[e]intente that with theyr rowghe and harde handes, they myght th[e]efelyer take holde of them. Thefe men, they caule Caracaracoles: And fente them foorthe a huntinge to take
thefe beafRes. But of many which they tooke, they coulde keepe but only foure: The whiche as they wolde
haue vfed for women, they fownde that they lacked womans priuities. Wherefore caulinge th[e]elders ageyne to
counfayle, to confult what were befle to bee done in this cafe, theyr aduice was that the byrde which wee caule
the Pye, fhuld bee admitted with his byll to open a place for that purpofe, whyle in the meane tyme thefe men
cauled Caracaracoles, fhulde hould fafl the womens thighes abrode with theyr rowgh handes. Full wyfely therfore was the pye put to this office, and opened the womens priuities, and hereof the women of the Ilande haue
theyr original and offpringe. But nowe doo I ceafe to marueyle that the owlde Grekes dyd fable and wryte fo
manye bookes of the people cauled Myrmidones, which they fayned to bee engendred of antes or piffemeres.
Thefe and fuche lyke, the fageft and wyfeft of the people, preache continually to the fimple forte, and reherfe
the fame as mofte holy oracles. But it is yet more chyldyffhe that they fable as touchinge th[e]originall of the
fea. For they faye that there was once in the Ilande, a man of greate power, whofe name was laia: whofe only
foonne being dead, he buryed hym within a greate gourde. This Iaia, greuouflye takyng the death of his
foonne, after a fewe moonthes, came ageyne to the gourde: The which when he had opened, there iffhewed
foorth many great whales and other monflers of the fea: where vppon he declared to fuche as dwelt abowte
hym, that the fea was enclofed in that gourde.  By which report, foure brethren (borne of one woman
who dyed in her trauail) beinge moued, came to the gourde in hope to haue many fyffhes. The whiche
when they had taken in theyr handes, and efpied laia comming, (who oftentymes reforted to the gourd
to vifet the boones of his foonne) fearing leaRf he fhulde fufpecte them of thefte and facrileage, fodaynely let
the gourde faule owte of theyr handes: which beinge broken in the faule the fea furthwith brake owte at the
ryftes therof, and fo fylled the vales, and ouerflowed the playnes, that only the mountaynes were vncouered,
whiche nowe conteyne the Ilandes which are feene in thofe coaftes. And this is the oppinion of theyr wyfe
men as concernynge th[e]originall of the fea. But nowe (molt noble prince) you fhall heare a more pleafaunt
fable. There is a certeyne caue cauled Iouanaboina, in the territorye of a certeyne kynge whofe name is
Machinnech. This caue they honour more religioufly then dyd the Grekes in tyme pafle, Corinth, Cyrrha, or
Nyfa: And haue adourned it with pictures of a thoufand faffhions. In th[e]enterance of this caue they haue
twoo grauen Zemes, wherof the one is cauled Binthaitel, and the other Marobu. Beinge demaunded xwhy they
had this caue in foo greate reuerence, they anfwered erneflly, bycaufe the Soonne and the Moone came fyrfi
owt of the fame to gyue lyght to the worlde. They haue religious concourfe to thefe caues, as wee are
accuftomed to goo on Pylgramage to Rome or Vaticane, Compoflele, or Hierufalem, and moft holye and heade
places of owre Religion. They are alfo fubiect to an other kynde of fuperRfition. For they thinke that deade
folkes walke in the nyght, and eate of the fruite cauled Guannaba, vnknowen vnto vs, and fumwhat lyke vnto a
quynfe. Affirmynge alfo that they are conuerfant with lyuing people, euen in theyr beddes, and to deceaue
women in takynge vpon them the fhape of men, fhewynge them felues as thowgh they wolde haue to doo with
them: But when the matter commeth to actual deede, foodenly to vanyffhe away. If any doo fufpecte that a
deade body lyeth by hym when he feeleth anye ftraunge thynge in the bedde, they fay hee fhalbe owt of dout


A remedye
ageynst walkyng
sprites.




The fyrJl Decade.


IOI




by feelynge of the belly therof: affirmyng that the fpirites of deade men may take vppon them al the members
of mans body, fauinge only the nauell. If therfore by lacke of the nauell he doo perceaue that a deade bodylyeth by hym, the feelynge is immediatly refolued. They beleue verely, that in the nyght, and often tymes in
theyr iourneys, and efpecially in common and hygh wayes, deade men doo meete with the lyIynge. Ageynfte
whome, if any man bee ftoute and owte of feare, the phantafye vanyffheth incontinentely. But yf anye feare,
the phantafy or vyfion doth foo affaute hym and itryke hym with further feare, that manye are thereby aftonyffhed
and haue the lymmes of theyr bodyes taken. Th[e]inhabytantes beinge demaunded of whom they had thofe
vayne fuperfticions, they anfwered that they were lefte them of theyr forefathers as by difcent of inheritance:
And that they haue had the fame (before the memory of man) compofed in certeine rymes and fonges, which
it was lawful for none to lerne but onely the kynges foonnes, who commytted the fame to memorye, bycaufe
they hadde neuer any knoweleage of letters. Thefe they fynge beefore the people on certeyne folemne and
fefliuall dayes, as moft religious ceremonies: whyle in the meane tyme they play on a certeyne inflrumente
made of one hole peece of woodde fumwhat holowe lyke a tymbrell. Their preeftes and diuines (whom they
caule Boitios) inftructe them in thefe fupertfitions. Thefe preeftes, are alfo phifitians, diuifinge a thoufande
craftes and fubtylties howe to deceaue the fimple people which haue them in greate reuerence. For they
perfuade them that the Zemes vfe to fpeak with theym familierlye, and tel them of thynges to come. And if any
haue bin ficke and are recouered, they make them beleue that they obteyned theyr healthe of the Zemes. Thefe
Boitii, bynde them felues to muche faftinge and owtewarde clenlynes and pourgeinges: Efpecially when they
take vppon them the cure of any Prince. For then they drynke the pouder of a certeyne herbe, by whofe
qualitie they are dryuen into a furye: At whiche tyme (as they fay) they lerne many thynges by reuelation of
the Zermes. Then, puttinge fecreatly in theyr mouthes, eyther a tfone, or a bone, or a piece of flefhe, they
coomme to the ficke perfon, commaundinge al to departe owte of that place, excepte one or twoo, whom it fhall
pleafe the ficke man to appoynt. This doone, they goo about hym three or foure tymes, greatly deforminge
theyr faces, lyppes, and nofethrils with fundry fylthy gietfures: blowynge, breathinge, and fuckyng the forheade,
temples, and necke of the pacient, wherby (they faye) they drawe the euyll ayer from hym, and fucke the difeafe
owt of his veynes. Then rubbinge hym about the Ihoulders, thyghes, and legges, and drawynge downe theyr
handes clofe by his feete, holdinge them yet fafte togyther, they runne to the dore beinge open, where they
vnclofe and fhake theyr handes, affirminge that they haue dryuen away the difeafe, and that the pacient fhall
fhortely bee perfectly reftored to health. After this, commynge behynde hym, he conueygheth the piece of
flefhe owte of his owne mouth like a iuggeler, and fheweth it to the ficke man, fayinge, behoulde what you haue
eaten to muche: you fhall nowe bee hole, bycaufe I haue taken this from you. But if he intende yet further to
deceaue the pacient, he perfuadeth hym that his Zemes is angry, eyther bycaufe he hath not buylded hym a chapell,
or not honored hym religioufly, or not dedicated vnto him a groue or garden. And if it foo chaunce that the
ficke perfon dye, his kinffolkes by wytchecrafte enforce the deade to confeffe whether he dyed by naturall deftenye,
or by the neglygence of the Boitius, in that he had not fafted as he fhulde haue doone, or not myniftred a
conuenient medicine for the difeafe. Soo that yf this phifitian bee founde fautie, they take reuenge of hym. Of
the flones or bones which thefe Boitii carye in theyr mouthes, yf the women can coome by them, they keepe
them religioufly beleauinge them to bee greatly effectuall to helpe women whiche trauayle with chylde: And
therfore honoure them as they doo theyr Zemes. For dyuers of th[e]inhabitantes, honour Zemes of dyuers
faffhions. Sume make theim of woodde, as they were admonyfhed by certeyne vifions apperinge vnto them in
the wooddes. Others, whiche haue receaued anfwere of them amonge the rockes, make them of flone and
marble. Sum they make of rootes to the fimilitude of fuche as appeare to them when they are gathering the
rootes cauled Ages, wherof they make theyr breade, as we haue fayde before. Thefe Zemes, they beleue to fend
plentie and frutefulnes of thofe rootes, as the antiquitie beleued fuche fayries or fpirites as they cauled Dryades,
Hamadryades, Satyros, Panes, and Nereides, to haue the cure and prouidence of the fea, wooddes, and fprynges
and fountaynes, affigninge to euery thynge, theyr peculier goddes. Euen foo doo th[e]inhabitantes of this
Ilande attribute a Zemes to euery thynge, fuppofinge the fame to gyue eare to theyr inuocations. Wherfore, as
often as the kynges afke counfaile of their Zemres as concerning their warres, increafe of fruites or fcarfnes, or
health and fickenes, they enter into the houfe dedicate to theyr Zemes, where, fnuffinge vp into theyr nofethryls
the pouder of the herbe cauled Cohobba (wherwith the Boitii are dryuen into a furye) they fay that immediatly
they fee the houfes turne topfy turuye, and men to walke with theyr heeles vpwarde: of fuche force is this
pouder vtterly to take away all fenfe. As foone as this maddenes ceafeth, he embrafeth his knees with his armes,
holdynge downe his heade. And when he hath remayned thus a whyle aftonyffhed, he lyfteth vp his heade as
one that came newe owt of fleepe: And thus loking vp towarde heauen, Fyrft he fumbeleth certeyne confounded
woordes with hym felfe. Then certeyne of the nobilitie or chiefe gentelmen that are about him (for none of the
common people are admytted to thefe myiteries) with lowde voyces gyue tokens of reioyfing that he is returned
to them from the fpeache of the Zemes, demaundynge of hym what he hathe feene. Then hee openinge his
L 2                                 lOI


Phantasies
proceadynge of
feare.
Al is not good that
is owlde
Syngynge and
playmge
Preestes and
diuines.
Phisitians.
Ignorance is
noryshed with
superstition.
Fastynge and
outward clenlynes.
A pouder of
maruelous effecte.
Iuggelynge.
A strange maner
of curing
46
Angery gods
They make the
deade to speake.
Diuers Idols of
sundry shape.
Fayries or spirites
of the gentyles.
Peculier goddes.
They aske
consaile of Idols
The pouder of the
herbe Cohobba.
Secreate misteries.




102


Reuelations.
The spirite of
Apollo.
The Sibilles
I haue harde the
Ivke of other in
lnglande.
Hungery and
lecherous gods.
Children with two
crownes
47
Wanderinge
Images.
Mediatours.
A woman zemes
of great poure.
Fyue dayes
fastinge.
A maruelous
illusion of the
deuyll.
The deuyll
sumtyme telleth
truth.
The Idols
abolyshed.


The fyrfJ    Decade.
mouthe, doateth that the Zemes fpake to hym duryng the tyme of his traunce: declaring that he had reuelations
eyther concerninge victorye or deftruction: famyne or plentie: health or fyckenes, or what foo euer happeneth
fyrft on his toonge. Nowe (mofte noble Prince) what neede you hereafter to marueyle of the fpirite of Apollo
foo fhakynge his Sibylles with extreme furie? Yowe had thowght that the fuperftitious antiquitie hadde
peryfhed. But nowe wheras I haue declared thus much of the Zemes in generall, I thowght it not good to lette
paffe what is fayde of them in particuler. They faye therefore, that a certeyne kynge cauled Guamaretus, had
a Zemes whofe name was Corochotum: who (they fay) was often tymes woonte to defcende from the hyghefte
place of the houfe where Guamaretus kepte hym fafte bounde. They affirme, that the caufe of this his
breakynge of his bandes and departure, was eyther to hyde hym felfe, or to goo feeke for meate, or els for the
acte of generation: And that fumtymes beinge offended, that the kynge Guamaretus had byn negligent and
flacke in honouringe hym, he was woont to lye hyd for certeyne dayes. They fay alfo that in the kynges vylage
there are fumtyme chyldren borne hauing twoo crownes which they fuppofe to bee the children of Corochotum
the Zemes. They fayne lykewyfe, that Guamaretis beinge ouercome of his enemies in the battayle, and his
vylage with the palaice confumed with fyer, Corochotus brake his bandes and was afterwarde founde a furlonge of,
fafe and withowte hurte. He hath alfo an other Zemes cauled Epileguanita, made of woodde, in fhape lyke a foure
footed beafte: who alfo is fayde, often tymes to haue gonne from the place where he is honoured, into the wooddes.
As foone as they perceaue him to bee gonne, a great multitude of them gather togyther to feeke hym with deuoute
prayers: And when they haue fownde hym, brynge hym home religioufly on theyr Ihulders to the chapell dedicated
vnto hym. But they coomplayne that fence the commynge of the Chrifian men into the Ilande, he fledde for all
togyther, and coulde neuer fence bee founde, wherbythey diuined the deftruction of theyr countrey. They honoured
an other Zemes in the lykenes of a woman, on whom wayted twoo other lyke men, as they were minifters to
her. One of thefe, executed th[e]office of a mediatour to the other Zemes which are vnder the power and
commaundement of this woman, to rayfe wyndes, cloudes, and rayne. The other is alfo at her commaundemente a meffenger to the other Zemes whiche are ioyned with her in gouernaunce, to gather togyther the waters
whiche faule from the hygh hylles to the valleys, that beinge loofed, they may with force burft owte into greate
fluddes and ouerflowe the countrey if the people doo not gyue due honoure to her Image. There remayneth
yet one thynge woorthy to bee noted, wherwith we wyll make an ende of this booke. It is a thynge well
knowen, and yet freffhe in memory amonge the inhabitantes of the Ilande, that there was fumetyme twoo
kynges (of the which one was the father of Guarionexius of whom we made mention before) which were woont
to abifeyne fyue dayes togyther continually from meate and drinke, to knowe fumwhat of theyr Zemes of thynges
to coome: And that for this faftynge beinge acceptable to theyr Zemes, they receaued anfwere of them, that
within fewe yeares, there fhuld coome to the Ilande a nation of men couered with apparell, which fhulde
deftroye al the cuftomes and cerymonyes of the Iland, and eyther fley all theyr chyldren, or brynge them into
feruitude. The common fort of the people, vnderitoode this oracle to bee mente of the Canibales. And
therefore when they had any knowleage of theyr commyng, they euer fledde, and were fully determyned neuer
more [to] aduenture the battayle with them. But when they fawe that the Spanyardes had entered into the
Ilande, confultinge amonge them felues of the matter, they concluded that this was the nation which was ment
by th[e]oracle. Wherin, theyr opinion deceaued them not. For they are nowe all fubiecte to the Chriftians,
all fuche beinge flayne as ftoobernely refifted. Nor yet remayneth there anye memory of theyr Zemes: for
they are al brought into Spayne, that we myght bee certified of theyr illufions of euyl fpirites and Idoles, the
which yowe yowre felfe (moft noble Prince) haue feene and felte when I was prefente with yowe. I let paffe
many thynges bycaufe yow put me in remembrance that to morowe yowe take yowre iorney towarde yowre
countrey, to brynge home the queene yowre aunte, whom yowe accoompanyed hether at the commaundemente
of kynge Frederyke yowre vncle. Wherfore I byd yowe farewel for this tyme, defyrynge yowe to remember
yowre   artyr, whome yowe haue compelled in the name of the kynge yowre vncle, to gather thefe fewe
thynges owte of a large feelde of hyfloryes.


lot




The fyr/j Decade.


Io3


C  THE TENTH      AND LASTE BOOKE OF THE FYRST DECADE,
as a conclufion of the former bookes:
WVrytten to Inacus Iopez Mendocius, countie ofTendilla, andviceroye ofGranata.


T the fyrft begynnynge and newe attempte, when Colonus had taken vppon hym th[e]enterpryfe to fearch the Ocean fea, I was erneflly moued and requyred by the letters of certeyne
of my frendes and noble men of Rome to wryte fuche thynges as fhoulde happen. For they
Z *      whyfpered with greate admiracion, that where as there were many newe landes founde, and
nations which liued naked and after the lawe of nature, they coulde here noo certentie
therof, beinge greately defyrous of the fame. In this meane tyme had fortune ouerthrowne
Afcanius (his brother Lodouike beinge caft owt of Mylayne by the frenchmen) whofe
autoritie wold not fuffer me to bee idle, but euer to haue my pen in hande. To hym I wryte the twoo fyrfl
bookes of this decade, befyde many other of my hyd commentaries whiche yowe fhall fee fhortely. Fortune
dyd noo leffe withdrawe my mynde frome wrytynge, then difturbe Afcanius from power. As he was toffed with
contrary ftormes and ceafed to perfuade me, euen foo flacked my feruentnes to enquyre any further, vntyl the
yeare of Chrifle. I500.  When the court remayned at Granata where yowe are viceroye: At which time
Lodouike the Cardinall of Aragonie, neuie to kynge Frederike by his brothers fyde (beinge at Granata with
the queene Parthenopea the fyfler of owre catholike kynge) browght me kynge Frederikes letters, wherby he
exhorted me to fynyfhe the other bookes whiche folowed the twoo epyflell bookes, which I wryte to Afcaniuzs.
For they both acknowleaged that they hadde the copie of all that I wryte to cardinall Afcanius. And albeit
that euen then I was ficke (as yowe knowe) yet tooke I the burden vppon me, and applyed my felfe to wrytynge.
I haue therfore chofen thefe fewe thynges, owte of a greate heape of fuche as feemed to me moft woorthy to
bee noted amonge the large wrytynges of the autoures and fearchers of the fame. Wherfore, forafmuch as yowe
haue endeuoured to wrefte owt of my handes the hole exemple of al my woorkes, to adde the fame to the
innumerable volumes of yowre librarie, I thowght it good nowe to make a breefe reherfall of thofe thynges _
which were done from that yeare of a thowfande and fyue hundreth, euen vnto this yeare which is the tenth
from that. For I entende to wryte more largelye of thefe thynges hereafter, if god graunte me lyfe. I hadde
wrytten a hole booke by it felfe of the fuperftitions of the people of the Ilande, fuppofinge therwith to haue
accomplyfhed the hole Decade confiftynge of tenne bookes. But I haue added this to the tenthe as a perpendiculer lyne, and as it were a backe guyde or rerewarde to the other: So that yowe may knytte the fyrfit
tenthe, to the nynthe, and impute this to occupie the place of the tenthe to fyll vp the Decade. This order
haue I appoynted, left I fhulde bee compelled often times to wryte ouer the hole woorke, or fende yowe the
fame defaced with blottes and interlynynge. But nowe let vs coome to owre purpofe. The fhippe mailers
and maryners ranne ouer many coaftes durynge thefe tenne yeares: But euer folowed fuche as were fyrfte
fownde by Colonus. For rafinge continually alonge by the tracte of Paria, which they beleue to bee parte of
the firme lande or continent of eafte India, fume of theym chaunced vppon certeyne newe landes towarde the
eafle, and fume towarde the wefte, in which they fownde bothe goulde and frankenfence. For they browght
from thenfe many iewels and ouches of golde, and greate plentie of frankenfence, whiche they had of the
people of thofe countreys, partely for exchange of fume of owre thynges, and partely by force, ouercommynge
them by warre. Yet in fume places, althowgh they bee naked, they ouercame owre men, and flewe hole
armyes. For they are excedinge fierce, and vfe venemous arrowes, and longe flaues lyke iauelens, made harde
at the ende with fyer. They fownde many beaftes, both creepinge and foure footed, muche differinge from
owres, variable and of fundrye fhapes innumerable: yet not hurtfull, excepte Lyons, Tygers, and Crocodiles.
This I meane in fundry Regions of that greate lande of Paria: but not in the Ilandes: Noo not foo much as
one. For all the beaftes of the Ilandes, are meeke and withowte hurte, except men which (as wee haue fayde)
are in many Ilandes deuourers of mans fleffhe. There are alfo dyuers kyndes of foules. And in many places
battes of fuch bygnes, that they are equall with turtle doues. Thefe battes, haue often tymes affauted men in
the nyght in theyr nfleepe, and foo bytten them with theyr venemous teethe, that they haue byn therby almoftle
dryuen to madnes, in foo much that they haue byn compelled to flye from fuch places, as from rauenous harpies.
In an other place, where certeyne of them flepte in the nyght feafon on the fandes by the fea fyde, a monfter
commynge owte of the fea, came vppon one of them fecreatly and caryed hym away by the myddefte owte of
the fight of his felowes to whome he cryed in vayne for helpe vntyll the beafte lepte into the fea with her praye.
103


The Lawe of
nature.
Milayne in the
hands of the
frenchmen
48
Epistel books
The historye
folowing,
conteyneth the
actes of ten yeare
P ria, part of the
fime land of East
India
Golde and
frankensence.
The fiercenes of
the naked people.
Innumerable
beastes vnlyke
vnto owres.
Nothing hurtfull
in the Ilandes.
Battes as bygge
as turtle doues.
A man deuoured
of a monster of
the sea




1o4


The fyrfi Decade.


I


The Spanyardes
profer them selues
to subdue the
newe landes.
Note the largenes
of the newe landes.
Commendacion of
the Spaniardes.
49
An tipfodes.
The autours
excusse.
Hispaniola.
The nature of the
place, altereth
the formes and
qualities of
thynges.
Wheate.
Herbes.
Catayle.
Hogges.
Plentie of beastes
and foule.
Cuba, is an
Ilande.
The description
of Cuba.
The Iland of
Burichema or
S. Iohannis.
Golde mynes
The order of
woorkynge in the
golde mynes.
The kynges
brynge theyr
subiectes
to woorke in
the golde mynes.
Tyllage.
50
They abhorre
laboure
They are docible.
The kynges
chyldren.


It was the kynges pleafure that they fhulde remayne in thefe landes, and buylde townes and fortreffes. Where
vnto they were foo wel wyllynge, that dyuers profered them felues to take vppon them the fubduing of the
lande, makyng great fute to the kynge that they might bee appoynted therto. The coafte of this tracte is
exceadynge greate and large: and the Regions and landes therof extende maruelous farre: Soo that they
affirme the, continent of thefe Regions with the Ilandes abowte the fame, to bee thryfe as bygge as al Europe,
befyde thofe landes that the Portugales haue fownde fouthwarde, whiche are alfo exceadynge large. Therfore
doubtleffe Spayne hathe deferued greate prayfe in thefe owre dayes, in that it hath made knowen vnto us foo
many thowfandes of Antoiipodes which leye hyd before and vnknowen to owre forefathers: And hath thereby
mynyftred fo large matter to wryte of, to fuche lerned wyttes as are defyrous to fette furthe knowleage to the
commoditie of men: to whom I opened a way when I gathered thefe thynges rudely to gyther as yowe fee:
The which, neuertheleffe I truft yowe wyll take in good parte, afwell for that I can not adourne my rudenes
with better vefture, as alfo that I neuer tooke penne in hande to wryte lyke an hifloriographer, but only by
epiflels fcribeled in hafle, to fatiffie theym, from whofe commaundementes I myght not drawe backe my foote.
But now I haue digreffed enowghe. Let vs nowe therefore returne to Hjifpaniola. Owre men haue founde by
experience, that the breade of the Iland is of fmaule ftrength to fuch as haue byn vfed to owr breade made of
wheate: And that theyr flren[g]thes were much decayed by vfynge of the fame. Wherfore the king hath of late
commaunded that wheate fhulde bee fowen there in diuers places and at fundry tymes of the yeare. It groweth
into holowe reedes, with fewe eares, but thofe verye bygge and frutefull. Theyfynde the lyke foftenes or delicatenes
to bee in herbes, which growe there to the height of corne. Neat or cattall, becoome of bygger ftature and
exceadynge fat, but theyr fleffhe is more vnfauery, and theyr bones (as they fay) eyther withowte marye, or the
fame to bee verye wateryfihe. But of hogges and fwyne, they affirme the contrarye, that they are more holfoome
and of better tafle, by reafon of certeyne wylde frutes whiche they eate, beinge of muche better nooryfhement
then mafte. There is almoft none other kynd of fleffhe commonly foulde in the market. The multitude of hogges,
are excedingly encreafed, and becoome wylde as foone as they are owte of the fwyneheardes keepynge. They
haue fuche plentie of beaftes and foules, that they fhall heareafter haue noo neede, to haue any brought from
other places. Th[e]increafe of all beaftes, growe bygger then the broode they came of, by reafon of the rankenes
of the pafture, althowgh theyr feadynge bee only of graffe, withowte eyther barley or other grayne. But wee
haue fayde enowgh of Hifpaniola. They haue nowe fownde that Cuba, (which of longe tyme they thowght to
haue byn firme lande for the greate length therof) is an Ilande. Yet is it noo maruell that th[e]inhabitantes them
felues towlde owre men when they fearched the-length therof, that it was withowte ende. For this nacion being
naked and contente with a lyttle, and with the limittes of theyr owne contrey, is not greatly curyous to know
what theyr neyghbours doo, or the largenes of theyr dominion. Nor yet knewe they if there were any other
thinge vnder heauen, befyde that whiche they walked on with theyr feete. Cuba, is frome the Eafle into the
Wefte, muche longer then Hifpaniola: And in breadthe from the Northe to the Southe, much leffe then they
fuppofed at the fyrft: for it is very narowe in refpecte to the length: And is for the mofte parte, very frutefull
and pleafaunt, Eaftwarde not farre from Hifpaniola, there lyethe an Ilande, leffe then Hzfpaniola more then by
the halfe, which owre men cauled Sandli lohannis, beinge in maner fquare. In this they founde excedynge ryche
golde mynes. But beinge nowe occupied in the golde mynes of Hifipaniola, they haue not yet fent labourers into
that Iland. But the plentie and reuenewe of golde of al other Regions, gyue place to Hifpaniola, where they
gyue theim felues in maner to none other thynge then to gather golde, of which woorke this order is appoynted.
To euery fuch wyttie and fkylfull man as is put in trufte to bee a furuoier or ouerfeer of thefe woorkes, there is
affigned one or more kynges of the Ilande with theyr fubiectes. Thefe kynges accordyng to theyr league, coome
with theyr people at certeyne tymes of the yeare, and reforte euery of them to the golde myne to the which he is
affigned: where they haue all maner of dygginge or myninge tooles deliuered them: And euery kynge with his
men, haue a certeyne rewarde alowed them for theyr labour. For when they departe from the mynes to fowynge
of come, and other tyllage (wherunto they are addict at certeyne other tymes, leafte theyr foode fhulde fayle
them) they receaue for theyr laboure, one a ierken, or a dublet, an other a fherte, an other a cloke or a cappe.
For they nowe take pleafure in thefe thynges, and goo no more naked as they were wont too doo. And thus
they vfe the helpe and laboure of the inhabitantes both for the tyllage of theyr ground, and in theyr gold mines
as thowghe they were theyr feruauntes or bondemen. They beare this yoke of feruitude with an euyll wyll: but
yet they beare it. They caule thefe hyred labourers, Anaborias. Yet the kynge doth not fuffer that they fhulde
bee vfed as bondemen: And onely at his pleafure they are fette at libertie or appoynted to woorke. At fuche
tyme as they are cauled together of theyr kynges to woorke (as fouldiers or pioners are affembled of theyr
centurians) many of them ftele away to the mountaynes and wooddes, where they lye lurkynge, beinge content
for that tyme to lyue with wyld frutes, rather then to take the paynes to laboure. They are docible and apte to
lerne, and haue nowe vtterly forgotten theyr owlde fuperfticions. They beleue godly, and beare wel in memory
fuche thynges as they haue lerned of owre faith. Theyr kynges children are brought vp with the chiefeft of owre
104




The fyrjl Decade.


Io5


men, and are inftructed in letters and good maners. When they are growen to mans age, they fende them home
to theyr countreys to bee exemple to other, and efpecially to gouerne the people if theyr fathers bee dead that
they maye the better fet foorthe the Chrifltian Religion, and keepe theyr fubiectes in loue and obedience. By
reafon whereof, they coome nowe by fayre meanes and gentell perfuafions to the mynes which lye in twoo  The two chiefe
Regions of the Ilande aboute thirtie myles difante frome the citie of Dominica: wherof the one is cauled Sani  golde mes of
ChriJ1ophori: And the other being ditfante aboute foure fcore and tenne myles, is cauled Cibaua, not farre from
the cheefe hauen cauled Portus Regalis. Thefe regions are very large: In the which in many places here and
there, are fownd fumtyme euen in the vpper cruft of the earth and fumtyme amonge the tfones, certeyne rounde  Golde founde in
the vpper part of
pieces or plates of golde, fumtyme of fmaule quantitie, and in fum places of great weyght: In fo muche that there  the h arth.
hath byn found rounde pieces of three hundreth pounde weyght, and one of three thoufande, three hundreth - A piece of golde
and tenne pounde weyght: The whiche (as yowe harde) was fente hole to the kynge in that fhyppe in the which  thousande three
the gouernour Boadilla was comming home into Spayne, the fhyppe with all the men beinge drowned by the  hundleth and ten
way, by reafon it was ouer laden with the weight of golde and multytude of men. Albeit, there were moo then - A coastly ship
a thowefande perfons whiche fawe and handeled the piece of golde. And wheras here I fpeake of a pounde,  wrake.
I doo not meane the common pounde, but the fumme of the ducate of golde, with the coyne cauled Triens,
which is the thyrde parte of a pounde, whiche they caule Pefus. The fum of the weyght hereof, the Spanyardes  Pesus.
caule Cafiellanum Aureum. Al the golde that is dygged in the mountaynes of Cibaua and Porte Regale, is  The fynynge and
distribution of
caryed to the towre of Conception, where Ihoppes with al thynges apperteyninge are redy fumyffhed to fyne it,  golde.
melte it, and cafte it into wedges. That doone, they take the kynges portion therof, whiche is the fyfte parte,
and foo reftore to euery man his owne whiche he gotte with his labour. But the golde whiche is fownde in
faynt Chriflophers myne and the Region there aboute, is caryed to the fhoppes whiche are in the vylage cauled
Bonauentura.  In thefe twoo fhoppes, is molten yerely, aboue three hundreth thoufand pounde weight of golde.  Three hundreth
thousand weyght
If any man bee knowen deceatefully to keepe backe any portion of golde, whereof he hathe not made the kynges  of gold molten
officers pryuie, he forfiteth the fame for a fyne. There chaunce amonge them often tymes many contentions  ispayola.
and controuerfies, the whiche onleffe the magiftrates of the Ilande doo fynyffhe, the cafe is remoued by appellation  Controuerses
to the hyghe counfayle of the courte, from whofe fentence it is not lawfull to appele in all the dominions of
Caftyle. But lette vs nowe returne to the newe landes frome whenfe we haue digreffed. They are innumerable,  The newe landes.
dyuers, and exceadynge fortunate. Wherfore the Spanyardes in thefe owre dayes, and theyr noble enterpryfes,  The Spanyardes
noble enterpryses.
doo not gyue place eyther to the factes of Saturnus, or Hercules, or any other of the ancient princes of famous  are not inferiour
to the actes of
memorie which were canonized amonge the goddes cauled Heroes for theyr fearchinge of newe landes and  Hercules or
regions, and bringinge the fame to better culture and ciuilitie. Oh God: howe large and farre fhal owre  Saturnus. etc.
Enlarging of the
pofteritie fee the Chriftian Religion extended?  Howe large a campe haue they nowe to wander in, whiche by  Christian Religion.
the trewe nobilitie that is in theym, or mooued by vertue, wyll atternpte eyther to deferue lyke prayfe amonge  The originall of
men, or reputacion of well doinge before god. What I conceaue in my mynde of thefe thynges, I am not able
to expreffe with penne or tonge. I wyll nowe therfore foo make an ende of this perpendiculer conclufion of the
hole Decade, as myndinge hereafter to fearche and gather euery thynge particulerlye, that I maye at further
leafure wryte the fame more at large. For Colonus the Admiral with foure fhyppes, and a hundreth threefcore
and tenne men appoynted by the kynge, difcouered in the yeare of Chrifte. 1502. the lande ouer ageynftle the
wefte corner of Cuba, diflant from the fame aboute a hundreth and thirtie leaques: In the myddeft of which  51
tracte, lyeth an Ilande cauled Guanaffa.  From henfe he directed his vyage backewarde towarde the Eaflte  Guanassadeof
by the fhore of that coaft, fuppofinge that he fhulde haue founde the coaftes of Paria: but it chaunced
otherwyfe. It is fayd alfo that Vincentius Agnes (of whom we haue fpoken before) and one Iohannes Diaz  The vyage of
Johannes Diaz.
(with dyuers other of whofe vyages I haue as yet no certeyne knowleage) haue ouer runne thofe coaftes.
But if God graunt me life, I truft to know the truthe hereof and to aduertife yowe of the fame. Thus fare
ye well.


C The feconde Decade foloweth.


xo3




Io6
I-   `- - -~~  --             - - - -


CITHE FYRST BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE,
TO LEO BYSSHOP OF ROME, THE TENTHE OF THAT NAME,
Of the fuppofed Continent or firme lande.


West Antipodes.
The increase of
the Christian
congregation.
Christop horus
Colonus.
Of landes distante
from the
Equinoctiall from
fyue degrees to
ten.
The death of
Colonus.
A generall lycence.
The nauigation of
Alphonsus Fogeda.


ENSE the tyme that GaleatiusButrigarius of Bononie, and Iohannes
Cuzrfus of Florence (mofte holye father) came to the catholyke
kynge of Spayne, the one, of yowre holynes ambafage, and
th[e]other for th[e]affaires of his common welth, I was euer for
the more parte in theyr coompanie, and for theyr vertues and
wyfedoome, had theym in greate reuerence. And wheras they
were greatly gyuen to fudye, and continuall reuoluinge of
dyuers autours, they chaunced vppon certeyne bookes negligently let flyppe owte of my handes, entreatinge of the large
landes and Regions hetherto lyinge hyd, and almoft weft
Antipoades, fownde of late by the Spanyardes.  Yet beinge
allured and delited with the newenes and ftrangenes of the
matter althowgh rudely adourned, they commended the fame:
Therwith erneftely defyringe me in theyr owne names, and
requyring me in the name of yowr holynes, to adde here
vnto all fuche thynges as were fownde after that tyme, and to gyue
them a copie thereof to fende to yowre holynes, that yowe myght
therby vnderftande, bothe howe greate commoditie is chaunced
to the progenye of mankynde, as alfo increafe of the militante congregation in thefe owre dayes, by the fortunate
enterpryfes of the kynges of Spayne. For lyke as rafed or vnpaynted tables, are apte to receaue what
formes foo euer are fyrft drawen theron by the hande of the paynter, euen foo thefe naked and fimple
people, doo foone receaue the cuftomes of owre Religion, and by conuerfation with owre men, fhake of
theyr fierce and natiue barbaroufnes.  I haue thowght it good therfore to fatiffie the requeft of thefe
wyfe men, efpecially vfinge th[e]autoritie  of yowre  name, wherunto  not to haue obeyed, I fhulde
efteeme my felfe to haue commytted a heynous offence. Wherefore I wyl nowe brefely reherfe in order, what
hyd coaftes the Spanyardes ouerranne, who were the autours therof, where they refted, what further hope they
browght, and fynallye what great thynges thofe tractes of landes doo promeffe in tyme to coome. In the
declaration of my decade of the Ocean, which is nowe printed and difperfed throwghowte Chriftendome
vnwares to me, I defcribed howe ChriJlophorus Co/onus fownde thofe Ilandes wherof we haue fpoken, and that
turnynge from thenfe towarde the lefte hande fouthwarde, he chaunced into greate regions of landes, and large
feas, diitant from the Equinoctial lyne, onely from fyue degrees to tenne: where he founde brode ryuers and
exceadinge hygh mountaynes couered with fnowe and harde by the fea bankes, where were many commodious
and quyet hauens. But Colonus being now departed owte of this lyfe, the kynge beganne to take care, howe
thofe landes myght be inhabited with Chriftian men to th[e]increafe of owre fayth: Where vppon he gaue
licence by his letters patentes to al fuch as wolde take the matter in hand, and efpecially to twoo, wherof Diego
Nicuefa was one, and the other was Alfphonfus Fogeda. Wherfore about.the Ides of December, Al'phonfus
departinge fyrft with three hundreth fouldiers from the Ilande of ifzpaniola (in the which wee fayde the Spanyardes had builded a citie, and planted theyr habitacion) and faylynge in maner full fouthe, he came to one of
the hauens founde before whiche Colonus named Portus Carthaginis, bothe bycaufe of the Ilande fltandynge
ageynfte the courfe of the ftreame, and alfo that by reafon of the largenes of the place and bendynge fydes, it
is muche lyke to the hauen of Spaine cauled Carthago. Th[e]inhabitantes caule the Ilande Codego, as the
Spanyardes caule the Ilande of theyr hauen, Scombria. This Region is cauled of the inhabitantes Caranmairi:
In the which they affirme bothe the men and women to bee of goodly flature, but naked. The men haue
theyr heare cutte rownde by theyr eares, but the women were it longe. Bothe the men and women are very
good archers. Owre men fownde certen trees in this prouince, which bore greate plentie of fweete apples, but
hurteful, for they turne into wormes when they are eaten. Efpecially the fhadowe of the tree, is contagious,
o06


52


Portus
Cartfhainis.


The Region of
Caramari.
People of goodly
stature
Apples whiche
turne into
woormes.




The feconde Decade.


Io7


for fuche as fleepe vnder it any tyme, haue theyr headdes fwolne and lofe theyr fight. But if they fleepe but a
whyle, theyr fyght commeth ageyne after a fewe dayes. This porte is dyflant foure hundreth fyftie and fyxe
myles from that parte of Hifpaniola which the Spanyardes caule Beata, in the which alfo they furnyffhe them
felues when they prepare anye vyage to feeke other newe landes. When Fogeda had entered into the hauen,
he inuaded, flewe, and fpoyled the people, whome he founde naked and fcattered. For they were gyuen hym
for a praye, by the kynges letters patentes bycaufe they hadde bin before tyme cruel ageynfl the Chriflians, and
coulde neuer bee allured to permytte them quietly to coome within theyr dominions. Here they founde gold,
but in no greate quantitie, nor yet that pure. They make of it, certeyne breft plates and brooches, which they
weare for coomelynes. But Fogeda not content with thefe fpoyles, vfinge certeyne captiues whiche he had
taken before, for guydes, entered into a vyllage twelue myles diftante frome the fea fyde further into the lande,
into the whiche they were fledde whom he fyrft inuaded. Here he founde a naked people, but apte to warre.
For they were armed with targettes, fhieldes, longe fwoordes made of wood, and bowes with arrowes typte with
bone, or hardened with fyer. As foone as they had efpyed owre men, they with their gefles whom they had
receaued, affayled them with defperate myndes, beinge therto more erneftly prouoked, beholding the calamitie
of thefe whiche fledde vnto theym, by the violence doone to theyr women and chyldren, in the fpoyle and
flawghter. In this conflicte owre men had the ouerthrowe: In the which, one lohannes de Lacoffa (beinge in
autoritie nexte vnto Fogeda the capitayne, and alfo the fyrfte that gathered golde in the fandes of Vraba) was
flayne with fyftie fouldiers. For thefe people infecte theyr arrowes with the deadly poyfon of a certeyne herbe.
The other with theyr capitayne Fogeda beinge difcomfited, fledde to the fhyppes. Whyle they remayned thus
in the hauen of Carthago forowfull and penfyue for the loffe of their companions, the other capitayne Diego
Nicuefa, (whom they lefte in Hifpaniola, preparyng hym felfe towarde the vyage in the hauen Beata) came to
theim with fyue fhippes and feuen hundrethe foure fcore and fyfteene menne. For the greater number of
fouldyers, folowed Nicuefa, both bycaufe free libertie was gyuen them to choofe which of the capytaynes them
lyft, and alfo that by reafon of his age, he was of greater autoritie: But efpecially bycaufe the rumoure was that
Beragua beinge by the kynges commiffion appoynted to Nicuefa, was rycher in golde then Vraba affigned to
Alphonfus Fogeda. Therfore, at the arryuall of Iicuefa, they confulted what was befte to bee doone: And
determyned fyrife to reuenge the deathe of their felowes. Where vppon, fettynge theyr battayle in arraye, they
marched in the nyght towarde them whiche flewe Coffa with his coompanyons. Thus fllealynge on them
vnwares in the laft watche of the nyght, and encoompafinge the vyllage where they laye, confifltynge of a
hundreth howfes and more, hauynge alfo in it thryfe as many of theyr neyghbours as of them felues, they fet
it on fyer, with diligent watche that none myght efcape. And thus in fhorte tyme they browght theym and
theyr howfes to affhes, and made them pay the raunfome of bludde with bludde. For of a greate multitude of
men and women, they fpared onely fyxe chyldren, al other being deftroyed with fyer or fword except fewe
which efcaped priuilye. They lerned by the referued chyldren, that Cojfa and his felowes were cutte in
pieces and eaten of them that flewe them.  By reafon wherof, they fuppofe that thefe people of Caramairi
tooke theyr originall of the Caribes otherwyfe cauled Canibales. Here they founde fume golde amonge the
affhes. For the hunger of golde, dyd noo leffe encorage owr men to aduenture thefe perels and labours
then dyd the poffeffynge of the landes. Thefe thynges thus fynyffhed, and the death of Cojffa and his felowes
reuenged, they returned to the hauen. After this, Fogeda whiche came fyrfI, fyrfl lykewyfe departinge with his
army to feeke Vraba, commytted to his gouernaunce, fayled by an Ilande cauled Fortis, lyinge in the mydwaye
betwene Vraba and the hauen of Carthago. In to the which defcendinge, he fownde it to bee an Ilande of the
Canybales, brynginge with hym frome thenfe two men and feuen women: for the refidue efcaped. Here he
fownde in the cotages of them that fledde, a hundrethe foure fcore and tenne drammes of golde, caflte and
wrought in dyuers formes. Saylynge forwarde from henfe, he came to the Eafle coaftes of Vraba, whiche
th[e]inhabitantes caule Caribana, from whenfe the Caribes or Canibales of the Ilandes are fayde to haue theyr
name and originall. Here he beganne to buylde a fortreffe, and a vyllage nere vnto the fame, therein intendynge
to place theyr fyrIf habitacion. Shortly after, beinge inftructed by certeyne captyues that there was aboute
twelue myles further within the lande, a certeyne vyllage cauled Tirufi, hauinge in it a ryche golde myne, he
determyned to deflroye the vylage. To the which when he came, he fownde th[e]inhabitantes redye to defende
theyr ryght: And that foo floutly, that encounteryng with them, he was repulfed with Ihame and domage. For
thefe people alfo, vfe bowes and venemous arrowes. Within a fewe dayes after, beinge enforfed for lacke of
vytayles to inuade an other vyllage, he hym felfe was ftryken in the thyghe with an arrowe. Sume of his felowes
fay, that he was thus wounded of one of th[e]inhabytantes whofe wyfe he had ledde awaye captiue before.
They fay alfo that he had firfI frendly comoned with Fogeda for redemynge of his wyfe, and had appoynted a
day to brynge a portion of golde for her raunfome: And that he came at the daye affigned, not laden with golde,
but armed with bowes and arrowes, with eyght other confetherate with hym, whiche had bin before partetakers
of the iniuries doone to them firfl at the hauen of Carthago, and afterward at the burnyng of the vyllage. In
107


A tree whose
shadowe is
hurtfulL
Fogeda his
autoritie confirmed
by the kynges
letters patents.
Warlyke people.
The Spanyardes
haue the
ouerthrowe.
Arrowes infected
with poyson.
The nauigation of
Diego Nicuesa.
The regions of
Vraba and
Beragua.
The Spanyardes
reuenge the
death of theyr
companyons.
A greate
slawghter.
Canibales.
The hunger of
golde.
53
The Ilande Fortis
Wrought gold
Caribtana.
A gold myne.
The Spanyardes
are repulsed.
Fogeda is
wounded.
Ransome.




io8


The feconde Decade.


Fogeda consumeth
by force of the
[veneme.]
Beragua and
Vraba.
Nicuesa.
The gouIfe Coiba.
Dyuers languages.
Bergantynes or
brigantynes.
Barnardino de
Calauera.
Ancisus.
54
Fogeda returneth
to hispaniola.
Famyne
A brigantine
drowned with the
stroke of a fyshe.
The Ilande Fortis.
A ncisus.
The Region of
Cuchibacoa.
Boium gatti.
Mountaynes
couered with
snowe.
Serra Neuata.
Os Draconis.


reuenge wherof they had defperatly confecrated them felues to death. But the matter beinge knowen, the
captayne of this confpiracie was flayne of Fogeda his coompanyons, and his wyfe deteyned in captiuitie. Fogeda
alfo throwgh the malicioufnes of the veneme, confumed and was dryed vp by lyttle and lyttle. Whyle thefe
thynges chaunced thus, they efpyed Nicuefa the other capitayne to whom Beragua the region of the weite fyde
of Vraba, was affigned to inhabite. He gaue wynde to his fayles to take his vyage towarde Beragua, the day
after that Fogeda departed owte of the hauen of Carthago. He with his army which he browght with hym,
coafted euer alonge by the fhore vntyll he came to the goulfe Coiba, whofe kynges name is Careta. Here he
founde theyr language to bee in maner nothynge lyke vnto that of Hifpaniola or of the hauen of Carthago:
wherby he perceaued that in this tracte there are many languages differinge from theyr owne bortherers. Nicuefa
departinge frome Coiba, wente to the prouince or Lieuetenauntfhippe of Fogeda his companion. Within a fewe
dayes after he hym felfe enteringe into one of thofe marchaunt fhippes whiche the Spanyardes caule Carauelas,
commaunded that the bygger veffels, fhulde folowe farre behynde. He tooke with hym twoo fmaule fhyppes
commenly cauled bergantines or brygantynes. I haue thowght it good in all the difcourfe of thefe bookes, to
vfe the common names of thinges, bicaufe I had rather bee playne then curious: efpecially forafmuche as there
doo dayly aryfe manye newe thynges vnknowen to the antiquitie, wherof they haue lefte noo trewe names.
After the departure of Nicuefa, there came a fhyppe from Hifpaniola to Fogeda, the capitayne wherof, was one
Barnardino de Calauera, who had tfoulne the fame from Hifpaniola with three fcore men, withowte.leaue or
aduice of the Admirall and the other gouernours. With the vytayles whiche this fhippe browght they refreffhed
theym felues and fumewhat recouered theyr firengthes muche weakened for lacke of meate, Fogetda his
companyons whyfpered and muttered ageynife hym daylye more and more, that he fedde them furthe with
vayne hope. For he had towlde them that he left Ancifus in Hifpaniola (whom he chofe by the kynges
commiffion to bee a ludge in caufes, bycaufe he was lerned in the lawe) to coome Ihortly after him with a Ihippe
laden with vytayles: And that he marueyled that he was not coome many dayes fenfe. And herein he faid
nothinge but trewth. For when he departed, he lefte Ancifus halfe redy to folowe hym. But his
felowes fuppofinge that all that he fayde of Ancifus had byn fayned, fume of them determyned
priuilie to fleale away the twoo brigantynes frome Fogeda, and to returne to Hifpaniola. But Fogeda
hauing knowleage hereof, preuented theyr diuife.  For leauynge the cuftlodie of the fortreffe with a
certeyne noble gentelman cauled Francifco Pizarro, he hym felfe thus wounded, with a fewe other in his
companie, entered into the fhyppe wherof we fpake before, and fayled directly to Hifpaniola, both to heale the
wound of his thygh if any remedy myght bee found, and alfo to knowe what was the caufe of Ancifus taryinge:
Leauing hope with his felowes (which were nowe browght from three hundreth to three fcore, partly by famyne
and partly by warre) that he wolde returne within the fpace of. xv. dayes: prefcribyng alfo a condition to
Pizarro and his companions, that it fhulde not bee imputed to them for treafon to departe from thenfe if he
came not ageyne at the day appoynted with vytayles and a newe fupply of men. Thefe. xv. dayes beinge nowe
pafle, whereas they coulde yet heare nothynge of Fogeda, and were dayly more and more oppreffed with fharpe
hunger, they entered into the twoo brigantynes which were lefte, and departed from that land. And as they
were nowe faylynge on the mayne fea towarde Hifjpaniola, a tempefte foodeynly aryfynge, fwalowed one of the
brygantynes with all that were therein. Sum of theyr felowes affirme that they playnely fawe a fyfhe of houge
greatenes fwymmyng abowte the brygantyne (for thofe feas brynge furthe greate monflers) and that with a
filroke of her tayle, The broke the rudder of the fhyppe in peeces: which faylynge, the brigantine beinge dryuen
abowt by force of the tempert, was drowned not farre from the Ilande cauled Fortis, lyinge betwene the coaftes
of the hauen Carthago and Vraba. As they of the other brygantyne wolde haue landed in the Ilande, they
were dryuen backe with the bowes and arrowes of the fierce barbarians. Proceadynge therfore on theyr vyage,
they mette by chaunce with Ancifus betweene the hauen of Carthago, and the Region of Cuchibacoa in the
mouthe of the ryuer whiche the Spanyardes cauled Boium gatti, that is, the houfe of the catte, bycaufe
they fawe a catte firft in that place: and Boium, in the toonge of Hifpaniola, is a houfe. Ancifus came wyth
a fhyppe laden with all thynges neceffarye, bothe for meate and drynke, and apparell, bryngynge alfo
with hym an other brigantine. This is he for whofe comming the capitayne Fogeda looked for foo longe.
He loofed anker from Hifpaniola in the Ides of September: And the fourth day after his departure, he efpyed
certeyne hyghe mountaynes, the whiche for the abundance of fnowe which lyeth continually in the toppes therof,
the Spanyardes cauled Serra NlVeuata, when Colonus the fyrft fynder of thofe Regions paffed by the fame. The
fyfte daye, he fayled by Os Draconis. They whiche were in the brygantyne, towlde Ancifus that Fogeda
was returned to Hifpaniola. But Ancifus fuppofing that they had fayned that tale, commaunded them by
th[e]authoritie of his commiffion to turne backe ageyne. The brigantiners obeyed and folowed hym: yet made
they humble fute vnto hym that he woolde graunte them that with his fauour they myght eyther goo ageyne to
Hifpaniola, or that he hym felfe woolde brynge theim to Nicuefa: And that they woolde for his gentelnes
declared towarde them in this behalfe, rewarde hym with twoo thoufande drammes of golde. For they were




The Seconde Decade.


IO9


I


ryche in golde, but poore in breade. But Ancifus affented to neyther of theyr requeftes: affirmynge that he
myght by no meanes goo anye other way then to Vraba the prouince affigned to Fogeda. Where vppon, by
theyr conduct, he tooke his vyage directly toward Vraba. But nowe let it not feme tedious to yowre holynes
to heare of one thyng worthy to bee remembred, which chaunced to this Lieuetenaunt Ancifus as he came
thether. For he alfo cafl anker in the coafles of the region of Caramairi whiche wee fayde to bee famous by
reafon of the hauen of Carthago: and of the goodly flature, firength, and beawty of both men and women beinge
in the fame. Here he fent certeyne to goo alande on the fhore, both to fetche freffhe water, and alfo to
repaire the fhippe boate which was fore broofed. In this meane tyme a greate multitude of the people of the
countrey armed after theyr maner, came aboute owre men as they were occupied abowte theyr bufynes, and
iloode in a redynes to feight, for the fpace of three dayes contynually: durynge whiche tyme, neyther durit they
fet vppon owre men, nor owre men affayle them. Thus bothe parties keepynge theyr arraye, floode flyl three
hole dayes the one gafynge on the other. Yet all this tyme owre men applyed theyr woorke, placinge the
fhippewrightes in the myddefte of theyr armye. As they itoode thus amafed, twoo of owre coompanye wente
to fyll theyr water pottes at the mouthe of the ryuer nere vnto them both, where foodenly there came furthe
ageynfte them a capitayne of the barbarians with ten armed men which inclofed them, and with terrible
countenaunce bent theyr arrowes ageynfte them, but fhotte theym not of. One of owre men fledde: but the
other remayned, caulynge his felowe ageyne and rebukynge hym for his fearefulnes. Then he fpake to the
barbarians in their owne language which he had lerned beinge conuerfant with the captiues that were caryed
from thenfe longe before. They marueylynge to here a ftraunger fpeake in their natiue tonge, put of theyr
fiercenes and fell to frendly communication, demaundinge who were the capitaynes of that coompanie whiche
were arryued in theyr lande. He anfwered that they were itrangers paffyng by: And that he marueyled why
they wold attempte to dryue them from theyr coaftes and diflurbe theyr fhyppes: arguinge theim of follye and
crueltie, and further threatinge their ruine and deitruction, except they woold vfe them felues more frendely
towarde them. For hee aduertifed them that there wolde fhortly coome into theyr lande armed men, in nomber
lyke to the fandes of the fea: And that to theyr vtter deiRruction, not only if they refyfled them not, but alfo
excepte they receaued them and enterteyned them honorably. In the meane tyme Ancifus was enformed that
his men were deteyned. Wherefore fufpectinge fume deceate, he browght furth al his target men for feare of
theyr venemous arrowes: And fettinge them in battell arraye, he marched forwarde towarde them which fteyed his
men. But he which communed with the barbarians, gyuinge him a figne with his hande to procede noo further,
he fteyed. And cauling to hym the other, he knewe that all was fafe. For the barbarians profered him peace,
bycaufe they were not they whom they fufpected them to haue byn: meanynge by Fogeda and Aicuefa, who had
fpoyled the vyllage ftandinge there by the fea fyde, and caryed away many captiues, and alfo burnte an other
vyllage further within the lande. And therefore (as they fayde) the caufe of theyr comminge thether, was to
reuenge thofe iniuries, if by any meanes they coulde. Yet that they woolde not exercyfe theyr weapons ageynfle
the innocente. For they fayde it was vngodly to feyght ageynft any, not beinge prouoked. Layinge a parte
therefore theyr bowes and arrowes, they enterteyned owre men gentelly, and gaue them great plentie of falted
fyffhe and breade of theyr contrey: And fylled theyr veffels with fyder made of theyr contrey frutes and feedes,
not inferiour to wyne in goodnes. Thus Ancifus hauinge entered into frendfhyp and made a league of peace with
th[e]inhabitantes of Caramairi whiche were before fore prouoked by other capitaynes, he lanched from that
lande, and directed his courfe to Vraba by the Ilande Fortis, hauinge in his fhippe a hundreth and fyftie frefihe
men whiche were fubftitute in the place of fuche as were deade. Alfo twelue mares, and manye fwine, and other
beaftes both males and females for increafe. Lykewyfe, fyftie pieces of ordinaunce, with a greate multytude of
targettes, fwoordes, iauelyns, and fuche other weapons for the warres. But all this with euyl fpeede and in an
euyll houre. For as they were euen nowe enteringe into the hauen, the gouernour of the fhippe which fatte at
the helme, ftroke the fhyppe vppon the fandes, where it was foo fafl enclofed, and beaten with the waues of the
fea, that it opened in the myddefle, and al loft that was therin. A thynge furely miferable to beholde. For
of all the vytayles that they had, they faued onely twelue barels of meale, with a fewe chiefes, and a lyttle byfket
breade. For al the bealtes were drowned: And they them felues fcaped hardly and halfe naked by helpe of the
brigantine and fhip boate, caryeng with them only a fewe weapons. Thus they fell from one calamitie into an
other, beinge nowe more carefull fo rtheyr lyues then for golde. Yet beinge browght alyue and in health to that
land which they foo greatly defyred, they coulde doo noo leffe then to prouide for the fufleynynge of theyr bodyes,
bycaufe they coulde not lyue onely by ayer. And wheras theyr owne fayled, they muft needes lyue by other
mens. Yet amonge thefe foo many aduerfities, one good chaunce offered it felfe vnto them. For they founde,
not farre from the fea fyde, a groue of date trees, amonge the which, and alfo amonge the reke or weedes of the
maryihes, they efpyed a multitude of wylde bores, with whofe flefhe they fed them felues wel certeine dayes.
Thefe they fay to bee leffe then owres: And with foo fhorte tayles, that they thought they had byn cutte of.
They dyffer alfo from owres in theyr feete: for theyr hynder feete are hole vndiuided, and alfo withowte any
l09


Riche in gold and
pore in breade.
The Region of
Caramairi
Feare on both
partes.
Ship wryghtes.
55
The vse of
targettes agenst
venemous arrowes.
The barbarians
haue respect to
iustice
Salted fishe.
Wyne of fruites
and seedes.
Vraba.
Artillerie.
Ancisus ship
wracke.
Meale, cheeses,
and bysket.
A groue of date
trees.
Wylde bores.




IIO


The feconde Decade.


_~I


56
Apples of a
strange kynd
Ceders of Libane.
Sorbes are cauled
in french Cormier
they grow not in
Englande.
The frute cauled
zizipha or Iuiuba
Canibales.
Men of desperat
boldnes.


The goulfe of
Vraba.
The great ryuer
of Darien, fauleth
into the goulfe of
Vraba.
Prayer and vowes.
The souldiers
make an othe.
The barbarians
are dryuen to
flight.
57
Chestnuttes.
The ryuer of
Darien, but viii.
degrees from the
Equinoctial.
Golde founde in a
thicket of reedes.


houfe. But they affirme that they haue proued by experience theyr fleffhe to bee of better tafte and more
holfoome then owres. Durynge this tyme, they fedde alfo of dates and the rotes of younge date trees, which
they eate likewyfe in Ciuile and Granata where they caule them Palmitos, of the leaues wherof they make
biefomes in Rome. Sumetymes alfo, they eate of the appels of that Region, whiche haue the taRle of prunes,
and haue alfo flones in them, and are but lyttle and of redde coloure. I fuppofe them to bee of that kynde
wherof I eate in the citie of Alexandria in Egypt in the moneth of Aprell: The trees wherof, the Iewes that
dwel there, beinge lerned in the lawe of Moyfes, affirme to bee the Ceders of Libane, which beare owlde fruites
and newe all the yeare as dothe the orange tree. Thefe apples are good to bee eaten, and haue a certeyne
fweetnes myxte with a gentell fharpnes, as haue the frutes cauled Sorbes. Th[e]inhabitantes plant thefe trees
in theyr orchyardes and garedens, and nooryfhe theym with greate diligence as wee doo cheries, peaches, and
quynfes. This tree in leaues, heyght, and trunke, is verye lyke vnto the tree that beareth the frute cauled
Zizipha, which the Apothecaries caule luiuba.  But wheras now the wylde bores beganne to faile them, they
were ageyne enforced to confulte and prouyde for the tyme to coome. Where vppon with theyr hole army, they
entered further into the land. The Canibales of this prouince, are mofle experte archers. Ancifus had in his
coompany, a hundreth men. They mette by the way with only three men of th[e]inhabitantes, naked, and armed
with bowes and venemous arrowes, who without al feare, affayled owr men fiercely, wounded manye, and flewe
manye: And when they had emptied theyr quyuers, fledde as fwyftely as the wynde: For (as we haue fayde)
they are excedynge fwyfte of foote by reafon of theyr loofe goinge frome theyr chyldes age They affirme that
they lette flyppe no arrowe owte of theyr bowes in vayne. Owre men therfore returned the fame waye that they
came, much more infortunate then they were before and confulted amonge them felues to leaue that lande:
efpecyally becaule th[e]inhabitantes had ouerthrowne the fortreffe which Fogeda buylded, and had burnte
thirtie houfes of the vyllage, as soone as Pizarrus and his company lefte of Fogeda, had forfaken the
lande. By this occafion therefore, beinge dryuen to feeke further, they had intelligence that the weRe
fyde of that goulfe of Vraba, was more frutefull and better to inhabite. Wherfore, they fent the one halfe of
theyr men thither with the brigantine, and lefte the other nere to the fea fyde on the eafte part. This goulfe,
is. xxiiii. myles in bredth: And howe muche the further it entereth into the firme lande, it is foo muche the
narower. Into the goulfe of Vraba, there faule many ryuers: but one (as they fay) more fortunate then the
ryuer of Nilus in Egypte. This ryuer is cauled Darien, vppon the bankes whereof, beinge verye frutefull of
trees and graffe, they entended to playnte their newe colonie or habitacion. But th[e]inhabitantes maruelynge
at the brygantine beinge bygger then theyr canoas, and fpecially at the fayles therof, fyrft fente away theyr
chyldren and weakefle forte of theyr people with theyr baggage and houfholde tfuffe, and affembled all fuche
togyther bothe men and women, as were meete for the warres: Thus beinge armed with weapons and defperate
myndes, they floode in a redynes to feight, and taryed the comminge of owre men vppon a lyttle hyl, as it were
to take th[e]aduantage of the grounde. Owre men iudged them to bee aboute fyue hundreth in nomber. Then
Ancfus the capitayne of owre men, and Lieuetenaunt in the fteede of Fogeda, fettinge his men in order of
battayle array, and with his hole coompany kneelinge on his knees, they al made humble prayers to god for
the victorie, and a vowe to the Image of the bleffed virgin whiche is honoured in Ciuile, by the name of San~ta
Maria Antigqua, promyfinge to fende her manye golden gyftes and a ftraunger of that contrey: alfo to name
the vyllage Sancta Maria Antiqua after her name: lykewyfe to erecte a temple cauled by the fame name: or
at the leafte to dedicate the king of that prouince his palaice to that vfe, if it fhulde pleafe her to affifle them
in this daungerous enterpryfe. This doone, al the fouldiers tooke an othe, that noo man fhulde turne his backe
to his enemies. Then the capytayne commaundinge them to bee in a redines with theyr targets and iauelens,
and the trumpyter to blowe the battayle, they fiercely affayled theyr enemyes with a larome. But the naked
barbarians, not longe able to abyde the force of owre men, were putte to flyght, with theyr kynge and capitayne
Cemaccus. Owre men entered into the vyllage, where they fownde plentie of meate fuche as the people of the
contrey vfe, fufficiente to affuage theyr prefent hunger, as breade made of rootes, with certeine fruites vnlyke
vnto owres, whiche they referue for flore as wee doo cheftnuttes. Of thefe people, the men are vtterly naked:
but the women from the nauell downewarde, are couered with a fyne clothe made of goffampine cotton. This
Region is vtterly withowte any fharpenes of wynter. For the mouthe of this ryuer of Darien, is onlye eyght
degrees diflante from the Equinoctiall lyne: So that the commone forte of owre men, fcarfely perceaue anye
difference in lengthe betwene the day and nyght all the hole yeare. But bycaufe they are ignorant in aftronomie, they can perceaue noo fmaule difference. Therfore wee neede not much paffe if the degree do differ fum
what from theyr opinion, for afmuche as the difference can not bee greate. The day after that they arryued at
the lande, they fayled alonge by the ryuer, where they founde a greate thicket of reedes continuinge for the
fpace of a myle in length fuppofing (as it chaunced in deede) that the bortherers there aboute which had fledde,
had eyther lyne lurkynge there, or els to haue hyd theyr ftuffe amonge thofe reedes: Where vppon, armynge
them felues with theyr targettes, for feare of the people lyinge in ambuffhe. they fearched the thicket dilygently,
110O




The feconde Decade.


III


_ _I


and founde it withowte men, but replenyfhed with houfeholde fluffe and golde. They fownde alfo a great
multitude of fheetes, made of the fylke or cotton of the goffampine tree. Lykewyfe dyuers kyndes of veffels
and tooles made of woodde, and many of earth: Alfo many brefte plates of gold and ouches wrought after theyr
maner, to the fum of a hundreth and twoo pounde weight. For they alfo take pleafure in the bewtie of gold,
and worke it very artificially, although it bee not the price of thynges amonge them as with vs. They haue it
owte of other Regions for exchaunge of fuch thynges as theyr contrey bringeth furthe. For fuche Regions as
haue plentie of breade and goffampine, lacke golde: And fuche as brynge furth golde, are for the moft parte
rowght with montaynes and rockes, and therfore baren. And thus they exercife marchandies withowte the vfe
of money. Reioyfing therfore with double gladdenes, afwell in that they fawe greate lykenes of golde, as alfo
that fortune hadde offered them foo fayre and frutefull a contrey, they fent for theyr felowes whom they hadde
lefte before in the eafte fyde of the goulfe of Vraba. Yet fume faye that the ayer is there vnholfome, bycaufe
that parte of the Region lyethe in a lowe valley enuironed with mountaynes and maryfihes.
1 THE SECONDE BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE,
Of the     fifipofed continente.


Sheetes of
gossarnpine.
Breste plates of
golde.
The golden
Regions, are for
the moste parte
baren.


Haue defcribed to yowre holynes where Fogeda with his coompany (to whome the large
tractes of Vraba was affigned to inhabite) intended to fallen there foote. Lette vs nowe
therfore leaue them of Vraba for a whyle, and returne ageyne to Nicuefa to whom the gouernaunce and Lieuetenauntefhippe of the mofte large prouince of Beragua (beinge the wefte
fyde of the goulfe of Vraba) was appoynted. We haue declared howe Nicuefa departinge
with one carauell and twoo brigantines frome Vraba the iurifdiction of his frende and companyon Fogeda, directed his courfe weftwarde to Beragua, leauinge the bygger fhippes
fumewhat behynde hym, to folowe hym a farre of. But he tooke this diuife in an euyll howre. For he bothe
lofle his felowes in the nyght, and went paft the mouth of the ryuer of Beragua, which he chiefely fowght. One
Lupus Oanus a Cantabrian, and gouernoure of one of the greate fhippes, had the conducte of one of the
brigantines. He commynge behynde, lerned of th[e]inhabitantes which was the waye Eaftewarde to the goulfe
of Beragua ouer paffed and lefte behynde of Nicuefa.  Olanus therfore directinge his courfe towarde the Eafle,
mette with the other brigantine which had alfo wandered owte of the way by reafon of the darkenes of the
nyght. The gouernour of this brigantine, was one Petrus de Vmbria. Thus bothe beinge gladde of theyr
meetinge, they confulted what was befl to bee doone, and which way they coulde coniecture their gouernour
had taken his vyage. After deliberation, they iudged that Nicuefa could no more lacke fum to put him in
rememberaunce of Beragua, then they them felues were myndful therof, hopynge alfo to fynde hym there.
They fayled therefore towarde Beragua: where they founde within. xvi. myles dyftant, a ryuer which Colonus
named Lagartos, bycaufe it nooryfhethe greate lyfardes whiche in the Spanyffhe toonge are cauled Lagartos.
Thefe lyfertes are hurtfull bothe to man and beafte, and in fhape muche lyke vnto the Crocodiles of the ryuer
of Nilus in Egypte. In this ryuer, they founde theyr companyons and felowes of theyr erroure lyinge at anker
with the greate ihippes which folowed behynde by the gouernours commaundement. Here the hole affembl[i]e
beinge carefull and difquieted by reafon of the gouernours erroure, after confultacion, by th[e]aduife of the
capitaynes of the brigantines, who had rafed nere vnto the coafles of Beragua, they fayled directly thether.
Beragua, in the language of th[e]inhabitantes of the fame prouince, is as much to faye, as the golden ryuer.
The region it felfe is alfo cauled by the fame name, takynge name of the ryuer. In the mouth of this ryuer, the
greateft veffels call anker, and conueighed al theyr vytailes and other neceffaries to lande with theyr fhippe
boates: and elected Lupus O0anus to bee theyr gouernour in the Rfeede of Nicuefa whom they had lofle. By
th[e]aduice therfore of Olanus and the other vnder capitaynes, that all hope of departure myght bee taken from
the fouldiers which they had nowe browght thether, and to make them the more wyllinge to inhabite that land,
they vtterly forfooke and cafte of thofe fhyppes beinge nowe rotten for age, and fuffered them to bee fhaken
and broofed of the furges of the fea. Yet of theyr foundefle plankes, with other newe, made of the trees of that
Region (which they fay to be excedinge bygge and hygh) they framed a newe carauel fhortly after, whiche they
myght vfe to ferue for theyr neceffitie. But Beragua was founde by the vnfortunate deftenie of Petrus de Vmbria.
For he, beinge a man of prompt wytte and apt forwardenes to attempte thynges (in whiche fumetyme fortune
wyll beare a ftroke notwithftlandinge owre prouidence) tooke vpon hym th[e]aduenture to fearche the fhore to
th[e]intent to find a waye for his felowes where they myght befle coome alande. For this purpofe, he chofe
IX!


Fogeda, the
Lieuetenaunt of
Vraba
Nicuesa the
Lieuetenaunt of
Beragua.
Nicuesa loste his
felowes in the
night.
LuAius Olanus
Petrus de vmbria
The capitaynes
consulte where to
find theyr lost
gouernour.
The ryuer
Lagartos.
58
The golden ryuer
of Beragua.
The enterprise
and death of
Petrus de Vmbria.




112


The feconde Decade.




The daungerous
place of Scilla in
the sea of Cicilie.
Swymininge
The fyssher boate
of Nicuesa his
carauele.
The miserable
case of Nicuesa.
59
The Region of
Gratia Dei or
Cerabaro.
The ryuer of
Sancti Matthei.
The rigorousnes
of Nicuesa.
Come waxeth
rype euery fourth
month
The commendation
of a younge man
browght vp with
Colonus.
Portus Bellus.
Weakenes of
hunger.
Cap, Marmzor.


hym twelue maryners, and wente aboorde the fhippe boate whiche ferued the greatefle fhyppes. The flowinge
of the fea, raged and rored there, with a horrible whurlinge as wee reede of the daungerous place of Scylla in the
fea of Scicilie, by reafon of the houge and ragged rockes reachyng into the fea, from which the waues rebounding
with violence, make a greate noyfe and rowghnes on the water, whiche rowghnes or reflowinge, the Spanyardes
caule Refacca. In thefe daungers wretched Vmbria wrefteled a while. But in fhorte fpace, a waue of the fea
almofte as bygge as a mountayne, reboundinge from the rockes, ouerwhelmed the boate and deuoured the fame
with the men, euen in the fight of theyr felowes: So that of them all, onely one efcaped by reafon he was
experte in fwymmynge. For gettinge holde of the corner of a rocke, and fufteynynge the rage of the fea vntyll
the nexte daye when it wexed caulme, and the Ihore was drye by the faule of the water, he efcaped and reforted
to his coompanye. But Vmbria with the other eleuen, were vtterlye caite away. The refydue of the coompany,
durft not commite them felues to the fhippe boates, but went alande with theyr brigantines. Where remaynynge
a fewe dayes, and faylinge alonge by the ryuer, they founde certeyne vyllages of th[e]inhabitantes, which they
caule Mumu. Here they beganne to build a fortreffe, and to fowe feedes after the maner of theyr countrey, in
a certeyne vale of frutefull grownde, bicaufe in other places the region is baren. As thefe thynges were thus
dooinge in Beragua, one of their coompanye ftandynge vppon the toppe of a hyghe rocke of efpeciall, and
lyftynge his eyes towarde the WeRe, beganne to crye, Lynnyn fayles, lynnyn fayles. And the nerer it drewe
towarde hym, he perceaued it to bee a fhyppe boate comminge with a lyttle fayle. Yet receaued they it with
muche reioyfinge: for it was the fyfiher boate of Nicuefa his carauele, and of capacitie to carye onely fyue men,
and had nowe but three in it, which had floulne it from Nicuefa bycaufe he refuted to gyue credit to theim that
he had paffed Beragua, and lefte it behynde hym Eaftwarde. For they feinge Nicuefa and his felowes to
confume dayely by famynne, thowght they woolde proue fortune with that boate, if their chaunce myght bee to
fynde Beragua, as in deede it was. Debatinge therefore with theyr felowes, of thefe matters, they declared
howe Nicuefa erred and lofte the carauele by tempeft, and that he was nowe wanderinge amonge the maryfthes
of vnknowen coaftes, full of myferie and in extreeme penurie of all thynges, hauinge nowe lyued for the fpace
of three fcore and tenne dayes, only with herbes and rootes, and fyldoome with frutes of the countrey, contented
to drinke water, and yet that often tymes faylynge, bycaufe he was inflant to trauayle weflwarde by foote, fuppofing
by that meanes to come to Beragua. Colonus the fyrfte fynder of this mayne lande, had coafted alonge by this tracte,
and named it Gratia Dei: but the inhabitantes caule it Cerabaro. Throwghe this Region, there runneth a ryuer
which owre men named Sanli Matthei, diflante from the weite fyde of Beragua aboute a hundrethe and thirtie
myles. Here I lette paffe the name of this ryuer, and ofmanye other places by the names which th[e]inhabitantes
vfe, bycaufe owre men are ignorant thereof. Thus Lzpus Olanus the conductor of one of the fhippes of Nicuefa,
and nowe alfo vice Leauetenaunt in his fleede, after that he hadde receaued this information of the maryners,
fente thether a brigantine vnder theyr guydynge, thefe maryners therfore, which came in the fyffher boate,
founde Nicuefa, and browght hym to the place where O/anus laye, whome at his commynge he cafle in pryfon,
and accufed hym of treafon bycaufe he vfurped th[e]autoritie of the Lieuetenauntfhippe, and that for the defyre
lie had to beare rule and bee in autoritie, he tooke no care of his errours: alfo that he behaued hym felfe
negligently: demaundinge further more of hym, what was the caufe of his foo longe delay. Lykewyfe he fpake
to al the vnder officers Iharplye and with a troubled mynde: And within fewe dayes after commaunded them
to truffe vp theyr packes, and make them redye to departe. They defyred hym to quyet hym felfe, and to
forbeare them a while vntyl they had reaped the corne that they had fowne, which wolde fhortly bee rype. For
all kynd of corne waxeth rype there euery fourth moonethe after it is fowne. But he vtterly denyed to tarye
any whytte: but that he woolde foorthwith departe from that vnfortunate lande: And plucked vp by the rootes
al that euer was browght into the goulfe of Beragua, and commaunded them to directe theyr courfe towarde
the Eafte. After they had fayled aboute the fpace of. xvi. myles, a certeyne younge man whofe name was
Gregorie, a Genues borne, and of a chylde browght vp with Colonus, cauled to rememberance that there was a
hauen not farre frome thenfe: And to proue his fayinge trewe, he gaue his felowes thefe tokens: that is, that
they Ihulde fynde vppon the ihore, an anker of a lofle ihyppe halfe couered with fande: And vnder a tree nexte
vnto the hauen, a fprynge of cleere water. They came to the lande: founde the anker and the fprynge, and
commended the wytte and memorye of the younge man, that he only amonge many of the maryne[r]s whiche
had fearched thofe coaftes with Co/onus, bore the thynge foo well in mynde. This hauen, Colonus cauled
Portus Bellus. Wheras in this vyage for lacke of vytayles they were fumetymes enforced to goo alande, they
were euel entreated of the inhabitantes. By reafon wherof, theyr Rtrengthes were foo wekened with hunger,
that they were not able to keepe warre ageynft naked men, or fcarfely to beare theyr harnes on their backes.
And therfore owre men loRe twentie of theyr coompanie, which were flayne with venemous arrowes. They
confulted to leaue the one halfe of theyr felowes in the hauen of Portus Bellus: And the other parte Nicuefa
tooke with hym towarde the Eafte: where abowte twentie and eyght myles from Portus Bellus, he intended to
buylde a fortreffe harde by the fea fyde vppon the poynte or cape which in tyme paite Colonus named Marlmzor.
112




The jeconde Decade.


II3


But they were foo feeble by reafon of longe hunger, that theyr ftrength ferued them not to fufteyne fuche
laboure. Yet he erected a lyttle towre able to refyft the fyrit affaute of the inhabitantes. This towre he
cauled N7omen Dei. From the tyme that he left Beragua, what in the iorney amonge the fandie playnes, then
alfo for hunger whyle he buylded the towre, of the fewe which remayned a lyue, he lofle twoo hundreth. And
thus by lyttle and lyttle, the multitude of feuen hundreth foure fcore and fyue men, was nowe browght to
fcarfely one hundreth. Whyle Nicuefa lyued with thefe few miferable men, there arofe a contention amonge
them of Vraba, as concerninge the Lieuetenantfhippe. For one Vafchus NJunnez, by the iudgemente of all
men, truftynge more to his firengthe then wytte, ftoured vp certeyne lyght felowes ageynit Ancifus, fayinge that
Anczfus had not the kynges letters patentes for that office: And that it was not fufficient that he was autorifed
by Fogeda, And therfore forbodde that he fhulde execute the office of the Lieuetenaunteihippe: And wylled
theym to chute certeyne of theyr owne coompanye, by whofe counfayle and authoritie they myght bee
gouerned.
Thus beinge diuided into factions by reafon that Fogeda, their capitayne came not ageyne, whom they
fuppofed to bee nowe deade of his venemous wounde, they contended whether it were belle to fubflitute Nicuefa
in his place. The wyfefle forte fuche as were famylier with Nicuefa, and coulde not beare th[e]infolencie of
Vafchus Nunnez, thowght it good that Nicuefa fhuld bee fowght owt throwgh owt all thofe coaftes. For they
had knoweledge that he departed from Beragua bycaufe of the barennes of the grounde: And that by
th[e]exemple of Ancifus, and fuche other as had made fhippewracke, it were poffible that he might wander in
fume fecreate place: And that they coulde not be quiete in theire myndes vntyll they knewe the certentie,
whether he with his felowes were alyue or deade. But Vafchus Nunnez, fearinge leafle at the commyng of
Nicuefa he fhulde not bee had in autoritie emonge his felowes, fayde they were mad men to thinke that Nicuefa
lyued: And althowgh he were alyue, yet that they hadde noo neade of his helpe. For he auouched that there
was none of his felowes, that were not as meete to rule as Nicuefa. While they were thus reafonynge too and
froo, one Rodericus Colmenaris arryued in thofe coafltes with two greate fhippes hauinge in theym three fcore
freffhe men, with greate plentie of vitailes and apparel. Of the navigation of this Colmenaris, I intende to fpeake
fumewhat more. He therfore departed from the hauen of.i5fpaniola cauled Beata (where they prepare and
furnyffhe theym felues whiche make any viage into thefe landes) aboute the Ides of October in the yeare.
15 10: And landed the. ix. of Nouember in a Region in the large prouince of Paria founde by Colonus betwene
the hauen Carthago and the Region of Cuchibachoa. In this viage what by the rowghnes of the fea and fiercenes
of the barbarians, he fuffered many incommodities. For when his freffhe water fayled, he fayled to the mouthe
of a certeyne riuer which th[e]inhabitantes caule Gaira, beinge apte to receaue fhippes. This ryuer had his
courfe from the toppe of an exceadinge hyghe mountayne couered with fnowe, hygher then the which, all the
coompanyons of this capitayne Rodericus, faye that they neuer fawe. And that by good reafon, yf it were
couered wyth fnowe in that Region which is not pafl ten degrees diflante from the Equinodial lyne. As they
beganne to drawe water owt of their fhippeboate, a certeyne Kynge made towarde theym appareled with veftures
of goflampine cotton, hauinge twentie noble men in his coompanye appareled alfo: Whyche thinge feemed
ftraunge to owre men, and not feene before in thofe parties. The Kinges apparell, hunge loofe from his
fhoulders to his elbowes: And from the gerdle downewarde, it was muche like a womans kertle, reachinge euen
to his heeles. As he drewe neere towarde owre men, he feemed frendly to admonyffhe theym to take none of
the water of that ryuer, affirminge it to bee vnholfome for men: And Ihewed theym that not farre from thenfe,
there was a ryuer of good water. They came to the ryuer. And endeuouringe to coome nere the fhore, they
were dryuen backe by tempefle. Alfo the burbulinge of the fande, declared the fea to bee but fhalowe there.
They were therefore enforced to returne to the fyrfle ryuer where they myght fafely cafle anker. This Kinge
layde wayte for owre men. For as they were fyllinge theire barrelles, he fet on theym with abowt feuen
hundreth men (as owre men iudged) armed after theire maner, althowgh they were naked. For only the
kynge and his noble men were appareled. They tooke away the fhippeboate, and brooke it in maner to chips:
foo fiercely affaylynge owre menne with theyr venemous arrowes, that they flewe of them fortie and feuen beefore
they coulde couer them felues with theyr targettes. For that poyfon is of fuch force, that albeit the woundes
were not great, yet they dyed therof immediatly. For they yet knewe noo remedie ageynfle this kynde of poyfon,
as they after lerned of th[e]inhabitantes of Hifpaniola. For this Ilande bringeth foorth an herbe which
quencheth and mortifieth the violent poyfon of the herbe wherewith theyr arrowes are infected, foo that it bee
miniflred in tyme. Yet of owre coompany whiche went for water, feuen efcaped that conflicte, and hyd them
felues in a hollowe tree, lurkynge there vntyll nyght. Yet efcaped they not the handes of theyr enemyes. For
the fhippe departed from thenfe in the nyght feafon and lefte them there, fuppofinge that they had byn flayne.
Thus by manye fuche perels and daungers (which I lyghtly ouerpaffe bicaufe I wyl not bee tedious to yowre
holynes) he arryued at the length at the hauen of Vraba, and cafl anker at the eafle fyde therof, from whenfe not
longe before, owre men departed to the weft fyde by reafon of the barennes of that foyle. When he had
EDEN.                           M                                  II13


Nomen Dei.
Nicuesa his men
consumed
Contencion
about the
lieuetenauntship
of Vraba.
Vaschus Nunnez
moueth sedition.
Ancisus
lieuetenaunt for
Fogeda.
60
Nicuesa.
Rodericus
Colmenrans.
The nauigation
of Rodericus
Colmenaris.
Cuchibacoa.
The ryuer Gaira.
An exceding hygh
mountayne
couered with
snowe.
Appareled men.
Seuen and forty
Spanyardes are
slaine with
venemous arrowes.
PIeru.
A remedy agenste
venemous arrows
Seuen men left
behynde.
The hauen of
Vraba.




tI4


61
The goulfe of
Vraba.
Dariena.
Famen.
What became of
the contencion of
Vraba


The feconde Decade.
contynued a whyle in the hauen, and fawe noo man flourynge, marueylinge at the filence of the places
(for he fuppofed there to haue fownde his felowes) he coulde not coniecture what this fhulde meane:
and there vppon beganne to fufpecte that eyther they were deade, or that they had chaunged the place
of theyr habitacion. To knowe the certentie hereof, he commaunded all the greate ordinaunce and other fmaule
gunnes which he had in his fhippes, to bee charged: And fyers to bee made in the nyght vppon the toppes of
the rockes. Thus the fyers beinge kyndeled, he commaunded all the gunnes to bee fhotte of at one inflante:
by the horrible noyfe whereof, the goulfe of Vraba was Ihaken, althowghe it were. xxiiii. myles diftante: for foo
brode is the goulfe. This noyfe was harde of theyr felowes in Dariena: And they aunfwered them ageyne
with mutual fyers. Wherfore, by the folowynge of thefe fyers, Colmenaris browght his fhippes to the Weft fyde.
Here thofe wretched and miferable men of Dariena which nowe thorowgh famen and feeblenes helde theyr wery
fowles in theyr teethe redy to departe from theyr bodies by reafon of the calamities which beefell vnto them
after Anzczus fhippewracke, lyftinge vp theyr handes to heauen, with the teares runnynge downe theyr cheekes
bothe for ioye and forowe, embrafed Rodericus and his felowes with fuch kynde of reioyfinge as their prefente
neceffitie feemed to requyre. For whereas they were before his comminge, withowte vytayles and almofte naked,
he brought them abundance of meate, drynke, and apparell. It reflethe nowe (mofte holy father) to declare
what came of the diffention amonge them of Vraba, as concernynge the gouernaunce after the loffe of theyr
capitaynes.
I THE THYRDE BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE
Of the fuppofed continent.


Beragua.
Nicuesa is sought
foorth
Nicuesa is founde
in a miserable
case.
Insolencie of to
much felicitie.
62
Nicuesa fauleth
from one miserie
into an other.


I1 the chiefe officers in Beragua, and fuch as were moft politike in counfayle, determyned that
Nicuefa fhulde bee fowght owte if by any meanes he coulde bee founde. Where vppon they
tooke from Ancifus the gouernoure refufinge the commynge of Nicuefa, a brygantyne whiche
he made of his owne charges: And agreed, ageynft bothe the wyll of Ancifus, and the mafter
of fence Vafchus Nunnez, that Nicuefa fhulde bee fowght foorthe to take away the ftryfe as
touchinge the gouemement. They elected therfore Colmenaris (of whom we fpake before)
to take this matter in hande: wyllynge hym to make diligent fearch for Nicuefa in thofe
coaftes where they fuppofed he erred. For they harde that he had forfaken Beragua, the region of an vnfrutefull grounde. They gaue hym therfore commaundement to brynge Nicuefa with hym, and further to declare
vnto hym that he fhulde doo ryght good feruice to coome thether, in takyng away th[e]occafion of theyr
feditions.  Colmenaris tooke the thynge vppon hym the more gladly bycaufe Nicuefa was his very frende:
Suppofinge that his commynge with vytayles fhulde bee noo leffe thankefull to Nicuefa and his coompanie,
then it was to them of Vraba. Furnyffhynge therefore one of his owne fhippes whiche he browght with hym
and alfo the brigantyne taken frome Ancifus, he frayghted the fame with part of the vytayles and other
neceffaries which he browght with hym before from Hifpaniola to Vraba. Thus courfynge alonge by all the
coaftes and goulfes nere there abowte, at the length at the poynte called Marmor, he founde Nicuefa, of all
lyuynge men moft infortunate, in maner dryed vppe with extreeme hunger, fylthye and horrible to beholde,
with onely three fcore men in his company, lefte alyue of feuen hundreth. They al feemed to hym foo
miferable, that he noo leffe lamented theyr cafe, then yf he had founde them deade. But Colmenaris conforted
his frende Nicuefa: and embrafinge hym with teares and cherefull woordes, relyued his fpirites, and further
encoraged hym with greate hope of better fortune: declarynge alfo that his commynge was looked for and
greatelye defyred of al the good men of Vraba, for that they hoped that by his autoritie, theyr difcorde and
contention flulde bee fynyffhed.  Nicuefa thanked his frende Colmenaris after fuch forte as his calamitie
requyred. Thus they tooke fhyppe to gyther, and fayled directly to Vraba. But fo variable and vnconflant
is the nature of man, that he foone groweth owte of vfe, becommeth infolente and vnmyndful of benefites after
to much felicitie. For Nicuefa, after thus many teares and weepynges, after dyuers bewaylinges of his infortunate defteny, after fo many thankes geuynge, ye after that he had faulen downe to the grounde and kyffed the
feete of Colmenaris his fauioure, he beganne to quarel with hym before he came yet at Vraba, reprouinge hyml
and them all for th[e]alteracion of the Rate of thynges in Vraba, and for the gatheringe of golde: Affirming
that none of them owght to haue layde hande of any golde with owte the aduice of hym or of Fogeda his coompanion. When thefe fayinges and fuche lyke, dame to the eares of theym of Vraba, they foo floured vp the
myndes of Anczfus Lieuetenaunte for Fogeda, and alfo of Vafchus Nunnez, of the contrary parte, ageinfle Nicuefa,
14




The feconde Decade.


II5


that fhortely after his arryuall with his three fcore men, they commaunded hym with threatenynge to departe
from thenfe. But this pleafed not the better fort. Yet fearynge leaft tumult fhulde bee amonge the people
whom Vafchus Nunnez had fiered to factions, the beft parte was fayne to giue place to the greateft. This
wretched man therfore Nicuefa thus drowned in miferies, was thrufte into the brigantyne whiche he hym felfe
browght: and with hym only feuentene men, of his three fcore which remayned alyue. He tooke fhyppe in
the Calendes of Marche in the yeare. 151I. intendynge to goo to HifpanioZa to coomplayne of the raffhenes of
Vafchus Nunnez, and of the violence doone to hym by Ancifus. But he entered into the brigantine in an
vnfortunate houre: for he was neuer feene after. They fuppofe that the brigantine was drowned with all the
men therin. And thus vnhappie Nicuefa faulynge headlonge owte of one miferye into an other, ended his lyfe
more myferablye then he lyued. Nicuefa beinge thus vylely reiected, and al theyr vytayles confumed which
Colmenaris browght them, faulynge in maner madde for hunger, they were enforced lyke raueninge woolues
feakynge theyr praye, to inuade fuche as dwelte abowte theyr confynes.  Vafchus Nunnez therefore, theyr newe
capitayne of theyr owne election, affeitbling togyther a hundreth and thirtie men, and fettinge them in order of
battell after his fwoordeplayers faffhion, puffed vppe with pryde, placed his fouldiers as pleafed hym in the
forwarde and rereward, and fume as pertifens abowt his owne perfon. Thus affociatinge with hym Colmenaris,
he wente to fpoyle the kynges which were bortherers there abowte, and came fyrit to a Region abowte that
coafte, cauled Coiba, (wher of we made mencion before) imperioufly and with cruel countenaunce commaundinge the kynge of the region whofe name was Careta, (of whome they were neuer troubled as often as they
paffed by his dominions) to gyue them vytayles. But Careta denyed that he coulde gyue them any at that
tyme: alleagyng that he had oftentymes ayded the Chriflians as they paffed by thofe coaftes: by reafon wherof
his flore was nowe confumed: Alfo that by the meanes of the contynuall warre which he kepte euer from his
chyldes age with a kyng whofe name is Poncha, bortheringe vppon his dominion, he and his famelie were in
greate fcarfenes of all thynges. But Vafchus woolde admytte none of thefe excufes: And thervppon tooke
Careta prifoner, fpoyled his vyllage, and browght hym bownd with his twoo wyues and chyldren and all his
famelie to Dariena. With this kynge Careta, they founde three of the felowes of Nicuefa, the whiche when
Nicuefa paffed by thofe coafles to feeke Beragua, fearynge punyffhement for theyr euyll defertes ifoule away
from the fhyppes lyinge at anker: And when the nauie departed, commytted them felues to the mercie of
Careta, who enterteyned them very frendely. They had nowe bynne there. xviii. moonethes, and were therefore as vtterly naked as the people of the contrey. Duringe this tyme, the meate of th[e]inhabitantes feemed
vnto them delicate diffhes and princely fare: efpecially bycaufe they enioyed the fame withowte any firyfe for
myne and thyne, which twoo thynges moue and enforce men to fuch harde fhyftes and miferies, that in lyuing
they feeme not to lyue. Yet defyred they to returne to theyr owlde cares, of fuche force is education and
natural effection towarde them with whom we haue byn browght vp. The vytayles whiche Vafchus browght
frome the vyllage of Careta to his felowes lefte in Dariena, was rather fumewhat to affuage theyr prefent hunger,
then vtterly to take away theyr neceffitie. But as touchinge Ancifus beinge Lieuetenaunt for Fogeda, whether
it were before thefe thynges or after, I knowe not. But this I am fure of, that after the reiectinge of Nicuefa,
many occafions were fought agenft Ancifus by Vafcus and his factionaries. Howe foo euer it was, Ancifus was
taken, and caft in pryfon, and his goodes confifcate. The caufe hereof was, (as Vafchus alleaged) that Ancifus
hadde his commiffion of the Lieuetenauntfhippe, of Fogeda onely whome they fayde to bee nowe deade,
and not of the kynge.  Sayinge that he woolde not obey any man that was not put in office by the
kyng hym felfe by his letters patentes. Yet at the requeft of the grauefte forte, he was fumwhat pacified,
and delt more gentelly with hym, hauinge fum compaffion of his calamities. And thervppon commaunded
hym to bee loofed. Ancifus beinge at libertie, tooke fhyppe to departe from thenfe to Hifpaniola. But beefore
he had hoyfed vppe his fayle, all the wyfeft forte reforted to hym, humbly defyringe hym to returne ageyne:
promyfynge that they wolde doo theyr diligence, that Vafchzus beinge reconciled, he myght bee reflored to his
full autoritie of the Lieuetenauntfhippe. But Ancifus refufed to confent to theyr requeft and foo departed.
Yet fume there were that murmured that god and his angels fhewed this reuenge vpon Ancifus, bycaufe Nicuefa
was reiected throwgh his counfayle. Howe foo euer it bee, the fearchers of the newe landes, faule headlonge
into ruine by theyr owne follye, confuminge them felues with ciuile difcorde, not weighinge foo greate a matter,
nor employinge theyr befle endeuoure aboute the fame as the woorthynes of the thynge requyreth. In this
meane tyme, they determyned all with one agreemente, to fende meffengers into Hif/aniola to the younge
Admirall and viceroy, fonne and heyre to Chrif/ophorus Colonus the fynder of thefe landes, and to the other
gouemoures of the Ilande (from whom the newe landes receaue theyr ayde and lawes) to fignifie vnto them
what flate they floode in, and in what neceffitie they lyued: alfo what they had founde, and in what hope they
were of greater thinges if they were furnyfhed with plentie of vytayles and other neceffaries. For this purpofe
they elected at the affignement of Vafcus, one Valdiuia, beinge one of his faction, and inflructed by hym ageinfl
Ancifus. And to bee affiflant with hym, they appoynted one Zamudius a Cantabrian: So that commaundeI15


The greatest part
ouercommeth the
best
The death of
Nicuesa.
Famen enforseth
them to faule to
spoylynge.
Vaschus vsurpeth
th[e]autoritie of the
Lieue.tenantshippe.
Careta, kinge of
Coiba.
Kynge Careta is
taken and spoyled.
Hunger is the best
sauce.
Myne and thine
the seedes of al
mischefe.
Ancisus,
lieuetenaunt for
Fogeda is cast ii
prison.
Ancisus taket
his vyage to
hispaniola.
63
The reueng[e] of
God.
The
inconueniences of
discorde.
The sonne and
heyre of Colonus,
is Admirall and
Viceroy of
hispanmola.
Valdiuia.




II6


The feconde Decade.


Zamudius and
Ancisus, take their
vyage to Spayne.
Kinge Poncha.
Swoordes of
woodde.
Kynge Careta
conspireth with
the Spanyardes
agenst kynge
Poncha.
Wrought gold
The region of
Comogra, distant
frome Dariena.
xxx. leaques.
Kynge Comogrus.


ment was gyuen to Valdiuia to returne from HifJpaniola with vytayles: And Zamudius was appoynted to take
his vyage into Spayne to the kynge. They tooke fhippe togyther with Ancifus, hauinge in mynde to certifie the
kynge howe thynges were handeled there, muche otherwyfe then Zamudius information. I my felfe fpake with
both Ancifus and Zamudius at their commynge to the courte. Whyle they were occupied aboute thefe matters,
thofe wretched men of Dariena loofed Careta the kynge of Coiba vppon condicion that he fliulde ayde theym in
theyr warres ageynft his enemy and theyrs, kynge Poncha bortheringe vpon his dominions. Careta made a league
with them, promyfinge that as they paffed by his kyngedome, he woolde gyue them all thynges neceffarie, and
meete them with an armie of men, to goo forwarde with them to the battaile agenft Poncha. Theyr weapons
are nother bowes nor venemed arrowes, as we fayde th[e]inhabitantes to haue which dwel eatlwarde beyonde
the goulfe. They feight therefore at hande, with longe fwordes (which they caule Macanas) made of wood
bycaufe they haue noo Iren. They vfe alfo longe flaues lyke iauelens hardened at the endes with fyer, or typte with
bone. Alfo certeyne flynges and dartes. Thus after the league made with Careta, bothe he and owre men had
certeyne dayes appoynted them to tyll theyr grounde and fowe theyr feedes. This doone, by the ayde of
Careta and by his conduction, they marched towarde the palaice of Poncha, who fledde at theyr commynge.
They fpoyled his vyllage and mytigated theyr hunger with fuch vytayles as they founde there. Yet coulde they
not helpe their felowes therwith by reafon of the farre diftance of the place, althowghe they had greate plentie.
For the vyllage of Poncha, was more then a hundreth myles diflant from Dariena: wheras was alfo none other
remedy but that the fame fhulde haue byn caryed on mens backes to the fea fyde beinge farre of, where they
left theyr fhyppes- in the which they came to the vyllage of Careta. Here they founde certeyne powndes
weyght of gold, grauen and wrought into fundrye ouches. After the facking of this vyllage they reforted
toward the fhips intendyng to leaue the kinges of the inland vntouched at this tyme, and to inuade onely them
which dwelt by the fea coaftes. Not farre from Coiba, in the fame tracte, there is a Region named Comnogra,
and the Kinge thereof, cauled Comogrus after the fame name. To this Kinge they came fyrfl next after the
fubvertion of Poneha: And founde his palaice fituate in a frutefull playne of twelue leaques in bredthe, at the
rootes of the further fyde of the nexte mountaynes.  Comogrus had in his courte a certeyne noble man of nere
confanguinitie to Kynge Careta, whiche had fledde to Comogrus by reafon of certeyne diffention whiche was
betwene Careta and hym. Thefe noble men, they caule Iura. This lura therfore of Coiba, mette owre men
by the way, and conciled Comogrus to them, bycaufe he was well knowen to owr men from the time that
Nicuefa paffed fyrft by thofe coafles. Owre men therefore went quietlye to the palaice of Comogrus beinge
diflante from Dariena thirtie leaques by a plaine waye abowte the mountaynes, This Kynge Comogrus, had
feuen fonnes, younge men of comelye forme and ftature, whiche he had by fundry wyues. His palaice was
framed of pofles or proppes made of trees faftened togeyther after a ftraunge forte, and of foo ftronge bylding,
that it is of no leffe ftrength then waules of flone. They which meafured the length of the floure thereof,
founde it to bee a hundreth and fyftie pafes, and in breadthe, foure fcore foote: beinge roofed and paued with
maruelous arte. They founde his ftore houfe, furnyffhed with abundance of delicate vitailes after the maner of
theyr countrey: And his wyne celler replenished with great veffelles of earth and alfo of woodde fylled with
theyr kynde of wyne and fyder. For they haue noo grapes. But lyke as they make theyr breade of thofe
three kyndes of rootes cauled lucca, agis, and Maizium, (whereof we fpake in the fyrfle decade) Soo make they
theyr wyne of the frutes of date trees, and fyder of other frutes and feedes, as doo the Almaynes, Flemynges,
Englyffhe men, and owre Spanyardes whych inhabite the mountaynes, as the Vafcons and Aflurians: likewife
in the mountaynes of the Alpes, the Noricians, Sueuians, and Heluetians, make certeyne drynkes of barley, wheat,
hoppes, and apples. They fay alfo that with Comogrus, they droonk wynes of fundry tatlles, both whyte and
blacke. But nowe yow fhall heare of a thynge more monflrous too behoulde. Enterynge therfor into the
inner partes of the palaice, they were browght into a chamber hanged aboute with the carkefes of men, tyed
with ropes of goffampine cotton. Beinge demaunded what they ment by that fuperflition, they anfwered that
thofe were the carkefes of the father, graundefather, and great graundfather with the other aunceflours of theyr
Kyng Comogrus. Declaringe that they had the fame in greate reuerence, and that they tooke it for a godly
thynge to honoure them religioufly: And therfore appareled euery of the fame fumptuouflye with golde and
precious flones accordynge vnto theyr eftate. After this forte dyd the antiquitie honoure theyr Penates, whyche
they thowght had the gouernaunce of their lyues. Howe they drye thefe carkefes vppon certeine inflrumentes
made of wood, like vnto hurdels, with a fofte fyer vnder the fame, fo that onely the fkynne remayneth to houlde
the bones together, we haue defcribed in the former decade. Of Comogrus his feuen fonnes, the eldeft had an
excellente naturall wytte. He therfore thowght it good to flatter and pleafe thys wandrynge kynde of men
(owr men I meane) lyuynge onely by fhiftes and fpoyle, leafl beinge offended and feekynge occafions ageynfle
hym and his familie, they fhuld handle hym as they dyd other whiche fowght noo meanes howe to gratifie theym.
Wherefore, he gaue Vafchus and Colmenaris foure thoufande ounces of golde artificially wrought, and alfo fyftie
flaues whyche he had taken in the warres. For fuche, eyther they fell for exchaunce of other thinges, or
116


The kynges
palaice.


64


Wyne and syder
Blacke wine.
The bodyes of
deade kynges
religiously
honoured.
Penates.
The carcases of
men dryed
The kynges sonne
a yonge man of
excellent wytte.
Foure thousande
vnces of wrought
golde.




Mr WMT RWRIMWIF-"                  - -


The feconde Decade.


I 7


__


otherwife vfe them as theym lyfteth: For they haue not the vfe of money. This golde with as muche more
which they had in an other place, owre men wayed in the porche of Comogrus his palaice to feparate the fyfte
parte thereof, whiche portion is due to the Kynges efcheker. For it is decreed that the fyft parte of both golde,
perles, and precious flones, ffiulde be affigned to the Kinges treafourers: And the refydue, to bee diuided
emoonge theym felues by compofition. Here as brabblynge and contention arofe emonge owr men abowt the
diuidinge of gold, this eldefte foonne of Kynge Comogrus beinge prefente, whome we prayfed for his wyfedome,
commynge fume what wyth an angery countenaunce towarde hym whiche helde the balences, he ifrooke theym
wyth his fyfle, and fcatered all the golde that was therein, abowte the porche, iharpely rebukynge theym with
woordes in this effecte. What is the matter yowe Chriftian men, that yow foo greatly efteme foo litle a portion
of golde more then yowr owne quietnes, whiche neuertheleffe yow entend to deface from thefe fayre ouches
and to melte the fame into a rude maffe. If yowre hunger of goulde bee foo infatiable that onely for the defyre
yowe haue therto, yowe difquiete foo many nations, and yow yowre felues alfo fufteyne foo many calamit[i]es and
incommodities, lyuing like banifhed men owte of yowre owne countrey, I wyll fhewe yowe a Region floweinge
with goulde, where yowe may fatiffie yowr raueninge appetites. But yowe mufte attempte the thynge
with a greater poure: For it flandeth yow in hande by force of armes to ouercome kynges of greate
puiffaunce, and rigorous defenders of theyr dominions. For befyde other, the greate kinge Tumanama
will coome foorthe ageynfle yowe, whofe kengdome is mofte ryche with golde, and diflante from henfe
onely fyx foonnes: that is, fyx dayes: for they number the dayes by the fonne. Furthermore, or euer
yowe canne coome thether, yow muff paffe ouer the mountaynes inhabited of the, cruell Canybales
a fierce kynde of men, deuourers of mans fleffhe, lyuing withowte lawes, wanderinge, and withowte empire.
For they alfo, beinge defyrous of golde, haue fubdewed them vnder theyr dominion whiche before inhabited
the golde mynes of the mountaynes, and vfe them lyke bondemen, vfyng their laboure in dygginge and workynge theyr golde in plates and fundry Images lyke vnto thefe whiche yowe fee here. For we doo no more
eileeme rude golde vnwrought, then we doo cloddes of earthe, before it bee formed by the hande of the workeman to the fimilitude eyther of fume veffell neceffarie for owre vfe, or fume ouche bewetifull to be worne.
Thefe thynges doo wee receaue of theim for exchaunge of other of owre thynges, as of prifoners taken in warre,
whiche they bye to eate, or for iheetes and other thynges perteynynge to the furnyture of houfeholde, fuche as
they lacke which inhabite the mountaynes: And efpecially for vitayles wherof they tfande in greate neede by
reafon of the barrennes of the mountaynes. This iomey therfore, muff bee made open by force of men. And
when yowe are paffinge ouer thefe mountaynes (poyntinge with his fynger towarde the fouthe mountaynes) yowe
Ihal fee an other fea, where they fayle with fhyppes as bygge as yowres (meanynge the caraueles) vfinge both
fayles and ores as yowe doo, althowghe the men bee naked as wee are. All the waye that the water runnethe
frome the mountaynes, and all that fyde lyinge towarde the Southe, bryngeth foorth golde abundantly. As he
fayde thefe woordes, he poynted to the veffelles in whiche they vie to ferue theyr meate, affirmynge that kynge
Tumanama, and all the other kynges beyonde the mountaynes, had fuche and al their other houfeholde fluffe of
golde: And that there was noo leffe plentie of golde amonge thofe people of the Southe, then of Iren with
vs. For he knewe by relation of owre men, wherof owre fwoordes and other weapons were made. Owre
capitaynes marueylyng at the oration of the naked younge man (for they had for interpretours thofe three men
whiche had byn before a yere and a halfe conuerfant in the court of kynge Careta) pondered in theyr myndes,
and erneftly confidered his fayinges. Soo that his raffhenes in fcatteringe the golde owte of the balances, they
turned to myrth and vrbanitie, commendynge his dooinge and fayinge therin. Then they alked hym frendely,
vppon what certeyne knoweleage he fpake thofe thynges: Or what he thowght befle herein to bee doone yf
they fhulde brynge a greater fupplye of men. To this, younge Comogrus, flayinge a whyle with hym felfe as it
were an oratour preparinge him felfe to fpeake of fume graue matter, and difpofynge his bodye to a giefiure
meete to perfuade, fpake thus in his mother tonge. Gyue eare vnto me o yowe Chryftians. Albeit that the
gredie hunger of golde hathe not yet vexed vs naked men, yet doo we deftroy one an other by reafon of ambition and defyre to rule. Hereof fpringeth mortall hatred amonge vs, and hereof commethe owre deftruction.
Owre prediceffours kepte warres, and foo dyd Comogrus my father with princes beinge bortherers abowte hym.
In the which warres, as wee haue ouercoome, fo haue wee byn ouercoome, as dothe appere by the number of
bondemen amonge vs, which we tooke by the ouerthrowe of owre enemyes, of the whiche I haue gyuen yowe
fiftie. Lykewyfe at an other tyme, owre aduerfaries hauinge th[e]upper hande agenfie vs, ledde away manye
of vs captiue. For fuche is the chaunce of warre. Alfo, amonge owre familiers (wherof a great number haue
byn captiues with them) beholde here is one whiche of longe tyme ledde a paynefull lyfe in bondage vnder the
yoke of that kynge beyonde the mountaynes, in whofe kyngdome is fuche abundance of golde. Of hym, and
fuche other innumerable, and lykewyfe by the refort of free men on theyr fyde comminge to vs, and ageyne of
owre men refortinge to theim by fafe conduct, thefe thynges haue byn euer as well knowen vnto vs, as owre
owne poffeffions. But that yowe maye bee the better affured hereof, and bee owte of all fufpection that yowe


The distribution
of golde.
Young Comogrus
his oration.
The hunger of
golde.
A region flowinge
wyth golde.
Kynge
Tumanama.
Canibales.
65
The golde mynes
of the mountaynes.
Vnwrought golde
not estemed.
Exchaunge.
Abundance of
golde.
Householde stuffe
of gold
Naked people
tormented with
ambition.
A vehement
persuasion.


M 2


It7




The Jeconde Decade.


' —~ --- —~i~  -I


66
A token of hunger.


Ihal not bee deceaued, make me the guyde of this viage, byndynge me faft and keepyng me in fafe cuftodie to
bee hanged on the next tree, yf yowe fynde my fayinges in any point vntrewe. Folowe my counfayle therfore,
and fend for a thoufande Chriftian men apte for the warres, by whofe power we may with alfo the men of
warre of Comogrus my father armed after owre maner, inuade the dominions of owre enemyes: where, bothe
yowe may bee fatiffyed with golde, and we for owre conductinge and aydynge yowe in this enterpryfe, fhall
thynke owre felues abundantly rewarded, in that yowe fhall helpe to delyuer vs from the iniuries and perpetuall
feare of owre enemies. After thefe woordes, this prudente younge Comogrus helde his peace. And owre men
moued with greate hope and hunger of golde, beganne ageine to fwalowe downe theyr fpettle.
( THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE,
Of the fuppofed       Continent.


Kynge Comogrus
is baptised with
his famely.
Valdiuia returneth
from hispaniola.
Horrible thunder
and lightnynge in
the moneth of
Nouember.
Bread of Maizius
and hobba
Digestion
strengthened by
owtwarde colde.
Hunger.


Fter that they had taryed here a fewe dayes and baptifed Comogrus with all his famelie, and
named hym by the name of Charles after the kynge of Spayne, they returned to theyr
felowes in Dariena leauinge with hym the hope of the thoufande fouldyers, which his fonne
m *      requyred to paffe ouer thofe mountaynes towarde the South fea. Thus enteringe into the
vyllage which they had chofen to inhabite, they had knowleage that Valdiuia was returned,
within fyxe moonethes after his departure: but with noo great plentie of vytayles, bycaufe
he browght but a fmaule fhippe: yet with hope that fhortely after, there fhulde bee fent
thein abundance of vytayles with a newe fupply of men. For younge Co/onus, the Admiral and viceroy of
Hijfpaniola, and the other gouernours of the Ilande, acknowleaged that hetherto they had noo refpecte to theym
of Dariena, bycaufe they fuppofed that Ancifus the Lieuetenant had fafely arryued there with his fhippe laden
with vatayles: wyllynge them from henfefoorth to bee of good cheere, and that they fhulde lacke nothynge
hereafter: But that at this prefent tyme, they had noo bygger fhippe wherby they myght fende them greater
plentie of neceffaries by Valdiuia. The vytayles therfore which he browght, ferued rather fumwhat to mytigate
theyr prefent neceffitie, then to fatiffye theyr lacke. Wherfore within a fewe dayes after Valdiuia his returne,
they fel ageine into lyke fcarfnes: efpecially for afmuch as a great florme and tempeft whiche came from the
hyghe mountaynes with horrible thunder and lyghtnynge in the mooneth of Nouember, browght with it fuche
a fludde, that it partely caryed away and partly drowned all the corne and feedes whiche they had fowne in the
moonethe of September in a frutefull grounde before they went to kyng Comogrus. The feedes which they of
Hifpaniola caule Maizium, and they of Vraba caule Hobba: Wherof they make theyr breade, which alfo wee
fayde to bee rype thryfe euery yeare, bycaufe thofe Regions are not bytten with the fharpnes of wynter by
reafon of theyr nerenes to the Equinoctial lyne. It is alfo agreable to the principles of naturall philofophie,
that this breade made of Maizius or Hobba, fhulde bee more holfome for th[e]inhabitantes of thofe contreys
then breade made of wheate, by reafon that it is of eafyer digeftion. For wheras coulde is wantinge, the
naturall heate is not dryuen frome the owtewarde partes into the inwarde partes and precordials, whereby
digeftion is much ftrengthened. Beinge therfore thus fruftrate of the increafe of theyr feedes, and the kynges
nere abowte them fpoyled of both vytayles and golde, they were enforced to feeke theyr meate further of: And
therwith to fignifie to the gouernours of Hifpaniola with what great neceffitie they were oppreffed: And what
they had lerned of Comogrus as concernynge the Regions towarde the Southe: wyllynge them in confideration
therof to aduertyfe the kynge to fende them a thoufande fouldiers, by whofe helpe they myght by force make
waye throwghe the mountaynes diuidynge the fea on bothe fydes, if they coulde not brynge the fame to paffe
quyetly. The fame Valdiuia was alfo fent on this meffage, caryinge with hym to the kynges treafourers (hauinge
theyr office of recepte in zHfpaniola) three hundreth poundes weyght of golde after eyght ounces to the pounde,
for the fyfte portion dewe to the kynges efcheker. This pounde of. viii. vnces, the Spanyardes caule Marcha,
whiche in weyght amounteth to fyftie pieces of golde cauled Caftellani. But the Caftilians, caule a pound
Pefum. We conclude therfore, that the fume hereof, was. xv. thoufande of thofe peeces of golde cauled
CaJlellani. And thus is it apparente by this accompte, that they receaued of the barbarous kynges, a thoufande
and fyue hundreth poundes of eyght ounces to the pounde. All the whiche they founde redy wrought in fundry
kyndes of ouches, as cheynes, brafelets, tablets, and plates, bothe to hange before theyr breftes, and alfo at
theyr eares, and nofethryls.  Valdiuia therefore tooke fhyppinge in the fame carauell in the whiche he came
laft, and returned alfo beefore the thyrde day of the Ides of Ianuary, in the yeare of Chrift M. D. XI. What
chaunced to hym in this vyage, we wyll declare in place conuenient. But let vs nowe returne to them which
II8


A newe supply
a thousande
souldyers.


of


Marcha.
Pesus.
A thousande and
fyue hundreth
pounds weyght
of wrought gold


67




The feconde Decade.


II9


remayned in Vraba. After the difmiffinge of Valdiuia, beinge pricked forwarde with owtragious hunger, they
determined to fearche the inner partes of that goulfe in fundry places. The extreme angle or poynt of the
fame goulfe is diftant from the enterance therof, aboute foure fcore myles. This angle or comer, the Spanyardes caule Culata.  Vafchus hym felfe came to this poynte with a hundreth men, coaftynge alonge by the
goulfe with one brygantine and certeyne of the boates of thofe regions, which the Vrabians caule Vru, lyke
vnto them whiche th[e]inhabitantes of Hitfpaniola caule Canoas. From this poynt, there fauleth a ryuer from
the Eaft into the goulfe, ten tymes bygger then the ryuer of Dariena which alfo fauleth into the fame. Saylyng
alonge by the ryuer about the fpace of thirtie myles (for they caule it nyne leaques) and fumwhat inclynynge
towarde the ryght hande fouthwarde, they founde certeyne vyllages of th[e]inhabitantes, the Kynge whereof,
was cauled Dabaiba. Owre men alfo were certifyed before, that Cemacchus the kynge of Dariena whom they
put to flyght in the battayle, fledde to this Dabaiba. But at the commynge of owre men, Dabaiba alfo fledde.
It is thowght that he was admonyffhed by Cemacchus, that he fhulde not abyde the brunte of owre men. He
folowed his counfayle: forfooke his vyllages, and lefte all thynges defolate. Yet owre men founde heapes of
bowes and arrowes: Alfo much houfehold fluffe and many fyffhyng boates. But thofe maryfhe groundes were
neyther apte for fowinge of feedes or planting of trees. By reafon wherof, they founde there fewe fuche thynges
as they defyred: that is, plentie of vytayles. For th[e]inhabitantes of this Region, haue noo breade but fuch as
they get in other contreys nere abowte them by exchaunge for theyr fyffhe, only to ferue theyr owne neceffitie.
Yet founde they in the houfes of them that fledde, golde wrought and grauen, amountynge to the fume of feuen
thoufande of thofe pieces whiche we fayde to bee cauled CaJfellani: Alfo certeyne canoas: of the which they
brought away twoo with them, and great plentie of theyr houfholde fluffe, with certeyne bundels of bowes and
arrowes. They faye, that from the maryffhes of that ryuer, there coome certeyne battes in the nyght feafon, as
bygge as turtle dooues, inuadyng men and bytinge them with a deadly wounde, as fume of them teflifie whiche
haue byn bytten of the fame. I my felfe communing with Ancifus the Lieuetenant whom they reiected, and
amonge other thynges aflkynge him of the venemous bytinge of thefe battes, he toulde me that he hym felfe was
bytten by one of them on the heele, his foote lyinge vncouered in the nyght by reafon of the heate in fommer
feafon: But that it hurt hym noo more, then yf he hadde byn bytten by any other beafte not venemous. Other
faye, that the bytynge of fume of them is venemous: Yet that the fame is healed incontinently, if it be waffhed
with water of the fea. Ancifus toulde me alfo, that the venemous woundes made by the Canibales arrowes
infected with poyfon, are healed by waffhynge with water of the fea, and alfo by cauterifing with hotte Irens:
And that he had experience thereof in the region of Caribana, where many of his men were fo wounded.
They departed therfore, from the poynte of the goulfe of Vraba, not well contented bycaufe they were not laden
with vitailes. In this their returne, there arofe foo greate a tempeft in that wyde goulfe, that they were enforced
to cafte into the fea, all the houfeholde fluffe whiche they tooke from the poore wretches whiche lyued onely by
fiffhinge. The fea alfo fwalowed vpp the two boates that they tooke from theym, wherewyth the men were
likewife drowned. The fame tyme that Vafchus Nunnez attempted to fearche the poynte of the goulfe towarde
the fouthe, euen then by agremente, dyd Rodericus Colmenaris take his viage towarde the mountaynes by the
eafte, with thre fcor[e] men, by the ryuer of the other goulfe. Aboute fortie miles diftante from the mouthe of
the ryuer, (for they caule it twelue leaques) he founde certeyne vilages fituate vppon the bankes of the ryuer,
whofe Chiui, (that is,) kinge, they caule Turui. With this kinge dyd Colmenaris yet remayne when Vafchus
after his returne to Dariena, fayling by the fame ryuer, came to hym. Here refreffhinge theyr hole coompany
with the vitailes of this Turui, they departed from thenfe togyther. Other fortie myles from henfe, the ryuer
encoompafeth an Iland inhabited with fyffher men. In this, bycaufe they fawe greate plentie of the trees which
beare Caffiafiafula, they named the Iland CannafiJfula. They found in it, threefcore villages of tenne cotages
apiece. On the right fyde of the Iland there runneth an other ryuer, whofe chanell is of depth fufficiente to
beare brigantines. This ryuer they cauled Riuum Nigrum: from the mouthe wherof about. xv. myles diftante
they founde a towne of fyue hundreth houfes feuered: whofe Chebi, (that is,) kinge, was cauled Abenamachei.
They all forfooke theyr houfes as foone as they harde of owre mennes commyng. But when they fawe that
owre men purfued them, they turned ageyne and ranne vppon them with defperate mindes, as men driuen from
their owne poffeffions. Theyr wepons, are fwordes of wod, and long ftlaues like iauelens, hardened at the ende
with fyer: But they vfe neyther bowes nor arrowes: nor any other of th[e]inhabitantes of the wefte fyde of the
goulfe. The pore naked wretches were eafely dryuen to flight with owre weapons. As owre men folowed theym
in the chafe, they tooke the kinge Abenamachei and certeine of his noble men. A common fouldier of owres
whom the kynge had wounded, coomminge to hym when he was taken, cutte of his arme at one ftroke with his
fwoorde. But this was doone vnwares to the capitaynes. The number of the Chritlian men which were here,
was aboute a hundrethe and fiftie: the one halfe whereof, the capytaynes lefte here, and they with the refydue,
rowed vpp the ryuer ageyne with twelue of the boates of thofe Regions, whiche they caul. Vru, as they of
Hifpaniola caule them Canoas, as we haue fayde. From the ryuer of Riuus Niger and the Iland of CannafitJula,
1x9


The goulfe of
Vraba.
Culata.
Vaschus searcheth
the goulfe of
Vraba.
A maruelous great
ryuer, faulyng
into the goulfe of
Vraba.
Kynge Dabaiba
and Chemacchus,
are dryuen to
flyght.
Marysshe grounde
Wrought gold
wheyghynge
vii. thousand
Castellanes.
Battes as bygge as
turtle doues.
Ancisus bytten
of a batte
Remedies ageynst
venemous arrows
A tempest.
Colmenaris taketh
his vyage towarde
the montains
Kynge Turui.
The Iland of
Cannafistula.
68
The ryuer of
Riuus Niger.
A towne of v.
hundreth houses.
Th[e]inhabitantes
of the west syde
of the goulfe.
Kynge
Abenamachei, is
taken and his
arme cut of.




I20


The feconde Decade.


Many other    for the fpace of threefcore and ten myles, leauing both on the right hande and on the lefte many riuers faulinge
ryuers fauling
to Riuus iger.  into it bigger then it felfe, they entred into one by the conductynge of one of the naked inhabitantes, beinge
appoynted a guyde for that purpofe. Vppon the banke of this ryuer next vnto the mouthe of the fame, there
Kyng abibeiba  was a kynge cauled Abibeiba: who, bycaufe the Region was full of maryfIhes, had his palaice buylded in the
dwellethe in a
tree.         toppe of a highe tree, a newe kynde of byldynge and feldome feene. But that lande beareth trees of fuche
Abundance of  exceding heig[h]th, that emonge theyr branches, a man may frame large houfes: As wee reede the like in diuers
moyster and heat  d
is cause of   autoures howe in many Regions where the ocean fea ryfethe and ouerflowethe the lande, the people were
byggenes.
The rysynge of  accuftomed to flye to the high trees, and after the faule of the water, to take the fyffhe lefte on the lande. This
the Ocean sea.  maner of buyldinge, is to laye beames croffe ouer the branches of the trees, fafte bownde togyther, and there
vppon to rayfe theyr frame, firongly made ageynfte wynde and wether. Owre men fuppofe that they buylde
Trees ofmaruclous  theyr houfes in trees, by reafon of the greate fluddes and ouerflowinge of ryuers whiche often tymes chaunce in
height        thofe Regions. Thefe trees are of fuche heighth, that the ftrength of no manes arme is able to hurle a ftone to
Plinie.       the houfes buylded therein. And therfore doo I gyue the better credit to Plinie and other autours whiche wrytte
that the trees in fume places in India are foo high by reafon of the frutefulnes of the grounde, abundance of
water, and heate of the Region, that noo man is able to fhute ouer theym with an arrowe. And by iudgemente
Frutefull grounde.  of all men, it is thowght that there is noo frutfuller ground vnder the foonne, then this is whereof wee nowe
entreate. Owr men meafuringe manye of thefe trees, founde theym to bee of fuche biggnes, that feuen men,
ye fumetymes eight, holdinge hande in hande with theyr armes fireached furthe, were fcarfely able too fathame
Cellers in the  them aboute. Yet haue they theyr cellers in the grounde, well replenyffhed with fuch wynes wherof wee haue
grounde.
fpoken beefore. For albeit that the vehemencie of the wynde, is not of poure to cafte downe thofe houfes, or
to breeke the branches of the trees, yet are they toffed therewith, and fwaye fumwhat from fyde to fyde, by
reafon wherof, the wyne fhulde bee muche troubeled with moouinge. All other neceffayre thinges, they haue
with theym in the trees. When the kynge or any other of the noble men, dyne or fuppe in thefe trees, theyr
wynes are browght theym from the celleres by theyr feruantes, whyche by meanes of exercife, are accuftomed
with noo leffe celeritie to runne vppe and downe the fteares adherente to the tree, then doo owre waytynge
boyes vppon the playne grounde, fetche vs what wee caule for from the cobbarde byfyde owr dyninge table.
Owre men therfore, came to the tree of kinge Abibeiba, and by th[e]interpretoures cauled hym foorthe to
communication, gyuinge hym fignes of peace, and there vppon willinge hym to coomme downe. But he denyed
that he woolde coomme owte of his houfe: Defyringe them to fuffer hym to lyue after his faffhion.  But owre
Abibeiba, the  men fell from fayre woordes to threateninge, that excepte he  olde defcende with all his famelie, they wolde
kynge of the tree,
eldethe to    eyther ouerthrowe the tree, or elles fet it on fyer. When he had denied them ageyne, they fell to hewinge the
69   tree with theyr axes. Abibeiba feeinge the chippes faule from the tree on euery fyde, chaunged his purpofe, and
came downe with only two of his foones. Thus after they had entreated of peace, they communed of gatheringe
Gold no more  of golde. Abibeiba anfwered that he had noo golde, and that he neuer had any neede therof, nor yet regarded
estemed then
sto  then     it any more then flones. But when they were inflante vppon hym, he fayde vnto them. If yowe foo greatly
defyre golde, I will feeke for fume in the nexte mountaynes, and bringe it vnto yowe. For it is plentifully
engendred in thofe mountaynes. Then he appointed a day when he wold bringe this golde. But Abibeiba
came neyther at the day, nor after the daye appoynted. They departed therfore from thenfe well refreffhed with
his vitailes and wyne, but not with goulde as they hoped. Yet were they enformed the like by Abibeiba and his
ditionaries as concerninge the golde mynes and the Canibales, as they harde before of kinge Comogrus.
Canibales.    Saylinge yet further aboute thirtie myles, they chaunced vppon certeyne cotages of the Canibales: But vtterly
voyde with owte men or fluffe. For when they had knowleage that owre men wandered in the prouinces nere
aboute theym they reforted to the mountaynes, caryinge al theyr goodes and fluffe wyth them.
~4 THE FYFTE BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE
Of   the fujpofed continent.
N the meane tyme whyle thefe thynges were doone alonge by the fhores or bankes of the
ryuer, a certeyne Decurian, that is a capytayne ouer tenne, of the coompanye of thofe which
Vafcus and Cohmenaris had lefte for a garryfon in Rizo Nigro in the dominion of kynge
Abinamnachei, whether it were that he was compelled throwgh hunger, or that his fataule dayes
was nowe coome, he attempted with his fouldiers to fearche the countreys nere there about,
Kyng Abraiba                  and entered into the vyllage of a king cauled Abraiba. This capitaynes name was Raia:
whom Abraiba flewe, with twoo of his felowes: but the refydue fledde. Within a fewe dayes


120




The feconde Decade.


I21


after, Abraiba hauinge compaffion of the calamitie of his kynfeman and neyghbour Abenamacheius being dryuen
from his owne poffeffions (whofe arme alfo we fayd before that one of the fouldiers cut of at the riuer of Riuo
Nigro and nowe remaynynge with Abraiba to whome he fledde by flelth after he was taken, went to Abibeiba
th[e]inhabitour of the tree, who had nowe lykewyfe forfaken his contrey for feare of owre men, and wandered
in the defolate mountaynes and wooddes. When he had therfore founde him, he fpake to him in this effecte.
What thynge is this Oh vnfortunate Abibeiba: or what nation is this that foo tormenteth vs that wee can not  Abraiba causeth
enioye owre quyet lybertie? Howe longe, howe longe I fay fhall wee fuffer theyr crueltie? were it not much  rebell. to
better for vs to die, then to abide fuch iniuries and oppreffions as yow, as Abinamacheius owre kynfeman, as
Cemacchus, as Carela, as Poncha, as I and other princes of owr order doo fufteyne? Canne any thinge bee more
intollerable then to fee owre wyues, owre chyldren, and owre fubiectes, to bee ledde awaye captiues, and owre
goodes to be fpoyled euen before owre faces.
I take the goddes to wytnes, that I fpeake not foo much for myne owne part as I doo for yowe whofe cafe
I lament. For albeit they haue not yet touched me, neuertheleffe, by the example of other, I owght to thynke
that my deftruction is not farre of. Let vs therfore (yf wee bee men) trye owre firengthe and proue owre  Men good
enowgh yf they
fortune ageynft them whiche haue delte thus cruelly with Abenamacheius, and dryuen hym owte of his contrey.  had iren
Let vs fet on them with all owre poure, and vtterly deftroy them And yf wee can not fleye them al, yet fhall
wee make them afrayde eyther to affayle vs ageyne, or at the leaft dimynyffhe theyr poure. For what foo euer
fhall befaule, nothynge can chaunce woorfe vnto vs then that which we now fuffer. When Abibeiba harde thefe
wordes and fuch other like, he conde[f]cended to doo in al thinges as Abraiba wolde requyre: Where vppon
they appoynted a day to brynge theyr confpiracie to paffe. But the thynge chaunced not accordynge to their
defyre. For of thofe whiche wee fayde to haue paffed to the Canibales, there returned by chaunce to Riuus
NViger the nyght before the day appoynted to woorke theyr feate, thirtie men to the ayde of theym whiche were
lefte there yf anye fedition fhulde ryfe as they fufpected. Therfore at the daunyng of the day, the confetherate  The kynges are
kynges with fyue hundreth of theyr ditionaries armed after theyr maner, befeaged the vyllage with a terrible  eyghuen to
alarome, knowynge nothynge of the newe menne which came thether the fame nyght. Here owre target men
came foorth ageynft them, and fyrft affayled them a farre of with theyr arrowes, then with theyr pykes, and lafte  70
with theyr fwoordes: But the naked feely fowles, perceauinge a greater number of theyr aduerfaries then they  Captyues.
looked for, were foone dryuen to flyght, and flayne for the moft parte lyke fcaterynge fheepe. The kynges
efcaped, they flewe manye, and tooke many captiues whiche they fente to Dariena where they vfe them for
labourers to tyll and fowe they grounde. Thefe thynges thus happely atchyued, and that prouince quyeted,  A garyson of xxx.
they returned by the ryuer to Dariena, leauinge theyr thyrtie men for a garryfon vnder the gouernance of one
Furatado a capitayne. This Furalado therfore, fente from Riuo Nigro where he was appoynted gouernoure,
twentie of his felowes and one woman, with. xxiiii. captiues to Vafchus and his company, in one of the byggeft
Canoas of that prouince. As they rowed downe by the ryuer, there came foorth foodenly ouerthwarte the  xviii. Spanyardes
ryuer ageynft them, foure greate Canoas, which ouerthrew theyr boate and flewe as many of them as they coulde  saydrowned
coome by, bycaufe they were vnprepared fufpecting noo fuch thinge. Owre men were all drowned and flayne
excepte twoo, which hyd them felues amonge certeyne fagottes that fwamme on the water, in the whiche they
laye lurkynge, and foo efcaped to theyr felowes in Dariena: who by them beinge aduertyfed hereof, beganne
to cafte theyr wyttes what this thyng might meane: beinge no leffe folicitate for them felues, then meditatynge
in what daunger theyr felowes had byn in Riuo Nigro, excepte by good fortune, thofe thirtie newe men which
were fente to them, had coome to the vyllage the nyght before the confpiracie fhulde haue byn wrought. Confultinge therefore what was beft to bee doone herein, at the lengthe with dylygent fearchynge they had
intelligence that fyue kynges, that is to wytte, Abibeiba the inhabitoure of the tree, and Cemacchus dryuen from  The kinges which
conspired the
his vyllage whiche owre menne nowe poffeffed, Abraiba alfo and Abenamacheius, kynfemen, with Dabaiba the  death of the
king of the fyfher men inhabytinge the corner of the goulfe whiche we cauled Culata, were all affembled to  christians.
confpire the Chriftian mens deftruction at a day affigned. Which thynge had furely coome to paffe, if it had
not byn otherwyfe hyndered by gods prouidence. It is therfore afcrybed to a myracle: And trewly not  Astrangechaunce.
vnwoorthely if wee weye howe chaunce detected and bewrayed the counfayle of thefe kynges. And bycaufe it
is worthy to bee harde, I wyll declare it in fewe woordes.  Vafchus Nunnez therfore, who rather by poure then  Vaschus.
by election, vfurped the gouernaunce in Dariena, beinge a mailer of fence, and rather a raffhe royfler then
politike capitayne (althowgh fortune fumtyme fauoureth fooles) amonge many women which in dyuers of thefe
regions he had taken captyue, had one whiche in fauoure and bewtie excelled all other. To this woman her  Women can keepe
owne brother often tymes reforted, who was alfo dryuen owte of his contrey with kynge Cemacchus, with whom  no counsayle.
he was very familier and one of his chiefe gentelmen. Amonge other communication which he had with his
fyfler whom he loued entierly, he vttered thefe woordes. My deare and welbeloued fyfter, gyue eare to my
fayinges, and keepe mofte fecreatelye that whiche I wyll declare vnto yowe, yf yowe defyre yowre owne wealth
and myne, and the rrofperitie of owre contrey and kynfefolkes. The infolencie and crueltie of there menne
121




122


The feconde Decade.


2_ II_ __ ___ ____


An army of C
[hundred] canoas
and fyue. M.
[thousand] men.
Tryumphe before
victory
Affection
corrupteth trew
iudgement.
71
The conspiracie
of the kynges is
detected.
Kyng Cemacchus,
conspyreth the
deth of Vaschus.
Vaschus purseweth
the kynges with
three score and
ten men.
Colmenaris
sacketh the
vyllage of Tichiri.
Fyue rulers
hanged and shot
throwgh with
arrows.
The golden
regions on the
south side the
mountaynes.
The death of
Valdiuia and
Zamudius.


whiche haue dryuen vs owte of owre poffeffions, is foo intollerable, that the princes of the lande are determyned
noo longer to fufleyne theyr oppreffions.
By the conductinge therfore of fyue kinges (which he named in order) they haue prepared a hundreth
greate Canoas, with fyue thoufande men of warre by lande and by fea, with vitailes alfo in the village of Tichilri,
fufficient to maintayne fuch an army. Declaringe further, that the kinges by agremente, had diuided emonge
theym the goodes and headdes of owre men: And therfore admonyfhed her, at the daye appoynted by fume
occafion to conueigh her felfe owte of the way, letfe fhee fhuld bee flayne in the confufion of the bataile. For
the fouldier victourer, is not woonte to fpare any that commethe in his rafe. And thus fhewinge his fyfter the
daye affigned to the flawghter, he departed. But the younge woman (for it is the fwoord that women feare and
obferue more then the graultle of Cato,) whether it were for the loue or feare that ihee had to Vafc/hus, forgettinge her parentes, her kynffolkes, her countrey and all her frendes, ye and all the kinges into whofe throtes
VaJchus, had thrufle his fwoorde fhee opened all the matter vnto hym, and conceled none of thofe thinges
whiche her vndifcrete broother had declared to her. When Vafchus therfore had hard the matter, he caufed
Fuluia, (for foo had they named her) to fende for her brother, who came to her immediatly, was taken, and
enforced to tell the hole circumllances of the matter. Where vppon, he playnely confeffed that kinge Cemacchus
hys lorde and mafter, fente thofe foure canoas to the deftruction of owre men, and that thefe newe confpiracies
were attempted by his confaile. Likewife that Cemacchus fowght the defiruction of Vaschus hym felfe when he
fent hym fortie men vnder pretence of frendfhippe to tyll and fowe his grownd after the maner of the contrey,
gyuinge them in commaundement to fleye Vafchus at Marris, whyther he reforted to comforte his laboures as
the maner is of all good hufbandes. Yet durfte they at noo tyme execute theyr lordes commaundemente vppon
hym, bycaufe Vafchus came neuer emonge them afoote or vnarmed, but was accuftomed to ryde to theym in
harnes with a iauelen in his hande and a fwoorde by his fyde. Wherfore Cemacchus beinge frufirate of his
particuler confaile, tooke this lafte thing in hande to his owne deftruction and his neighbours. For the
confpiracie beinge detected, Vafchus cauled threefcore and tenne fouldiers, commaundinge them to folowe him,
but declared nothing vnto them whether hee wente or what hee entended to do. He wente forwarde therfore
fyrfle towarde Cemacchus which ley from hym, onely tenne myles. But he had knowleage that he was fledde to
Dabaiba the kinge of the marifhes of Cu/ala. Yet fearchinge his village, he founde a noble man a ruler vnder
hym and alfo his kinffeman, whome he tooke prifoner with many other of his familiers and frendes both men
and women. The fame houre that he fette forwarde to feeke for Cemacchus, Rodericus Colmenaris rowed vp the
ryuer with foure of theyr byggefle Canoas and threefcore men by the conduction of the maydes brother who
browght hym to the village of Tichiri, in the which we fayd all their vitailes to remayne whiche were prepared
for theyr armye.  Colmenaris therfore, facked the village, and poffeffed all their vitayles and wyne of fundry
colours: likewife tooke the gouernoure thereof prifoner, and hanged hym on the tree in whiche he dwelte hym
felfe, commaundinge hym too bee flhotte throwgh with arrowes in the fight of th[e]inhabitantes, and with hym
foure other rulers to bee hanged on iebbettes to the exemple of other rebelles. This punyffhmente thus
executed vppon the confpiratours, ifrooke the hartes of all th[e]inhabitantes of the prouince wyth fuche feare,
that there is not nowe a man that dare floore his finger ageynft the wrathe of owre men. They lyue nowe
therefore quietly: And the other kinges by theyr exemple doo the gladlyer liue in fubiection, with leffe offence
bearinge the yoke whyche they can by noo meanes fhake of.
THE SYXTE BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE
Of    he furlppoed continente.
Hefe thynges, thus fynyffhed, affemblinge all their company togither they determined with one
confente, that a meffynger fhulde foorth with bee fente to Hifpaniola (from whenfe they haue
their lawes and ayde) to declare the hole order of all thefe affayres, fyrfte to the admirall and
gouernoure of the Ilande, and afterwarde to the Kinge of Spayne, and to perfuade hym to
fende thofe thoufand men which younge Comogrus faid to bee expediente to paffe ouer the
mountaynes lying betwene them and the golden regions towarde the Southe.  Vafchus him
felfe dyd greatly affecte this embafage: But neyther woolde the refydewe of his felowes
electe hym therto, nor his factionaries fuffer hym to departe: Afwell for that therby they thought they fhulde
bee left defolate, as alfo that they murmured that if Vafchus Ihulde once goo from theym, he wolde neuer returne
to fuche turmoyles and calamities, by thfelexample of Vaidiuia and Zamudius, who had byn now abfente fence
122




The feconde Decade.


I23


the mooneth of January, in foo muche that they thowght they woolde neuer coomme ageine. But the matter
was otherwife then they tooke it, as I wyl fhewe in his place. For they were periffhed. At the lengeth after
many fcrutinies, they elected one Iohn Quicedus, a graue man well in yeares, and treafourer of the kings efcheker
in thofe prouinces. They had conceaued a good opinion of this Quicedus that all thynges fhulde bee well
browght to paffe by his meanes, afwell for his wyfdome, as alfo that they were in good hop[e] of his returne, bycaufe
he had brought his wiffe with hym to thofe regions, whome he lefte with his felowes for a pledge of his comminge
ageyne. When they had thus elected Quicedus, they were ageyne of diuers opinions whome they might ioyne
with hym for affiftance: Affirminge that it were a daungerous thinge to committe foo weightye a matter to one
mans handes. Not that they miftrufted Quicedus, but bycaufe the life of man is frayle, and the chaunge of the
ayer perelous, efpecially to theym hauynge nowe of longe tyme byn accuftomed to the temperature nere vnto
the Equinoctiall, if they fhulde bee compelled to returne to the North with alteration of ayer and dyet. They
thowght it therfore good to appoynt a companion to Quicedus, that if by chance the one ihuld fayl the other
might remayne: And that if they both efcaped, the king ihuld gyue the better credit to the relation of both:
After longe confultation therfore, they chofe Rodericus Colmenaris a man of good experience, of whom we haue
often tymes made mencion. For from his youth, he had trauayled ouer al Europe by land and by fea, and was
prefent at the doinges of all thynges in Italy ageynif the Frenchemen: Of whofe returne alfo, they had noo
fmaule hope bycaufe he had many fermes and hadde tylled and fowne much grounde in Dariena, by th[e]increafe wherof he might get much gold by fellyng the fame to his felows. He lefte therfore the charge of al his
affayres in Dariena, with his partener Alphonfus Nunnez, a Iudge of the lawe, who alfo was lyke to haue byn
chofen procuratoure of this vyage before Colmenaris if one had not put theim in remembraunce that he had a
wyfe at Matritis: fearyng leaft beinge ouercoome with her teares, he woolde no more returne.  Colmenaris
therefore, a free man and at libertie being affociate affiftant with Quicedus they tooke fhyppyng togyther in a
brigantine, the fourth day of the Calendes of Nouember, in the yeare of Chrift. I512. In this vyage, beinge
toffed with fundry tempeftes, they were by the violence of the wynde, caft vppon the Wefte coaftes of that large
Ilande whiche in the fyrfte Decade we cauled Cuba, fuppofed to haue byn fyrme lande. They were fore
oppreffed with hunger. For it was nowe three moonethes fence they departed from theyr felowes. By reafon
whereof, they were enforced to take lande to proue what ayde they coulde gette amonge the inhabitantes.
Theyr chaunce therefore, was to arryue in that part of the Ilande, where Valdiuia was dryuen alande by tempeft.
But oh yowe wretched men of Dariena? Tary for Valdiuia whom yowe fent to prouide to helpe yowre
neceffities? Prouyde for yowre felues rather and truft not to them whofe fortune yowe knowe not. For when
he arryued in Cuba, th[e]inhabitantes flewe him with al his felowes, and lefte the carauell wherin they were
caried, tomrne in pieces and halfe couered with fande on the Ihore: where Quicedus and Colmenaris fyndyng the
fragmentes therof, bewayled their felowes myffortune. But they founde none of theyr carkefes: fuppofinge
that they were eyther drowned, or deuoured of the Canibals, which oftentymes make incurfions into that Ilande
to hunte for men. But at the length, by twoo of the Ilande men which they had taken, they had knowleage of
Valdiuia his deftruction: And that th[e]inhabitantes the more greedely attempted the fame, for that they had
harde by the bablynge of one of his felowes that he had great plentie of gold. For they alfo take pleafure in
the bewtie of gold, which they forme artificially into fundry ouches. Thus owre men ftryken with penfyuenes
for the cruell deftenie of theyr felowes, and in vayne feekynge reuenge for theyr iniuries, determyned to forfake
that vnfortunate lande, departynge from thofe couetous naked barbarians with more forowe and neceffitie then
they were in before. Or euer they had paffed the South fyde of Cuba, they fel into a thoufande myffortunes:
and had intellygence that Fogeda arryued thereaboute, leadynge a myferable lyfe, toffed and turmoyled with
tempefles and vexed with a thoufand perplexities: Soo that departing from thenfe almoft alone, his felowes
beinge for the moft parte all confumed with maladies and famyn, he came with much difficultie to Hifbaniola,
where he dyed by force of the poyfon of his venemous wound which he had receaued in Vraba as we haue faid
before. But Ancifus elected Lieuetenaunt, fayled by all thofe coaftes with much better fortune. For as he
hym felfe toulde me, he founde profperous wyndes in thofe parties, and was well enterteyned of th[e]inhabitantes of Cuba. But this fpecially in the dominion of a certeyne kynge whofe name was Commendator.
For wheras he defyred of the Chriftian men whiche paffed by, to bee baptifed, demaundynge the
name of the gouernour of the Ilande next vnto Hiffpaniola, beinge a noble man and a knyght of
th[e]order of Calatraua of which order al are cauled Commendatores, this kynges defyre was to bee named
after hym. Kynge Commendator therfore, frendely receaued Ancifus, and gaue hym greate abundance
of al thynges neceffarie. But what Ancifus lerned of theyr religion durynge the tyme of his remaynynge
there, I haue thowght good to aduertyfe yowre holynes.  Yowe fhall therefore vnderflande, that certeyne
of owre men faylinge by the coaftes of Cuba, lefte with kynge Commendator a certeyne poore maryner
beinge difeafed. Who in fhorte fpace recoueringe his health, and hauynge nowe fumwhat lerned theyr language,
beganne to growe into great eftimation with the kynge and his fubiectes, in foo muche that he was oftentymes
t23


I


lohannes
Quicedus is sent
to Spain
72
Chaunge of the
ayer is daungerous.
Rodericus
Colmenaris,
assistant with
Quicedus.
A wyfe is a
hynderance
Cuba.
Three moonethes
from Dariena to
Cuba, by reason
of tempests
The death of
Valdiuia.
Hurt of lauyshenes
of the tonge.
The calamitie and
death of Fogeda.
Maladies and
famen.
The prosperous
vyage of Ancisus.
A kyng of Cuba
baptised by the
name of
Commendator.
Ancisus
73
A maruelous
historie howe God
wrought miracles
by the simple fayth
of a maryner.


I


I




I24


The Jeconde Decade.


Be not rashe in
iudgement
Zemnes.
A chapel builded
to the picture of
the virgin Mary
God respecteth
the infancie of
faithe for zeles
sake
One Religion
turned into an
other, holdeth styl
many thinges of
the fyrst.
A strange fantasie.
The effect of
godly zeale.
A miracle in the
tyme of the
battayle
The virgin Mary,
is present at the
battayle.
74
A maruelus
experience of
fayth
Muche lyke vnto
this, is redde iii.
Reg. xviii.


the kynges Lieuetenaunt in his warres ageynft other princes his bortherers. This mans fortune was foo good,
that all thynges profpered well that he tooke in hande. And albeit that he were not lerned, yet was he a
vertuous and well meanynge man accordynge to his knowleage, and dyd religioufly honoure the bleffed virgin,
bearynge euer about with hym her picture fayre paynted vpon paper and fowd in his apparell nere vnto his brefte:
Signifyinge vnto the kyng, that this holynes was the caufe of al his victories: perfuadynge hym to doo the lyke,
and to caft away all his Zemoes which were none other then the fymilitudes of euyll fpirites, mofte cruell enemyes
and deuourers of owre fowles: And to take vnto hym the holy virgin and moother of god to bee his patroneffe
if he defyred all his affayres afwell in warre as in peace to fucceed profperoufly. Alfo that the bleffed virgyn
woolde at noo tyme fayle hym, but bee euer redy to helpe him and his, if they woolde with deuoute hartes caule
vppon her name. The maryner had foone perfuaded the naked nation: And there vppon gaue the kynge (who
demaunded the fame) his pycture of the virgin, to whom he buylded and dedicate a chapell and an altare, euer
after contemnynge and reiectynge his Zemes. Of thefe Zemes made of goffampine cotton to the fimilitudes of
fprytes walkynge in the nyght which they oftentymes fee, and fpeake with them familierly, wee haue fpoken
fufficiently in the nynth booke of the fyrfte Decade. Furthermore, accordynge to the inftitution of this maryner,
when the foonne draweth towarde the faule, this kynge Commendator with all his famely bothe men and women,
reforte daylye to the fayde chapell of the virgin Marie, where kneelyng on theyr knees and reuerently bowyng
downe theyr heades, holdynge theyr handes ioyned togyther, they falute th[e]image of the virgin with thefe
woordes: Aue Maria, Aue Maria. For fewe of them can rehearfe any more woordes of this prayer. At
Ancifus his beinge there, they tooke hym and his felowes by the handes, and ledde them to this chapell with
reioyfinge, fayinge that they woolde fhewe theym maruelous thynges. When they were entered, they poynted
with theyr fyngers to the Image of the virgin al to befet and hanged abowte with ouches and iewels and many
earthen pottes, fylled fum with fundry meates, and fume with water, rownde aboute all the tabernacle. For
thefe thynges they offer to the image in the fleede of facrifice, accordyng to theyr owlde fuperflicion towarde
theyr Zeries. Beinge demaunded why they dyd thus, they anfwered, leafte the image fhulde lacke meate if
perhaps it fhuld be a hungerd. For they moflt certenly beleue that images may hunger, and that they doo eate
and drynke. But what ayde and helpe they confeffe that they haue had of the godly poure of this image, that
is of the bleffed virgin, it is a thynge woorthy to be harde, and mofl affuredly to bee taken for a truthe. For
by the report of owre men, there is fuch feruent godly loue and zeale in thefe fimple men toward the holy virgin,
that to them beinge in the daungers of warre ageynft theyr enemies, they doo in maner (yf I may foo terme it)
compel her to defcende from heauen to helpe them in theyr neceffities: For fuch is the goodnes of god, that
he hath lefte vnto men in maner a pryce wherby wee may purchafe hym with his holy angels and fayntes, that
is to wytte, burnyng loue, charitie and zeale. Howe therfore can the bleffed virgin at any time be abfent from
them which cal for her helpe with pare faith and feruent loue?  Commendator him felfe, with al his noble men
and gentelmen, doo teftifie with one voyce, that in a fought battayle in the which this maryner was capitayne,
bearyng with hym this picture of the virgin Marie, the Zeomes of theyr enemies turned their backes and trembeled
in the prefence of the virgins Image and in the fyght of them all. For euery of them brynge theyr Zemes to the
battayle, hopynge by theyr helpe to obteyne the victorie. Ye they fay further, that duryng the tyme of the
battayle, they fawe not only an Image, but a liuely woman clothed in fayre and whyte apparel, aydynge them
ageinft theyr enemies: whiche thynge alfo the enemyes them felues acknowleaged, confeffynge that on the
contrarye parte fhee appeared to them, fliakynge a fepter in her hande with threatenynge countenaunce, whiche
caufed theyr hartes to fhake and faynt for feare. But after that this maryner departed from them, beinge taken
into a fhyppe of certeyne Chriflians paffynge by thofe coaftes, Commendator declared that he with all his
fubiectes, continually obferued his inflitucions: In foo muche that beinge at contention with another prince,
which of theyr Zemes were mofte holy and of greatefte poure, the matter grewe to fuche extremitie that they
tryed it with hande ftrokes: And that in all thefe attemptes, the bleffed virgin neuer fayled hym, but was euer
prefente in the brunte of the battayle, and gaue hym eafye victorie with a fmaule poure of men, ageynfl a mayne
armye of his enemies. Beinge demaunded with what woordes they cryed vppon the virgin Mary when they
affayled theyr enemies, they anfwered that they had lerned noo other woordes of the mariners doctrine, but
Sandia Maria adiuna nos, Sanlia Maria adiuua nos: That is, holy Mary helpe vs, holy Marye helpe vs: And
this alfo in the Spanyffhe tonge. For he had lefte thefe woordes in the mouthes of all men. Whyle they
murthered and deftroyed them felues thus on bothe fydes, they fell to entreatie of peace and agreed to trye the
matter, not hande to hande by combatte of certeyne chofen for bothe parties as the maner was amonge the
Romaynes and dyuers other nations in the owlde tyme, or by any flyght or policie, but that twoo younge men
fhulde bee chofen, for eche partie one, with theyr handes bounde faft behynde them in the playne fielde, bothe
parties beinge fworne to acknowleage that Zemes to bee the better, which fyrft loofed the bandes of the younge
man whiche floode bounde for the tryall of his religion. Thus diuidinge them felues, and placeinge the
fayde younge men before them in the fyght of them al, with theyr handes fait bounde by theyr enemyes, the


124




The feconde Decade.


125




contrary parte cauled fyrft on theyr Zemes (that is, the deuyll to whofe fimilitude theyr Images are made) who
immediatly appered in his lykenes aboute the younge man that ftoode bounde in the defence of Sathans
kyngedome.
But as foone as Commendator with his coompanye cryed SanEa Maria adiuua nos, Sanaa Maria adiuua
nos, forthwith there appeared a fayre virgin clothed in whyte, at whofe prefence the deuell vanquiffhed immediatly.
But the virgin hauinge a longe rod in her hande, and putting the fame on the bandes of the younge man that
floode for Commendator, his handes were loofed immediatly in the fyght of them all, and his bandes founde
about the handes of hym that floode for the other partie, in fomuch that they them felues fownde hym dowble
bounde. But for all this, were not the enemies fatiffyed: querelinge that this thynge was doone by fum flyght
or diuife of man, and not by the poure of the better Zemes. And there vppon requyred for th[e]aduoydynge
of all fufpection, that there myght bee eyght graue and fage men appoynted, for eche fyde foure, whiche fhulde
bynde the men in the fyght of theim all, and alfo gyue iudgemente whether the thynge were doone withowte
crafte or gyle. Oh pure fimplicitie and conftant fayth: Oh golden and bleffed confidence.  Commendator and
his familiers, doubted not to graunte theyr enemies theyr requefte with lyke faythe wherwith the difeafed woman
obteyned healthe of the fluxe of her bludde, and wherby Peter feared not to walke on the fea at the fyght of
his mailer Chrifte. Thefe younge men therfore were bounde in the prefence of thefe eight graue men, and
were placed within theyr lyfles in the fyght of bothe parties. Thus vppon a figne gyuen, when they cauled
vppon theyr Zemes, there appered in the fyght of them all, a deuyll with a longe tayle, a wyde mouthe, greate
teeth, and hornes, refemblyng the fimilitude of the Image which the kyng being enemye to Commendator,
honoured for his Zemes. As this deuyl attempted to loofe the bandes of his cliente, the bleffed virgin was
immediatly prefente as before at the caule of Commendator and his fubiectes, and with her rodde loofed the
bandes of her fuppliant, which were ageyne lykewyfe founde fafl tyed aboute the handes of hym that floode for
the contrarye parte. The enemies therefore of Commendator, beinge firyken with greate feare and amafed by
reafon of this greate miracle, confeffed that the Zemes of the virgin was better then their Zemes. For the better
profe wherof, thefe pagans beinge bortherers to Commendator, which had euer before byn at continuall warre
and enmitie with hym, when they had knowleage that Ancifus was arryued in thofe coaftes, they fente ambafadoures vnto hym, to defyre hym to fend them preefles of whom they might bee baptifed: Where vppon he fent
them twoo which hee had with hym there at that prefent. They baptifed in one day a hundreth and thirtie of
th[e]inhabitantes, fumtyme enemyes to Commendator, but now his frendes and ioyned with him in aliance. All
fuche as came to bee baptifed, gaue the preeftes of theyr owne liberalitie, eyther a cocke or a henne. But no
capons: for they can not yet fkyl how to carue theyr cocke chykens to make them capons. Alfo certeyne
falted fyffhes, and newe fyne cakes made of theyr breade: likewife certeyne foules franked and made fatte.
When the preeftes reforted to the fhippes, fyxe of there newe baptyfed men accoompanied theym laden with
vitailes, wherwith they ledde a ioyfull Eafter. For on the Sunday two dayes before faynte Lazarus day, they
departed from Dariena, and touched at that tyme, onely to the cape or angle of Cuba nere vnto the Eafte fyde
of Hifpaniola. At the requefte of Commendator, Ancifus lefte with hym one of his coompanie, to th[e]intente
too teache hym and his fubiectes wyth other his bortherers, the falutacion of the angell whiche we caule the Aue
Maria. For they thinke them felues to be foo much the more beloued of the bleffed virgin, as they can
reherfe the more woordes of that prayer. Thus Ancifus takinge his leaue of kynge Commendator, directed his
courfe to Hifpaniola, from whiche he was not farre. Shortely after, he tooke his viage to Spayne, and came to
Valladoleto to the kynge, to whom he made greuous complaint of the infolencie of Vafchus Nunnez, in fo muche
that by his procuremente, the Kynge gaue fentence ageynfte hym. Thus muche haue I thowght good (mofte
holy father) wherof to aduertyfe yowr holynes as concernyng the religion of thefe nations, not only as I haue
byn inflructed of Ancifus (wyth whom I was dayly conuerfante in the court and vfed hym familiarlye) but alfo
as I was enformed of dyuers other men of greate autoritie, to th[e]intente that yowre excellencie may vnlerflande howe docible this kynde of men is, and wyth what facilitie they may bee allured to embrafe owr
religion. But this can not bee doone foodenlye. Yet we haue greate caufe to hope that in fhorte tyme they
wilbe all drawen by litle and litle to the euangelicall lawe of Chrifte, to the great encreafe of his flocke. But
let vs nowe returne to the meffengers or procuratours as concerniynge the affayres of Dariena.


The deuil
appeareth in his
lykenes
An other miracle.
Math. I4.
The deuyl
appereth agein.
The virgin Mary
ouercommeth the
deuyll.
Infidels conuerted
by miracle, and
baptised.
75
The preestes
rewarde.
A ue Maria.
Ancisus vyage to
Spain
Ancisus
complayneth of
V-schus.
The haruest is
great, but the
labourers are fewe.


"35




I26


The feconde Decade.




{ THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE
Of the fulpofed continente.


From Dariena to
Hispaniola viii.
dayes saylyng.
The procuratours
of Dariena, are
honorably
receaued at the
courte.
Their complexion
is altered
Of whom the
autour had
information
76
The greate master
of the kynges ships
Petrus arias is
elected gouernour
of Dariena.
Th[e] oracion of
the byshop. of
Burges in the
defence of Petrus
arias.
The warres of
Aphrica.


Rom Dariena to Hifpaniola is eyghte dayes failinge and fumtymes leffe with a profperous
wynde. Yet Quicedus and Colnenaris the procuratours of Dariena, by reafon of tempeftes
and contrary wyndes, could fcarfely faile it in a hundrethe dayes.  When they had
taryed a fewe dayes in Hifpaniola, and had declared the caufe of the comminge to the
admirall and the other gouernours, they tooke fhippinge in two marchante fhippes beinge
redye furnyffhed, which were alfo accuftomed to faile too and froo betwene Spayne and the
Ilande of Hifpaniola. They departed from Dariena (as we fayde before) the fourthe day
of the calendes of nouember in the yeare of Chrift. I512, and came not to the courte before the calendes of
May in the yeare folowinge beinge the yeare of Chrifte. I513. At th[e]yr commynge to the courte, lohannes
Fonfeca (to whom at the begynnynge the charge of thefe affayres was committed, whom alfo for hys faithful
feruice towarde the kinge, yowre holynes created generall commiffarie in the warres ageynfte the moores)
receaued them honorably, as men comminge from the newe world, from naked nations, and landes vnknowen
to other menne.
( By the prefermente therefore of the byfihope of Burges, Quicedus and Colmenaris were brought before
the king, and declared theyr legacie in his prefence. Suche newes and prefentes as they brought, were
delectable to the kinge and his noble men, for the newnes and ftraungnes therof. They alfo fuiorned with me
often tymes. Theyr countenaunces doo declare the intemperatenes of the ayer and region of Dariena. For
they are yelowe lyke vnto them that haue the yelowe gaundies: And alfo fwolne. But they afcrybe the caufe
hereof, to the hunger which they fufteyned in tyme pafl. I haue byn aduertifed of th[e]affayres of this newe
woorlde, not onely by thefe procuratours of Dariena, and Ancifus, and Zamudius, but alfo by conference with
Baccia the lawier, who ranne ouer a greate parte of thofe coaftes. Likewyfe by relation of Vincentius Annez
the patrone of the fhippes, and Alfonfus Nignus, both being men of greate experience and wel trauayled in
thofe parties, befide many other, of whom wee haue made mention in other places. For there came neuer any
from thenfe to the court, but tooke greate pleafure to certifie mee of al thynges eyther by woorde of mouth or by
wrytynge. Of many thynges therfore which I lerned of them, I haue gathered fuche as to my Iudgement feeme
mofte worthy to fatiffie them that take delyte in hyftories. But let vs nowe declare what folowed after the
comminge of the procuratours of Dariena. Therfore, before theyr arryuall there was a rumoure fpreade in the
courte, that the chiefe gouernoures and Lieuetenauntes Nicuefa and Fogeda, alfo lohannes De la Coffa (a man of
fuch reputacion that by the kinges letters patentes he was named the greate mafter of the kynges fhyppes) were
all peryfhed by mifchaunce: And that thofe fewe which yet remayned alyue in Dariena, were at contencion and
difcorde amonge them felues: So that they neyther endeuoured theyr diligence to allure thofe fimple nations to
owre faythe, nor yet had regarde to fearche the natures of thofe Regions. In confideration wherof, the kynge
was determyned to fende a newe capitayne thyther whiche fhulde reftore and fet all thynges in good order, and
put them owte of autoritie whiche hadde vfurped th[e]empire of thofe prouinces withowte the kynges fpeciall
commaundement. To this office, was one Petrus Arias affigned, a man of greate prowes and a citifen of Segouia.
But when the procuratours of Dariena had publifhed in the courte howe greate a matter it was, and of what
moment, many laboured erneflly to the kyng, to take the office owte of his handes. But the byffhop of Burges
beinge the kinges chiefe chaplayne, and one of the commiffioners appoynted by hym in thefe matters, beinge
aduertifed hereof, came immediatly to the kynge, and fpake to hym in this effect. May it pleafe yowre hyghnes
to vnderftand (mofte catholyke Prince) that wheras Petrus Arias a man of valiente corage and greate feruice,
hath offered hym felfe to aduenture his lyfe in yowre maieflies affayres, vnder vncerteyue hope of gayne and
moite certeyne perels, yet that notwithflandynge fum other haue ambicioufly maliced his felicitie and preferment
labouringe for th[e]office whereto he is elected: It maye pleafe yowre grace herein foo to fhewe hym yowr fauour
and permit hym to enioye his fayde office, as yowre maieftie doo knowe hym to bee a woorthy and meete man
for the fame, hauyng in tyme pafte had greate experience of his proweffe and valiantneffe, afwell in behauinge
hym felfe as orderinge his fouldiers, as yowr hyghnes may the better confyder if it fhal pleafe yowe to caule to
remembrance his doinges in the warres of Aphrica, where he fhewed hym felfe bothe a wyfe Capitayne, and
valient fouldier. As concerninge his maners and vfages other wayes, they are not vnknowen to yowre maieftie,
vnder whofe wynge he hath of a chylde byn browght vp in the courte, and euer founde faythfull towarde yowre
hyghneffe. Wherfore, to declare my opinion vnder yowre graces fauour (whom it hath pleafed to appoynt me a
120


120




The feconde Decade.


I27


I


commiffioner in thefe affayres) I think it were vngodly that he fhuld bee put from his office at the fute of any
other, efpecially beinge thereto moued by ambition and couetoufnes: who perchaunce woold proue them felues
to be the fame men in the office if they fhuld obteyne it, as they nowe fhewe them felues in the ambitious
defirynge of the fame. When the byffloppe hade fayde thefe woordes, the kynge confirmed the election of
Petrus Arias in more ample maner then before: wyllynge the byfhoppe to appoynt hym a thoufande and twoo
hundreth fouldiers at his charges, makynge hym a warrante to th[e]officers of his efcheker to delyuer hym
money in prefte for the fame purpofe. Petrus Arias therfore beinge thus put in office and authoryfed by the
kynges letters patentes vnder his brode feale, chofe a greate number of his fouldiers in the court, and foo departed
frome Valladoleto aboute the calendes of October in the yeare I 5 I 3: And fayled fyrft to Ciuile beinge a verye
ryche citie and well replenyfhed with people: where by the kinges magifirates he was furnyfhed with men and
vytayles and other neceffaries perteynynge to foo greate a matter. For the king hath in this citie erected a
houfe feruinge only for th[eJaffayres of the Ocean, to the which al they that goo or coome from the newe landes
and Ilandes, reforte to gyue accomptes afwell what they cary thyther as what they brynge from thenfe, that the
kynge may bee truly anfwered of his cuftome of the fyfte part bothe of golde and other thynges as wee haue
fayde before. This houfe, they caule the houfe of the Contractes of Indi. Petrus Arias founde in Ciuile
aboue twoo thoufand younge men which made great fute to goo with hym: lykewyfe noo fmall number of
couetous owlde men: of the whiche, many offered them felues to goo with him of theyr owne charges withowt
the kynges flipende. But lefte the fhippes fhulde bee peftered with to great a multitude, or leaft vytayles fhulde
fayle them, the libertie of free paffage was reftraynt. It was alfo decreed that noo ftranger might paffe withowt
the kynges licence. Wherfore I doo not a lyttle maruaile at Aloifius Cadamuftus a venetian and wryter of the
Portugales vyages, that he was not a fhamed to wryte thus of the Spanyardes nauigations: we went: we fawe:
we dyd. Wheras he neuer went, nor any Venetian fawe. But he floule certeyne annotacions owte of the three
firit bookes of my fyrit Decade wrytten to Cardinal Afcanius and Arcimboldus, fuppofinge that I woolde neuer
haue publyffhed the fame. It myght alfo happ — that he came by the copie therof at the hande of fum
ambafadoure of Venice. For I haue graunted the copie to many of them, and was not daungerous to forbyd
them to communicate the fame to other. Howe fo euer it bee, this honefle man Aloifius CadamuJius feared
not to chalenge vnto hym the frute of an other mans laboure. Of the inuentions of the Portugales (which furely
are woonderfull) whether he haue wrytten that whiche he hath feene (as he fayth) or lykewife bereaued other
men of the iufle commendations of theyr trauayles, I wyll not iudge, but am content to let hym lyue after his
maner. Emonge the company of thefe fouldiers, there were none embarked but fuche as were licenced by the
kynge, except a fewe Italians, Genues, who by frendfhippe and fute were admitted for the Admirals fake
younge Colonus, fonne and heyre to ChrJliophorus Colonus the fyrft fynder of thofe landes. Petrus Arias
therfore tooke fhippyng in the ryuer Betis (nowe cauled Guadalqueuir) runnyng by the citie of Ciuile, aboute the
beginnynge of the yeare of Chrifte. I 5 4. But he loofed anker in an euyll houre. For fuche a tempefte folowed
fhortly after his departure, that it rent in pieces two of his fhippes, and foo toffed the other that they were
enforced to heaue ouer boorde parte of theyr vytayles to lyghten them. All fuch as efcaped, fayled backe
ageyne to the coaftes of Spayne: where, beinge newely furnyihed and refreIhed, by the kynges officers, they
went forwarde on theyr viage. The mafter pylot of the gouernoures fhyppe, was Iohannes Vefputius a Florentine,
the neuie of Americus Vefputius, who left hym as it were by difcente of inheritance, th[e]experience of the
mariners facultie, and knowleage of the fea, carde and compaffe. But wee were aduertifed of late by certeyne
which came from Hifpaniola, that they had paffed the Ocean with more profperous wynde. For this marchaunt
fhyppe commynge from Hzfpaniola founde them landinge at certeyne Ilandes nere there aboute. But in the
meane tyme whyle my importunate caulers on, Galeaceus Butrigarius and lohannes Curfius, men ftudious by al
meanes to gratifie yowre holynes, ceafed not to put me in rememberance that they had one in a redines to depart
into Italy, and taryed onely to cary with hym vnto yowre holynes thefe my fayre Nereides althowgh rudely decked,
leafte I fhulde beflow muche tyme in vayne, I haue let paffe many thynges, and wyll reherfe onely fuch as feeme
in my iudgement mofte woorthye memory, althowgh fumwhat difordered as occafion hath ferued. So it is
therfore that this Petrus Arias hath a wyfe named Helifabeth a Boadilla, beinge niefe by the broothers fyde to
the marques of Boadilla, which rendered the citie of Segouia to Fernando and Helifabeth princes of Spayne at
fuch tyme as the Portugales inuaded the kingdome of Caftile: by reafon wherof they were encoraged fyrfle
to refyfte, and then with open warre to affayle and expulfe the Portugales for the greate trefure which kynge
Henry brother to queene Helifabeth hadde gathered togyther there. This marqueffe whyle fhee lyued, dyd euer
fhewe a manly and ftoute mynde, bothe in peace and warre, fo that by her counfayle manye noble thynges were
browght to good effecte in Cafltile: vnto this noble woman, the wyfe of Petrus Arias was niefe by her brothers
fyde. Shee folowyng the magnanimitie of her aunt, perceauinge her huIbande nowe furnyfhyng hym felfe to
depart to the vnknowen coaftes of the newe woorlde, and thofe large tractes of lande and fea, fpake thefe wordes
vnte deare and welbeloued hubande, we owght not nowe to hym.forget that from owre younge
127


Petrus Arias
Lieuetenante of
Dariena.
Petrus Arius hath
a thousand and
twoo hundreth
men appoynted at
the kynges
charges.
A house in Ciuile
appointed to the
affayres of India.
Perularia.
77
Many profer
them selues to go
of theyr owne
charges.
Aloisius
Cadamustils is
reproued.
The Portugales
inuentions.
The nauigation of
Petrus Arias.
A shipwracke
A mericus
Vesutizus.
A notable exemple
of a valient woman.
Kynge Henry.
The wyfe of
Petrus Arias




128


The feconde Decade.


78
The thyrde
nauigation of
Vincentius
Pinzonus.
Cuba.
Beragua.
Vraba.
Cuchibacoa.
Paria.
Os Draconis
Curiana.
Czmana.
Manaca fiana.
Plentie of Pearles.
Montoxyla.
The Barbarians
assayle owre men
beinge in theyr
shyppes.
The vse of gunnes.
79
Great abundance
of gold and
frankensence.
Olibanum,


yeares we haue byn ioyned togyther with the yoke of holy matrimonie to th[e]intente that wee fhulde foo lyue
togyther and not a funder durynge the tyme of owre naturall lyfe. Wherefore for my parte to declare my affection
herein, yowe fhall vnderftande, that whyther fo euer yowre fatal deftenye fhall dryue yowe, eyther by the furious
waues of the greate Ocean, or by the manyfoulde and horrible daungers of the lande, I wyll furely beare yowe
coompany. There can no perell chaunce to me fo terrible, nor any kynde of death fo cruell, that fhal not bee
much eafyer for me to abyde, then to liue fo farre feperate from yowe. It were muche better for me to dye, and
eyther to bee caft into the fea to bee deuoured of the fyffhes, or on the lande to the Canibales, then with
continuall mournynge and bewaylinge, to lyue in deathe and dye lyuinge, whyle I confume in lookyng rather
for my hufbandes letters then for hym felfe. This is my full determinacion, not rafhely nor prefentely excogitate,
nor conceaued by the lyght phantafie of womans brayne, but with longe deliberation and good aduifement.
Nowe therfore choofe to whether of thefe twoo yowe wyll affente: Eyther to thrufte yowre fwoorde in my throte,
or to graunte me my requefte. As for the chyldren which god hath giuen vs as pledges of owr infeperable loue,
(for they had foure fonnes and as many dowghters) fhal not flay me a moment. Let vs leaue vnto them fuche
gooddes and poffeffions as haue byn left vs by owre parentes and frendes wherby they may lyue amonge the
woorfhipful of theyr order. For other thynges I take no care. When this noble matrone of manly vertue had
fyniffhed thefe woordes, her hufbande feinge the conflant mynde of his wyfe, and her in a redynes to doo
accordynge to her woordes, had no hart to denye her louinge peticion: but embrafinge her in his armes, commended her intente and confented to her requefte. Shee folowed hym therfore as dyd Ipficratea her Mithridates
with her heare hangeinge loofe aboute her fhulders. For fhee loueth her hufbande as dyd Halicarnaffea of Caria,
hers beinge deade, and as dyd Artemm/ia her Maufolus: We haue alfo had aduertifement fence their departure
that fhe (being browght vp as it were amonge foft fethers) hath with no leffe floute corage fufteyned the roringes
and rages of the Ocean, then dyd eyther her hufband or any of the maryners brought vp euen amonge the
fourges of the fea. But to haue fayde thus much hereof, this fhal fuffice. Let vs nowe fpeake of other thynges
no leffe woorthy memorie. Therfore, whereas in the fyrfle Decade we haue made mencion of Vincentius Annez
Pinzonus, ye Ihal vnderflande that he accoompanyed ChriJ/ojhorus Colonus the Admirall in his fyrfIt vyage, and
afterwarde made an other vyage of his owne charges with onely one fhyppe. Ageyne, the fyrfle yeare after the
departinge of the Capitaynes Nicuefa and Fogeda, he ran ouer thofe coafles of Hifpianiola, and fearched all the
fouthe fyde of Cuba from the Eaftle to the wefte, and fayled rownde about that Ilande which to that day for the
greate length thereof, was thowght to haue bin part of the continent or firme land, althowgh fume other fay
that they dyd the lyke. Vincentius Annez therfore, knowyng nowe by experience that Cuba was an Ilande, fayled
on further, and found other landes weftward from Cuba, but fuch as the Admirall had fyrft touched. Wherfore,
beinge in maner encompafed with this newe lande, turninge his courfe towarde the lefte hande, and rafing the
coaftes of that lande by the Eaft, ouerpaffinge alfo the mouthes of the goulfes of Beragua, Vraba, and Cuchibachoa, he arryued at the Region which in the fyrft Decade we cauled Paria and Os Draconis: And entered
into the greate goulfe of freffhe water, which Colonus difcouered, beinge replenifhed with great abundance of
fyffhe, and famous by reafon of the multitude of Ilandes lyinge in the fame, beinge diflant EafIlwarde from Curiana
aboute a hundreth and thirtie myles, in the which tract are the Regions of Cumana and Manacapana, whiche
alfo in the fyxte booke of the fyrfIt Decade we fayde to bee Regions of the large prouince of Paria, where many
affirme to bee the gretefte plentie of the befle pearles, and not in Curiana. The kinges of thefe regions (whom
they caul Chiacones, as they of Hifpaniola caule theym Cacici) beinge certified of the comminge of owre men,
fente certeyne fpyes to enquire what newe nation was arryued in theyr coafles, what they browght, and what
they woolde haue: and in the meane tyme furnyffhed a number of theyr Canvas (whiche they caule Chichos)
with men armed after their maner. For they were not a lytle aftoniffhed to beholde owre fhippes with the fayles
fpreade, wheras they vfe no fayles, nor can vfe but fmaule ons if they woolde, by reafon of the narownes of theyr
canoas. Swarmynge therfore aboute the Ihippe with theyr canoas (which we may well caule Monoxyla, bycaufe
they are made of one hole tree,) they feared not to fhute at owr men beinge yet within their fhips and keepinge
theym felues vnder the hatches as fafely as yf they had byn defended with flone waules. But when owre men
had fhotte of certeyne pieces of ordinance ageynft theym they were foo difcomfited with the noyfe and flawghter
therof that they droue them felues to flight. Beinge thus difparcled, owr men chafed them with the fhippe bote,
tooke many, and flewe many. When the kynges harde the noyfe of the gunnes, and were certyfied of the loffe
of their men, they fent ambafadours to Vincentiius Agnes to entreate of peace, fearinge the fpoyle of theyr goodes
and deftruction of theyr people, if owre men fhulde coomme alande in theyr wrathe and furye. They defyred
peace therfore, as could bee coniectured by their fignes and poyntinges. For owre men vnderftoode not one
woorde of theyr language. And for the better proofe that they defired peace, they prefented owre men with three
thoufand of thofeweights of gold that the Spanyardes caule CajlellanumAureum, which they commonly caule Pefum.
Alfo a greate barell of woodde full of mofle excellente mafculine frankenfence, weighing about two thoufande
and fyxe hundreth poundes weight after eight ounces to the pounde: Whereby they knewe that that lande
128




The Jeconde Decade.


129


browght furthe greate plentie of frankenfence. For there is noo entercourfe of marchaundies betwene th[e]inhabitantes of Paria and the fabeans beinge foo farre diftante,wheras alfo the[y] of Paria knowe nothynge withowte
theyr owne coaftes. With the golde and frankenfence whiche the[y] prefented to owre men, they gaue them alfo a
greate multitude of theyr peacockes, bothe cockes and hennes, deade and alyue, afwell to fatiffie theyr prefent
neceffitie, as alfo to cary with theym into Spayne for encreafe. Lykewyfe certeyne carpettes, coouerlettes, table
clothes and hanginges made of goffampine filke fynelye wrought after a ftraunge diuife with plefante and variable
colours, hauing golden belles and fuche other fpangles and pendauntes as the Italians caule Sonaglios, and the
Spanyardes Cafcaueles, hanging at the purfles therof. They gaue theym furthermore fpeakinge popingiais of
fundry colours as many as they woolde afke. For in Paria, there is no leffe plentie of popingiais, then with vs
of dooues or fparous. Th[e]inhabitantes of thefe Regions both men and women are appareled with veftures made
of goffampine cotton, the men to the knees, and the women too the calfe of the legge. The fafihion of theyr
apparell, is fymple and playne muche like vnto the Turkes. But the mens, is double and quilted like that
whiche the Turkes vfe in the warres. The princes of Paria, are rulers but for one yeare: But their autoritie is noo
leffe emonge the people both in peace and warre, then is th[e]autoritie of other kynges in thofe Regions.
Theyr villages are buylded in coompaffe, along by the bankes of all that greate goulfe. Fyue of theyr princes
came to owre men wyth theyr prefentes, whofe names I thowght worthy to bee put in this hiflorie in rememberance of foo notable a thinge Chiaconus Chiauaccha, (that is the prince of Chiauaccha, for they caule princes or
kinges Chiaconos) Chiaconus Pintiguanus, Chiaconus Chamailaba, Chiaconus Polomus, and Chiaconus Potto. The
goulfe beinge fyrfte founde of the admirall Colonus, they caule, Baia Natiuitatis, bycaufe he entered into the
fame in the day of the natiuitie of Chrifte: But at that tyme he only paffed by it withowte anye further fearching,
and Baia in the Spanyffhe tong, fignifieth a goulfe. When Vincentius had thus made a league with thefe Princes,
folowinge his appoynted courfe, he founde many regions towarde the Eaft, defolate by reafon of diuers fluddes
and ouerflowynges of waters: alfo many flandynge pooles in dyuers places, and thofe of excedynge largenes.
He ceafed not to folowe this tracte vntyll he came to the poynte or cape of that mofte longe lande. This
poynte femethe as though it woolde inuade the monte Atlas in Aphrica. For it profpectethe towarde that parte of
Aphrike, whiche the portugales caule Caput Bone Sperantic. The poyntes or capes of the mount Atlas, are
rough and faluage nere vnto the fea. The cape of Bona Speranza, gatherethe thirtie and foure degrees of the
Southe pole, cauled the pole antartike: But that poynte, onely feuen degrees. I fuppofe this lande to bee that,
whiche I fynde in owlde wryters of Cofmographie to bee cauled the greate Iland Atlantike, withowt any further
declaringe eyther of the fytuation, or of the nature therof.


Sabea, is a contrey
in Arabie, which
bringeth forth
frankensence
Paria.
Peacockes which
wee caule Turkye
cockes.
Carpets and
couerlettes fynely
wrought.
Popyngayes.
Th[e]apparell of
the inhabitants
of paria
Rulers for one
yeare.
The greate goulfe
of Paria.
Baia Natiuitatis
the gret goulfe of
Paria.
Vincentius maketh
a league with v.
princes. of Paria.
Mount Atlas in
aphrike.
The great Iland
atlantike


( THE EIGHT BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE
Of the futpofed contineine.
Hen Iohan the king of portugale lyued which was prediceffoure to hym that nowe reigneth,
there arofe a great contention betwene the Caftilians and Portugales as concerninge the
dominion of thefe newe founde landes. The Portugales, bycaufe they were the firfle that durft
attempte to fearche the Ocean fea fence the memorie of man, affirmed that all the nauigations
of the Ocean, owght to perteyne to theym onely. The Caftilians argued on the contrarie
parte, that what fo euer god by the miniftration of nature hath created on the earth, was at
the begynnynge common emong men: And that it is therfore lawfull to euery man to poffefe
fuche landes as are voyd of Chriftian inhabitours. Whyle the matter was thus vncerteynly debated, bothe
parties agreed that the controuerfie fhulde bee decerned by the byffhope of Rome, and plighted faithe to ftande
to his arbitrimente. The kyngedome of Caftile was at that tyme gouerned by that great Queene Helifabeth with
her hufbande: for the roialme of Caftile was her dowerye. Shee alfo and the kynge of Portugale, were cofyn
germaynes of two fyfters: by reafon wherof the diffention was more eafely pacified. By th[e]affent therfore of
both parties, Alexander the byffhop [of] Rome, the. vi. of that name, by th[e]autoritie of his leaden bull, drewe a
right line from the North to the South a hundreth leaques weflwarde withowte the paralelles of thofe Ilandes
whiche are cauled Caput Viride or Cabouerde, Within the compafe of this lyne (althowgh foomme denye it)
faulethe the poynte of this lande wherof we haue fpoken, which they caule Caput Sanci Auguftini, otherwyfe
cauled Promontorium Sanci Augulzini, that is, faynt Auguftines cape or poynte. And therfore it is not lawful
for the Caftilians to faften foote in the beginnynge of that lande.  Vincentius Annez therfore, departed from
thenfe, beinge aduertifed of th[e]inhabitantes, that on the other fyde of the hyghe mountaynes towarde the
EDEN.                            N                                  129


Contention
betwene the
Castilians and
Portugales for the
newe landes
80
The bysshop of
Rome diuideth
the land
Cabouerde loke
decade i. lib. iii




I30


The feconde Decade.


_ _


The golden region
of Ciamba.
The Iland of S.
lohannes
Fyue byshoppes
of the Iland[s]
made by the
bysshop of Rome.
The Canibales of
the Hand of
Sancta Crux.
81
Beragua and
Vraba.
The ryuers of
Vraba.
Beragua, cauled
Castella aurifera,
and Vraba,
Andaluzia noua.
Sum caule Peru,
Noua Castilia.
Beragua and
Vraba, regions of
Paria.
The frutefulnes
of Vraba


South, lyinge before his eyes, there was a Region cauled Ciamba, which browght foorth greate plentie of golde.
Of certeyne captiues whiche he tooke in the goulfe of Paria (which certenly perteyneth to the dominion of
Caftile) he browght fume with hym to  ifpaniola, and lefte them with the younge Admirall to lerne owre
language. But he hym felfe, repayred to the courte to make erneft fute to the kynge that by his fauoure, he
myght bee gouernour of the Iland of Sanl7i lohannis (otherwyfe cauled Burichena, beinge diftante from
HfJpaniola onely. xxv. leaques) bycaufe he was the fyrfl fynder of golde in that Ilande. Before Vincentius
made fute for this office, one Don Chriflopher a Portugale, the foone of the countie of Caniignla, was gouernoure
of the Ilande: whom the Canibales of the other Ilandes flewe, with all the Chriftian men that were in the fame,
excepte the byfhop and his familiers, which fledde and fhyfted for them felues, forfakynge the church and all
the ornamentes thereof. For yowre holynes hath confecrated fyue byffhoppes in thefe Ilandes at the requeft
of the moft catholyke kynge. In Sanmo Domlinico being the chiefe citie of HiJfpaniola, Garfia de Padilla, a
reguler fryer of the order of faynt Fraunces, is byfflop. In the towne of Conception, doctor Petrus Xuarez of
Deza: And in the Ilande of faynte Iohn or Burich/ena, Alfonfus Manfus a licenciate, beinge bothe obferuantes
of th[e]inftitucion of faynt Peter. The fourth, is fryer Barnarde of Mefa, a man of noble parentage, borne in
Toledo, a preacher, and byfflop of the Ilande of Cuba. The fyfte is Johannes Cabedus, a fryer preacher, whom
yowre holynes annoynted mynifter of Chrift, to teache the Chriftian faithe amonge the inhabitantes of Dariena.
The Canibales ihall fhortely repent them, and the bludde of owre men fhalbe reuenged: And that the fooner,
bycaufe that fhortly after they had committed this abhominable flaughter of owre men, they came ageyne from
theyr owne Ilande of Santza Crux (otherwyfe cauled Ay Ay) to the Ilande of San/li Io/hannis. and flewe a kynge
whiche was a frende to owre men, and eate hym and all his famely, vtterly fubuertinge his vyllage, vppon this
occafion that violatinge the lawne of hoftage, he had flayne feuen Canibales whiche were lefte with hym by
compoEition to make certeyne canoas, bicaufe the Iland of San/li Johannis beareth greater trees and apter for
that purpofe, then doth the Ilande of Sanlti Crux the chiefe habitacion of the Canibales. Thefe Canibales yet
remaynynge in the Ilande, certeine of owre men fayling from HifJaniola, chaunced vppon them. The thynge
being vnderfLode by th[e]interpretoures, owre men quarelynge with theym and caulynge them to accompte for
that mifcheuous deede, they immediatly directed theyr bowes and venemous arrowes ageynfi them, and with
cruell countenaunces threatened them to bee quyet, leaft it fhulde repent them of theyr commyng thyther.
Owre men fearynge theyr venemous arrowes (for they were not prepared to fyght) gaue them fignes of peace.
Being demaunded why they detroyed the vyllage, and where the kynge was with his famelye, they anfwered
that they rafed the vyllage and cutte the kynge with hise  in peeces and eate them in the reuenge of theyr
feuen workemen: And that they had made faggottes of theyr bones to cary theim to the wyues and chyldren of
theyr flayne woorkemen, in wytneffe that the bodyes of theyr hubandes and parentes lay not vnreuenged: and
therewith fhewed the faggottes of bones to owre men: who beinge aflonyihed at theyr fiercenes and crueltie,
were enforced to diffimble the matter and houlde theyr peace, quarelynge noo further with them at that tyme.
Thefe and uche other thynges doo dayly chunce, th chce the which I doo let paffe leaft I hulde offende the eares of
yowr holynes with fuche bluddy narrations. Thus haue wee fufficiently digreffed from the regions of Beragnua
and Vraba beinge the chiefefte foundations of owre purpofe. WVee wyll nowe therefore entreate fumewhat of
the largenes and depthe of the ryuers of Vaba: Alfo declare bothe what they and the landes whiche they
runne through doo brynge foorth: lykewife of the greatnes of the lande from the Eafte to the Weft, and of the
bredth therof from the Southe to the North, and what theyr opinion and hope is of thynges yet vnknowen in
the fame. WVee wyll therfore beginne at the newe names wherwith the Spanyardes haue named thefe prouinces
fence they were vnder the dominions of the Chriftians.
El THE NYNTH BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE,
Of the fuyppofed Continent.
Eracmua therfore, they cauled CaJlella Aurea, that is golden Caftile: And Vraba they named
Andaluzia Nouza, that is, newe Andalufia. And lyke as of many Ilandes which they fubdued,
they choofe Hifpaniola for the chiefe place of theyr habitacion, foo in the large tract of Paria,
they appoynted theyr colonie or bydyng place in the twoo regions Vraba and Beragua, that
all fuche as attempte any vyages in thofe coaftes, may reforte to them as to fafe portes to bee
refrefhed when they are wery or dryuen to neceffitie. All owre feedes, and plantes, do nowe
marueloufly encreafe in Vraba. Lykewyfe blades, fettes, flippes, graffes, fuger canes, and


T Io




The jeconde Decade.


I3I


fuche other as are brought from other places to thofe regions, as alfo beaftes and foules as we haue fayde before.
O maruelous frutefulnes. Twentie dayes after the feede is fowne, they gather rype cucumers, and fuch lyke,
But colwortes, beetes, Letufe, Borage are rype within the fpace of ten dayes. Gourdes, melones, and pompones, within the fpace of. xxviii. dayes. Dariena hathe many natiue trees and frutes of dyuers kyndes with
fundry taftes, and holfome for the vfe of men: of the which I haue thowght it good to defcrybe certeyne of the
befl. They nooryffhe a tree which they caule Guaiana, that beareth a frute much refemblynge the kynde of
citrons which are commonly cauled limones, of tafle fumwhat fharpe myxt with fwetenes. They haue alfo
abundance of nuttes of pynetrees, and great plentie of date trees, whiche beare frutes bygger then the dates
that are knowen to vs: but they are not apte to bee eaten for theyr to much fowernes. Wylde and baren date
trees, growe of them felues in fundry places, the branches wherof they vfe for biefommes, and eate alfo the
buddes of the fame. Guarauana, being higher and bygger then the orange tree, bringeth furth a great frute
as bygge as pome citrons.
Ther is an other tree much lyke to a cheflnut tree whofe frute is lyke to the bygger fort of fygs, beinge
holfome and of plefant tafle. Mameis, is an other tree that bringeth foorthe frute as bygge as an orange, in
tafte nothynge inferioure to the beite kyndes of melones. Guananala, beareth a frute leffe then any of the
other, but of fweete fauoure lyke fpice, and of delectable taite. Houos, is an other tree whofe frute bothe in
fhape and tafle, is much lyke to prunes, but fumwhat bygger. They are furely perfuaded that this is the
Myrobalane tree. Thefe growe foo abundantely in Hiffaniola, that the hogges are fedde with the frute therof
as with maite amonge vs. The hogges lyke this kynde of feadynge foo well, that when thefe frutes wax rype,
the fwyneherdes can by no meanes keepe them owte of the wooddes of thefe trees: by reafon wherof, a greate
multytude of them are becoome wylde. They alfo affirme, that in Hifpaniola, fwynes fleffhe is of much better
tafle and more holfome then mutton. For it is not to bee doubted, but that dyuers kyndes of meates do
engender fundry taites and qualities in fuche as are noryfhed therwith. The moite puiffaunte prince Ferdinandus, declared that he had eaten of an other frute browght from thofe landes, beinge full of fcales with keyes
much lyke a pine apple in forme and coloure, but in tendernes equal to melopepones, and in taite excedyng all
garden frutes. For it is noo tre, but an herbe much lyke vnto an archichoke, or Acantho. The kynge hym
felfe, gaue the cheefeit commendation to this. I haue eaten none of thefe frutes. For of a great number
which they browght from thenfe, only one remayned vncorrupted, the other being putrified by reafon of the
longe vyage. All fuche as haue eaten of theym newely gathered in theyr natyue foyle, doo marueloufly commende theyr fwetenes and pleafaunt tafle. They dygge alfo owte of the ground certeyne rootes growynge of
theim felues, whiche they caule Botalas, much lyke vnto the nauie rootes of Mylayne, or the greate puffes or
mufheroms of the earth. Howe foo euer they bee dreffed, eyther fryed or fodde, they gyue place to noo fuch
kynde of meate in pleafant tendernes. The fkyn is fumwhat towgher then eyther of nauies or muffheroms, and
of earthy coloure: But the inner meate therof, is verye whyte. Thefe are nooryffhed in gardens, as we fayde
of Iucca in the fyrfle Decade. They are alfo eaten rawe, and haue the tafle of rawe cheftnuttes, but are
fumwhat fweeter. Wee haue fpoken fufficiently of trees, herbes, and frutes. We wyll nowe therefore entreate
of thynges fencitiue. The laundes and defolate paflures of thefe regions, are inhabited and deuoured of wild
and terrible beafles, as Lions, Tygers, and fuch other monflers as we nowe knowe, and haue byn defcrybed of
owlde autoures in tyme pafl. But there is efpecially one beafl engendered here, in which nature hath
endeuoured to fhewe her cunnyng. This beafle is as bygge as an oxe, armed with a longe fnoute lyke an
Elephant, and yet no Elephant. Of the colour of an oxe and yet noo oxe. With the houfe of a horfe, and
yet noo horfe. With eares alfo much lyke vnto an Elephant, but not foo open nor foo much hangyng downe:
yet much wyder then the eares of any other beafle. Of the beaft which beareth her whelpes about with her in
her feconde belly as in a purfe (beinge knowen to none of the owlde wryters) I haue fpoken in the fyrfl Decade
which I doubte not to haue coome to the handes of yowre holynes. Let vs nowe therfore declare what refleth
of the fluddes and ryuers of Vraba. The ryuer of Dariena fauleth into the goulfe of Vraba with a narowe
chanel, fcarfly able to beare the canoas or lyghters of that prouince, and runneth by the vyllage where they
chofe theyr dwellynge place. But the ryuer in the comer of the goulfe which we fayde that Vafchus paffed by,
they found to bee. xxiiii. furlonges in bredth (which they caule a league) and of exceadynge depthe, as of twoo
hundreth cubettes, faulynge into the goulfe by dyuers mouthes. They fay that this ryuer fauleth into the goulfe
of Vraba, lyke as the ryuer Ifjer (otherwyfe cauled Danubius, and Danowe) fauleth into the fea Pontike, and
Nilus into the fea of Egypte: wherfore they named it Grandis, that is great: whiche alfo they affirme to nooryfhe
many and great Crocodyles, as the owld wryters teflifie of Nilus, and efpecially as I haue lerned by experience,
hauinge fayled vp and downe the ryuer of Nilus when I was fent ambafadoure to the Soldane of Alcayr at the
commaundement of the mofle catholyke Kynge. What I may therfore gather owte of the wrytynges of fo many
lerned autours as concerninge the ryuer of Nilus, I knowe not. For they fay that nature hath gyuen two
riuers of that name to water the lande, whether they wyll them to fprynge owte of the mountaynes of the moone
a3I


The frutefulnes of
Dariena.
Dyuers holsomy
frutes of trees.
Guaiana,
Pine trees.
Date trees.
Guarauana
Mameis.
Guananala.
Houos.
Mirobalani.
Hogges fed with
mirobalanes
Swynes flesshe of
better tast and
more holsum then
mutton.
82
Frutes putrifyed
on the sea.
Botatas.
Lions and Tygers.
A straunge beast.
The ryuers of
Vraba.
The ryuer of
Darien fauleth
into the goulfe of
Vraba.
A league is xxiiii.
furlonges
Danubius.
Grandis or Rio
grandis.
A crocodile is
much lyke an
ente, but of
excedyng bignes.
The autoure of
this booke was in
Egipt




I32


The feconde Decade.




The riuer Nilus
in Egypte
Montes Luncs.
The Portugales
nauigacions.
The ryuer Senega,
another channell
of the ryuer of
Nilus.
Crocodiles.
The thyrde and
fourth Nilus.
Delags-a tos.
83
The ryuers
springe owt of the
mountaynes.
Crocodiles
engendred on
other ryuers
besyde Nilus in
Egypte.
Byrdes and foules.
Popingayes.
A philosophical
discourse as
cuncerning
th[e]original of
springes and
ryuers.
The breadth of
the lande at
Vraba, from the
North Ocean to
the South sea.
A ryuer of
maruelous
byggenes loke the
first decade the
ix. boke.
The great ryuer
Maragnonus. liber.
iv. decade. i.
Mariatambal.
Camam1ornos.
Paricora.
Paradice.
Loke. vi, boke
fyrst decade.
The sea.
The land enclosed
with two seas.


or the foonne, or owte of the toppes of the rowgh mountaines of Ethiopia: Affirming one of the fame to faule
into the goulfe of Egypte toward the Northe, and the other into the South Ocean fea. What fhall wee faye in
this place? Of that Nilus in Egypte, there is noo doubte. The Portugales alfo whiche fayle by the coafles of
the Ethiopians cauled Nigrite, and by the kyngedome of Melinda paffinge vnder the Equinoctiall lyne, amonge
theyr maruelous inuentions haue founde an other towarde the South, and erneflly affirme the fame to bee alfo
deriued from the mountaynes of the moone: And that it is an other chanell of Nlilus, bycaufe it bryngeth foorth
Crocodyles, whereas it hathe not byn reade before tyme that any other ryuer nooryffhed Crocodyles fauinge
onely Niilus. This ryuer, the Portugales caule Senega. It runneth throwgh the Region of the NiTritas, beinge
very frutefull towarde the north llore but on the fouthe fyde fandie and rowghe. Crocodiles are alfo engendred
herein. What fhall wee then fay of this thyrde: ye I may wel fay the fourth. For I fuppofe them alfo to bee
Crocodiles which Colonus with his coompany founde armed with fcales as harde as fhelles in the ryuer cauled
Delagartos wherof wee haue made mention before. Shall wee fay that thefe ryuers alfo of Darien and -Vaba,
haue theyr originall frome the mountaynes of the moone, wheras they fprynge owte of the nexte mountaynes,
and can by noo meanes haue the fame originall with ANibs in Egypte, or that in Nzorita, or els that in the
kyngedome of Melinda, from whenfe foo euer they are deryued. Whereas thefe other (as we haue fayde) fpringe
owt of the next mountaines whiche deuyde an other fouthe fea with noo greate diftaunce from the North Ocean.
Wherfore it appeareth by experience of fuch as haue trauayled the worlde in owre time, that other waters befyde
the ryuer of Nilus in Egypte, maye lykewyfe brynge foorth Crocodiles. In the maryffhes alfo and fennes of the
Regions of Dariena, are founde greate plentie of Phefauntes and peacockes, (but not of variable coloures) with
many other kyndes of byrdes and foules vnlyke vnto owres, as well apte to bee eaten, as alfo to delite the eares
of menne with pleafaunt noyfe. But owre Spanyardes, bycaufe they are ignorant in foulynge, take but fewe.
Alfo innumerable popingayes of fundry kindes are found chattering in the groues of thofe fenny places. Of
thefe there are fume equall to Capons in byggenes, and fume as lyttle as fparowes. But of the diuerfitie of
popingayes, we haue fpoken fufficientely in the fyrit Decade. For in the rafe of this large lande, Colonus hym
felfe browght and fent to the courte a greate number of euery kynde, the which it was lawfull for all the people
to beholde, and are yet dayly browght in lyke maner. There remayneth yet one thynge mofle woorthy to bee
put in hyflorye: The which I had rather to haue chaunced into the handes of Cicero or Liuie, then into myne.
For the thynge is foo marueylous in my eftimation, that I fynde my wytte more entangeled in the defcription
hereof, then is fayde of the henne when fhee feeth her younge chekyn inwrapped in towe or flaxe. The breadth
of that lande from the North Ocean to the fouth fea is only fyxe dayes iourney by relation of th[e]inhabitantes.
The multitude therfore and greatnes of the ryuers on the one fide and on the other fyde the narowenes of the
lande, brynge me into fuche doubte howe it can coome to paffe, that in foo little a fpace of three dayes iourney,
meafurynge from the hygh toppes of thofe mountaynes, I doo not vnderitande howe foo many and foo great ryuers,
may haue recourfe into this north fea. For it is to bee thought that as many doo flowe towarde th[e]inhabitantes
of the fouthe. Thefe ryuers of Vraba are but fmaule, in comparifon of many other in thofe coafles. For the
Spanyardes fay, that in the tyme of Colonus, they founde and paffed by an other ryuer after this, whofe goulfe
faulynge into the fea, they affirme to bee lyttle leffe then a hundreth myles in the fyrife coaftes of Paria, as wee
haue fayde elfewhere. For they faye that it fauleth from the toppes of hyghe mountaynes with foo fwyfte and
furious a courfe, that by the violence and greatnes therof, it dryueth backe the fea althowgh it bee rowghe and
enforced with a contrary wynde. They all affirme lykewyfe, that in all the large tracte therof, they felt noo
fower or falte water, but that all the water was freffhe, fweete, and apte to bee dronke. Th[e]inhabitantes caule
this ryuer MAaragnonum: And the regions adiacent to the fame, Mariatambal, Camamorus, and Paricora.
Befyde thofe ryuers whiche I haue named before, as Darien, Grandis, Dabaiba, Beragua, Sandi Mathei, Boius
gatti, Delagartos, and Gaira, they which of late haue fearched thofe coaftes, haue founde many other.
Deliberatinge therefore with my felfe, from whenfe there mountaynes beinge foo narowe and nere vnto the fea on
bothe fydes, haue fuch great holowe caues or dennes of fuche capacitie, and from whenfe they are fylled to caft
foorth fuch abundance of water, hereof alfo afkynge them the opinions of the inhabitantes, they affirme them to
bee of dyuers iudgementes herein: Alleagynge fyrfi the greatnes of the mountaynes to bee the caufe, whiche
they fay to bee very hygh, which thynge alfo Colonus the firft fynder therof affirmeth to bee trewe: Adding there
vnto that the Paradife of pleafure is in the toppes of thofe mountaines whiche appeare from the goulfe of Paria
and Os Draconis, as he is fully perfuaded. They agree therfore that there is greate caues within thefe
mountaynes: but it reiteth to confyder from whenfe they are fylled. If therefore all the ryuers of freffhe waters
by th[e]oppinion of manye, do foo flowe owte of the fea as dryuen and compelled throwghe the paffages or pores
of the earth by the ponderous weyght of the fea it felfe, as wee fee them breake furth of the fprynges and directe
their courfe to the fea ageyne, then the thynge is leffe to bee marueyled at here then in other places. For wee
haue not redde that in any other place twoo fuch feas haue enuironed any lande with foo narowe lymittes.
For it hath on the right fyde, the great Ocean where the fonne goeth downe on the lefte hande: And an other
(32




The feconde Decade.


133


on the other fyde where the fonne ryfeth, nothynge inferioure to the fyrft in greatenes, for they fuppofe it to bee
myxte and ioyned as all one with the fea of Eaft India.
This lande therefore being burdened with fo great a weight on the one fyde and on the other (yf this
opinion bee of anye value) is enforced to fwalowe vp fuch deuoured waters, and ageyne to caft foorth the fame
in open fpringes and fireames. But if wee fhall denye that the earth draweth humours of the fea, and agree
that all fountaynes or fprynges are engendered of the conuerfion or turnynge of ayer into water diftilling within
the holowe places of the montaynes (as the moft part thinke) we wyll gyue place rather to th[e]autoritie of
them whiche flycke to thofe reafons, then that owre fenfe is fatiffyed of the full truth therof. Yet doo I not
repugne that in fume caues of mountaynes, water is turned into ayer. For I my felfe haue feene, howe in the
caues of manye mountaynes in Spayne, in maner ihowers of rayne doo faule continually: And that 'he water
gathered by this meanes, doth fend furth certeyne ryuers by the fydes of the mountaynes, wherwith al fuche
trees as are planted on the ifiepe or foote of the mountaynes, as vines, Oliue trees, and fuche other, are watered.
And this efpecially in one place: As the ryght honorable Lodouike the Cardinall of Aragonie mofle obsequious
to yowre holynes, and twoo other byihoppes of Italy, wherof the one is Silhius Pandonus, and the other an
Archebyffhop (whofe name and tytle I doo not remember) can beare me wytnes. For when wee were togyther
at Granata, lately delyuered from the dominion of the Moores, and walked for owre paftyme to certeine
pleafaunte hylles (by the whiche there ranne a fayre ryuer) Whyle Cardinall Lodouike occupied hym felfe in
fhutynge at byrdes whiche were in the bufhes nere vnto the ryuer, I and the other twoo byffhops determined to
clime the mountaynes to fearche th[e]originall and fpringe of the ryuer: for wee were not farre from the toppes
thereof. Folowynge therefore the courfe of the ryuer, wee founde a greate caue in which was a continuall faule
of water as it had byn a fhoure of rayne: the water wherof, faulyng into a trenche made with mans hand,
encreafeth to a ryuer, and runneth downe by the fydes of the mountaynes. The lyke is alfo feene in this
famous towne of Valladoleto (where we nowe fuiorne) in a certeyne greene clofe, not pall a furlonge diflant from
the waules of the towne. I graunte therfore that in certeyne places by conuerfion of the ayrie dewe into water
within the caues of fuche mountaynes, many fprynges and ryuers are engendred. But I fuppofe that nature was
not follicitate to brynge furthe fuche greate fluds by this fo fmaule induftry. Twoo reafons therfore, do found
befte to my iudgement: whereof the one is, the often faule of rayne: The other, the continuall autumne or
fprynge tyme which is in thofe regions beinge foo nere vnto the Equinoctial that the common people can
perceaue no difference betwene the length of the day and the night throwgh owt al the yeare whereas thefe two
feafons are more apte to engender abundance of rayne then eyther extreme wynter or feruent fummer An
other reafon in effect much lyke vnto the fyrft, is this: If the fea bee full of pores, and that by the pores therof
beinge opened by the Southe windes, wee fhal confent that vapours are lyfted vp wherof the watery cloudes are
engendred, this lande muft needes bee moyfted with moo fhoures then anye other, yf it bee as narowe as they
faye, and enuironed with twoo mayne feas collaterally beatinge on the fame. Howe fo euer it be: I can not
but gyue credit to the report of fuch worthy men as haue recourfe to thofe regions: And can noo leffe then
declare the fame albeit it may feeme incredible to fume ignorant perfons not knowynge the poure of nature to
whome Plinie was perfuaded that nothynge was impoffible. Wee haue therfore thought it good to make this
difcourfe by the way of argument, leaf[ on the one fyde, men of good lernyng and iudgement, and on the other
fyde, fuche as are fludious to fynde occafions of quarelynge in other mens wrytynges, fhulde iudge vs to bee fo
vndefcreete lyghtly to gyue creditte to euery tale not beinge confonant to reafon. But of the force and greate
violence of thofe freffhe waters, which repulfinge the fea make fo greate a goulfe (as wee haue fayde) I thinke the
caufe therof to bee the greate multitude of fluddes and ryuers, whiche beinge gathered togither, make fo great a
poole: and not one ryuer as they fuppofe. And for as muche as the mountaynes are excedynge hyghe and
fliepe, I thinke the violence of the faule of the waters to be of fuch force, that this conflicte betwene the waters,
is caufed by th[e]impulfion of the poole that the falte water can not enter into the goulfe. But here perhappes
fume wyll marueyle at me why I fhulde marueyle foo muche hereat, fpeakynge vnto me fcornefully after this maner.
Why dothe he foo marueyle at the greate ryuers of thefe Regions? Hathe not Italye his Eridanus, named the
kynge of ryuers of the owlde wryters? Haue not other regions alfo the lyke? as wee reede of Tanais, Ganges,
and Danubius, which are fayde foo to ouercoome the fea, that frefhe water may be drawne fortie myles within
the fame. Thefe menne I woolde fatiffie with this anfwere. The famous ryuer of Padus, in Italye (whiche
they nowe caule Po, and was of the Greekes cauled Eridanus) hath the greate mountaynes cauled A4pes
diuidinge Fraunce, Germanie, and Pannonie from Italye, lyinge at the backe therof as it were bulwarges full
of moyflure: And with a longe tracte receauinge Ticinum with innumerable other great ryuers, fauleth into the
fea Adriatike. The lyke is alfo to bee vnderflode of the other. But thefe ryuers (as owre men were enformed
by the kynges) faul into the Ocean fea with larger and fuller chanels nere hand. And fume there are which
affirme this lande to bee very large in other places althowgh it bee but narowe here. There commeth alfo to
my remembrance an other caufe: the whiche althowgh it bee of no greate force, yet doo I entende to wryte it.
N 2                                    -133


84
Conu[e]rsion of
ayer into water in
the caues of
mountaynes.
Showers of rayne
in the caues of
montaynes
The often fal of
rayne and
continuall sprynge
time.
The Equinoctiall.
The pores of the
sea and the South
wynd.
Nothinge
impossible to the
poure of na[t]ure.
The cause of the
greatnes and force
of the goulfe.
Hygh and stiepe
hylles
85
The fludde
Eridanus.
Tanais.
Ganges.
Danubius.
Padus.
A lhes.
Ticinum.
The sea Adriatike,
sume caule the
goulfe of Venes
An other reason




i34


The feconde Decade.


Th rye


The ryuer
Alpheus.
A rethusa
Longe caues in
the mountaynes.


Perhappes therfore the length of the lande reachyng far from the Eafte to the wefte, if it bee narowe, may bee
a helpe hereunto. For as wee reade that the ryuer Alp/zeus paffethe through the holowe places vnder the fea
from the citie of Elis in Peloponefo, and breaketh foorth at the fountayne or fprynge Arethufa in the Iland of
Sicilia, fo is it poffible that thefe mountaynes may haue fuche longe caues perteynynge vnto theim, that they
may be the receptacles of the water paffing through the landes beinge farre diftante: And that the fame waters
commynge by foo longe a tracte, may in the way bee greately encreafed by the conuerfion of ayer into water,
as wee haue fayde. Thus muche haue I fpoken freely, permittinge bothe to them whiche doo frendely
enterprete other mens doinges, and alfo to the malicious fcorners, to take the thynge euen as them lyfleth.
For hetherto I can make no further declaration hereof. But when the truth fhalbe better knowen, I wyl do my
diligence to commit the fame to wryting. Nowe therefore, forafmuche as we haue fpoken thus muche of the
breadth of this land, we entend to defcribe the length and forme of the fame.
( THE TENTH BOOKE OF THE SECONDE DECADE,
Of the fut!pofed      Continent.


The length and
forme of the Iland.
Cap. S. Augusti.
Eyght tymes
bygger then Italy
besyde that part
whiche the
portugales
possesse. Italy
is in length a
thousand and two
hundreth myles,
and in breadth
foure hundreth
and ten.
Cardes of the sea.
The carde of
Americus
Vesputius.
'he carde of
Colonus.
The carde of
Iohannes de la
Cossa.
86
The carde of
Andreas moralis.
The maner of
measuring the
cardes.
Loke decade i.
liber. iii.
The Iland of
Cabouerde.
Maragnon un
Os Draconis
A league.
Cuchibacoa.
Caramairi.
Carthago.
The Iland Fortis.
Vraba.
Beragua.


Hat lande reacheth foorth into the fea euen as doth Italy, althowgh not like the legge of a man
as it doth. But I nowe compare a Pigmean or a dwarfe to a giant. For that part therof
which the Spaniardes haue ouer runne from the fayde Eafte poynt which reacheth towarde
the fea Atlantike (the ende not beinge yet founde towarde the Wefte) is more then eyght
tymes longer then Italye. And by what reafon I am moued to fay eyght tymes, yowre
holynes fhall vnderflande. From the tyme therefore that I fyrfte determined to obeye their
requefles who wylled me fyrfte in yowre name to wryte thefe thynges in the laten tonge, I
dyd my endeuoure that all thinges myght coome foorth with dewe tryall and experience. Wherupon I repayred
to the byfhoppe of Burges beinge the chiefe refuge of this nauigation. As wee were therfore fecretly togyther in
one chamber, we had many inftrumentes perteynynge to thefe affayres as globes and manye of thofe mappes
which are commonly cauled the fhipmans cardes, or cardes of the fea. Of the which, one was drawen by the
Portugales, wherunto Americus Vefputius is fayde to haue put to his hande, beinge a man mofte experte in this
facultie and a Florentyne borne: who alfo vnder the flipende of the Portugales, hadde fayled towarde the fouth
pole many degrees beyond the Equinoctiall. In this carde we founde the fyrft front of this land to bee brooder
then the kynges of Vraba had perfuaded owre men of theyr mountaynes. To an other, Colonus the Admiral
whyle he yet lyued and fearched thofe places had gyuen the beginnynge with his owne handes: Wherunto
Bartholomeus Colonus his brother and Lieuetenaunt had addid his iudgement, for he alfo, had fayled aboute
thofe coaftes. Of the Spanyardes lykewyfe, as many as thought them felues to haue any knowleage what
perteyned to meafure the lande and the fea, drewe certeyne cardes in parchement as concernyng thefe nauigations. Of all other, they moft efteeme them which lohannes de la Coffa the coompanion of Fogeda (whom wee
fayde to bee flayne of the people of Caranmairi in the hauen Carthago,) and an other expert pylot cauled
Andreas Moralis, had fet foorth. And this afwell for the greate experience which they bothe hadde (to whom
thefe tractes were as wel knowen as the chambers of theyr owne houfes) as alfo that they were thought to bee
cunninger in that parte of Cofmographie which teacheth the defcription and meafuringe of the fea. Conferringe
therefore all thefe cardes togyther, in euery of the whiche was drawen a lyne expreffinge, not the myles, but
leagues after the maner of the Spanyardes, we tooke owre compafes and beganne to meafure the fea coaftes
after this order. From that poynt or fronte which we fayde to bee included within the lyne perteynynge to the
Portugales iurifdiction, beinge drawen by the paralelles of the Ilandes of Cabouerde, but a hundreth leagues
further towarde the wefle (which they haue nowe alfo fearched on euery fyde) we founde three hundreth leagues
to the enterance of the ryuer Maragnzonum: And from thenfe to Os Draconis, feuen hundreth leagues: but
fumwhat leffe in the defcription of fume: For they doo not agree in al poyntes exquifitely. The Spanyardes
wyll that a league conteyne foure myles by fea and but three by lande. From Os Draconis, to the cape or
poynt of Cuc/zibacoa, which beinge paffed, there is a goulfe on the lefte hande, we meafured three hundrethe
leagues in one carde, and much thereabout in an other. From this poynt of Cuchibacoa, to the region of
Caramairi in which is the hauen Carthago (which fum caule Carthagenza) we found about a hundreth and
feuentie leagues. From Caramairi to the Ilande Fortis, fiftie leagues. From thenfe to the goulfes of Vraba
amonge the which is the vyllage cauled SanlEa Maria Antiqua where the Spanyardes haye apoynted theyr
habitacion, only. xxxiii. leagues. From the ryuer of Vraba in the prouince of Dariena to the ryuer of Beragua
3t4




The feconde Decade.


I35


— I


where Nicuefa hadde intended to haue faftened his foote if god hadde not otherwyfe decreed, we meafured a
hundreth and thirtie leagues. Frome Beragua to that ryuer whiche wee fayde of Colonus to bee cauled Santci
Matthei, in the which alfo Nicuefa loofinge his carauell, wandered in greate calamities, we founde in owre cardes,
onely a hundreth and fortie leagues: Yet many other which of late tyme haue coome from thefe partes, haue
defcrybed many moo leagues in this tracte from the ryuer of Sanci Matthei: In which alfo, they place dyuers
ryuers, as Aburema with the Ilande cauled Scutum Cateba lyinge before it, whofe kynges name is Facies combujza.
Lykewife an other ryuer cauled Zobraba: after that, Vrida: and then Duraba in the which gold is founde.
Furthermore, many goodly hauens, as Cerabaro and Hiebra, foo cauled of th[e]inhabitantes. And thus if yowre
holynes wyll conferre thefe numbers togyther, yowe Ihall fynde in this accompte, a thoufand fiue hundreth
twentie and fyue leagues, whiche amounte to fyue thoufande and feuen hundreth myles from the poynt of SanEi
Matthei, which they caule Sinum perditorum: that is, the goulfe of the lofte men. But we may not leaue here.
For after this, one AJtur Ouetenfes, otherwyfe named lohannes Dias de Solis, borne in Nebriffa (which bringeth
foorth many lerned men) faylinge frome this ryuer towarde the wefte, ouer ranne manye coaftes and leagues:
But the myddefle of that fhore, bendethe towarde the North: And it is therfore directly placed in order with
the other. Yet may we gather by a diameter or ryght lyne, about three hundreth leagues. Hereby maye yowe
gather what is the length of this lande. But of the breadth, perhappes wee fhall hereafter haue further knowleage. Let vs nowe fpeake fumwhat of the varietie of the degrees of the eleuation of the pole flarres. This
lande therfore, althowgh it reache foorth from the Eaft into the Wefle, yet is it crooked and hathe the poynt
bendynge fo toward the fouth, that it lofeth the fight of the North pole, and is extended beyonde the Equinoctial lyne feuen degrees towarde the South pole. But the poynt herof, perteyneth to the iurifdiction of the
Portugales as we haue fayde. Leauinge this poynt and faylinge toward Paria the north flarre is feene ageyne,
and is fo much the more lyfted vp, in howe much the region enclyneth more towarde the Wefle. The Spanyardes therfore, haue dyuers degrees of eleuations, vntyl they come to Dariena beinge their chiefe ftation and
dwellynge place in thofe landes. For they haue forfaken Beragua, where they found the North pole eleuate.
viii. degrees But from henfe the lande doth foo muche bende towarde the North, that it is there in maner
equall with the degrees of the firayghtes of Hercules pyllers: efpecially yf wee meafure certeyne landes founde
by them towarde the Northe fyde of Hifpaniola. Emonge the which, there is an Ilande, about three hundreth
and. xxv. leagues from Hifpaniola, as they fay whiche haue fearched the fame, named Boiuca or Agnaneo, in the
which is a continual fprynge of runnynge water of fuch maruelous vertue, that the water therof beinge dronk,
perhappes with fume dyete, maketh owld men younge ageyne. And here muft I make proteiRacion to yowre
holynes, not to thynke this to bee fayde lyghtly or rafhely. For they haue foo fpredde this rumour for a truth
throwghowt all the courte, that not onely all the people, but alfo many of them whom wifedome or fortune hath
diuided from the common fort, thinke it to be true. But if yowe fhal afke my opinion herein, I wyl anfwere
that I wyll not attribute fo greate poure to nature: but that god hath noo leffe referued this prerogatiue to hym
felfe, then to fearche the hartes of men, or to gyue fubRfance to priuation, (that is) beinge to noo beinge:
Excepte we fhall beleue the fable of Colchis of Efon renouate, to bee as trewe as the wrytinges of Sibylla
Erythrea. Albeit perhappes the fcoles of phifitians and naturall philofophers wyll not muche flycke to affirme
that by th[e]ufe of certeyne fecreate medecines and dyete, the accidentes of age (as they caule them) may be
longe hydden and deferred, which they wyll to bee vnderfloode, by the renouacion of age. And to haue fayde
thus much of the length and breadthe of thefe Regions, and of the rowghe and hugious mountaynes with theyr
watery caues, alfo of the dyuers degrees of that lande, I thinke it fufficient. But I thowght it not good to let
paffe what chaunced to thefe miferable men amonge theyr generall calamities. I remember that when I was a
chylde, mee thowght my bowelles grated and that my fpirites were maruelouflye troubeled for verye pitie, when
I readde in the poet Virgyl howe Achemenides was lefte of Vlyjfes vpon the fea bankes amonge the giantes cauled
Cyclopes where for the fpace of many dayes from the departinge of V7yffes vntyll the commynge of Eneas he
eate none other meate but only berryes and hawes. But owre vnfortunate Spanyardes whiche folowed Nicuefa
to inhabite Beragua, woolde haue eftemed hawes and berryes for greate delicates. What fhulde I heare fpeake
of the heade of an affe bowght for a greate price, and of fuch other extremities as men haue fuffered in townes
befeaged? After that Nicuefa hadde determyned to leaue Beragua for the barrennes of the foyle, he attempted
to fearche Portum Bellum, and then the coaftes of the poynt cauled Marmor, if he myght there fynde a place
more fortunate to inhabite. In this meane tyme, fo greuous famen oppreffed his fouldiers, that they neyther
abfleyned from eatinge of mangie dogges which they had with them afwell for theyr defence as for huntynge
(for in the warre ageynft the naked people, dogges ftoode them in greate tfeade) nor yet fumtymes from the
flayne inhabitantes. For they founde not there any frutefull trees or plentie of foules as in Dariena, but a
barren grounde and not meete to bee inhabited. Here certeyne of the fouldiers made a bargein with one of
theyr felowes for the price of a leane dogge, who alfo was almofte deade for hunger: They gaue the owner of
the dogge many of thofe pieces of golde which they caule Pefos or golden Caftellans. Thus agreinge of the
135


R. Sancti
Mattlci
R. Aburema
Scutum Cateba
R. Zobroba.
Vrida.
Duraba.
Cerabaro.
Hiebra.
Note.
R. d. las. perdidos
The nauigation of
Iohannes Dias.
The eleuation of
the pole.
The iurisdiction
of the Portugales.
Paria.
Dariena.
Beragua.
Hercules pyllers.
87
The Ilande
Boiuca or
Agnaneo.
A water of
maruelous vertue.
The renouation
of age.
The accidentes of
age may bee
hydden.
Achemnenides.
Vlysses.
Eneas.
Extreme hunger.
This was at the
siege of
hierusalem.
Portus Bellus
Marmor.
Mangy dogs eaten.
A mangy dog
dere sold.




136


The feconde Decade.


Broth of a mangy
dogs skynne.
Toades eaten
A deade man
eaten.
88
Note.
Petrus Arias
whom the
Spanyardes caule
Pediarias.


price, they fleid the dogge to bee eaten, and cafle his mangie fkynne with the bones of the heade hangynge
therto, amonge the bufhes. The day folowynge, a certeyne footeman of theyr company, chaunced to fynde the
fkynne beinge nowe full of maggottes and ftynkynge. He brought it home with hym, fodde it, and eate it.
Many reforted to hym with theyr dyfihes for the brothe of the fodde ikynne, proferinge hym for euerye
dyffhefull a piece of golde. An other founde twoo toades and fodde them which a ficke man bought of hym
for twoo fyne lhertes curioufly wrought of lynen intermyxt with golde. Certeyn other wanderinge abowte to
feeke for vytayles, founde in a patheway in the myddeft of a fyelde, a deade man of th[e]inhabitantes whiche
had byn flayne of his owne coompanye and was nowe rotten and flynkynge. They drewe hym a fyde,
difmemberde hym fecreatly, rofted hym and eate hym, therewith affwagynge theyr hunger as yf they had byn
fedde with pheafauntes. One alfo, which departinge from his companions in the nyght feafon, went a fyfhyng
amonge the reedes of the maryffhes, lyued only with flyme or mudde for the fpace of certeyne dayes, vntyll at
the lengthe creepinge and almofte deade, he founde the way to his felowes. And thus thefe miferable men of
Beragua vexed with thefe and fuche other a[f]flictions, were browgh[t]e from the number offeuen hundreth
threfcore and ten fouldiers, fcarfely to fortie, beinge nowe alfo added to the coompany of them in Dariena.
Fewe were flayne of th[e]inhabitantes. But the refydewe confumed by famen, breathed owt theyr wery
fowles, openynge a waye to the newe landes for fuch as ihal coome after them, appeafinge the fury of the
barbarous nations, with the price of theyr bludde. Confyderinge therfore after thefe ftormes, with what eafe
other men ihall ouerrunne and inhabite thefe landes, in refpecte to the calamities that thefe men haue fuffered,
they fhall feeme to goo to bryde feaftes where all thynges are redy prepared ageynll their commynge. But
where Petrus Arias arryued with the kynges nauie and newe fupply of men, to this houre I knowe no
certentie. What Ihall chaunce herafter I wyll make diligente inquifition if I ihall vnderftande this to bee
acceptable to yowre holynes. Thus I byd yowe hartely farewell: from the courte of the mooRte Catholyke
kynge, the daye beefore the nones of December, in the yeare of Chrifte, M. D. XIIII.


X36




I37


( THE FYRST BOOKE OF THE THYRDE DECADE,
TO THE BYSSHOPPE OF ROME LEO THE TENTH.


Was determyned (mofle holye father) to haue clofed vp the gates
to this newe worlde, fuppofinge that I had wandered farre
enowgh in the coaftes therof, while in the meane time newe
letters were brought me frome thenfe, which caufed me ageyne
to take my penne in hande. For I receaued letters not only
er            from certeyne of myne acquaintaunce there, but alfo frome
Vafchus Nunnez whome we fayde by the confidence of hisowne poure with his confetherates, to haue vfurped the gouernaunce of Dariena after the reiecting of Nicuefa and Ancfits,
Lieuetenantes. By his letter wrytten after his warlyke maner,
wee vnderftand that he hath pared ouer the mountaynes, diuidyng the Ocean knowen to vs, from the other mayne fea on the
ta         fouth fyde of this lande hetherto vnknowen. His epiftell is
greater then that cauled Capreenfis de Seiano. But wee haue
gathered out of that and other, onely suche thynges as we thowght -
mofte woorthy to bee noted.  Vafchus foo behaued hym felfe
in thefe affayres, that he dyd not onely pacifie the kynges
difpleafure conceaued ageynft hym, but alfo made hym fo fauorable and gracious good lorde towarde hym, that
he rewarded him and his coompanions with many honorable gyftes and priuileges for theyr attemptes. Wherfore
I defyre yowre holynes to inclyne yowre attentiue eares, and to confyder with a ioyfull mynde what they haue
browght to paffe in thefe great enterpryfes. For this valiante nation (the Spanyardes I meane) haue not onely
but alfo myriades of men.  Vafchus Vunnez therfore, whether it were that he was impacient of Idlenes (for a
valiente mynde can not reft in one place or bee vnoccupyed) or leafte any other fhulde preuent hym in foo great
a matter (fufpecting the newe gouernour Petrus Arias) or being moued by both thefe caufes, and efpecially for that
the kynge had taken difpleafure with hym for fuch thynges as he had doone before, toke th[e]aduenture vppon
hym with a fewe men to brynge that to paffe which the fonne of kynge Comogrus thought could hardly haue -
byn doone with the ayde of a thoufande men, wherofPetrus Arias was appoynted capitayne for the fame purpofe.
Affemblynge therfore certeyne of the owlde fouldiers of Dariena, and many of thofe whiche came lately from
Hjpaniola, allured by the fame of greater plentie of golde, he gathered an armye of a hundreth fourefcore andtenne men. Thus beinge furnyffhed and redie to take his vyage by fea, whyle the wynde ferued hym, he
departed frome Dariena with one brygantine and tenne of theyr boates whiche they caule Canoas as wee haue
fayde. Fyrft therfore arryuynge in the dominion of Careta kynge of Coiba and frende to the Chriftians, and
leauynge his fhyppe and boates there, he made his deuout prayers to almyghtie god, and therwith went forwarde
on his iourney by lande toward the mountaynes. Here he fyrft entered into the region of kynge Poncha, who
fledde at his commyng as he had doone before.  But Vafchus fent meffengers to hym by the conduct of
certeyne of Care/a his men, promyfinge hym frendfhip and defence ageynfI his enemies, with many other
benefites. Poncea thus entyfed with the fayre fpeache and frendely profers bothe of owre men and of the
Caretans, came to owr men gladly and wyllyngely makynge a league of frendfhippe with them. Vafchus
enterteyned hym very frendely, and perfuaded him neuer therafter to ftande in feare. Thus they ioyned handes,
embrafed, and gaue greate gyftes the one to the other to knytte vp the knotte of continuall amitie. Poncly gyftea
gaue Vafe/hus a hundreth and ten poundes weyght of golde, of that pounde which the Spanyardes caule Peum.37
He had no greater plentie of golde at this tyme, by reafon he was fpoyled the yeare before as we haue fayde.
Vafchus to recompence one benefyte with an other, gaue hym certeyne of owre thynges, as counterfet rynges,
Chriftal ftones, copper cheynes and brafelettes, haukes belles, lokynge glaffes, and fuche other fyne Ituffe.
Thefe thynges they fet much by and greately efleeme. For fuche thynges as are ftraunge, are euery where
counted precious. He gaue alfo to Poncha certeyne axes to fell trees: which he accepted as a princely gyfte,
'37


Vaschus Nunnez,
gouernor of
Dariena.
The newe south
Ocean.
Commendation of
the Spanyardes.
A valient mynd
can not bee ydle.
A desperate
aduenture
Vaschus his viage
toward the golden
mountaynes.
Careta kynge of
Coiba
Kyng Poncha
89
A hundreth and x.
poundes weyght
of golde.
Strange thinges
are counted
precious.




I38


The thyrde Decade.


Lacke of iren
A stone in the
steede of Iren.
Superfluitles
hyader libertie.
Carpenters.
Brydges.
The region of
Quarequa.
Kinge Quarequa
is dryuen to
flyght.
Hargabusies.
Crossebowes
vi. C. [six hundred]
Barbarians are
slaine
Vnnatural lechery.
90
The vse of dogges
in the warre
agenst the naked
Barbarians.
Naturaul hatred
of vnnatural sinne.
Palatini.
I wolde all men
were of this
opinion.
The hamuest is
great and the
woorkemen but
fewe.
Warrelyke people.
The hygher the
coulder.


- bycaufe they lacke Iren and all other metals except golde: by reafon wherof they are enforced with greate
laboure to cut theyr trees to buylde theyr houfes, and efpecially to make theyr boates holowe withowte inftrumentes of Iren, with certeyne fharpe ftones whiche they fynde in the ryuers. Thus Vafchus leauynge all
thynges in fafetie behynde hym, marched forwarde with his armye towarde the mountaynes, by the conducte of
certeyne guydes and labourers which Ponzcha had gyuen hym, as well to leade hym the way, as alfo to cary his
baggages and open the ftraightes through the defolate places and craggy rockes full of the dennes of wylde
beaftes. For there is feldoome entercourfe or byinge and fellynge betwene thefe naked people, bycaufe they
ftand in neede of fewe thynges and haue not the vfe of money. But yf at any tyme they exercife any bartering
they doo it but nere hande, exchangynge golde for houfholde ltuffe with theyr confines whiche fumewhat efteeme
the fame for ornamente when it is wrought. Other fuperfluities they vtterly contemne, as hynderances of theyr
fweete libertie, forafmuch as they are gyuen only to play and Idelnes. And for this caufe, the high wayes
which lye betwene theyr regions are not much worne with many iorneys. Yet haue theyr fcoutes certeyne
priuie markes whereby they knowe the waye the one to inuade the others dominions, and fpoyle and infefle
them felues on bothe fydes with mutual incurfions priuilie in the nyght feafon. By the helpe therfore of theyr
guydes and labourers, with owre carpenters, he paffed ouer the horrible mountaynes and many greate ryuers
lyinge in the way, ouer the which he made brydges eyther with pyles or trunkes of trees. And here doo I let
paffe manye thynges whiche they fuffered for lacke of neceffaries, beinge alfo in maner ouercome with extreme
laboure, leafle I fhulde bee tedious in reherfinge thynges of fmaule value. But I haue thought it good not to
omitte fuche doinges as he had with the kynges by the waye. Therefore or euer he came to the toppes of the
hygh mountaynes, he entered into a Region cauled Quarequa, and mette with the kynge thereof cauled by the
fame name, with a greate bande of men armed after theyr maner, as with bowes and arrowes, longe and brode
two handed fwordes made of wodde, longe ftaues hardened at the endes with fyer, dartes alfo and flynges. He
came proudely and cruelly ageynft owre men, and fent meffengers to them to byd theym flande and procede
no further: demaundynge whyther they went and what they hadde to doo there.  Herewith he came foorth
and fhewed hym felfe beinge appareled with al his nobilitie: but the other were all naked. Then approchinge
towarde owre men, he thretened them with a lions countenance to depart from thenfe except they woolde bee
flayne euery mothers fonne. When owre men denyed that they woolde goo backe, he affayled them fiercely.
But the battayle was fone fynyffhed. For as foone as they harde the noyfe of the hargabufies, they beleued
that owre menne caryed thunder and lyghtenynge about with them.  Many alfo beinge flayne and fore
wounded with quarels of croffebowes, they turned their backes and fledde. Owre men folowynge them in the
chafe, hewed them in piefes as the butchers doo fleffhe in the Ihamwelles, from one an arme, from an other a
legge, from hym a buttocke, from an other a fhulder, and from fume the necke from the bodye at one
ftroke. Thus, fyxe hundreth of them with theyr kynge, were flayne lyke brute beaftes.  Vafchkzs founde the
houfe of this kynge infected with moft abhominable and vnnaturall lechery. For he founde the kynges brother
and many other younge men in womens apparell, fmoth and effeminately decked, which by the report of fuch
as dwelte abowte hym, he abufed with prepofterous venus. Of thefe abowte the number of fortie, he commaunded to bee gyuen for a pray to his dogges. For (as we haue fayd) the Spaniardes vfe [t]he helpe of
dogges in their warres ageynft the naked people whom they inuade as fiercely and rauenyngely as yf they were
wylde boares or hartes. In foo muche that owre Spanyardes haue founde theyr dogges noo leffe faythful to them
in all daungiours and enterpryfes, then dyd the Colophonians or Caflabalenfes which inftituted hole armies of
dogges foo made to ferue in the warres, that beinge accuftomed to place them in the fore froonte of the
battayles, they neuer fhrunke or gaue backe. When the people had harde of the feuere punyffhement which
owr men had executed vppon that fylthy kynde of men, they retorted to theim as it had byn to Hercules for
refuge, by violence bryngyng with them al fuch as they knewe to bee infected with that peftilence, fpettynge
in theyr faces and cryinge owte to owre men to take reuenge of them and rydde them owte of the worlde from
amonge men as contagious beaftes. This ftinkynge abhomination hadde not yet entered amonge the people,
but was exercifed onely by the noble men and gentelmen. But the people lyftinge vp theyr handes and eyes
toward heauen, gaue tokens that god was greuoufily offended with fuch vyle deedes. Affirmynge this to bee the
caufe of theyr foo many thunderinges, lyghtnynge, and tempeftes wherwith they are foo often troubeled: And
of the ouerflowinge of waters which drowne theyr fets and frutes, whereof famenne and dyuers difeafes infue,
as they fimplye and faythfully beleue, althowgh they knowe none other god then the foonne, whom onely they
honoure, thinkynge that it dooth bothe gyue and take awaye as it is pleafed or offended. Yet are they very._docible, and eafye to bee allured to owre cuftomes and religion, if they had any teachers. In theyr language
there is nothynge vnpleafaunte to the eare or harde to bee pronounced, but that all theyr woordes may bee
wrytten with latin letters as wee fayde of th[e]inhabitantes of Hzfpaniola. It is a warlyke nation, and hath byn
euer hetherto moleftous to theyr bortherers. But the region is not fortunate with frutful ground or plentie of
gold. Yet is it full of greate barren mountaynes beinge fumewhat colde by reafon of theyr heyght. And
138




The thyrde Decade.


I39


therfore the noble men and gentelmen are apparelled. But the common people lyue content onely with the
benefytes of nature. There is a region not paft two dayes iourney diftant from Quarequa, in which they founde
only blacke Moores: and thofe excedynge fierce and cruell. They fuppofe that in tyme pafle certeyne blackemores fayled thether owt of Aethiopia to robbe: and that by fhippewracke or fume other chaunce, they were
dryuen to thofe mountaynes. Th[e]inhabitantes of Quarequa lyue in continuall warre and debate with thefe
blacke men. Here Vafchus leauinge in Quarequa many of his fouldiers (which by reafon they were not yet
accuftomed to fuch trauayles and hunger, fell into dyuers difeafes) tooke with hym certeyne guydes of the
Quarequatans to conduct hym to the toppes of the mountaynes. From the palaice of kynge Poncha, to the
profpect of the other fouth fea, is only fyxe dayes iorney: the which neuertheleffe by reafon of many hynderances and chaunces, and efpecially for lacke of vytayles, he coulde accomplyfhe in noo leffe then. xxv. dayes.
But at the length, the feuenth daye of the calendes of October, he behelde with woonderinge eyes the toppes
of the hygh mountaynes ihewed vnto hym by the guydes of Quarequa, from the whiche he myght fee the other
fea foo longe looked for, and neuer feene before of any man commynge owte of owre worlde. Approchinge
therefore to the toppes of the mountaynes, he commaunded his armye to tfey, and went him felfe alone to the
toppe, as it were to take the fyrft poffeffion therof. Where, faulynge proflrate vppon the grounde, and rayfinge
hym felfe ageyne vpon his knees as is the maner of the Chriftians to pray, lyftynge vppe his eyes and handes
towarde heauen, and directinge his face towarde the newe founde fouth fea, he poored foorth his humble and
deuout prayers before almyghtie God as a fpirituall facrifice with thankes gyuing, that it had pleafed his diuine
maieftie to referue vnto that day the victorie and praife of fo greate a thynge vnto hym, beinge a man but of
fmaule witte and knowleage, of lyttle experience and bafe parentage. When he had thus made his prayers after
his warlike maner he beckened with his hande to his coompanions to coome to hym, fhewynge them the greate
mayne fea heretofore vnknowen to th[e]inhabitantes of Europe, Aphrike, and Afia. Here ageyne he fell to
his prayers as before: defyringe almyghtie God and the bleffed virgin to fauour his beginninges, and to gyue
hym good fucceffe to fubdue thofe landes to the glorie of his holy name and encreafe of his trewe religion. All
his coompanions dyd lykewyfe, and prayfed god with loude voyces for ioye. Then Vafchus, with no leffe manlye
corage then Hanniball of Carthage ihewed his fouldiers Italye and the promontories of the Alpes, exhorted his
men to lyft vp their hartes, and to behoulde the lande euen nowe vnder theyr feete, and the fea before theyr
eyes, whiche fhulde bee vnto them a full and iuft rewarde of theyr great laboures and trauayles nowe ouerpaffed.
When he had fayde thefe woordes, he commaunded them to raife certeine heapes of flones in the fleede of alters
for a token of poffeffion. Then defcendynge from the toppes of the mountaynes, leaft fuch as might come after
hym fhulde argue hym of lyinge or falfhod, he wrote the kynge of Caftelles name here and there on the barkes
of the trees bothe on the ryght hande and on the lefte: and rayfed heapes of ftones all the way that he went,
vntyll he came to the region of the nexte kynge towarde the fouth whofe name was Chiapes. This kynge came
foorthe ageynfle hym with a greate multitude of men: threateninge and forbyddynge him not onely to paffe
through his dominions, but alfo to goo no further. Herevppon, Vafchus fet his battayle in array, and exhorted
his men (beinge nowe but fewe) fiercely to affayle theyr enemies, and to efteeme theym noo better then dogges
meate as they fhulde bee fhortly. Placeinge therfore the hargabufiers and maflies in the forefroonte, they faluted
kynge Chiapes and his men with fuch a larome, that when they hard the noyfe of the gunnes, fawe the flames of
fyer, and fmelte the fauour of brymifone (for the wynde blewe towarde them) they droue them felues to flyght
with fuche feare leafte thunderboultes and lyghtnynges folowed theim, that manye fell downe to the grounde:
whom owre men purfuinge, fyrft keepinge theyr order, and after breakyng theyr array, flewe but fewe and tooke
many captiue. For they determined to vfe no extremitie, but to pacifie thofe Regions as quietlye as they myght.
Enteringe therfore into the palaice of kynge Chicapes, Vafchus commaunded many of the captiues to bee loofed:
wyllynge them to fearch owte theyr kynge, and to exhorte hym to coome thyther: And that in foo doinge, he
woolde bee his frende and profer hym peace, befyde many other benefites. But if he refufed to coome, it fhulde
turne to the deflruction of hym and his, and vtter fubuerfion of his contrey. And that they myght the more
affuredly do this meffage to Chiapes he fent with them certeyne of the guydes whiche came with hym from
Quarequa.
Thus Chiapes beinge perfuaded afwel by the Quareqans who coulde coniecture to what ende the matter
woolde coome by th[e]experience whiche they had feene in them felues and theyr kynge, as alfo by the reafons
of his owne men to whome Vafchus hadde made foo frendely promyfes in his behalfe, came foorthe of the caues
in the whiche he lurked, and fubmytted hym felfe to Vafchus, who accepted hym frendelye. They ioyned
handes, embrafed the one the other, made a perpetuall league of frendefhippe, and gaue greate rewardes on bothe
fydes. Chiapes gaue Vafchus foure hundreth poundes weyght of wrought goulde of thofe poundes whiche they
caule Pefos: And Vafchus recompenfed hym ageyne with certeyne of owre thynges. Thus beinge made
freendes, they remayned togyther a fewe dayes vntyll Vafchus fouldiers were coome which he lefte behynde hym
in Quarequa. Then caulinge vnto hym the guydes and labourers which came with hym from thenfe he
139


A region of black
moores
Diseases of change
of ayer and dyet.
The south sea.
Vaschus is coome
to the syght of the
newe south sea.
Prayer.
God rayseth the
poore from the
dungehyl
91
Hanniball of
Carthage.
Vaschus taketh
possession of the
mountaynes
Kynge Chiapes.
A battayle.
Chiapes is dryuen
to flyght.
Vaschus sendeth
for king Chiapes.
Chiapes
submitteth
hymselfe to
Vaschus.
iiii. C. [four
hundred] pounds
weyght of wrought
gold




140


The thyrde Decade.




Vaschus addicteth
the newe land
and sea, to the
dominion of
Castile.
Kynge Coquera
is dryuen to flyght.
Vaschus vseth
both gentelnes
and rigour.
92
vi. C. [six
hundred] and
1. [fifty] poundes
weyght of wrought
gold
A goulfe of
threescore myles.
Saynt Michaels
goulfe
The manly corage
and godly zeale
of Vaschus
Ryches are the
synewes of warre
The faythfulnes of
kynge Chiapes.
A tempest on the
sea.
The increasing of
the South sea.
The Northe
Ocean.
Hard shyft in
necessitie.


rewarded them liberallye and difmiffed theym with thankes. Shortly after, by the conduct of Chiapes hym felfe,
and certeyne of his men, departinge from the toppes of the mountaynes, he came in the fpace of foure dayes to
the bankes of the newe fea: where affemblynge al his men togyther with the kynges fcribes and notaries, they
addicted al that maine fea with all the landes adiacent there vnto to the dominion and Empire of Caftile. Here
he left pat of his fouldiers with Chiapes that he myght th[e]efelier fearche thofe coafles. And takyng with hym
nyne of theyr lyghters made of one hole tree (which they caule Culchas as th[e]inhabitantes of NHifpaniola caul
them Canons) and alfo a bande of fourefcore men with certeine of Chiapes men, he paffed ouer a greate ryuer and
came to the region of a certeyne kynge whoe name was Coquera. He attempted to refyfte owre men as dyd
the other, and with lyke fucceffe: for he was ouercoome and put to flyght. But Vaichus who entended to
wynne hym with gentelnes, fente certeyne Chiapeans to him to declare the greate g poure of owre menne: howe
inuincible they were: howe mercifull to fuch as fubmit them felues, alfo cruell and feuere to fuch as obftinatly
withitande them. Promyfinge hym furthermore, that by the frendfhippe of owre men, he myght bee well affured
by th[e]exemple of other, not onely to lyue in peace and quietness hym  efee, but alfo to bee reuenged of
th[e]iniuries of his enemies. Wylling hym in conclufion foo to weigh the matter, that if he refuted this gentelnes
profered vnto hym by foo greate a victourer, he fhulde or it were longe, lerne by feelynge to repent him to late
of that perel which he myght haue auoyded by hearing.  Coquera with thefe woordes and exemples, fhaken
with great feare, came gladly with the meffengers, bryngyng with him fyxe hundreth and. 1. [fifty] Pefos of wrought
gold, which he gaue vnto owre men. Vafchus rewarded hym lykewife as we fayd before of Poncha. Coquera beinge
thus pacified, they returned to the palaice of Ciaes.  re, vifitinge theyr companions, and reftynge there a
whyle, Vafhus determyned to fearch th e nexte greate goulfe, the which, from the furtheft reachynge therof into
the lande of theyr countreys, from the enteraunce of the mayne fea, they faye to bee threefcore myles. This
they named faynt Michaels goulfe, which they fay to bee full of inhabited Ilandes and hugious rockes. Enteringe
therefore into the nyne boates or Culchas wherwith he paffed ouer the ryuer before, hauinge alfo with hym the
fame coompanye of fourefcore hole men, he wente forwarde on his purpofe, although he were greatly diffuaded
by Chiayes, who erneftly defyred hym not to attempt that vyage at that tye, affirmin the goulfe to be foo
tempeflious and tformy three moonethes in the yeare, that the fea was there by noo meanes nauigable: And
that he had feene many Culchas deuoured of whirlepoles euen beefore his eyes. But inuincible Vafchus,
impaciente of idlenes, and voyde of all feare in goddes caufe, aunfwered that god and his holy fayntes
woolde profper his enterpryfes in this cafe, forafmuche as the matter touched God and the defence of the
Chriftian religion, for the maynetenaunce wherof it ihulde bee neceffarie to haue great abundance of ryches and
treafure as the fynewes of war ageynfle the enemies of the faythe. Thus vfinge alfo th[e]office both of an
oratoure and preacher, and hauinge perfuaded his coompanyons, he lanched from the lande. But Chiapes, leaft
Vafthus ihulde any thynge doubt of his faythfulnes towarde hym, profered himfelfe to goo with hym whither foo
euer he went: And wolde by noo meanes affent that Vafchus fhulde depart from his palaice, but that he woolde
brynge hym on the waye and take part of his fortune. Therfore as foone as they were nowe entered into the
maine fea, fuch fourges and conflictes of water arofe ageynft them that they were at theyr wyttes endes whither
to turne them or where tr who rete. Thus beinge toffed and amafed with feare, the one loked on the other with
pale and vncherefull countenaunces. But efpecially Chipes and his coompany, who had before tyme with theyr
eyes feene th[e]experience of thofe ieoperdies, were greatly discomforted. Yet (as god woolde) they efcaped all,
and landed at the nexte Ilande: Where makynge fafte theyr boates, they refted there that nyght. Here the
water foo encreafed, that it almoft ouerflowed the Iland. They fay alfo that that fouth fea doth foo in maner
boyle and fwelle, that when it is at the hygheflt it doth couer many greate rockes, which at the faule therof, are
feene farre aboue the water. But on the contrary parte, all fuche as inhabite the North fea, affirme with one
voyce, that hit fcarfely rifeth at any tyme a cubet aboue the bankes as they alfo confeffe which inhabite the
Ilande of Hifpaniola and other Ilandes fituate in the fame. The Ilande therfore beinge nowe drye by the faule
of the water, they reforted to theyr boates which they founde all ouerwhelmed and full of fande, and fume fore
brufed, with great ryftes, and almoft loft by reafon theyr cables were broken. Such as were brufed, they tyed
faft with theyr gyrdels, with flippes of the barkes of trees, and with tough and longe flalkes of certein herbes of
the fea, flopping the ryftes or chynkes with graffe accordynge to the prefente neceffitie. Thus were they enforced
to returne backe ageyne lyke vnto men that came frome fhippewracke, beinge almoft confumed with hunger,
bycaufe theyr vytayles were vtterly defltroyed by tempefle. Th[e]inhabitantes declared that there is harde all
the yeare horrible rorynge of the fea amonge thofe Ilandes as often as it ryfethe or fauleth. But this moft
efpecially in thofe three monethes in the which it is mofle boyft[r]ious as Chiapes towlde Vafchus before:
Meanynge (as they coulde coniecture by his woordes) October, Nouember, and December: for he fignified the
prefent moone and the twoo moones folowynge, countynge the moonethes by the moones, whereas it was nowe
October. Here therefore refrefihynge hym felfe and his fouldiers a whyle, and paffynge by one vnprofitable
kynge, he came to an other whofe name was Tlimaccus, after the name of the region, beinge fituate on that fyde
140


93 -


The Region
T'umacca.




The thyrde Decade.


I4I


r  _


of the goulfe. This Tumaccus came foorth ageynfle owre men as dyd the other, and with lyke fortune. For
he was ouercoome, dryuen to flyght, and many of his men flayne. He hym felfe was alfo fore wounded, but
yet efcaped. Vafchus fent certeyne meffengers of the Chiapeans to hym to returne, and not to bee afrayde.
But he could be nothyng moued nether by promyffes nor threateninges. Yet when the meffengers were inftant,
and ceaffed not to threaten death to him and his famely, with the vtter defolation of his kyngedome if he
perfifted in that obftinacie, at the length, he fent his foonne with them: whom Vafclus honorably enterteyninge,
apparelinge hym gorgioufly and gyuing hym many gyftes, fent hym to his father, wyllynge hym to perfuade
hym of the puiffaunce, munificence, liberalitie, humanitie, and clemencie of owre men. Tumaccus beinge
mooued by this gentelnes declared toward his fonne, came with him the thyrde day, bryngynge nothynge with
hym at that tyme. But after that he knewe that owre men defyred goulde and pearles, he fent for fyxe
hundreth and. xiiii. Pefos of golde, and two hundreth and fortie of the Liggeft and fayreft perles befyde a great
number of the finauleft forte. Owre men marueyled at the byggenes and fayrenes of thefe perles although they '
were not perfectely whyte bycaufe they take theym not owte of the fea mufculs excepte they fyrft roft them,
that they may th[e]efelyer open them felfe, and alfo that the fyffhe maye haue the better tafte, whiche they
efteeme for a delicate and princely dyffhe, and fet more thereby then by the perles them felues. Of thefe
thynges I was enformed of one Arbolantius beinge one of Vafchus coompanions whom he fent to the kyng
with manye perles and certeyne of thofe fea mufculs. But when Tumaccus fawe that owre men foo greatly
regarded the bewtie of the perles, he commaunded certeyne of his men to prepare them felues to goo a
fyffhynge for perles. Who departinge, came ageyne within foure dayes, bringynge with them twelue poundeweight of orient perles after eight ounces to the pounde. Thus reioyfinge on bothe parties, they embrafed and
made a league of continuall frendefhippe. Tumaccus thought him felfe happie that he had prefented owre men
with fuch thankeful gyftes and was admitted to theyr frendflippe: and owre men thinkynge them felues happie
and bleffed that they had founde fuche tokens of great ryches, fwalowed downe theyr fpettle for thyrfte. At
all thefe doinges, kynge Chiapes was prefent as a wytnes and coompanion. He alfo reioyfed not a lyttle, afwell
that by his conductinge he fawe that owre men fhulde be fatiffied of theyr defyre, as alfo that by this meanes
he had declared to the next kynge his bortherer and enemie, what frendes he had of owre men, by whofe ayde
he myght lyue in quyetnes and bee reuenged of his aduerfarie if neede ihulde foo requyre. For (as wee haue
fayde) thefe naked kynges infefte theim felues with greuous warres onely for ambition and defyre to rule.
Vafchus bofteth in his epiftell, that he lerned certeyne maruelous fecreates of Tumaccus hym felfe as concernynge
the greate ryches of this lande: wherof (as he fayth) he woold vtter nothyng at this prefente, for afmuche as
7Tumaccus toulde it him in his eare. But he was enformed of bothe the kynges, that there is an Ilande in that
goulfe, greater then any of the other, hauing in it but onely one kynge, and hym of foo great poure, that at
fuche tymes of the yeare as the fea is caulme, he inuadethe theyr dominions with a greate nauie of Culchas,
fpoyling and caryinge a way for a praye, all that he meeteth. This Iland is diftant from thefe coaftes, onely
twentie myles: Soo that the promontories or poyntes therof rechyng into the fea, may bee feene from the hylles
of this Continent. In the fea nere about this Ilande, fea mufculs are engendred of fuch quantitie, that many
of them are as brode as buckelers. In thefe are perles founde (beinge the hartes of thofe fhell fyffhes) often —
tymes as bygge as beanes, fumtymes bygger then olyues and fuch as fumptuous Cleopatra myght haue defyred.
Althoughe this Ilande bee foo nere to the fhore of this firme lande, yet is the begynnyng therof in the mayne
fea without the mouth of the goulfe.  Vafchus beinge ioyfull and mery with this rych communication, fantafinge
nowe in maner nothing but princes treafures, beganne to fpeake fierce and cruell woordes ageynft the tyranne
of that Ilande, meanyng hereby too woonne the myndes of the other kynges, and bynde them to hym with a
nearer bonde of frendefhip. Yet therfore raylynge further on hym with fpytefull and opprobrious woordes, he
fwore great othes that he woolde furthwith inuade the Ilande, fpoylynge, deftroyinge, burnynge, drownynge,
and hangynge, fparinge neyther fwoorde nor fyre, vntyll he hadde reuenged theyr iniuries: And therwith
commaunded his Culchas to bee in a redynes. But the twoo kynges Chiajes and Tumaccus, exhorted hym
frendly to deferre this enterprife vntyll a more quiete feafon, bycaufe that fea was not nauigable withowte
greate daunger, beinge nowe the begynnynge of Nouember. Wherin the kynges feemed to faye trewe. For
as Vafchus hym felfe wryteth, great roryng of the fea was harde amonge the Ilandes of the goulfe by reafon of
the raginge and conflicte of the water. Great ryuers alfo defcending from the toppes of the mountaynes the
fame time of the yeare, and ouerflowyng theyr bankes, dryuyng downe with theyr vyolence greate rockes and
trees, make a marueylous noyfe. Lykewife the furie of the South and Northeaft wyndes, affociate with thunder
and lyghtnynge at the fame feafon, dyd greatly molefte them. Whyle the wether was fayre they were vexed
in the night with could: and in the day time, the heate of the fonne troubled them: wherof it is noo maruaile,
forafmuche as they were neare vnto the Equinoctiall lyne, although they make noo mention of the eleuation of
the pole. For in fuch regions, in the nyght, the mone and other coulde planettes: but in the daye, the foone
and other hotte planettes, doo chiefely exercife theyr influence: Althowghe the antiquitie were of an other
X4I


Kynge Tumaccus
is driuen to flyght.
Golde and perles.
Musculs of the sea.
Fysshyng for
perles.
xii pounde weyght
of perles.
The thyrst of
golde.
Ambition amonge
naked men.
This Ilande is
cauled Margaritea
Diues, or Dites.
A kynge of greate
poure.
Bigge perles.
Cleopatra, queene
of Egypt resolued
a pearle in vineger
and drunke it,
price. v. thousande
pounde of owr
mony.
The fiercenes of
Vaschus.
94
Great ryuers
faulyng from
mountaynes.
Thunder and
lyghtnynge in
Nouember.
Colde in the nyght
nere the
Equinoctial.




142


The thyrde Decade.


Habitable regions
vnder the
Equinoctiall lyne.
The natiuitations
[? nauigations] of
the Portingales
towarde the southe
pole.
Antipodes.
He meaneth S.
Augustine and
Lactantius.
The starres aboute
the southe pole.
Lactea via.
A simylitude
declarynge
Antipodes.
The maner of
fysshynge for
perles.
Thre kindes of
perles.
95
Dyuers questions
as concernynge
perles
Petrus arias
Wanton and
superfluous
pleasures.
Cleopatra.
Asopus.


opinion, fuppofinge the Equinoctiall circle to bee vnhabitable and defolate by reafon of the heate of the foonne
hauinge his courfe perpendiculerly or directly ouer the fame: except a fewe of the contrary opinion, whofe
affertions the Portugales haue at thefe dayes by experience proued to bee trewe. For they faile yearely to
th[e]inhabitantes of the fouth pole, being in maner Antiordes to the people cauled ZHvperborei vnder the North
pole, and exercife marchaundies with them. And here haue I named Antipodes, forafmuch as I am not
ignorant that there hath byn men of fingular witte and great lernyng, which haue denyed that there is Anltifodcs:
that is, fuch as walke feete to feete. But it is moil certeyne, that it is not gyuen to anye one man to knowe all
thynges. For euen they alfo were men: whofe propertie is to erre and bee deceaued in many thynges.
Neuertheleffe, the Portugales of owre tyme haue fayled to the fyue and fyftie degree of the fouth pole: Where,
coompafinge abowte the poynt thereof, they myght fee throughowte al the heauen about the fame, certeyne
fhynynge whyte cloudes here and there amonge the flarres, lyke vnto theym whiche are feene in the tracte of
heauen cauled Lacea via, that is, the mylke whyte waye. They fay, there is noo notable flarre neare about
that pole lyke vnto this of owres which the common people thynke to bee the pole it felfe (cauled of the
Italians Tramontana, and of the Spanyardes Nortes) but that the fame fauleth benethe the Ocean. When the
fonne defcendeth from the myddefte of the exiltree of the woorlde frome vs, it ryfethe to them, as a payre of
balances whofe weyght inclynynge from the equall poyfe in the myddeft towarde eyther of the fydes, caufeth
the one ende to ryfe as much as the other fauleth. When therefore it is autumne with vs, it is fprynge tyme
with them: And fummer with vs when it is wynter with them. But it fuffifeth to haue fayde thus much of
flrange matters. Let vs now therfore returne to the hiflorie and to owre men.
iI THE SECONDE BOOKE OF THE THYRDE DECADE.
Afchus by th[e]aduice of kynge Chiapes and Tumaccus, determyned to deferre his vyage to the
fayde Ilande vntyll the nexte fprynge or fummer, at which tyme Chiapcs offered hym felfe to
accoompany owre men and ayde them therin all that he myght. In this meane tyme Vafchus
_ had knowleage that thefe kynges had nettes and fyffhynge places in certeyne flations of that
fea nere vnto the fhore, where they were accuftomed to fyfhe for fea mufculs in the which
perles are engendred: And that for this purpofe they had certeyne dyuers or fyffhers
exercifed frome theyr youthe in fwymmynge vnder the water. But they doo this onely at
-certeyne tymes when the fea is calme, that they may th[e]efelyer coome to the place where thefe fhell fyfhes
are woonte to lye. For the bygger that they are, foo much ly they the deaper and nerer to the bottome. But
the leffer, as it were dowghters to the other, are nerer the bryme of the water. Lykewyfe the leafie of all, as it
were their niefes, are yet nearer to the fuperficiall parte therof. Too them of the byggeftle forte whiche lye
- lowefte, the fyffhers defcende the depthe of three mens heyght, and fumtyme foure. But to the doughters or niefes
as their fucceffion, they defcend onelye to the mydde thygh. Sumtymes alfo, after that the fea hathe byn
difquyeted with vehemente tempefles, they fynde a greate multytude of thefe fyffhes on the fandes, beyng dryuen
to the fhore by the vyolence of the water. The perles of thefe whiche are founde on the fande, are but lytle.
- The fifihe it felfe, is more pleafaunte in eatynge then are owre oyflers as owre men report. But perhappes
hunger the fweete faufe of all meates, caufed owre men foo too thynke. Whether perles bee the hartes of fea
mufculs (as Ariflotell fuppofed) or the byrthe or fpaune of there intrals (as Plinye thought) Or whether they
cleaue contynually to the rockes, or wander by coompanies in the fea by the guydinge of th[e]eldefle: Whether
euerye fyffhe brynge foorthe one perle or more, at one byrthe or at dyuers: Alfo whether theye bee fyled frome
the rockes wherunto theye cleaue, or maye bee eafylye pulled awaye, or otherwyfe faule of by them felues when
theye are coomme to there full grouth: Lykewyfe whether perles bee harde within the fhelle or fofte, owre men
haue as yet noo certayne experyence. But I trufle or it bee longe, too knowe the truth hereof. For owre men
are euen nowe in hande with the matter. Alfo, as foone as I fhall bee aduertyfed of the arryuall of Petrus Arias
the capytayne of owre men, I wyll defyre hym by my letters to make diligent fearche for thefe thynges, and
certifye me therof in all poyntes. I knowe that he wyll not bee flacke or omytte any thynge herein. For he is
my verye frende: and one that taketh greate pleafure in confyderynge the woorkes of nature. And furelye it
feemeth vnto me vndecente, that wee fhoulde with fylence ouerflyppe fo greate a thynge whiche afwell in the
owlde tyme as in owre dayes, hathe, and yet doothe, drawe bothe men and women to emmoderate defyre of
fuperfluous pleafure. Spayne therefore fhalbe able hereafter with perles to fatiffie the gredye appetite of fuche
as in wanton pleafures are lyke vnto Cleopatra and Afopus  So that frome henfforth we fhal neyther enuye nor
742




The thyrde Decade.


I43




reuerence the nyfe frutefulnes of Stoidum, or Taprobana, or the redde fea. But lette vs nowe returne to owre
purpofe.  Vafc/us therfore determined with the fyffhers of Chiapes to proue what myght bee doone in his fyfhe
pooles or flations of fea mufcules. Chiapes to fhewe hym felfe obediente to Vafchus his requefte, although the
fea were boyft[r]yous, coommaunded thirtye of his fyffhers to prepare them felfes and to reforte to the fyffhinge
places.  Vafcztus fente onelye fyxe of his men with them to beeholde them frome the fea bankes, but not to
coommitte them felues to the daunger of the fea. The fyffhynge place was diftante frome the palayce of Chiapes
aboute tenne myles. They durfle not aduenture to dyue to the bottome by reafon of the furye of the fea. Yet
of the mufcules whiche lye hygheft, and of fuche as were dryuen to the ihore by the vyolence of the water, theye
broughte fyxe greate farthels in the fpace of a fewe dayes. The perles of thefe were but lyttle, aboute the bygnes
of fmaule fytches: yet verye fayre and bewtyfull, by reafon theye were taken newely owte of the fyffhe, beinge
yet rawe. And that they fhulde not bee reproued of lyinge as concerninge the bignes of thefe fea mufculs, they
fente many of them into Spayne to the kynge with the perles, the fyffhe beynge taken owte. Wee thinke verily
that there maye in noo place bygger bee founde. Thefe fhelle fyffhes therfore beynge thus founde here in foo
manye places in that fea, and gold in maner in euery houfe, doo argue the ryche treafurye of nature too bee hyd
in thofe coaftes, forafmuche as fuche greate ryches haue byn founde as it were in the lytle fynger of a giantes
hande. What then maye wee thynke of the hole hande of the gyante (for hetherto theye haue onely bynne in
hande with the confynes of Vraba) when theye ihall haue thorowly fearched all the coafltes and fecreates of the
inner partes of all that large lande. But Vafc/zus contented with thefe fygnes and ioyfull of his good fucceffe in
thefe enterprifes, determined by an other waye to returne to his felowes in Dariena, where alfo, they haue golde
mynes aboute tenne myles from the village. He gaue therfore kyng Chiapes leaue to depart, and to folowe
hym noo further: Confailyng hym to continue faythfull to the chriflian kynge his lorde and maifter. Thus
embrafinge the one the other, and ioyninge handes, Chiapes departed, with teares declaring the good mynde
which he bore to owre men.  Vafchus leauing his ficke men with Chiapes, went forward on his iourney with the
refydue, hauinge alfo with him for guydes three of Chiapes maryners. He conueyghed his armye ouer a greate
ryuer into the dominion of a certeine kynge cauled Teaocha: who beinge aduertifed of the coommyng of owre
men, of whofe famous actes he had harde muche before, was verye gladde therof and enterteyned them
honorably: So that for a token of his frendely affection towarde them, he gaue Vafchus twentie poundes weyght
of wrought golde after eyght ounces to the pounde: Alfo twoo hundreth bigge perles: but not fayre, by reafon
they were taken owt of the mufculs after they had byn fodden. After they had ioyned handes, Vafchus
recompenfed hym with certeyne of owre thynges. Lykewife rewardynge his guydes the feruantes of Chiapes, he
difmiffed them with commendations to theyr lord. Kyng Teaocha at the departure of owr men from his palaice,
dyd not onely appoint them guydes to conduct them in the way, but alfo gaue them certeyne flaues in the
fleede of beaftes to cary theyr vytayles, bycaufe they fhulde paffe throwgh many defertes, baren and rowgh
mountaynes and terrible wooddes full of tygers and Lions. He fent alfo one of his fonnes with thefe flaues,
ladynge them with falted and dryed fyfhe, and breade of thofe regions, made of the rootes of Maizium and lucca.
He alfo commaunded his fonne not to depart from owr men vntyl he were licenced by Vafchus. By theyr
conductinge therfore, Vafchzus came to the dominion of an other kyng whofe name was Pacra, a cruell tyranne,
fearefull to the other kynges his bortherers, and of greater poure then any of them. This tyran, whether it
were that his giltie confcience for his mifcheuous actes, put him in feare that owre menne woolde reuenge the
fame, or that he thought hym felfe inferior to refill them, fled at theyr commynge.  Vafchus wryteth that in there
regions in the mooneth of Nouember he was fore afflicted with greate heate and intollerable thirft, by reafon
that fyde of the mountaynes hath lyttle water: In foo muche that they were in daunger to haue periffhed but
that certeyne of th[e]inhabitants fhewed them of a fprynge which was in the fecreate place of a woodde, whither
Vafchus with all fpeade fent twoo quycke and fironge younge men of his coompanions with theyr gourdes and
fuche water veffelles as Teaocha his men browghte with them. Of th[e]inhabitantes, there durft none depart
from there coompany bycaufe the wylde beaftes doo foone inuade naked men. For in thofe mountaynes, and
efpecially in the wooddes neare vnto the fpringe, they faye that they are fumtymes taken owte of there houfes in
the nyght, excepte they take good heede that the doores bee well fparde. It fhall not bee frome my purpofe
here to declare a particular chaunce before I enter any further in this matter. Theye faye therfore that the
lafte yeare the regyon of Dariena was noo leffe infefted and trowbeled with a fierfe tyger, then was Calidonia in -
tyme pafte with a wylde bore, and Nermea with a horrible lyon. For they affyrme that for the fpace of fyxe hole
moonethes there paffed not one nyghte withowte fumme hurte doone: foo that it kylled nyghtlye eyther a,
bullocke, a mare, a dogge, or a hogge, fumtimes euen in the highe wayes of the village. For owre men haue
nowe greate heardes of cattayle in thofe regions. They fay alfo that when this tyger had whelpes, noo man
myght fafelye goo furthe of his doores, bycaufe fhee fpared not men if fhee mette fyrfte with them. But at the
lengeth, neceffitye enforced them to inuente a policye howe they myght bee reuenged of fuche bludfhed.
Searchynge therfore dilygently her footefteppes, and folowynge the pathe wherbye fhee was accuftomed in the
I41


Stoidum.
Taprobana.
The fysshing place
of king Chiapes.
Golde in maner in
euery house.
The ryche
treasurye of
nature.
The golde mynes
of Dariena.
96
Kynge Teaocha
enterteyneth
Vaschus frendelye.
Twentye pounde
weight ofwroughte
golde.
Desertes full of
wylde beastes.
Dryed fysshe
Kynge Pacra
a tyranne.
Greate heate in
the monethe of
Nouember.
Hurte by wylde
beastes.
A tyger.
Calydonia is a
foreste in
Scotlande.
Nemea is a wodde
in Greece.
Tigers whelpes.
Thus the Egiptians
take Crocodiles.




I44


The thyrde Decade.


nyght feafon to wander owte of her denne to feeke her praye, theye made a greate trenfhe or pytte in her walke,
-coueringe the fame with hurdels whervppon they cafle parte of the earthe and difperfed the refydue. The
The dogge tyger  dogge tyger chaunfed fyrfte into this pitfaul, and fel vppon the poyntes of fharpe flakes and fuche other ingens
The rorynge o  as were of purpofe fyxed in the bottome of the trenfhe. Beynge thus wounded, he rored foo terrybly, that it
the tyger.    grated the bowels of fuche as harde hym, and the wooddes and montaynes neare aboute, rebounded the noyfe
of the horryble crye. When they perceaued that he was layde fafte, they reforted to the trenfle and flewe hym
with itones, dartes, and pykes. With his teethe and clawes, he broke the dartes into a thoufande chyppes.
Beynge yet deade, he was fearefull to all fuche as behelde hym: what then thinke you he woolde haue doone
beynge alyue and loofe. One Iohannes Lcfmarza of Ciuile, a nere frynde to Vafczhs and one of his coompanyons
Tigers flesh eaten.  of his trauayles, toulde me that he hym felfe dyd eate of the flefhe of that tiger: and that it was nothinge inferyor
97, to biefe in goodnes. Beynge demaunded howe they knewe hit to bee a tyger forafmuche as none of them had euer
feene a tyger, they anfwered that they knewe hit by the fpottes, fiercenes, agilitye, and fuche other markes and
token wherby the anciente writers haue defcribed the tiger. For fum of them, had before tyme feene other
fpotted wilde bearles, as lybardes and panthers. The dogge tiger beynge thus kylled, theye folowynge the
The bitche tyger.  trafe of his fleppes towarde the mountaines, came to the denne where the bytche remayned with her twoo
younge fuckynge whelpes. But fhee was not in the denne at there coommynge. Theye fyrfte caryed awaye
Tigers whelpes.  the whelpes with them.  But afterwarde fearynge leafte they fhulde dye bycaufe theye were very younge,
entendynge when they were bygger to fende them into Spayne, they put cheynes of yren aboute there neckes,
and caryed them agane to there denne: whither returnynge within a fewe dayes after, they founde the denne
A straungethynge.  emptye and the cheynes not remoued frome there place. Theye fuppofe that the damme in her furye tore
them in pyeces and caryed them awaye, lefte anye fhulde haue the fruition of them. For theye playnely
affirme that it was not poffible that they fiulde bee loofed frome the chaynes alyue. The ikynne of the deade
tyger fluffed with drye herbes and fIrawe, they fente to Hif/paniola to the admyrall and other of the chiefe
rulers frome whome the newe landes receyue there lawes and fuccoure. It fhall at this tyme filffyce to haue
written thus much of the tygers, as I haue lerned by the reporte of them whiche bothe fufteyned domage by
there rauenynge, and alfo handeled the fkynne of that whiche was flayne. Let vs nowe therfore returne to
Kynge Pacra   kynge Pacra frome whome wee haue digreffed. When Fafchus had entred into the houfes forfaken of Pacra,
he fente meffengiers to reconcyle hym as he had doone the other kinges. At the firfl he refufed to coomme.
But after threatenynges, he came with three other kynges in his coompanye.  Vafchus writethe that he neuer
fawe a more monflrous and deformed creature: And that nature hath onely gyuen hym humane fhape, and
otherwyfe to bee worfe then a brute beafte, with maners accordynge to the linyamentes of his bodye. He
abufed with mofte abhominable lechery the doughters of foure kynges his bortherers frome whome hee had
Naturall hatred  taken them by vyolence. Of the fylthye behauoure of Pacra, of his crueltye and iniuryes doone by hym, many
of vyce.
of the other kynges made greuous coomplayntes to Vafchus as vnto a hygh Iudge and iufle reuenger: Mofte
humblye befechyng hym to fee fuche thynges punyffhed, forafmuche as theye tooke hym for a man fente of god
Foure kinges  for that purpofe. Herevppon Vafchus afwell to wynne their good wylles, as alfo too fhewe an exemple of
deuoured of
dogges.       terroure to fuche as vfed lyke faffhions, coommaunded that this monftrous beafle with the other three kynges
whiche were fubiecte to hym and of lyke conditions, fhulde bee geuen for a praye to his feyghtinge dogges, and
The vse of dogges  their tome carkefes to bee burned. Of thefe dogges whiche theye vfe in the warres, theye tell maruelous thynges.
in warre ageinst
naked men.    For theye faye that theye runne vppon th[e]inhabitantes armed after there maner, with noo leffe fiercenes then
if theye were hartes or wylde bores, if the Spaniardes doo but onely poynte towarde them with their fyngers:
In foo muche that oftentymes they haue had no neede too dryue their enemyes too flyght with fwoordes or
arrowes: But haue doone the fame onely with dogges placed in the forefronte of their battayle, and lettynge
them flyppe with their watche woorde and priuye token. Wheruppon the barbaryans ftryken with feare by
reafon of the cruell countenaunces of thie maflies, with their defperate bouldenes and vnaccuftomed houlynge
and barkynge, haue difparcled at the fyrfle onfette and broke their arraye.  Yet it chaunfeth otherwyfe when
theye haue anye conflicte agaynft the Canibales and the people of Caramairi. For thefe are fyerfer, and more
The Canybales are  warrelyke men: Alfo fo experte arche[r]s, that theye can mofte certenlye dyrect their venemous arrowes againft
experte archers.  the dogges with fuche celeritye as if theye were thunderboltes: By reafon wherof, they fumtymes kyl many of them.
Th[e]inhabytantes of thefe montaynes, doo not keepe warre with bowes and arrowes: But vfe onelye Afachanis,
Swoordes of   that is certayne longe and broude fwordes made of woodde: Alfo flynges, longe pykes and dartes hardened at the
endes with fyere. Whyle kynge Pacra yet lyued, noo man coulde knowe of hym neyther by fayre meanes nor
Fiftie pounde  by foule, where he had the golde whiche was founde in his houfe. For owre men founde in his iewel houfe fyftye
weyght of golde.  poundes weyght of golde. Beynge therfore demaunded where he had it, he anfwered that they whiche gathered
98    the fame in thofe montaynes in his fathers dayes, were all deade: And that fenfe he was a chylde, he neuer
efteemed golde more then floones. More then this, theye coulde not gette of hym. By this feuere punyfhment
executed vppon Pacra, Vafc/hus concyled vnto hym the myndes of all the other kynges of that prouynce. And


144




The thyrde Decade.


I45


-


_ 11__


by this meanes it came too paffe, that when he fente for the fycke men whiche he lefte behynde hym with kynge
Chiaqes, an other kynge whiche was in the mydde waye (whofe name was Bononiama) enterteyned them
gentellye, and gaue them. xx. pounde weyght of pure wrought golde, befyde great plentye of vyttayles. And
not this onely, but alfo accoompanyed them hym felfe vntyll he had brought them fafely frome his palaice into,
the domynyon of Pacra: Where takynge eche of them by the ryghte handes, he delyuered them to Vafchus hym
felfe, as a faythefull pledge commytted too his charge, and therewith fpake to Vafchus in this effecte. / MoofRe -
myghtye and valyaunte vyctourer, beholde I here delyuer vnto yowe, yowre coompanions in fuche plight as I
receaued them: wiffhynge that I had byn afwell able to gyue them healthe, as they were hertely welcoome to
fuche pore enterteynement as I was able to fhewe them. For the fauoure and gentelneffe whiche I haue founde
bothe in yowe and them, he Ihall rewarde yowe whiche fendeth thunderynge and lyghtelyng to the deflruction
of myfcheuous men, and of his clemencye giueth vnto good men plentie of lucca and Maizium in dewe feafon.
As he fpake thefe woordes, he lyfted vppe his handes and eyes towarde the foonne whome they honoure for god.Then he fpake further to Vafc/zus, fayinge: In that yowe haue deftroyed and flaine owre vyolent and proude
enemies, yowe haue browght peace and quyetneffe to vs and owre famelyes, and bounde vs for euer to loue and
obeye yowe. Yowe haue foo ouercoome and tamed wylde monfters, that wee thynke yowe to bee fente from
heauen for the punyfhement of euyll men and defence of innocentes, that vnder the protection of yowre myghtye
fwoorde, wee maye hereafter leade owre lyues withowte feare, and with more quietneffe gyue thankes to the
giuer of all good thinges for his mercie ihewed vnto vs in this behalfe/ When th[e]interpretoure had toulde
Vafchus that kyng Bononiama had fayde thefe woordes, and fuche lyke, Vafchus rendered hym lyke thankes for
his humanitye declared towarde owre men, and rewarded hym as he had doone other in whome he founde lyke
gentilneffe.  Vafchus wryteth that he lerned manye thynges of this kynge as concerynge the greate rycheffe of
thefe regions: But that he woolde at this prefent fpeake nothynge therof: And reherfethe the fame as thynges
lyke to haue good fucceffe. What this implicate Hiperbole, or aduauncement meaneth, I doo not well
vnderftande. But he playnely feemeth hereby to promyffe many greate thynges. And furely it is to be thought
that accordynge to his hope, great riches maye bee looked for. For they came in maner into none of
th[e]inhabytauntes houfes, but that they found in them, eyther brefleplates or curettes of golde, or elles golden.
ouches, iewels, or garlandes to weare aboute there heades, neckes, or armes. I coniecture therfore thus by a
fymilitude of owre houfes: If amonge vs any man of great poure were moued with the defyre to haue great plentye
of Iron, and woolde enter into Italye with a mayne force as dyd the Gothes in tyme pafte, what abundaunce of
Iron Ihoulde he haue in their houfes: where as he fhulde fynde in one place a friyngpan, in an other a chauldron,
here a tryuet, and there a fpytte, and thefe in maner in euery pore mannes houfe, with fuche other innumerable:
Whereby any man maye coniecture that Iren is plentifully engendred in fuche regions where they haue foo
greate vfe therof. Owre men alfo perceaued that th[e]inhabytantes of thefe regions do no more efteeme golde
then we do Iren: nor yet foo muche after they fawe to what vfe Iren ferued vs. Thus muche haue I thoughte
good to write too yowre holyneffe of fuche thynges as I haue gathered owte of the o  letters of Vafchus Nunnez,
and learned by woorde of mouthe of fuch as were his companyons in thefe affayres. As wee receyue them, fo
wee gyue them vnto yowe. Tyme which reueleth all fecretes, Ihall hereafter mynyfter larger argument of
wrytynge. Theye coulde at this tyme doo no greate thynge in fearchynge the golde mynes, forafmuche as of a
hundreth fourefcore and tenne men whiche Vafchus broughte with hym from Dariena, there remayned onely
threefcore and ten, or at the moft fourefcore, whofe ayde he nowe vfed in thefe daungerous aduentures, leauynge
euer the craed men behynd hym in thee kynges houfes all the waye that he went. But they moote efpecially fell
into fundrye difeafes, whiche came lately from Hijzpaniola. For they were not able to abyde fuche calamities
as to lyue onely contented with the breade of thofe regions, and wylde herbes without falte, drinkinge none
other then ryuer water, and that oftentimes eyther lackinge or vnwholfome, where as before their flomakes had
byn vfed to good meates. But the owlde fouldiours of Dariena, were hardened to abyde all forowes, and
exceadynge tollerable of labour, heate, hunger, and watchynge: In fo muche that merilye they make their boofte
that they haue obferued a longer and fharper lent then euer yowre holineffe inioyned. For they faye that for the
fpace of foure hole yeares, they eate none other then herbes and frutes, excepte nowe and then perhappes fyihe,
and verye feldoome flefhe: yea, and that fumtime for lacke of al thefe, they haue not abhorred from mangye
dogges and fylthy toades as wee haue fayde before. The owlde fouldiers of Dariena, I caule thofe whiche
fyrfte folowed the capytaynes Nicuefa and Fogeda to inhabyte the lande, of the whiche nowe fewe were lyuynge.
But lette vs nowe omytte thefe thynges, and retourne to Vafchus the victourer of the montaynes.


Kynge
Bononiama, frende
to the christians.
Wroughte golde.
The oration of
kynge Bononiama
The sparke of the
lawe of nature, is
the lawe written
in the hartes of
men.
Hiherbole.
Great plenty of
golde.
A symilitude for
the profe of
plentye of golde.
Iren more
estemed then
golde.
99
Chaunge of dyet
is daungerous.
Owlde souldiers.
A longe lent.


EDEN.


0


z45




I46


The thyrde Decade.


C THE THYRDE BOOKE OF THE THYRDE DECADE.


Comnogrs.
Two poore kynges.
Desertes.
Kynge Buchebuea
submytteth him
selfe
Vessels of golde.
Kynge Chiorisus
sendeth Vaschus
xxx. dysshes of
pure golde.
100
Axes of Iren more
estemed then any
gold
Superfluous and
effemynate
plesures
An exemple of the
lyfe of owre fyrst
parentes.


Hen Vafchus had remained thirtye dayes in the palayce of kynge Pacra, concilynge vnto hym
the myndes of th[e]inhabitantes and prouidinge thynges neceffarye for his coompanions, he
departed frome thenfe by the conducte of certayne of kynge Teaocha his men, and came too
- the banke of the ryuer Comogrus, wherof the region and king therof, are named by the fame
name. He founde the fydes of thefe montaynes fo rude and baren, that there was nothinge
apte to bee eaten, but wilde rootes and certayne vnpleafante frutes of trees. Two kynges
beinge neare of bludde, inhabyted this infortunate region, whiche Vafchus ouerpaffed with al
fpeede for feare of hunger. One of thefe poore kinges was named Cotochus, and the other Ciuriza. He tooke them
bothe with hym to guyde hym in the waye, and difmyffed Teaocha his men with vytayles and rewardes. Thus
for the fpace of three dayes, he wandered throughe many deferte wooddes, craggye mountaynes, and muddy
maryffhes full of fuche quamyres that men are oftentymes fwalowed vp in them if they looke not the more warelye
to their fiete. Alfo through places not frequented with reforte of men, and fuche as nature had not yet opened
to their vfe, forafmuche as th[e]inhabitantes haue feldoome entercourfe betwene them, but onely by fundrye
incurtions, the one to fpoyle and deftroye the other: Beynge otherwife contented to lyue onely after the lawe of
nature, withowte worldly toyle for fuperfluous pleafures. Thus enteringe at the lengthe into the territorye of
another kynge whofe name was Buchebuea, they founde all thynges voyde and in filence: For the kynge and his
fubiectes, were all fledde to the wooddes. When Vafcius fente meffengers to fetche hym, he dyd not onely at
the fyrfte fubmytte hym felfe, but alfo promyffe his ayde with all that he myghte make: Proteftynge furthermore,
that he fledde not for feare that owre men woolde doo hym any iniurie, but that he hyd hym felfe for verye fhame
and griefe of mynde, for that he was not able to receyue them honorablye accordynge vnto their dignitye, bycaufe
his flore of vitayles was confumed. Yet in a token of obedience and frendefhyppe, he fent owre men many
veffelles of golde, defyring them to accepte them as the gifte of a frind whofe good will wanted not in greater
thynges if his abilytye were greater. By whiche woordes the poore man feemed to infinuate that he had byn
robbed and otherwife cruelly handled of his bortherers. By reafon wherof, owre men were enforced to departe
from thenfe more hungerly then theye came. As theye wente forwarde therfore, they efpyed certeine naked
men coomminge downe from a hylle towarde them.  Vafchus coommaunded his armye to ftaye, and fente his
interpretours to them to knowe what they wold haue. Then one of them to whom the other feemed to gyue
reuerence, fpake in this effect. Owre lorde and kinge Chiorifus, greeteth yowe well: Wyllynge vs to declare
that he hath harde of yowre puiffaunce and vertue wherby yowe haue fubdued euell men and reuenged
the wronges doone to innocentes. For the whiche yowre noble factes and iuftyce, as he doothe honour
yowre fame, foo woolde he thinke him felfe mofte happye if he myght receiue yowe into his palaice.
But, forafmuche as his fortune hath byn fo euell (as he imputeth it) that beynge owte of yowre waye, yowe
haue ouerpaffed hym, he hath fent yowe this golde in token of his good wyll and fryndfhyppe towarde
yowe. And with thefe woordes he deliuered to Vafchus thirty diffhes of pure golde. Addynge hereunto, that when fo euer it fhulde pleafe him to take the paynes to coomme to their kynge, he fhulde receyue
greater gyftes. He declared further, that a kynge whyche was their bortherer and mortall enemye, was very
ryche in golde: And that in fubduynge of hym they ihulde bothe obteine greate rycheffe, and alfo delyuer them
from daylye vexations: whiche thinge myght eafilye be doone by their helpe bycaufe they knewe the countrey.
Vafchus put them in good coomforte, and gaue them for rewarde certayne Iren axes whiche they more
efteemed then greate heapes of golde. For they haue lyttell neede of golde, hauynge not th[e]ufe of peftiferous
money. But he that maye get but one axe or hatchet, thynketh hym felfe rycher then euer was Craffus. For
euen thefe naked men doo perceyue that an axe is neceffarye for a thoufande vfes: And confeffe that golde is
defyred onely for certayne vaine and effeminate pleafures, as a thyng whiche the lyfe of man maye lacke withowte any inconuenience. For owre glutteny and fuperfluous fumptuoufneffe hath not yet corrupted them: By
reafon wherof they take it for noo fhame to lacke cobardes of plate, where as the pride and wantonnes of owre
tyme dooeth in maner impute it to vs for ignominye to bee withowte that, wherof by nature we haue no neede.
But their contentation with the benefytes of nature doothe playnly declare that men may leade a free and happy
life withowt tables, table clothes, carpettes, napkyns, and towels, with fuche other innumerable wherof they
haue no vfe, excepte perhappes the kynges furnifhe their tables with a fewe golden veffels. But the common
people dryue awaye hunger with a pyece of their breade in the one hande, and a piece of broylde fyfhe or
146




The tiyrde Decade.


147


fumme kynde of fruite in the other hande. For they eate flefhe but feldome. When their fingers are imbrued
with any ounctuous meates, they wype them eyther on the foules of their feete, or on their thyghes, ye and
fumtymes on the fkynnes of their priuye members in the fleede of a nappekynne. And for this caufe doo they
often tymes waffhe them felues in the ryuers. Owre men therfore wente forwarde laden with golde, but fore
afflicted with hunger. Thus they came at the length to the dominion of kynge Pocchorrofa who fledde at their
coommynge. Here for the fpace of thirtye dayes they fylled their emptye bellies with breade of the rootes of
Maizium. In the meane tyme Vafchus fente for Pocchorrofa: who beynge allured with promiffes and fayre
woordes, came and fubmytted hym felfe brynginge with hym for a prefent. xv. poundes weighte of wrought
golde, and a fewe flaues.  Vafchus rewarded hym as he had doone other before. When he was mynded to
depart, he was aduertifed that he fhulde paffe through the dominion of a certayne kynge whofe name was
Timanama. This is hee whome the foonne of kynge Comogrus declared to bee of foo great poure and fearefull
to all his bortherers, and with whom many of Comogrus familyers had byn captyue. But owre men nowe perceiued that they meafured his poure by their owne. For their kinges are but gnattes compared to elephantes,
in refpecte to the poure and pollicye of owre men. Owre men were alfo enformed by fuche as dwelte neare
aboute Tumanama, that his region was not beyonde the montaynes as they fuppofed: Nor yet fo ryche in golde
as younge Comogrus had declared. Yet confulted they of his fubduyng: whiche they thoughte they myght
th[e]eaflyer brynge to paffe bycaufe Pocchorrofa was his mortall enemye, who moite gladly promyfed them his
aduice and ayde herein.  Vafchus therfore, leauynge his fycke men in the vyllage of Pocchorrofa, tooke with
hym threfcore of his mofte valiante fouldiers, and declared vnto them howe kynge Tumanama had oftentymes
fpoken proude and threatnyng woordes ageynfle them: Lykewife that it nowe 'floode them in hande of
neceffitye to paffe through his dominion: And that he thought is befte to fette vppon hym vnwares. The fouldiers
contented to his aduice, and exhorted him to gyue th[e]aduenture, promifinge that they woolde folowe hym
whether fo euer he wente. They determined therfore to go two dayes iorney in one daye, that Tumanama not
knowynge of their fooden commyng, myght haue no leafure to affemble an armye. The thynge came to paffe
euen as they had deuyfed., For in the fyrfte watche of the nyght, owre men with the Pocchorrofians, inuaded
the vyllage and palaice of Tumanama, where they tooke hym prifoner fufpectynge nothinge leffe. He had with
hym two younge men whiche he abufed vnnaturally: Alfo fourfcore women which he had taken vyolently from
dyuers kynges. Lykewife a greate number of his gentelmen and fubiectes were taken ftragelynge in other
vyllages neare aboute his palaice. For their houfes are not adherent togither as owres bee, bycaufe they are
oftentimes troubeled with vehement whirlewyndes by reafon of the fudden chaunges and motions of the ayrel
caufed by the influence of the planetes in the equalitie of the daye and nyght beynge there in maner bothe of
one lengthe throughowte all the yeare, forafmuche as they are neare vnto the Equinoctiall lyne as we haue fayde
before. Their htufes are made of trees, couered and after their maner thetched with the flalkes of certayne
towghe herbes. To the palayce of Tumanama, was onely one houfe adherent, and that euen as bygge as the
palayce it felfe. Eyther of thefe houfes were in length a hundreth and twentie pafes, and in bredth fyftie pafes
as owre men meafured them. In thefe two houfes the kynge was accuftomed to mufter his men as often as he
prepared an armye. When Tumanama therfore, was thus taken captyue with all his Sardanapanicall famelye,the Pocchorrofians bragged and threatened hym beynge nowe bounde, that he fhulde fhortly bee hanged. The
other kynges alfo his bortherers, reioyfed at his myffortune. Wherby owre men perceaued that Tumanama was
no leffe troublefome to his neighbours, then was Pacra to the kinges of the fouthe fyde of the montaynes.
Vafchus alfo the better to pleafe them, threatned hym greuoufly: But in deede entended no euell toward him.
He fpake therfore fharpely vnto hym with thefe woordes: Thou fhalte nowe fuffer punyfhment thou cruell
tyranne, for thy pryde and abhominations. Thou fhalte knowe of what poure the chriftians are whom thou hafle
foo contemned and threate[ne]d to drawe by the heare of their heades to the nexte ryuer and there to drowne them
as thou hafte often tymes made thy vaunte emonge thy naked flaues. But thou thy felfe fhalte fyrfte feele that
whiche thou haftle prepared for other: And herewith commaunded hym to bee taken vppe.  Neuertheleffe
gyuynge a priuye tooken of pardon to them whiche layde handes on him. Thus vnhappye Tumanama, fearynge
and beleuynge that Vafchus had mente in ernefte as he commaunded, fell proftrate at his feete and with teares
defyred pardon: Proteftynge that he neuer fpake any fuche woordes. But that perhappes his noble men in
their droonkenneffe had fo abufed their toonges whiche he coulde not rule. For their wynes although they bee
not made of grapes yet are they of force to make men droonken. He declared furthermore that the other
kynges his bortherers had of malice furmyfed fuche lyes of hym enuyinge his fortune bycaufe he was of greater
poure then they. Moftle humbly defyringe Vafchzus that as he tooke hym to bee a iufle vyctourer, foo to gyue
no credytte vnto their vniufte and malycious complaintes. Addynge herevnto that if it woolde pleafe hym to
pardon hym not hauinge offended, he woolde bringe him great plentie of gold. Thus layinge his ryght hande
on his breaft, he fwore by the fonne, that he euer loued and feared the chryftians fence he fyrfte harde of their
fame and vyctoryes: Efpeciaiiy when he harde faye that they had Machanas, that is, fwoordes fharper then
I47


Plentye of gold
and scarcenesse
of meate.
King Pocchorrosa
submytteth
hymselfe.
xv. pounde
weyghte of
wroughte golde.
Kyng Tumanama
looke decad. ii.
lib. iiii.
A good policye.
101
Kynge Tumanama
is taken prisoner.
The cause of
vehemente wyndes
nere the
Equinoctial.
Kynge Tumanama
his palaice.
Vaschus his
woordes to kynge
Tumanama.
Oderunt quem
metuunt.
Kyng Tumanama
his woordes.




148


The tIyrde Decade.


thearfe, and fuch as cutte in pieces ai thynges that coomme in their waye. Then directynge his eyes towarde
Vafchus who had his fwoorde in his hand, he fpake thus. Who (excepte he were owte of his wytte) dare lyfte
vppe his hande ageynfte this fwoorde of yowres wherwith yowe are able with one firooke to cleaue a. man from
the heade to the nauell. Lette no man therfore perfwade yowe (o mofte myghtye victourer) that euer fuche
woordes proceded owte of my mouthe. As Tumanama with trembeling fpake thefe woordes, therwith fwalowTumanama3 is  ynge downe the knot of deathe, Vafchus feemed by his teares to bee moued to compaffion: And fpeakyng to
pardoned.
pardoned  hym with chearefull countenance commaunded hym to bee loofed. This doone, he fente immediatly to his
xwex.pounde   palaice for. xxx. poundes weyght of pure gold artifycially wrought into fundry ouches whiche his wyues
wroughtegolde.  and concubynes vfed to weare.  Alfo the thyrde daye folowynge, his noble men and gentylmen fent
weyghtof gode.  threfcore poundes weight of golde for their fyne and raunfumme.  Tumanama beyng demaunded wher
102   they had that gold, anfwered that it was not gathered in his dominions But that it was brought his
aunceftours from the ryuer Comogrus toward the fouthe. But the Pocchorrofians and other his enemies, fayd
that he lyed: Affirmynge that his kingdome was ryche in golde. Tumanama on the contrary part, inilantly
protefled that he neuer knewe any golde myne in all his dominions. Yet denyed not but that there hath
fumtimes byn found certaine fmaule graines of golde, to the gatherynge wherof, he neuer had any regarde,
They abhorre  bycaufe they coulde not gette it without great and longe labour. Whyle thefe thynges were dooinge, the fycke
labour.
men whiche Vafchus had lefte in the village of Pocchorrofa, came to hym the. viii. day of the Calendes of
Ianuary in the yeare of Chrifle. M. D. XIII. bringyng with them certayne labourers from the kynges of the
fouthe with fundrye inftrumentes to dygge the grounde and gather golde. Thus paffynge ouer the day of the
natiuitye of Chrift without bodely labour, vppon fainte Steuens daye he brought certeyne myners to the fyde of
The coloure of the  a hyll not farre dyftante from the palaice of.Tumanama, where (as he faith) he perceaued by the coloure of the
golden earthe and
a tryall ofthe  earth that it was lykely to brynge furfurtgolde. When they had dygged a pytte not pafl a hand breadth and a
same.
same       alfe, and fyfted the earthe therof, they founde certayne fmaule graynes of golde no bygger then lintell feedes,
amountynge to the weyght of twelue graynes as they prouyd with their balances of affaye before a notarie and
wytneffe that the better credytte myghte bee gyuen therto. Wherby they argued that the rycheneffe of that lande
was agreable to the report of the bortherers, although Vafchzus coulde by noo meanes caufe Tumananama to
confeffe the fame. They fuppofe that he nothynge efteemed fo fmaule a portion. But other faye that he
denyed his countrey to bee frutefull of golde, leatfe by reafon therof the defyre of golde, myght intyfe owre men
to inhabyte his kyngdome, as in deede the feely kynge was a prophet in foo thinkynge. For they chofe that
and the region of Pocchorrofa to inhabyte, and determyned to buylde townes in them bothe, if it fhulde fo pleafe
the kynge of Caftyle: Afwell that they myght bee baytinge places and vytailynge houfes for fuche as fhulde
iorney towarde the fouthe, as alfo that both the regions were frutfull and of good grounde to beare frutes and
trees. Intendynge nowe therfore to departe from thenfe, he tried the earth by chaunce in an other place, where
the colour of the grounde with certayne fhyninge flones, feemed to bee a tooken of golde. Where caufynge a
Tokens of great  fmaule pitte to bee dygged lyttell beneath th[e]upper crufte of the earthe, he founde fo muche golde as w-eyghed
plentie of golde               whiche the Spaniardes caule Cajfellaznu  auremn, and is commonly cauled Pefus, but not in
one grayne. Reioyfynge at thefe tookens in hope of great riches, he badde Tumanama to be of good coomforte,
promyfynge hym that he woolde bee his frende and defender, foo that he troubeled not any of the kynges whiche
were frendes to the Chriftians. He alfo perfwaded hym to gather plentye of golde. Summe faye that he ledde
awaye all Tumanama his women, and fpoyled him leafle he fhuld rebell. Yet he delyuered his foonne to
Vafchus to bee broughte vppe with owre men, to learne their language and relygyon, that he myght therafter the
better vfe his helpe afwell in all thynges that he fhulde haue to doo with owre men, as alfo more polytykely rule,
Vaschus fauleth  and obtayne the loue of his owne fubiectes.  Vafchlus at this tyme fell into a vehement feuer by reafon of exceffe
seebienes     of labour, immoderate watchyng, and hunger: In fomuche that departynge from thenfe, he was fayne too bee
hunger and    borne uppon mennes backes in fhietes of goffampyne cotton. Lykewyfe alfo many of his fouldiers whiche were
foo weake that they coulde nother go nor flonde. To this purpofe they vfed the helpe of th[e]inhabytantes, who
fhewed them felues in al thynges wyllynge and obedyente. Alfo fumme of them whiche were fumwhat feeble
and not able to trauayle, although not greuoufly fycke, were ledde by the armes vntyll they came to the
Kynge Comogrus  domynion of kynge Commogrus a greate frende to the Chriftyans, of whom wee haue largely made mention
frendely to the
Cfres  then   before.  At Vafchus commynge thether, he founde that the owlde kynge was deade, and his foonne
(whome we fo prayfed for his wifedome) to raygne in his fleade: And that he was baptifed by the
name of Charles. The palayce of this Comogrus, is fituate at the foote of a fliepe hyll well cultured.
The large and  Hauynge towarde the fouthe a playne of twelue leages in breadth and veary frutefull. This playne, they
fruteful plain of
Zauana."o     caule Zauana. Beyonde this, are the great and hyghe montaynes whiche deuyde the two feas wherof we
The ryuer 103  haue fpoken before. Owte of the ftyepe hylles, fpryngeth the ryuer Comogrus, whiche runneth throwghe
Coog  the fayde playne to the hyghe montaynes, receauynge into his chanell by their valleys, all the other
ryuers, and fo fauleth into the fouth fea. It is diflante from Dariena, aboute threfcore and tenne leages
148




The thyrde Decade.


149


I


towarde the wefte. As owre men therfore came to thefe parties, kynge Comogrus (otherwyfe cauled Charles by
his chriftian name) mette them ioyfully and entertayned them honorably, gyuynge them their fyll of pleafaunte
meates and drynkes. He gaue alfo to Vafchus, twenty pounde weyght of wrought golde.  Vafchus recompenfed him with thinges which he etfeemed muche more: As axes and fundry kyndes of carpenters tooles.
Alfo a fouldiours cloke, and a faire fherte wrought with needle woorke By thefe gyftes, Comogrus thought hym
felfe to bee halfe a god amonge his bortherers. Vafchus at his departynge from henfe, erneflly charged
Comogrus and the other kynges to remayne faithfull and obedient to the chriftian king of Caltile, if they defyred
to lyue in peace and quietneffe: And that they fhulde hereafter more diligently applye them felues to the
gatheringe of golde to bee fente to the great chriflian Tiba (that is) kyng. Declaryng further, that by this
meanes they fhuld bothe gette them and their pofterity a patrone and defender ageinft their enemyes, and alfo
obtayne great abundaunce of owre thinges. Thefe affayres thus happely achiued, he wente forwarde on his
vyage to the palaice of kyng Poncha, where he founde foure younge men whiche were come from Dariena to
certify hym that there were certayne fhyppes coomme from Hifpaniola laden wyth vyttayles and other
neceffaries. Wherfore takyng with him twentie of his mofte lufty fouldiers, he made hafte to Dariena with
longe iorneys: leauinge the refydue behynd him to folow at their leafure. He writeth that he came to Dariena
the. xiiii. Cal. of Fe. An. I514. The date of his letter is: From Dariena, the. iiii. day of march. He writeth
in the fame letter, that he had many fore conflictes, and that he was yet neyther wounded, or lofte any of his
men in the battaile. And therfore in al his large letter, there is not one leafe without thankes geuynge to
almyghty god for his delyuery and preferuation from fo many imminent perels. He attempted no enterprife or
tooke in hande any viage withowt th[e]inuocation of god and his holy faintes. Thus was Vafchus Balboa of a
vyolente Goliath, tourned into Helifeus: And from Anteus too Hercules the conquerour of montfers. Beynge
therefore thus tourned from a raffhe royfter to a polytyke and difcreate capitayne, he was iudged woorthy to
bee aduaunced to greate honoure. By reafon whereof, he was bothe receaued into the kynges fauour, and therevppon created the generall or Lieuetenaunt of the kynges army in thofe Regions. Thus much haue I gathered,
bothe by the letters of certeyne my faythefull frendes beinge in Dariena, and alfo by woorde of mouth of fuche >
as came lately frome thenfe. If yowre holynes defyre to knowe what I thynke herein, Suerly as by fuche
thynges as I haue feene, I beleue thefe thynges to bee trewe, euen fo th[e]order and agreinge of Vafchus and
his coompanions warrelyke letters, feeme to confirme the fame. The Spanyarde therfore ihall not neede
hereafter with vndermynynge the earth with intollerable laboure to breake the bones of owre mother, and enter
many myles into her bowels, and with innumerable daungers cut in funder hole mountaynes to make a waye to
the courte of infernall Pluto, to brynge from thenfe wycked golde the feede of innumerable mifcheues, withowte
the whiche notwithifandynge we may nowe fcarfely leade a happy lyfe fithe iniquitie hath fo preuayled and
made vs flaues to that wherof we are lords by nature: The Spanyarde (I fay) fhall not neede with fuch,
trauayles and difficultie to dygge farre into the earth for gold, but fhal fynde it plentifully in maner in the vpper
cruft of the earth, or in the fandes of ryuers dryed vppe by the heate of fommer, onely waffhynge the earth
foftely frome the fame: And fhall with lyke facilite gather plentie of pearles. Certenly the reuerent antiquitie\
(by al the Cofmographers affent) obteyned not foo greate a benefyte of nature, nor yet afpired to the knowleage
hereof, bycaufe there came neuer man before owte of owre knowen worlde to thefe vnknowen nations: At the
leafle, with a poure of men, by force of armes, in maner of conqueft: wheras otherwyfe nothyng can be gotten here,
forafmuch as thefe nations are for the moft part feuere defenders of theyr patrimonies, and cruell to firaungers, in
no condition admittinge them otherwyfe then by conqueft: effpecially the fierce Canibales or Caribes. For thefe
wylye hunters of men, gyue them felues to none other kynde of exercyfe but onely to manhuntynge and tyllage after
their maner. At the commynge therfore of owre men into theyr regions, they loke as fuerly to haue them faule into
their fnares as if they were hartes or wylde bores:' and with no leffe confydence licke their lippes fecreately inhope of their praye. If they gette the vpper hande, they eate them greedely: If they myftrufte them felues to beethe weaker parte, they trufte to theyr feete, and flye fwyfter then the wynde. Ageyne, yf the matter bee tryed
on the water, afwell the women as men can dyue and fwymme, as though they had byn euer brought vp and
fedde in the water. It is noo maruayle therefore yf the large tracte of thefe regions haue byn hytherto
vnknowen. But nowe lithe it hath pleafed God to difcouer the fame in owre tyme, it ihall becoome vs to fhewe
owre naturall loue to mankynde and dewtie to God, to endeuoure owre felues to brynge them to ciuilitie and -
trewe religion, to th[e]increafe of Chriftes flocke, to the confufion of Infidels and the Deuyll theyr father whodelytethe in owre deftruction as he hathe doone frome the begynnynge. By the good fucceffe of thefe fyrft frutes,
owre hope is, that the Chriftian religion ihall fireache foorth her armes very farre. Which thyng fhulde the
fooner coome to paffe yf all menne to theyr poure (efpecially Chriftian Princes to whom it chiefely perteyneth)
wolde put theyr handes to the plowe of the lordes vineyarde. The harueft fuerly is greate, but the woorkemen
are but fewe. As we haue fayde at the begynnynge, yowre holynes fhall hereafter nooryfhe many myriades of
broodes of chekins vnder yowre wynges. But let vs nowe returne to fpeake of Beragua beinge the wefte fyde

xx. pounde weyght
of wrought gold
Vaschus returneth
to Dariena.
The good fortune
of Vaschus.
Vaschus was
turned from
Goliath to Eliseus.
O flaterynge
fortune, look his
death in the booke
of the Ilande[s]
lately founde.
The earthe is owre
general mother.
The courte of
infernall Pluto.
There is a better
waye then this.
The Spanyardes
conquestes.
Manhunters
104
The fiersenesse of
the Canibales.
Owre duty to god,
and naturall loue
to mankynde.
Th[e]offyce of
Chrystian prynces
The haruest is
great. etc.
Beragua.


0 2


149




I50


The thyrde Decade.


Nicuesa.


of Vraba, and fyrfl founde by Colonus the Admirall, then vnfortunately gouerned by Diego Nicacea, and nowe
lefte in maner defolate: with the other large regions of thofe prouinces brought from theyr wylde and beaftly
ludenes to ciuilitie and trewe religion.
C THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE THYRDE DECADE.


The fourth
nauigation of
Colonus the
Admirall.
From Spaine to
Hispaniola a
thousande and two
hundreth leagues
The florysshing
Ilande of
Guanassa.
Simple people.
A greate
marchaunt.
105
The regyon of
Quiriquetana or
Ciamba.
Gentle people.
The regyons of
Taia and Maia.
Seuen kyndes of
date trees.
Wylde vines.


Was determyned (moRfe holy father) to haue proceded no further herein, but that one fierye
fparke yet remaynynge in my mynde, woolde not fuffer me to ceafe. Wheras I haue therfore
declared howe Beragua was fyrfte fownde by Colonus, my thincke I fhulde commytte a
heynous cryme if I fhuld defraude the man of the due commendations of his trauayles, of his
cares and troubles, and fynally of the daungeours and perels, whiche he fufteyned in that
— nauigation. Therfore in the yeare of Chrifte. 1502. in the. vi. daye of the Ides of Maye, he
hoyfed vppe his fayles and departed from the Ilandes of Gades with. iiii. fhyppes of fyftie or.
iii. fcore tunne a piece, with a hundreth threfcore and tenne men, and came with profperous wynde to the
Ilandes of Canarix within flue daies folowinge, from thenfe arryuinge the. xvi. day at the Ilande of Dominica
f beinge the chiefe habitation of the Canibales, he fayled from Dominica to Hifjaniola in fyue other daies. Thus
within the fpace of the. xxvi. daies, with profperous wynde and by the fwyfte faule of the Ocean from the Eafte
to the weft, he fayled from Spaine to Hifpaniola: Which courfe is counted of the mariners to bee no leffe then
a thoufande and twoo hundrethe leaques. He taryed but a whyle in Hifpaniola, whether it were wyllingly, or
that he were fo admonifhed of the viceroye. recting the. reinrfore his vyage from thenfe towarde the wetfe,
leauyng the Ilandes of Cuba and Jamaica on his ryght hande towarde the northe, he wryteth that he chaunfed
- vppon an Ilande more fouthewarde then lamaica, whiche th[e]inhabitantes caule Guanaffa, fo floryffihinge and
frutefull that it myghte feeme an earthlye Paradyfe. Coaftynge alonge by the fhores of this Ilande, he mette
two of the Canoas or boates of thofe prouinces, whiche were drawne with two naked flaues ageynif the itreame.
In thefe boates, was caryed a ruler of the Ilande with hi wyfe and chyldren, all naked. The flaues feeynge
owre men a lande, made fignes to them with proude countenaunce in their maiflers name, to fande owte of the
waye, and threatned them if they woolde not gyue place. Their fympelnes is fuche that they nother feared the
multitude or poure of owre men, or the greatnes and itraungenes of owre Ihippes. They thought that owre men
woolde haue honoured their maifler with like reuerence as they did. Owre men had intelligence at the length
that this ruler was a greate marchaunte whiche came to the marchaunte frowhiche cotherame toafte the Ilande. For they
exceryfe byinge and fellynge by exchaunge with their confinies. He had alfo with him good floore of fuche ware
as they flande in neede of or take pleafure in: as laton belles, rafers, raers, knyues, and hatchettes made of a certeyne
fharpe yelowe bryght flone, with handles of a fItronge kynd of woodde. Alfo many other neceffary inflrumentes
with kychen luffe and veffelles for all neceffary vfes. Lykewife fheetes of goffampine cotton wrought of fundrye
colours. Owre men tooke hym pryfoner with all his famely. But Colonus commaunded hym to bee lofed fhortely
after, and the greateft parte of his goodes to bee reftored to wynne his fryndefhippe. Beinge here inflructed of
a lande lyinge further towarde the fouthe, he tooke his vyage thether. Therfore lytle more then tenne myles
diftant from henfe, he founde a large lande whiche th[e]inhabitantes cauled Quirique/ana: But he named it
Ciamba. When he wente a lande        and commaunded his chaplaine to faye mafe on the fea bankes, a great
confluence of the naked inhabitantes flocked thither fymplye and without feare, bringynge with them plenty of
meate and frefhe water, marueylynge at owre men as they had byn fumme firaunge miracle. When they had
prefented their giftes, they went fumwhat backewarde and made lowe curtefy after their maner bowinge their
heades and bodyes reuerently. He recompenfed their gentylnes rewardinge them with other of owre thynges,
- as counters, braflettes and garlandes of glaffe and counterfecte floones, lookyng glaffes, nedelles, and pynnes,
with fuche other trafhe, whiche teemed vnto them precious marchaundies. In this great tracte there are two
regions wherof the one is cauled Taia and the other Maia. He writeth that all that lande is very fayre and
tholfome by reafon of the excellent temperatneffe of the ayer: And that it is inferiour to no lande in frutefull
ground beinge partely full of montaines, and partely large playnes: Alfo replenyfhed with many goodly trees,
holfome herbes, and frutes, continuynge greene and floryfhynge all the hole yeare. It beareth alfo verye many
holy trees and pyne aple trees. Alfo. vii. kyndes of date trees wherof fumme are frutefull and fumme baren.
- It bringeth furth lykewyfe of it felfe Pelgoras and wilde vynes laden with grapes euen in the wooddes emonge
-other trees. He faythe furthermore that there is fuche abundaunce of other pleafaunte and profitable frutes,
that they paffe not of vynes. Of one of thofe kyndes of date trees, they make certeyne longe and brode


150




The thyrde Decade.


'5i


I


fwoordes and dartes. Thefe regyons beare alfo goffampyne trees here and there commonly in the wooddesI
Lykewife Mirobalanes of fundry kyndes, as thofe which the phifitians caule Emblicos and Chebulos, Maizium alfo.
ficca, Ages, and Ba/tatas, lyke vnto thofe whiche we haue fayde before to bee founde in other regions in thefe
coaftes. The fame nooryffheth alfo lyons, Tygers, Hartes, Roes, Goates, and dyuers other beaftes. Lykewyfe -
fundry kyndes of byrdes and foules: Emonge the whiche they keepe onely them to franke and feede, whiche
are in colour, bygnes, and tafle, muche lyke vnto owre pehennes. He faith that th[e]inhabitantes are of high
and goodly flature, well lymmed and proportioned both men and women: Couerynge their priuye partes with
fyne breeches of goffampine cotton wrought with dyuers colours. And that they may feeme the more cumlye.
and bewtifull (as they take it) they paynte their bodyes redde and blacke with the iuce of certeyne apples whiche
they plante in their gardens for the fame purpofe. Summe of them paynte their hole bodies: fumme but parte:
and other fumme drawe the portitures, of herbes, floures, and knottes, euery one as feemeth befte to his owne
phantafye. Their language differeth vtterlye from theirs of the Ilandes nere aboute them. From thefe regions,
the waters of the fea ranne with as full courfe towarde the wefle, as if it had byn the faule of a fwyfte riuer.
Neuertheleffe he determined to fearche the Eaile partes of this lande, reuoluynge in his mynde that the regions
of Paria and Os Draconis with other coafles founde before toward the Eafte, fhulde bee neare theraboute as in
deede they were. Departyng therfore from the large region of Quiriquelana the. xiii. daye of the calendes of
September, when he had failed thirtie leaques, he founde a ryuer, without the mouth wherof he drewe frefhe
water in the fea.  Where alfo the fhoore was fo cleane withowte rockes, that he founde grounde euery
where, where he myght aptely cafte anker.  He writeth that the fwifte courfe of the Ocean was fo
vehement and contrarye, that in the fpace of fortye dayes he coulde fcarcelye fayle threfcore and temne
leaques, and that with muche diffycultie with many fetches and coompafynges, fyndyng him felfe to bee
fumtimes repulfed and dryuen farre backe by the vyolente courfe of the fea when he woolde haue taken lande
towarde the euenynge, leafte perhappes wanderynge in vnknowen coaftes in the darckeneffe of the nyght, he
myghte bee in daunger of fhypwracke: He writeth that in the fpace of eyght leaques, he found three great and
fayre ryuers vppon the banckes wherof, there grewe reedes bygger then a mannes thygh. In thefe ryuers was alfo
greate plentye of fyfhe and great tortoyfes: Lykewife in many places, multitudes of Crocodiles lyinge in the fande,
and yanyng to take the heate of the foonne: Befyde dyuers other kyndes of beaftes whervnto he gaue no names.
He fayth alfo that the foyle of that lande is very diuers and variable: beyng fumwhere flonye and full of rough
and craggie promontories or poyntes reachynge into the fea. And in other places as frutfull as maye bee.
They haue alfo diuers kynges and rulers. In fumme places they caule a kynge Cacicus: in other places they
caule hym Quebi, and fumwhere Tiba. Suche as haue behaued them felues valiantly in the warres ageynfte
their enemies, and haue their faces full of fcarres, they caule Czipras, and honour them as the antiquitie dyd the
goddes whiche they cauled Heroes, fuppofed to bee the foules of fuche men as in their lyfe tyme excelled in vertue
and noble actes. The common people, they caule Chiui: and a man, they caule Homem. When they faye in
their language, take man, they fay Hoppja home. After this, he came to an other ryuer apte to beare great
fhypppes: Before the mouthe wherof, leye foure fmaule Ilandes full of floriffhing and frutfull trees. Thefe
Ilandes he named Quatuor tempora. From henfe faylynge towarde the Eaftle for the fpace of. xiii. leaques flyll
ageinfle the vyolent courfe of the water, he founde twelue other fmaule Ilandes. In the whiche bycaufe he
founde a newe kynde of frutes muche like vnto owre lemondes, he cauled them Limonares. Wanderynge yet
further the fame waye for the fpace of. xii. leaques, he founde a great hauen enteryng into the land after the
maner of a goulfe the fpace of three leaques, and in maner as brode, into the whiche fell a great ryuer. Here
was Nicuefa lofle afterwarde when he foughte Beragua: By reafon wherof they cauled it Rio de los perdidos: that
is, the ryuer of the lofle men. Thus Colonus the Admirall yet further contynuynge his courfe ageynfle the furye
of the fea, founde manye hyghe montaynes and horrible valleys, with dyuers ryuers and hauens, from all thewhiche (as he faythe) proceaded fweete fauers greatly recreatynge and comfortynge nature. In fo muche that<
in all this longe tracte there was not one of his men defeafed vntyll he came to a region whiche th[e]inhabitantes
caule Quicuri, in the whiche is the hauen cauled Cariai, named Mirobalanus by the admyrall bycaufe the
Mirobalane trees are natiue in the region therabout. In this hauen of Cariai, there came about two hundreth
of th[e]inhabitantes to the fea fyde with euerye of them three or foure dartes in their handes: Yet of conditiond
gentell enoughe, and not refufyng firaungers. Their commyng was for none other purpofe then to knowe what
this newe nation mente, or what they broughte with them. When owre men had gyuen them fygnes of peace,
they came fwymmynge to the fhyppes and defyred to barter with them by exchaunge. The admyrall to allure
them to frendfhippe, gaue them many of owre thinges: But they refufed them, fufpectynge fumme difceate
thereby bycaufe he woolde not receyue theirs They wroughte all by fygnes: for one vnderfloode not a woorde
of the others language. Suche gyftes as were fente them, they lefte on the fhore and woolde take no part
therof. They are of fuche ciuilitye and humanytie, that they efteeme it more honorable to gyue then to take.
They fente owre men two younge women beinge vyrgines, of commendable fauour and goodly flature,, IS'


I


-


Mirobalanes
Byrdes and foules.
People of goodly
stature
They paynt theyr
bodyes
The swyfte course
of the sea from the
East to the West.
Paria.
Fresshe water in
the sea.
Fetches and
compasinges
106
Faire ryuers.
Great reedes
Great tortoyses.
Dyuers languages.
Heroes.
Qualuor tentPora.
Twelue Ilandes.named Limonares
Rio de los
perdidos.
The region of
Quicuri.
The hauen
of Cariai or
Mirobalanus
Ciuile and
humane people


I




152


The /tyrde Decade.


fygnifyinge vnto them that they myghte take them awaye with them if it were their pleafure. Thefe women
after the maner of their countrey, were couered from their ancles fumiwhat aboue their priuye partes with a
certeyne clothe made of goffampine cotton.  But the men are al naked. The women vfe to cutte their heare:
But the men lette it growe on the hynder partes of their heades, and cutte it on the fore parte. Their longe
heare, they binde vppe with fyllettes, and winde it in fundry rowles as owre maydes are accuflomed to
do. The virgins which were fente to the Admirall he decked in fayre apparell, and gaue them many
gyftes, and fente theym home ageyne. But lykewife all thefe rewardes and apparel they left vppon the fiore
bycaufe owre men had refufed their gyftes. Yet tooke he two men away with him (and thofe very wyllyngly)
that by lernyng the Spanyfhe tonge, he might afterwarde vfe them for interpretours.  He confidered that
107   the tractes of thefe coafles were not greately troubeled with vehement motions or ouerflowynges of the fea,
[Trees grow by  forafmuche as trees growe in the fea not farre frome the fhore, euen as they doo vppon the bankes of ryuers.
the sea] syde.
the seayde.  The which thynge alfo other doo affirme whiche haue latelyer fearched thofl coafltes, declaring that the fea
rifeth and fauleth but lyttle there aboute. He fayth furthermore, that in the profpecte of this lande, there are
Trees growynge  trees engendred euen in the fea, which after that they are growen to any height, bende downe the toppes of
in the sea after a
straunhe sort.  theyr branches into the grounde: which embrafing them caufeth other branches to fprynge owt of the fame, and
take roote in the earth, bringynge foorth trees in theyr kynde fucceffiuely as dyd the fyrft roote from whenfe
they had theyr originall, as do alfo the fettes of vines when onely bothe the endes therof are put into the
Plinie.       grounde.  Plinie in the twelfth booke of his natural hiflorie maketh mention of fuche trees, defcribynge them
to bee on the lande, but not in the fea. The Admirall wryteth alfo that the lyke beafles are engendered in
the coaftes of Cariai, as in other prouinces of thefe regions, and fuch as we haue fpoken of before. Yet that
there is one founde here in nature much differinge from the other. This beafte is of the byggenes of a greate
A straunge kynde  moonkeye, but with a tayle muche longer and bygger. It lyueth in the wooddes, and remoueth from tree to
of mooneys.   tree in this maner. Hangynge by the tayle vppon the braunche of a tree, and gatheryng firength by fwayinge
her bodye twyfe or thryfe too and fro, Ihe cafteth her felfe from branche to branche and fo from tree to tree as
A moonkeye    though fhe flewe. An archer of owres hurt one of them. Who perceauinge her felfe to be wounded, leapte
feyghteth with
a man.        downe from the tree, and fiercely fet on hym which gaue her the wounde, in fo muche that he was fayne to
defende hym felfe with his fwoorde. And thus by chaunce cuttyng of one of her armes, he tooke her, and with
muche a doo brought her to the fhips where within a whyle, fhee waxed tame. Whyle fhee was thus kepte
and bownde with cheynes, certeyne other of owr hunters hadde chafed a wylde bore owt of the maryIhes nere
vnto the fea fyde. For hunger and defyre of flefhe, caufed them to take double pleafure in huntynge. In
this meane tyme other which remayned in the fhippes, goinge a lande to recreate them felues, tooke this
moonkey with them. Who, as foone as fhee had efpied the bore, fet vp her bryftels and made towarde her.
A conflict betwene  The bore lykewyfe fhooke his briftels and whette his teethe. The moonkey furioufly inuaded the bore, wrapa monkey and a
wylde bore.   pynge her tayle about his body, and with her arme referued of her victourer, helde hym fo faft aboute the
The bodyes of  throte, that he was fuffocate. Thefe people of Cariai, vfe to drye the deade bodyes of theyr princes vppon
esred an      hurdels, and fo referue them inuolued in the leaues of trees. As he went forwarde about twentie leagues from
Cariai, he founde a goulfe of fuch largenes that it conteyned. xii. leagues in compaffe. In the mouth of this
goulfe were foure lyttle Ilandes fo nere togyther, that they made a fafe hauen to enter into the goulfe. This
Cerabaro.     goulfe is the hauen which we fayde before to be cauled Cerabaro of th[e]inhabitantes.  But they haue nowe
lerned that only the lande of the one fyde therof, lyinge on the ryght hande at the enterynge of the goulfe, is
Abureima.     cauled by that name. But that on the lefte fyde, is cauled Aburema. He faythe that all this goulfe is ful of
fruteful Ilandes wel replenyffhed with goodly trees: And the grounde of the fea to bee verye cleane withowt
rockes, and commodious to caft anker: Lykewyfe the fea of the goulfe to haue greate abundance of fyffhe: and,the lande of both the fydes to bee inferior to none in frutfulnes. At his fyrft arryuynge, he efpyed two of
Cheynes of golde.  th[e]inhabitantes hauynge cheynes about theyr neckes, made of ouches (which they caule Gzali'zes,) of bafe
golde artificially wrought in the formes of Eagles, and lions, with dyuers other beaftes and foules. Of the two
Cariaians whiche he brought with hym from Cariai, he was enformed that the regions of Cerabaro and Aburema
Plentie of golde.  were rych in golde: And that the people of Cariai haue all theyr golde frome thenfe for exchaunge of
Flue villages rych  other of theyr thynges.  They towlde hym  alfo, that in the fame regions there are fyue vyllages not
ingod.        farre from the fea fyde, whofe inhabitantes apply them felues onely to the gathering of gold  The names
of thefe vyllages are thefe: Chirara, Puren, Chitaza, Izreche, Atamea.  All the men of the prouince of
Cerabaro, go naked, and are paynted with dyuers coloures. They take great pleafure in wearynge garCrownes of beasts  landes of floures, and crownes made of the clawes of Lions and Tygers.  The women couer onely theyr
claws         priuie partes with a fyllet of goffampine cotton. Departinge from henfe and coaftynge ftyll by the fame fhore
108   for the pace of xviii. leagues, he came to another ryuer, where he efpyed aboute thehree hundreth naked men in
a company. When they fawe the Ihippes drawe neare the lande, they cryed owt aloude, with cruell
countenaunces ihakynge theyr woodden fwsoordes and hurlynge dartes, takynge alfo water in theyr mouthes and


152




The thyrde Decade.


I53


_ Ce


fpoutyng the fame ageynfl our men: wherby they feemed to infinuate that they woolde receaue no condition of
peace or haue owght to doo with them. Here he commaunded certeyne pieces of ordinaunce to be fhot of
toward them: Yet fo to ouerfhute them, that none myght be hurt therby. For he euer determyned to deale
quietly and peaceably with thefe newe nations. At the noyfe therfore of the gunnes and fyght of the fyer, they
fell downe to the grounde, and defyred peace. Thus enteringe into further frendfhippe, they exchaunged theyr
cheynes and ouches of golde for glaffes and haukes belles and fuch other marchandies. They vfe drummes or
tymbrels made of the fhelles of certeyne fea fyffhes, wherewith they encorage theym felues in the warres. In
this tract are thefe feuen ryuers, Acateba, Quareba, Zobroba, Aiaguitin, Vrida, Durriba, Beragua, in all the
whiche, golde is founde. They defende them felues ageynfte rayne and heate with certeyne great leaues of trees
in the fteade of clokes. Departinge from henfe, he fearched the coaftes of Ebetere and Embigar, into the which
faule the goodly ryuers of Zohoran and Cubigar: And here ceafeth the plentie and frutefulnes of golde, in the
tracte of fiftie leagues or there about. From henfe onely three leagues diflant, is the rocke whiche in the
vnfortunate difcourfe of Nicuefa we fayde was cauled of owre men Pignonem. But of th[e]inhabitantes the
Region is cauled Vibba. In this tracte alfo aboute fyxe leagues frome thenfe, is the hauen which Colonus cauled
Portus Bellus (wherof we haue fpokenbefore) in the region whiche th[e]inhabitantes caule Xaguaguara. This
region is very peopulous: but they go all naked. The kyng is paynted with blacke colours, but all the people
with redde. The kynge and feuen of his noble men, had euery of them a lyttle plate of golde hangynge at theyr
nofethrilles downe vnto theyr lyppes. And this they take for a cumly ornamente. The menne inclofe theyr
priuie members in a ihell: And the women couer theyrs with a fyllet of goffampine cotton tyed about theyr
loynes. In theyr gardens they nooryffhe a frute muche lyke the nutte of a pine tree: the whiche (as we haue
fayde in an other place) groweth on a fhrubbe muche lyke vnto an archichoke: But the frute is muche fofter,
and meate for a kynge. Alfo certeyne trees whiche beare gourdes, wherof we haue fpoken before. This tree,
they caule Hibuero. In thefe coaftes they mette fumtymes with Crocodiles lyinge on the fandes, the whiche
when they fled, or tooke the water, they lefte a very fweete fauour behynde them fweeter then muike or CaqJoreum.
When I was fente ambaffadour for the catholike king of Caftile to the Soltane of Babilon or Alcayer in Egipte,
th[e]inhabitantes nere vnto the ryuer of Nilus toulde me the like of their female Crocodiles. Affyrmyng
furthermore that the fatte or fewette of them is equall in fweetnes with the pleafaunte gummes of Arabie. But
the Admirall was nowe at the length enforced of neceffytie to departe from henfe, afwell for that he was no longer
able to abyde the contrarye and vyolente courfe of the water, as alfo that his fhyppes were daily more and more
putrified and eaten throwgh with certeyne wormes whiche are engendred of the warmenes of the water in all
thofe tractes nere vnto the Equinoctial line. The Venetians caule thefe woormes Biffas. The fame are alfo
engendred in two hauens of the citie of Alexandria in Egipt, and defltroye the ihyppes if they lye longe at
anker. They are a cubet in length, and fumwhat more: not paffyng the quantitie of a fynger in bygneffe.
The Spanyfhe mariner cauleth this peftilence Broma.  Colonus therfore whom before the great monflers of the
fea coulde not feare, nowe fearyng this Broma, beynge alfo foore vexed with the contrary faule of the fea, directed
his courfe with the Ocean towarde the weft, and came firft to the ryuer Hiebra, difltant onely two leaques from
the ryuer of Beragua, bycaufe that was commodious to harborowe great fhippes. This region is named after the
riuer, and is called Beragua the leffe: Bycaufe bothe the ryuers are in the dominion of the kyng which inhabiteth
the region of Beragua. But what chaunfed vnto hym in this vyage on the ryghte hande and on the lefte, lette
vs nowe declare. Whyle therfore Colonus the Admirall remayned yet in the ryuer Hiebra, he fent Be-rthoomneus
Colonus his brother and Lieuetenaunte of Hifpaniola, with the fhyppe boates and threfcore and. viii.
men to the ryuer of Beragua, where the king of the region beinge naked and painted after the maner of the
countrey, came towarde them with a great multitude of men waytynge on hym, but all vnarmed and without
weapons, gyuinge alfo fygnes of peace. When he approched nerer, and entered communication with owre men,
certeyne of his gentelmen nearefte aboute his perfon, rememberinge the maieftie of a king, and that it floode
not with his honour to bargen ftondynge, tooke a greate ftoone owte of the ryuer, waffhynge and rubbynge it
veary decently, and fo put it vnder hym with humble reuerence. The kyng thus fyttyng, feemed with fygnes
and tokens to infinuate that it fhuld be lawful for owre men to fearche and viewe al the ryuers within his
dominion. Wherfore, the vi. day of the Ides of February, leauing his boates with certeyne of his coompany,
he wente by lande a foote from the bankes of Beragua vntyl he came to the ryuer of Duraba, whiche he
affirmeth to be richer in gold then eyther Hiebra or Beragua. For gold is engendred in al the riuers of that
land. In fo muche that emonge the rootes of the trees growynge by the bankes of the ryuers, and amonge the
flones left of the water, and alfo where fo euer they dygged a hole or pyt in the grounde not pafte the deapthe
of a handfull and a halfe, they founde the earthe taken owte therof, myxte with golde: Where vppon he determyned to falten his foote there and to inhabyte. Whiche thynge the people of the countrey perceauynge and
fmellynge what inconuenyence and myfchiefe myght thereof enfewe to their countrey if they fhulde permitte
ftraungers to plante their habitation there, affembled a great army, and with horrible owte crye affayled owre
153


I


Spytefull peop'e.
Guns make peace.
Seuen golden
ryuers
Note, where the
plentie of golde
endeth
Pignonem.
Vibba.
Portus Bellus.
Paynted people.
A strange syght.
A shel in the
steede of a
codpiece.
Crocodiles of
sweete sauour.
Alcayr or Babilon
in Egipt
Shippes eaten
with wormes.
Alexandria in
Egypte.
Broma.
Hiebra.
Beragua.
109
How the king of
Beragua
enterteyned the
lyeuetenaunte.
Their reuerence to
the kynge.
Golde in the ryuer
Duraba.
Great plenty of
golde.




'Tr 7   - 7 7 -  7


154                                               1 We tf1y1We 4aecaac.
men (who had nowe begoonne to buylde houfes) foo defperately that they were fcarcely able to abyde the
Slynges and   fyrfte brunte. Thefe naked barbarians at their fyrfL approche, vfed onely flynges and dartes: But when they
came nearer to hande firookes, they foughte with their woodden fwoordes whiche they caule Machanas, as wee
haue fayd before. A man woolde not thinke what great malice and wrath was kyndeled in their hartes ageinfl
Liberty more  owre men: And with what defperate myndes they fought for the defenfe of their lybertie whiche they more
esteemed then
ryches.       efteeme then lyfe or rycheffe. For they were nowe fo voyde of all feare, and contemnynge deathe, that they
neyther feared longe bowes or croffebowes, nor yet (whiche is moofle to be marueyled) were any thynge
difcouraged at the terryble noyfe of the gunnes fhotte of from the flyppes. ' They retyred once. But fhortly
after encreafynge their noumber, they returned more fiercely then at the fyrfle. They woolde haue byn
contented to haue receyued owre men frendly as firaungers, but not as inhabitours. The more inftlante that
owre men were to remaine, fo muche the greater multitude of bortherers flocked togyther dayly, difturbyng them
both nyght and daye fumtymes on the one fyde and fumtymes on the other. The fhyps lying at anker neare
The Spanyardes  vnto the fhore, warded them on the backe halfe. But at the length they were fayne to forfake this lande, and
flight.       retourne backe the fame way by the which they came. Thus with much diffyculty and danger, they came to
The Il     and        e on the fouth fyde of Hifpaniola and Cuba, with their fhyppes as full of holes as
lamaica.     fieues, and fo eaten with woormes, as though they had byn bored through with wimbles. The water entered
fo fafte at the ryftes and holes, that if they had not with the paynefull labour of their handes empted the fame
as fafte, they were lyke to haue peryffhed. Where as yet by this meanes they arryued at lamaica, althoughe
in maner halfe deade. But their calamitie ceafed not here. For as faft as their fhyppes leaked, their fIrengthe
A myserable zase.  dimyniffhed fo that they were no longer able to keepe theym from fynkynge. By reafon wherof, faulynge into
the handes of the barbarians, and inclofed withowte hope of departure, they led their lyues for the fpace of
tenne monthes emong the naked people more myferably then euer dyd Achemenzides emonge the gyantes cauled
Ciclopes: rather lyuing then beinge eyther contented or fatiffied with the ftrange meates of that Ilande: and
that onely at fich tymes as pleafed the barbarians to giue them part of theirs. The deadly enmity and malice
whiche thefe barbarous kinges beare one ageinft an other, made greatly with owre men. For at fuche tymes
as they attempted warre ageinfl their bortherers they woold fumtymes gyue owre men parte of theyr breade to
ayde them. But howe myferable and wretched a thyng it is to lyue onely with breade gotten by beggynge,
yowre holyneffe maye eafylye coniecture: Efpecially where all other accuflomed foode is lackynge, as wyne,
110   oyle, fleffhe, butter, chiefe, and milke, wherwith the flomakes of owr people of Europe haue euer byn nooriffhed
Necessytie hath  euen from their cradelles. Therfore as neceffyty is fubiecte to no lawe, fo doothe it enforce men to attempte
no lawe howe
farre lyfe is to bee  defperate aduentures. And thofe the foner, which by a certeyne nobylytie of nature do no further efteeme
esteemed.     lyfe then it is ioyned with fumme felicity. Bertlholomeus Co/onus therfore, intendynge rather to proue what god
A daungerous  woolde do with hym and his companyons in thefe extremities, then any longer to abide the fame, commaunded
enterpryse.   Diegus Mendez his Reward with two guydes of that Ilande whome he had hyred with promyffes of great rewardes
at their retourne, to enter into one of their canoas and take their viage to Hf/paniola. Beynge thus toffed on
the fea two and fro from rocke too rocke by reafon of the fhorteneffe and narownes of the canoa, they arryued
at the length at the lafte corner of Hifp5aniola, beynge diflante from lamaica fortie leagues. Here his guydes
departynge from hym, returned ageine to Colonus for the rewardes which he had promyfed them. But Diegu7s
Sancmis       Mendez wente on forward a foote vntyll he came to the citie cauled Sa.nlus Dominicus beynge the chiefe and
oEminiZCUS.   heade citye of the Ilande. The offycers and rulers of Hifpaniola, beinge enformed of the matter, appoynted
hym two Ihyppes wherwith he retourned to his maifter and coompanions. As he founde them, foo came they
to Hifsaniola, verye feeble and in maner naked. What chaunced of them afterwarde, I knowe not as yet.
Landes found by  Lette vs nowe therfore leaue thefe particulers, and fpeake fumwhat more of generals. In al thofe tractes whiche
Colonus.      we fayde here before to haue bynne found by Colonus the Admyrall, bothe he hym felfe writeth, and all his
Temperate regions  coompanyons of that vyage confeffe, that the trees, herbes, and frutes, are floryfhing and greene all the hole
and holsome aier
yeare, and the ayer fo temperate and holefome, that of all his coompanye there neuer fell one man fycke, nor
yet were vexed eyther with extreme coulde or heate for the fpace of fyftie leagues from the great hauen of
Cerabaro.     Cerabaro to the ryuers of Hiebra and Beragua.  Th[e]inhabitantes of Cerabaro, and the nations whiche are
Beraawua.
Experte myney.  tymes of the yeare: And are very experte and cunnyng herein, as are owre myners of fyluer and Iren. They
knowe by longe experience in what places golde is mooRfle abundantly engendred: as by the colour of the
water of the ryuers, and fuche as faule from the montaynes: And alfo by the colour of the earthe and ftones.
A godly nature in They beleue a certeyne godly nature to be in golde, forafmuche as they neuer gather it excepte they vfe
certeyne relygious expiations or pourgynge, as to abfteyn from women, and all kyndes of plefures and delycate
Golden haruest.  meates and drinkes, during all the tyme that their golden harueft laftethe. They fuppofe that men do naturally
lyue and dye as other beaftes do, and therfore honour none other thynge as god. Yet doo they praye to the
foonne, and honour it when it ryfeth. But lette vs nowe fpeake of the montaines and fituation of thefe landes


154




The thyrde Decade.


I55


From all the fea bankes of thefe regyons, exceding great and hyghe mountaynes are feene towarde the Southe,
yet reachynge by a continuall tracte from the Eafte into the wefte. By reafon wherof I fuppofe that the two
greate feas (wherof I haue fpoken larg[e]ly before) are deuided with thefe montaynes as it were with bulwarkes,
leafte they fhoulde ioyne and repugne, as Italye deuideth the fea cauled Tirrhenum, from the fea Adriatyke,
which is nowe commonly cauled the goulfe of Venes.
For whiche waye foo euer they fayled from the poynt cauled Promontorium, S. Auguflini (whiche perteyneth
to the Portugales and profpecteth ageynfte the fea Atlantike) euen vnto Vraba and the hauen Cerabaro, and to
the furtheft landes found hytherto weftwarde, they had euer greate mountaynes in fyghte both nere hande and
farre of, in all that longe rafe. Thefe mountaynes were in fume place, fmooth, pleafaunt and frutfull, full of
goodly trees and herbes: And fumwhere, hygh, rowgh, ful of rockes, and baren, as chaunfeth in the famus
mountaynes of Taurus in Afia, and alfo in dyuers coaftes of our mountaynes of Ajpennini, and fuche other of
lyke byggeneffe. The rydgies alfo of thefe mountaynes are diuided with goodly and fayre valleis. That part
of the mountaynes which includeth the lymettes of Beragua, is thought to be hygher then the clowdes, in fo
much that (as they faye) the tops of them can feldome bee feene for the multitude of thicke clowdes which are
beneath the fame.  Colonus the Admirall the fyrfte fynder of thefe regions, affirmeth that the toppes of the
montaynes of Beragua are more then fiftie myles in heyghth. He fayth furthermore that in the fame region
at the rotes of the montaynes the way is open to the fouth fea, and compareth it as it were betwene Venice and
Genua, or lanua as the Genues wyll haue it cauled, whiche fable that theyr citie was buylded of lanus.  He
affirmeth alfo that this lande reacheth foorth towarde the fouth: And that from henfe it taketh the begynnynge
of breadth, lyke as from the Alpes owte of the narowe thygh of Italy, we fee the large and mayne landes of
Fraunce, Germanye, and Pannonye, to the Sarmatians and Scythyans, euen vnto the mountaynes and rockes of
Riphea and the frozen fea, and embrafe therwith as with a continuall bonde, all T[h]racia, and Grecia, with all that
is included within the promontorie or poynt of Malea and Hellefpontus fouthwarde, and the fea Euxinus and the
maryffhes of Miwotis in Scythia northwarde. The Admirall fuppofethe, that on the lefte hande in faylynge
towarde the weflte, this lande is ioyned to India beyonde the ryuer of Ganges: And that on the ryght hande
both the feas (that is to meane that fouth fea which we fayde to bee founde by Vafchus, and owre Ocean)
fhulde ioyne and meete in the corners of that lande: And that the waters of thefe feas doo not onely inclofe
and compaffe the fame withowt diuifion as Europe is inclofed with the feas of Hellefpontus and Tanais, with the
frofen Ocean and owre fea of Tyrrhenum with the Spanyffhe feas. But in my opinion, the vehement courfe of
the Ocean toward the wefle, doth fignifie and lette that the fayde two feas Ihulde not fo ioyne togither: But
rathehat that land is adherent to the firme landes towarde the Northe, as we haue fayde before. It flall
fuffice to haue fayde thus muche of the length hereof. Let vs nowe therfore fpeake fumwhat of the breadth of
the fame. We haue made mention before howe the fouth fea is diuided by narowe lymittes from owre Ocean, as
it was proued by th[e]experience of Vafchus Nunnez and his coompanions which fyrfI made open the way
thyther. But as dyuerfly as the mountaynes of owre Alpes in Europe are fumwhere narowe and in fume place
brode, euen fo by the lyke prouidence of nature, this lande in fume parte reacheth farre in breadth, and is in
other places coarcted with narowe limettes from fea to fea, with valleys alfo in fume places, wherby men maye
paffe from the one fyde to the other. Where we haue defcrybed the regions of Vraba and Beragua to bee fituate,
thefe feas are diuided by fmaule diflaunce. Yet owght we to thynke the region which the great ryuer of
Maragnonus runneth through, to bee very large if we fhall graunt Maragnonum to bee a ryuer and no fea, as the
frefhe waters of the fame owght to perfuade vs. For in fuche narowe caues of the earth, there can bee no
fwalowing goulfes of fuch bygneffe as to receaue or nooryfhe fo great abundance of water. The lyke is alfo to
bee fuppofed of the great ryuer of Dabaiba which we fayde to bee from the corner of the goulfe of Vraba in
fume place of fortie fathomes depth, and fumwhere fiftie: Alfo three myles in breadth, and fo to faule into the
fea. We mufIt needes graunt that the earth is brode there, by the whiche the ryuer paffeth from the hyghe
mountaynes of Dabaiba from the Eafte and not from the weft. They fay that this ryuer confiftleth and taketh
his encreafe of foure other ryuers faulynge from the mountaynes of Dabaiba. Owre men caule this ryuer
Flumen. S. Zohannis. They fay alfo that from henfe it fauleth into the goulfe of Vraba by feuen mouthes as
doothe the ryuer of Nilus into the fea of Egypte. Lykewyfe that in the fame region of Vraba there are in fume
places narowe ftreyghtes not paffynge fyftene leaques: and the fame to bee faluage and withowt any paffage by
reafon of dyuers maryffhes and defolate wayes, which the Latines caule Lamas: But the Spanyardes accordynge
to their varietie, caule them Tremedales, Tramnpalcs, Cenegales, Sumideros, and Zahondaderos. But before we
paffe any further, it fhall not bee greatly from owr purpofe to declare from whenfe thefe mountaynes of Dabaiba
haue theyr name accordynge vnto th[e]antiquities of th[e]inhabitantes. They faye therefore that Dabaiba was!
a woman of greate magnanimitie and wyfedome emonge theyr prediceffours in owlde tyme: whom in her lyfe,
all th[e]inhabitantes of thofe prouinces did greatly reuerence, and beinge deade gaue her diuine honour and
155


Hyghe and greate
mountaynes.
Tyrrhennum is
nowe cauled
Tuscane
Ca. S. A ugstini.
Vraba.
Cerabaro.
Frutful
mountaynes.
Apennini are
mountaynes
which diuide
Italy into. ii.
partes
Beragua
The mountaynes
of Beragua higher
then the cloudes.
Montaynes of
fiftie miles heyght.
111
Ianus otherwyse
cauled Iaphet, the
son of Noe.
Italy is lyke vnto
a legge in the
sea, and the
mountaynes of the
alpes, are in the
thyghe thereof
Colonus his
opinion of the
supposed
Continent.
By this coniecture,
the way shuld be
open to Cathay by
the hiperboreans
Looke the
nauigation of
Cabote. deca[de].
iii. lib. vi.
The breadth of
the lande
The regions of
Vraba and
Beragua.
The greate riuer
Maragnonus.
The greate riuer
Dabaiba, or sancty
lohannis.
The ryers haue
theyr increase
from the sprynges
of the montaynes.
The ryuer of NilMus
in Egypte.
Marisshes and
desolate wayes.
A superstitious
opinion of
th[e]originall of
montaines of
Dabaiba.




I56


The thyrde Decade.


named the region after her name, beleuynge that fhee fendeth thunder and lyghtnynge to deifroy the frutes of
the earth yf fhee bee angered, and to fend plentie if fhee bee well pleafed. This fuperftition hathe byn
112   perfuaded them by a craftie kynde of men vnder pretenfe of religion to th[e]intent that they might enioye fuche
gyftes and offeringes as were brought to the place where fhee was honoured. This is fufficient for this purpofe.
They faye furthermore that the maryffhes of the narowe lande wherof we haue fpoken, brynge foorth great
Dragons and   plentie of Crocodiles, dragons, battes, and gnattes beinge very hurtfull. Therefore when fo euer they take any
crocodiles in the
marishes      iorney towarde the fouthe, they go owte of the way towarde the mountaynes, and efchewe the regions neare vnto
thofe perelous fennes or maryfhes. Sume thinke that there is a valley lyinge that way that the ryuer runneth
which owre men caule Rio de los perdidos, that is, the ryuer of the loft men (fo named by the miffortune whiche
The hauen     there befell to Nicuefa and his coompany) and not far diflant from the hauen Cerabaro whiche diuideth thofe
Cerabaro.
mountaynes towarde the fouth. But let vs nowe fynifhe this booke with a fewe other thynges woorthy to bee
Twentie golden  noted. They fay therefore that on the ryght hande and lefte hande frome Dariena, there are twentie ryuers in
ryuers.       all the whiche, greate plentie of golde is founde. Being demaunded what was the caufe why they brought no
greater abundance of golde from thenfe, they anfwered that they lacked myners: And that the men which they
tooke with them from Spayne thyther, were not accuftomed to laboure, but for the mofte parte brought vp
Precious stones.  in the warres. This lande feemeth alfo to promeffe many precious flones. For befyde thofe which I fayde
to bee founde neare vnto Cariai and Sanlaa Martha, one Andreas iforalis a pylot (who had trauayled
A precious    thofe coaftes with lohannes de la Cojfa whyle he yet lyued) had a precious diamonde which he bought of a
diemonde of
excedyngebygnes. naked younge man in the region of Cumana in the prouince of Paria. This flone was as longe as two
ioyntes of a mans middell fynger, and as bygge as the fyrft ioynte of the thumme: beinge alfo paynted on euery
fyde, confiftynge of eyght fquares perfectly formed by nature. They fay that with this they made fcarres in
anuilles and hammers, and brake the teethe of fyles, the flone remaynyng vnperyffhed. The younge
man of Cumana, wore this fltone aboute his necke emonge other ouches, and foulde it to Andreas Moralis
for fyue of our counterfect flones made of glaffe of dyuers colours wherwith the ignorant younge man was greatly
Topases.      delyted. They founde alfo certeyne topafes on the fhore. But th[e]eftimation of golde was fo farre entered
The Spanyardes  into the heades of owre men, that they had no regarde to flones. Alfo the mofl part of the Spanyardes, do
contemne
effeminateplesures lawgh them to fcorne which vfe to weare many ftones: fpecially fuch as are common: Iudginge it to bee an
effeminate thynge, and more meete for women then men. The noble men onely when they celebrate folemne
mariages, or fet forth any triumphes, weare cheynes of gold byfet with precious flones, and vfe fayre apparell of
fylke embrothered with golde intermixt with pearles and precious flones: And not at other tymes. They
Sweete sauours.  thynke it no leffe effeminate for men to fmell of the fweete fauours of Arabie: And iudge hym to bee infected
with fum kynde of fylthy lechery, in whom they fmell the fauour of mufke or Caftoreum. But lyke as by one
apple taken from a tree, we may perceyue the tree to bee frutfull, and by one fyfhe taken in a ryuer, we may
A similitude  knowe that fyfhe is ingendered in the fame, euen fo, by a lyttel gold, and by one flone, we owght to confyder
prouing great                             ge    1b.foL            peos1nty"
plentie ofgolde  that this lande bringeth forthe great plentie of golde and precious flones. What they haue found in the porte
and precious  of Sanl7a Martha in the region of Cariai when the hole nauye paffed therby vndetheh gouernaunce of Petrus
The hauen of  Arias and his coompany with certeine other of the kynges offycers, I haue fuffyciently declared in his place.
Sancta Martha.
Cariai.       To be fhorte therefore, all thynges do fo floryffhe, growe, encreafe, and profper, that the lafte are euer better
then the fyrfle. And furely to declare my opinion herin, what fo euer hath heretofore byn difcouered by the
The hersical  famous trauayles of Salurnus and Hercules, with fuch other whom the antiquitie for their heroical factes honoured
factes of the
Spaniardes.   as goddes, feemeth but lyttell and obfcure if it be compared to the Spanyardes victorious laboures. Thus I byd
yowre holynes fare well, defyringe yowe to certifye me howe yowe lyke thefe fyrfle frutes of the Ocean, that
beyng encoraged with yowre exhortations, I maye the gladlyer and with leffe tedioufileffe write fuche thynges as
fhal chaunce herafter.
113                    THE FYFT BOOKE OF THE THIRDE DECADE.
L fuche lyuynge creatures as vnder the cercle of the moone bringe forthe any thynge, are
accuftomed by th[e]inftincte of nature as foone as they are delyuered of their byrthe, eyther
to clofe vppe the matrice, or at the leafte to bee quyete for a fpace. But owre moofte frutefull Ocean and newe woorlde, engendereth and bringeth furthe dayly newe byrthes wherby
men of great wytte, and efpecially fuche as are ftudyous of newe and meruelous thinges, may
haue fumwhat at hand wherwith to feede their myndes. If yowre holyneffe do afke to what
purpofe is al this, ye fhal vnderftand, that I had fcarcely fynyffhed the hiftorye of fuche thynges
-- I1tL —1-.L  LU  TV'-y-Z.-. it TnIT c4 A I.15 I- v11^5jY.ktss   its  issL*i  -.-.th~ I  LU  15,  r,,-ilt^i5  ic,r/ 5V5515  5'JUA'-l\r II\I7 P L <Lwn


I


as cnaunle(ll o vac L Y iWs vnnez anc ilU s coompanye6 Llnelr vyagC to 11C loulC lca, WlCl l uucllly UILC L;al
156




The thyrde Decade.


i57




newe letters from Petrus Arias the newe gouernour whom the kyng had appoynted the yeare before with an
army of men and a nauye of fhippes to fayle to thefe newe landes. He fygnifyeth by his letters, that he with
his nauye and coompany, arryued all fafelye. Furthermore, iohannes Cabedus (whome yowre holynes at the
requefte of the mofte catholyke kynge had created byfihoppe. of that prouynce of Dariena) and three other of
the chiefe offycers ioined in commiffion to be his affyftance, as Aifonfus de Ponte, Diegus MAarques, and lohannes
de Tauira, confyrmed the fame letters and fubfcribed them with their names. The nauygation therfore of
Petrus Arias, was in this maner. The daye before the Ides of Apryll, in the yeare of Chrifte. 15I4. he hoyfed
vppe his fayles in the towne of faincte Lucar de Barrameda, fytuate in the mouthe of the ryuer Bcatis, whiche
the Spaniardes nowe caule Guadalchebir. The feuen Ilandes of Canaria are about foure hundreth myles diftant
from the place where this riuer fauleth into the fea. Summe thinke that thefe are the Ilandes which the owlde
writers did caule the fortunate Ilandes. But other thynke the contrary. The name of thefe Ilandes, are thefe.
The two whiche appere fyrfte in fyght, are named Lanzelota and Fortifuentura. On the backehalfe of thefe,
lyeth Magna Canaria or Grancanaria. Beyonde that is Tenerife: and Gomera fumwhat towarde the northe
frome that. Palma and Ferrea, lye behynde as it were a bulwarke to all the other. Petrus Arias therfore, arriued
at Gomera the eyghte daye after his departure, with a nauye of. xvii. fhippes and a. M. [thousand] and fyue
hundreth men, althoughe there were onely a thoufand and two hundreth affygned hym by the kynges letters.
It is fayde furthermore that he lefte behynd hym more then two thoufande verye penfyue and fyghynge that
they alfo myght not be receaued, proferynge them felues to go at their owne charges. He taried. xvi. dayes in
Gomera to th[e]intente to make prouyfyon of fuell and frefhe water: But chiefely to repayre his fhyppes beynge
fore brofed with tempeftes, and efpecially the gouemours fhippe whiche had lofte the rudder. For thefe
Ilandes are a commodious reftynge place for all fuche as intende to attempte any nauygations in that mayne
fea. Departynge from henfe in the nones of Maye, he fawe no more lande vntyll the thirde daye of Iune,
at the whiche he arriued at Dominica an Ilande of the Canibales, being diflant from Gomera aboute eyght
hundreth leaques. Here he remayned foure dayes, makinge newe prouifion of frefhe water and fuell, durynge
whiche tyme he fawe no man nor yet any fleppes of men: But founde plentie of fea crabbes and greate lyfartes.
From henfe he fayled by the Ilandes of Matinina (otherwyfe cauled AMadanino) Guadazlupea, and Galanta
(otherwyfe cauled Galana) of all whiche, we haue fpoken in the fyrfle decade. He paffed alfo throughe
the fea of herbes or weedes, continuyng a long traete.  Yet nother he, nor Colonus the Admyrall (who
fyrlfe founde thefe Ilandes and fayled through this fea of weedes) haue declared anye reafon howe
thefe weedes fhoulde coome. Summe thynke the fea too be verye muddye there, and that thefe weedes
are engendered in the bottome therof, and fo beynge loofed, to afcende to the vppermoofte parte of the
water, as wee fee oftentymes chaunce in certeyne flondynge pooles, and fumtymes alfo in greate ryuers.
Other fuppofe that they are not engendered there, but to bee beaten from certeyne rockes by the
vyolence of the water in tempefles. And thus they leaue the matter in dowte: Neyther haue they yet
any certeyne experyence whether they flycke fafte and gyue place to the fhyppes, or wander loofe vppon
the water. But it is to bee thought that they are engendered there. For otherwyfe they fhulde bee dryuen
togyther on heapes by th[e]ympulfyon of the ihyppes euen as a beafome gathereth the fwepynges of a houfe, and
fhulde alfo lette the courfe of the fhyppes. The fourth day after that he departed frome Dominica, the hyghe
mountaynes couered with fnowe (wherof we haue fpoken in the feconde decade) appered vnto hym. They faye
that there the feas runne as fwyftely towarde the weftle, as it were a ryuer faulyng from the toppes of hyghe
montaynes: Although they fayled not directly toward the weft, but inclined fumwhat to the fouth. From thefe
montaynes fauleth the ryuer of Gaira, famous by the flaughter of owre men at fuch tyme as Rodericus
Colmenares paffed by thofe coaftes as we haue fayde before. Lykewyfe many other fayre ryuers haue their
originall from the fame montaynes. This prouynce (in the whiche is, alfo the regyon of Caramairi) hath in it
two notable hauens, of the which owre men named the one Carthago or Carthagena, and the other Sanfa
Martha, the region wherof, th[e]inhabitantes caule Sa/urma. The porte of San7a Martha, is nearer to the
montaines couered with fnowe cauled Montes Niuales: for it is at the rootes of the fame montaines. But the
hauen of Carthago, is more weftewarde aboute fyftie leaques. He writeth marueylous thynges of the hauen of
SaneTa Martha, whiche they alfo confirme that came lately from thenfe: Of the which younge Vefputius is one
to whom Americus Vefputius his vncle (being a Florentine borne) left the exact knowlege of the mariners
facultie, as it were by inheritance after his death for he was a very expert maifter in the knowledge of his
carde, his compaffe, and the eleuation of the pole flarre with all that perteineth therto. This younge Vefputius
was affygned by the kyng to bee one of the maifters of the gouernours ihyppe, bicaufe he was cunninge in
iudgyng the degrees of the eleuation of the pole flarre by the quadrante. For the charge of gouernynge the
rudder, was chiefely coommytted to one lohannes Serranus a Spaniarde, who had oftentymes ouer runne thofe
coaftes.  Vefputius is my verye familyar frende, and a wyttie younge man in whofe coompany I take great
pleafure, and therefore vfe hym oftentymes for my gefte.  He hath alfo made many vyages into thefe coaftes, and
157


The bysshop of
Dariena.
The nauigation of
Petrus Arias.
Saint Lucar.
The Iand of
Canarie.
Prouision of
fresshe water and
fuell.
The Iland of
Dominica.
Guadalupea,
otherwyse cauled
Carucueria, or
Queraquiera.
The sea of herbes.
114
These mountaynes
are cauled Montes
Niuales or Serra
Neuata, decade ii.
liber. i. and ii.
The swyfte course
of the sea towarde
the west.
The ryuer Gaira.
Caramairi.
Carthago.
Saturrna.
Mountaynes
couered with
snowe.
A mericus
Veszutl is.




I58


IThe ltyrde Decade.


I


r


'lhe stoutnes of
the Barbarians.
The Canibales
feyght in the
water.
The vse of gunnes.
The generacion of
thunder and
lyghtnynge.
Meteora.
Venemlous arrowes
115
Plentie of fysshe.
Cunnynge
fysshers.
Theyr householde
stuffe.
Tap[e]stry.
A straunge
phantasy.
This is he whom
Cardanus praiseth.
Precious stones
The Smaragde is
the trew emerode
Another kind of
amber is founde
in whales.
Gold and brasile.
Marchasites are
flowers of metals,
by the colours
wherof, the kyndes
of metals are
knowen.
These locustes
burne the corne
with toching and
deuoure the
residewe they are
in India of. iii.
foote length.


diligently noted fuche thinges as he hath feene. Petrus Arias therfore writeth, and he confyrmeth the fame,
that th[e]inhabitantes of thefe regyons tooke their originall of the Caribes or Canibales, as appeared by the
defperate fiercenes and crueltie which they oftentymes fhewed to owre men when they paffed by their coaftes.
Suche tloutenes and fortitude of mynde is naturallye engendered in thefe naked Barbarians, that they feared not
to affayle owre hole nauy and to forbyd them to coome a land. They feyght with venemous arrowes as we haue
fayde before. Perceauynge that owre men contempned their threatnynges, they ranne furioufly into the fea,
euen vppe to the breaftes, nothynge fearinge eyther the bygnes or multitude of owre fhyppes, but ceafed not
continually beinge thus in the water, to caft dartes and ffiute their venemous arrowes as thicke as hayle: In fo
muche that owre men had bynne in great daunger if they had not byn defended by the cages or pauiffes
of the fhyppes and their targettes. Yet were two of them wounded whiche died fhortely after. But this
conflycte continued fo iharpe, that at the length owre men were enforced to fhute of their byggeft pieces of
ordinaunce with haylefhotte: At the flaughter and terrible noyfe wherof the barbarians beynge fore difcomfitecl
and fhaken with feare, thynkynge the fame to be thunder and lyghtnynge, tourned their backes and fledde
amayne. They greately feare thunder bycaufe thefe regions are oftentymes vexed with thunder and lyghtnynge
by reafon of the hyghe montaynes and neareneffe of the fame to the region of the ayer wherin fuch fierie
tempeftes are engendered which the philofophers caule Meteora. And all be it that owre men had nowe dryuen
their enemyes to flyght, and fawe them difparcled and owte of order, yet dowted they and were of dyuers
opinions whether they fhulde purfue them or not On the one partie, fhame pricked them forwarde, and on the
other fyde feare caufed them to caite many perelles, efpecially confyderynge the venemous arrowes whiche thefe
barbarians canne direct fo certeynely. To departe from theym with a drye foote (as faithe the prouerbe) with fo
great a nauye and fuche an armye, they reputed it as a thynge greately foundynge to their reproche and difhonour.
At the length therfore fhame ouercommyng feare, they purfued them and came to land with their fhippeboates. The
gouernoure of the nauie, and alfo Vefputius doo wryte, that the hauen is no leffe then three leagues in compaffe,
beinge alfo fafe withowt rockes, and the water therof fo clere, that a man may fee pybble flones in the bottome
twentie cubettes deape. They faye lykewyfe that there fauleth twoo fayre ryuers of freffhe water into the
hauen: but the fame to bee meeter to beare the canoas of thefe prouinces then anye bygger veffels. It is a
delectable thynge to heare what they tel of the plentie and varietie, and alfo of the pleafaunt taft of the fyffhes
afwel of thefe riuers as of the fea there about. By reafon wherof they founde here many fyffher boates and
nettes woonderfully wrought of the flalkes of certeyne herbes or weedes dryed and tawed and wrethed with
cordes of fpunne goffampine cotton. For the people of Caramairi, Gaira, and Saturma, are very cunnynge in
fyffhynge, and vfe to fell fyffhe to theyr bortherers for exchaunge of fuche thynges as they lacke. When owre men
had thus chafed the Barbaryans from the fea coaftes, and hadde nowe entered into theyr houfes, they affayled
them with newe Ikyrmufhes, efpecially when they fawe them faule to fackynge and fpoylyng, and theyr wyues
and chyldren taken captiue. Theyr houfeholde ftuffe was made of great reedes which growe on the fea bankes
and the ftalkes of certeyne herbes beaten and afterward made harde. The floures therof were firewed with
herbes of fundry coloures; And the waules hanged with a kynde of tap[e]flry artificially made of goffampine
cotton, and wrought with pictures of Lions, Tygers, and Eagles. The doores of theyr houfes and chambers
were full of dyuers kyndes of fhelles hangynge loofe by fmaule cordes, that beinge fhaken by the wynde they
myght make a certeyne rattelynge and alfo a whyftlelynge noyfe by gatherynge the wynde in theyr holowe
places. For herein they haue greate delyte, and impute this for a goodly ornamente. Dyuers haue fhewed me
many woonderfull thynges of thefe regions: Efpecially one Gonzalus Fernandus Ouiedus beinge one of the
maieflrates appointed in that office which the Spanyardes caule Veedor, who hath alfo hetherto entered further
into the lande then any other. He affirmeth that he chaunced vppon the fragmente of a faphire bygger then
the egge of a goofe. And that in certeyne hylles where he trauayled with thirtie men, he founde many of the
precious flones cauled Smaragdes, calcidones, and Iafpers, befyde great pieces of amber of the montaines. He
alfo with dyuers other do affirme that in the houfes of fume of the Canibales of thefe regions, they founde the
lyke precious flones fet in golde and inclofed in the tap[e]flry or arras (if it may foo bee cauled) wherewith they
hange theyr houfes. The fame lande bryngeth foorth alfo many wooddes of brafile trees and great plentie of
golde: In fo much that in maner in al places they founde on the fea bankes and on the fhoores, certeyne
marchafites in token of golde: Fernandus Ouiedus declareth furthermore that in a certeyne region cauled Zenu,
lyinge foure fcore and tenne myles from Dariena Eaftwarde, they exercyfe a ftraunge kynde of marchaundies.
For in the houfes of the inhabitantes, they founde greate chefles and bafkets made of the twigges and leaues of
certeyne trees apte for that purpofe, beinge all full of greffehoppers, grylles, crabbes, or crefyffhes: fnayles alfo,
and locuftes whiche deftrowe the fieldes of corne, all well dryed and falted. Beinge demaunded why they
referued fuch a multitude of thefe beaftes, they anfwered that they kepte them to bee foulde to theyr bortherers
which dwell further within the lande: And that for the exchange of thefe precious byrdes and falted fyffhes,
they receaued of them certeyne flrange thlynges wherin partely they take pleafure, and partly vfe them for
158






The thyrde Decade.                                                     159
theyr neceffary affayers. Thefe people dwel not togyther, but fcattered here and there. Th[e]inhabitantes of
Caramairi, feeme to dwel in an earthly Paradife, theyr region is fo fayre and frutefull, withowt owtragious heate  The fayre region
or fharpe coulde, with lyttle difference of the length of day and nyght throwghowt all the yeare. AAfter that  of Car
owre men had thus dryuen the barbarians to flyght, they entered into a valley of two leagues in breadth and
three in length, extendynge to certeyne frutful mountaynes ful of graffe, herbes, and trees, at the rootes wherof,  Fruteful
lye twoo other valleys towarde the ryght hande and the left, throwgh eyther of the which runneth a fayre ryuer,  montaynes.
whereof the ryuer of Gaira is one, but vnto the other they haue yet gyuen noo name. In thefe valleys they
founde manye fayre gardeyns and pleafaunte fyeldes watered with trenfhes diftrybuted in marueylous order,  Gardens.
Insubres are
with no leffe arte then owre Infubrians and Hetrurians vfe to water theyr fyeldes. Theyr common meate,  nowe cauled
is Ages, Iucca, Maizium, Battala, with fuche other rootes and frutes of trees, and alfo fuche fyffhe as they vfe in  hetrusci, rdes, and
the Ilandes and other regions of thefe prouinces. They eate mans flefhe but feldome, bycaufe they meete not  116
oftentymes with firangiers, except they goo foorth of theyr owne dominions with a mayne armye of purpofe to  Many countreys
lefte desolate by
hunt for men, when theyr rauenynge appetite pricketh them forwarde. For they abfteyne from them felues, and  fte fdersenes of
eate none but fuche as they take in the warres or otherwyfe by chaunce. But fuerly it is a miferable thynge to  the anibales.
heare howe many myriades of men thefe fylthy and vnnaturall deuourers of mans fleffhe haue confumed, and  One myriade is
ten thousande.
lefte thoufandes of mofle fayre and frutfull Ilandes and regions defolate withowte menne: By reafon wherof
owre men founde fo many Ilandes whiche for theyr fayrenes and frutefulneffe myght feeme to bee certeyne earthly
Paradyfes, and yet were vtterly voyde of men. Hereby yowre holyneffe may confider howe pernitious a kynde
of men this is. We haue fayde before that the Ilande named Sancti Zohannis (which th[e]inhabitantes caule
Burichena) is nexte to Hifzyaniola.  It is fayde that onely the Canibales which dwell in the other Ilandes nere
about this, as in the Ilande cauled Hayhay or Sancta Crucis, and in Guadalupea (otherwife cauled Queraqueiera,
or Carucuiera) haue in owre tyme vyolentely taken owte of the fayde Ilande of Sanfli lohannis, more then fyue  A miserable
thoufande men to bee eaten. But let it fuffice thus much to haue wandered by thefe monifrous bludfuckers.  hearynge.
We wyll nowe therfore fpeake fumewhat of the rootes whereof they make theyr breade, forafmuch as the fame  Breade of rootes.
fhall hereafter bee foode to Chriftian men in fleede of breade made of wheate, and in the fteade of radyffhe with
fuch other rootes as they haue byn accuftomed to eate in Europe. We haue oftentymes fayde before that Iucca
is a roote whereof the befte and motfe delicate breade is made bothe in the firme lande of thefe regions, and
alfo in the Ilandes. But howe it is tylled or hufbanded, howe it groweth, and of howe dyuers kyndes it is, I
haue not yet declared. Therefore, when they intende to plante this lucca, they make a hole in the earth knee  The maner of
deape, and rayfe a heape of the earth taken owte of the fame, fafhionynge it lyke a fquare bedde of nyne foote  planting the
breadth on euerye fyde, fettynge twelue trunkes of thefe rootes (beinge about a foote and a halfe longe a piece)
in euery of the fayd beddes conteynynge three rootes of a fyde, fo layde a flope, that the endes of them ioyne
in maner togyther iD the center or myddeft of the bedde within the grounde. Owt of the ioyntes of the rootes
and fpaces betwene the fame, fprynge the toppes and blades of newe rootes, which by lyttle and lyttle encreafynge, growe to the byggenes and length of a mans arme in the brawne, and oftentymes as bygge as the thygh:
So that by the tyme of theyr full rypenes, in maner all the earthe of the heape, is conuerted into rootes. But  Earth turned into
rootes.
they fay that thefe rootes are not rype in leffe tyme then a yeare and a halfe: And that the longer they are
fuffered to growe euen vntyll twoo yeares complete, they are fo muche the better and more perfecte to make
breade therof. When they are taken foorthe of the earth, they fcrape them and flyfe them with certeyne fharpe
tfones feruynge for the fame purpofe: And thus layinge them betwene two great flones, or puttynge them in a  How breade is
made of rootes.
facke made of the flalkes of certeyne towgh herbes and fmaule reedes, they preffe them (as we do cheefe or  made o
crabbes to drawe owte the iufe thereof) and fo let them drye a daye before they eate them. The iufe or  A straunge
lyquoure, they caft away: for (as we haue fayde) it is deadly poyfon in the Ilandes. Yet is the iufe of fuche as ynge.
growe in the firme lande, holfome it it bee fodde, as is the whey of owre mylke. They faye that there are manye
kyndes of this Iucca, wherof fome are more pleafaunte and delycate then the other, and are therefore referued
as it were to make fine manchet for the kynges owne tables. But the gentelmen eate of the meaner forte, and
the common people of the bafeft. The fyneft they caule Cazabbi, which they make rounde lyke cakes in  Cazabbi.
certeyne preffes before they feeth it or bake it. They faye furthermore that there are lykewyfe dyuers kyndes
of the rootes of Ages and Battata.  But they vfe thefe rather as frutes and dyffhes of feruice, then to make  Ages and Battata
breade therof, as we vfe rapes, radyffhes, muffherorns, nauies, perfeneppes, and fach lyke. In this cafe, they
moofte efpecially efteeme the beft kynde of Baltatas, which in pleafant taft and tendernes farre exceadeth owre
mufheromes.  It ihal fuffice to haue fayde thus muche of rootes. We wyll nowe fpeake therfore of an other  Panicum is a
kynde of theyr breade. We declared before that they haue a kynde of grayne or pulfe muche lyke vnto   yke smilThe
Panicum, but with fumwhat bygger graines, which they beate into meale vppon certeyne greate hollowe fones  Italians caule
with the labour of their handes when they lacke rucca: And of this is made the more vulgar or common breade.  117
It is fowen thrife a yeare, fo that the frutfulneffe of the grounde may beare it by reafon of the equalitie of the
tynle, whereof wee haue fpoken fuffyciently before.  In thefe regyons they founde alfo the graine of Maiziumlz,


I 5(




160


The thyrde Decade.


- -




- - -


He meanethe the
equall length of
day and night
which is
continually vnder
the Equinoctial
lyne.
Mfaiziun
Earth of dyuers
colours.
Golde in ryuers.
Hartes and bores.
Foules.
Ilolsome ayer
Gossampine
cotton.
Fethers.
Bowes and
arrowes.
Deade bodies
reserued
Ouches of laton.
Gonzalus Ouiedus,
sayth that they
gilt maruelously
with the iuse of a
certeyne herbe.
Whyte marb'e.
The great ryuer
Maragnonus.
This ioyneth with
the myghty ryuer
cauled Flumen
Amazonum, found
of late.
Clokes of fethers.
118
The swyfte course
of the water.
xl. leaques in one
nyghlt.


and fundry kyndes of frutes of trees diligentely planted and well hufbanded. The waye betwene the regyons
of Caramairi and Saturma, is fayre, brode, and ryghte foorthe. They founde here alfo fundrye kyndes of
waterpottes made of earthe of dyuers colours, in the whiche they bothe fetche and keepe frefhe water. Lykewife fundry kindes of iugges, godderdes, drynkyng cuppes, pottes, pannes, dyfihes, and platters artifycially
made. When the gouernour had gyuen commaundement by proclamation, that th[e]inhabitantes ihulde eyther
obey the Chriflian kynge and embrafe owre relygion, or elles to depart owte of their countrey, they anfxvered
with venemous arrowes. In this fkyrmyfhe, owre men tooke fumme of theym: whereof clothynge the mofle
parte in faire apparell, they fente them ageyne to their owne coompany: But leadyng the refydue to the fhy)pples
to th[e]intent to Ihewe them the poure and magnyfycence of the chriftians that they myght declare the fame to
their coompanions, therby to wynne their fauour, they appareled them lykewyfe and fente them after their
felowes. Theye affyrme that in all the ryuers of thefe coaftes, theye fawe great argumentes and tokens of golde.
They founde here and there in their houfes good ftore of hartes fleffhe and bores flefhe wherwith they fedde
them felues dilycately. They alfo, haue greate plentie of fundry kyndes of byrdes and foules, wherof they
brynge vppe many in their houfes, fumme for neceffarye foode, and other for daynty dyffhes as we do hennes
and partriches. Owre men hereby coniecture that the ayer of thefe regions is veary holfome, for as muche as
fleapynge all nyghte vnder the fyrmament on the bankes of the ryuers, none of them were at any tyme offended
with reumes or heade ache by reafon of any noyfome humoure or vapoure proceadynge from the earthe, ayer,
or water. Owre men furthermore, founde there many great bothomes of goffampyne cotton ready fpunne, and
fardelles of dyuers kyndes of fethers wherof they make them felues creftes and plumes after the maner of owre
men of armes: alfo certeine clokes whiche they efteeme as mofte cumly ornamentes. They founde lykewyfe
an innumerable multitude of bowes and arrowes. Th[e]inhabitantes alfo of thefe regions, in fumme places vfe
to burne the carkefes of their prynces when theye are deade, and to referue their bones buryed with fpyces in
certeyne hylles. In other places, they onely drye theym and imbaume them with fpyces and fweete gummes,
and foo referue them in fepulchers in their owne houfes. Sumwhere alfo, they drye them, fpyce them, adourne
them with precyous iewells and ouches, and fo reuerently place them in certeyne tabernacles made for the
fame purpofe in their owne palayces. When owre men had many of their tabellets, braflettes, collers, and fuche
other ouches (whiche they caule Guanines) they founde them rather to bee made of laton then of golde:
wherby they fuppofe that they haue vfed to exchaunge their ware with fumme craftie firaungers whiche broughte
them thofe counterfect ouches to defraude them of their golde. For euen owre menne perceaued not the
deceate vntyll they came to the meltynge. Furthermore, certayne of owre buylders wanderynge a lyttell way
from the fea coaftes, chaunced to fynde certayne pyeces of white marble. Wherby they thynke that in tyme
pafle fumme firaungers haue coome too thofe landes, whiche haue dygged marble owte of the mountaines, and
lefte thofe fragmentes on the plaine. There owre men learned that the ryuer Maragnonus defcendeth frome
the montaynes couered with fnowe cauled Montes Niuales or Serra lNelata: And the fame to bee encreafed by
many other ryuers whiche faule into it throughowte all the lowe and wate[r]lye regions by the whiche it runneth
with fo longe a tracte from the fayde montaynes into the fea: And this to bee the caufe of the greatneffe therof.
Thefe thynges beyng thus brought to paffe, the gouernour commaunded the trumpitour to blowe a retraite:
Whervppon they whiche were fente to lande (beynge fyue hundreth in noumber) makynge a great fhoute for
ioye of their victory, fette them felues in order of battayle, and fo keping their array, returned to the fhippes
laden with fpoyle of thofe prouinces, and fhynynge in fouldiers clokes of fethers, with faire plumes and creftes
of variable colours. In this meane tyme hauynge repaired their fhyppes and furnyffhed the fame with all
neceffaries, they loofed anker the. xvi. daye of the Calendes of Iuly, directynge their courfe to the hauen of
Carthagena, in the whiche viage they deftroyed and wafted certayne Ilandes of the Canibales lyinge in the waye,
accordynge as they were commaunded by the kynge. But the fwifte courfe of the water deceaued bothe
lohannes Serranus the chiefe Pilot of the gouernours fhyppe, and all the other, althoughe they made their bofte
that they perfectely knewe the nature therof.  For they affyrne that in one night they were caried forty leaques
beyonde their eflimation.


i




The thyrde Decade.


- _


THE SYXTE BOOKE OF THE THIRDE DECADE.


Ere inufte we fumwhat digreffe from cofmography, and make a philofophicall difcours to
[ fearche the fecreate caufes of nature. For wheras they al affyrme with one confent, that the
i  fea runneth there from the Eaite to the wefle as fwyftly as it were a ryuer faulinge from hyghe
i'  S!   mountaynes, I thoughte it not good to lette fo great a matter flyppe vntouched. The whiche
while I confyder, I am drawen into no fmaule ambyguitie and doute, whether thofe waters
haue their courfe whiche flowe with fo contynuall a tracte in circuite from the Eafte, as
thowghe they fledde to the weft neuer to retourne, and yet neyther the wefle therby any
whitte the more fylled, nor the Eafte emptied. If we fhall faye that they faule to their centre (as is the nature of
heuye thynges) and affigne the Equinoctiall lyne to be the centre (as fumme affyrme) what centre fhall we
appointe to bee able to receaue fo great aboundaunce of water? Or what circumference fhal be founde weate?
They whiche haue fearched thofe coafles, haue yet founde no lykely reafon to be trewe. Manye thynke that
there fhulde bee certeyne large llraightes or enterances in the comer of that greate lande whiche we defcribed
to bee eyght tymes bygger then Italye, and the corner therof to be full of goulfes, wherby they fuppofe that
fumme ftrayghtes fhulde paffe through the fame lyinge on the wefle fyde of the Ilande of Cuba: And that the
fayde firaightes fhuld fwalowe vp thofe waters, and fo conuey the fame into the wefle and from thenfe ageyn
into owre Eafle Ocean, or north feas as fumme thynke. Other wyll, that the goulfe of that great lande bee
clofed vppe: and the lande to reach farre towarde the northe on the backe fyde of Cuba: fo that it embrace
the northe landes whiche the frofen fea encompafeth vnder the northe pole: And that all the lande of thofe
coaites, fhoulde ioyne togyther as one firme lande: Wherby they coniecture that thofe waters fhulde bee turned
aboute by the obiecte or refyflaunce of that lande fo bendynge towarde the north, as we fee the waters tourned
aboute in the crooked bankes of certeyne ryuers. But this agreeth not in all poyntes. For they alfo whiche
haue fearched the frozen fea, and fayled from thenfe into the wefle, do lykewyfe affyrme that thofe northe feas
flowe contynually towarde the weite, although nothing fo fwiftely. Thefe northe feas haue byn fearched by one
Sebaftian Cabot a Venetian borne, whom beinge yet but in maner an infante, his parentes caryed with them
into Englande hauyng occafion to reforte thether for trade of marchandies, as is the maner of the Venetians too
leaue no parte of the worlde vnfearched to obteyne richeffe. He therfore furnifihed two fhippes in England at
his owne charges: And fyrft with three hundreth men, directed his courfe fo farre toward the northe pole, that
euen in the mooneth of Iuly he founde monflrous heapes of Ife fwimming on the fea, and in maner continuall
day lyght. Yet fawe he the lande in that tracte, free from Ife, whiche had byn molten by heate of the funne.
Thus feyng fuche heapes of Ife before hym he was enforced to tourne his fayles and folowe the wefle, fo
coaftynge tlyll by the fhore, that he was thereby broughte fo farre into the fouthe by reafon of the lande bendynge
fo muche fouthward that it was there almolte equall in latitude with the fea cauled Fretum Rerculeum, hauynge
the north pole eleuate in maner in the fame degree. He fayled lykewife in this tracte fo farre towarde the wefte,
that he had the Ilande of Cuba [on] his lefte hande in maner in the fame degree of longitude. As he traueyled by
the coafles of this greate lande (whiche he named Baccallaos) he fayth that he found the like courfe of the waters
toward the wefl, but the fame to runne more foftely and gentelly then the fwifte waters whiche the Spanyardes
found in their nauigations foutheward.
Wherefore, it is not onely more lyke to bce trewe, but ought alfo of neceffitie to bee concluded, that
betwene both the landes hetherto vnknowen, there fhulde bee certeyne great open places wherby the waters
fhulde thus continually paffe from the Eaft into the wefle: which waters I fuppofe to bee dryuen about the
globe of the earth by the vnceffaunt mouynge and impulfion of the heauens: and not to bee fwalowed vp and
cafl owt ageyne by the breathynge of Demogorgon as fume haue imagined bycaufe they fee the feas by increafe
and decreafe, to flowe and reflowe. Sebaitian Cabot him felfe, named thofe landes Baccallaos, bycaufe that in
the feas therabout he founde fo great multitudes of certeyne bigge fyffhes much lyke vnto tunies (which th[e]inhabitantes caule Baccallaos) that they fumtymes flayed his fhippes. He founde alfo the people of thofe regions
couered with beaftes fkynnes: Yet not without th[e]ufe of reafon.
He faythe alfo that there is greate plentie of beares in thofe regions, whiche vfe to eate fyffhe. For
plungeinge theym felues into the water where they perceue a multitude of thefe fyffhes to lye, they faften theyr
clawes in theyr fcales, and fo drawe them to lande and eate them. So that (as he faith) the beares beinge thus
fatiffied with fyffhe, are not noyfom to men. He declareth further, that in many places of thefe regions, he
EDEN.                           P                                   I6I


Sundry opinions
why the sea
runneth with so
swyft course from
the East into the
west.
Th[e]equinoctiall
lyne.
Why all waters
moue towarde
the southe or
Equinoctial, reade
Cardanus de
subtilit. liber. ii.
de Elementis.
Strayghtes.
As by the strayght
of Magellanus.
The north landes.
The frosen sea.
Sebastian. Cabot.
The Venetians.
The viage of
Sebastian Cabot
from Englande to
the frosen sea.
Frost il the
moneth of Iuly.
Fretum.
Herculeum,
diuideth Spayne
and the Moores
and is nowe cauled
the strayghtes
of Marrok.
Baccalaos,
or Terra
Baccallearnm.
119
The mouyng of
heuen causeth the
sea to moue.
Demogorgou is
the spirite of the
earth.
People couered
with beastes skins
Howe beares take
and eate fysshes
of the sea.




162


The thyrde Decade.


Perhappes this
laton is copper
which holdeth
gold. For laton
hath no myne, and
is an artificiall
metal and not
natural.
Cabot cauled owt
of Englande into
Spayne.
The Second viage
of Cabot.
The Ilandes of
the Canybales.
The Ilande Fortis.
Salte
A straunge thynge.
How Petrus Arias
with the kynges
nauy arriued at
Dariena.
Howe Vaschus
receaued the new
gouernour.
Whye these
regions are cauled
prouynces.
120
Barrelles of meale.
Habitable regions
vnder the
Equinoctiall lyne.
Where the newe
gouernour planted
his habitation
The viage of
Iohannes Aiora
The hauen of
Comuorus
Sainte Mychaels
goulfe
The hauen Lof]
Pocchorrosa.


fawe great plentie of laton amonge th[e]inhabitantes.  Cabot is my very frende, whom  I vfe famylierly,
and delyte to haue hym fumtymes keepe mee company in myne owne houfe. For beinge cauled owte of
England by the commaundement of the catholyke kynge of Caftile after the deathe of Henry kynge of
Englande the feuenth of that name, he was made one of owre counfayle and affyflance as touchynge the
affayres of the newe Indies, lookyng dayely for Ihippes to bee furnyffhed for hym to difcouer this hyd fecreate
of nature. This vyage is appoynted to bee begunne in March in the yeare next folowynge, beinge the yeare of
Chryft M. D. XVI. What fhall fucceade, yowre holynes fhalbe aduertifed by my letters if god graunte me lyfe.
Sume of the Spanyardes denye that Cabot was the fyrft fynder of the lande of Baccallaos: And affirme that he
went not fo farre weftewarde. But it fhall fuffice to haue fayde thus much of the goulfes and ftrayghtes, and
of Sebaftian Cabot. Let vs nowe therefore returne to the Spanyardes. At this tyme, they let paffe the hauen
of Carthago vntouched, with all the Ilandes of the Canibales there aboute, whiche they named Infulas Sanci
Bernardi: Leauynge alfo behynde theyr backes, all the region of Caramairi. Heare by reafon of a fooden
tempefte, they were cafte vppon the Ilande For/is, beinge about fyftie leagues diftante from the enteraunce of
the goulfe of Vraba. In this Ilande, they founde in the houfes of th[e]inhabitantes, many bafkets made of
certeyne greate fea reedes, ful of falte. For this Ilande hath in it many goodly falte bayes: by reafon whereof
they haue greate plentie of falte which they fell to other nations for fuch thynges as they itande in neede of.
Not farre from henfe, a great curlewe as bygge as a florke came flying to the gouernours fhippe, and fuffered
her felfe to bee eafely taken: which beinge caryed about amonge all the Ihippes of the nauie, dyed fhortly after.
They fawe alfo a great multytude of the fame kynde of foules on the fhore a farre of.
The gouernour his flhyppe whiche we fayde to haue lofte the rudder beinge nowe fore broofed and in
maner vnprofytable, they lefte behynde to folowe at leafure. The nauie arriued at Dariena the twelfth day of
the Calendes of Iuly, and the gouernour his fhippe (beinge voyde of men) was dryuen a lande in the fame
coaftles within foure dayes after. The Spanyardes whiche nowe inhabited Dariena, with theyr Capitayne and
Lieuetenant Vafchzus Nunnez Balboa (of whom we haue largely made mention before) beinge certified of
th[e]arryual of Petrus Arias and his coompanye, wente foorthe three myles to meete him, and receaued him
honorably and religioufly with the pfalme Te deum Laudamus, giuing thankes to god by whofe fafe conducte
they were brought fo profperoufly thether to al theyr confortes. They receaued them gladly into theyr houfes
builded after the maner of thofe prouinces. I may well caule thefe regions, Prouinces, a Procul viceis, (that is)
fuch as are ouercome farre of, forafmuch as owre men doo nowe inhabite the fame all the barbarous kynges
and Idolatours beinge eliected. They enterteyned them with fuch chere as they were able to make them: as
with the frutes of thofe regions, and newe breade bothe made of rootes and the grayne Maizium. Other
delicates to make vp the feaft, were of theyr owne (tore whiche they brought with theym in theyr fhyppes, as
poudered fleffhe, falted fyffhe, and breade made of wheate. For they brought with them many barrelles of wheate
meale for the fame purpofe. Here maye yowre holynes not withowt iufle caufe of admiracion beholde a kynges
nauie and great multitude of Chriflians, inhabytinge not onely the regions fituate vnder the circle of heauen cauled
Tropicus Cancri, but alfo in maner vnder the Equinoctiall lyne, contrary to th[e]opinion of the owlde wryters, a fewe
excepted. But after that they are nowe mette togyther, let vs further declare what they determyned to doo.
Therefore, the daye after that the nauie arriued, there affembled a coompany of the Spanyardes th[e]inhabitoures
of Dariena, to the number of foure hundreth and fyftie men. Petrus Arias the gouernour of the nauie and his
coompany, conferred with them bothe priuilie and openlye of certeyne articles wherof it was the kynges pleafure
he fhulde enquire: And moll efpecially as concernyng fuch thynges wherof Vaflchus the fyrfle fynder and
Admirall of the Southe fea, made mention in his large letter fent from Dariena to Spayn. In this inquifition
they founde all thynges to bee trewe, wherof Vafchus had certifyed the kynge by his letters: And therevppon
concluded that in the dominions of Comogra, Po:chorrofa, and Tuzmanama, at th[e]affignement of Vafchus,
certeine fortreffes fhluld bee erected foorthwith to th[e]intente there to plant theyr colonie or habitacion. To
the better accomplyffhemente hereof, they fent immediatly one Iohannes Aiora a noble younge gentelman of
Corduba and vnder Lieuetenant, with foure hundreth men and foure carauelles and one other lyttle fhippe.
Thus departinge, he fayled fyrfl directly to the hauen of Comogrus, dyftant from Dariena aboute twentie and
fyue leagues, as they wryte in theyr laft letters. Frome henfe, he is appoynted to fende a hundreth and fyftie
of his foure hundreth, towarde the South by a newe and ryghter way founde of late, by the which (as they fay)
it is not pafte. xxvi. leagues from the palaice of kynge Comogrus to the enteraunce of the goulfe of Sand/i
Michaelis. The refidewe of the foure hundreth, fhall remayne there to bee an ayde and fuccour to all fuch as
fhall iorney to and fro. Thofe hundreth and fiftie which are affigned to go fouthwarde, take with them for
interpretours certeine of owre men which had lerned the footherne language of the bonde men which were gyuen
to Vafchus when he ouerranne thofe regions, and alfo certeyne of the bondemen them felues which had nowe
lerned the Spanyffhe tonge. They fay that the hauen of Pocchorrofa, is onely feuen leaques diflante frome the
hauen of Comogrus. In Pocchorrofa, he is affigned to leaue fyftie men with the lyghteft fhyp which maye bee a
162




The thyrde Decade.


I63


paffinger betwene them: that lyke as we vfe pofle horfes by lande, fo may they by this currant fhippe, in florte
fpace certifie the Lieuetenaunt and th[e]inhabitours of Dariena of fuche thynges as fhall chaunce.  They
entende alfo to buylde houfes in the region of Tumanama. The palaice of kynge Tumanama, is diftant from
Pocchorrofa about twentie leaques. Of thefe foure hundreth men, beinge of the owlde fouldiers of Dariena and
men of good experience, fyftie weare appoynted to bee as it were Decurians to guide and conducte the newe
men from place to place to do their affaires. When they had thus fette all thynges in order, they thought it
good to aduertife the king hereof, and therwith to certifye hym that in thofe prouinces there is a kynge named
Dabaiba whofe dominion is very riche in golde: But the fame to be yet vntouched by reafon of his great power.
His kingedome ioyneth to the feconde greate ryuer named Dabaiba after his name, whiche fauleth into the fea
owt of the corner of the goulfe of Vraba as we haue largely declared before. The common reporte is, that all
the lande of his dominions is ryche in golde. The palayce of kynge Dabaiba is fyfty leaques diftante from
Dariena. Th[e]inhabitantes faye that from the palaice, the golde mynes reache to the borthers on euery fyde.
Albeit, owre men haue alfo golde mynes not to bee contempned, euen within three leaques of Dariena, in the
which they gather golde in many places at this prefente: Yet doo theye affyrne greater plentie to bee in the
mynes of Dabaiba. In the bookes of owre fyrfte frutes wrytten to yowre holyneffe, we made mention of this
Dabaiba, wherin owre men were deceaued and myftooke the matter. For where they founde the fyffher
men of kyng Dabaiba in the maryffhes, they thought his region had byn there alfo. They determyned
therfore to fende to kynge Dabaiba, three hundreth choyfe younge men to be chofen owte of the hole
army as mofRe apte to the warres, and well furnyffhed with all kyndes of armoure and artillery, to
th[e]intent to go vnto hym and wyl hym, eyther frendly and peaceably to permytte them to inhabyte
parte of his kingdome with the fruition of the golde mynes, or elles to bydde him battayle and dryue
hym owte of his countrey. In their letters, they often tymes repete this for an argument of great rycheffe
to coome, that they in maner dygged the grounde in noo place, but founde the earthe myxte with fparkes
and fmaule graynes of golde. They haue alfo aduertifed the kynge that it fhalbe commodious to place
inhabitours in the hauen of Sanc7a Martha in the region of Saturma, that it maye bee a place of refuge for them
that fayle from the Ilande of Dominica from the whiche (as they faye) it is but foure or fyue dayes faylyng to
that hauen of the regyon of Sa/urma: And from the hauen, but thre dayes faylyng to Dariena. But this is to
bee vnderftode in goynge and not in returnynge. For the returnyng from thenfe is fo laborious and difficulte by
reafon of the contrary courfe of the water, that they feeme as it were to afcende hyghe montaynes and ftryue
ageynflte the poure of 2Nepunus. This fwyfte courfe of the fea towarde the WeRe, is not fo violente to theym
whiche retoumrne to Spayne frome the Ilandes of Hifpaniola and Cuba: Althoughe they alfo do laboure ageynfle
the faule of the Ocean: The caufe wherof is, that the fea is here verye large, fo the waters haue their full
fcoope. But in the tracte of Paria, the waters are conftrayned together by the bendynge fydes of that great
lande, and by the multytude of Ilandes lyinge ageynfte it, as the lyke is feene in the ftraightes or narowe feas of
Sicilie where the violent courfe of the waters caufe the daungerous places of Scylla and Charybdis, by reafon of
thofe narowe feas whiche conteine Ioniurm, Libicum, and Tirrhenum. Colonus the fyrft fynder of thefe regyons,
hath lefte in wrytynge, that faylynge from the Ilande of Guanaffa, and the prouynces of laia, Maia, and
Cerabaro, beyng regyons of the weft marches of Beragua, he founde the courfe of the water fo vehemente and
furious ageynfte the fore parte of his fhippe whyle he failed from thofe coaftes towarde the Eafle, that he coulde
at no tyme touche the grounde with his foundynge plummet, but that the contrary vyolence of the water woolde
beare it vppe from the bottome. He affyrmeth alfo, that he coulde neuer in one hole daye with a meately good
wynde, wynne one myle of the courfe of the water. And this is the caufe why they are oftentymes enforced to
fayle fyrfle by the Ilandes of Cuba and Hifpaniola, and fo into the mayne fea toward the North when they
retumrne to Spaine, that the Northe wyndes maye further their vyage whiche they can not brynge to paffe by a
directe courfe. But of the motions of the Ocean fea to and fro, this fhal fuffyce. Let vs now therfore reherfe
what they write of Dariena, and of their habitation there, which they caule San/la Maria Antiqua, planted on
the fea bankes of Dariena. The fituation of the place, hath no natural munition or defenfe: And the ayer is
more pefliferous then in Sardus. The Spanyfhe inhabitours, are all pale and yelowe, lyke vnto them that haue
the yelowe giaundyes. Whiche neuertheleffe commeth not of the nature of the region as it is fituate vnder the
heauen. For in many regyons beyng vnder the felfe fame degree of latitude, hauyng the pole of the fame
eleuation, they fynd holfome and temperate ayer, in fuch places where as the earth bryngeth forth fayre fprynges
of water, or where holfome ryuers runne by bankes of pure earthe without mudde: but mofe efpecyally where
they inhabyte the fydes of the hylles and not the valleyes. But that habytation whiche is on the bankes of the
ryuer of Dariena, is fytuate in a deepe valley, and enuironed on euery fyde with hyghe hylles: By reafon wherof,
it receaueth the foonne beames at noonetyde directly perpenticular ouer their heades, and are therfore fore
vexed by reflection of the beames bothe before, behynde, and from the fydes. For it is the reflection of the
foonne beames whiche caufeth feruente heate, and not their acceffe or nereneffe to the earth. Forafmuche as
I63


A passynger
shyppe.
Kyng Tumanama.
Decurians are
officers deuided
into tennes. etc.
The gold mynes
Kyng )abaiha.
The pallaice of
kynge Iabaiba.
The gold mynes
of Dariena.
An erroure.
Expedition ageinst
kynge Dabaiba.
121
Great plentie of
golde.
The regyon of
Saturma
The Ilande of
Dominica.
Dariena.
Difficulte saylyng
ageynst the course
of the sea.
The daungerous
straightes of Scylla
and Charybdis.
Guanass a.
laia.
Maia.
Cerabaro.
Beragua.
The vehement
course of the sea
from the east to
the west.
The northe wynde.
Sancta Maria
Antiqua, the fyrst
habitation of the
spaniardes in the
fyrme lande.
Sardus the Ilande
of Sardinia.
The variety of
regions lyinge
vnder one paralel.
By what meanes
the sonne beames
are cause of
feruent heate.




I64


__


The pernicious
ayer of Dariena.
122
Toades and flees
engendered of
droppes of water.
Necessytie hath
no lawe
A house sette on
fyer with
lyghtnynge.
A dogge deuoured
of a crocodyle,
Tanquam camis
e Nilo.
The byting of
battes.
Lyons and tygers.
Beastes wex
bygger in their
kynde.
How the
gouernour
enterteyned kyng
Careta.
Note.
Broma or Bissa,
are wormes whiche
destroy shippes.
123
A venemous tree.
Perhappes theyr
venemous arrows
are made of this
woodde or. &c.


The /hyrde Decade.
they are not paffyble in them felues as dothe manyfeffly appeare by the fnowe lyinge contynually vnmolten
vpon certeyne hygh montaynes, as yowre holyneffe knoweth ryghte well. The foonne beames therfore faulyng
on the montaynes, are reflected downewarde into the valley by reafon of th[e]obiecte of the declynynge fydes
of the hylles, as it were the faule of a greate rounde floone rowlde frome the toppe of a montayne. The
valley therfore receaueth, both thofe beames whiche faule directly theron, and alfo thofe whiche are reflected
downwarde from euery fyde of the montaynes. Their habitation therfore in Dariena, is pernicious and vnholfome onely of the particular nature of the place, and not by the fytuation of the regyon as it is placed vnder the
heauen or nere to the foonne. The place is alfo contagious by the nature of the foyle, by reafon it is coompafed
aboute with muddy and ftynkynge maryffhes, th[e]infection wherof is not a lyttle encreafed by the heate. The
vyllage it felfe, is in a maryflle, and in maner a ftandynge puddle, where, of the droppes faulyng from the handes
of the bond men whyle they water the pauementes of their houfes, toades are engendered immediately, as I my
felfe fawe in an other place the droppes of that water turne into flees in the foomer feafon. Furthermore, where
fo euer they dygge the grounde the deapthe of a handefull and a halfe, there fpringeth owte vnholfome and
corrupte water of the nature of the ryuer which runneth through the deepe and muddy chanel of the valley, and
fo fauleth into the fea. Now therfore they confulte of remouyng their habytation. Neceffytie caufed them fyrft
to faften their foote heare, bycaufe that they whiche fyrft arryued in thofe landes, were oppreffed with fuche
vrgente hunger, that they had no refpecte to chaunge the place althoughe they were thus vexed by the contagion
of the foyle and heate of the foonne, befyde the corrupte water and infectious ayer by reafon of venemous
vapours and exhalations ryfynge from the fame. An other greate incommoditie was, that the place was deflitute
of a commodious hauen, beynge three leaques diftante from the mouthe of the goulfe. The waye is alfo roughe
and diffyculte to brynge vyttayles and other neceffaries from the fea. But lette vs nowe fpeake fumwhat of other
particular thynges whiche chaunfed. Therfore fhortly after that they weare arryued, there happened many
thynges wherof they had no knowledge before. A certayne well learned phifytion of Ciuile, whome partely
th[e]autorytie of the byffhoppe of Dariena, and partely the defyre of golde had allured to thofe landes, was fo
fcarred with lyghtnynge in the nyghte feafon lyinge in bedde with his wyfe, that the houfe and all the fluffe
therin beynge fette on fyer and burnte, he and his wyfe bothe foore fcorched, ranne foorthe cryinge and almofte
naked, hardely efcapynge the daunger of deathe. At an other time, as certayne of them floode on the fhoore,
a great Crocodyle fodenly caryed awaye a mafty of a yeare and a halfe owlde, as a kyte fIhulde haue fiatched
vppe a chicken: And this euen in the pretence of theym all, where the myferable dogge cryed in vayne for the
helpe of his mayfter. In the nighte feafon they were tormented with the bytynge of battes whiche are there foo
noyfome that if they byte any man in his fleape, they putte hym in daunger of lyfe, onely with drawynge of
bludde: In fo muche that fumme haue dyed therof, faulynge as it were into a confumption through the
malycioufneffe of the venemous wounde. If thefe battes chaunce to fynde a cocke or a henne abrode in the
nyght feafon, they byte them by the combes and fo kyll them. They alfo whiche wente lafte into thefe regions,
do wryte, that the lande is troubeled with Crocodyles, Lyons, and Tigers: But that they haue nowe deuifed
artes and ingens howe to take them. Lykewyfe that in the houfes of their felowes, they founde the hydes and
cafes of fuche Lyons and Tygers as they had kylled. They wryte furthermore, that by reafon of the rankeneffe
and frutefulneffe of the grounde, kyne, fwyne, and horfes, doo marueloufly increafe in thefe regions, and growe
to a muche bygger quantitie then they whiche weare of the firft broode. Of the excedynge hyghneffe of the
trees with their fruites, of the garden herbes, fruites, plantes, and feedes whiche owre men broughte from Spayne
and fowed and fet the fame in thefe regyons, lykewye of the hertes and other foure footed beaftes bothe tame
and wylde, alfo of dyuers kyndes of foules, byrdes, and fyffhes, they write euen as we haue declared in the decades
before.  Careta the kynge of the regyon of Cioba, was with them for the fpace of three dayes: whome when
they had frendly enterteyned and Ihewed hym the fecreate places of their fhyppes, their horfes alfo with their
trappars, bardes, and other furnimentes, befyde many other thinges whiche feemed firaunge to hym, and had
further delited his mynd with the harmony of their mufycall inflrumentes, and gyuen hym many rewardes, they
dyfmyffed hym halfe amafed with to muche admyration. He fygnifyed vnto them, that their trees in that
prouynce, of the planckes wherof, if fhyppes were made, they fhoulde bee fafe from the woormes of the
fea whiche they caule Bromas. Howe thefe woormes knawe and corrode the fhyppes, wee haue declared
before. Owre fhyppes are greatly troubeled with this plage if they lye longe in the hauens of thefe
regyons. But they affyrme that the woodde of this tree is foo bytter, that the woormes wyll not tafte therof.
There is alfo an other tree peculyar to thefe landes: whofe leaues if they onely touche the bare in any place of
a mannes body, they caufe greate blyflers, and thofe foo malycious that excepte the fame bee foorthwith healed
with falte water or faftynge fpyttle, they doo incontynently engender deadely paynes. They faye lykewyfe,
that the fauour of the woodde is prefente poyfon: And that it can noo whither bee caryed without daunger of
lyfe. When th[e]inhabitauntes of the Ilande of Hifpaniola had oftentymes attempted to fhake of the yoke of


feruytude, and coulde neuer brynge the fame to paffe neyther by open warre nor yet by priuye confpiraces,
164




The thyrde Decade.


i65


II-       ~


they were determyned in the nyghte feafon to haue kylled owre men in their fleepe with the fmoke of this
woodde. But when the Chriflian men had knowledge hereof, they compelled the poore wretches to confeffe
their intente, and punyffhed the chiefe autours of the deuyfe. They haue alfo a certayne herbe with the fauour
wherof they are preferued from the hurte of this venemous woodde fo that they maye beare it fafely. Of thefe
fmaule thynges it flall fuffyce too haue fayde thus muche. They looke dayly for many greater thynges to
certyfye vs of from the Ilandes of the fouth fea. For at fuche tyme as the meffenger whiche broughte owre
letters departed from thenfe, Petrus Arias prepared an expedition to that ryche Ilande whiche lyeth in the
mouthe of the goulfe cauled Sinus S. Mich/aelis, and reacheth into the fouthe fea, beyng alfo lefte vntouched
of Vafchzus by reafon that the fea was at that tyme of the yeare fore troubeled with tempeftes, as wee haue
further declared in Vafchus his vyage to the fouthe. Wee looke therfore dayly for greater thynges then are
hetherto pafte. For they haue nowe taken in hand to fubdue manye other prouynces, whiche wee fuppofe too
bee eyther verye ryche, or to brynge furthe fumme ftraunge woorkes of nature. Iohannes Diaz Soliztus of
Nebrijfa (of whome we haue made mention before) is fente by the froonte of the cape or poynte of Sanlzi
AugjZinii (whiche reacheth feuen degrees beyonde the Equinoctiall lyne, and perteyneth to the dominion of
the Portugales) to th[e]intent to ouer runne the fouthe fyde from the backe halfe of Paria, Cumana, Cuquibacoa,
with the hauens of Carthago and Sancla Martha, of Dariena alfo and Beragna, that more perfecte and certeyne
knowledge may bee had of thofe tractes. Furthermore, one Iohannes Poncius was fente foorthe with three
fhyppes to deftroye the Canibales bothe in the lande and Ilandes there aboute: afwell that the nations of the
more humane and innocente people maye at the length lyue without feare of that pefliferous generation, as
alfo the better and more fafely to fearche the fecreates and rycheffe of thofe regions. Many other lykewife
were fente dyuers and fundry wayes: as Gafper Badaiocias too fearche Welt partes: Francdfcus Bezerra, to
fayle by the comer of the goulfe: And Valleius, to paffe by the mouthe or enteraunce therof to the Eafte
coaites of the goulfe to fearche the fecreates of that lande, in the whiche Fogeda with his coompanye had of
late begunne to plante their habitation, and had buylded a fortreffe and a vyllage. Badaiocius departed fyrfte
frome Dariena with foure fcore fouldiours well appoynted: Whome Lodoaicus Mercado folowed with fyftye:
To Bezerra were alfo fourefcore affygned, and three fcore and tenne to Valleius. Whether they fhall
arryue at fafe and commodious hauens, or faule into vnfortunate Riations, he onely knoweth whofe prouydence
ruleth all: For as for vs men wee are included within the knowledge of thinges after they haue chaunced.
Lette vs nowe therfore coome to other matters.
(1 THE SEVENTHE BOOKE OF THE THIRDE DECADE.


A preseruatiue
ageynst poyson.
The Ilands of the
south sea.
The ryche Iland
cauled Dites.
Cap[e], sancti
Augustini.
Of the euyll
successe of these
viages, reade
decade iii.
Liber. ix.
An expedition to
destroy the
Canibales.
Foged?.
Looke. decad. iii.
Lib. ix.


_         Etrus Arias the gouernour of the fuppofed continente, was fcarfly entred into the mayne fea
with his nauye onwarde on his vyage to Dariena. But I was aduertifed that one Andreas
[B  I  ^     ~Moralis a pilot who had oftentymes ouer runne the coaftes of thefe new feas and the Ilandes
of the fame, was coome to the courte to fell fuche marchaundies as he broughte with hym
il         frome thenfe. This man had dyligently fearched the tracte of the fuppofed continente, and
efpecyally th[e]inner regyons of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, wherunto he was appoynted by
his brother Nicolaus Ouandus (the gouernour of the Iland and chiefe Commendatory of the
order of the knyghtes of Alcantara) bycaufe he was a wytty man and more apte to fearche fuche thynges then
any other: So that with his owne handes he drewe faire cardes and tables of fuche regyons as hee difcouered.
Wherin as he hath bynne founde faythfull of fuche as haue fenfe had better tryall hereof, fo is he in molt credyt
emongeft the beft forte. He therfore reforted to me as all they are accuftomed to doo, whiche retourne from
the Ocean. What I learned of hym and dyuers other of thinges heretofore vnknowen, I wyll nowe declare.
The beginnynge of this narration, Ihalbe the particular defcription of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, forafmuche as it
is the heade and as it weare the principall marte of all the lyberality of the Ocean, and hath a thoufande and
againe a thoufande fayre, pleafaunt, bewtifull, and ryche Nereides whiche lye aboute it on euery fyde, adournynge
this their ladye and moother, as it were an other Tethis the wyfe of Neptunus, enuyronynge her aboute, and
attendynge vppon her as their queene and patroneffe. But of thefe Nereiades (that is to faye, the Ilandes placed
aboute her) we wyll fpeake more hereafter. Lette vs in the meane tyme declare fumwhat of the Ilande whiche
owre men named Margaritea Diues (whiche the Spanyardes caule De las perlas) beyng nowe well knowen, and
lyinge in the fouthe fea in the goulfe cauled Sinus San/li Michaelis (that is) fainte Michaels goulfe. This Iland
hath prefently brought to owre knowledge many firaunge and woonderfull thynges and promyffeth no fmaule
P 2                                 i65


The nauigations of
Andreas Moralis.
124
A particular
description of the
Ilande of
hispaniola
Nereides are
nymphes of the
sea, he meaneth
Ilandes.
Tethis the wyfe of
Neptunus and
goddesse of the
sea.
The Ilande of
Margaritea Diues
Saincte Michaels
goulfe




166


The thyrde Decade.


Great perles
Hispaniola lyke
vnto the earthly
paradyse.
The fyrst
inhabitours of
hispaniola
Dardanus.
Teucrus.
Troianum.
Tirians, Sidonians.
Eneas.
Latium.
Hierusalem
Mecha.
The Ilandes of
Canarie.
Betanchor, a
frenchman.
125
The fyrst names
of hispaniola.
Pan.
The roughnesse
of hispaniola.
The maner of
lernynge.
Ballets and
rhymes.


hope of greater thynges in tyme to coome. In this is founde great plentie of pearles fo fayre and great, that
the fumptuous queene Cleopatra myght haue feemed to weare them in her crownes, cheynes, and braflettes.
Of the fhelfyffhes wherin thefe are engendered, wee wyil fpeake fumwhat more in th[e]ende of this narration.
But let vs nowe returne to Hzipaniola mofle lyke vnto the earthly paradyfe. In the defcription hereof, we wyll
begynne of the impofytion of dyuerfe names: Then of the forme of the Ilande, temperate ayer and benefyciall
heauen: And fynally of the deuifyon of the regyons. Therfore for the ryghter pronunfyation of the names,
yowre holyneffe mufle vnderflande that they are pronounced with th[e]accent, as yowe may know by the verge
fette ouer the heddes of the vowels, as in the name of the Ilande Matininb, where the accente is in the laft
vowell, and the lyke to be vnderftoode in all other names. They faye therfore, that the fyrfte inhabitours of the
Iland were tranfported in their Canoas (that is boates made of one hole pyece of woodde) from the Ilande of
Matinino, beynge lyke banyffhed men dryuen from thenfe by reafon of certaine contrary factions and diuifyons
emonge them felues, lyke as wee reade howe Dardanus came from Coryt/ho, and TLeucrus from Creta into Afia,
and that the regyon where they placed their habitacion, was afterwarde cauled Troianum. The lyke wee reade
howe the Tirians and Sidonians arryued with their nauye in Lybia by the fabulous conduction of Dido. Thefe
Matininans in like maner beynge banyffhed from their owne countrey, planted their fyrfle habytation in that
parte of the Iland of Hifpjaniola whiche they caule Cahonao, vpon the banke of the ryuer named Bahaboni: As
is redde in the begynnynge of the Romaynes that Eneas of Troye aryued in the region of Italy cauled LatinI
vppon the bankes of the ryuer of Tiber. Within the mouthe of the ryuer of Bahaboni, lyeth an Ilande where it
is fayde that th[e]inhabitauntes buylded their fyrfle howfe whiche they named Camoteia. This howfe they
confecrated fhortely after, and honoured the fame reuerently with continual gyftes and monumentes, euen
vntyl the commynge of owre men, lyke as the Chriflians haue euer relygyoufly honoured Ierufalem the fountayne
and oryginall of owre faythe: As alfo the Turkes attribute the lyke to the cytie of M;echa in Araby, and
th[e]inhabytantes of the fortunate Ilandes (cauled the Ilandes of Canarye) to Tyrma buylded vppon a hyghe
rocke from the whiche many were wounte with ioyfull myndes and fonges to caft them felues downe headlonge,
beyng perfuaded by their priefles that the foules of all fuche as fo dyd for the loue of Tyrma, fhulde therby
enioye eternall felycity. The conquerours of the Ilandes of Canarie, founde them yet remaynyng in that
fuperflition, euen vntyll owre tyme: Nor yet is the memory of their facrifyces vtterly worne awaye:
The rocke alfo referueth the owlde name vnto this daye. I haue alfo learned of late, that there yet
remayneth in the Ilande fumme of the faction of Betanchor the Frenfhe man and fyrfle that broughte the
Ilandes to good culture and culture and ciuilitie beyng therto lycenced by the kynge of Caflile as I haue fayde before.
Thefe doo yet (for the mofle parte) obferue bothe the language and maners of the Frenfhemen, although the
heres and fucceffours of Betanchor, had foulde the two fubdued Ilandes to certeyne men of Caflile. Yet
th[e]inhabitours whiche fucceded Beanchor, and buylded them houfes and encreafed their families there, do
contynue to this daye: And lyue quietl  y and pleafauntly with the Spanyardes, not greued with the harpe coulde
of Fraunce. But lette vs nowe returne to th[e]inhabitauntes of Matinino and Hifjpaniola. The Ilande of
Hifpaniola was fyrfle named by the fyrfle inhabitours, Quizqeia, and then Haiti. And this not by chaunce,
or at the pleafure of fuche as diuifed thefe names, but of credulitie and belefe of fumme great effecte. For
Quizqueia, is as miuche to faye as a great thinge: And that fo great that none maye- bee greater. They interprete alfo, that Quizqueia fygnifyeth, large, vniuerfall, or al, in like fignification as the Greekes named their god
cauled Pan: Bycaufe that for the greatnes therof, thefe fymple foulesfymple fuppofed it to bee the hole worlde: And
the foonne beames gaue lyghte to none other worlde but onely to this Ilande with the other adiacente
aboute the fame: And thervppon thoughte it moff woorthy to bee cauled great, as the greateif of all other
knowen to them. Haiti is as muche to faye by interpretation, as roughe, fharpe, or craggie. But by a
fyguratiue fpeache cauled denomination (wherby the hole is named by part) they named the hole Iland Haiti
(that is) roughe: For as muche as in many places the face of this Iland is rough by reafon of the craggie montaynes, horrible thicke wooddes, and terrible darke and diepe valleys enuyroned with great and highe
montaynes, althoughe it bee in manye other places exceadynge bewtifull and floryffhynge. Here mufle wee
fumwhat digreffe from th[e]order we are entered into. Perhappes your holyneffe wyll maruell by what meanes
thefe fymple men fhoulde of foo longe contynuance beare in minde fuche principles, where as they haue no
knowledge of letters. So it is therfore, that from the beginninge, their princes haue euer byn accuflomed to
committe their children to the gouernaunce of their wife men whiche they caule Boitios, to bee inflructed in
knowledge, and to beare in memorie fuche thynges as they lerne. They gyue them felues chieflye to two
thynges: As generally to lerne th[e]originall and fucceffe of thynges: And particularlye to reherfe the noble
factes of their graundefathers great graundefathers and aunceftours afwell in peace as in warre. Thefe two
thynges they haue of owlde tyme compofed in certeyne meters and ballettes in their language. Thefe rhymes
or ballettes, they caule Areitos. And as owre mynftrelles are accuftomed too fynge to the harpe or lute, fo doo
they in lyke maner fynge thefe fonges and daunce to the fame, playinge on tymbrelles made of Ihels of certen
I66




The thyrde Decade.


167


fyffhes.  Thefe tymbrels they caule Maguei. They haue alfo fonges and ballettes of loue: And other of
lamentations and moornyng: Summe alfo to encorage them to the warres, with euery of them their tewnes
agreable to the matter. They exercyfe theym felues muche in daunceinge, wherin they are verye actyue and
of greater agilitie then owre men, by reafon they gyue them felues to nothyng fo muchc, and are not hyndered
with apparell whiche is alfo the caufe of their fwifteneffe of foote. In their ballettes lefte them of their
aunceftours, they haue prophecies of the comminge of owre men into their countrey. Thefe they fynge with
moornyng and as it were with gronyng, bewayle the loffe of their lybertie and feruitude. For thefe prophecies
make mention that there fhoulde coome into the Ilande Maguacochios, that is, men clothed in apparell, and
armed with fuche fwoordes as fhulde cutte a man in funder at one firoke: vnder whofe yoke their poflteritie
fhulde bee fubdued. And here I do not maruell that their prediceffours coulde prophecye of the feruitude and
bondage of their fucceffyon, if it bee trewe that is fayd of the familiaritie they haue with fpirites whiche appeare to
them in the night, wherof we haue largely made mention in the nynth booke of the firft decade, where alfo wee
haue entreated of their Zemes (that is) their Idoles and Images of diuelles whiche they honoured. But they faye
that fence thefe Zemes were taken awaye by the Chriftians, the fpirites haue no more appeared. Owre men afc:ribe
this to the fygne of the croffe wherwith they defende theym felues from fuche fpirites. For they are nowe all clenfed
and fanctifyed by the water of bapti[fjme wherby they haue renounced the deuel and are confecrated the holy
members of Chrift. They are vniuerfally fludyous to knowe the boundes and lymettes of their regions and kingdomes: And efpecially their Mitaini (that is) noble men. So that euen they are not vtterlye ignorante in the
furueyinge of their landes. The common people haue none other care then of fettynge, fowynge, and
plantynge. They are moofle experte fyfihers, by reafon that throughowte the hole yeare, they are accuflorned
daylye to plounge them felues in the ryuers, fo that in maner they lyue no leffe in the water then on the lande.
They are alfo giuen to huntynge. For (as I haue fayde before) they haue twoo kyndes of foure footed
beafles, wherof the one is lyttle cunnes cauled Vtias, and the other Serpentes nlamed -fuannas, muche lyke
vnto Crocodiles, of eyght foote length, of mofte pleafaunte tafte, and lyuynge on the lande. All the Ilandes
nooryfhe innumerable byrdes and foules: As flocke doues, duckes, geefe, hearons, byfyde no leffe number of
popingiais then fparowes with vs. Euery kynge hath his fubiectes diuided to fundrye affaires: As fumme to
huntynge, other to fyffhynge, and other fumme to hufbandrye. But let vs now returne to fpeake further of the
names. We haue fayde that Quizqueia and Haiti were the oulde names of this Ilande. The hole Ilande
was alfo cauled Cipanga of the region of the montaynes aboundynge with golde: Lyke as owre anciente
poetes cauled all Italye Latium of parte therof. Therfore as they cauled Aufonia and Hefleria, Italie, euen
foo by the names of Quizqueia, Haiti, and Cipanga, they vnderflode the hole Ilande of Hifpaniola. Owre
men dyd fyrfle name it Ifabella of queene Helifabeth whiche in the Spanifhe tongue is cauled Ifabella: And fo
named it of the fyrft Colonie where they planted their habitation vpon the banke nere vnto the fea on the
Northe fyde of the Ilande, as wee haue further declared in the fyrfte decade. But of the names, this fhall
fuffyce. Lette vs nowe therfore fpeake of the forrne of the Ilande. They whiche fyrfle ouer ranne it, defcribed
it vnto me to bee lyke the leafe of a cheflnutte tree, with a goulfe towarde the wetll fyde, lyinge open ageynfl
the Ilande of Cuba.  But the experte fhyppe mayfler Andreas Moralis broughte me the forme therof fumwhat
differynge from that. For from bothe the corners, as from the Eafte angle and the Weft, he defcribed it to be
indented and eaten with many great goulfes, and the corners to reache foorthe verye farre: and placeth manye
large and fafe hauens in the great goulfe on the Eaft fyde. But I truft fhortely foo to trauayle further herein,
that a perfecte carde of the particular defcription of Hifpaniola maye bee fente vnto yowre holyneffe. For they
haue nowe drawne the Geographicall defcription therof in cardes, euen as yowre holyneffe hath feene the forme
and fytuation of Spayne and Italye with their montaines, valleyes, ryuers, cities, and colonies. Lette vs therfore
without fhamfaftneffe compare the Ilande of Hifpaniola to Italie, fumtyme the heade and queene of the hole
worlde. For if wee confyder the quantitie, it fhalbee founde lyttle leffe, and muche more frutefull. It reacheth
from the Eafte into the Weft, fyue hundreth and fortye myles accordynge to the computation of the later
fearchers: Althoughe the Admyrall fumwhat increafed this number as wee haue fayde in the fyrfle decade. It
is in breadth fumme where, almofle three hundreth myles: And in fumme places narower where the corners are
extended. But it is fuerlye muche more bleffed and fortunate then Italie: Beynge for the moofle parte therof
fo temperate and floryffhynge, that it is neyther vexed with fharppe coulde, nor afflycted with immoderate heate.
It hath bothe the fleyinges and conuerfyons of the foonne (cauled So/litia) in maner equall with the Equinoctiall,
with lyttle difference betwene the length of the daye and nyghte throughout all the yeare. For on the fouth fyde,
the day afcendeth fcarcely an houre in length aboue the nyghte, or contrary wyfe. But the dyfference is more
on the northe fyde. Yet are there fumme regions in the Ilande in the whiche the coulde is of fum force. But
yowre holyneffe mufle vnderflonde this to bee incident by reafon of the obiecte or nearneffe of the mountaines,
as wee wyl more largely declare hereafter. Yet is not this coulde fo pearcynge and fharpe, that th[e]inhabitantes
are molefled with fnowe or bytynge frofte. In other places, the Ilande enioyeth perpetuall fpringe tyme, and
I67


Singing and
dauncemg.
Soonges of loue
and moornynge.
Prophesies.
Note
Theyr familiaritie
wi[th] spirites
The deuyl is
dryuen awaye
by baptisme
126
Surueyers.
They lyue as much
in the water as on
the lande
Serpentes
A Crccodile is
much lyke to owr
ewte or Lyserte
Byrdes and foules
Popingayes
Cipanga.
Italy cauled
Latumm
Isabella
The fotme of the
Ilande of
hispaniola
A particular carde
of hispaniola.
Hispaniola
compared to Italie.
The temperature
of Hispaniola.
The equinoctiall.
Couldeaccidentall,
and not by the
sytuation of
the region.
Perpetuall springe
and soomer.




I68


The thyrde Decade.




- - -


Maruelous
frutfulnes


127


Beastes
Oxen and swyne
of exceadyng
bygnesse.
Swyne fed with
Myrobalanes
Vines
Wheate
An eare of wheate
as byg as a mans
arme in the brawne
The bread of the
Ilande.
Golde.
Great plentie of
cattayle.
Brasile.
Mastyx.
Gossampine
Electrum.
Incommodities of
intemperat regions
Holsome ayer
and water
Golde euery where
The description
of the inner partes
of the Ilande.
The citie of s.
Dominicke
The mountaynes
of Haiti
The mountaynes
of Cibaua
128
The Ilande of
Cahini
Of prouinces
diuided into
regions
Of theyr
aspirations


is fortunate with contynuall foomer and harueft. The trees floryfhe there all the hole yeare: And the medowes
contynue alway greene. All thynges are exceadynge fortunate, and growe to great perfection. How wonderfully
all garden herbes and frutes doo encreafe, foo thatwithin the fpaoe of fyxtene dayes after the feede is sowne, al herbes
of fmaule flteames, as letteffe, borage, radyfhe, and fuche other, coome to their full rypeneffe: And alfo howe herbes
of the bygger forte, as gourdes, melones, cucumers, pompons, citrons, and fuche other, coome to their perfection
in the fpace of thirtie dayes, wee haue fufficiently declared elles where. Of the beaftes tranfported out of Spaine
thether, wee haue fayde howe they growe too a muche greater kynde: In fo muche that when they faule into
communication of the oxen or kyne, they compare them in bigneffe to elephantes, and fwyne to mules: But this
fumwhat by an exceffyue kynde of fpeache. We haue alfo made mention how their fwynes fleffhe is more
fauourye and farre better and more pleafaunte tafle and more holfome then owres, by reafon they are fedde with
the frutes of Myrobalane trees, and other pleafaunte and nuryffhynge fruites of that contrey, whiche growe there of
them felues, as do with vs beeches, holly, and okes. Vynes woolde alfo profper there with maruellous encreafe,
if they had any regard to the plantinge therof. The lyke encreafe commeth of wheate if it be fowen vppon the
mountaynes where the colde is of fume ftrength: but not in the playnes, by reafon of to much fatnes and
rankenes of the grownde. It is in maner incredible to heare, that an eare of wheate fhuld bee bygger then a
mans arme in the brawne, and more then a fpanne in length, bearynge alfo more then a thoufande graynes
as they all confeffe with one voyce, and erneftly affirme the fame with othes. Yet they fay the bread of the Ilande
(cauled) Cazabbi made of the roote of lucca, to bee more holfome, becaufe it is of eafyer digeftion, and is cultured
with leffe labour and greater increafe. The refidue of the tyme which they fpende not in fettynge and plantynge,
they beflowe in gatheringe of golde. They haue nowe fuche plentie of foure footed beaits, that horfes and oxe
hydes with fheepe ikynnes and goate fkyns and fuch other, are brought from thenfe into Spayne: So that nowe
the doughter in many thynges helpeth and fuccurreth her mother. Of the trees of braille, fpices, the graine
which coloureth fcarlet in bright fhinynge redde, maftix, goffampine cotton, the precious metall cauled Elenrum,
and fuch other commodities of this Ilande, we haue fpoken fufficiently before. What therefore can chaunce
more happy vnto man vpon the earth, then there to lyue where he neede not to bee dryuen to clofe chaumbers
with fharpe coulde or fayntynge heate? Nor yet in wynter eyther to bee laden with heauy apparell, or to burne
the fhinnes with continual fyttyng at the fyer, which thynges make men oulde in fhort tyme by refoluinge the
natural heate, wherof a thoufande difeafes infue. They alfo affirme the ayer to bee very healthfull: and the
waters of the ryuers to bee no leffe holfome, as they whiche haue theyr continuall courfe through the earth of
the golden mynes. For there is in maner no ryuer, no mountaynes, and but fewe playnes that are vtterly without
golde. But let vs nowe at the length coome to the particular defcription of the inner partes of this bleffed
Ilande. We haue before declared howe it is in maner equally diuided with foure greate ryuers defcendynge
frome hygh mountaynes: wherof that which runneth towarde the EafR, is cauled Iuinza, as that towarde the
Weft is named Attibunicus: The thyrde is Naiba or Haiba which runneth Southwarde: The fourth is cauled
Zache, and fauleth towarde the North. But this fhippe maifter, hath brought an other defcription obferued of
th[e]inhabitantes from the begynnynge. Let vs therfore diuide the hole Ilande into fiue partes, caulynge the
regions of euery prouince by theyr owlde names: and fynally make mention of fuche thynges as are woorthye
memory in euery of them. The begynninge of the Ilande on the Eaft fyde, is conteyned in the prouince named
Caizcirnu: fo named for that in theyr language Cimlu fignifieth the front or begynnynge of any thynge. After
this, foloweth the prouince of Huhabo, and then Caihabo. The fourth is Bainoa.  Guaccaiarima conteyneth the
weft corner. But the laft faue one, Bainoa is of larger boundes then the three other.  Caizcimu reachethe
from the fyrit fronte of the Ilande to the ryuer Hozama, whicle runneth by the citie of faynt Dominicke. But
towarde the North fyde, it is ended at the rough mountaynes of Haiti. Huhabo, is included within the
mountaynes Haiti and the ryuer laciga.  Cai[h]abo the thyrde prouince, conteyneth all that lyeth betwene
Cuhabo and Dahatio, euen vnto the mouth of the ryuer of laccha or lache (one of the foure which diuide
the Ilande equally) and afcendethe to the mountaynes of Cibaua, where the greatefte plentie of golde
is founde: Owte of the which alfo the ryuer Demahus fpringeth: and ioynynge with the fpringes of the
ryuer of Naiba, (being an other of the foure which diuideth the Ilande towarde the fouth fea) fauleth to
an other banke of the ryuer of faynt Dominicke. Bainoa, begynneth at the confines of Caiabi, and
reacheth euen vnto the Ilande of Cahini which lieth neare vnto the fea bankes of the north fyde of the
Ilande where wee fayde that they erected the fyrft colonie or habitacion. The prouince of Guaccaiarimna,
occupieth the remanent towarde the weft. This they named Guaccaiarima, bycaufe it is the extreme or vttermofl parte of the Ilande. For larima in theyr language fignifieth the tayle or ende of any thynge: And Gua,
is an article whiche they vfe often tymes in the names of thynges: And efpecially in the names of theyr kynges:
as Guarionexius, and Guaccanarilius.  In the prouince of Caizizu, are thefe regions: Hzigzei, Guanamla,
Reyre, Xagua, Aramnana, Arabo, Hazoa, Macorix, Caiacoa, Guaiagua, Baguanimnaho and the rough mountaynes
of   iti. Here let vs peake  me what of Htheyr afpirations which they vfe otherwyfe then the Latins doo.
I68




The thyrcre Decade.


I69


- I -e I


_^


It is to bee noted that there is no afpiration in theyr vowels, which hath not th[e]effecte of a confonant. So
that they pronounce theyr afpirations more vehemently then wee do the confonant. f. Ye, all fuche woordes
as in their tonge are afpirate, are pronounced with lyke breath and fpirite as is. f. fauing that herein the neather
lyppe is not moued to th[e]uppermoft teethe. With open mouthes and fhakynge theyr brefles, they breath
out thefe afpirations, ha, he, hi, ho, hu, as the Hebrewes and Arabians are accuftomed to pronounce theyrs. I
fynde alfo that the Spanyardes vfe the lyke vehemence in the afpirations of thofe woordes whiche they haue
receaued of the Moores and Arabians which poffeffed Spaine, and continued there many yeares: As in thefe
woordes: Anmohadda, whiche fignifieth a pyllowe or bolfter: Alfo Anlohaza, that is, a horfe combe: with
dyuers fuch other woordes whiche they fpeake in maner with panting breftes and vehement fpirite. I haue
thought it good to reherfe thefe thynges, bycaufe amonge the Latines it often tymes foo chaunceth that onely
the accent or afpiration, chaungeth the fignification of the woorde: as hora, for an houre, and ora for the plurale
number of this woorde os, which fignifieth the mouth: Alfo ora, which fignifieth regions or coaftes. The lyke
alfo chaunceth in the diuerfitie of the accente, as occido I kyll, and occido I faule. Euen fo in the language of thefe
fimple men, there are many thynges to bee obferued. But let vs nowe returne to the defcription. In the
prouince of Huhabo, are thefe regions: Xamana, Canabacoa, Cuhabo, with many other, the names wherof I haue
not yet learned. The prouince of Caihabo, conteyneth thefe regions: Magua, and Cacacubana. Th[e]inhabitantes of this region, haue a peculyar language much differinge from the common language of the Iland, and
are cauled Macoryxes. There is alfo an other region cauled Cubana, whofe language differeth from the other.
Lykewyfe the region of Baiohaigua, hath a dyuers toonge. There are alfo other regions, as Dahabon, Cybaho,
and Manabaho. Cotoy is in the myddle of the Ilande. By this runnethe the ryuer Nizaus: And the montaynes
cauled Mahaitin, Hazua, and Neibaymao, confine with the fame. In the prouince of Bainoa, are the regions of
Mlaguana, lagohaiucho, Bauruco, Dabiagua, and Attibuni, fo named of the ryuer: Alfo Caunoa, Buiaici,
Dahabonici, Maiaguariti, Atiei, Mfaccazina, Guahabba, Anniuici, Marien, Guaricco, Armaguei, Xaragua, Yaguana,
Azzuei, lacchi, Honorucco, Diaguo, Camaie, and Neibaimao. In Guaccaierima the laft prouince, thefe regions
are conteyned: Mauicarao, Guahagua, Taquenazabo, Nimaca, Bainoa the leffe, Cahaymi, lamaizi, Manabaxao,
Zauana, Habacoa, and Ayqueroa.  But let vs entreate fumwhat of the particulars of the regions. In the
prouince of Caizcimu, within the great goulfe of the beginnynge, there is a greate caue in a hollowe rocke
vnder the roote of a hygh mountayne, about twoo furlonges from the fea. The enterie of this caue is not
much vnlyke the doores of a great temple, beinge very large and turnynge many wayes. Andreas Moralis the
fhyp mafter, at the commaundement of the gouernoure, tempted to fearche the caue with the fmauleft veffels.
He fayth that by certeyne priuie wayes, manye ryuers haue concourfe to this caue as it were to a finke or
chanell. After th[e]experience hereof, they ceafed to maruaile whither other ryuers ranne whiche commynge
fourefcore and tenne myles, were fwalowed vp, fo that they appeared no more, nor yet fell into the fea by any
knowen wayes. Nowe therfore they fuppofe that ryuers fwalowed vp by the holowe places of that ftony mountayne, faule into this caue. As the fhipmafter entered into the caue his fhippe was almoft fwalowed. For he
faith that there are many whyrlepooles and ryfinges or boylinges of the water, which make a violent conflicte and
horrible rorynge one encounteryng the other. Alfo many huge holes and holowe places: So that what on the
one fyde with the whirle pooles, and on the other fide with the boyling of the water, his fhyp was long in maner
toffed vp and downe lyke a baule. It greatly repented hym that he had entered, yet knewe he no way how to
come forth. He now wandered in darkeneffe, afwel for the obfcureneffe of the caue into the which he was farre
entered, as alfo that in it were thicke cloudes engendered of the moift vapours proceading of the conflicte of the
waters whiche continually faule with great violence into the caue on euery fyde. He compareth the noyfe of
thefe waters, to the faule of the famous ryuer of Nilus from the montaines of Ethyope. They were al fo deafe,
that one could not here what an other faid. But at the length with great daunger and feare, he came foorth of
the caue as it had byn owte of hel. Aboute three fcore miles diftante from the chiefe citie of faincte Dominicke,
there are certeyne hyghe montaynes vppon the toppes wherof is a lake or flandynge poole inacceffible, neuer
yet feene of them whiche came latelye to the Ilande, bothe by reafon of the roughneffe of the montaines, and
alfo for that there is noo pathe or open waye to the toppes of the fame. But at the length the fhyppe maifter
beinge conducted thether by one of kynges, afcended to the toppes of the montaines and came to the poole.
Hee faith that the coulde is there of fum force. And in token of wynter, hee founde ferne and bramble buffhes,
whiche two, growe onely in coulde regions. Thefe montaynes, they caule Ymizui Hibahaino. This poole is of
frefhe water three myles in compaffe, and wel replenyffhed with diuerfe kindes of fyffhes. Many fmaule riuers
or brookes faule into it. It hath no paffage owte, bycaufe it is on euery fyde enclofed with the toppes of
montaynes. But lette vs nowe fpeake of an other poole whiche may well bee cauled a fea in the mydlande,
and bee coompared to the Cafpian or Hircanian fea in the fyrme lande of Afia: with certeyne other lakes and
pooles of freffhe water.


The pronunciation
of the Hebrewes
and Arabians
The Moores and
Arabians possessed
Spayne
Howe the
aspiration
changeth the
signification of
wordes
Dyuers languages
in the Ilande
A greate caue in
the rocke of a
mountayne.
A daungerus
enterprise
Riuers deuoured
of caues.
129
Whirlepooles
and conflicte
of waters.
Clowdes in the
caue.
The Cataractes
of Nilus
A standynge
poole in the toppe
of a hygh
mountayne.
Ferne and bramble
busshes, growe
only in coulde
regions.
The Caspian and
Hircanian sea.:69




170


The f/tyrde Decade.


C THE EYGHTE BOOKE OF THE THIRDE DECADE.
He prouynce of Bainoa beynge thrife as bygge as the three fyrft, that is, Caizcimu, Vhabo,
A great lake of  l    B         and Caihabo, includeth a valley named Caiouani, in the whiche there is a lake of falte, foure,
soure and salte
water.                          and bytter water, as wee reade of the fea.cauled Cafpiunm, lyinge in the firme lande betwene
Sarmatia and Hircania. We haue therfore named it Cafpium, althoughe it not bee in the
Swalowinge                      region of Hircania. It hath manye fwalowinge goulfes, by the whiche, bothe the water of the
goulfes.                       fea fpringeth into it, and alfo fuche as faule into it from the mountaines, are fwalowed vppe.
Sea fysshes in                  They thyncke that the caues therof, are fo large and deepe, that great fyffhes of the fea paffe
lakes of the
midlande       by the fame into the lake. Emonge thefe fyffhes, there is one cauled Tiburonus whiche cutteth a man in funder
The deouryngled  by the myddeft at one fnappe with his teethe, and deuoureth hym. In the ryuer Hozamna, runnynge by the
Tiburonus.     chiefe citie of fayncte Dominicke, thefe Tiburoni do fumtymes coome from the fea and deuoure manye of
th[e]inhabitauntes: Efpecially fuche as do dayly ploonge them felues in the water to th[e]intent to keepe their
The ryuers that  bodyes verye cleane.  The ryuers whiche faule into the lake, are thefe. From the Northe fyde, Guaninicabon:
aui   the lake  From the Southe, Xaccoei: from the Eafte, Guannabo: And from the Weft, Occoa. They faye that thefe ryuers
are great and continuall: And that befyde thefe, there are. xx. other fmaule ryuers whiche faule into this Cafpiunz.
CC. [two hundred] Alfo on the Northe fyde within a furlonge of the lake, there are aboue twoo hundreth fpringes, occupyinge
sprynges within
the space of a  lykewife aboute a furlonge in circuite, the water wherof is coulde in foomer, frefhe alfo, and holfome to bee
furlonge.      droonke. Thefe fprynges make a ryuer that can not bee waded ouer, whiche neare at hande ioynynge with the
Amyracle.      other, fauleth into the lake. Here mufte wee ftaye a whyle. The kynge of this regyon founde his wyfe
praying in a chapel builded by the Chriftians within the precincte of his dominion, and required her
coompanie to fatiffye his flefhely lufte.  His wyfe reproued hym, and put hym    in remembraunce to
The Indian     haue refpecte to the holye place. The woordes whiche fhee fpake to hym, were thefe: Teitoca, Teitoca:
130   whiche is as muche to faye, as, bee quyet, bee quyet: Techeta cynato guamechyna: That is, god wyl bee
greatly angerie.  Guamechyna, fygnifyeth god, Techeta greatly, Cynato angrie. But the hufbande halynge her
by the arme, fayde: Guaibba, that is, go: Cynato macabuca guamechyna: That is: what is that to me if god be
A kyng stricken  angerye?  And with thefe woordes as he profered her violence, foodenlye he became dumme and lame. Yet
dumme and lame
by a myracle.  by this myracle beynge friken with repentaunce, he euer after ledde a relygious lyfe: In fo muche that from
thenfe foorthe hee woolde neuer fuffer the chappell to bee fwepte or decked with any other mannes hande.
By the fame myracle, manye of th[e]inhabitauntes and all the Chriflians beyng moued, reforted deuoutly to the
chappell. They take it in good parte that the kynge fuffered the reuenge of that reproche. Lette vs nowe
retourne to Cafipium. That falte lake is toffed with ftormes and tempelfes: And oftentymes drowneth fmaule
Such as are   fhyppes or fyIfher boates, and fwaloweth them vppe with the maryners: In fo muche that it hath not byn harde
drowned in the
lake are not cast  of, that any man drowned by fhyppewracke, euer ploonged vppe ageyne, or was cafte on the Ihore, as commonly
vp ageyne.     chaunceth of the deade bodyes of fuche as are drowned in the fea. Thefe tempeftes, are the deintie banquetes
of the Tiburones. This Cafpiumn, is cauled Hagueigabon. In the myddeft hereof, lyeth an Ilande named
The iiande     Guarizacca, to the whiche they reforte when they go a fyffhynge: But it is not cultured. There is in the fame
Guarizacca in i
the myddest of  playne, an other lake nexte vnto this, whofe water is myxte of falte and frefhe: And is therfore nother apte to
A lake of salt  bee droonke, nor yet to bee refufed in vrgente neceffytie. This conteineth in length. xxv. miles, and in breadth
and freshe water.  eight myles: In fumme places alfo nyne or ten. It receaueth manye ryuers whiche haue no paffage owte of
the fame, but are fwalowed vppe as in the other. Water fpringeth out of the fea into this alfo: but in no great
quantitie, whiche is the caufe that it is fo commyxte. In the fame prouynce towarde the Wefte fyde, there is
A lake of fresshe  an other lake of freihe water, not farre diftante from Cafpius. This th[e]inhabitauntes caule Iainagua. The
fame falte lake, hath on the North fyde therof, an other named Guaccaa. This is but lyttle: as not paft three
or foure myles in breadth, and one in length. The water of this, maye well bee droonke. On the fouthe fyde
of the falte lake, there lyeth an other named Babbareo, of three myles in length and in maner rounde. The
water of this is frefhe as of the two other. This lake bycaufe it hath no paffage owte nor yet anye fwalowynge
goulfes, conueyeth the fuperfluous waters to the fea if it be encreafed with the ftreames whiche faule fumtimes
more abondantly from the montaines. This is in the region of Xamana in the prouince of Bainoa. There
A lake of ten  is an other cauled Guaniba, lying betwene the Eaft and the South nere vnto the fyde of Cajpius. This is ten
myles in length  myles in length and almofte rounde. There are furthermore many other fmaule ftandyng pooles or lakes
difparfed here and there in the Iland, whiche I wyll lette paffe lefte I Ihulde bee tedious in remainyng to longe
170




The thyrde Decade.


I'7


in one thynge. I wyll therfore make an ende with this addition, that in all thefe, great plentie of fyfhe and
foule is nouryffhed. All thefe lakes lye in a large playne, the whiche from the Eaft reacheth into the Weft a
hundreth and twentie myles: beyng of breadth. xviii. rnyles where it is naroweft, and. xxv. where it is largelt.
Lookyng toward the Weft, it hath collaterally on the lefte hande the montaines of Daiguani: And on the ryght
hande, the montaines of Caigua, fo cauled of the name of the vale it felfe. At the rootes of the montaines of
Caigua toward the North fyde, there lyeth an other vale much longer and larger then that before named. For
it conteineth in length, almofle two hundreth myles: And in bredth. xxx. wher it is largeft, and about. xx. wher
it is naroweft  This vale in fumme parte therof, is cauled Maguana: In an other place, Iguamu, and elles
where, Hathathiei. And forafmuche as wee haue here made mention of this parte of the vale named Ha/lathiei,
wee wyll fumwhat digreffe from the difcourfe of this defcription, and entreate of a thinge fo firaunge and
maruelous, that the lyke hath not byn hard of. So it is therfore, that the kyng of this region named Caramatexius, taketh great pleafure in fyffhinge. Into his nettes chanced a younge fyfhe of the kynde of thofe huge
monflers of the fea whiche th[e]inhabitours caule Manati, not founde I fuppofe in owre feas nor knowen to
owre men before this tyme. This fyfhe is foure footed, and in fhape lyke vnto a tortoyfe althoughe fhee be not
couered with a fhel, but with fcales: And thofe of fuch hardneffe and couched in fuche order, that no arrowe can
hurte her. Her fcales are byfet and defend with a thoufand knobbes. Her backe is playne, and her heade vtterly
lyke the heade of an oxe. She lyueth both in the water and on the lande: She is flowe of mouynge: of condition
meeke, gentell, affocyable and louing to mankind and of a maruelous fence or memorie as are the elephant and the
delphyn. The king noriffhed this fyfhe certeine daies at home with the breade of the countrey, made of the roote of
lucca and Panycke with fuche other rootes as men are accuftomed to eate. For when fhee was yet but younge, he
caft her into a poole or lake neare vnto his palaice there to bee fedde with hande. This lake alfo receaueth
waters and cafteth not the fame foorth ageine. It was in tyme pafte cauled Guaurabo: But is nowe cauled the lake
of Maanati after the name of this fyfhe whiche wandered fafelye in the fame for the fpace of. xxv. yeares, and
grewe excedyng byg. What fo euer is written of the Delphines of Baian or Arion, are muche inferior to the
dooinges of this fyfh: which for her gentle nature they named Matum, that is gentle or noble. Therefore when
fo euer any of the kynges familyers, efpecially fuche as are knowen to her, reforte to the bankes of the lake and
caule Matum, Mat/um, then fhe (as myndefull of fuche benefites as fhe hath receaued of men) lyftethe vp her
heade and commeth to the place whither fhe is cauled, and there receaueth meate at the handes of fuche as
feede her. If any defirous to paffe ouer the lake, make fignes and tokens of theyr intente, fhe boweth her felfe
to them, therewith as it were gentelly inuitynge them to amount vppon her, and conueyeth them fafely ouer.
It hath byn feene that this monflrous fyffhe hath at one tyme fafely caryed ouer tenne men finginge and playinge.
But if by chaunce when fhe lyfteed vp her heade the efpyed any of the Chriflian men, fhe woolde immediatly
ploonge downe ageyne into the water and refufe to obey, bycaufe fhe had once receaued iniury at the handes of
a certeyne wanton younge man amonge the Chriftians, who hadde cafte a fharpe darte at her, although fhe were
not hurte by reafon of the hardenes of her fkynne beinge roughe and ful of fkales and knobbes as we haue
fayde. Yet dyd fhe beare in memorie th[e]iniurie fhe fufteyned, with fo gentell a reuenge requitynge
th[e]ingratitude of hym which had delte with her fo vngentelly. From that day when fo euer the was cauled by
any of her familiers, fhe woolde fyrft looke circumfpectly about her, leaft any were prefent appareled after the
maner of the Chriftians. She woolde oftentymes play and wreftle vppon the banke with the kynges chamberlens:
And efpecially with a younge man whom the kynge fauoured well, beinge alfo accuftomed to feede her. Shee
woolde bee fumetymes as pleafaunt and full of play as it had byn a moonkey or marmafet: And was of longe
tyme a great comfort and folace to the hole Ilande. For no fmaule confluence afwell of the Chriftians as of
th[e]inhabitantes, had dayly concourfe to beholde fo ftraunge a myracle of nature, the contemplation wherof was
no leffe pleafaunt then woonderfull. They fay that the meate of this kynde of fyffhe, is of good tafte: And that
many of them are engendered in the feas therabout. But at the length, this pleafaunt playfelowe was lofte, and
caried into the fea by the great ryuer A/tibunicus, one of the foure which diuide the Ilande. For at that tyme
there chaunced fo terrible a tempefl of wind, and rayne, with fuch fluds enfewing that the like hath not lightly
byn hard of. By reafon of this tempeft, the ryuer Attibunicus fo ouerflowed the bankes, that it fylled the hole
vale and myxt it felfe with all the other lakes. At which tyme alfo, this gentell Matum and pleafaunte
companyon, folowynge the vehemente courfe and faule of the fluddes, was therby reftored to his oulde moother
and natyue waters, and fence that tyme neuer feene ageyne. Thus hauynge digreffed fufficiently, let vs nowe
coome to the fituation of the vale. It hathe collaterally the mountaynes of Cibaua and Caigzgam which
brynge it to the South fea. There is an other vale beyonde the mountaynes of Cibaua towarde the North.
This is cauled the vale of Guarionexius, bycaufe that before the memorie of man, the prediceffours and
aunceftours of kyng Guarionexius to whom it is defcended by right of inheritaunce, were euer the lordes
of the hole vale. Of this kynge, we haue fpoken largely in the fyrft narration of the Ilande in the
fyrfl Decade. This vale is of length from the Eaft to the Weft, a hundreth and fourefcore myles: And of
171


A playne of a
hundreth and
twentie miles
A playne of two
hundreth myles in
length.
The maruelous
fysshe Manati.
131
A monster of the
sea fedde with
mans hande.
Matum.
A fyshe caryeth
men ouer the lake
A maruelous
thynge.
The ryuer
Attibtuicus.
The situation of
the great vale.
The mountaynes
of Cibaua and
Caiguam.
The greate vale
of Guarionexius.




I72


The thyrde Decade.


I


132
M\ountaynes.
Vales.
Hylles.
Playnes.
Ryuers.
Golde in all
mountaynes, and
golde and fysshz
in all ryuers.
Salte bayes.
Howe the Ilande
is diuided with
mountaynes.
Golde.
The ryuers haue
theyr increase
from the caues cf
the mountaynes
No hurtful or
raueninge beast
in the Ilande.
The autours
excuse.
By what meanes
the people of the
Iland are gretly
consumed.
The plesures of
Hispaniola.
The region of
Cotohi, situate in
the Clowdes.
A playne in the
toppes of
mountaynes
The hygher, the
coulder.
Moderate coulde
in the mountaynes.
Ferne of
maruelous bignes
Golde.
133
Th[e]inhabitantes
of Hispaniola can
abyde no labour
nor coulde.
The Iland of
Creta or Candie,
vnder the
dominion of the
Venetians.


breadth from the South to the North, thirtie myles wher it is naroweft, and fiftie where it is brodefte. It
begynneth from the region Canabocoa by the prouinces of Huihabo and Caiabo: And endeth in the prouince
of Bainoa and the region of Mariena.   It lyeth in the myddeft betwene the mountaynes of Cibana,
and the mountaynes of Cahonai and Cazacubuia. There is no prouince nor any region, which is not notable
by the maieftie of mountaynes, frutefulnes of vales, pleafauntneffe of hylles, and delectablenes of playnes, with
abundaunce of fayre ryuers runnynge through the fame. There are no fides of mountaynes or hylles, no ryuers,
which abound not with golde and delycate fyfihes, except only one ryuer which from th[e]originall therof, with
the fprynges of the fame breakynge foorth of the mountaynes, commeth owt falte and fo contynueth vntyll it
peryfhe. This ryuer is cauled Bahzan: and runneth through the myddle of the region Magtana in the prouince
of Bainoa. They fuppofe that this ryuer hathe made it felfe awaye vnder the grounde by fume paffages of
playfter or falte earthe. For there are in the Ilande many notable falte bayes, wherof we wyl fpeake more
hereafter. We haue declared howe the Ilande is diuided by foure ryuers and fyue prouinces. There is alfo an
other particion, whiche is this. The hole Ilande confyfteth of the tops of foure mountaines which diuide it by
the myddeft from the EaRt to the weRe. In all thefe is abundance of nooryfhynge moyfture and greate plentie
of golde: of the caues alfo of the whiche, the waters of al the riuers (into the which the caues emptie them
felues) haue theyr originall and increafe. There are lykewyfe in them horryble dennes, obfcure and darke vales,
and myghtie rockes of ftone. There was neuer any noyfome bealte founde in it: Nor yet any rauenynge foure
footed beafte. No lyon, no beare no fierce tygers, no craftie foxes, nor deuouring woolfes. All thynges are
bleffed and fortunate: And nowe more fortunate, for that fo many thoufandes of men are receaued to bee the
fheepe of Chriftes flocke, all theyr Zemes and Images of deuylles being reiected and vtterly out of memorie.
If I chaunce nowe and then in the difcourfe of this narration to repeate one thynge dyuers tymes or otherwife
to make digreffion, I muft defyre yowre holynes therwith not to bee offended. For whyle I fee, heare, and
wryte thefe thinges, mee feemeth that I am herewith fo affected, that for verye ioy I feele my mynde fiirred as
it were with the fpirite of Apollo as were the Sibylles, whereby I am enforced to repeate the fame ageyne:
Efpecially when I confyder howe farre the amplitude of owre religion fpreadeth her wynges. Yet amonge thefe
fo many bleffed and fortunate thynges, this one greeueth me not a lyttle: That thefe fimple poore men neuer
brought vp in labour, do dayly peryfhe with intollerable trauayle in the golde mynes: And are therby brought
to fuche defperation, that many of them kyll them felues, hauynge no regarde to the procreation of chyldren.
In fo much that women with chylde, perceauynge that they fhall brynge foorth fuch as fhalbe flaues to the
Chriftians, vfe medecines to deftroy theyr conception. And albeit that by the kynges letters patentes it was
decreed that they Ihulde bee fet at lybertie, yet are they conifrayned to ferue more then feemeth conuenient for
free men. The number of the poore wretches is woonderfully extenuate. They were once rekened to bee
aboue twelue hundreth thoufande heades: But what they are nowe, I abhorre to rehearfe. We wyll therefore
let this paffe: and returne to the pleafures of Hifpaniola. In the mountaynes of Cibaua, which are in maner
in the myddeft of the Ilande in the prouince of Caiabo (where we fayd to bee the greateit plentie of natyue
golde) there is a region named Cotohi, fituate in the clowdes, enuironed with the toppes of hyghe mountaynes,
and well inhabited. It confifteth of a playne of. xxv. myles in length, and. xv. in breadth. This playne is
hygher then the toppes of other mountaynes: So that thefe mountaynes, maye feeme to bee the chiefe and
progenitours of the other. This playne fuffereth alterations of the foure tymes of the yeare: as the Sprynge,
Soomer, Autumne, and wynter. Here the herbes waxe wythered, the trees loofe theyr leaues, and the medowes
become hore: The whiche thynges (as we haue fayde) chaunce not in other places of the Ilande, where they
haue only the Spring and Autumne.  The foyle of this playne bryngeth foorth ferne and bramble buffhes
bearynge blacke berries or wylde rafpes, which two are tokens of coulde regions. Yet is it a fayre region: for
the coulde therof is not very fharpe: neyther dooth it aflicte th[e]inhabitantes with frofte or fnowe. They argue
the frutefulnes of the region by the ferne, whofe flalkes or tfeames are bygger then a fpere or iauelen. The
fydes of thofe mountaynes are ryche in golde. Yet is there none appoynted to dygge for the fame, bycaufe it
fhalbe needefull to haue apparelled myners, and fuch as are vfed to labour. For th[e]inhabitantes lyuynge
contented with lyttle, are but tender: And can not therfore away with labour or abyde any coulde. There are
two ryuers which runne through this region, and faule from the toppes of the prefent mountaynes. One of thefe
is named Comoiayxa, whofe courfe is towarde the Weft, and fauleth into the chanell of Naiba. The other is
cauled Tirecotus: which runnynge towarde the Eaft, ioyneth with the ryuer of Iunna. In the Ilande of Crea
(nowe cauled Candie) as I paffed by in my legacie to the Soldane of Alcayr or Babylon in Egypte, the
Venetians toulde me that there laye fuche a region in the toppes of the mountaynes of Ida, whiche they affirme
to bee more frutefull of wheate come then any other region of the Iland. But forafmuch as once the Cretenfes
rebelled agenft the Venetians, and by reafon of the ftreight and narowe way to the toppes therof, longe defended
the region with armes againft th[e]auctoritie of the Senate, and at the length beinge forweryed with warres,
rendered the fame, the Senate commaunded that it fhulde bee lefte deferte, and the ftreightes of th[e]enter

172




The thyrde Decade.


I73


- -_


aunces to bee flopped, lefte any fhulde afcende to the region without their permiffyon. Yet in the yeare of
Chrifte MI. D. ii. lycence was graunted to the hufband men to tyll and-manure the region, on fuche condition
that no fuche as were apte to the warres, myght enter into the fame. There is alfo an other region in Hifpaniola
named Colohy after the fame name. This diuideth the boundes of the prouinces of Vhabo and Caiabo. It
hath mountaynes, vales, and plaines. But bycaufe it is baren, it is not muche inhabited. Yet is it richefl in
golde: For the originall of the abundaunce of gold, beginneth here: In fo muche that it is not gathered in
fmaule graines and fparkes as in other places: but is founde hole, maffie, and pure, emonge certaine fofte
fltones and in the vaines of rockes, by breakynge the flones wherof, they folowe the vaynes of golde. They
haue founde by experience, that the vayne of golde is a lyuinge tree: And that the fame by all wayes that it.
fpreadeth and fpringeth from the roote by the fofte pores and paffages of the yearth, putteth foorth branches
euen vnto the vppermoft part of the earth, and ceafeth not vntyl it difcouer it felfe vnto the open ayer: At
whiche time, it fheweth foorth certaine bewtifull colours in the ifeede of floures, rounde itones of golden earth
in the fleede of frutes, and thynne plates in fleede of leaues. Thefe are they whiche are difparcled throughout
the hole Ilande by the courfe of the ryuers, eruptions of the fpringes owte of the montaines, and violent faules
of the fluddes. For they thincke that fuch graines are not engendered where they are gathered: efpecially on
the dry land: but otherwife in the riuers. They fay that the roote of the golden tree extendeth to the center
of the earth and there taketh norifhement of increafe. For the deaper that they dygge, they fynd the trunkes
therof to be fo muche the greater as farre as they maye folowe it for abundaunce of water fpringing in the
montaines. Of the braunches of this tree, they fynde fumme as fmaule as a threde, and other as bygge as a
mannes fynger accordynge to the largeneffe or ftraightneffe of the ryftes and clyftes. They haue fumetimes
chaunced vpon hole caues fufteyned and borne vp as it were with golden pyllars: And this in the wayes by the
whiche the branches afcende: The whiche beynge fylled with the fubftaunce of the truncke creapynge from
beneath, the branche maketh it felfe waye by whiche it maye paffe owte. It is oftentymes diuided by encounterynge with fum kynde of harde flone. Yet is it in other clyftes nooriffhed by the exhalations and vertue of
the roote. But now perhappes yowe will afke me what plentie of golde is brought from thenfe. Yowe fhall
therfore vnderifande that onely owte of Hifpaniola, the fum of foure hundreth and fumtymes fyue hundreth
thoufande ducates of gold is brought yearely into Spayne: as may be gathered by the fyfthe portion dewe to
the kynges Excheker, which amounteth to the fum of a hundreth and fourscore, or fourefcore and ten thoufande
Caftellanes of golde, and fumtymes more. What is to bee thought of the Ilande of Cuba and Santi lohannis (otherwife cauled Burichena) beyng both very ryche in golde, we wyll declare further hereafter. To haue fayde thus
muche of golde, it fhall fuffyce. Wewyll nowe therfore fpeake fumwhat of falte wherwith wee may feafon and referue
fuche thynges as are bought with golde. In a region of the prouince of Bainoa, in the montaynes of Daiaguo,
about twelue myles diftant from the falte lake cauled Cafpius, there are falte bayes in the montaynes in a maner as
hard as ftoones, alfo clearer and whiter then criftall. There are lykewyfe fuche falte baies whiche growe woonderfully in Laletania (now cauled Catalonia) in the territorie of the duke of Cadona the chiefe ruler in that region.
But fuche as knowe theym bothe, affyrme that thefe of Bainoa are mofte notable. They faye alfo that this can not
be clefte without wedges and beatelles of Iron. But that of Laletana, maye eaflye bee broken as I my felfe haue
proued. They therfore compare this to fuche floones as may eafely bee broken: And the other to marble. In the
prouince of Caizimu, in the regions of Iguanama, Caiacoa, and Guariagua, there are fprynges whofe waters are
of maruelous nature, beynge in the fuperfytial or vppermoofle parte, frefhe: In the myddeflt, myxte of falte and
frefhe: And in the loweit parte, falte and fower. They thincke that the falte water of the fea, iffheweth owte
foftely, and the frefhe, to fpringe owte of the mountaines. The one fauleth downe and the other ryfeth: and are
not therfore fo vniuerfally myxt wherby the one may vtterly corrupt th[e]other. If any man laye his eare to the
grounde neare to any of thefe fpringes, he fhal perceaue the ground there to bee fo hollowe, that the reboundyng
noyfe of a horfeman comminge may be harde for the fpace of three myles, and a foote man one myle. In the
lafte region towarde the fouthe named Guaccaiarima, in the lordfhyp of Zauana, they fay there are certeyne
wyld men whiche lyue in the caues and dennes of the montaynes, contented onely with wilde fruites. Thefe
men neuer vfed the companye of any other: nor wyll by any meanes becoome tame. They lyue without any
certaine dwellynge places, and with owte tyllage or culturynge of the grounde, as wee reade of them whiche in
oulde tyme lyued in the golden age. They fay alfo that thefe men are withowte any certaine language. They
are fumtymes feene. But owre men haue yet layde handes on none of them. If at any tyme they coome to
the fyght of men, and perceyue any makynge toward them, they flye fwifter then a harte. Ye they affyrme them
to bee fwifter then grehowndes. What one of thefe folytarie wanderers dyd, it is worth the hearyng. So it is
that owr men hauyng granges adioyning nere vnto the thicke wods, certen of them repaired thither in the
mooneth of September in the yeare. M. D. xiiii. In the meane tyme, one of thefe wylde men came leapynge
owte of the woodde. And approchynge fumwhat toward them with fmyling countenaunce, foodenly fnatched
vppe a childe of therfe beynge the foonne of the owner of the graunge, whiche he begotte of a woman of the
173


Pure and Inassie
golde in the
region of Cotoy.
The vaine ofgolde,
is a lyuynge tree.
These colers or
floures are cauled
Marchasites,
Pyrites.
The roote of the
golden tree.
The braunches of
the golden tree.
Caues susteyned
with pyllers of
golde.
The stones of the
golde mynes.
What gold is
brought yerely
from Hispaniola
into Spayne.
Salte of the
mountaynes, very
hard and cleare.
134
Salt as hard as
stones.
Sprynges of salt,
fresshe and sower
water.
Holowe caues in
the grounde
Certeynewyld mel
lyuing in caues
and dennes
Men without a
certeyne language
Men as swift as
greihounds
A wyld man
runneth away
with a chy!de




I74


The thyrde Decade.


Pitche of the
rocke.
Pitche of two
kyndes of trees.
The pine tree.
The tree Copeia.
The leafe of a tree
in the steede of
paper.
They beleue that
leaues do speake.
A pretie storie.
135
Ignorance causeth
admiration.
The leafe wherin
they wryte.
A stronge colour
of the iuise of an
apple.
An Herbe whose
smoke is poyson.


Ilande. He ranne awaye with the childe, and made fygnes to owre men to folowe hym. Many folowed afwel
of owre men as of the naked inhabytantes, but all in vayne. Thus when the pleafaunt wanderer perceaued that
the Chriftians ceafed to purfue hym, he lefte the childe in a croffe waye by the whiche the fwyneheardes were
accuftomed to dryue the fwyne to their pafture. Shortly after, a fwynehearde founde the chvld and brought
hym home to his father yet tormentynge hym felfe for forowe, fuppofynge that wylde man to haue byn one of
the kynde of the Canibales, and that his foonne was nowe deuowred. In the fame Ilande they gather pytche
whiche fweateth owte of the rockes, beynge muche harder and fourer then the pitche of the tree: and is therfore
more commodious to calke or defende fhyppes ageynfle the woormes cauled Bromas, wherof wee haue fpoken
largely before. This Ilande alfo bryngeth foorth pitche in two kyndes of trees, as in the Pyne tree and an other
named Copeia. I neede not fpeake of the pyne tree, bycaufe it is engendered and knowen in maner euery
where. Lette vs therfore fpeake fumwhat of the other tree cauled Copeia: Pitche is lykewyfe gathered of it as
of the pyne tree: althoughe fumme faye that it is gathered by diftyllyng or droppyng of the woode when
it is burnt. It is a ftraunge thynge to here of the leafe thereof: and how neceffary prouifion of nature is
fhewed in the fame. It is to be thought that this is the tree in the leaues wherof the Chaldeans (beynge the
fyrfle fynders of letters) expreffed their myndes before the vfe of paper was knowen. This leafe is a fpanne
in breadth and almoft round. Owre men write in them with pynnes or nedles or any fuche inftrumentes
made of metall or woodde, in maner as well as on paper. It is to bee lawghed at what owre men haue
perfwaded the people of the Ilande as towchynge this leafe. The fymple foules beleue that at the commandement of owre men, leaues do fpeak and difclofe fecreates. They were brought to this credulitie
by this meanes. One of owre men dwellynge in the citie of Dominica the chiefe of the Ilande, delyuered
to his feruaunte (beyng a man borne in the Ilande) certayne rofted connies, (whiche they caule Vtias
beynge no bygger then myfe) wyllynge hym to carie the fame to his frende whiche dwelte further within the
Ilande. This meffenger, whether it were that he was therto conftrayned through hunger, or entyfed by appetite,
deuoured three of the counnies by the waye. He to whome they were fente, writ to his frynde in a leafe howe
manye he receaued. When the mayfter had looked a whyle on the leafe in the prefence of the feruaunt, he
fayde thus vnto hym. Ah foonne, where is thy faythe? Coulde thy gredye appetyte preuayle fo muche
with the as to caufe the to eate the connies commytted to thy fydelytie? The poore wretche trembelynge and
greatlye amafed, confeffed his faute: And therwith defyred his mayfler to tell hym howe he knewe the treweth
therof. This leafe (quod he) whiche thou. browghteft me, hath toulde me all. Then hee further rehearfed vnto
hym the houre of his coommynge to his frende, and lykewyfe of his departynge when hee retourned. And thus
they meryly deceaue thefe feely foules and keepe theym vnder obedyence: In fo muche that they take owre men
for goddes, at whofe coommaundement leaues doo difclofe fuche thynges as they thyncke moorle hyd and
fecreate. Bothe the fydes of the leafe receaueth the formes of letters euen as dooeth owre paper. It is thycker
then double parchement, and meruelous toughe. While it is yet floryffhynge and newe, it Iheweth the letters
whyte in greene. And when it is drye, it becommeth whyte and harde lyke a table of woodde: but the letters
wexe yelowe. It dooeth not corrupte or putrifye: nor yet loofeth the letters thoughe it bee wette: nor by any
other meanes excepte it bee burnte. There is an other tree named Xagua: the iuife of whofe foure apple
beynge of a darke redde coloure, ftayneth and coloureth what foo euer is touched therwith: And that foo
fyrmely, that noo waffhynge canne take it awaye for the fpace of twentie dayes. When the apple is full ripe, the
iuife loofeth that ftrength. The apple is eaten, and of good tafil. There is alfo an herbe whofe fmoke (as we
haue reherfed the like before of a certen woodde) is deadly poifon. On a tyme when the kynges affembled
together and confpired the deftruction of owre men, whereas they durfle not attempte th[e]enterprife by open
warre, theyr diuife was, priuilye to lay many bundels of thofe herbes in a certeyne houfe, whiche flhortly after
they intended to fet on fyer, to th[e]intent that owre men makynge hafte to quenfhe the fame, myght take theyr
death with the fmoke therof. But theyr purpofed practyfe beinge bewrayed, th[e]autours of the diuife were
punyffhed accordyngly. Nowe (mofte holy father) for as much as yowre holyneffe wryteth that what fo euer we
haue written of the newe worlde, dooth pleafe yowe ryght well, wee wyll reherfe certeyne thynges owte of order,
but not greatly from owre purpofe. Of the fettynge the rootes of Maizium, Agis, Zucca, Ballatas, and fuch other
beinge theyr common foode, and of th[e]ufe of the fame, we haue fpoken fufficiently before. But by what meanes
they were fyrfte applyed to the commoditie of men, we haue not yet declared. We nowe therefore entende to
entreate fumwhat hereof.


'74




The thyrde Decade.
1~


I75


( THE NYNTH BOOKE OF THE THYRDE DECADE.


HEY faye that the fyrfte inhabitours lyued contented with the rootes of dates, and Magueans,
which is an herbe muche lyke vnto that which is commonly cauled Sengrene or Orpin. Alfo
the rootes of Guaiegans, whiche are rounde and greate muche lyke vnto puffes of the earth or
muffheromes. They did lykewife eate Guaieros, lyke vnto perfeneppes: Cibaios lyke nuttes,
Cabaioes and Macoanes, lyke vnto onions, with dyuers other fuche rootes. They fay that
after many yeares, a certeyne Boition, that is, a wyfe oulde man, fawe vppon the bankes fyde,
a bufhe lyke vnto fenel: and tranfplantyng the roote therof, brought it from wyldenes to a
better kynde, by nooryffhynge it in gardens. This was the begynnynge of lucca, which at the fyrite was deadely
poyfon to all fuche as dyd eate therof rawe. But for as muche as they perceaued it to bee of pleafaunte taite,
they determyned many wayes to proue the vfe therof: And at the length founde by experience that beinge fodde
or fryed, it was leffe hurtefull: by whiche meanes alfo, they came to the knowledge of the veneme lyinge hyd in
the iufe of the roote. Thus by dryinge, faltynge, feafonynge, and otherwyfe temperynge it, they brought it
to theyr fine breade which they caule Cazabbi, more delectable and holfome to the flomacke of manne then
breade made of wheate, bycaufe it is of eafyer digeftion. The fame is to bee vnderitoode of other rootes and
the grayne of Maizium whiche they haue chofen for their chiefe meate amonge the feedes of nature, as we reade
howe Ceres the doughter of Saturnus, gathered wheate and barley (with fuche other come as are nowe moft in
vfe amonge men) in Egypte of certeyne graynes taken owt of the mudde dryuen from the mountaynes of
Ethiopia by th[e]increafe of the ryuer Nilus, and lefte in the plaine at fuch tyme as Nilus reforted ageyne to
his chanell. For the which facte, we reade that the antiquitie gaue diuine honour to Ceres, who fyrft norifhed
and increafed fuch chofen feedes. There are innumerable kyndes of Ages: the varietie wherof, is knowen by
theyr leaues and floures. One kynde of thefe, is cauled Guanaguax. This is whyte boothe within and without
An other named Guaraguei is of vyolet colour without and white within. The other kyndes of Ages, they caul
Zazaueios. Thefe are redde without and whyte within. Squiuetes, are whyte within and without. Tunna, is all
together of vyolet coloure. Hobos is yelowe booth of fkynne and inner fubitance. There is an other named
Atibunieix: The fkynne of this is of violet colour, and the fubftance whyte. Aniguamar, hath his fkynne alfo of
vyolet coloure, and is whyte within. Guaccaracca, hath a whyte fkynne, and the fubitance of vyolet colour. There
are many other which are not yet brought to vs. But I feare me leaIt in the rehearfall of thefe, I fhal prouoke
the fpurres of malicious perfons ageynit me which wyll fcome thefe owr doinges for that we haue wrytten of
many fuch fmaule thinges to a prince occupyed in fuche weyghty affayres, as vnto yowre holynes vppon whofe
fhulders refteth the burthen of the hole Chriflian worlde. But I wolde afke of thefe malycious enuyers of
other mens trauayles, whether Plinie and fuch other famous wryters, when they dyrected and dedicated fuch
thinges to kynges and princes, entended only to profyte them to whom they confecrated the frute of theyr
knowleage. They fumtymes intermyxte famous thynges with obfcure thynges, lyght with heauie, and greate with
fmaule, that by the foortheraunce of princes, theyr vniuerfall pofteritie myght enioye the fruition of the knowleage of thynges. At other tymes alfo, beinge intent about particular thinges, and defyrous of newe thynges,
they occupyed them felues iu the fearchinge of particular tractes and coaftes, with fuche thynges as nature
brought foorth in the fame, by this meanes to coome the better to more abfolute and vniuerfal knowleage. Let
theym therefore contemne owre doinge: And wee wyll laugh to fcorne, not theyr ignoraunce and flothfulnes,
but pernicious curioufnes: And therewith hauynge pitie of theyr frowarde difpofitions, wyll commit theim to the
venemous ferpentes of whom enuie tooke his fyrft originall. It fhall in the meane tyme abundantly contente
vs that thefe thynges do pleafe yowre holynes: And that yowe doo not difpife owre fimple veftures wherwith
we haue only weaued togyther and not adourned, gathered and not defcribed fuch maruelous thynges in the
garnyfhynge wherof, nature hath fufficiently fhewed her cunnynge. Owre defyre is none other but herein for
yowre fake to doo owre endeuoure that thefe thynges maye not peryfhe. Let euery man take hereof what
lyketh hym beft. Of the fheepe or bullocke foulde in the market, nothynge remayneth in the euenynge, bycaufe
the fhulder pleafeth one, the legge an other, and the necke an other. Ye, fume haue moft phantafie to the
bowels, and fume to the feete. Thus hauynge enough wandered, lette vs returne to owre purpofe and declare
with what woordes they falute the kynges chyldren when they are fyrft borne: or howe they apply the begynnyng of theyr lyues to the end: And why their kynges are cauled by many names. Therfore when the kynge
hath a fonne borne, fuch as dwel neare about his pallaice or vyllage, repayre to the queenes chamber, where
I75


I




The kyndes of
frutes wherwith
the[e]inhabitantes
lyued fyrst.
Necessitie the
moother of all
artes.
136
The fine breade
Cazabbi, made of
the rootes of
Iucca.
Howe Ceres fyrst
founde wheate and
barly in Egypte.
The rootes of ages
The autours
excuse.
l'lil;de.




I76


The thyrde Decade.


I


By what names
they salute the
kynges chyldren
when they are
borne.
The names and
tytles of the
Romane
Emperours.
137
Howe they make
theyr testamentes
So dyd grea[t]
Alexander
The kynges wyues
and concubines
are buryed with
hym.
They burie theyr
iewels with them.
A dreame of an
other lyfe after
this.
Where it rayneth
but seldome.
Where it rayneth
much.
Variable motions
of the elementes.
The colonies and
vyllages which the
Spanyardes haue
buylded
The other Ilandes
about hispaniola.
The Ilande
Arethusa.
A sprynge
runnyng vnder the
sea frome
hispaniola to
Arethusa.
138
The Iland of
Sancti Iohannis.
The Ilande of
Cuba.


one faluteth the newe borne chylde with one name, and an other with an other name.     God faue the
thowe fhyninge lampe fayth one: An other cauleth him      bryght and cleare.   Sume name him     the
victourer of his enemies: and other fume, the puiffaunt conquerour defcended of bludce royall, and
bryghter then gold, with dyuers other fuche vayne names. Therfore lyke as euery of the Romane emperours
was cauled Adiabenicus, Parthicus, Armenicus Dacicus, Gothicus, and Germanicus, accordynge co the titles
of theyr parentes and aunceftours, euen fo by th[e]impofition of names inuented by other kynges, Beuchicus
Anaca[u]choa the lord of the region of Xaragua (of whome and of the wyfe woman Anachaona his fyfter,
we haue fpoken largely in the fyrfte Decade) was cauled by all thefe names folowynge: Tureigua Hobin:
whiche is as muche to faye, as, a kynge fhynynge as bryght as laton. Starei, that is, bryghte: Huii3o,
hyghneffe: Duiheylneuen, a ryche fludde. With all thefe names and more then fortye other fuche, dooeth
kynge Bezuchius magnifye hym felfe as often as he commaundeth any thynge to bee doone or caufeth any
proclamation to bee made in his name. If the cryer by neglygence leaue owte any of thefe names, the king
thynketh it to founde greatly to his contumely and reproche. The lyke is alfo of other. Howe fondely they
vfe them felues in makynge their teflamentes, we wyll nowe declare. They leaue th[e]inheritaunce of their
kyngedomes to th[e]eldeft foonnes of their eldeft fyfters. If fhee fayle, to th[e]eldeft of the feconde fyfter and
fo of the thirde if the fecond alfo faile. For they are owte of doubte that thofe children coome of their bludde.
But the children of their owne wyues, they counte to bee not legitimate. If there remayne none of their fyfters
children, they leaue th[e]inheritaunce to their broothers. And if they faile, it defcendeth to their owne foonnes.
Latfe of all, if al thefe faile, they affygne it to the woorthieft, as to hym that is of greateft power in all the Ilande,
that he may defende their fubiectes from their auncient enemyes. They take as many wyues as them lytfeth.
They fuffer the beft beloued of the kynges wyues, and concubynes to bee buryed with hym. Anachaona the
fyfter of Beuchius the kyng of Xaragua, being a woman of fuche wifedome and cunnynge that in makynge of
rhymes and balettes fhee was counted a prophetiffe emonge the befte, commaunded, that emonge all the wyues
and concubynes of the kinge her brother, the fayrereft (whofe name was Guanahallabenechina) fhulde be buried
alyue with him, and two of her waytyng maydes with her. Shee woolde alfo haue appointed dyuers other to
that offyce, if fhee had not byn otherwife perfwaded by the prayers of certeyne fryers of faincte Fraunces order
whiche chaunced then to bee prefente. They faye that this Guanahattabenechina had none in all the Iland
comparable to her in bewtie. She buried with her all her iewelles and twentie of her beft ornamentes. Their
cuftome is, to place befyde euery of them in their fepultures, a cuppe full of water and a portion of the fyne breade
of Cazabbi. In Xaragua, the regyon of this kynge Beuchius, and in Hazua, parte of the regyon of Caiabo, alfo
in the fayre vale of falte and frefhe lakes, and lykewife in the region of Yaquino in the prouynce of Bainoa, it
rayneth but feldome. In al thefe regyons are foffes or trenches made of oulde tyme, wherby they conueye the
waters in order to water their fyeldes, with no leffe arte then doo th[e]inhabitours of newe Carthage, and of the
kyngedome of MAurcien in Spartaria for the feldoome faule of rayne. The region of Mfiaguana, deuydeth the
prouynce of Bainoa from Caiabo, and Zauana from Guaccaiarima. In the deepe vales, they are troubled with
raine more often then nedeth. Alfo the confynes of the chiefe citie named faincte Dominike are moifter then
is neceffary. In other places, it rayneth moderately. There are therfore in the Ilande of Hfpzaniola, dyuers
and variable motions of the elementes, as we reade the lyke of manye other regions. Of their colonies or
mantions which the Spaniardes haue erected in this Ilande we haue fpoken fuffycientelye beefore. They haue
fence that tyme buylded thefe vyllages: Portus Platce Portus Regalis, Lares, Villanoua, Azuamn, and Saluaterra.
Hauynge fayde thus muche of the Ilande of Hifpaniola the moother and ladye of the other Ilandes, and as it
were Tet/zys the moite bewtifull wyfe of Neptzuznus the god of the fea, let vs nowe entreate fumwhat of her Nymphes
and faire Nereides whiche waite vppon her and adourne her on euery fyde. Wee wyll therfore begynne at the
neareft cauled the newe Arethufa, foo named of the fontayne Arelhzfa in the Ilande of Sicilie. This is famous
by reafon of a fprynge: but otherwyfe vnprofytable. Owre men named it of late, Duas Arbores, bycaufe it hath
onely twoo trees groynge in it: nere vnto the whiche is a fountaine that commeth from the Ilande of Hifpaniolaz
throughe the fecreate paffages of the earth vnder the fea, and breaketh foorth in this Ilande, as the ryuer
A6pkeus in Ach/aia runneth vnder the fea from the citie of Elide, and breaketh foorth in the Ilande of Sicilie in
the fountayne Arethufa. That the fountayne of this newe Arethufa hath his original from the Ilande of
Hifpaniola, it is manifeft hereby, that the water iffhewynge owte of the fountayne, bryngeth with it the
leaues of many trees whiche growe in Hifpaniola, and not in this Ilande. They faye that the fountayne
hath his originall from the ryuer Yiamiroa in the region of Guaccaiarima confynynge with the land of Zauana
This Ilande is not parte a myle in circuite, and commodious for fyffher men. Directly towarde the Eafte (as it
were the porter kepynge the enterie to 7ethys) lyeth the Ilande of Santi Johannis (otherwyfe cauled Burichena)
wherof wee haue fpoken largely before. This aboundeth with golde: and in fruitefull foile, is equall with her
mother Hifpaniola. In this are many colonies or manfions of Spaniardes, whiche applye them felues to
gatherynge of golde. Towarde the weft on the Northe fyde, great Cuba (for the longeneffe therof, longe
176




The thyrde Decade.


I77




fuppofed to be the continent or fyrme lande) wardeth owre Tethys on the backe halfe. This is muche longer
then Hifpaniola: And from the Eafte to the Wefte, is diuyded in the myddeft with the circle cauled Tropicus
Cancri. Hifpaniola and the other lyinge on the South fyde of this, are included almoft in the mydde fpace
betwene the fayde Tropyke and the Equinoctiall lyne, whiche many of the oulde writers fuppofed to bee
vnhabitable and defert by reafon of the feruent heate of the foonne in that clyme as they coniectured. But
they were deceaued in their opinion They affyrme that rytcher golde mynes are founde in Cuba then in
Hifpaniola. They faye alfo that euen nowe while I wryte thefe thynges, there is golde gathered together ready
to the meltyng, amountynge to the quantitie of a hundreth and fourefcore thoufande Caftellans of gold, an
argument furely of great rycheffe. lamaica is more towarde the Southe then thefe: And is a pleafaunte and
fruitefull Ilande, of foyle apte for corne, graffes, and fettes, it confyfteth of onely one mountayne. Th[e]inhabitauntes are warrelyke men and of good wytte. Colonus compared it to Sicilie in bygneffe. They whiche of
late fearched it more exactely, faye that it is fumwhat leffe: but not muche. It is thought to be without gold
and precious floones, as the like was fuppofed of Cuba at the begynnynge. The Ilande of Guadalupea (fyrlte
named Caraqueira) lyinge on the Southe fyde of Hifpaniola, is foure degrees nearer the Equinoctiall. It is
eaten and indented with two goulfes (as wee reade of great Britanye nowe cauled Englande, and Caledonia
nowe cauled Scotlande) beinge in maner two Ilandes. It hath famous portes. In this they founde that gumme
whiche the Apothecaries caule Anima Album, whofe fume is holfome ageynft reumes and heauyneffe of the
heade. The tree whiche engendereth this gumme, beareth a fruite muche lyke to a date, beinge a fpanne in
length. When it is opened, it feemeth to conteyne a certayne fweete meale. As owre hufbande men are
accufltomed to referue cheftenuttes and fuche other harde fruites all the wynter, foo do they the dates of this
tree, beynge muche lyke vnto a fygge tree. They founde alfo in this Ilande, Pyne trees of the befte kynde,
and fuche other deyntie dyffhes of nature, wherof wee haue fpoken largely before. Ye, they thyncke that
th[e]inhabitauntes of other Ilandes, had their feedes of foo many pleafaunt frutes from henfe. For the Canibales beinge a wylde and wanderynge people, and ouer runnynge all the countreys aboute them to hunte for
mannes fleihe, were accuftomed to brynge home with them what fo euer they founde ftraunge or profytable in
any place. They are intractable, and wyll admytte no firaungiers. It fhall therfore bee needefull to ouercoome
them with great poure. For as well the women as men, are experte archiers, and vfe to inueneme their
arrowes. When the men go foorthe of the lande a man huntynge, the women manfully defende their coaftes
ageynfl fuche as attempte to inuade the fame. And hereby I fuppofe it was thought that there were Ilandes
in the Ocean, inhabited onely with women, as Colonus the admirall hym felfe perfwaded me, as I haue fayde in
the fyrfte decade. This Ilande hath alfo frutefull mountaynes and playnes, and notable ryuers. It nouryfiheth
honye in trees, and in the caues of rockes, as in Palma one of the Ilandes of Canarie, honye is gathered emong
the briers and bramble buffhes. Aboute. xviii. myles Eafleward from this Iland, lieth an Iand which owr men
named Defiderata, beynge. xx. myles in circuite and verye fayre. Alfo aboute ten myles from Guadalupea
towarde the Southe, lyeth the Ilande of Galanta, beynge thirtie myles in circuite and playne. It was fo named
for the neateneffe and bewtifulnes therof. Nyne myles diflant from Guadalupea toward the Eait, there are fyxe
fmaule Ilandes named Todos San/los or Barbata. Thefe are full of rockes and barren: Yet neceffarye to bee
knowen to fuche as vfe to trauayle the feas of thefe coaftes. Ageyne, from Guadalhpea. xxxv. myles towarde
the Northe, there is an Ilande named Monfjcrratus, conteynynge in circuite fortye myles, hauynge alfo in it a
mountayne of notable heyght. The Ilande named Antiqua, diflante from Guadalupea thirtie myles, is aboute
fortye myles in circuite. Diegus Colonus the foonne and heyre of Chriftopher Colonus, tould me that his wyfe
(whome he lefte in the Ilande of Hifpaniola at his comming into Spaine to the courte) did write vnto hym, that
of late emonge the Ilandes of the Canibales, there is one founde whiche aboundeth with golde. On the lefte
fyde of Hifpaniola towarde the Southe, neare vnto the hauen Beata, there lyeth ap.de named Portus Bellus.
They tell maruelous thynges of the monflers of the fea aboute this Ilande, anr lpecially of the tortoyfes. For
they faye that they are bygger then greate rounde targettes. At fuche tyme as the heate of nature moueth
theym too generation, they coome foorthe of the fea: And makynge a deepe pytte in the fande, they laye three
or foure hundreth egges therin. When they haue thus emptied their bagge of conception, they putte as muche
of the fande ageyne into the pytte, as maye fuffyce to couer the egges: And foo reforte ageyne to the fea,
nothynge carefull of their fucceffyon. At the daye appoynted of nature to the procreation of thefe beaftes,
there creapeth owte a multitude of tortoyfes, as it were pyffemares fwarmynge owte of an ante hyll: And this
onely by the heate of the foonne withowte any helpe of their parentes.  They faye that their egges are in
maner as bygge as geefe egges. They alfo coompare the flefhe of thefe tortoyfes, to be equall with veale in
tafte. There are befyde thefe, innumerable Ilandes the whiche they haue not yet fearched: nor yet is it greatly
neceffarye to fyfte this meale fo fynely. It maye fuffyce to vnderftond that there are large landes and many
regyons whiche thal hereafter receaue owre nations, tounges, and maners: and therwith embrafe owre relygion.
The Troyans dydde not foodenly replenyfhe Afia, the Tyrians Libia, nor the Greekes and Phoenices Spayne.
EDEN.                           Q                                  177


Habitable regions
vnder the
Equinoctiall.
The ryche golde
mynes of Cuba.
The Iland of
Iamaica.
The Iand of
Guadalupea.
England and
Scotlande.
The gumme
cauled Anime
album.
Dates.
Pine trees.
The Canibales.
Whereby it was
thought that there
were Ilandes of
women.
Hony in trees
and rockes.
The Ilande
desiderata.
The Ilande
Galanta.
The Ilandes of
Todos Sanctos or
Barbata.
The Ilande
monsserratus.
139
The Ilande
Antiqua.
The Ilande
Portus Bellus
Great Tortoyses.
The generation of
Tortoyses.
The egges of
Tortoyses.
Innumerable
Ilandes.
Troians.
Tirians.
Greekes.
Phenitians




178


The thyrde Decade.


The North
Ilandes.
The Ilandes of
the south sea.
The Iland of
pearles.
Wylde beasts
must be tamed
with the rod.
An expedition to
the Ilande of
Dites in the south
sea
The Iland of
Margaritea.
Os Dracotis.
Paria.
140
A conflict.
The kynge of the
Ilande of Dites
submitteth
himselfe.
The kynges
pallaice.
A hundreth and
ten pounde weight
of pearles.
Axes and hatchets
more estemed
then golde.


As touchynge the Ilandes which lye on the north fyde of Hifpaniola, I haue let paffe to fpeake. For
albeit they are commodious for tyllage and fyffhynge, yet are they lefte of the Spanyardes as poore and of
fmaule value. We wyll nowe therefore take owre leaue of this owlde Tethis with her moyft and watery
Nymphes: And receaue to owre newe acquaintance the bewetifull ladye of the South fea rychely crowned with
great pearles, the Ilande of Dites beinge ryche both in name and in treafure. In my epiftell booke whiche I
fente vnto yowre holynes this laft yeare, I declared howe VafShus Nunnez Balboa the capitayne of them whiche
paffed ouer the daungerous mountaynes towarde the South fea, learned by report that in the profpect of thofe
coaftes there laye an Ilande aboundynge with pearles of the greateft forte: And that the kynge therof was ryche
and of great power, infeftynge with warres the other kynges his bortherers, and efpecially Chiapes and
Tumacchus. We declared further howe at that tyme it was lefte vntouched by reafon of the ragynge tempefles
whiche troubled that South fea three moonethes in the yeare. But it is nowe better knowen to owre men, who
haue nowe alfo brought that fierce kynge to humanitie: and conuerted hym from a cruell tyger to one of the
meeke fheepe of Chriftes flocke fanctifyed with the water of baptifme with all his famelie and kyngedome. It
fhall not therefore bee from owre purpofe to declare by the gouernaunce of what capitaines or by what meanes
thefe thynges were fo happely atchyued.
E[ THE TENTH BOOKE OF THE THYRDE DECADE.
T the arryuall of Petrus Arias the newe gouernour of Dariena, he gaue commaundment that
one Gafpar Moralis fhuld take in hande th[e]expedition to the Ilande of Dites. He therefore tooke his vyage fyrft to Chiapes and Tumacchus kynges of the South, whom Vafchus
X *      beefore had concyled and left fryndes to the Chriflians. They frendely and magnifycally
enterteyned owr men who prepared them a nauie of the kynges boates to paffe ouer into this
Ilande, which they caule Dites and not Margarita or Margaritea, although it abounde with
pearles which in the latin tonge are cauled Margaritce.  For the fyrft cauled an other
by this name, which lyeth next to the mouth of Os Draconis in the region of Paria, in the which alfo
is founde greate plentie of pearles. Gafpar brought with hym onely threefcore armed men to the Ilande,
or barkes which they caule Culchas, made of one hole piece of tymber as we haue fayde before. The
kynge of the Ilande came foorth ageinft them fiercely with cruell and threatenynge countenaunce, and with
a great bande of armed men cryinge in maner of a larome and in token of the battayle, Guazzauara, Guazzauara,
which is as much to faye as, battayle ageynit the enemie: And is as it weare a watch worde to giue th[e]onfet,
wherwith alfo they threwe theyr dartes. For they haue not th[e]ufe of bowes. They were fo obflinate and
defperate that they affayled owre men with foure Guazzauaras, that is, battayles. At the length owre men with
certeyne of Chiapes and Tliumacchus men (being eoulde enemies to this kynge of the Ilande) gotte the vpper
hande by reafon they affayled the kynge foodenly and vnwares. Yet was he determyned to affemble a greater
power, and once ageyne to attempt the fortune of warre, but that he was otherwye was otherwyfe perfuaded by the kinges his
bortherers which counfayled him to gyue ouer and fubmyt hym felfe: fumtyme by th[e]exemple of them felues
and other threatenynge the deftruction of his flooryfhynge kyngedome: And otherwhyles declarynge vnto hym
the humanitie and gentelnes of owre men, by whofe frendfhip he might obteyne honoure and quyetnes to hym
and his: wyllyng hym furthermore to confider what chaunced vnto them which the yeare before refyfled and
aduentured the hafarde of the battayle as dyd thefe kynges, Poncha, Pocchorrofa, Quarequa, Chiapes, and
Tumaccus with fuch other. By thefe perfuafions, the king fubmytted hym felfe and came freendely to owre men
whom he conducted to his palaice which they fay to be marueloufly adourned and princelyke. As foone as they
entered into the pallaice, he brought foorth a bafket of curious woorkemanfhyp and full of pearles which he
gaue them. The fumme of thefe pearles amounted to the weyght of a hundreth and ten poundes after. viii.
vnces to the pounde. Beinge ageyne rewarded of owre men with fuch tryfles as they brought with them of
purpofe, as garlandes of Chriftall and glaffe and other counterfet flones of dyuers colours, with lookyng glaffes
alfo and laton belles, and efpecially two or three Iren hatchets (which they more efteme then great heapes of
gold) he thought hym felfe abundantly recompenfed. They laughe owre men to fcorne that they wyll departe
with fo great and neceffarie a thyng for any fumme of golde: affyrmynge an axe or hatchet to bee profytable for
manye vfes of men: and that golde ferueth onely for wanton pleafures, and not to be greatly neceffary. Beynge
therfore ioyfull and gladde of the frendefhyppe of owre men, he tooke the capitaine by the hand and brought


178




The thyrde Decade.


I79


him with certeine of his familiars to the higheft towre of his palaice, from whenfe they myght profpecte the
mayne fea. Then caftyng his eyes about hym on euery fide, and lookynge towarde the Eafle, he fayde vnto
them. Beholde here lyeth open before yowe the infynite fea extended beyond the foonne beames. Then
tournyng hym toward the Southe and Wefte, he fygnyfied vnto them that the lande which laye before their eyes, the
toppes of whofe great montaynes they myght fee, was exceadynge large. Then coommynge fumwhat nearer, he
fayde: Beholde thefe Ilandes on the ryght hande and on the lefte, whiche all obeye vnto owre empyre, and are
ryche, happye, and bleffed, if yowe caule thofe landes bleffed whiche abounde with golde and perle[s]. Wee haue
in this Ilande lyttle plentie of golde: But the deepe places of all the feas aboute thefe Ilandes, are full of perles:
wherof yowe fhall receaue of me as many as yow wyll requyre, fo that ye perfyfle in the bonde of frendefhyppe
whiche yowe haue begunne. I greatly defyre yowre frendefhyppe, and woolde gladlye haue the fruition of
yowre thynges, whiche I fette muche more by then myllyons of perles. Yowe Ihall therfore haue no caufe to
doubte of any vnfaythfulneffe or breache of frendefhyppe on my behalfe. Owre men gaue hym lyke frendly
woordes: and encouraged hym with many fayre promyffes to doo as he had fayde. When owre men were nowe
in a redyneffe to departe, they couenaunted with hym to paye yearely to the greate kynge of Caftyle a hundreth
pounde weyghte of perles. He gladlye agreed to their requeft, and tooke it for no great thyng: nor yet thought
hym felfe any whitte the more to becoome tributarie. With this kynge they founde fuche plentie of hartes and
connies, that owre men ftondynge in their houfes myght kyll as manye as them lyfte with their arrowes. They
lyue heare verye pleafauntly, hauynge greate plentie of al thynges neceffary. This Ilande is fcarfely fyxe
degrees diftant from the Equinoctiall lyne. They haue the fame maner of breade made of rootes and
the graine of Maizium, and wyne made of feedes and fruites, euen as they haue in the region of Comogra and
in other places afwell in the Ilandes as in the firme lande. This kynge is nowe baptifed with all his familye
and fubiectes. His defyre was at his baptifme, to bee named Petrus Arias after the name of the gouernour.
When owre men departed, he accompanied them to the fea fyde and furnyffhed-them with boates to retourne
to the continent. Owre men diuided the perles emonge them, referuyng the fyfte portion to be delyuered to
th[e]offycers of the kynges Excheker in thofe partes. They faye that thefe perles were maruelous precious,
faire, oriente, and exceadynge bygge: In fo muche that they broughte manye with theym bygger then hafell
nuttes. Of what price and value they myghte bee, I confyder by one perle the which Paulus prediceffour to
yowre holines, bowght at the fecond hand of a marchant of Venece for foure and forty thoufande ducates. Yet
emonge thofe whiche were brought from this Ilande, there was one bought euen in Dariena for a thoufande and
two hundreth Caflelans of golde. This was almoft as bygge as a meane walnutte: And came at the length to
the handes of Petrus Arias the gouernoure, who gaue it to that noble and faithefull woman his wyfe, of whofe
maner of departure with her hufbande, wee haue made mention before. Wee mufte then needes thinke that
this was verye precious which was bowght fo deare emonge fuche a multitude of perles where they were not
bought by one at once, but by poundes and at the leaft by ounces. It is alfo to be thought that the Venecian
marchaunte boughte his for no great fum of mony in the Eaft parts. But he fould it the dearer for that he
chaunced to lyue in thofe lafciuious and wanton dayes when men were gyuen to fuche nyfe and fuperfluous
pleafures, and mette with a marchaunt for his purpofe. But lette vs nowe fpeake fumwhat of the fhelfyffhes in
the whiche perles are engendered. It is not vnknowen to yowre holyneffe, that Ariftotell, and Plinie his
folower, were of dyuers opinions as concernynge the generation of perles. But thefe Indians and owre men,
reft onely in one affertion, not affentyng to them in any other: as eyther that they wander in the fea, or that
they moue at anye tyme after they are borne. They wyll therfore that there bee certayne greene places as it
were medowes in the bottome of the fea, bryngynge foorthe an herbe muche lyke vnto thyme, and affyrme that
they haue feene the fame: And that they are engendered, noryffhed, and growe therin, as wee fee th[e]increafe
and fucceffion of oyfters to growe aboute them felues. Alfo that thefe fyffhes delyteth not in the conuerfation
or coompanye of the fea dogges: Nor yet to bee contented with onely one, twoo, or three, or at the mofte
foure pearles: Affyrmyng that in the fyffhynge places of the kynge of this Ilande, there was founde a hundreth
pearles in one fyfhe, the whiche Gafpar Moralis the capitayne hym felfe, and his coompanions, diligently
numbered. For it pleated the kynge at their beynge there and in their prefence, to commaund his diuers to
go a fyffhynge for thofe kynde of fyffhes. They compare the matrices of thefe fyffhes, to the places of conception in hennes, in the whiche their egges are engendered in great multitudes and clufters: And beleue that
thefe fyffhes brynge foorth their byrth in lyke maner. For the better profe wherof, they faye that they founde
certaine pearles coommynge foorthe of their matreces, as beynge nowe coome to the tyme of their full rypeneffe,
and moued by nature to coome owte of their moothers wombe openynge it felfe in tyme conuenient. Lykewife
that within a while after, they fawe other fuccede in lyke maner. So that to conclude, they sawe fum coommynge foorthe, and other fumme yet abydinge the tyme of their perfection: whiche beyng complete, they
alfo became loofe and opened the matrice. They perceaued the pearles to bee inclofed in the myddeft of
their bellies, there to be noriffhed and increafe as an infante fuckynge his moothers pappes within her wombe,
179


The kynges
woordes.
Ilandes rych in
golde and pearles.
C. [hundred]
pounde weyght of
perles yerely for
a tribute.
Plentie of hartes
and cunnies.
141
Wyne of frutes
and sedes
The kynge is
baptised.
The fyft part of
perles due to the
kynge.
Byg perles.
A perle for a pope.
An other perle of
great price.
Nise and
superfluous
pleasures.
Dyuers opinions of
the generation of
pearles.
Herbes in the
bottome of the sea.
A hundreth perles
in one shell fysshe.
The matrice of the
perle fysshe.
The byrth of
perles.




i8o


The thyrde Decade.


142
Where the
byggest, meane,
and least pearles
are engendred
Sea crabbes
The sea muscles
wherein perles are
engendred.
The regions of the
East syde of the
goulfe of Vraba.
The region of
Caribana.
The original of
the Canibales.
The vylages of
Caribana.
Manhunters.
143
Bookes.
Loke in the
begynnyng of the
booke of the landes
lately founde.


before hee moue to coome foorthe of her priuye places. And if it chaunce any of thefe fhelfyffhes to be founde
fcatered in the fande of the fea (as I my felfe haue feene oyfters difparcled on the fhores in diuers places of the
Ocean) they affyrme that they haue byn violently dryuen thither from the bottome of the fea by force of
tempeftes, and not to haue wandered thither of them felues. But, that they becoome white by the cleareneffe
of the mornynge dewe, or waxe yelowe in troubled wether, or otherwyfe that they feeme to reioyce in faire
wether and cleare ayer, or contrary wyfe to bee as it were aflonifflhed and dymme in thunder and tempeftes, with fuche other, the perfecte knowledge hereof is not to bee looked for at the handes of thefe
vnlearned men whiche handell the matter but groffely, and enquire no further then occafyon ferueth. Yet do
they affyrme by th[e]experience and induftrie of the dyuers, that the greateft pearles lye in the deepeft places,
they of the meane forte hygher, and the leaft hygheft of all and nearer to the brymme of the water. And faye
therfore that the greateft do not wander: but that they are created, nouryffhed, and increafe in the deepeft
places of the fea, whether fewe, dyuers, and that but feeldome dare aduenture to diue fo deepe to gather them,
afwel for feare of the fea crabbes whiche wander emonge thefe perle fyfhes to feede of them, and for feare of
other monflers of the fea, as alfo lefte their brethe fhuld fayle them into long remayninge in the water. And
this they faye to bee the caufe why the owldeft and therfore byggeft fea mufcles, inhabyte the deepeft places
from whenfe they are not lyghtly moued by tempeftes. Furthermore, howe muche the bygger and oulder thefe
fyfhes are, they fay that in their larger matrices, the greater number and bygger pearles are founde: And that
for this caufe, there are fewer founde of the byggeft forte. They thyncke alfo, that when they fyrfle faule from
their fyffhes in the deepe places, they are deuoured of other fyffhes, bycaufe they are not yet harde. Ageyne,
the fmauleft differ from the byggeft in a certayne fwellynge or impoftumation whiche the Spaniardes caule a
tympane. For they denye that to be a pearle which in oulde mufcles cleaueth faf to the fhel: But that it is a
warte, whiche beynge rafed from the fhell with a fyle, is rounde and bryght but onely of one fyde, and not
precious, beynge rather of the nature of the fyfhe it felfe, then of a pearle. They confeffe that they haue feene
certayne of thefe mufcles cleauynge on rockes: Yet thefe but fewe, and nothynge woorthe. It is alfo to bee
thought that the pearle fyffhes or fea mufcles whiche are founde in India, Arabie, the redde fea, or Taprobana,
are ruled in fuche order as the afore named famous autours haue written. For their opinion herein is not vtterly
to bee reiected, forafmuche as they were learned men and trauayled longe in the ferchynge of thefe thynges.
But wee haue nowe fpoken fuffyciently of thefe fea fyffhes and of their egges which the fonde nyfenes and
wantonneffe of men haue made dearer then the egges of hennes or geefe. Lette vs therfore entreate fumwhat
of other particular thynges whiche are coome to owre knowledge of late. We haue elles where largely defcribed
the mouthes of the goulfe of Vraba, with fundrye and variable regions diuided with the manyfolde goulfes of
that fea. But as concernynge the Weft coaftes in the whiche owre men haue buylded houfes and planted their
habitations on the bankes of Dariema, I haue no newe matter to write. Yet as touching the Eaft partes of the
goulfe, I haue learned as foloweth. They faye that the vnyuerfal lande of the Eaft region of the goulfe from
the corner therof farre reachynge into the fea, and from the extreame or vtter mofte mouthe of the fame
receauynge the waters of the fea whiche faule into it, euen vnto Os Draconis and Paria, is by one generall name
cauled Caribana, of the Caribes or Canibales whiche are founde in euery regyon in this tracte. But from whenfe
they had their particular originall, and howe leauynge their natiue foyle, they haue fpredde their generation fo
farre lyke a peftiferous contagion, we wyll nowe declare. Therfore from the fyrfte fronte reachynge foorth into
the fea (in whofe tracte we faid that Fogeda fattened his foote) toward the corner, about nyne myles diftant,
there lyeth a vyllage of Caribana named Futeraca. Three myles diftant from this, is the vyllage of Vraba, of the
whiche it is thoughte that the hole goulfe tooke his name, bycaufe this vyllage was once the heade of the
kyngedome. Aboute fyxe myles from this, is Feti. Nyne myles from Feti, is Zerema: And about twelue myles
from this, Sorache. Owre men founde all thefe vyllages full of people, all the whiche gyue them felues onely to
manhuntynge. In fo muche that if they lacke enemyes ageynft whom they maye keepe warre, they excerife
crueltie ageynft them felues, and eyther fleye one the other, or elles dryue the vanquyffhed to flyghte. Whereby
it is apparante that by thefe their continuall warres, and dryuynge the one the other owte of their countreis,
this infection hath gonne fo farre not onelye on the fyrme lande, but alfo into the Ilandes. I was alfo aduertifed
of an other thynge the whiche to my iudgement, feemeth woorthye to bee putte in memorye.
One Corrales a iudge in caufes of lawe amonge the Spanyardes of Dariena, fayth that on a tyme walkyng
abrode with his booke in his hande, he met by the waye with a fugityue which had fledde from the great landes
lyinge farre toward the wefte, and remayned here with a Kynge wyth whom he was enterteyned. When this
man perceaued the lawier lookynge on his booke, marueylynge thereat, he came runninge vnto him, and by
interpretours of the kynge whom he ferued, fpake thus vnto him: Haue yowe alfo bookes wherin yowe may
referue thynges in perpetual memorye? And letters wherby yowe maye declare yowre mynde to fuche as are
abfent? And herewith defyred that the booke might bee opened vnto hym, fuppofyng that he fhulde therein
haue founde the letters of his owne countrey. But when he fawe theim vnlyke, he fayde further that in his
I80




The thyrde Decade.


i8r


countrey there were cities fortified with waules and gouerned by lawes: and that the people alfo vfed apparell.
But of what religion they were, I dyd not learne. Yet had owre men knowleage both by the woordes and
fignes of this fugitiue, that they were circumcifed. What nowe thinke yowe hereby (molt holy father) Or  Circumcised
what do yowe diuine may come hereof when tyme fhall fubdue al thefe vnder yowre throne? Let vs nowe
entermyngle certeyne fmaule thynges amonge thefe great matters. I haue not thought good to pretermitte that
which chaunced to lohzannes Solyfius, who, to fearche the South fyde of the fuppofed continent, departed with  What chaunced to
the Capitaines
three hippes from porte oppa (not farre difante from the Ilandes of Gades or Cales in the Ocean) the fourth  hiche the
day of the Ides of September in the yeare. M. D. xv. Or what fucceffe lohannes Pontius had, whom the newe  I suerour sent
gouemour Petrus Arias appoynted to vanquifhe and deftroy the Caribes or Canibales, deuourers of mans flefhe.  Looke decade iii.
Alfo to what ende the vyages of the other capitaynes came, whiche were fent foorth dyuers wayes at the fame  ler.
tyme: As Gonzalus Badaiocius, Francifcus Bezerra, and Valleius. lohannes Solicius tooke the matter in hande in  The vyage of
Iohannes Solisius.
an euyll houre. He fayled beyonde the poynt of faynt Augufline, (which they caule Cabo. S. Augufzini) toward  CIa. S. Augus/i, m
the South fyde of the fuppofed continent beyonde the Equinoctiall lyne. For (as we haue fayde before) that
poynt reacheth Southwarde to the feuenth degree of the South pole cauled the Antartike. He proceaded in
that viage fyxe hundreth leagues: And founde the lande from the poynte to extende fo farre towarde the South
beyonde the Equinoctiall, that he came to the thirtie degree of the South pole. As he fayled thus forwarde,
hauynge nowe on his backe halfe the flarres named Caput Draconis, (that is, the dragons heade) and the regions
of Paria lyinge northwarde frome hym, and profpectynge towarde the pole Artyke, he chaunced to faule into
the handes of the fylthye Canibales. For thefe craftie foxes feemed to make fignes of peace, when in theyr
mindes they conceaued a hope of a daintie banquet: And efpying their enemies a farre of, beganne to fwalowe
theyr fpettle as their mouthes watered for greedines of theyr pray. As vnhappye Solyfius defcended with as  Iohn Solysius is
many of his coompanie as coulde enter into the boate of the byggeft fhippe, foodenly a great multytude of  Canibales.
th[e]inhabitantes burfte foorth vppon them, and flew them euery man with clubbes, euen in the fyght of theyr  The fieibaeseof
felowes. They caried away the boate, and in a moment broke it al to fytters. Not one man efcaped. Theyr
furye not thus fatiffied, they cutte the flayne men in pieces euen vppon the fhore where theyr felowes might
beholde this horrible fpectacle from the fea. But they being ftryken with feare through this exemple, durft not
coome foorth of theyr fhyppes, or diuife howe to reuenge the death of theyr Capitaine and coompanyons. They
departed therefore from thefe vnfortunate coaftes: And by the waye ladynge theyr fhippes with brafell returned  Brasell.
home ageyne with loffe and heauie chere. Of thefe thynges I was aduertyfed of late by theyr owne letters.
What they haue els doone, I fhal haue more particular knowleage hereafter. lohannes Pontius was alfo repulfed  lohannes Pontius
is repulsed by the
by the Canibales in the Ilande of Guadalupea beinge one of the chiefe Ilandes of theyr habitacion. For when  Canibales.
they fawe owre men a farre of on the fea, they ley in ambufhe foodenly to inuade them when they fhulde
coome alande. Owre men fent foorth a fewe foote men and with them theyr laundreffes to waffhe theyr
fhertes and fheetes. For from the Ilande of Ferrea beinge one of the Ilandes of Canarie (euen vnto
this Ilande, for the fpace of foure thoufande and twoo hundreth myles) they had feene no lande where
they myght fynde any freffhe water: for as muche as in all this large fpace, the Ocean is without Ilandes.
At theyr commynge therfore to lande, the Canibales affayled them, caried awaye the women, and put
the men to fuche difireffe that fewe of them efcaped. By reafon wherof, Pontius being greately difcomfited,  144
durfte not inuade the Canibales, fearynge theyr venemed arrowes which thefe naked manhunters can direct moit
certenly. Thus good Pontius faylyng of his purpofe, was fayne to gyue ouer the Canibales, whome (beinge fafe
and vnder the houfe roufe) he threatened to vanquyfhe and defiroy. Whether he went from thenfe, or what newe
thynges he founde, I haue as yet no further knowleage. By thefe myffortunes, Solyfius lofte his lyfe, and Pontius
his honour. Let vs nowe fpeake of an other whofe enterpryfe came to lyke purpofe the fame yeare. fohannes  The vyage of
Aiora borne in the citie of Corduba, a man of noble parentage, fent in fteade of the Lieuetenaunt (as we haue  Looke decade iii.
fayde) more couetous of golde then carefull of his charge or defyrous of prayfe for well deferuynge, fought  liber.i.
occafions of querelynge ageynft the kynges and fpoyled many, violently extortynge golde of them ageynft ryght
and equitie: And further handeled them fo extremely, that of frendes they became molt cruel enemies: In fo
much that they ceafed not with defperat myndes by all meanes they coulde to fley owre men openly or priuilye.  The lcwde
behauour of lohr
By reafon wherof it is coome to paffe, that where before they bartered quyetly exchanginge ware for ware, tlhey  Aiora.
are nowe fayne to doo all thynges by force of armes. When he had thus exacted a great quantitie of golde of
them (as it is fayd) he fledde priuilie and tooke away a fhyppe with him by tfelth as the common rumoure
goeth: Nor yet hetherto haue we hard whyther he went or where he is arryued.  Sum fufpect that Petrus
Arias the gouernour fhulde confente to his departure bycaufe this lohannes Aiora is brother to Gonfalus Aiora
the kynges hiftoriographer, a man booth lerned, and expert in the difcipline of warre: and fo much the
gouernours frend, that thefe two amonge a fewe, may be counted exemples of rare amitie. I my felfe alfo am
greately bounde vnto theym bothe and haue longe enioyed theyr frendefhippe. Yet fhal I defyre them bothe
to pardone me in declarvnge my phantafie herein, that in all the turmoyles and tragicall affayres of the Ocean,
Q 2                                   181




I82


7The /hyrde Decade.


 ~


The variatle
fortune
of Gonsalus
Badaiocius.
Cerabaro. Decade.
iii. li[b]. iiii
The South sea.
A leaque
conteyneth foure
myles by sea and
but three by lande.
The golden region
of Coiba Dytes.
Sande myxte with
golde.
Howe theyr
slaues are marked
in the face.
145
Golde.
A fruteful region
left desolate by
ciuile discorde.
Kynge Periquete.
S. Michael.
Kynge Totonoga.
Six thousand
Castellans of
golde.
Kyng Taracuru.
viii. thousand
pesos of gold
Kynge Pananome
Kyng Tabor.
Kynge Cheiu.
iiii. thousande
pesos of gold
Salte.
Kyng Anata.
xv. thousande
pesos of gold
Theyr maner of
warre.


nothynge hath fo muche difpleafed me as the couetoufnes of this man who hath fo difturbed the pacified myndes
of the kynges. Nowe emonge thefe troubelous chaunces, let vs rehearfe the variable fortune of Gonfalus
Badaiocius and his felowes, whofe profperous begynnynges, ended with vnfortunate fucceffe. Gonfalus therfore
in the moneth of May in the yeare of Chrifle M. D. xv. departed from Dariena with fourefcore armed men,
directynge his vyage towarde the Sonthe, and retfynge in no place vntyll he came to the region of Cerabaro
which owre men named Gratia Dei, diflant from Dariena about a hundreth and fourefcore myles: for they
caule it threefcore leaques. He fpente certeyne dayes here in Idelneffe: for he coulde neyther by fayre
meanes nor by foule, allure the kynge of the regyon to coome to hym. While he laye thus idelly, there came to
hym other fyftie men fente frome Dariena vnderthe gouernaunceof capytayneL-odouicugs Af ercado who departed from
Dariena in the calendes of Maye, to th[e]intent to fearch th[e]inner partes of thofe regyons. When they mette
together, they determyned after confultation, to paffe ouer the montaynes lyinge towarde the Southe, euen vnto
the Southe fea latelye founde. Beholde nowe a wonderfull thynge: That in a lande of fuche maruelous longitude in other places, they founde it here to bee onely aboute fyftie myles diftant to the Southe fea: for they
counte it. xvii. leaques. as the maner of the Spanyardes is to reken, and not by myles. Yet faye they that a
leaque confyfleth of three myles by lande and foure by fea as wee haue noted before. In the toppes of the
mountaynes and turnynge of the waters, they founde a kynge named luana, whofe kyngedome is alfo named
Coiba as is the regyon of kynge Careta, of whome we haue made mention elles where. But for as muche as
the regyon of this Iuana, is rycher in golde, they named it Coiba Dites, that is, Coiba the rych. For, wherfoeuer they dygged the grounde, whether it were on the drye lande or in the weate chanelles of the ryuers, they
founde the fande whiche they cafte foorthe, myxte with golde. luana fledde at the coommynge of owre men,
and coulde neuer bee brought ageyne. They fpoyled all the countrey neare aboute his palayce. Yet had they
but lyttle golde: for hee had caryed all his fluffe with hym. Here they founde certeyne flaues marked in the
faces after a ftraunge forte. For with a fharpe prycke made eyther of bone, or elles with a thorne, they make
holes in their faces: and foorthwith fprinkelynge a pouder theron, they moiite the pounced place with a
certeyne blacke or redde iuife, whofe fubftaunce is of fuche tenacitie and clammineffe, that it wyll neuer weare
awaye. They brought thefe flaues away with them. They faye that this iuife is of fuch fharpneffe and putteth
them to fuche payne, that for extreeme doloure they haue no ftomacke to their meate certaine dayes after. The
kynges whiche take thefe flaues in their warres, vfe their helpe in feekynge for golde and in tyllage of the
grounde, euen as do owre men. From the pallaice of luana, folowynge the courfe of the water aboute tenne
myles towarde the Southe, they entered into the dominion of an other kynge, whome owre men named the
oulde man, bycaufe hee was oulde, not paffynge of his other name. In the regyon of this kynge alfo, they
founde golde in all places bothe on the lande and in the ryuers. This region is verye fayre and frutefull: and
hath in it many famous ryuers. Departynge from henfe, in fyue dayes iorneye they came to a lande lefte
defolate. They fuppofe that this was deflroyed by ciuile difcorde for as muche as it is for the moofte parte
fruiteful, and yet not inhabited. The fyfth daye, they fawe two men commynge a farre of. Thefe were laden
with breade of Maizium, whiche they caryed on their ihulders in fackes. Owre men tooke them: and vnderftoode by them that there were twoo kynges in that tracte: The one was named Periquefe, whoe dwelte neare
vnto the fea. The others name was Totonoga. This Totonoga, was blynde and dwelte in the continent. The
twoo men whiche they mette, were the fyffhers of Totonoga, whome he had fente with certayne fardelles of
fyfhe to Periquete, and had ageyne receaued breade of hym for exchaunge. For thus do they communicate
their commodities one with an other by exchaunge, without th[e]ufe of wycked money. By the conductinge of
thefe twoo men, they came to kynge Totonoga dwellynge on the Wefte fyde of fayncte Michaelles goulfe in the
Southe fea. They had of this kynge, the fum of fyxe thoufande Caftellans of golde bothe rude and artifycially
wrought. Emonge thofe groumes of rude or natyue golde, there was one founde of the weyghte of two
Caftellans, whiche argued the plentifull rycheneffe of the ground. Folowing the fame coaftes by the fea fyde
toward the Well, they came to a kynge whofe name was Taracurlu, of whome they had golde amountynge to
the weyght of eight thoufand Pefos. Wee haue fayde before that Pefus is the weyghte of a Caflelane not
coyned. From henfe they wente to the dominion of this kynges brother named Pananome, who fledde at their
commynge, and appered no more afterwarde. They faye that his kyngdome is ryche in golde. They fpoyled
his pallaice in his abfence. Syxe leaques from henfe, they came to an other kyng named Tabor. From thenfe
they came to the kyng of Cheru. He frendly enterteyned owre men, and gaue them foure thoufande Pefos of
golde. He hathe in his dominion many goodly falte bayes: the region alfo aboundeth with golde. About
twelue myles from henfe, they came to another kyng cauled Anata, of whome they had. xv. thoufande Pefos of
golde whiche he had gotten of the kinges his bortherers whom he had vanquiffhed by warre. A great part of
this golde was in rude forme bycaufe it was molten when he fet the kynges houfes on fyer whom he fpoyled.
For they robbe and fley the one the other, fackynge and fyryng their villages, and waftinge their countreys.
They keepe warre barbaroufly and to vtter deitruction, executinge extreeme crueltie ageinft them that haue
182




The thyrde Decade.


i83


the ouerthrowe.  Gonfalus Badaiocius with his felowes, wandered at lybertie vntyll they came to this kyng:
And had gathered great heapes of gold of other kinges. For, what in braflettes, collers, earinges, brefle plates,
helmettes, and certeine barres wherwith women beare vppe their breftes, they had gathered together in gold
the fum of fourefcore thoufande Caftellans, whiche they had obteyned partly by exchaunge for owre thinges
where they founde the kinges their frendes, and otherwife by forceible meanes where they founde the contrary.
They had gotten alfo forty flaues whofe helpe they vfed both for cariage of their vitailes and bagagies
in the fleade of moiles or other beaftes of burden, and alfo to relieue fuche as were fycke and forweried
by reafon of their longe iorneys and hunger. After thefe profperous viages, they came by the dominion
of kynge Scoria, to the palaice of a kynge named Pariza: where (fearyng no fuch thing) Pariza enclofed
them with a great armye, and affayled them ftraggelyng and vnwares, in fuche forte that they had no
leafure to put on their armure. He flewe and wounded about fyftie, and put the refydue to flyght. They
made fuche haft, that they had no refpect eyther to the gold they had gathered, or to their flaues: but
lefte all behynde them.  Thofe fewe that efcaped, came to Dariena. The opinion of all wyfe men as
concemynge the varyable and inconftant chaunces of fortune in humane thinges, were falfe, if al thinges
fhuld haue happened vnto them profperoufly.  For fuch is the nature of this blynde goddeffe, that fhe
oftentimes delyteth in the ouerthrowe of them whom Ihe hath exalted: and taketh plefure in confounding hygh
thinges with lowe, and the contrary. Wee fee this order to bee impermutable, that who foo wyll applye hym
felfe to gather rootes, Ihall fumtymes meete with fweete lyquereffe, and other whiles with foure cockle. Yet wo
vnto Pariza: for he fhall not longe fleape in reft. The gouernour him felfe was of late determined with three
hundreth and fyftie choife fouldiers to reuenge the death of owr men: But where as he by chaunce fell fycke,
his poure went forward vnder the conducting of his Lieuetenant Gafpar Spinofa, a Iudge in cafes of lawe in
Dariena. At the fame time other were fent foorth to the Ilande of Dites to exacte the portion of pearles lymited
to the king for his tribute. What Ihal fuccede, tyme will bring to owre knowleage. The other two, attempted
-th[e]inhabitantes beyonde the goulfe, Francifcus Bezerra paffyng ouer by the corner of the goulfe and the
mouthes of the ryuer of Dabaiba, with two other capitaines and a hundreth and fyftie fouldiers well appointed,
went to make warre vppon the Canibales euen in Caribana their owne chiefeft dominion, toward the vyllage of
Turufy, wherof we haue made mention before in the comming of Fogeda. They brought alfo with them diuers
engens of warre: as three pieces of ordinaunce whofe fhot were bygger then egges: Likewife forty archers, and.
xxv. hagbutters to th[e]intent to reache the Caniballes a farre of, and to preuent their venemed arrowes. But
what became of hym and his company, or where they arriued, we haue yet no parfecte knowleage. Certaine
which came of late from Dariena to Spaine, reported that at their departure, they of Dariena flode in great feare
leaft they alfo were toffed with fum miffortune. The other capitaine Valleius, obteyned the fore parte of the
goulfe. But he paffed ouer by an other waye then dyd Bezerra. For he tooke the beginning of Caribana, and
Bezerra the ende.  Valleius returned ageine. But of the three fcore and ten men whiche he conueighed ouer
with hym, hee lefte fortye and eyght flaine emonge the Canibales. Thefe are the newes whiche they bringe
that came lafte from Dariena.
There came to me the day before the Ides of October in this yeare. M. D. xvi. Rodericus Colmenares (of
whom we haue made mention before) and one Francifcus Delapuente. This Francifcus, was one of the vnder
capitaines of this bande, whofe chiefe capitaine was Gonfalus Badaiocius who hardly efcaped the handes of
kyng Pariza. Thefe twoo capitaines therfore, Rodericus and Francifcus who departed from Dariena immediatly
after the miffortune whiche befell to Badaiocius and his companye, do both affirme, the one that he hath harde,
the other that he hath feene, that in the Southe fea there are diuers Ilandes lying weftwarde from the Iland of
Dites and faincte Michaels goulfe, in many of the which are trees engendred and nouriffhed which bring foorth
the fame aromaticall fruites, as doth the region of Collocutea. This lande of Colloculea, wirh the regions of
Cochinus and Camemorus, are the chiefe marte places from whenfe the Portugales haue their fpices. And hereby
do they coniecture that the land where the frutfulneffe of fpyce begynneth, fhulde not be farre from thenfe. In
fo much that many of them whiche haue ouerrunne thofe coaftes, do onely defyre that leaue may be graunted
them to fearche further, and that they wil of their owne charges frame and furnifhe fhippes and aduenture the
viage to fearche thofe Ilandes and regions. They thinke it beft that thefe fhippes fhulde bee made and prepared,
euen in faincte Michaels goulfe: And not to attempte this vyage by fainte Auguftines point, which waye were
both longe and diffyculte, and ful of a thoufande daungers, and is faide to reache beyonde the forty degree of
the pole Antartike. The fame Francifcus, being partener of the trauailes and daungiers of Gonfalus, faithe
that in ouer runninge thofe landes, he founde great heardes of hartes and wylde bores: and that he toke many
of them by an arte which th[e]inhabitauntes taught him: whiche was to make pittes or trenches in their walkes,
and to couer the fame with bouwes. By this meanes alfo they deceaue al other kindes of wild and foure footed
beafles. But they take foules after the fame maner that we do: As ftlocke doues with an other tame flocke doue
brought vp in their houfes. Thefe they tye by a ftrynge, and fuffer them to flye a lyttle emong the trees. To
183


__




Fourescore
thousand
Castellans of
golde.
Kyng Scoria.
Kyng Pariza.
Gonsalus
Badaiocius hath
the otLerthrow and
is spoyled of great
ryches of golde.
146
The Inconstancie
of fortune.
The expedition of
Fraunces Bezarra
ageynst the
Canibales.
Gunnes.
Valeius repulsed
of the Canibales.
The Ilandes of the
south sea.
In this sea ly[e]
the Ilandes of
Molucca, most
frutefull of spices.
Collocutea.
Cochinus and
Camemorus, from
whense the
Portugales haue
theyr spyces.
He meaneth by
the streight of
Magellanus.
Howe they take
hartes and wylde
bores.
Stocke doures


j




184


The thyrde Decade.


147   the which as other birdes of their kind refort, they kil them with their arrowes. Otherwyfe they take them with
foulTheyr maner of  nettes in a bare place pourged from trees and bufhes: and fcateryng certeyne feedes rounde about that place, in
the myddefte whereof they tye a tame foule or byrde of the kynde of them whiche they defyre to take. In lyke
Popingiayes are  maner do they take popingiayes and other foules. But they fay that popingiayes are fo fimple, that a great
ely taken.  multitude of them wyll flye euen into the tree in whofe bouwes the fouler fytteth: and fwarme about the tame
ichatterynge popingiaye, fufferynge them felues to bee eafely taken. For they are fo without feare of the fyght
of the fouler, that they tary whyle he caft the fnare about theyr neckes, the other beinge nothynge feared hereby,
thoughe they fee hym drawe them to him with the fnare, and put them in the bagge which he hath about hym
A straunge kynde  for the fame purpofe. There is an other kynde of foulynge, heretofore neuer harde of, and pleafaunt to confyder.
offoulynge.   We haue declared before howe that in certeyne of the Ilandes, and efpecially in Hifpaniolh, there are dyuers
lakes or flandynge pooles. In fume of thefe (beinge no deaper then men may wade ouer them) are feene great
multytudes of water foules: as wel for that in the bottome of thefe lakes, there growe many herbes and weedes,
as alfo that by reafon of the heate of the fonne pearceinge to the naturall place of generation and corruption, where
beinge doubled in force by reflection and preferued by moyfler, there are engendered of the flymines of the
Fysshes and   earth and water, and by the prouidence of the vniuerfall creator, innumerable lyttle fyffhes, with a thoufande
ywormesu
engendered of  fundry kyndes of frogges, wormes, knattes, flyes and fuch other. The foules which vfe thefe lakes, are of dyuers
oules.        kyndes: As duckes, geefe, fwannes, feemewes, guiles, and fuch other.  We haue fayde alfo that in theyi
Gourdes of the  orchardes they noryfhe a tree which beareth a kynde of greate gourdes. Of thefe gourdes therefore well
tree.         flopped leafte any water fhulde enter in at theyr ryftes and caufe them to finke, they cafl many in the fhalowc
pooles: where, by theyr continuall wanderynge and wauerynge with the motions of the wynde and water, they
put the foules owte of fufpection and feare. The fouler in the meane tyme, difguyfinge hym felfe as it were with
a vifour, putteth a great gourde on his head much lyke to a helmet, with two holes neare about his eyes, his
face and hole heade befyde beinge couered therwith. And thus entereth he into the poole euen vnto the chynne.
For beinge from theyr infancie excercifed in fwymmynge and accuftomed to the waters, they refufe not to
continue therein a longe fpace. The foules thynkynge this gourde to be one of the other that fwymme vppon
the water, the fouler goeth foftly to the place wher he feeth the greateRt flocke of foules: And with waggynge
his heade, counterfectinge the mouing of the wauerynge gourdes, drawethe nere to the foules: where foftely
puttynge foorth his ryght hande, he foodenly fnatcheth one by the legges and plungeth her into the water where
he putteth her into a bagge whiche he hath with hym of purpofe The other foules fuppofinge that this dyued
into the water of her owne motion to feke for foode (as is their maner) are nothyng moued hereby, but go
forwarde on their waye as before, vntyll they alfo faule into the fame fnare. I haue here for this caufe entered
into the declaration of theyr maner of huntynge and foulynge, that by thefe more pleafaunt narrations I may
fumwhat mytigate and affwage the horrour conceaued in yowre ftomake by the former rehearfall of theyr bluddy
Later opinions of  actes and cruell maners. Lette vs nowe therfore fpeake fumwhat ageyne of the newe and later opinions as
the swift course
ofthe Ocean   concernynge the fwyfte courfe of the fea towarde the weft about the coates of Paria: alfo of the maner of
towarde the West.  gathering of golde in the golde myne of Dariena, as I was aduertifed of late. And with thefe two quyet and
peaceable thynges, we wyl make an ende of the tragical affayres of the Ocean: and therwith byd yowre holynes
fare wel. So it is therfore, that Andreas Moralis the pylot, and Ouiedus (of whom we haue made mention
before) repayred to me, at my houfe in the towne of Matrite, As we met thus togyther, there arofe a contention
betwene them two, as concernynge this courfe of the Ocean. They both agree that thefe landes and regions
The continent or  perteynynge to the dominion of Caflile, doo with one continuall tract and perpetuall bonde, embrafe as one hole
tirme land.   firme lande and continent al the mayne lande lyinge on the north fyde of Cuba and the other Ilandes, beinge alfo
northweft both from Cuba and Hifpaniola. Yet as touchynge the courfe of the water, they varie in opinion.
For Andreas, wyll that this vyolent courfe of water bee receaued in the lappe of the fuppofed continente
148   which bendeth fo much and extendeth fo farre towarde the North, as we haue faid: And that by the obiect or
refiflance of the lande fo bendynge and crookynge, the water fhulde as it were rebounde in coompaffe, and by
force therof be dryuen about the north fyde of Cuba and the other Ilandes excluded without the circle cauled
Tropicus Cancri, where the largenes of the fea maye receaue the waters faulynge frome the narowe fireames,
and therby repreffe that inordinate courfe, by reafon that the fea is there very large and great. I can compare
his meanynge to nothynge more aptely then to the fwyfte fireame commyng foorth ot a mylle and faulyng into
the myl poole. For in al fuche places where waters runne with a vyolent faule through narowe chanels, and
are then receaued in large pooles, they are foodenly difparcled and theyr violence broken: So that wheras before
they teemed of fuch force as to ouerthrowe all thynges beinge in theyr waye, it can not then be perceaued
The vyages of  which way they runne. The Admiral him felfe Diegus Colonus, futine and heyre to Chriop/horus Colonus the
Diegus                                               Colonus.
Diegus olonus.  fyrt fynder of thefe landes (who had nowe in commyng and goinge, foure tymes paffed throughe thefe feas)
The vyage from  beinge demaunded of me what he founde or perceaued in faylynge too and fro, anfwered that there was muche
the new landes to
Spayne.       difficultie in returnynge the fame way by the which they go. But wheras they fyrft take the waye by the mayne
i84




The thyrde Decade.


i85


I


fea towarde the North before they directe theyr courfe to Spayne, he faythe that in that tract, he felt the fhippe
fumtymes a lyttle dryuen backe by the contrary courfe of the water. Yet fuppofeth that this chaunceth onely
by the ordinarie flowynge and reflowynge of the fea: And the fame not to be enforced by the circumflection or
courfe of the water reboundynge in compaffe as we haue fayde. But thinketh rather, that this mayne lande or
fuppofed continent, fhulde fumwhere bee open: And that the fayde open place, ihoulde bee as it were a gate,
enterie, or fireyght, diuydyng the North partes of that lande from the South: by the which alfo, the Ocean
runnynge towarde the Weft, may by the rotation or impulfion of the heauens, bee dryuen about the hole earth.
Ouiedus agreeth with Andreas Moralis as touchynge the continuall adherence and clofenes of the fayde continente. Yet neyther that the waters fhulde fo beate ageynft the bendynge backe of the Weft lande, or bee in
fuche forte repulfed and dryuen into the mayne fea. But faith that he hath diligently confydered, that the
waters runne from the deepeft and myddeft of the maine fea, towarde the Weft. Alfo that faylinge nere vnto the
fhore with fmaule veffelles, he founde the fame waters to returne ageine towarde the Eaft. So that in the fame
place, they runne together with contrary courfe, as we oftentimes fee the lyke to chaunce in riuers wher by the
obiecte of the bankes, diuers whirlepooles and turnynges aryfe in the water. By reafon wherof, if any chaffe,
firawe, woodde, or any other thyng of lyght fubftance be cafte in any fuche places in ryuers, it foloweth that al
fich as runne with the water in the myddeft of the chanell, procede well forwarde: But fuche as faule into the
bendynge goulfes and indented margentes of the crooked bankes, are caryed ouerthwarte the chanell, and fo
wander about vntyll they meete with the ful and directe courfe of the ryuer. Thus haue we made yowe
partener of fuche thinges as they haue gyuen vs, and writen their dyuers opinions. We wyll then gyue more
certeyne reafon, when more certeyne truth fhalbe knowen. We muft in the meane tyme, leane to opinions
vntil the day coome appointed of god to reueale this fecreate of nature, with the perfecte knowleage of
the pointe of the pole flarre. Hauyng fayd thus muche of the courfe of the Ocean, a briefe declaration of
the golde mynes of Dariena, fhall clofe vppe owre Decades and make an ende of owre trauayles. Wee haue
fayde, that nyne myles difiante from Dariena, are the fydes of the hylles and the drye playnes in the whiche
golde is gathered bothe on the drye lande, and alfo on the bankes and in the chanelles of ryuers. Therfore to
al fuch as are wyllynge to gather golde, there is of ordinarie cuftome appointed to euery man by the furuoiers of
the mynes, a fquare plotte of grounde conteyning twelue pafes, at the arbitriment of the choofer, fo that it bee
not grounde already occupied, or lefte of other. The portion of grounde beinge thus chofen (as it were
affygned of the augures to buylde a temple) they inclofe their flaues within the fame, whofe helpe the Chriftians
vfe in tyllynge of their grounde and gatherynge of golde, as we haue faide. Thefe places appointed vnto them,
they keepe as longe as them lyfte. And if they perceaue tookens of lyttle golde, they requyre an other plotte
of ground of twelue pafes to be affigned them, leauyng the firft in commen. And this is th[e]order which the
Spaniardes inhabitinge Dariena obferue in gatheryng of golde. I fuppofe alfo that they vfe the lyke order in
other places: How be it, I haue not yet enquired fo farre. It hath byn proued that thefe twelue pafes of
grounde, haue yelded to their choofers, the fumme of fourefcore Caftellans of gold. And thus leade they theyr
lyues in fulfyllynge the holy hunger of golde. But the more they fyll their handes with fyndynge, the more
increafeth their couetous defyre. The more woodde is layde to the fyer, the more furioufly rageth the flame.
Vnfaciable couetoufneffe is no more diminiffhed with increafe of rychefle, then is the drineffe of the dro]pfye
fatiffyed with drinke. I lette paffe manye thynges wherof I intende to write more largely in tyme conuenient,
if I fhall in the meane feafon vnderftande thefe to be acceptable vnto yowre holyneffe: my dewtie and obferuaunce to whofe autoritie, hath caufed me the gladlier to take this labour in hande. The prouidence of the
eternall creatour of all thynges, graunt yowre holyneffe many profperous yeares.


The contrary
course of waters.
The poynt of the
pole star.
The golde mynes
of Dariena, and
the maner of
gatherynge golde.
149
Owre inclosiers
woolde leaue no
such commens.
A urisacra Fames
The dropsie of
couetousnes.


185




I86
41 THE LASTE BOOKE OF PETER MARTYR OF ANGLERIA,
OF THE LANDES AND ILANDES LATELY FOUNDE:
AND OF THE MANERS OF THE INHABITAVNTES OF THE SAME.
Haue partli declared before in mi decades how certeine fugitiues
Loke De ade iil.                                     which came owt of the large Weft landes arriued in the confynes of
Liber. x                                            Dariena: And howe that marueylinge at the bookes of owre men,
they declared that they fumtyme dwelte in regions whofe inhabitauntes vfed fuche inifrumentes and were ruled by politike lawes.
Cities fortifyed   l                                 Alfo Fat that  y had cities fortified with waules and faire pallaces
wIth waules.
with ftreates well paued, and common places whyther marchauntes refort as to the burfe or ftreate. Thefe landes, owre men
aue nowe founde. Therfore who were th[e]autours hereof, or
What fucceffe they had herein, who fo defireth to know with the
conditions of ftraunge regions and the maners of the people, let
hym giue diligent attendance to fuch thynges as folowe. Of the
The oland of Cuba                                    Iland of Cuba (nowe cauled Fernandina, lyynge nexte vnto Htor Fernandina.
_u Fe  t                paniola on the weft fyde, and yet fumwhat fo bendynge towarde
the Northe that the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri deuideth
n                          it in the myddefte, wher as jhfpaniola is diftante from
the Tropike and declinyge certen degrees toward the Equinoctial line) we haue fpoken fumwhat before.  In this Iland of Fernandina, there are nowe fyxe townes
erected.  Wherof, the chiefe is named Santiago of faynt Iames the patrone of the Spanyardes.  In
The Spaniards of  this, there is natiue golde, found both in the mountaynes and ryuers: By reafon wherof they are
Cuba attempt new
vyages.       daylye occupied in gathering and digging the fame.  But fhortely after that I had finifhed my fayde
bookes, thre Spanyardes that were the molt auncient citizens of Cuba, as Francifcus Fernandes of Corduba,
Lupus Ocho, and Chri_/ophorus  Morantes, determined to feeke newe landes, as the myndes of the
Spanyardes are euer vnquiet and geuen to attempte great enterprifes. They furnyfhed at their owne charges,
three of thofe fhyppes whiche they caule Carauels. And hauynge fyrfte lycence of Diegus Velaffuen the
gouernour of the Ilande, they departed with a hundreth and ten men from the Welt angle of Cuba. For this
The west angle of  angle is mofle commodious to relieue Ihyppes and to make prouifion for freihe water and fuell. Thus they
Cuba.
Cba.         ihfayled continually fyxe dayes and a halfe, betwene the Well and the South, contented onely with the fyght of
the heauen and the water: durynge whiche tyme, they fuppofe that they fayled not palt threefcore and fyxe
Note.         myles. For they ley at anker all nyght where fo euer the faulynge of the oonne tooke the day light from them,
leaite by wanderynge in vnknowen feas, they myght chaunce to be cait vppon rockes or fandes. But at
The Iland of  the length they chaunced vppon a great Ilande named Iucalana, whofe beginnyng th[e]inhabitauntes caule
Iucatana.
ucA greataa. citie well Eccampi. Owre men went to the citie ilondynge on the fea fyde, the whiche for the bygnes therof,
buylded.     they named Cayrus or Alcair. Th[e]inhabitauntes enterteined them very frendly. When they were entered
Temples.
Humane people.  into the citie, they marueyled to behold the houfes buylded lyke towres, magnifycall temples, ftreates
150   well paued, and great exercife of bying and fellyng by exchaunge of ware for ware. Their houfes are
eyther bylte of Itone, or of bricke and lyme, and artifycially wrought. To the fyrfte porches of their houfes
and fyrft habitations, they afcend by ten or twelue iteares. They are couered eyther with tyles, flates,
reades, or ftalkes of certeyne herbes.  They gratified the one the other with mutuall gyftes. The barCunnyng      barians gaue owre men many brooches and iewelles of golde, verye fayre and of cunnyng woorkmanfhyppe.
artifycers.   Owre men recompenfed them with veitures of fylke and woolle, counterfecte itones, of coloured glaffe and
chriltall, haukes belles of laton, and fuche other rewardes whiche they greatly elteemed for the ftraungenes of
the fame. They fette nowght by lookynge glaffes, bycaufe they haue certeyne ftoones muche brighter. This
Appareled people.  nation is appareled after a thoufande fafhyons with veltures made of goffampyne cotten or bombage of dyuers
coloures. The women are couered from the girdle to the heele hauynge dyuers fafIhions of vayles aboute their
heades and breftes, with great cautele leaft any parte of their legges or feete bee feene. They reforte muche


i86




*[Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.]


The thyrde Decade.


I87


to their temples: vnto the which the chiefe rulers haue the wayes paued from their owne houfes. They are
Idolatours and circumcifed. They occupie their maner of exchaunginge, with muche fydelitie. They vfe to
adourne the heares of their heades. Being demanded by th[e]interpretours of whom they receaued their circumcifyon, they anfwered that there once paffed an exceadynge fayre man by their cortes, who lefte them that in
tooken to remember hym. Other faye that a manne brighter then the foone, went emonge them and executed
that offyce. But there is no certentie hereof. When owre men had remayned there certeyne dayes, they
feemed to bee moleftous to th[e]inhabitantes accordynge to the common fayinge. The longer a gefte tarieth,
the woorfe is his enterteynement. The whiche thynge owre men perceauyng, they made the more hall awaye.
Beynge therfore prouided of all thynges neceffary, they tooke their vyage directly towarde the wetl by the
prouince whiche th[e]inhabitauntes caule Comi and Maiam. They ouer paffed thefe regions takyng onely frefhe
water and fuel in the fame. The barbarians both men, women, and children flocked to the fea fyde, aflonyflhed
greatly to behold the huge bygneffe of the fhyppes. Owre men marueyled in maner no leffe to viewe their
buyldynges and efpecially their temples fytuate neare vnto the fea, and erected after the maner of towers. Thus
at the length hauyng fayled about a hundreth and ten myles, they thought it good to ley anker in a prouince
named Campechium, whofe chiefe towne confyfteth of three thoufande houfes. Th[e]inhabitauntes came
fwymmynge to the fhyppes: marueylyng excedyngly at the maner of faylinge, and at the fayles and other
tackelynges But when they hard the thunder of the gunnes, fawe the fmoke, and fmelte the fauour of brimftone
and fyer, they fuppofed that thunderboultes and lyghtnynges had byn fente from god. The kynge receaued owre
men honorably and broughte them ihto his pallayce: where he feafled them well after his maner. They are
accuftomed to eate flefhe, and haue great plentie of beatles and foules: as peacockes, and other whiche they
francke and feede in their houfes: Alfo dyuers kyndes of wylde foules of the mountaines, wooddes, and waters:
Likewife partriches, quailes, turtle dooues, duckes, and geefe. Of beaftes, they haue connies, woolues, lyons,
tigers, foxes, wylde boores, hartes, and hares. After this banquet, the kyng with his traine and famylie brought
owre men into a brode croffe way where many ftreates do meete. In this, they fhewed them as it were a great
and highe aulter buylded foure fquare of marble compacte together partly with the toughe cleye of Babilon
cauled Bitumen, and partly with fmaule ftoones. It had on euery fyde foure fleares. Vppon the altare was an
Image of a man made of marble: and faft by it the Images of two beaftes of vnknowen fhape, whiche feemed
as thoughe they wolde with yanynge mouthes haue tome in funder the bealy of the mannes Image. On the
other fyde floode a great ferpent compacte of the fayde toughe cleye and fmaule floones. This ferpent beynge
in length. xlvii. foote, and of the bygneffe of a large oxe, feemed to deuour a lyon of marble, and was al by
fparcled with frefhe bludde. Harde by the altare, were thre poftes faftned in the ground, the which three other
trauerfed and were fufteined with flones. In this place offenders were put to death: In token wherof they fawe
innumerable arrowes fleined with bludde, fum fcatered, fum lyinge on heapes, and fum broken: Alfo a great
number cf mennes bones lying in a court or yarde nere vnto this funeftal place. Their houfes are here
alfo builded of lime and flone. They named this king, Lazarus, bicaufe they arriued at this lande on faint
Lazarus day. Departing from henfe and directing theyr courfe ftyl toward the Weft for the fpace of. xv. myles,
they came to a prouince named Aquanil, whofe chiefe towne is cauled Mofco, and the kynge thereof, Czpoton.
He behelde owre men with a frmwarde countenaunce, and fought occafion to doo them fume priuie mifchiefe
whyle they fought for freffhe water. For he made fignes vnto them that on the further fyde of the nexte hyll,
they fhulde fynde fprynges of water, intendyng to haue affayled them in that narowe paffage. But by the
colouryng of theyr forheades (as they are accuflomed in theyr warres) and by the bearynge of theyr bowes and
other weapons, owre men perceaued theyr wylynes, and refufed to go any further. Yet a thoufande of the
Barbarians affayled theym vnwares and vnprepared. By reafon wherof, they were put to flyght, and dyuers of
them flayne in the chafe. Many that fledde towarde the fhippes, were entangeled in the mudde and maryfhes
nere vnto the fhore. Twentie and two, were flayne with arrowes, and the refydewe for the moft parte, wounded.
Francifcus Fernandes the gouernour of the nauie, receaued in this conflicte three and thirtie woundes. And in
maner none efcaped without hurt. If they had gonne to the hylles whiche were appoynted them, they had
byn flayne euery man. They therfore that efcaped, returned to the Ilande of Fernandina frome whenfe they
came, where they were receaued of theyr felows with heauie chere. But when Diegus Velafquen the gouernoure
of the Ilande, had intelligence hereof, he immediatly furnyfhed a newe nauie of foure Caraueles with three
hundreth men. Of this nauie he appoynted Iohn Grifalua his neuie, to be the gouernour: And affigned for
vnder capitaynes, Alphons[o] Auila, Frances Montegio, and Peter Aluarado. For the pylot he affigned Antonie
Alamino who had the regiment of the fyrft nauie. They attempted the fame vyage ageyne, but declyned
fumwhat more towarde the South about threfcore aid tenne myles. Before they fawe any lande, they efpyed a
towre a farre of, by the viewe wherof, they came to an Ilande named Cozumella, from the whiche they fmelte fweete
[* Eden points out later on that William Powell, the printer, had wrongly carried the headline, The thyrde Dcc.ade, over this, a perfectly distinct book.
-(See p. 342.) We have therefore also inserted the true headline within brackets.-E. A.]
187


Circumcised
Idolaters.
Corni;
Maiajm.
Camfiechium.
A towne of three
thousand howses.
Plentie of beastes
and foules.
Theyr Idoles and
Idolatry.
Houses of lyme
and stone.
151
The prouince
Aquinall.
Mosco.
The Spanyardes
are put to flyght
and many slayne
An other
expedition.
The Tlanrl of
Cozumella.




I88


The thyrde Decade. [Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.]


Sweete sauours.
A frutefull Ilande.
Towres and
temples.
Cozumella named
Sancta Crux.
Idoles lyke beares.
Idolatry.
Gentell people.
Iucatana but fyue
myles from
Cozumella.
152
The Barbarians
make resistaunce.
A conflicte.
The length of
Iucatana.
The region of
Caluacam, ot
Oloan.
The ryuer
Grisalua.
Targets and brest
plates of gol de.


fauours proceadynge with the wynde, before they approched to the lande by the fpace of three myles. They
founde the Ilande to be fortie and flue myles in circuite. It is playne and of maruelous frutefull foyle. There
is alfo golde in it, but it is not engendered there, but brought thether from other regions. It aboundeth with
hony, fruites, and herbes: And hath alfo great plentie of foules and foure footed beaftes. Theyr order and maner
of lyuyng, is in al thynges lyke unto theyrs of lucatana.  Lykewyfe theyr howfes, temples, lireates, and apparell.
In many of theyr houfes, are great portes of marble after the maner of owre buyldynge. They founde there,
the foundations of certeyne owlde towres ruinate: And one efpecially with. xviii. fteares afcendynge to it, after
the maner of folemne temples. They marueyled greatly at owre fhippes and maner of faylynge. At the fyrft,
they wolde admyt no itraungers: but fhortly after, receaued them gentelly. Theyr chiefe ruler (whom owre men
fuppofed to bee a preefte) led them vp to the toppe of the towre, where they erected a banner and addicted the
Ilande to the dominion of the kynge of Caftyle, namynge it Sanca Crux, bycaufe they entered into the fame in
the nones of Maye beinge then the feafte of the holye croffe. They faye that it was cauled Cozumella of kynge
Cozumellaus, whofe aunceflours were the fyrft that inhabited the Ilande. In the towre, they founde many
chambers furnyfhed with Images, made bothe of earthe and marble to the fimilytude of beares. Thefe they
caule vppon with a houlynge and lamentable fonge, perfumyng them with fweete odours, and otherwyfe
honourynge them as theyr domefticall goddes They were alfo circumcifed. The kynge was in fayre apparel
made of goffampine cotton curioufly wrought. He was lame on the one foote by reafon that as he once exercyfed
hym felfe in fwymmynge, a deuourynge fyfhe cauled Tuberon, byt of al the toes, of one of his feete. He
entreated owre men very frendly and made them great chiere. After they had byn here thre dayes, they
departed. And faylynge ftyll towarde the Wefte, they efpyed great mountaynes a farre of. But as they
drewe neare, they perceaued it to bee the Ilande of Zucatana beinge diftant from Cozumella onely fyue
myles. Directynge therfore theyr courfe towarde the fouthe fyde of Zuca/ana, they compafed it on that
fyde which lyeth neareft to the fuppofed continent: Yet coulde they not fayle rounde about it by reafon
of the multitude of rockes, fhalowe places, and fhelfes of fandes. Then Alaminus the pylot turned
his failes to the North fide wherof he had better knowleage. Thus at the length, they came to the
towne Campechium and kynge Lazarus with whom they had bin that attempted the fyrft vyage the yeare
before. At the fyrft, they were gentelly receaued, and requyred to refort to the towne. But fhortly
after, they repented that they had bydden them: and there vpon wylled them to flay about a flones caft from
the towne, and to proceade no further. When owre men defyred that they myght make prouifion for frefhe
water before theyr departure, they affigned them to a certeyne well which they had lefte behynde them.
Declaringe further, that it fhulde be lawfull for them to take water there or els no wheare. Owre men refled
that nyght in the fyelde adioynynge to the well. The which thynge the Barbarians fufpectinge, affembled an
army of three thoufande men, and encamped not farre from them. Bothe partes paffed awaye the nyght
without fleepe. They fearynge leafte owre menne fhulde breake into the towne: And owre men, leaft the Barbarians Ihulde inuade them foodenly, on the one parte with trumpettes, and on the other fyde with the noyfe of
timbrels kept them flyll wakynge that were difpofed to fleape. At the fprynge of the day, the Barbarians
approched to owre mens campe and cauled for th[e]interpretours of Cuba, whofe language is much agreable
vnto theyrs. They had diuifed to lyghte a torche of frankenfence and to place the fame betwene bothe
th[e]armies to th[e]intent that if owre men dyd not depart before the torche were confumed, to ftande to theyr
perell. The torch was waftled and the matter came to hand fRrokes. They flewe onely one of owre men with
an arrowe bycaufe his target fayled hym. But many were wounded. After this conflicte, owre men reforted'
to theyr ordinaunce which they had planted neare vnto the well. When they had difcharged certeyne peeces,
the Barbarians fledde backe into the towne. Owre men were of fierce and greedy courage to haue purfued
them, but that Grifalua the gouernour wolde not fuffer them. From thenfe they proceaded to the laft ende of
lucatana, which they founde to reache more then two hundreth myles frome the Eaft to the Weft. Here they
founde a comodious hauen and named it Portus defideratus. From henfe they fayled to other landes, and came
to the region nexte to lucatana Weftwarde, whiche they doubte whether it be an Ilande or parte of the firme
lande: but thinke it rather to be annext to the continent; In this there is a goulfe which they fuppofe to be
incoompafed with bothe the landes. But of this, there is no certentie. Th[e]inhabitantes caule this region
Caluacam or otherwife Oloan. They founde here alfo a great ryuer whiche by his violente courfe and faule,
driueth frefhe water two myles ito the fea. This they cauled Grifalua after the name of the gouernoure.
The barbarians marueilyng at the huge greatneffe and mouynge of owre fhyppes, came fwarmyng the bankes
on bothe fydes the ryuer, to the number of fyxe thoufande men armed with targettes and breft plates of gold,
bowes and arrowes, brode fwoordes of heauy woodde, and longe iauelens hardened at the endes with fyer:
Thus ftondynge in battayle raye to defende their cooftes, and with proude countenaunces forbyddinge owre
men to coome alande. Bothe parties watched al that nyght in armes. In the dawne of the day, owr men
efpied about a hundreth Canoas (whiche we haue faide to be their boates) full of armed men. Here alfo the


z88




[Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.]  The thyrde Decade.


I89


language of th[e]interpretours of Cuba agreed well enowghe with thers. When they had admitted the peace
profered them by th[e]interpretours, al the Canoas ftaied excepte one whiche approched toward the fhippes.
A certeyne ruler that was in this Canoa, demaunded of owre men what they fought in other mennes landes.
They anfwered, gold. And that, for permutation of other ware, and not of gift or vyolently. The Canoa
returned and the ruler certified the kyng hereof, who came gladlye to the fhyppes. When he had faluted the  Armure of golde.
gouernour, he cauled his chamberlen vnto hym, commaundynge him to bringe his armure and other ornamentes
of golde wherwith he armed Grifalua from the toppe of the heade to the foule of the foote: In fo muche that,
what fo euer any man of armes armed at all partes, is emong vs accutfomed to weare of Iren or fleele when he  Experte artificers
commeth in to the fielde, all fuche kynde of furnitures made of golde and wrought with woonderfull arte, the
kyng gaue to the gouernour. He recompenfed hym with veflures of fy[l]cke, clothe, lynen, and other of owre
thinges. In the beginning of this lucatana, when they fayled to Cozunmeda, they chaunced vppon a Canoa
of fyffher men to the number of nyne, fyffhyng with hookes of golde. They tooke them all prifoners. One of  ysshe hokes of
them was knowen to this kyng, who promyfed the daye folowyng to fende the gouernour as muche golde for  153
his raunfome as the man hym felfe waied. But the gouernour denyed that he could releafe hym withowte the
confent of his felowes: And therfore kept hym ftyll to proue what he could further knowe of hym. Departing
from henfe and faylynge iflyll weftwarde, they founde a great goulfe in the which three fmaule Ilandes were
fytuate. Of thefe, they went to the byggeft. But oh abhominable crueltie: oh moft corrupted myndes of  The IRandes of
men, and deuelyfhe impietie? Let euery godly man clofe the mouth of his flomake left he be defturbed. They  Chyidren
offer younge children of bothe kyndes to their Idoles of marble and earth. Emonge their Idoles of marble,  dolesto
there flandeth a lyon hauynge a hole throwgh the necke, into the whiche they poure the bludde of the miferable  Their Idoles of
facrifyce, that it maye from thenfe runne downe into a fyncke of marble. Lette vs nowe declare with what  marble.
ceremonies they facryfyce the bludde of thefe pore wretches. They cutte not their throtes, but open the very
breftes of thefe felye foules and take owte their hartes yet pantynge, with the hotte bludde wherof, they anoyjnte
the lyppes of their Idoles, and fuffer the refydue to faule into the fynke. This doone, they burne the harte and
bowels, fuppofynge the fmoke therof to be acceptable to their goddes. Of their Idoles, one is made to the
fhape of a man, bowynge downe his heade and lookynge toward the fynke of bludde, as it were acceptyng the
offeringe of the flayne facrifyce. They eate the flefhe of the armes, thighes, and legges, efpecially when they
facrifyce an enemy taken in the warres. They founde a ftreame of congeled blud as thoughe it had runne
from a bouchery. For this myfcheuous purpofe, they bringe thefe wretches from the nexte Ilandes. They
fawe alfo innumerable heades, and trunkes of bodies thus mangeled, befyde many other yet remaining hole and
couered with certeine mattes. All the tractes of thefe regions abounde with golde and precious ftones. One  Gold and precious
stones.
of owre men wanderynge in the Ilande, chaunced to fynde two water pottes of alabafter artifycially wrought
and full of lyttle flones of dyuers colours. They faye alfo that they founde a flone of the value of two  A stone of great
thoufand Caftilans of gold, whiche they fent to the gouernour. This Ilande they named the Iland of facrifyce.  price.
Th[e]inhabitauntes are circumcifed. There are alfo other Ilandes fytuate about this Col[l]uacana or Caluacam,
the whiche are inhabited onely with women lyuing without the coompanye of men after the maner of the  Ilandes of women.
Amazones. But they that ponder the matter more wifely, thinke them rather to be certeyne women whiche
haue vowed chaftitie and profeffed a folytarie lyfe as the nunnes doo with vs, or as the virgins cauled VeTzales
or Bonae Dece, were accuftomed to do amonge the gentiles in oulde tyme. At certeyne tymes of the yeare,
men of the other Ilandes reforte vnto them. But not for th[e]intent of generation, but moued with pitie to
helpe them to dreffe their gardens and tyll their grounde. The reporte goeth lykewife that there areeother
Ilandes of corrupte women to whom men reforte for carnall copulation: And that they cutte of one of the
pappes of their women children leaft it ihuld hinder their fhootyng. Alfo that they kepe onely the women
children and fende awaye the men children. Owr men therfore drewe nere to the fhore of Colluacana where
they quyetly exercifed marchaundies with th[e]inhabitauntes. The kyng gaue them a great potte of gold:  Golde.
Alfo braflettes, chaynes, brouches, with many other iewelles, and al of gold. Owre men ageyne on the other
parte fatiffyed him with fuch ftuffe as they had done other before. Here wolde they gladly haue planted a
newe colonie or habitation, but that the gouernour wolde not permytte them, wherat they gruged not a lyttle.
The houfes and other edifyes of this prouynce, are buylded like vnto towres. It hath alfo. xv. great townes in  Houses lyke
it. Of thefe they affirme that they haue feene fum confifting of more then. xx. thoufande houfes, not ioyning  towresa
together, but defeuered with courtes and gardens. They haue alfo certeyne large market places encompafed  inthe prouince of
of Colluacana.
with waules, and ftreates well paued. Likewife fornaces and ouens made of lyme and bricke. Furthermore  Townes of xx.
al fortes of handy craftes men and very cunning artificers. This kinges name was Potanchanus: and the  thousande houses.
region is cauled Palmaria. The towne where the king kepeth his court, conteineth. xv. thoufand houfes.  The region of
Palmaria.
When they receaue any ftraungiers and make a leage of frendfhyppe with them, they are accustomed with a
knife made of a iharpe fltone, to let them felues bludde in the toonge, hande, arme, or fum other parte of the body:
And this euen in the fyght of them whom they admitte to frendfhyp, in token that they are ready to fhedde  frendship.
TS9


i






19g                 The lhyrde Decade.          [Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.
Preestes.    their bludde in their fryndes caufes. Their prieftes profeffe a vertuous lyfe, and liue vnmaried. What it is to
154   haue to do with women, no man knoweth before he be maried. Fornication and adultery (which feldome
Chastitie.    chaunce emonge them) they counte abhomination. The women are of maruelous chaftitie. Euery noble man
The punyshement  after that he haue had one wife, may haue as many concubines as hym lyfleth. But a maried woman taken in
adulterie, is foulde of her hufbande. But this onely to the prince: at whofe handes it fhal be lawfull for her
Marriage is   kynfefolkes to redeeme her. It is not lawfull for fuche as are not maried, to fytte at the fame table with them
that are maried, or to eate of the fame dyfhe or drinke of the fame cup. In the moneth of Auguft and
Fastynge.     September, they abfleine. xxxv. dayes not onely from flefhe wherof they haue great plentie, but alfo fiom fyihe
and al other thinges that lyue by bludde: And durynge thefe daies, lyue onely with herbes and frutes. They reken
twentie dayes to the moneth, and twentie monethes to the yeare. Owre men confumed certeyne dayes here
verye pleafauntly. When they departed, coaftynge ftyll by the fame fhore, they came to an other kyng whom
Kynge Ouandus.  they named Ouandus. When he had intellygence that owre men defired golde, he brought foorth certeyne
plates of molten gold. But when the gouernour fignified vnto him by th[e]interpretors that he defyred great
Idoles, iewels, and  plentie of that metal, the day folowing he brought him a mannes Image of golde beinge a cubette in length:
ouches ofgold.  Alfo a fanne of golde, and an Idole of one of his domefticall goddes of curious woorkemanfhyppe. Likewyfe
garlandes of tfones of fundry colours, with many brefte plattes, brooches, and other kyndes of ornamentes, and
all of golde. He gaue hym furthermore aboundaunce of delycate meates well falted and poudred with fpices.
When he had required owre men to coome alande, he commaunded his feruauntes with all fpeede to prepare a
great multitude of branches of trees and to waite vppon owre men to his pallayce. As they went thus in order,
funm behynde and fum before on bothe fydes, they teemed fo to fhadowe owre men with the bouwes as thoughe
they had gonne in a continuall arbour. The kynge hym felfe hauynge a fepter in his hand, dyd fette them in
their arraye, and fumtyme ftrike fuche as were negligent in bearyng their bouwes. They fhewed them felues
obedient in all thynges, and with graue countenaunce, humbled them felues to receaue his itripes. When he
G             was demaunded where he had uche plentie of golde, he pointed with his fynger to the next mountaynes, and to
mountaynes and
ryuers       the ryuers defcendyng from the fame. They are fo accuftomed to the riuers and exercifed in fwymming, that it
Theyr maner of  is al one to them to liue in the water and on the lande. When they defyre to gather golde, they plunge theym
gatherynggolde.  felues in the ryuers and brynge from the bottome therof, bothe their handes full of fande, whiche fyftynge from
hande to hande, they gather owte the graynes of golde. And by this meanes in the fpace of twoo houres, they
Sweete sauours.  fyll a reede as bygge as a mannes fynger. Of the fweete fauours of thefe landes, many thinges myght be fpoken,
the whiche bycaufe they make rather to th[e]effeminatynge of the myndes of men, then for any neceffarye
purpofe, I haue thought beft to omytte them. The kynge alfo gaue the gouernour a younge virgine of twelue
A stone of great  yeares of age, adourned with ryche and fayre iewelles. Of the ftones whiche he had of this kynge, one'was
price.       Wvalued at twoo thoufande Caftellans of golde. Thus at the length they departed from this kyng, laden with
golde and precious floones. Grzfalua the gouernour, fente one of the Carauelles to his vncle Diego Velafquen
gouernour of the Ilande of Cuba, with meffengers to delyuer hym the golde, iewelles, and other ornamentes.
The refydue in the meane tyme flyll folowed the tracte toward the Weft. One of them in the whiche Frauncis
Montegius the vnder gouernour was caryed, fayled harde by the ihore: and the other twoo kept aloofe within
profpecte of the land. Th[e]inhabitauntes of thefe coaftes alfo, no leffe marueylynge at the fhyppes then dyd
the other, came with twelue Canoas to Montegius, defyringe hym by th[e]interpretours to coome alande,
promyfynge in the name of their kynge, that hee fhoulde be honorably enterteyned. But Montegious anfwered
that hee coulde not affente to their requeft bycaufe his coompanions were fo farre from hym. Yet dyd he gyue
them certayne of owre thynges itraunge vnto them, and thankes for their gentylneffe. Shortly after efpyinge a
great towne they directed their courfe thither. Th[e]inhabitauntes prohibyted them to coome alande, and came
foorthe ageynit them with bowes and quyuers ful of arrowes, brode fwoordes made of heauy woode, and
Iauelens hardned at the ende with fier. They fhotte at owre men a farre of: And owre men difcharged
155   certeyne pieces of ordinaunce ageynfl them. The Barbarians aftonyffhed at the noyfe of the gunnes, fledde
amayne, and defyred peace. Here owre mens vytayles began to fayle them, and theyr flyppes were broofed
with longe vyages. Hauynge therefore founde arif doone thefe thynges whereof we haue fpoken, Grifahzta
returned to the Ilande of Fernandina well contented, but fo were not his companions. We mufte nowe diuerte
Other viages from  fumwhat from this matter, and fpeake of an other nauigation. And from thenfe wyll we returne to thefe landes
Cuba or
Fernandina.  which owre men haue founde.    So it is therfore, that Diegus Veiafquen the gouernour of the Iand of
Fernandina, about the fame tyme that he had' fent foorth this nauie of foure Caraueles, he prepared an other
nauigation of onely one Carauell and one brygantine with fortie and fyue men. Thefe exercifed vyolent handes
ageinft th[e]inhabitauntes of thofe regions where they arryued, thynkynge that they myght forceably drawe them
to the dyggynge of golde bycaufe they were Caffranite Idolaters and circumcifed. There are at the fea fyde not


Many ands      farre from the uppoed continent, many lyttle Ilandes of mofle fortunate and frutefull foyle, whereof three are
betwene Cuba and
the firme lande.  thus named: Guanapan, Guangan, and Quitilla.  Owte of one of thefe (which they named San7a Afariuna) they
190




LOf the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.]


The thyrde Decade.         I9r


violentely caried away three hundreth men and women which they thruft into the Carauell and returned
immediatly to Fernandina, leauynge the brigantine with. xxv. of theyr felowes to th[e]intent to hunt for more men.
The hauen where the Carauell fyrfte arryued, is cauled Carenas, beinge diftante from the angle of Cuba and the
chiefe citie of Santiago, two hundreth and fyftie myles. For this Ilande of Cuba, is very longe, reachyng in
length from the Eaft to the Weft, and fituate directly vnder the circle cauled Tropicus Cancri as we haue fayde
before. Now fhall you heare how fortune fought the reuenge of thefe pore wretches. Therfore as theyr kepers
went aland and few remained in the Carauel, they perceuing occafion miniftred wherby they myght recouer theyr
libertie, foodeynely fnatched vp owr mens weapons and flewe fyxe of them which yet remayned in the Carauel,'
whyle the refidue lepte into the fea. And by this meanes the Barbarians poffeffed the Carauell which they had
foone learned to rule, and thus returned to theyr owne countreys. But they fayled fyrfte to the nexte Ilande
where they burnte the Carauell and caried away the weapons with them. From henfe they conueyed them
felues to theyr owne countreys with the Canoas of this Ilande. Heare in lyke maner they pryuilie affayled them
that were lefte with the brigantyne, and flewe many of them alfo. The refidue that efcaped, fledde to the
brigantine where they bewayled theyr felowes deathes and counted theyr owne efcape a victorie. On the fhore
not farre from the place where they fuffered this miffortune, there is a tree, in the toppe wherof they fet vp a
croffe, and graued this infcription in the barke of the tree: Vannuis 4Adarieci.  There is a ryuer named Darien,
on the banke wherof flandeth the chiefe citie of the fuppofed continent. The gouernour therfore hauing
intelligence herof, fent with all fpeede two ihippes of warre well furnyfhed, to the ayde of them that were lefte.
But they were wyfe to late. Yet folowynge the viewe of the croffe, they came to the fhore and redde the letters
grauen on the tree, but durfle not attempte fortune. Thus with all theyr hardie fouldiers departinge from henfe
with defpayre, they fayled to the nexte Ilande, out of the which they caryed away by violence fyue hundreth
men and women, fuppofynge lykewyfe that they myght lawfully fo doo bycaufe they were Idolaters and
circumcifed. But the like chaunce happened vnto them when they landed at Fernandina. For the Barbarians
efpyinge oportunitie, fette vppon the Spaniardes in one of the fhippes with theyr owne weapons and flewe theyr
keepers. The refidue that efcaped, caftynge them felues into the fea, fwamme to the nexte carauell, and with
theyr felowes affayled the carauell that was taken from them. This conflicte was fo fharpe, that for the fpace
of foure houres, it was doubtfull whether parte fhulde obteyne the victorie. The Barbarians both men and
women fought verye fiercely, afwell to recouer theyr libertie, as alfo to holde fafte the praye whiche they had
gotten. But in fine, the Spanyardes had the vpper hande by reafon they were more experte in handelynge of
theyr weapons and rulyng of theyr Carauell. The Barbarians beinge thus ouercoome, lepte into the fea: but
the Spanyardes tooke theym ageyne with the fhippe boates. About a hundreth of the Barbarians peryfhed,
beinge partely drowned and partly flayne with the fwoorde: And but fewe of the Spanyardes. Thefe thynges
thus pacified, the refydue of the Barbarians were caryed to the towne of Sanfiago and condemned to laboure
in the golde mynes. Shortly after they made owte a newe vyage to an other of the Ilandes, whiche lye there
about fo thicke, that they commonly caule the number of them Archipelagos, as they in owre fea of Ionicum are
cauled Symplegades. Here owre men were cruelly handeled: and as many of them as came alande eyther
flayne or wounded. This Ilande they named Florida, bycaufe they arryued there on Eafter day whiche the
Spanyardes caule the floryfhynge day of the refurrection. They fay alfo that in this tracte they fawe. xxvi.
Ilandes which Colonus had ouerpaffed: And the fame fo to lye aboute Hif~aniola and Cuba, as though they
warded them from the furie of the Ocean. In many of thefe they founde natiue golde of lyke goodnes to that
which is founde in Granatum. Th[e]inhabitantes alfo weare many iewds, and haue many Images of theyr
domeflicall goddes made both of golde artificially wrought and alfo of woodde gylted. Francis Cheregatus
browght one of theyr Idoles with hym, wherby may bee confidered of what wytte and aptenes they are. It is
a maruelous thynge to fee what maner of rafers they haue, made of certeyne yelowe flones cleare and
tranfparent lyke vnto Cryftal. With thefe they fhaue and carue as though they were made of fine fleele.
When the edges are blunte with longe exercife, they fharpen them not with a whetftone, or powder, or any other
flone, but temper them onely with water. They haue alfo a thoufande kindes of inftrumentes or tooles and
fuch other thynges of fyne deuife, which were to longe to rehearfe. Let vs therefore returne from whenfe we
haue digreffed, as to Cozumella, lucatana, Colluacana or O0/oa, beinge al landes lately founde, and fo rich,
fruteful and pleafaunt, that they may in maner be compared to the earthly Paradyfe. Therfore, after that it
was knowen to owre men of howe greate momente thefe tractes were, the Spanyardes which inhabited the
Ilande of Cuba Anunctus beinge the gouernour of the Ilande furnyfhed a newe nauie of ten Carauelles and fyue
hundreth menne, with twoo fmaule brigantines, as it weare in the fleade of lyght horfemen or forerunners whofe
ayde they myght vfe as fcoutes to fearche the wayes for daunger of rockes and fhalow fandes or fhelfes. They
fhipte alfo certeyne horfes, as fyue floned horfes and. xvi. mares apte for the warres. For their generall
gouernour and Admiral of the nauy, they elected Fernando Corfefius who at that tyme was the chiefe ruler of
the citie of Sanliago. For vnder capitaines, they appointed Alfons Portucarerius, Francis Montegius, Alfons
191




I


Sanctiago the
chiefe cltie of
Cuba.
The Barbarians
sleythe Spaniarde.with theyr owne
weapons.
The chiefe citie of
the supposed
continent.
The Spanyardes
are slayne ageyne
with theyr owne
wepons.
The barbarians are
slaine and put to
flyght.
156
Another vyage.
A rchizpelagus.
A multitude of
Ilandes.
xxvi. Ilandesabout
Hispaniola and
Cuba.
Images of golde.
Rasers of stone.
Instrumentes and
tooles.
Landes lyke vnto
the earthly
Paradyse.
An other vyage of.
x. Carauels and v.
hundreth men.
Horses and mares.
Fernando
Cortesius.


I




I92


The thyrde Decade. [Of the Landes and Ilandes lately founde.






The Iland of
Cozumella.
Carpets and
sheetes.
Innumerable
bokes.
Circumcised
Idolaters.
They Sacrifice
Chyldren
157
The Ilandes of
Distam and
Sestam.
Sacrifice ofdogges.
They are soone
persuaded to owre
religion.
The picture of the
blessed Virgine
An other vyage
Aquillaris, vii.
yeares captine in
the Iland of
Iucatana.
Valdiuia.
The shipwracke ol
Valdiuia.


Auila, Aluerado Spatenfe, Iohn Velafquen and Diegus Ordaffus. They flyll folowed the fame wynde from the
lafl angle of Cuba toward the weft. As foone as Frauncis Fernandes of Corduba, and then Iohn Grifalua
came within profpecte of the Ilande of Sacrifyces (wherof we haue made mention before) foodenly a tempeit
of contrary wynde prohibited theym to take lande and droue them backewarde to Cozunmella lyinge on the Eaft
fyde of lucatana. This Ilande hath onely one hauen named fainte Iohns porte. And hath in it, onely fyxe
townes. Alfo none other water then in welles and cefterns, bycaufe it lacketh riuers and fpringes by reafon
it is plaine, conteynynge onely. xlv. myles in circuite. At the coommynge of owre men, th[e]inhabitauntes
fledde to the thicke woods, and forfoke their townes for feare. Owre men entered into their houfes where they
founde plentie of vyttayles and many ornamentes perteynynge to the furnyfliynge of their houfes, as hanginges
and carpettes of dyuers colours, iheetes alfo of goffampine cotton (whiche they caule Amaccas) and muche
apparell. They haue furthermore innumerable bookes, of the whiche with many other thinges fente to owre
newe Emperour, we wyll fpeake more largely hereafter.  The fouldiers wandered about the Iland and
viewe[d] al thynges diligently, kepyng them felues flyll in battell raye leaft they myght be fodenly inuaded.
They founde but a fewe of th[e]inhabitauntes and onely one woman in their coompanie. By th[e]interpretours of Cuba and other whiche the Spaniardes tooke fyrft from  lucatana, they perfwaded the woman
to caule the kynges that were abfente. They came gladly and made a leage of frendfhyp with owre men,
wherby they were reflored to their houfes and a great parte of their fluffe. They are circumcifed Idolatours, and facrifyce children of bothe kyndes to their Zemes, which are the Images of their familiar and
domefticall fpirites whiche they honour as goddes. When I enquired of Alaminus the pilote, alfo of
Frances Montegius and Portucarerius, from whenfe they had the children they offered in facrifyce, they
anfwered that they bowght them in the Ilandes thereaboute by exchaunge for golde and other of their trafycke.
For in al this fo large a fpace of land, the deuelyfhe anxietie for the defyre of wicked money, hath not yet
oppreffed th[e]inhabitantes. They faye the fame alfo of the Ilandes lately founde, wherof two are named
DV/am and SeJtam, whofe inhabitauntes go naked: and for fcarceneffe of children, facrifice dogges whiche they
nourifhe, afwell for that purpofe as alfo to eate as wee do connies. Thefe dogges are dumme and can not barke,
hauynge fnowtes lyke vnto foxes. Suche as they detfinate to eate, they geld while they are whelpes, wherby
they waxe very fat in the fpace of foure monethes. They referue al the bytches for increafe, and but fewe
dogges. Owre men difwaded them from thefe fuperflitions, declarynge how they were abhominable and deteited
of god. They were foone perfwaded and defyred a law whiche they myght folowe. Owre men therfore declared
vnto them that there was onely one god which made heauen and earth, the geuer of al good thynges, beyng of
one incomprehenfyble fubftaunce vnder triplicitie of perfon. As foone as they harde thefe woordes, they broke
their Zemes, and pared, fcraped, and wafhed the pauementes and waules of their temples. Owre men gaue
them a painted picture of the bleffed vyrgine which they placed reuerently in their temple, and aboue it a croffe
to be honored in the remembraunce of god and man and the faluation of mankynde. They erected alfo an
other great croffe of woodde in the toppe of the temple, whyther they oftentymes reforte togither to honour the
Image of the vyrgine. Th[e]inhabitantes fignified by th[e]interpretours that in the Iland of lucatana not far
from them, there were feuen Chriftians captiues which in tyme pafR were dryuen thither by tempefle. The Ilande
of Cozumclla, is onely fyue miles diftant from  fucatana. The gouernour Coreteius being aduertifed herof,
furnyfhed. ii. Carauels with fyftie men, wyllyng them incontinent to direct their viage thither and to make ferch
for thefe men. They toke with them thre interpretours of Cozumella (whofe language agreeth with theirs) with
letters to the Chriftians if any myght be found. He further declared vnto theym howe goodly a matter they
fhulde bringe to paffe if they coulde bringe away any of them. For he no wayes doubted but that by their
information, he fhuld be fully certified of the commodities of all thofe tractes, and the maners of th[e]inhabitauntes. Thus they departed with commaundement to retourne within the fpace of fyxe dayes. But when they
had remayned there now. viii. days, and hard no woorde of their Cozumellane interpretours whome they had
fent alande with the meffage and letters, owre men returned to Cozumella without them, fufpectyng that they
were other flaine or deteyned. And where as the hole nauye was now determyned to depart from Cozumeiia
but that they were hyndered by contrary wynde, they fodenly efpied towarde the wefte a Canoa coommynge
from lucatana, and in it, one of the Chriftian captiues (named Hieronimus Aquillaris) who had lyued feuen
yeares in that Ilande. With what ioye they embrafed the one the other, the chance may declare. They were
no leffe defyrous to heare, then he to tell of the myffortune whiche befell to hym and his coompanions. And here
it fhal not bee greatly from my purpofe breefely to rehearfe how the thynge chaunced. In my Decades I haue
made mention of a certayne noble man named Valdiuia, whome the Spanyardes whiche inhabited Dariena in
the fuppofed continente of the goulf of Vraba, fent to the Iland of Hifpaniola to Co/onus the Admiral and viceroy
with the refidue of the Senate and counfel there (to whom perteyneth the redreffe and orderynge of all thinges
in thefe newe landes) to fygnifye vnto them in what extreme neceffitie and penurie they lyued. Vnhappy
Valdiuia therfore, takynge this matter in hand in an euell houre, was with a fudden and vyolent whirlewinde
IQ2




[Of the L andes and Ilandes lately founde.  The thyrde Decade.


I93


I


dryuen vppon certayne quickefandes in the profpecte of the Ilande of lamaica, lyinge in the Southe fyde of
Hifpaniola and Cuba. Thefe blind and fwalowyng fandes, the Spaniardes caule vypers: And that by good
reafon, bycaufe in them many fhyppes are entangled, as the lycertes are implycate in the tayles of the
vipers. While the Carauell thus wrefteled with the water, it was fo brufle in funder, that Valdiuia with
thirtie of his felowes, coulde fcarfely with muche difficultie defcende into the fhyppe boate: where, without
oers, and without fayles, they were caried awaye by the vyolence of the water. For (as we haue faid
before in owre Decades) the feas do runne there continually with a vyolent courfe towarde the Weft.
They wandered thus. xiii. dayes not knowyng whyther they went nor yet fyndynge any thyng to eate. Fanren
confumed feuen of them whiche were cafte in the fea to feede the fyfhes. The refydue lykewife in maner
confumed by famen and faulynge from one calamitie into an other, were driuen to lucatana and fell into the
handes of a cruell kynge who flewe Valdiuia the gouernour with certayne of his felowes. And when hee had
fyrft facrifyced them to his Zemes, fhortely after he eate them with his frindes of that confpiracie. For they eate
onely their enemyes and ftraungiers: And doo otherwife abfteyne from mannes flefhe. In this meane tyme,
while Hieronimus Aquillaris with fyxe of his felowes were referued to be facrifyced the thirde daye, they
brooke their bandes, efcaped the handes of that cruell tyranne, and fledde to an other kynge beynge his
enernye, who receaued them, yet onely as bondemen. It is a itraunge thinge to heare of the moother of this
Aquillaris. For as foone as the harde that her foonne was faulen into the handes of the nations that eate
mannes flefhe, fhee fell madde incontinent: So that when fo euer after, fhee fawe any meate roflyng at the
fyer, or onely ready fpytted to laye to the fyer, fhee ceafed not to crye out in this maner. O me mofte
wretched moother: Behold the members of my fon. But to returne to owre purpofe. When Aquillaris had
now receaued the gouernours letter fente by the Cozumellane meffengers, hee declared to the kynge his mayfter
(whofe name was Taxmarus) what was their erraunt thither, and wherfore they were fent: vfyng in the meane
tyme many large difcourfes in expreffynge the great poure and magnifycence of their kynge who had of late
arriued in thofe coafles. Alfo of their humanitie and gentilneffe toward their frindes and fuche as fubmytted
them felues to them, and againe their rygour and fierceneffe ageynfi fuche as ftoobernly eyther contemned them
or denyed their requeftes. With thefe woordes he broughte Taxmarus into fuche feare, that the maifter was
now fayne to defyre his feruaunt fo to handell the matter that they myght quyetly enter into his dominion as
his freendes and not as his enemies. Aquillaris promifed in their behalfe that they fhuld not onely coome in
peace, but alfo to ayde hym ageynit his enemyes if neede fhulde fo require. Whervppon hee difmiffed
Aquillaris and with hym three of his familiers and coornpanions. Thus they fayled together from Cozumella to
lucatana to the ryuer whiche they had founde before in the fyrfle vyage thither by the gouernance of Alaminus
the pilot. They found the mouthe of the ryuer flopped with fande, as wee reade of the ryuer of Nilus in
Egipte when the wyndes (cauled Eteyii) blowe in fummer and efpecially in the canicular dayes. Therfore
where as they coulde not enter into the ryuer with the biggefte veffelles (although it bee otherwife apte to
receaue great fhyppes) the gouernour caufed two hundreth men to be fette alande with the brigantynes and
fhyppe boates: wyllynge Aquillaris to offer peace to th[e]inhabitauntes. They demaunded what owre men
required. Aquillaris anfwered, vyttayles. There was a longe fpace of fande by the fyde of the towne, whither
they wylled them to reforte, promyfynge to brynge them vyttayles thither the daye folowynge. Owre men
wente and they came accordynge to their promiffe and brought with them eyght of their hennes beynge as
bygge as peacockes, of brownyfhe coloure, and not inferiour to peacockes in pleafaunte taft. They brought
alfo as muche bread made of Maizium (whiche is a graine not muche vnlyke vnto panyke) as wolde fcarcely
ferue tenne hungry men: And here with defyred them to depart. But when they perceaued that owre men
made no haft away, immediately there came a great coompanye of armed men towarde theym demaundyng
what they had to do thus to wander in other mennes landes. Owr men made anfwere by Aquillaris, that they
defyred peace, vyttayles, and golde for exchaunge of other thinges. They anfwered ageyne, that they wolde
nother peace nor warre with them. But threatned them to auoyde the lande excepte they woolde bee
diflroyed euery manne. Owre men fayde that they woulde not departe withowte fuffyciente vyttayles to
mayntayne their fouldyers.
They appoynted the day folowynge to brynge them more vytayles: but they brooke promeffe. Yet
perceauing the fecond day that owre men were encamped on the fande and had repofed there that nyght,
they brought them as much more vytayles, and commaunded them in the name of theyr kynge to departe
Owre men fayde that they were defyrous to fee the towne, and to haue yet more tfore of vytayles. The Barbarians denyed theyr requeft, and therwith departed whifperynge and mutterynge amonge them felues. In the
meane tyme owre men were flyll fo oppreffed with hunger that they were enforced to feeke for meate. The
gouernoure therefore fent his vnder capitaynes to lande with a hundreth and fyftie men. As they went difperfed
in dyuers companyes about the vyllages of the countrey, the Barbarians met with one of theyr bandes, and put
them to great diftreffe. But when theyr felowes beinge not farre from them, harde the noyfe of theyr alarome,
EnEN.                            R                                  193


The quickesandes
cauled vypers
The course of the
sea towarde the
west.
158
Valdiuia is
sacrificed to
Idoles.
Howe Aquillaris
escaped
Kynge Tax marus.
The mouth of a
ryuer stopped with
sande.
Turky hen.
159
A conflicte.




194                 T7e t/yrdce Decade.          Of tlai Lainds antd I/1andes atlcly fJozudc.
they came with all poffible hafte to theyr refcue. The gouernour on the other fyde, placinge his ordinance in
the brygantines and fhippe boates, approched to the Ihore with the refidue of his fouldiers. The Barbarians
lykewife, beinge redy furnyfhed to the battayle, came runnynge to the fea fyde to diflurbe theym that they
fhulde not coome alande: And with theyr arrowes, wounded manye a farre of vnprepared. The gouernoure
difcharged aboute. xx. pieces of ordinaunce ageynfle them: With the flaughter and terrible thunder wherof, and
The Barbarians  with the flame of fyer and finel of brimficne, they were fo atfonifhed and put to fuch feare, that they fled and
are put to flght.  difparcled lyke wylde beaftes: whom owre men perfuinge, entered the towne which th[e]inhabitantes forfooke
in maner for feare of theyr owne men whom they fawe fo difmayde. On the banke of this ryuer there is a
The great towne of towne of fuch portentous byggenes as I dare not fpeake. But Alaminzus the pylot, fayth that it conteyneth in
Potanchana or
Victoria.     circuite fyue hundreth myles, and that it confifteth of. xxv. thoufande houfes. Sume make it fumnwhat leffe:
A towne ofs.v.  But they all agree that it is exceadynge great and notable. The houfes are diuided with gardens, and are
thousand houses.
buylded of lyme and ftone verye artificially and of cunnynge woorkemanfhippe. To theyr haules, chambers,
parlers, or other places of habitation, they afcende by tenne or twelue fleares: And haue certeyne fpaces betwene
euery houfe: fo that it is not lawful for any to lade his neighbours waules with rafters or beames. Theyr houfes
are feparate one from an other by the fpace of three houfes: And are for the more parte couered with reede
and thetche: And many alfo with flate or other flone. The barbarians them felues confeffcd that they were
that day fortie thoufande men at the battayle, which were vanquifhed of a fewe by reafon of the newe and
Gunnesand horses.  vnknoweni kynde of feyght with gunnes and horfes. For the gouernour had vnbarked. xvi. horfes which were
alfo at the battayle, and fo fiercely affayled the Barbarians on the backehalfe, that they brake theyr array and
fcattered them as it had byn flockes of flheepe, ouerthrowing, woundynge, and kyllynge them on euery fyde.
Whiche thynge the feely wretches fo imputed to a miracle, that they had not the poure to occupie theyr wepons.
The man and the  For  ras before they had neuer feene any horfes, they thought that the man on horfebacke and the horfe,
horse, thought to
beone beasit.  had byn all one beafte, as the antiquitie dyd fable of the monfler Centaurus. Owr men poffeffed the towne.
Centaures.    xxii. dayes where they made good chere vnder couert, whyle the owners of the houfes lay vnder the firmament
and durtf not affayle owre men who had placed them felues in the firongeft parte of the towne, where fumc
kepte continuall watche (leaft the Barbarians fhulde foodenly inuade theim) whyle other gaue them felues to
refle and fleepe. Th[e]inhabitantes caule this towne Potanchana: But owre men for the victorie which they
Palaices of   obteyned here, named it Victoria. It is a maruelous thynge to confider the greatenes, magnificence and finenes
maruelous bygnes
and wel buylded.  of the buyldinge of certeyne palaices they haue in the countrey to the which they reforte fumtymes for theyr
folace and paftyme. Thefe are curioufly buylded with many pleafaunt diuifes, as galeries, folars, turrettes,
portals, gutters with chambers boorded after the maner of owre waynfcotte and well flowred. Foure of owr
Spanyardes went into one of them of fuch greatnes, that they wandered in the fame for the fpace of foure houres
before they coulde fynde the waye owt. At the length by th[e]interpretours and certeyne captiues owre men
fent for the kynge and fuche rulers as were nexte vnder hym in autoritie, wyllyng them to fubmyt them felues and
to coome into the towne vnarmed.  Gyuinge the meffengers further in commaundement to certifie them that in
They receue owre  their fo doine, they wolde commen with them as concernynge conditions of peace, and reflore them theyr
religion.
tone. They came gladly, and entered euery man into his owne houfe vppon condition that they fhulde euer
thereafter abfteyne from fuch cerimonies and horrible facrifices of mans flefhe to deuils the mortal enemies to
mankynd, whofe Images they honoured. And to directe the eyes of theyr myndes to Chrifte owre god the maker
of heauen and earth, who was borne into this world of a virgin, and fuffered death on the croffe for the
160   redemption of mankynde. And fynally to profeffe them felues fubiectes to the great Chriftian kynge of Spayne.
They promyfed both, and were inftructed as farre as the fhortenes of tyme wolde permitte.  Beinge thus
reflored, they recompenfed owre men with many rewardes: Suppofynge fuche men to be fent from heauen,
which being fo fewe in number, durtf attempte battayle ageynft fo great a multitude. They gaue owre men
alfo certeyne golde and twentie flaues. Departing therefore from henfe, and coaftynge flyll alonge by the
fame fhore, they came ageyne to the goulfe whiche Alaminus the pylot founde before vnder Grifa/ua. This
they named Bian Sancui lohannlis, that is, Saynt Iohns goulfe: For Bian in the Spanyfhe tonge fignifieth a
A towne of a  goulfe. Here th[e]inhabitantes reforted to them peaceably. Aboute a myle frome the fhore, was a towne of
thousand and fyue
hundred houses.  a thoufande and fyue hundreth houfes fituate vppon a hyll. They profered owre men halfe the towne if they
wolde dwel with them for euer. This perhaps they dyd the rather eyther fearynge th[e]exemple of th[e]inhabitantes of Potanchanza, the fame wherof myght haue coome to theyr eares, or els hopynge that vnder the
fhadowe of fuche valiant menne, they myght obteyne ayde and fuccour ageynfl theyr enemies and bortherers.
For (as I haue fayde before) they dyftroye one an other with continuall warre for the defyre to inlarge theyr
dominions. Owre men refufed perpetu-ill habitacion, and accepted theyr frendely profer for a tyme. As they
came alande, the people folowed them on euery fyde with bouwes in theyr handes which they helde ouer owre
mens heades to defende them from the rayne as though they had walked in a continual arbour. Here they
encamped. And leaft the refidue lefte in the Ihippes, flulde in the meane tyme waxe flothefull with Idlenes,


1 3A




[Of fhe Lan/des and Ilandes lately founde.]  7he thyrde Decade.


I95


the gouernour gaue commaundement to Alaminus the pylot and Francis Montegius to fearch the weft partes
of that lande, whyle he relieued the weried fouldiers and healed fuche as were wounded. To them that went
forward on this vyage, he affigned two brigantines with fiftie men. Vnto this goulfe, the courfe of the water
was gentyl enough and moderate. But when they had fayled a lyttle further towarde the Wefte, they founde
the fea runnynge with fo fwift a courfe as if it were a great ryuer faulynge from the tops of hygh mountaynes:
In fo much that in a fhorte fpace of tyme it caried them fiftie myles from theyr felowes. When they were now
entered into this violent ifreame of the water, they fawe on their left hand a large playne fea which mette with
the courfe of the other waters faulynge from the wefte. And lyke as two great ryuers that runne contrary
wayes, make a vehement conflycte where they meete, fo feemed the waters commyng from the Southe to refyft
thefe waters as enemyes that had entered into the ryght or poffeffyon of an other. On the contrary parte, they
fawe the lande reachynge farre bothe on the lefte hande and on the ryght. In this ftrife betwene the waters,
they were fo toffed on bothe fydes and entangled with whirlepooles, that they longe wreftled with owte hope
of lyfe. At the length with muche difficultie, turnynge the flemmes or forpartes of their fhyppes ageynft the
fireame from whenfe they came, and labourynge al that they myght with their oers and fayles, they coulde
fcarfely ouercoome the rage of the water: In fo much that where as they thought that they had in one nyght
fayled twoo myles, they founde that they were dryuen backe foure myles. Yet at the length with goddes
helpe, they ouercame this daungerous conflycte. They fpente. xxii. daies in this lyttle fpace of fea: And when
they were nowe returned to their felowes, declared vnto them that that ende was the land of Colluacana whiche
they adiudged to be parte of the fuppofed continent. The lande whiche they fawe a farre of before their
fafe, they fuppofed eyther to be annexed to owre continent, or to bee ioyned to the large North regions
cauled Baccalaos, wherof we haue made mention in owr Decades in the vyage of Sebaftian Cabote.
This matter is yet doubtefull. But wee trufte it fhall once bee better knowen. While Alaminus and
Montegius fearched thefe recreates, the kynge of the prouince (whofe name was Multoxumam) fent ovvre
men by one of his chiefe offycers (beynge alfo his Lieuetenaunt of the fayde towne) many ryche and
goodly prefentes of golde, fyluer, and precious ftoones, fette and wroughte after a marueylous ftraunge
deuyfe and with no leffe cunnynge woorkemanfhyp. Here they determined to fende meffengiers to owre
newe Emperour to knowe his pleafure that they myght in this prouince plant a newe colonie or habitation. And this dyd they withowte th[e]aduife of Diegus Velafquen the gouernour of the Iland of Cu'ba
Fernandina, who fyrfIte fente them foorth with commaundement to returne ageyne after they had fearched thefe
regions and obteyned plentie of golde. While they confulted hereof, they were of dyuers opinions. But the
mofle part alleaged that in this cafe it was not requifyte to make the gouernour of their counfaile. Forafmuche
as the matter fhulde be referred to a higher ludge, as to the kyng of Spaine him felfe. When they were thus
agreed, they receaued vyttayles of the gentle kyng of the prouince, and affigned the place of their colonie twelue
myles from the fayde towne, in a fruteful and holfome foyle. For their generall gouernour, they elected
Corlefius the gouernour of the nauye, againft his wyll as fum faye. For other magiftrates to gouerne the citie
which they intended to build he choofe Portucarerius and Montegius of whome we haue made mention before.
They chofe alfo certeyne meffengiers to fende to the kyng by the conduction of Alaminus the pylot.
Furthermore, foure of the princes of this prouince offered them felues wyllyngly to go with owre men into
Spaine to th[e]intent to fee owre landes and that kynge whofe poure is foo great and whofe auctoritie reacheth
fo farre. They brought lykewife two women with them, which ferued and obeied them in all thinges after the
maner of theyr countrey. The people of this nation is of broune or yelowyfhe colour. Bothe the men and the
women haue pendauntes of gold and precious flones hanginge at their eares. The men alfo, boore their nether
lyppes full of holes from the vppermofte parte of the lyppe euen vnto the nethermofte parte of the gumme. At
thefe they hange certeyne rynges and plates of golde and fyluer faftned to a fmaule and thynne plate lyinge
within betwene the lippe and the gumme. At the byggeft hole in the myddeft of the lip, there hangeth a
rounde plate of fyluer as brode as the coyne cauled a Corolyne, and as thicke as a mannes fynger. I do not
remember that euer I fawe any thynge that teemed more fylthy in myne eye. Yet do they thynke that there is
nothing more cumly vnder the circle of the moone. Wherby we may fee howe vain ely mankynde wandereth
in his owne blyndneffe. The Ethiopian thincketh the blacke colour to be fayrer then the white: And the white
man thinketh otherwife. They that are pouled, thinke that more decent then to weare a bufh and they that
weare beardes, iudge it a deformitie to be fhauen. As appetite therfore moueth, and not as reafon perfwadeth,
men runne after vanities: And euery prouynce is ruled by their owne fenfe, as writeth faint lerome. From
whenfe they haue their golde, we haue fpoken fufficiently before. But as owre men marueyled where they had
their fyluer, they fhewed them certayne highe mountaynes whiche are continually couered with fnowe fauynge
that at certeyne tymes of the yeare, the onely toppes are feene bare bicaufe the fnow is there molten by reafon
of the thicke and warme cloudes. The playnes therfore, or mylde, fofte, and pleafaunt mountaynes feerne to
brynge foorthe golde: And the rough craggye mountaynes with their coulde valleyes, are the places where fyluer
195


An other vyage of
two brygantines
and fiftie men.
Where the sea
runneth swyftly
from the East to
the West.
A conflict betwene
the waters
comming from the
west and from the
south.
A dangerous and
peinefull vyage.
The land of
Colluacana.
The land of
Baccaleos or
Baccalearum
Rych presentes of
golde and precious
stones.
161
A newe colonie.
This Cortesius
hath written a
booke of these
thinges
They weare rynges
and plates at ther
lyppes.
The dyuers
phantasies of metn.
Syluer
Note where gold.
and syluer are
engendered.




196


The thyrde Decade.    [Of the Lainies a/nd ilande, lalely foiliude.]


I thinke this laton
to be sum kynde
of pure copper, or
els copper that
holdeth golde. For
laton is an artificial
metal, and hath no
naturall myne
Theyr bokes
162
Theyr letters
What is conteyned
in theyr bookes.
Temples rychly
adourned.
Prayer.
They sacryfice
chyldren and
captiues.
A wronge way to
heauen
Bluddy gods
Villa Ricca.
Siuilla Noua.
The force of an
owlde errour.
Theyr priests lyue
chast.
Faggots of bones.


is engendered. They haue alfo laton, wherof they make fuch maces and hammers as are vfed in the warres.
Dyggynge mattockes alfo, and fpades: for they haue nother Iren nor fteele. But lette vs nowe fpeake of the
prefentes fente into Spayne to the kyng: and fyrfle of the bokes. Thefe procuratours therfore of the newe
colonie of the prouynce of Colluacana, emong other their prefentes, brought alfo a great number of bookes, the
leaues wherof are made of the inner ryndes or barkes of trees, thinner then eyther that of the elme or of the
falowe. Thefe they fmere or annoint with the pytche of molten Bitumen, and while they be fofte, extend them
to what forme them lyfteth. When they be coulde and harde, they rubbe them ouer with a certeyne playfter.
It is to bee thoughte that they beate the playfter into fine floure, and fo temperynge it with fum byndynge
moifter, to make a crufte therwith vppon the leaues, wheron they wryte with any fharpe instrument, and blotte
the fame againe with a fpung- or fum fuche other thynge, as marchaunt men and noble mens flewardes are
accuftomed to do with their wrytynge tables made of the woodde of fygge trees. The leaues of their bokes
are not fet in order after the maner of owres, but are extended many cubettes in length. The matters
whiche they wryte, are conteyned in fquare tables: Not loofe, but fo bounde togither with the toughe
and flexible cley cauled Bitumen, that they feeme lyke woodden tables whiche had byn vnder the handes
of cunnyng bokebynders. Which way fo euer the booke lyeth open, there are two leaues feene and two fydes
written, with as many lyinge hyd vnder them, excepte the booke be vnfoulded in length. For vnder one leafe
there are many leaues ioyned togyther. The formes of their letters are nothynge lyke vnto owres. But are
muche more crooked and entangeled, lyke vnto fyfhehookes, knottes, fnares, flarres, dife, fyles, and fuche other
muche lyke vnto the Egiptian letters, and written in lynes lyke vnto owres. Here and there betwene the
lynes, are pictured the Ihapes of men and dyuers beaites: And efpecially the Images of kynges and other noble
men. Wherby it is to be thought that in fuche bookes, the factes of their kynges are conteyned as wee fee the
lyke emonge vs howe owre printers expreffe the fumme of hiftories in pictures, that men may therby be the
more allured to bye fuche bookes. The couerynges of their bookes are alfo artifycially wrought and paynted.
When they are fhutte, they feeme to differre nothynge from owres in forme. In thefe bookes are furthermore
comprehended their lawes, rytes of ceremonies and facrifyces, annotations of Aftronomie, accomptes, computations of tymes, with the maner of graffynge, fowyng, and other thynges perteinyng to hufbandry. They
begynne the yeare from the goynge downe of the feuen flarres cauled Vcrgiliw or Pleiades: And counte theyr
monethes accordyng to the moones. They name a moneth, Tona, of the moone. For in theyr language, they
caule the moone Tona, they reken the dayes by the foonnes. Therfore as many daies as they name, they faye,
fo many foonnes. The foonne in their tonge, is cauled Tonatico. They deftribute the yeare (without any
reafon why) into twentie monethes: And the moneth into as many dayes. The temples whiche they frequent,
they adourne with golden hangynges and other ornamentes of golde and fyluer with precious flones intermixte.
At the fpringe of the daye, they perfume their temples with frankenfence and make their praiers before they
take in hande any other bufyneffe. But oh horrible crueltie. For th[e]inhabitauntes of all thefe tractes alfo,
doo facrifyce children to their Idoles in lyke maner as wee haue fayde before. At fuche tyme as the feedes
lye in the ground, and when the corne begynneth to fhewe foorth the eare, they deftinate to their Zemoes fuche
bondmen as they haue bought, or fuche captiues as they haue taken in the warres, which they facrifyce after
that they haue made them great chiere and decked them in precious apparell. Alfo before they facrifyce thefe
poore wretches, they lead them about the towne whyle al the people falute them humbly and reuerently,
affyrmyng that in fhorte fpace, they fhalbe receaued into the coompanye of the goddes. They honour their
Zemes with an other fharp kind of deuotion: For they lette them felues bludde, eyther in the tonge, lyps, eares,
legges, thyghes, or breft, which they take in their handes and hurle it vppe towarde heauen, foo that with the
faule therof the pauement of the temple is all fparcled with bludde, wherby they thincke that their goddes are
well pleated. From the newe colonie (cauled Villa Ricca) nyne myles diftante, there is a towne of. xv.
thoufande houfes, whiche th[e]inhabitauntes caule Cemobal, but owre men named it Sybilla. The kynge of
this towne had fyue men whiche he referued to be facrifyced. Whom when owre men wold haue delyuered,
the kynge made humble requeft to them, fayinge that if they tooke awaye fuche men as he had confecrated to
be offered to the goddes, they fhulde brynge vtter defltruction to hym and all his kyngdome. For if owre
facrifyces (fayd he) do ceafe, owre Zemes wyll take fuche difpleafure with vs that they wyll fuffer owre come,
graffes, and frutes, to bee confumed of woormes, fcortched with drowth, deftroyed with fluddes, or blafted with
lyghtnynge. Owre men perceauynge his erneftneffe herein, thought it befle to chofe the leaft euel, perceauynge
that it was yet no tyme to difquyet their myndes, and therfore fuffered them to exercife their accuftomed
ceremonies. And althoughe their prieftes promyffe theym immortall glorie, eternall felicytie, and perpetuall
conuerfation with the goddes after the ftormye dayes of this lyfe, yet do they with heauy countenaunces giue
eare to their promiffes, and had rather be fette at lybertie. Their prieftes are named Quines in the plurell
number, and Quin in the fyngular. They leade a pure and chafte lyfe: And are honoured of the people with
feare and reuerence. They make fagots of the bones of their enemyes which they haue taken in the warres,
196




[Of tlze Lanldes and Ilandes lately founde.]


The thyrde Decade.


I97


11


and hange vppe the fame at the feete of their Zenes, as tokens of the victories obteyned by their fauour. To
thefe they adde certayne titles and fuperfcriptions as teftimonies of the fame. This is ftraunge and woorthy to
be noted, that when their children are a yeare oulde, the prieftes in their temples with deuoute ceremonies and
murmurynge woordes, poure water in forme of a croffe vpon their heades with a cruet, wherby they feeme to
baptife them. Neyther do they as the Iewes and Turkes, thinke their temples polluted if any of a ftraunge
relygion bee prefent at their facrifyces and other folemnities. Wee haue nowe fpoken fuffycientely of their
bookes, temples, and fuperftitions.  Lette vs nowe therfore coome to the other prefentes which were brought
to the kynge. Emonge thefe, there were twoo broode and rounde plates (whiche fumme haue named the
Images of the foonne and moone) the one of filuer and the other of gold in largeneffe and roundneffe muche
lyke to the tfones of hand mylles: yet but thynte, and in maner bothe of one of circumference, that is. xxviii.
fpannes in circuite.
That of golde is of the weyght of three thoufande and. viii. hundreth Caftellans, where as wee haue fayde
before that a Caftellane is a coyne of golde which weyeth more than a Ducate by a trient, that is the thyrde
parte of a pounde. In the center of this, was the Image of a kynge of halfe a cubette longe, fyttinge in a
t[h]rone and appareled to the knee, lyke vnto a maumette, with fuch countenaunce as owre paynters are wonte
to paynte fayries or fprites. About the Image, were the fhapes of trees and floures, fo that it feemed to fytte as
though it had byn in a fielde. The other of fyluer, was made to the fame fimilitude, beinge alfo in maner of
the fame weyght, and both of pure metall. They brought lykewyfe certeyne graynes of rude golde (that is,
fuche as was neuer molten) about the byggenes of fytches or the pulfe cauled lintels in token of plentie of natiue
golde. Alfo two cheynes of golde, wherof the one conteyned. viii. lynkes in the whiche were fet two hundreth
threefcore and twoo fayre and cleare redde flones, and yet no rubyes: furthermore, a hundrethe fourefcore and
three greene flones, and yet no emerodes. Neuertheleffe, thefe are in lyke eftimation with them as the other are
with vs. At the edge of this cheine, there hange. xxvii. golden belles, hauynge betwene euery of them, foure
iewels of precious fltones inclofed in golde, at euery of the which in lyke maner hange certeyne fpangels of golde.
The other cheyne confifteth onely of foure golden lynkes, befet rounde about with a hundreth and two redde
ftones, and a hundreth threefcore and twelue greene flones, with. xxvi. golden belles curioufly wrought and
placed in comely order. In the verye myddeft of the cheyne, are ten great precious flones inclofed in golde,
at the whiche alfo hange a hundrethe golden pendauntes of cunnynge woorkemanfhippe. They brought
furthermore twelue paire of lether bufkynnes of diuers colours, fumme imbrothered with gold and fumme with
fyluer, with plates and iewelles of golde and precious flones inclofed, and at euery of them certayne golden
belles. Alfo certeyne myters befette with precious floones of dyuerfe colours, emonge the whiche fume are
blewe like vnto faphires. Of creftes, gerdles, and fannes made of fethers, I wotte not what I fhulde faye. But
fuerly if euer the wyttes and inuentions of men haue deferued honoure or commendacion in fuche artes, thefe
feeme mofle woorthy to bee had in admiracion. I do not maruaile at golde and precious flones. But am in
maner aftonyfhed to fee the woorkemanfhyppe excell the fubflance. For I haue with woonderynge eyes
behelde a thoufande formes and fimilitudes, of the which I am not able to wryte. And in my iudgement, I
neuer fawe any thing whofe bewtie myght fo allure the eyes of men. As they marueyled at the naturall bewtie
of the fethers of owre peacockes and pheafantes, fo dyd we no leffe maruel at the artifycial bewtie of fuche
thinges as they make of fethers and quilles impaled with golde. For I fawe in manye of their woorkes, all
maner of natiue colours euen in the quilles wherof they make fuche inftrumentes. They brought alfo two
helmettes garnyffhed with precious flones of a whitefhe blewe colour. One of thefe is edged with belles and
plates of golde, and vnder euery bell two knobbes of golde. The other, befyde the flones wherwith it is
couered, is lykewyfe edged with. xxv. golden belles and knobbes: and hath on the creft, a greene bird with
the feete, bylle, and eyes, of golde. Alfo foure fpeares muche lyke vnto troute fpeares or yele fpeares, the
woodde wherof is all couered with quilles of diuers colours marueiloufly wrethed with golden wyers and
plates intermyxte. Euery of thefe fpeares haue three pikes, whofe edges or teeth are all of precious flones
made fafte with wyers of golde. Of like workmanfhip they brought a great fcepter byfet with precious floones
and belles of gold, alfo a braflet of gold, and fhowes made of a hartes fkynne, fowed and imbrothered with
golden wyers, with a white fole beneth. Furthermore a glaffe of a bryght blewe ftone, and an other of white,
both enclofed in golde. Likewife a precious flone of the kynde of them that are cauled Sphinges, inclofed in
golde. Furthermore the heade of a great lyfarde, two great fhelles, two duckes, the fhapes of diuers other
byrdes, foules, and fyffhes, and all of maffie golde. Furthermore. xxiiii. rounde and fquare targettes, fhieldes,
and buckelers of golde, and fyue of fyluer. Alfo a triple crowne of plates and wyers of golde marueylouflye
wreathed with quilles and fethers of diuers colours, hauing on the fronte a plate of golde on the whiche is
grauen the Image of the Idole Zermes. About this Image, hange foure other plates like croffes of gold in the
whiche are grauen the heades of diuers beaftes, as lyons, tygers, woulues, and fuch other. They brought alfo
the fymilitudes of certeyne beaftes made fumme of roddes or twygges, and fum of woodde with the beaftes owne
R 2                                   197


163
A fygure of
baptisme.
The presentes sent
into Spayne to the
kynge.
Two Images of
gold and syluer.
Two cheines of
gold maruelously
byset with precious
stones and iewels.
Buskyns.
Myters.
How can we then
caul them beastly
or Barbarous.
If they had
changed their
gold for owre Iren,
they had not so
soone byn subdued.
Quylles.
Helmets.
A byrde.
Speares.
A scepter.
A braselet.
Shooes.
164
Glasses.
Byrdes, foules, and
fysshes of gold.
Targets, etc. of
gold.
A crowne of golde
Crosses.




I98


The t/iyrde Decade.     [Of t/Ze Landes and llandes lately founide.]




I


Images of beastes.  fkynnes theron, and garnyffhed with collers of laton belles.  Lykewife diuers fhietes weaued of goffamlpyne
Shietes.      cotton of fundry colours, wherof two are rychely frynged with golde and precious flones, and three other with
quilles and fethers intermyxte with goffampine cotton of fundrye colours and chekered lyke the panes of a
chefle bdrde. - Sum are on the one fyde, of blacke, white, and redde colours: and on the other fyde, plaine
without any varietie.  Other fum, are wrought in lyke maner with variable colours with a wheele or circle of
blacke in the myddeft intermyxte with Ihyning fethers and fparkes of golde lyke flarres.  They brought alfo
Cloth of arras.  cloth of Aras or Verdure of marueylous workmanfhyppe.  Likewife a fouldiers cloke fuche as their prynces
Asouldyersclooke. weare in the warres, with certeyne priuye coates of fence, and fundrye tirementes perteynyng to their heades,
with alfo many fuche other thynges more bewtifull to the eye then ryche or precious, wherof to entreate particularly, it fhoulde be more tedious then profytable. I lette paffe here alfo to fpeake of many particular
nauigations and of the trauailes and daungers whiche they fuileyned in the fame, with the monilers and
Regesters of the  fecreates of nature they fawe: whiche are all conteyned in the regefters of owre Senate of th[e]affayres of India,
th[ejaffayres of
India.        owte of the whiche I haue felected thefe fewe annotations, fuche as feemed to me moite meete to bee publiffled.
Notwithflandyng thefe ryche and goodly prefentes, yet were they that brought them, and alfo Cortefius the
Th[e]autoritie of  gouernour of the nauye and autour of erectinge their newe colonie in thofe remote regions, adiudged by the
the Liueenaunt.  Senate to haue doen ageinft ryght and equitie, in that they attempted the fame withowte th[e]aduice of the
gouernour of the Ilande of Cuba who fente them foorthe by the kynges auctoritie, where as they dyd other
thinges befyde their commyffyon, ye althoughe they wente to the kynge, not fyrft knowynge his pleafure whom
the kyng had fubflitute his Lieuetenaunt in that Ilande.  In fo muche that by his procuratour, he accufed
them before the Senate as fugitiue theeues and traytours. They on the other parte alleaged that they had dooen
the kyng better feruyce then he: And that they had Ihewed fuffycient obedience in appealyng to the kyng as
the hygher Iudge.  But the gouernour required by the vertue of his commiffion and the kinges letters pattentes
that they myght be headed for their difobedience ageinfi hym whom they knewe to be autorifed by the
kynge. They ageine replied that they had not offended the kyng, but rather deferued rewarde for their great
dangiers and trauails. Bothe the rewarde and punifhment were deferred, and a daye appointed when bothe
The Spanyardes  parties fhoulde bee harde. Leete vs nowe therfore coome to the Spaniardes of Dariena, th[e]inhabitours of the
of Dariena.
goulfe of Vraba in the fuppofed Continent. We haue fayde before that Dariena is a ryuer runnynge towarde
the Wefte fyde of the goulfe of Vraba.  On the banke of this ryuer, the Spaniardes planted theyr fyrft colonie
Sancta Maria  or habitation after they had vanquiffhed kynge Clieiaccus.  This colonie they named Sanlaa Maria An/tiqua,
ntiqa.       by reafon of a vowe whiche they made to the virgine Marie in the tyme of the battaile ageynft Chlmllaccus.  To
Petrus Arias  thefe (as wee haue made mention in the ende of owre decades) was Petrus Arias fente with a thoufande and two
whom the
Spanyardes name  hundreth men at the requeft of Vafclus Nunnez Balboa, who was then the gouernour of Dariena, and the
Pedrarias.
This sea the  fyrft that found and difcoured the large South fea heretofore vnknowen. Wee haue alfo declared how at the arriual
spanyardes caule  of Petrus Arias the newe gouernour, he deuided his armye into Centurions, that is, capitaines ouer hundrethes,
whom hee fent foorth dyuers waies. What tragedies folowed hereof, I wyll abfolue in fewe woordes, bycaufe all are
165   horrible and vnpleafaunte.  For fence we fynyfhed owre Decades, there hath byn none other then kyllynge,
Contention   fleyinge, murtherynge and accufinge. The kynge made Vafchzus gouernoure but durynge his pleafure. His courage
betwene Vaschus                           0
and Petrus Arias.  was fuch, and his factes fo notorious, that he coulde not longe abyde the hautynes of Petrus Arias. To bee breefe,
theyr faulynge owte and difcord confounded al thynges. Iohn Cacedus the pulpitte fryer of the order of faynt
Frances, dyd his vttermofle endeuour to make them frendes, promyfynge vnto Vafc/hus the dowghter of Petrus
Arias to wyfe. But no meanes coulde be founde howe thefe two which bore the chiefe rule, myght bee brought
to agreement. At the length the matter grewe to fuch extremitie, that Pdrus Arias fyndynge occafion of
Petrus Arias  querelynge ageynfle Vafchus, fent proceffe to the maieflrates of the towne, wherby he commaunded them to
commandeth that
Vaschus be put  firangle Vafchus, and fyue other which were chiefe capitaynes vnder hym: Alleagynge that they and their
to death.     confetherates confpired to rebel in the South fea: And that Vafc/zus hym felfe for that intente, had buylded and
furnifhed foure fhippes to fearch the fouth coaftes of the fuppofed continent: Alfo that to his three hundreth
Vaschus is   fouldiers and companions which he had with hym, he fhulde fpeake woordes of this effecte as foloweth. My
frendes, and felowes of my longe peynes and trauayles: Howe longe fhall we be fubiecte to the commaundement of other, fythe wee haue bydden the brunt and ouercumme th[e]enterprife for the whiche this newe
gouernour was fent with fo great a multitude?  Who can any longer abyde his pryde and infolencie?  Lette vs
therefore folowe thefe coafltes whyther fo euer fortune fhall dryue vs: And among thefe fo many pleafaunt and
fruteful prouinces of this large lande, let us chofe one in the whiche wee maye with libertie fpende that portion
of owre lyues which yet remayneth.  Who can fynde vs, or fhalbe able to profer vs vyolence?  When thefe or
the lyke woordes were declared to Petrus Arias, he fente to the Southe partes for Vafc/lus, wyllynge hym by
the vertue of his commiffion to repayre to him foorthwith.  Vajfchus obeyed, and at his commynge was cafle in
Vaschus is put  pryfon: yet conftantly denyinge that euer he entended any fuche thynge. Wlytneffes were brought ageynft hym,
death.        and his wordes rehearfed from the begynnynge  To conclude, he was iudged woorthy death, and was put to


I98




[Of the Lanzdes anid Ilandes la/ely fozunde.]


The thyrde Decade.


I99




execution. And this is the rewarde wherwith the blynde goddeffe oftentymes recompenfeth fuch as haue
fufteyned great trauayles and daungiours to bee hyghly in her fauoure. Petrus Arias leauynge his wyfe in
Dariena, embarked hym felfe in the ihippes left of Vafczus, to th[e]intent to fearche thofe coaftes. But
whether he be returned or not, we haue yet no certeyne knoweleage. He hath alfo his fortune. Yet is there
an other gouernour affigned, whofe name is Lupus Sofa, the viceroye of the Ilandes of Canarie. What flomake
Petrus Arias may haue yf he returne, let good men iudge. There was nothyng doone vnder hym woorthy
glorie. Sume thynke that he was at the begynnyng fo flacke and negligent in his office, and not feuere in
correctynge errours and miforders. But we wyll leaue him and rehearfe fumwhat wherof we haue byn lately
informed as touchynge the great and diepe ryuer of Dabaiba, the whiche for the greatnes and largenes therof,
owre men named Grandis, that is, great, as we haue noted in owre Decades. This riuer fauleth into the
furtheft corner of the goulfe of Vraba by feuen portes or mowthes as dooth the ryuer of Niius into the Egyptian
fea, whofe large defcription yowe may alfo reade in owre Decades. That the mountaynes on euery fyde about
this ryuer, are rych in golde, we haue learned by th[e]information of th[e]inhabitauntes, of whom we made
diligent inquifition. Vafchus, and befyde hym other gouernoures and Lieuetenauntes, haue foure tymes entered
into this ryuer with theyr armyes in battayle array, and with dyuers kyndes of fhippes fyrfle for the fpace of
fortie myles, then fyftie, and at the laft fourefcore, at an other tyme alfo ouerthwarte the ryuer. Oh fhamefull
chaunce and deteftable couwardenes of owre men. A naked nation encounterynge with them that had apparell, the
armed ageynfte the vnarmed, had the ouerthrowe in mane in all conflictes, and were other all flayne or wounded.
They vfe inuenemed arrowes, and are fuche experte archers, that if they efpye any place of theyr enemie bare or
vnarmed, they wyll not lyghtlyfayle to ftryke him there. They vfe alfo manydartes, which in the tyme of the battayle
they hurle fo thicke a farre of, thattheytake the   lyght of the fonne from theyr enemies as itwerewith a clowde. They
haue lykewife brode and longe fwoordes made of a heauie and harde kinde of woodde, wherewith they feyght fiercely neare at hande. Vaychus hym felfe receaued many woundes in encounterynge with them. And thus by reafon
of the fiercenes of thefe barbarians, the ryuer of Dabaiba is yet lefte vnfearched. We wil nowe fpeake fumwhat
more of the feIland of tHpanioa (which the Spanyardes caule Spagnuoa) the mootheo r and chiefe of al other landes
or Ilandes wherof we entended to wryte. In it the Senate is now reftored, and fyue Iudges affigned to giue lawes
to all the inhabitauntes of thofe tractes. But in fhorte tyme, they fhall ceafe gatherynge of golde although there
bee greate plentie: by reafon they hall lacke labourers and myners, forafmuch as th[e]inhabitauntes whofe helpe
they vfed herein, are brought to a fmaule number, confumed partly by warre, and many more by famen
that yeare that they dygged vp the rootes wherof they made theyr befle breade, and lefte of fowynge
theyr grayne of Maizium which is theyr common foode, fuppofinge hereby to haue dryuen owre men owte of
the Ilande, who had vytayles fente them from Spayne. A great number of them alfo, dyed of newe and
firaunge difeafes which in the yeare of Chrifte a thoufande fyue hundreth and. xviii. confumed theym lyke
rotton fheepe.
And (to faye the truth) owre mens vnfacjable defyre of gold, fo oppreffed thefe poore wretches with
extreme labour and toyle, where as before they lyued pleafauntly and at lybertie, gyuen onely to playes and
paflymes as daunfynge, fyfihinge, foulynge, and huntyng of lyttle connies, that many of them perifihed
euen for verye anguyfhe of mynde, the whichee (with their vnaccufomed labour) are thynges of them felues
fuffycient to engender many newe difeafes. But the kynge and the Senate haue nowe determyned that they be
reduced to a people, and to gyue them felues onely to increafe, and tyllage of the ground: And that onely fuch
as are bought or taken owte of other regions, bee appointed to labour in the golde mynes. But it Ihall fuffyce
to haue fayde thus muche of the peftiferous hunger of golde. Therfore to fpeake of other matters: It is a
marueylous thynge to confyder howe all thynges increafe and profper in this Ilande. There are nowe. xxviii.
fuger preffes wherwith great plentie of fuger is made. The canes or reedes wherin the fuger groweth, are
bygger and hygher then in any other place: And are as bygge as a mans arme in the brawne, and higher then
the ifature of a man, by the halfe. This is more woonderfull, that where as in Valentia in Spaine (where a
great quantitye of fuger is made yearely) where fo euer they applye them felues to the great increafe therof, yet
doth euery roote bring foorthe not pafte fyue, or fyxe, or at the mofte feuen of thofe reedes: wheras in HiJpaniola
one roote beareth twentie, and oftentymes thirtie.  Foure footed beaftes and cattayle, are marueyloufly
increafed in this Ilande. And albeit that the rauenynge hunger of golde hath hitherto greatly hyndered owre
men from tyllage of the ground, yet is there great plentye of wheate, whiche profpereth fo wel that it yealdeth
fumtyme a hundreth foulde: And this efpecially on the hylles or rydges of the mountaynes profpectynge towarde
the North. Vines do alfo increafe here with no leffe frutefulneffe. What fhuld I fpeake of the trees that beare
Cafsia fiJ/da, brought firfl into this Iland from the other Ilandes neare vnto the fuppofed Continent, as we
haue noted in owr decades? There is nowe fuche plentie hereof, that after a fewe yeares we fhall haue a pounde
of the price that wee paye nowe for an ounce. Of the brefyle,and mirobalane trees, with other innumerable
prerogatiues and benefites whiche nature hath plentifully giuen to this bleffed Iland, we haue fpoken fuffyciently
199


Petrus rnas.
Lupus Sosa.
The great ryuer of
Dabaiba or
Grandis
The goulfe of
Vraba.
The ryche
mountaynes of
Dabaiba.
Fierce and warlyke
people.
Dartes.
Swoordes of
heauie wood.
166
Hispaniola.
Ouiedus wryteth
that ther are nowe.
v. monasteries.
Newe and strange
diseases.
The suger of
Hispaniola.
Suger of Valentia
A token of
maruelous
frutfulnes.
Cattayle.
Wheate.


Vines.
Cassia fistula.


Brasyle.
Myrobalanes




200                   Tue t/    viy'de Decadec.   [Of t/Ic Lancdles avid I/andes la/e yfouiidce.]
in owr decades. Yet haue I thought good to repeate part of the fame, bycaufe I think that the wittes of many
readers haue diuerted from the weyght of great affaires, to the recordation of fitch pleafaunt
thynges. And yet do not fuche thynges as are fauery, engender tedyoufneffe, foc that a precious matter bee adourned
with a precious vefture.
c  ~3E ~N%~




201


167EXEMPLAR BVLLAE SEV
DONATIONIS, AVTORITATE
CVIVS, EPISCOPVS ROMANVS
Alexander eius nominis fextus, concefsit et donauit Caftelle regibus
et fuis fuccefforibus, regiones
et Infulas noui orbis in
Oceano occidentali Hifpanorum nauigationibus repertas.'.
LEXANDER EPISCOPVS, feruus
feruorum Dei, Charifsimo in Chrifto
filio Ferdinando Regi, et Charifsimae in Chrifto filie Elizabeth Reginae Caftellae, Legionis, Aragonum,
Siciliae, et Granatae, illuftribus, falutem et Apoftolicam benedictionem.
Inter caetera Diuinae maieflati beneplacita opera
et cordis noftri defiderabilia, illud profecto potifimum
exiflit vt fides catholica et Chriftiana religio noitris
praefertim temporibus exaltetur ac vbilibet amplietur
ac dilatetur, animarumque falus procuretur, ac barbarse
nationes deprimantur et ad fidem ipfam reducantur.
Vnde cum ad hanc facram Petri fedem Diuina fauente
cementia (meritis licet imparibus) euocati fueremus,
cognofcentes vos tanquam veros catholicos reges et
principes: quales femper fuiffe nouimus, et a vobis
praeclare gefta, toti pene orbi notifsima demonflrant,
nedum id exoptare, fed omni conatu, fludio, et diligentia, nullis laboribus, nullis impenfis, nullifque parcendo periculis, etiam proprium fanguinem effundendo
efficere, ac omnem animum veftrum, omnefque conatus
ad hoc iam dudum dedicafse, quemadmodum recuperato regni Granatae a tyrannis de Sarracenorum hodiernis temporibus per vos, cum tanta Diuini nominis
gloria faCta, teftatur. Digne ducimur non immerito,
et debemus illa vobis etiam fponte, ac fauorabiliter
concedere, per quae huiufmodi fanCdum ac laudabile
ab immortali deo acceptum propofitum, indies feruentiori animo ad ipfius dei honorem et Imperij Chriftiani propagationem, profequi valeatis. Sane accepimus quod vos qui dudum animum propofueratis aliquas


El THE COPPIE OF THE BULL
OR DONATION, BY TH[E]AUTORITIE WHEROF, POPE
Alexander the fyxte of that name,
gaue and graunted to the kynges of
Caftyle and theyr fucceffours the
Regions and Ilandes founde in
the Wefte Ocean fea by
the nauigations of the
Spanyardes.
Lexander byfhoppe, the feruaunte of
the feruantes of God: To owre mofte
deare beloued fonne in Chrift Kynge
Ferdinande, And to owre deare beloued doughter in Chryfte Elyzabeth
Queene of Caftyle, Legion, Aragon,
Sicilie, and Granata, moft noble
Princes, Gretynge and Apoftolical benediction.
Amonge other woorkes acceptable to the diuine
maieftie and accordynge to owre hartes defyre, this
certeinely is the chiefe, that the Catholyke fayth and
Chriftian religion, fpecially in this owre tyme may in
all places bee exalted, amplified, and enlarged, wherby
the health of foules may be procured, and the Barbarous
nations fubdued and brought to the fayth. And therefore wheras by the fauoure of gods clemencie (although
not with equall defertes) we are cauled to this holy
feate of Peter, and vnderftandynge you to bee trewe
Catholyke Princes as we haue euer knowen you, and
as youre noble and woorthy factes haue declared in
maner to the hole worlde in that with all your ftudie,
diligence, and induftrye, you haue fpared no trauayles,
charges, or perels, aduenturynge euen the fhedynge of
your owne bludde, with applyinge yowre hole myndes
and endeuours here vnto, as your noble expeditions
achyued in recoueryng the kyngdome of Granata from
the tyrannie of the Sarracens in thefe our dayes, doo
playnely declare your factes with fo great glorye of the
diuine name. For the whiche as we thinke you woorthy, fo owght we of owre owne free wyl fauorably to
graunt all thynges whereby you maye dayely with more
feruent myndes to the honoure of god and enlargynge
the Chriftian empire, profecute your deuoute and laud201


171




202


168


infulas et terras firmas remotas et incognitas, ac per
alios hacenus non repertas, quterere et inuenire, vt
illarum incolas et habitatores ad colendum redemptorem  noifrum et fidem catholicam  profitendum reduceretis, hatenus in expugnatione et recuperatione
ipfius regni Granatre plurimum occupati, huiufmodi
fanhtum et laudabile propofitum vefirum ad optatum
finem perducere nequiuiflis: Sed tamen ficut Domino
placuit, regno predido recuperato, volentes defiderium
veitrum adimplere, diledum filium Chriflophorum Colonum virum vtique dignum et plurimum commendatum
ac tanto negotio aptum, cum nauigijs et hominibus ad
fimilia intfrudis, non fine maximis laboribus, ac periculis, et expenfis deflinailis vt terras firmas et Infulas
remotas et incognitas, huiufmodi per mare vbi hatenus
nauigatum non fuerat, diligenter inquireret. Qui tandem
(Diuino auxilio facta extrema diligentia in mari Oceano
nauigantes) certas infulas remotifsimas et etiam terras
firmas qux per alios hatenus repertse non fuerant,
inuenerunt. In quibus plurimae gentes pacifice viuentes, et (vt afferitur) nudi incedentes, nec carnibus
vefcentes, inhabitant: Et vt prxefati nuncij veftri pofsunt opinari, gentes ipfae in Infulis et terris praedidtis
habitantes, credunt vnum deum creatorem in Coelis
efse, ac ad fidem catholicam amplexandum et bonis
moribus imbuendum, fatis apti videntur: Spefque
habetur, quod fi erudirentur, nomen Saluatoris Domini
noitri Iefu Chrifti in terris et infulis proedidis facile
induceretur. Ac prefatus Chriftophorus in vna ex
principalibus Infulis prxedidis, iam vnam turrim fatis
munitam, in qua certos Chriftianos qui fecum iuerant,
in cuftodiam et vt alias Infulas ac terras firmas remotas
et incognitas inquirerent pofuit, confirui et redificari
fecit. In quibus quidem Infulis et terris iam repertis,
aurum, aromata, et aliae quamplurimae res proeciofie
diuerfi generis et diuerfie qualitatis reperiuntur. Vnde
omnibus diligenter, et prefertim fidei catholicae exaltatione et dilatatione (prout decet Catholicos Reges et
Principes) confideratis, more progenitorum veflrorum
clarae memorize Regum, terras firmas et infulas proedietas, illarumque incolas et habitatores, vobis diuina
fauente cementia fubiicere et ad fidem  Catholicam
reducere propofuiflis.
Nos itaque huiufmodi veftrum fanCrum et laudabile
propofitum plurimum in domino commendantes, ac
cupientes vt illud ad debitum finem perducatur, et
ipfum nomen faluatoris noitri in partibus illis induca

able purpofe moft acceptable to the immlortall God. We
are credably informed that wheras of late you were determyned to feeke and fynde certeyne Ilandes and firme
landes farre remote and vnknowen (and not heretofore
found by any other) to th[e]intent to bringe th[e]inhabitauntes of the fame to honoure owre redemer and to
profeffe the catholyke fayth, you haue hetherto byn
much occupied in th[e]expugnation and recouerie of
the kyngedome of Granata, by reafon whereof yowe
coulde not brynge yowre fayde laudable purpofe to
th[e]ende defyred. Neuertheleffe as it hath pleafed
almyghty god, the forefayde kyngedome beinge recouered, wyllyng t[o]accomplyfhe your fayde defyre, you
haue, not without great laboure, perelles, and charges,
appoynted owre welbeloued fonne Chriftopher Colonus
(a man certes wel commended as mofte worthy and
apte for fo great a matter) well furnyfhed with men and
fhippes and other neceffaries, to feeke (by the fea
where hetherto no manne hath fayled) fuche firme
landes and Ilandes farre remote and hitherto vnknowen.
Who (by gods helpe) makynge diligente fearche in the
Ocean fea, haue founde certeyne remote Ilandes and
firme landes whiche were not heretofore founde by any
other. In the which (as is fayde) many nations inhabite
lyuinge peaceably and goinge naked, not accuflomed
to eate flefhe. And as farre as yowre meffengers can
coniecture, the nations inhabitynge the forefayde landes
and Ilandes, beleue that there is one god creatoure in
heauen: and feeme apte to be brought to th[e]imbrafinge of the catholyke faythe and to be imbued with
good maners: by reafon whereof, we may hope that if
they well be infiructed, they may eafely bee induced
to receaue the name of owre fauiour Iefu Chrift. We
are further aduertifed that the forenamed Chriflopher
hathe nowe builded and erected a fortreffe with good
munition in one of the forefayde principall Ilandes in
the which he hath placed a garrifon of certeine of the
Chriftian men that wente thyther with him: afwell to
th[e]intent to defende the fame, as alfo to fearche other
Ilandes and firme landes farre remote and yet vnknowen.
We alfo vnderftande, that in thefe landes and Ilandes
lately founde, is great plentie of golde and fpices, with
dyuers and many other precious thynges of fundry
kyndes and qualities. Therfore al thinges diligently
confidered (efpecially th[e]amplifyinge and enlargyng
of the catholike fayth, as it behoueth catholike Princes
folowyng th[e]exemples of yowre noble progenitours
of famous memorie) wheras yowe are determyned by
the fauour of almightie god to fubdue and brynge to 172
the catholyke fayth th[e]inhabitauntes of the forefayde
landes and Ilandes.
Wee greatly commendynge this yowre godly and
laudable purpofe in owr lorde, and defirous to haue
the fame brought to a dewe ende, and the name of
owre fauioure to be knowen in thofe partes, doo
exhorte yowe in owre Lorde and by the receauynge
of yowre holy baptifme wherby yowe are bounde to


tur, hortamur vos quamplurimum in domino, et per
202




203




facri latucri fufceptionem, qua mandatis Apoftolicis
obligati eflis, et per vifcera mifericordiae Domini nofiri
Iefu Chrifli attente requirimus, vt cum expeditionem
huiufmodi omnino profequi et affumere prona mente
orthodoxse fidei zelo intendatis, populos in huiufmodi
Infulis et terris degentes, ad Chriflianam religionem
fufcipiendum inducere velitis et debeatis, nec pericula
nec labores vllo vnquam tempore vos deterreant, firma
fpe fiduciaque conceptis quod Deus omnipotens conatus veftros foeliciter profequetur.  Et vt tanti negotij
prouintiam Apoftolicae gratiae largitate donati, liberius
et audacius affumatis, motu proprio non ad veftram vel
169 alterius pro vobis fuper hoc nobis oblatse petitionis
inflantiam, fed de nofira mera liberalitate, et ex certa
fcientia, ac de Apoftolicae poteflatis plenitudine, omnes
Infulas et terras firmas inuentas et inueniendas, detectas et detegendas verfus Occidentem et Meridiem,
fabricando et conflruendo vnam lineam a polo Artico,
fcilicet Septemtrione, ad polum Antarticum, fcilicet
Meridiem, flue terrae firmae et infulke inuentae et inueniendze int verfus Indiam aut verfus aliam quamcunque partem quae linea diftet a qualibet Infularum
quas vulgariter nuncupantur de los Azores et Cabo
verde centum leucis verfus Occidentem et Meridiem.
Itaque omnes Infule et terrse firmae repertse et reperiendse, deteCde et detegendae a prsefata linea verfis
Occidentem et Meridiem, quae per alium Regem aut
Principem Chriflianum non fuerint adtualiter poffeffe
vfque ad diem natiuitatis Domini nofiri Iefu Chrifti
proxime praeteritum, a quo incipit annus praefens
Milleffimus Quadringenteffimus Nonogeffimus tercius,
quando fuerunt per nuncios et capitaneos veflros inuentae aliquze praeditarum Infularum, Autoritate omnipotentis Dei nobis in beato Petro concefsa, ac vicariatus
Iefu Chrifli qua fungimur in terris, cum omnibus illatum
dominijs, ciuitatibus, caflris, locis, et villis, iuribufque
et iurifdiCionibus ac partinentijs vniuerfis, vobis heredibufque et fuccefforibus veftris (Caftellae et Legionis
regibus) in perpetuum tenore praefentium donamus,
concedimus, et affignamus: Vofque et haeredes ac
fucceffores praefatos illarum Dominos, cum plena, libera,
et omnimoda poteflate, autoritate, et iurifdi&ione,
facimus, conflituinlus, et deputamus. Decernentes nihilo minus per huiufmodi donationem, concefsionem, et
affignationem noflram, nullo Chriftiano Principi qui adualiter prxefatas Infulas et terras firmas poffederit vfque
ad praedidum diem natiuitatis Domini noftri Iefu Chrifli
ius quzelltum, fublatum intelligi pofse aut auferri debere.
Et infuper mandamus vobis in virtutze fandae obedi

Apoftolicall obedience, and erneftely require yowe by
the bowels; of mercy of owre Lorde Iefu Chrift, that
when yowe intende for the zeale of the Catholyke
faythe to profecute the fayde expedition to reduce the
people of the forefayde landes and Ilandes to the
Chriftian religion, yowe fhall fpare no labours at any
tyme, or bee deterred with any perels, conceauynge
firme hope and confidence that the omnipotent godde
wyll gyue good fucceffe to yowre godly attemptes.
And that beinge autoryfed by the priuilege of the
Apollolycall grace, yowe may the more freely and
bouldly take vpon yowe th[e]enterpryfe of fo greate a
matter, we of owre owne motion, and not eyther at
yowre requeft or at the inftant peticion of any other
perfon, but of owre owne mere liberalitie and certeyne
fcience, and by the fulneffe of Apoftolycall power, doo
gyue, graunt, and affigne to yowe, yowre heyres and
fucceffours, al the firme landes and Ilandes found or
to be found, difcouered or to be difcouered toward the
Weft and South, drawyng a line from the pole Artike
to the pole Antartike (that is) from the north to the
Southe: Conteynynge in this donation, what fo euer
firme landes or Ilandes are founde or to bee founde
towarde India, or towarde any other parte what fo
euer it bee, beinge diflant from, or without the forefayd lyne drawen a hundreth leaques towarde the
Wefte and South from any of the Ilandes which are
commonly cauled De los Azores and Cabo Verde.
All the Ilandes therfore and firme landes, founde
and to be founde, difcouered and to be difcouered
from the fayde lyne towarde the Wefl and South, fuch
as haue not actually bin heretofore poffeffed by any
other Chrillian kynge or prynce vntyll the daye of the
natiuitie of owre Lorde Iefu Chryfle lalle palle, from
the which begynneth this prefent yeare beinge the
yeare of owre Lorde. M. CCCC. lxxxxiii. when fo euer
any fuch fhalbe founde by your meffingers and capytaines, Wee by the autoritie of almyghtie God graunted
vnto vs in faynt Peter, and by the office which we beare
on the earth in the fteede of Iefu Chrifle, doo for euer
by the tenoure of thefe prefentes, gyue, graunte, affigne,
vnto yowe, yowre heyres, and fucceffoures (the kynges
of Caflyle and Legion) all thofe landes and Ilandes,
with theyr dominions, territories, cities, caflels, towres,
places, and vyllages, with all the ryght, and iurifdictions therunto perteynynge: conftitutynge, affignynge,
and deputynge, yowe, yowre heyres, and fucceffours
the lordes thereof, with full and free poure, autoritie,
and iurifdiction.  Decreeinge neuertheleffe by this
owre donation, graunt, and affignation, that from no
Chriftian Prince whiche actually hath poffeffed the
forefayde Ilandes and firme landes vnto the day o,
the natiuitie of owre lorde beforefayde theyr ryght
obteyned to bee vnderfloode hereby to be taken away,
or that it owght to be taken away.
Furthermore wee commaunde yowe in the vertue
203




204


170


entie (vt ficut pollicemini et non dubitamus pro veftra
maxima deuotione etregia magnanimitate vos efse fadturos) ad terras firmas et Infulas praedidtas, viros probos et
Deum timentes, dodos, peritos, et expertos ad infIruendum incolas et habitatores praefatos in fide Catholica
et bonis moribus imbuendum, deflinare debeatis, omnem debitam diligentiam in praemifsis adhibentes.
A quibufcumque perfonis, cuiufcunque dignitatis,
etiam imperialis et regalis ftatus, gradus, ordinis vel
conditionis, fub  excommunicationis latae fententiae
pcena quam eo ipfo fi contra fecerint incurrant,
diftrictius inhibemus ne ad Infulas et terras firmas
inuentas et inueniendas, detetas et detegendas verfus
Occidentem et Meridiem, fabricando et confiruendo lineam a polo Arctico ad polum Antardticum,
fiuae terrae firmae et Infule inuentae et inueniendae fint
verfus Indiam aut verfus aliam quamcunque partem
quoe linea diflet a qualibet Infularum que vulgariter
nuncupantur de los Azores et Cabo verde centum leucis
verfus Occidentem et Meridiem vt prefertur, pro mercibus habendis vel quauis alia caufa accedere praefumat
abfque veftra ac haeredum et fuccefsorum veftrorum
praedidtorum licentia fpeciali: Non obflantibus conftitutionibus et ordinationibus Apoflolicis, czeterifque
quibufcunque, in illo in quo imperia et dominationes
et bona cundta procedunt: Confidentes quod dirigente
Domino actus vefIros, fi huiufmodi fandum ac laudabile
propofitum profequamini, breui tempore cum foelicitate
et gloria totius populi Chrifliani, veftri labores et
conatus exitum  foelicifsimum  confequentur.  Verum
quia difficile foret praefentes literas ad fingula quaeque
loca in quibus expediens fuerit deferri, volumus ac
motu et fcientia fimilibus decernimus, quod illarum
tranffumptis manu publici notarij inderogati fubfcriptis,
et figillo alicuius perfona in ecclefiaftica dignitate conflitutae, fen curiae ecclefiaflicae munitis, ea prorfus
fides in iudicio et extra ac alias vbilibet adhibeatur, qua
praefentibus adhiberetur fi efsent adhibita vel oftenfae.
Nulli ergo omnino hominum liceat hanc paginam
noftrae commendationis, hortationis, requifitionis, donationis, concefsionis, afsignationis, conftitutionis, deputationis, decreti, mandati, inhibitionis, et voluntatis infringere vel ei aufu temerario contraire. Si quis autem
hoc attentare praefumpferit, indignationem omnipotentis
Dei, ac beatorum Petri et Pauli Apoftolorum eius, fe
nouerit incurfurum.'.
Datum Romae apud fanaum Petrum: Anno incarnationis Dominicae. I493. quarto nonas Maij: Pontificatus nofiri anno primo..


of holy obedience (as yowe haue promyfed, and as wee
doubte not you wyll doo vppon mere deuotion and
princely magnanimitie) to fende to the fayde firme
landes and Ilandes, honefle, vertuous, and lerned men,
fuche as feare God, and are able to inftructe th[e]inhabitauntes in the Catholyke fayth and good maners,
applyinge all theyr poffible diligence in the premiffes.
We furthermore flreightly inhibite all maner of
perfons, of what flate, degree, order, or condition fo
euer they bee, although of Imperiall and regall dignitie, vnder the peyne of the fentence of excommunication whiche they fhall incurre yf they doo to the
contrary, that they in no cafe prefume without fpeciall
lycence of yowe, yowre heyres, and fucceffours, to
trauayle for marchaundies or for any other caufe, to
the fayde landes or Ilandes, founde or to bee found,
difcouered, or to bee difcouered, toward the weft and
fouth, drawing a line from the pole Artyke to the pole
Antartike, whether the firme lands and Ilandes found
and to be found, be fituate toward Inzdia or towarde
any other parte beinge ditfant from the lyne drawen
a hundreth leagues towarde the weft from any of the
Ilandes commonly cauled De los Azores and Cabo
Verde: Notwithftandynge conftitutions, decrees, and
Apoftolycall ordinaunces what fo euer they are to the
contrary: In him from whom Empyres, dominions, and
all good thynges doo procede: Truflynge that almyghtie
god directynge yowre enterprifes, yf yowe folowe yowre 173
godly and laudable attemptes, yowre laboures and
trauayles herein, fhall in fhorte tyme obteyne a happy
ende with felicitie and glorie of all Chriftian people.
But forafmuch as it fhulde bee a thynge of great difficultie thefe letters to bee caryed to all fuche places as
Ihuld bee expedient, we wyll, and of lyke motion and
knowleage doo decree that whyther fo euer the fame
flialbe fent, or wher fo euer they fhalbe receaued with
the fubfcription of a common notarie therunto requyred,
with the feale of any perfon contfitute in ecclefiafticall
dignitie, or fuche as are autoryfed by the ecclefiafticall
courte, the fame fayth and credite to bee gyuen thereunto in iudgement or els where, as fhulde bee exhibyted
to there prefentes.
It fhall therefore bee lawefull for no man to infringe
or rafiely to contrarie this letter of owre commendation, exhortacion, requefte, donation, graunt, affignation, conftitution, deputation, decree, commaundement,
inhibition, and determination. And yf any fhall prefume to attempte the fame, he owght to knowe that he
fhall thereby incurre the indignation of almyghtie God
and his holye Apofiles Peter and Paule. (.'.) (:) ('.')
( Gyuen at Rome at faynt Peters: In the yeare of
th[e]incarnation of owre Lord M. CCCC. LXXXXIII.
The fourth day of the nones of Maye, the fyrfte yeare
ofowre feate. () () ()


204




205


[The Third English book


on America,


W'hich is also
THE FIRST ENGLISH COLLECTION OF VOYAGES, TRAFFICS, & DISCOVERIES.
the  Btcarte   af tht nette tborlirt jr lutet      nrbta, ettc


SECTION


II.


Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valde's.
The Natural History of the West Indies.
First printed in 1526.]




I




207




To THE READER.
Lthough amonge dyuers which haue wrytten of
the Ocean and Wefte Indies there is none to
be compared to Peter Martyr of Angleria, in
declarynge by philofophical difcourfes the fecreate
caufes of naturall affectes bothe as touchynge the
te f  -in lande, the fea, the ftarres, and other ftraunge
woorkes of nature, yet forafmuche as of later
dayes thofe countreys haue byn better knowen
m         l         and fearched, and dyuers fuche particular and
notable thynges founde as are conteyned in
the hyftories of later wryters, emonge the
number of whom Gonzalus Ferdinandus Ouiedus,
(whom lerned Car darizs compareth to the ancient writers) is doubtles the chiefe, I haue
therfore thought good to ioyne to the Decades of Peter Martyr certeyne notable
thynges which I haue gathered owte of his booke intiteled the Summarie or abbrigement of his generall hyiftorie of the Weit Indies wrytten in the firme lande of the fame|
in the citie of Sancta Maria Antiqua in Dariena (where he dwelte and was gouernoure
many yeares) And dedicated to Th[e]emperou[r]s maieitie, as maye appeare by the
epyftell folowynge.


207




208


f TO THE MOST HYGH AND MYGHTIE
PRINCE CHARLES THE FYFTE OF THAT NAME:
EMPEROUR OF ROME, KYNGE OF SPAYNE, AND OF THE TWOO SICILIES,
of bothe the fydes of the ftreyght of Faro, Kynge of Hierufalem
and Hungarie, Duke of Burgonie and Earle of Flaunders,
Lord and inheritoure of the firme lande and Ilandes
/                  of the Wefte Ocean, etc. Gonzalus Ferdinanduis Ouliedus his moft humble feruant
wyfheth health and perpetual felicitie.
He thynges whiche principally preferue and mayntayne
i                      the woorkes of nature in the memories of men, are
t             hyftories and bookes compofed of the fame. Amonge
the whiche certes thofe are efteemed mofte trewe and
autentyke which haue byn wrytten by wyttie and
174                                  expert men well trauayled in the worlde, as faythfull
wytneffes of fuche thynges as they haue partely feene
and byn partely informed by credible perfons. Of
this mynde and opinion was Plinie, who better then
any other autoure hathe wrytten in xxxvii. bookes al
that perteyneth to the naturall hiftorie, conteyned al
in one volume dedicated to Vefpafian Th[e]emperour. Wherein, as a prudente hiftoriographer, he
declareth fuche thynges as he had harde: Attri-L.AlAII                     butynge the feconde autoritie to fuche as he had
redde in autoures that wrote before hym: And thyrdely ioyned to the fame hyftorie,
fuch thynges as he hym felfe had feene as mofte certeyne teftimonie. Whofe exemple
I folowynge, wyl in this my breefe fummarie reduce and reprefent to yowr maieifies
memorie fuche thynges as I haue feene in yowre Empyre of the Weft Indies afwell in
the Ilandes as in the firme lande of the Ocean fea, where I haue ferued nowe more then
twelue yeares in the place of furuoyer of the golde mynes by the commaundemente of
the Catholyke kynge Don Fernatndo the fyfte of that name and graundfather vnto yowre
maiefiie, to whom god gaue great fame and glorie. Senfe whofe death alfo I haue lykewies ferued and truft whyle the reft of my lyfe yet remayneth, to ferue yowre maieifie
as fhall pleafe yowe to commaunde. As touchynge which thinges and fuch other lyke,
I haue more largely written in a hyiftorie lbegunne as fone as my age was rype to take
fuche matters in hande. Wherein furthermore I haue made mention of fuche thynges


208




Th e Eh ifl e.


209


The E5f/                                     209__~II


as haue chaunced in Spaine, from the yeare.  4 9 4. vnto this tyme. Addynge alfo
thereunto fuche thynges woorthy memorie as I haue obferued in other realmes and prouinces where I haue trauayled. And haue likewife particulerly wrytten the lyues and
woorthy actes of the catholyke Princes of famous memorie Don Ferdinando and lady
Elizabeth his wyfe to theyr laft dayes. After whofe fruition of heauenly Paradyfe, I
haue noted fuche thynges as haue chaunced in yowre moft fortunate fucceffion. Not
omittynge particularly to wryte a large booke of fuch thynges as haue feemed mofte
woorthy to bee noted as touchynge yowre maiefties Indies. But for afmuche as that
volume remaineth in the citie of San. Dominico in the Ilande of Hifpaniola where I
dwell and am placed in houfholde with wyfe, chyldren, and famelie, I haue brought no
more with me of that my writynge then I beare in memorie. Determynynge notwithftandynge for yowre maiefties recreation to make a breefe rehearfall of certeyne notable
thynges wherof I haue more largely entreated in my fayde general hiftorie, and fuch as
may feeme mofte woorthy to bee redde of yowre maieftie. Of the which, although a great
parte haue byn wrytten by other who haue alfo feene the fame, yet perhappes they are not
fo exactly and particularly defcribed as of me, forafmuche as in maner all that trauayle
into thefe Indies haue greater refpecte to luker and gaynes then diligently to fearche the
woorkes of nature wherunto I haue byn euer naturally inclyned, and haue therfore with
all poffible endeuour applyed myne eyes and intelligence to fynde the fame. And this
prefente Summarie fhall not bee contrary or dyuers from my larger hiftorie wherein (as I
haue fayde) I haue more amplye declared thefe thynges: but fhal onely more breefely
expreffe th[e]ffect therof vntyl fuch tyme as Godde fhal reftore me to myne owne houie,
where I may accomplyfhe and fynifhe my fayd general hyftorie. Wherevnto to gyue the
fyrft principle, I fay that Don Chriftopher Colonus (as it is well knowen) beinge the
fyrfte Admyrall of this India, difcouered the fame in the dayes of the Catholyke kynge
Don Ferdinando and the lady Elyzabeth his wyfe, graundfather and graundmother vnto
yowre maieftie: In the yeare. 149 I. And came to Barzalona in the yeare 149 2. with the
fyrft Indians and other fhewes and profes of the great ryches and notice of this weft
Empire. The whiche gyfte and benefyte was fuche, that it is vnto this daye, one of the
greateft that euer any fubiect or feruant hath done for his prince or countrey, as is manifefte to the hole worlde. And to faye the trewth, this fhall doubtleffe bee fo commodious
and profytable vnto the hole realme of Spayne, that I repute hym no good Caftilian or
Spanyarde that doothe not recognife the fame. And (as I haue fayde before) forafmuch as in my fayde generall hiftorie I haue more largely intreated of thefe thynges, I
intend at this prefent only briefely to rehearfe certeyne efpeciall thynges, the whiche
fuerly are verye fewe in refpecte of the thoufandes that myght bee fayde in this behalfe.
Fyrft therfore I wyl fpeake fumwhat of the nauigation into thefe parties. Then of the
generation of the nations whiche are founde in the fame, with their rytes, cuftomes, and
cerimonies. Alfo of beaftes, foules, byrdes, woormes, fyffhes, feas, ryuers, fprynges, trees,
plantes, herbes, and dyuers other thynges which are engendered boothe on the lande and  175
in the water. And forafmuche as I am one of th[e]order and company of them that are
appointed to returne into thefe regions to ferue yowre maieftie, yf therfore the thynges
conteyned in this booke fhall not bee diftincte in fuch order as I promifed to performe in my
greater woorke, I defyre yowre maieftie to haue no refpecte herevnto, but rather to
confyder the noueltie of fuche ftraunge thynges as I haue herein declared, whiche is the
chiefe ende that moued me to wryte. Proteftyng that in this Summarie I haue wrytten
the trewth of fuche thynges as coome to my remembraunce: wherof not onely I my
felfe can teftifye, but alfo diuers other woorthy and credible men which haue bin in
thofe regions, and are nowe prefente in yowre maieflies courte. And thus it fhal fuffyce
to haue faide thus much vnto yowre maieftie in maner of a proheme vnto this prefent
worke which I moft humbly defyre yowre maieftie as thankfully t[o]accept, as I haue
wrytten it faythfully.
EDEN.            US29


EDEN.


s


209




210                                     The hyjiorie of the vvefle Induies.
[    Of the ordinary naztygation from         Spayne to the Iefle Indies.
__ He nauygation whiche is commonly made from Spayne to the
Wefte India, is from Siuile, where yowre maieftie haue yowre
o  te y  l                 houfe of contractation for thofe partes, with alfo yowre offycers
thervnto perteynynge, of whom the capitaines take their paffeporte
and lycence. The patrones of fuche fhyppes as are appoynted to
thefe vyages, imbarke theym felues at San Luca di Barameda,
t           where the ryuer Cuadalchiber entereth into the Ocean fea.  And
from henfe they folowe their courfe toward the Ilandes of Canarie.
Of thefe feuen Ilandes, they commonly touche two, that is, eyther
Grancanaria or Gomera. And here the ihyppes are furnyffhed
with freihe water, fuell, cheefe, biefe, and fuche other thynges
whiche may feeme requifyte to be added to fuche as they brynge
with them owte of Spayne. From Spayne to thefe Ilandes, is
coommonly eyght dayes faylinge, or lyttle more or leffe. And
when they are arryued there, they haue fayled two hundereth and
a                         fyftie leaques, whiche make a thoufande myles, accomptyng foure
myles to a leaque as is their maner to recken by fea. Departynge
from the fayde Ilandes to folowe their courfe, the ihippes tary. xxv. dayes, or a lyttle more or leffe, before they
fee the fyrite lande of the Ilandes that lye before that whiche they caule La, Spagnuola or Hij/zanioia. And the
lande that is commonly fyrife feene, is one of thefe Ilandes whiche they caule Ogni fancei Marigalante (or
Galanta) La Deffeada (otherwife cauled Defyderata) Mlatanino, Dominica, Guadahzepe, San. Cthrtloual, or fumme
other of the Ilandes wherof there are a great multitude lyinge aboute thefe aforefaide. Yet it fumtymes fo
chaunceth that the fhippes paffe withowte the fyght of any of the fayde Ilandes, or any other that are within
that courfe vntyll they coome to the Iland of San/ti Zohannis or lifzpawiooa, or lamaic, or Cuba, whiche are
before the other. It may alfo chaunce that they ouerpaffe all there likewyfe, vntyll they faule vppon the coaftes
of the fyrme lande. But this chaunceth when the pylote is not well practifed in this nauigation or not perfecte
in the trewe carde. But makynge this viage with experte maryners (wherof there is nowe great plentie) one of
the fayde fyrfte Ilandes fhall euer bee knowen. And from the Ilandes of Canarie to one of the fyrfte of thefe,
the diftaunce is nyne hundreth leaques by faylinge, or more. And from henfe to the citie of faynte Dominike
which is in the Ilande of Hzifpanioa, is a hundreth and fyftie leaques: So that from Spayne hitherto, is a
thoufand and three hundreth leaques. Yet forafinuche as fumtimes the nauigation procedeth not fo directly, but
that it chaunceth to wander on the one fyde or on the other, wee may well faye that they haue nowe fayled a
thoufande and fyue hundreth leaques and more. And if the nauigation be ilowe by reafon of fumme
hynderaunce, it commonly chaunceth to be fynifthed in. xxxv. or. xl. dayes. And this happeneth for the mofte
parte, not accomptynge the extremes: that is, eyther of them that haue flowe paffage, or of them that arryue
in verye fhorte tyme. For wee owghte to confyder that which chaunceth moft commonly. The returne from thofe
partes to Spayne, is not fynyffhed without longer tyme, as in the fpace of. 1. [fifty] dayes, or a lyttle more or leffe.
176   Neuertheleffe in this prefent yeare of. I525. there came foure Ihyps from the Iland of Sanz Dominzico to faint
Luca in Spaine, in. xxv. dayes. But (as I haue fayd) we ought not to iudge of that whiche chaunceth feldome,
but of that which happeneth moft ordinarily. This nauigation is very fafe and much vfed, euen vnto the fayd
Ilande. And from this to the firme land, the fhyppes trauerfe diuers wayes for the fpace of flue, fyxe, or feuen
dayes faylynge, or more, accordyng to the partes or coaftes whither they directe their vyages, forafmuche as the
fayde fyrme lande is verye great and large, and many nauigations and vyages are directed to dyuers partes of
the fame. Yet to the fyrme land whiche is neareft to this Iland, and lyeth directly ageynft San Dominico, the
paffage is fyniffhed in the tyme aforefayde. But it fhialbe muche better to remytte all this to the carde of thefe
nauigations and the new Cofmographie, of the whiche no parte was knowen to Ptolomie or any other of the
owlde wrytters.


210




The hyj/orie of the vvejfe Indies.


211


e  Of twoo notable thynges as touckhyng the IVeJi Indies: And of the great                               V
rychelfe brought from       thenfe into Stayne.
Fter my vniuerfall defcription of the hiflorie of the Indies, there commeth to my rememberaunce two thynges chiefely to be noted as touchynge th[e]empire of this Weft Indies
perteynynge to the dominion of yowre maieftye. And thefe befyde the other particulars
wherof I haue fuffyciently fpoken, are to be confydered as thinges of great importaunce.
Wherof, the one is the fhorteneffe of the way and with what expedition yowr maieflies
fhyppes maye paffe beyonde the mayne fyrme lande of thefe Indies into the newe Southe
fea cauled Mare del Sur lyynge beyond the fame. And this to th[e]intent to coome to the
Ilandes where the fpices growe, befyde the other innumerable rycheffe of the kingedomes and figniories whiche
confine with the fayde fea where are fo many people and nations of dyuers toonges and maners. The other
thinge, is to confyder howe innumerable treafures are entered into Spayne by thefe Indies, afwell that whiche
commeth dayly from thenfe as alfo that is continually to bee looked for, bothe of golde and perle and other
marchaunties which are firit brought into this yowre realme of Spaine before they are feene of other nations or
traded into other realmes. Wherby not onely this yowre realme is greatly inriched, but alfo the benefyte
therof redoundeth to the great profyte of other countreys which are neare thervnto. A teftimonye of this, are
the double ducades whiche yowre maieftie haue caufed to bee coyned, and are difparfed throughowte the hole
worlde. But after they are once paffed owt of this yowre realme, they neuer returne agein bycaufe they are the
beft curraunt money of the world. And therfore if after they haue byn in the handes of ftraungers they chaunce
to be retourned ageyne into Spaine, they coome difguifed in an other habite, and are diminifihed of the goodneffe of their golde, with the ifampe of yowre maieftye chaunged: So that if it were not for their fuche
defacynges in other realmes for the caufe aforefayde, there fhulde not bee founde fo great quantitie of fyne golde
of the coyne of any prynce in the worlde as of yowre maiefties. And the caufe of all this, are yowre Indies.
c Of the mynes of golde, and the maner of woorkynge in theyem.
His particular of the mynes of gold, is a thing greatly to bee noted: And I maye muche better
fpeake hereof then any other man, forafmuche as there are nowe twelue yeares pafle fenfe I
ferued in the place of the furueier of the meltynge fhoppes perteynynge to the golde mynes
of the firme lande, and was the gouernour of the mynes of the Catholyke kyng Don
Ferdinando, after whofe departure from this lyfe, I ferued longe in the fame roome in the
name of yowr maieflie: By reafon wherof, I haue had great occafion to knowe howe
golde is founde and wrought owte of the mynes: And do knowe ryght well that this           V
lande is exceadynge ryche: hauynge by my accompte and by the labour of my Indians and flaues, gathered
and fyned a great portion of the fame: and may therfore the better affyrme this by teftimonie of fyght.  177.
For I am well affured that in no part of CaZilia del oro, that is, golden Caftile (otherwife cauled
Beragua) no man coulde afke me of the mynes of golde, but that I durfle haue bounde my felfe to
haue difcouered them in the fpace of ten leagues of the countrey where it fhulde haue byn demaunded
me, and the fame to bee verye ryche. For I was alowed all maner of charges to make fearche for the fame.
And although golde be founde in maner euery where in thefe regions of golden Caftile, yet owght wee not in
euery place to beflowe the trauell, and charge to get it owte, bycaufe it is of leffe quantitie and goodneffe in fium
place then in fum. And the myne or veyne whiche owghte to be folowed, ought to bee in a place whiche may
flande to faue muche of the charges of the labourers, and for the adminiftration of other neceffary thinges that
the charges may bee recompenfed with gaynes. For there is no doubte but that golde fhalbe founde more or
leffe in euery place. And the golde whiche is founde in golden Caftile, is verye good, and of. xxii. caractes or
better in fyneffe. Furthermore, befyde this great quantitie of golde whiche I haue fayde to be founde in the
mynes, there is alfo from day to day found or otherwise gotten, great treafure of fuche wrought gold as hath byn
in the cuflodie of the fubdued Indians and their kynges, afwell of fuche as they haue gyuen for their fyne and
raunfome, or otherwife as frendes to the Chriflians, befyde that whiche hath byn vyolently taken from the
rebelles. But the greateft parte of the wrought gold whiche the Indians haue, is bafe and holdeth fumwhat of
2IZ




212


The hyj/orie of the vvefie Indies.


copper. Of this they make braflettes and chaines and in the fame they clofe their iewels whiche their women
are accuflomed to weare and efteeme more then all the richeffe of the worlde. The maner howe golde is
gathered, is this, eyther of fuche as is founde in Zauana, that is to faye in the plaines and riuers of the champian
countrey being withowt trees, whether the earth be with graffe or without. Or of fuche as is fumtymes founde
on the land without the riuers in places where trees growe, fo that to coome by the fame, it fhalbe requifite to
cutte downe many and great trees. But after whiche fo euer of thefe two maners it be founde, eyther in the
riuers or ruptures or breaches of water, or elles in the earth, I wyll fhewe howe it is founde in bothe thefe places,
and howe it is feperate and pourged. Therfore when the myne or veine is difcouered, this chaunceth by ferchyng
and prouyng in fuche places as by certeyne fygnes and tooken do appeare to fkylfull men apte for the generation
of golde and to holde golde. And when they haue founde it, they folowe the myne and labour it, whether it
be in the ryuer or in the plaine as I haue fayde. And if it bee founde on the plaine, fyrft they make the place
verye cleane where they intende to dygge. Then they dygge eyght or ten foote in length and as muche in
breadth: but they goo no deeper then a fpanne or two, or more as fhall feeme beft to the maifter of the myne,
dyggynge equally. Then they wafhe all the earthe whiche they haue taken owte of the fayde place. And if
herein they fynde any golde, they folowe it. And if not, they dygge a fpanne deeper, and wafhe the earth as
they dyd before. And if then alfo, they fynde nothynge, they continue in dyggyng and waffhyng the earth as before
vntil they come to the hard rocke or ftone. And if in fyne they fynd no golde there, they folowe no further to
feeke golde in that place, but go to an other parte. And it is to be vnderflode, that when they haue founde the
myne, they folowe it in digginge in the fame meafure in leuell and deapth vntill they haue made an ende of al
the myne which that place conteyneth, if it appere to be riche. This myne ought to confyft of certen feete or
pafes in length or breadth accordynge to certeyne orders determined. And within that compaffe of earth, it is
not lawfull for any other to dygge for golde. And where as endeth the myne of hym that fyrfte founde the gold,
immediatly it is lawfull for any other man that wyl, with a flaffe to affygne hym felfe a place by the fyde of the
fame, inclofynge it with flakes or pales as his owne. Thefe mynes of Zauana (that is fuch as are found in the
playne) owght euer to bee foughte nere to fum ryuer or brooke or fpringe of water, or dyke, or flandyng poole,
to th[e]ende that the golde maye be waffhed, for the whiche purpofe they vfe the laboure of certeyne Indians
as they doo other in dygginge of the myne. And when they haue dygged owte the myne, they fyl certeine
traies with that earth, whiche other Indians haue the charge immediatly to receaue at their handes, and
to carye thofe treyes of earth to the water where it maye bee waffhed. Yet do not they that brynge it,
178   wafhe it, but delyuer it to other, puttynge it owte of their owne trayes into theirs which they haue ready in their
handes to receaue it. Thefe waffhers for the mofte parte, are the Indian women, bycaufe this woorke is of
leffe paine and trauayle then any other. Thefe women when they wafhe, are accuftomed to fytte by the waters
fyde, with their legges in the water euen vppe to the knees or leffe as the place ferueth their purpofe. And
thus holdynge the the trays with earth earth in their handes by the handles therof, and puttynge the fame into the water,
they moue them rownde aboute after the maner of fyftynge, with a certeyne apteneffe in fuche forte that there
entreth no more water into the trais then ferueth their turne: And with the felfe fame apte mouynge And withaeir
trais in the water, they euer auoyd the foule water with the earth owte of the one fyde of the veffell, and
receaue in cleane water on the other fide therof. So that by this meanes by little and lyttle, the water wafIheth
the earth as the lyghter fubftaunce owte of the trais, and the golde as the heauier matter refleth in the bottome
of the fame, beyng rounde and holowe in the myddeft lyke vnto a barbars bafen. And when all the earth is
auoyded, and the golde gathered togither in the bottome of the traye, they putte it aparte, and returne to take
more earth, whiche they wafhe continually as before. And thus they that laboure in this woorke, do gather
dayly fuche portion of golde as Ifhal pleafe god to graunt to the patrones of thefe Indians and fuche other as
trauaile in the fame. Furthermore, it is to bee noted that for euery two Indians that wafhe, it is requifite that
two other ferue them to brynge earthe from the myne, and other twoo to breake the fame fmaule and fylle their
trais therwith. Alfo befyde thefe labourers, it is neceffarye that there bee other people in the place where they
woorke and refle in the nyghte. Thefe are fuche as make their breade, and prouyde for vyttayles and other
neceffaryes. So that to conclude, there are in all, fyue perfons ordinarily affigned to euery traye of waffhers.
There is an other maner of woorkyng the mynes in riuers or brookes of runnynge waters. And this is,
that in auoydynge the water of his courfe, after that the beddes of the ryuers are drye and vtterlye emptied,
they fynde golde emonge the breaches, cliftes, and ryftes of flones, and among all that is in the bottome of the
chanell, and where naturally the riuer runneth of greateft force. So that it chaunceth fum tyme, that when the
bedde of the ryuer is good and ryche, they fynde in it great quantitie of golde. And therfore yowr maieflie
ought to vnderflande for a generail rule, as it appereth in facte, that all golde is engendered in the toppes and
hygheft places of the montaines: And in continuance of time is by lyttle and lyttle browght downe to the vales
and plaines by fhowres of rayne, and the faules of fprynges, ryuers, and brookes hauynge their originall in the
mountaynes and defcendynge from the fame, notwithflandynge it bee oftentymes founde in the plaines farre
212




The hy/forie of the vveJie Indies.


213





from the mountaynes. But when it chaunceth to be founde in great quantitie, it is for the mofte parte amonge
the mountaynes and in the riuers, or their branches, more then in any other parte of the plaine. And in thefe
two maners is it commonly founde mofte abundauntly. And for the better profe that golde is engendered on
hyghe, and is brought downe into the lowe places, I haue one great tooken therof whiche caufeth me to beleue
it for certeine. And this is to confyder that coles neuer putrifie nor corrupt vnder the ground, if they be made
of fironge woodde. Wherby it chaunceth that diggyng the earth by the fouldes or indented places of the
mountaynes, or on the fydes, and breakynge a myne in the earthe where it had not byn broken before, and
hauyng nowe dygged one or two or three poles in meafure, the myners founde certeyne coles of wood vnder the
fame leuel where they found gold. And this I faye in the earth whiche was taken for a vyrgine: that is to faye,
fuch as had not before byn opened for any myne. The which coles coulde not naturally b~e engendred there,
or enter in by any meanes. But when the fuperficial part of the earth was equal with the leiel where the coles
were founde, it is lyke that the coles were left there by fum occafion of fyre, and that they faftned there in
tyme, and that afterwarde in longe continuance of tyme, they were by lyttle and lyttle couered with the earth
which the often ihowers of rayne wafhed from the mountaynes, fo that by the courfe of yeares the earth ouergrewe the coles vnto the fayde leuell and meafure whiche had before tyme byn the fuperficiall parte of the
earthe where the coles and golde were founde togyther: whereby it maye appeare that the golde was no more  179
engendered there then were the coles, but brought thyther from the mountaynes by the faules of waters as we
haue fayde: forafmuche as the mountaynes are the matrices and bowels of all ryche metals. Further and
befyde this, I fay that in how much more the gold is gonne farre from the naturall place of his generation to
the place where it is founde, it is fo muche the more puryfied and fyned and of a better carracte. And the
nearer that it is founde to his proper myne or vaine where it is engendered, it is fo muche the bafer, fouler, and
more crude, and of a bafer alay and caracte, and dothe waft fo much the more in meltynge, and remayneth
more brickle. Sumetyme there are founde graynes of golde of greate quantitie and of greate weyght aboue the
earth and fumtymes alfo vnder the earth. And the greatefte of all other that was founde to this daye in the
Indies, was that which was lofte in the fea aboute the Ilande Beata, whiche weyed three thoufande and twoo
hundreth Caftellans of golde, which are in value foure thoufand a hundreth, thirtie and eyght ducades of golde,
which waye one Arroua and feuen pounde, or. xxxii. pounde. after. xii. ounces to the pounde, whiche make  A marke, ts a
pounde of viii.
threefcore and foure markes of golde. And I fawe in the yeare. 15I5. in the handes of Mychel Paffamonte  ounces: summa.
treafurer to yowre maieftie, two graines of the which one wayde feuen poundes, which are. xiiii. markes, and  unds wrty-tgh
are in value aboute threefcore and fyue ducades of golde euery marke. The other was of. x. markes, which are  xii. ounces to the
fyue poundes of lyke value, and of very good golde of. xxii. caractes and better. There are alfo founde many  Ii. [pound].
other greate graynes, although not equall vnto thefe in byggenes. And forafmuche as I haue fpoken of golde,
I haue thought good to declare fumewhat howe the Indians can very excellently gylte fuche veffelles of copper
and bafe golde as they make. For they can gyue them fo fayre and floryfhynge a coloure, that all the maffe
whiche they gylte, appearethe as though it were golde of. xxii. caractes and better. This colour they gyue with
a certeyne herbe as thoughe it were wrought by the arte of any goldefmyth of Spayne or Italie, and wold of
them bee efteemed as a thynge of greate ryches, and a fecreate maner of gyldynge. And for as muche as I
haue fpoken fufficiently of the myne of golde, I wyll nowe fpeake fumwhat of copper bycaufe I haue made
mention thereof. This metall is founde in many of the Ilandes of the Indies and alfo in the firme lande: And
is founde dayely in greate quantitie holdynge fumwhat of golde. But for the defyre that owre men haue to
golde, they nothynge efteeme the copper, although there myght great commoditie and profitte be had therby,
and alfo by other metals whiche they nothynge regarde excepte fyluer whiche is founde abundantly in that parte
of the firme lande which is cauled newe Spayne. But of this it fhall fuffice to haue fayde thus muche, bycallfe
I haue more particularly entreated of thefe thynges in my generall hyftorie of India.
V
Cr Of the maner offyjhynge for perles.
He Indians exercife this kynde of fyffhynge for the mofte parte in the coaftes of the North in
Cubagua and Cumana. And manye of theym which dwell in the houfes of certeyne particular lordes in the Ilandes of San Dominico and SanCti Iohannis, refort to the Ilande of
Cubagua for this purpofe. Theyr cuftome is to go fyue, fyxe, or feuen, or more in one of
theyr Canoas or barkes erly in the mornynge to fume place in the fea there about where it
appeareth vnto them that there fhulde bee greate plentie of thofe fhell fyfhes (which fume
caule mufcles and fume oyfters) wherin perles are engendered. And there they plonge
S 2                                 213




214


The hyjiorie of the vveJfe Indies.


180
Of this reade more
largely in the
decades.
By the
computation of
venice. mii. graines
make a carette.
181


them felues vnder the water, euen vnto the bottome, fauynge one that remaynethe in the Canoa or boate which
he keepeth Ityll in one place as neare as he can, lookynge for theyr returne owte of the water. And when one
of them hath byn a good whyle vnder the water, he ryfeth vp and commeth fwymmynge to the boate, enterynge
into the fame, and leauynge there all the oyfters whiche he hath taken and brought with hym. For in thefe,
are the perles founde. And when he hathe there refled hym felfe a whyle, and eaten parte of the oyfters, he
returneth ageyne to the water, where he remaynethe as longe as he can endure, and then ryfeth ageyne, and
fwimmeth to the boate with his pray, where he reflethe hym as before, and thus continueth courfe by courfe, as
doo all the other in lyke maner, being all mofte experte fwymmers and dyuers. And when the nyght draweth
neare, they returne to the Ilande to theyr houfes, and prefente all the oyfters to the mafter or flewarde of the houfe
of theyr lorde who hath the charge of the fayde Indians. And when he hath gyuen them fumwhat to eate, he
layeth vp the oyfters in fafe cuflodie vntyll he haue a great quantitie therof. Then hee caufeth the fame fyffher
men to open them. And they fynde in euery of theym pearles other great or fmaul, two or three or foure, and
fumtymes flue and fyxe, and many fmaule graines accordyng to the lyberalitie of nature. They faue the pearles
bothe fmaule and great whiche they haue founde: And eyther eate the oyflers if they wyl, or cafte them away,
hauynge fo great quantitie therof that they in maner abhorre them. Thefe oyfters are of hard flefhe, and not fo
plefaunt in eatyng as are owres of Spayne. This Ilande of Cubagua where this maner of fyffhing is exercifed,
is in the Northe coafte, and is no bygger then the Iland of Zelande. Oftentymes the fea encreafeth greatly, and
muche more then the fyfhers for pearles wold, bycaufe where as the place is very depe, a man can not naturally
reft at the bottome by reafon of the aboundaunce of aery fubftaunce whiche is in hym, as I haue oftentymes
proued. For althoughe he may by vyolence and force defcende to the bottome, yet are his feete lyfted vp ageyne
fo that he can continue no tyme there. And therfore where the fea is verye deepe, thefe Indian fyffhers vfe to
tye two great floones aboute them with a corde, on euery fyde one, by the weyght wherof they defcend to the
bottome and remayne there vntyl them lyfleth to ryfe ageine: At which tyme they vnlofe the flones, and ryfe
vppe at their pleafure. But this their apteneffe and agilitie in fwimming, is not the thynge that caufeth men
mofle to marauile: But rather to confyder how many of them can flande in the bottome of the water for the
fpace of one hole houre, and fumme more or leffe, accordynge as one is more apte hereunto then an other.
An other thynge there is whiche feemeth to me very ftraunge. And this is, that where as I haue oftentymes
demaunded of fumme of thefe lordes of the Indians, if the place where they accuflomed to fyfhe for pearles
beynge but lyttle and narrowe, wyll not in fhorte tyme bee vtterly withowt oyfters if they confume them fo fafte,
they al anfwered me, that althoughe they bee confumed in one parte, yet if they go a fyffhynge in an other parte
or an other coafle of the Ilande, or at an other contrary wynd, and continue fyffhing there alfo vntyll the oyfters
be lykewyfe confumed, and then returne ageyne to the fyrfte place, or any other place where they fyffhed before
and emptied the fame in lyke maner, they find them ageine as ful of oyfters as though they had neuer bin
fyffhed. Wherby we may iudge that thefe oyfters eyther remoue from one place to an other as do other fyffhes, or
elles that they are engendered and encreafe in certeyne ordinarie places. This Iland of Cumana and Cubagua
where they fyfhe for thefe perles, is in the twelfe degree of the part of the faid coafte which inclineth toward the
North. Lykewife pearles are founde and gathered in the South fea cauled MAare del Sur. And the pearles of
this fea are verye bygge. Yet not fo bigge as they of the Ilande of pearles cauled de las perlas, or Mfargaritea,
whiche the Indians caule Terarequi, lying in the goulfe of faincte Michael, where greatter pearles are founde and
of greater price then in any other coafte of the Northe fea, in Cumalna, or any other parte. I fpeake this as a
trewe teflimonie of fyght, hauyng byn longe in that South fea, and makynge curious inquifition to bee certenly
informed of al that perteyneth to the fyffhynge of pearles. From this Ilande of Tararequi, there was brought
a pearle of the faffhyon of a peare, wayinge. xxxi. carattes, whiche Petrus Arias had amonge a thoufande and
foo many poundes weight of other pearles whiche hee had when capitayne Gafpar Morales (before Pelrus Arias)
paffed to the faide Ilande in the yeare. I 5 1 5. whiche pearle was of great prife. From the faide Ilande alfo,
came a great and verye rounde pearle, whiche I brought owte of the fea. This was as bygge as a fmaule pellet
of a ftlone bowe, and of the weight of. xxvi. carattes. I boughte it in the citie of Panama in the fea of Sur:
And paide for it fyxe hundreth and fyftie tymes the weyght therof of good gold, and had it thre yeares
in my cuftodie: and after my returne into Spaine, foulde it to th[e]erle of Nanfao, Marqueffe of Zenete, great
chamberleyne to yowre maieflie, who gaue it to the Marqueffe his wyfe, the ladye MenItia of Mndozza. I thyncke
verely that this pearle was the greateftl, fayreft, and roundeft that hath byn feene in thofe partes. For yowre
maieftie owght to vnderllande that in the coafte of the fea of Sur, there are founde a hundreth great pearles
rounde after the faffhyon of a peare, to one that is perfectely rounde and greate. This Ilande of Terarequi,
which the Chriflians caule the Ilande of pearles, and other caule it the Ilande of floures, is founde in the eyght
degree on the fouthe fyde of the firme lande in the prouynce of golden Caftyle or Bcragua. And thefe are the
coafles of the firme lande where pearles are founde euen vnto this day. I vnderflande alfo that there are perles
founde in the prouynce and Ilandes of Cartagenia. And fence yowr maieftie appoynted me a gouernour and


214




The hyjiorie of the vveJfe Indies.


215




capytayne, I haue made further fearche, and am aduertifed that pearles are founde in dyuers other places as
about the Hand of Codego which lyeth ageynft the mouth of that porte of the Ilande of Cartagenia which the
Indians caul Coro. The which Iland and porte, are on the North fyde in the tenthe degree of the coaftes of
the firme lande.
V
c  Of the familiaritie which certeyne of the Indians haue with the deuyli,
and howe they receaue anfwere of hym             of thynges to coome.
Hen the Indians begynne theyr battayle, or go to any combat or attempte any other greate
matter, they haue certeyne electe menne whom they reuerendely efteme and caule them
wTequinas, whiche in theyr tonge is as muche to faye as mailers. Notwithftandynge that they
caule euery man that is cunnynge in any fcience, by the fame name, as fyffhers, foulers,
hunters, or makers of nettes. Thefe Tequinas therfore, they caule the mailers of theyr
aunfweres bycaufe they fpeake with Tuyra, that is the deuyll, and brynge them aunfwere
what he faythe, eyther as touchynge fuche thynges as they haue to doo or ihall chaunce
to them the day folowynge, or many dayes to coome. For the deuyll beinge fo auncient an Aftronomer,
knowethe the tymes of thynges and feeth howe they are naturally directed and inclined. And makethe theym
beleue that they come fo to paffe by his ordynaunce, as though he were the lorde and mouer of all that is and
fhalbe: And that he gyueth the day lyght and rayne: caufeth tempeit and ruleth the lRations of tymes, gyuyng
lyfe or takynge awaye lyfe at his pleafure. By reafon wherof, the Indians being deceaued of hym, and feing alfo
fuch effectes to coome certeynely to paffe as he hath tolde them before, beleue hym in all other thynges and
honoure hym in many places with facrifyces of the bludde and liues of men and odoriferous fpices. And when
god difpofeth the contrary to that whiche the deuell hath fpbken in oracle wherby he is proued a lyer, he caufeth
the Tequinas to perfwade the people that he hath chaunged his mynde and fentence for fumme of their fynnes,
or deuifeth fumme fuche lye as lyketh hym befte, beynge a fkylfull maifter in fuche fubtile and craftie deuifes to
deceyue the fymple and ignorant people whiche hath fmaule defence againft fo mighty and craftie an aduerfarie.
And as they caule the deuell Tuyra, fo doo they in many places caule the Chriftians by the fame name,
thynkyng that they greatly honoure them therby, as in deede it is a name very feete and agreable to many
of them, hauynge layde aparte all honeftie and vertue, lyuynge more lyke dragons then men amonge thefe
fymple people.
Before th[e]inhabitauntes of the Ilande of Hifpaniola had receaued the Chriftian faithe there was amonge
them a fecte of men whiche liued folytarily in the defertes and wooddes and ledde their lyfe in fylence and
abflinence more itraightly then euer dyd the phylofophers of Pythagoras fecte, abfteinyng in lyke maner from
the eatyng of al thynges that liue by bludde contented onely with fuche fruites, herbes, and rootes as the defertes
and wooddes myniftred vnto them to eate. The profeffours of this fecte were cauled Places. They gaue them
felues to the knowleage of naturall thynges, and vfed certeine fecreate magicall operations and fuperftitions
wherby they had familiaritie with fpirites whiche they allured into theyr owne bodyes at fuche tymes as they
wolde take vppon them to tell of thynges to coome, whiche they dyd in maner as foloweth. When any of the
kynges had occafyon to caule any of them owte of the defertes for this purpofe, their cutlome was to fende them
a portion of their fyne breade of Cazabbi or Maizium, and with humble requefte and fute to defyre them to tell
them of fuche thynges as they woulde demaunde. After the requeft graunted and the place and daye appoynted,
the Piaces coometh with twoo of his difciples waytynge on hym, wherof the one bryngeth with hym a veffell of  182
a fecreate water, and the other a lyttle fyluer bell. When he coommeth to the place, he fytteth downe on a
rounde feate made for hym of purpofe. Where hauynge his difciples the one ilandynge on the one hande and
the other on the other euen in the prefence of the kyng and certeyne of his nobles (for the common people are
not admytted to thefe mifteries) and turnynge his face toward the deferte, he begynneth his inchauntment and
cauleth the fpirit with loude voyce by certeyne names which no man vnderflandeth but he and his difciples.
After he hath dooen thus a while, if the fpirite yet deferre his coommyng, he drinketh of the fayde water, and
therwith waxeth hotte and furious, and inuerteth and turneth his inchauntement, and letteth hym felfe bludde
with a thorne, marueiloufly turmoylyng hym felfe as wee reade of the furious Sybilles not ceafynge vntyl the
fpirite bee coome: who at his coommyng entereth into hym and ouerthroweth hym as it weare a grehounde
fhulde ouerturne a fquerell. Then for a fpace, he feemeth to lye as thoughe he were in great payne or in a
rapte, wonderfully tormentynge hym felfe, durynge whiche agonie, the other difciple fhaketh the fyluer bell
215




216


The zhyforie of the vveJfe Indies.


contynually. Thus when the agonie is pafte and he lyeth quietly (yet withowte any fence or feelyng) the kynge
or fumme other in his fleade, demaundeth of hym what he defyreth to knowe, and the fpirite anfwereth by the
mouth of the rapte Piaces with a directe and perfecte anfwere to all poyntes. In fo muche that on a tyme
certeyne Spanyardes beynge prefente at thefe myflteries with one of the kinges, and in the Spanyfhe tounge
demaundynge the Piaces of their ihyppes whiche they looked for owte of Spayne, the fpirite anfwvered in the
Indian toonge, and toulde them what daye and houre the ihyppes departed from Spayne, how many they were,
and what they brought withowt faylynge in any poynte. If he be alfo demaunded of the eclypfe of the foonne
or moone (which they greatly feare and abhorre) he geueth a perfecte anfwere, and the lyke of tempeftes,
famen, plentie, warre or peace, and fuche other thinges. When all the demaundes are fynyffhed, his difciples
caule hym aloude, rynging the fyluer bell at his eare and blowynge a certeyne pouder into his nofethrilles
wherby he is rayfed as it weare from a deade fleape beinge yet fumewhat heauy headed and faynt a good whyle
after. Thus beinge ageyne rewarded of the kynge with more breade, he departeth ageyne to the defertes with
his difciples. But fence the Chriflian fayth hath byn difparfed throwghe owte the Ilande, thefe deuyllyfhe
practifes haue ceafed, and they of the dmembersre o the deuyll, are made the members of Chryfte by baptifme
forfakynge the deuyll and his workes, with the vaine curiofitie of defyre of knowleage of thynges to coome,
wherof for the moft part it is better to be ignorant then with vexation to knowe that which can not be auoyded.
Furthermore, in many places of the firme lande, when any of the kynges dye, all his houfholde feruauntes,
afwell women as men which haue continually ferued hym, kyl them felues, beleauynge as they are taught by the
deuyl Tuyra, that they which kyll them felues when the kynge dyeth, go wth hym to heauen and ferue hym in
the fame place and office as they dyd before on thee earth whyle he lyued. And that all that refufe fo to doo,
when after they dye by theyr naturall death or otherwyfe, theyr foules to dye with theyr bodyes and to bee
diffolued into ayer and become nothynge as do the foules of hogges, byrdes, or fyffhes or other brute beaftes.
And that only the other may enioy the priuileage of immortalitie for euer to ferue the kynge in heauen. And
of this falfe opinion commeth it that they which fowe corne or fet rootes for the kynges breade, and gather the
fame, are accuflomed to kyll them felues that they may enioy this priuileage in heauen. And for the fame
purpofe, caufe a portion of the graine of Maizium and a bundle of lucca (wherof theyr breade is made) to bee
buryed with them in theyr graues that the fame maye ferue them in heauen if perhappes there fhuld lacke
feedes to fowe. And therfore they take this with them to begyn with all, vntyl Tuyra (who maketh them all
thefe fayre promiffes) prouyde them of greater quantitie. This haue I my felfe fene in the toppe of the
mountaynes of Guaturo, where hauynge in pryfon the kynge of that prouince (who rebelled from th[e]obedience
of yowre maieftie) and demaundynge of hym to whom perteyned thofe fepultures or graues whiche I fawe in
his houfe, he anfwered that they were of certeyne Indians whiche flewe them felues at the death of his father.
183   And bycaufe they are oftentymes accuftomed to burye greate quantities of wrought golde with them, I caufed
twoo graues to bee opened, wherein was nothynge founde but a veffell full of the grayne of Maizium, and a
bundell of lucca as I haue fayde. And demaunding the caufe hereof of the kinge and the other Indians, they
aunfwered that they that were buryed there, were the labourers of the grounde, and men fkylful in fowynge of
feedes and makynge of breade, and feruauntes to the kynges father. And to th[e]ende that theyr foules Ihoulde
not dye with theyr bodyes, they flewe them felues at the deathe of the kynge theyr mafter to lyue with hym in
heauen. And to th[e]intent that they myght ferue him there in the fame office they referued that Maizium and
lucca to fowe it in heauen. Whereunto I aunfwered them in this maner. Beholde howe your Tuyra deceaueth
yowe? And howe all that he teacheth yow is falfe? Yowe fee how in fo long a tyme fence they are deade,
they haue not yet taken awaye this Mlaizium and lucca which is nowe putrified and woorth nothynge, and not
lyke to bee fowen in heauen. To this the kynge replyed, fayinge. In that they haue not yet taken it away
nor fowen it in heauen, the caufe is that they chaunced to fynde enowgh there, by reafon wherof they had no
neade of this. To this erroure manye thynges were fayde which feemed of lyttle force to remoue hym from his
falfe opinion, and efpecially any fuch as at that age are occupyed of the deuyll, whom they paynt of the felfe
fame forme and coloure as he appereth vnto theym in dyuers fhapes and formes. They make alfo Images ot
golde, copper, and woodde, to the fame fimilitudes in terrible fhapes and fo variable as the paynters are
accuflomed to paynt them at the feete of faynte Mychaell th[e]archangell or in anye other place where they
paynt them of moft horrible port[r]iture. Lykewyfe when the deuyll greatly intendeth to feare theym, he
threteneth to fende them great tempefles which they caule Furacanas or Haurachanas, and are fo vehement
that they ouerthrowe many howfes and great trees. And I haue feene in montaynes full of many and greate
trees, that for the fpace of three quarters of a league the mountayne hathe byn fubuerted and the trees
ouerthrowen and plucked owte of the earthe with the rootes: a thynge doubteleffe fo fearefull and terrible to
behold, that it may verely appere to be doen by the hand of the deuell. And in this cafe the Chriflian men
ought to confider with good reafon, that in al places where the holy facrament is referued, the fayd tempeftes
are no more fo owtragious, or so perelous as they were wonte to bee.


2I6




The hyforie of the vvefJe Indies.


217


I ---i ~  -  — IC --- —--


C Of the temperature of the regions vnder or neare to the burnt lyne cauled
Torrida zona or the Equinoctiall: and of the dyuersfeafons
of the yeare.
He landes and regions that are neare about the clymes of the Equinoctiall lyne, are naturally
hotte, althowghe they bee otherwyfe temperate by the diuine prouidence.          And therfore
I              lfuche flefihe or fyihe as is taken and kylled in there regions, can not bee preferued from
putrefaction except it be roiled, fodden, or perboylde, the fame daye that it is kylde.  And
wheras I haue fayde that fuch regions are naturally hot, and yet temperate by the prouidence
of god, it is fo in deede.  And therfore not without caufe the auncient autours were of opinion
that the burnte lyne or Torrida zona where paffeth the lyne of the Equinoctiall, Ihulde be
vnhabitable by reafon the foonne hath greater dominion in that place then in any other of the fphere,
remaynynge continually betwene the two tropykes of Cancer and Capricorne.          For when in thefe regions the
earth is opened or dygged from      the fuperficial parte therof to the depth of a mans heyght, it is founde
temperate.   And within this fpace, the trees and plantes faften and fpreade their rootes, and no dieper.
Extendynge the fme as farre in breadth in the ground as do their braunches in the ayer: And enter no dieper
into the grounde then I haue ayde, bycaufe the at beneth the depth of the faid fpace of a mans heyght, the earth
is verye hotte, the vpper parte beinge temperate and verye moyfte afwell by reafon of th[e]aboundaunce of water
whiche fauleth from heauen vppon that earth at certeyne ordinarie i ifeafons of the yeare, as alfo for the multitude
of great ryuers, brokes, fprynges and maryfihes, wherby the myghtie and fupreme lorde which made thefe landes,
hath mofte prudently prouyded for the perferuation of the fame.
R. E. As touchynge this poynt whiche was vnknowen to the owlde wryters, and without confideration wherof reafon can not  184
perfectly conceaue howe temperate regions fhulde be vnder the Equinoctiall lyne, I haue thought good for the better manifeflynge
of this fecreate woorke of nature, to note owte of Cardanus his booke de Elementis, howe e all waters haue theyr courfe toward the
South as to the loweft part of the earth. He wryteth therefore as foloweth. The water was made of leffe quantitie then the earth
and only in maner in the fuperficiall parte therof, that place might bee lefte for the habitation of beaites, and that water by his couldneffe myght temperate and not deftroy the lyfe of beaftes. And bicaufe this generation of lyuynge creatures, was only neceffary on
the fuperficiall partes of the earth in comparifon to the hole, therfore was the water made to occupie onely the fuperficiall parte, in
the which, metals, plantes, beaftes, and fyffhes fhulde bee nuryfhed. And bycaufe there was great perell leat it fhulde be to much
confumed by the ayer and heate of the foonne, continuall mouinge was ioyned to it, wherby it gathereth couldnes and is preferued
from fodeyne refolution. For fuche waters as do not moue, doo foone putrifie, and are eafely refolued into ayer. By reafon wherof
nature prouyded for the generation of water in coulde places, as vnder the poles and mountaynes. And whereas the earth vnder the
Equinoctiall fhulde otherwife for lacke of moyfter haue bin to much burned and fcorched, nature alfo prouyded that that parte of the
earth fhuldeeee lowet, by reafon whereof all waters haue theyr courfe towarde the South to mitigate with moyfter th[e]extremitie of
heate which otherwie hule hulhaue byn intollerable in that clyme. And by this reafon, the famous ryuer of Nilus in Egypte. albeit it
haue his originall and fprynge, owt of the mountaynes of the mone cauled Montes Lunae nere vnto the cyrcle of Capricorne, yet runnynge with all his braunches vnder and beyonde the Equinoctiall cyrcle, it difparfeth throwgh owt the burnt line of Torrida zona, and
by the fame vyolent courfe fauleth into owre fea nere vnto the citie of Alexandria. It was neceffary therfore that the greateft parte of
the coulde and moyft element fhulde haue recourfe thyther and confyft there, whereas was the greateft neceffitie therof to temper the
heate of the foonne by moyftynge and coolynge the earthe and the ayer, as vnder the Equinoctiall. And herewith alfo hath moft
prudent nature prouyded for the fecuritie and preferuation of the places lyinge betwene bothe th[e]extremities of heate and colde, as
betwene the poles and the Equinoctiall. For the waters flowynge euer one wayes and kepynge one courfe, no regions can be drowned
by fluddes: which thynge they well obferue that delyuer fieldes from inundations or ouerflowynges, and that take in hande to drye
vp maryffhes. If therfore waters had not theyr courfe and faul towarde places lowe or declynynge, the hole earth ihulde bee ou.erflowne as a marryffhe. And that the moft declynynge parte fhulde bee towarde the South, and fumwhat hygher about the poles, the
caufe is afwell the confumynge heate of the foonne in the Southe partes, as the preferuynge coulde of the hygh mountaynes nere to
the poles. For we haue els where proued that heate confumeth and wafteth as coulde gathereth and preferueth. And for this caufe
that parte of the earthe that is neareft the poles, is, was, and euer fhalbe higheft, and likewife loweft in the middeft furtheft from
the poles. And therfore it was not conuenient that the fonne fhuld haue his courfe on euery fyde, neither to the poles. For if it weare
caryed alyke to euery parte throughowt the worlde, it is necefary that the earth bee equall: and by that reafon fhulde it euer bee
altogether dryed, or elles all ouerflowed with water. But where as this coulde not fuffyce to the free courfe of ryuers for the often
intercourfe of higher places lyinge in the waye, whereby ouerflowynges and flayes of waters and their corruption myght enfue,
moofte prouydent nature hath gyuen this priuileage to water that it maye fo muche afcende as it hath difcended: that by this meanes
paffynge ouer mountaynes and hylles, it maye at the length bee caryed into the fea. etc. Hytherto Cardanus, lette vs nowe retunme
to the hiftorie.
There are alfo many roughe and hyghe mountaynes with temperate ayer and pleafaunt, cleare and
moderate nightes. Of the whiche particularitie the auncient writers hauyng no certeyne knowleage, affyrmed


217




2I8


The hyftorie of the vveft Indies.


the faid burnte lyne or Torrida zona, or Equinoctial to be naturally vnhabitable. As touching which thing I
am able to witneffe the contrary by teftimonie of fyght and feelyng as by moit certeine fenfes, hauyng liued
many yeares in thefe regions, by reafon wherof better' credit ought to be giuen to me then to fuche as haue
grounded their opinion onely vpon coniectures. And to fpeake further of the fytuation of thefe regyons, yowe
fhall vnderftande that the coafte of the Northe fea, beynge in the goulfe of Vraba and in the porte of Dariena,
where the fhyppes arryue whiche coome owte of Spayne, is in the fyxte degree and a halfe, and in the feuenth,
and from fyxe and a halfe vnto eyght, excepte a fmaule pointe which entereth into the fea toward the North.
That pointe which of this land and new parte of the worlde lieth mofte towarde the Eaft, is the cape of faincte
Auguftine which is in the eight degree. So that the faid goulfe of Vraba is diftant from the Equinoctiall lyne,
from a hundreth and twentie to a hundreth and thirtie leaques and three quarters of a leaque after th[e]accompte
of. xvii. leaques and a halfe for euerye degree from pole to pole. And thus for a lyttle more, or leffe, goeth all
the coafte. By reafon wherof, in the citie of Sanca Maria Antigqua in Dariena, and in all that courfe of the
forfayde goulfe of Vraba, at all tymes of the yeare the dayes and nyghtes are in maner of equall length. And
185   if there bee any dyfference betwene theym by reafon of this fmaule difltance from the Equinoctial, it is fo lyttle,
that in. xxiiii. houres makynge a naturall daye, it canne not bee perceaued but by the iudgement of fpeculatiue
men and fuche as vnderftande the fphere. From henfe the North flarre is feene very lowe And when the
flarres which are cauled the wardens of the north ifarre, are vnder the charlotte, it can not bee feene, bycaufe
it is vnder the horifontal. And whereas I haue fayde beefore that it rayneth in thefe regions at certeyne
ordinarie tymes, it is fo in deede. For it is wynter and fummer there at contrary tymes to that whiche is in
Spayne, where the greatefte coulde of frofte and rayne is in December and Ianuary: And the greateft heate of
fommer aboute faynt Iohannes daye at mydfommer or in the moneth of Iuly. But in golden Caftile or
Beragua, it is contrary. For the fommer and tyme of greateft drowght and withowt rayne, is at Chryflmas and
a moneth before and a moneth after. And the tyme when it rayneth moft, is about midfommer and a moneth
before and a moneth after. And this feafon whiche they caule wynter, is not for that it is any coulder then,
then at any other tyme of the yeare, or hotter at Chriflmas then at other feafons, the tyme in thefe regions
being euer after one maner, but for that that in this tyme which they caule wynter, the foonne is hyd from theyr
fyghtes by reafon of cloudes and rayne more then at other tymes. Yet forafmuch as for the mofte parte of the
yeare they lyue in a cleare, open, and temperate ayer, they fumwhat fhrynke and feele a lyttle coulde durynge
the tyme of the faid moift and cloudy ayer, althowgh it bee not coulde in deede, or at the leaft fuche coulde
as hath any fenfible fharpenes.
1 Of dyuers 5particular thynges, as woormes, ferpenles, beaftes,
foules, trees. etc.
Any other thynges myght be fayde, and much differyng from thefe wherof I haue fpoken.
But to lette paffe the multitude of thynges whiche are as variable as the power of nature is
infinite, and to fpeake of fuche thynges as coome chiefely to my rememberaunce as moofte
E  0 I   woorthy to be noted, I wyll fyrfte fpeake of certeyne lyttle and troubelous beaftes whiche
maye feeme to bee engendered of nature to moleft and vexe menne, to fhewe them and
gyue them to vnderftand howe fmaule and vyle a thynge may offende and difquiete them,
to th[e]ende that they maye remember the pryncipall ende for the whiche they were created,
that is, to knowe theyr maker and procurer of theyr faluation by the waye whiche is open to all Chriflian men
and all other whiche wyll open the eyes of theyr vnderflandynge. And although the thynges whereof wee
entende nowe to fpeake may feeme vyle and lyttle to bee efteemed, yet are they woorthy to bee noted and
confydered to vndertfand the difference and variable woorkes of nature. So it is therfore, that whereas in
many partes of the firme lande by the which afwell the Chriftians as Indians doo trauel, there are fuch maryffhes
and waters in the way that they are fayne to go withowt breeches amonge the herbes and weedes, by reafon
wherof, certeyne fmaule beaftes or woormes (which they caule Garapates) much lyke vnto tykes, cleaue faft to
theyr legges. Thefe wormes are as little as the pouder of beaten falt: And cleaue fo fafi that they can by no
meanes be taken away except the place bee noynted with oyle. And after that the legges bee noynted awhyle
with oyle, or the other partes where thefe lyttle tykes are fattened, they fcrape the place with a knyfe and fo
take them away. But the Indians whiche haue no oyle, fmoke them and burne them with fyer, and abyde
great peynes in takynge them awaye by this meanes. Of other lyttle beaftes which trouble men and are


218




The hyJforie of the vveJ/e Indies.


219


engende[red] in theyr heades or other partes of theyr bodies, I faye that the Chriitian men which trauell into
thefe partes, haue them but feldome tymes, and that not pafl one or two, and this alfo very feldome. For
paffynge by the lyne of the Diameter where the compaffe makethe difference of faylynge by the wynde cauled
Greco, (that is North Eaft) and MAagifral, (that is fouth weft) which is in the courfe of the Ilandes of Azori,
they fayle but a lyttle way folowing owre vyage by the weft, but that all the lyfe which the Chriltians cary with
them, or are engendered in theyr heades or other places of theyr bodies, dye and vtterlye confume by lyttle and
lyttle, and are not engendered in India excepte in the heades of lyttle chyldren in thofe partes afwel amonge
the chyldren of the Chriftians which are borne there, as alfo amonge the natural Indians who haue theym  186
commonly in theyr heades and fumetymes in other partes of theyr bodyes, and efpecially they of the prouince
of Cueua, which is a region conteynynge more then a hundreth leaques in length, and embrafeth the one and
the other coaft of the North fea and of the Eaft. When thefe Indians are infected with this fylthyneffe, they
dreffe and clenfe one an other. And they that exercife this, are for the mofte parte women who eate all that
they take: And haue herein fuch dexteritie by reafon of theyr exercife, that owre men can not lyghtly atteyne
therunto. There is alfo another thynge greatly to bee confydered. And this is how the Chriftian men beinge
there cleane frome this fylthynes of India, afwell in theyr heades as the refte of theyr bodyes, yet when they
returne to coomme ageyne into Europe and begyn to arryue in that place of the Ocean fea where wee fayde
before that the lyfe dyed and forfoke them, fuddenly in theyr repaffynge by the fame clyme (as thoughe the lyfe
had taryed for them in that place) they can by no meanes auoyde theym for the fpace of certeyne dayes
although they change theyr fhertes two or three tymes in a day. Thefe lyfe are at the fyrfte as lyttle as nyttes,
and growe by lyttle and lyttle vntyl they bee of the byggeneffe that they are in Spayne. This haue I often
tymes proued, hauynge nowe foure tymes paffed the Ocean fea by this vyage.
Befyde thefe woormes and vermyn wherof we haue fpoken, there is another lyttle mifcheuous woorme,
whiche we may number amonge the kyndes of fleas. This pestilence the Indians caule Nigua: And is much  Nigua.
leffe then a flea. It perfeth the flefhe of a man, and fo launfeth or cutteth the fame (while in the meane tyme
it can nother bee feene nor taken) that from fume it hath cutte of theyr handes, and from other theyr fiete
vntyll the remedy was founde to annoynte the place with oyle and fcrape it with a rafoure.
In the firme lande in golden Caftyle or Beragua, there are many vypers lyke vnto them of Spayne. They  Vypers.
that are bytten of them, dye in fhort fpace. For fewe lyue to the fourthe daye except prefent remedy. Of
thefe, fume are of a leffe kind then other: And haue theyr tayle fumwhat rounde, and leape in the ayer to
affayle men. And for this caufe, fume caule this kynde of vypers Tyro. Theyr bytyng is molt venemous, and
for the mofle parte incurable. One of theym chaunced to byte an Indian mayde whiche ferued me in my
houfe, to whome I caufed the furgians to myniflter theyr ordinarye cure, but they coulde doo her no good, nor
yet get one droppe of bludde owt of her, but only a yelowe water, fo that Ihee died the thyrd day for lacke of
remedy as the like hath chaunced to dyuers other. This mayde was of th[e]age of. xiiii. yeares and fpoke the
Spanyffhe toonge as yf fthee had byn borne in Caflyle. Shee fayde that the vyper whiche bytte her on the
foote, was two fpannes longe or lyttle leffe. And that to byte her fhee lepte in the ayer for the fpace of more
then fyxe fpaces, as I haue harde the lyke of other credible perfons.
I haue alfo feene in the firme lande, a kynde of adders very fmaule and of feuen or eyght foote longe.  Adders.
Thefe are fo redde that in the nyght they appeare lyke burnynge cooles, and in the day feeme as redde as
bludde. Thefe are alfo venemous, but not fo much as the vypers. There are other much leffe and fhorter and,blacker. Thefe coome owt of the ryuers and wander fumtymes farre on the lande, and are lykwyfe venemous.
There are alfo other adders of a ruffet coloure. Thefe are fumwhat bygger then the vypers, and are hurtful and
venemous. There are lykewyfe an other forte of manye coloures and very longe. Of thefe I fawe one in the
yeare of Chriflt  5 I 5. in the Iland of HifJaniola nere vnto the fea cofles at the foote of the mountaynes cauled
Pedernales. When this adder was flayne, I meafured her and founde her to be more then. xx. foote longe, and
fumwhat more then a mans fyit in byggenes. And althoughe fhe hadde three or foure deadely woundes with a
fwoorde, yet dyed fhee not nor lloonke the fame daye, in fo much that her bludde continued warme all that
tyme. There are alfo in the maryffhes and defertes of the firme lande many other kyndes of lyfertes, dragons,  Dragons.
and other dyuers kyndes of ferpentes wherof I entende not here to fpeake much, bycaufe I haue more
particulerly entreated of thefe thynges in my generall hiflorie of the Wefte Indyes.
There are alfo fpiders of marueylous bygneffe. And I haue feene fumme with the body and legges, bygger  Spyders.
then a mannes hande extended euery waye. And I ones fawe one of fuche bygneffe, that onely her bodye was as
bygge as a fparowe, and full of that laune wherof they make their webbes. This was of a darke ruffette coloure,  187
with eyes greater then the eies of a fparow. They are venemous and of terrible fhape to beholde. There are alfo
fcorpions and dyuers other fuche venemous wormes. Wherby we maye fee, that where as natural caufes and influence of the planettes are of ftrongefl actiuitie, they ceafe not to engender and brynge foorthe bothe good and badde
accordynge to the difpofytion of the matter, whiche they alfo doo partely difpofe as the phylofophers affyrme.
1Q




220


The hyjlorie of the vvejle Indies.


l


Crabbes.
Serpentes cauled
Iuanni
188
Byrdes.
A very lyttle
byrde.




Furthermore in the fyrme lande, there are manye toades beyng very noyous and hurteful by reafon of
their great multitude. They are not venemous. They are feene in greate aboundance in Dariena where they
are fo bygge that when they dye in the time of drouth, the bones of fum of them (and efpecially the rybbes)
are of fuche greatneffe that they appere too bee the bones of cattes or of fumme other beaftes of the fame
byggeneffe. But as the waters dyminifhe and the moytfure confumeth in the tyme of drouth (as I haue fayde)
they alfo confume therwith vntyll the yeare nexte folowing when the rayne and moyflture increafe, at whiche
tyme they are feene ageyne. Neuertheleffe, at this prefent, there is no fuch quantitie of them as was wonte to
bee, by reafon that as the land is better cultured by the Chriftians, as well by the fellynge of wooddes and
fhrubbes as alfo by the pafture of kine, horfes, and other beaftes, fo is it apparent that this poyfon diminifheth
dayly, wherby that regyon becometh more holfome and pleafaunt. Thefe toades fynge after three or foure
fortes. For fumme of them fynge pleafauntly: other, lyke owres of Spayne. Summe alfo whitle: and other
fumme make an other maner of noyfe. They are lykewyfe of dyuers colours: as fumme greene, fumme
ruffette or grey, and fumme almoft blacke. But of all fortes, they are great, and fylthye, and noyous by reafon
of their great multitude: yet are they not venemous as I haue fayde.
There are alfo a firaunge kynde of crabbes, whiche coome foorthe of certeyne holes of the earth that they
them felues make. The head and bodye of thefe, make one rounde thing muche lyke vnto the hoode of a
fawkon: hauynge foure feete commyng owt of the one fyde and as many owt of the other. They haue alfo
two mouthes like vnto a paire of fmaule pinfers, the one bygger then the other, wherwith they byte, but do no
great hurte bycaufe they are not venemous. Their fkyn and bodye is finoothe and thynne as is the fkynne of
a man, fauynge that it is fumwhat harder. Their colour is ruffette or white, or blewe, and walke fydelonge.
They are very good to bee eaten: In fo muche that the Chriflians trauayling by the fyrme lande, haue byn
greatly nuryffhed by them bycaufe they are founde in maner euery where. In fhape and forme, they are
muche lyke vnto the crabbe which we paynte for the fygne Cancer, and like vnto thofe which are found in
Spaine in Andahifia in the ryuer Guadalchiber where it entereth into the fea, and in the fea coaftes therabout,
fauynge that thefe are of the water and the other of the lande. They are fumtymes hurtefull, fo that they that
eate of them dye. But this chaunceth onely when they haue eaten any venemous thyng, or of the venemous
apples wherwith the Canibale archers poyfon their arrowes wherof I wyll fpeake hereafter. And for this caufe
the Chriftians take hede howe they eate of thefe crabbes if they fynde them neare vnto the fayd apple trees.
Furthermore in thefe Indies, afwell in the fyrme lande as in the Ilandes, there is founde a kynde of
ferpentes, which they caule. Y. V. anas, which fumme caule fuannas. Thefe are terrible and fearefull to fyght,
and yet not hurtefull. They are very delicate to bee eaten, and it is not yet knowen whether they be beaftes
of the lande or fyfhes, bycaufe they lyue in the water, and wander in the woddes and on the lande. They haue
foure feete, and are commonly bigger then connies and in fumme places bygger then otters, with tayles lyke
lifartes or eutes. Their fkynne is fpotted, and of the fame kynd of fmothneffe or bareneffe, although of dyuers
colours. Vpon the ridge of their backes, they haue many long prickes. Theyr teethe are very fharpe, and
efpecially theyr fanges or dogge teeth. Their throtes are longe and large, reachynge from their beardes to
their breaftes, of the lyke fkynne to the refydewe of their bodyes. They are dumme, and haue no voyce or
make any noyfe or crye although they bee kept tyde to the foote of a chefte or any other thynge for the fpace
of. xx. or. xxv. dayes withowt any thyng to eate or drynke, excepte they gyue them nowe and then a lyttle of
the breade of Cazabbi, or fumme fuch other thyng. They haue foure feete, and their fore feete as longe as a
mans fynger with clawes lyke the clawes of a byrde, but weaker, and fuche as can not grafple or take holde of
any thynge. They are muche better to bee eaten then to beholde. For fewe that fee them, wyll haue defyre
to eate of them, by reafon of their horrible fhape excepte fuche as haue byn accuftomed to the beaftes of thefe
regyons, whiche are more horrible and fearefull, as this is not but onely in apparence. Their flefhe is of much
better tafte then the flefhe of connyes and more holfome. For it hurteth none but onely fuch as haue had the
frenfhe poxe. In fo much that if they haue onely byn touched of that infyrmitie, although they haue byn hole
of longe tyme, neuertheleffe they feele hurte and complayne of the eatynge of thefe Iuannas, as hath byn often
tymes proued by experience.
There are founde in the fyrme lande certeyne byrdes fo lyttle that the hole body of one of theym is no
bygger then the toppe of the byggeft fynger of a mans hande: and yet is the bare body withowt the fethers not
pafle halfe fo bygge. This byrde, befyde her lyttlenes, is of fuch velocitie and fwyftnes in flying that who fo
feeth her fleing in the ayer, can not fe her flap or beate her winges after any other fort then do the dorres or
humble bees or betels: fo that there is no man that feeth her flie, that wold think her to be any other then a
dorre. They make their neftes accordyng to the proportion of their bignes. And I haue feene that one of
thefe byrdes with her neft put in a paire of gold weights, altogether hath waid no more then. ii. Tomini,
which are in poife. 24. grains, with the fethers with out the which fhe fhulde haue wayed fumwhat leffe. And
doubt leffe when I confider the fyneneffe of the clawes and feete of thefe birdes, I knowe not whervnto I may
220






The hyfiorie of the vvefte Indies.


221


better liken them then to the lyttle byrdes whiche the lymmers of bookes are accuftomed to paynte on the margentes of churche bookes and other bookes of deuine feruice. Their fethers are of many faire colours as golden
yelowe and greene befide other variable colours. Their beake is verye longe for the proportion of theyr bodies:
and as fyne and fubtile as a fowyng nedle. They are very hardye: fo that when they fee a man clyme the
tree where they haue theyr nefles, they flye at hys face and ftryke hym in the eyes, commyng, goynge, and
retournynge with fuch fwyftnes, that no man wolde lightly beleue it that hath not feene it. And certenly thefe
byrdes are fo lyttle, that I durft not haue made mention hereof if it were not that diuers other which haue
feene them as wel as I, can beare witnes of my faying. They make their neftes of flockes and heare of cotten
wherof there is great plentie in thefe regions, and ferueth wel for theyr purpofe. But as touchyng the byrdes,
foules, and beaftes of thefe Indies, bycaufe they are innumerable bothe lyttle and greate, I intende not to
fpeake muche heare, bycaufe I haue fpoken more largely hereof in my generall hyftorye of the Indyes.
There is an other kynde of beaftes feene in the firme land which feemed very firaunge and marueilous to  Beastes
the Chryflian men to beholde, and muche differynge from all other beafles which haue byn feene in other
partes of the worlde. Thefe beaftes are cauled Bardati: And are foure footed, hauing their taile and al the  B.rdati
reft of theyr bodies couered onely with a fikyn lyke the coperture of a barbed horfe or the chekered Ikynne of
a lyfarte or Crocodyle, of coloure betwene whyte and ruffet, inclynynge fumwhat more to whyte. This beaft,
is of forme and fhape much lyke to a barbed horfe with his barbes and flankettes in all poyntes. And from
vnder that which is the barbe and coperture, the tayle commeth foorth, and the feete in theyr place, the necke
alfo and the eares in theyr partes, and in fyne all thynges in lyke forte as in a barbed courfer. They are of
the bygnes of one of thefe common dogges. They are not hurtfull. They are fylthy, and haue theyr habitation in certen hillockes of earthe where digginge with there feete they make their dens very deepe and the holes
therof in like maner as do connyes. They are verye excellent to be eaten, and are taken with nettes and fum
alfo killed with crofbowes. They are lykewife taken often tymes when the hufband men burne the ifubble in
fowyng time, or to renewe the herbage for kyne and other beaftes. I haue often times eaten of their flefhe
which femeth to me of better taft then kyddes flefhe, and holfome to be eaten. And if thefe beaftes had euer
fyght of thefe beaftes.
There is alfo in the firme lande an other beafte cauled Orfo Formigaro, that is, the Ante beare. This beafte  189
in heare and coloure, is much lyke to the beare of Spayne, and in maner of the fame makynge faue that he hath  Beares
a much longer fnowt and is of euyll fyght. They are often tymes taken only with ftaues without any other
weapon, and are not hurtful. They are alfo taken with dogges bycaufe they are not naturally armed althowgh
they byte fumwhat. They are founde for the mofte parte about and neare to the hyllockes where are great
abundaunce of antes. For in thefe regions is engendered a certeyne kynde of antes very lyttle and blacke,. in  Antes.
the fyeldes and playnes where as growe no trees, where by th[e]inftinct of nature thefe antes feparate them
felues to engender far from the wooddes for feare of thefe beares: The whiche bycaufe they are fearefull, vyle,
and vnarmed (as I haue fayde) they keepe euei in places full of trees vntyll very famen and neceffitie, or the
great defire that they haue to fiede of thefe antes, caufe them to coomme owt of the wooddes to hunte for them.
Thefe antes make a hyllocke of earth to the heyght of a man, or fumwhat more or leffe, and as bygge as a great
cheft, and fumtymes as bygge as a butte or a hogges head, and as hard as a flone: So that they feeme as
thoughe the they were fltones fet vp to lymytte th[e]endes and confines of certeyne landes. Within thefe hyllockes
made of moft harde earth, are innumerable and infinite lyttle antes, the which may bee gathered by buffheles
when the hyllocke is broken. The which when it is fumtymes moyfled by rayne and then dryed ageyne by the
heate of the foonne, it breaketh and hath certeyne fmaul ryftes as lyttle and fubtyle as the edge of a knyfe.
And it femeth that nature hath gyuen fenfe to thefe Antes to fynde fuch a matter of earth wherwith they may
make the fayde hillocke of fuche hardenes that it may feeme a fironge pauement made of lyme and flone. And
wheras I haue proued and caufed fum of them to bee broken, I haue founde theim of fuche hardenes as if I had
not feene I coulde not haue beleaued: In fo muche that they coulde fcarcely bee broken with pykes of Iren:
So ftronge fortreffes doo thefe lyttle beaftes make for theyr fauegarde ageynfl theyr aduerfarie the beare, who is
chiefely nuryffhed by them, and gyuen them as an enemie, accordynge to the common prouerbe which fayth,
Non e alcuna perfona fi libera, a chimanchi il fuzo Bargello: That is, there is no man fo free that hath not his
perfecutour or pryuie enemie. And here when I confyder the maruelous prouidence which nature hath gyuen
to thefe lyttle boddies, I caule to remembraunce the wittie fentence of Plinie, where fpeakyng of fuch lyttle
beafles, he fayth thus. Why doo we maruayle at the towrebearynge fhoulders of Elephantes, and not rather
where nature hathe placed fo many fences and fuche induftry in fuche lyttle boddies? where is hearynge,
fmellynge, feeinge, and feelynge, ye, where are the vaynes and arteries (without which no beafte can lyue or
moue) in thefe fo lyttle boddies whereof fume are fo fmaule that theyr hole boddies can fcarfely be fene of owr
221




222                                     The hyJforie of the vvweJe Indies.
eyes, what fhall we then faye of the partes of the fame? Yet euen amonge thefe are there many of fuch fagacitie
and induflrye as the lyke is not feene in beaftes of greater quantitie, no nor yet in man, etc. But to returne to
the hyftorie. This enemie which nature hath gyuen to thefe lyttle beaftes, vfeth this maner to affayle them.
When he refortethe to the hyllocke where the antes lye hid as in theyr fortreffe, he putteth his toonge to one of
the ryftes wherof we haue fpoken being as fubtyle as the edge of a fwoorde, and there with continuall lyckynge,
maketh the place moyfl, the fome and froth of his mouth beinge of fuch propertie that by continual lycking the
place, it enlargeth the ryfte in fuch fort by lyttle and lyttle, that at the length he eafely putteth in his toonge
whiche he hath very longe and thynne, and much difproportionate to his bodye. And when he hath thus made
free paffage for his toonge into the hyllocke to put it eafely in and owt at his pleafure, then he thrufteth it into
the hole as farre as he can reache, and fo letteth it refle a good fpace vntyl a great quantitie of the antes (whofe
nature reioyfeth in heate and moyfter) haue laden his tonge and as many as he can conteyne in the holowneffe
thereof: at which tyme he fuddeynly draweth it into his mouth and eateth them, and returneth ageyne to the fame
practife immediatly vntyl he haue eaten as manye as hym lyfteth, or as longe as he can reache any with his
tonge. The fleffhe of this beatfe, is fylthy and vnfauery. But by reafon of th[e]extreme fhyftes and neceffitie
that the Chriftian men were put to at theyr fyrfl commynge into thefe partes, they were inforced to proue al
190   thynges and fo fel to th[e]eatyng of thefe beaftes. But when they had founde more delycate meates, they fell
into hatred with this. Thefe antes haue th[e]apperaunce of the place of their enteraunce into the hyllocke,
vnder the grounde. And this at fo lyttle a hole that it could hardely be founde yf certeyne of them were not
feene to paffe in and owt. But by this way the beares coulde haue no fuch poure to hurte them as aboue at
A straunge beast  the fayde ryftes as I haue fayde. There is an other firange beafte whiche by a name of contrary effecte, the
whiche seemeth a
kynd of       Spanyardes caule Cagnuolo leggiero, that is the lyght dogge, wheras it is one of the flowefle beaftes in the worlde,
and fo heauy and dull in mouynge that it canne fcarfely go fyftie pafes in a hole day. Thefe beaftes are in the
firme lande, and are very firaunge to beholde for the difproportion that they haue to all other beaftes. They
are abowte two fpannes in length when they are growne to theyr full byggeneffe. But when they are very
younge, they are fumewhat more groffe then longe. They haue foure fubtyle fiete, and in euery of them foure
clawes lyke vnto byrdes, and ioyned togyther. Yet are nother theyr clawes or theyr fiete able to fufteyne theyr
bodyes from the grounde. By reafon wherof and by the heauyneffe of theyr boddies, they drawe theyr bellyes
on the grounde. Theyr neckes are hygh and fireyght and all equall lyke the peftle of a morter, which is
altogyther equall euen vnto the toppe withowt makynge any proportion or fimilitude of a headde, or any
dyfference excepte in the noddle. And in the toppes of theyr neckes, they haue verye rounde faces much lyke
vnto owles: And haue a marke of theyr owne heare after the maner of a cyrcle whiche makethe theyr faces
feeme fumwhat more longe then large. They haue fmaule eyes and rounde: And noftrylles lyke vnto munkeys.
They haue lyttle mouthes, and moue theyr neckes frome one fyde to an other as thoughe they were aftonyffhed.
Theyr chiefe defyre and delyte is to cleaue and flycke fafte vnto trees or fume other thynge whereby they may
clyme alofte. And therfore for the mofte parte, thefe beaftes are founde vppon trees whervnto cleauynge faft,
they mounte vp by lyttle and lyttle, fteyinge them felues by theyr longe clawes. The coloure of theyr heare,
is betwene ruffet and whyte, and of the proper coloure of the heare of a wefell. They haue no tayles, and
theyr voyce is much dyfferynge frome other beaftes: for they fynge onely in the nyght: And that continually
frome tyme to tyme fyngynge euer fyxe notes one hygher then an other, fo faulynge with the fame that the
fyrfte note is the hygheft and the other in a bafer tewne as yf a man fhuld fay La, fol, fa, mi, re, vt. So this
beaft fayth, Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. And doubteleffe, it feemeth vnto me, that as I haue fayde in the chapiter
of the beafte cauled Bardati, that thofe beafles might bee th[e]originall and document to imbarbe horfes, euen
fo the fyrfte inuenture of mufycke myght feeme by the hearynge of this beaft to haue the fyrft principles of that
fcyence rather then by any other thynge in the worlde. But nowe to returne to the hyftorie: I fay that in a
fhorte fpace after this beafte hath foonge and hath paufed a whyle, Ihe returneth ageyne to the felfe fame fonge,
and doth this only in the nyght and not in the day. By reafon wherof and alfo bycaufe of her euyll fyght, I
thynke her to bee a nyght beafte and the frende of darkeneffe. Sumtymes the Chriftian menne fynde thefe
beaftes and brynge theym home to theyr houfes, where alfo they creepe all abowte with theyr naturall floweneffe,
in fo much that nother for threatenynge or pryckynge they wyll moue any fafter then theyr natural and
accuftomed pafe. And yf they fynde any trees, they creepe thyther immediatly, and mounte to the toppe of
the hygheft braunche thereof, where they remayne continually for the fpace of eyght, or tenne, or twentie dayes
without eatynge of any thinge as farre as any man can iudge. And wheras I my felfe haue kepte theym in my
houfe, I coulde neuer perceaue other but that they lyue onely of ayer. And of the fame opinion are in maner
all men of thofe regions, bycaufe they haue neuer feene them eate any thynge, but euer turne theyr heades and
mouthes towarde that parte where the wynde bloweth moft: whereby may bee confydered that they take mofte
pleafure in the ayer. They byte not, nor yet can byte, hauyng very lyttle mouthes. They are not venemous
or noyous any way: but altogyther brutifhe and vtterly vnprofytable and without commoditie yet knowen to


222




The hyjiorie of the vveje Indies.


223


_ __ 


men, fauynge onely to moue theyr myndes to contemplate th[e]infinite poure of god, who delyteth in the
varietie of creatures, wherby appeareth the poure of his incomprehenfible wifedome and maieftie fo farre to
excede the capacitie of mans vnderftandynge.
In thefe regions there are likewife found certeyne foules or byrdes which the Indians caule Alcatraz.
Thefe are much bygger then geefe. The greateft parte of theyr fethers are of ruffet coloure, and in fume partes
yelowe. Theyr bylles or beakes are of two fpannes in length and verye large neare to the heade, and growynge
fmaule towarde the poynte. They haue greate and large throtes: And are much lyke to a foule which I fawe
in Flaunders in Bruffelles in yowre maiefties pallaice which the Flemynges caule Haina. And I remember
that when yowr maieftie dyned one day in yowre great haule there was brought to yowre maieflies prefence a
chauderne of water with certeyne fyffhes alyue, which the fayde foule did eate vp hole. And I thynke verely
that that foule was a foule of the fea bycaufe Ihee had fiete lyke foules of the water as haue alfo thefe Alcatrazi,
which are likewyfe foules of the fea: and of fuch greatneffe that I haue feene a hole cote of a man put into the
throates of one of theym in Panama in the yeare 152. And forafmuch as in that coafte of Panama, there
paffeth and flyeth a greate multitude of thefe Alcatrazi beinge a thynge very notable, I wyll declare the maner
hereof as not onely I, but alfo dyuers other nowe prefente in yowre maieflies courte haue often tymes feene.
Yowre maieftie Ihall therfore vnderftande that in this place (as I haue fayde before) the fea of Sur ryfeth and
fauleth two leagues and more from fyxe houres to fyxe houres: fo that when it increafeth, the water of the fea
arryueth fo neare to the houfes of Panama as doth owre fea (cauled Mare Mediteraneum) in Barzalona or in
Naples. And when the fayd increafyng of the fea commeth, there commeth alfo therwith fuch a multitude of
the fmaule fyfihes cauled fardynes, that it is fo marueylous a thynge to beholde, that no man wolde beleue it
that hath not feene it. In fo much that the Cacique, (that is) the kynge of that land at fuch tyme as I dwelt
there, was bounde dayly as he was commaunded by yowre maiefties gouernour, to brynge ordynaryly three
canoas or barkes full of the fayde fardynes and to vnlade the fame in the markette place, whiche were afterwarde by the ruler of the citie diuyded amonge the Chrifltian men without any cofte or charge to any of them.
In fo much that yf the people had bin a much greater multitude then they were, and as many as are at this
prefente in Toledo or more, and had none other thynge to lyue by, they myght haue byn fufficiently fufteyned
by thefe fardynes, byfyde th[e]ouerplus which fhulde haue remayned. But to retume to the foules wherof we
haue fpoken. As the fea commeth, and the fardynes with the fame, euen fo lykewyfe coome the fayde
Alcatrazzi therwith: and flye continually ouer it in fuche a multytude, that they appeare to couer th[e]upper
parte or floure of the water. And thus continue in mountynge and faulynge from the ayer to the water, and
from the water to the ayer durynge all the tyme of theyr fyffhynge. And as foone as they haue taken any of
thefe fardynes, they flye aboue the water and eate them incontinently, and fuddeynly returne ageyne to the
water for more, continuing thus courfe by courfe withowt ceafynge. In lyke maner when the fea fauleth, they
folowe there fyffhynge as I haue fayde. There goethe alfo in the company of thefe foules, an other kynde of
foules cauled Coda inforcata, (that is) the forked tayle, whereof I haue made mention before. And as foone as
the Alcatraz mounteth from the water with her pray of the fardynes, fuddeynly this Coda inforcaia gyueth her
fo many ftrokes, and fo perfecuteth her, that fhee caufeth her to let faule the fardynes which fhee hath in her
mouth. The which as foone as they are faulne, and before they yet touch the water, the Coda inforcaia
catcheth them euen in the faule, in fuche forte that it is a great pleafure to beholde the combatte betwene them
all the daye longe. The number of thefe Alcatrazzi is fuch, that the Chryftian menne are accullomed to fend
to certeyne Ilandes and rockes which are neare abowte Panama, with theyr boates or barkes to take thefe
Alcatrazzi whyle they are yet younge and can not flye: and kyll as many of them with ftaues as they wyll,
vntyll they haue therwith laden theyr barkes or canoas. Thefe younge ones are fo fatte and wel fedde that
they can not bee eaten. And are taken for none other intent but only to make greafe for candels to burne in
the nyght, for the whiche purpofe it ferueth very well: and gyueth a cleare lyght, and burneth eafely. After
this maner and for this purpofe, innumerable of them are kylde. And yet it feemeth that the number of them
that fyffhe for fardynes doo dayly increafe
There are other foules cauled Pafferefemnpie: that is, fimple fparowes. Thefe are fumwhat leffe then femewes:
and haue theyr fiete lyke vnto great malardes: And flande in the water fumtymes. And when the fhyppes fayle
fyftie or a hundreth leaques abowte the Ilandes, thefe foules beholdynge the fhyppes commyng towarde them,
breake theyr flyght and faule downe vpon the fayle yardes, maftes, and cables therof. And are fo fimple and
folyfhe that they tary vntyll they maye eafely be taken with mens handes, and were therefore cauled of the
maryners fimple fparowes. They are blacke, and vppon their blacke, haue theyr heade and fhoulders of fethers
of a darke ruffet coloure. They are not good to bee eaten, althowgh the mariners haue fumtimes bin enforced
to eate them.
There is an other kynde of byrdes in the fyrme lande, which the Chriflians caule Picuti, bycaufe they haue
very great beakes in refpecte of the lyttleneffe of theyr boddies: For theyr beakes are very heauy and waye
223


191
Foules, and byrdes.
Alcatraz.
Panama.
Passere sethie.
192
Picuti.




224


The hyjiorie of the vvejfe Indies.


more then theyr hole boddyes byfyde. Thefe byrdes are no bygger then quayles, but haue a much greater
bufhement of fethers, in fo much that theyr fethers are more then theyr boddies. Theyr fethers are very fayre
and of many variable coloures. Theyr beakes are a quarter of a yarde in length or more, and bendynge downe
towarde the earthe, and three fyngers brode neare vnto the heade. Theyr tonges are very quilles, wherwith they
make a great hyffynge. They make holes in trees with theyr beakes, in the which they make theyr neftes.
And furely thefe byrdes are maruelous to beholde for the great difference whiche they haue from all other byrdes
thac I haue feene, afwel for theyr toonges (which are quylles as I haue fayde) as alfo for the itrangeneffe of theyr
fyght and difproportion of their greate beakes in refpect of the reft of theyr boddies. There are no byrdes
founde that prouyde better for the fafegarde of theyr younge in the tyme of theyr breedynge to bee withowte
daunger of wylde cattes that they enter not into theyr neftes to deftroye theyr egges or younge. And this afwell
by the ftraunge maner of buyldyng theyr neftes, as alfo by theyr owne defence. And therfore when they
perceaue that the cattes approche towarde them, they enter into theyr neftes: and holdynge theyr beakes
towarde th[e]enteraunce of the fame, flande at theyr defence, and fo vexe the cattes that they caufe them to
leaue theyr enterpryfe.
Folysshe          There are alfo other byrdes or fparowes, whiche the Chrifians by contrary effect caule Matti, that is fooles.
sparowes.
Wheras neuertheleffe there is no byrde that fheweth more wyt and crafte in defendynge her younge from perell.
Thefe byrdes are lyttle and in maner blacke, and fumewhat bygger then owre thruffhes. They haue certeyne
whyte fethers in theyr neckes, and the lyke fagacitie or fharpenes of fenfe as haue the byrdes or pyes cauled
Gazzuole. They feldome tymes light vppon the earth. They make theyr neftes in trees feparated from other,
bycaufe the wylde cattes (cauled Mammoni) are accuflomed to leape frome tree to tree, not defcendynge to the
grounde for feare of other beaftes, excepte when they are enforced by thyrfte to coome downe to drynke at
fuche tymes as they are fure not to bee molefted. And for this caufe doo not thefe byrdes make theyr nefles
but in trees farre diuyded from other. They make them of a cubette in length or more, after the maner of
bagges or lyttle fackes, large at the bottome, and growynge narower and narower towarde the mouth whereby
they are faftened: hauynge the hole whereat they enter into the facke, of fuch byggenes as may onely fuffice to
receaue them. And to th[e]ende that the cattes maye not deuoure theyr younge yf they chaunce to mounte
vppon the trees where they haue theyr nefles, they vfe an other crafte, which is, to make theyr nefles in thycke
braunches of trees, and to defende the fame with fharpe and fironge thorns implycate and fet in fuch order that
no man is able to make the lyke. So that the cattes can by no meanes put theyr legges into the hole of the
nefle to take owte younge byrdes, afwel for the fharpenes of the thremes as alfo for the depth of the nefles, in
the bottome wherof, the younge birdes reft withowt daunger of theyr enemie. For fum of theyr nefles beynge
three or foure fpannes in lengthe, the legge of the catte can not reache to the bottome therof. They vfe alfo
an other pollicie: which is, to make many of theyr nefles in one tree The which they doo for one of thefe two
caufes: that is, that eyther of theyr owne naturall difpofition they are accuflomed to go in great multitudes, and
reioyfe in the company of theyr owne generation as do the byrdes which we caule flares, or elles to th[e]intent
that yf it fhoulde fo chaunce that the cattes fhulde clyme the trees where they make theyr nefles, they might
IS13  bee a greater company to refyfle and moleflt the cattes, at whofe approch they make a feareful and terrible cry,
wherby the cattes are put to flyght.
Gcazzuole.        Furthermore, in the firme land, and in the Ilandes, there are certeyne byrdes cauled Piche or Gazzuole,
fumewhat lyke vnto thofe which we caule woodwaules, or woodpeckes, beinge leffe then owrs of Spayne.
Thefe are altogither blacke, and go hoppynge and leapyng. Theyr beakes are alfo blacke and of the fame
faffhyon as are the popingiays beakes. They haue longe tayles, and are fumwhat bygger then flares.
Pintadelli        There are other byrdes cauled Pintadelli, whiche are lyke vnto certeyne greene byrdes whiche the Italyans
caule Fringuelli: and are of feuen coloures. Thefe byrdes for feare of the cattes, are euer woonte to make
theyr neftes ouer the bankes of ryuers or the fea, where the braunches of trees fo reache ouer the water that
with a lyttle weyght they maye bowe downe to the water. Theyr neftes are made fo neare the toppes of the
braunches that when the cattes coome theron, the braunches bende towarde the water, and the cattes turne
backe ageyne for feare of faulynge. For althoughe no beafle in the worlde bee more malicious then this, yet
whereas the mofte parte of beaftes are naturally inclyned to fwymme, this catte hath no maner of apteneffe
thereunto, and is therefore foone drowned or ftrangeled in the water, and by a pryuie fenfe of nature feareth the
daunger which he can not efcape. Thefe byrdes make theyr nefles in fuche forte, that althowgh they bee weete
and fylled with water, yet doo they fo fuddenly ryfe vp ageyne, that tlhe younge byrdes are not thereby hurte or
drowned.
There are alfo many nyghtyngales and other byrdes whiche fynge marueloufly with great melodie and
dyfference in fyngynge. Thefe byrdes are of maruelous dyuers coloures the one from the other. Sum are
altogither yelowe, and fum other of fo excellente, delectable, and hyghe a coloure as it weare a rubye. Other
are alfo of dyuers and variable coloures: fum of fewe coloures, and other fume all of one coloure: beinge all fo
L                  224




The hyJforie of the vvefte Indies.


fayre and bewtifull, that in bryghtneffe and fhynynge they excell all that are feene in Spayne, or Italy or other
prouinces of Europe. Many of thefe are taken with nettes, lyme twygges, and fprynges of dyuers fortes.
Dyuers other fortes of greate foules lyke vnto Eagles, and fuche other as lyue of pray, are founde in the
firme lande of fuche diuerfitie, that it is in maner impoffible to defcrybe them all particularly. And forafmuche
as I haue more largely intreated hereof in my generall hyfiorie of the Indies, I thynke it not requyfite to make
any further mention of the fame.
C  Of trees, fruites, and       ilanfes.


225
Great foules.


Here is bothe in the firme lande and the Ilandes a certeyne tree cauled Cocus, beinge a kynd
of date trees and hauynge theyr leaues of the felf fame greatneffe as haue the date trees
which beare dates, but dyffer much in their growynge. For the leaues of this Cocus grow
owte of the trunkes of the tree as doo the fyngers owt of the hande, wreathynge them felues
one within an other and fo fpreadynge abrode. Thefe trees are hygh: and are founde in
great plentie in the coafte of the fea of Sur, in the prouince of Cacique Chiman. Thefe
date trees brynge furth a frute after this forte. Beinge altogyther vnite as it groweth on the
tree, it is of greater circumference then the heade of a man. And from the fuperficiall parte to the myddeft
which is the frute, it is inuolued and couered with many webbes much lyke vnto thofe hyrdes of towe whiche
they vfe in Andalufia. Of this towe or webbe, the Eaft Indians make a certeyne kynde of clothe of three or
foure fortes, and cordes for the fayles of fhyppes. But in thefe Indies of yowr maieflie, they paffe not for thefe
cordes or this clothe that may be made of the frute of Cocus, by reafon of the great plentie that they haue of the
bombage or cotton of the goffampine trees. The frute which is in the myddeft of the fayde towe, is (as I haue
fayde) as bygge as a mans fyfte, and fumtymes twyfe as bygge and more. It is in forme, lyke vnto a
walnutte, or fum other rounde thynge fumwhat more longe then large, and very harde.  The rynde or
barke herof, is as thycke as the cyrcle of letters of a riale of plate. And within, there cleaueth fafte
to the rynde of the nutte a carnofitie or fubflaunce of coornel, of the thyckeneffe of halfe a fynger or
of the leaf fynger of the hande: And is verye whyte, lyke vnto a fayre Almonde, and of better tafte
and more pleafaunt. When this fruite is chewed, there remayne certeyne crummes as do the lyke of almondes.
Yet if it bee fwalowed downe, it is not vnpleafaunt. For althowgh that after the iewfe or moyfture bee gonne
downe the throte before the fayde crummes bee fwalowed, the refle whiche is eaten feeme fumwhat fharpe or
fower, yet doth it not fo greatly offende the taite fo as to bee cafle away. Whyle this Cocus is yet frefhe and
newly taken from the tree, they ve not to eate of the fayde carnofitie and frute: But fyrfte beatynge it very much,
and then ftraynynge it, they drawe a mylke thereof, much better and fweeter then is the mylke of beafles, and
of much fubflaunce: The which the Chriftian men of thofe regions put in the tortes or cakes which they make
of the  ayne of Maiziut  wherof they make theyr breade, or in other breade as we put breade in porrage: So
that by reafon of the fayde mylke of Cocus, the tortes are more excellent to be eaten withowt offence to the
flomake. They are fo pleafaunte to the tafle, and leaue it afwell fatiffyed as thowghe it had byn delyted with
many delycate dyffhes. But to proceade further, yowre maieflie fhlall vnderftand, that in the place of the flone
or coornell, there is in the myddefl of the fayde carnofitie, a voyde place, which neuertheleffe is full of a mofte
cleare and excellent water, in fuch quantitie as maye fyll a greate egge fhell, or more or leffe accordynge to the
byggeneffe of the Cocus. The which water fuerly, is the mofte fubftantial, excellent and precious to be droonke,
that maye bee founde in the worlde. In fo much that in thte when it paffeth the palate of the mouth
and begynneth to goo downe the throte it feemeth that frome the fole of the foote to the crowne of the headde,
there is no parte of the boddye but that feelethe great comfort therby: as it is doutleffe one of the mofl excellent
thynges that may be tafted vppon the earth, and fuche as I am not able by wrytynge or toonge to expreffe.
And to proceade yet further, I fay that when the meate of this frute is taken from the veffell therof, the veffell
remayneth as fayre and nette as though it were pullyflied: and is without, of colour inclynynge towarde blacke,
and Ihyneth or glyflereth very fayre. And is within of no leffe dilicateneffe. Suche as haue accuftomed to
drynke in thefe veffelles, and haue bynne trowbeled with the difeafe cauled the fretinge of the guttes, fay
that they haue by experience founde it a maruelous remedie ageynfIt that difeafe: And that it breakethe the flone
and prouoketh vrine. This frute was cauled Cocus for this caufe, that when it is taken from the place where it
cleaueth fafle to the tree, there are feene two holes, and aboue them two other naturall holes, which altogyther,
doo reprefente the gieflure and fygure of the cattes cauled Afiammone, that is, munkeys, when they crye: whiche
crye the Indians caule Coca: But in very deede, this tree is a kynd of date trees: and hath the fame effecte to
heale fretynge of the guttes, that Plinie defcrybeth all kyndes of date trees to haue.
EDEN.                          T                                    225


Cocus.
194


I haue seene one
of these fruites
opened, the
whiche when it
was hole, yf it
were shaken the
water was harde
shogge therein as
it were in a bottle;
but in tyme it
consumed and was
partly congeled
into a salte
substaunce.




226
Great trees.
195
A maruelous tree.
Kyndlynge of fyre
withowt fyre.


The hyJforie of t/e vvefe Indies.


I


There are furthermore in the firme lande, trees of fuche byggeneffe that I dare not fpeake therof but in
place where I haue fo many wytneffes which haue feene the fame as wel as I. I fay therfore, that a leaque
from Dariena or the citie of Sanla Maria Antfiqa, there paffeth a ryuer very large and diepe, which is cauled
Cuti: ouer the which the Indians had layde a greate tree fo trauerfinge the fame that it was in the fleade of a
brydge, the which I my felfe with dyuers other that are at this prefent in yowre maiefties courte, haue often
tymes paffed ouer. And forafmuch as the fayde tree had lyne longe there, and by the great weight therof was fo
fhronke downewarde and partely couered with water that none could paffe ouer it but were weete to the knee,
I being then in the yeare I 5 2 2. th[e]official of Iuftice in that citie at yowre maiefties appoyntemente, caufed an
other greate tree to bee layde in that place whiche in lyke maner trauerfed the ryuer and reached more then
fyftie foote ouer the further fyde. This tree was exceadynge greate, and refted aboue the water more then twoo
cubytes. In the faule, it caft downe all fuche other trees as were within the reache therof: And difcouered
certeyne vynes whiche were fo laden with blacke grapes of pleafaunte tafte, that they fatiffyed more then fyftie
perfons whiche eate theyr fylle therof. This tree in the thyckeft parte therof, was more then fyxtene fpannes
thicke: And was neuertheleffe but lyttle in refpect of many other trees which are founde in this prouince. For
the Indians of the coafte and prouince of Cartagenia, make barkes or boates therof (which they caule Canoas,) of
fuch byggeneffe, beinge all of one hole tree, that fume conteyne a hundreth men, fume a hundreth and thirtie,
and fume more, hauynge neuertheleffe fuche voyde fpace within the fame, that there is lefte fufficiente roome
to paffe to and fro through owte all the Canoa. Sum of thefe are fo large byfyde the length, that they conteyne
more then tenne or twelue fpannes in breadth, and fayle with twoo fayles as with the mafter fayle and the
trinkette which they make of verye good cotton. The greateft trees that I haue feene in thefe partes or in
anye other regions, was in the prouince of Guaturo, the kynge wherof rebellynge from th[e]obedience of yowre
maieftie, was perfued by me and taken pryfoner: At whiche tyme I with my company, paffed ouer a very hygh
mountayne ful of great trees, in the toppe wherof we founde one tree whiche had three rootes or rather
diuifions of the roote aboue the earth in forme of a tryangle or triuette: fo that betwene euery foote of this
triangle or three feete, there was a fpace of twentie foote betwene euery foote. And this of fuch heyght aboue
the earthe, that a laden carte of thofe wherewith they are accuftomed to brynge home corne in the tyme of
harueft in the kyngedome of Toledo in Spayne, myght eafely haue paffed throwgh euery of thofe particions or
wyndowes whiche were betwene the three feete of the fayd tree. From the earth vpwarde to the trunke of the
tree, the open places of the dyuifions betwene thefe three feete, were of fuche heyght from the grounde, that a
footeman with a iauelyn was not able to reache to the place where the fayde feete ioyned togyther in the trunke
or body of the tree which grewe of great height in one piece and one hole body, or euer it fpredde in braunches,
which it did not before it exceaded in heyght the towre of faynt Romane in the citie of Toledo: from whiche
heyght and vpwarde, it fpreade very greate and itronge braunches. Amonge certeyne Spanyardes which
clymed this tree, I my felfe was one. And when I was afcended to the place where it begunne to fpreade the
branches, it was a maruelous thing to beholde a greate countrey of fuche trees towarde the prouince of
Abrayme. This tree was eafy to clyme, by reafon of certeyne Befuchi (wherof I haue fpoken before) which
grewe wreathed aboute the tree in fuche forte that they feemed to make a fcalynge ladder. Euery of the
forefayde three feete which bore the boddie of the tree, was twentie fpannes in thyckeneffe. And where they
ioyned al togyther aboue in the trunke or boddye of the tree, the principall trunke was more then fortie and
fyue fpannes in circuite. I named the mountayne where thefe trees grow, the mountayne of three footed trees.
And this which I haue now declared, was feene of all the companye that was there with me when (as I haue
fayde before) I tooke kynge Guaturo pryfoner in the yeare 1522. Many thynges more myght here bee fpoken
as touchynge this matter, as alfo howe there are many other excellent trees founde of dyuers fortes and dyfference,
as fweete Ceder trees, blacke date trees, and many other: of the which fum are fo heauy that they can not flote
aboue the water but fynke immediatly to the bottome. And other ageyne as light as a corke. As touchynge
all whiche thynges I haue wrytten more largely in my generall hyftorie of the Indies.
And forafmuch as at this prefent I haue entered to intreate of trees, before I paffe any further to other
thynges, I wyl declare the maner howe the Indians kyndle fyre, only with woodde, and without fyre, the maner
wherof is this. They take a piece of woodde of two fpannes in lengthe, as bygge as the leafte fynger of a mans
hande, or as an arrowe well pullyffhed, and of a ftronge kynde of woodde whiche they keepe onely for this
purpofe. And where they intende to kyndle any fyre, they take two other pieces of woodde of the dryeft and
lyghteft that they can fynde, and bynde them faft togyther one with an other as clofe as two fyngers ioyned.
In the myddeft or betwene thefe, they put the poynt of the fyrfte lyttle ftaffe made of harde and ftronge wood
which they hold in theyr handes by the toppe thereof, and turne or rubbe it rounde aboute continually in one
place betwene the two pieces of woodde which lye bounde togyther vppon the earthe, which by that vnceffant
rubbynge and chafynge, are in fhort fpace kyndeled and take fyer.
I haue alfo thought good here to fpeake fumwhat of fuch thynges as coomme to my rememberaunce of
226




The hyJforie of the vveJle Indies.


227


__


certeyne trees which are founde in this lande, and fumetyme alfo the lyke haue bynne feene in Spayne. Thefe
are certeyne putrifyed troonkes which haue lyne fo longe rottyng on the earth that they are verye whyte and
fhyne in the nyght lyke burnynge fyre brandes. And when the Spanyardes fynde any of this woodde, and
intende priuily in te nyght to make warre and inuade any prouince when cafe fo requyreth that it ihalbe
neceffary to go in the nyght in fuche places where they knowe not the way, the formoft Chriftian man whiche
guydethe the waye, affociate with an Indian to directe hym therein, taketh a lyttle flarre of the fayde woodde,
which he putteth in his cappe hangynge behynde on his Ihoulders, by the lyght wherof he that foloweth nexte
to him, directeth his iourney, who alfo in lyke maner beareth an other ftarre behynde hym, by the Ihynynge
whereof the thyrde foloweth the fame waye, and in lyke maner do al the reft, fo that by this meanes none are
lofte or firagle owte of the way. And forafmuche as this lygh is not feene very farre, it is the better pollicie
for the Chryftians bycaufe they are not thereby difclofed before they inuade theyr enemies.
Furthermore as touchynge the natures of trees, one particular thynge feemeth woorthy to bee noted,
wherof Plinie maketh mention in his natural hyorye here e mnnhe faythe that there are certeyne trees which
contynewe euer greene and neuer lofe theyr leaues, as the baye tree, the Ceder, the the orange tree, and the olyue
tree with fuch other, of the whiche in all togyther he nameth not paite fyue or fyxe. To this purpofe, I faye,
that in the Ilandes of thefe Indies, and alfo in the firme lande, it is a thynge of muche difficultie to fynde twoo
trees that loe or caft the eyr leaues at any tyme. For althowgh I haue diligentely fearched to knowe the
trewthe hereof, yet haue I not feene any that lofe theyr leaues, eyther of theym which we haue browght owt of
Spayne into thefe regions, as Orange trees, Limons, Ceders, Palmes, or date trees and Pomegranate trees, or of
any.other in thefe regions excepte onely Caffia, which lofeth his leaues and hath a greater thynge appropriate
to it felfe onely: which is, that whereas all other trees and plantes of India fpreade theyr rootes no dieper in
the earthe then the depth of a mans heyght or fumewhat more, not defcendyng any further into the ground by
reafon of the greate  eate which is found beneth that depth, yet dooth C a pearce further into the grounde
vntyl it fynd water: whiche by the Phylofophers opinion ihoulde be the caufe of a thynne and watery radycall
moyfler to fuche thynges as drawe theyr nuryihement therof, as fat and vnctuous groundes with temperate
heate, yelde a faft and firme moyflure to fuche thynges as growe in them, whiche is the caufe that fuche trees
lofe not theyr leaues, as the fayde thynne and wateryffhe moyflure is caufe of the contrarie, as appearethe by
the fayde effecte which is feene onely in Caaa, and none other tree or plante in all thefe parties.
C: Of Reedes or Canes.
Haue not thought it conuenient in the chapiture before to fpeake of that whereof I intende
nowe to entreate of, reedes or canes, to th[e]intente that I woolde not mengle theym with
plantes or trees, beinge thynges of them felues woorthy to bee particularly obferued. So it
is therfore, that in the firme land there are many fortes of reedes, fo that in many places they
make theyr howfes therof, couerynge them with the toppes of the fame, and makynge their
waules of them in lyke maner, as I haue fayde before. And amonge thefe kyndes of reedes,
_   there is one fo greate, that the canes therof are as bygge as a mans legge in the knee,
and three fpannes in length frome ioynt to ioynt or more: in fo much that euery of them is of capacitie to
conteyne a lyttle bucket of water. In this kynde, there are founde fum greater and fum leffe, of the which fum
they vfe to make quyuers for arrowes. There is founde an other kynde which fuerly is marueylous, beynge
lyttle bygger then a Iauelen, the canes whereof are longer then twoo fpannes. Thefe reedes growe one farre
from an other, as fum tymes twentie or thirtie pafes, and fumetymes alfo twoo or three leaques. They growe
in maner in all prouynces in the Indies: And growe nere to very hygh trees wherunto they leane, and creepe
vp to the toppes of theyr braunches, which they imbrafe and defcende ageyne downe to the earth. Theyr
canes are full of moflte cleare water without any maner of taft or fauoure eyther of the canes or of any other
thynge: And fuche as yf it were taken owte of the freffllefte fprynge in the worlde. Nor yet is it knowen that
euer it hurte any that droonke therof. For it hath oftentymes fo chaunced that as the Chryflten men haue
trauayled in thefe regions in defolate wayes where for lacke of water they haue byn in great daunger to dye
for thyrfte, they haue efcaped that perell by reafon that they founde the fayde reedes, of the water of whofe
canes they haue droonke a great quantitie withowt any hurte thereof enfewynge. Therefore when they fynde
thefe in any place, they make water veffelles of the canes therof, and cary as many of them ful of water as may
fuffice for one dayes iornay. And fumtyme they cary fo many, that they take for euery man two or three
quartes of water which may ferue them for many dayes bycaufe it doth not corrupte, but remaynethe flyll freffhe
and good.


Putrified woodde
shynyng in the
nyght.
196
Plinie.
Trees which
continue euer
greene.
Cassia.
A secreate thynge
Radycall
moysture.
V/'


197


227




228


The hyfjorie of the vvefle Indies.


Platani.          There are alfo certeine plantes which the Chriflians caul Platani. Thefe are as hygh as trees, and become
as bygge in the trunke as the knee of a man or more. Frome the foote to the toppe, they beare certeyne longe
and large leaues, beinge more then three fpannes in largenes, and about ten or twelue in length: The whiche
when they are broken of the wynde, the flalke remayneth hole in the myddeft. In the myddefle of this plant in
the hygheft parte thereof, there groweth a clufler with fortie or fyftie Platans abowt it, euery of them beinge a
fpanne and a halfe in length, and as bygge as a mans arme in the fmaule, or more or leffe accordynge to the
goodneffe of the foyle where they growe. They haue a rynde not very thycke, and eafy to bee broken: being
within altogither full of a fubitaunce lyke vnto the marye of the bone of an oxe as it appeareth when the rynde
or barke is taken frome the fame. This clutter owght to bee taken from the plant, when any one of the Platans
begynne to appere yelowe. At which tyme they take it and hange it in theyr houfes where all the clutter waxeth
rype with his Platans. This clutter is a very good frute: And when it is opened and the rynde taken of, there
Figges.       are founde within it many good drye fygges which beynge rofted or tfewed in an ouen in a clofe pot or fum
fuche other thynge, are of pleafaunte tafte muche lyke the conferue of hony. They putrifie not on the fea fo
foone as fume other frutes do: but continue fyfteene dayes and more yf they bee gathered fumwhat greene.
They feeme more delycate on the fea then on the lande, not for that they any thinge increafe in goodneffe on
the fea, but bycaufe that whereas on the fea other thynges are lackyng wherof is plentie on the land, thofe
meates feeme of befte tafte which fatiffie prefente neceffitie. This troonke or fprygge whiche bryngeth foorth
the fayde clutter is a hole yeare in growyng and brynging foorth frute. In whiche tyme it hath put foorth
rounde abowte it tenne or twelue fprygges as bygge as the fyrft or principall, and multiplieth no leffe then the
pryncipall in bryngynge foorthe of clufters with frutes lykewyfe at theyr tyme, and alfo in bryngynge foorth other
and many fprygges as is fayde beefore. From the which fprygges or trunkes, as foone as the clutter of the frute
doth none other thn occupie it in vayne and without profyt. They are fo many and doo fo marueloufly increafe
and multiplie, that it is a thynge in maner incredible. They are exceadynge moyfte. In fo much that when
they are plucked vp from the place wher they grow, there iftheweth forth a great quantitie of water as well owte
of the plante as owte of the place where it grewe: In fuch forte that all the moyfture of the earth farre abowte,
myght feeme to bee gathered togyther abowte the trunke oher blockeabowte of the trunke or boke ofe the fayde fruplante with thereof,
the antes are fo fare e in loue, that they are feene in great multitudes in the branches of the plantes. So that for
the multitude thereof it fumetyme fo chaunceth that men are inforced to take away the Platans frome theyr
poffeffion. Thefe frutes are founde at all tymes of the yeare.
There is alfo an other kynd of wyld plantes that groweth in the fyeldes: which I haue not feene but in the
Tunas.        Ilande of Hifpaniola, althowgh they be founde in other Ilandes of the Indies. Thefe they caule Tunas. They
growe of a thiftle full of thornes, and brynge foorth a frute muche lyke vnto great fygges, which haue a crowne
lyke medlers, and are within of a hyghe coloure, with graynes and the rynde lyke vnto a fygge. They are of
good tafte: And growe abundantly in the fyeldes in many places. They woorke a ftraunge effecte in fuche as
eate them. For if a manne eate two or three or more, they caufe his vrine to bee of the verye coloure of
bludde, which thynge chaunced once to my felfe. At whiche tyme as I made water and fawe the colour of my
vrine, I entered into a great fufpition of my lyfe, beinge fo aftonyfihed for feare, that I thought the fame had
198   chaunced to me vpon fum other caufe. In fo muche that furely my imagination myght haue doone me hurte,
but that they whiche were with me dyd comforte me immediatly, declarynge the caufe therof as they knewe by
experience beinge auncient inhabitours in thofe regions.
Bihaos.           There groweth alfo an other plante whiche the people of the countrey caule Bihaos. This putteth forth
certeyne flreight braunches and very brode leaues which the Indians vfe for dyuers purpofes. For in fum places
they couer theyr houfes with the leaues therof cowched and layde after the maner of thetche, wherunto it ferueth
very well. Sumtymes alfo when it rayneth, they caft thefe ouer theyr heades to defende theim from the water. They
Hauas.        make alfo certeyne cheftes whiche they caule Hauas, weaued after a flraunge forte and intermixt with the leaues
of this Bihaos. Thefe cheftes are wrought in fuch fort, that although it rayne vpon them, or they chaunce to
faule into the water, yet are not fuch thynges wette as are within them. They are made of the braunches of the
fayde Bihaos with the leaues weaued togyther therwith. In thefe they keepe falte and other fubtyle thynges.
They vfe theym alfo for an other purpofe, which is this: That findyng them in the fieldes at fuch tyme as they
haue fcarfeneffe of vyttayles, they dygge vp the rootes of thefe plantes whyle they are yet younge, or eate the
plante it felfe in that parte where it is mofte tender, which is from a foote vnder the grounde, where it is as
tender and whyte as a reede or bulruflhe.
And forafmuch as wee are nowe coomme to th[e]end of this narration, it commeth to my rememberaunce to
Dying of cotton.  make mention of an other thynge which is not farre from my purpofe. And this is howe the Indians do flayne
or dye cloth of bombage cotton, or any other thynge which they intende to dye of dyuers coloures: as blacke,
tawny, greene, blewe, yelowe, and redde, whiche they doo with the barkes or ryndes, and leaues of certeyne trees,


228




The hy/forie of the vvefJe Indies.


229


I


whiche they knowe by experience to bee good for this practife. And by this arte they make colours in fuch
perfection and excellencie that no better can bee diuyfed. But this feemeth a ftraunge thynge, that they doo
all this in one felfe fame veffell: So that when they haue caufed the fayde ryndes and leaues to boyle togyther,
they make in the fame veffell without any chaunge (as I haue fayde) as many colours as them lytfeth. Whiche
thynge I fuppofe to coomme to paffe by the difpofition of the coloure whiche they haue fyrfte gyuen to the
thynge that they intende to drye or colour, whether it bee threede, webbe, or clothe, or any thynge that they
intende to coloure.
a  Of venemous app5tes wherwith they toyfon theyr arrowes.


I
i


A straunge thynge.


He apples wherewith the Indian Canibales inueneme theyr arrowes, growe on certeyne trees
couered with many braunches and leaues beinge very greene and growyng thicke. They are
I        laden with abundaunce of thefe euyll frutes, and haue theyr leaues lyke the leaues of a peare
tree, but that they are leffe and rounder. The frute is much lyke the mufcadell peares of
the Ilande of Sicilie or Naples in forme and byggeneffe: And are in fum partes fleyned with
redde fpottes, and of very fweete fauoure. Thefe trees for the mofte parte, growe euer by
the fea coafles and neare vnto the water: And are fo fayre and of pleafaunte fauour, that
there is no man that feethe theym but wyll defyre to eate therof.
In fo much that if it may bee fpoken of any frute yet growynge on the earth, I wolde faye that this was
the vnhappy frute wherof owre fyrfle parentes Adam and Eue tafled, wherby they both loll theyr felicitie and
procured death to them and theyr pofleritie. Of thefe frutes, and of the greate antes whofe bytynge caufeth
fwellynge (whereof I haue fpoken els where) and of the eutes or lyfartes, and vypers, and fuch other venemous
thynges, the Canibales which are the chyefe archers amonge the Indians, are accuflomed to poyfon theyr arrowes
wherwith they kyll all that they wounde.
Thefe venemes they mengle togyther and make thereof a blacke maffe or compofition which appeareth lyke
vnto very blacke pytche. Of this poyfon I caufed a great quantitie to be burnt in Sanela Maria Antiqua in a
place two leaques and more within the lande, with a greate multitude of theyr inuenemed arrowes and other
munition, with alfo the houfe wherein they were referued. This was in the yeare. 1 5 I4. at fuche tyme as
th[e]army arriued there with capitayne Pedrarias da villa at the commaundemente of the Catholyke kynge
Don Ferdinando. But to returne to the hyflory. Thefe apples (as I haue faid) growe neare vnto the fea. And
wheras the Chriflians which ferue yowr maieftie in thefe parties, fuppofe that there is no remedy fo profytable
for fuche as are wounded with thefe arrowes, as is the water of the fea if the wounde be much waffhed therwith,
by which means fum haue efcaped although but fewe, yet to faye the trewthe, albeit the water of the fea haue a
certeyne cauftike qualitie ageynfl poyfon, it is not a fufficient remedy in this cafe: nor yet to this day haue the
Chriftians perceaued that of fiftie that haue byn wounded, three haue recouered. But that yowr maieflie may
the better confyder the force of the veneme of thefe trees, yowe fhall further vnderflande that yf a man doo but
repofe hym felfe to fleepe a lyttle whyle vnder the fhadow of the fame, he hath his head and eyes fo fwolne
when he ryfeth, that the eye lyddes are ioyned with the chekes. And if it chaunce one droppe or more of the
dewe of the fayde tree to faule into the eye, it vtterly deftroyeth the fyght. The peflilent nature of this tree is
fuch that it can not bee declared in fewe woordes. Of thefe there groweth greate plentie in the goulfe of Vraba
towarde the North coaft on the Wefle and Eafte fyde. The wood of thefe trees when it burneth, maketh fo
greate a flynke that noo man is able to abyde it, by reafon it caufeth fo great a peyne in the headde.
Amonge other trees which are in thefe Indies as well in the Ilandes as in the firme lande, there is an other
kynde which they caule Xagua, wherof there is great plentie. They are very hygh and fIreyght, and fayre to
beholde. Of thefe they vfe to make pykes and iauelyns of dyuers lengthes and byggeneffe. They are of a fayre
colour betwene ruffette and whyte. This tree bryngeth foorth a greate frute as bygge as Papauer or poppie and
much lyke therunto. It is very good to be eaten when it is rype. Owte of this they gette a very cleare water
wherwith they waffhe theyr legges and fumetymes all theyr boddyes when they feele theyr fleffhe werye, faynt,
or loofe. The which water, byfyde that it hath a byndynge qualitie, it hath alfo this propertie, that what fo
euer it toucheth, it fleyneth it blacke by lyttle and lyttle vntyll it bee as blacke as giette, which coloure can not
be taken away in leffe fpace then tenne or twelue dayes. And if the nayle bee but touched therwith, it is fo
fleined that it can by no meanes bee taken away vntyll it eyther faule of, or growe owte and bee clypped away
by lyttle and lyttle, as I my felfe haue oftentymes feene by experience.
There is another kynde of trees which they call Hobi. Thefe are very great and fayre, and caufe holfome
ayer where they growe and a pleafaunt fhadow, and are founde in great abundaunce. Theyr frute is very good,
T 2                                   a29


I




Note.
Canibales archiers.
Wherwith they
inuenym the[i]r
arrowes
199
Petrus. Arias.
The water of the
sea.
The goulf of
Vraba.
Xagua.
Hobi.
Sum thynke these
to be mirobalanle&


I




230


The h3yloie of the vveJe Izndies.


Date trees.
Th[e]inhabitantes
of the sea of Sur.
200
An herb that
bearethe cordes.
Cabuia and
Henequen.
A straung[e]
thinge.
Leaues.
A leafe of great
vertue.


and of good taft and fauoure, and much lyke vnto certeyne damfons or prunes beinge lyttle and yelowe. But
theyr flone is very great: by reafon wherof they haue but lyttle meate. Theyr barke or rynde boyled in water,
maketh a holfome bathe for the legges, bycaufe it bindeth and fteyeth the loofeneffe of the fleffie fo fencibly
that it is a marueyle to confyder. It is fuerly a holfome and excellent bathe ageynft fuch fayntneffe: And is
the befte tree that may bee founde in thofe parties to fleepe vnder. For it caufeth no heauineffe of the headde
as doo dyuers other trees. Whiche thynge I fpeake bycaufe the Chriftians are muche accuflomed in thofe
regions to lye in the fyeldes. It is therfore a common practife amonge them, that where fo euer they fynd
thefe trees, there they fpreade theyr mattreffes and beddes wherin they fleepe.
There are alfo a kynde of hyghe date trees and full of thornes. The woodde of thefe is mofte excellent:
beinge very blacke, and Ihynynge, and fo heauy that no parte thereof can fwymme aboue the water, but fynketh
immediatly to the bottome. Of this woodde they make theyr arrowes and dartes: Alfo iauelyns, fpeares, and
pyks. And I aye pykes, bycaufe that in the coaftes of the fea of Sur, beyonde Efquegua and Vracha, the
Indians vfe great and longe pykes made of the woodde of thefe date trees. Of the fame lykewyfe they make
clubbes and fwoordes and dyuers other weapons. Alfo veffelles and houfholde ftuffe of dyuers fortes very fayre
and commodious. Furthermore of this woodde the Chriftians vfe to make dyuers muficall intfrumentes, as
clarifimbals, lutes, gyterns, and fuche other, the whiche byfyde theyr fayre fhynynge coloure lyke vnto giete, are
alfo of a good founde and very durable by reafon of the hardneffe of the woodde.
After that I haue fayde thus much of trees and plantes, I haue thought good alfo to fpeake fumwhat of
herbes. You fhall therefore vnderflande that in thefe Indies there is an herbe much lyke vnto a yelowe lyllie,
abowte whofe leaues there growe and creepe certeyne cordes or laces, as the lyke is partly feene in the herbe
which we caule lafed fauery. But thefe of the Indies are muche bygger, and longer: and fo ftronge that they
tye theyr hangynge beddes thereby whiche they caule Hamacas wherof we haue fpoken elfwhere. Thefe
cordes, they caule Cabuia and Henequen, which are al one thing fauynge that Henequewn is leffe and of a fyner
fublfaunce as it were line: And the other is groffer lyke the wycke or twyfte of hempe, and is imperfecte in
comparifon to the other. They are of coloure betwene whyte and yelowe lyke vnto abarne, and fum alfo
whyte. With Henequen whiche is the mofte fubtyle and fyne threede, the Indians fawe in funder fetters,
cheynes, or barres of Iren in this maner. They moue the threede of Henequen vppon the iren which they
intende to faw or cutte, drawynge the one hande after the other as doo they that fawe, puttynge euer nowe and
then a portion of fyne fande vppon the threede, or on the place or parte of the Iren where they continue
rubbynge the fayde threede. So that yf the threede be worne, they take an other, and continewe in theyr
woorke as before vntyl they haue cutte in funder the iren although it bee neuer fo bygge: and cut it as yf it
were a tender thynge and eafye to bee fawne.
And for afmuch as the leaues of trees may bee counted amonge herbes, I wyll here fpeake fumewhat of
the qualitie of the leaues of certeyne trees which are founde in the Iland of Hijfpaniola.  Thefe trees are fo full
of thornes, that there is no tree or plante that feemeth more wylde and deformed: fo that I can not well
determyne whether they bee trees or plantes. They haue certeyne braunches full of large and deformed
leaues, which braunches were fyrfte leaues lyke vnto the other. As the braunches made of thefe leaues growe
foorthe in length, there commeth other leaues of them. So that in fine it is a dyfficult thyng to defcrybe the
forme of thefe trees except the fame ihulde bee doone by a paynter wherby the eye myght conceaue that
wherein the toonge fayleth in this behalfe. The leaues of this tree are of fitch vertue, that beyng well beaten
and fpreadde vppon a cloth after the maner of a playfler, and fo layde to a legge or arme that is broken in
many pieces, it healeth it in fyftene dayes, and maketh it as hole as though it had neuer byn broken. Durynge
the tyme of this operation, it cleaueth fo faft to the flefihe that it can not without much difficultie bee taken
away. But as foone as it hath healed the fore and wrought his operation, it loofeth it felfe from the place where
it was layde, as I my felfe and dyuers other which haue proued it, knowe by experience.
Er OffyfJhes and of the maner offyfjhynge.
N the fea coaftes of the firme lande, there are dyuers and fundry kyndes of fyffhes muche
differynge in fhape and forme. And althoughe it be impoffible to fpeake of all, yet wyll I
make mention of fum. And fyrft to begynne at fardynes, yowe fhall vnderftande that there
is founde a kynde of thefe fyffhes very large and with redde tayles, beinge a very delicate
fyffhe. The befle kyndes of other fyffhes are thefe: Moxarre, Diahace, Brettes, Dahaos,
Thornbackes, and Salmons. All thefe and dyuers other which I do not now remember, are
taken in great quantitite in ryuers. There are lykewyfe taken very good creuyffhes. There


230




The hyjorie of the vveJ e Indies.


231


_ ~_ i_ _


are alfo founde in the fea, certeyne other fyffhes: as foles, mackerelles, turbuttes, Palamite, Lizze, Polpi, Chieppe,
Xaibas, Locufles, Oyfters, exceadynge great Tortoyfes, and Tiburoni of maruelous byggeneffe: Alfo Manates,  Tiburons.
and Murene, and manye other fyffhes which haue no names in oure language. And thefe of fuch diuerfitie  Manates
and quantitie as can not bee expreffed without large wrytynge and longe tyme. But to let paffe to intreate
particulerly of the multitude of fyffhes, I intende to fpeake chiefely and fumwhat largely of three fortes of mofle
notable fyffhes: wherof the fyrit is, the great Tortoyfes, the feconde is cauled Tiburon, and the thyrde Manate.  Great Tortoyses.
And to begynne at the fyrfle, I faye that in the Ilande of Cuba, are founde great Tortoyfes (which are certeyne
(hell fyfihes) of fuch byggeneffe that tenne or fyfteene men are fcarfely able to lyfte one of them owt of the
water, as I haue byn informed of credible perfons dwellynge in the fame Ilande. But of that which I my felfe  201
haue feene, I can teftifie that in the firme lande in the vyllage of Acla there are of this forte fum taken and
kylled of fuche byggenes that fixe men with much difficultie coulde fcarfely drawe them owt of the water. And
commonly the leaft fort of them are as much as two men may cary at a burden. That which I fawe lifted vp
by fyxe men, had her fhell a yarde and a quarter in length, and in breadth more then fyue yardes. The maner
of takynge them, is this. It fumtymes chaunceth that in theyr greate nettes (whiche they caule fhoote nettes)
there are founde certeyne Tortoyfes of the common forte in great quantities. And when they coome owt of the
fea and bringe foorth theyr egges and go togyther by coompanies from the fea to feade on the lande, the
Chriflians or Indians folowe theyr fleppes whiche they fynde in the fande, and foone ouertake them bycaufe
they are very heauy and flowe in goynge, although they make all the hafte they can to returne to the fea as
foone as they efpie any boddie. When they that purfewe them haue ouertaken them, they put a flake or flaffe
vnder theyr legges and ouerturne them on theyr backes as they are yet runnynge, fo that they can go no further
nor yet ryfe ageyne or turne. Aid thus they fuffer them to lye flyll whyle they folowe after the refle which
they ouerturne in lyke maner: And by this meanes take very manye at fuche tymes as they coome furth of the
fea as I haue fayde. This fyffhe is very excellent and holfome to be eaten, and of good tafte. The feconde of
the three fyffhes wherof I haue fpoken, is the Tiburon. This is a very greate fyffhe and very quicke and  Tiburons.
fwifte in the water, and a cruell deuourer. Thefe are often tymes taken, afwell when the fhippes are vnder
fayle in the Ocean, as alfo when they lye at anker, or at any other time, and efpecially the leafte kynd of thefe
fiffhes. When the ihippes are vnder fayle, the biggeft forte are taken after this maner. When the Tiburon
feeth the fihippe failinge he foloweth it fwymmynge behynde. The which thinge the mariners feeinge, catle
furthe all the fylthe of the ihippe into the fea for the fyffhe to eate, who neuertheleffe foloweth them with equal
pafe although they make neuer fuch hafte wyth full wynd and failes, and waloweth on euery fyde and about the
fhyppe: And thus foloweth it fumetyme for the fpace of a hundreth and fyftie leaques and more. And when
the mariners are difpofed to take them, they caft downe by the flerne of the fhippe, a hoke of yren as bigge as
the biggeft finger of a mans hande of three fpannes in lengthe and crooked like a fyffhehooke with beardes
accordinge to the bigneffe thereof, and faftened to an iren chayne of fyue or fyxe linkes neare vnto th[e]ende,
and from thenfe tyed with a greate rope, faftening alfo on the hooke for a bayte, a piece of fum fiffhe, or hogges
fleffh, or fum other fleffhe, or the bouwelles and intralles of an other Tiburon whiche they haue taken before,
whiche may eafely bee doone, for I haue feene nyne taken in one day. And if they wolde haue taken more,
they myght alfo. Thus when the Tiburon hath pleafauntly folowed the Ihip a longe viage, at the lengthe he
fwaloweth the baite with the hooke. And afwell by his flryuinge to flye or efcape, as alfo by the fwifte paffage
of the Ihyppe, the hooke ouerthwarteth and catcheth hold of his chappes. The which fiffhe when it is taken, it
is of fuche huge biggeneffe that twelue or fyfeteene men are fcarcely able to drawe it owt of the water and lifte
it into the fhyppe: Where one of the mariners gyueth it many knockes on the headde with a clubbe or beetle
vntil he haue flaine it. They are fumtymes founde of tenne or twelue foote long, and of fyue, fyxe, or feuen
fpannes in breadth where they are brodeft. They haue very greate and wyde mouthes to the proportion of the
refte of theyr boddies, and haue two rowes of teethe the one fumewhat feparate from the other, of cruell fhape
and itanding very thicke. When they haue flayne this fyffhe, they cutte the boddy therof in fmaule piefes, and
put it to drye, hangynge it three or four dayes at the cordes of the fayle clothes to drye in the wynde, and then
eate it. It is doubtleffe a good fyffhe and of great commoditie to ferue the fhippes for vitalles for many dayes.
The leafle of thefe fyffhes are mofte holfome and tender. It hath a fkinne much like to the fkynne of a fole,
whervnto the fayde Tuberon is lyke in fhape. Which I faye bycaufe Plinie hath made mention of none of thefe  Plinie.
three fiffhes among the number of them whereof he wryteth in his natural hyftorie. Thefe Tiburons coomme
furth of the fea and enter into the ryuers, where they are no leffe perelous then greate lifartes or Crocodiles wherof I  Crocodyles.
haue fpoken largelybefore. For theydeuoure men, kine, and horfes, euen as doo the Crocodiles. Theyare very daungerous in certeyne waffhynge places or pooles by the ryuers fydes, and where they haue deuoured at other tymes.  202
Dyuers other fyffhes both greate and fmaule, of fundry fortes and kyndes are accuflomed to folowe the fhyppes
goynge vnder fayle, of the which I wyl fpeake fumwhat when I haue wrytten of Manate which is the thyrde of
the three whereof I haue promyfed to entreate.  Manate therefore, is a fyffhe of the fea, of the byggeft forte,  Manates.


231




232


The hlyforie of tIe vvejfe Indies.


and muche greater then the Tiburon in length and breadth: And is very brutyffhe and vyle, fo that it appeareth
in forme lyke vnto one of thofe great veffelles made of goates ikynnes wherin they vfe to cary newe wyne in
Mfcedina de Camvpo or in Areualo. The headde of this beaft is lyke the head of an oxe, with alfo lyke eyes.
And hath in the place of armes, two great ftumpes wherwith he fwymmeth. It is a very gentle and tame
beafte: And commeth oftentymes owt of the water to the next flore: where if he find [a]ny herbes or graffe, he
feedeth therof. Owre men are accuflomed to kyl many of thefe and dyuers other good fyffles with theyr
croffebowes, purfuinge them in barkes or Canoas, bycaufe they fwymme in maner aboue the water. The
whiche thynge when they fee, they drawe them with a hooke tyde at a fmaule corde, but fumwhat fironge. As
the fyffhe flyeth away, the archer letteth go and prolongeth the corde by lyttle and lyttle vntyll he haue lette
it go many fathams. At the ende of the corde, there is tyde a corke or a piece of lyght woodde. And when
the fyffhe is goone a lyttle way, and hathe coloured the water with his bludde, and feeleth hym felfe to faynt
and drawe towarde th[e]ende of his lyfe, he refortethe to the ihore, and the archer foloweth gatherynge vp his
corde: wherof whyle there yet remaine fixe or eyght fathams or fum what more or leffe, he draweth it towarde
the lande, and draweth the fyffhe therwith by little and lyttle as the waues of the fea helpe hym to doo it the
more eafely. Then with the helpe of the refte of his companie he lyftethe this greate beaft owt of the water
to the lande, beinge of fuch bygneffe that to conuey it from thenfe to the citie, it fhalbe requifite to haue a carte
with a good yoke of oxen, and fumtymes more, accordyng as thefe fyffiles are of byggeneffe, fum being much
greater then other fum in the fame kynde as is feene of other beafles. Sumtymes they lyft thefe fyffhes into
the Canoa or barke, withowt drawynge them to the lande as before. For as foone as they are flayne, they
flote aboue the water. And I beleue verely that this fyffhe is one of the beft in the world to the tafle, and the
lykeft vnto fleffhe. Efpecially fo lyke vnto biefe, that who fo hath not feene it hole, can iudge it to bee none
other when he feethe it in pieces then verye biefe or veale. And is certeynly fo lyke vnto flefie, that all the
men in the worlde may herin bee deceaued. The tafte lykewyfe, is lyke vnto the taft of very good veale, and
lafteth longe yf it bee poudered. So that in fine, the bafe of thefe parties, is by no meanes lyke vnto this.
The fysshe    This Manate, hath a certeine flone or rather bone in his headde within the brayne, which is of qualitie greatly
Aremedyageynst  appropriate ageynfle the difeafe of the flone, if it bee burnte and grounde into fmaule pouder, and taken
A remedy ageynst
the stone.    faflynge in the mornynge when the payne is felte, in fuch quantitie as maye lye vppon a penye with a drawght
of good whyte wyne. For beynge thus taken three or foure mornynges, it acquieteth the grefe as dyuers haue
toulde me whiche haue proued it trewe. And I my felfe by teftimonie of fight, doo wytneffe that I haue feene
this ftlone fought of dyuers for this effecte.
There are alfo dyuers other fyffhes as bygge as this Manate: Emonge the which there is one cauled
The swoorde    Vihluella. This fyfhe beareth in the toppe of his headde, a fwoorde beinge on euery fyde full of many fharpe
fysshe        teeth. This fwoorde is naturally very harde and ftronge, of foure or fyue fpannes in length and of proportion
accordynge to the fame byggenes. And for this caufe is this fyfhe cauled Spada: that is the fwoord fyfhe. Of
this kynde fum are found as lyttle as fardines: and other fo greate, that two yokes of oxen are fcarfely able to
drawe them on a carte. But whereas before, I haue promyfed to fpeake of other fyffhes which are taken in
Tunnye.       thefe feas whyle the fhyppes are vnder fayle, I wyl not forget to fpeake of the Tunnye which is a great and good
fyffhe, and is oftentymes taken and kylde with troute fpeares and hookes cafte in the water when they play
Turbut.       and fwymme aboute the fhyppes. In lyke maner alfo are taken many turbuts which are very good fyffhes as
are lyghtly in all the fea.
And here is to bee noted, that in the greate Ocean fea, there is a fIraunge thynge to bee considered,
203    whiche all that haue byn in the Indies affirme to bee trewe. And this is, that lyke as on the lande there are
Note.         furn prouinces fertile and frutfull, and fum barren, euen fo dooth the lyke chaunce in the fea: So that at fum
wyndes the fhyppes fayle fiftie or a hundreth, or two hundreth leaques and more, withowt takyng or feinge of
one fyffhe. And ageyne in the felfe fame Ocean, in fum places, all the water is feene tremble by the mouynge
of the fyffhes, where they are taken abundauntly.
Flyinge fysshes.  It commeth further to my rememberaunce to fpeak fumwhat of the flyinge of fyffhes, which is doubtleffe a
fIraunge thynge to beholde, and is after this maner. When the fhyppes fayle by the greate Ocean folowynge
theyr vyage, there ryfeth fumtymes on the one fyde or on the other, many coompanies of certeyne lyttle fyffhes,
of the which the byggeft is no greater then a fardyne: and foo diminiffhe leffe and leffe from that quantitie that
fum of them are very lyttle. Thefe are cauled Volatori: that is, flyinge fyffhes. They ryfe by great coompanies
and flockes in fuch multitudes that it is an aftonyffhement to beholde them. Sumtymes they ryfe but lyttle
from the water: and (as it chaunceth) continew one flyght for the fpace of a hundreth pafes and fumtymes more
or leffe before they faule ageyne into the fea. Sumtymes alfo they faule into the fhyppes. And I remember
that on an euenyng when all the company in the fhippe were on theyr knees fyngynge Sa/le reg-ina in the
higheft parte of the Cartel of the poope, and fayled with a full wynde, there paffed by vs a flocke of thefe flyinge
fyfthes: and came fo neare vs that many of them fell into the fhyppe, amonge the which, two or three fell hard


232




The hyjforie of the vvefe Indies.


233


by me which I tooke alyue in my hande: fo that I myght well perceaue that they were as bigge as fardynes
and of the fame quantitie, hauynge two wynges or quylles growyng owt of theyr fynnes, lyke vnto thofe
wherwith all the fyffhes fwymme in ryuers. Thefe wynges are as longe as the fyffhes theym felues. As longe
as theyr wynges are moyfle, they beare them vp in the ayer. But as foone as they are drye, they can continewe
theyr flyght no further then as I haue fayde before, but faule immediatly into the fea, and fo ryfe ageyne, and
flye as before from place to place.
In the yeare. A thoufand fyue hundreth fiftene. when I came fyrft to informe your maieftye of the tfate of
the thynges in Indya, and was the yeare folowynge in Flanders in the tyme of youre mofle fortunate ucceffe in
thefe youre kyngedomes of Aragonie and Catfyle, wheras at that vyage I fayled aboue the Iland Bermuda
otherwyfe cauled Garza, beynge the furthefle of all the Ilandes that are founde at thys daye in the worlde, and
arryuynge there at the deapthe of eight yeardes of water, and dyflant from the land as farre as the fhotte of a
piece of ordynaunce, I determined to fende fume of the fhyppe to lande as well to make fearche of fuche
thynges as were there, as alfo to leaue in the Ilande certayne hogges for increafe. But the tyme not feruyng
my purpofe by reafon of contrarye wynde, I could bryng my fhyppes no nearer the Ilande beinge twelue
leaques in lengthe and fyxe in breadth and about thyrty in circuite, lying in the thyrtie and thre degre of the
northe fyde. Whyle I remayned here, I fawe a ftryfe and combatte betwene thefe flyinge fyfhes and the fythes
named gylte heades, and the foules cauled feamewes and cormorauntes, whych fuerlye teemed vnto me a thynge
of as greate pleafure and  lace as coulde bee deuyfed, whyle the gylte heades fwamme on the brymme of the
water and fumtymes lyfted theyr fhulders aboue the fame to rayfe the fwymmynge fyffhes owt o f the water to
dryue them to flyght, and folowe them fwymming to the place where they faule to take and eate them fodaynlye.
Agayne on the other fyde, the feamewes and cormorantes, take manye of thefe flying fyffhes: fo that by thys
meanes theye are nother fafe in the ayre nor in the water. In the felfe fame perrell and daunger doo men lyue
in thys mortall lyfe wherin is no certayne fecurytye nether in hygh eflate nor in lowe. Which thynge fuerlye
ought to put vs in rememberaunce of that bleffed and fafe reftynge place whych god hath prepared for fuch as
loue hym, who fhall acquyete and fynyfhe the trauayles of thys troubelous worlde wherin are fo manye
daungyours, and brynge them to that eternall lyfe where they Ihall fynde eternall fecurytye and refle. But to
returne to the hyflorye: thefe byrdes and foules whych I fawe, were of the Ilande of Bermuda nere vnto the
whych I fawe thefe flyinge fyffhes.  For they coulde bee of no other lande, forafmuche as they are not
accuftomed to wander farre frome the coafles where they are bredde.
C Of th[e]increafe and decreafe, (that is) ryfynge andfaullynge of our
Ocean fea and Soutfhe fea caulled the fea of Sur.
Wyll nowe fpeake of certeayne thynges whiche are feene in the Prouynce, or at the leafte in
D   the citie of golden Caftyle otherwyfe cauled Beragua, and in the coaftes of the North fea
and of the South fea caulled the fea of Sur. Not omittyng to note one fynguler and meruelous thynge which I haue confydered of the Ocean fea, wherof hytherto no cofmographer,
If f I     pylote or maryner or any other haue fatiffyed me.
B     f       I fay therfore as it is well knowen to your maieftye and all fuch as haue knowlege of
the Ocean fea, that this greate Ocean cafleth from it felfe the fea Mediterraneum by the
mouthe of the ftrayght of Gibilterra: in the which the water from th[e]end and furthefle parte of that fea, euen
vnto the mouth of the fayde firaight, eyther in the EafIt towarde the coafle commonlye cauled Leuante, or in
any other parte of the fayde fea Mediterraneum, the fea doothe not fo faule nor increafe as reafon wolde iudge
for fo greate a fea. But increfethe verye lyttle and a fmaule fpace. Neuertheleffe, withoute the mouthe of
the firaight in the mayne Ocean, it increafeth and fauleth verye muche and a great fpace of grounde from fyxe
houres to fyxe houres, as in all the coaftes of Spayne, Britannye, Flanders, Germanye, and England. The
felfe fame Ocean fea in the fyrme lande newly founde, in the coafles of the fame lyynge towarde the Northe,
dothe neyther ryfe nor faule, nor lykewife in the Ilandes of Hifjpaniola and Cuba and all the other Ilandes of
the fame fea lyinge towarde the northe, for the fpace of thre thoufande leaques, but onelye in lyke maner as
doothe the fea AfMediterraneum in Italye: whiche is in maner nothynge in refpecte to that increafe and decreafe
whiche the fayde Ocean hath in the coafles of Spayne and Flaunders. But this is yet a greater thynge, that
alfo the felfe fame Ocean in the coafles of the fayde fyrme lande lyinge towarde the Southe in the citie of
Panama, and alfo in the coafle of that lande whiche lyethe towarde the Eafle and Wefle frome that citie, as in
the Ilande of pearles or Margaritea whiche the Indians caule Tarrarequi, and alfo in Taboga and Otoque, and
- 233


The Iland of
Bermuda.
Not to hie for the
pye, nor to lowe
for the crowe.
204


/


Beragua.
The west Ocean.
The sea
Mediteraneum.
Hispaniola.
Cuba.




234


The hy/jorie of the vvejie Indies.




I


__1                                  1


The South sea.
The power and
wisdome of god is
sene in his
creatures.
205
Esquegua and
Vrrace.
Nomnci Dei.
Panan1a.
The ryuer of
Chagre.


in all other Ilandes of the fouthe fea of Sur, the water ryfeth and fauleth fo much, that when it fauleth it
go[e]th in maner owt of fyghte, which thynge I my felfe haue feene oftentymes.
And here youre maieflie may note an other thynge, that from the northe fea to the fouthe fea beynge of
fuche dyfference the one from the other in ryfynge and faulynge, yet is the lande that deuydeth theym not
pafle eyghteene or twentye leaques in breadthe frome coafte to coafte. So that bothe the fayde feas beynge
all one Ocean this firaunge effecte is a thynge worthy greately to bee confidered of al fuche as haue inclination
and defyre to knowe the fecreate woorkes of nature wherin the infinite powre and wyfedome of god is feene to
bee fuch as may allure all good natures to reuerence and loue fo diuine a maieftie. And wheras by the
demonfltrations of lerned men I am not fatiffyed of the natural caufe hereof, I content my felfe to knowe and
beleue that he which hathe made thefe thynges, dooth knowe this and many other whiche he hath not granted
to the reafon of man to comprehend, much leffe to fo bafe a wyt as myne is. They therefore that are of
greater vnderfltandynge, Ihall fearche the caufe hereof, for them and for me, forafmuch as I haue onely put the
matter in queftion as a wytneffe that haue feene th[e]experience of the thynge.
C Of the Jlrayght or narowe pa6fage of the lande lyinge betwene the North
and South fea, by the whiche flSyces may much fooner and eaJlyer
be brought from      the Ilandes of Molucca          into  Sfayne by
the VWeji    Ocean    then   by that way      wherby     the
Portugales fayle into EaJt           India.
T hath byn an opinion amonge the Cofmographers and Pylottes of late tyme, and other which
haue had practife in thynges touchynge the fea, that there fhulde bee a ftrayght of water
paffynge from the North fea of the firme, into the South fea of Sur, whiche neuertheleffe
hath not byn feene nor founde to this daye. And fuerlye yf there be any fuche firayght,
we that inhabite thofe partes do thynke the fame fhulde bee rather of lande then of water.
For the fyrme lande in fum partes therof is o fitrayght and narrowe that the Indyans faye
that frome the mountaynes of the prouynce of Efquegua or Vrraca, (whych are betwene the
one fea and the other) If a man affend to the toppe of the mountaynes and looke towarde the Northe, he maye
fee the water of the North fea of the Prouynce of Beragua. And ageyne lookynge the contrarye waye, may on
the other fyde towarde the Southe, fee the fea of Sur and the prouynces whyche confyne with it, as doo the
territoryes of the twoo Lordes or kynges of the fayde prouinces of Vrraca and Efquegua. And I beleue that if
it bee as the Indyans faye, of al that is hetherto knowen, this is the narroweft firayght of the fyrme lande, whiche
fume affyrme to bee full of rough mountaynes. Yet doo I not take it for a better waye, or fo fhorte as is that
whyche is made from the porte cauled Nomen dei (whiche is in the Northe fea) vnto the newe citye of Panama
beynge in the coafte and on the banke of the fea of Sur. Whiche waye is likewyfe very rough ful of thicke
wods, mountaines, ryuers, valleys, and verye diffyculte to paffe through, and can not bee doone withowt greate
laboure and trauayle. Sum meafure this waye in this part, to bee from fea to fea. xviii. leaques, whych I fuppofe to bee rather. xx. not for that it is any more by meafure, but bicaufe it is rough and dyffyculte as I haue
fayde, and as I haue founde it by experyence hauynge nowe twyfe paffed that way by foote: countyng from the
porte and vyllage of Nomen Dei vnto the dominion of the Cacique of luanaga otherwyfe cauled Capira. viii.
leaques: And frome thenfe to the ryuer of Chagre, other. viii. leaques. So that at this ryuer beinge. xvi. leaques
from the fayde porte, endeth the roughneffe of the way. Then from henfe to the maruelous brydge are two
leaques: And beyonde that, other twoo vnto the port of Panama: So that all togyther in my iudgmente, make
xx. leaques. And if therfore this nauigation may bee founde in the South fea for the trade of fpices (as we truft
in God) to bee brought from thenfe to the fayde porte of Panama (as is poffible enough) they may afterwarde
eafly paffe to the Northe fea notwithftandynge the difficultie of the waye of the. xx. leaques aforefayde. Whiche
thynge I affirme as a man well trauayled in thefe regions, hauynge twyfe on my feate paffed ouer this firayght
in the yeare. 1521. as I haue fayde. It is furthermore to bee vnderftode, that it is a maruelous facilitie to bryng
fpices by this way which I wil now declare. From Panama to the ryuer of Chagre, are foure leaques of good
and fayre way by the which cartes may paffe at pleafure by reafon that the mountaynes are but fewe and lyttle,
and that the greatefte parte of thefe foure leaques is a playne grounde voyde of trees. And when the cartes are
coomme to the fayde ryuer, the fpices may be caryed in barkes and pinneffes. For this ryuer entereth into the
234




The hyjforie of the vveJfe Indies.


235


-             ------- I


North fea fyue or. vi leaques lower then the port of Nomen dei, and emptieth it felfe in the fea nere vnto an
Ilande cauled Baftimento, where is a very good and fafe port. Yowr maieftie may now therfore confyder howe  The iiande
great a thynge and what commoditie it may bee to conuey fpices this way, forafmuch as the ryuer of Chagre
hauyng his originall only two leaques from the South fea, contineweth his courfe and emptieth it felfe into the
other North fea. This ryuer runneth fafl and is very greate, and fo commodious for this purpofe as may be
thowght or defyred. The marueilous bridge made by the worke of nature, being two leaques beyonde the fayd  The maruelous
ryuer, and other twoo leaques on this fyde the porte of Panama, fo lyinge in the mydde way betwene them
both, is framed naturally in fuch fort that none which paffe by this viage fee any fuch bridge or thynke that
there is any fuch buyldyng in that place vntyll they bee in the toppe therof in the way toward Panama. But as
foone as they are on the brydge, lookynge towarde the ryght hande, they fee a lyttle ryuer vnder them
which hath his chanell diftante from the feete of them that walke ouer it, the fpace of twoo fpeares length or
more. The water of this ryuer is very fhalowe, not paffyng the depth of a mans legge to the knee: and is in
breadth betwene thyrtie and fortie pafes: and faulethe into the ryuer of Chagre. Towarde the ryght hand
flandyng on this brydge, there is nothyng feene but great trees. The largeneffe of the brydge, conteyneth. xv.
pafes: and the length thereof about threefcore or fourefcore pafes. The arche is fo made of mofte harde flone,
-that no man can beholde it without admiration, beinge made by the hyghe and omnipotent creatour of all  206
thynges. But to returne to fpeake fumwhat more of the conueying of fpices, I fay that when it fhal pleafe
almyghty god that this nauigation aforefayde Ihal bee founde by the good fortune of yowre maieftie, and that
the fpices of the Ilandes of the South fea (which may alfo bee otherwyfe cauled the Ocean of the Eaft India
in the whiche are the Ilandes of Molucca) fhalbe browght to the fayd coafle and the porte of Panama, and bee  The Ilandes of
conueyed from thenfe (as we haue fayde) by the firme lande with cartes vnto the ryuer of Chagre, and from  The commoditie
thenfe into this owr other fea of the North, from whenfe they may afterward bee browght into Spayne, I fay  of this viage.
that by this meanes the vyage fhall bee Shortened more then feuen thoufande leaques, with muche leffe
daunger then is by the viage nowe vfed by the way of Commendator of Ayfa capitayne vnder yowre maieffie,
who this prefent yeare attempted a vyage to the place of the fayde fpyces. And not only the way is thus
much fhortened, but alfo a thyrde parte of the tyme is abbreuiate. To conclude therfore, if any had hetherto
attempted this vyage by the fea of Sur, to feeke the Ilandes of fpyces, I am of firme opinion that they fhuld
haue byn founde longe fence, as doubteleffe they maye bee by the reafons of Cofmographie.
a Howe thynges that are of one kynde, dyffer in forme and qualiitie, accordynge    to the nature of the place          where they      are engendred       or
growe. And of the beajtes cauled Tygers.
N the firme lande are fownde many terryble beafes which fum thinke to be Tigers. Which  Tigers.
thynge neuertheleffe, I dare not affirme, confyderynge what auctoures doo wryte of the
lyghtnes and agilitie of the Tyger, whereas this beaft beynge other wyfe in fhape very like
vnto a Tyger, is notwithflandynge very flowe.  Yet trewe it is, that accordynge to the
maruayles of the worlde and differences which naturall thynges haue in dyuers regions
vnder heauen and dyuers conflellations of the fame vnder the whiche they are created, wee
fee that fum fuche plantes and herbes as are hurtfull in one countrey, are harmeleffe and  Plantes and
holfome in other regions. And byrdes which in one prouince are of good tafte, are in other fo vnfauery that  herbes
they may not bee eaten. Men likewyfe which in fum countreys are blacke, are in other places whyte: and yet  Men.
are both thefe and they men.
Euen fo may it bee that Tygers are lyght in fum region as they wryte, and maye neuertheleffe bee flowe
and heauy in thefe Indies of yowr maieftie wherof we fpeake. The fheepe of Arabie drawe theyr tayles longe  Sheepe.
and bigge on the ground, and the bulles of Egypt haue theyr heare growynge towarde theyr headdes: yet are  Bulles.
thofe fheepe and thefe bulles. Men in fum countreys are hardy and of good courage, and in other naturally
fearefull and brutyfhe. All thefe thynges and many more which may bee fayde to this purpofe, are eafy to bee
proued and woorthy to bee beleued of fuche as haue redde of the lyke in autours or trauayled the worlde,
whereby theyr owne fyght may teache theym th[e]experience of there thynges wherof I fpeake. It is alfo
manifeft, that lucca wherof they make theyr breade in the Ilande of Hifpaniola, is deadely poyfon yf it bee  Iucc,.
eaten greene with the iufe: And yet hathe it no fuche propertie in the firme land where I haue eaten it many
times and fon d it to bee a good frute. The bats of Spayne although they bite, yet are they not venemous.  Battes.
235




236


The hy/forie of the vvefie Indies.


Plinie.
The Tiger.
207
The huntyng of
tigers.
A reward for
kyllinge of tigers.
Colonus compared
to Hercules.
The pillers of
Hercules.
The straightes of
Gibilterra.
Note.
PLVS VLTRA.
Howe farre
Th[e]emperours
maiestie excelleth
Hercules.
A tiger made tame.
208


But in the firme lande many dye that are bytten of them. And in this fourme may fo many thynges bee fayde
that tyme ihall not fuffice to wryte, wheras my intent is only to proue that this beaft may be a Tiger or of the
kind of Tigers although it be not of fuch lyghtneffe and fwiftnes as are they wherof Plinie and other autours
fpeake, difcrybynge it to bee one of the fwvyftefte beaftes of the lande, and that the ryuer of Tigris for the fwift
courfe therof was cauled by that name. The firit Spaniardes which fawe this Tyger in the firme lande, dyd
fo name it. Of the kynde of thefe was that which Don Diego Columbo the Admirall fent yowre maieltie owte
of newe Spayne to Toledo. Theyr heades are lyke to the heades of Lyons or Lioneffes, but greater. The
refle of all theyr boddies and theyr legges, are full of blacke fpottes one nere vnto an other and diuided with a
circumference or frynge of redde colour Ihewinge as it were a fayre woorke and correspondent picture. Abowt
theyr croopes or hynder partes, they haue thefe fpots byggeft: and leffe and leffe towarde theyr bellies, legges,
and headdes. That which was brought to Toledo, was younge and but lyttle, and by my eftimation, of th[e]age
of three yeares. But in the firme lande there are many founde of greater quantitie. For I haue feene fum of
three fpannes in heyght, and more then fyue in length. They are beafles of greate force, with fironge legges,
and well armed with nayles and fanges which we caule dogge teeth. They are fo fierce that in my iudgement
no reall lyon of the byggeit forte is fo fironge or fierce. Of thefe, there are many founde in the firme land
whiche deuour many of the Indians and do much hurte otherwyfe. But fyns the comming of the Chriflians,
many haue byn kyld with Croffebowes after this maner. As foone as the archer hath knowlege of the haunt of
any of thefe Tygers, he goeth fearchynge theyr trafe with his croffebowe and with a lyttle hounde or bewgle and
not with a greehounde, bycaufe this beafl wolde foone kyll any dogge that wolde venter on hym. When the
hounde hath founde the Tyger, he runneth about hym bayinge continually, and approcheth fo neare hym fnappynge
and grynnynge with fo quicke flyinge and returnyng, that he hereby fo molefleth this fierce beafte that he
dryuethe hym to take the next tree, at the foote whereof he remayneth flyl baying and the Tyger grynnyng and
fhewyng his teeth, whyle in the meane tyme the archer commeth neare, and. xii. or. xiiii. pafes of, ftryketh hym
with the querel of his croffebowe in the bretfe, and flyeth incontinent, leauynge the Tyger in his trauayle for
lyfe and death, bytynge the tree and eatynge earth for fierceneffe. Then within the fpace of twoo or three houres
or the day folowynge, the archer returneth thyther, and with his dogge fyndeth the place where he lyethe deade.
In the yeare. 1 5 2 2. I wth the other rulers and magiflrates of the citie of Sanoa Maria Antiqua in Dariena,
toke order in owr counfayle, A rewarde of foure or fyue pieces of golde to bee giuen to euery man that kylde
any of thefe Tygers: by reafon wherof many were kylde in fhorte fpace both with with croffebowes and alfo with
dyuers fnares and ingens. But to conclude, I wyll not obftynately fland in opinyon whether thefe beaftes bee
Tygers or Panthers, or of the number of any other fuch beafles of fpotted heare, or alfo peraduenture fum other
newe beafle vnknowen to the owlde wryters as were many other wherof I haue fpoken in this booke. Of which
thynge, I doo not greately meruayle, For afmuche as vnto owre tyme thys greate parte of the worlde was
vnknowen to the antiquitie: In fo muche that none of the wryters of that age, nor yet Ptolomie in his
Cofmographie, or any other fence hym, haue made any mention herof, vntill the fyrft Admyrall Don
Chryflopher Colonus difcouered the fame. A thynge douteleffe without comparyfon muche greater then that
whyche is fayd of Hercules, that he fyrfle gaue th[e]enterance of the fea Mediterraneum into the Ocean, whiche
the Grekes coulde neuer doo before hym. And herof ryfethe the fable that the mountaynes of Calpe and Abila
(which are directly one agaynfl an other in the firayght of Gibilterra, the one beyng in Spayne and the other in
Affryke) were ioyned togither before they were opened by Hercules, who erected thofe hys pyllers whiche your
maieflye gyue in token of prehemynence and lyke enterpryfes with lykewyfe thefe hys wordes P LVS V  L T R A:
wordes douteleffe worthy for fo greate an[d] vnyuerfall an Emperoure, and not conuenyent for any other Prynce.
Forafmiuche as your holy Catholyke Maieftye haue fpredde them in fo firaunge and remote regyons, fo manye
thoufande leaques further then euer dyd Hercules. And certeynlye fyr, If there had byn an Image of golde
made in the prayfe and fame of Coilonus, He had as well deferued it as any of thofe men to whom for theyr
noble enterpryfe the antiquytie gaue deuyne honoure, if he had byn in their tyme. But to returne to the matter
whereof I began to fpeake: I neede fay no more of the forme of thys beafte, for as muche as your Maieflye haue
feene that whych is yet alyue in Tolledo. And fuerly the keper of your Maieflies lyons, who hath taken vppon
hym the charge to tame this beafle, myght better haue beltowed his paynes in an other thynge that myght haute
bynne more profitable for the fafegarde of his lyfe bycaufe this Tyger beinge yet but younge, wyl dayly bee
fironger and fiercer and increafe in malice. The Indians (and efpecially they of the firme lande in the prouince
whiche the Catholyke Kynge Don Ferdinando commaunded to bee cauled golden Caflyle) caule this beafle
Ochi. This thinge is fIraunge that chaunced of late: that wheras the Tiger wherof we haue made mention
before, wolde haue kylde his keeper that then kept hym in a cage, was in fewe dayes after made fo tame that
he ledde her tyed only with a fmaule corde and playde with her fo familyarly that I maruayled greatly to fee it, yet
not without certeyne belefe that this frendfhyp wyll not lafte longe without daunger of lyfe to the keeper, forafmiuch
as fuerly thefe beaftes are not meete to bee amonge men for theyr fiercenes and cruell nature that can not bee tamed.
236




The hyJ/orie of the vvejle Indies.


237


Av*   Of the maners and cuflomes of the Indians of thefirme lande,
and of theyr women.
He maners and cuflomes of thefe Indians, are dyuers in diuers prouinces. Sum of them take
as many wyues as them lyfte, and other lyue with one wyfe whome they forfake not without
content of both parties, which chauncethe efpecially when they haue no chyldren. The
nobilitie afwel men as women, repute it infamous to ioyne with any of bafe parentage or
ftrangers, except Chriftians, whom they count noble men by reafon of theyr valientnes,
although they put a difference betwene the common forte and the other to whom they
fhewe obedience, countynge it for a great matter and an honorable thyng yf they bee
beloued of any of them. In fo much that yf they knowe any Chriftian man carnally, they keepe theyr fayth
to hym, fo that he bee not longe abfent farre from them. For theyr intent is not to bee widowes or to lyue
chaff lyke religious women. Many of theym haue this cuftome, that when they perceaue that they are with
chylde, they take an herbe wherwith they deftroy that is conceaued. For they fay that only wel aged women
ihulde beare chyldren, and that they wyl not forbeare theyr pleafures and deforme theyr boddies with bearynge
of chyldren, wherby theyr teates becoome loofe and hangynge which thynge they greatly difprayfe. When
they are delyuered of theyr chyldren they go to the ryuer and wafhe them. Whiche doone, theyr bludde and
purgation ceafeth immediatly. And when after this they haue a few days abfteyned from the company of men,
they becomme fo ftrayght as they fay which haue had carnall familiaritie with them, that fuch as vfe them, can
not without much difficultie fatiffie theyr appetite. They alfo whiche neuer had chyldren, are euer as vyrgins.
In fum partes they weare certeyne lyttle apernes rounde about them before and behynde as lowe as to theyr
knees and hammes, wherwith they couer theyr priuie partes, and are naked all theyr boddie byfyde. The
principal men beare theyr priuities in a holowe pype of golde: but the common forte haue theym inclofed in
the fhelles of certeyne great welkes, and are byfyde vtterly naked. For they thynke it no more fhame to haue
theyr coddes feene then any other parte of theyr boddies. And in many prouinces bothe the men and women
go vtterly naked without any fuch couerture at al. In the prouince of Cueua they caul a man Chuy, and a
woman Ira: which name is not greately difagreeable to many both of theyr women and of owres.
Thefe Indians gyue great honour and reuerence to theyr Cacique (that is) theyr kynges and rulers. The
principall Cacique, hath twelue of his moft ftronge Indians appoynted to beare hym when he remoueth to any
place, or gothe abrod for his pleafure. Two of them cary hym fyttyng vppon a longe piece of woodde which
is naturally as lyght as they can fynd The other tenne folowe nexte vnto hym as foote men. They keepe
continually a trottynge pafe with hym on theyr fhulders. When the twoo that cary hym are wery, other twoo
coomme in theyr places without any difturbance or fley. And thus if the way bee playne, they cary hym in
this maner for the fpace of. xv. or. xx. leaques in one day. The Indians that are affigned to this office, are
for the mofte parte flaues or Naboriti, that is, fuch as are bounde to continuall feruice.
I haue alfo noted that when the Indians perceaue them felues to bee troubled with to much bludde, they
lette theym felues blud in the cal-fes of theyr legges and brawnes of theyr armes. This doo they with a very
fharpe ftlone, and fumtymes with the fmaule toothe of a vyper, or with a fharpe reede or thorne.
All the Indians are commonly without beardes: In fo much that it is in maner a maruayle to fee any of
them eyther men or women to haue any downe or heare on theyr faces or other partes of theyr boddies.
Albeit, I fawe the Cacique of the prouince of Catarajpa who had heare on his face and other partes of his
boddie, as had alfo his wyfe in fuche places as women are accuftomed to haue. This Cacique had a great part
of his body paynted with a blacke colour which neuer fadeth: And is much lyke vnto that wherwith the Mores
paynt them felues in Barberie in token of nobilitie. But the Moores are paynted fpecially on theyr vyfage and
throte and certeyne other partes. Likewyfe the principall Indians vfe thefe payntynges on theyr armes and
breftes, but not on theyr vyfages, bycaufe amonge them the flaues are fo marked. When the Indians of certeyne
prouinces go to the battayle (efpecially the Caniball archers) they cary certeyne fhelles of greate welkes of the fea
which they blowe and make therwith great founde muche lyke the noyfe of homes. They carye alfo certeyne
tymbrels which they vfe in the fleade of drummes. Alfo very fayre plumes of fethers, and certeyne armure of
golde: efpecially great and rounde pieces on theyr breftes, and fplintes on there armes. Lykewyfe other pieces
whiche they put on theyr heades and other partes of theyr bodyes. For they efteeme nothynge fo much as to
appeare galante in the war[re]s, and to go in mofl coomely order that they can deuyfe, glyftlerynge with precious
flones, iewelles, golde, and fethers. Of the leafte of thefe welkes or perewincles, they make certeyne lyttle
237


L
The Indian
women.
The men of India.
The kynge is
borne on mens
backes.
Lcttinge of
bludde.
They haue no
beardes.
They paynte theyr
bodies.
209
The Canibales.
Armure of golde.
Their galantues in
the warres.




238


The hyjlorie of the vv/e Indies.


I


__


Their Iuells
Howe the women
beare vp their
teates, wyth barres
of golde.
The stature and
coloure of the
Indians.
The Indians
cauled Coronati.
'The Ilande of
giantes.
IZucatos.
The sculles of the
Indians heades.
210
New Spaine.
The houses of the
Christians in India
Dariena.
Gardens.


beades of diuers fortes and colours. They make alfo little braffelets whiche they mengle with gaudies of golde.
Thefe they rowle about there armes frome the elbowe to the wrefle of the hande. The lyke alfo doo they on
theyr legges from the knee to the foles of theyr feete in token of nobilitie. Efpecially theyr noble women in
dyuers prouinces are accufltomed to weare fuch Iewelles, and haue theyr neckes in maner laden therwith.
Thefe beades and Iewels and fuch other trynkettes, they caule Caquiras. Bifyde thefe alfo, they weare certeyne
rynges of golde at theyr eares and noflrelles which they bore ful of holes on both fides, fo that the ringes hange
vppon theyr lyppes. Sum of thefe Indians, are poulde and rounded. Albeit, commonly both the men and
women take it for a decent thynge to weare longe heare, which the women weare to the myddeft of theyr
Ihulders and cut it equally, efpecially aboue theyr browes. This doo they with certeyne harde tflones which they
keepe for the fame purpofe. The principall women when theyr teates faule or becoome loofe, beare them vp
with barres of golde of the length of a fpanne and a halfe, wel wrought, and of fuch byggeneffe that fum of them
way more then two hundreth Caftilians or ducades of golde. Thefe barres haue holes at both th[e]endes,
whereat they tye two fmaul cordes made of cotton at euery ende of the barres. One of thefe cordes go[e]th ouer
the fhulder, and the other vnder the arme holes where they tye togyther, fo that by this meanes the barre
beareth vp theyr teates. Sum of thefe chiefe women go to the battayle with theyr hufbandes, or when they
them felues are regentes in any prouinces, in the which they haue all thynges at commaundement and execute
th[e]office of generall capitaynes, and caufe them felues to bee caryed on mens backes in lyke maner as doo
the Caciques of whom I haue fpoken before.
Thefe Indians of the firme lande are muche of the fame flature and coloure as are they of the Ilandes.
They are for the moft part of the colour of an olyue. If there bee any other difference, it is more in byggeneffe
then otherwyfe. And efpecially they that are cauled Corona/i, are ftronger and bygger then any other that I
haue feene in thefe parties, except thofe of the Ilande of giantes whiche are on the fouth fyde of the Ilande of
Hifpaniola nere vnto the coafltes of the firme lande: And lykewyfe certeyne other which they caule Yzicatos
which are on the north fyde. All which chiefely, although they bee no giantes, yet are they doubteleffe the
byggefle of the Indyans that are knowen to this day, and commonly bygger then the Flemynges: and efpecially
many of them afwell women as men, are of very hyghe flature, and are all archiers bothe men and women.
Thefe Coronati inhabite thirtie leaques in length by thefe coafles from the poynt of Canoa to the greate ryuer
which they caule Guadalchibir nere vnto Sancia Maria de gratia. As I trauerfed by thofe coaftes, I fylled a
butte of frefhe water of that ryuer fyxe leaques in the fea frome the mouthe therof where it fauleth into the fea.
They are cauled Coronati (that is crowned) bycaufe theyr heare is cutte round by theyr eares, and poulde lower
a great compafe abowte the crowne much lyke the fryers of faynt Auguftines order. And bycaufe I haue fpoken
of theyr maner of wearynge theyr heare, here commeth to my rememberaunce a thynge which I haue oftentymes
noted in thefe Indians. And this is, that they haue the bones of the fculles of theyr heades foure tymes thycker
and much fironger then owres. So that in commyng to hand firokes with them, it fhalbe requifite not to
firike them on the heades with fwoordes. For fo haue many fwoordes bynne broken on theyr heades with lyttle
hurt doone. And to haue fayde thus much of theyr cuftomes and maners, it ihal fuffice for this tyme, bycaufe
I haue more largely intreated herof in my generall hyftorie of the Indies. Yet haue I nother there nor here
fpoken much of that parte of the firme lande whiche is cauled Noua Hifpzania (that is, newe Spayne wherof the
Ilande of Iucatana is part) forafmuche as Ferdinando Cortefe hath wrytten a large booke thereof.
Of the houfes of thefe Indians, I haue fpoken fufficiently elswhere. Yet haue I thought good to informe
yowr maieftie of the buyldynge and houfes which the Chriftians haue made in dyuers places in the firme lande.
They buylde them nowe therfore with two folars or loftes, and with loopes and wyndowes to open and fIhutte.
Alfo with fironge tymber and very fayre bordes. In fuche forte that any noble man maye wel and pleafauntly
bee lodged in fum of them. And amonge other, I my felfe caufed one to bee builded in the citie of Sania
Maria Antigza in Dariena whiche cofle me more then a thoufande and fyue hundreth Caflelians: being of
fuch fort that I may well interteyne and commodioufly lodge any Lorde or noble man, referuynge alfo a parte
for my felfe and my famelie. For in this may many houfeholdes bee kepte both aboue and benethe. It hath alfo
a fayre garden with many orange trees bothe fweete and fowre: Ceders alfo, and Lemondes, of the which there
is nowe great plentie in the houfes of the Chryflians. On one fyde of the gardeyne, there runneth a fayre ryuer.
The fituation is very pleafaunte, with a good and holfome ayer, and a fayre profpecte abowte the ryuer. In fine,
owre trufle is that in fewe yeares al thynges in theie regions fall growe to a better ate accordynge to the holy
intention of yowre maiefltie.


238




The hyflorie of the vzveJe Indies.


239


_ __


Of the chiefe Ilandes Hifpaniola and Cuba.


He Indians which at this prefent inhabite the Ilande of Hffazaniola, are but fewe in number,
and the Chryftyans not fo many as they ought to bee forafmuche as many of them that were
in this Ilande, are gonne to other Ilandes and to the fyrme lande. For beynge for the
mofte parte younge men vnmaried, and defirous dayly to fee newe thyngs wherin mans
nature deliteth, they were not willinge to continewe longe in on[e] place: efpecially feeing
dailie other newe landes difcouered where they thowght theye might fooner fylle there
purfes by beinge prefent at the firife fpoyle. Wherin neuertheleffe their hope deceaued many
of them, and efpecially fuche as had houfes and habitations in thys Ilande. For I certeynly beleue, confyrmynge my felfe herein with the Iudgement of many other, that if any one Prynce had no more figniores then only
this Ilande, it fhuld in fhorte tyme bee fuche as not to giue place eyther to Sicilie or Englande: whereas euen
at this prefent there is nothynge wherefore it fhulde malice their profperitie not beinge inferioure to them in any
filicite that in maner the heauens can graunte to any lande: beinge furthermore fuche as maye inriche many
prouinces and kyngedomes by reafon of manye riche golde mynes that are in it of the befte golde that is founde
to this day in the worlde, and in greateft quantitie. In this Ilande, nature of her felfe bringeth furthe fuche
aboundance of cotton that if it were wrought and maynteyned there fhuld be more and better then in any
parte of the world. There is fo greate plentie of excellent Caffia that a greate quantitie is brought from thenfe
into Spayne: from whenfe it is caried to dyuers partes of the worlde. It increafeth fo muche that it is a meruelous thynge to confider. In this are many ryche fhoppes wher fuger is wrought: and that of fuch perfectenes
and goodnes, and in fuche quantitie that fhippes come laden therwith yearly into Spayne. All fuche fedes,
fettes, or plantes, as are brought out of Spayne and planted in this Ilande, becoomme muche better, bygger, and
of greater increafe then they are in any parte of owre Europe. And if it chaunce otherwyfe that fumetymes
they profper not fo well, the caufe is that they whiche fhulde tyll and hufband the grounde, and fowe' and plant
in dewe feafons, haue no refpect hereunto, being impacient whyle the wheate and vynes waxe rype, being gyuen
to wanderynge and other affayres of prefent gaynes (as I haue fayde) as fearchynge the gold mines, fyfihynge
for pearles, and occupyinge marchaundies, with fuch other trades, for the greedy folowyng wherof, they neglecte
and contempne both fowynge and plantynge. Suche frutes as are brought owt of Spayne, into this Ilande,
profper marueloufly and waxe rype all tymes of the yeare: as herbes of all fortes very good and pleafaunt to
bee eaten. Alfo many pomegranates of the beft kynde, and oranges bothe fweete and fower. Lykewyfe many
fayre Lymones and ceders: and a great quantitie of all fuch as are of fharpe, fowre, and bytter tafte. There
are alfo many fygge trees whiche brynge furth theyr frute all the hole yeare. Lykewyfe thofe kynd of date
trees that beare dates: and dyuers other trees and plantes which were brought owt of Spayne thyther.
Beafles doo alfo increafe in lyke abundaunce: and efpecially the heardes of kyne are fo augmented both
in quantitie and number, that there are nowe many patrones of cattayle that haue more then two thoufand
heades of neate: and fum three or foure thoufande, and fum more. Byfyde thefe, there are very many that
haue heardes of foure or fyue hundrethe. And trewth it is, that this Iland hath better pafture for fuch cattayle
then any other countrey in the worlde: alfo holfome and cleare water and temperate ayer, by reafon whereof
the heardes of fuch beaftes are much bygger, fatter, and alfo of better takfe then owres in Spayne bycaufe of
the ranke paflture whofe moyflture is better digefted in the herbe or graffe by the continuall and temperate
heate of the foonne, wherby being made more fatte and vnctuous, it is of better and more fledfaft nuryfhement.
For continuall and temperate heate, dooth not only drawe muche moyflture owt of the earth to the nuryfhement
of fuch thynges as growe and are engendered in that clyme, but dooth alfo by moderation preferue the fame
from refolution and putrefaction, digefltynge alfo and condenfatynge or thyckenynge the fayde moyfle nuryfhemente into a gummie and vnctuous fubftaunce as is feene in all fuche thinges as growe in thofe regions. And
this is the only naturall caufe afwell that certeyne great beaffes and of longe lyfe (as the Elephante and
Rhinoceros with fuch other) are engendered only in regions nere vnto the Equinoctiall, as alfo that the leaues
of fuch trees as growe there, do not wyther or faule, vntyll they bee thrufte owt by other, accordynge to the
verfe of the poete which fayth: Et nata pira piris, etficus inficubus extant. That is in effecte: peares growynge
vppon peares, and fygges vppon fygges. Plinie alfo wryteth, that fuche trees are neuer infected with the
difeafe of trees that the Latines caule Caries, which we may caule the worme or canker, being but a certeyne
putrifaction by reafon of a wateryfhe nuryfhement not well confolidate. The fame thynge hath bynne the
caufe that certeyne Phylofophers confiderynge afwell that man is the hottefR and moyfteft beafR that is (which
is the befl complexion) as alfo that men lyue longefte in certeyne partes of India nere the Equinoctiall (where
239


V


Men are desirous
of newe thinges.
The commodities
of Hispaniola
Englande and
Sicilie.
Golde mines.
Cotton.
Cassia.
Suger.
Plantesand herbes
Greate thynges
hindered by
respecte of
presente gaynes.
211
Orangies.
Pomegranates.
Figges al the
yeare.
Dates.
Beastes.
Greate heardes
of cattail.
Good pasture.
The effecte of
continual and
moderate heate.
The cause of fatte
nurisshemente.
Beastes of longe
lyfe in regions
abowte the
Equinoctiall line
Trees whos leaues
doo not wither
The cancar of the
tree




240


The hyJforie of the vvejte Indies.


Longe lyuide men
in India.
Paradise neare the
equinoctial line
Shepe and hogges
Dogges and cattes
becom[e] wylde
The situation of
Hispaniola.
The citie of
san Domenico
212
The riuer Ozama
The hauen
A cathedrall
churche and
monasteris in
Hispaniola.
An hospitale.
The people


yet to this daye fumme liue to th[e]age of a hundreth and fiftie yeares) were of opinion that yf mankynde had
any begynnynge on the earthe, that place owght by good reafon to be vnder or not farre from the Equinoctiall
lyne for the caufes aforefayde. Sum of the diuines alfo vppon lyke confideration haue thought it agreable that
theyr Paradyfe fhulde bee about the fame within the precincte of thofe ryuers which are named in the booke of
Genefis. But to lette paffe thefe thynges and to returne to the hyflorie.
In this Ilande furthermore, are many fheepe and a great number of hogges: of the which (as alfo of the
kyne) manye are becoome wyld: And lykewyfe many dogges and cattes of thofe which were brought owt of
Spayne. Thefe (and efpecially the dogges) doo much hurte amonge the cattayle by reafon of the negligence
of the hearde men.
There are alfo many horfes, mares, and mules, and fuche other beaftes as ferue th[e]ufe of men in Spayne,
and are much greater then they of the fyrfle brode brought thether owt of Spayne. Sum places of the Ilande
are inhabyted, although not fo many as were requifite: Of the whiche I wyll faye no more but that all the
regions of the Ilande are fo well fituate that in the courfe of tyme all thynges ihall coomme to greater perfection
by reafon of the rychneffe and pleafauntneffe of the countrey and fertilitie of the foile.
But nowe to fpeake fumwhat of the principall and chiefe place of the Ilande, which is the citie of &Sa
Domenico: I faye that as touchynge the buildynges, there is no citie in Spaine fo muche for fo muche (no not
Barfalona whiche I haue oftentymes feene) that is to bee preferred before this generallye. For the houfes of
San Domenico, are for the mofte parte of tfone as are they of Barfalona: or of fo ftronge and well wrought
earth that it maketh a finguler and fironge byndyng. The fituation is muche better then that of Barfalona by
reafon that the fireates are much larger and playner, and without comparyfon more directe and fireyght furth.
For beinge buylded nowe in owr tyme, byfyde the commoditie of the place of the foundation, the fireates were
alfo directed with corde, compafe and meafure, wherin it excelleth al the cities that I haue fene. It hath the
fea fo nere, that of one fyde there is no more fpace betwen the fea and the citie then the waules. And this is
about fyftie pafes where it is furtheft of. On this fyde, the waters of the fea beate vppon the naturall flones
and fayre coafle. On the other parte, harde by the fyde and at the foote of the houfes, paffeth the ryuer Ozama
whiche is a marueylous porte wherin laden fhyppes ryfe very nere to the lande and in maner vnder the houfe
wyndowes, and no further from the mouth of the ryuer where it entereth into the fea, then is frome the foote of
the hyll of Monyuye to the monaflery of faynt Frances or to the lodge of Barfalona. In the myddeft of this
fpace in the citie, is the fortreffe and cafttle, vnder the which and twentie pafes diflant from the fame, paffe the
fhippes to aryfe fumwhat further in the fame ryuer. From the enteraunce of the fhyppes vntyll they caft anker,
they fayle no further from the houfes of the citie then thyrtie or fortie pafes, bicaufe of this fyde of the citie the
habitacion is nere to the ryuer. The port or hauen alfo, is fo fayre and commodious to defraight or vnlade
fhyppes, as the lyke is founde but in fewe places of the worlde. The chymineis that are in this citie, are abowt
fyxe hundreth in number, and fuch houfes as I haue fpoken of before: Of the which fum are fo fayre and large
that they maye well receaue and lodge any lorde or noble manne of Spayne with his trayne and famelie. And
efpecially that which Don Diego Colon viceroy vnder your maieflie hath in this citie, is fuche that I knowe no
man in Spayne that hath the lyke by a quarter in goodneffe confyderynge all the commodities of the fame.
Lykewyfe the fituation thereof, as beinge aboue the fayde porte and altogyther of flone and hauynge many faire
and large roomes with as goodly a profpect of the lande and fea as may be deuyfed, feemeth vnto me fo
magnificall and princelyke that yowr maieffie maye bee as well lodged therin as in any of the moofle exquifite
builded houfes of Spayne. There is alfo a Cathedrall churche buylded of late where afwell the byfhop
accordyng to his dignitie, as alfo the canones are wel indued. This church is wel buylded of flone and lyme,
and of good woorkemanfhyppe. There are furthermore three monafteries bearyng the name of faynt Dominike,
faynt Frances, and faynt Marie of Mercedes: The whiche are all well buylded althoughe not fo curiouflye as
they of Spayne. But fpeakynge without preiudice of any other religious monafterie, yowre maieflie may bee
well affured that in thefe three monafteries, god is as well ferued as in any other religious houfe with men of
holy lyuynge and vertuous exemple. There is alfo a very good hofpitall for the ayde and fuccour of pore people,
whiche was founde by Michaell Paffament threafurer to yowr maieffie. To conclude, this citie from day to day
increafeth in welth and good order, afwel for that the fayde Admyrall and viceroy with the lorde Chaunceloure
and counfayle appoynted there by yowr maieflie, haue theyr continuall abydynge here, as alfo that the rycheft
men of the Ilande retort hyther for theyr mofte commodious habitation and trade of fuch marchaundies as are
eyther brought owt of Spayne or fent thyther from this Iland which nowe fo abundeth in many thynges that it
ferueth Spayne with many commodities, as it were with vfury requityng fuch benefites as it fyrft receaued from
thenfe.
The people of this 11ande are commonlye of fumewhat leffe flature then are the Spanyardes, and of a
fhynynge or cleare browne coloure. They haue wyues of theyr owne, and abfleyne from theyr dowghters,
fyfters, and mothers. They haue large forheades, longe blacke heare, and no beardes or heare in any other
240




The hyJtorie of the vveJ/e Indies.


241


I


parts of theyr bodies afwel men as women, excepte very fewe as perhaps fcarfely one amonge a thoufand.
They go as naked as they were borne, excepte that on the partes which may not with honeftie bee feene, they
weare a certeyne leafe as brode as a mans hande, which neuertheleffe is not kepte clofe with fuche diligence but
that fumtymes a man may fee that they thynke fufficiently hydde.
In this Iland are certeyne glo woormes that fhyne in the nyght as doo owres. But are muche bygger and
gyue a greater lyght: In fo much that when the men of the Ilande goo any iorneys in the nyght, they beare
fumme of thefe woormes made faft abowt theyr fiete and beade, in fuche forte that he that fhulde fee them a farre
and ignorant of the thinge, wolde bee greatly aftonyfhed therat. By the lyght of thefe alfo, the women woorke
in theyr houfes in the night. Thefe woormes they caule Cicuas. Theyr lyght lafteth for the fpace of three
dayes, and diminiffheth as they begynne to drye vp.
There is alfo a kynd of crowes whofe breath flynketh in the mornynge and is fweete at after noone. The
excremente which they auoyde, is a lyuynge worme.
As touchynge other thynges of this Ilande whereof Peter Martyr hath more largely
intreated in his Decades, I haue thought it fuperfluous to repeate the fame ageyne owte
of this hyftorie of Gonzalus Ferdinandus: but haue here gathered only fuche thynges as
eyther are not touched of Peter Martyr or not fo largely declared: as I haue doone the
lyke in all other notable thynges which I haue collected owt of this Summarie of Gonzalus.
r Of the Ilande of Cuba and other.
the Ilande of Cuba and the other, as the Ilandes of Sanli lohannis and Jamaica, the fame
maye be fayde in maner in all thynges as before of Hifpaniola although not fo largely.
Yet in leffe quantitie doo they brynge foorth the lyke thynges: as gold, copper, cattayle,
trees, plantes, fyffhes, and fuch other of the which wee haue fpoken there.
In Cuba, is a certeyne kynde of Partyches beinge verye little, with theyr fethers much
of the colour of turtle dooues: but are of muche better tafte to bee eaten. They are taken
in great number. And beinge brought wylde into the houfes, they becoome as tame within
the fpace of three or foure dayes as though they had byn hatched there. They becoomme exceadynge fatte in
fhort fpace, and are doubteleffe the moft delicate and pleafaunt meate that euer I haue eaten. But to let
paffe many other thynges that myght here bee fayde, and to fpeake of two maruelous thynges which are in this
Iland of Cuba: wherof the one is, that a valley conteynynge twoo or three leaques in length betwene two
mountaynes, is full of a kynde of very harde flones of fuche perfecte roundeneffe and lyke vnto pellettes of
gunnes that no arte can make better or more exactly polyffhed. Of thefe, fum are as fmaule as pellettes for
handegunnes: and other fo increafynge bygger and bygger from that quantitie, that they may ferue for all fortes
of artyllerie althoughe they bee of byggeneffe to receaue one or two or more quintales of pouder, euery quintale
conteynynge one hundreth weyght: or of what other quantitie fo euer they bee. Thefe pelletes are founde
through owte al the valley within the earth as in a myne, which they digge and take owte fuch as they
neede of all fortes.
The other marueylous thinge of this Iland is this: That farre from the fea, there iffheweth owt of a
mountayne a certeyne lycour much lyke the cley of Babilon cauled Bitumen or lyke vnto pytche in great
quantitie and fuch as is very commodious for the calkynge of fhyppes. This fauleth continually from the rocke
and runneth into the fea in fuche abundaunce that it is feene flotynge aboue the water on euery fide of the fea
there abowt as it is dryuen frome place to place by the wynde or courfe of the water.
Quintus Curfius wryteth in his hyflorie, that great Alexander came to the citie of Memi where is a great
caue or denne in the which is a fprynge or fountayne that continually auoydethe a great quantitie of Bitumen
in fuch fort that it is an eafy thing to beleue that the flones of the walles of Babilon myght bee layde therwith
accordynge as the fayde auctoure wryteth. I haue feene this myne of Bitumen, not only in the Iland of Cuba,
but alfo fuch an other in newe Spayne, which was found of late in the prouince of Panuco where it is much
better then ihe other of Cuba, as I haue feene by experience in calkynge of fhyppes.






(lo wormes
213
Crowes stynkynge
and sweete.




i


I


Saynt Iohn his
Iiande.
Inanaica.
Partriches.
Pellettes for
gunnes wrought
by nature.
A fountayne of the
pytche of Bitumlen.
Quintus Ccrsius
Bitumen of
Babilon.
Panuco.


I


l


EDIEN.


U


241




242


Thec /iy-/lori'c of Mle vvq/le Indies.




f[Of Ihe lande of Bacoaleos cauled Terra Baccalearum, filuale oil the
Nor//ifyde of Ike firme lande.
Ilortly after that yow-r Maieflie came to the citie of Toledo, there arryued in the moneth of
Nouember, Steuen Gomes the pylot who the yeare before of 1 524. by the commaundement
of yowre maieftie fayled to the Northe partes and founde a greate parte of lande continuate
Baccaleos.                    from that which is cauled Baccaleos difeourfynge towarde the Weft to the. xl. and. xli. degree,
214                   from whenfe he brought certeyne Indians (for fo caule wee all the nations of the new founde
Indians.                      landes) of the whiche he brought furn with hym from thcxnfe who are yet in Toledo at this
prefent, and of greater ftature then other of the firme lande as they are commonlye. They-1
colour is much lyke th[elother of the firme lande. They are great archers, and go couered with the fkinnes of
Ryche furres and dyuers beafles both wylde and tame. In this lande are many excellent furres, as marterns, fables, and fuch
syluer.       other rych furres of the which the fayde pilote brought fumme with hym into Spayne. They haue fyluer and
Idolaters.    copper, and certeyne other metalles. They are Idolaters and honoure the foonne and moone, and are feduced
with fuche fuperflitions and errours as are they of the firme.
14        And to haue wrytten thus muche, it maye fuffice of fuche thinges as haue femned
to me moft woorthy to be noted in the Summarie of Gonzaaits Ferdinalzduis wrytten to
Th[e]emperours maieftie


242




243


[Th-e Thrd Englsh boo


on Amne.ri'ca,


W4'hich is a/so
THE IFIRST ENGLISH COLLECTION OF VOYAGES, TRAFFICS, & IDISCOVERIES.
0


SECTION


III's


Antoni Piaeta


The fYirst


Circumnavigation ojf the Globe, by


Fern amde


Mlagalhaens'9s Expedition, in          I5 19-2.2.
First printed in 1 526.]




I




245... ----


I1 OF OTHER   NOTABLE THYNGES
GATHERED OWTE OF DYUERS AUTOURS:
AND FYRSTE OF TIE VNIVERSAL CARDE AND NEWE WORLDE.


-7


He hole globe or compare of the earth was dyuyded
by the auncient wryters into three partes, as Europa,
Affica, and Afia: whiche partes conteyne in longitude. 80. degrees, begynnynge the fyrft degree at the
IlandesofCanarie. Andconteyne inlatitudetowarde
the North. 63. degrees, begynnynge the fyirte
degree frome the Equinoctiall: And. io. degrees
towarde the South. All the refte of the longitude
w     which conteyneth other. 8o. degrees, is difcouered
of late tyme, as the Weft India cauled the newe
worlde, bycaufe none of the owlde autoures had any
knowelege or made any mention therof. All that
therfore is cauled newe which is Weftwarde from the Ilandes of Canarie. And t]hus
accomptynge thefe. I8o. degrees towarde the Eaft difcouered in owlde tyme, with
the other. iS0. degrees diicouered of late dayes, they make, 360. degrees, which is al
the circle of the Equinoctiall in the fphere. Alfo the part aboue the. 63. degrees
of the North latitude, was founde by men of late tyme, as Norway and Grutlande
with many other prouinces. Lykewife the part more fouth then. Io. degrees of latitude,
was difcouered of late dayes, althoughe Ariane and Plinie fay that it was knowen in
owlde tyme: whiche yf it were, yet had they no fuche particular defcription thereof as
we haue in there dayes.
EDLFN...


West India the
newe worlds
The circumference
of the Equinoctial
lyne.
The North
regions.
The South
regions.


U 2


245




246                          [Thzc vyage roillite aboult /Ih vvorlde.]
( A DISCOVRSE OF THE VYAGE
MADE BY THE SPANYARDES
ROVNDE ABOWTE THE WORLDE.
Ro mHe vyage made by the Spanyardes rownde abowt the
worlde is one of the greateft and mofte marueylous
*            thynges that hath bynne knowen to owre tyme. And
althoughe in many thynges we excell owre aunciente
prediceffours, in this efpeciallye wee fo farre exceade
all theyr inuentions, that the lyke hath not heretofore
byn knowen to this day. This viage was written parDon Peter Martyr.                     n   ticularly by Don Peter Martyr of Angleria being one
of the counfayle of Th[elemperours Indies, to whom
I  doure,//D t o  walfo was commytted the wrytyng of the hyfrorie and
examination of al fuche as returned from thenfe into
e;IH  Spayne to the citie of Siuile, in the yeare. M. D. xxii.
Rome sacked   i                           But fendynge it to Rome to bee prynted in thatmiferable tyme when the citie was facked it was lofte and not founde to this day or any memory
remaynynge therof, fauynge fuche as fum that redde the fame haue borne in mynde. And
|amonge other notable thynges by hym wrytten as touchynge that vyage, this is one, that
A daylost in three the Spanyardes hauynge fayled abowt three yeares and one moneth, and the moft of them
yeares and one
yonetha. ~  notynge the dayes, day by day (as is the maner of all them that fayle by the Ocean) they
founde when they were returned to Spayne, that they had lote one daye: So that at
theyr arryuall at the porte of Siuile beinge the feuenth day of September, was by theyr
accompt but the fixth day.  And where as Don Peter Martyr declared the ftrange
215  continually, euer folowynge the foonne towarde the Weft. And fayde furthermore that
Antonie Pigafetta. cytie of Vincenza in Italie, cauled maiter Antonie Pigafetta (who beinge one of the
coompanie of that vyare and after his returne into Spayne in the fhyppe Victoria, was
made knyght of the Rhodes) wrote a particular and large booke therof which he gaue to
ThL[eemperours Maieftie, and fente a coppie of the fame into Fraunce to the lady
Regente moother vnto the frenche kynge, who committed it to an excellent philofopher
lacobus Faber.  cauled mafter Iacobus Faber, hauyng longe iludyed in Italy, wyllynge him to tranflate it
246




The vyage younde abzit the vvorlde.


247


into the Frenche toonge. This booke therefore was printed fyrft in the frenche toonge
and then in the Italien, with alfo an epiftle to the Cardinall of Salfepurge as touchynge
the fame viage, written by Maximiliane Tranfiluane fecretarie to Th[e]emperours
Maieftie, in the yeare. I 52 2. And doubteleffe amonge al the cities of Italie, the citie of
Vicenza may herein much glorie, that betide the ancient nobilitie and many excellent
and rare wyttes whiche it hath browght furth afwell in learnynge as difcipline of warre,
it hath alfo had fo woorthy and valiaunt a gentleman as was the fayde mafter Antonie
Pigafetta, who hauing compafed abowte the ball or globe of the worlde, hath lykewyfe
defcribed that vyage particularly.  For the whiche his fo noble and woonderfull an
enterprife fo happily atchiued, if the fame had byn doone in the owlde tyme when th[elempyre of the Grekes and Romans floryffhed, he fhulde doubteleffe haue byn rewardced
with an Image of marble or golde erected in a place of honoure in perpetuall memorie
and for a fingular exemple of his vertue to the pofteritie. In fine, this may we bouldly
affirme, that the antiquitie had neuer fuch knowlege of the worlde whiche the foonne
coompafeth abowte in. xxiiii. houres, as we haue at this prefente by th[e]induftrye of
men of this owre age. But before I fpeake any thynge of the viage, I haue thought it
good fyrft to adde hereunto, the Epiftle of Maximilian Tranfiluane which he wrote to
the Cardinall of Salfepurge as a preface to his fayde booke.
C THE EPISTLE OF MAXIMILIAN TRANSILVANE,
SECRETARIE        TO   THE    EMPEROVRS        MAIESTIE:
wrytten to the ryght honorable and reuerende lorde,
the lorde Cardinall of Salfepurge, of the marueylous and woonderfull nauigation made by the
Spanyardes rounde abowt the worlde in
the yeare of Chrift. M. D. xix.
N thefe daies my moft honorable and reuerend lorde,
returned one of thofe flue fhippes which the yeare
before Th[e]emperours beinge at Saragofa in Spayne,
were at his maiefties commaundement fent to the
newe worlde heretofore vnknowen vnto vs, to feeke
the Ilandes of fpices. For albeit the Portugales
brynge vs great quantitie of fpyces from that parte
of Eafte India whiche in owlde tyme was cauled
A urea Cherfonefus (where is nowe thought to bee
the greate and ryche citie of Malaccha) yet in Eafte
India growe none of thofe fpices excepte pepper.
For other fpices, as Sinamome, cloues, nutmegges,
and mafe, (whiche is the hufke that couereth the
fhell of the nutte) are brought frome other farre contreys and from Ilandes fcarfely knowen by theyr names. From the whiche Ilandes they
are brought in fhyps or barkes made withowt any iren tooles, and tyed togyther with
247


Maxirilian
Transiluane
The rewarde of
noble enterpryses.
The antiquitie had
no suche knowlege
of the worlde as
we haue.
The Ilandes of
Molucca.
A urea
Chersonesus.
Malaccha.
Spyces.




248


The vyage rotunde abol f t/ie vvorlde.


The Ilandes of
Spyces vnknowen
in owlde tyme.
216
Herodotus.
Sinamome.
The Phenyx.
Plinie
The nauigations of
greate Alexander.
Ethiope.
Trogloditi
The nauigation
abowte the worlde.
The owlde
autours reproued.
Monsters.
The vyages of the
Spanyardes and
Portugales.
Sinus Magnus.


cordes of date trees: with rounde fayles lykewife made of the fmaule twigges of the
branches of date trees weaued togyther. Thefe barkes they caule Gizinchze: with the
whiche barkes and fayles they make theyr vyages with onely one wynde in the ftearne
or contrarywyfe.
Neyther yet is it a thynge greatly to bee marueyled at that thefe Ilandes where the
fpyces growe haue byn vnknowen fo many worldes paft vnto owre tyme, forafmuch as all
fuch thynges as vnto this day haue byn wrytten of owld autours of the places where fpices
growe, are all fabulous and falfe: In fo muche that the countreys where they affirme theym
to growe, are nowe certeynely founde to bee further frome the place where they growe in
deede, then we are from them. For lettynge paffe many other thynges that are wrytten,
I wyll fpeake only of this which Herodotus (otherwife a famous auctour) affirmeth that
Sinamome, is founde in the toppes of the neftes of certeyne byrdes and foules that brynge
it frome farre countreys, and efpecially the Phenyx, the which I knowe no man that euer
hath feene. But Plinie who myght more certeynely affirme thynges by reafon that before
his tyme many thynges were knowen and difcouered by the nauigations of great Alexander and other, fayth that Sinamome groweth in that parte of Ethiope whiche the people
inhabite cauled Trogloditi. Neuertheleffe it is nowe founde that Sinamome groweth very
farre from all Ethiope and muche further frome the Troglodili whiche dwell in caues vnder
the grounde. But to owre men which are nowe returned from thofe partes and the Ilandes
of fpices, hauynge alfo good knowlege of Ethiope, it was neceffarie to paffe farre beyonde
Ethiope beefore they coome to thefe Ilandes, and to coompaffe abowte the whole worlde,
and many tymes vnder the greateft circumference of heauen. The which nauigation made
by them, being the moft marueylous thynge that euer was doone by man vppon the earth
fence the fyrft creation of the worlde, and neuer founde before, or knowen, or attempted
by any other, I haue deliberated faythfully to wryte to yowre honorable lordfhippe and to
declare the hole fucceffe therof. As touchynge which matter, I haue with all diligence
made inquifition to knowe the trewth afwell by relation of the Capitayne of that fhlyppe as
alfo by conference with euery of the maryners that returned with hym. All which, gaue
the felf fame information both to Thle]emperours maieftie and dyuers other: And this with
fuch faythfulneffe and finceritie, that not only they are iudged of all men to haue declared
the trewth in all thynges, but haue thereby alfo gyuen vs certeyne knowlege that all that
hath hytherto byn fayde or written of owlde autours as touchynge thefe thynges, are falfe
and fabulous. For who wyll beleue that men are found with only one legge. Or with
fuch fiete whofe fhadowe couereth theyr bodyes? Or men of a cubite heyght, and other
fuch lyke, beinge rather monflers then men? Of the which, neyther the Spanyardes who
in owre tyme faylyng by the Ocean fea, haue difcouered al the coaftes of the lande toward
the Weft both vnder and aboue the Equinoctiall, nor the Portugales who compaffynge
abowt al Affryke haue paffed by all the Eafte and lykewyfe difcouered all thofe coaftes
vnto the great goulfe cauled Siznus Magnus, nor yet the Spanyardes in this theyr
lafte nauigation, in the which they compafed abowt the hole earth, dyd neuer in any
of their vyages wryte of fuch monfters: which doubteleffe they wold not haue
omytted if they myght haue had certeyne knowelege therof. But nowe intendynge to
fpeake of the whole world, I wyll not bee longe in my preface, but begynne my narration
as foloweth..248




7Te vyage rounde about the vvorlde.


249


W A BRIEFE DECLARATION OF THE VYAGE
OR NAVIGATION MADE ABOWTE THE WORLDE.
GATHERED OWT OF A LARGE BOOKE WRYTTEN HEREOF BY
MASTER ANTONIE PYGAFETTA VINCENTINE, KNYGHT OF THE RHODES
and one of the coompanye of that vyage in the which,
Ferdinando Magalivaes a Portugale (whom
fum caule Magellanus) was generall
Capitayne of the nauie.


_                  thowgh Sebaftian Munfter in his vniuerfall Cofmnographie in the fyfthe booke of the landes of the
greater Afia (which I tranflated into Englyfhe
abowte two yeares fence) hath wrytten of the vyage
of Magellanus, declarynge therein howe the Spans               yardes by the Weft, and the Portugales by the Eafte,
faylyng to the Ilandes of Molucca, compafed the
l            hole globe of the worlde betwene them, yet haue I
th ere thought it good to make a breefe repeticion
E Iof thys vyage, addynge hereunto dyuers notable
I                     thynges which were not touched of Munfter, as I
haue gathered them owt of the bookes of Antonie;   Pigafetta and Tranfiluanus wrytten of the fame
vyage.  For albeit in deede it was a ftraunge
and woonderful thynge that the Spanyardes and Portugales compafed the hole
circumference of the worlde betwene them, yet is it more marueylous that the
fame was doone with one fhippe and one coompanie of men as dyd the Spanyardes in this vyage, who keepynge theyr continuall courfe by the Wefte,
returned into Spayne by the Eafte. A thynge doubtleffe fo much more woonderfull and itrange then yf they had returned from the halfe circumference by the fame way
they went. In howe muche they were. ignorante in the vyage neuer attempted beefore,
befyde the thoufande daungiours and perylles whiche they were daylye lyke to faule into,
afwell by wanderynge in vnknowen coaftes as alfo by faulynge into the handes of the
Portugales by whofe dominions in the Eafte, they fhulde needes paffe of neceffitie, not
truftynge to theyr gentelneffe for the controuerfie which had byn longe betwene them
for the Ilandes of Molucca. I wyll therefore (as I haue fayde) make a briefe rehearfall
of thys vyage from the begynnynge to the endynge: Omyttynge neuertheleffe many
notable thynges whiche are more largely defcribed in the bookes of MAaximilianus Tranfiluanus and Antonius Pzgafefta.


Sebastian Munster
The Ilandes of
Molucca.
217
Controuersie
betwene the
Spanyardes and
Portugales.


249




250
Ferdinando
Magalianes.
The Cape of saynt
Vincent
The Ilandes of
Canarie.
Water engendered
of a clowde.
The Iand of saynt
Thomas.
Capo verde.
Guinea in
Ethyope.
Serralio;za
Fysshes and
monsters of the
sea,
The fyers of saints
Helene and S.
Nicolas.
A tempest.
The naturall cause
of such fiers as
faule in the shyps.
Cardamns.
Two kyndes of
fyers engendered
of exhalations.
Trewe fyer and
false fyer.
218
Castor and Pollux.
The lyghtes of
saynt Peter and
saynte Nycolas.
They lost the
sygllt of the North
starre.
The lande of
Bresile.
The South pole.
Sugai.




The vy3age rozlude about I/ic vvorlde.


The tenthe day of Auguit, in the yeare of owre lorde M. D. xix. Ferdinando Magalianes departed from the
porte of Siuile in Spayne with a nauie of fyue fhyppes and two hundreth thirtie and feuen men, wel furnyffhed
with all thynges neceffarie. And faylynge fyrfle downe by the ryuer of Gzadalch/iber which runneth from the
fayde porte into the fea, they came fyrite to a place named Giouan ]iDu/faraz where are manye vyllages of thle
Moores: And from thenfe arryued at a caitel of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, where is the porte from whiche
they enter into the fea and to the cape faynte Vincent beinge diflant from the Equinoctiall. xxxvii. degrees, and
frome the fayde port. x. leaques, and is from thenfe to Siuile betwene xvii. and. xx. leaques. Here they remayned
certeyne dayes to make newe prouifion of fuch thynges as they lacked.
Departynge from henfe the. xx. daye of September, they arryued the. xxvi. day of the fame moneth at one
of the Ilandes Canarie cauled Tenerife, beinge. xxv. degrees aboue the Equinoctiall. In one of thefe Ilandes is
none other water but that is continually engendered of a clowde which appeareth dayly at noone tyde as though
it defcended from heauen and compafeth abowt a certeyne great tree from whofe branches diftilleth greate
abundaunce of water, and faulethe in ftreames from the roote of the fame into certeine trenches and ceftarnes
made and placed to receaue it. This water ferueth fufficiently all th[e]inhabitauntes and cattayle of the Ilande.
The lyke thynge is alfo feene in the Iland of faynt Thomas, lyinge directly vnder the Equinoctiall lyne.
The thyrde day of October abowt mydnyght, the capytayne commaunded theym to lyght fyrebrandes and to
hoyfe vp theyr fayles directynge theyr courfe towarde the South, faylynge betwene Capo Verde of Affryke and
the Ilandes lyinge abowt the fame, beinge from the Equinoctiall. xiiii. degrees and a halfe. They fayled thus,
manye dayes in the fyght of the coafte of Guizea, of Ethiope, where is the mountayne cauled Serra Liona beinge.
viii. degrees aboue the Equinoctiall. In this coafl they had no maner of contrary wynds but a great calme and
fayre wether for the fpace of threefcore and tenne dayes, in the which they came vnder the Equinoctiall lyne.
In thys vyage they fawe many ftraunge fyfihes and monifers of the fea befyde an other ftraunge thynge whiche
appeared vnto them. For there appeared in theyr Ihyppes certeyne flames of fyre burnynge verye cleare, which
they caul faynt Helen and faynt Nicolas. Thefe appeared as thoughe they had byn vppon the maRt of the
fhyppes, in fuch clearneffe that they tooke away theyr fyght for the fpace of a quarter of an houre: by reafon
wherof, they fo wandered owte of theyr courfe and were difparfed in funder, that they in maner difpayred to
meete ageyne. But as God wolde, the fea and tempefl beinge quieted, they came fafely to theyr determyned courfe.
And before I fpeake any further of the vyage, I haue here thought good to faye
fumewhat of thefe ftraunge fyers, which fum ignorant folkes thynke to bee fpirites or fuche
other phantafies wheras they are but natural thynges proceadynge of natural caufes and
engendered of certeyne exhalations. Of thefe therefore, the greate Philofopher of owre
tyme Hieronimzzss Cardanus in his feconde booke de Subtilit/ae, wryteth in this maner.
There are two maner of fyers engendered of exhalations wherof the one is hurtfull and the other without
hurte. That which is hurtful, is fyer in deede, engendered of malicious and venemous vapours which in fucceffe
of time take fyer as apt matters to be kyndeled. The other kynd, is no trew fyer, but lyke the matter that is in
fuch owld putrified wod as giueth the fhynynge of fyer without the fubftaunce or qualitie therof.  Of the kynde
of trewe fyer, is the fyer baule or ftarre commonly cauled faynt Helen which is fumtyme feene abowt the maites
of fhyppes, beinge of fuche fyery nature that it fumetyme melteth brafen veffelles, and is a token of drownyng,
forafmuch as this chaunceth only in great tempeftes. For the vapoure or exhalation whereof this fyre is
engendered, can not bee dryuen togyther or compacte in forme of fyre, but of a grofe vapoure and by a great
poure of wynde, and is therfore a token of imminent perell: As on the contrary parte, the lyke fyers cauled in
owlde tyme Caflor and Pollux and nowe named the two lyghtes of faynt Peter and faynt Nycolas whiche for
the molt parte faule on the cables of the fhyppes, leapynge from one to an other with a certeyne flutterynge
noyfe lyke byrdes, are a token of fecuritie and of the tempefte ouerpaffed. For they are but vapoures cleauynge
to the cables: which in fucceffe of tyme, the fyer paffynge from one to an other, appere in the fimilitude of a
lyght candell. They are a token of fecuritie bycaufe they are lyttle, nor flowe or groffe, wherby they myght
haue ioyned altogyther in one, and byn thereby more malicious and lafted longer, wheras beinge many and but
lyttle, they are the fooner confumed.
Hetherto Cardanus.       But let vs nowe returne to the vyage.
When they had fayled pafle the Equinoctiall lyne, they loft the fyght of the north flarre, and fayled by
fouthwefte vntyll they came to a lande named the lande of Bref/il whiche fum caule Brafilia, beinge. xxii.
degrees and a halfe toward the fouth pole or pole Antartyke. This lande is continuate and one firme lande
with the cape of faynte Auguftine whiche is. viii. degrees from the Equinoctiall. In this lande they were
refreffhed with many good frutes of innumerable kindes, and founde here alfo very good fugar canes and diuers
kyndes of beaftes and other thynges which I omitte for breuitie. They entered into this hauen on faynt Lucies
250




The vyage rounde abouzt th vvorldc.


25I





day: where the fonne beinge there Zenith (that is the poynt of heauen directly ouer theyr heades) they felte
greater heate that daye then when they were vnder the Equinoctiall line. This lande of Braille is very large
and great: and bygger then all Spayne, Portugale, Fraunce, and Italie: and is mofte abundaunte in all thynges.
The people of this countrey praye to noo maner of thinge: but liue by th[e]initincte of nature, and to th[e]alge
of. C. xx. [one hundred and twenty] and. C. xl. [one hundred and forty] yeares. Bothe the men and women go
naked, and dwell in certeyne longe houfes. They are very docible, and foone allured to the Chryflian fayth.
Therteene dayes after that they arryued at the fayd port, they departed from this lande and fayled to the.
xxxiiii. degree and a halfe toward the pole Antartike where they found a great ryuer of freffhe water and
certeyne Canibales. Of thefe they fawe one owt of theyr fhyppes, of flature as bigge as a giante, hauynge a
voyce lyke a bul. Owre men purfued them, but they were fo fwyfte of foote that they coulde not ouertake
them. Abowt the mouth of this ryuer, are feuen Ilandes, in the byggeft wherof, they founde certeyne precious
flones, and cauled it the cape of faynt Marie. The Spanyardes thought that by this ryuer they might haue
paffed into the fouth fea. But they were deceaued in theyr opinion. For there was none other paffage then
by the ryuer which is. xvii. leaques large in the mouth.
Thus folowynge this coafte by the tracte of the lande towarde the pole Antartyke, they came to a place
where were two Ilandes replenyffhed with giefe and woolues of the fea which fum thynke to bee thofe fyffhes
that wee caule pikes. Thefe were in fuch number that in an houre all the fyue fhippes myght haue byn lade
with giefe beinge all of blacke coloure, and fuch as can not flye. They lyue of fyffhe and are fo fatte that they
coulde fcarfely fle theym. They haue noo fethers but a certeyne downe: and theyr byls like rauens byls.
Thefe woolues of the fea are of dyuers coloures, and of the byggeneffe of calues, with theyr heades of golden
coloure. Here were they in great daungiour by tempeft. But as foone as the three fyers cauled faynte Helen,
faynte Nycolas, and faynt Clare, appered vppon the cabels of the Ihyppes, fuddeynely the tempefte and furye
of the wyndes ceafed.
Departynge frome henfe, they fayled to the. 49. degree and a halfe vnder the pole Antartyke: where beinge
wyntered, they were inforced to remayne there for the fpace of two monethes, all which tyme they fawe no man
except that one daye by chaunce they efpyed a man of the flature of a giante, who came to the hauen daunfyng
and fyngynge, and fhortly after feemed to caft duft ouer his heade. The capitayne fente one of his men to the
fhore with the fhyppe boate, who made the lyke figne of peace. The which thynge the giante feinge, was owt
of feare and came with the capitaynes feruaunte to his prefence into a lyttle Ilande. When he fawe the
capitayne with certeyne of his coompany abowte hym, he was greatly amafed and made fignes holdynge vppe
his hande to heauen, fignifyinge therby that owre men came from thenfe. This giante was fo bygge, that the
heade of one of owr men of a meane flature, came but to his waite. He was of good corporature and well made
in all the partes of his bodie, with a large vyfage paynted with dyuers coloures, but for the moft parte yelowe.
Vppon his cheekes were paynted two hartes, and redde circles abowt his eyes. The heare of his headde was
coloured whyte, and his apparell was the Ikynne of a beafte fowde togyther. This beafte (as feemed vnto them)
had a large heade and great eares lyke vnto a mule, with the body of a camel and tayle of a horfe. The feete
of the giant were foulded in the fkynne after the maner of fhoos. He had in his hande, a bygge and Ihorte
bowe, the itrynge whereof was made of a fynewe of that beafte. He had alfo a bundell of longe arrowes made of
reedes fethered after the maner of owrs, typte with fharpe tfones in the fleade of iren heades. The Capitayne
caufed him to eate and drynke, and gaue him many thynges, and amonge other a greate lookynge glaffe: In
the which as foone as he fawe his owne likeneffe, was fuddeynely afrayde and itarted backe with fuch violence
that he ouerthrewe two that floode neareft abowte hym. When the Capitayne had thus gyuen hym certeyne
haukes belles and other great belles, with alfo a lookynge glaffe, a combe, and a payre of beades of glaffe, he
fente hym to lande with foure of his owne men well armed.
Shortely after, they fawe an other giaunte of fumewhat greater flature, with his bowe and arrowes in his
hande, As he drewe neare vnto owre menne, he layde his hande on his heade and poynted vp towarde heauen,
and owr men dyd the lyke. The Capitayne fente his fhyppe boate to brynge him to a lyttle Ilande beinge in
the hauen. This giante was verye tractable and pleafaunt. He foonge and daunfed: and in his daunfynge
lefte the printe of his feete on the grownde. He remayned longe with owre men who named hym lohan. He
coulde wel fpeake and playnely pronounce thefe wordes: fefus: Aue Maria, lohannes, euen as we doo, but with
a bygger voyce. The capitayne gaue hym a fhert of lynnen clothe, and a coate of whyte woollen clothe: Alfo
a cappe, a combe, a lookynge glaffe, with dyuers fuche other thynges, and fo fente hym to his coompany. The
day folowyng, he reforted ageyne to the fhyppes, and brought with hym one of thofe greate beaftes, which he
gaue the capitayne. But after that daye they neuer fawe hym more, fuppofynge hym to bee flayne of his owne
coompany for the conuerfation he had with owre men.
After other. xv. dayes were pafte, there came foure other giantes without any weapons, but had hydde
theyr bowes and arrowes in certeyne buffnes. The capitayne reteyned two of thefe whiche were youngeft and
251


The greatenesse of
the land of Brasile.
Canibales.
Giantes.
Insulce
gemnmarum.
CaA[e] S. Marie.
The pole
An[t]artike.
Geese.
Sea woolues
The. xlix. degree
of the south pole.
Giantes
219
The bygnes of the
giants.
An other giante.
Foure other
giantes.




252


77e vyage rouzltde aboul t/he vvorlac.


Two giantes are  befte made. He tooke them by a deceyte in this maner, that gyuynge them knyues, fheares, lookynge glaffes,
takenby a pollicie.  belles, beades of cryflall, and fuche other tryfels, he fo fylled theyr handes that they coulde hold no more.
Then caufed two payre of fhackels of iren to bee put on theyr legges, makynge fignes that he wold alfo gyue
them thofe chaynes: which they lyked very wel by caufe they were made of bryght and Ihynynge metal. And
wheras they could not cary them bycaufe theyr handes were full, the other gyantes wolde haue caryed them:
but the Capitayne wolde not fuffer them. When they felte the fhakels fafRe abowte theyr legges, they begunne
to doubte: but the Capitayne dyd put them in comforte and badde them flande flyll. In fine when they fawe
The deuyll    how they were deceaued they rored lyke bulles and cryed vppon theyr greate deuyll Sctebos to helpe them.
Setebos.      Being thus taken, they were immediatly feperate and put in fundry fhyppes. They coulde neuer bynde the
handes of the other two. Yet was one of them with much difficulte ouerthrowne by nyne of owre men, and his
handes bownde: but he fuddeynely loofed hym felfe and fledde, as dyd alfo the other that came with them.
Deuyls appere to  In theyr flying, they fhot of theyr arrowes and flewe one of owre men. They fay that when any of them dye,
the gyantes when  there appere. x. or. xii. deuyls leapynge and daunfynge about the bodye of the deade, and feeme to haue theyr
they dye.
boddyes paynted with dyuers colours. And that amonge other, there is one feene bygger then the refidue, who
maketh great mirth and reioyfynge. This greate deuyll they caule Setebos, and caule the leffe Ce/ezule. One
of thefe giantes which they toke, declared by fignes that he had feene deuyls with two homes aboue theyr heades,
with longe heare downe to theyr feete: And that they caft furth fyre at theyr throtes both before and behynde.
Patagoni.     The Capitayne named thefe people Patagoni. The moft part of them weare the fkynnes of fuche beafles
220    wherof I haue fpoken before: And haue no houfes of continuaunce, but maketh certeyne cotages whiche they
couer with the fayde fkynnes, and cary them from place to place. They lyue of raw fleffhe and a certeyne
fweete roote whiche they caule Capar. One of thefe which they had in theyr fhippes, dyd eate at one meale a
The gyantes   bafket of byfkette, and drunke a bowle of water at a draughte.
feedynge.          They remayned fyue monethes in this porte of faint lulian, where certeyne of the vnder capitaynes conThey conspire  fpirynge the death of theyr general, were hanged and quartered: Amonge whom    the treafurer Luigo of
ageynst theyr
capitayne.    Mendozza was one. Certeyne of the other confpiratours, he left in the fayd land of Patogoni
Departyng from henfe to the. 52. degree toward the pole Antartike lackynge a thyrde parte, where they
founde a ryuer of freffhe water and good fyffhe. Theyr fhyppes were here in great daungiour. They remayned
twoo monethes in this porte where they made newe prouifion of freffhe water, fuell, and fyffhe. Here the
Confession.    Capitayne caufed all his men to bee confeffed.
The straight of                                                                                 Magellanus, beinge in
The Southsea.  fum place. C. x. [one hundred and ten] leaques in length: and in breadth fumwhere very large and in other places
lyttle more then halfe a leaque in bredth. On both the fydes of this firayght, are great and hygh mountaynes
couered with fnowe, beyonde the whiche is the enteraunce into the fea of Sur. This enteraunce the Capitayne
Marepacificumn.  named Mare Pacifcum.  Here one of the fhyppes flole away priuilie and returned into Spaine. In this
The giantes died  was one of the giantes who dyed as foone as he felt the heate that is abowte the Equinoctiall lyne.
for heat.          When the Capitayne Magalianes was pafl the fIraight and fawe the way open to the other mayne fea, he
was fo gladde therof that for ioy the teares fell from his eyes, and named the poynt of the lande from whenfe
Cao Desiderato  he fyrft fawe that fea, Capo Defiderato.
Suppofing that the fhyp which flole away had byn lofRe, they erected a croffe vppon the top of a hyghe
hyll to directe their courfe in the fIraight yf it were theyr chaunce to coome that way. They founde that in
Short nighte in the  this fIrayght in the moneth of October the nyght was not paft foure houres longe. They found in this fIrayght
monethofOctober.  at euery three myles, a fafe hauen and excellent water to drynke: woodde alfo and fyffhe, and greate plentie
Flying fyshes  of good herbes. They thynke that there is not a fayrer fIrayght in the worlde. Here alfo they fawe certeyne
flyinge fyffhes.
The gyantes        The other giante which remayned with them in the fhyp, named breade Capar: water, Oli: redde clothe,
language.      Cherecai: red colour, Cheiche: blacke colour, Amel: And fpoke al his wordes in the throte. On a tyme, as
one made a croffe before him and kyffed it, fhewynge it vnto hym, he fuddeynely cryed Setebos, and declared
by fignes that if they made any more croffes, Setebos wold enter into his body and make him bruft. But when
in fine he fawe no hurte coome thereof, he tooke the croffe and imbrafed and kyffed it oftentymes, defyringe
The gyant is  that he myght bee a Chryflian before his death. He was therfore baptyfed and named Paule.
baptised.          Departynge owt of this fRrayght into the fea cauled Mare Pacificum the. xxviii. day of Nouember in the
Three monethes  yeare. 1520. they fayled three moonethes and. xx. dayes before they fawe any lande. And hauynge in this
saylyng without
the syght oflande. tyme confumed all theyr byfket and other vyttayles, they fell into fuche neceffitie that they were inforced to
Extreme famen.  eate the pouder that remayned therof beinge nowe full of woormes and flynkynge lyke pyffe by reafon of the
falte water. Theyr freffhe water was alfo putrifyed and become yelowe. They dyd eate fkynnes and pieces of
lether which were foulded abowt certeyne great ropes of the fhyps. But thefe fkynnes beinge made verye
harde by reafon of the foonne, rayne and wynde, they hunge them by a corde in the fea for the fpace of foure


252




The vyage rounde aboul tIe vvorlde.


253


or flue dayes to mollifie them, and fodde them and eate them. By reafon of this famen and vnclene feedynge,  Diseases of famen.
fumme of theyr gummes grewe fo ouer theyr teethe, that they dyed miferably for hunger. And by this occafion
dyed. xix. men, and alfo the giante with an Indian of the lande of Brafile otherwyfe cauled Terra deapapgalli,
that is, the lande of popingiayes. Befyde thefe that dyed. xxv. or. xxx. were fo ficke that they were not able to
doo any feruice with theyr handes or armes for feebleneffe: So that there was in maner none without fum
difeae.  In thefe three monethes and. xx. dayes, they fayled foure thoufande leaques in one goulfe by the fayde
fea cauled Pacificum (that is) peaceable, whiche may well bee fo cauled forafmuch as in all this tyme hauyng no
fyght of any lande, they had no miffortune of wynde or any other tempeft. Durynge this tyme alfo, they  221
difcouered only two little Ilandes vnhabited, where they fawe nothing but birdes and trees, and therefore
named theym infortunate Ilandes, beinge one from the other abowte two hundreth leaques diflante. The  Vnfortunate
firife of thefe Ilandes is from the Equinoctial toward the pole Antartike. xv. degrees, and the other fyue. Theyr andes
failinge was in fuche forte that they failed daily betweene. 1. [fifty] lx. [fixty] to. lxx. [feuenty] leaques. So that  what they sayled
in fine, if god of his mercy had not gyuen them good wether, it was neceffary that in this foo greate a fea they  ayly
fhuld all haue dyed for hunger. Whiche neuertheleffe they efcaped foo hardely, that it may bee doubted
whether euer the like viage may be attempted with fo good fucceffe.
They confydered in this nauigation that the pole Antartike hath no notable flarre after the forte of the
pole Artike. But they fawe many flarres gathered togyther, whyche are like two clowdes one feparate a little  The starres abowt
the south pole.
from an other, and fum what darke in the myddeft. Betweene thefe, are two flarres not very bigge, nor muche
fhynninge, whiche moue a little: And thefe two are the pole Antartike. The needell of theyr compaffe varyed  The needle of the
fumwhat, and turned euer towarde the pole Artike. Neuertheleffe, had no fuche force as when it is in thefe  coompase.
partes of the pole Artike. In fo muche that it was neceffarie to helpe the needle with the lode flone (con-  The lode stone.
monly cauled the adamant) before they could faile therwith, bycaufe it moued not as it doothe when it is in
thefe owre partes. When they were in the myddeft of the goulfe, they fawe a croffe of flue cleare flarres
directly toward the Wefte, and of equall diftance the one from the other. 4  ^ &k
In thefe dayes they fayled be-  222
9v    The order of the Jlarres abowl the tole                 twene the Weft and South fo
Au/ar/ike, fitmnme hau efigured                        farre that they approched to the
Equinoctiall line, and were in  The Equinoctial
in Ihis maner.                             longitude from the place from  line.
whenfe they fyrft departed:, a
hundreth and twentie degrees.
In this courfe they fayled by two
Ilandes of exceadynge height,
wherof the one named Cipanghu,  The Ilandes of
15 Dis. xx. degrees from the pole An-                              Sumbdit
tartike: And the other named
Sumbdit. xv. degrees. When
4 ~ <                                    they were pafl the Equinoctiall
line, they fayled betwene the
Weft and Southweft at the quarr             ter of the Weft towarde the
Southweft more then a hundreth
/  '                    A              \ 1A           leaques, changinge theyr fayles
v   N 1                                            to the quarter of the Southweft
vntyll they came to the. xiii.
degrees aboue the Equinoctial
Jtowarde the pole Artyke, intendyng as much as were poffible, to
approche to the cape cauled of
theowldewryters Cattigara: The
whiche is not founde as the owlde
CofmSgraphers haue defcribed
it, but is towarde the north
abowt. xii. degrees as they afterwarde vnderftode.
When they had thus fayled.
Si, Xbw 1PO [0[ant 1tf,    [    l C   U'tp            lxx. [feuenty] leaques of t'his
253




254


The Zvyage roznide abozvi t/ie vzorYlde.


Insulae Latronaum


People with longe
heare
They coloure
theyr teethe.
The Ilande of
ZamalL
Wyne of date
trees.
The maruelous
frute Cocus.
223
The Iland of
Zuluan.
The sea cauled
Archipelago di san
Lazaro.
Gentyles.


vyage in the. xii. degree aboue the Equinoctial, and. C.xlvi. [one hundred and forty-fix] degrees
of longitude (as I haue fayde) the fyxte day of March they difcouered a lyttle Ilande towarde the northwefte, and two other towarde the fouthwefte: but the one was hygher and bygger then the two other. In the
byggefi of thefe, the generall capitayne wolde haue refted hym felfe a whyle: but he coulde not by reafon the
people of thefe Ilands reforted continually to the fhippes with theyr canoas, and flole nowe one thynge and
nowe an other, in fuch forte that owr men could take no refte, and therfore demaunded of the capitayne that
they myght ftryke theyr fayles to brynge the fhyppes to land. But the Capitayne beinge prouoked to anger,
wente alande with fortie armed men, and burnte about fiftie of theyr houfes with many of theyr Canoas: And
flewe alfo abowt feuen men, and recouered a Ihyppe boate whiche the Barbarians had itolne, and fo departed
folowynge his vyage. The Capitayne named thefe Ilands Infuic Lah-ronum, that is, the Ilands of theeues.
When owr men had fo wounded fumme of theym with arrowes that they were itryken throughe bothe fydes, they
pulled furth the arrowes not ceafyng to marueyle at them tyll they fell downe deade: And yet coulde not the other
fo depart, but flyll folowed the fhyppes with more then two hundreth of theyr boates, approchynge as nere to
the fhyppes as they coulde, and proferynge owre men certeyne fyffles. As the fhyppes paffed with full fayle in
the myddefle of theyr boates, they fawe in fum of them certeyne women lamenting and tearynge theyr heare,
which owre men thought they did for the death of theyr hufbandes. As farre as they could perceaue, thefe
people lyue at theyr owne libertie without anye ruler or gouernour. They go naked and haue blacke beardes
and blacke heare on theyr heades whiche they weare longe downe to theyr waftes. They are of the fame ftature
that we are, and well made, of coloure lyke vnto an olyue. Theyr women are well fauored with blacke and
thicke heare on theyr heades reachynge to the grownde. The menne coloure theyr teeth redde and blacke,
which they efteeme a coomely thynge. They annoynt theyr bodies and heare with the oyle of Cocus. Theyr
boates are fum all blacke, fum whyte, and fum redde, and haue fayles made of the broade leaues of date trees
fowd togyther. In the fleade of a rudder, they vfe a certeyne brode boorde with a ftaffe in the toppe, and
maye when they wyll, make the flerne the forecaftell, or the forecaftell the flerne. They fayle fo fwyftely that
they feeme a farre of, lyke Delphyns fwymmynge aboue the water.
The tenth day of March, in the yeare. I 5 2 1. they wente alande vppon a lyttle Ilande named Zamal. xxx.
leaques dyflant from the Ilande of theeues. Bycaufe this Ilande was not inhabyted, they refted here a whyle,
where the capitayne caufed a pauilion to bee pytched for the ficke and crafed men, and a hogge to bee kylde.
The. xviii. day of Marche, they fawe a boate with nyne men commynge towarde them Ihewynge theim
felues ioyfull and reioyfynge of theyr commynge. They brought many prefentes with them, and feemed to bee
people of much humanitie. They gaue the capitayne a great fyfhe, and a great veffel of the wyne of thofe date
trees whiche beare the frute Cocus. They made alfo fignes that within the fpace of foure dayes, they wolde
bryng ryffe and dyuers foules and beafts as they dyd in deede.
This Cocus is a frute of certeyne date trees whereof they make breade, wyne, oyle, and vineger. They
make wyne in this maner. They cutte a bygge braunche of the tree, and hange therat a reede as bigge as a
mans legge, into the which droppeth a fweete licour from the tree lyke vnto newe whyte wine fumwhat tart, and
let the reede continewe there from mornynge tyll euenynge, and from euenynge to mornynge. The frute of
this tree cauled Cocus, is as bygge as the head of a man or more. The fyrfte rynde of this, is greene and of
the thyckeneffe of two fyngers, hauynge in it certeyne threedes wherof they make cordes with the which they
tye theyr boates. Vnder this rynde, there is a thicke fhell whiche they burne and make pouder therof and vfe
it as a remedie for certeyne difeafes. Vnder this fhell, is a whyte fubftaunce lyke the carnell of a nutte being
a fynger in thickeneffe, which they eate with fleffhe and fyfthe as wee doo breade. It hath the tafte of an
almonde, and is vfed in the fReade of breade when it is dryed. In the myddeft of this carnell, is a cleare and
fweete water, beinge very holfome and cordiale. This water fumtyme congeleth and lyeth within the fhell lyke
an egge. When they intende to make oyle hereof, they ley it to putrifie in water, and boyle it vntyll it bee
lyke oyle or liquide butter. When they intende to make vineger, they fuffer only the water to putrifie and
then fet it to the foonne where it becommeth vineger lyke vnto that which is made of whyte wyne. And when
they mengle the carnell with the water which is in the myddeft of the frute, and fItrayne it thorowe a cloth,
they make a mylke therof lyke vnto goates mylke. Thefe date trees are lyke vnto them that beare dates, but
are not fo full of knottes. With the iuife of two of thefe date trees, a hole famelie of tenne perfons may bee
maynteyned with wyne vfynge one. viii. dayes, and the other, other. viii. dayes: for they fhulde els bee dryed
and wythered. Thefe trees continue for the fpace of a hundreth yeares. This Ilande where they founde this
humane and gentell people, is cauled Zuluan, and is not verye bygge. Abowt this Ilande they founde manye
other Ilandes, and therefore named this fea Archipelago di San Lazaro, that is, the great fea of faynte Lazarus,
beinge tenne degrees aboue the Equinoctiall towarde owre pole, and. C. lxi. [one hundred and fixty-one] frome
the place from whenfe they departed. The people of this Ilande are Caphranita that is gentyles. They go
naked fauynge that they couer theyr priuie partes with a clothe made of the rynde of a certeyne tree. The
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255




chiefeft men, haue abowte theyr heades a fylken cloth of needle woorke. They are groffe and brode fet and
of the coloure of an oliue. They annoynte theyr bodies with the oyle of Cocus to defend them ageynft the
heate of the foonne and dryneffe of the wynde. The. xxv. day of Marche, they departed from henfe and
directed theyr courfe betwene the Wefte and fouthwetf, and fayled betwene foure Ilandes named Cenao,  Foure Ilands
Huinanghan, Hibuffon, and Abarien. etc.
The. xxviii. daye of Marche, they came to the Ilande of Buthuan where they were honorably interteyned  The Iand of
of the Kynge and the Prince his foonne who gaue theim muche golde and fpices. The capitayne gaue the
kynge a veflure of red clothe and an other of yelowe made after the Turkyfihe faffhyon, and alfo a red cappe.
And gaue likewife to other that came with hym, certeyne knyues, glaffes, and beades of criftalle: After that,
the capitayne had Ihewed the Kynge the fecreates of his Ihippe and fuche marchaundies as he had therin, he
caufed a piece of ordinaunce fuddenly to bee fhote of,whereatthe kyng was greately amafed vntil the capitayne
comforted hym. Then the Capitaine commaunded one of his men to be armed from the heade to the foote,
and caufed three other to ftrike hym with theyr fwoordes, whereat the Kynge maruayled greately, and fayde to
th[e]interpretoure (who was a flaue borne in Malacha) that one of thofe armed men was able to encounter
with a hundreth of his men. But he maruayled muche more when the capitaine tould hym by th[e]interpretoure howe he founde the ilraight by the compaffe and lode flone, and howe many dayes they were without
fight of any lande. Then afkynge licence to departe, the capitayne fente two of his men with him, of the
whiche Antonie Pigafetta was one. When the kynge fawe Antonie Pigafetta write the names of many thinges,
and afterwarde rehearfe them ageyne, he maruayled yet more, makynge fygnes that fuche men defcended from
heauen. The Kynge brought them firfle to his pallaice where he interteyned them honorably and gaue them
manye gyftes, as dyd alfo the Prince in his pallaice beynge in an other Ilande named Caleghan.   The Iland of
As they fyfted a certeyne myne of earthe in the Kynges Ilande, they founde pieces of golde, fum as bigge  Caleghan.
as nuttes and other as bigge as egges. All the kynges veffelles were of golde, and his houfe well furnyffhed.  Plentie ofgclde.
In all the hole nation there was no man of coomlier perfonage then the kinge.  He had his heare long downe  224
to his fhulders, and very blake, with a vaile of filke rowled abowte his head, and two greate ringes of golde  The kynge of
hanginge at his eares. He had abowte hys myddle, a clothe wroughte of cotton and filke impaled wyth golde,
and reacheinge downe to his knees. On his one fyde, he had a long dager with a hafte of golde, and the
fhethe of a fayre kynde of carued woodde. He had on euery finger, three ringes of golde, and had his bodie
annoynted with oyle of ftorax and Beniamin. The natural coloure of his face was like vnto the coloure of an
oliue: And all his bodye byfyde paynted with diuers colours. The kynges name was Raia Colambu, and the
Prince was cauled Raia Siagu.
The lafte day of Marche neare vnto Eafter, the capitaine caufed his preefle to fay maffe, and fente to the  Masse.
kinge by th[e]interpretoure, that his commyng a lande at that tyme was not to dyne with hym, but only to heare
maffe. The Capitayne came alande with fyftie of his men in theyr bell apparel withowte weapons or harneffe,
and all the refydue well armed. Before the boates came to lande, he caufed fixe pieces of ordinaunce to be
fhotte of in token of peace, and fo came aland, where the two kinges embrafed hym, and accompanyed hym
to the place appoynted for maffe to be fayde not farre frome the fea fyde. Sumwhat before the beginnynge of
maffe, the Capitayne fprinkeled the Kynges with damafke water. When the preefle was at mid maffe at the
offitorie, the kings profered them felues to go to kyffe the croffe with the capytayne, but offered nothynge. At
the tyme of facringe when the preefle lifted vppe the bodie of Chrifi, and the Chriftians kneeled downe and
helde vppe their handes ioyned togither, the kynges dyd the like alfo wyth greate reuerence. In the meane
tyme, whyle certeyne of the Chriftians were at the comnunion, a handegunne was fhotte of to fignifie vnto theym
that were in the fhyppes, to difcharge all theyr ordinaunce. When maffe was fynyffhed, the Capitaine caufed
certeyne of his men to put on theyr harneffe and to make a combat with theyr naked fwoordes, wherat the  A combatte.
kynges tooke great pleafure. This doone, the Capitaine caufed a croffe to be brought furth, with nayles and a  The crosse and
crowne of thornes
crowne of thornes, gyuynge commaundement to all his men to gyue reuerence therunto, and fignifyinge to the
kynges by th[e]interpretour that that banner was gyuen hym by Th[e]emperoure his lorde and mafter, with
commaundement to leaue the fame in al places where he came to the great commoditie and profite of all fuch
as wolde reuerendly receaue it as an affured token of frendfhip: And that he wold therfore leaue it there afwel
to accomplyfhe his lords commaundement, as alfo that if at any tyme any fhyppes of Chriftians fhulde chaurce
to coome that way, fhulde by feing that croffe perceaue that owre men had byn well enterteyned there, and
wolde therfore not onely abfleyne from doing them any hurte or difpleafure, but alfo helpe to ayde them
ageynfle theyr enemies. And that therfore it fhulde bee requifite to erecte that croffe vppon the toppe of the
hyghefle mountayne that myght bee feene from the fea on euery fyde. Alfo to pray vnto it reuerently. And
that in fo doinge, they fhulde not bee hurte with thunder, lyghtnynge, or tempefles. When the kynges harde
thefe woordes, they gaue the Capitayne great thankes, promyfinge gladly to obferue and fulfyll all fuche thynges
as he required. Then the Capitayne demaunded whether they were Moores or gentyles. They anfwered that  Mtand
255




256


Many Iands
The Iand of
Messana.
Battes as bygge as
Eagles.
Fowles with
homes.
225
Egges hatched in
sand.
The Ilande of
Zubut.
The kynge of
Zubut.
A shyp laden with
gold and slaues.
Calicut.
Malacha.


7lie vyage roultde about /le vvorlde.
they had none other kynde of religion, but that lyftynge vppe theyr handes ioyned togyther and theyr faces
toward heauen, they cauled vppon theyr god Abba, whiche anfwere lyked the Capitayne very well, bycaufe the
gentyles are fooner perfuaded to owre fayth then the Moores. etc.
Departynge from henfe, they came to the Ilandes of Zeilon, Zubutlh, Meffana, and Calaghan, by the
conducte of certeyne pylottes of the fayde kynges. Of thefe, Zubuth is the befte, and hath the trade of befte
trafique. In the Ilande of Meffana, they founde dogges, cattes, hogges, hennes, goates, ryfe, ginger, Cocus,
mylle, panyke, barlye, fygges, oranges, waxe, and golde in greate quantitie. This Ilande is aboue the Equinoctiall
towarde owre pole. ix. degrees twoo thyrde partes: and. I62. degrees frome the place frome whenfe they
departed. They remayned in this Iland for the fpace of viii. dayes, and then directed theyr vyage towarde
the northweft, and paffed betwene thefe fyue Ilandes, Zeilon, Boho, Cangzhu, Barbai, and Catfighan. In this
Ilande of Catigzan, are certeyne great battes as bygge as Eagles, of the which they toke one. They are
good to bee eaten, and of tafte muche lyke a henne. There are alfo flocke dooues, turtle dooues, popingiayes, and certeyne foules as bygge as hennes.  Thefe foules haue lyttle homes, and lay great egges,
which they couer a cubet depthe in the fande, by the heate whereof and vertue of the foonne, they are hatched,
and the younge byrdes creepe owte of the fande by them felues. From the Ilande of Meffana to Catighan are.
xx. leaques faylynge towarde the Weft. And bycaufe the kynge of Meffana coulde not folowe the fhyppes, they
taryed for him about the Ilandes of Polo, Ticobon, and Pozon, where the Capitayne tooke hym into his fhippe
with certeyne of his principall men, and fo folowed theyr vyage towarde the Ilande of Zubut, whiche is abowte
fiftie leaques diftante from Catighan.
The. vii. day of Apryll abowte noone, they entered into the porte of Zubut: And paffynge by many
vyllages and habitacions in trees, they came to the citie, where the Capitayne gaue commaundement to the
maryners to ftryke theyr fayles and to fet them felues in order in maner of battayle ray, caufing all the ordinaunce to bee fhotte of, wherewith all the people were put in greate feare. After this, the Capitayne fent an
ambaffadoure with th[e]interpretoure to the kynge of Zubut. When they approched nere to the citie, they
founde the kyng with a great company of men fore aftonyfhed at the noyfe of the gunnes. But th[e]interpretour aduertifed them that it was the cuftome of owre men in al fuche places where they coome, to difcharge
theyr ordinaunce in token of frendefhyppe and to honour the lorde of the citie. With which woordes the kyng
and his coompany were well quieted. After this, th[e]interpretour declared that his matter was the Capitayne
of the fhips of the greateft Prince in the worlde, and that they wente to difcouer the Ilandes of Molucca: And
further, that hearyng of his good name and fame by the reporte of the kyng of Meffana, they determyned to
vifite hym and to haue vyttayles for exchaunge of theyr marchaundies. The kynge anfwered that he was well
contented therwith, and that they were hartely welcoome. Neuertheleffe, that it was a cuftome in that place,
that all fuch fhyppes as entered into that hauen, fhuld pay tribute: And that there were not many dayes pafte,
fence a fhyppe laden with golde and flaues dyd fo paye. In token wherof, he caufed to coome before hym
certeyne marchauntes of that coompany whiche yet remayned with hym. To this th[e]interpretour anfwered,
that forafmuch as his lorde was the Capitayne of fo myghtie a Prince, he neuer payde tribute to any kynge in
the worlde, and wolde not nowe begynne. Wyllynge hym to take this for a refolute anfwere, that if he wolde
accepte the peace that was profered hym, he fhulde enioy it, And if he rather defyred warre, he fhoulde haue
his handes full. When th[e]interpretour had fayde thefe woordes, one of the fayde marchauntes (who was a
Moore) fpake to the kynge in this maner. CATACAIA Chita: that is. Take hede fyr. For thefe men are
they that haue conquered Calicut, Malaca, and all the greater India: and are of fuche poure that yf yowe
intreate them otherwyfe then well, yowe may to late knowe what they are able to doo more then they haue
doone at Calicut and Malaca. When th[e]interpretoure harde thefe woordes, he fayde that the kynge his
lorde was of much greater puiffaunce and more dominions, and lorde of more fhyppes then was the kynge of
Portugale: declarynge further that he was kynge of Spayne and Emperour of all Chriftendome Addynge
hereunto that yf he wolde not bee his frende, he wolde hereafter fende thyther fuche a poure of armed men as
fhulde deftroy his contrey. The Moore conferred all thefe woordes with the kynge, who fayde that he wolde
further deliberate with his counfayle, and gyue theym a full anfwere the daye folowynge. In the meane tyme
he fente theym certeyne vyttayles and wyne. When all thefe thynges were declared to the kynge of Meffana
who was the chiefeft there abowt nexte vnto hym, and lorde of many Ilandes, he wente alande and repayred
to the kynge of Zubut and declared vnto hym the great humanitie and curtefie of the generall Capitayne.
Shortely after, the Capitayne fente certeyne of his men with th[e]interpretour to the kynge of Zubut to knowe
his pleafure and what aunfwere he wolde make them. As they wente towarde the courte, they mette the
kynge commyng in the ftreete accompanied with many of his chiefe men. He caufed owr men to fit downe
by him, and demaunded of them if there were any more then one Capitayne in theyr coompanie: And whether
it were theyr requefte that he fhulde pay tribute to Th[e]emperour. They anfwered that they defyred none
other thynge but that they myght exercife marchaundies with them, and to barter ware for ware. The kynge


256




 
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257


made anfwere that he was well content therwith: wyllynge the Capitayne in token of frendfhippe to fende him
a little of the blud of his ryght arme, affirmyng that he wold do the lyke. etc.
After this the kynge of Meffana with the kynge of Zubut his neuie (who was the prince) and certeyne other
of his gentylmen, came to the ihyppes and brought the Capitayne many goodly prefentes. They entered into
greate amitie, and had large communication of many thynges.  The Capitayne perfuaded them  to the
Chriftian fayth, which they gladly embrafed, and tooke fuche pleafure in hearynge the articles of owre beliefe,
that the teares fell from theyr eyes for ioye. They were baptifed, and fhortely after all the people of the
llande. They efteeme nothyng more precious then drynkyng glaffes of Venice woorke.
When they came to the citie, they founde the kyng in his pallaice fittynge vppon a floure or fluorie made
of the leaues of date trees wrought after a curious diuife lyke a certeyne kynde of mattes. He had vppon his
body, none other apparell but only a cloth of bombafine cotton hangyng before his priuie partes. On his
heade, he had a vayle of needle worke: and abowte his necke a chaine of greate price. At his eares, hunge
two rynges of golde wherein were inclofed many precious flones. He was but of fmaule ftature, but fumewhat
groffe, and had the refidue of his body paynted with dyuers coloures wherof fum were lyke vnto flamynge fyre.
Before hym, he had two veffelles made of the fine earth cauled Porcellana, with fodden egges. Alfo four
veffels of Porcellana full of wyne made of date trees, and couered with many odoriferous herbes. The prince
brought them to his houfe, where he had foure doughters verye well fauoured and whyte lyke owres. He
caufed them to daunce all naked, and therwith to fynge, and play on certeyne tymbrelles made of metall.
At this tyme it fo chaunced that one of the Spanyardes dyed in one of the fhyppes. And when certeyne
of theyr coomnpanye defyred the kynge to gyue them leaue to burie hym on the land, he anfwered that forafmuch as he and all his, were at the commaundement of theyr kynge and mafter, how much more ought the
grounde fo to be.
They greatly marueyled at the cerimonies perteynyng to the maner of owre funeralles, and honoured the
croffes whiche were fet at bothe th[e]endes [of] the graue.
They lyue with iuftice, and vfe waightes and meafures. Theyr houfes are made of Timber and fawne
boordes: and are fo buylded aboue the grownde vppon proppes and pyles, that they afcende to the fame by
certeyne flayers. Vnder theyr houfes, they keepe theyr hogges and hennes.
When they came to barterynge, they gaue golde, ryffe, hogges, hennes, and dyuers other thynges for fume
of owre tryfels of fmaule value. They gaue tenne Pefos of golde for. xvi. poundes weyght of iren. One pefes
is in value a ducate and a halfe. The funday folowynge, the kynge was baptyfed with great folemnitie. At
which tyme, the Capitayne admonyffhed him before not to bee afrayde at the fhootyng of of the ordinaunce,
bycaufe it was theyr cuftome fo to doo at fuch folemne feafltes. After this, the Capitayne caufed theym to
breake all theyr Idoles, and to fet vppe the croffe in dyuers places, prayinge to the fame bothe mornynge and
euenynge kneelynge on theyr knees and holdynge vp theyr handes ioyned togyther. The kinge in his baptifme,
was named Charles after the Emperours name, and the Prince, Ferdinando after the name of his maieflies
brother. The kynge of Meffana was named Iohn, and the Moore Chriftopher. To all other they gaue fuch
names as are commonly vfed in Chriflendome. And thus beefore maffe was begunne, were fiue hundreth men
baptifed. When maffe was fynyffhed, the Capitayne inuited the kynge to dyne with him in his fhyppe, and at
his commynge, caufed the ordinaunce to bee difcharged.
The queene was alfo baptifed with fortie of her gentlewomen, and her doughter the Princes wife. The
queene was very younge and fayre, hauynge her body couered with a white cloth. Her lyppes were redde,
and fhe had on her head a hat, on the toppe wherof was a triple crowne much lyke the popes This crowne
and the hat, were made of the leues of dates trees.
Within the fpace of. viii. dayes, th[e]inhabitauntes of the Ilande were baptifed excepte one vyllage of
Idolaters who wolde not herein obey the kynges commaundement. Whervppon the Capitayne fent certeyne
of his menne thyther, who burnt the towne and erected a croffe in that place bycaufe the people of the vyllage
were gentyles (that is) Idolaters. But if they had byn Moores (that is Machumetiftes) they wold haue erected
a pyller of flone, bycaufe the Moores are more flooberne and harder to bee conuerted then are the gentyles.
When the queene came to the place where fhee Ihuld heare maffe, fhee came furth with great pompe and
folemnitie, hauynge goinge before her three younge damofelles and three men with theyr cappes in theyr handes,
whom Ihee folowed apparelled in whyte and blacke, with a great vayle of fylke vppon her heade fringed abowte
with golde, whiche couered her hatte and hunge downe to her fhoulders. Shee had alfo a great trayne of
women folowynge her, beinge all barefooted and naked, excepte that vppon theyr heades and priuie partes, they
wore certeyne vayles of filke, and hadde theyr heare fpredde.
Before the kynge of Zubut was baptifed, he was named Raia Humabuon. When the Capitayne demaunded
of hym why all the Idoles in the Ilande were not burnt accordynge to his promeffe, he anfwered that they
efteemed them no more as goddes, but only made facrifice to theym for the Princes brother who was very fycke,
EDEN.                            X                                   257




-


Sheadyng of
bludde is a token
of frendshyppe
226
The kynge of
Zubut is baptised
The kynge of
Zubut his apparell
Well fauoured
women.
Barterynge
Pesus what.
They breake theyr
Idoles and erecte
the crosse.
Fyue hundreth
men baptised.
The queene of
Zubut.
227
The queenes
apparelL






258


The vyage rounde about the vvorlde.




A miracle.
The Iland of
Mathan.
The capitaine
Magellanus is
slayne.
The Iland of
Bohol.
They burnteone,f
theyr shyppes.
Blacke men.
The Iland of
Chippit.
The Iland of
Caghaian.
The Iland of
Pulaoan.
228
The Iland of
Burnei or Porne.
A great citie.
Elephantes
The Iland of
Cimbulon.
Leaues of trees
which seeme to
lue.


and as noble and wyttie a man as was in the Ilande. The Capitayne anfwered that if he wolde burne al his
Idoles and beleue faythfully in Chrift, and bee baptifed, he Ihulde be immediatly reftored to health, and that he
wolde els gyue them leaue to ftryke of his heade. By thefe woordes and perfuafions of the Capitayne, he
conceaued fuch hope of health, that after he was baptifed he felt no more greefe of his difeafe. And this was a
manifefl myracle wrought in owre tyme wherby dyuers infidels were conuerted to owr fayth, and theyr Idoles
deflroyed, and alfo theyr altares ouerthrowen on the whiche they were accuftomed to eate the facrifyced fleffhe.
The people of the Ilande pay the kynge a portion of vittayles for theyr tribute by all theyr cities and vyllages.
Not farre from this Ilande of Zubut, is the Iland of Mathan, whofe inhabitauntes vfe maruelous cerimonies
in theyr facrifices to the foonne and burying the deade. They were rynges of golde abowt theyr priuie members.
The Ilande is gouerned by two Princes wherof the one is named Zula, and the other Cilapulapu. And wheras
this Cilapulapu refufed to pay tribute to the kynge of Spayne, the Capitayne went ageynft hym in his owne
perfon with. lx. of his menne armed with coates of mayle and helmettes. Cilapulapu diuided his army into
three battayles, hauynge in euery battaile two thoufand and fiftie men armed with bowes, arrowes, dartes and
iauelins hardened at the poyntes with fyer. This continued longe and fharpe. But the Capitayne beinge a
valient man and prefynge hym felfe in the brunte of the battayle, was fore wounded and flayne, forafmuch as
the mofte of the Barbarians directed all theyr force ageynft hym. Befyde the Capitayne, were flayne of owre
men abowt. viii. or. ix. Of the Barbarians, were. xv. flayne and many fore wounded. After the death of the
Capitayne, they chofe two other in his place, of the which one was Odoardo Barbeffa a Portugale, and the other
Iohn Serrano who was fhortely after betrayde by th[e]interpretour and taken prifoner with dyuers other.
Certeyne dayes before the Capitaynes death, they hadde knowleage of the Ilandes of Molucca whiche they
chiefely fought. Departynge therfore from the Ilande of Mathan, they fayled farre and came to the cape of an
other Iland named Bohol. In the myddeft of this mayne fea (whiche they named Archizelagus) they confulted
to burne the fhyppe named Conception, bycaufe they were nowe fewe in number, and to furnyfihe the other two
fhyppes with th[e]artillerie therof. Thus directynge theyr courfe towarde Southeweft, they came to an other
Ilande named Pauiloghon, where they founde blacke men lyke vnto the Sarafins. Shortly after, they arriued at
an other great Iland, whofe kyng named Raia Calauar, intreated them very frendely in all thynges as dyd the
kyng of Meffana. This Ilande is ryche in golde, and hath plentie of ryffe, gynger, hogges, goates, hennes, and
dyuers other thynges. It is named ChipPit, and is. viii. degrees aboue the Equinoctiall line towarde owr pole:
And in longitude from the place from whenfe they firft departed. I70. degrees: And abowt. 50. leaques from
Zubut.
Departinge frome henre they came to an other Iland named Cag/haian being. 40. leaques from Chippit as
they fayled betwene the wefte and Southe wefle. This Ilande-is very greate, and in maner vnhabited. The
people are moores, and were banyfffhed owt of the Ilande of Burnei whiche fum caule Porne.
Frome this Ilande aboute. xxv. leaques betwene the weft and northewefle, they founde a maruelous frutefull Ilande named Pulaoan, beinge towarde owr pole aboue the Equinoctiall. ix. degrees and a thirde parte: And
C.lxxix. [one hundred and feventy-nine] degrees and a third parte in longitude frome the place of theyr departing.
Frome this Ilande. x. leaques towarde the South wefle, they fawe an other Ilande whiche feemed to them
fumtymes to mounte as they fayled by the coaftes therof. As they were enteringe into the porte, there arofe a
boyftious and darke tempefte which ceafed as foone as the fiers of the three fayntes (wherof we haue fpoken
before) appeared vppon the cabells. Frome the beginninge of this Ilande to the porte, are fyue leaques. This
Ilande is greate and riche: and the chiefe citie therof conteyneth. xxv. thoufande houfes. The kynge interteyned
owre men very frendlye, and fent them byfyde many other prefentes, two elephantes trapped with filke to bring
them to his pallaice that brought the prefentes which the Capytaynes fent hym. He hath a magnyfycalle
courte and a greate garde. Alfo a multitude of concubynes. He is a moore, and is named Raia Siripada.
He is a kynge of greate poure, and hath vnder hym many other kynges, Ilandes, and cities. This Ilande of
Burnei is aboue the Equinoctiall towarde owre pole fyue degrees and a quarter. And in longitude frome the
place of theyr departyng. C. lxxvi. [one hundred and feventy-fix] degrees and two thirde partes.
Departinge frome Burnei, they came to an Ilande cauled Cimbubon, beinge. viii. degrees aboue the
Equinoctiall lyne Here they remayned. xl. days to calke theyr fhyppes and furnyffhe them with fieffhe water
and fuell whiche was to them great payne and trauayle becaufe they were in maner all bare footed, theyr fhooes
and in maner theyr other apparell being worne by reafon of the longe vyage. In the wooddes of this Ilande,
they founde a tree whofe leaues as foone as they faule on the grounde, doo tfurre and remoue frome place to
place as though they were alyue. They are muche lyke the leaues of a mulbery tree: And haue on euery fyde
as it were two fhort and blunt fiete. When they are cut or broken, there is no bludde feene come forth of
them. Yet when any of them are touched, they fuddeynely moue and flarte away. Antonie Pigafetta kepte
one of them in a platter for the fpace of. viii. dayes. And euer when he touched it, it ranne rounde abowt the
platter. He fuppofeth that they liue only by ayer.


8




The vyage rounde about the vvorlde.


259


_ I


Departynge from henfe, they directed theyr courfe by the Wetle quarter towarde the Southeafle, to fynde
the Ilandes of Molucca, and fayled not farre from certeyne mountaynes where they founde the fea full of great
weedes and herbes.
From henfe, they came to the Ilandes of Zolo and Taghima, in the which are founde perles of exceadyng
biggeneffe.
Folowyng theyr courfe toward the north Eaft, they came to a great citie named Mfangdando, lyinge aboue
the Ilandes of Buthuan and Calaghan, where they tooke a canoa of certeyne of th[e]inhabitaunts: by whome
being informed of the Ilandes of Molucca, they lefte theyr courfe towarde the north Eafte, and folowed the
South eafte nere vnto a cape of the Iland of Buthuan, they were aduertifed for certentie that on the bankes of
a certeyne ryuer, there dwelte men ouergrowen with heare, and of high flature.
Folowyng flill theyr courfe by the fouth eafte, and paffyng by many fmaule Ilandes, they came to the
Ilandes of Molucca the fyxte daye of Nouember and the. xxvii. monethe after theyr departure owt of Spayne.
Beinge therfore ioyfull and gyuyng thankes vnto god, they difcharged all theyr ordynaunce. In the coafte of
all thefe Ilandes, euen vnto the Ilandes of Molucca, foundyng with theyr plummet, they founde the deapthe of
the fea to bee no leffe then a hundreth and two yardes, which is contrary to the faying of the Portugales who
affyrme that no fhyppe can paffe that way without great daungioure by reafon of the fhalownes and rockes or
fhelues: and for the darkeneffe which the clowdes caufe in the heauen. All which thyngs they fayned to
th[e]intent that none other fhulde haue knoweleage of theyr vyagies.
The. viii. day of Nouember in the yeare. 152 r. before the ryfinge of the foonne, they entered into the
porte of the Ilande of Tidore, being one of the chiefe Ilandes of Molucca, where they were honorably interteyned of the kynge who declared that he had longe before feene a fygne in heauen that certeyne fhyppes
fhuld comme from a farre contrey to the Ilandes of Molucca: And that wheras for the better certificat therof
he confydered the flations of the moone, he fawe therin the commyng of owre fhyppes, and that we were the
men whome he feemed to fee in the fame. Wherupon he profered hym felfe to enter into leaque of frendfhyppe with the kynge of Spayne, and to accepte owre men as his brotherne and chyldren: wyllyng them to
come alande as into theyr owne houfes. Alfo that for theyr commyng, that Ilande fhulde no more bee cauled
Tidore, but Caftile for the greate loue whiche he bore to theyr kynge whom he reputed as his lorde and mafler.
This kynge is a Moore, and is named Raia Sultan Mauzor.
The Ilandes of Molucca are flue in number, and are thus named: Tarenate, Tidore, Mutir, Macchian, and
Bacchian. Of thefe, Tarenafe is the chiefeft.
Directly ageynfte the Ilande of Tidore, there is an other great Ilande named Gilolo, inhabited of Moores
and Gentyles. The Moores haue two kynges, of the which one hath fyxe hundreth chyldren, and the other
fixe hundreth and fiftie. The Gentyles kepe not fo many women as doo the Moores nor yet lyue in fuche
fuperflitions. They praye to the fyrfte thynge that they meete in the mornynge when they go furth of theyr
houfes, and honoure that as theyr god for that day. The kynge of the gentyles is very ryche in golde. In
the fayde Ilande of Gilolo, are reedes as bygge as a mans legge, and full of cleare water holfome to bee drunke.
The. xii. daye of Nouember, the kynge of Tidore appoynted owre men a ware houfe in the citie where
they might fell theyr marchaundies. Theyr maner of exchange was in this fort. For tenne yardes of good
redde cloth, they had one Bahar of cloues, whiche amounteth to foure Cantari and fyxe pounde weight:
And one Cantar is a hundreth pounde weight. For. xv. yardes of cloth fumwhat woorfe then the other, they
receaued in Cambie, one Bahar. For. xxxv. drynkynge cuppes of glaffe, they had one Bahar. For. xvii.
Cathyls of quicke fyluer, one Bahar. They came dayly to the fhyppes with many of theyr barkes full of goates,
hennes, fygges of a fpanne longe, alfo the frute cauled Cocus, with dyuers other kyndes of vyttayles in fuch
quantitie that it was a marueylous thynge to beholde. They furnyffhed alfo theyr fhyppes with freffhe water
which is hotte as it iffheweth owt of the fprynge, but is very coulde when it hath floode a while in an other
place. It fpryngeth from the mountaynes on the which the cloue trees growe. They fawe a cloude ryfe in
maner dayly, which compafeth about the fayde mountaynes.
The kynge of the Ilande of Bacchian, fente the kynge of Spayne two deade byrdes of firaunge forme.
They were of the byggenes of turtle dooues, with lyttle heades and longe bylles: alfo longe and fmaule legges
and no wynges, but in the fteade therof certeyne longe fethers of diuers colours, and tayles lyke turtle dooues.
All the other fethers are of one coloure much lyke vnto tawny, except thofe of the wynges. They flye not but
when the wynde bloweth. Thefe Moores are of opinion that thefe byrdes comme from the heauenlye Paradyfe,
and therfore caule them Manuccodiata, that is the byrdes of god.
When they were determyned to depart from the Ilandes of Molucca, certeyne kynges of the Ilandes
accompanied them with theyr canoas, and conducted them to an Ilande cauled Mare where they refreffhed
theyr fhyppes with frefhe water and fuell. The kynges fent Th[e]emperours maieftie many prefentes: and
embrafynge owre menne, departed with the teares in theyr eyes: And owre men for theyr lafte farewell, fhotte
259


A sea full of
weedei.
Perles.
Men ouergrowen
with heare.
The Ilandes of
Molucca.
The Portugalcs
are reproued.
Tidore one of tile
Ilandes of
Molucca.
A vision in the
planettes
229
The fyue Ilandes
of molucca.
Tarenate.
The Iland of
Gilolo.
Moores and
gentyles.
Golde.
Water in reedes.
Theyr maner of
barteringe.
Water of a
straunge qualitie
Byrdes of a
straunge fcrme




260


The vyage rounde about the vvorlde.


They leaue one of
theyr shyppes
behynd them.
The Ilandes of
Molucca.
Hony of flyes.
Popingiayes.
The Iland of
Tidore.


Terenale.
Mutir.
Macchian.


230


Bacchian.
Many Ilands
The Iland of
Mallua.
Pepper.
Lyttle men with
longe eares.
The Iland of
Timor.
Whyte sanders
and ginger.
The deuyll
appeareth.
Saynt lob his
disease.
Cinamome
The Ilandes of
Giaua.
Malaccha.
The greate goulfe
of China.
The cape of
Malaccha.
The names of
many regions.
Reubarbe.
The greate kynge
of China.


of all theyr ordinaunce. When in the Ilande of Mare, they perceaued that one of theyr fhyppes leaked and
toke water very fore: wherby they were inforced to tary there three dayes. But feinge that they coulde fynde
no remedie for the fame but in longe tyme, they determined to leaue it, gyuynge order that if afterwarde it
coulde bee repayred, they fhuid returne into Spayne as well as they coulde.
In all the Ilandes of Molucca is founde cloues, ginger, breade of the roote of Sagu, ryfe, goates, iheepe,
hennes, fygges, almondes, fweete pomegranates and fowre, oranges, lemondes, and hony which is made of
certeyne flyes leffe then antes: Alfo canes of fuger, oyle of Cocus, mellons, gourdes, and a marueilous coulde
frute which they name Camulicai and dyuers other frutes. Furthermore whyte and redde popingiayes, and
other of variable coloures. It is not pafte fiftie yeares fence the moores fyrfte inhabited anye of thefe Ilands,
which were before inhabited only with gentyles.
The Ilande of Tidore, is aboue the Equinoctiall line towarde owre pole, abowt. 27. minutes: And in
longitude from the place from whenfe they departed. I71. degrees. And from the Archipelagus in the which
is the hand of Zamzal which our men named the Iland of theeues. ix. degrees and a halfe, and runneth to the
quarter of fouth fouthweft, and north northeaft.  Terenate, is vnder the Equinoctial line foure minutes vnder
the pole Antartike. Mutir, is directly vnder the Equinoctiall line. Macchian is. xv. minutes toward the pole
Antartike, and Bacchian one degree. Thefe Ilandes are lyke foure fharpe mountaynes, except Macchian which
is not fharpe. The byggeft of all thefe, is Bacchian.
Departynge from the Iland of Mare and directyng their courfe towarde the fouthweft, with onely. xlvi. men
in theyr fhyppe and. xiii. Indians, they paffed by the Ilandes of Chacouan, Lagoma, Sico, Gioghi, Caphi, Sulacho,
Lumatola, Tenetum, Buru, Ambon, Budia, Celaruri, Benaia, Ambalao, Bandan, Zorobua, Zolot, Noceuamor,
Galian, and Mallua, with dyuers other Ilandes both great and fmaule, of Moores, Gentyles, and Canibales.
tooke water. All the fieldes of this Ilande is full of longe and rounde pepper, and is fituate towarde the pole
Antartike vnder the Equinoctiall line. viii. degrees and a halfe, and is in the longitude of. 169. degrees and. 40.
minutes.
The pilote which owre men brought owt of the Ilandes of Molucca, toulde them that not farre from thenfe,
was an Iland named Arucetto in the which are men and women not pafl a cubite in height, hauynge eares of
fuch byggeneffe that they lye vppon one and couer them with the other. But owr men wolde not fayle thyther,
bothe bycaufe the wynde and courfe of the fea was ageynfle theym, and alfo for that they gaue no credite to his
reporte.
The. xxv. day of Ianuary in the yeare. 1522. they departed from Mallua, and the day folowyng, arryued at
a greate lland named Timor, beinge fiue leaques diftlante from Mallua betwene the fouth and fouthweft. In
this Ilande is founde the woodde of whyte fanders and ginger, and dyuers kindes of frutes. Alfo fundry kyndes
of beafles, and plentie of vyttayle and golde. They of the Ilandes of Giaua, Molucca, and Lozon, refort to this
Ilande for fanders. Th[e]inhabitauntes are gentyles. They fay that when they go to cut the woodde of faunders,
the deuyll appeareth to them in dyuers formes and afketh theym what they haue neede of: And that after this
vifion, many of them are longe ficke. In al the Ilandes of this Archipelagus, rayneth the difeafe of faynt Iob
(whiche wee caule the frenche poxe) more then in any other place in the worlde.
Farre from this Ilande betwene the weft and northweft they came to an Ilande named Eude, in the whiche
growethe great plentie of Sinamome. In this tracte are founde manye Ilandes lying in order as it were one
directly behynde an other, euen vnto the Ilande of the greater Giaua, named Giaua major, and vnto the cape
of Malaccha, beinge in EaRl India. Giaua the leffe, is as bygge as the Ilande of Madera, and is but halfe a
leaque diftante from Giaua maior. Here they were informed that aboue Giaza maior toward the north, is a
great goulfe cauled the goulfe of China, in the which are trees of exceadyng byggeneffe, inhabyted with foules
of fuche greatenes that they cary great beafles in the ayer. The frutes of thefe trees are as bygge as cucummers.
The cape of Malaccha is one degree and a halfe aboue the Equinoctiall line towarde the pole Artike. On
the Eaft fide of this cape, runneth a very longe coafte in the which are many regions and cities wherof fum are
cauled by thefe names, Cingaporla which is the cape. Alfo Pahan, Calantan, Patani, Braalin, Beneu, Longon,
and Odia wherin is the citie in the which dwelleth the kynge of Sian named Zacabedera. Theyr cities are
builded as owres are, and fubiecte to the kynge of Sian. After the realme of Sian, are the regions of Iamgoma
and Canoaa where Reubarbe groweth, of the which are dyuers opinions, fume fuppofynge it to bee a roote, and
other a putrifyed tree, affirmyng that yf it were not putrified, it fhulde not haue fo great a fauour. They caule
it Calama. Next vnto this, is found the great China, whofe kyng is thought to bee the greateft prince in the
worlde, and is named Santoa Raia. Furthermore, al that is written hereafter of this kyng and thefe regions,
they lerned by th[e]information of a Moore that was in the Ilande of Timor. He affirmed that the fayde kynge
hathe threefcore and tenne crowned kynges vnder his empyre, and hathe a porte in the fea named Canthan:
And two principal cities named Nauchin and Connulaha where he remayneth hym felfe, and hath euer foure of
260




The vyage rounde about the vvorlde.


26I


his chiefe princes lying abowt his pallaice on euery fyde, towarde the Eafle, Wefte, Northe, and South giuinge
dylygente attendaunce what is doone in euerye of theyr quarters. All the prynces of the greater India (cauled
India Maior,) and of that wherof I haue fpoken before, are obedient to this kynge. And in token that they
are trewe fabiectes, they keepe in theyr pallaices which are in the middeft of theyr cities, the befle cauled Linx,
being fayrer then a lyon, And is the great kynges fignette, whiche all fuche as intende to go to China, beare
with them fealed in waxe or on a piece of Iuerye for theyr fafe conducte, withowt the which they may not enter
into the hauen.
When any of his kyngs rebell or are difobedient, he caufeth them to be flene, and falted and dryed at the
foone: Then to bee fluffed with chaffe, and fette vppe on fum hygh thyng in the myddeit of the chiefe fireate
of the citie where al the people may fee it. He neuer fuffereth his owne perfon to bee openly feene to any
man. But when his noble men of the courte are defyrous to fee hym, he commeth downe frome hys pallaice
into a ryche pauylyon accompanyed with fyxe of hys principall concubynes appareyled with lyke veftures as is
he hym felfe. All thys way he is not feene by reafon of the pauylyon. When he hath paffed through the
pauylyon, he entereth into a ferpent named Nagha, being the moit marueylous and ryche woorke of the worlde,
and placed in the greateft courte of the pallaice. When the kynge entereth into this with the women, to
th[e]intent that he may not be knowen among them, he caufeth the fayd noble men only to looke in at a
glaffe which is in the breite of the ferpente, where they fee the kynge amonge the women, but can not dicerne
which is he. He ioyneth in mariage with hys fyfter that the blud royall bee not myxt with any other. His
pallaice is enuironed with feuen large walles, the one being farre dyflante from the other. And hath in euery
fuch circuite tenne thowfande men for the garryfon of hys pallaice, who haue theyr waytinge dayes appoynted
them courfe by courfe with freffhe men in theyr places, and thus keepe theyr watch continually both daye and
nyght. In this pallaice are lxxix. haules, in the which is an infinite number of women that ferue the kynge
hauyng euer lyght torches in theyr handes for the greater magnyfycence. He that wolde fee all the pallaice,
fhulde fpend a hole day therin. Amonge other, there are foure principal haules where fumtymes the kynge
gyueth audience to hys noble men. Of thefe, one is couered both aboue and beneth with metall, an other all
ouer with fyluer, the thyrde with gold, and the fourth with pearles and precious flones. Thefe people of China,
are whyte menne, appareled as we are, and eate theyr meate on tables as wee doo. They haue the croffe in
fum eflimation, but knowe not the caufe whye. Beyonde the coaflte of China, are dyuers other nations and
people as Chenchii where pearles and cynamon are founde. Alfo the people named Lichii, where reyneth the
great kynge of Mien, hauyng vnder hym. xxii. kynges, and is fubiecte to the kyng of China. Here is alfo
founde the great citie of CATHAY in the Eaflt, and dyuers other nations in the fayd firme land, of the
which fum are brutyffhe and befliall which vfe to kyll and eate theyr parentes when they are owld, thinking
therby that they fhall reuyue in them. All thefe people are gentyles.
The. xi. day of February in the yeare. 1522. they departed from the Iland of Timor and were ingulfed by
chance in the great fea cauled Lantchidol, and tooke theyr courfe betwene the wefte and fouth wefte, leauynge
the northe coaftes on theyr ryght hand, fearyng leafl if they fhuld fayle toward the firm land, they myght bee
feene of the portugales who are of great power in Malaccha: and therfore dyrected theyr cours withowt the
Iland of Sumatra cauled in owld tyme Taprobana: Leauyng alfo on theyr ryght hand vpon the fyrm land, the
prouinces and regions of Pegu, Bengala, Calicut, Canonor, Goa, Cambaia, the goulfe of the Ilande of Ormus,
and all the coaftes of the greater India. And more fafely to paffe the cape of Buona Speranza being aboue
Affrike, they fayled about. xlii. degrees toward the pole Antartike, and remayned feuen weekes abowte that
cape with many fetches compaffyng the wynd with theyr fayles contynually alofte, becaufe they had a weft and
north weftle wynd in the proos of theyr fhyppe which wolde not fuffer them to paffe. The cape of Buona
Speranza, is toward the pole Antartik beneth the Equinoctiall line. xxxiiii. degrees and a halfe: and. i6oo.
leaques from the cape of Malaccha: And is the greatefte and mofle daungyerous cape that is founde at thys
day in al the worlde.
When they had by thefe perels ouerpaffed thys cape, certeyne of them afwell for lacke of vytayles as alfo
by reafon of fyckeneffe, were mynded to fayle to a hauen of the Portugales named ffouzambique aboue Affryke.
But the other anfwered that they wold rather dye then go to any other place then directly to Spayne. They
folowed theyr courfe therfore faylynge towarde the Southwefl two monethes continually without touchynge at
any porte: In whiche tyme there dyed abowte. xxi. of theyr coompany, whom they caft into the fea. And
fuerly if god of his infinite mercie had not preferued the refidue in tyme, they hadde all dyed of famen.
In fine, beinge inforced of neceffitie, and halfe of theyr companye deade, they fayled to one of the
Ilandes of Capo verde cauled Infula Sandi lacobi, that is, faynte lames Ilande, parteyning to the kyng of
Portugale. Where, as foone as they arryued, they fent certeyne alande in the fhippe boate for vyttayles,
declarynge to the Portugales with all loue and fauour what neceffitie they were dryuen to and what miferies
and trauayles they had fufteyned, informynge them further of theyr marueylous viage and fuche thynges as they
X 2                                  26T


The greater India
231
The beast cauled
linx.
The punishement
of rebelles.
The kynge is not
seene but at a
glasse.
A thyng of strange
workmanshyppe.
The kynge
maryeth his systei
His pallaice.
A marueilous
garde.
Women serue the
kynge.
Foure maruelous
haules
The people of
China.
The Crosse.
The greate kyng
of mien
CATHAY.
The sea of
Lantchidol.
Malaccha.
The Iland of
Sumetra.
Pegu.
Bengalm.
Calicut.
Canonor.
Goa.
Cambaia.
Ormus.
East India.
Cap[e] de Buona.
Spieranza.
The port of
Mouzambique.
232
Famen.
CafSo Verde.
S. lames Ilande.




262


The vyage rotunde about /he vvorlde.


i


The ingrati[t]ude
of the Portugales.
The port of saynt
Lucar nere vnto
Siuile.
What became of
the other shyppe.
Dariena
The cape of
Cattigara.
Ptolome.
The vyage hardly
performed.
They bye slaues
for lacke of helpe
Maryners woorthy
immortal fame.
Argonauti.
The viage of lason
to wyn the golden
fleese.
The shyppe more
woorthy fame then
owlde Argo of
Grecia.
The vyage


I
I
I
I
I


hadde feene in both the Eaft and WVeft India, with fuch other gentel woordes wherby they obteyned certeyne
meafures of rife. But when afterwarde. xiii. of theym returned for more ryfe, they were deteyned: Whereuppon the refte whiche remayned in the fhippe, fearynge the lyke chaunce, departed with full fayles, and the.
vii. day of September with the helpe of god entered into the hauen of San Lucar nere vnto Siuile, where
difchargynge all theyr oidinaunce for ioy, they wente immediatly to the greate churche in theyr fhertes and
barefooted with a torche before them to gyue thankes to almyghtie god who had brought them fafe to theyr
owne countrey, and reflored them to theyr wyues and chyldren.
As touchynge th[e]ende of this viage, Tranfiluanus wryteth fumwhat more largely
as foloweth.
The other ihyppe which they lefte behynde them to bee repayred, returned afterwarde by the Archipelagus
aforefayde and by the great fea to the coaftes of the afire of theme weft India, and arryued at a region of the
fame being ageynft Dariena, where the South fea of Sur is feparate but by a lyttle pace of lande from the
Wefte Ocean in t the which are the Ilandes of Hfpaniola and Cuba, and other Ilandes of the Spanyardes. The
other fhyppe which returned into Spayne by compafing abowt the whole bowle of the worlde by the coafes of
Eaft India and Affrike, departynge from the Iland of Tidore and faylynge euer on this fyde the Equinoctiall,
dyd not fynde the cape of Cataigara beinge aboue Afia, and (by the defcription of Ptolome) rechynge many
degrees beyonde the Equinoctial. But hauynge fayled many dayes by the mayne fea, they came to the cape
of Buona Speranza and frome thenfe to the Ilandes of Capo verde, where their fhyppe beinge foore broofed by
reafon of the longe viage, leaked and tooke water, in fuche forte that the mariners being nowe but fewe in
number, and thofe alfo weake and feeble by reafon of longe fickeneffe and hunger, were not able both to drye
the poompe continually and otherwyfe gouerne the fhippe: and oere therfore of neceffitie inforced to goo
alande at the Ilande of faynte Iames to bye theym certeyne flaues to helpe theim. But beinge deflitute of
mony, according to the cuflome of the mariners, they profered them cloues for theyr flaues. The which
thyng when it came to the eares of the Portugale that was Capitayne of that Ilande, he cafl. xiii. of them in
prifon. Wherby the refidue that remayned in the fhippe (beinge nowe but. xviii. in number) were put in fuch
feare that they departed immediatly without refcuing theyr felowes, and fayled continually both by daye and
by nyght by the coaftes of Affrike, and came in fine to Spayne the. vi. day of September in the yeare. 1522.
and arryued at the porte nere vnto Siuile the. xvi. moneth after they departed from the Ilande of Tidore.
Mariners doubtleffe more woorthy to bee celebrate with eternal memorie then they whiche in owlde tyme were
cauled Argonauti that fayled with Iafon to win the golden fleefe in the region of Cholchis and the riuer of
Phafis in the greate fea of Pontus. And the Ihyppe it felfe, more woorthye to bee placed amonge the flarres
then that owlde Argo which departynge owt of Grecia, fayled to th[e]ende of that great fea. For this owre
marueylous fhyppe, takynge her vyage from the firaightes of Gibilterra and faylynge by the greate Ocean
towarde the South and pole Antartike, and turnynge from thenfe to the Weflte, folowed that courfe fo farre that
paffynge vnder the great circumference of the worlde, Ihee came into the Eafte, and frome thenfe ageyne into
the Wefte, not by returnynge backewarde, but flyll faylynge forwarde, fo compafynge abowt the baule of the
world vnder the hole circumference of heauen vntyll Ihee were myraculoufly reflored to her natiue region of
Spayne and houfe of Siuile.


I


262




[The trices of precious Jlones and fpices.]


263




( OF THE PRICES OF PRECIOVS STONES AND SPICES,
WITH THEYR WEIGHTES AND MEASVRES
as they are accuftomed to bee foulde bothe of the
Moores and the gentyles: And of the
places where they growe.




233


Orafmuch as in dyuers places of this hiftorie, mention is made of precious ftones, I haue thought
good to declare fumewhat afwell of theyr prices
as of the places of theyr generation, that wee may
not vtterly bee ignorant of the thinges which we
fo grately efteeme and bye fo deare.


Of the Ruble.


He Rubies growe in India: and are founde
for the moft parte in a ryuer named Pegu.
Thefe are of the befte kind and fineffe,
whiche they of the lande of Malabor caule
Nunpuclo, and are well foulde if they bee
INIfayre and cleane without fpottes.                      The
Indians to knowe theyr fineneffe, put them
vppon theyr toonges, coumptynge that to bee beft that is couldelt and moil harde. And to fee theyr fineneffe,
they take them vp with a piece of waxe by the fharpeft poynt: and lookynge ageynft the lyght, efpie in theim
euery fmaule fpot or flake. They are alfo founde in certeyne diepe foffes or pittes which are made in mountaynes that are beyonde the faid ryuer. They are fcoured and made cleane in the countrey of Pegu. Yet can
they not fquare and polyihe them. But for this purpofe fende them to dyuers other contreys, and efpecially to
Paleacate, Narfinga, Calicut, and the region of Malabar, where are many cunnynge Lapidaries.
And to gyue yow intelligence of the value of thefe ftones, ye fhall vnderftande that this woorde Fanan,
fignifiethe a weight fumwhat more then two of owre carattes: And. xi. Fanans and a quarter, is one Mitigal:
And. vi. Mitigales and a halfe, make one vnce. This Fanan, is alfo a kynde of money which is in value, one
ryale of fyluer. And therefore after this accompte I fay that


4
1
1
I




Eight fine rubies of the weyght of one
Fanan (which are in all, abowt two
carattes) are in value.         Fanan
Foure Rubies that wey one fanan, are
worth                           Fanan
Two that wey one fanan            Fanan
One thatweyth three quarters of one fanan Fanan
One that weyth one fanan          Fanan
One that weyth one fanan and a quarter. Fanan
One that weyth one fanan and a halfe  Fanan
One that weyth one fanan and three
quarters                        Fanan
One that weyth two fanans.        Fanan
One that weyth two fanans and a quarter Fanan
One that weyth two fanans and a halfe  Fanan.


*x.
XX.
xx.
xl.
XXX.
1.
Ixv.
C.


One that weyth two fanans and
thre quarters                   Fanan    cccl.
Of three fanans                   Fanan   cccc.
Of three and a quarter            Fanan     D.
Of three and a halfe              Fanan    D 1.
Of three and three quarters       Fanan    D c.
Of three and three quarters and a halfe Fanan D cxxx.
Of foure fanans                   Fanan   D clx.
Of foure and a quarter            Fanan   D cc.
Of foure and a halfe              Fanan D cccc.
Of fyue fanans                    Fanan     M.
Of fyue and a halfe               Fanan   M cc.
Of fyxe fanans, which are about. xii.
carattes. Fanan M D. which make.
150. crownes of golde.


One caratte is iiii
graines
(*Which is one
(crown of golde


C1.
CC.
CC1.
ccc.


And thefe are commonly the prices of perfecte Rubies. But fuche as are not perfecte, and haue any
fpottes in them, or are not of good coloure, are of leffe prife accordynge to the arbitriment and eftimation
of the byer.
263




264


The prices of precious Jiones and fpices.


I


C Of the Rubies which growe in the Ilande of Zeilam.
N the Ilande of Zeilam, beinge in the feconde India, are founde many Rubies which the
Indians name Mianecas, the greateft parte wherof do not arriue to the perfection of the
other aforefayde in coloure, bycaufe they are redde as though they were wafihed, and
of a flefhye colour.  Yet are they very coulde and harde. The perfectefte of theym
are greatly efteemed amonge the people of the Ilande, and referued only for the kynge
hym felfe if they bee of any great quantitie. When his iewelers fynde any bygge piece
of this rocke of the befte kynde, they put it in fyer for the fpace of certeyne houres. Which
if it coomme owt of the fyer vncorrupte, it becommeth of the coloure of a burnynge cole, and was therfore
234   cauled of the Greekes, Anthrax, which fignifieth a burnyng cole. The fame that the Greekes caule Anthrax,
the Latines caule Carbunculus. Thefe they greatly efteeme. When the kyng of Narfinga can get any of theym,
he caufeth a fine hole to bee boored in the vndermoft part of them to the myddeft: And fuffereth none of
them to paffe owt of his realme: efpecially if they haue byn tryed by the fayde profe. Thefe are of greater
value then the other of Pegu, if they bee in theyr naturall perfection and cleaneneffe.
Of thefe, one that weith a carratte              Of fixe carattes and a halfe      Fanan    Dlx.
(whiche is halfe a fanan) is woorthe           Of feuen carattes                 Fanan D cxxx.
*Which are iii.  in Calecut.                     Fanan  *xxx.  Of feuen carattes and a halfe     Fanan   D clx.
crow[n]esofgoldef  i.
crow[n]esofgode One of two carattes          Fanan    lxv.  One of. viii. carattes that hath bynne
Of three carattes.                Fanan     cl.    wel proued in the fier, is woorthe  Fanan  Dccc.
Of three carattes and a halfe     Fanan     cc.  Of. viiii. carattes and a halfe   Fanan Dcccc.
Of foure carattes                 Fanan    ccc.  One fuch of tenne carattes        Fanan  Mccc.
Of foure carattes and a halfe     Fanan    cccl.  One of. x. carattes and a halfe  Fanan   MDc
Of fyue carattes                  Fanan   cccc.  Of. xii. carattes                 Fanan    MM
Of fyue carattes and a halfe      Fanan   ccccl.  Of. xiiii. carattes              Fanan  MMM
Of fyxe carattes                  Fanan  Dxxx.   Of. xvi. carattes                Fanan    6000.
r Of the kynde of Rubies cauled Spinelle.
Here is alfo founde an other kynde of Rubies which wee caule Spinelle and the Indians,
Caropus. They growe in the felfe fame countrey of Pegu where as are the fine Rubies:
And are found in the mountaynes in the vpper cruft or floure of the earth. Thefe are not
fo fine nor of fo good colour as are the trewe Rubies: But haue fumwhat the colour of a
granate which we commonly caule a garnet. Yet of thefe fuche as are parfecte in theyr
coloure, are of value halfe leffe then trewe Rubies.
r Of the Rubies cauled Balafi.
Alaffi, are of the kyndes of Rubies, but are not fo harde. Theyr colour is fumwhat lyke a rofe,
and fum are in maner whyte. They growe in Balaffia, whiche is a region within the firme
lande aboue Pegu and Bengala: And are browght from thenfe by marchauntes of the
Moores to Calecut where they are wrought and polyffhed: And are fould of the fame price
that are Spinelle.
r Of the Diamundes of the owlde            zyne.
_ Hefe Diamundes are founde in the fyrfte India in a kyngdome of the Moores named Decan,
from whenfe they are brought to other regions. There are alfo founde other Diamundes
whiche are not fo good, but fumewhat whyte, and are cauled Diamundes of the newe myne
which is in the kyngedome of Narfinga. They of the owlde myne, are not polyfhed in
India, but in other places. There are made lykewyfe in India, other falfe Diamundes of
Rubies, Topafes, and whyte Saphires, whiche appere to bee fine: and are alfo founde in
the Ilande of Zeilam. Thefe ftones differ in none other, fauynge that they haue lofte theyr


264




The prices of precious Jiones and f ices.


265


naturall colour. Of thefe, fumme are founde that haue halfe the coloure of Rubies, and other of Saphires:
other alfo of the coloure of a Topafe. Other haue all thefe coloures mengled togyther. They bore a fine hole
in thefe throughe the myddeft, wherby they appere lyke the eyes of a catte. Of the whyteft, they make many
fmaule diamundes whiche can not bee knowen from the trewe, fauynge by touchinge of fuch as are fkylfull in
that practife. They are foulde by a poyfe or weight which they caule Mangiar, which wayeth two Tarre, and
two thyrdes, which amount to two thyrdes or thirde partes of one caratte. For foure Tarres, wey one fanan
whiche is abowt two carattes.
Viii. Diamundes that wey one mangiar              Of two mangiars and a quarter    Fanan    ccclx.
(which is two third partes of a caratte)        Of two mangiars and a halfe     Fanan    ccclxxx
are in value.                    Fanan    xxx.  Of two mangiars and three quarters
which are three crownes of golde.  ful perfect                  Fanan       420
235 vi. Diamundes that wey one mangiar  Fanan    xl.  Of three mangiars of lyke perfection Fanan  ccccl.
Foure that wey one mangiar         Fanan     Ix.  Of three mangiars and a halfe   Fanan cccclxxx.
Two that wey one mangiar           Fanan   lxxx.  Of foure mangiars               Fanan       D1.
One that weith one mangiar         Fanan     C.   Of fyue mangiars                Fanan     Dccl.
One of one mangiar and a quarter   Fanan   clxv.  Of fyxe mangiars                Fanan     Dccc.
One of one mangiar and a halfe     Fanan clxxx.   Of feuen mangiars.              Fanan      Mcc.
Of one mangiar and three quarters  Fanan   ccxx.  Of eyght mangiars               Fanan    Mcccc.
Of two mangiars                    Fanan cccxx.
And thus they proceade, increafynge the price as they increafe in weight.
r Of Sapihires.
N the Ilande of Zeilam are founde the befte and mofte trewe Saphires, beinge very harde and
fine, and of the coloure of azure. They are of price as foloweth.
One that weith one caratte is of value Fanan ii. which are abowt two marcels of fyluer.  A marcell, is a
One of the weight of two carattes                  Fanan      v.                    uer coneof
Of three carattes                                 Fanan.                    vnces. ii. d. with
fine, wherof ten
Of foure carattes                                 Fanan      xv.                    make an vn[c]e
Of fyue carattes                                   Fanan    xviii.
Of fyxe carattes                   Fanan  xxviii.  Of. xiiii. carattes              Fanan    Clx.
Of feuen carattes                  Fanan   xxxv.  Of. xv. carattes                  Fanan  Clxxx.
Of eyght carattes                 Fanan       1.  Of. xvi. carattes                 Fanan     CC.
Of nine carattes                  Fanan     lxv.  Of. xviii. carattes               Fanan    CC1.
Of tenne carattes                 Fanan       1.  One that weith a mitigal, which is. vi.
Of xi. carattes                   Fanan     lxv.    fanans and a quarter that is abowt
Of. xii. carattes                 Fanan    lxxv.    xxiii. carattes                 Fanan  CCC1.
Of. xiii. carattes in all perfection of coloure Fanan  Cxv.
Lykewyfe in the Ilande of Zeilam, is founde an other forte of Saphires which they caule Quinigelinam. Thefe
are not fo ftronge, of darker colour and of much leffe value then are the other of the beft kynde, wherof one is
woorth. xiii. of thefe of equall poife. Alfo in the kyngedome of Narfinga, in a mountayne aboue Bacanor and
Mangalor, is founde an other fort of Saphires more tender and of woorfe colour, whiche they caule Cinganolam. Thefe are fumwhat whyte and of fmaule value: So that the moft perfect of this kynde, weyinge. xx.
carattes, is not woorth one ducate. Theyr colour is inclynynge fumwhat to yelowe. There is lykewyfe found
an other kynde of Saphires vppon the fea coaftes of the kyngedome of Calicut, in a place named Capucar.
Thefe the Indians caule Carahatonilam. They are of a darke afure coloure not fhynynge but in the cleare
ayer. They are alfo tender and brickle, and of fmaule eftimation amonge the Indians. They feeme on the
one fyde lyke glaffe.
h Of Toiaf es.
He natural Topafies, growe in the Ilande of Zeilam, and are named of the Indians Purceragua.
It is a harde and fine ftone: and of equall eftimation with the Rubie and the Saphire,
bycaufe all thefe three are of one kynd. The perfecte colour of this, is yelowe lyke vnto
fine beaten golde. And if it bee perfect and cleane, whether it bee greate or lyttle, it is
woorth in Calicut as much fine gold as it weyeth. But if it bee not perfect, it is woorth the
weight of gold the fanan, which is leffe by the halfe. And if it bee in maner whyte, it is
woorth much leffe. And of thefe, are fmaule diamundes counterfecte.


a65




266


The prices of precious Jtones and /ices.


I                                                                                                                                                                                                                     --    -


r Of Turqueffes.
Vrqueffes are founde in Exer a place of Siech Ifmael. Theyr mine is a drye earth that is
236                   founde vpon a black tfone, which the Moores take of in fmaule pieces, and carye them to
the Iland of Ormus, from whenfe they are brought to dyuers partes of the worlde by fea
and by lande. The Indians caule them Perofe. They are foft ftones, of fmaule weight and
not much coulde. And to knowe that they are good and trewe, in the day they ihall appere
of the verye colour of the Turqueffe: and in the nyght by the lyght, they fhall appere
greene. They that are not fo perfect, do not fo change their colour to the fight. If thefe
tfones bee cleane and of fine colour, they haue vnderneth in the bottome, a blacke flone, vppon the which
they growe. And if any lyttle vayne ryfe vppon the fayde tfone, it fhalbe the better. And to knowe more
certeynely that they are trewe Turqueffes, they put on the toppes of them a lyttle quicke lime tempered with
water after the maner of an oyntment. So that if the quicke lime appere coloured, they are iudged perfecte,
and are of value as foloweth.
One that weith one caratte, is worth in         Of. viii. carattes                Fanan    CC.
Malabar.                           Fanan. xv.  Of x. carattes                  Fanan    CCC.
One of two carattes                  Fanan xl.  Of. xii. carattes                 Fanan CCCC1.
Of foure carattes                    Fanan xc.  Of. xiiii. carattes               Fanan     D1.
Of. vi. carattes                     Fanan C1.
Of greater then thefe they make none accompte bycaufe they are lyghter pieces and of greater circuite. Thefe
of the byggeft forte the Moores carie into the kyngedome of Guzerath.
Cr Of Iacinthes.
Acinthes growe in the Ilande of Zeilam. They are tender tflones and yelowe. They are beft
that are of diepefle colour. The greateft part of thefe, haue in them certeine pimples or
burbuls, whiche diminifhe theyr fayreneffe. And they that are in theyr perfection cleane
from this deformitie, are neuertheleffe of fmaule value.  For in Calicut where they are
polyffhed, they that wey one fanan are woorth no more then halfe a fanan. And they of.
xviii. fanans, are not worth.xvi. fanans.
There are alfo founde other ftones lyke vnto cattes eyes, as Chrifolites, and Amethifies,
whiche they doo not muche efteeme bycaufe they are of fmaule value, as alfo the flones cauled Giagoonze.
C4 Of Smaragdes or Emeraldes.
Maragdes growe in the countrey of Babilon, where the Indians caule the fea Dieguan. They
grow alfo in other partes of India. They are flones of fayre greene colour, and are lyght and
tender. Of thefe tfones, many are conterfecte. But lookyng on them curioufly towarde the
lyght, the conterfectes fhewe certeyne burbuls, as dooth glaffe. But in the trewe, there is no
fuch feene. But rather there appeareth to the eye a certeyne verdour fhynynge lyke the
beames of the foonne. And beinge rubbed vppon the touche tfone, they leaue the coloure
of copper. And the Smaragde of this forte is the beft and moft trewe: And is in value in
Calicut, as muche as a diamunde and fumwhat more: And this not by weyght, but by greateneffe, bycaufe the
diamunde quantitite for quantitie, is of greater weyght then the Smaragde. Ther is lykewyfe founde an other
kynde of Smaragdes, whiche are greene ftones, but not fo much efteemed. Neuertheleffe, the Indians referue
thefe to fet them foorth with other precious flones. They leaue not any greene coloure vppon the touche.


*66




The prices of precious ftones and pices.


267




OF DYVERS KYNDES OF SPICES, WHERE THEY GROW,
WHAT THEY ARE WOORTH IN CALICUT, AND WHITHER
THEY ARE CARIED FROM THENSE.
C   f Pepper.
Yrfie in all the kyngedome of Malabor and Calicut pepper groweth: and is fould in Calicut by
euery. CC. [two hundred] Bahars, fine, for. CCxxx. [two hundred and thirty] fanans, euery
fanan (as I haue fayde) beinge in value, one ryall of plate of Spayne: which is as muche as
one marcell of fyluer in Venice. Bahar, weith foure cantares of the owld weight of Pcrtu-  237
gale, by the whiche they fell all fpices in Lifbona. Cantar, is in Venece. Cxii. [one
hundred and twelue] pounde weyght of the grofe pounde (beinge. xviii. vnces) and of the
fubtyle pounde. C. lxxviii. [one hundred and feuenty-eight] So that the fayde. 712. poundes
of Venece fubtile, wyl cofl abowt. xx. frenche crownes of golde: which amount to abowt two Marchetti (whiche
make one peny) the pounde. They pay alfo to the kyng of Calicut for cutfome. xii. fanans euery Bahar by the
lode. They that bye them, are accuflomed to brynge them to Cambaia, Perfia, Aden, and Mecha, and from
thenfe to Alcayre and Alexandria. Nowe they pay cuflome to the kynge of Portugale after the rate of. 6562.
Maruedies the Bahar,,which are. 193. fanans. Maruedies are Spanyfhe coynes wherof. vi. go to a peny. This
doo they partly bycaufe there arryueth no more fo greate diuerfitie of marchantes to bye them, and partly by
the agreement which the fayde kynge of Portugale made with thofe kynges, and the Moores, and marchauntes
of the countrey of Malabar.
Much pepper groweth lykewyfe in the Ilande of Sumatra nere vnto Malaca, which is fayrer and bygger then
that of Malabar, but not fo good and itronge. This is brought from Bengala to China, and fumme parte to
Mecha, priuilie and by ftelth, vnwares to the Portugales which wolde not otherwyfe fuffer them to paffe. It is
woorth in Sumatra, from. iiii. C. [four hundred] vnto. vii. C. [feuen hundred] marauedis the cantar of Portugale,
of the newe weight. And frome the newe to the owlde weight in Portugale, the difference is, twoo vnces in the
pounde weight. For the owlde pounde confifteth of. xiiii. vnces, and the newe pounde of. xvi. vnces.
r Of Cloues.
Loues growe in the Ilandes of Molucca, from whenfe they are brought to Malacha, and then
to Calicut and the countrey of Malabar. They are woorth in Calicut euery bahar (which is.
712. poundes of the fubtyle pound of Venece) from. 500. to. 600. fanans (which are abowte
fyftie frenche crownes,) which are in value abowte. xii. marchetti the pounde weight. And
beinge cleane from flalkes and hufkes are in value 700 fanans. To cary theym frome thenfe
into other regions, they paye for pafporte. xviii. fanans the bahar, which is woorth in
Malacca from. x. to. xiiii. ducades accordynge to the rate and cuftome of the marchauntes.
Cr Of Cinamome.
Inamome of the beft fort, groweth in the Ilande of Zeilam: and in the countrey of Malabar,
growethe the woorft. That of the befte kynde, is of fmaule price in Zeilam. But in Calicut
(if it bee choife and frefhe), it is woorth CCC. [three hundred] fanans the bahar, whiche are
abowte flue marchetti the pounde.


267




268


The prices of precious Jlones and Ipices.


(  Of Ginger cauled Beledi.
l   I      nger Beledi, groweth on euery fyde abowte Calicut from fyxe to nine myles: And is woorth
the bahar. xl. fanans, and fumtymes fiftie, whiche is leffe then one marchetto the pounde.
They brynge it from the mountaynes and owt of the contrey to the citie, where they fell
it by retayle to the Indian marchauntes, who gather it togither in greate quantitie and kepe
it to fuch tyme as the Moores Ihyppes arryue there, to whom they fell it, by the price of.
xc. [ninety] fanans, to Cx. [one hundred and ten] whiche is leffe then two marchetti the
pound, bycaufe the weight is greater.
C Of Ginger Mechino.
Inger Mechino groweth, begynnynge from the mountayne of Deli, vnto Canonor. It is fmaule,
and not fo whyte nor fo good as the other. It is woorthe the bahar in Cananor, abowt. lx.
fanans whiche is abowte one marchetto the pounde. They pay for the bahar fyxe fanans
in money for the cuftome. It is fould vnclenfed or vnpurged.
r Of greene Ginger in conferues.
N Bengala is founde greate plentie of Ginger Beledi, of the whiche they make muche Ginger in
conferues with fuger, and carie it in flone pots from Martabani to bee fould in the countrey
239                   of Malabar. And is woorth the farazuola (which is. xxii. poundes and fyxe vnces) after the
rate of. xiiii. xv. or. xvi. fanans.
That that is frefhe and made in conferues, is woorth in Calicut. xxv. fanans the farazuola,
bycaufe fuger is dere there. Greene ginger to put in conferues, is woorth in Calicut three
quarters of one fanan the farazuola, which is abowte twoo poundes for one marchetto.
r Of the Apothecaries drugges: And of what price
they are in Calicut and Malabar.
Acca of Martabani, if it bee of the befte, is woorth the farazuola, which is. xxii. pounde weyght
]     ~       ] _ and fyxe vnces of Portugale after. xvi. vnces the pounde (whiche is abowte. xl. pounde
I|     _^       weyght of the fubtyle pounde of Venece) And is in value. xviii. fanans: whiche are. xviii.
/i  /l _        marcels of filuer. For one fanan, is in value abowte one marcell of fyluer.
Lacca of the contrey, is woorth the farazuola             Fanan             xii.
Borace that is good and in great pieces is woorthe the farazuola.  Fanan. xxx. to. xl. and 1.
I             Camphire that is groffe in cakes, is woorth the farazuola  Fanan.   lxx. to. lxxx
Camphire to annoynt Idoles,                                                   *     *    *
Camphire for theyr chyldren to eate, is woorth the mytigal.               Fanan            iii.
Aguila is woorth the farazuola                                            Fanan.    ccc. to. cccc.
Lignum aloe, blacke, heauy, and fine, is woorth                           Fanan.            M.
Mufke of the beft is woorth the vnce                                      Fanan          xxxvi.
Beniamin of the befle, is woorth the farazuola                            Fanan            lxv.
Tamarindi being newe, are woorth the farazuola                            Fanan.           iiii.
Calamus aromaticus, the farazuola                                         Fanan             xii.
Endego to dye filke, trewe and gcod, the farazuola                        Fanan.           xxx
Mirre, the farazuola.                                                     Fanan     xviii. to. xx.
Frankenfence good and in graynes, is woorth the farazuola                 Fanan             xv.
Frankenfence in pafte of the bafeft forte, the faraz[uola].               Fanan.            iii.
Ambracan or amber greefe that is good. is woorthe the metical             Fanan        ii. to. iii.
268




The prices ofprecious Jlones andfpices.


269


----                                                                                                  II- I


Mirabolanes in conferue of fuger, the faraz[uola].
Caffia, frefhe and good, the farazuola.
Redde Sanders, the farazuola
Whyte Sanders and citrine, whiche growe in the Ilande of Timor, the farazuola
Spikenarde, frefhe and good, the faraz[uola].
Nutte megges, whiche coome frome the Ilande of Bandan where the bahar is woorth
from. viii. to. x. fanans, (which importe. vi. poundes weight to the marchetto)
are woorthe in Calicut, the faraz[uola].
Mace which is brought from the Ilande of Bandan where the Bahar is woorth fiftie
fanans (which import abowt one marchetto the pounde) are woorth in Calicut
the farazuola.
Turbithes, are woorth the farazuola
Woorme feede of the belt kynde, cauled Scmenzina, is woorthe the farazuola.
Zerumba, the farazuola
Zedoaria, the farazuola
Gumme Serapine, the farazuola
Aloe cicotrine, the farazuola
Cardamome in graynes, the farazuola
Reubarbe groweth abundantly in the councrey of Malabar: And that which commeth
from China by Malacha, is worth the farazuola
Mirabolani emblici, the farazuola
Mirabolani belirici, the farazuola
Mirabolani citrini and chebuli, which are al of one fort.
Mirabolani Indi, which are of the fame citrine trees
Tutia, the farazuola
Cububes which growe in the Ilande of Iaua or Giaua, are there of fmaule price, and
fould by meafure withowt weight.
Opium which is browght from the citie of Aden where it is made, is woorth in
Calicut the faraz[uola].
Opium of an other fort which is made in Cambaia is woorth the farazuola,


Fanan.     xvi. to. xxv
Fanan  one and a halfe
Fanan.       v. to. vi.
Fanan.       xl. to. lx
Fanan.     xxx. to. xl.
Fanan       x. to. xii.
Fanan     xxv. to. xxx.
Fanan            xiii.
Fanan            xv.
Fanan             ii
Fanan             i.
Fanan            xx.
Fanan           xviii
Fanan            xx.
Fanan        xl. to. 1.
Fanan             ii.
Fanan one and a halfe.
Fa[nan]           ii.
Fa[nan]           iii.
Fanan           xxx.


Seedes that kyll
lyse.


Fanan. cclxxx. to. cccxx
Fanan       cc. to. ccl.


C Of the weyghles of Portugale and India: And howe they agree.
He pound of the owld weight, conteyneth. xiiii. vnces. The pound of the newe weight conteyneth. xvi. vnces. viii. cantares of the owlde weyght, make. vii. of the newe. And euery
newe cantare, is of. C. xxviii. [one hundred and twenty-eight] poundes after. xvi. vnces to
the pounde
Euery owlde cantare, conteyneth three quarters and a halfe of the newe cantar: And is
of. C. xxviii. [one hundred and twenty-eight] poundes, after. xiiii. vnces the pounde.
One farazuola, is. xxii. poundes of. xiiii. vnces, and vi. vnces more, with two fifte partes.
Twentie farazuoles, are one Bahar.
One bahar is. iiii. cantares of the owld weight of Portugale. All the Spices and drugges, and all fuche
other thinges as coome from India, are fould in Portugale by the owld weight and all the refte by the newe
weyght.
C Hereby may we well confider that as we owght to reioyfe and gyue god thankes
for the abundaunce of al thefe thynges which he caufeth the earth fo plentifully to brynge
foorth to owre vfe, lo may we lament th[e]abufe of men whofe couetoufneffe caufeth
great dearth and fcarfeneffe in the myddeft of abundance: herein no leffe offendyng the
lawe of nature then doo fuch as by wychcrafte intermingle poyfon with thynges created
for the health of man, or by inchauntment corrupt the feedes in the ground: ye rather as
the unnatural mother who deftroyeth the chylde whom fhe hath longe nuryfhed.


238


269




270


[Two NOTES ADDED BY EDEN, APPARENTLY TO FILL UP THE LEAF.]
V                             r   Of the Dooues of the Ilande of Madera.
~lAdamuftus wryteth, that before the Portugales came to this Ilande, it was ouergrowen
with trees and vnhabited. Yet were there many beaftes, and great plentie of dooues which
_         were vtterly without feare of men bycaufe they had neuer feene any men before, nor yet
[_          were accuftomed to bee put in feare. In fo much that they flode ftyl whyle fnares were
put abowte theyr neckes with longe rods and poles. The which thynge he fayth he hath
alfo feene in other Ilandes. There are many ryche men in this Ilande, and great abundaunce of flefhe, bycaufe the hole Ilande is in maner one gardeyne.
C  Of the Ilande of Jaynt Thomas vnder the Equinoctiall line
He chiefeft occupacion and liuynge of th[e]inhabitauntes of this Ilande, is the makynge of.5                   fuger, which they fell yearely to the fhyppes that coomme for it owt of Spayne and Portugale laden with buttes of meale and floure, alfo wyne, oyle, cheefe, lether, fwoordes, cuppes
of glaffe, beades, certeyne fcaruels of the fine whyte earthe cauled Porcellana, of the which
are made the earthen dyffhes of the woorke of Maiolica. And if it were not that fuch
vyttayles and prouifions were brought them owt of Spaine and Portugale, the whyte marchauntes which dwell in that Ilande (perteynynge to the dominion of the kinge of Portugale)
fhulde not bee able to lyue there, forafmuch as they are not accuftomed to eate fuch meates as doo the Ethiopians or Negros. And therfore the Portugales whiche inhabite this Ilande, haue certeyne blacke flaues of
Guinea, Benin, and Manicongo, which they fet to tyll and laboure the grounde and make fuger. Amonge thefe
whyte inhabitauntes, there are many ryche men which haue. 150. or. 200. and fum. 300. blacke flaues of men
and women to tyll the grounde and doo other laborious woorkes. This Ilande was difcouered foure fcore yeares
fence by the nauigations of the Portugales and was vnknowen to the owlde wryters. It lyeth in the greate
goulfe of Affrike in the. 30. degree of longitude from the Weft to the Eaft, and is in maner rounde. It is of
largeneffe from fide to fyde. Ix. Italian myles, (that is to fay) one degree. The horizontal line of the Iland,
paffeth by the two poles, Artike and Antartyke: and hath euer the day equall with the nyght without any fenfible difference, whether the fon bee in Cancer or in Capricorne. The ftarre of the pole Artike, is there inuifible:
But the wardens are feene fumwhat to moue about: And the ftarres cauled the Croffe, are feene very hyghe.
Of this Ilande with the other landes and Ilandes lyinge betwene Portugale and the fame, a certeyne pylotte of
Portugale hath wrytten a goodly vyage to Conte Rimondo.


270




[Contencion for the trade of fices.]
i

271


( THE DEBATE AND STRYFE
BETWENE THE SPANYARDES AND PORTUGALES,
for the diuifion of the Indies and the trade of Spices: and
alfo for the Hands of Molucca, which fum caule
Malucas. Wrlytten in the Spanyjhe toonge by
FRANCISCO LOPEZ DE GOMARA.


____:                   He[e]mperours maieftie was verye gladde that the Malucas and
Ilands of the fpicery were difcouered: and that he myght paffe
vnto them through his owne countreys withowt any preiudice or
hurte to the Portugales: And bycaufe alfo that Almanzor, Luztu,
^//t                1   and Corala which were the lordes of the fpicerie, fhewed them
//\\felues to bee his frendes and became tributaries to hym. He
T..V alfo gaue certeyne gyftes and rewardes to Iohn Sebaftian for his
great paynes and good feruice, forafmuch as he craued a rewarde
1il          for the good newes that the Ilandes of the Malucas and other
Ilandes rycher and greater then they, were found to bee in
*\\\By\/               ]11 jhis part of thofe countreys which perteyned vnto hym accordynge to the popes bull. And hereby it came to paffe that
\in // ethere was great contention and ftrife betwene the Spanyardes
[' and the Portugales abowte the fpicerie and the diuifion of the
':                       t        Indies by reafon of the returne of Iohn Sebaftian and th[e']information whiche he gaue therof.  Who alfo affirmed that
the Portugales had neuer any enteraunce before that tyme
into thofe Ilandes. Here vppon, the counfayle for the Indies, aduertifed Th[e]emperoure to maynteine his
fleete for thofe partes, and to take the trade of fpices into his owne hand, forafmuch as it was his owne of
dewtie, afwell for that thofe Ilandes fell on his parte, as alfo that he had nowe founde paffage and waye through
his weft Indies into thofe regions. And finally to confyder that he fhulde thereby obteyne and gette to him
felfe greate reuenues befyde th[e]inrychynge of his fubiectes and realmes, and that with fmaule coafle and
charge. The[e]emperoure beinge thus aduertifed of the truth, tooke it for good counfayle, and commaunded
all thynges hereunto apperteynynge to bee furnyffhed accordyngely. In this meane tyme, when kynge Iohn of
Portugale had knowleage what th[e]emperour determyned to doo, and the fpeedy haft his counfayle made for
the performance herof, and of the commynge home of Iohn Sebaftian of Cane, with th[e]information he made,
what of ftoutneffe of mynde and what for greefe, was puffed vp with anger as were alfo the refte of the Portugales, flormynge as thowgh they wolde haue plucked downe the Ikye with their handes, not a lyttle fearynlge
leafte they fhulde lofe the trade of fpices, if the Spanyardes fhulde once put in theyr foote. Whervppon the
kynge immediatly made Supplication to Th[e]emperoure, not to fet forwarde any fhyppes vntyll it were determyned to whether of theym thofe Ilandes fhulde belonge: And that he wolde not fo muche endomage hym as to
caufe him to liefe the trade of fpices which was fo commodious and profitable to hym. And finally to auoyde
th[e]occafion of murther and bludfhed whiche were lyke to enfue thereof, yf the Spanyardes and Portugales
fhyppes fhulde meete togyther. Th[e]emperoure althowghe he knewe that all this was but to make delays and
prolongynge of tyme, yet was he gladde to haue it tryed by iuflice for the better iuffification of his caufe and
ryght. In fine, both parties were agreed to appoynt lerned men, Cofmographers and Pylots which fhulde
determine the controuerfie betwene them: promyfynge on bothe parties to abyde and flande to the fentence
and determination made by thofe perfons appoynted and fworne to iudge indifferentely.


I
I


4


240


Iohn Sebastian.
The cause of
contencion.
The trade of spice
perteyneth to
Th[e]emperoure.
Iohn kyng of
Portugale.
The trade of
Spices.
The controuersie
determined by
Cosmographers
and Pylots.


I


271




272


- - -


Contencion for te trade of.pices.
41 The reparticion and diu/ifon of the Indies and newe worlde betwene
the Spanyardes and the Portugales.


The arbytrers on
the Emp[e]rours
syde.
241
Sebastian Cabote.
Instruments of
Cosmographie.
The Ilandes of
Maluca.
The arbitrers on
the Portugales
syde.
The place where
they mette.
Th[e]order of
theyr proces.
The Portugales.
Contention for
drawynge the line
of the diuision.
Howe the
Portugales were
deceaued.
The Spanyardes
allegations.
Samatra.
Malacha.
China.
Magallanes.
Buena Vista.
The Ilandes of
Cabo Verde.
242


His matter concernyng the trade of fpices and the newe worlde of the Indies, by reafon of the
greate ryches therof was of greate importaunce and very difficultie to bee limitted and
and drawen foorth by lines. By reafon wherof, it was neceffarie and conuenient to feeke
wyfe and woorfhypful men expert in nauigations, in Cofmographie, and the mathematicall
fciences. Th[e]emp[e]roure for his fyde, chofe and named for iudges of the poffeffion, the
licentiate Acuna, one of the kynges confayle. Alfo the licentiate Barrientos of the counfayle
of the orders: The licentiate Petro Manuel auditour of the courte of the Chauncerie in
Valladolith. For iudges of the propertie, he chofe Don Fernando Colono the foonne of Chriflopher Colonus:
Alfo doctor Sancho Salaya, Peter Ruiz of Villegas, fryre Thomas Duran, Simon of Alcazaua, and Iohn
Sebaftian of Cano. His aduocate and atturney, he made the licentiate Iohn Rodriguez of Pifa: and for his
fyfcal doctor Ribera, and his fecretarie, Barthalome Ruiz of Caftaneda. He alfo apoynted that Sebaftian
Cabote, Steuen Gomes, Nunnio Garcia, Diego Riuero, being al expert pilots and cunning in making cardes
for the fea, fhuld be prefent, and brynge foorth theyr globes and mappes with other inftrumentes neceffarie to
declare the fituation of the Ilandes of the Malucas abowt the which was al the contention and ftryfe. But
order was taken that they fhulde fhewe theyr myndes on neyther fyde, nor enter into the coompany of the other
but when they were cauled. Al thefe and diuers other, wente togyther to a towne cauled Badaioz: and as many
Portugales came to Elbes, or rather more. For they browght with them two fifcals and two aduocates. The
principall of theym, was the licentiate Antonie de Affeuedo, Diego Lopes of Sequeyra the clarke of the weightes
and receptes, who had before byn gouernour in India. Alfo Peralfonfo of Melo, clerke: Simon of Tauira, with
dyuers other whofe names I knowe not. Before they mette togyther, the one parte remaynynge at Badaioz and
the other in Elbes, there was much a doo amonge them beefore they coulde agree vppon the place where they
fhulde mete and who fhuld fpeke fyrfte. For the Portugales doo greatly weighe fuche circumflances. At the
laft, they concluded to meete togyther at Caya a lyttle ryuer which diuideth Caltile from Portugale, flandynge
in the mydde way betwene Badaioz and Elbes. And when they were affembled togyther one day at Badaioz
and an other daye at Elbes and faluted the one the other, bothe parties were fworne that they ihulde proceade
and fpeake accordynge to truth, iuflice, and equitie. The Portugales refufed Simon de Alcazaua becaufe he
was a Portugale: and fryer Thomas Duran bycaufe he had fumetyme byn preacher to theyr kynge: So that
Simon was by confent put owte of the coompany, in whofe roome was placed malter Antonie of Alcaraz. Yet
fell they-not to reafonynge the matter vntyll the fryer was put owt. They were manye dayes in beholdynge
globes, mappes, and cardes of the fea, and hearynge what myght bee fayde, both fydes alleagynge for the right
which they pretended. But the Portugales ftandynge in vayne contention, fayde very angerly the Ilandes of
Maluca whereuppon theyr meetynge and refonynge was at that prefente, fell of theyr parte and was of theyr
conquetl. And that they both had byn there, and had them in theyr poffeffion before Iohn Sebaftian had euer
feene them. Lykewyfe that the line fhulde bee drawen from the Ilande of Bonauilta, or the Iland cauled de
la Sal, which are the moft Eaflerly Ilandes from Cabouerde, and not from the Ilande of Santanton or faynt
Antonie, which lyeth towarde the Welt, and are. lxxxx. leaques the one from the other. Al this was no more
but to contend: and the other of the Malucas, is vntrewe. But they that haue a nawghtie matter muit fet it
foorth with woordes and brabelynge. Here they founde howe greatly they were deceaued in that they
demaunded that the line Ihulde bee drawen three hundreth. lxx. leaques more to the Weft from the Ilandes of
Cabouerde (as appeareth hereafter) and not one hundreth accordyng to th[e]affignement of the popes bul. The
Spanyardes on the contrary parte affirmed and made demonftration, that not only the Ilandes of Burney,
Gilolo, Zubut, and Tidore, with the other Ilandes of the Malucas. But afwell Samatra, Malacha, and a great
parte of China, fhuld belonge to the Caftilians: and that thofe countreys fell on theyr fyde and on the parte of
theyr conquelt: Alfo that Magallanes and Iohn Sebaltian were the fyrfte Chriltian men that founde them and
obteyned them for Th[e]emperour, as the letters and prefentes of Almanzor doo teflifie. And although the
Portugales had byn there fyrlle, yet wente they thyther after the donation of the pope: neyther got they any
ryght or iufle tytle thereby. For althowgh they fhulde drawe the line by Buena Vifta, what inconuenience
fhulde folowe thereof, fith afwell by the one way as the other, the Ilandes of the Malucas muit perteyne to the
Caflilians: yea and moreouer, the Ilandes of Cabo verde fhulde alfo perteine to the Caftilians, forfomuch as
drawynge the line by Buena Vitlla, the Ilandes of the Malucas doo remayne within the line on the Emperours
fyde. They continued in thefe controuerfles for the fpace of two moonethes without anye resolution or ende


272




Contenzcio for t/e Irade off/ices.




made. For the Portugales prolonged and put of the matter, flying from the fentence with cauillations and could  Ti
ca
reaibns to th[e]ende that they myght diffolue that affemble without any conclufion or determination: for fo it
floode them vppon. The Caflilians which were the Iudges of the propertie, drewe a line in the great globe three  TI
hundreth and. lxx. [feuenty] leaques from faynt Antonies Ilande, lyinge by Weile Cabo Verde accordynge to the
intreatie and determination whiche was agreed vppon betwene the Catholike princes and the kynge of Portugale.
Thefe iudges gaue fentence vppon this matter, caulynge the contrary parte before them vpon the bridge of  TI
Caya in the yeare. 1524. The Portugales coulde neyther diiturbe or deferre the fentence, nor yet wolde they
alowe it to bee iuft and accordynge to ryght: Sayinge that there was not fufficient proceffe made that they
fhulde paffe to the gyuynge of fentence. And fo departed threatenyng to fley the Caftilians as many as they  TI
th:
flulde fynde in the Ilandes of the Malucas. For they knewe ryght well that heyr contreymen the Portugales had  th
alredy taken the fhyppe cauled the Trinitie and had alfo taken the Caftilians in Tidore. Then alfo departed
owre men, takynge theyr iorney to the courte gyuynge vp to Th[e]emperour all theyr wrytynges and declaration
what they had doone. And accordynge to this declaration muft bee figned and marked all globes and mappes
which good Cofmographers and mailers doo make. The line alfo of the reparticion and laft diuifion of the  TI
newe world of the Indies, ought to paffe (lyttle more or leffe) by the poyntes of Humos and Buen Abrigo, as I  las
haue fayde in an other place. And thus fhall it appeare euidently that the Ilandes of Spices, and alfo the greate
Ilande of Zamotra, do perteyne to Caftile. But the lande of Brafile perteyneth to the kynge of Portugale where  T}
of
the cape of faynt Augufline is, beinge. viii. degrees beneth the Equinoctiall. This lande reacheth from the  T}
poynte of Humos to the poynte of Buen Abrigo: and is in lengthe North and South. viii. hundreth leaques.  BI
to
Beinge alfo fum way two hundreth leaques Eaft and Weit.
And hereafter thefe ferious matters, wee wyll rehearfe one mery thynge, which was this. It fo chaunced  A
that as Frances de Melo, Diego Lopes of Sequeyra, and other of thofe Portugales of this affemble, walked by
the ryuer fyde of Guadiana, a lyttle boy who floode kcepynge his mothers clothes which fhe had waihed,
demaunded of theym whether they were thofe men that parted the world with Th[e]emperour And as they
anfwered, yea: he tooke vp his fhert and ihewed them his bare arfe, fayinge: Coomme and drawe yowre line
here throughe the myddeft. Which fayinge was afterwarde in euery mans mouth and laughed at in the towne
of Badaioz: yea euen amonge the commiffioners them felues, of whom fum were angry, and fumme maruayled
at the fayinge of the chylde.


273
he Portugales
uillations.
he line of
uision.
he sentence.
he Portugales
reaten death to
e Castilians.
he line of the
st diuision.
he great Iland
Samotra.
he lande of
rasile, perteineth
the Portugale,.
mery tale.


( The caufe and aulorilie wherby they diuided the Indies.


He Caililians and Portugales had longe debated and reafoned abowt the golde myne of Guinea
which was found in the yeare of owre lorde I471, in the tyme of the reigne of Don Alonfo
Kynge of Portugale the firile of that name. This was a matter of greate importaunce. For
the negros or blacke Moores, for thynges of no value, gaue golde by hole handefuls whyche
was at that tyme when the fayde Kynge of Portugale pretended title and clayme to the
kingedome of Caflile in the right of his wyfe Queene Iohn (cauled the excellent) ageynile
the Catholike princes Ifabel and Don Fernando whofe it was in deede. But that firyfe was
ended as fone as Don Fernando had vanquiffhed Don Alonfo at a place cauled Temulos not farre from Toro,
which place* Don Fernando chofe rather to make warre ageinft the Moores of Granada, then to bye and fell
with the blacke Moores of Guinea. And thus the Portugales remained with the conqueft of Affryke from the
lireightes forwarde: whiche began where the infante.of Portugale Don Henrique (fonne to kynge Iohn the
bailarde and mailer of Auis) dyd begynne to enlarge it. When pope Alexander the. vi. (beinge a valentinian
borne) had knowleage hereof, he mynded to gyue the Indies to the kinges of Cafiile withowt any preiudice to
the Portugales who had conquered the fea coafles of Affryke. Thefe Indies, the pope gaue of his owne mynde
withowte the motion of anye other, with this burden and charge that they fhulde conuert the Idolatours to the
faythe of Chryfle: And commaunded a line or meridian to bee drawen Northe and fouth from one hundreth
leaques Weflwarde beyond one of the Ilandes of Cabo Verde towarde the Weite, bycaufe the Spanyardes fhulde
not meddle in Affryke perteynynge to the conqueft of the Portugales, to th[e]auoydynge of all firyfe betwene
them. Kynge Iohn of Portugale, the feconde of that name, was greatly offended when he redde the bull and
donation of the pope, althowgh his owne ambaffadours had made the felfe fame requeft vnto his holyneffe. He
alfo found hym felfe agreeued with the Catholyke princes Ifabell and Fernando, that they had fhortened the
courfe of the landes he had difcouered, depriuynge hym of the rycheffe which belonged to hym. And therfore
refuted to flande to the popes bull in this cafe: defyrynge the Catholyke princes Ifabell and Fernando to graunt
him three hundreth leaques more to the Weile, befyde the one hundreth which they had graunted before: and
therwith fent his fhyppes to kepe the coafles of Affryke. The princes Catholyke were content to fatiffie his
EDEN.            * There is a hiatus here.-E. A.  Y               273


The golde myne
of Guinea.
Alonso kynge of
Portugale.
Gold for thynges
of smaul value.
Contention for the
kyngdome of
Castile.
Warre agenst the
Moores of
Granada.
The conquestes of
the Portugales in
Affrike.
Pope Alexander.
243
The Pope maketh
the diuision.
The kynge of
Portugale refuseth
to stand to the
Popes bull




274


The agreement of
the last diuision
Vherein the
Portugales were
deceaued.


Conitelicio   for the trade of fAices.
mynde and to pleafe hym accordynge to theyr gentle nature and for the aliance that was betwene theym: And in
fine, with the content and agreement of the pope, graunted twoo hundreth. lxx. [feuenty] leaques more then the
bull made mention of: At Tordefillas the. vii. day of Iune, in the yeare ofowr lord 1494. And wheras owr kynges
thought that they ihulde haue loft grounde in grauntynge fo many leaques that way, they woonne by that meanes
the Ilandes of the Malucas with many other ryche Ilandes. The kynge of Portugale alfo, herein deceaued him felfe
or was deceaued of his whom he put in truft, hauynge no certeyne knowleage of the fituation of the Ilandes of the
riche Spicery in demaundyng that which the kynge dyd demaunde. For it hadde byn better for hym to haue
requefted the three hundreth and. lxx. leaques rather Eaftwarde from the Ilandes of Cabo Verde then towarde
the weft. And yet for all that, I doubte whether the Malucas fhulde haue faulen within his conqueft accordynge
to the ordinarie accoumpte and dimenfion which the pylotes and Cofmographers doo make. And after this
maner they diuided the Indies betwene them by th[e]autoritie of the pope for the auoydynge of further ftryfe
and contention.
*i    Howe and by what occafion Th[e]empferoure layde /e Ilandes of
the Malucas to pledge to the kynge of Portzgale.


Sebastian Cabote.
Th[e]emperour
and the kinge of
Portugale ioyned
in aliance by
mariage.
The Portugales
robbe the
Castilians
The coronation of
Th[e]emperour.
244
The gageing of the
hlands of Malucas.
zamatra and
Malaca.


Hen the kynge of Portugale Don Iuan the thyrde of that name, had knowleage that the Cofmographers and pylottes of Caftile hadde drawen the line from the place before named, and that
he could not denye the truth, fearing alfo therby to liefe the trade of Spices, made fute and
requeft to Th[e]emperoure that he fhulde not fend furth Loaifa nor Sebaftian Cabote to the
Malucas, and that the Caftilians fhulde not attempte the trade of fpices nor fee fuch euyls
and miferies as his capitaynes had fhewed in thofe Ilandes to them that aduentured that
viage with Magalanes. Which thynge he greatly couered, although he payde all the charges
of thofe two fleetes, and made other great bargens. In the meane tyme, Th[e]emperoure maryed the Lady
Ifabell fyfter to kynge Iohn: and kynge Iohn maryed the lady Catharine fyfter to Th[e]emperour: whereby this
matter waxed coulde althoughe the kynge ceafed not to fpeake hereof, euer mouynge the particion. Th[e]emperour by the meanes of a certeine Bifcaine that was with Magallanes in the gouernours fhyppe, had knowleage
what the Portugales had doone to the Caftilians in the JIand of Tidore, wherof he took great difpleafure, and
brought the fayde maryner face to face before th[e]ambaffadours of Portugale, who denyed all that he fayde, one
of them beinge the chiefe capitayne and gouernour of India when the Portugales tooke the Caftilians in Tidore
and robbed them of theyr Cloues and Cinamome and fuch other thynges as they had in the fhyppe named the
Trinitie. But as the kynge of Portugales trade was greate, and owre neceffitie greater, in the meane tyme Th[e]emperoure (who was nowe goinge into Italie to bee crowned in the yeare. I529) gagied the Malucas and the
fpicerie to the kynge of Portugale for three hundreth and fiftie thoufande ducades withowt any tyme determyned
otherwyfe then the controuerfie was defined vppon the brydge of the ryuer of Caya: for the which thynge, kynge
lohn punyfhed the licentiate Azeuedo bycaufe he payde the money withowt declaration of the time. The couenaunt
of the pledge was blyndely made and greatly ageynft the myndes of the Catilians, as men that wel vnderfode the
profite, commoditie, and rycheffe of that trade: Affirmynge that the trade of fpices myght haue byn rented for one
yeare or for two, for fyxe tymes as much as the kinge gaue for it. Peter Ruiz of Villegas who was twyfe cauled
to the bargeyne, as once at Granada and an other tyme at Madrid, fayde that it had byn muche better to haue
pledged Eftremadura or Serena, or other greater landes and cities, rather then the Malucas, Zamatra, or Malaca,
or other riche landes and ryuers in the Eafte not yet well knowen: forafminuche as it maye fo chaunce,
that eyther by continuaunce of tyme, or aliance, the pledge pledge mygt bee forgotten as thowgh it perteyned
to the ryght of Portugale. In fine, Th[e]emperour confidered not the iewel that he pledged, nor the kyng
what he receaued. Th[e]emperour was often tymes counfayled to releafe the pledge of thofe Ilandes in
confideration of the great vantage he myght haue therby in fewe yeares. Furthermore, in the yeare. 1548.
the procuratoures of Cortes being in Valladolid, made peticion to Th[e]emperour to furrender the fpicerie
to the kyngedoome of Caftile for. vi. yeares, and that they wold repay to the kyng of Portugale his. 350. thoufand crownes, and after thofe yeares, reflore the trade to the crowne, that his maieflie myght inioye the fame as
was agreed at the begynnynge. But Th[e]emperour beinge then in Flaunders, fente woorde to the counfayle
that they fhulde not affent to Cortes his requeft, nor fpeake any more hereof. XVWherat, fum marueyled, other
were fory, and all held theyr peace.


274




27"5


[Amnerig  V ~espucci,
and
Andreas de Corsali.


Of /!e )Pole. Aizarcz, azdc  i ke s zrs
aboui Ike samue.]




I




277


-— 


i


C OF THE POLE ANTARTIKE AND THE


STARRES ABOWT THE SAME AND OF THE
QUALITIE OF THE REGIONS AND DISPOSITION OF
the Elementes abowt the Equinoctiall line.
Alfo certeyne fecreates touchyng
the arte of faylynge.


Y                               Mericus Vefputius in the Summarie of his vyages,
wryteth in this maner as foloweth.
Departynge from Lifbona (commonlye cauled Luiheburne)
the. viii. day of May, in the yeare. I501. we fayled fyrft to the
Ilandes of Canarie and from thenfe to Capouerde which the
w  we i                  Ethiopians or blacke Moores caule Bfineghe, beinge. xiiii.
degrees on this fyde the Equinoctiall line.  From  whenfe
___ __directynge owre courfe towarde the South pole by the Southweft, we fawe no more land for the fpace of three moonethes
and three dayes. Of whiche tyme durynge. xl. [forty] dayes,
we had cruell fortune: In fo muche that for that fpace, the
heauen in maner neuer ceafed thunderyng, rorynge, and
lyghtenynge with terrible noyfe, and fearefull fyghtes of fyery
exhalations flyinge abowt in the ayer, and in maner continuall
fhowers of rayne with darke clowdes couerynge the heauen in filch
forte that afwell in the day as in the nyght we coulde fee none
otherwyfe but as when the moone giueth no lyght by reafon of thicke and darke clowds The fea was in lyke cafe
vnquieted with furgies and monfters. After thefe greuous and cruel days, it plefed god to haue compaffion on
owr liues. For wee fuddenly efpied land wherby we recouered owr fpirites and ftrength. This land which wee
founde, is from Capo Verde. 700. leaques, although I fuppofe that we fayled more then. Soo. by reafon of the
cruel tempeft and ignoraunce of the Pylottes and mariners whereby wee were lyke to haue byn caft away. F]or
wee were in fuche daungerous places wanderynge in vnknowen coaftes, that if I had not byn fkylfull in the
fcience of Cofmographie we had fuerly peryihed, forafmuch as there was not one pylot that knewe where wee
were by the fpace of fiftie leaques. In fo much that if I had not in tyme prouyded for the fafegarde of myne
owne lyfe and them that were with me, with my quadrant and Aftrolabie inftrumentes of Aftronomie, wee had
fltyl wandered lyke blynde men. But when in fine I had perfuaded the pylots by demonftrations perteynynge
to that arte, they gaue me great honour and confeffed that the ordinarie pilottes and mariners ignorant in
Cofmographi, are not to bee compared to men of fpeculatiue knowleage. etc.
Wee fayled by the coafle of the fayde lande. 600. leaques And went oftentymes alande where wee were
frendely and honorably interteyned of th[e]inhabitauntes: In fo much that confiderynge theyr innocent nature,
we fumtymes remayned with them. xv. or. xx. dayes. This firme lande begynneth beyonde the Equinoctiall
line. viii. degrees towarde the pole Antartike. Wee fayled fo farre by the fayde coafte that wee paffed the
wynter Tropyke towarde the pole Antartike by xvii. degrees and a halfe, where we had the Horizontal line
eleuate fiftie degrees. Such thynges as I fawe there, are not yet knowen to men of owre tyme: as the people,
theyr cuflomes and maners, the fertilitie of the lande, the goodnes of the ayer, the fauourable influence of
heauen and the planettes, and efpecially the order of the flarres of the eyght fphere in the inferioure hemifpherie
or lower halfe circle of heauen towarde and abowt the South pole, wherof neyther the owlde or newe wryters
haue made any mention to this daye.


Cabouerde.
Beenegh'a.
A tempest.
The ignorance of
Pylots and
mariners.
The vse of
Cosmographie.
The vse of the
quadrant and
Astrolabie.
245
The pole
Antartike.
The starres abowt
the south pole.


Y 2


277




278


Of the pole Antar/ike.


Most pleasant and
frutful regions.
The earthlye
Paradyse.
Continual
tenperatnesse
Moyst dewes
Starres vnknowen
to vs
The vse of
Geometri.
Notable stars in
the inferiour
hemispherie.


I


To wryte particularly of the commodities and felicities of thefe regions, it wolde requyre rather a hole
volume then a booke: And that fuch, as if Plinie had had knowleage of thefe thynges, he myght greatly haue
increafed his bookes of naturall hiftories. The trees gyue from them continually fuch fweete fauours as can
fcarfely bee imagined: And on euery part put furth fuch gummes, liquours, and iufes, that yf we knewe theyr
vertues, I fuppofe we myght fynde in them marueylous medicins ageinit difeafes and to mainteyne health. And
fuerly in my opinion, yf there bee any earthely Paradyfe in the worlde, it can not bee farre from thefe regions
of the fouth, where the heauen is fo beneficiall and the elementes fo temperate that they are neyther bytten
with coulde in wynter, nor molefled with heate in fummer. The ayer alfo and the heauen is feldome darkened
with clowdes, fo that the dayes and nyghtes are euer cleare. Yet haue they fumtymes moyft dewes in the
mornynge and euenyng for the fpace of three houres, whereby the grounde is marueyloufly refrefmhed. Lyke
wyfe the firmament is marueyloufly adourned with certeyne ftarres which are not knowen to vs, wherof I noted
abowt. xx. to bee of fuche cleareneffe as are the fltarres of Venus and Iupiter when they are nere vnto vs. And
wheras hauynge the knowleage of Geometrie, I confidered theyr circuite and dyuers motions, and alfo meafured
theyr circumference and diameter, I am well affured that they are much greater then men thynke them to bee.
Amonge other, I fawe three ftarres cauled Canopi, wherof two were exceadynge cleare, and the thyrde fumwhat
darke. The pole Antartike hath nother the greate beare nor the lyttle as is feene abowte owre pole. But hath
foure ftarres whiche compaffe it abowt in forme of a quadrangle.
*      w([ When thefe are hydden, there is feene on the lefte fyde a bryght Canopus of three flarres of notable
greatneffe, whiche beinge in the myddeft of heauen, reprefenteth this figure.


Most bright and
shyrynge starres.
Lactea via.
246
The inferiour
hemispherie.
The raynebowe.
A-istutle his
opinion of the
raynebowe.
A strange opinion.




After thefe, fucceade three other fhynynge flarres, whereof that which is in the myddefi, is of meafure. xii.
degrees and a halfe in circumference. And in the myddeft of thefe, is feene an other bryght Canopus. After
this, folowe. vi. other fhynynge flarres which in bryghtneffe paffe al other that are in the eyght fphere. Of thefe,
that that is in the middefl in the fuperficiall part of the fayde fphere, hath the meafure of his circumference.
xxxii. degrees. After thefe foloweth an other great Canopus, but fumwhat darke. All thefe are feene in the
parte of heauen cauled Via Lactea, that is the mylke waye: And beinge ioyned to the meridiane line, fhlewe
this fygure here folowynge.
fawe alfo there manye other ltarres, the dyuers motions wherof diligently obferued, I made a
particular boke of the fame, wherin I made mention of al fuch notable thyngs as I fawe and
had knoweleage of, in this nauigation. The whiche booke I deliuered to the kynges maieflie,
truftynge that he wyll fhortly reflore it me ageyne. In this hemifpherie or halfe coompaffe
of the heauen, I diligently confidered many thinges which are contrarie to th[e]oppinions of
philofophers. And amonge other thynges, I fawe a whyte raynebowe abowt mydnyght,
wheras other affirme that it hath foure colours of the foure elementes, as redde of the fyer,
greene of the earth, whyte of the ayer, and blewe of the water. But Ariflotle in his booke intiteled lfeteora,
is of an other opinion For he fayth that the raynebowe is a reflection of the beames of the foonne in the
vapoure of a clowde directly ageynife the foonne, as the fhynyng of the fame on the water, is reflected on a
waule: And that the fayde clowde or vapoure tempereth the heate of the foonne: and beinge refolued into
rayne, maketh the grounde fertyle, and pourgeth the ayer. Alfo that is a token of abundaunt moyfture. By
reafon wherof, fum are of opinion that it fhall not appeare. xl. [forty] yeares before th[e]ende of the worlde, which
fhalbe a token of the dryneffe of the elementes approchynge to the tyme of theyr conflagration or confumyng
by fyer. It is a pledge of peace betwene god and men, and is euer directly ouer ageynit the foonne. It is
therfore neuer feene in the South, bycaufe the foonne is neuer [feene?] in the North. Neuertheleffe, Plinie fayth,


I


278




Of /fhe 5ole Antartike.


279


------   -  --                                                                           -                                         I


that after the Equinoctial in Autumne, it is feene at al houres. And thus much haue I gathered owte of the
commentaries of Landinus vppon the fourth boke of Virgyl his Eneades, bycaufe I wold defraude no man of
his trauayle. I fawe the fayd raynebowe twoo or three tymes. And not I onely, but alfo many other which
were in my coompany. Lykewyfe wee fawe the newe moone the felfe fame day that fhee ioyned with the
foonne. Wee fawe furthermore vapours and burnynge flames flyinge abowt heauen euery nyght. A lyttle
before, I cauled this countrey by the name of Hemifpherium (that is) the halfe fphere. Which neuertheleffe
can not bee fo named but by fpekynge improperlie in comparyfon of owres. Yet forafmuche as it feemetll to
reprefent fuche a forme, I haue improperlye fo named it.
Departynge therfore from Lifbona (as I haue fayde) beinge from the Equinoctiall line towarde the North
abowt. xl. [forty] degrees, wee fayled to this countrey whiche is beyonde the Equinoctiall. 1. [fifty] degrees: All
which fumme, maketh the number of. lxxxx. [ninety] beinge the fourth part of the greateft circle accordynge
to the trewe reafon of the number tawght by the owlde autours. And by this demonftration it is manifeft
that wee meafured the fourth parte of the
worlde: Forafmuch as we that dwell in Lif-                 gQ t ZSX
ona on this fyde the Equinoctial line abowt.
xl. [forty] degrees towarde the Northe, fayled                 '
from thenfe. lxxxx. [ninety] degrees in lengthe
meridionale angularly by an ouerthwart line,
to th[e]inhabitantes. 1. [fifty] degrees beyond
the Equinoctiall. And that the thynge may
bee more playnely vnderftode, imagine a  S,
parpendicular line to faule from the poyntes/ S
of heauen which are Zenith (that is the
pricke ouer the head) to vs both flandynge
vpryght in the places of owre owne habitacions: and another ryght line to bee drawne.
frome owre Zenith to theyrs: Then grauntynge vs to bee in the ryght line in comparyfon to them, it muft of neceffitie folowe
that they are in the ouerthwart line as halfe
Antipodes in comparyfon to vs: In fuche
forte that the figure of the fayde lines make
a triangle which is the quarter or fourth
parte of the hole circle, as appeareth more                       *        *
playnely by the fygure here folowynge.


The newe mone.
Fyery exhalations.
Hemispherium.
Lisbona.
The fowrth part of
the worlde.
247
Zenit.


S touchyng the flarres and reafons of Cofmographie, I haue gathered thus
much owt of the vyage of Americus Vefputius.        And haue thought good
to ioyne hereunto that whiche Andreas de Corfali writeth in his vyage
to Eaft India as concernynge the fame matter.
After that we departed from Lifbona, wee fayled euer with profperous wynde, not
paffynge owt of the Southeaft and Southweft. And paffyng beyonde the Equinoctial line,
we were in the heyght of. 37. degrees of the other halfe circle of the earth. And trauerfynge the cape of Bona
Speranza a coulde and wyndy clime bycaufe at that tyme the foonne was in the north fignes, wee founde the
nyght of. xiiii. houres.  Here we fawe a marueylous order of fiarres, fo that in the parte of heauen contrary
to owre northe pole, to knowe in what place and degree the fouth pole was, we tooke the day with the foonne,
and obferued the nyght with the Aflrolabie, and fawe manifeftly twoo clowdes of reafonable bygneffe mouynge abowt the place of the pole continually nowe ryfynge and nowe faulynge, fo keepynge theyr continuall
courfe in circular mouynge, with a ftarre euer in the myddeft which is turned abowt with them abowte. xi.
degrees frome the pole. Aboue thefe appeareth a marueylous croffe in the myddeft of fyue notable flarres
which compaffe it abowt (as doth charles wayne the northe pole) with other ftarres whiche moue with them
abowt. xxx. [thirty] degrees diflant from the pole, and make their courfe in. xxiiii. [twenty-four] houres.
This croffe is fo fayre and bewtiful, that none other heuenly gne may be compared to it as may appeare by
this fygure.


The vyage of
Andreas de
Corsali.
The Equinoctial
line.
Cap. de Speranza.
The starres of the
vnder hemispherie.
Cloudes abowt the
south pole.
A crosse of fyue
starres.


279




280


Of the pole Antartike.


248 I


*


4'


*


a


K


$r bet polt antartietl4!bt Cb 0trOt


The coastes of
Ethiope.
Golde in Ethiope.
The vyage of
Aloisius
Cadamustus.
The chariote of
the south pole.


betleto QZnbueas be    ale t
F the lyke matters, and of the ftraunge ryfynge of the foonne in the
mornynge, and of the dyuers feafons of the yeare and motions of the
Elementes in the coafte of Ethiope abowt the ryuer of Senega, and the
riche region of Gambra where plentie of golde is founde, fumewhat
beyonde Capo Verde, Aloifius Cadamuftus wryteth in this effecte.
Durynge the tyme that wee remayned vppon the mouth of the ryuer, we fawe the
north ilarre but once: which appered very lowe aboue the fea the height of a iauelen.
We faw alfo fyxe cleare, bryght, and great flarres verye lowe aboue the fea. And confiderynge theyr flations
with owre coompaffe, we founde them to flande ryght fouth, fygured in this maner.
*   *   *   *


The wynter abowt
the Equinoctiall.
Iaine and clowdes.
Thunder and
lyghtnynge.
Hot showres of
rayne.
The day, and
rysynge of the
soonne.


E iudged them to bee the charlotte or wayne of the fouth: But we fawe not the principall
flarre, as we coulde not by good reafon, except we fhuld firft lofe the fyght of the north pole.
In this place wee founde the nyght of the length of a. xi. houres and a halfe: And the day
of. xii. houres and a halfe at the begynnynge of Iuly. This countrey is euer hotte al times
of the yeare. Yet is there a certeyne varietie which they caule wynter. For from the
moneth of Iuly to October, it rayneth continually in maner dayly abowt none after this forte.
There ryfe continually certeyne clowdes aboue the lande betwene the northeaft and the
fouth eaft, or from the eaft and foutheaft with greate thunderynge and lyghtnynge and exceadynge great fhowers of raine At this tyme the Ethiopians begynne to fowe theyr feedes. They lyue commonly
with hony, herbes, rootes, fleffhe, and mylke. I had alfo intelligence that in this region by reafon of the great
heate of the ayer, the water that raineth is hotte: And that the foonne ryfynge in the mornynge, makethe no
cleare daylyght as it dooth with vs: But that halfe an houre after the ryfynge, it appeareth troubeled, dymme
and fmoky. The whiche thynge, I knowe not to proceade of any other caufe then of the loweneffe of the
grounde in this contrey beinge without mountaynes.
280




28i


[The Third      English book on America,
Which is also
THE FIRST ENGLISH COLLECTION OF VOYAGES, TRAFFICS, & DISCOVERIES.
he    e      Dlratres  t  t the nete brItr  t or  t e nlrta, etc.
SECTION IV.
Of Moscovy, Ca         ay, and
the North Regozns.
1500-1555.]








283


c A
VYA(


DISCOVRSE
IES AND WAYES


OF DYVERS
BY THE WHICHE


249


SPICES, PRECIOUS STONES, AND GOLDE WERE BROUGHT IN OWLDE
tyine from India into Europe and other partes of the world.
ALSO OF THE VYAGE TO CATHAY AND EAST INDIA
by the north fea: And of certeyne fecreates touchynge the fame vyage,
declared by the duke of Mofcouie his ambaffadoure to an excellent
lerned gentelman of Italie, named Galeatius Butrigarius.
Lykewyfe of the vyages of that woorthy owlde man
Sebaftian Cabote, yet liuynge in Englande, and at this
prefent the gouernour of the coompany of the
marchantes of Cathay in the citie of London.


T is doubtleffe a marueylous thynge to confyder what chaunges and
alterations were caufed in all the Romane Empire by the commynge of the Gothes and Vandales, and other Barbarians into
Italy. For by theyr inuafions were extinguyfhed all artes and
fciences, and all trades of Marchaundies that were vfed in dyuers,         partes of the worlde.  The defolation and ignoraunce which
infued hereof, continued as it were a clowde of perpetuall darkeneffe amonge men for the fpace of foure hundreth yeares and more,
in fo much that none durft aduenture to go any whyther owt of
theyr owne natiue countreys: whereas before th[e]incurfions of
the fayde Barbarians when the Romane Empire floryffhed, they
a        might fafly paffe the feas to al partes of Eait India which -was
at that time as wel knowen and frequented as it is nowe by the
nauigations of the Portugales. And that this is trewe, it is manifelt by that which Strabo wryteth, who was in the tyme of
Auguitus and Tiberius. For fpeakynge of the greatneffe and
ryches of the citie of Alexandria in Egypte (gouerned then as a
prouince of the Romanes) he wryteth thus. This only place of Egypte, is apte to receaue all thynges that
coome by fea, by reafon of the commoditie of the hauen: And lykewyfe all fuch thynges as are brought by lande,
by reafon of the ryuer of Nilus;wherby they may bee eafely conueyde to Alexandria, beinge by thefe commodities the rycheft citie of marchauntes that is in the worlde.
The reuenues of Egypt are fo great, that Marcus Tullius ifyth in one of his orations, that kynge Tolomeus
firnarned Auleta, the father of queene Cleopatra, had of reuenues twelue thoufande and fyue hundreth talentes,
which are feuen millions and a halfe in golde. If therfore this kyng had fo great reuenues when Egypt was
gouerned of fo fewe and fo negligently, what myght it then bee woorth to the Romanes by whom it was gouerned
with great diligence, and theyr trade of marchandies greatly increafed by the traffike of Trogloditica and India?
wheras in tyme pafle there could hardly bee founde. xx. fhyppes togyther that durfle enter into the goulfe of
283


The romaine
empyre.
iiii. hundreth
yeares of
ignoraunce.
Easte India well
knowen in owld
time.
Strabo.
The great rychesse
of Egipte.
The citie of
Alexandria.
Marueylous
rychesse.
The gouernaunce
and reuenues of
the Romans.
Trogloditica
and India.




284
The goulfe of
Arable.
Ethiope.
Rich customs
The rychesse
which were
brought in owlde
tyme from India.
and the red sea.
The commission of
The[e]mperours
Marcus and
Commodus.
250
The great riches
the kynges of
Egipte had by
customes.
The noble
enterprises of the
kinges of Egypte.
Arsinoe.
Damiata.
Pelusio.
Nilus.
Copto.
Berenice.
A nauigable
trensh made from
Egypte to the red
sea
Lacus Amari.
Kynge Sesostre
Kynge
Psammiticus.
Kyng Darius
Kynge Ptolomeus.
The citie Heroum.
What Plynye
writeth of the
nauigable trenche
The largenesse
and lengthe of the
trenche.
251


Of Mofcouie and Ca/hay.
Arabie, or fhewe theyr proos withowt the mouth of the fame. But at this prefent, great nauies fayle togyther in
to India and to the furtheit partes of Ethiope from whenfe are brought many rych and precious marchandies
into Egipt and are caryed from thenfe into other countreys. And by this meanes are the cuftomes redoubeled
afwell by fuche thynges as are brought thyther, as alfo by fuche as are caryed frome thenfe, forafmuche as greate
cuftores arryfe of thynges of great value. And that by this vyage, infinite and precious marchaundies were
brought from the redde fea and India, and thofe of dyuers other fortes then are knowen in owre tyme, it
appeareth by the fourthe volume of the ciuile lawe wherin is described the commiffion of Th[e]emperours Marcus
and Commodus, with the rehearfall of all fuche fluffe and marchandies wherof cuflome fhuld bee payde in the
redde fea by fuch as had the fame in fee ferme, as were payde the cuflomes of all other prouinces perteynynge
to the Romane Empyre: and they are there folowynge.
Cinamome.          Mir.              Xilocinamome.      Iewels of Sardonica. Dyed cloth and fylke
Longe pepper.      Amome.            Carpefio.           Ceraunia.          Carbafei.
Whyte pepper.      Ginger.           Sylkes ofdyuers fortes. Calamus Aromaticus. Sylke threede.
Cloues.            Malabatrum.       Linnen cloth.       Berille.           Gelded men.
Coflus.            Ammoniac.         Skynnes and furres of Cilindro.        Popingiayes.
Cancamo.           Galbane.            Parthiaand Babilon. Slaues.          Lions of India.
Spikenarde.        Laffer.           Iuery.              Cloth of Sarmatia.  Leopardes.
Caffia.            Agarike.          Wodde of Heben.     The fylke cauled   Panthers.
Sweete perfumes.   Gumme of Arabie.  Precious flones.      Metaxa.          Purple.
Xilocaffia.        Cardamome.        Perles.             Veftures of fylke.
Alfo that iuife or liquour which is gathered of wolle and of the heare of the Indians.
By thefe woordes it dooth appeare that in owld tyme the fayde nauigation by the way of the redde fea, was
wel knowen and muche frequented, and perhappes more then it is at this prefent. In fo much that the auncient
kynges of Egypt confideryng the great profyte of the cufltomes they had by the viages of the red fea, and wyllyng
to make the fame more eafy and commodious, attempted to make a foffe or chanel which ihulde begynne in the
lafte parte of the fayde fea, where was a citie named Arfinoe (which perhappes is that that is nowe cauled Sues)
and fhulde haue reached to a branche of the ryuer of Nilus named Pelufio, which emptieth it felfe in owre fea
towarde the Eaft abowt the citie of Damiata. They determyned alfo to make three caufeis or hyghe wayes by
lande, which fihulde paffe from the fayde braunche to the citie of Arfinoe: but they founde this to difficulte to
brynge to paffe. In fine, kynge Tolomeus furnamed Philadelphus, ordeyned an other way: as to fayle vppon
Nilus ageynft the courfe of the ryuer vnto the citie of Copto, and from thenfe to paffe by a deferte countrey
vntyll they coome aboue the redde fea to a citie named Berenice or Mioformo, where they imbarked all theyr
marchaundies and wares for India, Ethiope, and Arabie, as appeareth by the wrytynge fyrft of Strabo (who
wryteth that he was in Egypte) and then by Plinie who was in the tyme of Domitian. Strabo alfo fpeaking of
the fayd foffe or trench which was made toward the red fea, wryteth thus.
There is a trenche that goth towarde the red fea and the goulfe of Arabie, and to the citie of Arfinoe, which
fum caul Cleopatrida: and paffeth by the lakes named Amari (that is) bitter, bicaufe in deede they were fyrflt
bytter. But after that this trenche was made and the ryuer entered in, they became fweete, and are at this
prefent full of foules of the water by reafon of theyr pleafauntneffe. This trenche was fyrfi begun by kynge
Sefoifre, before the battayle of Troy. Sum faye that it was begunne by kynge Pfammiticus whyle he was a chylde:
And that by reafon of his death, it was lefte imperfect: Alfo that afterwarde, kynge Darius fucceded in the
fame enterpryfe, who wold haue finiffhed it, but yet brought it not to th[e]ende bycaufe he was informed that
the redde fea was hygher then Egypt: And that if this lande diuydynge bothe the feas, were opened, all Egypte
fhulde bee drowned thereby. Kynge Tolomeus wold in deede haue finyfhed it: but yet left it fhut at the hed
that he myght when he wolde, fayle to the other fea and returne withowt perelL  Here is the citie of Arfinoe:
And nere vnto that, the citie cauled Heroum in the vttermoft part of the goulfe of Arabie toward Egipt with
many portes and habitacions. Plinie likewyfe fpeakynge of this trench, fayth. In the furthefl part of the goulfe
of Arabie, is a porte cauled Daneo, from whenfe they determyned to brynge a nauigable trench vnto the ryuer of
Nilus, where as is the fyrft Delta. Betwene the fayde fea and Nilus, there is a fireight of lande of the length of. lxii.
[fixty-two] myles. The firfa that attempted this thynge, was Sefoftre kynge of Egypte: and after hym Darius kynge of
the Perfians, whome Tolomeus folowed, who made a trenche a hundreth foote large, and. xxx. [thirty] foote diepe,
beinge three hundreth myles in lengthe vnto the lakes named Amari, and durfle proceade no further for feare of
inundation, hauynge knoweleage that the redde fea was hygher by three cubites then al the countrey
of Egypt. Other fay that this was not the caufe: but that he doubted that yf he fhulde haue let the fea
coome any further, all the water of Nilus fhulde haue byn therby corrupted, which onely mynyflreth drynke to
all Egypte. But notwithftandynge all thefe thynges aforefayde, all this vyage is frequented by lande
from Egypte to the redde fea, in which paffage are three caufeis or hyghe wayes. The fyrfi begynneth at the


284




Of Mofcouie and Cathay.


285


I


mouth of Nilus named Pelufio. All which way is by the fandes: In fo much that if there were not certeyne
hyghe reedes fyxt in the earth to fhewe the ryght way, the caufei coulde not be founde by reafon the wynde
euer couereth it with fande. The fecond caufei is two myles from the mountayne Caffius. And this alfo in th[e]ende of. lx. [fixty] myles, commeth vppon the way or caufey of Pelufius, inhabited with certeyne Arabians cauled
Antei. The thyrde begynneth at Gerro, named Adipfon: and paffeth by the fame Arabians, for the fpace of. lx.
[fixty] myles fumwhat ihorter, but full of rowgh mountaynes and great fcarfeneffe of water. All thefe caufeis, leade
the way to the citie of Arfinoe, buylded by Tolomeus Philadelphus in the goulfe Carandra by the red fea. This
Ptolomeus was the fyrft that fearched al that parte of the red fea which is cauled Trogloditica. Of this trenche
defcribed of Strabo and Plinie, there are feene certeyne tokens remaynynge at this prefent as they affirme which
haue byn at Sues beyonde the citie of Alcayr otherwyfe cauled Babylon in Egypte. But the marchauntes that
of later dayes trauayle this viage by lande, ryde through the dry and baren defertes on camels both by day and
by nyght: directynge theyr way by the flarres and compafe as do maryners on the fea, and caryinge with them
water fufficient for many dayes iorneys. The places of Arabie and India named of Strabo and Plinie, are the
felfe fame where the Portugales practife theyr trade at this daye, as the maners and cufltomes of the Indians doo
yet declare. For euen at this prefente theyr women vfe to burne theym felues alyue with the deade bodies of
theyr hufbandes. Which thynge (as wryteth Strabo in his. xv. booke) they dyd in owlde tyme by a lawe, for
this confideration that fumtyme being in loue with other they forfooke or poyfoned theyr hufbandes. And
forafmuch as accordynge to this cuftome, the owlde poete Propertius (who lyued abowt a hundreth yeares before
th[e]incarnation of Chryft) hath in his boke made mention of the contention that was amonge the Indian
women which of them fhuld bee burned aliue with theyr hufbandes, I haue thought good to fubfcribe his
verfes, which are thefe.
Felix Fois lexfuneris vna maritis,
Quos aurora fuis rubra colorat equis.
Mamque vbi mortifero iaJ7a r/ fax vltima leFto,
Vxorumfuis Jat pia turba comis,
Et certamen habent lefhi, quaz viuajequatur
Coniugium, pudor eft non licuifsc mori.
Ardent vicrices, etflammce pJeora prebent,
Imponuntiuefuis ora peru/ia viris.
As touchynge thefe vyages both by fea and by lande to Eaft India and Cathay, many
thynges are wrytten very largely by dyuers autours which I omytte bycaufe they
perteyne not fo much vnto vs as doth the viage attempted to CATHAY               by the north
feas and the coaftes of Mofcouia difcouered in owre tyme by the viage of that excellent
yonge man Rychard Chaunceler no leffe lerned in all mathematicall fciences then an
expert pylotte, in the yeare of owre lorde. I 554.
As concernynge this vyage, I haue thought good to declare the communication which was betwene the
fayde learned man Galeatius Butrigarius, and that great philofopher and noble gentelman of Italie named
Hieronimus Fracaftor as I fynde wrytten in the Italian hyftories of nauigations. As they were therfore conferrynge in matters of learnynge, and reafonynge of the fcience of Cofmographi, the fayde lerned man hauynge
in his hande an infltrument of Aftronomie, declared with a large oration howe muche the worlde was bounde
to the kynges of Portugale, rehearfynge the noble factes doone by them in India, and what landes and Ilandes
they had difcouered, and how by theyr nauigations they made the whole worlde hange in the ayer. He further
declared what parts of the baul of the earth remained yet vndifcouered. And fayde that of the landes of the
inferior hemifpherie or halfe compafe of the baule towarde the pole Antartike, there was nothynge knowen but
that lyttle of the coafte of Brafilia vnto the fireight of Magellanus. Alfo a part of Peru: And a lyttle aboue
Affrike towarde the cape of Bona Speranza. Alfo that he marueyled withowte meafure that this thynge was no
better confidered of Chriftian Princes to whom god had deputed this charge, hauyng euer on theyr counfail
men of great lernynge which may informe them of this thing beinge fo marueylous and noble whereby they
maye obteyne glorie and fame by vertue, and bee imputed amonge men as goddes, by better demerites then
euer were Hercules and great Alexander who trauayled only into India: and that by makynge the men of this
owre hemifpherie knowen to theym of the other halfe compafe of the baule beneth vs, they might by the tytle
of this enterpryfe, withowt comparyfon farre excell all the noble factes that euer were doone by Iulius Cefar or
any other of the Romane Emperours. Which thynge they myght eafely brynge to paffe by affignynge colonies
to inhabite dyuers places of that hemifpherie, in lyke maner as dyd the Romanes in prouinces newely fubdued.
Whereby they myght not only obteyne great ryches, but alfo inlarge the Chriftian fayth and Empire to the
glory of god and confufion of infidels. After this, he fpake of the Ilande of faynt Laurence, cauled in owlde
285


The viage bi lande
from Egypte to
the red sea.
What kynge
Ptolomeus
discouered.
Alcayre.
The viage to
Easte Indya
frequented in
owlde tyme.
The customes and
maners of the
Indyans.


The vyage to
Cathay.
Rycharde
Chaunceler.


A lerned discourse
of dyuers vyages
The vigages of the
Portugales.
The worlde
hangynge on the
ayer.
What is knowen
of the lower
hemispheric.
The lande of
Brasile.
Peru.
The charge and
dewtie of Christian
princes.
Note.
252
Hercules and
Alexander.
The colonies of
the Romans in
regions subdued.
The great Iland
of saynt Laurence
or Madagasca.r.




286


Of Mofcozuie and Cathay.


__                      _~_____   II


The Ilandes of
Taprobana or
Giaua.
Plinie.
The hystorie of
Cornelius Nepos.
Shyps of India
driuen into the sea
of Germanie.
An enterprise
wherby Princes
may obteyne trewe
fame and glory.
Cathay discouered
bi Marcus Paulus.
The citie of
Lubyke.
The kyng of
Polonie.
The duke of
Moscouia.
An ambassadour
from the duke of
Moscouia.
253
The woordes of
th[e]ambassadour
of Moscouia.
The way from
Moscouia to the
north Ocean and
Cathay.
Volochda.
Vstiug.
Succana.
Duina.
Colmogor.
The north Ocean.
Greate wooddes.
Gothlande.
The Moscouites
haue knowleage of
the greate cane
Cathay.
Permia.
Plescora.
Catena mundi.


tyme Madagafcar, which is greater then the realme of Caflile and Portugale, and reachethe from the. xii. degree
towarde the pole Antartike, vnto the. xxvi. degree and a halfe, lyinge Northeafle frome the cape of Bona
Speranza and partly vnder the line of Tropicus Capricorni: beinge well inhabited and of temperate ayer, with
abundaunce of all thynges neceffarie for the lyfe of man, and one of the moft excellent Ilandes that is founde
this daye in the worlde: And that neuertheleffe there is nothynge knowen therof, except only a fewe finaule
hauens by the fea fide, as the lyke ignorance remayneth of the greateft part of the Ilandes of Taprobana, Giaua
the more and the leffe, and infinite other. Then begynninge to fpeake of the partes of owre pole, he caufed
the bookes of plinie to bee brought him where diligentely ponderynge the. lxvii. chapiture of the feconde booke,
he founde where he reherfeth the hiftorie of Cornelius Nepos, by thefe woordes: That in his tyme, one
Eudoxus efcapynge the handes of kynge Lathyro, departed from the goulfe of Arabie and came by fea to the
Ilande of Calefe. Declarynge further, that whereas this narration was many yeares reputed for a fable, was
nowe in owre tyme by the vertue of the Portugales, knowen to bee trewe: And that lykewyfe the fame
Cornelius Nepos recitethe that at the tyme when Quintus Metellus Celer was proconful or lieuetenant for the
Romans in Fraunce, the kynge of Sueuia gaue hym certeyne Indians which faylinge owt of India for marchandies, were by tempeft dryuen to the coaftes of Germanie. When he had redde thefe woordes, he proceaded,
fayinge that the fame thynge myght bee verified nowe in owr tyme if the princes which confine vppon that fea
wolde endeuoure theyr induftry and diligence to brynge it to paffe. And that there coulde not any nauigation
bee imagined fo commodious and profitable to all Chriftendoome as this myght bee yf by this way the vyage
fhulde bee founde open to India to come to the rych contrey of CAT HAY which was difcouered now two
hundreth yeares fence by Marcus Paulus. Then taking the globe in his hande, he made demonftration that
this vyage fhulde bee very fhorte in refpect of that which the Portugales nowe folowe, and alfo of that which
the Spanyardes may attempte to the Ilandes of Moluca. He declared furthermore that the citie of Lubyke
beinge rych and of great poure, and fituate vppon the fea of Germanie, and alfo accuflomed with continuall
nauigations to trauayle the fea of Norwaye and Gothlande, and lykewyfe the ryght noble kynge of Polonie
whofe dominions with his realme of Lituania, extende to the fayde fea, flhulde be apte to difcouer this fecreate:
But that aboue all other, the duke of Mofcouia, fhulde performe the fame with greater commoditie and more
facilitie then any other Prince. And here fteyinge a whyle, he began to fpeake ageyne and fayde. Nowe
forafmuch as we are coome to this paffe, mee thynke it fhulde feeme a great difcurtefie if I fhuld not fhewe
yowe all that I knowe as touchynge this vyage, wherof I greatly mufed with my felfe many yeares by occafion
of the woordes of Plinie. Whereas therefore beinge a younge man, I was in Germanie in the citie of Augufta,
it fo chaunfed that in thofe dayes there came thyther an ambafadour of the duke of Mofcouia, a man fingularly
learned both in the Greeke toonge and the Latine, and of good experience in worldely thynges, hauying byn
fent to dyuers places by the fayde Prince, and one of his counfayle. Of whofe leamyng beinge aduertifed, I
fought his acquayntaunce. And talkynge with hym one day of thefe Indians dryuen by fortune to the coaftes of
Germanie, and of the vyage that myght bee difcouered by the North fea to the Ilandes of fpices, I perceaued
that at the fyrile he marueyled exceadyngely, as at a thynge that he coulde neuer haue imagined. But reftynge a
whyle in maner aftonyffhed in his fecreate phantafie, he toke great pleafure therin, and fayde. Forafmuch as
the Portugales haue nowe compafed abowt all the fouth partes fuppofed in owlde tyme to bee inacceffable by
reafon of great heate, why fhulde wee not certeinely thynke that the lyke maye bee done abowt this parte of the
north withowt feare of coulde, efpecially to men borne and brought vp in that clime? Yet procedyng further,
he faid, that if his Prince and matter, had men that wolde animate hym to difcouer this vyage, there was no
Prince in Chriftendome that myght do it with more facilitie. Then caulynge for a mappe in which was the
defcription of Mofcouia and the prouinces fubiecte to the fame, he declared that from the citie of Mofcouia or
Mofca going towarde the northeaft for the fpace of. lx. [fixty] myles, they come to the ryuer of Volochda and afterwarde by that, and folowyng the courfe therof, to the citie of Vfiiug, fo cauled bycaufe the ryuer of lug fauleth
into the ryuer of Succana, where they lofe theyr owne names and make the great ryuer Duina: And by that,
leauyng on the ryght hande the citie of Colmogor, they fayle vnto the north Ocean. The which waye, althoughe
it bee a longe tracte, as more then. 800. myles, neuertheleffe he fayde that in fommer it myght commodioufly
bee fayled: And that wheras it fauleth into the fea, there are infinite woods of goodly trees apte to make fhyppes.
And the place fo conuenient for this purpofe, that fhipwryghtes and other fkylful workemen for all thynges
hereunto apperteynynge, may eafely coome owt of Germanie. Alfo that the men which are vfed to trauayle the
fea of Germanie abowte the coaftes of Gothlande, fhulde bee beft and mofi apte to attempte this enterpryfe,
bycaufe they are indurate to abyde coulde, hunger, and laboure. He fayde furthermore, that in the court of his
Prince, they haue much knowleage of the great cane of Cathay, by reafon of the continuall warres they haue
with the Tartars, of whom the greateft part gyue obedience to the faid great Cane as to theyr chiefe Emperoure.
He made alfo demonflration in the fayde carde by the northeafle, that beinge pafte the prouince of Permia and
the ryuer Pefcora (whiche fauleth into the north fea) and certeyne mountaynes named (Catena Mundi, there is
286




Of.Mofcouie and Cathay.


287


th[e]enteraunce into the prouince of obdora, whereas is Vecchiadoro and the ryuer Obo, whiche alfo fauleth
into the fayd fea, and is the furtheft borther of Th[e]empire of the Prince of Mofcouia. The fayde ryuer hath
his originall in a great lake cauled Chethai, which is the fyrfte habitacion of the Tartars that paye tribute to the
greate Cane. And from this lake for the fpace of two monethes vyage (as they were credably informed by
certeine Tartares taken in the warres) is the moft noble citie of Cambalu, beinge one of the chiefeft in the dominion of the greate Cane, whom fum caule the great Cham. He alfo affirmed, that if Ihippes fhulde bee made
cn the coaftes of the fayde fea, and fayle on the backe halfe of the coaft therof (which he knewe by many
relations made to his Prince, to reach infinitely toward the northeaft) they fhulde doubteleffe in folowynge the
fame, eafely difcouer that countrey. Vnto thefe woordes he added, that although there were greate difficultie
in Mofcouia, by reafon that the waye to the fayde fea is full of thicke wooddes and waters which in the fomrner
make great maryffhes and impoffible to bee trauayled, afwell for lacke of vyttayles whiche can not there bee
founde, not for certeyne dayes, but for the fpace of certeyne monethes, the place beinge defolate withowt
inhabitauntes, neuertheleffe he fayde that yf there were with his Prince, only two Spanyardes o0 Portugales to
whome the charge of this vyage fhulde bee commytted, he no wayes doubted but that they wolde folowe it and
fynde it, forafmuch as with great ingenioufneffe and ineflimable pacience, thefe nations haue ouercome much
greater difficulties then are thefe which are but lyttle in comparifon to thofe that they haue ouerpaffed and doo
ouerpaffe in all theyr viages to India. He proceaded declarynge that not many yeares fence, there came to the
courte of his Prince, an ambaffadour frome pope Leo, named mafter Paulo Centurione a Genuefe vnder dyuers
pretenfes. But the principall occafion of his commynge, was, bycaufe he hadde conceaued greate indignation
and hatred ageynft the Portugales: And therfore intended to proue yf he coulde open anye vyage by lande
whereby fpices myght bee brought from India by the lande of Tartaria, or by the fea Cafpium (otherwyfe cauled
Hircanum) to Mofcouia: And from thenfe to bee brought in fhippes by the ryuer Riga, whiche runnynge by
the countrey of Liuonia, fauleth into the fea of Germanie. And that his Prince gaue eare vnto hym: and caufed
the fayde viage to bee attempted by certeine noble men of Lordo, of the Tartars confininge nexte vnto hym.
But the warres whiche were then betwene them, and the greate defertes which they fhulde of neceffitie ouerpaffe,
made them leaue of theyr enterpryfe: which if it had bin purpofed by the coaftes of this owre north fea, it myght
haue byn eafely fynyfhed. The fayde Ambaffadour continued his narration, fayinge that no man ought to
doubte of that fea but that it may bee fayled fyxe monethes in the yeare, forafmuch as the days are then very
longe in that clime, and hot by reafon of contynuall reuerberation of the beames of the foonne and fhorte
nyghtes. And that this thynge were as well woorthy to bee proued, as any other nauigation wherby many
partes of the worlde heretofore vnknowen, haue byn difcouered and brought to ciuilitie. And here makynge an
ende of this talke, he faid: Let vs nowe omytte this parte of Mofcouia with his coulde, and fpeake fumwhat of that
parte of the newe worlde in whiche is the lande of Brytons cauled Terra Britonum, and Baccaleos or Terra Baccalearum, where in the yeare. 1534. and. 535. Iaques Cartiar in two vyages made with three great French gallies,
founde the great and large countreys named Canada, Ochelaga, and Sanguenai: which reach from the. xlv. [forty-fifth]
to the. li. [fifty-firft] degree, beinge well inhabited and pleafaunte countreys, and named by hym NouaFrancia. And
here fleyinge a while and lyftynge vppe his handes, he fayde: Oh what doo the Chriflian Princes meane that
in fuch landes difcouered they do not affigne certeine colonies to inhabite the fame to bringe thofe people
(whom god hath fo bleffed with natural gyftes) to better ciuilitie and to embrafe owre religion, then the whiche,
nothynge can bee more acceptable to god? The fayd regions alfo, beinge fo fayre and frutefull, with plentie of
all fortes of corne, herbes, frutes, woodde, fyffhes, beafles, metals, and ryuers of fuche greatneffe that fhyppes
maye'fayle more then. 80. myles vppon one of theym, beinge on bothe fydes infinitely inhabited: And to caufe
the gouernoures of the fayde colonies to fearche whether that lande toward the northe named Terra de Laborador,
doo ioyne as one firme lande with Norwaye: Or whether there bee any fireight or open place of fea as is mofle
lyke there fhulde bee, forafmuch as it is to bee thought that the fayde Indians dryuen by fortune abowte the
coafles of Norway, came by that ftreyght or fea, to the coafles of Germanie: And by the fayde fireight to faile
northweft to difcouer the landes and countreys of CATHAY, and from thenfe to fayle to the Ilandes of
Molucca. And thefe furely fhulde be enterprifes able to make men immortal. The whiche thynge, that ryght
woorthy gentleman mafier Antony di Mendoza confiderynge by the fingular vertue and magnanimitie that is in
hym, attempted to put this thynge in practife. For beinge viceroy of the countrey of Mexico (fo named of the
great citie Mexico otherwife cauled Temiftitan, nowe cauled neweSpayne, being in the. xx. [twentieth] degree aboue
the Equinoctiall, and parte of the fayde firme lande), he fent certeyne of his capitaynes by lande, and alfo a nauie
of fhyppes by fea, to fearch this fecreate. And I remember that when I was in Flaunders in Th[e]emperours
courte, I fawe his letter wrytten in the yeare. I 541. and dated from Mexico: wherin was declared howe towarde
the northwefl, he had fownd the kyngedome of Sette Citta (that is) Seuen Cities, whereas is that cauled Ciuola
by the reuerend father Marco da Niza: and howe beyonde the fayde kyngedome yet further towarde the Northwefl, Capitayne Francefco Vafques of Coronado, hauynge ouerpaffed great defertes, came to the fea fyde where
287


Obdora.
Vechiadoro.
Obo.
The lake Chethay.
The Tartars.
The citie of
Cambalu.
Note this secreate.
Difficult
trauaylynge in
Moscouia.
Commendation of
the Spaniardes
and Portugales.
The hystorie of
Paulus Centurio.
Of this reade more
at large in the
0ooke of Paulus
Iouius.
Malice may do
more with sum
then vertue.
The Caspian sea.
Riga.
Liuonia.
254
The Tartars of
Lordo.
Desertes.
The viage by the
north sea.
The woorthynesse
of this vyage.
The viages of the
Frenchmen to the
land of Baccalaos.
Pleasaunt
countreys.
New Fraunce.
Apostrophe to the
Christian princes.
Great ryuers.
A thyng woorthy
to be searched.
The way to
Cathay and the
landes of Maluca
by the northwest
A notable
enterpryse.
The noble
enterprise of
Antoni diMendoza,
Viceroy of Mexico.
The discouerynge
of the northwest
partes.




288


Of Miofcouizc and Cathay.


Shyps saylynge
from Cathay by
the north
hyperborean sea
to the coastes of
the northwest
part of the lande
of Baccaleos.
Cathay.
The sea from new
Fraunce or Terra
Britonum to
Cathay.
A notable bo, ke.
255
A great and
glorious enterprise.
Sebastian Cabote
the grand pylot of
the west Indies.
Commendation of
Sebastian Cabote.
Sebastian Cabote
tould me that he
was borne in
Brystowe, and that
at. iiii. yeare owld
he was caried
with his father to
Venice and so
returned ageyne
into England with
his father after
certeyne yeares:
wherby he was
thought to haue
bin born in Venice.
The fyrst vyage of
Sebastian Cabote.
The lande of
Florida.
The seconde vyage
of Cabote to the
land of Brasile,
and Rio della
Plata.
Cabote tould me
that in a region
within this ryuer
he sowed 1. [fifty]
graynes of weate in
September, and
gathered
therof 1.  256
[fifty] thousand in
December as
wryteth also
Francisco Lopes.


he found certeyne fhyppes which fayled by that fea with marchaundies, and had in theyr baner vppon the
proos of theyr fhyppes, certeyne foules made of golde and fyluer which they of Mexico caule Alcatrazzi: And that
theyr mariners fhewed by fignes that they were. xxx. [thirty] dayes faylynge in commynge to that hauen: wherby
he vnderflode that thefe fhippes could bee of none other countrey then of Cathay, forafmuch as it is fituate on
the contrary parte of the fayde lande difcouered. The fayde mailer Antonie wrote furthermore, that by the
opinion of men well practifed, there was difcouered fo greate a fpace of that countrey vnto the fayd fea,
that it paffed. 950. leaques, which make. 2850. myles. And doubtleffe yf the Frenche men in this theyr
newe Fraunce, wolde haue paffed by lande towarde the fayd northweft and by north, they ihuld alfo hale founde
the fea wherby they myght haue fayled to Cathay. But aboue all thynges, this feemed vnto me motle woorthy
of commendation, that the fayde maltter Antonie wrote in his letter that hle had made a booke of al the natural
and marueylous thynges whiche they founde in fearchynge thofe countreys, with alfo the meafures of landes and
altytudes of degrees: A worke doubtleffe which theweth a princely and magnificall mynde, wherby wee may
conceaue that yf god had gyuen hym the charge of the other hemifpherie, he wolde or nowe haue made it better
knowen to vs. The which thynge, I fuppofe no man doth greatly efleeme at this time: beinge neuertheleffe
the greateft and moft glorious enterprife that may bee imagined.
And here makynge a certeyne paufe, and turnynge hym felfe towarde vs, he fayde: Doo yow not vnderflande to this purpofe howe to paffe to India toward the northweft wind, as dyd of late a citizen of Venefe, fo
valiente a man, and fo well practyfed in all thynges perteynynge to nauigations and the fcience of Cofmographie,
that at this prefent he hath not his lyke in Spayne, in fo much that for his vertues he is preferred aboue all
other pylottes that fayle to the weft Indies, who may not paffe thyther withowt his licence, and is therfore
cauled Pi/oto lMagaiore (that is) the graunde pylote. And when wee fayde that wee knewe him not, he pronauigations of the Spanyardes, it was toulde hym that there was in the citie a valient man, a Venecian borne,
named SebaItian Cabote, who had the charge of thofe thynges, being an expert man in that fcience, and one
that coulde make cardes for the fea with his owne hande. And that by this reporte, feekynge his acquaintaunce,
he founde hym a very gentell perfon, who enterteyned hym frendly and thewed him many thynges, and amonge
other a large mappe of the worlde with certeine particular nauigations afwell of the Portugales as of the Spanyardes. And that he fpake further vnto hym, in this effecte. When my father departed from Venefe many
yeares fence to dwell in Englande to folowe the trade of marchaundies, he tooke me with him to the citie of
London whyle I was very yonge, yet hauynge neuertheleffe fum knowleage of letters of humanitie and of the
fphere. And when my father dyed in that tyme whcn newes were browght that Don Chriflopher Colonus
Genuefe, had difcouered the coaftes of India, whereof was great talke in all the courte of kynge Henry the
feuenth who then reigned: In fo mruch that all men with great admiration affirmed it to bee a thynge more
diuine then humane, to fayle by the Weftle into the Eaft where fpices growe; by a way that was neuer knowen
before. By which fame and reporte, there increafed in my harte a greate flame of defyre to attempte fum
notable thynge. And vnderftandyng by reafon of the fphere, that if I fhulde fayle by the way of the northweft
wynde, I flhulde by a fhorter tracte coomme to India, I thereuppon caufed the kynge to bee aduertifed of my
diuife, who immediatly commaunded two carauels to bee furnyffhed with all thynges apperteynynge to the
vyage, which was as farre as I remember, in the yeare. I496. in the begynnynge of fommer. Begynnyng therfore to faile towarde Northweft, not thynkyng to fynde any other lande then that of CATHAY, and from
thenfe to turne towarde India. But after certeine dayes, I founde that the lande ranne towarde the Northe,
which was to me a great difpleafure. Neuertheleffe, fayling alonge by the coaft to fee if I could fynde any
goulfe that turned, I founde the lande ftyll continent to the. 56. degree vnder owre pole. And feinge that
there the coaft turned toward the Eaft, cdifpayringe to fynd the paffage, I turned backe ageyne, and fayled
downe by the coaftl of that lande towarde the Equinoctiall (euer with intent to fynde the fayde paffage to
India) and came to that parte of this firme lande whiche is nowe cauled F LORI DA. Where, my vyttayles
fayling, I departed from thenfe and returned into England, where I founde great tumultes amonge the people,
and preparaunce for warres in Scotlande: by reafon whereof, there was no more confideration had to this vyage
Wheruppon I wente into Spayne to the Catholyke kynge, and queene Elizabeth: who beinge aduertifed what I had
doone, interteyned me, and at theyr charges furnyffhed certeyne fhyppes wherwith they caufed me to fayle to
difcouer the coaftes of Brafile, where I founde an exceadynge great and large ryuer, named at this prefent Rio
del/a Plata (that is) the ryuer of fyluer, into the which I fayled, and folowed it into the firme lande more then fyxe
hundrethe leaques, fyndynge it euery where verye fayre and inhabited with infinite people, which with admyration
came runnynge dayly to owre fhyppes. Into this ryuer, runne fo many other riuers, that it is in maner incredible.
After this, I made many other vyages, which I now pretermitte. And wexynge owlde, I gyue my felfe to reft from
fuch trauayles bycaufe there are nowe many younge and lufty pylotes and mariners of good experience, by whofe
forwardeneffe I doo reioyfe in the frutes of my labours, and reft with the charge of this office as yowe fee.
238




Of MIofcouie and Calhay.


289


And this is as much as I haue vnderftoode of mailter Sebaftian Cabote, as I haue
gathered owte of dyuers nauigations wrytten in the Italian toonge.
And whereas I haue before made mention howe Mofcouia was in owr tyme difcouered by Richard Chanceler in his viage toward Cathai by the direction and information of the fayde mafter Sebaftian who longe before had this fecreate in his mynde, I
fhall not neede here to defcribe that viage, forafmuche as the fame is largely and faythfully written in the Laten tonge by that lerned young man Clement Adams fcole mayfter
to the Queens henfhemen, as he receaued it at the mouthe of the fayde Richard Chanceler.  Neuertheleffe I haue thought good here to fpeake fumwhat of Mofcouia as I
haue redde in the booke of Iohn Faber written in the Latin toonge to the ryght noble
Prynce Ferdinando      Archeduke of Auftria and Infant of Spaine, of the maners and
religion of the Mofcouites, as he was partely inftructed by the ambafadours of the
duke of Mofcouie fent into Spayne to Th[e]emperours maieftie in the yeare. M.D.XX.V.
He wryteth therfore as foloweth.
I thynke it fyrfte conueniente to fpeake fumewhat of the name of this region wherby it is cauled at this
day, and how it was cauled in owlde tyme. Conferrynge therfore the mofte ancient of the Greeke and latine
monumentes with the hiftories of later tyme, I perceaue it to bee a thynge which requireth no fmaule iudgement
of wytte and lernynge. For we fee in howe fhorte tyme the names of thynges are chaunged, as are alfo the
maners of men. I fynde therfore that thofe people whom at this day wee commonly caule Mofcouites, were
in tyme paft (as wytneffeth Plinie) cauled Roxolani, whom neuertheleffe by chaungynge one letter, Ptolomie in
his eyght table of Europe, cauleth Rofolanos as dooth alfo Strabo. They were alfo many yeares cauled Rutheizi:
And are that people which furntyme fought manfully ageynit the Capitaynes of Methridates as Strabo wryteth.
They were cauled Mofcouites of the chiefe citie of al the prouince named Mofcouia or Mofca: or (as Volaterane
faith) of the riuer Mofco. They were fumtyme gouerned by duke Iohan, whofe wyfe was Helena of the lynage
of Th[e]emperours of Conflanflinople of the noble famelie of the Paleologi. Beyonde thefe Roxolanos, Strabo
fayth there is no lande inhabited. Thefe Ruthenians therfore or Mofcouites, are people of the northeafte parte
of the worlde from vs: And are determined with the limettes of the great ryuer Borifthenes of Scithia, on the
one fyde with the Lituanians and Polonians, and on the other fyde with the Tartars who ceafe not to vexe
them with continuall warres and incurfions. Efpecially the great Emperour Cham of Cathay the chiefe Prince
of the Tartars, refidente by the fea fyde in Taurico Cherfonefo, molefleth theim with fore warres. They are
towarde the north fyde inclofed with the frofen fea, the lande of whofe coafles beinge verye large, perteyneth
in maner all to the dominion of the duke of Mofcouie. This lea is it which the owlde wryters caule Lacus
Cronicus, fo named of the Greeke word Cronos, which the Latines caule Saturnus whom they fayne to bee an
owlde man, of complexion coulde and flowe, and thereby name all fuch thynges as are coulde and flowe,
Cronica, as by lyke reafon they dyd this northe fea which beinge in maner euer frofen, is flowe and coulde and
in maner immouable. And for lyke confideration (as faythe Plinie) Hethens nameth it in the Scythian toonge,
Amaltheum, whiche woorde fignifieth as muche as congeled or frofen. But that I wander not farre frome nay
purpofe: Th[e]empire and dominion of the duke of Mofcouie recheth fo farre that it comprehendeth certeyne
partes of Afia and alfo of Europe. The citie of Mofcouia or Mofca, is counted twyfe as bygge as Colonia
Agrippina as they faythfully reporte which knowe bothe. Vnto this they haue alfo an other not vnequall in
byggeneffe cauled Fladimer. Alfo Blefcouia, Nouogradia, Smolne, and Otifer, al which, theyr ambaffadours
affirme to bee of princely and magnificall buyldynges, and ftrongely defended with waules bothe of brycke
and fquare flone. Of thefe, Blefcouia is firongeff and enuironed with three waules. Other which they haue
innumerable are not fo famous as are thefe wherof this duke of Mofcouie and Emperoure of Ruffia taketh
th[e]infcription of his title. For euen at this prefent, when fo euer eyther by his ambaffadours or his letters,
he dooth fignifie hym felfe to bee Emperoure of Mofcouie, he is accuftomed to vfe this title. Bafilius by the
grace of God Emperoure of all Ruffia and greate Duke of Fladamer, Mofcouie, Nouigrade, Blefcouia, Smolne,
and Otifer. etc. And this is the tytle whereby the fayde ambaffadours faluted yowre maieflie in the name of
great Bafilius when they began theyr oration. This prince of Mofcouie hath vnder hym princes of many
prouinces and thofe of great poure: Of the which, that owlde whyte bearded man whom this Emperour of the
Ruthians fente for his ambaffadoure to Th[e]emperours maieftie into Spayne, is not one of the leaft. For euen
he when neceffitie of warre requyreth, is accuftomed to make for his Emperour a bande of. xxx. [thirty] thoufande
horfemen. But this is to theyr fingular commendation that they are fo obedient to theyr prince in al thynges,
that beinge fommoned by hym by neuer fo meane an hearald, they obey incontinent as if it were to god,
EDEN                           Z                                     8o


The vyage to
Moscouia.
The hystorye of
Moscouia.
The dyuers names
of Moscouia.
Roxolani
Rosolani
Rutheni
The ryuer Mosco.
The ryuer
Boristhenes.
Th[e]emperour of
Cathay.
The frosen sea.
Lacus Cronicus.
Saturnus.
Amaltheum.
The dominion of
the duke of
Moscouia.
The citie of
Moscouia.
The chiefe cities of
Moscouia.
257
The duke of
Moscouia and
Emperour of
Russia.
The duke of
Moscouia his tytle.
Duke Basilius.
Their poure.
Theyr obedience
to theyr prince.
Theyr wars and
conquestes.




290


Of Mofcouie and Ca/hay.


Gunnes.
Only the
moscouites haue
not felt the
commodities of
peace.
Theyr language.
Dalmatia.
Pannonia.
Hungarie.
Theyr original.
The Sclauon
toonge reacheth
farre.
Great woods
white beares and
blacke woolues.
Abundance of
hony and waxe.
Rych furres.
Theyr maner of
bargenyng
Rude and wylde
people.
Tartares.
258
Ciuile people in
cities.
Theyr money
They embrase the
Christian fayth
whiche thei
receaued of the
Apostles.
The counsaile of
Nicene.
Basilius Magnus.
Chrisostomus
Theyr constancie
in theyr religion.
The bysshoppes
define
controuersies in
religion.
Theyr bysslops.
The
Archebysshoppe.
The patriarke of
Constantinople.
A notable exemple
of a Christian
prynce.


thynkynge nothyng more glorious then to dye in the quarell of theyr prince. By reafon of which obedience,
they are able in Ihort tyme, to affemble an army of two or three hundreth thoufande men ageynfl theyr enemies
eyther the Tartars or the greate Cham: And haue hereby obteyned great victories and triumphes afivell ageynft
the Turkes as the Tartars by the exceadyng multitude of theyr horfemen and continual experience in warres.
At fuch time as Th[e]emperour Maximilian made a league with them, they kept warre ageynflt the kynge of
Polonie. They vfe not only bowes and dartes after the maner of the Parthians, but haue alfo the vfe of gunnes
as we haue. And to bee briefe, onely the Mofcouites maye feeme that nation whiche hath not felte the commodities of peace: In fo ntuche that yf theyr region were not firongely defended by the nature of the place
beinge impreignable, it had or nowe byn often tymes conquered. Theyr language agreeth much with the toonge
of the Bohemians, Croatians, and Sclauons: fo that the Sclauon dooth playnly vnderflande the Mofcouite,
although the Mofcouian toonge be a more rude and harde phrafe of fpeach. The hiftoriographers wryte that
the Sclauons toonge the name of the confufion whiche was in Babell in the tyme of that flowt hunter Nemroth
of whome mention is made in the Genefis. But I can not enowgh marueyle at this thing, that wheras betwene
Dalmatia (now cauled Sclauonia) and Mofcouia, both the Pannonies are fituate, yet this notwithflandynge, the
Hungarians toonge nothynge agreeth with the Mofcouites. Wherby wee may coniecture that thefe nations were
fumtymes diuided by legions, and that they came owt of Dalmatia thyther: whiche thynge alfo Volateranus
affirmeth, fayinge that the language of the Ruthenians (whiche are the Mofcouites) is Semnidalma/ica (that is)
halfe Sclauone. Howe fo euer it bee, this is certeyne that the Bohemians, Croatians, Sclauons, and Mofcouites,
agree in language as wee perceaued by th[e]interpretours which yowre maiefiie had then in yowre courte. For
whereas the fayde interpretours were borne amonge the Croatians and Sclauons and none of them had euer byn
in Mofcouia, or beefore that tyme had any conuerfation with them, yet dyd they well vnderilande the
ambaffadours woordes.
There are in Mofcouia, wooddes of exceadynge byggeneffe, in the which blacke woolues and whyte beares
are hunted. The caufe wherof may bee th[e]extreme could of the north, which dooth greatly alter the complexions of beaftes, and is the mother of whyteneffe as the Philofophers affirme. They haue alfo great plentie
of bees, wherby they haue fuch abundaunce of hony and waxe that it is with them of fmaul price. When the
commoditie of theyrcountrey is neglected by reafon of longe warres, theyr chiefe aduauntage whereby they haue all
thynges neceffarie towarde theyr lyuynge, is the gaines which they haue by theyr rych furres, as Sables, Marternes,
Luzernes, moft whyte armyns, and fuch other which they fell to marchauntes of dyuers countreys. They bye and
fell with fimple faythe of woordes exchaungynge ware for ware withowt any curious bondes or cautels.. And albeit
they haue the vfe of both golde and fyluer monyes, yet doo hey for the moft part exchaunge theyr furres for frutes
and other thynges neceffarie to mainteine theyr lyfe. There are alfo fum people vnder the dominion of this Emperour, which haue neither wyne nor wheate, but lyue only by fleffhe and mylke as doo the wylde Tartars theyr
bortherers which dwel in wods by the coafles of the frofen fea. Thefe people are brutyffhe, and lyue in maner lyke
wylde beaftes. But they of the citie of Mofca and Nouigrade, and other cities, are ciuile people: and agree with
vs in eatynge of fyffhe and fleffhe althowgh theyr maner of coquerie is in manye thynges differynge frome owres.
Volaterane wryteth that the Ruthenians vfe money vncoyned. And inquirynge further, I was informed that the
money of Hungary is much currant with them. But this is chiefely to bee confydered, that they imbrafe the
Chriflian fayth which they affirme to haue byn preached to them fyrfle by faynt Andrewe th[e]apofile and broother
to Simon Peter. Such doctrine alfo as vnder Confltanftine the greate, in the yeare. CCC. xviii. [three hundred and
eighteen] was concluded in the fyrfl generall counfayle holden in the citie of Nicene in Bithynia, and there determyned by. CCC. xviii. [three hundred and eighteen] byffhoppes, and alfo fuch as hath byn wrytten and tawght
by the Greeke doctoures Bafilius Magnus and Chrifoftomus, they beleue to bee fo holy, firme and fyncere, that
they thinke it no more lawfull one heare to tranfgreffe or go backe from the fame, then from the gofpell of Chrift.
For theyr conifancie and modefiie is fuch, that no man dare caule thofe thynges into queflion which haue once
byn decifed by holy fathers in theyr general counfailes. They doo therfore with a more conflante mynde perfeuer
in theyr fyrit fayth which they receaued of faynt Andrewe th[e]appoftle and his fucceffours and holy fathers,
than doo manye of vs beinge diuided into fcifies and fectes whiche thynge neuer chaunceth amonge them. But
if any difficultie chaunce to rife as touchynge the fayth or cuflome of religion, all is referred to the archbyfhoppe
and other byfhoppes as to bee defined by theyr fpirite: not permyttinge any iudgemente to the inconflant
and ignorant people. Theyr archebyfhoppe is refidente in the citie of Mofca, where alfo Th[e]emperoure
keepethe his courte. They haue lykewyfe dyuers other byfhops: as one in Nouigradia, where alfo Ifodorus was
byffhop vnder pope Eugenius. They haue an other in Rofciuia, an other in Suftali, an other in Otiferi: alfo in
Smolne, in Refan, in Colmum, and in Volut, all which haue theyr dioces. They acknowleage theyr Archebyfhop
as the chiefe. Before the patriarche of Conflantinople was oppreffed by the Tiranni of the Turkes, this
Archebyffhoppe recognifed hym as his fuperioure. In fo much that this duke of Mofcouia and Emperour of
Ruffia, not vnmyndefull hereof but a diligente obferuer of his accuftomed religion, dooth at this daye yearely
290




Of Mofcouie and Ca/hay.


291


fende a certeyne tfypende in naner of almes to the patriarche of Conflantinople, that he may with more quiete
mynd looke for th[e]ende of this his Egiptian feruitude vntyll it Ihal pleafe almyghty god to reflore hym to his
former churche and autoritie. For he iudgeth it much impietie, if he fhulde nowe forfake hym whofe prediceffoures haue ruled and gouerned fo many churches, and of whom the fayth and religion of fo many regions
and prouinces haue depended.
But to fpeake briefely of theyr religion, they agree in many thynges with vs, and in fum thynges folow the
Greekes. They haue munkes and religious men. Not farre from the citie of Mofca, they haue a great monafterie
in the whiche are three hundreth munkes lyuynge vnder the rule of Bafilius Magnus in the which is alfo the
fepulcher of S. Sergius the abbot. They obferue theyr vowe of chaflitie which none may breake that haue once
profeffed. Yet fuch as haue maried virgins of good fame, may bee admitted to th[e]order of preflhod, but may
neuer bee a munke. The preftes and byffhops whiche are admitted to orders vnmaried, may neuer after bee
maried: nor yet fuch as haue wiues, mary ageine when they are dead, but liue in perpetual chafitie. Such as
committe adulterie or fornication, are greeuoufly punyfihed by the byffhoppes and depriued of the benefices.
They celebrate maffe after the maner of the Greekes which differeth from owres in dyuers thinges, as in
fermented breade after the maner of the Greekes. They put in the chaleffe as much water as redde wine, which
water they vfe to heate, bycaufe (not withowt a great myfterie) there iffhewed furth of the fyde of owre lorde,
both blud and water, which wee ought by good reafon to thynke was not withowt heate: for els fhulde it
fcarfely haue byn iudged for a miracle. In fine, they affirme that all theyr cuftomes and rytes are accordynge
to th[e]inflitutions of the primatyue church and the doctrine of Bafilius Magnus, and Chrifoflomus. In this
thynge they dyffer greately from vs, that they minifler the communion to younge children of three yeares
of age, which they doo with fermented breade dipte in a fponefull of wyne, and gyue it them for the bodye and
bludde of Chryfte.
r A' briefe defcrzipion of Mofcouia after the later eryters, as Sebajfian
Mun/fer and lacobus Gajfaldus.


Theyr religion.
A monasterie of.
ccc. [three
hundred] monkes
Preestes.
Masse.
A mysterie.
The primatiue
church.
A straunge
custome.
259


He prouince of Mofcouia, is fo named by the ryuer Mofco which paffeth by the metrapolitane
citie of Mofcouia cauled Mofca by the name of the ryuer Mofco. This prouince was cauled
of the owlde wryters, Sarmatia Afiatica. The bortherers or confines to the Mofcouians on
the one fyde towarde the Eaft, are the Tartars cauled Nogai, and the Scianbanians, with the
Zagatians. Towarde the Weft, the prouinces of Liuonia and Lituania. Towarde the South,
the ryuer of Tanais and the people confinyng with the ryuer Volga, cauled of the owld
writers Rha. And towarde the North, the Ocean fea cauled the Scythian fea, and the
region of Lapponia. Mofcouia is in maner all playne and full of maryffhes, wooddes, and many very great
ryuers wherof the ryuer of Volga is the principal. Sum caul this Ledyl, as the owld autours named it Rha.
It beginneth at the great lake cauled Lacus Albus (that is) the white lake and runneth into the fea of Bachau,
named of the aunciente wryters, the fea Cafpium or Hircanum. Vnder the dominion of Mofcouia, are certeyne
regions and dukedoomes: as Alba Ruffia (that is) whyte Ruffia. Alfo Colmogora, Plefcouia, Bafrida, Nouogardia, with alfo manye places of the Tartars which are ftibiecte to the duke of Mofcouia. The chiefe cities of
Mofcouia,               ouia, Nouogardia, Colmogora, Otogeria. Viatra, Smolenfer, Percaflauia, Cologna,
Volodemaria, Roftauia, and Caffam. The people of Mofcouia are Chriftians, and haue greate abundaunce of
hony and waxe: alfo ryche furres, as Sabels, Marternes, Foynes, Calaber, and dyuers other. All the Tartars
which inhabite towarde the Eaft beyonde the ryuer of Volga, haue no dwellynge places, nor yet cities or caftels.
But cary abowt with theym certeyne cartes or wagens couered with beafltes hydes, vnder the whiche they refie,
as wee do in owre houfes.
They remoue togyther in great companies whiche they caule Hordas. They are warlike people and good
horfemen, and are all Macometifles.
Sebaftian Munfter in his booke of Vniuerfall Cofmographie, wryteth that the citie of Mofca
or Mofcouia conteineth in circuite. xiiii. [fourteen] myles, and that it is twyfe as bygge as the citie of Praga in Bohemie. Of the countrey of Mofcouia, bifyde other prouinces fubiecte to the fame, he wryteth thus. It extendeth
in largeneffe foure hundreth myles, and is rich in fyluer. It is lawfull for no man to go owt of the realme or coome
in withowt the dukes letters. It is playne without mountaynes, and ful of wooddes and maryffhes. The beaftes
there by reafon of the coulde, are leffe then in other countreis more fouthwarde. In the myddeft of the citie
29


Sarmatia asiatica.
The Scythian
Ocean.
The ryuer of
Volga.
Lacus albus.
The Caspian sea.
Theyr chiefe cities.
The wylde Tartars
Horcas.
The bygnes of the
citie of Moscouia.
Syluer.
The region of
Moscouia.
Bcastes.




292


Of lo(Ofcotie nOd Cathaiy.






A fayre and
stronge castel in
the citie of Mosca.
The dukes
pallaice.
Theyr drynke.
They are gyuen to
drunkennesse.
Corne and grayne.
Stoues.
The famous ryuer
of Tanais.
260
The marysshes of
Meotis.
Volga.
Ocha.
The sea Euxinum.
The forest of
hircania.
Vri.
Alces.
They trauayl in
wynter on sleades.
Causeys oftymber.
Trees and frutes.
Come and grayne.
Hony in wode and:
trees.
Lakes or pooles of
hony.
A man almost
drowned in hony.
A marueilols
chaunce.
Beares feede of
hony and bees.
Beares inuade
bulles.
The beares byrth.




of Mofca beinge fituate in a playne, there is a caftell with. xvii. towres and three bulxvarkes fo itronge and fayre,
that the lyke are fcarfely feene in any other place. There are alfo in the caftell xvi. churches, and three very
large courtes in the which the noble men of the courte haue theyr lodgynges. The dukes pallaice is buylded
after the maner of the Italian buyldyng, and very fayre, but not great. Theyr drynke is mede and beere as is
the maner of the mofte parte of the people that inhabite the North partes of the woorlde. They are exceadyngely gyuen to droonkenneffe. Yet (as fume faye) the princes of the lande are prohibite in peine of death to
abileine from fuch ftronge drinkes as are of force to inebriate, except at certeyne tymes when licence is graunted
theym, as twyfe or thryfe in the yeare. They plowe the grownde with horfes and plowes of woodde. Theyr
corne and other grayne by reafon of longe coulde, doo feldome waxe rype on the ground by reafon wherof they
are fumtimes inforced to rype and dry them in theyr ftooues and hottes houfes, and then grynd them. They
lacke wyne and oyle. Mofcouia is extended vnto Iurham and Corelia which are in Scythia. The famous
ryuer of Tanais, the Mofcouites caule Don, hauyng his fprynges and originall in MIofcouia in the dukedome of
Rezenfe. It ryfeth owt of a grownde that is playne, baren, muddy, full of maryffhes and wooddes. And
where it proceadeth toward the Eaft to the mountaynes of Scithia and Tartarie, it bendeth to the fouth: and
commyng to the maryffhes of Meotis it fauleth into them. The ryuer of Volga (fumetyme cauled Rha, and
nowe cauled of the Tartars Edel) runneth toward the north certeyne myles, to whom is ioyned the ryuer Occa
or Ocha, flowynge owt of Mofcouia, and then bendyng into the South and increafed with many other ryuers,
fauleth into the fea Euxinum, which diuideth Europe and Afia. The woodde or foreft cauled Hircania fylua,
occupieth a fmal portion of Mofcouia. Yet is it fumwhere inhabited, and by the longe labour of men made
thinner and barer of trees. In that parte that lyeth towarde Pruffia, is a kynde of greate and fierce bulles
cauled Vri or Bifomes, as wryteth Paulus Iouius. There are alfo Alces muche lyke vnto hartes, with longe
fnoutes of fleffhe and longe legges withowt any bowinge of theyr houx or paflernes. Thefe beafles, the
Mofcouites caule Lozzi, and the Almaynes Helenes. The iornaye that is betwene Vlna of Lituania by Smolenfe
to Mofca, is trauayled in wynter on fleades by the fnowe congeled by longe frofle, and made very flypperye
and compacte lyke Ife by reafon of much wearynge and treadynge, by meanes wherof this vyage is performed
with incredible celeritie. But in the fommer, the playne countreys can not bee ouercome withowt difficulte
labour.  For when the fnowe begynneth to bee diffolued by continuall heate, it caufeth maryffles and
quamyres inextricable and daungerous both for horfe and man, were it not for certeyne caufeyes made of
tymber with in maner infinite labour. The region of Mofcouia (as I haue faid) beareth neyther vynes nor
olyue trees, nor yet any other trees that bere any apples or frutes of very plefant or fwete fauour or tafle except
chery trees, for as much as al tender frutes and trees are burnte of the coulde blaftes of the North wynde. Yet
doo the fieldes beare all kyndes of come, as wheate and the grayne cauled Siligo, wherof the fyneft kynde of
breade is made: alfo mylle and panyke, whiche the Italians caule Melica: Likewyfe all kyndes of pulfe, as
beanes, peafon, tares, and fuche other. But theyr chife harueft confifleth of hony and waxe, forafiuch as the
hole region is replenyffhed with frutefull bees which make moft fweete hony, not in the hufbande mens hyues,
but euen in holowe trees. And hereby commeth it to paffe that both in the wooddes and fhalowed launes,
are feene many fwarmes of bees hangynge on the bowes of trees, fo that it Thall not bee neceffarie to caule them
togyther or charme theym with the founde of bafens. There are oftentymes founde greate maffes of hony
combes, conferued in trees of the owlde hony forfaken of bees, forafmnuch as the hufband men can not feeke
euery tree in fo great and large wooddes: In fo much that in the ifockes or bodies of exceadynge great and
holowe trees, are fumtymes founde great pooles or lakes of hony. Demetrius th[e]ambaffadour of the duke of
Mofcouia whom he fent to the byffhop of Rome not many yeares fence, made relation that a hufbande man of
the contrey not farre from the place where he remayned, feekynge in the wooddes for hony, defcended into a
greate holowe tree full of hony into the which he flypte vp to the breft, and lyued there only with hony for the
fpace of two dayes, caulynge in vayne for helpe in that deferte of wooddes. And that in fine difpayrynge of
helpe, he efcaped by a marueilous chaunce, beinge drawen owt by a great beare that defcended into the tree,
with her loynes downewarde after the maner of men. For when the man (as prefent neceffitie and oportunitie
ferued) perceaued the beare to bee within his reache, he fuddeinly clafped her abowt the loynes with his armes,
and with a terrible crye prouoked the beaft to inforce her firength to leape owt of the tree, and therwith to
drawe hym owt, as it chaunced in deede.
Thefe regions abounde with beares whiche euery where feeke both hony and bees, not only herewith to
fyl theyr bellies, but alfo to heipe theyr fyght. For theyr eyes are oftentymes dulled, and theyr mouthes
wounded of the bees: both which greefes are eafed by eatynge of hony. They haue weakeft heades, as lions
haue ftrongeft. In fo muche that when (beinge therto inforced) they cafte theim felues downe headelonge
from any rockes, they couer theyr heades with theyr fiete, and lye for a tyme aftoonyffhed and halfe deade with
knockes. They walke fumtyme on two fiete, and fpoyle trees backewarde. Sumtyme alfo they inuade bulles,
and fo hange on them with al theyr fiete, that they wery them with weight. The beare (as fayth Plinie)
292




Of Mofcouie azd Calhay.
bryngeth furth her byrth the. xxx. [thirtieth] day and oftentymes two. Theyr byrth is a certeyne whyte maffe of
fleffhe withowt forme and little bigger then a moufe withowt eyes, and withowt heare, with onely the nayles
or clawes commynge foorthe. But the damme with continuall lyckynge, by lyttle and lyttle figurethe the informe
byrthe. When fhee entereth into the denne whiche fhee hath chofen, fhee creepeth thyther with her belly
vpwarde lefle the place fhulde bee founde by the fleppes of her fiete. And being there deliuered of her byrthe,
remaynethe in the fame place for the fpace of. xiiii. dayes immoueable as wryteth Ariftoteles. They lyue
withowt meate fortie dayes, and for that tyme fufleyne them felues only by lyckynge and fuckyng theyr ryght
foote. At the lengthe chaunfynge to fynde meate, they fyll theym felues fo full, that they remedy that furfecte
by vomyte whiche they prouoke by eatynge of antes. Theyr byrthe is oppreffed with fo heauy a fleape for the
fpace of. xiiii. dayes, that it can not bee rayfed eyther with prickinge or woundes, and in the meane tyme growe
exceadynge fat. After. xiiii. dayes they wake from fleepe, and begyn to licke and fucke the foles of theyr fore
fiete and lyue thereby for a fpace: Nor yet is it apparent that they liue by any other meate vntyll the fprynge
tyme of the yeare. At whiche tyme begynnynge to runne abrode, they feede of the tender buds and younge
fprigges or braunches of trees, and other herbes correfpondent to theyr lyppes.
Before fiue hundreth yeares, the Mofcouites honoured the goddes of the gentyles: And then fyrfte receaued
the Chriflian faith when the byffhoppes of Grecia began to difcent from the churche of the Latines: and therfore
receaued the rites of the Greekes. They minifler the facrament with fermented breade vnder both kyndes:
And thinke that the foules of deade menne are not helped with the fuffragies of preefles, nor yet by the deuotion
of theyr frendes or kinffolkes: Alfo that the place of Purgatorie is a fable. In the tyme of the diuine feruice,
the hyflorie of the miracles of Chrifte and the Epiftels of faynt Paule are rehearfed owt of the pulpitte. Beyonde
Mofcouia, are manye people whiche they caule Scythians, and are partely fubiecte to the Prince of Mofcouia.
Thefe are they which duke Iuan fubdued, as are the people of Perm, Bafkird, Czriremiffa, Iuhra, Corela, and
Permfka. Thefe people were Idolatours before the duke compelled theym to baptifme, and appoynted a byffhop
ouer them named Steuen, whom the Barbarians after the departure of the duke, fleyde alyue and flewe. But
the duke returnyng fhortly after, afflicted them fore and affigned them a newe byffhoppe.
It is here alfo to bee noted that the owlde Cofmographers fayned that in thefe regions towarde the Northe
pole, there fhuld bee certeyne great mountaynes which they cauled Ripheos and Hyperboreos, which neuertheleffe are not founde in nature. It is alfo a fable that the ryuers of Tanais and Volham doo fprynge owt of
hygh mountaynes, wheras it is apparent that both thefe ryuers and many other, haue theyr originall in the
playnes.
Nexte to Mofcouia, is the frutefull region of Colmogora throwgh the whiche runneth the ryuer of Diuidna
beinge the greateft that is knowen in the north partes of the world. This ryuer increafeth at certeyne tymes of
the yeare as dooth the ryuer of Nilus in Egypte, ouerfloweth the fyeldes round abowt, and with abundaunce of
fatte moyfture, refifleth the couldeneffe of the ayer. Wheate fowne in the grounde, groweth abundauntly
withowt plowynge: and fearynge the newe iniurie of the proude ryuer, fpryngeth, groweth,. and rypeth with
woonderfull celeritie of haftynge nature.
Into the ryuer of Diuidna runnethe the ryuer of Iuga: And in the very angle or corner where they meete,
is a famous marte towne named Vftiuga, beinge a hundreth and fyftie myles diflant from the chiefe citie of Mofca.
To this mart towne from the hygher countreys, are fent the precious furres of marternes, fables, woolues and
fuch other whiche are exchaunged for dyuers other kyndes of wares and marchaundies.
Hytherto Munfterus.
And forafmuche as many doo maruaile that fuche plentie of hony fhuld bee in fo
coole a contrey, I haue thought good to declare the reafon and naturall caufe hereof.
It is therefore to be confidered that lyke as fpices, gums, and odoriferous frutes are engendered in hot regions by
continuall heate duryng al the hole yeare withowt impreffion of the mortifying qualitie of could wherby al thynges are
conflrayned as they are dilated by heate, euen fo in could and moyft regions (whofe moyfture is thinner and more
wateryffhe then in hot regions)are flowres engendered more abundantly as caufed by impreffion of leffe and faynter
heate woorkynge in thynne matter of wateryffhe moiflure leffe concocte then the matter of gummes and fpices and
other vnctuous frutes and trees growing in hotte regions. For althoughe (as Munfler faithe here before) the region
of Mofcouia beareth nother vines or oliues, or any other frutes of fweete fauoure by reafon of the couldeneffe therof,
neuertheleffe forafmuch as floures (wherofhony is chiefely gathered) may in fommer feafon growe abundantly in the
playnes, maryffhes, and wooddes, not onely on the grownde but alfo on trees in coulde regions, it is agreeable to good
reafon that great plentie of honye fhulde bee in fuche regions as abounde with floures, which are brought furthe
with the fyrfl degree of heate and fyrfl approch of the fonne, as appeareth in the fprynge tyme not onely by the
fpringinge of floures in fyeldes and gardeynes, but alfo of bloffomes of trees fpryngynge before the leaues or
frute, as the lyghter and thynner matter fyrlte drawne owte with the lowefte and leafte degree of heate, as the


Z 2                                   293


293
261
The beares denne.
Reares lyue
withowt meate. xl.
[forty] dayes.
The sleape of
beares.
The religion of the
Moscouites.
The Scythians
subiecte to the
duke of Moscouia.
It was then an
opinion that al
riaers spronge
owte of montaines
The fruteful
region of
Colmogora.
The great riuer
Diuidna.
Wheate withowt
plowing
The ryuer of Iuga.
Vstiuga.
Furres.
The naturall cause
of much hony in
coald regions.
Gummes and
spices in hot
countreys.
Floures in coulde
regions
262
Floures of trees.
Blossoomes of
trees.




294


Of olofcozie anzd Ca/thay.


An exemple of the
degrees of heate.
The generation of
floures by
moderate heate.
Ionge dayes and
shorte nyghtes.
Bramble and
ferne.
Spices.
The satoure of
floures.
What Plinie
wryteth of hony.
Serius is
otherwyse cauled
Canicula, this is
the dogge, of
whom the
canicular dayes
haue theyr name.
What is hony
Howe hony is
corrupted.
Hony of great
quantitie in North
regions
263
Hot nyghtes in
coulde regions.
A similitude.
Natural heat
dooth subtyle and
digest all thynges.
Subtyle vapours
digested by heate.
Could regions
Ziglerus.


lyke is feene in the arte of flyllynge wherby all thlinne and lyght moyflures are lyfted vp by the fyrfle degree of
the fyre: and the heuyeft and thickeft moyftures are drawne owt with more vehement fyre. As we may therfore
in this cafe compare the generation of floures to the heate of May, the generation of gummes to the heate of
Iune and fpices to the heate of Iuly. Euen fo in fuche coulde regions whofe foommer agreeth rather with the
temperate heate and moyflure of May then with th[e]extreeme heate of the other monethes, that heate is more
apt to brynge foorth abundance of floures as thynges caufed by moderate heate, as playnely appeareth by theyr
taft and fauoure in which is no Iharpe qualitie of heate eyther bytynge the toonge or offendyng the head as is
in fpices, gummes, and frutes of hotte regions. And as in could and playne regions, moderate heate with
abundance of moiflure, are caufes of the generation of floures (as I haue fayde) fo lykewyfe the length of the
dayes and fhortneffe and warmeneffe of the nyghtes in fommer feafon in fuche coulde regions, is a greate helpe
herunto. Cardanus wryteth in his booke De Plantis, that bramble and fearne growe not but in could regions,
as dooth wheate in temperate regions. And that fpices and hotte feedes, can not growe in coulde regions,
forafmuch as beinge of thinne fubifaunce, they fhulde foone be mortified and extinct by exceffiue could. For
(as he fayth) nothing can concocte, rype, and attenuate the fubftance of frutes withowt the helpe of ayer
agreable to the natures of fuch thynges as are brought foorth in the fame, althowgh it may doo this in rootes.
But in maner all floures are of fweete fauour, forafmuch as the moyflure that is in them, being thinne and but
lyttle, is by meane heate foone and eafely concocte or made rype. Such alfo as are foone rype, are foone
rotten according to the prouerbe.
Plinie, althowgh in the. xi. booke of his naturall hyflorie, Cap. viii. he wryteth that hony is gathered of
the floures of all trees and fets of plantes, except forell and the herbe cauled Chenopode (which fume caule
goofe foote) yet he affirmeth that it defcendeth from the ayer: for in the. xii. chapyture of the fame booke, he
wryteth thus.
This coommeth from the ayer at the ryfynge ryfynge of certeyne flarres, and efpecially at the ryfynge of Sirius, and
not before the ryfyng of Vergixi (which are the feuen flarres cauled Pleiades) in the fprynge of the day. For
then at the mornynge fprynge, the leaues of trees are founde moift with a fat dewe: In fo much that fuch as
haue bynne abrode vnder th     e firmamente at that tyme, haue theyr apparell annoynted with lyquoure and the
heare of theyr headde clammy. And whether this bee the fwette of heauen, or as it were a certeyne fpettyl of the
flarres, eyther the iuife of the ayer pourgynge it felfe, I wolde it were pure, liquide, and fimple of his owne nature
as it fyrfle fauleth from aboue. But nowe defcendyng fo far, and infected not only with fuch vncleane vapoures
and exhalations, as it meteth with by the way, but afterward alfo corrupted by the leaues of trees, herbes, and
floures of fundrye taftes and qualities, and lykewyfe afwel in flomackes of the bees (for they vomite it at theyr
mouthes) as alfo by longe referuynge the fame in hiues, it neuertheleffe reteyneth a great parte of the heauenly
nature. &c. Ageyne in the. xiiii. chapiture of the fame booke, he wrytethe that in certeyne regions toward the
north, as in fum places of Germanie, hony is found in fuch quantitie that there haue bynne feene hony combes of
eyght foote longe, and blacke in the holowe parte. By the whiche woordes of Plinie, and by the principles of naturall philofophie, it dooth appere that abundaunce of hony fhulde chiefely bee engendered in fuch regions where the
heate of foommer is temperate and continuall afwell by nyght as by day as it isnotinhotteregionswhere the nyghtes
be longe and coulde as is declared in the Decades. For lyke as fuche thynges as are fyned by continuall heate,
mouynge, and circulation, are hyndered by refrigeration or coulde (as appereth in the art of flyllynge and
hatchynge of egges) euen fo by the action of temperate and continuall heate withowt interpofition of contrarie
and mortifyinge qualitie, crude thynges are in fhlorte tyme made rype, fower made fweete, thicke made thinne,
heauie made lyght, groffe made fubtyle, harde made fofte, deade made lyuynge, and in fine bodies made fpirites,
as manifeftly appeareth in the marueylous woorke of dygeflion of lyuyng beafles, wherby the fineft part of theyr
nurifhement is turned into bludde, and the fineft of that bludde conuerted into fpirites, as the like is alfo feene
in the nuryffhement of trees, plantes, and herbes, and all other thynges that growe on the grounde, all whiche
are moued, digefted, fubtiliate, attenuate, ryped, and made fweete by the action of this continuall heate wherof
I haue fpoken. To conclude therfore, if hony bee eyther the fwette of the flarres, or the iuife of the ayer
pourginge it felfe (as plinie writeth) or other wyfe engendered of fubtyle and fine vapoures ryfinge frome the
earth, and concocte or digefted in the ayer by the fayd continuall and moderate heate, it may feeme by good
reafon that the fame fhulde bee engendered in foommer feafon more abundantly in coulde regions then in hot,
for the caufes aforefayde. And that it may by autoritie and reafon more manifefllye appeare bothe that the
heate of foommer in could regions is continual (as I haue fayd) and alfo that the coulde in wynter is not there
fo intollerable to th[e]inhabitauntes of thofe regions as other doo thynke, I haue thought good for the better
declaration hereof to adde hereunto what I haue gathered owt of the booke of Ziglerus wrytten of the north
regions.


294




295


C OF THE NORTH REGIONS
AND OF THE MODERATE AND CONTINVALL HEATE
in coulde regions aiwell in the nyght as in the day in
foommer feafon: Alfo howe thofe regions are
habitable to th[e]inhabitauntes of the
fame, contrary to th[e]oppinion
of the owlde wryters.


F this matter, Ziglerus in his booke of the Northe
regions in the defcription of Scondia wryteth as
foloweth.
Wee wyll intreate of this matter, not as puttynge the fame
in queftion as dyd the owld wryters, nor gatherynge iudgement
deducted of reafons in way of argument, forafmuch as wee
are alredy more certeyne by hyftorie that thefe coulde regions
are inhabited. Wee wyll fyrft therfore fhewe by naturall reafon
and by confideration of the fphere, declare how by the helpe
of man and arte, coulde regions are inhabited withowt domage
or deftruction of lyuynge beaftes: And wyll fyrfte fpeake of
the qualitie of fommer, declarynge howe it is there augmented.
Yet intende I not to comprehende all that maye bee fayde in
this matter, but only rehearfe fuch reafons and fimilitudes as
l                         are moft apparent and eafy to bee vnderftoode.
In fuch regions therfore, as are extended from the burnte
line or Equinoctiall towarde the north, as much as the fonne ryfethe hygher ouer theim, fo muche are they the
mnore burnte with heate, as Affrica, bycaufe it ryfeth hygheft ouer them as they are neareft to the Equinoctiall:
and taryinge with theim fo mnch the fhorter time caufeth fhorter days, with longer and coulder nyghtes to
reftore the domage of the day paft by reafon of the moifture confumed by vapour. But in fuch regions ouer
the which the fonne ryfeth lower (as in Sarmatia) it remayneth there the longer in the day, and caufeth fo much
the Ihorter and warmer nyghtes, as reteynynge warme vapoures of the day paft, which vapours helpe the
woorke of the day. I fpeake as I haue founde by experience, faythe Vpfalienfis. For I haue felt the fommer
nyghtes fcarfely tollerable for heate in Gothlande, wheras I felte them coulde in Rome. This benefite of th[e]increafe of the day, doth augment fo much the more in coulde regions as they are nearer the poles: and
ceaceth not vntyll it coome directly ouer the center or poynte of the axes or axceltree of the worlde, where the
fonne beinge at the hygheft in fommer, is eleuate abowt. xxiiii. degrees: In which regions, one continual day
confifteth of. vi. monethes from the fprynge tyme by the ftandynge of the foonne (cauled Solftitium) in the
figne of Cancer to Autumne. The foonne therfore, withowt any offence of the night, gyueth his influence
vppon thofe landes with heate that neuer ceafethe durynge that tyme which maketh to the great increafe of
foommer by reafon of continuance. We haue now therfore thought good to gather by a certeyne coniecture
howe greately wee thinke the foommer to bee increafed hereby.
Wee haue before declared howe hyghe the foonne is eleuate ouer the regions that are vnder the poles at
the ftaye of the foonne: And fo manye partes is it eleuate in Rome at the flay of the foonne in wynter (that is)
at the fhorteft day in the yeare. But here, in the mydde wynter, the foonne at noone tyde is beneficiall, and
bryngeth foorth floures, rofes, and ielefloures. I haue gathered fum in wynter in the moneth of December,
not procured at home by humane arte, but growinge in open gardenes in maner in euery bedde vnder the bare
heauen, browght foorth only by the foonne. But this benignitie of the foonne, continueth not paft fiue houres
295


Ziglerus.
The qualitie of
soomer in could
regions.
The course of the
sonne.
Vapours.
Short and Warine
nyghtes.
Gothlande
264
One day of. vi
monethes.
Howe the sommer
is increased in
could regions.
Rome.




296


Of th/e north regions.


Could nights in
hot regions.
The Romane
wynter.
One nyght of vi.
monethes
Obiections.
The twylyghtes.
The lyght of the
mone.
The nyght vnder
the pole.
A demonstration.
265
The Moone.
Remedies of
nature and art.
The owlde wryters
persuaded by
coniecture.
A brasen pot
broken with frost.


in the naturall day, forafmuch as th[e]operation therof is extinct by the couldeneffe of the nyght folowynge.
But if this benefite myght bee receaued withowt hinderaunce of the nyght, as it is vnder the poles, and fo
continue many monethes in hot regions vnto wynter, it fhulde fuerlye brynge foorthe manye woonderfull
thynges, if moyfture fayled not. And by this condition thus propounded, wee may well conceaue that the
Romane winter, althowgh it be not hotte, yet to be equal in heate to the full fprynge tyme in the fame citie
durynge the tyme of the fayde flue houres. And thus by a fimilitude of the height of the foonne vnder bothe
places, and of the knowen qualitie of the Romane heauen, and by th[e]acceffe of the foonne to fuch places
where the longeft day continueth certeyne monethes, wee maye gather that foommer in places vnder the pole,
is lyke vnto and equall with the full Romane fprynge.
But the more difficulte queftion, is of the tyme of the. vi. moonethes in the whiche the foonne leaueth
thofe regions, and go[e]th by the contrarye or ouerthwarte circle towarde the fouth in wynter. For they lay that
at that tyme, thofe regions are deformed with horrible darkeneffe and nyghtes not increafed, which may bee the
caufe that beaftes can not feke theyr foode. And that alfo the coulde fhulde then bee intollerable: by which
double euyls all thynges conflrayned fhulde dye, fo that no beafle were able to abyde th[e]iniuries of wynter
and famen infuinge therof: but that all beafltes Ihulde peryffhe before the fommer folowynge, when they fhulde
bringe furth theyr broode or fucceffion: And that for thefe caufes, the fayde coulde clime Ihulde bee perpetually defolate and vnhabitable. To al which obiections, we anfwere in this maner
As touchynge the nyghtes not increafed, I faye, that it was not conuenient to affume that for any reafon.
For not ascommeth the darke night but thee          aat the euenynge dooth fubflitute
and prolonge the day longe after, as alfo the day fprynge or dawnynge of the daye gyueth a certeyne lyght
before the ryfinge of the foonne: After the whiche, the refidue of the nyght that receaueth no light by the fayde
euenynge and mornynge twilightes, is accomplyffhed by the lyght of the moone, fo that the nyghtes are feldome
vnaugmented. Let this bee an exemple proued by owre temperate regions, wherby we may vnderftande the
condition of the nyght vnder the pole. Therfore euen there alfo the twilightes helpe the nyght a longe tyme,
as we wyl more prefently demonflrate. It is approued by the Aftronomers, that the foonne defcendynge from
the highetll halfe fphere by. xviii. paralels of the vnder horizon, makethe an ende of the twylight, fo that at the
lengthe the darke nyght fuccedeth: And that the foonne approchynge, and ryfynge aboue the the hygheft halfe
fphere by as many paralels, dooth diminyffhe the nyght and increafe the twylyght. Ageyne, by the pofition or
placeinge of the fphere vnder the pole, the fame is the horizontall that is the Equinoctiall. Thofe paralelles
therefore that are paralels to the horizontal line, are alfo paralels to the Equinoctiall. So that the foonne
defcendynge there vrder the horizon, dooth not brynge darke nyghtes to thofe regions vntyll it coomme to the
paralele diftant. xviii. partes from the Equinoctiall.
Other demonflrations hereof are made by certeyne fygures of Aftronomie, whiche I wolde haue added hereunto but that I
coulde not gette the fame grauen or cutte.
Durynge the tyme of thefe fayde fyxe moonethes of darkeneffe vnder the pole, the nyght is deflitute of the
benefite of the foonne and the fayde twylyghtes, onely for the fpace of three moonethes, in the whiche the
foonne goeth and returneth by the portion of the ouerthwart circle. But yet neyther this tyme of three
moonethes is withowt remedy frome heauen. For the moone with her full globe increafed in lyghte, hath
acceffe at that tyme, and illuminateth the moonethes lackynge lyght, euery one by them felues, halfe the courfe
of the moonethe: by whofe benefite it coommeth to paffe that the night, named as vnaugmented, poffeffeth
thofe regions no longer then one mooneth and a halfe, neyther that continually or al at one tyme: but this alfo
diuided into three forts of Ihorter nyghtes, of the whiche euery one endureth for the fpace of twoo weekes, and
are illuminate of the moone accordyngly. And this is the reafon conceaued of the poure of the fphere wherby
we teftifie that the fommers and nyghtes vnder the pole, are tollerable to lyuynge beaftes.
But wee wyll nowe declare by other remedies of nature and arte, that this coulde fo greatly feared, is more
remiffe and tollerable then owre opinion: fo that compared to the nature of fuch beafles as liue there, it may
bee abydden. And there is no doubt but there are autours of more antiquitie then that age in the which any
thynge was exactly knowen or difcouered of the north regions. The owlde wryters therfore perfuaded onely
by naked coniecture, dydde gather what they myght determine of thofe places: Or rather by the eftimation of
heauen, the which, bycaufe they felte it to bee hardely tollerable to them felues, and leffe to men borne in the
clyme of Egypte and Grecia, tooke therby an argument of the hole habitable earth.  The hyftorie of Strabo is
knowen, that a potte of braffe which was broken in funder with frofen water, was brought from Pontus and thewed
in Delphis in token of a greuous wynter. Here therfore, they that fo greatly feared the winter (fuch as chaunceth
to the earth vnder the. xlviii. [forty-eighth] paralele) and therefore confecrated that broken pot to the temple of
Apollo, what coulde fuch men trewly define vppon regions fo farre withowt that paralele, whether they were
inhabited or not? But fuch as folowed thefe, being contented with th[e]inuentions of the owlde autours,.96




Of /ze ozortIz regions.


297


and borne in maner vnder the fame qualitie of heauen, perfifted wyllyngly in the fame opinion, with more
confidence then confideration of the thynges whereof wee nowe intreate: fo lyghtly was that opinion recealued
as touching the vnhabitable clime vnder the poles. But we with better confidence and faithe (forafmuch as we
are not inftructed with coniectures) intend to flande ageynft the fentence of the owld autours: Affirming the
north regions within the coulde clime to bee inhabyted with hearynges, coddes, haddockes, and brettes,
tunnyes, and other great fyfihes, with th[e]infinite number wherof, tables are furnyfihed through a great parte
of Europe: Al whiche are taken in the north fea extended beyonde owr knoweleage. This fea at certeyne
tymes of the yeare, poureth furth his plentifulneffe, or rather dryueth furth his increafe to feke newe manfions,
and are here taken in theyr paffage. Furthermore alfo, euen the mouthes of the riuer of Tyber receaue a fyffhe
as a newe geft fent from the north fea. This fwamme twyfe through Fraunce and twife throughe Spayne:
Ouerpaffed the Ligurian and Tufcan fea to communicate her felfe to the citie of Rome. The lakes alfo and
ryuers of thofe regions are replenyffhed with fyffhe: In fo much that no poure of coulde is able to extinguyflhe
th[e]increafe of the yeare folowinge, and the fucceffion reparable fo many hundreth yeares. And I playnely
thinke, that yf it fhulde of neceffitie folowe, that one of thefe two elementes, the earthe and the water, fhulde
be deftructiue to lyuynge creatures, the water fhulde chiefely haue wrought this effecte. But this is founde fo
tractable, that in the diepe wynter, both that increafe is brought furth, and fyffhynge is alfo exercifed. The
lande is lykewife inhabited with lyke plentifulneffe. But that we wander not to farre: Let the fayth hereof reft
in th[e]expofition folowynge, wherin we intend to declare howe by the poure of nature and induftry of man,
this commoditie may coomme to paffe. Therfore as touchynge nature, wee fuppofe that the diuine prouidence
hath made nothynge vncommunicable, but to haue gyuen fuch order to all thynges wherby euery thynge maye
bee tollerable to the nexte. The extremeties of the elementes confent with theyr next. The ayer is groffe
abowt the earth and water: But thinne and hotte abowt the fyre. By this prouidence of nature, the vttermoft
fea is very falte. And falte (as wytneffeth Plinie) yeldeth the fatneffe of oyle. But oyle, by a certeyne natiue
heate, is of propertie agreable to fyre. The fea then, beinge all of fuch qualitie, poureth furth it felfe far vppon
th[e]extreme landes, wuhereby by reafon of the falteneffe therof, it moueth and flereth vp generatiue heate, as by
fatneffe it noryffheth the fecunditie of thynges generate. It gyueth this frutfulnes to the earth at certeyne fluds,
although the earth alfo it felfe, haue in his inner bowels the fame liuely and nuryffIynge heate, wherby not only
the dennes, caues and holowe places, but alfo fprynges of water are made warme: And this fo much the more,
in howe muche the wynter is more vehement. This thyng dooth more appere by this exemple, that the
mountaynes of Norway and Suethlande are fruteful of metals, in the which, fyluer and copper are concocte and
molten into veynes, which can fcarfely bee doonne in fornaces. By this reafon alfo, the vapours and hotte
exhalations perceinge the earthe and the waters, and throwghe both thofe natures breathynge furth into the
ayer, tempereth the qualitie of heauen and maketh it tollerable to beaftes, as wytneffeth the huge byggeneffe of
the whales in thofe feas, with the ftrength of bodye and longe lyfe of fuche beaftes as liue on the lande: whiche
thynge coulde not bee, excepte all thynges were there commodioufly nuryffhed by the benefite of the heauen
and the ayer. For nothyng that in the tyme of increafe is hyndered by any iniurie, or that is euyll fedde all
the tyme it lyueth, can profper well. Neyther are fuch thynges as lyue there, offended with theyr naturall
wynter as thowgh an Egiptian or Ethiopian were fuddeynly conueyed into thofe coulde regions. For they
were in longe tyme by lyttle and lyttle browght fyrft acquaynted with the nature of that heauen, as may be
proued both by the lyfe of man and by the hiftorie of holy fcripture. They that were led from Mefopotania,
and that famous towre of Babilon towarde the north partes of the worlde in the fyrft difpertion of nations, dyd
not immediatly paffe to th[e]extreme boundes, but planted theyr habitations fyrft vnder a myddle heauen
betwene both, as in Thracia and Pontus, where theyr pofleritie was accuftomed the better to fufleyne the
rygoure of Scythia and Tanais, as he that commeth from winter to foommer, maye the better after abyde Ife
and fnowe beinge fyrfi hardened therto by the frofles of Autumne. In lyke maner mortall men, accuftomed to
beare the hardeneffe of places nexte vnto theym, were therby at the length more confirmed to fuflteyne the
extremes. And here alfo, if any fharpeneffe remayne that maye feeme intollerable, nature hathe prouyded for
the fame with other remedies. For the lande and fea, hathe gyuen vnto beaftes, diepe and large caues, dennes,
and other holowe places and fecreate corners in mountaynes and rockes, bothe on the lande and by the fea
bankes, in the which are euer conteyned warme vapoures fo much the more intent and vehement, in howe
much they are the more conftrayned by extreme could  Nature hath alfo gyuen valleys diuerted and defended
frome the north wyndes. Shee hath lykewife couered beaftes with heare fo much the thicker in howe muche
the vehemencie of could is greater: by reafon wherof the beft and rycheft furres are browght from thofe
regions, as Sables whofe price is growne to great exceffe nexte vnto gold and precious ftones, and are eftemned
princely ornamentes. The beafles that beare thefe furres, are hunted chiefely in wynter (which thynge is more
firaunge) bycaufe theyr heare is thenne thicker and cleaueth faller to the fkyn. Howe greauous then Ihall we
thinke the winter to bee there where this lyttle beaft lyueth fo well, and where the hunters may fearch
297


Fysshes of the
North seas.
The North sea.
The qualitie of
water.
The lande
The diuine
prouidence in
moderatynge the
elements
266
The nature of the
sea.
Salte.
Generat.ue heate.
Owtwarde could is
cause of inwarde
heate.
Metals.
Vapours and
exhalations.
Whales.
Beastes.
Hereby maye bee
considered the
cause of the
deathe of owr men
that sayle directly
to Guinea.
No passage from
one extremitie to
another but by a
meane.
Caues and dennes.
Valleys.
The best furres.
Sables.




298


Of the nzorth regions.


Beastes that lye
hyd in wynter.
All beastes haue
the nature of the
place where they
are engendered.


267
What exercise
may doo.
Vse maketh
masteries.
Scondia.
Scone. is fayre in
the duch toonge.
The fertilitie of
Scondia.
He meaneth
Diodorus Siculus.
Th[e]inuasions of
the Gothes
Transiluania


the dennes and hauntes of fuch beafles throwghe the wooddes and fnowe?    But fuche beaftes the
condition of whofe bodies is fo tender that they are not able to abyde th[e]iniurie of coulde, eyther
lye hydde in wynter, or chaunge theyr habitation, as do certeyne beaftes alfo in owre clime.  Nature
hath furthermore gyuen remedie to man bothe by arte and induftry to defende him felfe both abrode
and at home. Abrode, with a thicke veflure, and the fame well dowbeled. At home, with large fyers
on harthes, chymyneys, and in ftooues for the day, with clofe chambers, and couches, fofte and warme beddes
for the nyght: by whiche remedies they mitigate the winters which feeme rigorous to firaungers, althowghe they
are to th[e]inhabitauntes more tollerable then owre opinion, as in deede by the fyrfl natural mixture or
compofition of theyr bodies, fuch thinges are agreable to them as feeme very harde to other. The lion in Affrike
and the beare in Sarmatia, are fierce as in theyr prefente firength and vigoure: but tranflated into a contrary
heauen, are of leffe flrength and courage. The foule cauled Ciconia (which fum thinke to bee the ftorke)
dooth not tary the winter: yet doo the cranes coomme at that tyme. The Scythian wyll accufe the Romane
heauen as induceinge feuers, wheras neuertheleffe there is none more holfoome. Such as haue byn tenderly
browght vp, if they coomme fuddeynly in to the campe, can not away with hunger, watchynge, heate, paffages
throwgh ryuers, battayles, fieges, and affaultes. But the owld fouldier exercifed in the warres, vfeth thefe as
meditations of the fielde, as hardened therto by longe experience. He that hath byn accuflomed to the
fhladowe of the citie, and wyll attempte the fayinge of the poet Virgil, Nudus ara, fere nudus, that is, naked and
bare withowt houfe and home, Ihall to his perell make an ende of the verfe, Habebis frigora febrem (that is)
he fhall haue the coulde ague. Suche thynges therfore as feeme harde vnto vs, beinge accuftomed by lyttle and
lyttle, becomme more tollerable: In fo much that this exercife of fufferaunce by fuch degrees, dooth oftentymes
grow to prodigious effectes farre beyonde owre expectation. And thus wee feeme to haue made fufficient
demonifration, by heauen, nature, and arte, wherby it may appere that no part of the lande or fea is denyed to
lyuynge creatures. The reader may alfo perceaue how large matter of reafons and exemples may bee opened
for the declarynge of owre opinion wherein wee reft. Let therfore th[e]autoritie of the ancient autours gyue
place, and the confent of the newe wryters agree to this hyflory, not as nowe at the length comprehended
(whereas before many hundreth yeares Germanie and Scondia had entercourfe of marchaundies not feuered by
the large goulfe of Gothia) but as nowe by owr commentaries brought to light. And hauyng fayde thus much
in maner of a preface, we wyll nowe procede to wryte of the north regions.
C SCHONDIA.
Chondia, Schondania, or Schondenmarchia, is as much to fay as fayre Dania or fayre Denmarke.
Plinie in one place, nameth it Scandia, and in an other, Scandinauia if there bee no faute in
th[e]exemplers. It was named Schondia, by reafon of the fayreneffe and frutfulneffe therof.
And this afwell for that in beneficiall heauen, fertilitie of grounde, commoditie of hauens and
marte townes, abundaunce of ryuers of fyffhe, plentie of beaftes, great quantitie of metall, as
golde, fyluer, copper, and leade, diligent culturynge the grounde, with townes and cities wel
inhabited and gouerned by ciuile lawes, it gyuethe place to none other fortunate region.
This was in maner vnknowen to the owlde Greekes and Latins as may appeare by this argumente that with one
confente they affirmed that in thefe north regions the could zone or clime, was condemned to perpetuall fnowe
intollerable to all lyuynge creatures. For few of them haue made mention hereof as to be inhabited. Amonge
whom Plinie as one of the chiefe, fayth in his fourth booke, that Schondania is of vnknowen byggeneffe: and
only that portion therof to be knowen which is inhabited with the nation of the Hilleuiones in fiftie vyllages.
Neyther yet is Eningia leffe in opinion. Other more auncient then Plinie, haue placed moft fortunate regions,
with men of longe lyfe (whiche the Greekes caule Macrobios) and of mofte innocente behauour vnder the tracte
of thofe landes: and that there came from thence to Delphos, certeyne religious virginnes with vowes and gyftes
confecrated to Apollo: And furthermore that that nation obferued this inflitution vntyll the fayde virgins were
violated of them of whome they were receaued as firaungers. Thefe are moft cleare teflimonies of Antiquitie,
both of the greatneffe of Schondia, and the people that inhabite the fame, althowgh they were fence vnknowen,
as lykewyfe the Gothes departynge from thefe north landes althowghe they obteyned Th[e]empire of the regions
abowte the mariffhes of Meotis and the coaftes of the fea Euxinus, with the realme of Denmarke (wherof that
is thought to bee a portion which is nowe cauled Tranfiluania) and the bankes of the ryuer of Danubius, and
in fine inuaded the Romane Empire, yet were not the regions wel knowen from whenfe they tooke theyr
originall. Therefore lyke as parte of the owlde wryters are vnfufficient wytneffes to teflifie of owre narrations
as touchynge thefe landes vnknowen to them, Euen fo the other parte which excluded the fame as vnhabitable,
are to bee conuinced leafle theyr autoritie beinge admitted, fhuld engender opinions not agreeable or conuenient
to the nature of places. Sigifmundus Liberus, in his commentaries of Mofcouia, wryteth thus. Scandia or
208


268




Of the nor/t regions.


299


Scondia, is no Iland (as fume haue thought) but parte of the continente or firme lande of Suetia, which by a
longe tracte reacheth to Gothlande: And that nowe the kynge of Denmarke poffeffeth a great parte therof. But
wheras the wryters of thefe thinges haue made Scondia greater then Suetia, and that the Gothes and Lumbardes  The Gothes and
came frome thenfe, they feeme in my opinion to comprehende thefe three kyngedomes as it were in one body,  Lumbardes
only vnder the name of Scondia, forafmuch as then, that parte of lande that lyeth betwene the fea Baltheum
(whiche floweth by the coaftes of Finlandia) and the frofen fea, was vnknowen: And that by reafon of fo many
mariffhes, innumerable ryuers, and intemperatneffe of heauen, it is yet rude vncultured, and lyttle knowen.
Which thynge hath byn the caufe that fumme iudged all that was cauled by the name of Scondia, to bee one
great Ilande.
FI GRONLANDE.
Ronlande is interpreted greene lande: fo cauled for the great increafe and frutefulneffe of  Frutefullpastue
pafture. By reafon wherof, what great plentie of cattayle there is, it may hereby appere that
at fuch tyme as fhyppes may paffe thyther they fet furth great heapes of cheefe and butter to
bee fould, wherby wee coniecture that the lande is not rowgh with barren mountaynes.  It
hath two Cathedrall Churches vnder th[e]ordination of Nidrofia.  To one of thefe, was of
late yeares a byffhop appoynted onely by the tytle of a fuffragane in confideration that while
the metropolitane dooth neglect the direction of religion for the diftance of the place and eli
difficult nauigation, the people is in maner faulne to gentilitie, beinge of them felfe of mouable wyttes and gyuen  neglected.
to magical artes.  For it is fayde that they (as alfo the people of Laponia) doo rayfe tempeftes on the fea with
Inchaunters
magical inchauntmentes, and brynge fuch fhippes into daungeour as they intende to fpoile.  They vfe lyttle
fhyppes made of lether, and fafe ageynfle the brufynge of the fea and rockes, and with them affayle other
fhippes.  Peter Martyr of Angleria, writeth in his Decades of the Spanifihe nauigations, that Sebaftian Cabote
The vyage of
fayling from Englande continually towarde the north, folowed that courfe fo farre that he chaunfed vppon   Sebastian Cabote
greate flakes of Ife in the mooneth of Iuly: and that diuertynge from thenfe, he folowed the coafte by the fhore  to the frosen sea.
bendynge towarde the South vntyl he came to the clime of the Ilande of Hifpaniola aboue Cuba, an Iland of
the Canibales. Which narration hath giuen me occafion to extende Gronlande beyonde the promontory or cape of
Huitfarch to the continente or firme lande of Lapponia aboue the caftell of Wardhus: which thynge I did the  Gronlande.
rather for that the reuerende Archebyffhoppe of Nidrofia, conflantely affirmed that the fea bendethe there into  ardus.
the forme of a crooked elbowe. It agreeth herewith alfo, that the Lapones content with them in the lyke magical practifes and doo neyther imbrafe the Chriflian religion nor refufe it: wherby I haue thowght this lykeneffe  Gronlande.
of cutlomes to bee betwene them bycaufe they ioyne togyther in one continent. The diftance lykewyfe, feemeth
not to difagree.  For betwene both there people, the diftance is not full twoo hundreth Schceni, euery one being
a fpace of grounde conteinyng. Ix. [sixty] furlonges, which make. vii. [seven] myles and a halfe. It furthermore
agreeth with this coniecture that Cabote chaunfed into fuch Ife. And albeit as touchynge the mooneth of Iuly,
I wyll contend it is not well reherfed, no althowghe he had fayled vnder the pole, for fuch reafons as wee haue  that this Ise is of
declared before to the contrary, neuertheleffe, that at fum tyme he fayled by Ife, this teflifieth in that he fayled  not of the seand
not by the mayne fea, but in places nere vnto the lande comprehendyng and imbrafyng the fea in forme oi a
goulfe, wheras for the fame caufe, the goulfe of Gothland is frofen bycaufe it is fIreyght and narow, in the whiche
alfo the lyttle quantitie of falt water is ouercoome by the abundance of freffhe water of many and greate ryuers A commxtion of
that faule into the goulfe. But betwene Norwaye and Iflande, the fea is not frofen for the contrary caufe,  saltwater and
forafmuch as the poure of freffhe water is there ouercomme of th[e]abundance of the falte water. There is a  frThe sea betwene
fame (but of vncerteyne autoritie) that the Spanyardes fayle at this prefente to Gronlande, and to an other lande  Norway and
Islande.
which they caule Terra viridis, that is, the greene lande, bringynge from thenfe fuche wares as are founde in  Terr,a Viridi.
Gronlande. Towarde the north, it reacheth to the vnknowen lande vnder the pole, from whenfe alfo the       269
theues and robbers of the Pigmei coomme into this lande. Whiche is an argument that the regions vnder the  Pigmei.
pole are inhabited and almoft enuironed with the fea, as are they whiche the Cofmographers caule Cherfonnefi
or Peninfulae (that is) almoft Ilandes:
t     5 The defcription of Gronlande.
([ The defcription of the Eajffyde whiche lyeth lowarde Norway.
[Longitude.]     [Latitude.]                           [Longitude.]  [Latitude.]
*Wardhus caflell.       54 [degrees] [o']   70.  30'   The feconde extention.      28.  [o']    72. [o']
Towarde the North.      53.          30'    7I.  30'.  Huitfarch. promont.         22. [o']     67. [o']
The fyrft extention.    40.         [1']    7I.  40'   The extention.               5. [o']     6i.  45'
It is continued from thenfe by the coaftes of the lande of Baccallaos.           *356. [o']     60. [o']   Baccalaoa
Towarde the weft and north, it is termined with an vnknowen ende of landes and feas.
[* Wardoehuus is the chief village of Wardoe, an island on the N.E. coast of Norway, beyond the North Cape and near Waranger Fiord. Its true N. Lat.
is 70~ 23t, and E. Long. 31~ 7t. Therefore Ziegler's meridian in all the following dates (being 54 degrees west of Wardoehuus) is really 23 degrees W. Long.,
and that therefore he places Baccallos 4 degrees still further west-fixes it in 27~ W. Long., which is, in high latitudes, the longitude of a part of Greenland.-E. A.]
299




300


Of tIe norflt regions.


I SLANDE.


Island cauled
Thyle.
Schoeni is Ix.
[sixty] furlonges.
Miracles of nature
in Islande.
Three maruelous
mountaynes.
Helgite.
Hecla.
Straunge visions.
Ise.
Purgatory.
A straunge thynge.
Four springs of
contrary nature.
Abundaunce of
brimstone.
Dryed fysshe.
Scarsenes of corne.
270
Haukes.
White rauens.
Houses of whales
bones.
The nauigation to
Island.
Whales.
One thynge
seruyng for
contrary vses.
A shipmans
quadrant.


Slande is interpreted the land of Ife, and is cauled of the owlde wryters Thyle. It is extended
betwene the fouth and the north almoft two hundreth fchoenes in longitude. It is for the
motf part full of mountaynes and vncultured. But in the playnes it hath fuche frutefull
paflures, that they are fayne fumetymes to dryue the beafles from their feedynge leaft they
flhulde bee fuffocate with to much fatnes. This Iland is famous by the firange miracles of
nature, of the which Saxo Grammaticus in his hyflorie of Denmarke, and Olanus Gothus in
his defcription of the north landes, doo make mention. There are in it three mountaynes of
marueylous height, the toppes whereof are couered with perpetuall fnowe. But the nether partes of them, are
of lyke nature to the mountayne Etna in the Ilande of Sicilie boyling with continuall flames of fyre and
caftynge furth brymfione. One of thefe is named Helga, and the other Mons Crucis (that is) the mounte of
the croffe. The thyrde is named Hecla: whofe flames neyther confume flaxe or towe, matters mofte apte to
take fyre, nor yet are quenched with water. And with lyke force as the fhotte of great artillerie is driuen furth
by violence of fyre, euen fo by the commixtion and repugnaunce of fyre, coulde, and brymfLome, greate flones
are here throwne into the ayer. Nere vnto thefe mountaynes are three chynkes or open places in the earthe
of houge byggeneffe and fuche depth (efpecially at the mounte Hecla) that no fyght can attayne therto. But to
fuch as looke into them, there fyrfl appeare men as thowgh they were drowned and yet breathyng furth theyr
fowles: who beinge exhorted by theyr frendes to reforte to theyr owne, they aunfwere with moornynge voyce
and greuous fyghes, that they muft departe frome thenfe to the mount Hecla, and therwith fuddeynly vanyffhe
owte of fyght. Ife floweth abowt the Ilande for the fpace of feuen or eyght moonethes, makynge by runnynge
togyther a certeyne miferable waylinge and gronynge noyfe not vnlyke the voyce of man. Th[e]inhabitauntes thynke, that in this Ife and the mounte Hecla, are the places where the euyll foules of theyr people
are tormented. If any man take a greate portion of this Ife, and kepe it as diligently as may bee in a clofe
veffell or cofer, the fame dooth fo vanyffhie at the tyme when the other Ife abowt the Ilande diffolueth, that not
fo much as one droppe of water or Ife can therof bee founde.
Not farre from thefe mountaynes reachynge toward the fea coafles, are foure fprynges of water of moflte
diuers and contrary nature. The fyrife, by reafon of his perpetuall and feruente heate, fuddeynely turneth all
bodies that are carte therin, into ftones, referuynge neuertheleffe theyr fyrflt forme and fhape. The feconde, is
of intollerable couldeneffe. The thyrde is fweeter then hony, and moft pleafaunte to quenche thyrft. The
fourth is playne poyfon, peflilent, and deadely. There is furthermore in thefe fprynges fuche abundaunce of
brymfgone, that a thoufande pounde weight therof is bought for lyttle, as for the tenth parte of a ducate.
Theyr chiefe wares, are dryed fyffhe, as foles, maydens, playces, falpas, ftockefyffhes, and fuch other which they
exchange for wheat and fuch other thynges as are browght thyther from Lubeck, Hamborowe, and Amflerdam.
For they haue oftentymes fuch fcarfeneffe of corne, that they vfe dryed fyffhe in the fleade of breade, althowgh
in foommer the Ilande fo floryffheth with greene and frutefull medowes, that they are fayne fumtimes to dryue
theyr beaftes from paflure leafte they fhulde fuffocate for to much fatteneffe, as I haue fayde before. They
make very good butter, and apte to bee vfed in matters of phificke. There are founde dyuers kinds kindes of good
haukes, as faulcons, gerfalcons, lanners, and fperhaukes. Alfo rauens, crowes, beares, hares, and foxes, both
whyte and blacke. They haue moft fwyfte horfes: and fuch as runne. xxx. [thirty] myles continually withowt refl or
bayte. They haue many churches: and houfes buylded of the bones of whales and other greate fyffhes. The
nauigation is not open to this Ilande but in fommer feafon: and that only for the fpace of foure moonethes, by
reafon of the coulde and Ife whereby the paffage is flopped. If any ftryfe or debate aryfe on the fea amonge
the mariners for the commoditie of the hauen, the gouernour of the place althowgh he haue knowleage therof,
yet dooth he not punyffhe them, forafinuch as it apperteyneth not to his office to decerne fuch thynges as are
doonne on the fea, but only on the lande. Shippes are there often tymes in great perell by reafon of whales
and fuch other monflers of the fea, excepte the mariners take good heede and keepe them farre frome the
fhiyppes with the noyfe of droommes, and emptie barrels caft into the fea. There are many mynflrels and
other that play on infIrumentes, with the fweete noyfe whereof, they vfe to allure foules and fiffhes to theyr
nettes and fnares. Many alfo, lye lurkynge in caues and dennes to auoyde the fharpeneffe of coulde, as the
Affricanes doo the lyke to defend them felues from the heate. On the toppe of a certeyne mountayne cauled
Weyfzarch, (lyinge betwene Iflande and Gruntland or Gronlande) is erected a flypmans quadrant of marneilous
byggeneffe, made by two pirates named Pinnigt and Pothorft in fauour of fuch as fayle by thofe coaftes that
they may therby auoyde the daungerous places lyinge towarde Gronland.
The myddeft of the Ilande. 7 o' [Long.] 65 30.' [Lat.] The citie Harfol. etc. 7 40' [Long.] 60 42' [Lat.]
300




Of ihze norhi regions.


301






LAPONIA.


He region of Laponia, was fo named of the people that inhabite it. For the Germayns, caule
all fuche Lapones, as are fimple or vnapte to thynges. This people is of fmaule ftature, and
of fuch agilitie of bodie, that hauynge theyr quyuers of arrowes gerte to them and theyr
bowes in theyr handes, they can with a leape, cafte theym felues throwgh a circle or hope of
the diameter of a cubite. They feyght on foote, armed with bowes and arrowes after the
maner of the Tartars. They are exercifed in hurlynge the darte and fhootynge from theyr
youth: in fo muche that they giue theyr chyldren no meate vntyll they hit the marke they
fhoote at, as dyd in owlde tyme th[e]inhabitauntes of the Ilandes cauled Baleares. They vfe to make theyr
apparell ftreight and clofe to theyr boddies that it hynder not theyr woorke. Theyr winter veftures are made
of the hole fkinnes of feales or beares artificially wrought and made fupple. Thefe they tye with a knotte
aboue theyr heades, leauynge onely two holes open to looke through, and haue all the refidue of theyr bodies.
couered as thoughe they were fowed in fackes, but that this beinge adapted to all partes of theyr bodies, is fo
made for commoditie and not for a puniffhement as the Romans were accuftomed to fowe paricides in fackes
of lether with a cocke, an ape, and a ferpent, and fo to hurle them alyue all togither into the ryuer of Tyber.
And hereby I thinke it came to paffe that in owlde tyme it was raffhely beleued that in thefe regions
there were men with rowgh and hery bodies, wilde beaftes, as parte made relation throwghe ignoraun.ce,
parte alfo takynge pleafure in rehearfall of fuche thynges as are ftraunge to the hearers. The Lapones
(efended by this arte and induftry, go arode and wi    ande tahe fharpenes of wynter and the north
wyndes, with all the iniuries of heauen. They haue no houfes, but certeyne tabernacles like tentes or hales
wherwith they paffe from place to place and change theyr manfions. Sum of them liue after the maner of the
people of Sarmatia cauled in owlde tyme Amaxobii, which vfed waynes in the fteade of houfes. They are much
gyuen to huntynge: and haue fuch plentie of wylde beaftes that they kyll them in maner in euery place.
It is not lawfull for a woman to go furth of the tente at that doore by the whiche her hufbande wente
owte on huntynge the fame daye: nor yet to touche with her hande any parte of the beafte that is taken
vntyll her hufbande reache her on the fpitte fuche a portion of fleffhe as he thinketh good. They tyll not the
grounde. The region nuryffheth no kynde of ferpentes: yet are there greate and noyfoome gnattes. They
take fyfthe in greate plentie: by the commoditie wherof, they lyue after the maner of the Ethiopians cauled
Ichthiophagi.  For as thefe drie theyr fiffhe with feruent heate, fo doo they drye them with coulde, and grynde
or flampe the  to pouder as finaule as meale or floure. They haue fuch abundaunce of thefe fyffhes, that
they hourd great plentie therof in certeyne fore houfes to cary them vnto other landes nere abowt them, as
Northbothnia and Whyte Ruffia. Theyr fhyppes are not made with nayles, but are tide togyther and made
faft with cordes and wyththes. With thefe they ayle by the fwyft ryuers betwene the mountaines of Laponia,
beinge naked in fommer that they may the better fwymme in the tyme of perell, and gather together fuch wares
as are in daunger to bee loft by fhipwracke. Part of them exercife handie craftes, as imbrotherynge and
weauynge of cloth interlaced with golde and fyluer. Suche as haue diuifed any neceffary arte, or doo increafe
and amende th[e]inuentions of other, are openlye honoured, and rewarded with a vetfure, in the which is
imbrothered an argument or token of the thynge they deuifed. And this remayneth the poteritie of theyr
famelie in token of theyr defertes. They frame fhippes, buylde houfes, and make diuers fortes of houfholde
fluffe artificially, and tranfporte them to oher places neare abowte. They bye and fell bothe for exchaunge of
wares and for money. And this only by content of both parties withowt communicacion: yet not for lacke of
wytte or for rudeneffe of maners, but bycaufe they haue a peculiar language vnknowen to theyr bortherers. It
is a valiant nation, and lyued longe free, and fufleyned the warres of Norwaye and Suecia vntyll at the length
they fubmitted them felues, and payde ryche furres for theyr tribute. They chofe them felues a gouernour
whom they caule a kynge: But the kyng of Suetia gyueth hym autoritie and adminiftration. Neuertheleffe, the
people in theyr futes and doubtfull caufes, reforte to Suecia to haue theyr matters decifed.
In theyr iorneys, they go not to any Inne, nor yet enter into any houfe, but lye all nyght vnder the firmament. They haue no horfes: but in the flteade of them, they tame certeyne wyld beaftes which they caule Reen,
beinge of the iufte byggeneffe of a mule, with rowgh heare lyke an Affe, clouen feete, and braunched homes lyke
a harte, but lower and with fewer antlettes. They wyll not abyde to bee rydden. But when theyr peitrels or drawynge collers are put on them, and they fo ioyned to the charlotte or fleade, they runne in the fpace of. xxiiii. [twentyfour] houres, a hundreth and fiftie myles, or. xxx. [thirty] fchoenos: The whiche fpace they affirme to chaunge
the horizon thryfe: that is thryfe to coome to the furtheft figne or marke that they fee a farre of. Which
doubtleffe is a token both of the marueylous fwiftneffe and great ftrength of thefe beaftes beinge able to con301


People of great
agilitie.
A straunge
apparell.
The cause of an
owlde erroure.
So doo the
Tartars.
Plentie of wyld
heastes.
271
No serpents.
Great gnats.
Abundaunce of
fysshe.
Ships withowt
nayles.
Science honoured
Bargeinynge
withowt woordes.
No horses.
A beast of
marueylous
strength and
swyftnesse.
What Schoenus is.
Loke in Gronland.
The change of the
horizon.




302
The owld autours
cauled all the
north people
Scythyans.
Erasmus lamenteth
this in his fyrste
booke de ratine
concionandi,
where he speaketh
of the people.
cauled pilapii
272
Idolatrie.
A misterie of
mariage in fyre
and flint.
Experte
inchaunters.
Magical dartes.
The canker.
One nyght of
three moonethes.
Rich furres.
Plentie of sea
fysshe.
Wardhus.


Of t/he 'or/tl rcgici.s.


tinewe runnynge for fo great a fpace, in the meane whyle alfo fpendynge fumtyme in feedynge.  I fup)ofe
that this thynge was fumewhat knowen to the owlde wryters, although receaued in manner by an obfcure
and doubtful fame. For they alfo wryte that certeyne Scythians doo ryde on hartes.
They neyther folowe the Chriflian religion, nor yet refufe it or are offended therwith as are the Iuwes: but
do fumtymes receaue it fauorably to gratifie the princes to whome they obey. And that no more of theym
imbrafe the Chrifiian fayth, the faute is fumwhat to bee imputed to the byffhoppes and prelates that haue
eyther reiected this cure and charge of inflructynge the nation, or fuffered the faith of Chrift to be uffiocate
euen in the fyrft fprynge. For vnder the pretenfe of religion, they woulde haue aduaunced theyr owne reuenues
and ouerburthened the people by an intollerable exemple, none otherwyfe here then in all Chriflendome,
which thynge is doubtleffe the caufe of mofle greuous defections. I harde Iohn a byffhoppe of Gothlande fay
thus: We that gouerne the churche of Vpfalia, and haue vnder owre dioceffe a great parte of that nation, lyke
as it is not conueniente to declare many thynges of owre vigilance and attendaunce ouer the flocke committed
to owre charge, euen fo abflteynynge frome myfcheuous couetoufneffe wherby religion is abufed for luker, we
doo in all places owre diligent endeuour that we minifter none occafion whereby this nation as offended by owre
finnes, maye bee the leffe wyllynge to embrafe the Chriflian fayth. This is the flate of the religion amonge the
Lapones: Althowgh of theyr owne inltitution and cuflome receaued of theyr prediceffours, they are Idolatours,
honourynge that lyuynge thynge that they meete fyrfl in the mornynge, for the god of that daye, and diuinynge
thereby theyr good lucke or euyll. They alfo erecte images of fones vpon the mountaines which they efteeme
as goddes, attributing to them diuine honour. They folemne marriages, and begynne the fame with fyre and
flynte, as with a myflerie fo aptely applyed to the image of tfone as if it had byn receaued frome the myddefle
of Grecia. For in that they adhibite a myflerie to fyre, as they doo not this alone (forafmuche as the Romanes
obferued the fame cuflome) euen fo are they herein partly to be commended in that they vfe the ceremonies of fo
noble a people. The myferie of the flinte is no leffe to bee prayfed, both forafmuche as this is domeficall philofophie,
and hath alfo a nere affinitie and fignification to thefe folemnities. For as the flynt hath in it fyre lyinge hydde
whiche appeareth not but by mouynge and force, fo is there a fecreate lyfe in both kyndes of man and woman
whiche by mutuall coniunction coommethe furth to a lyuynge byrth. They are furthermore experte inchaunters.
They tye three knottes on a ifrynge hangynge at a whyppe. When they lofe one of thefe, they rayfe tollerable
wyndes, When they lofe an other, the wynde is more vehement. But by lofyng the thyrde, they rayfe playne
tempeftes as in owlde tyme they were accufRomed to rayfe thunder and lyghtnynge. This arte doo they vfe
ageinif fuch as fayle by theyr coaftes, and fltaye or moue the ryuers and feas more or leffe as they lyft to fhlewe
fauoure or difpleafure. They make alfo of leade certeyne fhorte magicall dartes of the quantitie and length of a
fynger. Thefe they throwe ageynfle fuche of whome they defyre to bee reuenged, to places neuer fo farre
diftant. They are fumtimes fo vexed with the canker on their armes or legges that in the fpace of three dayes
they dye throwgh the vehemencie of the payne. The fonne fauleth very lowe in thefe regions: and prolongeth
one continuall nyghte for the fpace of thre moonethes in wynter, durynge whiche tyme they haue none other
lyght but lyke vnto the twylyght of euenynges and mornynges. This is very cleare, but continueth but fewe
houres, and is lyke the bryght fhynynge of the moone. Therfore that day that the fonne returneth to the
hemifpherie, they keepe holy day and make'great myrth with folemne feifluitie. And thefe are the maners of
this nation, not fo brutyffhe or faluage as woorthy therfore to bee cauled Lapones for theyr vnaptneffe or
fimplicitie as when they lyued vnder theyr owne Empire and vfed no familiaritie or entercourfe with other
nations and knewe not the commoditie of theyr owne thynges, neyther the pryce and eflimation of theyr furres
in owre regions, by reafon whereof they foulde great plentie of them for fum of owre wares of fmaule value.
The boundes or limittes of Laponia (beinge th[e]extreme lande of Scondia knowen towarde the north pole)
are extended towarde this parte of the North, to the worlde yet vnknowen to vs: And furthermore towarde the
fame parte of the vttermoft fea, accordynge to this defcription.  [Longitude.]  [Latitude.]
The fyrfl coafle,                                 70  [o']     72. [']
The coafte folowynge,                             80  [o']      7. [']
That that yet foloweth,                           90  [o']     70. [o']
Frome the fyffhynge places and ltore houfes of this fea, they cary foorth to Nordbothnia and whyte Ruffia,
landes confinynge to them, great plentie of fyffhe, Wherby we may coniecture that this fea is extended on
euery fyde toward the North. Towarde the wefte, it is limitted with the mofle inwarde goulfe of at the Caftell
of Wardhus at the degree. 54  [o'] [Long.]  70  30.' [Lat.]
Towarde the Southe,it is lymitted by a line drawen from thenfe vnto the degree. 90 [o' Long.] 69. [o' Lat.]




Of the north regions.


303


NORWEGIA OR NORWAY.


Ordway, is as muche to fay as the Northwaye. This was fumtyme a floryffhynge kyngedore,
whofe dominion comprehended Denmarke, Frifelande and the Ilandes farre abowt, vntyll
the domeftical Empire was gouerned by the fucceffion of inheritaunce.  In the meane tyme
while this gouernaunce ceafed for lacke of dewe iffue, it was inftituted by confent of the
nobilitie that the kynges fhuld be admitted by election: fuppofinge that they wolde with more
equitie execute that office forafmuche as they were placed in the fame by fuch autoritie, and
not by obteynynge the kyngedome by fortune and newe aduauncement. But it came fo to
paffe, that as euery of them excelled in richeffe, ambition and fauour by confanginitie, fo were they in greater
hope to obteyne the kyngedome: And were by this meanes diuided into factions, attemtyng alfo occafions
t[o]inuade foraigne realmes wherby they might ftrengthen theyr parties. It is therefore at this prefent vnder
the dominion of the Danes: who doo not only exact intollerable tributes, but alfo brynge all theyr ryches and
commodities into Denmarke, contfitutynge the continuance of theyr gouernaunce in th[e]infirmitie and pouertie of
the fubiectes: which exemple, fum other princes doo folowe at this day in the Chritfian Empire. For after that the
princes had forfaken fuche vertues as fhulde haue ihyned in them, as to bee Patres patria (that is) the fathers
of theyr countreys, and that in the place hereof, onely the proud countenaunce of dominion remayned, which
opened licentioufneffe to th[e]iniurie of the fubiectes, this folowed therof, that wheras the Danes by this occafion
had no further truft or ayde in the loue of the people, they prouided for th[e]indempnitie of theyr owne efiate
by forcible extenuatinge the gooddes and poure of them whom they defired to kepe in fubiection. This is the
fortune of Norway, whofe edefi[c]es, townes, and cities can not defende theyr auncient amplitude and dignitie:
neyther is there any hope of repayrynge theyr flate. For there are no confultations admitted for the redreffe of
the commonwelth: No man dare ihewe his aduice or attempte any thing, vncerteyne of the myndes and
content of other. To this difficultie, is added the qualitie of the place. For the Danes haue in theyr poure all
the nauigations of Norway, whereby it may exercife no trade by fea, neyther cary furthe wares to other places.
So that in fine it may feeme moft vnfortunate, as lackynge the fauoure of heauen, the fea, and the lande. From
henfe is brought into all Europe a fye a  of the kindes of t he         haddocknes  or hakes indurate
and dryed with coulde, and beaten with clubbes or ftockes, by reafon whereof the Germayns caule them
ftockefyffhe. The takinge of thefe, is moft commended in Ianuarie that they may bee fufficiently dryed and
hardened with coulde. For fuch as are taken in the more temperate monethes, doo corrupte and putrifie: And
are not meete to be caried furth.
The defcription of the weft coafie, with the parte thereof lyinge moIt towarde the north.
[Longitude.]  [Latitude.]
Wardhus (that is) the watche houfe, or watche towre,                         54   [o]    70  3o.'
It is a ftronge calftell or fortreffe appoynted to the Lapones.
The coaftle folowynge,                                                        48  50'    70. [o']
Matthkur. etc.
All the coaft from henfe, and the places neare abowt vnto the degree,    45 L[O]    69. [o']
being fumtyme lefte defolate by the feditions and deftruction of Norway, the Lapones chofe for theyr habitations,
as commynge to a more beneficiall heauen.
From the Caftel of Wardhus, vnto the degree,                          40 30' [Long.] 64 10' [Lat.]
all the coafte in the fprynge tyme is daungerous to paffe, by reafon of whales of fuch huge byggeneffe that furn
of theym growe to a hundreth cubites. For thefe fyffhes at that tyme of the yeare refort togyther for generation.
Such fhyppes as chaunce to faule eyther vppon theyr bodies, or into fuche whyrlepooles as they make by theyr
vehement motions, are in great perell. The remedie to auoyde this daungiour, is to poure into the fea Cafloreum
(that is) oyle made of the ftones of the beafte cauled the Beuer, mengeled with water. For with this, the hole
hearde of whales vanyffheth fuddeynely to the bottome of the fea: They make a terrible rorynge: and haue two
breathynge places in the hygheft parte of theyr forheades, flandynge furth right a cubite in length, and are as
brode at the endes, beinge couered with a fkynne, throughe the which they blow waters lyke fhowers or flormes
of raine. The prickes of theyr backes, are founde conteynynge three els in circuite, and euery knotte betwene
theym, of one elle: They are at the leaft of. lx. [fixty] cubites in length: And are falted and kept in ftore houfes.
The greateft are vnprofitable to bee eaten by reafon of theyr ranke and vnfauery tafte which can not bee qualified.
Nidrofia flanding vpon the fouth fyde of the fea banke, was the chiefe and metropolitane churche throwgh
owt all Norway, Ifelande, Gronlande, and the Ilandes thereabowt. This citie was noble at the fyrft vnder the
floryffhing Empire of Norway, conteinynge in circuite. xxiiii. paryffhles, but it is nowe browght in maner to a
303






273
Kyngdomes
destroyd by
factions.
The Danes.
The defaut of
princes.
An exemple of
tyranni.
The myserable
state of Norway
Stockfyss[h]e.
The Lapones
Shippes in
daungiour by
reason of whales.
Castoreum.
The rorynge of
whales.
Whales salted and
reserued.
The citie of
Nidrosia.
274


I




304


A magnificall
chui che.
Noysome beastes
ofvnknowen
generation
Wardhus.
The vnknowen
lande of the
Lapones.
A serpent of
houge biggenesse.
God warneth vs
by signes of
thynges to coome.


Of t/h    north regions.
village and is cauled in the Germayne toonge Trutham, as the houfeof the Dryides. There remayneth at this daye
a Cathedrall churche in token of the ancient felicitie, beinge fuche that in byggeneffe and workemanfllip of
wrought flone, the lyke is not in all Chriflendome. The greefes or compaffe abowt the altare, was deftroyle
by fire, and was repared at the fame tyme that wee write this hiftorie. The charge of the reparation, was
efleemed to bee fcuen thoufande crownes: by which fmaule portion, an eftimate maye bee made of the
excellencie of the hole Churche.
The tracte of all the fea coaftes Norwaye, is very quyete and meeke. The fea is not frofen. The fnowes
indure not longe. This lande hath alfo a peculiar peftilence which they caule Leem or Lemmer. This is a
lyttle foure footed beafle abowte the byggeneffe of a ratte with a fpotted fkynne. Thefe faule vppon the
grounde at certeyne tempefles and fuddeyne ihowers, not yet knowen from whenfe they comme, as whyther
they are browght by the wyndes from remote Ilandes, or otherwife engendered of thicke and feculent clowdes.
But this is well knowen, that as foone as they faule downe, greene graffe and herbes are founde in theyr bowels
not yet digefted. They confume all greene thynges as doo locuftes: And fuch as they only byte, wyther and
dye. This peftilence lyueth as longe as it dooth not tafte of the graffe newelye fproonge. They coome
togyther by flockes as do fwalowes: And at an ordinarie tyme, eyther dye by heapes with great infection of the
lande (as by whofe corruption the ayer is made petfiferous and molefteth the Noruegians with fwymmynge
in the headde and the iaundies) or are confumed of other beaftes named Lefrat. Towarde the Eaft, it is
included within the line that is drawen by the mountaynes whofe endes or vttermoft boundes they are that lye
towarde the fouth aboue the mouthes of the ryuer Trolhetta. But that parte that lyeth towarde the north,
paffeth by the caftel of Wardhus, and is extended to the vnknowen lande of the Lapones. [Longitude.] [Latitude.]
The lake cauled Mos, and the Ilande of Hoffuen in the myddefl therof, is in the degree. 45  30'  6i. [o']
In this lake appeareth a firaunge monfler: which is, a ferpent of houge byggeneffe. And as to all other
places of the worlde, blafynge flarres doo portende th[e]alteration and chaunge of thynges, fo dooth this to
Norway. It was feene of late (in the yeare of Chrift. M. D. xxii.) apperynge farre aboue the water rowlynge lyke
a greate pyller: And was by coniecture farre of, efleemed to bee of fiftie cubites in length. Shortely after
folowed the reiectynge of Chriftiernus kynge of Denmarke. Suche other monftrous thynges are fayde to bee
feene in dyuers places of the worlde. And doubtleffe excepte wee fhulde thinke that the diuine prouidence
hauynge mercie vpon mortall men, and hereby warnynge them of their offences, dooth fende fuche ftraunge thynges
(as alfo blafing flarres and armies feyghtynge in the ayer, with fuche other portentous monfters wherof no caufes
can bee founde by naturall thynges) we might els fufpecte that fuch fyghtes were but imaginations of the fence
of man deceaued.
On the Eaft fide, are exceading rowgh montaynes which admit no paffage to Suecia. The fea betwene
Norway and the Ilandes, is cauled Tialleflund, Euripus, or the ftreightes.    [Longitude.]  [Latitude.]
The Ilande of Lofoth. whofe myddeft.                                           42  [o']   67   IO'.
Langanas, whofe myddeft,                                                       41  [o']   67  [o']
VaIfral, whofe myddefl.                                                        4I 34'     67  3o'.
The fea betwene thefe three Ilandes, is cauled Mufcoflrom (that is) boylynge. At the flowynge of the fea,
it is fwalowed into the caues, and is blowne owt ageyne at the reflowynge, with no leffe violence then the
fireames of ryuers faule from mountaynes. This fea is nauigable vntyll it bee lower then the mouthes of the
rockes. Such as chaunce into it owt of dewe tyme, are caried headlonge into whyrlepooles The fragmentes
of the loft fhips, are feldome caft vp ageyne. But when they are cafte vp, they are fo brufed and freted
ageynfte the rockes, that they feeme to bee ouergrowne with hore. This is the poure of nature, paffyng the
fabulous Simplegades and the fearefull Malea, with the daungerous places of Silla and Caribdis, and all other
miracles that nature hath wrought in any other fea hytherto knowen to man.
The Ilandes abowt Norway, are of fuch frutfull paflure, that they brynge not theyr beafles into the flables
before the moneth of Nouember: And do many places winter them abrode.


The streightes
boyling sea.


or


Dangerous
places in the sea.
Frutfull Ilandes
about Norway.


304




Of the north regions.


305


SVECIA, OR SVETHLANDE.


Vecia, is a kyngedome ryche in golde, fyluer, copper, leade, Iren, fruyte, cattayle, and
exceadynge increafe of fyffhe of the ryuers, lakes, and the fea. And hath no leffe plentie of
fuche wylde beafles as are taken with huntinge. Towarde the Weft, it is ended with the
mountaynes of Norway from the Caftel of Wardhus vnto th[elend, 5 [o' Long.] 63 40' [Lat.]
Towarde the South, with the line from this ende vnto the degrees. 53. 30'.  6i. [o']
And from thenfe vnto the degrees. 6i. [o'] 60. 30'. Aboue the goulfe of Suecia,
toward the north, with the fouth ende of Lapponia from the Caftel of Wardhus vnto
th[e]ende. 62. [o']  70. [o'] Towarde the Eafte, it is ended with the line frome this ende vnto the degree.
63. [o'] 69. [o'] etc. Stockholme the chiefe citie. 64. [o'] 6I. [o'] This is the chiefe mart towne of Suecia, and
is itrongely defended by arte and nature. It is fituate in mariffhes after the maner of Venece: and was therefore cauled Stokholme, forafmuche as beinge placed in the water, the fundation is fortified with flockes or piles.
The fea entereth into it with two armes or branches of fuch largenes and depth that fhips of great burden and
with mayne fayles may enter by the fame with theyr full fraight. This fuffered of late yeares greuous fpoyle
and deftruction to the fingular exemple of cruel hoftilitie: And fuch, as the like hath not bin lightly fhewed to
any other citie receaued by league and compofition.
In al the tract from Stokholme to the lake aboue the riuer of Dalekarle, which is in the degree. 56. 30.'
63. 50.' are mountaines frutful of good filuer, copper, and leade. They gette great ryches by the falmons
and plentie of other fyffhes whiche they take in certeyne greate lakes.
The dukedome of Agermannia, occupieth the north fyde to the confines of Laponia. This tract is ful of
wods in the whiche they hunt the beaftes cauled Vros or Bifontes, which in theyr toonge they caule Elg, (that
is) wilde affes. Thefe are of fuch height, that the higheft part of their backes are equal with the meafure of a
man holdynge vp his armes as hyghe as he may reach. etc. Vpfalia the chiefe citie. 62. 63'. 30. [o'] here is
buried the body of faynt Hericus kynge and martyr.
Copperdalia (that is) the copper valley, is a dukedome fouthwarde from the dukedome of Iemptia. Vnder
this, is the valient nation of the people cauled Dalekarly.
Oplandia, is a dukedome and the nauil or middeft of Scondia.
The citie of Pircho, on the north fyde of the lake of Meler, was once a great citie and able to arme. xiiii.
thoufande men to the warres: but is nowe browght to a vyllage.
All the tracte of Oplandia, hath mynes of fyluer, copper, and fleele.
Of the Ilandes and rockes that lye abowte Suecia, the myddeft is.  67 30' [Long.] 61 30'. [Lat.]
Thefe were cauled of the owlde wryters Gone, the reafon of which name remayneth to this day. For there are
in thefe innumerable multitudes of byrdes: In fo muche that th[e]inhabitauntes of the nexte coafle, fayle
thyther in the mooneth of May whyle the byrdes fyt on theyr egges: which they fteale and referue them in
falte for a longe tyme.


275
Golde and syluer.
Wardhus castell.
The goulfe of
Suecia.
The citie of
Stockholme.
Gold in could
regions.
Fysshe.
The beaste callled
Vros or Elg.
Vpsalia.
Copperdalia.
Oplandia.
Byrdes.
Eges reserued in
salte.


BOTHNIA.
Othnia is fo named of the precious furres of all fortes that are caried from thenfe into foraigne
regions. For by thefe and theyr fyfihynge, they haue greate commoditie. Salmons of the
belt fort are taken in thefe feas and are great ryches amonge thefe nations. Bothnia is diuided
into twoo partes, as Nordbothnia, and South Bothnia, cauled Oitrobothnia. Nordbothnia,
is termined with the fouth ende of the Lapones vnto the ende.  78 30' [Long.] 69. [o'] [Lat.]
Towarde the Eaft, it is termined with this end and vnto the degree. 78 30'  68  20'.
Towarde the Weft, with the line terminynge the Eait fyde of Suecia: And towarde the
Southe, with the refidue of the goulfe of Suecia from th[e]ende that hath degrees.  63 [o']  69. [o']
Oftrobothnia, towarde the Eaft is termined from the faid ende of the moft Eaft coafte. And towarde the
South, with a line extended by the mountaynes frome this ende vnto the degree.  71 [o']  66  [o']
Towarde the north and wefte, with part of the goulfe of Suecia. etc.
EDEN.                           2 A                                305


Precious furres,
Fysshe.




306


- - -


Of the north regions.
GOTHIA OR GOTHLANDE.


276
Th[ejinuasions of
the Gothes.
The warres of the
gothes ageynst
the Romans.
The boundes of
Gothland.
The citie of Visba.
Danes and
Moscouites.
A librarie of two
thousand bookes.
The Gothes
inuaded Europe
and destroyd
Rome.
Pannonia falsely
takenfor Finnonia.
Eningia.
Spanysshe wynes.


OTHIA, is by interpretacion good. For the holye name of God, is in the Germayne toonge
Goth (that is) Good. At what tyme the Gothes vppon a general confent, fent furth theyr
offpryng or fucceffion to feeke newe feates or countreys to inhabite, and when they poffeffed
the coaftes of Meotis and Afia, none of the owlde wryters haue made mention as farre as I
knowe. But they haue byn knowen fence the tyme that the Romanes dilated theyr Empyre
by Illirium (nowe cauled Slauonie) vnto the ryuer of Danubius. And were alfo famous
from the tyme of Cefar Dictator and Octauianus Auguftus by reafon of theyr greate warres at
Danubius beinge th[e]vttermoft bounde of Th[e]empire. Neuertheleffe, in that renoume, what Gothia was,
vnder what parte of heauen it was fituate, or of whom the Gothes toke theyr original, it hath byn vnknowen
almoft to this age. This is termined towarde the north, with the fouth ende of Suecia: And towarde the wefte,
with the other mountaynes of Norway, which continewe from the boundes of Suecia to the mouthes of the
ryuers of Trolheta. etc.
It hath many goodly townes, cities, cartels, mines. etc. The citie of Vifba, being in the degree. 6I 30'
54 I5.' was an ancient and famous marte towne as is Genua in Italie at this day. But afterwarde beinge
afflicted by th[e]incurfions of the pirates of the Danes and Mufcouites, it was left defolate. There remayne to
this day certeyne ruines whiche teftifie the ancient nobilitie. In this place were the fyrfte flacions of the
Gothes that poffeffed Meotis. It is at this daye of frutfull foyle, and famous by many goodly and ftronge
caflels and monafteries. There is amonge other, a monafterie of th[e]order of faynt Benedicte, in the which is
a librarie of abowt two thoufande bookes of owlde autours.
Abowt the yeare of Chrift fourfcore and. viii. the Gothes, vnto whom reforted a great multitude of other
people of thefe northe partes of the worlde, as from Liuonia, Prufia, Ruffia and Tartaria with diuers other
contreys, makynge them dyuers Kynges and capitaynes, dyd depopulate and brynge in fubiection the more
parte of Europe, inuaded Italie, deftroyd Rome, inhabited that part of Italia now cauled Lumbardie, and
lykewyfe fubdued the roialmes of Caftile and Aragonie. Theyr warres contynewed aboue three hundreth
yeares.
( FINLAND, AND ENINGIA.
Inlandia, is as much to fay as a fayre lande or fine land, fo named for the fertilitie of the
grownde. Plinie femeth to caule it Finnonia. For he faith that abowte the coaftes of
Finlande, are many Ilandes withowt names. Of the which there lyeth one before Scithia
cauled Pannonia. The goulfe cauled Sinus Finnonicus, is fo named at this day of the
lande of Finnonia. Finnonia confineth with Scithia, and runneth withowt all Tanais (that
is to fay) withowte the limetes of Europe to the confines or Afia. But that the name of
Finlande feemeth not to agree hereunto, the caufe is that this place of Plinie is corrupted as
are many other in this autour: So that from the name of Finnonia, or Phinnonia, it was a likely erroure to
caule it Pannonia forafinuch as thefe woordes doo not greately differ in wrytynge and founde: fo that the
counterfecte name was foone put in the place of the trew name by hym that knewe Pannonia and redde that
name before, beinge alfo ignorant of Phinnonia.
Eningia had in owlde tyme the tytle of a kingedome, it is of fuch largeneffe. But hath nowe only the
tytle of an inferiour gouernoure, beinge vnder the dominion of the Slauons and vfyng the fame tonge. In
religion, it obferued the rites of the Greekes of late yeares, when it was vnder the gouernaunce of the Mofcouites. But it is at this prefent vnder the kynge of Suecia and obferueth th[e]inftitucions of the Occidentall
church. Spanyffhe wynes are browght thyther in great plentie which the people vfe merely and cherefully. It
is termined on the north fyde, by the fouthe line of Oftobothnia, and is extended by the mountaynes.
Towarde the weft, it is termined with the fea of Finnonia accordyng to this defcription: and hath degrees.
7. [o' Long.] 66. [o' Lat.] etc.


306




307


I


C OF THE DIFFERENCE OF REGIONS AND
CAVSES OF GREATE CITIES, AFTER THE DESCRIPTION OF HIERONIMUS CARDANUS,
LIBER. XI. de Subtilitale.
Here is an other difference of regions caufed of coulde and
heate. For fuche as are neare vnto the poles, are vexed
with to much coulde: And fuch as are vnder the line where
the foonne is of greatefte force, are oppreffed with heate.
Such as are in the myddeft betwene both, are neareft vnto
temperatneffe.  Vnder the pole, it is impoffible that there
11 /I           fhulde bee populous cities bycaufe the lande is baren, and  277
the cariage or conueyaunce of frutes, vyttayles, and other
l            neceffaries, is incommodious. By reafon wherof, it is neceffarie
that th[e]inhabitauntes of fuche regions lyue euer in continuall
|           wanderynge from place to place, or els in fmaule vyllages. Suche
as inhabite temperate regions, haue meane cities, afwell for that
they haue more commodious conueyaunce for neceffaries, as
alfo that they may dwell better and more fafely togyther then
in vyllages by reafon of fortifying theyr townes with walles, and
exercifynge of artes and occupations whereby the one maye the
better helpe the other. Yet that owlde Rome (beinge in a temperate region) was of fuch incredible byggeneffe, the caufe was that it obteyned Th[e]empire of the worlde, by
reafon wherof, all nations had confluence thyther, and not the greatneffe of the walles. But it is neceffarie
that the greateft cities bee in hotte regions: fyrfte, for that in fuch regions, parte of the foile is eyther barren
yf it lacke water, or els moft frutefull if it abounde with water. And for this inequalitie, when they fynde any
place meete to fufteyne a multitude, it foloweth of neceffitie that greate cities bee buylded in fuch places by
reafon of great concourfe of people refortynge to the fame. An other greate caufe is, that wheras in such
regions, marchauntes come very farre to fuch commodious places, they paffe through many deferte and perelous
regions: So that it ihalbe neceffary for theyr better fecuritie, to coome in great companies as it were great
armies. And therfore whereas fuch a focietie is once knytte togyther in a commodious place, it Ihulde bee great
hinderance afwell to the]inhabitantes as to marchauntes if they fhulde wander in incommodious places. And
by this confluence, both of fuche as dwell neare to fuche places, and alfo of ftraungers and fuch as dwell farre of,
it is neceffarie that in continuance of tyme, fmaule townes becoome great cities, as are thefe: Quinfai, Singui,
Cambalu, Memphis, Cairus, or Alcair, otherwife cauled Babilon in Egipte. But if here any wyll obiecte
Conftantinople (in owlde tyme cauled Bizantium) being in a temperate region, althowgh it bee not to bee
compared to fuch cities as are more then. lx. [fixtyl myles in circuite, yet doo we aunfwere hereunto, that the
Turkes Empire is the caufe of the greatneffe hereof, as wee fayde before of Rome.




307




308


_. I


If THE HISTORIE WRITTEN IN THE LATIN
TOONGE BY PAVLVS IOVIVS BYSSHOPPE OF NVCERIA
IN ITALIE, OF THE LEGATION OR AMBASSADE OF GREATE
Bafilius Prince of Mofcouia, to pope Clement the. vii. of
that name: In which is conteyned the defcription
of Mofcouia with the regions confininge abowte
the fame euen vnto the great and ryche
Empire of Cathay.


Demetrius the
ambassadour of
Moscouia.
Paulus Centurio.
Spices browght
from India to
Moscouia.
The ryuer Indus.
278
Oxus or Horina a
ryuer of Asia
runneth through
the desertes of
Sythia.
The sea Hircanum,
is now cauled
mare Abacuk or
mare de Sala.
Citrachan or
Astracan.
Sarmatia is that
greate countrey
wherein is
conteyned Russia
Liuonia and
Tartaria, and the
north and East
part of Polonia.
Ageynst the
Portugales.


Intende fyrlte briefely to defcribe the fituation of the region
which we plainely fee to haue bin little knowen to Strabo and
Ptolome, and then to procede in rehearfinge the maners,
s                    cutlomes and religion of the people.  And this in maner in the
sr oc        lyke fimple tfyle and phrafe of fpeache as the same was declared
o    vnto s by Demetrius the ambaffadoure, a man not ignoraunt in
the Latin toonge, as from his youth browght vp in Liuonia, where
he learned the fyrft rudimentes of letters. And beinge growne
to mans age, executed th[e]office of an ambaffadour into dyuers
Chriftian prouinces.  For wheras by reafon of his approued
fro  tfaithfulneffe and induftrie, he had before byn fent as oratoure
to the kynges of Suecia and    Denmarke, and the great
mafler of Pruffia, he was at the laft fente to Th[e]emperoure
Maximilian,  in  whofe courte (beinge replenyffhed  with
-          all fortes of menne) whyle he was conuerfant, yf any
thyng of barbarous maners yet remayned   in fo docible
and quiet a nature, the fame was put away by framynge
hym felfe to better ciuilitie. The caufe of his legacie or ambaffade, was gyuen by Paulus Centurio a Genuefe,
who when he had receaued letters commendatori of pope Leo the tenth, and came to Mofcouia for the trade of
marchaundies, of his owne mynde conferred with the familiers of Duke Bafilius as touchynge the conformation
of the rites of both churches. He furthermore of great magnanimitie and in maner owtragious defire, fowght
howe by a newe and incredible viage, fpices myght bee browght from India. For whyle before he had exercifed
the trade of marchaundies in Syria, Egypte, and Pontus, he knewe by fame that fpices myght bee conueighed
from the further India vp the riuer Indus ageynft the courfe of the fame, and from thence by a fial vyage by
lande paffinge ouer the mourntaynes of Paropanifus, to bee caried to the riuer Oxus in Bactria, which hauing his
original almofit from the fame mountaynes frome whenfe Indus docth fpringe, and violently caryinge with it
manye other ryuers, fauleth into the fea Hircanum or Cafpium at the porte cauled Straua. And he erneflly
affirmed that frome Straua, is an eafy and fafe nauigation vnto the marte towne of Citrachan or Aftrachan and
the mouth of the ryuer Volga and from thenfe euer ageynft the courfe of the ryuers, as Volga, Occha, and
Mofcho, vnto the citie Mofcha, and frome thence by lande to Riga and into the fea of Sarmatia and all the
weft regions. For he was vehemently and more then of equitie accenfed and prouoked by the iniuries of the
Portugales, who hauynge by force of armes fubdued a great parte of India, and poffeffed all the marte townes,
takynge holy into theyr handes all the trade of fpices to brynge the fame into Spayne, and neuertheleffe to fell
them at a more greuous and intollerable price to the people of Europe then euer was hard of before: And
furthermore kepte the coaftes of the Indian fea fo ftraightly with continuall nauies, that thofe trades are thereby
lefte of, which were before exercifed by the goulfe of Perfia and towarde the ryuer of Euphrates, and alfo by the
308




Mofcouia and Cathay.


309


ftreightes of the fea of Arabia and the ryuer Nilus, and in fine by owre fea: by which trade all Afia and Europe
was abundantly fatiffied and better cheape then hathe byn fence the Portugales had the trade in theyr handes
with fo manye incommodities of fuch longe viages wherby the fpices are fo corrupted by th[e]infection of the
poompe and other fylthyneffe of the fhippes, that theyr naturall fauour, tafte, and qualitie afwell hereby as by
theyr longe referuyng in the fhoppes, fellers, and warehoufes in Luffheburne, vanyffheth and refolueth, fo that
referuynge euer the freffheft and newefle, they fel only the woorft and moft corrupted. But Paulus, although in
all places he erneflly and vehemently argued of thefe thinges, and fryrred great malice and hatred ageynit the
Portugales, affirmynge that not only therby the cuftomes and reuenewes of princes fhulde bee much greater if
that vyage might bee difcouered, but alfo that fpices myght bee better cheepe bowght at the handes of the
Mofcouites, yet coulde he nothinge auayle in this fute, forafmuche as Duke Bafilius thowght it not good to
make open or difclofe vnto a firaunger and vnknowne man, thofe regions which giue enterance to the fea Cafpium
and the kyngedomes of Perfia. Paulus therfore excludynge all hope of further trauayle, and become nowe of a
marchaunte an Ambaffadoure, browght Bafilius letters (pope Leo beinge nowe departed) to Adriane his
fucceffoure, in the whiche he declared with honorable and reuerende woordes his good wyll and fauorable mynde
towarde the byffhop of Rome. For a fewe years before, Bafilius (then keepynge warres ageynfte the Polones at
fuche tyme as the generall counfayle was celebrate at Laterane) requyred by Iohn, kynge of Denmarke (the
father of Chriftierne who was of late expulfed from his kyngedome) that fafe paffage myght bee graunted to
th[e]ambaffadours of Mofcouia to go to Rome. But wheras it fo chaunced, that kynge Iohn and pope Iulius
dyed both in one day, wherby he lacked a conuenient fequefter or folicitoure, he omitted his confultation as
touchynge that legacie. After this, the warre waxed hot betwene him and Sigifmunde the kynge of Polonie:
who obteinynge the victorie ageinft the Mofcouites at Boriithene, fupplications were decreed in Rome for the
ouerthrowe and vanquyffynge the enemies of the Chriftian faithe, whiche thinge greatly alienated both kynge
Bafilius him felfe and all that nation from the byffhop of Rome. But when Adriane the. vi. departed from this
lyfe, and lefte Paulus nowe redie to his feconde vyage, his fucceffour Clemente the. vii. perceauynge that Paululs
flyll furioufly reuolued and toffed in his vnquiet mynde that vyage towarde the Eafte, fente hym ageyne with
letters to Mofcouia, by the which with propenfe and frendly perfuafions, he exhorted Bafilius to acknowleage
the maieflie of the Romane churche, and to make a perpetuall leage and agreement in matters of religion,
which thynge fhuld be not only for the health of his foule, but alfo greatly to th[e]increafe of his honour:
And further promyfed, that by the holy autoritie ot his office he wolde make hym a kynge and gyue hym kyngely
ornamentes, if reiectyng the doctrine of the Greekes, he wolde conforme hym felfe to th[e]autoritie of the Romane
churche. For Bafilius defyred the name and tytle of a kynge by th[e]affignation of the byffhoppe of Rome, forafmuch as he iudged that to apperteyne to the catholyke right and the byffhoppes maiefnie, of whome (as he
knewe ryght well) euen Th[e]emperours them felues by an auncient cuflome haue receaued there infignes of
honoure with the Diademe and fcepter of the Romane Empire: althowghe it is fayde that he required the fame
of Th[e]emperour Maximiliane by many ambaffades. Paulus therfore who with more profperous iomeys then
great vantage, had from his youth trauayled a greate parte of the world, althowgh he were nowe aged and fore
vexed with the fIrangurie, came with a profperous and fpedy iornay to Mofcouia, where he was gentely
receaued of Bafilius, and remayned in his courte for the fpace of twoo monethes. But in fine, miflruftynge his
owne ftrength, and deterred by the difficultie of fo greate a iorneye, when he had vtterly put away all his
imaginations and hope of this trade to India, returned to Rome with Demetrius th[e]ambaffadour of Bafilius,
before we yet thowght that he had byn in Mofcouia. The byffhoppe commaunded that Demetrius fhuld bee
lodged in the moft magnificent and princely part of the houfes of Vaticane, the rouffes of whofe edifi[c]es are
gylted and embowed, and the chambers rychly furnyffhed with fylken beddes and cloth of Arreffe. Wyllynge
furthermore that he fhuld bee honorably receaued and veftured with filke. He alfo affigned Franciscus
Cheregatus the byffhoppe of Aprutium (a man that had often tymes byn ambaffadoure to diuers regyons) to
accompanie hym and fhewe hym th[e]order and rites of owre religion with the monumentes and maners of the
citie. Furthermore, when Demetrius had certeyne dayes reflted and recreate him felfe, waffhyng away the
fylth he had gathered by reafon of the longe vyage, then apparelled with a fayre veflure after the maner of his
countrey, he was browght to the byffhoppes prefence, whom he honoured kneelynge with great humilitie and
reuerence (as is the maner) and therwith prefented vnto his holynes certeyne furres of Sables in his owne name
and in the name of his prince, and alfo delyuered the letters of Bafilius, which they before, and then
the Illyrian or Slauon interpretoure Nicolaus Siccenfis tranflated into the Latine toonge in this effecte as
foloweth.
To pope Clemente fheparde and teacher of the Romane churche, greate Bafilius by the grace of God,
lorde, Emperour and dominatour of al Ruffia, and great duke of Volodemaria, Mofcouia, Nouogrodia, Plefcouia,
Smolenia, Ifferia, Iugoria, Permnia, Vetcha, Bolgaria. etc. Dominator and great prince of Nouogrodia in the
lower contrei: Alfo of Cernigouia, Razauia, Volotchia, Rezenia, Belchia, Roftouia, Iaroflauia, Belozeria,
2 A 2                                309


i


I


The trade of
spices in owld
tyme.
Spices corrupted.
The Caspian sea.
Basilius wrot to
Pope Adriane.
Warre betwene
the Polones and
Moscouites.
The seconde viage
of Paulus to
Moscouia.
The Pope
persuadeth
Basilius to
acknowledge the
Romane churche.
279
The Emperoures
receaue there
diademe of the
bysshoppes of
Rome.
Demetrius
interteynement at
Rome.
Demetrius is
brought to the
popes presence.
Basilius letters to
Pope Clement.






31                                              Mojcozuia and Cat/hay.
Vdoria, Obdoria, and Condiuia. etc. Yow fent vnto vs Paulus Centurio a citizen of Genua with letters wherby
yowe do exhorte vs to ioine in poure and counfayle with yowe and other Princes of Chriftendome ageynft the
enemies of the chriftian faith: and that a free paffage and redy way may bee opened for bothe yowre ambaffadours and owres to coome and go to and fro, whereby by mutuall dewtie and indeuoure on both parties, we
may haue knowleage of the flate of thinges perteynynge to the welth of vs both. Wee certes as we haue
hetherto happely by the ayde and helpe of almyghty god conftantly and erneftly refifted the cruell and wycked
enemies of the Chriflian faithe, fo are we determined to doo hereafter. And are likewife redy to confente with
other Chriftian Princes, and to graunt free paffage into owre dominions. In confideration wherof, we haue
fente vnto yowe owre faithfull feruaunt Demetrius Erafmus with thefe owre letters: and with hym  haue
remitted Paulus Centurio: defyringe yowe alfo ihortly to difmiffe Demetrius with fafegarde and indemnitie vnto
the borthers of owre dominions. And we wyl likewyfe doo the fame if yowe fende yowre ambaffadoure with
Demetrius, wherby both by communication and letters, wee may bee better certified of th[e]orldcr and adminiftration of fuch thynges as yowe require: fo that beinge aduertifed of the mindes and intent of al other
Chriflian princes, we may alfo confult what is beft to be done herein. Thus fare ye wel. Giuen in owr
dominion in owr citie of Mofcouia, in the yeare from the creation of the worlde, feuen thoufande and three
hundreth, the thyrde day of Aprell.
But Demetrius, as he is experte in diuine and humane thynges, and efpecially of holy fcripture, teemed to
haue fecreate commaundement of greater matters whiche we thinke he wyll ihortly declare to the fenate in
280    priuate confultations. For he is nowe deliuered of the feuer into the whiche he fell by chaunge of ayer, and
hath fo recouered his ftrengthe and natiue colour, that beinge a man of threefcore yeares of age, he was not
Cardinall     only prefente at the popes maffe celebrated with great folemnitie in the honour of faynt Cofinus and Damian
Campegius.    but came alfo into the Senate at fuch tyme as Cardinal Campegius commynge fyrft from the legacie of
Pannonia, was receaued of the pope and all the nobilitie of the courte: And furthermore alfo vewed the
The ruines of  temples of the holye citie with the ruines of the Romane magnificence, and with woonderynge eyes behelde the
Rome.         lamentable decay of the auncient buildinges So that we thinke that fhortly after he hath declared his meffage,
he fhall returne to Mofcouia with the byffhop of Scarenfe the popes legate, not vnrecompenfed with iuft
rewards at the handes of his holyneffe.
The description   The name of the Mofcouites is nowe newe, althowgh the poete Lucane maketh mention of the Mofchos
of Moscouia.  confinynge with the Sarmatians, and Plinie alfo placeth the Mofchos at the fprynges of the great ryuer of Phafis
in the region of Colchos aboue the fea Euxinus towarde the Eait. Theyr region hath very large boundes, and
The altares of  is extended from the altars of great Alexander abowt the fpringes of Tanais, to the extreme landes and north
great alexander.  Ocean in maner vnder the Northe flarres cauled charles wayne or the greate beare, beinge for the moft parte
Marisshes in  playne and of frutfull pafture, but in fommer in many places full of mariffhes. For whereas all that lande is
sommer.       replenyffhed with many and great ryuers which are greatly increafed by the winter fnow and ife refolued by the
heate of the foonne, the playnes and fyeldes are therby ouerflowen with mariffhes, and all iorneys incumbered
with continuall waters and myrie flabbyneffe vntyl by the benefite of the new wynter the ryuers and mariffies
The forest of  bee frofen ageyne, and giue fafe paffage to the fleades that are accuftomed to iorney by the fame. The woodde
Hercynia.     or foreft of Hercynia (and not Hyrcania as is redde in fum falfe copies) occupieth a great parte of Mofcouia,
and is here and there inhabited, with houfes buylded therein and fo made thinner by the longe laboure of men
that it dooth not nowe Ihewe that horrour of thicke and impenetrable woods and laundes as many thinke it to
Wyld beastes  haue. But beinge replenyffhed with many wylde beafles, is fo farre extended through Mofcouia with a conThe Scythian  tinual tracte betwene the Eaft and the North towarde the Scythian Ocean, that by the infinite greatneffe therof
Ocean.        it hath deluded the hope of fuch as haue curioufly fearched th[e]ende of the fame. In that parte that reacheth
The beastes   towarde Pruffia, are founde the greate and fierce beafles cauled Vri, or Bifontes, of the kynde of bulles: Alfo
cauled Vri or
Bisontes.     Alces lyke vnto hartes, whiche the Mofcouites caule Lozzi, and are cauled of the Germaynes Helenes. On
Helenes.      the Eaft fyde of Mofcouia, are the Scythyans which are at this day cauled Tartars, a wanderinge nation, and at
Of the Scythians
and Tartars.  all ages famous in warres. In the ftede of houfes they vfe wagons couered with beafles hydes, wherby they
Amaxouii.
Aniaxouii.    were in owlde tyme cauled Amaxouii. For cities and townes, they vfe greate tentes and pauilions, not defended
with trenches or waules of tymber or fone, but inclofed with an innumerable multitude of archers on horfeHorda.        backe. The Tartares are diuided by companies which they caule Hordas, which word in theyr toonge fignifieth
a confentynge companye of people gathered togyther in forme of a citie. Euery Horda is gouerned by an
Emperour whom eyther his parentage or warlyke prowes hath promoted to that dignitie. For they oftentimes
keepe warre with theyr bortherers and contende ambicioufly and fiercely for dominion. It dooth hereby
The large     appeare that they confifte of innumerable Hordas, in that the Tartars poffeffe the moft large defertes euen vnto
the famous citie of Caty inion                             the Ea    Tey alo that are nearee to the   Mocouites,
Tartars.      the famous citie of Cathay in the furtheft Ocean in the Eaft  They alfo that are nearefte to the Mofcouites,


Cathay.        are knowen by theyr trade of marchaundies and often incurfions.     In Europe nere vnto the place cauled
The Tartars of
Europe.        Dromon Achillis in Taurica Cherfonefo, are the Tartars cauled Precopites, the dowghter of whofe prince,
310




MAofcouia and Cathay.


3II


Selymus Th[e]emperour of the Turkes tooke to wyfe. Thefe are molt infeft to the Polones, and waft the
regions on euery fyde betwene the ryuers of Borifthenes and Tanais. They that in the fame Taurica poffeffe
Caffam a colonie of the Ligurians (cauled in owlde tyme Theodofia) doo bothe in religion and al other thynges
agree with the Turkes. But the Tartars that inhabite regions of Afia betwene Tanais and Volga, are fubiecte
to Bafilius the kynge of the Mofcouites, and chufe them a gouernour at his affignement. Amonge thefe, the
Cremii afflicted with ciuile feditions, where as heretofore they were riche and of great poure, haue of late yeares
lofte theyr dominion and dignitie. The Tartars that are beyonde the ryuer of Volga, do religioufly obferue the
frendfhip of the Mofcouites and profeffe them felues to be their fubiectes. Beyond the Caffanites towarde the
Northe, are the Sciambani, rich in heardes of cattaille and confiftyng of a great multitude of men. After thefe,
are Nogai, whiche obteyne at this daye the chiefe fame of ryches and warly affayres. Theyr Horda, althowgh
it bee moft ample, yet hath it no emperoure, but is gouerned by the wyfdome and vertue of the moft ancient
and valient men after the maner of the common wealthe of Venece. Beyonde the Nogais fumwhat towarde
the fouth and the Cafpian fea, the nobeleft nation of the Tartars cauled Zagathai, inhabite townes buylded of
flone, and haue an exceadynge greate and fayre citie cauled Samarcanda, which laxartes the greate ryuer of
Sogdiana runneth th rough, and pafinge from thenfe about a hundreth myles, fauleth into the Cafpian:tea.
With thefe people in owre dayes, Ifmael the Sophi and kynge of Perfia hathe often tymes kepte war with
doubtfull fucceffe: In fo muche that fearyng  e greateneffe of theenyr poure which he refyfted with all that he
myght, he lefte Armenia and Taurifium the chiefe citie of the kyngedome, for a pray to Selimus the vyctourer
of one wynge of the battayle. From the citie of Samarcanda, defcended Tamburlanes the myghty Emperoure of the
Tartars whome fum caule Tanberlanis. But Demetrius fayth he fhulde bee cauled Themircuthlu. Thys is he that
abowte the yeare of Chryfte. M. CCC. lxxxxviiii. [1398, A.D.] fubdued almoft all the Eafte partes of the worlde:
And laflly with an innumerable multytude of men inuaded the Turkes dominions, with whom Baiafetes Ottomanus their kynge, (and father to the greate grandefather of this Solyman that nowe lyueth) metinge at Ancyra
in the confines or marches of Galatia and Bythinia, gaue hym a fore battaile, in the whiche felle on the
Turkes parte. 20000. men, and Baiafetes hym felfe was taken prifoner, whom Tamburlanes caufed to bee
locked in an iren cage and fo caried hym abowte with hym throwgh all Afia which he alfo conquered with a
terrible army. He conquered al the landes betwene Tanais and Nilus, and in fine vanquiffhed in battayle the
great Soltane of Egypte, whom he chafed beyonde Nilus, and tooke alfo the citie of Damafcus.
Frome the region of thefe Tartars cauled Zagathei, is browght great plentie of filken apparel to the
Mofcouites. But the Tartars that inhabite the inidland or inner regions, bringe none other wares then truckes
or droues of fwyfte runnynge horfes and clokes made of whyte feltes: alfo hales or tentes to withflonde th[e]
iniuries of coulde and rayne. Thefe they make very artificially and apte for the purpofe. They receaue agayne
of the Mofcouites, coates of cloth, and fyluer monye, conteynynge all other bodely ornamentes, and the
furnyture of fuperfluous houfolde fluffe. For beynge defended ageynft the violence of wether and tempeftes
only with fuche apparell and couerture whereof wee haue fpoken, they truft only to theyr arrowes which they
fhoote afwell backwarde flyinge as when they affayle theyr enemies face to face: Albeit, when they determined
to inuad Europ, theyr princes and capitaynes had helmetts, coates of fenfe, and hooked fwoordes which they
bought of the Perfians. Towarde the fouthe, the boundes of Mofcouia are termined by the fame Tartars
which poffeffe the playn regyons nere vnto the Cafpian fea aboue the maryffhes of Meotis in Afia, and aboute
the ryuers of Boryflhenes and Tanais in parte of Europe. The people cauled Roxolani, Gete, and Baftarne,
inhabited thefe regions in oulde tyme, of whom I thynke the name of Ruffia tooke originall. For they caule
parte of Lituania, Ruffia the lower, wheras Mofcouia it felfe, is cauled whyte Ruffia. Lituania therfore, lyeth
on the Northweft fyde of Mofcouia. But towarde the full weflt the mayne landes of Pruffia and Liuonia are
ioyned to the confines or marches of Mofcouia, where the Sarmatian fea breakynge furth of the flreightes of
Cimbrica Cherfonefus (nowe cauled Denmarke) is bended with a crooked goulfe towarde the northe. But in
the furtheft bankes of that Ocean where the large kyngedomes of Norwaye and Suecia are ioyned to the
continent and almofte enuironed with the fea, are the people cauled Lapones, A nation exceadynge rude,
fufpicyous, and fearefull, flyinge and aflonyffhed at the fyght of al Iraungiers and fhyppes. They knowe
neyther frutes nor apples, nor yet any benignitie eyther of heauen or earth. They prouyde them meate onely
with fhootynge, and are appareled with the Ikynnes of wild beaftes. They dwell in caues fylled with drye
leaues, and in holow trees confumed within eyther by fyre or rotten for age Suche as dwell neare the fea fyde,
fyffhe more luckyly then cunnyngly, and in the flead of frutes, referue in flore fyffhes dryded with fmoke.
They are of fmaule flature of body, with flatte vifagies, pale and wannye colcure, and very fwyfte of foote.
Their wittes or difpofitions, are not knowen to the Mofcouites theyr bortherers, who thynke it therfore a madneffe to affayle them with a fmaule poure, and iudge it neyther profitable nor glorious, with greate armies to
inuade a poore and beggerly nation. They exchaunge the moft whyte furres which wee caule Armelines for
other wares of dyuers fortes: Yet fo, that they flie the fyght and coompanie of all marchauntes. For con31I


The Tartars of
Asia are subiecte
to the Duke of
Moscouia.
281
The Tartars
beyonde the ryuer
of Volga.
Nogai.
Sigismundus
cauleth them
Nagaysri.
The nobelest
nation of the
Tartars.
The ryuer of
Iaxartes.
Ismael the Sophi,
kynge of Pers.a.
The citie of
Samarcanda.
Tamburlanes,
the myghtie
Emperour of the
Tartars.
The conquestes of
Tamburlanes.
Baiasetes.
This apparel they
haue of the
Persians.
The Tartars
trafficke with the
Moscouites.
The tartars of the
South syde of
Moscouia.
Geteand Roxolani.
Russia.
Moscouia cauled
white Russia.
Lituania.
Prussia.
Liuonia.
Denmarke.
Norway.
Suecia.
The people of
Laponia.
282
Armeline furres




312


Mofcouia and Cathay.


Bargeninge
withowt wordes.
The darke region
by this darke
region and the
Pigmei, is the way
to Cathay by the
Northe sea.
The scythian
Ocean.
The region of
colmogora.
The ryuer of
diuidna.
The ryuer of luga
or lug.
Vstiuga.
The ryuer of
Diuidna orDwina.
The ryuer
Suchana.
The frosen sea.


parynge and layinge theyr wares together, and leauynge theyr furres in a mydde place, they bargeyne with
fimple fayth, with abfente and vnknowen men. Sum men of great credite and autoritie, doo teftifie that in a
region beyond the Lappones, betwene the weft and the north oppreffed with perpetuall darkenes, is the nation
of the people cauled Pigmei, who beinge growen to theyr ful grought, doo fcarfely excede the ftature of owre
chyldren of ten yeares of age. It is a fearefull kynde of menne, and expreffe theyr wordes in fuch chatteryng
fort that they feeme to be fo much the more lyke vnto apes, in howe muche they dyffer in fence and flature
from men of iuft heyght.
Towarde the North, innumerable people are fubiecte to th[e]empire of the Mofcouites. Theyr regions
extende to the Scythian Ocean for the fpace of almofte three moonethes iorney.
Next vnto Mofcouia, is the region of Colmogora, aboundyng with frutes. Through this runneth the ryuer
of Diuidna beinge one of the greatefte that is knowen in the Northe partes, and gaue the name to an other
leffe ryuer which breaketh furthe into the fea Baltheum. This increafynge at certeyne tymes of the yeare as
dooth the ryuer Nilus, ouerfloweth the fyeldes and playnes, and with his fat and nurifhinge moyflure, dooth
marueloufly refift the iniuries of heauen and the fharpe blaftes of the North wynde. When it ryfeth by reafon
of molten fnowe and greate fhoures of rayne, it fauleth into the Ocean by vnknowen nations, and with fo large
a trenche lyke vnto a greate fea, that it can not bee fayled ouer in one day with a profperous wynde. But
when the waters are faulen, they leaue here and there large and frutful Ilandes.    For come there caft on the
grounde, groweth without any helpe of the plowe, and with maruelous celeritie of haftynge nature fearynge the
newe iniurie of the proude ryuer, dooth both fprynge and rype in fhort fpace.
Into the ryuer Diuidna, runneth the ryuer Iuga: And in the corner where they ioyne togyther, is the
famous marte towne cauled Vftiuga diftant from the chiefe citie Mofca. vi. hundreth myles.
Note that wheras Paulus Iouius wryteth here that the ryuer of Diuidna, otherwyse cauled Dwina, runneth throughe the region
of Colmogor, it is to bee vnderftode that there are twoo ryuers of that name, the one on the Northeaft fyde of Mofcouia towarde the
frofen fea, and the other on the fouthwefl fyde faulyng into the fea Baltheum, or the goulfe of Finnonia by the citie of Riga in
Liuonia. And forafmuch as the trewe knowleage of thefe and certeine other is very neceffary for all fuch as fhall trade into Mofcouia
or other regions in thofe coaftes by the northe fea, I haue thought good to make further declaration hereof as I haue founde in the
hyftorie of Mofcouia, moft faythfully and largely wrytten by Sigifmundus Liberus who was twyfe fent ambaffadour into Mofcouia, as
fyrft by Maximilian Th[e]emperour, and then ageyne by Ferdinando kyng of Hungary and Boheme. This haue I doone the rather,
for that in all the mappes that I haue feene of Mofcouia, there is no mention made of the ryuer of Dwina that runneth through the
region of Colmogor and by the citie of the fame name, although the prouynce of Dwina bee in all cardes placed Northewarde frome
the ryuer of Vftiug or Succana, whiche is the fame Dwina whereof we nowe fpeake, and wherof Paulus Iouius wryteth, although it
bee not fo named but from the angle or corner where ioynynge with the ryuer of Iug and Suchana, it runneth Northewarde towarde
the citie of Colmogor, and from thence fauleth into the north or frofen fea, as fhall hereafter more playnly appeare by the woordes of
Sigifmundus, that the one of thefe bee not taken for the other being fo farre diftant that great errour myght enfue by miftakynge the
fame, efpecially bicaufe this wherof Paulus louius wryteth is uot by name expreffed in the cardes, but only the other, wherby the
errour myght bee the greater. Of that therfore that runneth by the confines of Liuonia and the citie of Riga, Sigifmundus wryteth
in this maner.
The lake of Dwina, is diflante from the fprynges of Borifthenes, almoft tenne myles, and as many from the maryffhe of Fronowo.
From it, a ryuer of the fame name towarde the weft, diftante from Vuilna. xx. [twenty] myles, runneth from thence towarde the
Northe, where by Riga the chiefe citie of Liuonia, it faulethe into the Germayne fea which the Mofcouites caule Vuareczkote morie.
It runneth by Vuitepfko, Polotzko, and Dunenburg, and not by Plefcouia as one hath wrytten. This ryuer beinge for the mofte
part nauigable, the Lyuons caule Duna.
Of the other Dwina wherof Paulus Iouius fpeaketh, he wryteth as foloweth.
The prouince of Dwina and the ryuer of the fame name, is fo named from the place where the ryuers of Suchana and Iug
meatynge togyther, make one ryuer fo cauled. For Dwina in the Mofcouites tounge, fignifieth two. This ryuer by the courfe of a
hundred myles, entereth into the North Ocean on that part where the fayde fea runneth by the coaftes of Swecia and Norwaye, and
diuidethe Engronlande from the vnknowen lande. This prouince fituate in the ful north, perteined in tyme patll to the fegniorie of
Nouogorode. From Mofcouia to the mouthes of Dwina, are numbered. CCC. [three hundred] myles: Albeit as I haue fayde, in the
regions that are beyond Volga, the accompte of the iorney can not bee well obferued by reafon of many maryffhes, ryuers, and very
greate wooddes that lye in the way. Yet are we led by coniecture to thinke it to bee fcarfely twoo hundreth myles: forafmuch as
from Mofcouia to Vuolochda, from Vuolochda to Vftyug fumwhat into the Eafte: and lafte of all frome Vftyug by the ryuer Dwina,
is the ryght paffage to the northe fea. This region, befyde the caftel of Colmogor and citie of Dwina, fituate almoft in the mydde
way betwene the fpryngs and mouthes of the ryuer, and the caftell of Pienega ftandynge in the very mouthes of Dwina, is vtterly
withowt townes and cartels: yet hath it many vyllages whiche are farre in funder by reafon of the barenneffe of the foyle. etc.
In an other place he wryteth, that Suchana and Iug, after they are ioyned togyther in one, loofe theyr fyrfte names and make
the ryuer Dwina. etc. But lette vs nowe returne to the hyftorie of Paulus Iouius.
Vnto Vfliuga, from the Permians, Pecerrians, Inugrians, Vgolicans, and Pinnegians, people inhabytynge
the north and northeafl prouinces, are brought the precious furres of Marterns and Sables: Alfo the cafes of
woulfes and foxes both whyte and blacke: And lykewyfe the fkynnes of the beaftes cauled Ceruarii Lupi (that
is) harte woolfes, beinge engendered eyther of a woolfe and a hynde, or a harte and a bytch woolfe. Thefe
furres and fkyns, they exchange for dyuers other wares. The beft kynde of fables and of the fineft heare
wherwith nowe the veftures of princes are lyned, and the tender neckes of delicate dames are couered with the


283


Dwina and
Suchana.


Gronland or
Engronland.
Vnderstand myles
of Germany, that
is leaques.
Rych furres.
Lupi Ceruarii.
Sables.


312




Mofcouia and Ca/hay.


313


_ _


expreffe fimilitude of the lyuynge beafte, are brought by the Permians and Pecerrians, whiche they them felues
alfo receaue at the handes of other that inhabite the regions neare vnto the north Ocean. The Permians and
Pecerrians, a lyttle before owre tyme, dyd facrifice to Idols after the maner of the Gentyles: but doo nowe
acknowleage Chryfle theyr God. The paffage to the Inugrians, and Vgolicans, is by certeyne rowgh mountaynes, which perhappes are they that in owlde tyme were cauled Hyperborei. In the toppes of thefe, are
founde the beie kyndes of Falcons: whereof one kynde (cauled Herodium) is whyte with fpotted fethers.
There are alfo ierfalcons, fakers, and peregrines, whiche were vnknowen to the ancient princes in theyr
exceffiue and nife pleafures.
Beyonde thofe people whom I laft named (beinge all tributaries to the kinges of Mofcouia) are other
nations the laft of men, not knowen by any viages of the Mofcouites, forafmuche as none of theym haue palfed
to the Ocean, and are therefore knowen onely by the fabulous narrations of marchauntes. Yet is it apparente
that the ryuer of Diuidna or Dwina, drawynge with it innumerable other ryuers, runneth with a vehement
courfe towarde the northe: and that the fea is there exceadyng large: fo that faylyng by the coaft of the ryght
hande, fhippes may haue paffage from thenfe to Cathay as is thought by moit lykely coniecture, excepte there
lye fum lande in the waye. For the region of Cathay perteyneth to th[e]extreme and furthefte partes of the
Eafte, fituate almoft in the paralell of Thracia, and knowen to the Portugales in India when they fayled neare
thereunto by the regions of Sinara and Malacha to Aurea Cherfonefus, and brought from thenfe certeyne veftures
made of Sables fkynnes, by which only argument it is apparente that the citie of Cathay is not farre from the
coaftes of Scythia.
But when Demetrius was demaunded whether eyther by the monumentes of letters or by fame lefte theym
of theyr prediceffours, they hadde any knowleage of the gothes who nowe more then a thoufand yeares fence
fubuerted Th[e]empire of the Romane Emperours, and defaced the citie of Rome, he anfwered, that both the
nation of the Gothes of the name of kynge Totilas theyr chiefe capitayne, was of famous memorie amonge
them: And that dyuers nations of the north regions confpired to that expedition, and efpeciallye the Mofcouites:
Alfo that that armie increafed of the confluence of the Barbarous Liuons and wanderynge Tartars: But
that they were all cauled Gothes forafmuch as the Gothes that inhabited Scondania and Ifelande, were the
auctoures of that inuafion.
And with thefe boundes are the Mofcouites inclofed on euery fide, whom we thinke to be thofe people
that Ptolome cauled Modocas: but haue doubteleffe at this day their name of the riuer Mofco whiche runneth
through the chiefe citie Mofca named alfo after the fame. This is the moft famous citie in Mofcouia, afwell
for the fituation thereof beinge in maner in the myddeft of the region, as alfo for the commodious oportunitie
of ryuers, multitude of houfes, and ftronge fenfe of fo fayre and goodly a caftell. For the citie is extended
with a longe tracte of buyldynges by the bankes of the ryuer for the fpace of fyue myles. The houfes are
made all of tymber, and are diuided into parlers, chambers, and kichins of large roomes: yet neyther of
vnfeemely height or to lowe, but of decent meafure and proportion. For they haue greate trees apte for the
purpofe browght from the forefte of Hercinia? of the which, made perfectly rounde like the mates of fhippes,
and fo layde one vppon an other that they ioyne at the endes in right angles, where being made very fafte and
fure, they frame theyr houfes thereof of maruelous ftrength with fmaule charges and in verye fhort tyme. In
maner all the houfes haue priuate gardens afwell for pleafure as commoditie of herbes, wherby the circuite of
the difperfed citie appeareth very greate. All the wardes or quarters of the citie, haue theire peculiar chappels.
But in the chiefeft and higheft place therof, is the Church of owre ladi of ample and goodly workemanfhyppe,
whiche Arifloteles of Bononie, a man of fingular knowleadge and experience in architecture,buylded more then.
lx. [fixty] yeares fence. At the very head of the citie, a little ryuer cauled Neglina which dryueth many come
mylles, entereth into the ryuer Mofcus, and maketh almoft an Iland, in whofe end is the caftell with many
firong towrs and bullwarkes, buylded very fayre by the diuife of Italien architecturs that are the matters of the
kinges workes. In the fieldes abowt the citie, is an incredible multitud of hares and roe buckes, the which it
is lawefull for no man to chafe or perfue with dogges or nettes excepte only certeyne of the kinges familiars and
ftraunge ambaffadours to whom he giueth licence by fpeciall commaundement. Almoft three partes of the
citie is inuironed with two ryuers, and the refydue with a large mote that receaueth plentie of water frome the
fayde ryuers. The citie is alfo defended on the other fyde with an other ryuer named Iaufa, whiche fauleth
alfo into Mofcus a little beneath the citie. Furthermore Mofcus runnyng towarde the South, fauleth into the
ryuer Ocha or Occa muche greater then it felfe at the towne Columna, and not very farre from
thenfe Ocha it felfe increafed with other riuers, vnladeth his fireames in the famous riuer Volgo,
wher at the place where they ioyne, is fituate the citie of Nouogrodia the leffe, fo named in refpecte
of the greater citie of that name from whenfe was browght the firlie colonie of the leffe citie.  Volga
cauled in owlde tyme Rha, hath his originall of the greate maryffhes named the white lakes. Thefe are aboue
Mofcouia betwene the Northe and the Weft, and fende furthe from them almoft all the ryuers that are difperfed
3,3


The mountaines
cauled Hiperborei
Haukes of diuers
kyndes.
The passage from
Moscouia to
cathay.
Cathay.
Master Eliot
cauleth Cathay
the region of
sinarum.
The Gothes
subuerted the
Romane Empire.
The north regions
conspired ageinst
the Romans.
Moscouia
284
The citie of
Mosca.
Richard
chaunceler toulde
me that these
mastes are
sumwhat holowe
on the one syde,
and that the hole
syde of the next
entereth into the
same wherby they
lye very close.
The castel of
Mosca.
White hares and
roe buckes.
The ryuer Ocha.
Volga.
Nouogrodia.
Rha.
The whyte lakes.




3I4


Alofcouia and Cathay.




i


The R yphean and
hyperborean
mountaynes.
Tanais and
Boristhenes.
The sea Euxinus.
The Caspian sea.
Astrachan.
Media.
Armenia.
Persia.
Casan.
285
Sura.
Surcium.


Nouogrodia.
The temple of
Sancta Sophia.
The eleuation of
the pole at
Nouogrodia and
Moscouia.
Heate by reason
of short nyghtes.
The citie of
Volodemaria.
The citie of
Moscha.
Ottoferia.
Volga.
Riga.
The citie of
Piescouia.
The citie of
Lubeke.
From Rome to
Moscouia.
Wynter trauayle
by ise and snowe.
Marysshes in
sommer.


into dyuers regions on euery fyde, as wee fee of the Alpes from whofe toppes and fprynges defcend the waters
of whofe concourfe the ryuers of Rhene, Po, and Rodanum, haue theyr increafe. For thefe maryffhes in the
ifeade of mountaynes ful of fprynges, minifter abundant moyflure, forafmuch as no mountaynes are yet founde
in that region by the longe trauayles of men, in fo much that manye that haue byn fludious of the owlde
Cofinographie, fuppofe the Ryphean and Hyperborean mountaynes fo often mentioned of the ancient writers,
to bee fabulous. From thefe maryffhes therfore, the ryuers of Dwina, Ocha, Mofchus, Volga, Tanais, and
Boryflhenes, haue theyr originall. The Tartars caule Volga Edel: Tanais they caule Don: And Boryfthenes
is at this day cauled Neper. This, a lyttle beneathe Taurica, runneth into the fea Euxinus. Tanais is
receaued of the maryffhes of Meotis at the noble marte towne Azoum. But Volga leauynge the citie of Mofcha
towarde the fouth, and runnynge with a large circuite and greate wyndynges and creekes firit towarde the
Eafte, then to the Weft, and laffly to the fouth, fauleth with a full fireame into the Cafpian or Hyrcan fea.
Aboue the mouth of this, is a citie of the Tartars cauled Cytrachan, which fum caule Aftrachan, where martes
are kepte by the marchauntes of Media, Armenia, and Perfia. On the further banke of Volga, there is a towne
of the Tartars cauled Cafan, of the which the Horda of the Cafanite Tartars tooke theyr name. It is diflante
from the mouth of Volga and the Cafpian fea fyue hundreth myles. Aboue Cafan. C 1. [one hundred and
fifty] myles at the enteraunce of the ryuer Sura, Bafilius that now reigneth, buylded a towne cauled Surcium, to
th[e]intente that in thofe defertes, the marchauntes and trauailers which certifie the gouernours of the marches
of the doinges of the Tartars and the maners of that vnquiet nation, may have a fafe manfion amonge theyr
cuftomers.
Th[e]emperours of Mofcouia at dyuers tymes, eyther moued therto by occafion of thynges prefente, or for
the defyre they had to nobilitate newe and obfcure places, haue kepte the feate of theyr courte and Empire in
dyuers cities. For Nouogrodia whiche lyeth towarde the Wefte and the Lyuon fea, not many yeares pafle, was
the headde citie of Mofcouia, and obteyned euer the chiefe dignitie by reafon of the incredible number of houfes
and edifi[c]es, with the oportunitie of the large lake replenyffled with fyffhe, and alfo for the fame of the mofle
auncient and venerable temple whiche more then foure hundreth yeres fence was dedicated to Sancta Sophia
Chryflte the foonne of God, accordynge to the cuflome of the Emprours of Bizantium nowe cauled Conflantinople.
Nouogrodia is oppreffed in maner with continuall wynter and darkeneffe of longe nyghtes. For it hath the pole
Artike eleuate aboue the Horizon threefcore and foure degrees: and is further from the Equinoctiall then
Mofcouia by almofte. vi. degrees. By whiche dyfference of heauen, it is fayde that at the fommer fleye of the
foonne, it is burnte with continuall heate by reafon of the fhorte nyghtes.
The citie alfo of Volodemaria, beinge more then twoo hundreth myles diftant from Mofca towarde the
Eafte, had the name of the chiefe citie and kynges towne, whyther the feate of Th[e]empire was tranflated by
the valiant Emperours for neceffarie confiderations, that fuch ayde, furniture, and requifites as apperteyne to the
warres myght bee neare at hande at fuche tyme as they kepte continuall warre ageynfle the Tartars theyr
bortherers. For it is fituate withowt Volga, on the bankes of the ryuer Clefina, whiche fauleth into Volga. But
Mofcha, afwell for thofe gyftes and commodities whereof we haue fpoken, as alfo that it is fituate in the myddeft
of the moft frequented place of all the region and Empire, and defended with the ryuer and Caftel, hath in
comparyfon to other cities byn thowght mofle woorthy to bee efleemed for the chiefe. Mofcha is diflant from
Nouogrodia fiue hundreth myles: and almoft in the mydde way is the citie of Ottoferia (otherwyfe cauled Otwer
or Tuwer) vppon the ryuer of Volga. This ryuer neare vnto the fountaynes and fpringes of the fame, not yet
increafed by receauyng fo many other ryuers, runneth but flowely and gentelly: And paffeth from thenfe to
Nouogrodia through many wooddes and defolate playnes. Furthermore frome Nouogrodia to Riga the nexte
Forte of the Sarmatian fea, is the iornay of a thoufand myles lyttle more or leffe. This tracte is thought to bee
more commodious then the other, bycaufe it hath manye townes and the citie of Plefcouia in the waye, beinge
imbrafed with two ryuers. From Riga (perteynynge to the dominion of the greate mafler of the warres of the
Liuons) to the citie of Lubecke a porte of Germanie in the goulfe of Cymbrica Cherfonefus (nowe cauled
Denmarke) are numbered aboute a thoufande myles of daungerous faylynge.
From Rome to the citie of Mofcha, the diflance is knowen to bee two thoufande and fyxe hundreth miles
by the neareft way paffynge by Rauenna, Taruifium, the Alpes of Carnica: Alfo Villacum, Noricum, and Vienna
of Pannonie: and from thenfe (paffynge ouer the ryuer of Danubius) to Olmutium of the Marouians and
to Cracouia the chiefe citie of Polonie, are coumpted. xi. hundreth myles. From Cracouia to Vilna the
headde citie of Lithuania, are coumpted fiue hundreth myles: and as many from that citie to Smolenzko fituate
beyonde Boryflhenes, from whenfe to Mofcha are coumpted fyxe hundreth myles. The iorney frome Vilna by
Smolenzko to Mofcha, is trauayled in wynter with expedite fleades and incredible celeritie vppon the fnowes
hardened with longe frofle and compacte lyke Ife by reafon of muche wearynge. But in foomler, the playnes
can not bee ouerpaffed but by difficulte and laborious trauayle. For when the fnowes by the continuall heate
of the foonne begyn to melte and diffolue, they caufe great maryffhes and quamyres able to intangle bothe horfe
314




Mofcoztia and Cathay.


315


and man, were it not that wayes are made throwgh the fame with brydges and caufeys of wood, and almoft
infinite laboure.
In all the region of Mofcouia, there is no vayne or mine of golde or fyluer, or any other common metall
excepte iren: neyther yet is there any token of precious tfones. And therefore they bye all thofe thynges of
firaungers. Neuertheleffe, this iniurie of nature is recompenfed with abundaunce of rich furres, whofe price by
the wanton niceneffe of men is growne to fuch exceffe that the furres perteynynge to one forte of apparell, are
nowe foulde for a thoufande crownes. But the tyme hath byn that thefe haue byn bought better chepe when
the furtheft nations of the north beinge ignorant of owr nyfe fineneffe and bre.thyng defyre toward effeminate
and fuperfluous pleafures, exchanged the fame with muche fimplicitie often tymes for tryfles and thynges of
fmaule value: In fo muche that commonly the Permians and Pecerrians, were accufltomed to gyue fo many
fkynnes of Sables for an Iren axe or hatchet as beinge tyed harde togyther, the marchauntes of Mofcouia coulde
drawe through the hole where the hafte or handyll entereth into the fame. Btut the Mofcouites fende into all
partes of Europe the beft kynde of flaxe to make lynnen clothe, and hempe for ropes: Alfo many oxe hydes,
and exceadynge great maffes of waxe.
They proudely denye that the Romane churche obteyneth the principate and preeminent autoritie of all
other.
They fo abhorre the nation of the Iewes, that they deteft the memorie of them, and wyll in no condition
admitte them to dwell within theyr dominions: efteemyng them as wycked and mifcheuous people that haue of
late tawght the Turkes to make gunnes. Befyde the bookes that they haue of the ancient Greeke doctours,
they haue alfo the commentaries and homelies of faynt Ambrofe, Auguftine, Ierome, and Gregorie, tranflated
into the Illirian or Slauon tounge which agreeth with theyrs. For they vfe bothe the Slauon tounge and letters,
as doo alfo the Sclauons, Dalmates, Bohemes, Pollones, and Lithuanes. This tounge is fpredde further then
any other at this day. For it is familyar at Conftantinople in the courte of the Emperours of the Turkes: and
was of late harde in Egypte amonge the Mamalukes in the courte of the Soltane of Alcayre otherwyfe cauled
Memphis or Babilon in Egipte. A greate number of bookes of holy fcripture are tranflated into this tounge by
th[e]induftrie of faynte Ierome and Cyrillus. Furthermore, befyde the hyftories of theyr owne countreys, they
haue alfo bookes conteynyng the factes of great Alexander and the Romane Emperours, and lykewyfe of Marcus
Antonius and Cleopatra. They haue no maner of knowleage of philofophie, Aftronomie, or fpeculatiue phificke
with other liberall fciences: But fuch are taken for phifitians as profeffe that they haue often times obferued the
vertue and qualitie of fum vnknowen herbe.
They number the yeares, not from the byrth of Chryfte, but from the begynnynge of the worlde. And this
they begin to accoumpte, not frome the monethe of Ianuary, but from September.
They haue fewe and fimple lawes throwghe owte all the kyngedome, made by the equite and confcience of
theyr princes, and approued by the confent of wyfe and good men: and are therfore greatly for the welthe and
quyetneffe of the people forafmuch as it is not lawfull to peruerte them with any interpretations or cauillations
of lawyers or atturneys. They punyIhe theues, rouers, priuie pyckers, and murtherers. When they examine
malefactours, they poure a great quantitie of coulde water vppon fuche as they fufpecte, whiche they fay to bee
an intollerable kynde of tormente. But fumtymes they manacle fuche as are floborne, and wyll not confeffe
apparent crymes.
Theyr youth is exercifed in dyuers kyndes of games and plays refembelyng the warres, wherby they both
practife pollicie and increafe theyr ftrength. They vfe runnynge both on horfebacke and afoote. Alfo runnynge
at the tylte, wreftelynge, and efpecially fhootynge. For they gyue rewardes to fuche as excell therin.
The Mofcouites are vniuerfally of meane flature, yet very fquare fet and myghtyly brawned. They haue
al grey eyes, longe beardes, fhorte legges, and bygge bellyes. They ryde very fhorte, and fhoote backewarde
very cunnyngely euen as they flye. At home in theyr houfes, theyr fare is rather plentifull then deyntie. For
theyr tables are furnyffhed for a fmaule price with all fuche kyndes of meates as may bee defyred of fuch as are
gyuen to moft exceffiue gluttony. Hennes and duckes are bought for lyttle fyluer penfe the piece. There is
incredible plentie of beaftes and cattayle bothe greate and fmaule. The fleffhe of biefe that is kylled in the
myydeft of wynter, is fo congeled and frofen, that it putrifiethe not for the fpace of two moonethes. Theyr
befle and mofte delicate dyffhes, are gotten by huntynge and haukynge as with vs. For they take all fortes of
wylde beaftes with houndes and dyuers kyndes of nettes. And with falcons and erens or eagles of a marueylous
kynde whiche the region of Pecerra bryngeth furth vnto them, they take not onely fefantes and wylde duckes,
but alfo cranes and wylde fwannes. They take alfo a foule of darke coloure abowte the byggenes of a goofe
with redde ouerbrowes, whofe fleffhe in tafte paffeth the pleafauntneffe of Pheafauntes. Thefe in the Mofcouites
tounge are cauled Tetrao, whiche I fuppofe to bee the fame that Plinie cauleth Erythratao, knowen to the
people of the Alpes, and efpecially to the Rhetians whiche inhabite the laundes abowte the fprynges of the ryuer
Abdua. The ryuer of Volga miniftreth vnto them great fyffhes and of pleafaunte tafte: efpecially ilurgions or
315


Other wryters
deny this.
286
Riche furres.
The price of furres.
How many sables
skynnes for an axe.
Flax.
Oxe hydes.
Waxe.
Thei abhorre the
Iewes.
Their bokes and
religion.
The Sclauon
tounge spred
further then any
other.
Saynte Terome
was borne in
Dalmatia nowe
cauled Sclauonia.
Howe they
number the
yeares.
Fewe and simple
lawes
The exercise of
youth.
Shootynge.
The corporature
of the Moscouites.
Theyr fare.
287
Flesshe preserued
longe by reason of
coulde.
Haukyng and
huntynge.
Plentie of fysshe..




316
Fysshe longe
reserued in Ise.
Wyne.
Maluasie.
All the north
parte of the firme
lande was cauled
Scythia and the
people Scythyans.
Drynke cooled
with Ise.
Wyne of cherryes.
Their women.
Thomas
Paleologus.
The conquest of
the turkes in
Grecia.
How the princes
chuse theyr wyues.
288
Duke Basilius.
War betwene the
Polones and
Moschouites.
War betwen the
Moschouites and
Tartars.
The Moscouites
army.
Their banner.
Their horses and
hors[elmen.


Mofcozuia and Cathay.
rather a kynde of fyffhe lyke vnto fturgions: whiche in the wynter feafon beinge inclofed in Ife, are longe
referued freffhe and vncorrupte. Of other kindes of fyffhes, they take in maner an incredible multitude in the
whyte lakes whereof wee haue fpoken before. And wheras they vtterly lacke natiue wynes, they vfe fuche as
are browght from other places. And this only in certeine feafles and holy mifleries. Efpecially the pleafaunte
Maluafies of the Iland of Creta nowe cauled Candy, are had in mofte honoure: and vfed eyther as medicens or
for a ihewe of excefflue aboundaunce, forafinuche as it is in maner a miracle that wynes browght frome Candy
by the ireyglltes of Hercules pillers and the Ilandes of Gades, and toffed with fuch fluddes of the inclofed
Ocean, fhulde be droonke amonge the Scythyan fnowes in theyr natiue puritie and pleafauntneffe.
The common people drinke mede made of hony and hoppes fodden together, whiche they keepe longe in
pytched barrels where the goodnes increafeth with age. They vfe alfo beere and ale as doo the Germanes and
Polones. They are accuftomed for delycatenes in fommer to coole theyr beere and mede with puttynge Ife
therin, whiche the noble men referue in theyr fellars in great quantitie for the fame purpofe. Sunlme there are
that delyte greately in the iufe that is preffed owte of cherries before they bee full rype: whiche they affyrme to
haue the coloure of cleare and ruddy wyne with a verye pleafaunte tafte.
Theyr wyues and women, are not with them in fuche honoure as they are in other nations. For they vfe
them in maner in the place of feruantes. The noble men and gentelmen, doo diligently obferue theyr walkes
and haue an eye to their chaftitie. They are feldom bydden furth to any feaftes: nether are permytted to
reforte to churches farre of, or to walke abrode withowt fum greate confyderation.  But the common forte of
women, are eafely and for a fmaule price allured to lecherye euen of ifraungers: by reafon wherof, the gentelmen
doo lyttle or nothynge efleme them.
Iohn the father of kynge Bafilius dyed more then. xx. [twenty] yeares fence. He maryed Sophia the
doughter of Thomas Paleologus who reigned farre in Peloponnefus (now cauled Morea) and was brother to
Th[e]emperoure of conftantinople. Shee was then at Rome when Thomas her father was dryuen owte of Grecia
by the Turckes. Of her were fyue chyldren borne, as Bafilius hym felfe, George, Demetrius, Symeon, and
Andreas. Bafilius tooke to wyfe Salomonia the doughter of George Soborouius a man of fynguler fidelitie and
wyfdome and one of hys counfayle. The excellent vertues of which woman, only barenneffe obfcured.
When the prynces of Mofcouia delyberat to marie, theyr cuftome is to haue choyfe of all the vyrgynes in
the realme, and to caufe fuche as are of moft fayre and bewtyfull vyfage and perfonage with maners and vertues
accordyng, to bee browght before them. Which afterwarde they committe to certayne faythful men and graue
matrones to bee furder vewed, in fo muche that they leaue no parte of them vnferched. Of thefe, fhee whome
the prynce moft lyketh, is pronounced woorthy to bee hys wyfe, not withowt greate and carefull expectation of
theyr parentes, lyuynge for that tyme betwene hope and feare. The other vyrgyns alfo which ftoode in election and
contended in bewty and integritie of maners, are often times the fame day to gratyfye the prynce, maryed to
hys noble men, gentellmen, and capytaynes: wherby it fumtymes commeth to paffe that whyle the princes
contemne the lynage of roiall defcente, fuche as are borne of humble parentage, are exalted to the degree of
princely eftate. In lyke maner as Th[e]emperours of the turckes were accuftomed to bee chofen by cumlyneffe
of perfonage and warly prowes.
Bafilius was vnder th[e]age of forty and feuen yeares, of cumly perfonage, finguler vertue, and princely
qualities, by all meanes ftudyous for the profperitie and commodities of hys fubiectes. Furthermore in beneuolence, lyberalytie and good fucceffe in hys doynges, to bee preferred before his progenitours. For when he
hadde. vi. yeares kepte warre with the Lyuons that moued. lxxii. [feuenty-two] confetherate cities to the caufe
of that warre, he obteyned the victorie and departed with fewe conditions of peace rather gyuen then accepted.
Alfo at the begynnynge of his reigne, he put the Polones to flight and took prifoner Conftantine the capitayne
of the Ruthens whom he brought to Mofcouia tyed in chaynes. But fhortly after at the ryuer Borifthenes aboue
the citie of Orfa, he hym felfe was ouercomne in a great battayle by the fame Conflantine whom he hadde difmiffed: Yet fo, that the towne of Smolenzko whiche the Mofcouites poffeffed before and was now woonne by
the Polons, fhulde flyll perteyne to the dominions of Bafilius. But ageynfte the Tartars, and efpecially the
Tartars of Europe cauled the Precopites, the Mofcouites haue often tymes kepte warre with good fucceffe, in
reuenge of th[e]iniuries doone to them by theyr incurfions.
Bafilius is accuftomed to brynge to the fielde more then a hundreth and fiftie thoufande horfemen deuided
into three bandes and folowynge the banners or enfeignes of theyr capitaynes in order of battayle. On the
banner of the kynges wynge, is figured the image of Iofue the capitaine of the Hebrewes at whofe prayer the
foone prolonged the daye and fleyde his courfe as wytneffe the hyftories of holye fcripture. Armies of footemen are in maner to no vfe in thofe great wylderneffes, afwel for theyr apparel beinge loofe and longe, as alfo
for the cufltome of theyr enemies, who in theyr warres trufte rather to the fwyfteneffe of theyr lyght horfes then
to trye the matter in a pyght fyelde.
Theyr horfes are of leffe then meane flature: but verye ftronge and fwyfte. Theyr horfemen are armed


316




Mofcouiia and Cathay.


317


with pykes, ryuettes, mafes of Iren and arrowes. Fewe haue hooked fwoordes. Theyr bodies are defended
with rounde Targets after the maner of the Turkes of Afia: or with bendyng and cornarde targettes after the
maner of the Greekes: Alfo with coates of mayle, brygantynes, and fharpe helmettes. Bafilius dyd furthermore infltytute a band of hargabufiers on horfbacke: and caufed many greate brafen pieces to bee made by the
woorkemanfhype of certeyne Italyans: and the fame with theyr flockes and wheeles to bee placed in the caftell
of Mofca.
The kynge hym felfe with pryncely magnyfycence and finguler familiaritie (wherwith neuertheleffe no parte
of the maieftie of a kyng is vyolate) is accuftomed to dyne openly with hys noble men and ftraunge ambaffadours in hys owne chamber of pretence where is feene A meruelous quantitye of fyluer and gylte plate flandynge
vppon two great and high cubbardes in the fame chamber. He hath not abowte hym any other garde for the
cuftody of hys perfon fauynge only hys accuftomed famylye. For watche and warde is dylygently kepte of the
faythfull multytude of the citifens: In fo muche that euery warde or quarter of the citie is inclofed with gates
rayles, and barres: neyther is it lawfull for any man raffhely to walke in the citie in the nyght, or withowt lyght.
All the courte confyfteth of noble men, gentelmen, and choyfe fouldyers which are cauled owte of euery regyon
by theyre townes and vyllagies, and commaunded to wayte courfe by courfe at certeyne moonethes appoynted.
Furthermore when warre is proclaymed, all the armye is collected bothe of the owlde fouldiers and by muflerynge of newe in all prouynces. For the lieuetenauntes and capytaynes of the armye, are accuftomed in all
cities to muller the youth, and to admytte to th[e]order of fouldyers fuch as they thynke able to ferue the turne.
Theyre wages is payde them of the common treafurye of euery prouynce which is gathered and partely payde
alfo in the tyme of peace although it bee but lyttle. But fuch as are affigned to the warres, are free frome all
tributes, and inioye certein other priuilegies wherby they may the more gladly and cherfully ferue theyr kynge
and defend theyr contrey. For in the tyme of warre, occacyon is mynyfired to fhewe trewe vertue and manhodde, where in fo greate and neceffarie an inftitution, euery man accordynge to hys approued actiuitie and
ingenyous forwardneffe, may obteyne the fortune eyther of perpetuall honoure or ignominie.
Vix olim vlla fides referentibus horrida regna
Mofchorum, el Ponti, res glacialis erat.
Nunc louio autore, illa oculis lujiramus, et vrbe/.
Et nemora, et montes cernimnus etfluuios.
Mofchouiam, monumenta loui, tua culta reuoluens.
Cepi alios mundos credere Democrifi.


Theire armure.
Hargabusiers.
Gunnes.
The Prince dyneth
openly.
Sigismundus sayth
that much of this
is golde.
The custodie of
the citie.
The dukes courte.
Souldyers wages
of the common
treasury.
289


3J7




318


( OTHER NOTABLE THYNGES
AS CONCERNYNGE MOSCOVIA: GATHERED OWT OF
THE BOOKES OF SIGISMVNDVS LIBERVS.
N2te that when hefayth myles, he meaneth leaques.


/


Russia.
The browne colour
of the Russes.
Rossela.
The Slauon tounge
spreadeth farre.
Vandales.
The Princes of
Russia.
The duke of
Moscouia.


Sume thynke that it was fo named of one Ruffus the foonne or
neuie of Lech the kynge of the Polons. Other affirme that it
was fo cauled of a certeyne owlde towne named Ruffus not
farre frome Nouogoroda or Nouogardia the more. Sum alfo
thynke that it was fo cauled of the browne coloure of the nation.
But the Mocouians confute al thefe opinions as vntrewe: Affirmynge that this nation was in owld tyme cauled Roffeia as a nation
difperfed, as the name it felfe dooth declare. For Roffeia in
the Ruthens tounge, doothe fignifie difperfed or fcattered. The
V   which thynge to be trew, dyuers other people commyxt with
th[e]inhabitauntes, and dyuers prouinces lyinge here and there
betwene dyuers partes of Ruffia doo playnely declare. But
whenfe fo euer they tooke theyr name, doubtleffe all the people
that vfe the Slauon tounge, and profeffe the fayth of Chryft after
_ t                       the maner of the Greekes, (cauled in theyr common language
Ruffi, and in the Latin tounge Rutheni) are increafed to fuche
a multytude that they haue eyther expulfed all the nations that lye betwene them, or drawne them to theyr
maner of lyuynge, infomuche that they are nowe cauled all Rutheni by one common name.
Furthermore the Slauon tounge (whiche at this daye is fumwhat corruptly cauled Sclauon) runneth exceadyng far, as vfed of the Dalmates, Boffuenfer, Croatians, Iitrians, and by a longe tracte of the fea Adriatike vnto
Forum Iulii: Of the Caruians alfo whome the Venetians caule Charfos: and lykewyfe of the Carniolans and
Carinthians vnto the ryuer Drauus: Furthermore of the Stirians within Gretzium and by Muera vnto Danubius and from thenfe of the Myfians, Seruians, Bulgarians, and other inhabitynge euen vnto Conflantinople:
Furthermore of the Bohemians, Lufacians, Silefiana, Morauians, and th[e]inhabitauntes neare vnto the ryuer
Vagus in the kyngedome of Hungarie: The Polons alfo and the Ruthenians whofe Empire reacheth very
farre: lykewyfe the Circafians and Quinquemontanians vnto Pontus: and is from thenfe vfed in the north
partes of Germanie amonge the remanent of the Vandales inhabityng here and there. All whiche nations
althowgh they acknowleage them felues to bee Sclauons, yet the Germayns taking the denomination only of the
Vandales, caule al them that vfe the Slauon tounge, Vuenden, Vuinden, or Vuindyfh.
Of the Princes that nowe reigne in Ruffia, the chiefe is the great Duke of Mofcouia who poffeffeth the
greateft part therof. The feconde is the great duke of Lithuania: and the thyrde the kynge of Polonie, who
nowe obteyneth the dominion of Polonie and Lithuania.
In autoritie and dominion ouer his fubiectes, the prince of Mofcouie paffeth all the monarkes of the
worlde. For he depriueth all his noble men and gentelmen of al theyr holdes and munitions at his pleafure.
He trufleth not his owne brotherne, but oppreffeth all with lyke feruitude. In fo muche that whome fo euer he
commaundeth eyther to remayne with hym in the courte, or to goo to the warres, or fendeth on an ambaffage,
they are compelled to bee at theyr owne charges, excepte the younge gentelmen the foonnes of the Boiarons,
that is, the noble men of the lowelft degree. He vfurpeth this autoritie afwell ouer the fpiritualtie as the temporaltie: conflitutynge what him lyfteth of the goods and lyfe of al men. Of his counfilers there is not one that
dare diffente from hym in any thynge. They openly confeffe that the wyl of the prince is the wyll of god: and
therfore caule hym the key bearer and chamberlen of god, and beleue him to bee the executor of gods wyll.
318




Mofcouia and Cathay.


3I9


By reafon wherof, the prince hym felfe when any peticion is made to hym for the deliuerie of any captiue, is
accuffomed to aunfwere: When god commaundeth he Ihalbe deliuered. Lykewyfe when any afketh a queftion
of an vncerteyne or doubtefull thynge, theyr cuftome is to anfwere thus: God knoweth and the greate prince.
It is vncerteyne whether the crueltie and fiercenes of the nation doo requyre fo tyrannous a prince, or whether
by the tyranny of the prince, the nation is made fo fierce and cruell.
Bafilius the foonne of Iohn, was the fyrft that tooke vppon hym the name and title of a kynge in this maner:
The great lorde Bafilius, by the grace of god kynge and lorde of all Ruffia and the greate duke of Vuolodimaria,
Mofcouia, Nouogardia, etc.
Furthermore, wheras nowe this prince is cauled an Emperour, I haue thought good to fhewe the tytle and
caufe of this errour. Note therfore that Czar in the Ruthens tounge fignifieth a kynge, wheras in the language
of the Slauons, Pollons, Bohemes, and other, the fame woorde Czar, fignifieth Cefar by whiche name Th[e]emperours haue byn commonly cauled. For bothe they and the Slauons that are vnder the kyngdome of
Hungarie, caule a kynge by an other name: as fum Crall, other Kyrall, and fum Koroll: but thinke that only
an Emperoure is cauled Czar. Whereby it came to paffe that the Ruthene or Mofcouite interpretours hearynge
theyr prince to bee fo cauled of fitraunge nations, began them felues alfo to name hym an Emperour, and
thinke the name of Czar to bee more worthy then the name of a kynge, althowgh they fignifie all one thynge.
But who fo wyl reade all theyr hyftories and bookes of holy fcripture, fhall fynde that a kynge is cauled Czar, and
an Emperour Keffar. By the lyke erroure Th[e]emperour of the Turkes is cauled Czar, who neuertheleffe of
antiquitie vfed no hygher tytle then the name of a kynge, expreffed by this woorde Czar. And hereof the
Turkes of Europe that vfe the Slauon tounge, caule the citie of Conftantinople Czargrad, (that is) the kynges
citie.
Sum caule the prince of Mofcouie the whyte kynge, whiche I thinke to proceade of the whyte cappes., or
other tyrementes they weare on theyr heades, lyke as they caule the kynge of Percia Kifilpaffa (that is) redde
headde. He vfeth the tytle of a kynge when he writeth or fendeth to Rome, the Emperour, the pope, the
kynge of Suetia and Denmarke, the greate mafter of Pruffia and Liuonia, and alfo to the greate Turke as I
haue byn credably informed: but he is not cauled kynge of any of them, excepte perhappes of the Liuons.
Yet by reafon of his later conquefles, fum haue thought hym worthy the name of a kynge or rather of an
Emperour bycaufe he hath kynges vnder his Empire.
To the kynge of Polone he vfeth this tytle: The great lorde Bafilius by the grace of god, lorde of all Ruffia,
and greate duke of Vuolodimeria, Mofcouia, Nouogardia. etc. leauynge owt the tytle of a kyng. For none of
them vouchefafeth to receaue the letters of the other augmented with any newe tytle, as I knewe by experience
at my being in Mofcouia, at which tyme Sigifmundus the kynge of Polone fente hym his letters augmented with
the tytle of the Duke of Mafouia, wherwith he was not a lyttle offended.
They glorie inories that before Vuolodimeria and Olha, theyr  lande of Ruffia waories mbaptifed and
bleffed of faynt Andrewe th[e]apoflle of Chryfl, affirmynge that he came from Grecia to the mouthes of the ryuer
Boryfthenes: and that he fayled vppe the ryuer to the mountaynes where as is nowe Chiouia: and that there
he bleffed all the lande and placed his croffe, prophefyinge alfo that the grace of god fhulde bee greate there,
and that there fhulde bee many churches of Chryftian men: Lykewyfe that he afterwarde came to the fprynges
of Boryflhenes vnto the great lake Vuolok, and by the ryuer Louat defcended into the lake Ilmer: from whenfe
by the riuer Vuolcon whiche runneth owte of the fame lake, he came to Nouogardia: and paffed frome thenfe
by the fame ryuer to the lake Ladoga and the ryuer Heua, and fo vnto the fea whiche they caule Vuaretzkoia,
beinge the fame that we caule the Germayne fea, betwene Vuinlandia or Finlandia and Liuonia, by the whiche
he fayled to Rome, and was at the lafte crucified for Chryfte his gofpell in Peloponnefus by the tyranny of Agus
Antipater, as theyr crownacles make mention.
The prynce euery feconde or thyrde yeare, caufeth a multer to bee taken of the foonnes of the Boiarons,
and takethe an accoumpte bothe of theyr number and howe many horfes and men euery of them is able to
make: and then appoynteth a certeyne ftypende to fuche as are able further to beare theyr owne charges in the
warres. They haue feldome any reft or quyetneffe. For they eyther keepe warre with the Lithuanians, Liuonians,
Suetians, or Tartars of Cafan. Or yf it fo chaunce that the prynce keepe no warre, yet dooth he yearely
appoynte garryfons of. xx. [twenty] thoufande menne in places abowt Tanais and Occa to repreffe the incurfions
and robberyes of the European Tartars cauled Precopites.
As in other matters, euen fo in th[e]order of warrefare ther is great diuerfitie amonge men. For the Mofcouian as foone as he begynneth to flye, thinketh of none other fuccoure but putteth all his confidence therein.
Beinge purfued or taken of his enemie, he neyther defendeth himfelfe nor defirethe perdon.
The Tartar caflt of from his horfe, fpoyled of al his armure and weapons, and alfo fore wounded, defendeth
hym felfe with handes, feete, and teethe, and by all meanes he may, vntyll his ftrength and fpirite fayle hym.
The Turke, when he feeth hym felfe deftitute of all helpe and hope to efcape, doth humbly defyre pardon,
319


290
Why the duke of
Mescouia was
cauled an
Emperour
The greate Turke.
The whyte kynge.
The duke of
Moscouia his tytle.
Russia baptysed
by saynte
Andrewe the
Apostle.
The Moscouites
warres
291
Dyuers maners ot
dyuers people in
the wars.




320


Mofcouzia and Cat/hay.


cafting away his weapons and armure, and reching furth to the victourer his hands ioyned together to be bounde,
hopynge by captiuitie to faue his lyfe.
The Moscouytes   The Mofcouites in placeinge theyr armye chufe them a large playne where the beft of them pytch theyr
army.
tentes and the other make them certen arbours of bouwes fyxt in the grounde, bendyng together the toppes
therof, whiche they couer with theyr clokes to defende themfelues, theyr bowes, arrowes, faddyles, and other
theyr neceffaries from rayne. They put furth theyr horfes to pafture, and for that caufe haue theyr tentes fo
farre in funder, which they fortifye neyther with cartes or trenches or any other impedyment, excepte perhappes
the place bee defended by nature as with wooddes, ryuers and maryffhes.
maynteyneth his  It may perhappes feeme raunge howe he maynteyneth hym and hys fo longe with fo fmaule an army as I
army.        haue fayde. I wyll nowe therfore brefely declare theyre fparynge and frugalitie. He that hath fyxe or fumtymes more horfes, vfeth one of them as A packe horfe to beare all theyr neceffaryes. He hath alfo in a bagge
of two or three fpanes longe, the floure or meale of the grayne cauled mylle: and. viii. or x. poundes weyghte
of fwynes fleffhe poudered. He hathe lykewyfe A bagge of falte, myxte with pepper if he bee ryche. Furthermore euery man caryeth with hym A hatchet, A fyre boxe, and a brafen potte: fo that if they chaunce to
coomme to any place where they can fynde no frutes, garlyke, onyons or fleffhe, they kyndle a fyre and fylle
theyr pottes with water wherunto they put a fpoonefull of meale with a quantitie of falte, and make pottage
therof, wherwith the mafler and all hys feruauntes lyue contented. But if the matter bee very hungary he
eateth all alone, and the feruantes are fumtymes inforfed to fafte for the fpace of two or three dayes. And yf
the mafler intende to fare fumwhat more delycately, then he addeth therto a lyttle portion of fwynes flefthe. I
fpeake not thys of the beft of them, but of fuche as are of the meane forte. The gouernours and capytaynes of
th[e]armye, doo fum tymes bydde the poorer forte to theyre tables: where theye feede them felues fo wel, that
they fafte two or three dayes after. When they haue frutes, garlyke, and onyons, theye can well forbeare all
other meates. Procedynge forwarde to the battayle, they put more confydence in theyr multitude, and with
what great armyes they affayle theyr enemyes, then eyther in the ftrengthe and valyanteneffe of theyr fouldyers,
or in well infltructynge theyr armye: and fyght better afarre of, then at hande: and therfore fludy howe to
circumuent or inclofe theyr enemyes and to affayle them on the backe halfe.
Instruments of    They haue many trumpiters: The which whyle they blow all at once after theyr maner, make A meruelous
warre.    fraunge noyfe. They haue alfo an other kynde of inflrumentes which they caule Szurna. Thefe they blowe
withowte feafynge for the fpace of an houre togither, fo temperyng the fame and holdyng in the wynd whyle
they drawe more, that the noyfe feemeth continuall withoute intermyffion.
The Moscouites    They vfe all one maner of appareyle: as longe coates withowte pleyghtes and with narrowe fleaues after
and Tartars
apparell.    the maner of the Hungaryans. Thefe the Chriftians vfe to butten on the right fyde: and the Tartars (vfinge
the lyke) butten them on the lefte fyde. They weare redde and fhorte bufkyns that reache not to theyr knees:
292   and haue the foules therof defended with plates of Iren. In maner all theyr fhyrtes are wroughte with dyuers
colours aboute the necke: and haue the collars and ruffes byfette with lyttle rounde baules lyke beades, of
fyluer or gylted copper, and fumtyme perles alfo. They gyrde them felues beneth the bellye euen as lowe as
theyr priuy members, that they may feme more boorely which they greately efteme, as doo at thys day the
Spanyardes, Italyans, and Almaynes.
The pronce of     The prouince of  Mofcouia is neyther very large nor frutfull, forafmuche as the fertylytye is hyndered with
Extreme coulde.  fandye grounde which eyther with to muche dryneffe or moyfter kylleth the come. Furthermore the immoderate
and fharpe vntemperateneffe of the ayre while theile coulde of the wynter ouercommethe the heate of the foonne,
fumtymes dothe not fufer the corne to rype. For the coulde is there fumtyme fo extreame, that lyke as with vs
in fommer by reafon of heate, euen fo there by extreame coulde the yearth hath many great chynkes or breaches.
Water alfo caft into the ayre, and fpettle faulyng from on[e]s mouthe, are frofen before they touche the grounde.
I my felfe, when I came thether in the yeare 1526. fawe the braunches of frutefull trees wythyred by the coulde
of the wynter before, which was fo extreame that many of theyr wagoners or caries (whom they caule Gonecz)
were founde frofen to deathe in theyr fleades. There were fum that at the fame tyme leadyng and dryuyng
theyr cattayle from the nexte villagies to Mofcouia, dyed by the way with theyr beaftes through th[e]extremytie
of the coulde. Furthermore, the fame yeare many players that were accuftomed to wander aboute the contrey
with daunfyng beares, were founde dead in the high wayes. Wylde beares alfo inforced thereto by famyn, lefte
the wooddes and ranne here and there into dyuers villagies and houfes: At whofe commyng while the men of
the countrey forfooke theyr houfes and fledd into the fieldes, manye of them peryffhed throughe the vehemencie
Extreme heate. in  of the coulde. Agayne, it fumtymes fo chaunceth that in fommer the heate is as extreame: as in the yeare.
cold regions.  1525. in the which almoft all kynds of pulfe and grayne were fcorched and burnte: and fuch a derth of corne
folowed that drought, that that which before was bowght for three dengas, was afterwarde foulde for. xx.
[twenty] or. xxx. [thirty.] Furthermore alfo, manye villagies, wooddes, and ftackes of corne, were fette on fyre
by th[e]extreame heate: The fmoke wherof fo fylled the regyon, that the eyes of many were fore hurte therby.


3.0




Mofcouia and Ca/hay.


321


i)


There arofe alfo as it were a darke and thycke myft without fmoke which ib molefled the ey[e]s, that many lofte
theyr fight therby.
They fowe and naryffhe the feades of melons with greate diligence in certeyne rayfed beddes myxte with
doonge: wherby they fynde a remedy both ageynft extreame could and heat. For if the heate exceade, they
make certeyne ryftes in the beddes as it were breathyng places leaft the feades ihulde be fuffocate with to muche
heate. And if the coulde bee extreme it is tempered with the heate of the mucke or dunge.
Theyr beaftes are muche leffe then owres: yet not all withowt homes as one hath written. For I haue  Lyttle beastes.
there fene oxen, kyne, goates, and rammes all with homes.
Not farre from the citie of Mofcha, are certeyne monafteries which a farre of, feeme lyke vnto a citie.  The citie of
Moscouia or
They faye that in thys citie is an incredible number of houfes: And that the fyxte yeare before my commynge  Mosca.
thyther, the prince caufed them to bee numbered, and founde them to bee more then one and fortye thoufande
and fyue hundreth houfes. The citie is very large and wyde: and alfo very flabby and myrie. By reafon
wherof it hath many brydges and caufeys.
The ayre of the regyon is fo holfome, that beyond the fprynges of Tanais, efpecially towarde the north  Holsome ayer.
and a great parte alfo towarde the Eaite, the peitylence hath not byne harde of fence the memorye of man.
Yet haue they fumtimes a difeafe in theyr bowells and headdes not much vnlyke the pellylence. This difeafe
they caule a heate: wherwith fuche as are taken, dye within fewe dayes.
Sum wryte that Iohn the duke of Mofcouia and fonne of Bafilius, vnder the pretence of religion facked  A ryche spoyle.
and fpoyled, the citie of Nouogardia: and caried with hym from thenfe to Mofcouia three hundreth fleades laden
with golde, fyluer, and precious flones of the gooddes of the Archebyfihoppe, the marchauntes, citifins, and
firaungiers.
Solowki is an Ilande fituate in the north fea. viii. leaques from the continent betwene Dwina and the pro-  The Iland of
uince of Corela. Howe farre it is dyllant from Mofcouia, can not bee well knowne by reafon of manye fennes,  Solowki
maryffhes, wooddes, and defolate places lyinge in the way. Albeit, fum fay that it is not three hundreth leaques  293
from Mofcouia, and two hundreth frome Bieloiefero. In thys Ilande is made greate plenty of falte: and it  Bieloiesero.
hath in it a monaflerie into the which it is not lawfill for any woman or virgyn to enter. There is alfo great
fyffhyng for hearyng. They fay that here the foonne at the fommer Equinoctiall. fhyneth continually excepte  The lengthe of
two houres.
Demetriowe, is a citie with a cartel, diftante from Mofcouia xii. leaques declining from the weft fumwhat toward the north. By this runneth the ryuer Lachroma that runneth in to the ryuer of Setl. Sell alfo
receaueth the ryuer Dubna whiche vnladeth it felfe in Volga. And by the commoditie of thus many ryuers,  The trade from
Moscouia to the
many riche marchaundies are browght without great laboure or difficultie from the cafpian fea by the ryuer  Caspian sea.
Volga to Mofcouia and dyuers other prouynces and cities abowte the fame.
Bieloiefero, a citie with a callell, is fituat at a lake of the fame name. For Bieloiefero in the Mofcouites  Bieloiesero or the
toung, fignifieth a white lake. The citie flandeth not in the lake as fum haue fayd. Yet is it fo enuironed with
maryfThes that it may feeme to bee inexpugnable: In confideration wherof, the princes of Mofcouia are accuftomed to keepe theyr treafure there. Bieloiefero is from Mofcouia, a hundreth leaques, and as muche from
Nouogardia the great. The lake it felfe, is. xii. leaques in length and as much in breadth: aud hath (as they
fay) three hundreth ryuers faulynge into it. Th[e]inhabitauntes of this place, haue a peculyar language,
althdugh nowe in maner all fpeake the Mofcouites tounge. The longert day here in the foommer Equinoctial,  Diuersitie of
temperament in
is fayde to confyfte of. xix. [nineteen] houres. A man of greate name and credite toulde me, that at the begyn-  smaul dystance.
nyng of the fprynge when the trees began nowe to bee greene, he went in poite from Mofcouia to Bieloiefero:
And paffynge ouer the ryuer Volga, founde the region there fo couered with Ife and fnow, that he was fayne to
difpatch the refidue of his iorney on fleades. And although the wynter bee longer there, yet doo the frutes
waxe rype and are gathered euen at the fame tyme that they are in Mofcouia. Within an arrowe fhotte of the  A lake of
lake, there is an other lake that bryngeth furth brymilone: which a certen ryuer runnyng owt of the fame,  brymstone
caryeth with it in great quantitie flotyng aboue the water lyke a fcoomme. Yet through the ignorance of the
people, they haue no commoditie therby.
The people that inhabite the regions lyinge farre northe and ealt from Mofcouia, exchaunge theyr furres  Exchange of
furres for other
for apparel, knyues, needles, fpoones, hatchets, and fuche other neceflarye wares. For they haue not the vfe of  ware.
golde and fyluer.


EDE.


2 B


321




322


Mofcollia and Cathay.


er The.defcription of the regions, peopl5e, and ryuers, lyinge North and Eafle
from    Mofcouia: As the way from              Mofcouia to the ryuer Petzora,
and the prouince of Jugaria, or luhra: A4ndfromle thenfe
to  the ryner Obi.        Lykewyfe the difcrifition of
other countreys and regions, eien vlto
Th[e]emfiire      of   the   greate
Chami of Cathay.
The dominion of             He dominion of the Prince of Mofcouia reacheth farre towarde the Eafte and north vnto the
the duke of
Moste de o                    places which we wyll nowe defcrybe. As concemynge whiche thynge, I tranflated a booke
that was prefented vnto me in the Mofcouites tounge, and haue heare made a bryefe rehearfall of the fame. I wyll fyrft therfore defcribe the iorney from Mofcouia to Petzora, and
fo to Iugaria and Obi.
Vuolochda.                         From Mofcouia to the citie of Vuolochda, are numbered fyftie Werfles, one Werft conWerste.                       teynynge almofte the fpace of an Italyan myle. From Vuolochda to Vftiug towarde the right
stiug.      hande defcendinge with the courfe of the ryuer of Vuolochda and Suchana with whom it ioyneth, are coumpted
fyue hundreth Werftes: where within two Werites of the towne cauled Strelze and hard by the citie of Vfliug
Suchana ioyneth. Iug which runneth from the fouth: from whofe mouth vnto the fprynges of the fame, are
numbered fyue hundrethe Werftes.
Note that wheras here before the autour nulnbereth but fyftie werfles from Mofcouia to Vuolochda, it femeth that the place is
corrupted by the Printers myftakynge one worde for an other, as Quinquaginta, which is fyftie, for Quingenta, whiche is fyue
hundreth. For the diflance is no leffe from Mofcouia to Vuolochda, then is from Vuolochda to Vfliug, which is fyue hundreth
werfles.
294        But Suchana and Iug after they ioyne togyther, lofe theyr fyrfIt names and make bothe one ryuer named
Suchana.      Dwina, by the whiche the paffage to the citie of Colmogor conteyneth fyue hundreth Werfles: from whenfe in
lug.
Colmogor.     the fpace of fyxe dayes iorney, Dwina entereth into the north Ocean at. vi. mouthes, And the greatefte parte of
Dwina.        this iorney confyfteth by nauigation. For by lande, from Vuolochda vnto Colmogor, paffing ouer the ryuer
Pie.ga.       Vuaga, are a thoufande Werftes. Not farre from Colmogor, the ryuer Pienega runnynge frome the Eafte on the
ryght hande for the fpace of feuen hundreth Werftes fauleth into Dwina. From Dwina by the ryuer Pienega by
Nicolai       the fpace of two hundreth Werfles, they coome to a place cauled Nicolai: from whenfe within halfe a werfl,
Kuluio.       fhyppes haue paffage into the ryuer Kuluio, which hath his original from a lake of the fame name towarde the
north, from whofe fpringes is. viii. dayes vyage to the mouth of the fame where it entereth into the Ocean.
The regions by    Saylynge by the coafles of the ryght hande the fea, they paffe by the regions of Stanuwifche, Calunczfcho,
the Northsea.  and Apnu. And faylynge abowt the promontorie or cape of Chorogofki Nofz, Stanuwifche, Camenckh, and
Tolflickh, they come at the length into the ryuer Mezen, and frome thenfe in the fpace of fyxe dayes to a
Pieza.        vyllage of the fame name, flandyng in the mouth of the ryuer Pieza: by the which ageine afcendyng towarde
Piescoia.     the lefte hande and foommer Eaft, they come to the ryuer Piefcoya. From whenfe faylynge for the fpace of
fyue Werfles, they coomme into two lakes in the whiche are feene two wayes: wherof one on the ryght fyde,
Rubicho.      goeth to the ryuer Rubicho, by the whiche they paffe to the ryuer Czircho. Other by an other and fhorter
Czircho.      way, brynge theyr fhyppes frome the lake directly into Czircho: From whenfe, except they be hyndered by
Czilma.       tempeft, they coomme in the fpace of three weekes to the ryuer and mouth of Czilma, flowynge into the great
ryuer Petzora, which in that place is two Werfles in breadthe. Saylyng from henfe, they coomme in the fpace
Pustoosero.   of fyxe dayes to the towne and caftell of Pufloofero, neare vnto the which, Petzora entereth into the north
Ocean at fyxe mouthes. The inhabitauntes of this place, are men of fimple wytte. They receaued the fayth
of Chryfte, and were baptifed in the yeare M. D. xviii.
Vssa.             From the mouth of Czilma vnto the mouthe of the ryuer Vfia, goinge by Petzora, is one monethes vyage.
Cingulus nundi.  Vffa hath his fprynges in the mountayne Poyas Semnoi, being on the lefte hande towarde the foommer Eaft,
and fpringeth owte of a greate flone of the fame mountayne, cauled Camen Bolfchoi. From the fprynges of
Vffa to the mouthes of the fame, are numbered more then a thoufande Werftes. Furthermore Petzora runneth
from this fouth wynter Darte from whenfe afcendynge from the mouthes of Vffa vnto the mouthes of the ryuer
122




's      r                     I     -,


Mojcouia anld Cat ay.                                                    323
Stzuchogora, is three weekes vyage. They that defcribed this vyage, fayde that they reled betwene the  1 Stzuchogora.
mouthes of the ryuers of Stzuchogora and Potzfcheriema: and lefte theyr vyttayles there whiche they browght  Potzscheriema.
with theym from Ruffia. Beyonde the ryuers of Petzora and Stzuchogora towarde the mountayne Camenipoias  Camenipoias.
and the fea with the Ilandes there abowte and the caftell of Puftoofero, are dyuers and innumerable nations
whiche by one common name are cauled Samoged (that is) fuch as eate them felues. They haue great increafe  Samoged.
Foules and
of foules, byrdes, and dyuers kyndes of beafites: as Sables, Marternes, Beuers, Otters, Hermelines, Squyrels:  beastes.a
and in the Ocean the beafte cauled Mors: Alfo Vefs, whyte beares, woolfes, hares, Equiwoduani, great whales,
and a fyffhe cauled Semfi, with dyuers other. The people of thefe nations, come not to Mofcouia. For they  Wyld people.
are wylde, and flye the company and focietie of other men.
From the mouthes of Stzuchogora faylynge vp the ryuer vnto Poiaffa, Artawifche, Cameni, and Poiaffa the  Poiassa.
greater, is three weekes vyage. Furthermore the afcendynge to the mounte Camen, is three dayes iorney:  Camen.
Artawischa.
from the whiche, defcendyng, they come to the ryuer Artawifcha, and from thenfe to the ryuer Sibut, from  Sibut.
whenfe they paffe to the caftell of Lepin, and from Lepin to the ryuer Soffa. The people that inhabite the  Lepin.
Sossa.
region by this ryuer, are cauled Vuogolici. Leauynge Soffa on the ryght hande, they come to the greate ryuer  obi.
Oby, that fpryngeth owt of the lake Kitaifko, the whiche with all the hafte they coulde make, they coulde  Kitaisko.
fcarfely paffe ouer in one day, the ryuer beinge of fuch breadth that it reacheth fourefcore Werftes. The people  Vuogolici
alfo that dwell abowt this ryuer, are cauled Vuogolici and Vgritzfchi. From the caftlell of Obea afcendynge by  295
the ryuer of Oby, vnto the ryuer Irtifche into the which Soffa entereth, is three moonethes iorney. In thefe  Irtische.
places are two cafrtels named Ierom and Tumen, kepte by certeyne lordes cauled Knefi Iuhorfki. beinge tribu-  Ieron.
Tumem.
taries to the greate duke of Mofcouia as they fay. Here are dyuers kyndes of beaftes and furres.
Frome the mouth of the ryuer Irtifche to the Caftell of Gruftina, is two monethes iorney: from whenfe to  Grustina.
the lake Kitai by the ryuer Oby (whiche I fayde to haue his fprynges in this lake) is more then three monethes  Kitai.
iorney. From this lake come many blacke men, lackynge th[e]ufe of common fpech. They brynge with them  Blacke men
withowt speache.
dyuers wares, and efpecially pearles and precious flones, whiche they fell to the people cauled Gruflintzi and  Serpenowe.
Serponowtzi. Thefe haue theyr name of the caftell Serponow, fituate in the mountaynes of Lucomorya beyonde  Lucomoria.
the ryuer Obi. They fay that to the men of Lucomorya, chaunceth a marueylous thynge and incredible. For  Men that yearely
they affirme, that they dye yearely at the. xxvii. [twenty-feuenth] daye of Nouember, beinge the feaf of faynt
George amonge the Mofcouytes: and that at the nexte fprynge abowte the. xxiiii. [twenty-fourth] daye of Apryll,
theye reuyue ageyne as doo frogges.
With thefe alfo, the people of Gruflintzi and Serponowtzi, exercife a newe and ftraunge kynde of trade.  A straunge trade
of marchaundies.
For when the accuflomed tyme of theyr dyinge, or rather of fleapynge, aprocheth, they leaue theyr wares in
certeyne places appoynted, which the Gruflintzi and Serponowtzi carye away leauynge other wares of equall
valewe in theyr places: whiche if the deade men at the tyme of theyr reuyuyn[g]e perceaue to bee of vnequall
pryce, they requyre theyr owne ageyne: by reafon wherof muche liryfe and fighting is betwene them.
From the ryuer of Obi defcending toward the left hand, are the people cauled Calami, which came thether  Obi
from Obiowa and Pogofa. Beneth Obi, abowte Aurea Anus (that is the golden owlde wyie) are the ryuers  Ryuers.
Soffa, Beres, Vua, and Danadim, al which fprynge owt of the montayne Camen, Bolfchega, Potaffa, and the
rockes ioynynge to the fame. All the nations that inhabite from thefe ryuers to Aurea Anus, are fubiecte to
the prynce of Mofcouia.
Aurea Anus cauled in the Mofcouites toonge Slata Baba, is an Idole at the mouthes of Obi in the prouince  A urea Anus.
of Obdora, flandynge on the furtheft banke towarde the fea. Alonge by the bankes of Obi and the ryuers  Obdora.
neare there about, are here and there many caftells and fortreffes, all the lordes wherof are fubiecte to the
prince of Mofcouia, as they fay. They fay alfo, or rather fable, that the Idole cauled Aurea Anus, is an Image
lyke vnto an owlde wyfe hauyng a chyld in her lappe: and that there is nowe feene an other infante which
they fay to bee her neuie: Alfo that there are certeyne inflrumentes that make a continuall founde lyke the
noyfe of trumpettes. The which if it fo bee, I thynke it to bee by reafon of the wynde blowynge continually
into the holowe places of thofe inflrumentes.
The ryuer Coffin, fauleth owt of the mountaynes into Lucomoria. In the mouth of thys, is a caflell.  Cossiu.
Whyther from the fprynges of the great ryuer Coffin, is two moonethes vyage. Furthermore from the fprynges
of the fame ryuer, the ryuer Caffima hath hys original: which runnynge throwgh Lucomoria, fauleth into the  Cassma.
great ryuer Tachnin, beyonde the which (as is fayde) dwell men ot prodigious fhape, of whom fum are ouer-  Tachnin.
growne with heare lyke wylde beafles: other haue heades lyke dogges, and other theyr faces in theyr brefles  monstrous shape
withowt neckes, and with longe handes alfo and withowte feete. There is lykewyfe in the ryuer Tachnin, a  A fysshe lyke a
certeyne fyffhe with headde, eys, nofe, mouthe, handes, fiete, and other members vtterly of humane fhape, and  Plinie wryteth o
yet withowt any voyce, and pleafante to bee eaten as are other fyffhes.                              the lyke fyss.ie.
All that I haue hetherto rehearfed, I haue tranflated out of the fayde iorney whiche was delyuered me in
the Mofcouites tounge. In the which perhappes fum thynges maye feeme fabulous and in maner incredible, as


323




324
296
Mountaynes.
The greate Chan
of Cathay.
Lucomoria.
Tumen.
Petzora.
Papin.
Hygh mountaynes,
supposed to bee
Hyperborei, and
Rhiphei
Engronland.
Stolp.
Cathay.
The frutfull
prouince of Rezan.
Iaroslaw.
Honny.
Donco.
Asoph.
Capha.
Constantinople.
297
Tanais diuideth
Europe from Asia.


JMofcozuia and Cath ay.


of the doomme men and the deade reuyuynge, the Aurea Anus alfo, and the monfirous fhapes of men, with the
fyffhe of human forme: wherof althowgh I haue made dylygent inquificion, yet could I knowe nothynge certeyne of any that had feene the fame with theyr eys, neuertheleffe to gyue further occafion to other to
fearche the truth of thefe thynges, I haue thowght good to make mention hereof.
Noff in the Mofcouites tounge fignifieth a nofe: and therfore they caule all capes or poyntes of lande that
reache into the fea, by the fame name.
The mountaynes about the ryuer of Petzora, are cauled Semnoi Poyas, or Cingulus mundi: (that is) the
gyrdle of the worlde, or of the yearth.
Kithay, is a lake of whome the greate Chan of C A T H A Y whom the Mofcouians caule Czar Kythaifki,
hath hys name. For Chan in the Tartars language fignifieth a kyng.
The places of Lucomorya nere vnto the fea, are faluage, full of wooddes, and inhabited withowt any houfes.
And albeit that the autour of thys iorney, fayd that many nations of Lucomorya are fubiecte to the prynce of
Mofcouia, yet forafmuch as the kyngdome of Tumen is neare therunto, whofe prince is a Tartar and named in
theyr toung Tumenfki Czar (that is) a kynge in Tumen, and hath of late doone great domage to the prynce of
Mofcouia, it is mofte lyke that thefe nations ihulde rather bee fubiecte vnto hym.
Neare vnto the ryuer Petzora, (wherof mention is made in thys iorney) is the citie and cailell of Papin or
Papinowgorod, whofe inhabytauntes are named Papini, and haue a priuate language differyng from the Mofcouites. Beyond thys ryuer, are exceadynge hygh mountaynes, reachyng euen vnto the bankes: whofe ridgies or
toppes by reafon of continuall wyndes, are in maner vtterly barrayne without graff or frutes. And although in
dyuers places they haue dyuers names, yet are they commonly cauled Cingulus Mundi, that is the gerdle of
the worlde, otherwyfe cauled Catena Mundi, (that is), the chayn'e of the worlde. In thefe mountaynes doo
ierfalcons breede, wherof I haue fpoken before. There grow alfo Cedar trees, amonge the which are founde
the beft and blackeft kynde of fables. And only thefe mountaynes are feene in all the domynyons of the
prynce of Mofcouia, which perhappes are the fame that the owlde writers caule Rhipheos or Hyperboreos, fo
named of the Greeke worde Hiper, (that is) vnder: and Boreas (that is) the north. For by reafon they are
couered with continuall fnow and frofte, they can not withowt great difficultie bee trauayled: and reache fo
farre into the north, that they make the vnknowne land of Engroneland. The duke of Mofcouia Bafilius the
foonne of lohn, fent on a tyme two of hys capitaynes named Simeon Pheodorowicz Kurbiki, and Knes Peter
Vfchatoi, to fearch the places beyonde thefe mountaynes and to fubdewe the nations therabowte. Kurbfki was
yet alyue at my being in Mofcouia: and declared vnto me that he fpent. xvii. [feuenteen] days in afcendyng
the mountayn, and yet coulde not coome to the toppe therof, which in theyr tounge is cauled Stolp (that is) a
pyller. Thys mountayne is extended into the Ocean vnto the mouthes of the ryuers of Dwina and Petzora.
But nowe hauyng fpoken thus muche of the fayde iorney, I wyll returne to the domynyons of Mofcouia, with
other regyons lyinge eafwarde and fouthe frome the fame towarde the myghtye Empyre of C A T H A Y. But
I wyll fyrfl fpeake fumwhat brefely of the prouynce of Rezan and the famous ryuer of Tanais.
The prouynce of Rezan fituate betwene the ryuers of Occa and Tanais, hath a citie buylded of woodd not
farre from the banke of Occa. There was in it a caRtell named laroflaw, wherof there now remayneth nothynge
but tokens of the owld ruine.  Not farre from that citie, the ryuer Occa maketh an Ilande named Strub: which
was fumtym a great dukedome, whofe prince was fubiect to none other. Thys prouince of Rezan is more frutfull then any other of the prouynces of Mofcouia: In fo muche that in thys (as they faye) euery grayne of
wheate bryngethe furthe two and fumtymes more eares: whofe flalkes or firawes growe fo thycke that horfes
can fcarfely go throwgh them, or quayles flye owt of them. There is greate plenty of honnye, fyffhes, foules,
byrdes, and wylde beatles. The frutes alfo do farre exceade the frutes of Mofcouia. The people are bould
and warlyk men.
(  Of the famous ryuer of Tanais.
Rome Mofcouia vnto the caflell of Iaroflaw, and beyonde for the fpace of almofle. xxiiii.
[twenty-four] leaques, runneth the ryuer of Tanais, at a place called Donco, where the marchauntes that trade to Afoph, Capha, and Conflantynople, fraight theyr fhyppes: and thys
for the mofte parte in autumne beynge a rayney tyme of the yeare. For Tanais here at
other tymes of the yeare doth not fo abounde with water as to beare fhyppes of any burden.
Thys famous ryuer of Tanais, dyuydeth Europe from Afia: and hath hys orygynal or
fpringes almoft. viii. leaques from the citie of Tulla toward the fouth inclynyng fumwhat
towarde the Eafle: and not owt of the Riphean mountaynes as fome haue wrytten: But owte of a great lake


324




Mofcouia and Cathay.


325





named Iwanowofero (that is) the lake of Iohn: being in length and breadth abowt. 1500. Werfles in a wood
whiche fum caule Okonitzkilies, and other name it Iepiphanowlies And owt of this lake, fprynge the twoo greate
ryuers of Schat and Tanais. Schat towarde the Wefle receauynge into it the ryuer of Vppa, runneth into the
ryuer of Occa betwene the Weft and the north. But Tanais at the fyrile runneth directly Eaft: and continueth
his courfe betwene the kyngdomes of Cafan and Aftrachan within fyxe or feuen leaques of Volga: And frome
thenfe bendynge towarde the fouth, maketh the fennes or maryffhes of Meotis. Furthermore, nexte vnto his
fprynges, is the citie of Tulla: and vppon the banke of the ryuer almofte three leaques aboue the mouthes of
the fame, is the citie of Afoph, which was fyrfle cauled Tanas. Foure dayes iorney aboue this, is a towne
cauled Achas, fituate harde by the fame ryuer: whiche the Mofcouites caule Don. I can not fufficiently prayfe
this ryuer for the exceadynge abundaunce of good fyffhes, and faireneffe of the regions on bothe fydes the
bankes, with plentie of holfoome herbes and fweete rootes, befyde dyuers and many frutefull trees growynge in
fuche coomly order as though they had byn fet of purpofe in gardens or archardes. There is alfo in maner
euery where fuche plentie of wylde beatfes, that they may eafely be flaine with arrowes: In fo much that fuche
as trauayle by thofe regions, ihal fland in neede of none other thynge to mayntayne theyr lyfe but only
fyre and falte. In thefe partes, is no obferuation of myles, but of dayes iorneys. But as farre as I coulde coniecture, from the fountaynes or fprynges of Tanais vnto the mouthes of the fame iorneyinge by lande, are almoft
fourefcore leaques. And faylynge from Donco (from whenfe I fayde that Tanais was fyrfle nauigable) in
fcarfely. xx. [twenty] dayes vyage, they come to the citie of Afoph tributarie to the Turkes: which is (as they
fay) fyue dayes iorney frome the fireight of Taurica, otherwyfe cauled Precop. In this citie is a famous mart
towne vnto'the which refort many marchauntes of dyuers nations, and from dyuers partes of the worlde. For,
that all nations may the gladlyer haue recourfe thyther, free lybertie of bying and fellynge is graunted vnto all:
and that withowt the citie euery man may freely vfe his owne and accuflomed maner of lyuynge withowt
punyffhement.
Of the altares of great Alexander and Iulius Cefar whiche many wryters make mention of in this place, or
of theyr ruines, I coulde haue no certeyne knowleage of th[e]inhabitauntes or any other that had oftentymes
trauayled thefe places. Furthermore the fouldyers whiche the prince of Mofcouia maynteyneth there yearely
to oppreffe th[e]incurfions of the Tartars, beinge of me demaunded hereof, anfwered that they neuer fawe or
harde of any fuch thynge. Neuertheleffe, they fayde that abowt the mouthes of Tanais the leffe, foure dayes
iorney from Afoph nere vnto a place cauled Scwerfki, by the holy mountaynes, they fawe certeyne images of
flone and marble. Tanais the leffe, hath his fprynges in the dukedome of Scwerfki: whereof it is cauled
Donetz Scwerfki: and fauleth into Tanais three dayes iorney aboue Afoph. But fuche as iorney from Mofcouia to Afoph by lande, they, paffynge ouer Tanais abowt the owlde and ruinate towne of Donco, doo fumwhat turne from the fouth to the Eafte: In the which place, if a ryght line bee drawen from the mouthes of
Tanais to the fpringes of the fame, Mofcouia fhalbe found to bee in Afia and not in Europe.
E( More directly fr MoMofcouia to Cathay.
He great and large prouince of Permia, is dyftante from Mofcouia two hundreth and fyftie or
(as fum fay) three hundreth leaques directly betwene the Eaft and North: And hath a citie
of the fame name by the ryuer Vifchora which runneth. x. leaques beneth Kamam. The
iorney by lande can fcarfely bee trauayled thyther but in wynter by reafon of many ryuers,
maryffhes, and fennes. But in fommer, this iorney is difpatched with more facilitie in boates
or fmaule Ihippes by Vuolochda, Vfiiug, and the ryuer Vitzechda which runneth into Dwina.
xii. leaques from Vfliug. But they that go from Permia to Vfliug, mufle fayle vp the ryuer
Vifchora agelnfl the courfe of the fireame: and paffing ouer certeyne ryuers, fumtymes alfo conueyinge theyr
boates into other ryuers by lande, they come at the length to Vfliug three hundreth leaques diftant frome the
citie of Permia. There is fmaule vfe of breade in this prouince. For theyr yearely tribute, they pay to the
prynce furres and horfes. They haue a priuate language, and letters of theyr owne, whiche one Steuen a
byffhop (who confirmed them yet waueryng in the fayth) dyd inuente. For before beinge yet infantes in the
fayth of Chryfte, they flewe and fleyde an other byffhop that was appoynted to inlfructe them. This Steuen
afterwarde when Demetrius the fonne of Iohn reigned, was taken for a faynte amonge the Ruthens. Of thefe
people there yet remayne many Idolatours here and there in the woods, whom the moonkes and heremites that
go thyther, doo not ceafe to conuert from theyr vayne errour. In the wynter they iorney in Artach as they doo
in many places of Ruffia. Artach, are certeyne longe patentes of woodde of almoft fyxe handfuls in length,
2 B 2                                325


The springes of
Tanais.
A great lake.
The ryuer Schat.
Casan.
Astrachan.
Meotis.
Tulla.
Achas.
Frutefull regions
abowt Tanais.
Plentie of wylde
beastes.
Fire and salt.
Where Tanais is
fyrste nauygable.
Asoph.
The marte of
Asoph.
Libertie allureth
strangers
The altars of
Alexander and
Cesar.
The holy
mountaynes.
Tanais the lesse.
From Moscouia to
Asoph.
Moscouia in Asia
and not in Europe.
The prouince of
Permia.
Marysshes in
sommer.
298
Dwina.
Vstiug.
Tribute.
Furres and horses
Monkes and
heremites.
Patentes.




326
0


AIofcouia and Catlay.


Marcus Paulus
wryteth that these
dogges are almost
as byg as Asses:
and that they vse
syxe to one sleade.
Iugaria.
Hungaria.
Pannonia.
Attila.
The hygher or
superyor
Hungarye, is
cauled Austria.
Polonie.
Buda.
Furres.
Pearles and
precious stones.
Sibier.
Asfreolos, I
thynk to be
marterns: yet
sum think them
to be squerels
Gesnerus wryteth
that the kyngs of
the Tartars haue
theyre tentes
couered withowt
wyth the skynnes
of lyons: and
within, with the
skynnes of sables
and Ermynes.


whiche they make fafle to theyr fiete with latchettes, and therwith performe theyr iorneys with great celeritie.
They vfe for this purpofe greate dogges in the flteade of other beaftes, with the which they cary theyr farthels
on fleades, as other doo with hartes in other places, as we wyll further declare hereafter. They fay that that
prouince toward the Eaft confineth with the prouince cauled Tumen, perteynynge to the Tartars.
The fituation of the prouince of Iugaria, is apparente by that which we haue fayde before. The Mofcouites caule it Iuhra with an afpiration: and caule the people Iuhrici.  This is that Iugaria from whenfe the
Hungarians came in tyme pafle, poffeffed Pannonia, and vnder the conduct of Attila, fubdued many prouinces
of Europe: wherin the Mofcouites doo greatly glory, that a nation fubiecte to them, inuaded and wafted a
great parte of Europe.  Georgius Paruus a greeke borne, and a man of reputation with the Prince of Mofcouia,
wyllynge to afcribe to the ryght of his prince the great dukedome of Lithuania, and the kyngedome of Polonie
with certeyne other dominions, toulde me that the Iuharici or Iuhgary, beinge fubiectes to the great duke of
Mofcouia, came furth of theyr owne countrey, and fyrfte inhabited the regions abowt the fennes of Meotis, and
then Pannonie which was afterwarde cauled Hungarie, by the ryuer of Danubius: Alfo that in fine they poffeffed the region of Morauia fo named of the ryuer: and lykewyfe Pollonie, fo cauled of Polle, which fignifieth
a playne.  Furthermore that Buda was fo cauled after the name of the brother of Attila. They fay alfo that
the Iuhgari vfe te fame tounge that doo the Hungarians. The which whether it be trew or not, I do not
knowe.   For althowgh I haue made diligent inquifition to knowe the truth hereof, yet coulde I fynde no man
of that region with whom my feruaunt beinge expert in the Hungarian tounge rryght fpeake. They alfo pay
furres for theyr tributes to the prince of Mofcouia. And albeit that pearles and precious flones are brought
frome thenfe to Mofcouia, yet are they not gathered in theyr Ocean, but in other places: efpecially about the
coaft of the Ocean nere vnto the mouthes of Dwina.
The prouince of Sibier, confineth with Permia and Vuiathka: The whiche, whether it haue any caftels or
cities, I doo not yet certeynly knowe. In this the ryuer laick hathe his originall, and fauleth into the Cafpian
fea. They faye that this region is deferte bycaufe it lyeth fo neare the Tartars: Or that yf it bee in any parte
inhabited, the fame to be poffeffed of the Tartar Schichmamai. Th[e]inhabitantes haue a peculiar language:
and haue theyr chiefe gaynes by the furres of marterns, which in fayrenes and greatnes, excell all the furres of
that kynde that are founde in any other prouinces. Yet coulde I haue no great plentie of them in Mofcouia
at my beinge there.
Note that longe after the writyng of this hyftorie, at Rycharde Chaunceler his fyrft being in Mofcouia, Duke lohn Vafilivich
that nowe raygneth, fubdued all the Tartars with theyr regions and prouinces euen vnto the great citie and mart towne of Aftrachan
and the Cafpian fea. At the Cafpiane tymea. At the fame tyme alfo, the dukes court an ambaffadour that came frome this prouince of Sibier:
who declared that his father had byn fent ambaffadour to the great Chan of Cathay. And that the great citie of Cambalu where the
great Chan kepeth his courte in winter, was in maner deftroyed by Necromancie and magicall artes wherin the Cathaynes are very
expert as wryteth Marcus wryteth Marcus Paulus Venetus. Ther was alfo at the fame tyme th[eambaffadour of the kynge of Perfia cauled the great
Sophie. This ambaffadour was appareled all in fcarlet, and fpake much to the duke in the behalfe of owre men, of whofe kyngdome
and trade he was not ignorant.
The people cauled Czeremiffe, dwell in the wooddes beneth Nouogardia the lower. They haue a peculiar
language and are of the fecte of Machumet    They were fumtyme fubiecte to the kynge of Cafan: but the
greater part of them are nowe fubiecte to the prince of Mofcouia.  Many of them at my beinge there, were
brought to Mofcouia, as fufpected of rebellion. This nation doth inhabite a large region withowt houfes from
Vuiathka and Vuolochda, to the ryuer of Kama    All the nation afwell women as men, are very fwyft of foote,
and expert archers: wherein they fo delite, that theyr bowes are in maner neuer owt of theyr handes: and gyue
theyr children no meate vntyl they hyt the marke they fhoote at.
Two leaques diflante from Nouogardia the lower, were many houfes to the fimilitude of a citie or towne
where they were accuflomed to make falte. Thefe a fewe yeares fence beinge burnt of the Tartars, were
reflored by the commaundement of the prince.
Mordwa, are people inhabytynge by the ryuer of Volga on the fouth banke beneth Nouogardia the lower:
And are in al thynges like vnto the Czeremiffes but that they haue more houfes. And here endeth Th[e]mpire
of the Mofcouites.
Note here that Matthias of Michou, in his booke of Sarmatia Afiatica, writeth that the dominion of the duke of Mofcouia
recheth from the northwefl to the foutheafl fyue hundreth myles of Germanie, which are more then leaques. For they affirme that a
Germane myle is more then three Englyffhle myles.


299
Czeremisse.


Habitacion
without houses.
Salte.


326




Mofcouia and Cat/ay.


327


ci Of the Tartars.


Ee wyll nowe adde hereunto fumwhat of the people confinynge with the Mofcouites towarde
the Eaft: of the which the Tartars of Cafan are the firft. But before wee fpeake of them
particularly, wee wyl fyrit reherfe fumwhat of theyr maners and cuftomes in generall.
The Tartars are diuided into companies which they caul Hordas, of the which the
Horda of the Sawolhenfes is the chiefe in fame and multitude. For it is fayde that the
other Hordas had theyr offprynge and original of this. And albeit that euery Horda hath
his peculiar name, as the Sawolhenfes, Precropenfes, and Nahays with dyuers other being all
Machumetans, yet doo they take it euyll and count it reproch to bee cauled Turkes: but wyll them felues to
bee cauled Befermani, by the which name alfo the Turkes defyre to bee cauled.
And as the Tartars inhabyte many prouynces reachynge far on euery fyde, euen fo in maners and order of
lyuynge doo they not agree in all thynges. They are men of meane ftature, with broade and fat faces, holowe
eyde, with roughe and thyck beardes, and poulde heades. Onely the noble men haue longe heare, and that
exceadyng black, which they wreath on both fydes theyr eares. They are fironge of body and fRoute of mynde:
prone to leacherye, and that vnnaturall. They eate the fleaffhe of horfes, camells, and otl er beaftes excepte
hogges, from which they abfteyne by a lawe. They can fo abyde fafting and hunger, that they fumtime forbeare meate and fleepe for the fpace of foure dayes, occupyed neuertheleffe aboute theyr neceffary affayres.
Ageyne when they gette any thyng to deuoure, they ingorge them felues beyond meafure: and with that furfecte
in maner recompenfe theyr former abftynence. And beynge thus oppreffed with laboure and meate, they fleepe
contynually for the fpace of three or foure days without doyng any maner of worke or labour: durynge which
tyme the Lyuons and Mofcouites into whofe domynyons they are accuflomed to make theyr incurfions, affayle
them vnwares thus oppreffed with meate and fleepe, lynge fcatered here and there owt of order withowte
watch or warde. Alfo if when they ryde, they bee molefted with hunger and thyrfte, they vfe to lette theyr
horfes blud, and with drynkyng the fame, fatyffye theyr prefent neceffytie, and affyrme theyr horfes to bee the
better therby. And bicaufe they all wander in vnknowen places, they vfe to dyrect theyr iorneys by thl[e]afpecte of the ftarres, and efpecyally of the pole ftarre, which in theyr tounge they caule Selefnikoll, (that is) an
iren nayle. They greatly delyte in mares mylke, and beleue that it maketh men ftrong and fatte. They eate
herbes very much: and efpecially fuch as growe abowt Tanais. Fewe of them vfe falte. When theyr kynges
dyIfrybute any vytayles among them, they are accuflomed to gyue one horfe or cowe to fortye men. Of the
flayne beafte, the bowells and trypes are referued for the chiefe men and cap;-aynes. Thefe they heate at the
fyre vntyll they may fhake owt the doonge, and then deuoure them gredely. They fucke and lycke, not only
theyr fyngers imbrued with fatte, but alfo theyr knyues and ftyckes wherwith they fcrape the doong from the
guttes. The heades of horfes are counted delycate diffhes with them as are bores heades with vs: and are
referued only for the chyefe men. Theyr horfes (wherof they haue great aboundaunce) are but finaule, and
with fhort neckes: but very ftrong and fuch as can wel away with labour and hunger. Thefe they fede with
the branches and barkes or ryndes of trees and the rotes of hearbes and weedes, wherby they accuftomrne them
to hard feedynge, and exercyfe them to contynuall laboure: by reafon wherof (as fay the Mofcouytes) theyr
horfes are fwyfcer and more durable then any other. Thefe kynde of horfes, they caule Pachmat. They haue
none other faddells and fleroppes then of woodd, except fuche as they eyther bye of the Chryflians, or take
from them by vyolence. Leaft theyr horfe backes fhulde bee hurte with theyr faddells, they vnderlaye them
with graffe and leaues of trees. They alfo paffe ouer ryuers on horfback. But if when they flye, they feare the
purfuynge of theyr enemyes, then caftynge away theyr faddells, apparelle, and all other impedymentes, referuyng
only theyr armoure and weapons they flye amayne and with greate celeritie.
Theyr women vfe the fame kynde of apparell that doo the men withowt any dyfference except that they
couer theyr heades with lynnen vayles, and vfe lynnen hofe muche lyke vnto maryners floppes. When theyr
queenes coome abrod, they are accuftomed to couer theyr faces. The other multytude of the common forte
that lyueth here and ther in the feeldes, haue theyr apparell made of fheepes fkynnes, which they chaung[e] not
vntyll they bee worne and torne to fytters. They tarye not longe in one place, iudgyng it a great myfery fo to
doo: In fo muche that when they are angrie with theyr chyldren, the greateft curfe that they can gyue them., is
that they maye remayne perpetually in one place, and drawe the flynfhe of theyr owne fylthyneffe as doo the
Chryftyans. When they haue confumed the paflure in one place, they go to an other with theyr droues of
cattayle and theyr wyues and chyldren whom they euer cary about with them in Wagons: albeit the Tartars
that dwell in cities and townes, vfe an other order of lyuynge. If they be inclofed with any daungerous warre,
327


The Tartars of
Casan.
Horda.
Besermani
The stature of
the Tartars.
They absteine
from hogges
flesshe.
Abstinence.
Voracitie.
So doo the Turkes
Iorneying by the
pole star.
Mares mylke
Horse flesshe
eaten.
Clenly.
300
Hors[e] heades,
deintie meate
The Tartars
horses.
Saddells and
styrrops of wodde.
The Tartars
women.
The Tartars curse.




328
No iustice amonge
the Tartars.


MIofcozia anzd Ca/tay.


The Tartars are
theeuesand poore.


They reioyce in
spoylynge
The feelde
Tartars.
A mery tale.


301


Casan.


The kynge of
Casan.
Archers.
Maryners.
The towne
Tartars.
Moscouia inuaded
by the Tartars.
The prince of
Moscouia tributary
to the Tartars.
Duke Basilius
army ageynst the
Tartars.
The kyng of Casan
submitteth hym
selfe.


they place theyr wyues, chyldren, and owld folkes, in the faueft places. There is no iuftice amonge them. For
if any man ftande in neade of any thynge, he may withowt punnyffhemente take it awaye from an other. If any
complayne to the Iudge of the vyolence and wronge doonne vnto hym, the offender denyeth not the cryme,
but fayth that he coulde not lacke that thyng. Then the Iudge is wonte to gyue thys fentence: If thowe alfo
fhalte haue neede of any thynge doo the lyke to other. Sum fay they do not fleale: But whether they fleale
or not, lette other iudge. They are furely a theeuyffhe kynd of men and very poore, lyuynge only by robbyng
of other, and ftealyng away other mens cattayle, and vyolently alfo caryynge awaye the men them felues whom
eyther they felle to the Turkes or proffer them to bee redemed by ranfome, referuynge only the younge wenches.
They feldome affaulte cities or caftells, but burne and waife townes and vyllagyes: In fo muche that they fo
pleafe them felues herin, that they thynke they haue fo muche the more inlarged their empire, in howe muche
they haue wafted and made defolate manye prouynces. And althowgh they bee mofte impacyent of refte and
quyetneffe, yet doo they not kyll or deftroye one an other, excepte theyr kynges bee at deffention betweene
them felues. If any man bee flaine in any fraye or quarel, and the autours of the myfchefe bee taken, only
theyr horffe, harneffe, weapons, and apparell, are taken from them, and they difiiffed. So that the murtherer
by the loffe of a vyle horfe or a bowe, is dyfcharged of the Iudge with thefe woordes: gette the henfe and goo
abowte thy bufyneffe. They haue no vfe of golde and lyluer, excepte only a fewe marchauntes: But exerfyfe
exchaunge of ware for ware. And if it fo chaunce that by fellyng of fuch thynges as they haue flolne, they
gette any monye of theyr bortherers, they bye therwith certeyne apparel and other neceffaryes of the Mofcouites.
The regyons of theyr habytations (the feelde Tartars I meane) are not lymytted with any boundes or borthers.
There was on a tyme a certeyne fatte Tartar taken pryfoner of the Mofcouites: to whom when the prynce fayd,
How art thow fo fatte thowe dogge, fythe thowe hafle not to eate, the Tartar anfwered, Why fhulde not I haue
to eate fythe I poffefe fo large a land from the Eaft to the weft, wherby I may bee abundauntely nuryffhed?
But thowe mayfte rather feeme to lacke, fyth thowe inhabyteft fo fmaule a portion of the worlde, and dufte
daylye ftryue for the fame.
Cafan, is a kyngedome, alfo a citie, and a caftell of the fame name, fituate by the ryuer Volga on the
further banke, almoft threfcore and tenne leaques beneath Nouogardia the lower. Alonge by the courfe of
Volga towarde the Eafl and South, it is termined with deferte fyeldes. Towarde the fommer Eatf, it confineth
with the Tartars cauled Schibanfki, and Kofatzki. The kynge of this prouince, is able to make an army of.
xxx. [thirty] thoufande men, efpecially foote men, of the which the Czeremiffe and Czubafchi are moft expert
archers. The Czubafchi are alfo cunnynge maryners. The citie of Cafan, is threfcore leaques diftant from the
principal caftel Vuiathka. Furthermore, Cafan in the Tartars language, fignifieth a brafen potte boylynge.
Thefe Tartars are more ciuile then the other. For they dwell in houfes, tyll the grownde, and exercife the
trade of marchaundies. They were of late fubdued by Bafilius the greate duke of Mofcouia, and had theyr
kynge affigned them at his arbitriment. But Ihortely after, they rebelled ageine: and affociate with other
Tartars, inuaded the region of Mofcouia, fpoyled and wafted many cities and townes, and ledde away innumerable captiues, euen from the citie Mofcouia which they poffeffed for a tyme, and had vtterly defiroyed the fame
if it had not byn for the valyantneffe of the Almayne gunners which kept the caftell with great ordinaunce.
They alfo putte duke Bafilius to flyght, and caufed him to make a letter of his owne hande to Machmetgirei
theyr kynge to acknowleage hym felfe for a perpetuall tributarie to them, wheruppon they diffolued the fiege,
and gaue the Mofcouites free libertie to redeeme theyr captiues and gooddes, and fo departed. But Bafilius
not longe able to abyde this contumelie and difhonour, after that he had putte to death fuche as by flyinge at
the fyrif encounterynge were the caufe of this ouerthrowe, affembled an armye of a hundreth and fourefcore
thoufande men fhortely after in the yeare. 1523. And fent forwarde his army vnder the conducte of his Lieuetenaunte: and therewith an heralde at armes to bydde battayle to Machmetgirei the kynge of Cafan, with
woordes in this effecte: The laft yeare lyke a theefe and robber withowt bydding of battayle, thou dyddefle
pryuilie opprefie me. Wherefore I nowe chalenge the, once ageyne to proue the fortune of warre if thou
myitrufle not thyne owne poure. To this the kynge anfwered, that there were manye wayes open for hym to
inuade Mofcouia: And that the warres haue no leffe refpect to the commoditie of tyme and place then of
armure or firength: And that he wold take th[e]aduantage therof when and where it ihulde feeme beft to him
and not to other. With which woordes Bafilius beinge greatly accenfed and burnyng with defyre of reuenge,
inuaded the kyngdome of Cafan: whofe kynge beinge ftryken with fuddeyne feare at th[e]approche of fo
terrible an army, affigned the gouernance of his kyngdome to the younge kynge of Taurica his neuie, whyle he
hym felfe went to requyre ayde of the Emperour of the Turkes. But in fine the kynge of Cafan fubmytted hym
felfe vppon certeyne conditions of peace whiche the Mofcouites dyd the gladlyer excepte for that time becaufe
theyr vittayles fayled them to maynteyne fo great a multitude. But wheras duke Bafilius hym felfe was not
prefent at this laft expedition, he greatly fufpected Palitzki the Lieuetenaunte of th[e]army to bee corrupted
with brybes to proceade no further. In this meane tyme, the kynge of Cafan fent ambaffadours to Bafilius to
328




Mofcouia and Cath ay.


329


intreate of peace: whome I fawe in the dukes courte at my beynge there: but I coulde perceaue no hope of
peace to bee betwene them. For euen then, Bafilius to endomage the Cafans, tranflated the marte to Nouogardia, which before was accuftomed to bee kepte in the Ilande of marchauntes nere vnto the citie of Calfan:
Commaundyng alfo vnder peyne of greuous punyffhemente that none of his fubiectes fhulde reforte to the
Ilande of marchauntes: thynkynge that this tranflation of the marte ihulde greately haue endomaged the Cafans:
and that only by takyng away their trade of falte (which they were accuflomed to bye of the Mofcouites at that
marte) they fhulde haue byn compelled to fubmyffion. But the Mofcouites them felues felte no leffe inconuenience hereby then dyd the Cafans, by reafon of the dearth and fcarfeneffe that folowed hereof of al fuch
thynges as the Tartars were accuftomed to brynge thyther by the ryuer of Volga from the Cafpian fea, the
kyngedomes of Perfia and Armenia, and the marte towne of Aftrachan: efpecially the great number of moft
excellent fyffhes that are taken in Volga both on the hyther and further fyde of Cafan.
But hauynge fayde thus much of the warres betwene the Prince of Mofcouia and the Tartars of Cafan, we
wyll now procede to fpeake fumwhat of the other Tartars inhabytyng the regions towarde the foutheaft and the
Cafpian fea.
Next beyonde the Tartars of Cafan, are the Tartars cauled Nagai or Nogai, which inhabite the regions
beyond Volga abowt the Cafpian fea at the ryuer Iaick, runnyng owt of the prouince of Sibier. Thefe haue no
kynges but dukes. In owre tyme, three bretherne diuydynge the prouinces equally betwene them, poffeffed
thofe dukedomes. The fyrtf of them named Schidack, poffeffeth the citie of Scharaitzick, beyond the ryuer of
Rha or Volga towarde the Eafle, with the region confinynge with the ryuer Iaick. The feconde cauled Coffum,
enioyeth all the lande that lyethe betwene the ryuers of Kaman Iaick and Volga. The thyrde brother named
Schichmamai, poffeffeth parte of the prouince of Sibier and all the region abowt the fame. Schichmamai, is as
much to fay by interpretacion, as holy or myghty.  And in maner al thefe regions are full of wooddes, excepte
that that lyeth towarde Scharaitz, which confyfleth of playnes and fyeldes.
Betwene the ryuers of Volga and Iaick, abowt the Cafpian fea, there fumtymes inhabyted the kynges
cauled Sawolhenfes.  Demetrius Ddnielis (a man among thefe barbarians, of finguler fayth and grauitie) toulde
vs of a maruelous and in maner incredible thyng that is fene among thefe Tartars. And that his father beinge
fente by the prynce of Mofcouia to the kynge of Sawolhenfe, fawe whyle he was in that legacie, a certeyne feede
in that Ilande fumwhat leffe and rounder then the feedes of Melones: Of the whiche beinge hydde in the
grounde, there groweth a frute or plante very lyke a lambe, of the heyght of fyue fpannes: And is therfore
cauled in theyr tounge Boranetz, which fignifyeth a lyttle lamb. For it hath the headde, eyes, eares, and all
other partes like vnto a lambe newly eyned: with alfo a very thynne fkynne wherwith dyuers of th[e]inhabitauntes of thofe regions are accuftomed to line theyr cappes and hattes and other tyrements for theyr heades.
Many alfo confirmed in owre prefence that they had feene thefe fkynnes.  He fayde furthermore that that
plant (if it may bee cauled a plant) hath bludde, and no fleffhe: but hath in the fleade of fleffhe a certeyne
fubitance like vnto the fleffhe of creuyffhes. The hoofes alfo are not of home as are the lambes, but couered
with heare in the fame forme. The roote cleaueth to the nauell or myddeft of the belly. The plante or fruite
lyueth vntyll all the graffe and herbes growynge abowte it beinge eaten, the roote wythereth for lacke of
nuryffhement. They fay that it is very fweete to bee eaten, and is therefore greately defyred and fought for of
the woolues and other rauenynge beaftes. And albeit I exfteme all that is fayde of this plant to be fabulous,
yet forafmuch as it hath byn toulde me of credible perfons, I haue thought good to make mention hereof.
Of this firaunge frute, Mandeuell maketh mention, where in the. lxxxiiii. [eighty-fourth] chapiture of his booke he wryteth thus:
Nowe fhall I fay of fum landes, countreys, and Iles that are beyonde the lande of Cathay. Therfore who fo goeth from Cathay to
India the hygh and the lowe, he Ihall go through a kyngedome that men caule Cadiffen, and is a great lande. There groweth a
maner of frute as it were gourdes. And when it is rype, men cut it a funder: and fynd therein a beaft as it were of flefihe, bone, and
bludde, as it were a lyttle lambe withowt wolle. And men eate that beaft and the frute alfo, which is a great maruayle. Neuertheleffe, I fayde vnto them that I helde that for no maruayle. For I fayde that in my countrey are tres that beare frute that become
byrdes flying which are good to bee eaten. And that that fauleth into the water lyueth: And that that fauleth on the earth dyeth.
And they had greate maruayle of this. etc.
From the prince of Schidack, proceadyng. xx. [twenty] dayes iorney towarde the Eaft. are the people which
the Mofcouites caule lurgenci, whofe prince is Barack Soltan, brother to the greate Chan of Cathay. In tenne
dayes iorney from Barack Soltan, they coomme to Bebeid Chan. And this is that great Chan of Cathay.
Names of dignities amonge the Tartars, are thefe, Chan, fignifieth a kynge, Soltan, the foonne of a kynge.
Bii, a Duke.  Murfa, the foonne of a duke.  Olboud, a noble man or counfiler.  Olboadulu, the foonne of a
noble man. Seid, the hygh prefte. Kfi, a priuate perfon.
The names of offices are thefe: Vlan, the feconde dignitie to the kynge. For the kynges of the Tartars
haue foure principall men whofe counfayle they vfe in al theyr weyghty affayres. Of thefe the fyrfle is cauled
Schirni: the feconde Barni: the thyrde, Gargni: The fourth, Tziptzan. And to haue fayde thus muche of the
Tartars, it fhall fuffice.
329


The Iand of
marchauntes
The Caspian sea.
Persia.
Armenia.
Astrachan.
302
The Tartars neare
to the Caspian sea.
Nogai.
The possession of
three brythere.
The kynges cauled
Sawolhenses.
A maruelous frute
lyke a lambe.
Mandeueil.
Barnacles of the
Orkeneys.
Barack Soltan.
Cathay.
Names of dignities
amonge the
Tartars.
Names of offices.




330
303
Chan Cublai.


Aofcouia and Cathay.


I


Marcus Paulus wryteth that the greate Chan, is cauled Chan Cublai that is, the great kynge of kynges: as the greate turcke
wryteth hym felfe in lyke maner, as I fawe in a letter wrytten by hym of late to the citie of Ragufa, in the which he vfeth this fubfcription: Soltan Soliman de felim Cham Signore de Signori in fempiterno.  As concerynge Mofcouia and Cathay, I was mynded
to haue added hereunto dyuers other thynges, but that for certeyne confiderations I was perfuaded to proceade no further. Vnto
whofe requefte, herein fatiffyinge rather other then my felfe, wyllynge otherwyfe to haue accomplyffhed this booke to further perfection, I was content to agree for two caufes efpecially mouynge me: wherof the one is, that as touchynge thefe trades and vyages, as
in maner in all other fciences, there are certeyne fecreates not to bee publyffhed and made common to all men. The other caufe is,
that the parteners at whofe charge this booke is prynted, although the coppy wherof they haue wrought a longe fpace haue cofl them
nought doo not neuertheleffe ceafe dayly to caule vppon me to make an end and proceade no further: affirmynge that the booke wyll
bee of to great a pryce and not euery mans money: fearyng rather theyr owne loffe and hynderaunce, then carefull to bee beneficiall
to other, as is nowe in maner the trade of all men, which ordinarie refpecte of priuate commoditie hath at this tyme fo lyttle moued
me, I take god to wytneffe, that for my paynes and trauayles taken herein fuch as they bee, I may vppon iuft occafion thynke my
felfe a loofer manye wayes, except fuch men of good inclination as ihall take pleafure and feele fum commoditie in the knowleage of
thefe thynges, ffiall thynke me woorthy theyr good woorde, wherwith I fhal repute my felfe and my trauayles fo abundantly fatiffyed,
that I fhall repute other mens gaynes a recompenfe for my loffes, as they may bee in deede, yf men bee not vnthankefull, which only
vice of ingratitude hath hyndered the worlde of many benefites.
C      The nauigation by tfe frofen fea.




Nouogardia.
Suecia vnder the
kynge of
Denmarke.
Dwina.
Potiwlo.
Hygh mountaynes
neare the north
Ocean.
Finlappia.
The wylde
Lappians.
The region of
Nortpoden
The cape cauled
the holy nose.
A whyrlpoole or
swalowing goulfe.
304
Such whyrlepooles,
are cauled vipers
The stone cauled
Semes.
Superstition.


I
I


for the diflaunce
mouth.


Fyrft he fayde that beinge fent of his prince with the fayd Dauid, they came fyrfl to Nouogardia the great.
And wher as at that tyme the kyngedome of Suecia reuolted frome the kynge of Denmarke, and alfo the duke
of Mofcouia was at difcention with the Suetians, by reafon wherof they coulde not paffe by the mofl accuflomed
way for the tumultes of war they attempted theyr iorney by an other way longer but fafer And came fyrfl from
Nouogardia to the mouthes of the ryuer of Dwina and Potiwlo, by a very difficult and paynefull iorney. For
he fayd that this iorney which can not bee to muche detefled for fuche laboures and trauayles, continueth for
the fpace of three hundreth leaques. In fine, takyng foure fmaul fhyppes or barkes at the mouthes of Dwina,
they fayled by the coafte on the ryght hande of the Ocean, where they fawe certeyne hyghe and rowgh mountaynes: and at the lengthe faylynge. xvi. [fixteen] leaques, and paffynge a great goulfe, folowed the coafle on
the lefte hande: And leauyng on the ryght hand the large fea which the name of the ryuer Petzora (as haue
alfo the mountaynes adiacent to the fame) they came to the people of Finlappia: who, although they dwell
here and there in lowe cottagies by the fea fyde, and leade in maner a beaftly lyfe, yet are they more meeke
and tractable then the wylde Lappians. He fayde that thefe alfo are tributaries to the prince of Mofcouia.
Then leauynge the lande of the Lappians, and faylynge fourefcore leaques, they came to the region of Nortpoden vnder the dominion of the kynge of Suecia. This the Mofcouites caule Kaienfka Semla, and the people
Kayeni. Departynge from henfe, and faylynge alonge by the coafte of a wyndynge and bendynge fhore reachyng towarde the ryght hand, they came to a promontorie or cape cauled the Holy nofe, beinge a greate flone
reachynge farre into the fea to the fimilitude of a nofe: vnder the whiche is feene a caue with a whyrlepoole
which fwalow[elth the fea euery fyxe houres: and caflynge furth the fame ageyne with terryble rorynge and
violence, caufeth the fayde whyrlepoole. Sum caule this the nauell of the fea: and other name it Charybdis.
He affirmeth that the violence of this fwalowynge goulfe is fuch, that it draweth into it, inuoluth, and fwaloweth vp fhyppes and al other thynges that comme neare it: and that they were neuer in greater d, ngioure. For
the whyrlepoole fo fuddeynly and violentely drewe vnto it the fhyppe or barke wherin they were caryed, that
with the helpe of ores and great labour they hardly efcaped. When they had thus ouerpaffed the holy nofe,
they came to a certeyne flonye mountayne which they fhulde needes compaffe abowte. But beinge tIere fayed
with contrary wyndes for the fpace of certeyne dayes, the pylotte of the fhippe fpake vnto them in this effecte:
This flone (lfayth he) that yowe fee, is cauled Semes: The which excepte we pleafe with fumme gyfte, wee
flall not paffe by withowt great daungiour. But the pylot beinge reproued of Ifloma for his vayne fupertfition,
helde his peace. And when they had byn deteined ther by tempelt for the fpace of foure days, at the length
330


my beinge in Mofcouia when I was fent thyther by kynge Ferdinando my lorde and mailer,
it fo chaunfed that Georgius Ifloma the duke of Mofcouia his interpretour, a man of great
experience who hadde before lerned the latin tounge in the court of Iohn kynge of Denmarke, was there prefent at the fame tyme. He in the yeare of Chryft. 1496. beinge fente
of his prince with mafter Dallid a fcotte borne and then ambaffadour for the kynge of Denmarke, (whom alfo I knewe there at my fyrfl legacie) made me a breefe information of all
th[e]order of his iorney. The which, forafmuch as it may feeme difficult and laborious afwel
as daungerous places, I haue thought good to defcribe the fame as I receaued it at his




I




MZofcouia and Cathay.


33'


the tempeft ceafed and they went forwarde on theyr vyage with a profperous wynd. Then the pilotte fpake
vnto them ageyne, fayinge: You defpifed my admonicion of pleafynge the Semes, and fcorned the fame as
vayne and fuperflitious. But if I had not priuilie in the nyght afcended a rocke and pleafed the Semes, wee
fllulde furely haue had no paffage. Beinge demaunded what he offered to the Semes, he fayde that he poured
butter myxt with otemele vpon the flone which wee fawe reache furth into the fea. As they fayled further, they
came to an other cape named Motka, which was almoft enuironed with the fea lyke an Ilande: in whofe
extreme poynte, is fituate the caftell of Barthus, which fum caule Wardhus, (that is) a houfe of defence or fortreffe. For the kynges of Norway haue there a garryfon of men to defende theyr marches. He fayde furthermore that that cape reacheth fo farre into the fea, that they coulde fcarfely compaffe it in eyght dayes. By
which tarying leafte they fhulde bee hyndered, they caryed on theyr fhulders with greate laboure, theyr barkes
and fardelles ouer a ftreyght of lande conteynyng halfe a leaque in breadth. From henfe they fayled to the
region of the wyld Lappones, cauled Dikilappones to a place named Dront, beinge. CC. [two hundred] leaques
di-tant from Dwina towarde the North. And thus farre as he fayth, doth the prince of Mofcouia exacte tribute.
Furthermore leauyng theyr barkes here, they fynyffhed the refidue of theyr iorney on fleades. He further
declared that there were heardes of hartes as are with vs of oxen, whiche in the Noruegians tounge are cau'led
Rhen, beinge fumwhat bygger then owre hartes. Thefe the Lappones vfe in this maner. They ioyne them to
fleades made lyke fyffher botes, as wee put horfes to the carte. The man in the fleade, is tyed faft by the feete
leafl he fall owte by the fwyfte courfe of the hartes. In his lefte hande, he holdeth a collar or rayne wherwith
he moderateth the courfe of the hartes: and in the ryght hand, a pyked flaffe wherwith he may fufteine the
fleade from faulyng if it chaunce to decline to much on any part. And he toulde me that by this meanes he
trauayled twentie leaques in one daye, and then difmyffed the harte, who by hym felfe returned to his owne
mafter and accuitomed liable. This iorney thus fynyffhed, they came to Berges a citie of Norduegia or Norway,
fituate directly towarde the northe betwene the mountaynes: and wente from thenfe to Denmarke on horfebacke. At Dront and Berges, the day is fayde to bee. xxii. [twenty-two] houres longe in the fommer Equinoctiall. Blafius an other of the prynce of Mofcouia his interpretours, who a fewe yeares before, was fent of
his prince into Spayne to Th[e]emperour, declared vnto vs an other and fhorter way of his iorney. For he
fayde that when he was fent from Mofcouia to Iohn the kyng of Denmarke, he came fyrife on foote vnto
Roflowe: And takynge fhyppe there, came to Pereaflaw: and from Pereaflaw by the ryuer Volga to Cafiromow:
and that frome thenfe goynge feuen Werfles by lande, he came to a iyttle ryuer: faylynge by the which, when
fyrfit he came to Vuolochda, then to Suchana, and Dwina, and in fine to the citie of Berges in Norway, ouerpaffynge in this vyage all the perelles and laboures that Ifloma rehearfed before, he came at the length to
Hafnia the chiefe citie of Denmarke, whiche the Germaynes caule Koppenhagen. But in theyr returnynge
home, they both confeffe that they came to Mofcouia by Liuonia: and that they were a yeare in this vyage:
Albeit Georgius Ifloma, fayde that halfe the parte of that tyme, he was hyndered by tempeftes, and inforced to
tary longe in many places by the waye. Yet they both lykewyfe conflantely affirme that in this iorney eyther
of them trauayled a thoufand threefcore and ten Werfles (that is) three hundreth and fortie leaques. Furthermore alfo Demetrius who of late was fent ambaffadour from the prynce of Mofcouia to the byffhoppe of Rome,
(by whofe relation alfo Paulus Iouius wrote his defcription of Mofcouia) confirmed all thefe thynges to bee
trewe. All they being demaunded of me of the congeled or frofen fea, made none other anfwere but that in
places nere vnto that fea, they faw many and great riuers by whofe vehemente courfe and abundaunt flowynge,
the feas are dryuen farre from the fhore: and that the fayde water of the ryuers is frofen with the fea a good
fpace from the lande, as in Liuonia and other partes of Suecia. For althowgh by the vehemencie of the
wyndes, the Ife is broken in the fea, yet dooth this chaunce feldome or neuer in ryuers, excepte by fum inundation or flud the Ife gathered togyther bee lyfted vp and broken. For the flakes or piefes of Ife caryed into the
fea by force of the ryuers, doo flote aboue the water in maner all the hole yeare, and are ageyne fo vehemently frofen
togyther, that a man maye there fumtymes fee great heapes of the Ife of manye yeares, as dooth appere by fuch
piefes as are dryuen to the fhore by the wynde. I haue alfo byn credebly informed by faythfull men that the
fea Baltheum (otherwyfe cauled the goulfe of Liuonia) is often tymes frofen in many places. They fay furthermore, that in that region whiche is inhabyted of the wylde Lappones, the foonne in the fommer Equinoctiall
dooth not faule for the fpace of. xl. [forty] dayes: yet that that the body therof is fo hydden with a darke mylle
or cloude three houres, that the beames doo not appere: Neuertheleffe to gyue fuch lyght durynge that tyme,
that the darkeneffe hyndereth not theyr woorke. The Mofcouites make theyr bofte that thefe wylde Lappones
are tributaries to theyr prynce. Wherat I do not greatly maruayle, forafmuch as they haue none other neare
vnto them, that may demaunde tribute of them. Theyr trybute is onely furres and fyffhe, hauynge in maner
none other thynge greately commodious. And albeit they lacke breade, falte, and other intyfements of glutteny,
and lyue onely with fyffhe and wylde beaftes, yet are they exceadyng prone to lechery. They are fuch expert
archers, that if in theyr huntynge they efpye any beaftes whofe Ikynnes they defyre to faue vnperyffhed, they
33'


Sacrifice to the
stone Semes
The cape Motka.
The castel of
Wardhus.
The region of the
wylde Lappones.
Dront.
Iorneyinge on
sleades.
Howe the hartes
drawe sleades.
xx. [twenty]
leaques in one day
The citie of
Berges in Norway
A shorter iorney.
Rostow.
Pereaslaw.
Castromow.
Vuolochda.
Suchana.
Dwina.
Hafnia.
Koppenhagen
Liuonia.
Werste, is almost
an Italian myle.
305
Paulus Iouius.
Ryuers faulyng
into the frosen sea.
Wynde.
Ise.
Ise of many
yeares.
The sea Baltheum
Where the sun
fauleth not in. xl.
[forty] days
The wylde
Lappones are
tributaries to the
Moscouites
Furres and fysshe
Experte archers




332
Good felowshyp.
Necessary warres.
No vse of money.
Theyr cotages.
Mountaynes
continually
burnyng.
Purgatory.
The ryuer
Petzora.
306
The beaste cauled
Mors.
The prouidence
of nature.
The frosen sea.
Engronland or
Groneland


- -


Mfiofcozia and Cal/ay.


wyll not lyghtly myffe to hytte them in the nofethrylles. When they go furth on huntynge, they are accuflomed to
leaue at home with theyr wyues fuche marchauntes or ftraungers as they haue receaued into theyr houfes. So that
if at theyr returne, they perceaue theyr wyues throwgh the company of the firangers to be myrier and more iocunde
then they were wonte to bee, they gyue the firaungers fum prefent. But yf they fynd it otherwyfe, they thruft them
furth of the doores with woordes of reproche. But nowe by the company they haue with firaungers that reforte
thyther for gaynes, they begyn to leaue theyr natiue barbaroufneffe. They gladly admitte marchauntes, bycaufe
they brynge them apparel of grofe cloth: alfo hatchettes, needels, fpones, knyues, drynkynge cuppes, earthen
and brafen pottes, with fuch other neceffarie wares: So that they vfe now to eate fodden and roited meate,
and doo embrafe more ciuile maners. Theyr owne apparel is made of the fkynnes of dyuers beaftes fowed
togyther. And in this apparell they fumtymes comme to Mofcouia. Yet fewe of them haue cappes or hofen,
which they vfe to make of hartes fkynnes. They haue not the vfe of golde or fyluer money: but vfe only
barteryng of ware for ware. And beinge ignorant of other languages befyde theyr owne, they feeme amonge
firaungers to bee in maner domme. Theyr cotages are couered onely with the barkes of trees. They haue no
certeyne reftynge habitacion. But when they haue confumed the fyffhe and wylde beafles in one place, they
remoue to an other. Furthermore alfo the fayde ambaffadours of the prince of Mofcouia, declared that in the
fame partes they fawe certeyne hygh mountaynes continually caftynge furth flames of fyre as doth the mountayne of Etna in the Ilande of Sicilia: and that euen in Norway, many mountaynes are faulen downe and
burnte in maner to affhes with fuch continuall flames. Which thynge fum confyderyng, fayne the fyre of Purgatorie to bee there. And as concernynge thefe mountaynes of Norway, when I was fent ambaffadour to
Chriftierne kynge of Denmarke, I was informed the lyke by the gouernours of Norwaye who chaunced at that
tyme to bee prefent there.
Abowt the mouthes of the ryuer Petzora that are toward the ryght hande from the mouthes of Dwina, are
fayd to bee dyuers and great beaftes in the Ocean: and amonge other, a certeyne great beaft as bygge as an
oxe, which th[e]inhabitauntes caule Mors. This beaft hath fhorte feete lyke a beuer or an Otter, with a breft
fumwhat hygh and brode for the proportion of the refidue of his body: and two longe and greate teeth growynge owte of the vpper iawe. Thefe beaftes for reft and increafe, doo fumtymes leaue the Ocean, and by great
heardes afcende the mountaynes: where before they gyue themfelues to profounde fleepe (wherunto they are
naturally inclined) they appoynt one of theyr number as it were a watcheman as doo cranes for the fecuritie ot
the reflte. Whiche if he chaunce to fleepe, or to bee flayne of the hunters, the refidue may eafely bee taken.
But if the watchman gyue warnynge with rorynge (as the maner is) immediately the hole hearde awakened
thereby, fuddeynly put theyr hynder feete to theyr teeth: And fo faulynge from the mountayne with great
celeritie as it were on a fleade, they cafl them felues headlong into the Ocean: where alfo they reft and fleepe
for a whyle vppon the heapes of Ife. The hunters purfue thefe beaftes only for theyr teethe: Of the which
the Mofcouites, Tartars, and efpecially the Turkes, make haftes for fwoordes and dagge[r]s very artificially:
And vfe thefe rather for ornamente, then to gyue the greater ftroke for the weyght or heauineffe thereof as fumme
fable. Alfo amonge the Turkes, Mofcouites, and Tartars, thefe teethe are foulde by weight, and are cauled the
teethe of fyffhes.
The frofen fea reacheth farre and wyde beyonde Dwina to Petzcora and vnto the mouthes of the great
riuer Obi: beyonde the which they fay to bee the region of Engroneland, vnknowen and feperate from the
trade and conuerfation of owre men, by reafon of hygh mountaynes couered and coulde with perpetuall fnowe,
and the fea no leffe incumbered with contynually Ife whiche hyndereth nauigations and maketh them daungerous, as they faye.


432




333




EXEMPLAR EPISTOLAE SEV
LITERARVM              MISSIVARVM
QVAS ILLVSTRISSIMVS PRINCEPS
Edvvardus eius nominis Sextus, Angliae, Francize, et Hiberniae Rex,
mifit ad Principes Septemtrionalem ac Orientalem mundi
plagam   inhabitantes iuxta
mare glaciale, nec non Indiam Orientalem. Anno
Domini. 1553. Regni
fui Anno feptimo
et vltimo.
K     J  Dvvardus fextus, Angliae, Franciae, and
Hiberniae Rex. etc.   Omnibus,
Regibus et Principibus ac Dominis,
et cundtis Iudicibus terrae, et Ducibus eius quibufcunque eft ex.cellens aliqua dignitas in ea
cund6is in locis quai funt fub vniuerfo coelo: Pax,
tranquillitas, et honor vobis, terris, et regionibus veflris
qume imperio veftro fubiacent, cuique veflrum quemadmodun conuenit ei.   Propterea quod indidit Deus
Opt. Max. hominibus prae cunftis alijs viuentibus cor
et defiderium tale, vt appetat quifque cum alijs focietatem mire, amare, et vicifsim amari, beneficijs afficere,
et mutua accipere beneficia ftudeat, ideo cuique pro
307facultate fua hoc defiderium in omnibus quidem
hominibus beneficijs fouere et conferuare conuenit, in
illis autem maxime, qui hoc defiderio adducti, a remotis etiam regionibus ad eos veniunt. Quo enim
longius iter, eius rei gratia ingrefsi funt, eo ardentius
in eis hoc defiderium fuiffe declararunt. Infuper etiam
ad hoc, nos patrum maiorumque noflrorum exempla
inuitant, qui femper humanifsime fufceperunt et benignifsime tradcauerunt illos qui tum a locis propinquis
tum a remotis, eos amice adibant, eorum fe prote6tioni
commendantes. Quod fi omnibus id praeflare aequum
eft, certe mercatoribus imprimis praeftari debet, qui
per vniuerfum orbem difcurrunt, mare circurnlufrantes
et aridam, vt res bonas et vtiles quze Dei beneficio in


THE COPY OF THE LETTERS
MISSIVE WHICH THE RIGHT
NOBLE PRINCE EDWARDE THE. VI.
fent to the Kynges, Princes, and other
potentates inhabytynge the Northeaft
partes of the worlde towarde the
myghtyeEmpire of Cathay, atfuche
tyme as fyrHughWillobyknyght
and Rychard Chaunceler with
theyr company attempted theyr
vyage thyther in the yeare of
Chryft. 15 5 3. and the. vii. and
lafte yeare of his reigne.
Dwarde the fyxte by the grace of God,
kynge of Englande, Fraunce, and
Ierlande. etc.  To all Kynges,
Princes, Rulers, Iudges, and gouernours of the earthe, and all other
hauynge any excellent dignitie on
the fame in all places vnder the
vniuerfall heauen: Peace, tranquilitie, and honoure, bee vnto yowe, and your landes
and regions which are vnder yowr dominions, and to
euery of yowe as is conuenient.
Forafmuche as the greate and almyghty god hath
gyuen vnto mankynd aboue al other liuing creatours,
fuch a hart and defyre, that euery man defyreth to
ioyne frendeihyppe with other, to loue and bee loued,
alfo to gyue and receaue mutuall benefites, it is therfore the dewtie of all men, accordyng to theyr poure
to maintayne and increafe this defyre in euery man
with well deferuynge to all men, and efpecially to
fhewe this good affection to fach as beinge moued with
this defire, coome vnto them from farre countreys.
For in howe much the longer viage they haue attempted
for this intent, fo much the more doo they therby declare that this defyre hath byn ardent in them. Furthermore alfo th[e]exemples of owre fathers and prediceffours doo inuite vs hereunto, forafimuch as they haue
euer gentelly and louyngly intreated fuch as of frendely
mynde came to them afwel from countreis nere hand
as farre remote, commendynge them felues to theyr protection. And if it bee ryght and equitie to fhewe fuch
humanitie toward all men, doubtleffe the fame owght
chiefely to bee fhewed to marchauntes, who wanderynge abowt the worlde, fearche both the lande and. ea
to cary fuch good and profitable thinges as are founde
in theyr countreys, to remote regions and kyngedomes:
and ageyne to brynge from the fame, fuche thynges as


WI


333




334


The kynges letter.


regione eorum inueniuntur, ad remotifsimas regiones et
regna adferant, atque inde viuifsim referant quod fuse
regioni vtile ibi repererint: vt et populi ad quos eunt,
non deftituantur commodis que non profert illis terra
eorum, et ipfi fint participes rerum quibus illi abundant. Nam Deus coeli et terrae, humano generi maxime confulens, noluit vt omnia in quauis regione inuenirentur, quo regio ope alterius regionis indigeret, et
gens ab alia gente commodum aliquod expetaret, ac
ita flabiliretur amicitia inter omnes, fingulique omnibus benefacere quasrerent, Hoc itaque ineundoe ac
flabiliendae amicitiae defiderio moti viri quidam regni
nofiri, iter in remotas maritimas regiones inflituerunt,
vt inter noftros et illos populos viam mercibus inferendis et eferendis aperirent: Nofque rogauerunt vt id
illis concederemus. Qui peticioni illorum annuentes,
conceffimus viro honorabili et forti Hugoni Wilibeo et
alijs qui cum eo funt feruis noftris fidis et charis, vt
pro fua voluntate, in regiones eis prius incognitas eant,
quefituri ea quibus nos caremus, et adducant illis ex
nofIris terris, id quo illi carent. Atque ita illis et nobis
commodum inde accedat, fitque amicitia perpetua et
foedus indifsolubile inter illos et nos, dum permittent
illi nos accipere de rebus quibus fuperabundant in
regnis fuis, et nos concedemus illis ex regnis noftris
res, quibus deflituuntur. Rogamus itaque vos Reges
et Principes et omnes quibus aliqua eft poteftas in
terra, vt viris iftis noftris tranfitum permittatis per regiones veftras. Non enim tangent quicquam ex rebus
vefIris inuitis vobis. Cogitate quod homines et ipfi funt.
Et fi quare caruerint, oramus pro veftra beneficentia,
earn vos illis tribuatis, accipientes vicifsim ab eis quod
poterunt rependere vobis.  Ita vos gerite erga eos
quemadmodum cuperetis vt nos et fubditi nofiri nos
gereremus erga feruos veftros fi quando tranfierint per
regiones noftras. Atque promittimus vobis per Deum
omnium quue coelo, terra et mari continentur, perque
vitam noftram et tranquillitatem  regnorum noftrorum,
nos pari benignitate feruos veftros accepturos fi ad
regna nofira aliquando venerint. Atque a nobis et
fubditis noftris, ac fi nati fuiffent in regnis noftris, ita
benigne tractabuntur vt rependamus vobis benignitatem quam noftris exhibueritis. Poftquam vos Reges,
Principes, etc. rogauimus vt humanitate et beneficentia omni profequamini feruos noflros nobis charos,
oramus omnipotentem Deum noftrum, vt vobis diuturnam vitam largiatur, et pacem quse nullam habeat
finem. Scriptum Londini, qua ciuitas eft regni noftri.
Anno. 5515. a creato mundo, menfe Iiar. xiiii. die
menfis, anno feptimo regni noftri.


they f) nde there commodious for theyr own countreys:
Bothe, afwell that the people to whom they go, may
not bee deflitute of fuch commodities as theyr countreys
brynge not furth to them, as that alfo they may bee
partetakers of fuche thynges wherof they abounde.
For god of heauen and earth, greatly prouydynge for
mankynde, wolde not that al thinges fhulde bee founde
in one region, to th[e]ende that one fhuld haue neede
of an other, that by this meanes frendfhippe myght bee
efiablyffhed amonge all men, and euery one feeke to
gratifie all. For th[e]eftablyffhynge and furtherance of
which vniuerfall amitie, certeyne men of owre realme
moued hereunto by the fayde defyre, haue inflitute and 309
taken vppon theym a vyage by fea into farre countreys
to th[e]intent that betwene owre people and them, a
way bee opened to brynge in and cary owt marchaundies, defyryng vs to further theyr enterpryfe. WAho
affentynge to theyr peticion, haue licenced the ryght
valiante and woorthy fyr Hughe Wylloby knyght, and
other owre trufty and faithful feruauntes which are
with hym according to theyr defyre to go to countreys
to them heretofore vnknowen, afwell to feeke fuche
thynges as we lacke, as alfo to cary vnto them
from owre regions, fuche thynges as they lacke.
So that hereby not only commoditie may enfewe
both to them and to vs, but alfo an indiffoluble
and perpetuall league of frendfhippe be eftablyffhed betwene vs bothe, whyle they permitte vs
to take of theyr thynges fuche whereof they haue
abundaunce in theyr regions, and we ageine graunt
them fuche thynges of owrs wherof they are deflitute.
Wee therfore defyre yow kynges and princes, and all
other to whom there is any poure on the earth, to
permitte vnto thefe owr feruantes, free paffage by
yowr regions and dominions.  For they ihall not
touche any thynge of yowres vnwyllyng vnto yow.
Confyder yow that they alfo are men. If therfore
they.hal fland in neede of any thynge, we defyre
yowe of all humanitie, and for the nobilitie whiche is
in yowe, to ayde and helpe theym with fuch thynges
as they lacke, receauynge ageyne of them fuch thynges
as they fhalbe able to gyue yowe in recompenfe.
Shewe yowre felues fo towarde theym, as yowe wolde
that wee and owr fubiectes fhulde fhewe owr felues
toward yowr feruauntes, if at any tyme they fhall paffe
by owre regions. Thus doinge, wee promeffe yowe
by the God of all thynges that are conteyned in heauen,
earth, and the fea, and by the lyfe and tranquilitie of owre
kyngedomes, that we wyl with lyke humanitie accepte
yowre feruauntes if at any tyme they fhal coomme to
owre kyngdomes, where they fhall as frendly and gentelly bee interteyned as if they were borne in owr
dominions, that we may hereby recompenfe the fauour
and benignitie which yow haue fhewed to owr men.
Thus after we haue defyred yow kynges and princes,
etc. With all humanitie and fauour to interteyne owr
welbeloued feruantes, wee pray owre almyghty god to
graunt yowe longe lyfe and peace which neuer fhall
haue ende. Wrytten in London whiche is the chiefe
citie of owre kyngedome: In the yeare frome the
creation of the worlde. 5515. in the moneth of Iiar,
the. xiiii. day of the moneth, and feuenth yeare of
owre reigne.


308


(1 This letter was wrytten alfo in Greeke and dyuers other languages.


334




335


[The Third English book


on America,


Which is also
THE FIRST ENGLISH COLLECTION OF VOYAGES, TRAFFICS, & DISCOVERIES.
iFte tecalrtes  of tFte nett twrIte ar wtet *ritta, etc.


SECTION


V.


Other notable things as touching


the Indies,


out of the Writings and Maps of
Francisco Lopez de Gomara,
and


Sebastian


Cabot.


1552-I555.]








337




(EOTHER NOTABLE THYNGES


AS TOVCHYNGE


THE INDIES:


AND FYRST OF THE FOREKNOWLEAGE THAT THE POET SENECA HAD
of the fyndynge this newe woride and other regions not then knowen.
FRANCISCO LOPES.:1                    0 fpeke of thynges that fhalbe, longe before they are, is a kynde
of diuination if the truth thereof folowe effectually.  Neuer9'   theleffe althowgh fuch thynges as are fpoken eyther by coniecture, or by th[elinftincte of nature, or by naturall reafon, (100
oftentymes take place and fuccede accordyngely, yet are not
fuch conjectures to bee accoumpted as certeyne as prophefies
reueled by the fpirite of god, which wee ought entierly to beleue: but not fo the other gathered only by certeine apparences,
fimilitudes, reafons, and demonftrations: althowghe it bee greatly
to bee maruailed to confyder howe they hytte the truthe fumtyme: which perhappes they doo accordyng to the prouerbe
that fayth: He that fpeaketh much ffiall fumtimes flumble on
the truth. All this I fpeake confyderynge the fayinge of the
poet Seneca in his tragedie of Medea, where his woordes
feeme in all poyntes to agree with the difcouerynge of the Indies
___  _______________-      founde of late by Chriflofer Colon anac the $panyardes. The
woordes of Seneca, are thefc-,
Venient annis
S&eculaferis, quibus Oceanus
Vincula rerum la~xe/, et ingens
Pa~eat tellus, Tijphi/que nouos
Defegat orbes,
Nec ft ferris vItima Thyle.
That is to faye: There fhall coomme worldes in late yeares, in the whiche the Ocean flhall vnlofe the
bondes of thynges, and a great lande fhall appeare. Alfo Typhis (that is nauigation) fhall difcouer newe
worides: and Thyle fhall not bee the furthefi. lande.
E1 Of t/he great Ziande whVich Plato cau/ed.A'//an/ica or A41lan/ide.


V
Diuination.
Coniectum.
Prophesie.
So do the
Egiptians.
The wordies of
Seneca.
Islande was in
owide time cauled
Thyle as summe
thinke.


V


310


He Philofopher Plato wrytethe in his Dialoges of Tirneus and Cricia, that in the owlde timne
there was in the fea Atlantike ouer agenft Aifrica, an Ilande cauled Atlantide greater then
Aifrica and Afia: affirmynge that thofe landes are from then'fe continent and greate: And
that the kynges of that 1lande gouerned a greate parte of Aifrica, and Europe. But that in
a certeyne greate earthequake and temnpeft. of rayne, this Ilande foonke and the people were
drowned: Alfo that there remaynedfomuchmudde of thedrownynge or fynkyngeofthatllandle,
that that fea Atlantike coulde not bee fayled. Sum take this for afable: and many for atrewe
EDEN.                           2 C                                   337


Plato sayth that
these kynges were
the sonnes of.
Neptunus.
An earthquake.




333                            Other notable thynges as touchynige t/e Indies.
Marcilius     hyorie, as doothe arcilius  Ficinus inducinge Proclus alleagynge certeyne hyfories of the Ethiopians wrytten
Proclusby one Marcellus, who confirmeth the fame to bee trewe. But there is nowe no caufe why wee fhulde any
longer doubte or difpute of the Iand Atlantide, forafmuch as the difcouerynge and conqueft of the weft Indies
Mexico or new  do plainly declare what Plato hath wrytten of the fayde landes. In Mexico alfo at this day they caul that water
Atl. by the halfe name of Atiant, as by a woorde remaynynge of the name of the Ilande that is not. WVee may
lykewyfe fay that the Indies are eyther the Ilande and firme lande of Plato or the remanent of the fame: and
Hesperides.   not the Ilandes of Hefperides or Ophir, or Tharfis, as fum haue thought of late dayes. For the Hefperides,
Capo Verde    are the Ilandes of Cabo Verde and the Gorgonas from whenfe Hanon browght apes: Albeit in conferrynge it
Thsis.        with Solinus, there is fum doubte by reafon of the nauigation of fortie dayes wherof he fpeaketh. Afwell maye
Tharsis.
Gorgonas.    it bee, that Cuba or Hayti, or any other Ilande of the Indies, fhulde bee thofe which the Carthaginenfes founde
Solinus.      and forbodde theyr citifens to make any vyages thyther or to inhabite the fame as Ariflotle and Theophrafe
Lands found by the
Carthaginenses.  doo rehearfe where they wryte of the marueylous and vnknowen workes of nature. As concernynge Ophir and
Aristotell.   Tharfis, it is not knowen what or where they bee, althowgh many lerned men as faynt Augufline and other
haue fearched what citie or lande Tharfis myght bee. Saynt Ierome who was experte in the Hebrewe tounge,
fayth in many places vppon the prophetes that Tharfis is as much to fay as the fea: and that whereas it is
lonas fledde to  wrytten that Ionas fledde to Tharfis, he wente to the fea by a longe iorney. Furthermore as concernynge the
The nauigations  nauigations of Salomon, it is not to bee thowght that his nauies fayled to the weft Indies, forafmuch as to paffe
of Salomon.   thyther, it was requifite for them to fayle Weflwarde departynge frome the fea of Bermeio: and not Eaflward
Bermeio is the
Arabian sea.  as they fayled. Ageine, the wetl Indies haue no vnicornes, elephantes, diamondes, and fuch other thynges as
they browght in the trade of their nauigations.


1 Of the colour of the Indians.


How colours dyffer
by degrees.
The coloure of the
west Indians.
Dyue[r]s sortes of
whyte and blacke.
311
Difference of
coloure in the
same clyme.
Rio de la Plata.
Peru.
Blacke men in
the west Indies.
From whense
proceadeth the
varietie of colours.
Gods wysedome
and poure is seene
in his workes.
Curld heare and
baldnes.


Ne of the marueylous thynges that god vfeth in the compofition of man, is coloure: whiche
doubtleffe can not bee confydered withowte great admiration in beholding one to be white
and an other blacke, beinge coloures vtterlye contrary. Sum lykewyfe to be yelowe whiche
is betwene blacke and white: and other of other colours as it were of dyuers liueres. And
as thefe colours are to be marueyled at, euen fo is it to be confidered howe they dyffer one
from an other as it were by degrees, forafmuche as fum men are whyte after dyuers fortes of
whyteneffe: yelowe after dyuers maners of yelowe: and blacke after dyuers fortes of blackeneffe: and howe from whyte they go to yelowe by difcolourynge to browne and redde: and to blacke by affhe
colour, and murrey fumwhat lyghter then blacke: and tawnye lyke vnto the weft Indians which are all togyther
in general eyther purple, or tawny lyke vnto fodde quynfes, or of the colour of cheftnuttes or olyues: which
colour is to them natural and not by theyr goynge naked as many haue thought: albeit theyr nakedneffe haue
fumwhat helped therunto. Therfore in lyke maner and with fuche diuerfitie as men are commonly whyte in
Europe and blacke in Affrike, euen with like varietie are they tawny in thefe Indies, with dyuers degrees
diuerfly inclynynge more or leffe to blacke or whyte. No leffe maruayle is it to confyder that men are whyte
in Siuile and blacke at the cape of Buena Speranza, and of cheftnutte colour at the ryuer of Plata, beinge all in
equall degrees frome the Equinoctiall line. Lykewyfe that the men of Affryke and Afia that lyue vnder the
burnte line (cauled Zona Torrida) are blacke: and not they that lyue beneathe or on this fyde the fame line as
in Mexico, Yucatan, Quauhtema, Lian, Nicaragua, Panama, Santo Domingo, Paria, Cape faynt Augufline,
Lima, Quito, and other landes of Peru which touch in the fame Equinoctiall. For in al the tracte of thefe
coaftes certeyne blacke men were found only in Quarequa when Vafchus Nunnez of Balboa difcouered
the fea of Sur. By reafon wherof it may feeme that fuche varietie of colours proceadeth of man, and not of the
earth: whiche maye well bee althowgh wee bee all borne of Adam and Eue, and knowe not the caufe why god
hath fo ordeyned it, otherwyfe then to confyder that his diuine maieftie hath doonne this as infinite other to
declare his omnipotencie and wifedome in fuch diuerfities of colours as appere not only in the nature of man,
but the lyke alfo in beaftes, byrdes, and floures, where dyuers and contrary colours are feene in one lyttle fether,
or the leaues growynge owt of one lyttle flalke. An other thyng is alfo greatly to bee noted as touchynge thefe
Indians. And this is, that theyr heare is not curlde as is the Moores and Ethiopians that inhabite the fame
clime: neyther are they balde excepte very feldome, and that but lyttle. All whiche thynges may giue further
occafion to phylofophers to fearch the fecreates of nature and complexions of men with the nouelties of the newe
worlde.


338




Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies.


339


C Why they were cauled Indians.


Vim thynke that the people of the newe world were cauled Indians bycaufe they are of the
colour of the Eafte Indians. And althowghe (as it femeth to me) they dyffer much in colour
and faffhions, yet is it trewe that of India they were cauled Indians.
India is properlie cauled that great prouince of Afia in the which great Alexander kepte
his warres: and was fo named of the ryuer Indus: and is diuyded into many kyngedomes
confynynge with the fame. From this greate India (cauled the Eaft India) came great companyes of men as wryteth Herodotus: and inhabited that parte of Ethiopia that lyeth betwene
the fea Bermeia (otherwyfe cauled the redde fea or the goulfe of Arabia) and the ryuer of Nilus: al which
regions that great Chriftian prince Prefter Iohn dooth now poffeffe. The fayde Indians preuayled fo much, that
they vtterly changed the cuflomes and name of that lande, and cauled it India: by reafon wherof, Ethiopia alfo
hath of longe tyme byn cauled India. And hereuppon came it that Aryftotell, Seneca, and certeyne other
oulde autours fayd that India was not farre from Spayne. After this alfo, of later dayes owre Weft India was
fo cauled of the fayde India of Prefter Iohn where the Portugales had theyr trade. For the pylot of the caruell
that was fyrfte dryuen by forcyble wynde to an vnknowen lande in the Wefte Ocean, cauled the fame India bycaufe the Portugales fo cauled fuch landes as they had lately difcouered Eaflwarde. Chryflopher Colon alfo
after the fayde pylot, cauled the weft landes by the fame name. Albeit, fum that take Colonus for an expert
Cofmographer, thynke that he fo named them of the Eaft India, as to be the furtheft and vnknowen ende therof
reachynge into the Wefte vnder the other hemifpherie or halfe globe of the earthe beneathe vs: affirmynge that
when he fyrft attempted to difcouer the Indies, he went chiefely to feeke the ryche Iand of Cipango, which
fauleth on the parte of great China or Cathay as wryteth Marcus Paulus Venetus and other: And that he
fhulde fooner come thyther by folowyng the courfe of the foonne Weftwarde then ageynft the fame: Albeit
manye thynke that there is no fuche Ilande, or at the leafle not yet knowen by that name: wheras alfo Marcus
Paulus obferued no exacte defcription of the place eyther of this Ilande or of Cathay.
C     The fyrJle difcouerynge of the WleJe Indies.
Certeyne caruell faylynge in the wefte Ocean abowt the coaftes of Spayne, had a forcyble and
continuall wynde from the Eaft wherby it was dryuen to a land vnknowen and not defcrybed
in any mappe or carde of the fea: and was dryuen fltyl alonge by the coafte of the fame for
*J '*       the fpace of many dayes vntyll it came to a hauen: where in a fiorte tyme the moft parte of
the maryners beinge longe before verye weake and feeble by reafon of hunger and trauayle,
dyed: So that only the pylot with thre or foure other remayned alyue. And not only they
that dyed dyd not inioy the Indies which they fyrft difcouered to theyr myffortune, but the
refydue alfo that lyued had in maner as lyttle fruition of the fame: not leauynge or at the leaft not openly publyfhynge any memorie therof, neyther of the place, or what it was cauled, or in what yeare it was founde.
Albeit, the faute was not theyrs, but rather the malice of other, or the enuie of that which wee caule fortune. I
doo not therefore marueyle that the auncient hyflories affirme that great thynges proceade and increafe of fmaul
and obfcure begynnynges, fyth wee haue feene the fame verefyed in this fyndyng of the Indies being fo
notable and newe a thynge. Wee neede not bee curious to feeke the name of the pylot fyth death made
a fhorte ende of his doinges. Sum wyl that he came from Andaluzia, and traded to the hands of Canaria and
the Ilande of Madera when this large and mortal nauigation chaunced vnto hym. Other fay that he was a
Bifcayne, and traded into Englande and Fraunce. Other alfo, that he was a Portugale: and that eyther he
wente or came from Mina or India: which agreeth well with the name of thefe newe landes as I haue fayde
before. Ageyne, fum there bee that fay that he browght the carauel to Portugale: or to the Ilande of Madera,
or to fum other of the Ilandes cauled de los Azores. Yet doo none of them affirme any thynge, althowgh they
all affirme that the pylotte dyed in the houfe of Chryftopher Colon, with whome remayned al fuch wrytynges
and annotacions as he hadde made of his vyage in the fayde carauell, afwell of fuch thynges as he obferued both
by lande and fea, as alfo of the eleuation of the pole in thofe landes whiche he had difcouered.


The colour of the
East Indians.
East India.
Prester Iohn came
owt of India to
Ethiope.
Ethyopia cauled
India.
India not far
from Spayne
Prester Iohn
knowen to the
Portugales.
At the furthest
Easte, begynneth
the west.
The Iland ot
Cipango.
China.
Cathay.
To the East by
the west.
Marcus Paulus
Venetus.


I/


A harde
begynnyng.
312
Great thinges
proceadyng of
smaule and
obscure
begynnynges.
The pylot.e that
fyrst founde the
Indies.
Mina.


3-9




340


Other notable thynges as ouchzynge fzhe Indies.


I WIhat maner of man Chryjf/oop er Colon was: and howe he Came
fyrfl lo the knowleage of the Indies.


Thus also began
Rychard
chaunceler.
Colon was not
much lerned.
The Ilande
Atlantide.
The lande
found by the
Carthaginenses.
313
Colon conferred
with lerned men.
Chaunce and arte.
A Christian
opinion.
The caruel
compared to the
ship of Noye.
NI
The kynge of
Portugale.
The kyng of
Castile.
Kynge Henry
the seuenth.


Hriftopher Colon was borne in Cugureo, or (as fum fay) in Nerui, a vyllage in the territorie of
Genua in Italie. He defcended as fum thynke, of the houfe of the Peleftreles of Placentia
in Lumbardie. He beganne of a chylde to bee a maryner: of whofe arte they haue great
exercife on the ryuer of Genua. He traded many yeares into Suria and other partes of the
Eaft. After this, he became a matter in makynge cardes for the fea, whereby he had great
vantage. He came to Portugale to knowe the reafon and defcription of the fouth coaftes of
Affrica and the nauigations of the Portugales, thereby to make his cardes more perfecte to bee
folde. He maryed in Portugale as fum fay: or as many fay, in the llande of Madera, where he dwelt at fuche
tyme as the fayde caruell arryued there, whofe pylot fuiorned in his houfe, and dyed alfo there, bequethynge
to Colon his carde of the defcription of fuche newe landes as he hadde founde, wherby Colon had the fyrfi
knowleage of the Indyes. Sum haue thowght that Colon was well lerned in the Latine tounge and the fcience
of Cofmographie: and that he was therby fyrit moued to feeke the landes of the Antipodes and the ryche Ilande
of Cipango whereof Marcus Paulus wryteth. Alfo that he had redde what Plato in his dialoges of Timeus and
Cricias, wryteth of the greate Ilande Atlantide, and of a great lande in the Weft Ocean vndifcouered beinge
bygger then Afia and Affrica. Furthermore that he had knowleage what Ariftotell and Theophraftus faye in
theyr bookes of maruayles, where they wryte that certeyne marchauntes of Carthage faylyng from the Itreyghtes
of Gibraltar towarde the weft and fouth, founde after many dayes a greate Ilande not inhabited: yet replenyfhed with al thynges requifite, and hauynge many nauigable ryuers. In deede Colon was not greately lerned:
yet of good vnderftandynge. And when he had knowleage of the fayde newe landes by the information
of the dead pylot, made relation thereof to certeyne lerned men with whom he conferred as touchynge the
lyke thynges mentioned of owlde autours. He communicated this fecreate and conferred chiefely with a
fryer, named Iohn Perez of Marchena that dwelt in the monaftery of Rabida. So that I verely beleue, that in
maner all that he declared, and many thynges more that he lefte vnfpoken, were wrytten by the fayde Spanyfhe
pylot that dyed in his houfe. For I am perfuaded, that if Colon by fcience atteyned to the knowleage of the
Indies, he wolde longe before haue communicate this fecreate to his owne contrey men the Genuefes, that
trauayle all the worlde for gaynes, and not haue comme into Spayne for this purpofe. But doubteleffe he
neuer thought of any fuch thyng before he chaunced to bee acquainted with the fayd pylot who founde thofe
landes by fortune, accordynge to the fayinge of Plinie: Quod airs docere non fotlit, cafus luzienil. That is:
That arte coulde not teache, chaunce founde. Albeit, the more Chryflian opinion is, to thinke that god of his
filguler prouidence and infinite goodneffe, at the length with eyes of compaffion as it were lookynge downe
from heauen vpon the fonnes of Adam fo longe kepte vnder Sathans captiuitie, intended euen then (for caufes
to hym only knowen) to rayfe thofe wyndes of mercy whereby that caruell (herein moft lyke vnto the fhyppe of
Noe whereby the remanent of the hole world was faued as by this caruel this newe worlde receaued the fyrfl
hope of theyr faluation) was dryuen to thefe landes. But wee wyll nowe declare what great thynges folowed of
this fmaule begynnynge, and how Colon folowed this matter reueled vnto hym not withowte goddes prouidence.
C (What labour and trauayle Colon looke in attIemityng his fyrst vyage
to the Indies.
Fter the death of the pilot and mariners of the Spanyfhe caruell that difcouered the Indies,
Chryftopher Colon purpofed to feke the fame. But in howe muche more he defyred this,
the leffe was his poure to accomplifhe his defire. For, befyde that of him felfc lie was not
able to furnyffhe one fhyppe, he lacked alfo the fauour of a kynge vnder whofe protection
he might fo enioy the riches he hoped to fynde, that none other myght take the fame from
hym or defeate hym therof. And feinge the kynge of Portugale occupied in the conqueft
of Africa and the nauigations of the Eaft which were'then fyrft attempted, the kynge of
Caftyle lykewyfe no leffe bufyed in the warres of Granada, he fent to his brother Bartholomewe Colon (who
was alfo priuie to this fecreate) to practife with the kynge of Englande Henry the feuenth beinge very ryche
340




Other notable thynges as louchynge t/e Indies.


34I


and withowt warres: promyfynge to brynge hym great ryches in ihort time if he wolde fhew him fauour and
furnyffhe hym with fhippes to difcouer the newe Indies wherof he had certeyne knowleage. But neyther here
beinge able to brynge his fute to paffe, he caufed the matter to bee moued to the kynge of Portugale Don
Alonfo the fyfte of that name: at whofe handes he founde neither fauour nor money, forafmuch as the licenciate Calzadilla the byfhop of Vifeo, and one malter Rodrigo men of credit in the fcience of Cofmographie,  Barnarde knewe
withfoode him and contended that there neither was nor coulde any golde or other ryches bee founde in the  not all thyges.
weft as Colon affirmed. By reafon whereof he was very fadde and penfiue: but yet was not difcouraged or
defpaired of the hope of his good aduenture which he afterward found This done, he tooke (hippinge at
Lifburne, and came to Palos of Moguer where he communed with Martin Alonfo Pinzon an expert pylot, who
offered hym felfe vnto hym. After this difclofynge the hole fecreates of his mynde to Iohn Perez of Marchena
(a fryer of th[e]order of faynt Frances in Rabida, and wel lerned in Cofmographie) and declaryng vnto bhym
how by folowyng the courfe of the fon by a temperate vyage, rich and great landes myght be founde, the fryer
greatly commended his enterpryfe, and gaue him counfayle to breake the matter to the duke of Medina Sidonia  The duke of
Don Eurique of Guzman a great lorde and very ryche: And alfo to Don Luys of Cerda the duke of Medina  Medina Sidonia
Celi, who at that tyme had great prouifion of fhippes well furnyfhed in his hauen of Santa Maria. But wheras  Medina Celi
both thefe dukes tooke the matter for a dreame and as a thynge diuifed of an Italian deceauer who (as they
thought) had before with lyke pretence deluded the kynges of Englande and Portugale, the fryer gaue hym
courage to go to the courte of the Catholyke princes Don Ferdinando and lady Ifabell princes of Caftile:
affirmynge that they wolde bee ioyfull of fuch newes. And for his better furtherance herin, wrote letters by  314
hym to fryer Ferdinando of Talauera the queenes confeffor. Chryftopher Colon therfore, repayred to the
court of the Catholike princes, in the yeare. M. CCCC. lxxxvi. [I486 A.D.] and delyuered vnto theyr handes the
peticion of his requeft as concerninge the difcouerynge of the newe Indies. But they beinge more carefull,  The conquest
and applyinge all theyr mynde howe they myght dryue the Moores owt of the kyngdome of Granade, which  of Graada
great enterpryfe they had alredy taken in hande, dyd lyttle or nothynge efteme the matter. But Colon not
thus difcouraged, found the meanes to declare his fute to fuch as had fumtymes priuate communication with
the kynge. Yet bicaufe he was a firanger and went but in fimple apparell, nor otherwyfe credited then by the  what men knowe
letter of a gray fryer, they beleued hym not, neyther gaue eare to his woordes: wherby he was greatly tor-  antasticall
mented in his imagination. Only Alonfo of Quintanilia the kynges chiefe auditour gaue hym meate and  Colon his
drynke at his owne charges, and hard gladly fuch thynges as he declared of the landes not then founde:  interteinment
defyrynge hym in the meane tyme to bee contente with that poore enterteynemente, and not to defpayre of his
enterpryfe: puttynge hym alfo in good conforte that he fhulde at one tyme or other, coome to the fpeache of
the Catholyke princes. And thus fhortly after by the meanes of Alonfo of Quintanilia, Colon was browght to
the prefence and audience of the Cardinall Don Pero Gonzales of Mendoza, archbyffhop of Toledo, a man of  The archbysshop
great reuenues and autoritie with the kynge and queene, who brought hym before them after that he well per-  ofToledo.
Colon is brought
ceaued and examyned his intent. And by this meanes was his fute harde of the Catholyke princes, who alfo  to the kynges
redde the booke of his memorials which he prefented vnto them. And although at the fyrft they tooke it for  presence
vayne and falfe that he promyfed, neuertheleffe they put hym in good hope that he fhulde bee well difpatched
when they had fynyfhed the warres of Granada which they had now in hand. With which anfwere, Colon
beganne to reuyue his fpirites, with hope to bee better eftemed and more fauourably to bee h[e]ard amonge the
gentelmen and noble men of the court, who before tooke hym only for a craftie felowe and deceauer: and was
nothynge difmayde or difcouraged when fo euer he debated the matter with them, althowghe many iudged hym  The iudgement of
phantafticall, as is the maner of ignorant menne to caule all fuch as attempte any thynge beyonde theyr reach  ignorant folkes.
and the compaffe of theyr knowleage: thinkyng the worlde to bee no bigger then the cagies wherin they are
brought vp and lyue. But to returne to Colon: So hotte and vrgente was the fiege of Granada, that they  Colon is
prefentely graunted hym his demaunde to feeke the newe landes, and to brynge from thenfe golde, fyluer,  dispatched.
perles, precious flones, fpices, and fuche other rych thynges. They gaue hym alfo the tenth parte of all the  Colon his rewarde
reuenues and cuflomes dewe vnto the kynge of al fuch landes as he fhulde difcouer, not doynge preiudice
in any thynge to the kynge of Portugale. The particulars of this agrement were made in the towne cauled
Sancta Fe: and the priuilege of the rewarde, in Granada the. xxx. [thirtieth] daye of Aprell the fame yeare
that the citie was woonne. And wheras the fayde Catholyke princes had not mony prefently to difpatch
Colon, Luys of S. Angell the kynges fecretary of accomptes, lente theym fyxe quentes of marauedes, whiche  One quent is. x
in a groffe fumme make. xvi. [sixteen] thoufande ducades. Two thynges are herein chiefely to be noted:  [ten
wherof the one is, that for fo fmaule charges they haue increafed the reuenues of the crowne of Caftyle as much
as the Indies are in value. The other is, that endynge the conquetl of the Moores who poffelfed the
kyngedome of Granada eyght hundreth yeares, they immediatly beganne the conquell of the Indies, as though
the nation of the Spanyardes were euer appoynted to feyght ageynlt infidels and enemies of the iayth of Iefu
Chryft.


r




2 C 2


41z




342


Other notable thzynges as fouchynge the Indies.


I




315


By this trauayle of Colonus in fo noble an enterpryfe and fo harde fucceffe, dooth the fayinge of Plinie appere to be moft trew,
wher in the preface of his natural hyftory wrytten to th[e]emprour Vefpafian he writeth in this maner. Res ardua vetzlis nouitatem dare: obuis, au[c]toritatem: abfolefis, nitorem; ob/curis, lucem: faJfiditis, gratiam: dubiis, fidem: omnibus vero naturam, et
nalurc fua omnia. Itaque etiam non affecutis, voluife abundep ulchrum atque magnificum eJt. That is to fay: It is a dyfficulte thynge
to gyue newenes to owlde thynges, autoritie to newe thynges: bewtie to thynges owt of vfe: fame to the obfcure: fauoure to the
hatefull: credite to the doubtefull: nature to all, and all to nature. To fuch neuertheleffe as can not attayne to all thefe, it is
greately commendable and magnificall to haue attempted the fame.
In the fcu[t]chen of armes gyuen to Colon by Don Ferdinando and queene Elizabeth Catholike princes (fo
cauled for theyr warres ageynft the infidels) thefe verfes were wrytten.
Por Caftilla y por Leon,
Nueuo mundo hallo Colon.
That is: For Caftile and for Leon,
The newe worlde founde Colon.
( Of newe Stayne cauled Noua Hifpania, or Mexico.


The citie of
Mexico or
Temixtitan.
Golde and syluer.
Sylke.
Cotton.
Alam.
Woade.
Sugar.
Shelles for money.
Come.
Beastes.
Haukyng and
huntynge.
Paintynge.
Women
sumptuously
appareled.
A warlike nation.
Captiues sacrificed
to Idoles.


Ewe Spayne is that parte of the continent or firme lande that lyeth Weft and South frome the
lande of Floryda. This was fubdued to th[e]empire of Caftile by the ryght noble gentelman Ferdinando Cortefe the marqueffe of the vale of Quaxaca. In this lande are many
prouinces conteynyng in them in maner innumerable cities, amonge which that is the chiefe
which the Indians caule Mexico or Temixtitan, confyftyng of more then flue hundreth
thoufand inhabitauntes.  It ftandeth in the myddeft of a lake of falte water as doth Venece
in the fea. The lake conteyneth fortie Perfian myles cauled Parafange, euery one confyftynge
of. xxx. [thirty] furlon[g]s, and more as fum fay. In thefe regions is founde great plentie of golde, fyluer, and
precious flones, with innumerable other thynges both neceffary for the lyfe of man and pleafaunt: as fylke,
bombafine cotton, alame, Safferne, Woade, with dyuers other thynges wherwith clothe and fylke is dyed.
There is alfo fuch abundaunce of fuger, that certeyne Spanyfihe fhippes are yearely fraighted therwith and
brynge the fame into Siuile from whenfe it is caryed in maner to all partes of Chryftendome. Th[e]inhabitauntes of Mexico are fubtyle people, and vfe much craft in theyr bargening. They haue not the vfe of golde
and fyluer monye: but vfe in the Rfeade therof the halfe fhelles of almonds, whiche kynde of Barbarous money
they caule Cacao or Cacanguate. In maner al kyndes of corne are there very good [and] cheape: efpecially barly
and wheate. They haue great plentie of hartes, wylde bores, Lyons, Leopardes, and Tygers, which beaftes
wander in maner in euery place. The region is mofte commodious for haukynge and huntynge for the great
abundaunce it hath of beaftes and foules. But the people exercife all theyr cunnynge in makynge the images
of theyr Idolatry, and in paintyng.  Theyr woman are valiant: and fumptuous in theyr apparell and other
tyrementes. For they fo rychely frynge and byfet the fame with perles, precious flones, and golde, that
nothynge can be more excellent. They haue a kynde of paper greatly differyng from owrs. In this they
expreffe theyr mindes by certeyn figures.  For they haue not otherwife th[e]ufe of letters. The nation is
defyrous of warre: and dooth not longe keepe the condicions of peace vnuiolated: But delyteth rather in ciuile
and moft cruell battayle amonge them felues then to lyue in peace and quietneffe. Suche as in the warres
faule by any meanes into the handes of theyr enemies, eyther by fubmiffion or otherwyfe, are partely facrificed
to the Idoles, and the refydue gyuen to the fouldiers to bee eaten, in lyke maner as wee rewarde dogges and
haukes with parte of theyr pray. They haue innumerable Idoles which euery one maketh for his particular god
after the phantafie of his own brayne, and gyueth therto diuine honour. Albeit at this day they doo by lyttle
and lyttle leaue of theyr barbarous fierceneffe: and with owre religion embrafe better maners. For they
nowe profeffe the fayth of Chryft, and in his name pray vnto God the father.
Vnderftande here that as touchynge thefe regions cauled new Spayne, yow may reade at large in the booke here before entiteled
of the landes and Ilandes lately founde. This booke foloweth immediatly after the Decades, althowgh the printer haue alfo wrytten
the thyrde decade* ouer the head of that booke which intreateth principally of the regions nowe cauled newe Spayne. Of the
conqueft of this Mexico, Francifco Lopez hath written a large booke in the Spanyffhe tounge.
* See p. I87.-E. A.


34,




Other notabie thyngkes as touchynge thie ndies.


343


-


- --


C Of Peru.
IHe prouince cauled Peru, was alfo named noua Caftilia by them that fyrfle founde it. This
region is the weft parte of America: and is fituate in the longitude of. 29o. degrees, proceadynge from the Weft to the Eaft. And fouthwarde begynneth flue degrees beyonde the
Equinoctial line, and is extended very farre into the fouth.  This is taken to bee the  316
rycheft lande in golde, fyluer, perles, precious flones, and fpyces, that euer was founde yet  Per is the
rychest lande
to this day. For golde is there in fuch plentie that they make pyfpots therof, and other  that is knowen.
veffels applyed to fylthy vfes. But this is more to bee marueyled at, that in a citie cauled
Collao was founde a houfe all couered with maffie plates of golde. In theyr warres alfo theyr harneffe was of  A house couered
golde and fyluer. Theyr weapons are bowes, arrowes, flynges, dartes, and pikes.  Th[e]inhabitantes are  Harnes ofgolde.
warlyke people and of great agilitie. They haue cities defended with lawes and armes.  The region is  A frutful region
exceadyng frutefull, and yeldeth corne twyfe in the yeare. It is fo floryffhynge with many fayre wooddes,
mountaynes, ryuers, and other both pleafaunt and neceffary commodities, that it feemeth in maner an earthly
Paradyfe. It hath dyuers kyndes of beaftes, and yet none hurtfull or of rauenynge kynde. There are heepe  Great sheepe.
of fuch heyght that they vfe them in the fleade of horfes. Sume write that they are as bygge as the younge
foles of camels: and that theyr woolle is very fofte and fine. Alfo that the ewes brynge furth lambes twyfe a
yeare. The people are wytty and of gentyl behauoure. Cunnynge alfo in artes, faythful of promes, and of  The dewtie of
Chrystian princes.
maners not greatly to bee difcommended, faue that they are ignorant of Chryff: who neuertheleffe is nowe
knowen vnto them in many places, as our hope is he fhalbe dayly more and more if all princes wyll herein
putte theyr helpynge handes to the plowe of owre lorde, and fende labourers into his vyneyarde.
( Of the great ryuer cauled Rio de la Plata (that is) the ryuer of fyluer.                                       V
His ryuer reacheth very farre in length and bredth: and is cauled Vruai in the Indian tounge.
Into this fauleth an other ryuer named Paraue. The fyrfte that fayled into the ryuer of  Paraue.
i        Plata, was Iohn Dias Solis, whom the ryght noble kynge of Spayne Ferdinandus made  Iohn Dias Solis.
Admyral of thefe feas. In the ryuer lyeth an Ilande whiche Iohn Dias named Martinus  The Ilande
Gratias bycaufe a pylot of his fo cauled, was buryed there. This Ilande is fituate in the  MartinusGratias.
myddeft of the ryuer: and is dyftant from the mouth of the fame abowt fortie leagues. As
the fayde Admirall attempted to expugne the Iland, he was fuddeynly oppreffed and flayne
of the Indians that priuilie affayled hym. Wherwith neuertheleffe theyr barbarous crueltie was not fatiffyed
vntyll they had tome him in piefes and deuoured hym. But many yeares after, Th[e]emperoures maieftie and  The viage of
Sebastian Cabote
kynge of Spayne Charles the fyfte, fente foorth Sebaftian Cabot (a man of great courage and fkylfull in Cofmo-  to the ryuer of
graphie, and of no leffe experience as concernynge the flarres and the fea) with commaundement to difcouer  Plata.
and fubdue the Ilandes of Tharfis, Ophir, Cipango, and Coi Cathay. Receauynge therfore his commiffion and  Tharsis.
proceadynge forwarde on his vyage, he arryued by chaunce at this Ilande: The caufe wherof was that the  Ophir.
principall veffell was loft by fhipwracke, and the men that faued theyr lyues by fwymmynge were receaued into  Cathagy.
other fhyppes. Perceauynge therfore that by reafon of this chaunce he could by no meanes performe his
vyage attempted, he intended to expugne the fayde Ilande, and thervppon to conueygh his vyttayles to land,
to prepare his foldiers to th[e]inuafion, to plant colonyes, and to erect fortreffes by the ryuers fyde wherby the
Spanyardes myght bee defended from the violence of the barbarians. But before he attempted this, he was
aduertifed that the Ilande was riche in golde and fyluer. Which thynge dyd fo encorage him, that withowt
refpect of perel he thought belt to expugne it by one meanes or other, wherein his bouldenes tooke good
effecte as often tymes chaunceth in great affayres. Furthermore as touchynge the ryuer, Sebaftian Cabote  The ryuerofPlata
made relation that he neuer fawe any comparable vnto this in bredth and depth. For whereas it fauleth into
the fea, it conteyneth. xxv. [twenty-five] leaques in breadth. From the mouth of the ryuer, Cabot fayled vp
the fame into the lande for the fpace of three hundreth and fiftie leaques as he wryteth in his owne carde.
That it is of great depth, may hereby bee confydered that manye greate ryuers faule into it: fo that the
chanell can not bee fhalowe that conteyneth fuch abundance of water, and fuche plentie of good and great
fyffhes. For there is in maner no fyffhe in the fea, that is not founde in this ryuer. As foone as the Spanyards were fet alande, they made a proofe if the foyle were frutfull to beare corne. Takynge therefore fiftie  317
graynes of wheate and commyttynge the fame to the earth in the moneth of September, they gathered therof
343




344
Maruelous
frutfulnes.
Mountaynes
conteynynge golde
and syluer.
Great sheepe.
Theyr colour.
Men with
deformed legs.


Other notable thynges as touchynge t/e Indies.


7/
I


two thoufande and fiftie at December nexte folowynge: wherin fume beinge deceaued and midfakynge the
thynge, haue wrytten in the ifeade of twoo thoufande and fiftie, fyftie thoufande and two. The like fertilitie is
there of all other grayne and pulfe. Furthermore th[e]inhabitauntes declared that not farre from that place,
ther are great and hygh mountaynes in the which is founde great plentie of golde. And no great diffance
from the fame, to bee other mountaynes no leffe frutefull of fyluer, and many other thynges longe to rehearfe.
Th[e]inhabitauntes are paynefull men, and tyll the grounde diligently, wherin they take great pleafure: and
haue therfore great plentie of breade of Maizium. There are fheepe of fuche byggeneffe that they compare
them to younge camels or affes as fum fay. Theyr woolle is very fine: and neareft vnto the fyneneffe of fylke.
There are alfo beaftes of dyuers kyndes. Amonge men there is this dyfference, that fuch as lyue in the
mountaynes, are whyte, and for the molt parte lyke vnto the men of owre regions. But they that dwell abowt
the ryuer (as though they tooke theyr colour therof) are blacky   or purle of the coloure of fine Iren or
iteele. This alfo chaunceth to many of them, that theyr fiete and legges are lyke the legs and fiete of the
foule cauled the oyftreche,  *


j


Malacha.
Tachola.
The Ilandes of
Malucha.
The Iland of
Samotra.
Spyces.
Calocut.
Ceilam.
Cathay.
China.
Precious stones.
Sylke.
Cautan.
The way to the
Ilandes of Maluca
by the north sea.
The Spanyardes.


r Of the hygher Eafl India cauled India Tercera or Terciera.
_         N this India whiche the Portugales caule Tercera, are very great kyngedomes: as the kyngdomes of Bengala, Pegu, Berma, Erancangui, Daufian, Capelam, and the greate kyngdome
of Mialacha, cauled of the owlde wryters Aurea Cherfonefus: whofe chiefe citie is alfo cauled
Malacha, and was in owlde tyme named Tachola. Vnder this kyngedome are infinite Ilandes
cauled Maluche, whereof the principall are thefe: Iaua the greater, Iaua the leffe, Polagua,
Mendana, Cubu, Cailon, Huban, Bur, Tenado, Anbon, and Gilolo, with infinite other. On
the Southweft parte from Malacha, is the great Ilande of Samotra cauled in owlde tyme
Taprobana, in the which are the kyngedomes of Pedir, Biraen, Pazer, Ardagni, and Ham. This Iland and al
the other cauled Maluche, brynge furth great quantitie of cloues, cinamome, nuttemegges, maces, and all other
kyndes of fpyces excepte pepper, which groweth in the prouince of Calecut and the Ilande of Ceilam. All
thefe fortes of fpices are caryed to Malacha to bee foulde. But the greateft parte of them is caryed to Cathay
and China: and from thenfe to the north partes of Tartarie. This kyngdome of China, is very great: and was
in owlde tyme cauled Sina. Here is founde great plentie of precious fRones. The people are very fubtyle and
ryche. They are all appareled eyther in fylke or cloth, or vetfures of other woorkemanfhippe: and are of
good ciuilitie. They do not gladly permitte the Portugales or other ftraungers to trafike in theyr kyngedome:
whofe mofde famous place vppon the fea fyde, is named Cautan, and the fea Machiam, cauled of the owliJe
wryters the fea of Sina.
( Of the landes of Laborador and Baccalaos, lyinge zwejt and northweJf
from   Englande, and beinge parle of theirme lande of the
IWefJ  Indies.,        Any haue trauayled to fearch the coaft of the lande of Laborador, afwell to th[e]intente to! - i -   knowe howe farre or whyther it reachethe, as alfo whether there bee any paffage by fea,~"  l     through the fame into the fea of Sur and the Ilandes of Maluca which are vnder the
1^  0^ %^   Equinoctiall line: thinkynge that the waye thyther Ihulde greatly bee Ihortened by this
vyage. The Spanyardes as to whofe ryght the fayde Ilandes of fpices perteyne, dyd fyrft
feeke to fynde the fame by this way. The Portugales alfo hauynge the trade of fpices in
ltheyr handes, dyd trauayle to fynde the fame: although hetherto neyther anye fuch paffage
is founde or the ende of that lande. In the yeare a thoufande and flue hundreth, Gafper Cortefreales, made
a vyage thyther with two carauelles: but founde not the ftreyght or paffage he fought. At his beinge there, he
named the Ilandes that lye in the mouth of the goulfe Quadrado, after his name Cortefreales, lyinge in the. L.
[fifty] degrees and more: and browght from that lande abowt three fcore men for flaues. He greatly maruayled
to beholde the houge quantitie of fnowe and Ife. For the fea is there frofen excedyngly. Th[e]inhabitauntes
are men of good corporature, although tawny lyke the Indies, and laborious. They paynte theyr bodyes, and
weare brafelettes and hoopes of fyluer and copper. Theyr apparel is made of the fkynnes of marternes and
"44


Gasper
Cortesreales.


318


Insuce
Cortesreales.
Snowe and Ise.


Furres.




Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies.


345


dyuers other beaftes, whiche they weare with the heare inwarde in wynter, and owtwarde in foommer. This
apparell they gyrde to theyr bodyes with gyrdels made of cotton or the fynewes of fyffhes and beaftes.. They
eate fyffhe more then any other thynge, and efpecially falmons, althoughe they haue foules and frute. They
make theyr houfes of timber wherof they haue great plentie: and in the fleade of tyles, couer them with the
fkynnes of fyffhes and beaftes. It is fayde alfo that there are grifes in this lande: and that the beares and
many other beafles and foules are white. To this and the Ilandes abowt the fame, the Britons are accuflomed
to reforte: as men of nature agreable vnto them and borne vnder the fame altitude and temperature. The
Norwayes alfo fayled thyther with the pylot cauled Iohn Scoluo: And the Englyffhe men with Sebafl-ian
Cabot.
The coafle of the lande of Baccalaos, is a greate tracte: and the greateft altitude therof, is. xlviii. [fortyeight] degrees and a halfe. Sebaftian Cabot was the fyrit that browght any knowleage of this lande. For beinge
in Englande in the dayes of kyng Henry the feuenth, he furnyffhed twoo fhippes at his owne charges or (as
fum fay) at the kynges, whome he perfuaded that a paffage might bee founde to Cathay by the north feas, and
that fpices myght bee brought from thenfe foner by that way, then by the vyage the Portugales vfe by the fea
of Sur. He went alfo to knowe what maner of landes thofe Indies were to inhabite. He had with hym three
hundreth men, and directed his courfe by the tracte of Iflande vppon the cape of Laborador at. lviii. [fiftyeight] degrees: affirmynge that in the monethe of Iuly there was fuch could and heapes of Ife that he durfl
paffe no further: alfo that the dayes were very longe and in maner withowt nyght, and the nyghtes very cleare.
Certeyne it is, that at the. lx. [fixty] degrees, the longefl day is of. xviii. [eighteen] houres. But confyderynge
the coulde and the ftraungenes of the vnknowen lande, he turned his courfe from thenfe to the Wetl, folowynge
the coafl of the lande of Baccalaos vnto the. xxxviii. [thirty-eight] degrees, from whenfe he returned to
Englande. To conclude, the Brytons and Danes haue fayled to the Baccalaos: and Iaques Cartier a frenche
man was there twyfe with three galeons: as one in the yeare. xxxiiii. [thirty-four] and the other in the. xxxv.
[thirty-five] and chofe the lande to inhabite frome the. xlv. [forty-fifth] degrees to the. li. [fifty-firft] beinge as
good a lande as Fraunce, and al thynges therein commune to fuch as fyrft poffeffe the fame.
Of thefe lands, Iacobus Gaftaldus wryteth thus: The newe lande of Baccalaos, is a coulde region, whofe
inhabytauntes are Idolatours and praye to the foonne and moone and dyuers Idoles. They are whyte people
and very ruflical. For they eate fleffhe and fyffhe and all other thynges rawe. Sumtymes alfo they eate mans
fleffhe priuilye fo that theyr Caciqui haue no knowleage therof. The apparell of both the men and woman, is
made of beares fkynnes, althowgh they haue fables and marternes, not greatly eftemed bycaufe they are lyttle.
Sum of them go naked in foommer, and weare apparell only in wynter. The Brytons and Frenche men are
accuflomed to take fyffhe in the coafle of thefe landes where is founde great plentie of Tunnyes which th[e]inhabitauntes caul Baccalaos wherof the lande was fo named. Northwarde from the region of Baccalaos, is the
lande of Laborador, all full of mountaynes and great wooddes in whiche are manye beares and wylde bores.
Th[e]inhabitauntes are Idolatoures and warlike people, appareled as are they of Baccallaos. In all this newe
lande, is neyther citie or caflell: but they lyue in companies lyke heardes of beafles.
E[ The difcouerynge of the lande of Floryda.
He gouernour of the Ilande of Boriquena Iohn Ponce of Leon beinge difcharged of his office'
and very ryche, furnyffhed and fente foorth two camels to feeke the Ilandes of Boyuca in the
which the Indians affirmed to be a fontayne or fpringe whofe water is of vertue to make owlde
men younge. Whyle he trauayled fyxe monethes with owtragious defyre amonge many
Ilandes to fynde that he fought, and coulde fynde no token of any fuch fountayne, he
entered into Bimini and difcouered the lande of Florida in the yeare. 1512. on Eafter day
which the Spanyardes caule the floryffhyng day of Pafcha, wherby they named that lande
Florida. And fuppofyng that great ryches myght be browght from thenfe, he returned into Spayne and couenaunted with kynge Ferdinando as touchynge the trade: and by the interceffion of Nicolas de Quando and
Peter Nunez de Gufman, the kynge dyd not onely make hym gouernoure of Bemini and Florida, but alfo fente
furthe with hym three fhippes from Siuile toward his fecond vyage in the yeare. 1515. He touched in the
Ilande of Guacana otherwyfe cauled Guadalupe, and fent to lande certeyne of his men with the landreffes of
the fhyppes: whom the Canibales lyinge in ambuffhe, affayled with theyr inuenemed arrowes: and flaying the
moft parte, caryed away the women. With this euyll begynnynge, Iohn Ponce departed frome henfe to
Boriquen and from thenfe to Florida wher he went alande with his fouldyers to efpie a place mofle commodious
to inhabite and plant a colonie. But the Indians commynge furth ageynfl hym to defende the enterance,
345


Fysshe.
Gryfes.
Beares.
The britons.
Sebastian Cabot.
The land of
Baccallaos.
The vyage of
Cabot in the dayes
of kyng Henry
the seuenth.
Ise in Iuly.
Baccallaos.
Brytons.
Danes.
Iacques Cartyer.
The people of
Baccallaos
Fysshyng for
tunnyes.
Laborador.
Iohn Ponce.
Water of great
vertue, of this
reade in the
Decades.
319
Bemmini
Guacana.
The Canibales.
Boriquena.


v




346
The death of
Iohn Ponce.
The land of
Floryda.
Ferdinando de
Soto.
The valient
myndes of the
Spanyardes.
The thyrde
attempte of the
conqueste of
Florida.
Certeine fryers
attempte the
conquest onely
with woordes,
but with euyll
successe.
The fryers are
slayne and eaten.


Oiher notable thynges as touchynge the Indies.


affayled the Spanyardes fierecely and flewe and wounded many of them. At which conflicte alfo he hym felfe
beinge wounded with an arrowe, dyed fhortely after in the Ilande of Cuba: and fo endynge his lyfe, confumed
a great parte of the rycheffe he had before begotten at faynt Iohannes of Boriquen. This Iohn Ponce had
before fayled with Chryftopher Colon to the Ilande of Hifpaniola in the yeare. 1493. He was a gentel fouldier
in the warres of this Ilande, and capitayne of the prouince of Higuel for Nycolas de Ouando that conquefled
the fame. The region of Floryda is a poynt or cape of lande reachynge into the fea lyke vnto a tounge:
beinge a famous and notorious place amonge the Indians by reafon of many Spanyardes that haue bin flayne
there. But wheras by fame this Floryda was eftemed a ryche lande, many valient and noble men defyred the
conqueft therof, amonge whom Ferdinando de Soto (who had before byn a capitayne in Peru and greatly
inryched by th[e]imprifonment of kynge Atahaliba) attempted a vyage thyther with a good bande of men, and
fpente fyue yeare in feekynge of golde mynes, fuppofynge that this lande hadde byn lyke vnto Peru.
In fine, he dyed there and was the deftruction and vndoinge of all that went with hym withowt inhabitynge
that lande, in the which the conqueflours had hytherto neuer good fucceffe, forafmuche as thefe Indians are
valiante archers and ftronge and hardy men. But the valiant myndes of the Spanyardes not difcouraged by
thefe myfaduentures, after the death of Ferdinando Soto, many woorthy gentelmen defyred this conqueft in the
yeare. 1544. amonge whom was Iulyan Samano, and Peter de Ahumada beinge brotherne and men of fufficient abilitie for fuch an enterprife. But neyther th[e]emprour beinge then in Germanie, neyther the prince
Don Phylippe his fonne who gouerned all the kyngedomes of Caftile and Aragonie, neyther yet the counfayle
of the Indies wolde in any cafe agree to the conquefle. Neuertheleffe not vtterly contemnynge the matter
which they were partly perfuaded myght otherwyfe bee browght to paffe, they fent thyther fryer Luys Cancell
of Baluaftro with other fryers of the order of faynt Dominike who offered them felues to conuerte the nations
of that lande from theyr gentilitie to the fayth of Chryft and obedience to Th[e]emperoure, onely with woordes.
The fryer therfore goinge forwarde on his vyage at the kynges charges in the yeare. I549. went aland with foure
other fryers which he tooke with hym and certeyne maryners withowt harneffe or weapons: vnto whom as he
began his preachynge, many of the Indians of the fayd Florida reforted to the fea fyde, where withowt gyuynge
audience to his woordes, they caryed hym away with three other of his companyons and dyd eate them,
whereby they fuffered martyrdome for the fayth of Chryft. The refydue that efcaped, made haft to the fhyppe
and kept them felues for confeffours as fum fay. Many that fauoure th[e]intente of the fryers, doo nowe
confyder that by that meanes the Indians coulde not be brought to owre frendefhippe and religion. Neuertheleffe, that if it coulde fo haue byn browght to paffe, it had byn better. There came of late from that flippe,
one that had byn the page of Ferdinando de Soto, who declared that the Indians hanged vp the fkynnes with
the heades and crownes of the fayd fryers in one of theyr temples.
~ An opinion that Europa, Africa, and AJfia, are Indes: and of
cerleyne nauigations abowl the fame.


A new kynde
disgrading


of


320


Noe gal:e names
to Africa, Asia,
and Europa.
Asia.
Europe.
The hole earthe
is an Ilande.
The Caspian sea.
Caliz is a ryaer.
Nauigations from
the red sea to
East India.


He anciente wryters diuided this owre worlde into Afia, Africa, and Europa, by the ryuer
Tanais as Ifocrates declareth in his Panegyrico. Afterwarde they diuided Afia and Africa
by the turnynges and courfe of the ryuer Nilus, thowghe the fame had byn better by the
fea Bermeio (that is) the redde fea, which almofte trauerfeth and paffeth throwgh the lande
from the Ocean to the fea Mediterraneum which diuideth Europa and Afia. But Berofus
the Caldean, fayth that Noe gaue names to Africa, Afia, and Europa: and gaue them to his
fonnes, Cham, Sem, and Iafet: alfo that he fayled by the fea Mediterraneum ten yeres. In
fine we nowe conclude that the three fayde prouinces occupy this mydlande of the worlde. All in generall
fay that Afia is greater then any of the other, and in maner as bygge as they both. Albeit Herodotus in his
Melpomeme, fcorneth them that make Europe and Afia equall: affirmynge that Europe in longitude is equal to
Afia and Afrike: and that it paffeth them in latitude, wherin he fpeaketh not greatly owt of fquare. But to
fpeake more of this elfwhere, not perteynynge to the matter wee haue in hande, I fay that Homerus one o' the
moft ancient wryters, fayth that the world which is diuided into Afia, Africa, and Europa, is an Ilande as
reherfeth Pomponius Mela in his thyrde booke. Strabo in the fyrft boke of his Geographie, fayth that the
earth which is inhabited, is an Ilande enuironed with the Ocean. Higinius alfo, and Solinus, confirme this
fentence, Althowghe Solinus doo erre in miflakinge the names of the feas, fuppofynge that the Cafpian fea was
parte of the Ocean, beinge rather lyke vnto the fea Mediterraneum fo named bycaufe it is in the mydlande as
is the Cafpian fea withowt participacion of the great Ocean. Strabo wryteth that in the tyme of Tolomeus
Euergetes, one Eudoxus fayled three or foure tymes from Caliz to India: And that the guides of the redde




Other notable thynges as fouchynge the Indies.


347




fea (cauled the goulfe of Arabie or Bermeio) prefented to the fame kynge Tolomeus, an Indian whome he
brought frome thenfe. Kynge Iuba alfo prooued this nauigation from Caliz to India as wryteth Solinus.
Whereby it appeareth that the nauigation to India by the Ocean was then wel knowen and frequented,
althowgh not fo much as at this prefent, the fame beinge neyther then or nowe a thynge of great difficultie or
trauayle by the coaftes of hotte regions. But to fayle from India to Caliz by the other parte of the north by a
clyme and regions of extreme coulde, ihulde bee doubtleffe a difficult and daungerous thynge, wherof is no
memory amonge the owlde autours fauynge onely of one fhyppe as Plinie and Mela doo wryte, reherfynge the
teflimony of Cornelius Nepos who affirmed that the kynge of Sueuia prefented to Quintus Metellus Celer
Lieuetenaunt of Fraunce, certeyne Indians dryuen by tempeft into the fea of Germanie: if the fame were not
of the lande of Laborador or Bacallaos, and they deceaued in theyr coloure. For fum fay that lykewyfe in the
dayes of the Emperoure Fredericus Barbaroffa, certeyne Indians were browght in a Canoa from the citie of
Lubec in Germanie. Furthermore pope Eneas Syluius wryteth that the Sarmation fea, is as certeyne as the
Scythian, Germanian, or Indian fea. Nowe alfo there is great knowleage and experience how the nauigations
and paffage may be attempted by Norwaye and other north regions vnder the fame north, and to folow that
coafte to the fouth fea of Sur and keepe that courfe by the tracte of China. Olanus Gothus the archbyffhop of
Upfalia and borne in Gothlande, hath wrytten muche of thefe north regions and nauigations by the north fea.
In the tract of this vyage by the north fea, are the Ilandes of Iflande and Gruntlande, althowgh there is doubte
whether Gruntlande be an Ilande or parte of the firme lande. It is. xl. [forty] leaques, from Lapponia, and
fumwlhat more frome Finmarchia a lande of Scandinauia in Europe. The people of Gruntland are fironge men
and of coomly ftature. They fayle with fmaul fhippes or barkes couered clofe aboue with lether or beaftes
hydes for feare of the coulde and fyffhes. Gruntlande as fum fay, is fyftie leaques from the north parte of the
firme lande of the Weft Indies by the lande of Laborador. But it is not yet knowen whether this land be
continent or adherent with Gruntlande, or if there bee any ftreyght of fea betwene them. If all bee one firme
lande adioynynge by any parte, then the two great partes of the world feeme to ioyne togyther abowt the north
pole or vnder it, or beneth it, forafmuch as it is not paft fortie or fiftie leaques from Finmarche to Gruntland:
wherby it may appere that althowgh there be any fuch ftraight diuidynge them, yet are they neyghbours and
not farre in funder. Furthermore from the land of Laborador by th[e]accompt of the pilottes, is abowte foure
hundreth leaques to Faial, one of the Ilandes of Azores, otherwyfe cauled the Ilandes of Soria lyinge in the Weft
Ocean ouer ageynft Spayne. Alfo by their accompte the lande of Laborador is abowte fiue hundreth leaques
from Irland, and fixe hundreth from Spayne.
That t/he Stanyardes haue Jayled to th/e A4ntipodes (that is) fuche as go
fiete tofiete ageynji vs, and inhabite the inferiour hemifjjherie
or haife globe of the earthe, contrarie to th[e]oppinion
of the owlde writers.
L the ancient philofophers of the gentiles do deny that there may be any paffage from owre
hemifphere or halfe compaffe of the earth to the Antipodes by reafon of the burnt line
(cauled Zona Torrida) and the Ocean fea lyinge in the mydde way, wherby this vyage fhulde
be hyndered and impoffible, as Macrobius wryteth at large in his commentaries vpon the
dreame of Scipio. Of the Chryftyan phylofophers, Clemente wryteth that it is not poffible
for any man to paffe the Ocean: and other wryters of later tyme, feeme to confirme the
fame. In deede I verely beleue that this way was neuer knowen to them, afwell for that
euer prefuppofynge the thynge to bee impoffible they neuer attempted it, as alfo that the Indians (whom we
caule Antipodes) haue no fhippes fufficient for fo longe and difficulte a nauigation to brynge them knowleage
herof, as haue the Spaniardes to paffe the Ocean vnto them: In fo much that at this prefent this vyage is by
dayly experience fo well knowen vnto the Spanyardes and Portugales, that they can in maner go thyther blyndfielde, contrarye to th[e]oppinion of thofe phylofophers. I wyll here omytte to fpeake of many fhippes that
haue fayled ordynaryly frome Spayne to India, and fpeake onely of the fhyppe Victoria which compaffed abowt
the hole globe of the worlde and touched in the landes of two or three Antipodes, and in fine returned to
Spayne by a contrary way, wherby is declared the ignorance of the fage antiquitie. In this nauigation, they
founde many fecreates, amonge the which this is ftrange and woorthy memorie, that al fuch deade Chriftians
as were caft into the fea, lay on theyr backes and turned theyr faces vpwarde: but the gentyles lay all groouelyn
347


The vyage to
India by the north
seas.
The hystorye of
Cornelius Nepos.
Note this.
Indians in Lubec
The Sarmatian
sea.
Islande.
Gruntlande.
Lapponia.
Finmarchia.
Gruntlande.
The distance
from Gruntlande
to the lande of
Laborador.
321
[Narrowness)
of the streight iU
it be.
The Ilandes of
Soria, or Azores.
From laborador
to Irland.
Macrobius.
Clement.
The Indians are
Antipodes.
The shyppe
Victoria.
A straunge tf inge.




348
Shadowes
towarde the south.
The sonne rysynge
on the ryght hande.
The vyage of
Magellanus.
Antipodes.
Guinea.
The north starre.
The needle and
compasse.
322
Septentriones, are
the vii. starres.
that are sene by
Charles wayne or
the great beare.
Argo of Iason.
Vlysses.
Iohn Sebastian.


Other iotable tA/zyges as tozuchynge t/e Illdies.
on theyr bellyes. They alfo perceaued the foonne and moone to keepe a contrary courfe from that they doo
here, and euer to caft the fhadowes of all thynges towarde the fouth: whiche thynge alfo was knowen to fum
of the owlde wryters. For this is manifefte that the fonne ryfeth on the rvght hande to theym that lyue in the
thyrtie degrees on th[e]other fyde the Equinoctiall: fo that lookynge towarde the fonne, they turne theyr faces
to the north: wherby it appeareth to bee trew that they affirme. They confumed three yeares lackynge. xiiii.
[fourteen] dayes in goynge and commynge, and lofte a daye in theyr accompte, whereby they dyd eate fleffhe
on frydayes, and celebrated the feafte of Eafter on Mundayes: fo that they ouerleaped a day (not faylynge in
the calender) and kept no iuft rekenynge of the bifextile. The caufe wherof whyle fome haue fearched by
phylofophie, they haue erred more then the maryners. They fayled. x. [ten] thoufande leaques and. xiiii.
[fourteen] myles by theyr accompte, albeit they ihulde haue gonne leffe, if theyr way hadde line ryght forth.
But as they were enforced partely of neceffitie, and partely to fynde that they fowght, they made many
wyndynges and turnynges. They trauerfed the Equinoctiall line fyxe tymes withowt burnynge, contrary to
th[e]oppinion of the owlde autours. They remayned fyue monethes in the Iand of Tidore, whofe inhabitauntes are Antipodes to theym of Guinea, wherby it is apparente that wee maye communicate with them. And
althowgh they loft the fyght of the northe ftarre, yet dyd they euer dyrecte theyr courfe therby. For beinge
in the. xl. [forty] degrees of the fouth, they fawe the nedle of the compaffe ftande as directly towarde the north
as it dooth in the fea Mediterraneum: althowgh fum fay that it loofeth his force fumwhat. Abowt the poynt
of the Southe or pole Antartike, they fawe a lyttle whyte cloude and foure flarres lyke vnto a croffe with three
other ioynynge therunto, which refemble owre Septentrion, and are iudged to bee the fignes or tokens of the
fouth exeltre of heauen. Great was the nauigation of the fleete of Salamon, but greater was this of Th[e]emprours maieflie Don Charles kynge of Spayne. The Argos of Iafon whiche the antiquitie placed amonge the
flarres, fayled but a lyttle way and a fhorte vyage in comparafon of the Ihippe Victoria whiche owght woorthely
to bee kepte in the Arfenall of Siuile in perpetuall memory of fo famous an enterpryfe. The daungiours,
paynes, trauayles and laboures of Vlyffes were nothynge in refpecte of fuche as Iohn Sebatfian fufteyned:
whereby in the fcu[t]chion of his armes in the flead of a monldrous or inuincible headr, he woorthely gaue the
woorlde with this circumfcription: PRIMVS CIRCVMDEDISTI ME. (that is) Thou art the fyrfl that
hath compaffed me abowt.
As touchynge the needle of the compafe, I haue redde in the Portugales nauigations that faylynge as farre fouth as Cap. de
Bona Speranza, the poynt of the needle ftyll refpected the northe as it dyd on this fyde the Equinoctiall, fauynge that it fumwhat
trembeled and declyned a lyttle, wherby the force feemed fusmwhat to be diminiffhed, fo that they were fayne to helpe it with the
lode itone.


C Wlo fyrftfounde the needle of the comnpaare, and tke vfe therof.


The chiefest partes
of the shyppe.
Magnes.
The Spanyardes
and Portugales.
Why the needle
turneth to the
north.
The Iland of
Tercera.
The Iland of
Magnete.


Peakynge much of nauigations. it myght feme a thynge vndecent to ornyt to fay fumwhat of the
needle of the compaffe: withowt the which as all nauigations are but blynde and wanderynge
coniectures, euen fo fhulde the Indies neuer haue bynne founde but by helpe of the fame,
forafmuche as the fhippes fhulde haue byn loft in the Ocean, were it not that theyr courfes
were directed by the needle and compaffe, which owght therfore to be compted the chiefe
partes of the fhyppe and principall inftrumentes of faylynge. The fyrft that founde the needle
and the vfe therof (as Blondus and Mapheus Girardus doo wryte) was one Flauius of Malpha
a citie in the kyngdome of Naples, of whome the Neopolitans glory to this day: and that by good reafon, forafmuch as a citifen and neyghboures chylde of theyrs, was the fyrft fynder of fo commodious and profytable a
thynge, to the fecreate wherof fo many excellente wyttes as were before hym coulde not attayne, althowgh they
hadde both iren and the lode flone (cauled Afagnes) whiche are the materials of the needle. Next vnto
Flauius, the chiefe commendation is dew to the Spanyardes and Portugales by whofe daylye experience, the
fame is browght to further perfection, and the vfe therof better knowen: althowghe hytherto no man knoweth
the caufe why the iren touched with the lode flone, turneth euer towarde the north flarre, as playnely appeareth
in euery common dyall. In maner all wryters attribute this to a fecreate and hyd propertie, fum of the north,
and other of the mixture or naturall temperature of elementes that is betwene iren and the fayde flone. If it
bee the propertie of the north or north flarre, then (as the pylots make theyr rekenynge) neyther fhulde the
needle make anye chaunge or dyffer in northeflinge, (as in faylynge northeaite withowt the Ilande of Tercera
beinge one of the Ilandes of Azores or Soria and two hundreth leaques from Spayne towarde the Weft Eaitweft) neyther yet fhulde it lofe his office (as fayth Olanus) in paffynge from the Ilande of Magnete, that is, the
Iland of the lode itone, which is vnder or neare abowte the northe pole. But howe fo euer it bee, or what fo
euer bee the caufe, trewth it is that the nedle turneth euer to the north although wee fayle abowt the fouth,
348




Ofher notable tkynges as touchynge the Indies.
We owght therefore to vnderilande that the lode flone (whiche wee falfely caule the adamant) hath heade, fiete,
and alfo armes as fum fay. The iren that is rubbed with the heade, neuer ceafeth to turne dyrectly towarde
the north, as is to fee in the dyals that are made to the foonne. The rubbynge of the fiete feruethe for the
fouth: as doo lykewyfe the other partes, for other quarters and poyntes of heauen.
Note here that yf a piece of this ftone, of the byggeneffe of an egge or a walnutte, or more or leffe, bee broken into manye
imaule pieces as bygge as dyce or leffe, yet euery of thofe fmaule piefes, hath headde, foote, and armes, as is fayde here before.
l The Situacion and byggenes of the earth.
T may to fume feeme a vaine thyng to feke the fituacion and byggenes of the earth,
although it bee eafy to knowe, forafmuche as it is fituate in the myddefRe of the
worlde as the center of the fame, beinge enuironed and as it were borne vp of the fea
which compaffeth it abowt.  Mela fayth that the pyllers that fufteyne it, are Eafte,
Weft, North, and South: which fayinge Dauyd confirmeth in the C. vi. [io6th] pfalme.
Thefe foure are the molt notable pyllers or fultentacions that the earth hath in heauen,
accordynge to the motions wherof, all vyages are ruled on the earthe, frome whenfe they
haue theyr originall, as engendered of the dyuers qualities of vapoures and exhalations rayfed by the fonne
and otherwyfe. Eratolthenes put none other fuftentacions then the north and fouth poles, and parteth the
earth by the courfe of the foonne: which particion Marcus Varro dooth greatly commende as agreable to reafon.
The poles are firme and immouable as an exeltre abowt the which the heauen moueth and is therby fufleyned.
They furthermore declare vnto vs vnder what parte of heauen wee bee, howe farre, and which way wee go,
with alfo the largenes of heauen and commenfuration of the earth. As for exemple: the ftreyght of Gibraltar,
(accomptynge from Spayne) is from the north, or to fpeake more playnely from the poynte of the earthe that is
or may be directly vnder the north pole, abowt. liiii. [fifty-four] degrees which make. ix. hundreth and. lxxx.
[980] leaques according to the common computacion of the Cofmographers and Aftronomers: And is from the
Equinoctiall line. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] degrees: which added to the other. liiii. [fifty-four] make. [lx]xxx. [ninety]
degrees, beinge the hole diftance from the north poynte to the Equinoctiall line diuydynge the earthe by the
myddefle, and the quarter or fourthe parte of the hole circumference of the earth: the whiche how great it is
in compaffe and how many leaques or myles it conteynethe, is eafy to perceaue accomptynge euery degree. lx.
[fixty] myles. But that yowe may the better perceaue what degrees are, I haue thowght good to fpeake fumwhat
more hereof.
l What degrees are.


349


Note the quarters
of the lode stone.
323
The sea.
The wyndes
The poles
The measurynge
the circumference
of the earth


N the owlde tyme theyr maner was to meafure the earth and the woorlde by furlonges, pafes,
and fiete, as is to reade in Plinie, Strabo, and other wryters. But after that Ptolome founde
degrees a hundreth and fiftie yeares after the death of Chryft, that maner of accompte was
receaued as the beft. Ptolomie diuided all the hole body and face of the land and fea into
three hundreth and fixtie degrees of length or longitude: and other as many degrees of bredth
or latitude: fo that the hole globe of the baule beinge rounde, conteyneth as much in latitude
as longitude. He affigned lykewyfe to euery degree three fcore myles, whiche make. xvii.
[feuenteen] Spanyffhe leaques and a halfe: In fuch forte that the globe or baule of the earth meafured directly
by any of the foure partes of the fame, conteyneth in circuite fyxe thoufand and two hundreth leaques. This
computacion and meafurynge, is fo certeyne, that as it is approued of all men and founde trewe by experience,
fo much the more is it to bee commended and had in admiration for that th[e]inuention hereof was iudged fo
dyfficult by Iob and the preacher, that no man had founde the meafure of limites of the fame. 'They name
thofe degrees of longitude, that they accompte from foonne to foonne by the Equinoctiall line which reacheth
from the Eafl to the Weite by the myddle of the globe or baule of the earth. Thefe can not well be obferued,
forafmuch as in this tract of heauen, there is no fyxt or permanent figne whereunto the pylots maye directe
theyr eyes or inflrumentes. For the foonne, althowghe it be a mofle cleare figne, yet doothe it dayely chaunge
the place of ryfynge and faulynge, and keepethe not the fame courfe the day folowynge as the Aftronomers
affirme. And althowgh there is no number of them that in trauaylyng ftrange landes and feas haue fpent theyr
gooddes and almofle theyr wyttes to fynde the degrees of longitude without errour as are found the degrees of
latitude and heyght, yet is there none that hytherto hath any trewe knowleage therof. The degrees of latitude
or altitude, are they that are accompted from the north pointe to the fouth, the commenfuration or meafuring
349


Ptolome founde
degrees.
Longitude and
Latitude.
A degree.
Degrees of
Longitude.
The degrees of
Longitude are not
knowen.
The degrees of
latitude.




350


Other notable thynges as touclynzge the Indics.


- -


324
The north starre.
The circuite of
the earth.
The inferior
hemispherie.
Hyperborei
Hypernocii
The eye is
deceaued.
A rynge.
A circle.


wherby, is moft certeine by reafon that the north flarre is permane[nt] and remayneth ftyll in one place, or at
leaft moueth abowt the pole which is theyr firme and fledfaft figne wherby they accompte theyr degrees and
directe theyr vyages. By the degrees therfore accompted by thefe moft certeine fignes, is vnfaylably meafured
the hole circumference of the lande and fea, diuydynge the fame into foure equall partes in this maner. From
the north poynte to the Equinoctiall, are. lxxxx. [ninety] degrees: and from the Equinoctiall to the fouth
poynt, other. lxxxx. [ninety.] Ageyne on the contrary fide, from the fouth poynt to the Equinoctiall, are other.
lxxxx. [ninety] degrees: and from the Equinoctial ageyne to the north poynte, are as many. This may we
coniecture by good reafon afwell of th[e]inferioure hemifphery wherof a great parte is knowen vnto vs by the
nauigations of fuch as haue paffed the fireyghets of Magellanus and the cape of Bona Speranza, althowgh we
haue noo fuch cleare and manifeft relation as we ought to haue of the lande vnder the fouthe pole beinge the
other exeltree of the worlde whofe fyght we lacke. For (as Herodotus fayth) yf there bee any lande of the
Hyperboreans (that is fuche as are vnder the north) ther is alfo of the hypernotios, that is fuch as are vnder
the fouth: which perhappes are they that lyue in the lande of the fireyghtes of Magellanus as nere vnto the
other pole. But what thefe landes are, or of what greatnes we can haue no certeyne knowleage vntyl fum man
ihal haue compaffed abowt the lands vnder the fouth pole as did Iohn Sebaftian the circumference of the Equinoctiall line.
Thefe laft annotacions of the Indies, haue I tranflated owt of the bookes of Francifcus
Lopes, wrytten in the Spanyffhe tounge to Th[e]emperours maieftie: and partly alfo owt
of the carde made by Sebaftian Cabot.
r A4  demonfJration of the roundeneffe bf the Earth.
Any ignorant men thynke that the earthe is not rounde onely by iudgeMmente of the eye which is deceaued in manye thynges not only of the
1 woorkes of nature, but alfo of fuche as are doonne by the flight and arte
R        of man.    For they fay: Howe can it bee rounde forafmuche as thowgh
a man trauayle neuer fo farre eyther by land or fea, he feemeth euer to
paffe as it were by a ryght line without any fuch circuite or compaffynge,
afcendynge or difcendynge, as perteyneth to all the partes of a rounde forme. The
which obiection, as it is grofe and fimple, proceadyng of the narowneffe of the vnderftandyng of fuch as can not conceaue the large circumference of the lande and fea, euen fo
may it be anfwered with this fimple demonftration. In a rynge that ferueth for the fynger
of a mans hande, the fpace of halfe an ynche or lyttle more, is halfe a cyrcle. But in a
rynge or cyrcle of bygger circumference, as in the hoope of a tubbe, halfe an ynche
appeareth in maner a ryght line, althowghe it bee not fo in deede, forafmuch as it is not
poffible for any parte of a circle to confift of a ryght line, neyther any parte of a line to
confyft of a cyrcle, fithe the partes muff needes bee conformable to the hole, confyftynge
of fuch vniforme partes as are in mathematicals. But not to wander to farre in thefe
fubtylties, the greater that yow can imagen the circle to bee, fo fhall a greater parte
therof feeme a ryght line or playne forme: As for exemple, imaginynge a circle whofe
diameter (that is meafure from fyde to fyde) confyfteth of a myle: in this circle a pole
length or more, may feeme a ryght line, as yowe may otherwyfe multiply of the like
infinitely: wherby it Ihal appere that the large circumference of the earth well confydered,
a muche greater parte of the circle therof then the eye of man conceaueth, may feeme to
bee a ryght line, and he contynually to walke vppon a playne forme forafmuch as euery
part of a circle is lyke vnto other as I haue fayde. This may fuffice for a fimple and
briefe demonftration and induction for fuche as are defyrous to feeke furth to knowe the
truth herof.


350




Other notable thynges as touchynge the Indies.


351


I


(l Wkat credit owght to bee gyuen to wryters as touchynge the woorkes
of nature.
He mofte auncient wryter Diodorus, Siculus, in the fourth booke of his Bibliotheca, wryteth in this maner.   If any man for the maruelous ftraungenes and noueltie of
fuche thinges as are defcrybed in owre bookes, wyl not perhappes gyue credyt to owre hyftorie,
let hym with ryght iudgement confider the difference that is betwene the ayer of the Scythians  325
and the Troglodytes compared to owres, and he fhall the eafelyer perceaue the woorkes of nature  The diuersiie of
and approue owre wrytynges. For owre ayer dyffereth fo much from theyrs, that it myght  regions.
feeme incredible if experience were not more certeyne then doubtfull reafon. In fume regions
the coulde is fo extreme that greate ryuers are fo frofen, that laden cartes and armies of men paffe ouer the  Extreme colde.
immouable ife. Wine alfo and other moift thynges are fo conieled that they may bee cutte with knyues. But
this is more marueylous, that th[e]extreeme partes of fuche apparell as menne weare, are fo bytten with coulde
that they faule of. Mens eyes are alfo dymmed: the fyre gyueth not his natural bryghtneffe: and brafen
veffelles and images are broken. Sumtime by reafon of thicke cloudes, thunders and lyghtnynges are neyther
feene or harde in fuch regions. Many other thynges more marueylous then thefe hath nature wrought, which
may feeme incredible to the ignorant: but eafy to fuch as haue experience. In the furthefi partes of Egypt and
Trogloditica, the heate of the foonne is fo extreme abowt noone, that noo man can fe hym that ftandeth by hym,  Extreme heate.
by reafon of the thicke ayer caufed by the vapoures and exhalations rayfed by the heate. None can go withowt
fhoos but haue theyr fiete fuddeynly blyflered and exulcerate. Such as are a thyrfl, dye immediatly except
they haue drynke at hande, the heate fo fafle confumeth the moyfture of theyr bodyes. Meate put in brafen
veffelles, is fodde in fhort fpace by the heate of the foonne withowt other fyre. Yet they that are borne and  The force of
browght vp in fuch regions, had rather wyllyngely fufteyne thefe incommodities then bee inforced to liue other-  educato
wyfe: fuch a loue of theyr natiue countrey hath nature gyuen to all men: cuflome of continuance from younge
yeares being alfo of force to ouercomme the malicioufneffe of the ayer. Neuertheleffe, thefe places of fuch contrary natures wherby fuche itrange effectes are caufed, are not farre in funder or diuided by any great diitance.  Extreme heate
For, from the maryffhes of Meotis or Meotides where certeyne Scythians dwell in extreme coulde, many haue  nale distance.
fayled with fhyps of burden to Rodes in the fpace of ten dayes: and from thenfe to Alexandria in foure dayes.  From Scythia
From whenfe paffynge throwgh Egypte by the ryuer of Nilus, they haue arryued in Ethiopia in other tenne dayes:  to Ethiopa
So that the nauigation from the couldeft partes of the worlde to the hotteft regions, is no more then. xxiiii.
[twenty-four] continuall dayes. Where as therefore the varietie of the ayer is fuch in places of fo fmaule diftance,
it is no marueyle that the cuftomes and maners of lyuynge of the people of thofe regions, with the complexions
of theyr bodyes and fuch thynges as are engendered there, do greatly dyffer from owres.




351








353


[The Third


English


book


on America,


Wrhich is also
THE FIRST ENGLISH COLLECTION OF VOYAGES, TRAFFICS, & DISCOVERIES.
Fr e      iecatrs af the newte barq   e       it' ert inrtea, etc.
0


SECTION


VI.


Vannuccio


Birguccio.
lrln uccio,


Pyrotechnza.
First printed in 1540.]


EDEN


2 D








The preface.                                                    355
I THE PREFACE TO THE BOOKE OF METALS.
0 this booke of the Indies and nauigations I haue thowght good
to adde the booke of metals, for three caufes efpecially me
mouynge: whereof the fyrfl is, that it feemeth to me a thynge
vndecent to reade fo much of golde and fyluer, and to knowe
lyttle or nothynge of the naturall generation thereof, beinge
neuertheleffe thynges not onely moft defyred, but alfo fuch withlowt the which at this age the lyfe of man can not bee paffed ouer
without many aduerfities, forafmuch as pouertie is hatefull to all
men, and vertue no further efleemed then it is fupported byryches,
fyth nowe that lady that reigned in Saturns dayes, is becomme the
flaue to hym that was then her bondeman in that golden worlde,
fo named, not for the defyre that men had to golde, but for
th[e]innocencie of lyuynge in thofe dayes, when Mars was of no
poure, and men thought itcrueltie bybreakynge thebones of owre
mothertheearth, toopena way to the courte of infernal Plutofrom
I AIthencetoget golde and fyluer the feedes of almifchiefesandangels
of fuch a god, whom the antiquitie (not without good confyderation) paynted blynde, affirmynge alfo that of hym golde and fyluer haue receaued the propertie to blynde the
eyes of men. But fyth it is nowe fo that we fhalbe inforced to feke ayde by that which was fumtymes a myfchefe, it refleth to vfe the matter as doo cunnynge phifitians that can mynifler poyfon in proportion with other
thynges in fuch forte qualyfyinge the malicioufneffe therof, that none fhall therby bee intoxicate. Forafmuch
therfore as golde and fyluer haue obteyned this prerogatiue that they are fuche neceffarie euyls which the lyfe  326
of man can not lacke withowt detriment, not only they but other metals alfo perhappes more neceffarie althowgh
not fo precious, are thynges woorthy to bee better knowen then only by name, fyth they are th[e]inftrumentes
of all artes, the prices of all thynges, the ornamentes of al dignities, and not the leafl portion of nature, wherby
the contemplation of them is no leffe pleafaunte then neceffary. But forafmuch as it is not here my intent to
intreate much of metals, I wyll fpeake of the feconde caufe: which is, that if in trauaylyng firang[e] and
vnknowen countreys any mans chaunce fhalbe to arryue in fuch regions where he may knowe by th[e]information
of th[e]inhabitauntes or otherwyfe, that fuche regions are frutefull of riche metals, he may not bee without fium
iudgement to make further fearche for the fame. The thyrde caufe is, that althowgh this owre realme of Englande be ful of metals not to bee contemned and much rycher then men fuppofe, yet is there fewe or none in
Englande that haue any greate fkyll thereof, or any thynge wrytten in owr tounge, whereby men maye bee well
inflructed of the generation and fyndyng of the fame: as the lyke ignorance hath byn amonge vs as touchynge
Cofmographie and nauigations vntyll I attempted accordinge to the portion of my talent and fimple lerynge to
open the fyrfi dore to the enteraunce of this knoweleage into owre language, wherin I wolde wyfhe that other
of greater lernynge wolde take fume peynes to accomplyffhe and bringe to further perfection that I haue rudely
begunne, not as an autour but a tranflatoure, leaflte I bee iniurious to any man in afcrybyng to my felfe the
trauayles of other. And wheras as concernynge the knowleage of metals, I was once mynded to haue tranflated
into Englyfhe the hole woorke of Pyrotechnia wherof I fynyfihed. xxii. [twenty-two] chapitures nowe more then
three yeares fence, and lefte the copie therof in the handes of one of whome I coulde neuer get it ageytne
(omyttynge to fpeake of other ingratitudes) I was therby difcouraged to proceade any further in that woorke.
Neuertheleffe, fythe this hyflory of the Indies hath miniflred occafion to intreate fumwhat of metals, I haue
ageyne tranflated three of the fyrfl chapitures of that booke, which feeme moft neceffary to bee knowen in this
cafe. And hereof to haue fayde thus much in maner of a preface it may fuffice.


355




356


I


OF THE GENERATION OF METALLES AND
THEIR MYNES WITH THE MANER OF FYNDINGE THE SAME:
WRITTEN       IN THE ITALIEN            TOVNGE BY VANNVVCCIVS BIRINGVCZIVS
IN HIS BOOKE CAVLED PYROTECHNIA.
To his louynge frende Mafter Bernardino Moncellefe, greeting.
ereas I promyfed yow to wrytte of the natures of metalles in
particular, I am nowe inforced to declare euery thinge in generale,
and efpecially of the places of their generation and their order,
with the forme and maner of woorkynge in the fame, and the
inftrumentes therto perteyninge. Yowe Ihall therefore vndertlande, that mynes of metalles are founde in the mofte partes
of the worlde, more or leffe according to the diligence of witti
The mineral tret.                                    fearchers: and fhew them felues flandinge in the grounde in
maner in fuche forte as the veynes of bludde are difparfed in
the bodies of lyuing beaftes, or like vnto the braunches of trees
fpredde foorth diuers wayes. Wherfor, the diligent fearchers of
mines, willing by a certeyne fimilitude declare howe the mynes
are placed in the mountaynes, haue figured a greate tree full of
branches planted in the myddefte of the bafe of a mountayne,
frome the whyche are diriued dyuers and many bouwes and
branches, fum greate and fum fmaule, muche like vnto verye
The mynes doo                                        trees that are in owlde woddes. They will alfo that in growynge,
growe.       they euer ingrofe them felues and reache towarde the heauen, conuertynge into theyr nature the mofte difpofed
and neare matter, vntil the toppes of theyr braunches extend to the higheft parte of the mountayne, and there
fhewe furthe theyr felues with manifefte apperaunce, puttinge furthe in the fteade of bouwes and floures,
Marchasites.  certeyne fumofites of blewe or greene coloure, or marchafites with fmaule veynes of ponderous matter, or fuche
other compofitions of tinctures. And when by this means they fhewe them felues vnto us, we may make firme
coniecture that fuche mountaynes are minerall, and that accordinge to the demonftrations they ihewe more or
Signes of metals.  leffe, they are richer or porer of myne. Therefore the fearchers, according to th[e]apperaunces which they
fynde, take good courage vnto them: and with hope and fecuritie of profecte, apply al their poffible diligence
327   with witte and expenfes to digge or gette owte fuche thynges as the fignes and owtewarde apperaunces declare
vnto them. And by this maner of fyndinge of mynes, it hath often tymes chaunced that many haue byn
exalted to the higheft degree of riches. Wheras therfore by this meanes men enter into the mountaynes with
the ey[e]s of confideration and right Iudgemente, and fee the places where the mineralles are ingendered and
comprehende in maner theire quantitie, they adapte theyr caues or foffes accordynge therevnto, wheras they
Ihulde otherwyfe wander by chaunce, becaufe no man can by any other meanes knowe where the mines are in
the mountaynes, although he were of neuer fo good iudgement, and fhulde make fearche for the fame neuer fo
Signes and tokens  curyoufly by litle and litle. It fhal therfore in this cafe be neceffary to folow the certificat and aperaunces of
of metals.   fignes, and to encounter the fame as nere as may be, with ey[e]s and eares euer attentiue where they maye hope to
fynde any tokens of metalles, efpecially by enquyringe of fhepardes and other anciente inhabitauntes of fuch
regions in the which mineralls are engendered. And this I fpeake the rather for that I am perfwaded that at


350




Of the generation of metals.


- -


the firfl fight of a mountaine, by reafon of the greate barrenneffe and roughnes therof, and alfo by reafon of
the great aboundance of waters that are engendered in the fame, a right good iudgemente fhall not fuffice to
coomme to certayne knoweleage that metall is contayned in fuch mountaynes, vntill the fearchers haue with
charges and trauail caufed miners in fundry places to difcouer the fame. And therfore I alfo beleue that one
man althowgh be bee neuer fo ftronge, wyttie, and farre caftinge, fhall not be able in a newe and firaunge
contreye, to fearche by fmaule portions not onlye all the mountaynes of one or moo prouinces which may
bringe furth minerals, but ihall with muche difficultie fcarfely fuffice to fearche the fecreates of only one
mountayne: In fo muche that fum confyderinge the difficultie hereof, are of opinion that in this effecte, it fhuld
be requyfite to worke by the arte of Negromancie, which I thynke to be a fable withowt further knoweleage.
But I wolde that thefe necromancers fhulde tell me why this theire arte helpeth theym no further in the
woorke after that they haue once founde the myne, if it be trewe that they fay. Why (I fay) doth it not helpe
them furthe as at the begynnynge to fyndeo the myne,  conequently in te mydde and the ende to brynge
the fame to further perfection, as to gette it owte, to brynge it to fufion or meltynge, and to purifie or pourge
it from droffe, which doubtleffe it fhulde haue poure to doo if it may bee beleaued that it can doo the other.
But forafmuch as fuch effectes are fo fearefull and terrible, that they owght not or can not be practifed of al
men, and alfo perhappes bycaufe fuch maner of woorkynge is not knowen, I thinke it not good to be vfed: but
thinke rather by good reafon that this arte is fo much the more to be omytted and contemned, in howe much
we are accuftomed in the begynnynge of dyggynge of mynes, efpecially to caule for the grace of god that it
may pleafe hym to be prefente with his ayde to owre doubtfull and traualious woorke. Lettynge paffe therefore
this deuylyffhe diuife of fuch beaftly and fearefull men, I exhorte yowe to folowe the practife by the forefayde
fignes minyifred vnto yowe by the benignitie of nature, bothe grounded vppon the foundation of truth and
approued by th[e]experience of many practicionars, not confyftynge in woordes or promyffes of thynges vayne
and incomprehenfible. With thefe fignes therfore fhall yow fearche the bankes and fides of the valleys, with
the clyffes and ryftes of the flones, and the backes, toppes, or ridges of the Montaynes: Alfo the beddes,
chanels, and courfes of ryuers, lookynge diligently amonge theyr fandes, and the ruines of theyr foffes, amonge
the whiche yow fhall often tymes efpie marchafites or fmaule fparkes of mynes, or other dyuers tinctures of
metals, whereby yow may be certified that certeyne mynes are in fuch places, which yowe fhall exactly fynd by
diligent and curious fearchyng the clyffes of theyr ryftes and dry places. After thefe aduertifementes, take this
for a generall figne, that all fuche places and mountaynes are mineral, owt of the which many fpringes and
great abundaunce of crude water dooth iffhewe, hauyng with theyr clearenes a certeyne minerall tafte, and fuch
as at variable feafons of the yeare chaunge theyr qualitie, beinge warme in the fprynge tyme and coulde in
fommer. And this thynge owght yow to beleue the more when yow fhall fee the afpecte of fuch mountaynes
to be rough, fharpe, and faluage withowt earth or trees. Or fo that yf there bee a lyttle earth found vpon the
fame with a fmaule veyne of herbes or graffe yowe fhall perceaue the grenenes therof to be faynt and in maner
wythered and dryed. And albeit that fumtymes alfo, mines are founde in mountaynes hauynge earth and
frutefull trees in the toppes therof, yet are they for the moft part found in fuch wherof we haue fpoken. Of
thefe other, there maye fewe fignes be gyuen, except to go by lyttle and lyttle to feke the bankes of theyr fydes.
But amonge all thefe, the beft and moft certeyne figne that may bee gyuen, is wheras on the fuperficiall parte
of the earth eyther on hyghe or belowe, the myne dooth fhewe it felfe apparente to fyght. Sum there are that
for a good figne do greately commende the refidences which certeyne waters make wher they haue relted for a
time and beinge dryed vp of the heate of the fonne, do often times fhewe in certeyne partes of theyr refidencies
dyuers tinctures of mynerall fubIfaunce. Summe other are accuftomed to take fuch waters, and in a veffell of
earth or glaffe or other matter, caufe them to boyle and vapoure away vntyll the dregs or refidence remayne in
the bottome well dryed in the likenes of a grofe earth, of the which they make an affaye eyther by the ordinarie tryall of fyer, or after fume other maner as lyketh them bell. And by this meanes (althowgh they
attayne not to th[e]exacte knowleage of the truth) yet do they approche to a certeyne knowleage of the thyng
wherby they haue fum intelligence of what fufficiencie and goodneffe the myne is which they feeke, before they
be at any great charges in folowynge the fame: Prouydynge alway that with all diligent aduertifement the
places neare vnto the rootes of the confine mountaynes be curioufly fearched, with alfo the bankes and fydes
of the felfe fame mountayne, and all fuch fuperficiall partes therof, where any flones are founde difcouered
eyther of theyr owne proper nature or by the courfe of water: prefuppofynge euer that it is in maner impoffible
but that yf fuche mountaynes contayne any mynes, they mufle needes fhewe furth fumrn floures, tinctures, or
colours of theyr exhalations. Yet yf it fhulde fo chaunce that they do not this, the goodnes of the mine may
be the caufe hereof forafmuche as eyther it is not of vaporable nature, or to be of fmaule quantitie, or els
perhappes bycaufe the mountayne is greate and the myne very low or fo farre with in, that it is not fufficient to
put furth any fignes of fumofities. The caufe alfo hereof maye bee that fum flone lyke vnto that cauled
Albafano (which I thynke to be of that kynde which we caule the greete flone) or blacke and whyte marble of
2 D 2                                 357


357
Mountavnes in
the which metals
are engendered.
Ageynst seekynge
metals with the
rod which they
caule Virgula
diuina.
Negromancie.
The maner of
searchynge for
mynes.
A generall signe.
Rowgh and barren
mountaynes.
328
The best signe.
The residence
of waters.
Marchasites are
the tinctures
of myneral
exhalations.




358


Of the geleratiol of mIetals.


- -


Metals in frutful
mountaynes.
Howe the signes
are to bee
consydered.
The assay of the
mines.
329
The richer myne
further within the
montayne.
Consyderacions
how the caue
ought to bee made.
The bodie of the
myne.
Howses of office
for the myners.
Baptisinge and
dedication of the
caue.
The makinge of
the;aue.


thycke and refyflynge nature, may be found to lye betwene and fo to floppe the paffages, that the fayde
fumofities may therby be hyndered to arryue to the vppermofte parte of the earth: by reafon wherof, it is
poffible that fuche mountaynes may brynge furth trees and herbes forafnuche as the earth therof dooth reteyne
his vertue and may nuryfhle theyr rootes not beinge incinerate or burnte with hotte and venemous vapours of
the mynes: fo that the fhoures of rayne or fluds with their courfes can not cary away the earth as in fuch places
wher the fame is found fore dryed. And therfore vppon fuch mountaynes I haue feene great wooddes of
cheffnutte trees, beeches alfo aud okes, with well cultured and frutfull fieldes. So that to conclude, by the
fignes of the rowghneffe or barenneffe of the mountayne, is not taken away but that other places may alfo
haue plentie of mines whiche ought to be fearched and folowed. But forafmuch as thefe fignes are of the
natures of minerals, I wyll fpeake more determinately of theym in the places where I entreate of theyr proper
mynes: Not intendynge here to faye muche of thefe thynges in generall, but only to induce yow to fum clearneffe of the fyrfl lyght. And therfore that yow may gyue the more diligent aduertifment, I faye vnto yowe that
all the mynes which yow flall fynde by fuch fignes, by what meanes fo euer they fhall coome to yowre handes,
whether they be found in ftones, earthe, or fande, after that at the fyrfle fyght they haue fhewed them felues to
bee mynes of metals, yow owght to confyder of what ponderofitie of weyght they are: The which the greater
that it is, fo much the more dooth it fhewe both the perfection and goodneffe of the fubflaunce, and alfo the
more quantitie of the mine. And thus prefilppofyng that by the fignes or other meanes yow haue founde the
mine, not yet fully perceauynge of what kynde of metall it myght be, to certifie yowe hereof and alfo of what
quantitie it is, or howe it is accompanyed or myxt with other, or lykewyfe of what puritie it is of it felfe, or of
what euyll difpofition or malice it is founde to bee, it fhall herein be neceffary before yow be at any further
charges therwith, to proue the fame by twoo or three affayes or mo, as I wyll further declare in the particular
place of affayes. Beinge therfore certifyed of the myne, and of what metall it is, and alfo what quantitie it
conteyneth, fyndynge it by accompte to bee fo profitable as to beare the charges, I exhorte yowe bouldely to
gyue the fyrfte attempte to faule to mynynge, and with all poffible diligence to folowe yowr enterpryfe: affurynge yowre felfe, that of what fo euer mynerall matter yow fhall take affay accordyng to the proportion of that
pi[e]ce which yow tooke of the vppermoft or owtmoft parte of the mine for that purpofe, yow fhall fynde that to
bee muche better and rycher whiche is further within the mountayne. And thus being certified by the affay of
what quantitie the thynge is that appered by the fignes, and of all other reafonable confyderations apperteynyng
to the worke, yow fhall with all celeritie difpofe yowr felfe to faule to dyggynge, to th[e]intent that yowe may
fhortely eyther here enioye the frute of yowre trauell, or els where with better fucceffe proue yowre good fortune.
But in th[e]attempte of this enterpryfe, yow owght principally to haue refpecte to the fituation of the place
where yowe intende to make the begynnynge of yowr caue or foffe: Takynge good aduertifement that it be
commodious for the labourers that fhal worke therein: prouydynge aboue all thynges that it haue an eafye
enteraunce into the mountayne, with leffe charges and in fhorter tyme to arryue vnder the fignes which yowe
haue taken: encounterynge the fame as muche as is poffible as it were by a ryght line, fyrft with iudgemente
and then with workemanfhyppe, vntyll yow firyke on the grofe maffe or bodye of the myne, breakynge in the
courfe of the caue al matters of hard compofitions, as quarreys and flones ouerthwartynge the fame: hauynge
euer refpecte to the owtwarde fignes whiche yow folowe, forecaftynge in yowre mynde how yowe may directly
arryue to the fame, euen as the maryners directe theyr courfe by theyr compaffe and fyght of the north flarre.
Alfo byfyde that place where yow haue determined to make the enteraunce and begynnynge of the caue, yow
mufte take choyfe of an other place, eyther on the front of the mountayne or on the fyde that it may bee neare
and commodious to make one or two or mo cotages for the commoditie and neceffitie of the woorkemen. One
of thefe muft bee appoynted for theyr dormitorie where fum may reft and fleepe whyle other woorke, and that
yow may the more commodioufly be prefent and affyflaunte to theyr doynges, diligently to beholde all thynges
and to conforte theim in theyr laboures: alfo to difpence and beflowe theyr vyttayles as fhall bee nedefull, and
to referue the fame in fafe cultodie, with dayly prouifion of al thynges apperteynynge. The other muff bee as
it were a fmythes forge wherin theyr worne and broken tooles muft bee renewed, and other newe made, to th[e]intent that the woorke be not hyndered for lacke of ftore of neceffarie inflrumentes. When thefe thynges are
thus fynyffied, with good prouifion of vyttayles and a fufficient number of expert myners, then in the name of
God and good aduenture, caufynge a prefte to bleffe the mountayne with all the fhoppes, and to baptife the
caue, dedicatynge it (as the maner is) to the holy Trinitie or to owr Lady or to the name of fum other faynt
which yowe haue in deuotion, with inuocation to theym to profper yowre attemptes, yow fhall with good
courage and hope begynne to dygge the caue, with intente to folowe the fame withowte ceafynge as farre as
yowre abilitie fhall reache, or vntyll yowe haue paffed ouer the lymettes fignified by the fignes before named:
Takynge euer diligent heade that yowe begyn yowre caue as lowe as yow may at the foote of the mountayne,
in fuch order that yowr myners fo continue and folow the fame by a right line, that they encounter the veyne of
the myne by the fhortefl and fafefi way that may bee deuifed. For it often times chaunceth, that althowgh
"-R




Of tIe ge'veration of mzatcs.


359


the caue haue byn wel be-unne, yet hath it not byn well folowed, for that the myners beinge withdrawen firom
the ryght courfe by the hope of fuche braunches of mynes as haue appered vnto them in the waye, doo often
times decline from theyr attempted courfe, and from the fignes which they owght to haue folowed. And
byfyde other preceptes, fee that yow beare in memory to procure that in dyggynge, yow efchewe as muche as
yowe maye, the cuttynge of fotte or brykell flones, afwell for that it may bee daungerous for ruine of the caue,
as alfo that it feldome chaunceth that any mynes are founde in fuch ftones. But yf yow fhal chaunce fo to
fynde them that yow can by no meanes auoyde them, I confort yow that where fuche caufe of feare fheweth it
felfe, both that yow lofe not the charges of the caue and for the better fafegarde of yowre woorkemen, it fhalbe
neceffary that yowe vfe all poffible diligence in well vpholdynge and fortyfyinge the caue with arches of waules
trauerfed with ftronge poftes of tymber after the maner of framed beames, futfeyned with grofe and ifronge
pyles made of goode and ftronge tymber of oke or other great trees. And in this maner owght yow to proceade
in dyggyng yowre myne that yow may with more fecuritie enioy the frute of yowr trauayle. But in the owlde
tyme they that dygged mynes (as is yet to fee in the caues lefte of them) folowed an other maner: fo that in
the fleade of begynnynge the caue belowe at the foote of the mountayne (as doo the later myners) they begunne
to dygge theyr caue in the vpper or hygheft parte where the daye difcouered the myne, dyggynge downewarde
after the maner of a pytte or a well, folowynge the  me fumtyme on the one yde, and umtyme on the o ther
euen vnto the depth, as the veyne fhewed it felfe to theyr fyght: whereof I haue thought good to make
mention, for that in th[e]oppinion of many men, this way dooth feeme much better and of more fecuritie to
fynde that they feeke, then to dygge by the fydes: bycaufe that by this meanes they haue euer the mine before
theyr eyes eyther more or re leffe as a line to leade thm to the groffe maffe. Yet whofo confydereth the thynge
well, hall vndertande that the late er myners haue better conceaued the reafon of this woorke, in refpecte (as is
to fee) of many more commodities and fecurities which infue rather of this maner of woorkynge then of the
other: as the difficultie to defcende and afcende the caue, and the daungiour left it bee tfopped vp by many
ruines, byfyde the trauaylous labour to draw owt the mine with the rockes and fragmentes of ftones: And
aboue al thynges, that they fhal not bee able to drawe owt the waters whiche are often tymes fo abundaunt that
they greatly increafe the charges and trauayles of the patrones of the mynes by reafon of the greate ayde and
helpe which fhalbe requifite to haue in that cafe and alfo for the makynge of wheeles, troughes, pypes, and
pumpes, with fuch other infIrumentes feruynge for the purpofe to drawe owt the waters. And yet with all this,
it often tymes chaunceth that although they labour hereat continually, yet thal they be inforced to forfake their
profitable and laudable enterpryfe So that to conclude, I faye (as yowe maye well vnder fland) that it is a
much better way and of more fecuritie to begynne the diggyng of the caue rather at the roote or fote of the
mountayne and to enter into the fame by litle and lytle a flope vpwarde, then to begynne at the toppe or the
higheRf backe therof. And this both for the more commodious paflinge furthe of the water, and alfo for the
eafier trauaile of the labourers. Obferuynge euer diligently the chaunge of the fignes whiche appere appere vnto yow
owtwardly, vfynge the rudder and compaffe as do they that fayle on the fea. For hereby the myners fhalbe
infitructed euer to folowe the right way in the caue vntill by the conductinge of wytte and arte, they bee browght
to the place of the grofe maffe or bodie of the tree, whyche is the caufe, fontayne, and original from whenfe the
fayd tinctures, fumofites, and mineral fignes, are diriued and fente furth to the fuperficiall partes. And as concernynge this purpofe, I thincke it good to declare vnto yow howe in the Dukedome of AufJria, betweene
I[n]fjpruc and A/la where I contynued manye yeares, I fawe a large vale enuironed with a greate number of
mountaynes, by the myddeft wherof a ryuer paffed through of greate aboundaunce of water: and in maner in
all the montaynes that are there abowt, is digged great plentie of mine, wherof the mofte parte are of copper or
leade, althoughe alfo in maner euery of them is founde to holde fum portion of filuer. Amonge thefe mountaynes, I fawe one in the whyche th[e]inhabitauntes of the countrey dwellyng there abowt allured by the fight
of many fignes, beganne to digge a caue after the maner wherof we haue fpoken: In fo muche that (as it
appered vnto me) from the place where they begane the caue, they had digged little leffe then two myles before
they fawe any fparke or (hadowe of any myne And beinge arryued with the caue in maner perpendicularly
vnder the fignes they folowed, they were encountered with a veyne of the harde flone cauled Albazano, of a
yarde and a halfe thicke, which they paffed through with greate trauayle and longe tyme, and with the helpe of
commodious inflrumentes of iren hardened to woorke in fuche ftones. And when they had thus paffed through
this quarrey of flone, they chaunced vppon a verye great veyne of the myne of copper of fuch forte that when
I was there, lookinge betweene the one and the other, I fawe on euery fyde as it were a waule of the hard flone
of Albazano, and therin a voyde place of fuche largenes from the one fyde to the other that more then two
hundreth men al at one time, had fufficiente roome to flande labouringe frome the hyghefle parte to the loweft,
hauynge non other lyght then of candells, and makinge certeyne markes in euery place where they faw the vre
or myne (hewe it felfe: and thus ceafed not to woorke continually both day and nyght, courfe by courfe, a
thynge fuerly maruelous to be holde. Without the mouth of the caue, I fawe great abundaunce of mine partely
359


Causes of
hinderaunce.
Soft stones.
330
The fortefiing of
the caue.
Howe the caues
were made in
olde tyme.
Abundauncre] of
water in the
mynes.
The beste maner
of makinge the
caue.
The change of
the signes.
The rudder and
compasse.
Austria.
Mynes of copper
and leade holding
syluer.
A caue of two
myles.
A large caue of
the myne oi
copper holdinge
siluer.
331
Candle light




360
A greate masse
of pure myne.
Abundaunce of
water in the
mynes.
Water is the
nearest principle
of minerales.
A general rule.
Great riches
obtayned by
searchinge of
mynes.
Magnanimitie
and pacience.
The mountaynes
are the matrices
of riches.
The grace of god
is receaved by
owre endeuoure.
Monye begetteth
ryches.
332
Necessarie
aduertisinentes.
Plentye of woode.
Cotages and
edifi[c]es.
The situacion of
the place.
The vse of water.


Of the generation of metals.
mixt with the flone of the vre, and partely chofen and feperated. Amonge thefe pieces, there was one confiflynge of a hole maffe of pure mine of fuch biggnes and weyght, that two good horfes with a light carre coulde
fcarfely drawe it away. This myne was of copper as I haue fayde. But to magnifie it they cauled it fyluer,
bycaufe it helde fuche plentie thereof that it furmounted the charges, whereas they had alfo the copper for
aduantage. Yowe (hall further vnderflond that in the myddeft of the caue, there was a chanell or gutter whyche
gathered togyther the waters that fell into it continually on euery fyde from the ruptures or broken places and
cliffes. Thefe waters ranne through the chanel with fo vehemente a ftreme, that I fuerly beleue that it might
well fuffice to dryue any greate inylle. In fo muche that in goynge in and comming owt of the caue, I remember that by the contynual faule 'and fprinkeling of the waters from aboue and beneth, I was as wet as though
I had paffed through a greate fhoure of rayne. Wherat I maruel the leffe when I confyder that water is the
fyrft and neareft principle of the whiche the fubtlaunce of minerals is engendered. By reafon wherof, fuch men
of vnderftandynge as haue fearched the natures of thefe thynges, argue hereby and take it for a generall rule,
that all thofe mountaynes owt of the whiche fpryngeth great abundaunce of water, doo alfo abounde with myne.
The which thynge well confyderynge, and weyinge the greatnes hereof, I faule into this accompte with my felfe,
that if to the patrones of the fayde caue, the charges of the fame hadde byn a hynderaunce or greefe, eyther for
the length therof, or for defpayre that they huld not hae found that they fought, they wolde urely haue forfaken it. And beinge nowe comme to this harde ftone after they had fufteyned fo great charges byfyde the
trauayle both of mynde and body, if they ihulde then haue lefte of theyr enterpryfe, they ihulde not haue come
to fuch ryches whereby they haue obteyned many commodities afwell profitable for them felues as alfo for theyr
lordes and princes, theyr countrey, theyr kinffolkes and famelie. Neyther yet Ihulde they haue byn fo wel able
to helpe theyr poore neyghbours as they haue doone by the meanes of the valientneffe of theyr conflant myndes
and perfitlynge in fo good and commendable an enterprife. Wherfore to conclude, yow that wyll begynne to
attempt any fuch thynge, muft be of good courage and much pacience to folowe that yow haue begunne, at the
leat vntill yow knowe by the ignes what the thynnge is: hopinge euer that in goynge forwarde, the day folowynge (as it is poffible) Ihal difcouer the thynge that yowe feeke and content your defyre: Wherof yow may bee
the better affured, if yow well confyder that the moothers and matrices of moft eftemed ryches, and the myntes
of al treafures, are the mountaynes: To the whiche (wit t he helpe of fortune and yowr ingenious indeuoure)
yow Ihall open the way, not only to fynde the myne and arryue to the belly of the mountaynes where fuche
thynges lye hyd, but Ihall alfo bee exalted by ryches to hyghe honoure and dignitie as they of whome we haue
made mention before: forafmuch as molt beningne and liberall nature, doothe open her lappe and promeffe
good fucceffe to fuche as feeke ryches by fuch honeft meanes. The whiche way furely is muche rather to be
folowed, then eyther the warre full of trowbles and miferie, or the carefull trade of marchaundies with wanderynge abowt the worlde, or uche e ou other faftidious cares perhappes vnlawfull for a good man. And albeit (as
fume men vfe to fpeake) the fyndynge of mynes bee an efpecial grace of God, neuertheleffe, forafmuch as we
are borne to laboure, it fhalbe neceffary that we feeke the fame in fuche places where they are brought furth by
the woorke of nature, and by fearchynge to fynde them, and beige efounde to dygge for them, and by this
meanes to receaue the grace of God with applyinge owre owne diligence therto, with helpe of the difpofition of
fortune and naturall iudgemente. And yet fhal not this only fuffice withowt fufficiencie of money able to
fufleyne the charges and continue the woorke: to th[e]ende that if yow can not fynylthe it with yowr owne
expenfes, yow maye fupplye the fame by the ayde of other, eyther patrones or parteners. But let vs nowe
ceafe to reafon any further of thefe thinges. Prefuppofyng therfore that yow haue alredy paffed the charges,
and haue not only founde the myne yow fought, but alfo haue brought furth to lyght a great quantitie therof, it
Ihal then bee needeful (as a thyng chiefely to be confydered before yow begin to dygge) wel to ponder and
examen both the commodities of fuch thynges as Ihall occurre, and alfo of fuch wherof yow fhall haue neede:
as tymber and woodde of all fortes, with water and vyttayles: of all the whiche, yow mufte haue great plentie:
and efpecially of woodde, whereof yowe mufle haue great quantitie, afwell to ferue to the proportion of the myne,
as alfo to make coles to the vfe of meltynge, fynynge, dryinge, garboylyng, and fuch other broylynges, byfyde
that which muft ferue to fortifie the caue and to buyld fhoppes and cotages with fuch other edifi[c]es. Diligent
confideration mufi lykewyfe be had to the fituacion of the place where the buyldynges Ihalbe erected: as that
the plotte therof bee commodious with abundaunce of water hauynge a good faule. Alfo not onely of plentie
of woodde and cole nere vnto the myne, but of fuch as may ferue the turne. And of all other incommodities,
yowe mufle chiefely auoyde the lacke of water, as a thynge of greateff importaunce and mofl neceffarie in this
effecte. For by the force and weyght of the courfe herof, wheeles and dyuers other ingenious infirumentes are
adapted with eafe to lyfte vppe greate bellowes to make fyers of great poure, to beat with hammers of great
weyght, and to turne myghtie and fIronge engens, by the force whereof the trauayles of men are fo much
furthered, that withowt fuch helpe, it were in maner impoffible to ouercome fuche tedious trauayles or to arryue
to the ende of the woorke, forafmuch as the force of one wheele may lyfte more, and that more fafely then the


360




Of the generation of metals.


36I


paynefull labour of a hundreth men. It fhal therfore be needefull to haue great confyderation hereof, not only
to make thefe edifi[c]es or houfes of office, but alfo to make them commodious for the purpofe, as for the cariage
of myne and cole with other neceffaries. For if any of thefe effectes fhulde be wantynge, the cofte, tyme and  Necessarye
trauayle, Ihulde bee cait away: forafmuch as thefe thynges doo fo much the more relieue the one the other as
they are ioyned togyther, and hinder the woorke not a lyttle yf any be feparate. But bycaufe thefe commodities
can not euer be hadde all togyther, yowe owght to wey with yowr felfe which of the twoo ferueth for mo neceffarie vfes, as eyther to haue the cole or the mine moft commodious to the houfes, and accordinge there vnto to
place the houfes nere vnto the fame if the commoditie of water wyll fo permytte. Albeit, if it were poffible, it
flhulde be much better if al thefe neceffarie commodities were ioyned togyther, whereas otherwyfe yowe mufle
contente yowre felfe as occafion ferueth.
Nowe therefore to conclude, byfyde that whiche I haue declared vnto yow of the findinge of the myne and
the digging thereof with other confiderations, I exhorte yowe further to faule to practyfe with fum myne of your
owne, that yow may therby take occafion to ryfe to the degree of ryches whyche yow defire. And therfore I
aduertife yow that after yow haue founde the mountyane and begun to digge, yow Ihal euer go forwarde with a
boulde mynde and ftoute corage, woorkyng with witte and Iudgement, forafmuche as in this effecte the one
ferueth the other in the fleede of ey[e]s to enter where they can not. Gyue no credit to that whiche many  A false opinion
ignorante folkes doo fay and beleue, affirminge that in digging for metals, they are founde rather by chaunce
then by arte. The which although it were trewe, yet owght we to truft more to art and practyfe then to chaunce.
And when yow are nowe entered into the mountayne, beare well in memory that yow haue prefently with yow
the tallie or ruler of the caue, wherby yowe may trauerfe the veyne of the myne when yow are coomme to it.  The trauersinge
For if yow fhulde folowe it by the courfe as it lyeth, it is poffible that yowe might folowe it a greate way not e veyne
pafte the biggneffe of a mans finger and perhappes leffe: By reafon wherof, it might happen that yow fhuld lofe
it and neuer find it ageyne. The like fhuld chaunce vnto yow if after that yow haue begun to digge a caue, it  Continuaunce in
flulde repent yow of the charges, and that for the bafnes therof yowe fhulde forfake it, as many haue doone who he worke
bycaufe they coulde not fynde the mine at the firft itroke, defpayringe that they fhulde neuer fynde it, haue
forfaken it as a thyng vnprofitable, thynking that they haue woonne enough in that they were not at further
charges with that which they accompt loffe and domage: And thus furioufly leaue of their enterprife, not
regardinge that they may leaue the frute of theyr expenfes and trauaile to an other that may folowe their  333
begynninges, and perhappes fynde the myne within the diftance of a cubet, a fpanne, or a finger. We may fay
therfore that fuche men doo willinglye forfake their good fortune as many haue doone. He therfore that hath
begune to digge a caue, let hym determine to folowe it, puttinge away th[e]eftimation of the bafenes therof, and
not to feare the ftreyghtneffe of the way, but rather to applye all his poffible diligence withowt remorfe, hopynge
thereby no leffe to obteyne honour and ryches, then to auoyde fhame and infamie for omyttynge fo profitable an
enterprife. And that yow may the more circumfpectly behaue yowr felfe in all thynges, befyde the former  Fresshe men.
inftructions, I further aduertife yowe to fet euer freffhe men a woorke by courfe in fuch order, that in euery fixte
or eyght houres (accordynge to the number of the myners) yow appoynt fuch to the woorke as haue repofed or
taken theyr reft, that yow may by this meanes the fooner come to th[e]ende yow defyre, whereunto (after yowe
haue layde fo fure a fundation) I exhorte yow to runne withowt a brydle. And wheras to thefe effectes it Ihalbe
neceffarie to haue many inifrumentes adapted for the purpofe, I can none otherwyfe fpeake of them then in  Instrumentes.
generall, confyderynge that according to the nature of the place and the myne, it fhalbe neceffary to vfe infirumentes and iren tooles of dyuers formes, as there ought to be difference in fuch wherwith yow fhall dygge in
mynes engendered in marble, greete flone, and harde freefe flone, or fuch other. For the dyggynge of fuch as
are found in deade and tender ftones, as Alabafter and marle, it is requifite to haue apte and fironge inftrumentes, as great beetels, mattockes and fpades of iren, alfo great and longe crowes of iren to lyfte great
burdens: lykewyfe greate and fmaule picke axes fum of iren and fum of fleele: furthermore greate maules with
handels and withowt handels, and fuch other bothe of iren and fine fleele hardened, if the hardenes of flone
fhall fo requyre. But as for fuch as fhall ferue to dygge the mynes which are engendered in tender and fofte
flones, I neede make no mention of them, forafmuch as the tooles of the common forte may fuffice, and neceffitie fhall dayly furthe[r] inflructe yow to diuife fuch as fhal ferue for yowre purpofe. Albeit, for the mofte parte,
they are beetels, maules, mattockes, pikes, fhouels, fpades, and fuch lyke. But as well for the fofte flones as for
the harde, it fhalbe neceffarye to haue great plentie of al fortes, to th[e]ende that the myners may lofe no tyme, and
that the woorke may go the better forwarde to the comfort of the patrones of the mine. Byfyde thefe before
named, it fhall alfo be requifite to haue plentie of greate bafkettes, fpades, fhouels, fleades, and handbarrowes,
bothe with wheeles and without wheeles: alfo fackes made of raw or vntande hydes to carye the fragmentes owt
of the caue. It fhall furthermore be requifite to haue greate quantitie of vnctuous liquours to maintayne fire:  Fyre in the caun.
as are the oiles of olines, of nuttes, of line feede and hempe feede: Lykewife the roots of putrified trees, or
talowe of beaftes, or fatte and oyles of fyffhes. For withowt the lyght of fyre, it is not poffible for the labourers


36I




362


Of tie gcencrationz of ic1ai s.


The conueyance  to woorke: Nor yet can any fyre be mayntayned in the caue except it receaue the ayer by fum refpiracle or
ofeyer        breathynge place by the meanes of a funell or trunke of woodde or fuch other open infirument wherby the ayer
maye be conueyed into the caue.
C Of the ri   yne of gol/re and the qualitie /herof in particular.


The excellenc'e
of golde.
The originall and
substaunce of
golde.
334
Mineral heate.
The temperature
and purenesse of
golde.
Golde is
incorruptible.
The bewtie of
golde.
Golde is
medicinable.
Golde is
confortable.
The attractiue
qualitie of golde.


Orafmuche as golde is a compounde mynerall which of the phylofophers and all men of
vnderftandynge, is founde to be of greateft perfection amonge all other myxt minerals, it is
iudged by the vniuerfal opinion of fuch men, that for the bewtie and excellent qualitie
thereof, it fhulde be of exceffiue vertue to helpe and confort men. And therfore amonge all
thynges that are in this worlde (excepte lyuynge creatures) it is chiefely etfeemed. By
reafon wherof, I alfo the more to honour it, wyll fyrfl fpeake of this before I entreate of any
other metall, and declare in particular the conception with the moft apparent qualities therof.
The which although it be a metal mofl knowen, defyred alfo and fought for of all kyndes of men, yet are t ere
not many that do care to knowe of what fubflaunce or natural mixtion it confifteth. But that yow fhulde not be
one of theim that knowe it onely by name or fuperficiall app[e]arence, I certifie yow that the originall and proper
matter therof, is none other then elementall fubitaunces with equall quantitie and qualitie proportionate the one
with the other, moft perfectly purified by the fubtyle woorke of nature. For of thefe beinge thus ioyned togy her
(and of equall force) is engendered an amiable and moft perfect mixtion by the helpe of fermentacion and
decoction of the minerall heate, wherby is caufed fuch a permanent vnion betwene the fayde elementes, that
they are in maner infeperable: So that by the vertue of heauenly influence or of tyme, or by th[e]order ot n.oft
prudent nature, or by all thefe caufes concurrant, fuch fubftaunce is conuerted into this metalline body that we
caule golde. The which (as I haue fayd) by his much temperatenes, purenes, and perfect mixtion, is condenfate and made thicke, in fuch forte that the elementes therof can not be vnbounde or loofed. fo that it remayn:th
in maner incorruptible: The caufe wherof is, that it eyther conteyneth in it no maner of fuperfluitie, or the farme
to be but very lytle. And hereof commeth it, that althoughe it lye many yeares in the earth or in the water, it is
not infected with ruft or canker for that neyther of them are able to corrupte it, nor yet the fyer whofe for e
dooth incinerate or brynge to affhes and refolue in maner all creatures: And yet is the poure hereof fo far-e
vnable to deftroy or corrupte this metall, that it is thereby the more purified and made better. Lykewyfe the
fayde perfecte vnion or mixtion, caufeth it to be a body withowt fleame, and withowt vnctuous or fat fuperfluitie:
which is the caufe that it euer remayneth in the natiue bryghtnes and fayrenes of coloure, in fo much that when
it is rubbed vppon any thynge, it leaueth not behynde it the tincture of any blacke or yelowe colour, as doo in
maner all other metals: Nor yet hath it any tafte or fauour that may be perceaued to the fence. Furthermore,
if it be eaten eyther wyllyngly or by chaunce, it is not venemous to the lyfe of man, as are fum of the oth r
metals: but is rather a medicine curynge dyuers difeafes. In fo much that nature hath gyuen vnto it of peculi dr
propertie, a vertue and priuileage to conforte the weakenes of the harte, and to gyue ioyfulnes and myrth to tlhe
fpirites, difpofynge thereby the mynde to magnanimitie and attemptes of great enterpryfes. Which fingular
qualities, fum wyfe men affirme that it hath receaued by th[e]influence of the fonne, and that it is therfore of
fuch grace and poure to helpe men: efpecially fuch as haue many great bagges and chefles full therof. To co nclude therfore, this metall is a body tractable and bryght, of coloure lyke vnto the foonne: And hath in it
inwardely fuch a naturall attractiue or allurynge vertue, that beinge feene, it greatly difpofeth the myndes of men
to defyre it and efteme it as a thyng molt precious: although many there are whiche crye owt ageynfl it and
accufe it as the roote and fede of moft peftiferous and monftrous couetoufneffe, and the caufe of many other
myfcheues. But whether it bee the caufe of more good or euyll, we entende to lette paffe this difputation as a
thynge vnprofitable. To proceade therfore as I haue begun I fay (as before) that the woorthyneffe which is
founde in it, hath caufed me to intreate of it before any other metall. And this the rather for that th[e]orde of
this prefente worke [fee]meth fo to requyre, that I may the better defcende to the degrees of other metals, to
th[e]ende that in thefe owre partes of Italy, yow may haue fum inftruction of practife, whiche may redounde
from yow to other, whereby the myndes of all men may receaue fum lyght: beinge well affured that newe
informations, wilbe the feedes of other newe wittie diuifes in the vnderftandynges of fuche men as with tlefe
keys fhall open theyr wyttes to arryue to fuche places whyther they can not els coomme or by any meanes
approche. And nowe therfore, byfyde that which I haue fayde vnto yowe in generall, I wyl further in particular
declare the nature hereof and the generation of the fame, with alfo the fignes whiche it fheweth furth, that I
do not om) tte any thynge.  Laft of all, I wyll fhewe yowe howe it owght to bee pourged frorm iuperfluou
362




Of the generation of metals.


363


earthynes of the mine, after that I Ihal haue expreffed the maner howe it is founde. But forafmuch as I haue
not with mine eyes feene the mountaines which conteyne the mynes of golde, or the places where this thynge
is put in practife, I wyll only fhewe yow (hauynge made diligente inquifition for the fame) what hathe byn
toulde me of credible perfons, or what I haue gathered in readynge of dyuers autoures, by whom I am certified
for a truth that the greateft plentie of this metall, is founde in Scithia, in thofe prouinces which we commonly
caule the Eaft partes, where the foonne extendeth his chiefe force and vigour. Of thefe places India is thought
to be the chiefe, and efpecially thofe Ilandes which the fhips of Th[e]emperours maieftie and the kynge of
Portugale haue founde of late: as the Ilandes about Peru and Paria with the firme lande of the fame which
extendeth it felues very farre on both fydes the Equinoctiall.  In Europe alfo, golde is founde in many
places: as in AJlefia, and in many places in Boheme. Alfo in Hungarie, in Rhene, and in Apfa. Plinie fayth
that it is lykewyfe founde in AuJZria and in Portugale: and that the Romans had from thenfe yearely. xxiiii.
[twenty-four] pounds weyght. And thus fpeakynge of this precious metall, I beleue certeynly, that it is and may
be engendered in all fuche places wher the influence of the heuens difpofeth the elementall caufes to brynge furth
an apte fubftaunce for this purpofe. But nowe intendynge more particularly to fpeake of the places of the conception hereof, yowe ihall vnderftande that it is engendered in dyuers kyndes of itones in great and rowgh
mountaynes, and fuche as are vtterly bare of earth, trees, graffe, or herbes. And amonge all the itones of this
myne, that is beft which is of a blewe or afurine coloure lyke vnto a faphire, and is commonly cauled Lapis
Lazuli. But it is not bryght and harde as is the faphire. It is alfo founde in orpemente cauled Auripigmentum:
but more often in the mynes of other metals. It is lykewyfe founde in many prouinces in the fandes of ryuers.
That which is founde in the mountaines lyeth in order of veynes betwene quarrey and quarrey ioyned with the
fayde Azurine ltone and myxte therwith. They faye that this myne is fo much the better in howe much it is
the heuyer and of hyghe colour, fhewyng in it many fparkes of gold. They fay furthermore that it is engendered
in an other flone lyke vnto falte marble: but it is of a deade colour. And alfo in an other whofe colour is
yelowe with certeyne redde fpots within it. They affirme lykewyfe that it is founde in certeine blacke ftones,
whofe veynes fprede dyuers wayes much like the courfes of ryuers. They further declare that it is founde in a
certeyne bituminous earth, of coloure lyke e vnto cley and very heauy, hauynge in it a great fauour of brymflone:
And that the golde which is founde in this, is very good, and in maner all togyther fyne, yet very harde to bee
gotten owte, bycaufe it confyfteth of fo fmaule fparkes lyke vnto inuifible atomes of fuch lytelneffe that they can
hardely bee perceaued with the eye. And herein may yow not do as in Lapis Lazuli, or other flones, or as the
maner is to do with that which is found in the fands of ryuers: the which the more it is waffhed, the more it
fauleth to the bottome: and in meltynge with the mother of his earthines, doth incorporat it felfe therwith in a
brickle fubflance. But in fine, with much pacience and by one meanes or an other, or by the helpe of quickefyluer, it is drawen owt. Ageyne (as I haue fayde before) it is found in the fandes of dyuers ryuers, as in Spayne
in the ryuer Tago: in Tracia, in Ebro: In Afia, in Patolo and Ganges. In Hungarie and Boheme, it is founde
in Lafiefia in dyuers ryuers: And in Italie, in the fands of Tefino, Adda, and Po. But not euery where in the
beddes of theyr chanels, but in certeyne particular places where in certeyne cloddes the fande is difcouered in
the tyme of the ouerflowynge of the ryuers when the water leaueth behynde it a fine fande wherwith the fayde
golde is myxte in the forme of certeyne fminaule fcales, and fhynynge graynes. Then in the fommer feafon, with
pacience and ingenious practife, the fearchers to pourge it from the grofe earthineffe of the myne, and waffhe it
diligently: preparynge for that effecte, certeyne tables made eyther of the tymber of plane trees, or elme, or
whyte nuttes, or fuch other woodde apte to be fawen, hauing theyr playnes made ful of hackes, and notches, with
the helpe of the fawe or fuch other inftrumentes of iren. Vpon thefe tables flandynge fumwhat a flope or
declynynge, with a holowe fhouel they caft a great quantitie of water myxt with the fayde fande, which they caft
fo, that the water runne downe directly alonge with the tables. And by this meanes the gold, as a matter moft
heuy, fauleth to the bottome of the fawne hackes, and there reflynge and cleauynge faft, is fo diuided from the
fande. When therfore they perceaue a fufficient quantitie of golde thus remaynynge on the tables, they gather
it with diligence and put it in a trey or great fhallowe dyffhe of wod lyke vnto thofe which the golde finers vfe:
And in thefe they waffhe it more exactly ageyne and ageyne from al fylth or vnclenlyneffe. This doone, they
beate or mixte (or amalgame it as they caule it) with Mercurie or quickfyluer, whiche afterward they feperate
ageyne from the fame eyther by ftraynyng and preffynge it through a bagge of lether, or by flyllynge or
euaporatynge the quickefyluer from it in a flyllatory of glaffe and fo fynde they the golde remaynynge in the
bottome of the veffell in the lykenes of fine fande, which they brynge into a metalline body by meltynge it with
a lyttle borage, or falt petre or blacke fope, and fo cafl it eyther in the forme of a wedge or a rodde, or otherwyfe as lyketh them befl. And this is the exacte maner of drawynge golde owt of the fandes of riuers, which
many haue vfed to theyr great commoditie: And that the rather bycaufe that in folowyng this order of woorke
in the pourgynge and diuydynge of golde, it Ihall not bee requifite as in other maner of practifes, to bee at greate
charges by reafon of many men which fhall be needefull, with manye murals, fornaces, fiers, and dyuers artificers:
363


Where moste
plentie of golde is
found.
Cathay.
335
Golde in the
Ilande[s] of the
weste indies.
Golde in Europe.
The influenc[e] of
heauen.
The mountaynes
and stones in the
whiche golde is
engendered.
Lapis Lazuli.
'Orpemente.
Golde in other
metals.
Golde in the
sandes of-ryuers.
Gold in earth.
Golden duste.
Ryuers in the
which gold is
founde.
The wasshing
and pourgeinge
of golde.
Howe golde is
deuided frome
sande.
The Spanyardes
make these
disshes with
handels.
The draweinge
out of golde with
quicke siluer.
336




364


Of t/e generation of metals.




I


From whense
golde is deriued
into the sandes
of ryuers.
That golde is not
engendered in the
sandes of riuers.
This mater is
apparent in the
golde founde in
the ryuers in the
Indies.
The faule of
waters from
montaynes.
337
Springes of water
in mountaynes.
Vegetable golde
growinge owt of
the earthe.
Of this, reade
A lexander ab
Alexandro. lib.
4 Genialium
dierum. Caj. 9.
Golde founde in
A deade mans
heade.


wheras in woorkyng after this forte, one man may fuffice with one table and one holowe fioouell, with a lyttle
q,lickefyluer and fufficient abundaunce of water. But lettyng paffe to fpeake any further of thefe thynges:
perhappes fumme man wolde here demaunde from whenfe this golde is deryued into the fandes of the fayde
ryuers, and whether it be browght thyther by the water, or engendered there. As touchynge which queflion, I
haue often tymes deliberated with my felfe not withowt great marueyle: and efpecially of that which is founde
in the fandes of the ryuers of Tefino, Adda, and Po, bicaufe (wheras I haue fayde before that it is browght
thyther by the courfe of the water) I can not perceaue from whenfe it fhuld be browght, forafmuch a, there is
no myne of golde, or of any other metal that is knowen, nere to any of thofe places. By reafon wherof, my
iudgemente is in maner confounded, feinge alfo that it is th[e]oppinion of certeyne wryters, that it is engendered
euen where it is founde: The which, if it fo be, it is not trewe that it is browght thyther by the water. Ageyne,
if it be engendered there, it feemeth to me a dyfficult thyng to comprehend whether it be brought furthe there
by the vertue of the water or the earth, or the heauen. If furthermore any of thefe fhuld be the caufe of the
generation hereof, it feemethe agreable to reafon that it fhulde bee both founde and engendered throughowt all
the beddes of fuch riuers, and at al tymes. And if the influence of heauen be the moft prepotent caufe of
this effecte, then it feemeth to me that it fhuld woorke immediatly, bicaufe it can not otherwyfe obferue
th[e]order whiche nature vfeth in the generation of metals: fyrft brynginge it furth to the open fhewe, in the
place where aboundeth the continuall iffhewe of water, which owght alfo to be of fuch force as to remoue thte
earthy fubftaunce thereof from place to place, and not to intermixte fuch great inequalitie of couldeneffe and
moiftnes. And albeit that this compofition begunne in this order, fhuld not be diffeuered or broken by the
waters of the ryuers, yetit appeareth to me that the fhowers of rayne and increafe of fluddes, fhulde be of
fufficient poure to diftemper, breake, and vtterly deftroy all fuch compofitions as Ihulde be engendered in fuch
places, forafmuch al thynges are conceaued by reft and quietneffe after the commixtion of the fyrife elementes.
And therfore if this golde of the ryuers, bee there engendered where it is founde, I wolde it were declared vnto
me why it is engendered only in thefe places and not in other: and why in lyke maner, fyluerue, copper, leade, or
any other metals are not alfo engendered there as well as golde, beinge matters of an eafyer compofition of
nature then it is, by reafon of thee perfecte vnitie and concordaunce with puritie of fubftaunce and perfecte
concoction which is in golde aboue all other metals: whereas alfo in many places in the territories of Rome,
there are founde many fparkes of the mine of iren of blacke colour amonge the fandes of certeyne fmaule ryuers:
And yet thefe only in certeyne particular places of the fayde riuers: wherby it appeareth that thefe alfo, Ihulde
not bee engendered where they are founde. By all which reafons and apparent effectes, it feemeth moft agreable to truth that the golde which is found in uch andes, is rather brought thyther by the water, then engendered there. And therefore to declare my mynde more playnely herein, I fuppofe that tht this chaunceth only in
great ryuers which receaue abundaunce of waters of dyuers fpringes, foffes, and other ryuers, engendered partly
of the meltynge of fnowe and partly of great fhowers of rayne, whiche faulyng in certeyne chanels from the
toppes and fydes of [the] minerall mountaynes, waffhe away parte of the earth of theyr bankes and the ouerhanginge and holowe rockes which may conteyne the fubftaunce of golde: Or otherwyfe, that in fuch places, there
are ordinarie mines in the hyghe mountaynes or other fuperficiall owt places, perhappes inceffable and eyther fuch
whyther men can not come for extreme heate or cold or other hynderaunces, or els fuch as they haue contemned
to fearche: And yet the fame to bee fo confumed by the force of water as we haue fayde, and by the courfe
therof to bee caried into the ryuers. It may alfo chaunce that fuche mynerall earthes bee farre within the
mountaynes neare vnto fuch ryuers: And that in the fpace of many yeares, the fprynges ifihewynge owt of the
fame, may eyther bee dryed vp (whiche thyng hath byn feene) or els turne theyr courfe an other way So that
it is no maruayle if in fuch a multitude of yeres, the trewe originall of thefe thynges bee vnknowen euen vnto
them that dwell nere fuch places. But in fine, howe fo euer it bee, trewe it is that golde is founde in the fandes
of many riuers: And particularly (as I haue noted) in the forenamed ryuers. And if therefore I haue maruayled at this thynge, I owght worthely to bee excufed, forafmuch as where iudgement can not bee certified by
reafon or effectuall app[e]arence, there arife many doubtfull coniectures and newe caufes of admiration. But
yet do I maruel much more of an other thyng the which I am informed to bee moft trewe by the report of
many credible perfons: That is, that in fum places of Hungarie at certeyne tymes of the yeare, pure golde
fpryngeth owte of the earthe in the lykeneffe of fmaule herbes, wrethed and twyned lyke fmaule flalkes of
hoppes, about the byggeneffe of a pack threade, and foure fyngers in length or fume a handfull. As concernynge which thynge, Plinie alfo in the. xxxiii. [thirty-third] boke of his naturall hyftorie, wryteth the lyke to haue
chaunced in Dalmatia in his tyme. The which (if it bee trewe) fuerly the hufbande men of thefe fieldes Ihall
reape heauenly and not earthly frutes, fent them of god from heauen, and browght furth of nature withowt theyr
trauayle or arte. A grace doubtleffe moft efpecial, fyth that in fo great a quantitie of earth graunted to the
poffeffion of men, in maner onely this is thought woorthy fo hygh a priuileage. But what Ihall I fay of that
wherof Albertus Magnus wryteth in his booke of minerals, affirmynge that he hath feene golde engendered in a
364




Of the generation of metals.


365


deade mnans heade: And that the fame beinge founde by chaunce in dyggynge, and perceaued by the weyght
and coloure to conteyne fum minerall fubftaunce, was proued by experience to holde a portion of fine golde
mixte with fmaule fande. And in deede his woordes feeme to found to none other fence but only that this
precious mnetall was engender[e]d there by the great difpofition of the place and ftronge influence of heauen:
The which fuerlie is a thynge hardely to be beleued. Yet confyderynge th[e]autoritie of fo greate a clerke,
with the force of the fuperiour caufes and the maruelous poure of nature, I had rather gyue fayth hereto then
raffhely to contemne the iudgement of fo greate a clarke. And forafmuche as I haue begun to tell yow of thefe
effectes, I wyll not omytte to fhewe yowe of a ftraunge thynge which chaunced alfo in a part of Hungarie, where
a myne of gold was fo found by chaunce and vnfought for, that it may neuertheleffe be an aduertifement to
other to fearche diligently. So it is therefore, that a woman of the contrey beinge accuflomed to reforte with
her bucke of clothes to waffhe them in a certeyne foffe or dike where ranne a lyttle water, and vfynge to beate
and rubbe them vppon a fltone which feemed commodious for her purpofe, chaunced at the length by her good
fortune to efpie on the flone, a veyne of golde trauerfyng or ouertwhartinge the fame abowte the byggeneffe of
a grofe packe threede, fhewynge fayre and bright by reafon of her much rubbynge. Wherat marueylynge dayly
more and more, at the length opened the matter to her familiers: who conferrynge with fuch as hadde better
fkyll of the thynge, founde it in fine to bee a veyne of pure golde: And that the quarrie of that flone, trauerfed
the courfe of the water of the foffe. Remouynge therfore the water, and turning the courfe thereof an other
waye, they beganne to dygge and folow the mine which hath now continued certeine. C. [hundred] yeares fence
it was fyrft found: And hath not only greatly enriched that contrey, But alfo all Chriftendome hath had great
commoditie by the fame. This haue I rehearfed vnto yow the rather that yow fhulde not bee negligent in any
poynt or omitte any figne or token wherebye yowe may bee certified of greate thynges: not contemnynge the
fhadowe of any fmaule tokens: but afwel to gyue attentyue eare and eye vnto them, as to feare and forefee all
fuch thynges as may hynder. For (as yow may hereby well perceaue) if credit had not fyrft byn gyuen to the
woordes of the fimple wooman, and the thynge afterwarde well folowed, perhappes they fhulde neyther nor euer
hereafter haue enioyed the frute of fo great a commoditie. Men therfore of good courage folowynge fuche
ryche fignes, dyd nother feare the fmauleneffe of the veyne or hardneffe of the ifone: prefuppofynge by good
reafon that golde and fyluer can not lyghtly bee founde in fo fmaule quantitie, but that the fame Ihal be able to
furmounte the charges. And this the more, in howe much the further yowe fhall enter into the flone, as
chaunceth commonly in all other mynes. Albeit, the practifed fearchers, faye that the myne of golde is not
founde in fuch great quantitie as are the mines of other metals. Wherin although perhappes they fay trewly,
yet dooth it not folowe but that golde also maye bee founde in greate quantitie. And fuerly it feemeth to me,that
the benignitie of nature hath graunted large quantities thereof to the worlde, and that much hath euer byn and
is founde amonge men, confyderynge in how many places it is dayly gathered afwel in mountaynes as in
fandes of ryuers, byfyde that whiche is founde accompanied and ioyned with other metals. A further profe
hereof may that bee, which is confumed and hydde by the dyuers inuentions of men: As that whiche the
paynters beftowe in adoumynge theyr woorkes: And goldefmythes both in gyltynge other metals and alfo in
makynge dyuers woorkes of maffie golde: byfyde that which the woorker of clothe of golde and arras doo
confume: with fuch as imbrotherers and fylke woomen fpende abowt the vanities of men and womens apparell
and tyrementes. Alfo fuch as is confumed vppon trappers and furnimentes for horfes, with gylted harneffe and
fuch other fumptuoufneffe as perteyneth to the warres and magnifical buyldinges of noble mens houfes and
temples: Byfyde that alfo whiche the couetoufneffe of men hath hydde in ftronge waules, and buryed in the
grounde, inclofed in chayned cofers locked with triple keyes: And that which ferueth to the dayly vfes of men
and wandereth about the worlde through the handes of marchauntes. The whiche thynges well confydered,
who fo thinketh that nature bringeth furth but lyttle golde, fhall perceaue that there is greate quantitie therof in
the worlde, although there bee but fewe that haue fo much as may fatiffie the thirft of theyr couetoufneffe. And
to fpeake particularly of Italie, althoughe there bee no myne of golde knowen in it, yet by the vertue and
diligence of good wyttes, it hath euer and at all ages byn more ryche then many other prouinces: Notwithflandynge it hath often tymes byn fpoyled and ouerrunne of dyuers nations, as nowe of late in owre tyme by the
cruell handes of the Barbarians which entered into it abowt. xl. [forty] yeares pafte. But who knoweth (as hath
chaunced in the dayes of owre valient prediceffors) whether Godde wyll ageyne gyue vs occafion to chaftife them
and fo to inuade theyr regions that wee maye woonne owre owne ageyne with increafe of dowble vfurie. Or if
he wyll not permitte this, perhappes he wyll graunte vs to fynde fum ryche myne of golde. For, confyderynge
and feynge that this owre region of Italie is replenyffhed with as many excellent thynges as in maner heauen
can gyue to any habitable place, it is not to bee thought that this benefite of golde fhulde bee wantynge, wheras
it bryngeth furth fuch plentie of al other mines except this of golde and tynne. And yet doo I verely beleue
that it is not withowt the mynes of thefe alfo, although they be not yet difcouered to the knowleage of men:
As I am perfuaded bothe by the golde that is founde in the fayd ryuers, and alfo by the dyuers and fundry
365


A myne of golde
founde by chaunce.
A vayne of golde
in a stone.
No signes to be
omitted.
338
Golde is not
founde in like
quantitie as are
other metals.
Argumentes of
plentye of golde.
Howe diuers
wayes golde is
consumed.
Many haue to
muche, but fewe
haue enowgh
Italie wasted by
the barbarians.
Commendacion
of Italie
Golde and tynne
Meane minerals




366
The golde of
Italie.
Golde contayned
in other metals.
The maner of
pourginge ofgolde.
339
Lapis lazuli.
Asure.
Howe golde is
drawen frome
Lapis lazuli with
quickesyluer.
The baine or
test of leade.
The maner of
pourginge golde
with leade.


Of the generation of metals.
meane minerals which are founde in many places and adiudged of the practicionars to bee certeyne cleare
tokens of theyr proper and natural agentes. But for that they are not found, felte, or feene, we owght not
therby to affirme that they are not. To conclude therfore, I thinke that in owr partes of Italie, pure golde is
none other wayes founde (excepte that which is currant amonge the marchauntes) then after twoo fortes, wherof
the one is that which is founde in the fandes of ryuers: And the other, that whiche is gotten by the induftrious
and fubtyle art of partyng gold from new fyluer, or from giltyng fyluer, or other metals which hold gold, as there
are in maner but fewe which hold not fum fmaul portion therof, more or leffe according to the mixtion and
permanencie of theyr fubftances, or accordynge to the qualitie and force of the planettes which expreffe theyr
influence in the generation of them. And in fine, this is the golde that which is founde in owre partes of Italie.
Nowe therfore to returne to the matter whereof is owre chiefe intente to intreate, hauynge before fpoken fufficiently of the generation and inuention of the myne of golde, I wyll further declare vnto yowe howe it owght to
be pourged from earthly fuperfluitie, and efpecially that whiche is founde lyinge in the forme of veynes, and
although I haue not feene the edifi[c]es and engens wherwith the myners are accuftomed to get it owt, yet wyll
I fhewe yow howe by other practifes I haue learned to pourge it, that yow may not bee without fum knowleage
yf your fortune fhalbe fo good as to fynde any in Italy. When yow haue therfore dygged owt the myne and
placed it in order, yow owght to confider in what kynde of ftone it is engendered. And if it bee in that which
is cauled Lapis Lazuli, then mufRe yow fo drawe owte the golde that yowe alfo faue the ftone, bycaufe perfecte
Afure is made therof, and fuch as the paynters caule Azurro Oltramarinzo, that is, Afure of beyonde the fea,
which they greatly efteme and bye it deare. And to do this, it is neceffary that yowe fyrft beate it into fine
pouder, and then put it in a trey or brode treene dyffhe, and waffhe it fayre and cleane with water. This
done amalgame or rubbe it well with quickefyluer vntyll it haue lycked vppe and drawne al the golde into it
and left the ftone pure of it felfe. Then ftrayne the quickefyluer from the golde through a bagge of lether, or
vapour it away in a ftyllatorie of glaffe: And thus fhal yowe fynde the golde in the bottome of the veffell in
maner pure without quickefyluer, as I haue fayde before. And if yow haue no refpecte to faue the ftone, it
fhall fuffice to vfe the common experience, meltynge it in a fornace in a bayne or tefte of leade. But in my
opinion, the beft maner to brynge it to pureneffe, is fyrtf to burne the mine with a gentell fyre in an open
fornace, and to fuffer it to euaporate well if it bee not in fuch ftone as yowe defyre to faue. Then grynde it in
a mylle or beate it with peftelles adapted with a wheele vntyll it be browght to fine pouder. And when yow
haue wel waffhed it and fo much wafled the fuperfluous earthyneffe therof, then put it in a tefle made
accordynge to the quantitie of the fame, and melt it therin with leade whiche yowe fhall confilme partely by
vapoure and partely with drawynge it owt by the fyde of the tefte (as is the maner) vntyll yowe come to the
pure golde whiche yowe flhall in fine brynge to perfecte pureneffe in vtterly confumynge the remanent of the
leade with vehement fire increafed by the helpe of ftronge bellowes. And this is the vniuerfal maner which
yow may vfe not only in pourgynge the myne of golde, but alfo the mynes of all other metals.
Gt   Of te myne offiluer and the qualitie therof:


Whether syluer
haue A mine by
hit selfe or no.
GeorgiusAgricola
A table of mineral
syluer.
The workes of
nature.
Mixte metales.


Here are (as I vndertfande) diuers opinions emonge the practitionars of the mynes, whether
fyluer haue a proper myne by it felfe or no. The reafons of fuche as writte of the natures of
mineralles, and th[e]autoritie of the moft, perfuade me to affent to the affirmatiue: Not only
to fee the naturall matter diftincte, as is to perceaue in the mynes of golde, copper, leade and
other metals whiche in theyr mynes are found pure by them felues without mixtion, but alfo
that I vnderftand that there hath bin found likewyfe certeyne pieces afwell of this mettall of
filuer, as of gold and copper, browght to his lafte fyneffe by th[e]only worke of nature. And
this dooth Georgiuzs Agricola a lerned man of Germany confirme in his booke of minerals where he writteth
that in Saxonie there was found in a caue a piece of mineral filuer of fuch bignes, that the duke the prince and
patrone of that place, caufed a chayre and fquare dyninge table after the maner of Almanye to be made therof
withowte any further woorke of mans hande: Gloryinge often tymes that in this thynge he furmounted the
greatneffe and magnificence of the Emperoure. But in deede (excepte copper) I haue feene no metall taken
owte of the caue pure withowt his vre. Yet doo I beleeue it a thynge poffible, confyderinge the greate force and
poure of nature, th[e]ende of whofe woorkynge euer intendeth to bringe all thynges to perfection as farre as it is not
otherwyfe hyndered. Yet (as I haue fayde) of the mofte parte of thofe mynes whiche I haue feene, none of
theym haue byn withowt mixture, not only of the earthe of their owne proper myne, but haue byn alfo myxte
with other metals: And efpecially this of fyluer more then any other, excepte onlye that which was digged in
SSchio, in VicenZina.  And therefore not withowt fum fhadow of apparent reafon, haue fuche doubtes rifin
366




Of the generation of metals.


367


amonge the practitionars of the mynes. And yet (as I haue fayd) I beleue that filuer may haue and hath his
proper mine, forafmuche as euery fubflaunce that maye be conuerted into metall, may afwell flande by it felfe
pure in his owne kynde, as eyther feperate or mixte with other, as is often times feene in one maffe in the
whiche diuers metals are conteyned and engendered by nature. And by this meanes it often chaunceth that
he that fpeaketh of the mine of filuer, may with the fame brethe and withowt diflinction, fpeake alfo of all other
metales, forafmuche as there are but fewe mynes which are not mixte with other. But bycaufe the moite
noble and( ryche metals haue obteyned the prerogatiue to be eftemed aboue other, therfore the name of the
myne is gyuen to them wher they are mixte with other: as the mynes which holde copper, leade, or iren,
(as doo the moite parte) yet if they holde alfo golde or fyluer, they are cauled gold mynes or fyluer mynes,
according vnto that which is founde in them to bee of moit value. But to lette paffe this matter, yowe
fall further vnderflande that when fuche mynes are mixte of dyuers metals, they ihew furth fo much
the more diuers and variable fumofites of tinctures and marchafites, as fignes where they bee and of what
pureneffe: forafmuch as euery of them according to theyr natures, exalte theyr colours which they fhewe furthe
to the eye, fumr in the fimilitude of afurine or blewe flones, fum greene, fum yelowe, and fum of vndiflinct
colours accordynge to the compofitions and mixtures of the fyrft matters of metals, which is alfo the caufe that
they are founde more or leffe in quantitie. Nowe to fpeake more particularly of this metall of fyluer, the
philofophers fpeculatours of naturall thynges, faye that it is engendered of fullbaunce more watery then
fyerie, of complexion feminine and flegmatike in comparifon to gold: receauynge more of th[e]influence of the
moone then of the fon, and therfore engendered more in coulde regions nerer vnto the moone, then in hotte
regions vnder the foonne: confifting alfo of pure elementes, although fumwhat crude and vndygefted in refpecte
of th t e elementes of golde as may bee plainely perceaued by theyr colours, weyght, and fixation. The practicionars affirme that it is engendered in a one lye e vnto Albazano, and alfo in an other flone of a ruffet, deade,
and darke colour: And is often tymes founde in an other flone lyke vnto Treuertino or in Treuertino it felfe.
The myne hereof, is very ponderous, and hathe in it often tymes certeyne fhynynge graynes: The which howe
much the leffe they are like to the poynte of a needle fo muche is the myne founde to bee the perfecter,
bycaufe this is a token of pureneffe and fixion. And when it is founde in a whyte flone, or leade flone, it is fo
muche the better, bycaufe it maye be the eafyer pourged from the flone and earthyneffe. When alfo it; is
founde lyinge as it were loofe amonge certeine fcales or cloddes of earth, they faye that it is perfecte, although
it haue not to ther aruche replendence wonte other are wonte to haue They fay alfo that it is engendered in an
earth of darke ruffet colour: And that when it is founde in this, it is of great quantitie and perfection. and that
there is great plentie therof within the mountayne: This alfo to be fo much the better in howe much more it is
fhynynge of the coloure of iren or redde. And that yowe may the better comprehend the fignes of thgnes of the myne of
the forefayde metall, yowe fhall vnderfland that euen togyther with the myne, eywither the myre it is fyrfle founde,
or nere vnto the fame, yowe fhall fee certeyne marchafites of yelowe coloure lyke vnto golde. The which, the
more they holde of fuche hyghe colour, fo much the more do they fhewe adufi or burnt matter and heate, as
thynges contrary to the nature of theyr metals. And therfore accordynge to the degrees of fuche colours,
yow may in maner iudge of what fatnes or leaneneffe the myne is lyke to bee. Such marchafites therfore
as fhewe the beft fignes of the goodneffe of theyr mynes, owght in coloure to approche to whyteneffe as
much as may bee, and to confyfl of fmaule graynes, and not in greate quantitie. And this is a generall rule of
all marchafites, that howe much the narower and leffe they are, the more do they fhewe the goodneffe of theyr
myne. This myne of fyluer is alfo often times founde in a veyne of great quantitie, and yet fo leane in
qualitie that it wyll not beare the charge of the dyggyng, bicaufe it is founde in a harde flone lyke vnto
Al'bazano, beinge verye harde to bee dygged or broken. Sum tymes alfo, it is found in the company of
copper or leade: The which lykewyfe if it do not furmount the value of the charges, it is not to bee
folowed. Othe                                fe thre metals are founde accompanyed togyther in one
myne: In whiche cafe it Ihalbe neceffarie to vfe aduertifement of arte. And prefuppofynge that yowe defyre
to feparate the fyluer frome the other metall, it is neceffarie that yowe increafe the leade. But if yow paffe
not to faue neyther the fyluer nor the leade, but only the copper, it fhalbe requifite to proceade with longe
and great fyers vntyl the weakefl matters bee confumed. But this owght to be doone efpecially in fuch mines
as hold iren. Yet neyther for this or thofe, can there any general rule be gyuen, but that accordynge vnto
theyr qualitie and nature, fo owght they to be diuided: And this fo much the more in that they are often
tymes mixte with fumrn drye earthe, or with a quantitie of antimonie or arfenike, which are matters altogyther
euaporable and burnte, or of harde fubflaunce to bee reduced to fufion or meltynge: In fo much that the
artificers fumtymes beinge ouercumme of them, leaue them as thynges vnprofitable. Wherof there can none
other caufe often times be gyuen, then theyr owne ignoraunce by reafon of extraordinarie and longe fyers whiche
they gyue them. And therefore they woorke inordinately in fuch kynd of mynes, except they accompanie them
in the fufion or meltynge with fuch thinges as may defende them from the fyer. For wheras is fuche abun367


340
Diuers metals in
one masse.
In the Indies
golde founde in
greate quantitie,
pure and vnmixte.
The coulours of
mineral fumosites.
The generacion
and qualitie of
siluer.
The influences
of the mone.
Stones in the
which syluer is
engendered.
The myne of
syluer.
The mountayne.
Marchasites of
syluer.
What marchasites
are the beste
signes.
Syluer myn[e]s
in harde stones.
Syluer with
copper or leade.
The deuyding of
siluer from other
metals.
341
Iren.
Metals mixte with
Antimonie or
Arsnike
Howe metals are
preserued in
fusion.




368


Of the generalion of metals.


Sulphur and
mercurye.
Grinding and
wasshinge of
mynes.
The amalgamynge
of mines with
Mercury.
Mines holdynge
the fourthe part
of siluer.
Copper holdinge
syluer.
Thre vnces vi of
siluer in euery
hundreth of mine
War betwene
Maximilian
Th[e]emperour
and the Venecians.
The mynes of
Almanye.
The marchasite
mixte with the
myne.
342


daunce eyther of burnte matter, or of fuperfluous wateryneffe, wherof the one is cauled Sulphur or brymflone,
and the other Mercurie or quickfyluer not fixed, or arfenike, it is neceffarie that the one burne the fyluer, and
the other cary it a way, fo that of the myne there refleth none other then an earthye fubifaunce infufible and
not able to bee molten. To faue the fayde myne therefore it fhalbe requifite to vfe difcretion with much
pacience and conueniente meanes, fyrfle after the common maner of woorkynge to euaporate the myne (as wee
haue fayde) or withowt euaporation to grinde it fmaule: then to waffhe it often, and in fine, if not by great
fyers, at the leafte by great baynes or teltes of leade to pourge it. And to brynge this effect the more eafely to
paffe as much as may be, after that it is grounde yow owght to proue in the fame grindynge or in an other,
if it may be amalgamed with Mercurie which is the bell maner of profe, if the myne bee of a drye nature: And
I knowe that it hath bynne vfed of many to theyr greate profyte: And efpecially in thofe forte of mynes which
I fayde before to bee dygged in Vigentina in Schio, beinge very ryche and good. Proue it therfore. For all
kyndes of mines do not receaue it. And of this wherof I haue fpoken, I haue intelligence that there hath bynne
pieces founde holdynge a fourth part of fyluer, and fum more then halfe. And this was founde lyinge in maner
in the fuperficiall parte of the earth: and fum tymes in pathes and high wayes. It hath alfo bin founde vnder
the rootes of fuche trees as haue byn ouerthrowen by tempefte: and this very perfecte. So that emonge all the
mynes whiche I haue feene in the dominions of Venice, as in Carnia and in many other places, I can not faye
that I haue feene any better: Although there bee many caues wherof the moft parte are of copper holdinge
fyluer: and emonge other, that in the mountayne of Auanzo, where I in the company of certeyne other gentlemen caufed a caue to bee digged. And bycaufe the hole charge was committed to mee, I wente by occafion
twyfe into high Almanye to fee the mynes of that countrey, wherby I might haue the better experience to faule
to practyfe at my returne. In fo much that I founde the mine which we had taken in hande to folowe, to bee
very good and ryche: holdynge more then three vnces and a halfe of fyluer in euery hundreth of the myne.
And doubtleffe we fhuld haue obteyned great commoditie hereby if fortune at that tyme had not rayfed warre
betwene Maximilian Th[e]emperoure and the fignorie of Venece: which was the caufe that thofe places of Frioli
and Carnia, coulde not be quietly inhabited: whereby we were enforced to forfake owre enterpryfe, and to rafe
and deftroy th[e]order which we had begunne. And by reafon that the warres continued longe, we were confirayned to diuide owr company, where I alfo departed an other way, hauyng euer in mynde to folowe owre
attempted enterpryfe when better oportunitie fhulde ferue. In the meane tyme returnyng ageine into hyghe
Almanie, I made more diligent fearche to knowe the mynes then before: and went to Sbozzo, Plaipcr, I[n]fpruch, Alla, and Aroftinbergh: frome whenfe I wente into dyuers places of Italy. So that to conclude,
the moft and beflt mynes whiche I haue fene to holde moft of fyluer, are thofe that are founde in
Vicentina in certeyne flones of a dark grey, or ruffet colour, as I haue fayde before. And nowe
for a generall aduertifement, I wyll not omyt to tell yow, that when yow haue attempted to
dygge any mynes, and haue founde the marchafite and the myne myxt togyther, yowe
fhall leaue of yowre woorke, bycaufe it fignifieth that the myne is neare to the fuperficiall part of the earth, and that it is of but lyttle quantitie. And thus as
touchyng this myne of fyluer, I can fay no more fauynge that I haue not
yet fhewed yowe the maner of pourgynge it from earthely grofenes
and to brynge it to perfect metall. But bycaufe I haue determyned to fpeake largely hereof in the proper place of the
fufion or meltynge of all metals, I haue thowght
good to fpeake no further of this matter at
this prefente.


368




Of the generation of metals.


369


I


THE MANER OF WORKYNGE IN GOLDE
MYNES IN EGIPTE IN OWLD TYME, AFTER THE
DESCRIPTION OF DIODORVS SICVLVS, WHO WROTTE HIS HISTORIE
cauled Bibliotheca, fumwhat before the dayes of th[e]emperoure
Octauianus Auguftus, and before th[e]incarnation of
Chrift abowt. xl. [forty] yeares.
He wryteth therefore in his fourthe booke as foloweth.
E haue not thowght good to pretermit howe golde is founde, digged, and wrought amonge the
Egiptians. In the confines therefore of Egipte where it borthereth with Ethiopia and Arabia,
there are certeyne places frutefull of metalles, owt of the whiche, golde is digged with great
laboure and expenfes. For a blacke earthe of minerale nature, hath certeyne vaynes of mofle
white marble exceadinge bright and fhyninge. The furueyours of this woorke, haue affigned
them a great company of men to woorke and coyne golde. For the kinges of Egipte are
accuftomed to appoynte to thefe paynefull trauailes, all fuche as haue byn conuicte for certeyne crimes and condemned by lawes, or taken prifoners in the warres, or fuche as haue byn committed to
prifon through the indignation of princes who by this meanes haue bothe great vantage by theyr laboure, and
punyfhe them fufficiently for theyr offenfes. For barbarous and firange fouldiers of diuers languagies, bare rule
ouer them and keepe them to theyr worke, in fuche forte that th[e]ufe of fpeache beinge taken from theym, they
can not bee corrupted by loue or intreatie. They drawe golde owt of the hardeft earth decocte with much fyer.
The fofteft ifone which is broken with meane labour, is digged with infirumentes of iren by the trauayle of many
thoufands of men. The fcrier which decerneth the veines of the myne, go[e]th before the workemen, appoynting them the places where they fhall digge. The marble ftone whiche he iheweth theim, they breake and
cleaue with wedgies of iren by the mere ftrength of theyr bodies withowte arte. They make theyr foffe or caue,
not right furthe, but as the bright nature of the golden marble leadeth them, beinge otherwyfe darke and obfcure
by reafon of theyr fundry turnes and bendinges diuers wayes. The labourers caryinge lyght before theyr for[e]heades, digge great flones owt of the myne, whyche they let faule on the ground. From this labour they neuer
reft, inforced to contynual woorke with firokes and contumelious woordes. Children of th[e]age of. xii. [twelue]
or. xiii. [thirteen] yeares or vppewarde, are diuided into two companyes, whereof the one breake the ftones into
fmaule pieces, and the other cary furth that which is broken. They that are paft th[e]age of. xxx. [thirty]
yeares, receaue the fayd broken flones at theyr hands and beate them in veffels of flone with maules of iren, to
the quantitie of tares or fytches: which afterward they caft into many milles, whereby the laboure of two or
three women or owlde men to euery mylle, they are grounde as fmaule as meale. The fylthineffe of the bodies
of thefe labourers, is apparent to all men. For not fo muche as their priuie members are couered with any
thinge: And theyr bodies byfyde fo fylthy, that no man can beholde them withowt compaffion of theyr Iniferie.
But no pitie, no refte, no remiffion is graunted them, whether they bee men or women, younge or owlde, fycke
or feeble: But are all with firokes inforced to continuall labour vntyl the poore wretches faynt and often tymes
dye for extreme debilitie: In fo much that many of them for feare of theyr lyfe to coomme (which they thynke
woorfe then the prefent payne) preferre death before lyfe. When they haue thus grounde the ftones very
fmaule, they call that fubflaunce vppon brode tables inclynynge fumwhat fliepe or flandynge a flope, and cafl
water thereon, flerynge continually the fayde pouder of marble: by the meanes wherof the earth and vre of the
myne is waffhed away, and the golde as the heauier matter remayneth on the tables. When they haue doone
thus often tymes, they ouerturne the golde continually with theyr handes and rub it with thynne fpoonges, owt
of the which they preffe a fofte earth, and thus continewe vntyll the pure metall remayne lyke vnto golden fande.
After that this preparation is fynyffhed, other woorkemen receanynge it at theyr handes by meafure and weyght,
cait it into earthen pottes, puttynge thereto a certeyne portion of leade, with branne of barly, and weedes of
the fea cauled reites or oufe. Thefe thynges proportioned accordingly, they clofe the pottes diligently with
cley, and fo let them Rand in a fumeffe with fyer for the fpace of fyue continuall dayes and nyghtes. In which
fpace, al other thinges of contrary mixture beinge confumed, only the golde is found in the veffels, fumwhat
diminyffhed of the fyrft weyght. And by this labour and diligence is golde poffeffed in the furthef parte of
Egypt. Wherby, euen nature her felfe teacheth vs howe laborious it is in fyndynge, tedious in purfuinge, daungerous in keepynge, and in vfe conflitute betwene pleafure and forowe.
EDEN.                         2 E                                   369


Gold in a black
earthe, and white
marble
Then damned to
the metales as
nowe to the
gallies.
The scrier of the
vayne.
Golden marble.
The woorke of
chyldren.
Mylles.
The misery of
the miners
The pourginge of
the metall frome
the vre.
The melting of
golde.
343
A lga.




f




37I


[The Third English book


on America,


Which is also
- THE FIRST ENGLISH COLLECTION OF VOYAGES, TRAFFICS, & DISCOVERIES.
ht e      carta e t th     t tlhet nite birre  or it e t In"ia, etc.
0-' O-.....


SECTION


VII.


The first


two Voyages


oul of


England


into Guznea.


1553-1554 A.D.]








373
(THE DISCRIPTION OF THE TWO VIAGES
MADE OWT OF ENGLAND INTO GVINEA IN AFFRIKE
AT THE CHARGES OF CERTEYNE MARCHAVNTES ADVENTVRERS
of the citie of London, in the yeare of owre Lorde.
M. D. LIII.
1.1.__              _       Hat thefe vyages to Guinea are placed after the booke of Metals as
feparate frome other vyages, the caufe hereof is, that after I had
delyuered the fayde booke of metalles to the handes of the
1 f/,//j',XX                  I.printers, I was defyred by certeyne my frendes to make fumme
mention of thefe viages, that fum memorie myght thereof remayne
toowrpofleritie if eyther iniquitie of tymeconfumynge all thinges,
ll/Jll//jB-l Mo             or ignoraunce creepynge in by barbaroufneffe and contempte of
knoweleage, fhulde hereafter bury in obliuion fo woorthy attemptes,
i  fo much the greatlyer to bee eftemed as before neuer enterpryfed
-b lll         by Englyffhe men, or at the leafte fo frequented as at this prefent
xlp \\\\//////           l  they are and may bee to the greate commoditie of owre marchauntes, if the fame be not hyndered by th[e]ambifion of fuch  Ambition.
as for the conqueftynge of fortie or fyftie myles here and there,
and erectynge ofcerteyne fortreffes or rather blockhoufes amonge
___                                  naked people, thinke them felues woorthy to bee lordes of
_   A           ha'fe the worlde, enuying that other fhulde enioy the commodities
which they them felues can not holy poffeffe. And although fuch
as haue byn at charges in the difcouerynge and conqueftynge of fuch landes, owght by good reafon to
haue certeyne priuilegies, preeminencies, and tributes for the fame, yet (to fpeake vnder correction) it may
feeme fumwhat rigorous and ageynft good reafon and confcience, or rather ageynft the charitie that owght
to bee anonge Chryften men, that fuch as violentely inuade the dominions of other, fhuld not permit other
frendely to vfe the trade of marchandies in places neuer or feldome frequented of them, wherby theyr trade is
not hindered in fuch places where they them felues haue at theyr owne election appoynted the martes of theyr
trafike. But forafmuche as at this prefente it is not my intent to accufe or defend, approue or improue, I wil
ceafe to fpeake any further hereof, and proceade to the defcription of the fyrft viage as briefely and faythfully as
I was aduertifed of the fame by th[e]information of fuch credible perfons as made diligent inquifition to knowe
the truth hereof as much as fhalbe requifite, omyttynge to fpeake of many particular thynges not greatly neceffarie to be knowen: whiche neuertheleffe with alfo th[e]exact courfe of the nauigation, fhal be more fully
declared in the fecond vyage. And if herein fauoure or frendfhyppe fhall perhappes caufe fum to thinke that
fum haue byn flbarpely touched, let them laye a parte fauoure and frendfhippe and gyue place to truth, that honeft
men may receaue prayfe for well doinge, and lewde perfons reproche as the iuft flipende of theyr euyll defertes,
whereby other may bee deterred to do the lyke, and vertuous men encouraged to proceade in honeft attemptes.
But that thefe vyages may bee more playnely vnderftode of al men, I haue thowght good for this purpofe
before I intreate hereof, to make a breefe defcription of Affrica beinge that greate parte of the worlde, on whofe  Africa
Wefte fyde begynneth the coaft of Guinea at Cabo Verde abowt the. xii. [twelve] degrees in latitude on this  The coast of
fyde the Equinoctiall line, and two degrees in longitude from the meafurynge line, fo runnynge from the north  Guinea
to the fouth and by eaft in fum places within v. iiii. and. iii. degrees and a halfe within the Equinoctiall,
and fo furth in maner directly eaft and by north for the fpace of. xxxvi. [thirty-six] degrees or there abowt in
longitude from the Weft to the Eaft, as ihall more playnely appere in the defcryption of the feconde vyage.
2 E 2                                 373




374


The vyage to Guinea.


344


A BREEFE DESCRIPTION OF AFFRIKE.


Tunnes.
Bugia.
Tripoli.
Numidia.
Ilandes of Tunnes.
Malta.
The disertes of
Libia.
Barbarie.
Mauritania.
The kingdoms of
Fes and marrock.
Tremesin.
Oram.
Nassaquiber
Salla.
Azamor.
The Ilandes of
Canarie.
Guinea.
Ethiopians.
Marrocko.
Fes.
Tremesin.
Guinea.
Africa the great.
Affrike the lesse.
Carthage.
Prester Iohn.
Cape de Buona
Speranza.
The sea of sande.
Alcair.
345
From whense the
queene of Saba
came.
Manicongni
The earthly
Paradyse.
The trees of the
soonne and
moone.


N Affrica the leffe are thefe kyngedomes: The kyngedome of Tunes, and Conflantina which is
at this day vnder Tunes, and alfo the region of Bugia, Tripoli, and Ezzab. This part of
Afrike is very baren by reafon of the greate defertes, as the defertes of Numidia and Barcha.
The principall portes of the kyngedome of Tunes are thefe: Goletta, Bizerta, Portofarnia,
Boua, and Stora. The chiefe cities of Tunes, are Conftantia and Boua with dyuers other.
Vnder this kyngedome are many Ilandes, as Zerbi, Lampadola, Pantalarea, Limofo, Beit,
Gamelaro, and Malta where at this prefente is the greate mafter of the Rodes. Vnder the
fouthe of this kyngedome, are the great defertes of Libia. Al the nations [of] this Africa the
less, are of the fecte of Machomet and a rufticall people lyuynge fcattered in vyllages. The befte of this parte
of Afrike, is Barbaria lyinge on the coafte of the fea Mediterraneum.
Mauritania (nowe cauled Barbaria) is diuided in two partes, as Mauritania Tingitania, and Cefarienfis.
Mauritania Tingitania, is nowe cauled the kyngdome of Fes and the kyngedome of Marrocko. The principall
citie of Fes, is cauled Feffa: and the chiefe citie of Marrocko, is named Marrocko. Mauritania Cefarienfis is
at this day cauled the kyngedome of Tremifen, with alfo the citie cauled Temifen or Trelenfin. This region
is full of defertes, and reacheth to the fea Mediterraneum to the citie of Oram with the porte of Maffaquiber.
The kyngedome of Fes reachethe vnto the Ocean fea from the Weft to the citie of Argilla: and the porte of
the fayde kyngedome is cauled Salla.
The kyngedome of Marrocko is alfo extended aboue the Ocean fea vnto the citie of Azamor and Azafi
whiche are aboue the Ocean fea towarde the Weft of the fayde kyngdome. In Mauritania Tingitanea (that is
to fay in the two kyngedomes of Fes and Marrocko) are in the fea, the Ilandes of Canarie cauled in owlde time
the fortunate Ilandes. Toward the fouth of this region, is the kyngedome of Guinea, with Senega, Iaiofo,
Gambra, and manye other regions of the blacke Moores cauled Ethiopians or Negros, all whiche are watered
with the ryuer Negro cauled in owlde tyme Niger. In the fayde regions are no cities: but only certeyne lowe
cotages made of bouwes of trees plaftered with chauke and couered with ftrawe: In thefe regions are alfo very
great defertes.
The kyngedome of Marrocko hath vnder it thefe feuen kyngedomes: Hea, Sus, Guzula, the territorie of
Marrocko, Duchala, Hazchora, and Telde. The kyngedome of Fes hath as many: as Fes, Temefne, Azgar,
Elabath, Errifi, Garet, and Elcauz. The kyngedome of Tremifen hath thefe regions: Tremifen, Tenez, and
Elgazaet, all which are Machometiftes. But all the regions of Guinea are pure Gentyles and Idolatours withowt
profeffion of any religion or other knowleage of god then by the lawe of nature.
Africa the great, is one of the three partes of the worlde knowen in owlde tyme and feuered from Afia, on
the Eaft by the ryuer Nilus: On the Weft, from Europe by the pillers of Hercules. The hyther part is nowe
cauled Barbarie, and the people Moores. The inner parte is cauled Libia and Ethiopia. Afrike the leffe is in
this wyfe bounded: On the weft it hath Numidia: On the eaft Cyrenaica: On the north, the fea cauled Mediterraneum. In this countrey was the noble citie of Carthage.
In the Eaft fyde of Afrike beneth the redde fea, dwelleth the greate and myghtye Emperour and Chryfltian
kynge Prefter Iohan, well knowen to the Portugales in theyr vyages to Calicut. His dominions reache very
farre on euery fyde: and hath vnder hym many other kynges both Chryflian and hethen that pay hym trybute.
This myghty prynce is cauled Dauid Th[e]emperour of Ethiopia. Sum wryte that the kynge of Portugale
fendeth hym yearely. viii. [eight] fhyppes laden with marchaundies. His kyngedome confineth with the redde
fea, and reacheth farre into Afrike towarde Egypte and Barbarie. Southwarde it confineth with the fea towarde
the cape de Buona Speranzo: and on the other fyde with the fea of fande cauled Mare de Sabione, a very
daungerous fea, lyinge betwene the great citie of Alcaer or Cairo in Egypte and the countrey of Ethiopia: In
the whiche way are many vnha[bita]ble defertes continuinge for the fpace of fyue dayes iorney. And they affirme
that if the fayde Chryftian Emperour were not hyndered by thofe defertes (in the which is great lacke of vittayles
and efpecially of water) he wolde or nowe haue inuaded the kyngedome of Egypte and the citie of Alcayer.
The chiefe citie of Ethiope where this great Emperour is refydent, is cauled Amacaiz beinge a fayre citie, whofe
inhabitauntes are of the coloure of an olyue. There are alfo many other cities, as the citie of Saua vppon the
ryuer of Nilus where Th[e]emperoure is accuftomed to remayne in the foommer feafon. There is lykewyfe
a great citie named Barbaregaf: And Afcon from whenfe it is fayde that the queene of Saba came to
lerufalem to heare the wyfdome of Salomon. This citie is but lyttle, yet very fayre and one of the chiefe
cities in Ethiope.  In the fayde kyngdome is a prouince cauled Manicongni, whofe kynge is a Moore
and tributarie to Th[e]emperour of Ethiope. In this prouince are many excedynge hyghe mountaynes vppon
the which is fayde to be the earthly Paradyfe: And fum fay that there are the trees of the foonne and moone
whereof the antiquitie maketh mention: yet that none can paffe thyther by reafon of greate defertes of a
hundreth dayes iorney. Alfo beyonde thefe mountaynes, is the cape of Buona Speranza. And to haue fayde
thus much of Afrike it may fuffice.


374




.  1 71 -  -


i /e fyrJt vyage to G(uiea.                                               375
t THE FYRST VYAGE TO GVINEA.
_NN the yeare of owre Lorde. M. D. LIII. the. xii. [twelfth] day of
-     Augull, fayled from Porchemouth two goodly fhyppes, the Prim-  The Prymrose
-          rofe and the Lion, with a pynneffe cauled the moone: beinge all  The Lyon.
well fumyffhed afwell with men of the luftieft forte to the number  The Moone
t                         of feuen fcore, as alfo with ordinaunce and vyttayles requifite to
fuch a vyage: Hauynge alfo two capitaynes, the one a ftraunger
cauled Antoniades Pinteado a Portugale, borne in a towne named  Pinteado.
the porte of Portugale, a wyfe, difcrete, and fober man, who for
his cunnynge in faylynge beinge afwell an expert pylot as polytyke capitayne, was fumtyme in greate fauoure with the kynge of
Portugale, and to whom the coafles of Brafile and Guinea were  Brasile.
*i commytted to bee kepte from the Frenchemen to whom he was      Guinea
'a                     terroure on the fea in thofe partes: and was furthermore a
gentleman of the kinge his mailers houfe. But as fortune in  The flatteryng of
maner neuer fauoureth but flattereth, neuer promifeth but  fortune.
W 1                    deceaueth, neuer rayfeth but cafteth downe ageyne, and as great
wealth and fauour hath alwayes companions emulation and enuie,
he was after many aduerfites and quarels made ageynft hym, inforced to come into Englande: where in this
golden vyage he was euyll matched with an vnequall coompanion and vnlyke matche of moft fundry qualities
and conditions with vertues few or none adourned, with vices dyuers and many fowly fpotted, knowen of many  The euel
conditions of
without profyte, and defyred of fewe or none for his wyckednes: whofe fmaule acquayntaunce was profitable to  Wyndam.
all men, and his familiar conuerfation an vndoinge, that happye was the man or woman that knewe hym not, he
for his gooddes and fhe for her name. In fine, vnfortunate was the coompany that had owght to doo with hym:
in fo much that it was no maruayle that fo goodly an enterpryfe with fo noble a furniture of men, fhyppes, and
ordinaunce of all fortes, with all kynde of vyttayles and that of fo great abundaunce, had fo fmaul fucceffe:
which could be none otherwyfe wher fo foule a fpotte dyd blemyffhe, ye rather deface the reft. Thus departed
thefe noble fhyppes vnder fayle on theyr vyage. But firft this capitayne Wyndam, puttyng furth of his fhyp at
Porchmouth, a kynfeman of one of the headde marchauntes, and fhewynge herein a muflter of the tragical partes
he had conceaued in his brayne, and with fuch fmaule begynninges nuryffhed fo monftrous a byrth, that more
happy, yea and bleffed was that younge man beinge lefte behynde then if he had byn taken with them, as fum
doo wyffhe he had doonne the lyke by theyrs. Thus fayled they on theyr vyage vntyl they came to the Ilandes  The Ilandes of
of Madera where they toke in certeyne wynes for the flore of theyr fhyppes, and payde for them as they agreed  Madera
of the price. At thefe Ilandes they met with a great galion of the kynge of Portugale full of men and ordi-  A galeon of
the kinge of
naunce: yet fuche as coulde not haue preuayled if it had attempted to withflande or refyft owre fhyppes, for  Portugale.
the which caufe it was fet furth, not only to lette and interrupte thefe owre fhyppes of theyr purpofed vyage,
but all other that fhulde attempte the lyke: Yet chiefely to fruftlrate owre vyage. For the kyng of Portugale
was finifterly informed that owre fhyppes were armed to his caflel of Mina in thefe parties, wheras nothing leffe  The castel of
was ment.
After that owr fhyppes departed from the Ilandes of Madera forwarde on theyr vyage, began this woorthy  346
capitaine Pinteados forowe as a man tormented with the company of a terrible hydra who hytherto flattered with  Howe Wyndam
hym and made hym a fayre countenance and fhewe of loue. Then dyd he take vppon hym to commaunde all  abused Pmteado.
alone, fettynge nowght bothe by capitayne Pinteado with the refte of the marchaunte factours: fumtymes with
opprobrious woordes and fumtymes with threatenynges moft fhamefully abufynge them, takinge from Pinteado
the feruice of the boys and certeyne mariners that were affigned hym by th[e]order and direction of the woorfhypfull marchauntes, and leauynge hym as a common maryner, which is the greateft defpite and greefe that
can be to a Portugale or Spanyarde to be diminyffhte theyr honoure which they efteeme aboue all rycheffe.  The Ilandes of
Thus faylyng forward on theyr vyage, they came to the Ilandes of Canarie, continuynge theyr courfe from thenfe  Canarie.
The Ilande of.
vntyll they arryued at the Ilande of faynt Nicolas where they vyttayled them felues with freffhe meate of the  s. Nicoa.


375




376


The fyr/f vyage to Guinea.






Guinea.
The ryuer of
Sesto.
Graynes.
The thristofgolde.
The castel of
mena.
The quantit[i]e of
golde.
Benin.
Pepper.
Furie admitteth
no counsayle.
The Rossia.
Rottinge heate.
Scorchinge heate.
Benin.
Francisco.
Nicolas Lambert.
The kyng of
Benin his court.
347
Reuerence
towarde the kynge.
The
communication
betwene the kynge
of Benin and owr
men.
Pepper.
The kynges
gentlenesse
towarde owr men.


fleffhe of wylde goates whereof is great plentie in that Ilande and in maner of nothyng elfe. From henfe folowynge
on theyr courfe, and taryinge here and there at the deferte Ilandes in the waye, bycaufe they wolde not coome
to tymely to the countrey of Guinea for the heate, and taryinge fumwhat to longe (for what can bee wel
mynyflred in a common wealth where inequalitie with tyrannie wyll rule alone) they came at the length to the
fyrft lande of the countrey of Guinea where they fell with the great ryuer of Sefto where they myght for theyr
marchaundies haue laden theyr fhyppes with the graynes of that countrey, which is a very hotte frute, and much
lyke vnto a fygge as it groweth on the tree. For as the fygges are full of fmaule feedes, fo is the fayde frute ful of
graynes which are lofe within the codde, hauynge in the myddeft thereof a hole on euery fyde. This kynde of
fpice is much vfed in coulde countreys, and may there be folde for great aduantage for th[e]exchaunge of other
wares. But owr men by the perfuafion or rather inforcement of this tragicall capitayne, not regardynge and
fettyng lyght by that commoditie in comparafon to the fine gold they thrifted, fayled an hundreth leaques further
vntyl they came to the golden lande: where not attemptinge to come nere the catfell perteynynge to the kynge
of Portugale, whiche was within the ryuer of Mina, made fale of theyr ware onely on this fyde and beyonde it
for the golde of that countrey to the quantitie of an hundreth and fiftie poundes weyght, there beinge in cafe
that they myght haue difpatched al theyr ware for golde, if the vntame brayne of Wyndam had or could haue
gyuen eare to the counfayle and experience of Pinteado. For when that Wyndam not fatiffied with the golde
whiche he had (and more myght haue had if he had taryed abowt the Mina) commaundynge the fayde Pinteado
(for fo he toke vppon hym) to leade the fhyppes to Benin beinge vnder the Equinoctial line and a hundreth and
fiftie leaques beyonde the Mina where he loked to haue theyr fhyppes laden with pepper: And beinge counfayled of the fayde Pinteado confyderynge the late tyme of the yere for that tyme to go no further but to make
fale of theyr wares fuch as they had for golde wherby they myght haue byn great gayners. But Wyndam not
affentynge hereunto, fell into a fuddeyne rage, reuilynge the fayde Pinteado, caulynge hym Iewe with other
opprobrious woordes, fayinge. This horfon Iewe hath promifed to brynge vs to fuch places as are not, or as
he can not bring vs vnto. But if he doo not, I wyl cut of his eares and naile them to the maft. Pinteado gaue
the forfayde counfayle to goo no further for the fafeguard of the men and theyr lyues, which they Ihulde put in
daungioure if they came to late for the roffia which is theyr wynter, not for coulde but for fmotherynge heate
with clofe and cloudy ayer and tforminge wether of fuche putrifyinge qualitie that it rotted the cotes of theyr
backes: Or els for coommynge to foonne for the fcorchynge heate of the fonne which caufed them to lynger in
the way. But of force and not of wyll, browght he the fhyppes before the ryuer of Benin: where rydynge at an
anker, fente theyr pinneffe vp into the ryuer fiftie or threfcore leaques, from whenfe certeyne of the marchauntes
with capitayne Pinteado, Francifco a Portugale, Nicolas Lambert gentleman, and other marchauntes were conducted to the courte where the kyng remayned. x. [ten] leaques from the ryuer fyde: whyther when they came,
they were browght with a greate company to the pretence of the kynge who beinge a blacke moore (althoughe not
fo blacke as the refl) fat in a great houge haule longe and wyde, the walles made of earthe withowte wyndowes,
the roofe of thynne boordes open in fundry places lyke vnto louers to lette in the ayer.
And here to fpeke of the great reuerence they gyue to their kynge, beinge fuch that if wee wolde gyue as
much to owr fauiour Chryfl, we Ihuld remoue from owr heades many plages which wee dayly deferue for owre
contempte and impietie.
So it is therforee, that when his noble men are in his reence, they neuer looke hym in the face, but fyt
courynge, as wee vppon owre knees fo they vppon theyr buttockes with theyr elbowes vppon theyr knees and
theyr handes beefore theyr faces, not lookynge vppe vntyll the kynge commaunde them. And when they are
commynge towarde the kynge as farre as they do fee hym, do they fhewe fuch reuerence fytting on the grounde
with theyr faces couered as before. Lykewife when they depart from hym they turne not theyr backes towarde
hym, but go creepynge backewarde with lyke reuerence.
And nowe to fpeake fumwhat of the communication that was betwene the kynge and owre men, yowe Ihall
fyrfl vnderftande that he hym felfe coulde fpeake the Portugale tounge which he had lerned of a chylde.
Therfore after that he had commaunded owre men to flande vp, and demaunded of them the caufe of theyr commynge into that countrey, they anfwered by Pinteado that they were marchauntes trauaylynge into thofe parties
for the commodities of his countrey for exchaunge of wares which they had browght from theyr countreys, beinge
fuch as Ihulde bee no leffe commodious for him and his people. The kynge then hauynge of owlde lyinge in
a certeyne flore houfe thirtie or fortie kyntals of pepper (euery kyntall beinge an hundreth weyght) wyllynge
them to looke vppon the fame, and ageyne to brynge hym a fyght of fuche marchaundies as they had browght
with them. And thervppon fent with the capitayne and the marchauntes certeyne of his men to conducte them
to the waters fyde, with other to brynge the ware from the pinneffe to the courte. Who when they were returned
and the wares feene, the kynge grewe to this ende with the marchauntes, to prouyde in thirtie dayes the ladynge
of all theyr Ihyppes with pepper. And in cafe theyr marchaundies wolde not extende to the value of fo muche
pepper, he promyfed to credite them to theyr nexte returne: and therevppon fente the countrey roundc. abowt


376




7Chefyrfl vyage lo Guinea.


377


_ _CI


to gather pepper, caufynge the fame to be browght to the courte: So that within the fpace of. xxx. [thirty] days
they had gathered foure fcore toonne of pepper.
In the meane feafon owre men partly hauynge no rule of them felues, but eatyng withowt meafure of the
frutes of the countrey, and drynkyng the wyne of the palme trees that droppeth in the nyght from the cutte
branches of the fame, and in fuch extreeme heate runnynge continually into the water, not vfed before to fuch
fuddeyne and vehement alterations (then the which nothynge is more daungerous) were therby browght into
fwellynges and agues. In fo much that the later tyme of the yeare commyng on, caufed them to dye fumtymes.
iii. [three] and fumtymes. iiii. [four] or. v. [five] in a day. Then Wyndam perceauyng the tyme of the. xxx.
[thirty] dayes to be expyred, and his men dying fo fait, fente to the courte in pofte to capitayne Pinteado and
the reft to come away and to tary no longer. But Pinteado with the reft, wrote backe to hym ageyne, certifynge
hym of the greate quantitie of pepper they had alredy gathered and loked dayly for much more: Defyrynge
furthermore to remember the great prayfe and name they Ihulde wynne if they came home profperoufly, and
what fhame of the contrary. With which anfwere Wyndam not fatiffied, and many of theyr men dyinge dayly,
wylled and commaunded them ageine eyther to coomme away furthwith, or els thretened to leaue them behynde.
When Pinteado harde this anfwere, thynkynge to perfuade hym with reafon, tooke his way from the court towarde
the fhyppes beinge conducted thyther with men by the kynges commaundement.
In the meane feafon Windam all rageinge, brake vppe Pinteados Caben, broke open his chefes, fpoyled fuche
prouifyon of coulde tilled waters and fucketts as he hade prouided for his health, and lefte hym nothynge neyther
of his infirumentes to fayle by, nor yet of his apparell. And in the meane tyme faulinge fycke hym elfee, dyed alfo.
Whofe death Pinteado comming aborde, lamented as muche s if he had byn the dereft rend e had in the worlde.
But certeyne of the maryners and other officers dyd fpette in his face, fum caulynge hym Iewe, faying that he had
browght them thether to kylle them: And fum drawynge theyr fwordes at hym makynge A fhewe to fley hym.
Then he perceauinge that they wolde nedes away, defyred them to tary that he might fetch the refte of the marchauntes that were lefte at the court. But they wolde not graunte his requeft. Then defyred he them to gyue hym
the fhippe boate with as muche of an owlde fayle as myght ferue for the fame, promifynge them therewith to bringe
Nicolas Lamberte and the retf into England: But all was in vayne. Then wrotte he a letter to the courte to the
marchauntes informynge them of all the matter, and promyfynge them if god wolde lende hym life to returne with
al hafl[e] to fetche them. And thus was Pinteado kepte a bordefhippe ageyntfe his wyll, thruit amonge the
boyes of the fhippe, not vfed like a man, nor yet like an honeft boy: But glad to find fauoure at the cokes
hande. Then departed they, leauing one of theyr ihippes behynde them, whiche they foonke for lake of men
to cary her. After this within fixe or feuen days faylinge, dyed alfo Pinteado for very penfiueneffe and thowght
that firooke hym to the harte: A man worthy to ferue any prince and moft vilely vfed. And of feuen fcore
men came home to Plymmuowth fcarfely fortye, and of them many dyed. And that no man fhulde fufpecte
thefe wordes which I haue fayd in commendation of Pinteado, to be poken vpon fauour othewye then truth,
I haue thought good to adde herevnto the coppie of the letters whichle the kyng of Portugale and the infant his
brother wrote vnto hym to reconcyle hym at fuche tyme as vppon the kynge his maiters difpleafure (and not
for any other cryme or offence as may appere by the fayde letters) he was onely for pouertie inforced to coomme
into Englande where he fyrft perfuaded owre marchauntes to attempte the fayde vyages to Guinea. But as the
kynge of Portugale to late repented hym that he had fo punyfihed Pinteado vppon malicious informations of fuch
as enuied the mans good fortune, euen fo may it hereby appere, that in fum cafes, euen Lyons them felues, may
eyther bee hyndered by the contempt or ayded by the helpe of the pore myfe accordynge vnto the fable of Efope.
( Tzoe cofpie of Antonianes Pinteado his letters patentes wherby the kynge of Portugale
made hym    knyght of his houfe after all his troubles and imprifonment, which
by wronge information made to the kynge, he had Jzieyned of longe tyme,
beinge at the laf/e deli\[u]ered, his caufe knowen and manifefted
to the kynge by a grey fryer the kynges confefoure.
The kynge do gyue yow to vnderftande lorde Francis Deffeofa one of my counfayle and ouerfeer of my houfe, that in confideration of the good feruice which Antonie Anes Pinteado, the
fonne of Iohn Anes, dwellynge in the towne cauled the porte, hath doone vnto me, my wyll
and pleafure is, to make hym knyght of my houfe, alowynge to hym in penfion feuen hundreth
reys monethly, and euery daye one alcayr of barly as longe as he kepeth a horfe, and to bee
payde accordynge to the ordinaunce of my houfe. Prouydynge alwayes that he Ihal receaue
but one mariage gyfte: And this alfo in fuch condition that the tyme which is excepted in owre.377


The disorder and
death of owre men.
The furie of
Wyndam.
The death of
Wyndam.
Pinteado euil vsed
of the maryners.
348
The death of
Pinteado.
Seuen hundreth
reys are. x. s [ten
shillings].
Alcayr, is halfe
a bushel




378                                         The fyrJf    vyage to Guinea.
ordinaunce forbyddynge fuch men to mary for gettynge fuch chyldren as myght fucceade them in this alowance,
which is fyxe yeares after the makynge of this patente, fhalbe fyrfte expired before he do mary. I therfore
commaunde yowe to caufe this to bee entered in the booke cauled the Matricola of owre houfliolde vnder the
tytle of knyghtes. And when it is fo entered, let the clerke of the Matricola for the certentie therof, wryte on
the backe fyde of this Aluala or patente, the number of the leafe wherein this owre graunt is entered. Which
doone, let hym returne this wrytynge vnto the fayd Antonie Anes Pinteado for his warrant.
I Diego Henriques haue wrytten this in Almarin the xxii. [twenty-fecond] day of September, in the yearT
of owre lorde. I55i. And this beneuolence the kynge gaue vnto Antonie Anes Pinteado the. xxv. [twenty-filth]
day of Iuly this prefent yeare.. m
Rey.      U
349           ET, The jecretaries declaration wrytten vnder the kynges graunt.
Owre maieftie hath vouchfafed in refpect and confyderation of the good feruice of Antonie
Anes Pinteado dwellynge in the porte, and foonne of Iohn Anes to make hym knyght of
yowre houfe with ordinarie alowance of feuen hundreth reys penfion byt he moneth and one
Alcayr of barley by the day as longe as he keepeth a horfe: And to bee payde accordyng
to the ordinaunce of yowr houfe with condition that he fhall haue but one mariage gyfte:
And that not within the fpace of. vi. [fix] yeares after the makynge of thefe letters patentes.
The fecretaries note. Entered in the booke of the Matricola. Fol. 683.
Erancifco de Sifuera.
El The coppie of the letter of Don Lewes th[e]infant and brother to the kynge
of Portugale: fent into Englande to AIntonianes Pinteado.
Ntonie Anes Pinteado, I the infant brother to the kynge, haue me hartely commended vnto
yow. Peter Gonfalues is gone to feeke yow, defyrynge to brynge yowe home ageyne into
yowr countrey. And for that purpofe, hath with hym a fafe conduct for yow, graunted by. *      the kynge, that thereby yowe may freely and withowt all feare come home. And although
the wether be foule and ftormy, yet fayle not to come. For in the tyme that his maieftie
hath gyuen yow, yow maye doo many thynges to yowre contentacion and gratifying the kynge,
wherof I wolde bee ryght gladde: and to brynge the fame to paffe wyll doo all that lyeth in
me for yowre profyte. But forafmuch as Peter Gonfalues wyll make further declaration hereof vnto yow, I fay
no more at this prefent.  Wrytten in Luxburne the. viii. [eighth] day of December. Anno. M. D. LII.
d Ihe Infant don Lewe[]s.
L thefe forfayd wrytynges I fawe vnder fe[a]le in the houfe of my frende Nicolas Lyefe with
whom Pinteado left them at his vnfortunate departynge to Guinea. But notwithitanding all
thefe frendly letters and fayre promyfes, Pinteado durfte not attempte to go home, neyther
H *      to keepe company with the Portugales his countrey men withowt the prefence of other, forafmuch as he had fecreate admonition that they intended to fley hym, if tyme and place myght
haue ferued theyr wycked intent.


378




The feconde vyage to Guinea.


379


c9 THE SECONDE VYAGE TO GVINEA.
__       _ t   -     -              in the fyrft vyage I haue declared rather the order
of the hyftory then the courfe of the nauigation,
whereof at that tyme I coulde haue no perfecte inm            formation, fo in the difcription of this feconde vyage
my chiefe intent hath byn to fhew the courfe of the
l a. ypp of            fame accordynge to the obferuation and ordinarie
cuftome of the maryners, and as I receaued it at the
handes of an experte pylot beinge one of the chiefe
in this viage, who alfo with his owne handes wrote
ra briefe declaration of the fame as he founde and
l           tryed all thynges not by coniecture, but by the arte
of faylynge and inftrumentes perteynynge to the
mariners facultie.   Not therfore affuminge to my
felfe the commendations dewe to other, neyther fo
boulde as in anye parte to chaunge or otherwife
difpofe the order of this vyage fo wel obferued by arte and experience, I haue thowght
good to fet furth the fame in fuch forte and phrafe of fpeache as is commonly vfed amonge
them, and as I receaued it of the faid pylot as I haue fayde. Take it therfore as foloweth.
In the yeare of owre lorde. M. D. LIIII. the. xi. [eleuenth] day of October, wee departed the ryuer of
Temmes with three goodly fhyppes, th[e]one cauled the Trinitie, a fhyppe of the burden of feuen fcore toonne:
Th[e]other cauled the Barthelmewe a ihyppe of the burden of. lxxxx. [ninety tons]. The thyrde was the Iohn
Euangelift a fhyppe of feuen fcore toonne. With the fayde fhyppes and two pynneffes (wherof the one was  350
drowned in the coaft of Englande) we went forward on owr vyage, and fteyde at Douer. xiiii. [fourteen] dayes.
We fteyde alfo at Rye three or foure dayes. More ouer laft of all we touched at Darthmouth.
The fyrft day of Nouember at. ix. [nine] of the clocke at nyght departynge from the coafte of Englande,
we fette of the ftert bearynge fouthweft all that nyght in the fea, and the nexte day all day, and the next nyght
after vntyll the thyrde daye of the fayde mooneth abowt noone, makynge owr way good, dyd runne. 6o. leaques.
Item from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the thyrde daye tyll. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. iiii. [fourth] day of
the fayde mooneth, makynge owr way good foutheaft, dyd runne euery three houres twoo leaques, which
amounteth to. xvi. [fixteen] leaques the hole.
Item from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. iiii. [fourth] day to. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. v. [fifth] day,
runnynge fouthweft in the fea, dydde runne. xii. [twelve] leaques.
Item runnynge from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. v. [fifth] day vntyll. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. vi.
[fixth] day runnyng foutheaft, dyd runne. xviii. [eighteen] leaques.
And fo from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the vi. [fixth] daye vntyll. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. vii. [feventh]
day, runnynge fouthfouthweft, dyd runne euery houre. ii. [two] leaques which amount to. xlviii. [forty-eight]
leaques the hole.
Item from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. vii. [feventh] day tyl. iii. [three] of the clocke the. viii. [eighth]
day, fouthfouthweft, runnyng in the fea, dyd runne. xxx. [thirty] leaques.
Item from three of the clocke the. viii. [eighth] day, vntyll. iii. of the clocke the. ix. [ninth] day, runnyng fouthfouthweft, dyd runne. xxx. [thirty] leaques.
Item from. iii. [three] of the clocke the. ix. [ninth] day tyll. iii. [three] of the clocke the. x. [tenth] day, dyd
fouthfoutheaft in runnynge in the fea the fum of. xxiiii. [twenty-four] leaques.
Alfo from. iii. [three] of the clocke the. x. [tenth] day vntyl. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the. xi. [eleventh] day,
VV9




380


The feconde vyage to Guinea.


- -


I


The Ile of
Madera.
The Ile of palmes.
Teneriffa.
The Canaries.
Frome madera to
the lie of Palmes.
Grancanaria.
Fortes Ventura.
The Iland of
Gomera.
351
Teneriffa.
Snowe.


dyd run fouthfouthweft the fum of. xii. [twelve] leaques, and from. xii. [twelve] of the clocke tyll. vi. [fix] of the
fayde day, dyd run. vi. [fix] leaques.
Runnynge fouth and by weft in the fea from. vi. [fix] of the clocke the. xi. [eleuenthl day tylU vi. [fix] of
the clocke the. xii. [twelfth] day, dyd run. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] leaques.
From. vi. [fix] of the clocke at after none the. xii. [twelfth] daye tyll. vi. [fix] of the clocke the xiii. [thirtcenthl
day at after none, dyd runne. xiii. [thirteen] leaques.
Item from. vi. [fix] of the clocke the. xiii. [thirteenth] day, tyl. vi. [fix] of the clocke the. xiiii. [fourteenth] day at
after none that we were becalmed that wee coulde lye fouthweftwith a fayle. And the. xv. [fifteenth] daye in the mornynge, the wynde came to the Eaft and eafte northeafl. The. xvii. [feventeenth] day in the mornynge, we had fyght
of the Ile of Madera which doth ryfe to hym that commeth in the north northeaft parte vpryght lande in the weft
part of it, and very hyghe: and to the fouth foutheafte a lowe longe lande and a longe poynt with a faddle throwgh
the myddefte of it, flandeth in the xxxii. [thirty-two] degrees: and in the wefle parte, many fpringes of water
runnynge downe from the mountayne,and manywhyte fyeldes lykevnto come fieldes,andfum whyte houfes to the
foutheaft parte of it: and the toppe of the mountayne fheweth very ragged if yow may fe it, and in the northeaft parte there is a byght or bay as thowgh it were a harborowe. Alfo in the fayde part, there is a rocke a
lyttle diftance from the fhore: and ouer the fayde byght, yow fhall fe a great gappe in the mountayne.
The. xix. [nineteenth] day at. xii. [twelve] of the clocke, we had fyght of the Ile of Palmes and Teneriffa and
the Canaries. The Ile of Palme ryfeth rounde and lyeth foutheafte and northwefle, and the northweft parte is
loweft. In the fouth, is a rounde hyll ouer the hedde lande, and an other rounde hyll aboue that in the lande.
There is betwene the foutheait parte of the Ile of Madera and the northweft parte of the Ile of Palme. lvii.
[fifty-feven] leaques. This Ile of Palme lyeth in the. xxix. [twenty-nine] degrees. And owre courfe from Madera to
the Ile of Palme was fouth and fouth and by weit, fo that we had fyght of Teneriffa and of the Canaries. The
foutheall parte of the Ile of Palme, and the north northeaft of Tenerifla, lyeth foutheaft and northwefle. And
betwene them is. xx. [twenty] leaques. Teneriffa and the greate Canarie cauled Grancanaria, and the well part
of Fortifuentura flandeth in. xxvii. [twenty-feven] degrees and a halfe. Gomera is a fayre Ilande and very
ragged and lyeth wefl fouthweit of Teneriffa. And who fo euer wyll come betwene theym twoo Ilandes, muftll
come fouth and by eaft, and in the fouth parte of Gomera, is a towne and a good rode in the fayde parte of the
Ilande: and it flandeth in. xxvii. [twenty-feven] degrees and three terces. Teneriffa is a hygh lande and a greate
hyghe picke lyke a fuger lofe. And vppon the fayde picke is fnowe throughowt all the hole yeare. And by
reafon of that picke, it maye bee knowen aboue all other Ilandes, and there we were becalmed the. xx [twentieth]
day of Nouember from. vi. [fix] of the clocke in the mornynge vntyll foure of the clocke at after none.


The coast of
Barbarye.
Cape blanke.
The ryuer of
de Oro.
The crosiers or
crosse starres,
Rio Grande


r Bettwene Gomeera and Ca/po de las Barbas.
He. xxii. [twenty-fecond] day of Nouember vnder the Tropike of Cancer, the foonne goeth
downe weft and by fouth.
Vpon the coaft of Barberie. xxv. [twenty-five] leaques by north cape blanke at. iii. [three]
leaques of the mayne, there is. xv. [fifteen] fadome and good fhelly grounde and fande
amonge, and no firemes, and two fmaule Ilandes flandyng in the. xxii. [twenty-two] degrees
and a terce.
From Gomera to cape de las Barbas is a hundreth leaques and owr courfe was fouth
and by eaft. The fayde cape flandeth in. xxii. [twenty-two] and a halfe: and all that coaft is flatte. xvi.
[fixteen] or. xvii. [feventeen] fadome deepe, vii. [feven] or. viii. [eight] leaques of frome the ryuer de Oro to
cape de las Barbas, there vfe many Spanyardes and Portugales to trade for fyffhynge durynge the mooneth of
Nouember: and all that coaft is verye lowe landes. Alfo wee went from cape de las Barbas fouthfouthweft and
fouthwefl and by fouth: tyll we brought owre felues in. xx. [twenty] degrees and a halfe, rekenynge owr felues
vii. [even] leaques of: and that was the leaft fholes of cape Blanke.
Then we went fouth vntyll we browght owre felues in. xiii. [thirteen] degrees, rekenynge owre felues. xxv.
[twenty-five] leaques of. And in. xv. [fifteen] degrees, we dyde reere the croffiers: and we mygllt haue rered
them fooner if we had loked for theym. They are not ryghte a croffe in the moonethe of Nouember by reafon
the nyghtes are fhorte there. Neuertheleffe we had the fyght of them the. xxix. [twenty-ninth] day of the fayde
mooneth at nyght.
The fyrft of December owte. xiii. [thirteen] degrees, we fette owre courfe fouth and by Eaft vntyll the fourth
daye of December at. xii. [twelve] of the clocke the fame day. Then we were in. ix. [nine] degrees and a terce,
rekenynge owr felues. xxx. [thirty] leaques of the fholes of the ryuer cauled Rio Grande beinge wefl fouthwefte
of them: The which fholes be. xxx. [thirty] leaques longe.


380




The feconde vyage to Guinea.


38i


The fourth of December, we beganne to fette owr courfe foutheafle, we beinge in. vi. [fix] degrees and a halfe.
The ninth day of December we fet owr courfe eaft foutheaft.
The. xiiii. [fourteenth] day of the fayde mooneth, we fette owre courfe eaft, we beinge in. v. [five] degrees
and a halfe, rekenynge owre felues. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] leaques from the coaft of Guinea.
The. xix. [nineteenth] day of the fayde mooneth, we fette owre courfe eaft and by north, rekenynge owr felues.
xvii. [feventeen] leaques diflant from cape Menfurado, the fayde cape beinge eaft northeaft of vs, and the ryuer
of Sefto beinge eaft.
The. xxi. [twenty-firft] day of the fayde mooneth we fel with cape Me[n]furado to the foutheaft abowt two
leaques of. This cape may be eafely knowen, by reafon the ryfynge of it is lyke a porpofe hedde. Alfo towarde
the foutheait there are three trees, wherof the eaitermoft tree is the hygheit, and the myddlemoit is lyke a heye
flacke, and the fouthermoit lyke vnto a iebet: and vppon the mayne, are foure or fyue hygh hylles ryfynge one
after an other lyke round hoommockes or hyllockes. And the foutheaft of the three trees, is thre trees lyke a
brandierwyfe: and all the coafte alonge is whyte fande. The fayde cape ftandeth within a lyttle in. vi. [fix]
degrees.
The. xxii. [twenty-fecond] of December, we came to the ryuer of Seito, and remayned there vntyll the. xxix.
[twenty-ninth] day of the fayde moneth Here we thought it belt to fende before vs the pynneffe to the ryuer of
Dulce cauled Rio Dulce, that they myght haue the begynnynge of the market before the commynge of the Iohn.
At the ryuer of Sefto, we had a toonne of graynes. This ryuer ftandeth in. vi. [six] degrees lackynge a terce.
From the ryuer of Sefto to Rio Dulce, is. xxv. [twenty-five] leaques. Rio Dulce ftandeth in. v. [five] degrees
and a halfe. The ryuer of Sefto is eafy to bee knowen by reafon there is a ledge of rockes on the foutheafl
parte of the rode. And at the enterynge into the hauen, are fyue or fyxe trees that beare no leaues. This is
a good harborowe: but very narrowe at the enteraunce into the ryuer. There is alfo a rocke in the hauen mouth
right as yow enter. And all that coaft betwene cape de Monte and cape de las Palmas, lyeth foutheaft and by
eall, northweft and by wefte, beinge three leaques of the fhore. And yow fhall haue in fum places rockes two
leaques of: and that betwene the ryuer of Sefto and cape de las Palmas.
Betwene the ryuer of Sefto and the riuer Dulce, is. xxv. [twenty-five] leaques. And the hygh lande that is
betwene them bothe, is cauled Cakeado, beinge. viii. [eight] leaques from the ryuer of Seflo. And to the foutheaftwarde of hym, is a place cauled Shawgro and an other cauled Shyawe or Shauo, where yow may get freffhe water.
Of this Shyawe, lyeth a ledge of rockes: and to the Southeaflwarde, lyeth a hed lande cauled Croke. Betwene
Cakeado and Croke, is. ix. [nine] or. x. [ten] leaques. To the Southeaftlwarde of, is a harborowe cauled faynte
Vincent. Ryght ouer ageynft faynt Vincent, is a rocke vnder the water, two leaques and a halfe of the fhore.
To the foutheaftwarde of that rocke, yow fhall fee an Ilande abowt three or foure leaques of. This Ilande is not
pafte a leaque of the fhore. To the eaft foutheafl of the Ilande, is a rocke that lyeth aboue the water: and by
that rocke goeth in the ryuer of Dulce, which yow fhall knowe by the fayde ryuer and rocke. The northweft
fyde of the hauen, is flat fande: and the foutheaft fyde therof, is lyke an Ilande and a bare plotte without any
trees, and fo is it not in any other place.
In the rode, yow fhall ryde in. xiii. [thirteen] or. xiiii. [fourteen] fadomes, good owes and fande, beinge
the markes of the rode to bring the Ilande and the northweft lande togyther. And here wee ankered the laft of
December.
The thyrde day of Ianuary, we came from the ryuer of Dulce.
Note that cape de las Palmas is a fayre high land. But fumme lowe places therof by the water fyde, looke
like redde cliffes with white ftrakes like wayes a cable length a piece. And this is to the Eaft parte of the cape.
This cape is the fouthermoft lande in all the coaft of Guinea: And flandeth in foure degrees and a terce.
The coaft from cape de las Palmas to cape Trepoyntes or de tres Puntas, is fayre and cleare without rocke
or other daungiour.
xxv. [twenty-five] leaques from cape de las Palmas, the lande is higher then in any place vntyll we came to
cape Trepoyntes. And abowt. x. [ten] leaques before yow comme to cape Trepointes, the lande ryfeth fltyll hygher
and hygher vntyll yow come to cape Trepoyntes. Alfo before yowe coomme to the fayde cape after other flue
leaques to the northweft parte of it, there is certeyne broken grounde with twoo greate rockes: and within them
in the byght of a bay, is a caftel cauled Arra, perteyning to the kynge of Portugale. Yow fhall knowe it by the
fayde rockes that lye of it: For there is none fuch from cape de las Palmas to cape Trepoyntes. This coafte
lyeth eafte and by north, weft and by fouth. From cape de las Palmas to the fayde caftell, is foure fcore and.
xv. [fifteen] leaques. And the coafte lyeth from the fayde callell to the Weftlermoft poynte of the Trepoyntes,
foutheaft and by fouth, northweft and by north. Alfo the Weftermoft poyntes of the Trepointes, is a lowe lande
lyinge halfe a myle owt in the fea: and vppon the innermoflle necke to the landewarde, is a tufte of trees, and
there we arryued the. xi. [eleventh] day of Ianuary.
The. xii [twelfth] day of Ianuary, we came to a towne cauled Samma or Samua, beinge. viii. [eight] leaques
381


Cape Mensurado.
The riuer of Sesto.
The riuer of Sesto.
Rio Dulce.
Cape de Monte.
Cape de las
Palmas.
352
The lande of
Cakeado.
Shauo.
Croke.
Saint Vincentes
harboroue.
The riuer Duce.
Cape de las
Palmas.
The coast of
Guinea.
Cape de
tres puntas.
The castell of
Arra.
The towne of
Sammna.




382


The feconde vyage to Guinea.


The ple[d]ge was
sir Iohn Yorke
his nevie.
Cape Corea.
The castel of mina
perteyninge to
the kynge of
Portugale.
Perecowe.
Perecowe grande.
Monte Rodondo.
353
The currants
Frome mina
homewarde.
Rio de los Potos.
Iverye.
Cape de las
Palmas.
Currantes.
The Ile de Flore.
The Ile of Corvo.
Where they lost
the sight of the
northe starre.
Howe the
compasse dooth
varie.


from cape Trepoyntes toward eaft northeaft. Betwene cape Trepointes and the towne of Samua, is a great ledge
of rockes a great way owt in the fea. Wee continued foure dayes at that towne: and the capitayne therof wolde
needes haue a pledge a fhore. But when they receaued the pledge, they kepte hym ftyl and wolde traffike no
more, but fhot of theyr ordinaunce at vs. They haue two or three pieces of ordinaunce and no more.
The. xvi. [fixteenth] day of the fayde mooneth, we made rekenynge to come to a place cauled cape Corea
where capitayne Don Iohn dwelleth, whofe men interteyned vs frendly. This cape Corea is foure leaques eaftwarde of the caftell of Mina, otherwyfe cauled La Mina, or CaJZello de AMina, where we arriued the. xviii.
[eighteenth] day of the mooneth. Here we made fale of al owr cloth fauynge two or three packes.
The. xxvi. [twenty-fixth] day of the fame mooneth, we weyd anker and departed from thenfe to the Trinitie
which was. vii. [feven] leaques eaftwarde of vs where fhe folde her wares. Then they of the Trinitie wylled vs
to go eaftwarde of that. viii. [eight] or. ix. [nine] leaques to fel part of their wares in a place caled Perecow, and
all other named Perecowe grande, beinge the eaftermoft place of both thefe, which yow fhal knowe by a great
rounde hyl nere vnto it named Monte Rodondo lynge weftwarde from it. And by the water fyde are many
hyghe palme trees. From henfe dyd we fet furth homewarde the. xiii. [thirteenth] day of February and plyed
vppe alongeft tyll we came within. vii. [feven] or. viii. [eight] leaques to cape Trepointes. Abowt. viii. [eight]
of the clocke the. xv. [fifteenth] day at after noone, we dyd caft abowt to feawarde. And beware of the currantes,
for they wyll deceaue yow fore.
Who fo euer fhall coomme from the coaft of Mina homewarde, let hym be fuer to make his way good weft.vntyll he reken hym felfe as farre as cape de las Palmas where the currant fetteth alwayes to the eaftwarde.
And within. xx. [twenty] leaques eaftwarde of cape de las Palmas, is a ryuer cauled Rio de los Potos where yow
may haue freffhe water and balaffe enowgh, and plentie of Iuery or Elephantes teethe. This ryuer flandeth in
foure degrees and almoft two terces.
And when yow reken yowre felfe as farre fhotte as cape de las Palmas, beinge in a degree or a degree and
a halfe, yow may go weft or weft and by north vntyll yowe comme in three degrees: and then yowe maye go
wefte northweft, and northweft and by weft vntyll yow comme in flue degrees and then northweft. And in the.
vi. [fix] degrees, wee mette northerly wyndes and greate rooftynge of tydes. And as wee coulde iudge, the
currantes went to the north northweft. Furthermore betwene cape de Monte and cape Verde, go great currantes
which deceaue many men.
The. xxii. [twenty-fecond] daye of Apryll, wee were in. viii. [eight] degrees and two terces: and fo we ranne to
the northweft, hauynge the wynde at northeaft and eaftnortheaft, and fumtymes at eafte untyll we were at. xviii.
[eighteen] degrees and a terce, which was on May day. And fo from. xviii. [eighteen] and two terces, we hadde
the wynde at eaft and eaft northeaft, and fumtymes at eaft foutheaft: and then wee rekoned the Ilandes of cape
Verde eafte foutheaft of vs, wee iudgynge owre felues to be. xlviii. [forty-eight] leaques of. And in. xx. [twenty]
and. xxi. [twenty-one] degrees, wee had the wynde more eafterly to the fouthwarde then before. And fo we ran
to the northweft and northnorthweft, and fumetymes north and by weft and north vntyll wee came into. xxxi. [thirtyone] degrees, where we rekened owre felues a hundreth and foure fcore leaques fouthweft and by fouth of the IIande
de Flore or de los Flores. And there we met with the wynde at fouthfoutheafl, and fet owre courfe northeaft.
In. xxxiii. [thirty-three] degrees, we had the wynde at the fouth and fouthweft: and then we fet owr courfe
north northeaft, and fo we ranne to xl. [forty] degrees: and then we fet our courfe northeaft the wynde beinge
at the fouthweft and hauynge the Ile de Flore eaft of vs, and. xvii. [seventeen] leaques of.
In. xli. [forty-one] degrees, we met with the wynd at northeaft, and fo we ranne northweftwarde. Then
we met with the wynde at the weft northweft and at the weft within. vi. [fix] leaques runnynge towarde the
northweft: And then wee caft abowt and ley northeaft vntyll we came in. xlii. [forty-two] degrees, where we
fette owr courfe eaft northeafl, iudgynge the Ile of Coruo fouth and by weft of vs and. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] leaques
diftant from vs.
A rememberaunce that the. xxi. [twenty-firft] day of Maye, we communed with lohn Rafe, and he thought
it beft to go northeafte, and iudged hym felfe. xxv. [twenty-flue] leaques eaftwarde to the Ile de Flore, and in.
xxxix. [thirty-nine] degrees and a halfe.
Note that in the fourth day of September [December?] vnder nine degrees, we loft the fyght of the north ftarre.
Note alfo, that in the. xlv. [forty-five] degrees the compaffe is varyed. viii. [eight] degrees to the weft.
Item, in. xl. [forty] degrees, the compaffe dyd vary. xv. [fifteen] degrees in the hole.
Item, in xxx. [thirty] degrees and a halfe, the compaffe is varyed. v. [fiue] degrees to the weft.
Be it alfo in memorie, that two or three dayes before we came to cape Trepointes, the pynneffe went
alongeft the fhore thinkynge to fell fum of owr wares. And fo we came to anker three or foure leaques weft
and by fouth of the cape Trepoyntes where we lefte the Trinitie.
Then owre pynneffe came a boorde with all owr men. The pynneffe alfo tooke in more wares. They
toulde me more ouer that they wolde go to a place where the Primrofe was and had receaued much golde at
382


The prymrose.




The feconde vyage to Guinea.


383


 I_ ~


the fyrfle vyage to thefe parties. And tolde me furthermore that it was a good place. But I fearynge a brigantine that was then vppon the coaft, dydde wey and folowe theym, and lefte the Trinitie abowte foure leagues of
from vs. And there we rode ageynfle that towne foure dayes: fo that Martine by his owne defyre and affente
of fum of the commiffioners that were in the pinneffe, wente a fhore to the towne. And there Iohn Beryn went
to trafike from vs beinge three myles of trafekynge at an other towne. The towne is cauled Samma or Samua.
For Samma and Sammaterra, are the names of the two fyrife townes where wee did trafficke for gold, to the
northeaft of cape Trepoints:
Hetherto continueth the courfe of the vyage as it was defcribed by the fayde pylot.
Nowe therfore to fpeake fumwhat of the contrey and people, and of fuche thynges as are
browght from thenfe.
They browght from thenfe at the lalt vyage, foure hundreth pounde weyght and odde of golde of. xxii.
[twenty-two] carrattes and one grayne in fineneffe. Alfo. xxxvi. [thirty-fix] buttes of graynes: and abowt two
hundreth and fiftie elephantes teethe of all quantities. Of thefe, I fawe and meafured fum of. ix. [nine] fpannes
in length as they were croked Sum of them were as bygge as a mans thygh aboue the knee: and weyed
abowte foure fcore and ten pounde weyght a piece. They fay that fum one hath byn feene of a hundreth and.
xxv. [twenty-five] pounde weyght. Other there were which they caule the teeth of calues of one or two or three
yeares, wherof fum were a foote and a halfe, fumme two foote, and fum three or more accordynge to th[e]age
of the beafte. Thefe great teeth or tuikes, growe in the vpper iaw downewarde, and not in the nether iawe
vpwarde, wherein the paynters and arras woorkers are deceaued. At this lafte vyage was browght from Guinea
the headde of an elephante of fuch huge byggeneffe, that only the bones or crauewe therof befyde the nether
iawe and greate tufkes, wayed abowte two hundreth weyght, and was as muche as I coulde well lyfte from the
grounde. 'In fo muche that confiderynge alfo herewith the weyght of. ii. [two] fuch great teeth, the nether iawes with
the leffe teethe, the tounge, the greate hangynge eares, the bygge and longe fnowte or troonke, with all the
fleffhe, braynes, and fkynne, with all other partes belongynge to the hole headde, in my iudgemente it coulde
wey lyttle leffe then fyue hundreth weyght. This headde dyuers haue fene in the houfe of the woorthy marchaunt fyr Andrewe Iudde, where alfo I fawe it, and behelde it not onely with my bodely eyes, but much more
with the eyes of my mynde and fpirite confydered by the woorke, the cunnynge and wyfcdome of the woorke
mailer: withowt which confyderation, the fyght of fuch ftraunge and woonderfull thynges may rather feeme
curiofities then profitable contemplations.
The elephante (which fum caule an oliphant) is the biggeft of all foure footed beaftes. His forelegges are
longer then his hynder. He hath ankles in the lower parte of his hynder legges, and fyue toes on his fiete
vndiuided. His fnowte or troonke is fo longe and in fuch forme that it is to hym in the fteede of a hande.
For he neyther eateth nor drinketh but by bryngynge his troonke to his mouth. Therwith he helpeth vp his
matter or keeper: therwith he ouerthroweth trees. Byfyde his two greate tufkes, he hath on euery fyde of his
mouth foure teeth wherwith he eateth and gryndeth his meate. Eyther of thefe teeth, are almoft a fpan in
length as they growe alonge in the iawe: and are abowte two inches in height and almoft as much in thickeneffe. The tufkes of the male are greater then of the female. His tounge is verye lyttle, and fo farre in his
mouth that it can not bee feene. Of all beaftes they are mofte gentyll and tractable. For by many fundry
ways they are taught and do vnderfland: In fo much that they learne to do due honour to a king, and are of
quicke fence and fharpenes of wyt. When the male hath once feafoned the female, he neuer after toucheth
her. The male Elephante lyueth two hundreth yeares, or at the leafte one hundreth and twentie. The female
almoft as longe: but the floure of theyr age, is but. lx. [fixty] yeares as fum wryte. They can not fuffer wynter
or coulde. They loue ryuers and wyll often go into them vp to the fnowte wherwith they blowe and fnuffe,
and play in the water: but fwymme they canne not for the weyght of theyr bodyes. Plinie and Soline wryte
that they vfe none adulterie. If they happen to meete with a manne in wylderneffe beinge owt of the way,
gentylly they wyl go before hym and brynge hym into the playne waye. Ioyned in battayle, they haue no
fmaule refpecte vnto them that be wounded. For they brynge them that are hurt or wery into the middle of
the army to be defended. They are made tame by drynkynge the iufe of barley. They haue continuail warre
ageyntf dragons which defyre theyr bludde bycaufe it is very coulde. And therfore the dragon lyinge awayte
as the Elephant paffeth by, wyndeth his tayle (beinge of exceadynge length) abowt the hynder legges of the
elephant: and fo fleying hym, thrufteth his heade into his tronke and exhautfeth his breth, or els byteth hym
in the eare wherunto he can not reach with his troonke. And when the elephant waxeth faynt, he fauleth
downe on the ferpente beinge nowe full of bludde: and with the poyfe of his body breaketh hym: fo that his
owne bludde with the bludde of the elephant, runneth owt of hym mengeled togyther: whiche beinge coulde,
is congeled into that fubilaunce which the apothecaries caule Sanguis Draconis, (that is) dragons blud, other383


The towne of
Samma.
354
Golde.


Golde foure
hundreth weyght
Graynes.
Iuery.
Elephantes teethe
The head of
an Elephant.
The
contemplations
of gods workes
The description
and properties of
the Elephante.
Debate betwene
the Elephant and
the dragon.
355
SanguisDraconis.




384


The fecozne vyage to Guinea.




I


Cinnabaris.
Thre kyndes of
elephantes.
Workes of Iuery.
The people of
Africa.
Libia Interior.
Getulia.
Ethiopes
Nigrite.
The ryuer Nigritis
or Senega.
356
A strange thynge.
Garamantes.
People of Lybia.
Prester Iohn.
Regnum Orguene.
Gambra.


wyfe cauled Cinnabaris, although there be an other kynde of Cinnabaris, commonly cauled cinoper or vermilion
which the paynters vfe in certeyne coloures.
They are alfo of three kyndes, as of the maryffles, the playnes, and the mountaynes, no leffe differynge in
condicions. Philoftratus wryteth, that as much as the elephant of Lybia in byggeneffe paffeth the horfe of
Nyfea, fo much doth the elephantes of India excede them of Lybia. For of the elephantes of India, fum haue
byn feene of the heyght of. ix. [nine] cubites. The other do fo greatly feare there that they dare not abyde the
fyght of them. Of the Indian elephantes, only the males haue tufkes.  But of them of Ethiopia and Lybia,
both kyndes are tufked. They are of dyuers heyghtes, as of. xii. [twelue] xiii. [thirteen] and. xiiii. [fourteen]
dodrantes, euery dodrant beinge a meafure of. ix. [nine] ynches. Sum wryte that an elephant is bygger then
three wylde oxen or buffes. They of India are blacke or of the colour of a moufe. But they of Ethiope or
Guinea, are browne. The hyde or fkynne of them all, is very harde and withowte heare or bryilels. Theyr
eares are two dodrantes brode, and theyr eyes very lyttle. Owr men fawe one drynkyng at a ryuer in Guinea
as they fayled into the lande.
Of other properties and conditions of the elephant, as of theyr maruelous docilitie, of theyr feight and vfe
in the warres, of theyr generation and chaftitie, when they were fyrife feene in the theatres and tryumphes of
the Romans, howe they are taken and tamed, and when they caft theyr tufkes, with th[e]ufe of the fame in
medicine, who fo defyreth to know, let hym rede Plinie in the. viii. [eighth] booke of his natural hyflorie. He
alfo wryteth in his. xii. [twelfth] booke, that in owlde tyme they made many goodly woorkes of Iuery or
elephantes teeth: as tables, treffels, pofles of houfes, rayles, latteffes for wyndowes, Images of theyr goddes,
and dyuers other thynges of luery both coloured and vncoloured and intermyxte with fundry kyndes of precious
wooddes, as at this day are made certeyne chayres, lutes, and virginalles.
They had fuch plentie therof in owlde tyme, that (as farre as I remember) Iofephus wryteth that one of
the gates of Hierufalem was cauled Porta Eburnea, (that is) the Iuery gate. The whyteneffe thereof was fo
muche efteemed that it was thought to reprefent the naturall fayreneffe of mans fkynne: In fo much that fuch
as went abowt to fet furth (or rather corrupte) naturall bewtie with colours and payntynge, were reproued by
this prouerbe: Ebur atramento candefacere.  That is: To make Iuery whyte with ynke. The poettes alfo
defcribynge the fayre neckes of bewtifull virgins, caule them Eburnea colla: That is: Iuery neckes.
And to haue fayde thus much of elephantes and Iuery, it may fuffice.
Nowe therfore to fpeke fumwhat of the people and their maners and maner of
lyuynge, with alfo an other briefe defcription of Africa.
It is to vnderflande that the people whiche nowe inhabite the regions of the coaft of Guinea and the
mydde partes of Affrica, as Lybia the inner, and Nubia with dyuers other great and large regions abowt the
fame, were in oulde tyme cauled Ethiopes and Nigrite, which we nowe caule Moores, Moorens, or Negros, a
people of beaftly lyuynge, without a god, lawe, religion, or common welth, and fo fcorched and vexed with the
hea:t of the foonne, that in many places they curfe it when it ryfeth. Of the regions and people abowt the
inner Libia (cauled Libia Interior) Gemma Phryfius wryteth thus.
Lybia Interior, is very large and defolate, in the whiche are many horrible wylderneffes and mountaynes
repleniffhed with dyuers kyndes of wylde and monftrous beaftes aud ferpentes. Fyrfl from Mauritania or
Barberie toward the fouth is Getulia, a rowgh and faluage region whofe inhabitantes are wylde and wanderynge
people. After thefe folowe the people cauled Melanogetuli and Pharufii whiche wander in the wylderneffe
caryinge with them greate gourdes of water. The Ethiopians cauled Nigrite, occupie a great parte of Aphrica,
and are extended to the Weft Ocean. Southwarde alfo they reache to the ryuer Nigritis whofe nature agreeth
with the ryuer of Nilus forafmuch as it is increafed and diminyffhed at the fame tyme, and bryngeth furth the
like beaftes as the Crocodile. By reafon wherof, I thinke this to be the fame ryuer which the Portugales caule
Senega. For this ryuer is alfo of the fame nature. It is furthermore maruelous and very firange that is fayde
of this ryuer. And this is, that on the one fyde therof, th[e]inhabitauntes are of hyghe flature and blacke: and on
the other fide of browne or tawny colour and lowe fltature, which thynge alfo owre men confirme to be trewe.
There are alfo other people of Lybia cauled Garamantes, whofe women are common. For they contracte
no matrimonie, neyther haue refpect to chaftitie. After thefe are the nations of the people cauled Pyrei,
Sathiodaphnite, Odrangi, Mimaces, Lynxamate, Dolopes, Agangine, Leuce Ethiopes, Xilicei Ethiopes, Calcei
Ethiopes, and Nubi. Thefe haue the fame fituation in Ptolomie that they nowe giue to the kyngdome of Nubia.
Here are certeyne Chriftians vnder the dominion of the greate Emperoure of Ethiope cauled Prefter Iohn.
From thefe towarde the weft, is a great nation of people cauled Aphricerones: whofe region (as farre as maye
bee gathered by coniecture) is the fame that is nowe cauled Regnum Orguene, confinynge vppon the eaft partes
of Guinea. From henfe wefiwarde and fumwhat towarde the north, are the kyngedomes of Gambra and Budomel
not farre from the ryuer of Senega. And from henfe towarde the inlande regions and alonge by the fea coaft,
384




The feconde zyage to Guizeca.


385.


are the regions of Ginoia or Guinea which wee commonly caule Gynne. On the weft fide of thefe regions towarde the Ocean, is the cape or poynt cauled Cabouerde or Caput viride (that is) the greene cape, to the whiche
the Portugales fyrft directe theyr courfe when they fayle to America or the lande of Brafile. Then departynge
frome henfe, they turne to the ryght hande towarde the quarter of the wynde cauled Garbino which is betwene
the weft and the fouth. But to fpeake fumwhat more of Ethiopia. Althowgh there are many nations of people
fo named, yet is Ethiopia chiefely diuyded into two partes: wherof the one is cauled Ethiopia vnder Egypte, a
great and ryche region. To this perteyneth the Ilande of Meroe, imbrafed rounde abowte with the ftremes of
the ryuer Nilus. In this Ilande women reygned in oulde tyme. Iofephus wryteth that it was fumtyme cauled
Sabea: and that the queene of Saba came from thenfe to Hierufalem to heare the wyfedome of Salomon. From
henfe towarde the Eaft, reigneth the fayde Chrflian Emperoure Prefler Iohn whom fum caule Papa lohannes,
and other fay that he is cauled Pean Iuan (that is) greate lohn, whofe empyre reacheth farre beyonde Nilus,
and is extended to the coafles of the redde fea and Indian fea. The myddle of the region is almoft in the. 66.
degrees of longitude, and. xii. [twelue] degrees of latitude. Abowte this region inhabite the people cauled
Clodii, Rifophagi, Babilonii, Axiunite, Mofyli, and Molybe. After thefe is the region cauled Trogloditica,
whofe inhabitauntes dwell in caues and dennes. For thefe are theyr houfes, and the fleffhe of ferpentes theyr
meate, as wryteth Plinie and Diodorus Siculus. They haue no fpeache, but rather a grynnynge and chatterynge.
There are alfo people without heades cauled Blemines, hauynge theyr eyes and mouth in theyr brefle. Lykewyfe Strucophagi and naked Ganphafantes. Satyrs alfo which haue nothynge of men but only fhape. More
ouer Oripei great hunters. Mennones alfo, and the region of Smyrnophora which bryngeth furth myrre. After
thefe is the region of Azania in the whiche manye elephantes are founde. A great parte of the other regions of
Afrike that are beyonde the Equinoctiall line, are nowe afcrybed to the kingedome of Melinde, whofe inhabitauntes are accuftomed to traffike with the nations of Arabie, and theyr kynge is ioyned in frendfhip with the
kyng of Portugale, and payeth tribute to Prefter Iohn.
The other Ethiope cauled Ethiopia Interior (that is) the inner Ethiope, is not yet knowen for the greatneffe
therof but only by the fea coaftes. Yet is it defcribed in this maner. Fyrfte from the Equinoctiall towarde the
fouth, is a greate region of Ethiopians which bryngeth furth whyte elephantes, tygers, and the beafles cauled
Rhinocerontes. Alfo a region that bryngeth furth plentie of Cinamome, lyinge betwene the braunches of Nilus.
Alfo the kingdome of Habech or Habaffia, a region of Chriflien men, lying both on this fyde and beyonde
Nilus. Here are alfo the Ethiopians cauled Ichthiophagi (that is) fuch as lyue only by fiffhe: and were fumtime fubdued by the warres of great Alexander. Furthermore the Ethiopians cauled Rhapfii, and Anthropophagi that are accuflomed to eate mans fleffhe, inhabite the regions nere vnto the mountaynes cauled Mon/es
Lume, (that is) the mountaynes of the moone. Gazatia, is vnder the tropike of Capricorne. After this, foloweth the fronte of affrike, the cape of Buena Speranza or Caput Bonce Spei, (that is) the cape of good hope, by
the which they paffe that fayle from Spayne to Calicut. But by what names the capes and goulfes are cauled,
forafmuche as the fame are in euery globe and carde, it were here fuperfluous to rehearfe them.
Sum wryte that Aphrica was fo named by the Grecians bycaufe it is withowt coulde. For the Greeke
letter Alpha or, A, fignifyeth pryuation, voyde, or withowt: and phrice, fignifieth coulde. For in deede althowgh
in the fleede of wynter they haue a cloudye and tempeftious feafon, yet is it not coulde, but rather fmoothering
hot with alfo hot fhoures of raine and fumwhere fuche fcorchynge wyndes, that what by one meanes and other
they feeme at certeyne tymes to liue as it were in fornaces, and in maner alredy halfe way in Purgatorie or hel.
Gemma Phrifius writeth that in certeyne partes of Aphrica, (as in Atlas the greater) the ayer in the night feafon
is feene fhyninge with many firaunge fyers and flames ryfinge in maner as high as the moone: And that in the
element are fumtime harde as it were the founde of pipes, trumpettes, and droommes. Whiche noyfes may
perhappes be caufed by the vehemente and fundry motions of fuch fyery exhalations in the ayer, as we fe the
lyke in many experiences wrought by fyre, ayer, and wynd. The holowneffe alfo and diuers reflexions and
breaking of the cloudes may be greate caufes hereof, byfyde the vehement cold of the myddle region of the
ayer wherby the fayd fyery exhalations afcending thether are fuddenly ftryken backe with greate force. For
euen common and dayly experience teacheth vs by the whyffinge of a burninge forge what noyfe fyer maketh in
the ayer, and much more where it flriueth when it is inclofed with ayer as apereth in gonns, and as the lyke is
fene in only ayer inclofed, as in orgen pipes and fuch other infIrumentes that go by winde. For wynde as fay
the philofophers is none other then ayer vehemently moued, as we fee in a payer of belowes and fuche other.
Sum of owre men of good credit that were in this laflt vyage to Guinea, affirme erneflly that in the nyght
feafon they felt a fenfible heate to coomme from the beames of the moone. The which thynge althowghe it be
firaunge and infenfible to vs that inhabite coulde regions, yet doothe it flande with good reafon that it may fo
be, forafmuch as the nature of the flarres and planets (as wryteth Plinie) confyfleth of fyre, and conteyneth in it
a fpirite of lyfe, whiche can not be without heate.
And that the moone gvueth heate vpon the earth, the prophete Dauyd feemeth to confirme in his. Cxx.
EDEN.                           2 F                                  385


Guinea or Ginoia.
Cap. Verde.
The Portugales
nauigations to
Brasile.
Ethiopia.
The Ilande of
Meroe.
The queene of
Saba.
Prester lohn
emperour of
Ethiopia.
People of the east
syde of Africa.
Ophiophagi.
People without
heades.
Myrre.
Azania.
Regnum Melinde.
Ethiopia Interior
Whyte elephantes
Habassia.
Ichthiophagi
Anthropophagi.
Montes Luna.
Gazatia.
357
Cap*. Bonae Sei.
Aphfica withowt
coulde.
The winter of
Africa.
Flames of fir-e
and noyse in th?
ayer.
The myddell
region of the
a[y]er is coulde.
The strife of
elelmeltes,
Wynde.
The heate of
the moone.
The nature ( f
the stars.






386                                        The feconde vyage to Guinea.
[i 2oth] Pfalme, where fpeakynge of fuch men as are defended from euyls by goddes protection, he fayth thus:
Per diem fol non exuret te, nec luna per noctcm. That is to fay. In the day the foonne fhall not burne the nor
the moone by nyght.
Spoutes of water  They fay furthermore that in certeyne places of the fea, they fawe certeyne flremes of water which they
fauling out of
the ayer.     caule fpoutes faulynge owt of the ayer into the fea: And that fum of thefe are as bygge as the greate pyllers of
churches: In fo muche that fumtymes they faule into fhyppes and put them in greate daungiour of drownynge.
Cataracts of  Sum phantafie that thefe fhulde bee the cat[a]ractes of heauen whiche were all opened at Noes fludde. But 1
heauen.       thynke them rather to be fuche fluxions and eruptions as Ariftotle in his boke de Mundo, faith to chaunfe in
the fea. For fpeakynge of fuche thynges as are feene often tymes in the fea, he wryteth thus: Often tymes
Vehement motio is alfo euen in the fea are feene euaporations of fyre, and fuche eruptions and breakyng furth of fprynges, that the
of the sea.
mouthes of ryuers are opened, whyrlepooles, and fluxions are caufed of fuch other vehement motions not only
in the middeft of the fea, but alfo in creekes and ftreyghtes. At certeyne tymes alfo, a great quantititie of water
is fuddeynly lyfted vp and caryed abowt with the moone. etc. By which woordes of Aryftlotle it dooth appere
that fuch waters maye bee lyfted vp in one place at one tyme, and fuddeynly faule downe in an other place at
an other tyme. And hereunto perhappes perteyneth it that Rycharde Chaunceler toulde me that he harde
A straunge    Sebaftian Cabot reporte, that (as farre as I remember) eyther abowt the coaftes of Brafile or Rio de Plata, his
fhyppe or pinnes was fuddeinly lyfted from the fea and caft vpon the lande I wotte not howe farre. The which
The poureof   thynge and fuche other lyke woonderfull and ftraunge woorkes of nature whyle I confyder and caule to rememberaunce the narownes of mans vnderftandynge and knowleage in comparyfon of her mighty poure, I can but
358   ceafe to maruayle and confeffe with Plinie that nothynge is to her impoffible, the leafle parte of whofe poure is
not yet knowen to men.
Many thynges more owre men fawe and confydered in this vyage worthy to bee
noted, wherof I haue thought good to put fum in memory that the reader maye afwell
take pleafure in the varietie of thynges as knowleage of the hyftorye.
Amonge other thynges therefore touchynge the maners and nature of the people, this may feeme flraunge
They rase the'r  that theyr princes and noble men vfe to pounfe and rafe theyr fkynnes with prety knottes in diuers formes as
skinnes.      it were branched damafke, thynkynge that to be a decent ornament. And albeit they go in maner all naked,
Fine iewells.  yet are many of them and efpecially their women in maner laden with collars, braflettes, hoopes, and chaynes
A braslet.    eyther of golde, copper, or luery. I my felfe haue one of theyr brafelettes of Iuery wayinge twoo pounde and
vi. [fix] ounces of Troye weyght, whiche make. xxxviii. [thirty-eight] ounces. This, one of theyr women dyd
weare vppon her arme. It is made of one hole piece of the byggeft parte of the toothe turned and fumwhat
carued, with a hole in the myddeft wherin they put theyr handes to weare it on theyr arme. Sum hale of euery
arme one and as many on theyr legges, wherewith fum of theym are fo galded that althoughe they are in maner
Shackelles.   made lame therby, yet wyll they by no meanes leaue them of. Sum weare alfo on theyr legges great fhackels
of bryght copper which they thynke to bee no leffe cumly. They weare alfo collars, braflets, garlandes and
gyrdels of certeyne blewe fiones lyke beades. Lykewyfe fum of theyr women weare on theyr bare armes cerRmnges.       teyne forefleeues made of the plates of beaten golde. On theyr fyngers alfo they weare rynges made of golden
wyres with a knotte or wrethe lyke vnto that whiche chyldren make in a rynge of a ruffhe. Amonge other
Dogs chains of  thinges of golde that owr men bowght of them for exchaunge of theyr wares, were certeyne dogges chaynes and
golde.          1
collers.
They are very ware people in theyr bargenynge, and wyl not lofe one fparke of golde of any value. They
vfe weyghtes and meafures, and are very circumfpecte in occupyinge the fame. They that fhall haue to do
with them muft vfe them gentelly? for they wyl not trafike or brynge in any wares if they be euyll vfed. At
the fyrft viage that owr men had into thefe parties, it fo chaunfed that at theyr departure from the fyrfle place
A muske cat.  where they dyd trafike, one of them eyther flole a mufke catte or tooke her a way by force, not myflruftynge
that that fhulde haue hyndered theyr bargenynge in an other place whyther they intended to go. But for al
the haft they could make with full fayles, the fame of theyr myfufage fo preuented them that the people of that
place alfo offended therby, wold bring in no wares: In fo muche that they were inforced eyther to reflore the
catte or pay for her at theyr price before they could trafike there.
Their houses      Theyr houfes are made of foure poftes or trees, and couered with bouwes.
Their feding      Theyr common feedynge is of rootes and fuch fyffhes as they take, wherof they haue great plentie. There
Fleing fishes  are alfo fuch flyinge fyffhes as are feene in the fea of the Wefle Indies. Owre men falted of theyr fyffhes hopynge
to prouyde flore therof. But they wolde take no falte: And mufte therefore be eaten furthwith as fum fay.
Howe be it, other affirme that if they be falted immediately after they be taken, they be falted imeiately after they be taken, they wyl laft vncorrupted. x.
A straunge thyng  [ten] or. xii. [twelue] dayes. But this is more fIraunge, that parte of fuch fleffhe as they caryed with them owte
of Englande and putrifyed there, became fweete ageyne at theyr returne to the clime of temperate regions.


386




The feconde vyage to Guilea.                                              387
They vfe alfo a firaunge makynge of breade in this maner. They grynde betwene two tfones with theyr  Their bread
handes as much come as they thynke maye fuffice theyr famelie. And when they haue thus brought it to
floure, they put thereto a certeyne quantitie of water and make therof very thin dowgh which they fIt3ke vppon
fum poft of theyr houfes, where it is baked by the heate of the fonne: So that when the mafter of the houfe or
any of his famely wyll eate thereof, they take it downe and eate it.
They haue very fayre wheate, the ere whereof is twoo handfulles in length and as bygge as a great bulutffhe,  Their wheate.
and almoft foure ynches abowt where it is byggeft. The tfeme or itrawe, femeth to be almoft as bygge as
the lyttle fynger of a mans hande, or lyttle leffe. The graynes of this wheate are as bygge as owr peafon:
rounde alfo, and verye whyte and fumwhat fhynynge lyke perles that haue loft theyr colour. Almoft all the
fubftaunce of theym turneth into floure, and maketh lyttle branne or none. I toulde in one ere twoo hundreth  359
and three fcore graynes. The ere is inclofed in thre blades longer then it felfe, and of two inches brode a
piece. And by this frutefulneffe the foonne feemeth partly to recompence fuch greefes and moleftations as  The soonne.
they otherwyfe receaue by the feruent heate thereof. It is doubtleffe a woorthy contemplation to confider the
contrary effectes of the foonne: or rather the contrary paffions of fuche thynges as receaue th[e]influence of his
beames eyther to theyr hurte or benefite.
Theyr drynke is eyther water or the iufe that droppeth from the cut braunches of the barren date  Their drinke.
trees cauled Palmites. For eyther they hange greate gourdes at the fayde branches euery euenynge and
let them fo hange all nyght, or els they fet them on the ground vnder the trees that the droppes may
faule therin.  They fay that this kynde of drynke is in taft much lyke vnto whey, but fumwhat fweeter
and more pleafaunt. They cutte the branches euery euenynge bycaufe they are fered vp in the day by
the heate of the foonne. They haue alfo great beanes as bygge as cheftenuttes, and verye harde with a ihell
in the flede of a hufke.
Many thynges more myght be fayd of the maners of the people and of the woonders
and monftrous thynges that are engendered in Afrike. But it fhall fuffice to haue
fayde thus muche of fuch thynges as owre men partely fawe and partely browght with
them.
And wheras before fpeakynge of the frute of graynes, I defcrybed the fame to haue holes by the fyde (as  Graynes.
in deede it is as it is browght hether) yet was I afterwarde informed that thofe holes were made to put ftrynges
or twygges throughe the frute therby to hange them vp to drye at the fonne. They growe not pafte a foote and
a halfe or twoo foote frome the grownde: and are as red as bludde when they are gathered. The graynes
them felues, are cauled of the phyfitians, Grana Paradyfi.
At theyr comminge home, the keles of theyr Ihyppes were marueloufly ouergrowen with certen fhels of. ii.  Shelles that cleaue
[two] ynches length and more as thycke as they coulde flande, and of fuch byggenes that a man may put his  to shyppes
thom in the mouthes of them. They certeynly affirme that in there there groweth a certeyne flymy fubftaunce
which at the length flypping owt of the Ihel and fauling in the fea, becometh thofe foules which we cal barnacles  Barnacles.
The lyke fhelles haue byn feene in ihyppes returning from Iflande. But thefe fhelles were not paft halfe an
inch in length. Of the other that came from Guinea, I fawe the Prymrofe lyinge in the docke, and in maner
couered with the fayd Ihelles, which in my iudgemente flulde greately hynder her faylynge. Theyr fhyppes
were alfo in many places eaten with the woormes cauled Bromas or Biffas whereof mention is made in the  Bromas.
Decades. Thefe creepe betwene the plankes whiche they eate throwgh in many places.
Amonge other thynges that chaunced to them in this vyage, this is woorthy to be noted, that whereas they  A secreate.
fayled thether in feuen weekes, they coulde returne in no leffe fpace then. xx. [twenty] weekes. The caufe
wherof they fay to be this: That abowt the coaft of Cabo Verde, the wynde is euer at the Eaflt by reafon whereof
they were inforced to fayle farre owte of theyr courfe into the mayne Ocean to fynde the wynde at the
weft to brynge them home. There dyed of owre men at this laft vyage abowt. xxiiii. [twenty-four] whereof  The death of
many dyed at theyr returne into the clime of the coulde regions, as betwene the Ilandes of Soria and Englande.  owr men.
They browght with them certeyne blacke flaues, wherof fum were taule and ilronge men, and coulde well agree
with owr meates and drynkes. The coulde and moyft ayer dooth fumwhat offende them. Yet doubtleffe men
that are borne in hotte regions may better abyde coulde, then men that are borne in coulde regions may abyde  Could may be
better abiden
heate, forafmuch as vehement heate refolueth the radicall moifture of mens bodies, as could confireyneth and  then heate.
preferueth the fame
This is alfo to bee confydered as a fecreate woorke of nature, that throughout all Afryke vnder the Equinoctiall line and neare abowt the fame on bothe fydes, the regions are extreme hotte and the people very blacke.
Whereas contraryly fuch regions of the Weft Indies as are vnder the fame line, are very temperate and the  The West Indie.
people neyther blacke nor with curlde and fhort woolle on theyr heades as haue they of Afryke, but of the


387




388


The feco;de vyage to Guinea.


-coloure of an olyue with longe and blacke heare on theyr heades: the caufe of which varietie is declared in
dyuers places in the Decades.
It is alfo woorthy to bee noted that fumme of them that were at this vyage toulde me. That is,
360   that they ouertooke the courfe of the foonne, fo that they had it north from them at noone the. xiiii. [fourteenth] day of Marche.
And to haue fayde thus much of thefe vyages it may fuffice.        For (as I haue fayd
before) Wheras the parteners at whofe charges this booke is prynted, wolde longe fence
haue me proceaded no further, I had not thought to haue wrytten any thynge of thefe
vyages but that the liberalitie of mafter Toy encoraged me to attempt the fame.
\hiche I fpeake not to the reproche of other in whome I thynke there lacked no good
wyll, but that they thought the booke wolde be to chargeable.




389


i THE MANER OF FYNDYNGE THE LONGITVDE OF
REGIONS BY DYVERS WAYES AFTER THE DESCRIPTION OF
GEMMA PHRYSIVS.
_                     Erceauynge what contention is and longe hath byn
not only amonge the pylottes that by trauaylynge
the fea haue obferued the ftarres, but alfo amonge
fum  men that are fkylfull in mathematicall fciense,
wherof many affirme that the longitude (that is to
meane, the courfe from the Eaft to the Wefte) can
not be perfectely knowen, I haue thowght good for
the better fatiffying of fuch as defire to haue film
knowleage hereof, to interprete fuch demonftrations
as I haue redde of the declarynge of the fame in
Gemma Phryfius, who as touchynge this matter
hath added th[e]inuentions of other, a more certeyne way of his own diuife wherby (as he fayth)
he can fynde the longitude of regions although he
were dryuen owt of the way a thoufande myles into places vnto hym vtterlye vnknowen
and of vnknowen diftance. He wryteth therfore as foloweth.
When yow haue founde the place of the mone, yow ought to confyder the houre when ihe occupyed that  By the mone
place. Then eyther by the Ephimerides or by the tables of Alphonfus yowe owght to knowe in what houre the
moone entereth into the fame figne of the Zodiake in an other region or towne whofe longitude is well knowen.
Then reducynge the houres to. xxiiii. [twenty-four] the leffe number of houres is to be deducted out of the
greater number. Then the remanent of the houres and mynutes is to be brought to degrees in this maner.
Multiplie the hours by. xv. [fifteen] and diuide the minutes of the houres by foure: fo fhall appere the degrees
of the Equinoctial conteyned betwene two meridians. And if after this diuifion there remayne any minutes,
multiplie them alfo by. xv. [fifteen] and therby fhalbe knowen the minutes of degrees. Adde this difference of
longitude founde to the longitude of the region knowen if the houres of that place bee more in number: or take
awaye from the fame longitude if they be leffe: So Ihall yowe in fine gather the longitude of the place vnknowen
from the Ilandes of Canarie. But the fame is more eafely and redely found geometrically by the globes by this  The Ilandes of
meanes. Set directly vnder the meridian, the place whofe longitude is knowen in the globe. Then directe the  Canarie.
Howe to fynd
poynte or ftyle that moueth abowt the pole, to the houre in the whiche the moone occupyeth the place affigned  the longitude by
in that region. Then turne the globe vntyll the ftyle that fheweth the houre, be coomme to the houre in the  the globe
whiche yowe fowght the vnknowen place of the moone. And fo hall the degrees of the Equinoctiall diftaunte
or diuyded frome the moueable meridian, declare the longitude of the region which yow feeke. Neuertheleffe,
the more certeine way wherby the differences of longitudes may bee founde, is by fum one thynge that in one
moment appeareth in all regions, as by the eclypfes of the moone. For the dyuers houres beinge knowen in  The Eclipses of
the whiche the fayd eclypfes chaunce in dyuers regions, the longitude maye thus afwell be knowen by geometrie  the moone.
and arithmetike, as it is founde by the rule here before. But foraflnuch as this doth neyther appere at al tymes
nor to all men, and the other way is fumwhat difficult, neyther at al tymes redy by reafon of the coniunctions
of the mone and furthermore alfo fumtymes vncerteyne and varying fumwhat from the truth for the dyuers
2 F 2                                   389




390.5


The manler of f)yydlnge the lonlgil/udes of regions.


I
I


361


Litle clockes
By the Astrolabie
and globe.
Horoscopus or
the Ascendent.
The latitude.


I
I
i


afpectes and latitudes of the mone, it fo chaunceth hereby that wee haue eyther no longitudes or the fame very
vncerteyne of many regions, and efpecially of thofe which the Spanyardes haue of late difcouered. For no
certentie doubtleffe can be knowen by fuch commenfurations as are made in the wanderynge turnynges and
wyndynges of fuch vyages, as Ptolome affirmeth in the firif booke of his Cofinographie. I wyll therfore adde
herevnto fum thynge of myne owne inuention whereby by an eafy way and at all tymes the longitudes of regions
may bee founde in all vyages and nauigations.
(C A   newze maner of fyndynge the Longitudes of regions.




Ee fee that in thefe owre dayes certeyne lyttle clockes are very artificially made the whiche for
theyr fmaule quantitie are not comberous to be caryed abowt in all vyages. Thefe often
tymes moue continually for the fpace. of. xxiiii [twenty-four] houres: and may with helpe
continewe theyr mouynge in maner perpetually. By the helpe therfore of thefe the longitude may bee founde after this maner. Before wee enter into any vyage, wee mufte fyrfte
forefee that the fayde clocke exactly obferue the houres of the place from whenfe we departe:
And ageyne that in the way it neuer ceafe. Accomplyffhynge therefore. xv. [fifteen] or. xx.
[twenty] myles of the vyage, if wee defyre to knowe howe much in longitude we are dyftant frome the place of
owre departure, we muff tary vntyll the poynt o0 flyle of the clocke do exactly come to the poynt of
fum houre: and at the fame moment by owr Aflrolabie or globe, owght wee to feeke the
houre of the place where we bee: The which yf it agree in minute with the houres
which the Horofcopium or afcendent dooth fhewe, then is it certeyne
that wee are yet vnder the fame Meridian or the fame Iongitude: and that owre courfe hath byn towarde the
fouth or north. But if it dyffer one hour or
any mynute, then are the fame
to bee reduced to degrees or minutes as we haue tought in the chapiture here before.
And fo ihall the longitude bee founde. And by this arte can
I fynde the longitude of regions althowgh I were a
thoufand myles owt of my attempted courfe
and in an vnknowen diftance, but
the latitude mufi fyrfte bee
perfectely knowen.




I0O




39I


C A4 bryefe reherfal of the con/entes of the bookes of hefyrft Decade, and fo
folowynge of all the other Decades.  Folio. i. [p. 65.]


N the fyrft booke is declared howe Chriftophorus
Colonus otherwyfe cauled Columbus, perfuaded
Fernando and Elizabeth, prynces of Spayne, to
foorther his attempte in fearching newe and vnknowen landes in the Weft Ocean. Alfo of the.
vii. Ilandes of Canarie, by whom they were founde
and conquered.
l  Howe Colonus founde the Ilandes of Hifpaniola,
and Cuba: And of the fierce people cauled Canibales or Caribes, which are accuftomed to eate mans fleffhe.
Of the rootes cauled Ages, Iucca, and the grayne Maizium, wherof the
people of the Ilandes make theyr breade.
Of the golde found in the fandes of ryuers, and of the ferpentes which
are without hurte. Alfo of turtle doues, duckes, and popyngiayes.
Of Maftix, and Aloe, with dyuers frutes and trees vnknowen to vs: and
of the frutefulnes of the Iland of Hifpaniola which the Spanyardes caule
Spagnuola.
Of the feconde vyage of Colonus into there regions, and howe he was
furnyffhed with. xvii. fhyppes and a thoufande and two hundreth fouldyers,
with all kynde of artiliarye, artificers, and grayne to fowe. And of the
tree frome the which water droppeth continually into a trenche made by
mans hande.
g     The contentes vf the fecona' booke.  Fol. 4. [p. 68.]
C( Howe Colonus departynge from the Ilandes of Canarie, fayled. viii.
hundreth and. xx. leaques in. xxi. dayes, and came to Dominica an Ilande
of the Canibales: And ot the fragrant fauour of fpices which proceded
from the Ilandes.
Of the Ilandes of Galanta or Galana and Guadalupea, and of the trees
which beare that kynde ol cotton whiche the Italians caule Bombafine, and
the Spanyardes Algadon.
Of dyuers kyndes of popingiayes: And of the Iland of Matinino or
Madinino, being inhabited only with women: Alfo of dyuers other frutefull Ilandes: And of a conflicte which the Spanyardes had with the Canibales.
Of certeyne Ilandes in the which are feene the mynes of metals and
precious ftones: and of the frutefull and peopulous Ilande cauled Burichena or Boriquen. or Infula S. lohannis.
Howe all the Admirals men whiche at his fyrft vyage he lefte in Hifpaniola, were flayne in his abfence by the rebellion of Guaccanarillus,
kynge of the Region of Xamana: and of the free kynde of lyfe which they
leade that haue not the vfe of money.
Of the. vii. maydens which fwamme. iii. myles in the fea: And of the
maner of gatheryng of gold in the fands of riuers.
c The Contentes of the thyrde booke.  Fol. o. [p. 73.]
1 A particular defcription of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, whiche Colonus
tlhynketh to be Ophir, from whenfe kynge Salomon had his great ryches
of golde.
Of the maruelous frutefulnes of Hifpaniola, and of the fuger canes
growynge there.


Of the golden regions of Cipanga or Cibaua, and of the ryuers in whofe
fandes is founde great plentie of golde.
Of certeyne graines of gold of exceadyng great quantitie.
Of wylde vines of pleafaunt tafte, and of graffe which in foure dayes
groweth as hygh as wheate.
Of the Ilande of Iohanna or Cuba, beinge the ende of the Eaft and the
Weft: And of the frutefull and peopulous Ilande of Iamaica.
Howe the Admirall thought that he had fayled abowte the lowell hemifpherie or halfe circle of the earth, and of a fecreate of Aftronomie
touchynge the fame matter.
Howe the Admirall gaue names to. vii. hundreth Ilandes, and patfed by
three thoufande vnnamed.
Of certeyne ferpentes lyke vnto Crocodiles of. viii. foote longe, whofe
flefihe is delicate to be eaten: and of certeyne trees which beare gourdes.
Of the ryuer whofe water is very hotte: and of the huntynge fyffhe
which taketh other fyffhes.
Of great abundaunce of Tortoyfes as bygge as targets, and of a frutefull
mountayne well inhabited.
Of dogges of deformed fhape and dum: And of whyte and thicke water.
Of wooddes of date trees and pynepaple trees, and of certeyne people
appareled like white friers.
Of certeyne trees whiche beare fpices, and of cranes of exceadynge
bignes.
Of flocke doues of more pleafaunte tafte then partriches.
An oration of a barbarous gouernoure as touchinge the immortalitie of
the fowle: Alfo of the rewarde of vertue and punyffhmente of vice.
A fimilitude of the golden worlde, and of prouifion withowte care.
Howe the admirall fell ficke by reafon of to much watchynge: And of
a fedition which rofe among the Spaniardes in the Ilande of Hifpaniola.
C The Conlenta of te fourth booke.   Fol. I8. [p. 79.]
Howe the Kynges of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, were by the Spaniardes
myfbehauoure prouoked to Rebellion: And howe the admirall fent for
them.
Howe kinge Caunaboa the Lorde of the houfe of golde, that is, of the
mountaynes of Cibaua, conipired the Admirals death, and how he with
his familie were taken prifoners.
Of a greate famine that chaunced in the Iland of Hifpaniola: and howe
the Admiral builded certeyne fortreffes.
Of a piece of rude golde waighinge. xx. vnces: and of the myne of the
riche metall cauled Electrum.
Ot the mountayne in the whyche is founde greate plentye of Amber and
orpemente: And of the wo ddes of brafile trees.
Howe th[e]inhabitauntes are put to theyre tribute: And howe the
nature of the Region difpofethe the maners of the people.
Howe the brother of kinge Caunaboa came ageynfle the Admiral with
an army of flue thowfand naked men: and how he was taken and his
army put to flyght.
Of the frutfull vale Magona, in the fandes of whofe ryuers is founde
great plentie oi golde: and of certeyne whirlewyndes and tempeftes.
Howe the Admirall fente foorthe his brother Bartholoneus Colonus
with an army of men to fearch the gold mines and of tle foffes which he
tound to haue bin digged in old tyme
39x




392


The contentes of the decades.


- -


C Th/   CoZntentes of the. v. booke.  Fol. 22. [p. 82.]
Howe the Lieuetenaunt builded a fortreffe in the golde mynes: And
prepared inflrumentes for the pourginge and fyninge of the golde.
Howe certeyne fhyppes laden with vyttayles, came frome Spayne: And
howe the Lieuetenaunt fent the kynges which rebelled, with three hundreth captiues into Spayne.
Howe the Liefetenaunte remoued his habytacion: And buylded a
fortrefle which he cauled faynt Dominickes towre Alfo howe he paffed
ouer the ryuer Naiba, and entered into the wooddes of brafyle trees.
Howe the great kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, frendely enterteyned the
Lieuetenaunt, and browght hym to his pallayce, where the kynges wyues
and concubines receaued him honorably with pompes and triumphes.
Of the fortreffes which were erected in Hifpaniola: And howe the
Lieuetenaunt exacted tribute of the kynges whiche rebelled ageyne.
Howe the Lieuetenaunt fette vppon the kynges vnwares in the nyght
feafon, and tooke. xiiii. of them pryfoners.
Howe kynge Guarionexius, capitayne of the confpiracie was pardoned,
and howe he perfuaded the people to obedience.
Howe kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, fente meffingers to the Lieuetenaunt
to repayre to his pallayce where he founde xxxii. kinges redy with theyr
tributes: And howe the queene Anacaona entyfed hym to eate of the
ferpentes fleffhe.
Howe the ferpentes fleffhe is prepared to be eaten; And how delicate
meate theyr egges are yf they be fodden.
Howe queene Anacaona, fyfter to kynge Beuchius Anacauchoa, enterteyned the Liefetenaunt, and gaue hym muche houfholde ftuffe and many
veffels of Hebene woodde artificially wrought and carued.
Howe kynge Anacauchoa and the queene his fyfter went aboorde the
Liefetenaunt his fhyppe, and howe greately they were amafed to beholde
the furniture therof.
Howe Roldanus Xeminus a Spaniarde, rebelled in the Lieuetenauntes
abfence: by whofe myfdemeanour alfo kinge Guarionexius was prouoked
to a newe confpiracie, and with hym Maiobanexius the kynge of the
mountaynes.
s   ' The contentes of thcfyxte boke.  Foli. 28. [p. 87.]
C The thyrde vyage of Colonus, and howe he diuerted from his accuftomed rafe by the Ilandes of Canarie to the Ilande of Madera for feare ol
certayne frenche pirates and rouers.
Of the. xiii. Ilandes which in olde tyme were cauled Hefperides, and are
nowe cauled the Ilandes of Caput Viride or Cabouerde, Alfo of the
Tortoyfes of the Ilande of Bonauifta, wherwith the leaper is healed.
Howe the Admirall founde contagious ayre and extreme heate nere the
Equinoctial where the north pole was eleuate onely fyue degrees: And
how failyng from thence weftward, he founde the flarres placed in other
order, and the fea ryfynge as it were the backe of a mountayne.
Howe the Admyrall faylynge weflwarde, and neuer paffyng owte of the
clyme or paraleles of Ethiope, founde a temperate Region and people of
goodly corporature: And what difference is betwene the natures of Regions
beyng vnder one paralele and one eleuation of the pole.
Of the Ilandes of Puta and Margarita: and of the fwift courfe or faule
of the Ocean from the Eaft to the wefte.
Of the goulfes cauled Os Draconis; And of the conflicte betwene the
frefhe water and the falte.
Of a fea of frefhe water: And a mountayne inhabited onely with monkeys
and marmafettes.
Of the fayre, riche, and large region ot Paria: And howe frendly
th[e]inhabitantes entreated the Admyrall and his men. Alfo of pleafaunte
wyne made of dyuerfe fruites: And of greate abundaunce of perles and
golde.
Of th-e regions of Cumana, Manacapana, and Curiana, beynge regions
of the large prouynce of Paria: And of the fea of herbes or weedes.
A certeyn fecreate as touchynge the pole ftarre and the eleuation of the
fame: Alfo of the roundneffe of the earthe.


Of the mountaynes of Paria in the toppes wherof Colonus erneflly
affirmeth the earthly Paradife to be fituate: And whether Paria be part
of the firme land or continent of India.
Ct Tie contentes of t/e. vii. booke.  Fol. 33. [p. 90.]
( Hlowe Roldanus Xeminus with his confetherates, accufed the Admirall to the kynge: And howe he pourged hym felfe and accufed them
Howe kynge Guarionexius rebelled ageyne: And with him kyng Maiobanexius: Alfo howe they with other kinges came ageynft the Lieuetenaunte with an armye of. viii. thoufande naked and paynted Ciguauians.
Alfo twoo rare exemples of frendfhyppe and faythfulnes in barbarous
princes.
Howe Colonus the Admirall and the Lieaetenaunte hys brother, were
fent bounde into Spayne: And newe officers appoynted in theyr places.
Tihe contentes of /te. viii. booke.  Fol. 37. [p. 94.]
C The nauigation of FPctus A /lphonfus frome Spayne to Paria, where in
the region of Curiana, he had in fhorte fpace. xv. vnces of pearles and
greate plenty of vytailes for haukes bellees, pynnes, lokinge glaffes, and
fuche other tryfelles.
Of certeyn coniectures wherby Paria is thought to bee parte of the firme
lande: And of the golden region of Cauchieta, where in the moneth of
Nouember the ayre is temperate and not coulde.
Howe Alphonfus had a conflicte with the Canibals: and howe they
are acuftomed to inuade other contreys.
Of greate abundaunce of falte in the region of Haraia: and howe the
dead bodyes of theyr prynces are dryed, referued, and relygioufly honoured.
Howe Alphonfus at his returne to Spayne frome Curiana, brought with
hym threefcore and. xvi. pounde weight of pearles which he bought for
owre tryfells amountinge only to the value of flue fhillyngs.
The contentes of th/e. ix. booke.  Fol. 40. [p. 96.]
C The Nauigation of Vincentius Pinzonus and Aries Pinzonus, and
howe they fayled beyonde the Equinoctiall lyne, lofte the fyght of the
northe Ilarre, and founde the Ilarres in other order.
Howe Vincentius paffynge the equinoctiall towarde the fouthe pole,
founde fierce and warlike people of great flature: And of the fea of frefhe
water.
Howe Vincentius directing his courfe towarde the north wefte from the
equinoctiall, recouered the fyght of the northe pole, and by the regions of
Mariatamball, Camomorus, and Pericora, came to the fayre and ryche
prouince of Paria, and to the regyons of Os Draconis, Cumana, Manacapana, Curiana. &c.
A coniecture that Paria (wherby is ment that mayne land now cauled
America) fhulde be parte of the fyrme lande or continent of India, beyonde
the ryuer of Ganges and no ilande: And of the excedynge great riuer
Maragnonus replenifhed with Ilandes.
Of Borioftomea and Spirioftomea, the mouthes of the famous ryuer of
Danubius, cauled in olde tyme Ifter: And of the commodities of the regions
and Ilandes about Paria. Alfo of the woodes of brafile trees.
Of many frutfull Ilandes wafted and lefte defolate by refon of the Caniballes crueltie: And of the trees of Caffia Fiftula. Alfo of other trees of
excedyng bygnefie.
The defcription of a certayne monftruous beafte, And how Vincentius
lofte two of his fhyppes by tempeftes.
Howe Vincentius at his returne to Spayne, brought with hym cinamome,
gynger, and certayne precious ftoones cauled Topafes. And of the nauigations of certayne other inhabitantes of the towne ot Palos.
Of the precious medicine cauled Anime Album. And of the diuerfe
fuperftitions of the inhabitauntes of Hilpaniola. Alfo of their Idolatry,
and howe they honour the ymages of deuylles, whiche they caule Zemes.




The contentes of the decades.


393




— I


E 77he Contentes of lhe. x. booke. Fol. 48. [p. 103.]
Of great plentie of golde, perles, and frankenfence found in the regions
ot Paria. And of innumerable beaifes in fhape dyfferynge from owres.
Howe the Spaniardes profered them felues to conquere the newe founde
landes, beynge in largeneffe thryfe as great as Europe befyde the fouthe
landes parteynynge to the Portugales. And howe the nature of the place
altereth the formes and qualities of thynges.
Of the Ilande of Cuba, and of the golde mynes of the Iland of Sancti


Iohannis, otherwife cauled Burichena, or Buchena. Alfo of the ryche
golde mynes of Hifpaniola, and of the order of workynge in the fame.
Of the two chiefe golde mynes of Hifpaniola. And of a pece of golde
weyinge thre thoufande thre hundreth and tenne pounde weyght.
Howe the golde is fyned and diftrybuted: And howe that only in the
meltynge fhops of the two golden mynes of Hifpaniola, is molten yearely
aboue three hundreth thoufande pounde weyght of golde.
Howe th[e]enterpryfes of the Spanyardes are not inferior to th[e]actes of
Saturnus or Hercules: And howe the Admyrall difcouered the lande ouer
ageynft the weft corner of Cuba and the Ilande of Guanaffa.


C The Contentes of the bookes of the feconde Decade.


r The conenles of the fyrfl booke.  Fol. 5I. [p. I06.]
( Howe after the death of Colonus the Admirall, the kynge gaue free
lycence to all fuche as wolde attempte any vyages: And of the nauigations
of Diego Nicuefa, and Alphonfus Fogeda
Of the Ilande Codego and the region of Caramairi: And of certeyne
fweete apples whiche turne into woormes when they are eaten, whofe trees
are alfo contagious.
Howe Alfonfus Fogeda, the Lieuetenaunt of Vraba, encounterynge with
the barbarians had the ouerthrowe. And howe in this conflicte, fyftie of
his men were flayne with Iohannes de la Coffa theyr capytayne.
Howe Fogeda, and Nicuefa the Lieuetenaunte of Beragua, reuenged the
death of theyr coompanyons: And howe Fogeda came to the Ilande
Fortis and the region of Caribana where he was repulfed from the golde
mynes by the fiercenefle of the barbarians vfyng arrowes infected with
poyfon.
Howe Fogeda was wounded in the thygh with a venemous arrowe, and
his men almoft confumed with famyn.
Howe a brigantine was drowned with the ftroke of a fyffhe: And of the
nauigation of Ancifus from Hifpaniola to Vraba.
Of the Lamentable fhyppewracke of Ancifus: And of the date trees and
wylde bores which he founde.
Of the frutes or apples of the trees cauled Ceders of Libane which beare
owlde frutes and newe all the yeare.
Howe onely three of the Canibales with theyr bowes and inuenemed
arrowes aflayled Ancifus with a hundreth of his men: In which conflicte
they wounded and flewe many. Alfo of theyr fwyftneffe of foote.
Of the great ryuer of Dariena: And how Ancifus encountered with fyue
hundreth of th[e]inhabitauntes of the goulfe of Vraba and put them to
flyght. Alfo howe he founde greate plentie of wrought golde and houfholde ftuffe in a thycket of reedes.
c The con/entes of te feconde booke.  Fol. 58. [p. II.]
( Howe Nicuefa lofte his felowes in the darke nyght and went paft the
mouth of the ryuer Beragua which he fought: And howe the capitaynes
of the other fhyppes confulted how to fynde hym. Alfo of the ryuer
Lagartos in the which great Lyfartes are founde much lyke vnto the
Crocodiles of Nilus.
Howe the capitaynes forfooke theyr fhyppes that the fouldyers myght
bee without hope of departure: And of the miferable chaunce of Petrus
de Vmbria and his felowes.
By what chaunce Nicuefa was founde, and of the calamities which he
and his coompany futfeyned. Alfo of the region of Gracia Dei or Cerabaro, and of the ryuer of Sancti Matthei.


Howe Nicuefa caufed them to remoue theyr habitacion from Beragua to
poynte Marmor where he bylded a fortreffe And howe his men by warre
and famyn, were confumed from feuen hundreth and odde, to fcarfely one
hundreth.
Howe one Vafchus Nunnez vfurped th[e]autoritie of the Lieuetenauntefhyppe of Vraba in th[e]abfence of Fogeda: And of the nauigation of Rodericus Colmenaris from Hifpaniola to Vraba.
Of the ryuer Gaira defcendynge from the toppe of a hygh mountayne
couered with fnowe: And howe Rodericus Colmenaris in a conflicte
ageynft the barbarians, lofte. xlvii. of his men by reafon of theyr inuenemed
arrowes.
Of the force of the poyfon wherewith the barbarians infecte theyr
arrowes, and a remedie for the fame. Alfo howe Colmenaris by gunnefhot
and kyndelynge fyers on the hyghe toppes of the rockes, came to the
Spanyardes lefte defolate in Dariena.
C: The contentes of thc thyrde booke.  Fol. 6. [p. 114.]
C Howe Nicuefa was fought foorth to acquiete the contentions of
Vraba: And howe he was ageyne reiected.
Howe Vafchus Nunnez inuaded, tooke pryfoners, and fpoyled the kynges
bortherynge abowt the region of Vraba: And howe Ancifus Lieuetenaunt
for Fogeda was cait in pryfon, and afterwarde fet at libertie.
Howe Ancifus tooke his vyage from Vraba to Spayne to accufe Vafchus:
who alfo at the fame tyme fent Valdiuia afwell to fpeake in his defence, as
alfo to certifie the kynge of theyr doynges.
Howe kynge Careta confpired with the Spanyardes ageynft kynge
Poncha whom they put to flyght and fpoyled his vyllage.
Howe kynge Comogrus frendely enterteyned the Spanyardes and brought
them to his pallaice where he fhewed them the dryed Carkafes of his
aunceflours referued and fumptuoufly apparelled: And howe the kynges
elder fonne gaue Vafchus and Colmenaris foure thoufand vnces of wrought
gold and fiftie flaues. Alfo a wyttie oration which he made to the Spanyardes, wherein he certifyed theym of a countrey exceadynge ryche in
golde, &c.
C The contentes of the fourth booke.  Fol. 66. [p. 18.]
C Of horryble thunder and lyghtnynge in the mooneth of Nouember,
and of grayne which waxeth rype thryfe a yeare Alfo how digeftion is
ftrengthened by owtwarde coulde.
Howe Valdiuia is fent ageyne into Hifpaniola to moue the gouernour
and counfayle there to fende into Spayne to the kynge for a fupplie of a
thoufand fouldyers to make way to the golden mountaynes: And howe
393




394


l7he con entes of the decades.


he caryed with hym the kynges portion, (that is) the fyfte parte of golde
and other thynges.
Howe Vafchus inuaded the kynges inhabytynge the regions about the
goulfe of Vraba, and howe he put kyng Dabaiba to flyght, in whofe
vyllage he founde wrought golde amountynge to the weyght of feuen
thoufande Caftellans.
Ot battes as bygge as turtle dooues which fumtyme byte men in the
nyght in their fleepe, whofe bytynge is alfo venemous: but is healed with
water of the fea or by cauterization as are alfo the woundes of venemous
arrowes.
Of the Ilande of Cannafiitula, and a towne of fyue hundreth houfes,
whofe kynge Abenamachei was taken and his arme cutte of in the
fyght.
Of trees of exceadynge bygneffe and heyght: And howe kynge Abibeiba
had his pallaice in the toppe ol a tree frome the which he was inforced to
defcende and entreate of peace.
r The contentes of the fyfth booke.  Fol. 69. [p. 120.]
41 Howe kynge Abraiba flewe a capitayne of the Spanyards and
caufed the kynges to rebell. Alfo howe they were put to flyght and many
of theyr men flayne.
Of fyue kinges which attempted a newe confpiracie with a hundreth
great Canoas and fiue thoufand men: And howe theyr intent was bewrayed
by a woman, and preuented. Alfo howe Rodericus Colmenaris facked
the vyllage of Tichiri and honge the kynge therof with foure of his chiefe
rulers, and commaunded them to be fhotte through with arrowes.
C The conlentes of the fyxe booke.  Fol. 72. [p. 122.]
41 Howe Vafchus with his confetherates, fente Iohannes Quicedus
and Colmenaris from Dariena to Hifpaniola and from thenfe to Spayne to
the kyng for a thoufand men to paffe ouer the mountaynes to the golden
regions: And what miferies they fufteyned in that vyage. Alfo of the
death of Val[di]uia, Zamudius, and Fogeda.
Of the profperous vyage of Ancifus. And howe godde wrought miracles
by the fimple fayth of a mariner. Alfo how god refpecteth th[e]infancie
of fayth for zeles fake: And howe one religion turned into another, holdeth
ftyll many thinges of the fyrfte.
Howe many of the barbarians were baptifed by reafon of the miracles:
And howe they rewarded the prefles by whome they were baptifed.
Howe Ancifus fhortly after his arryuall in Spayne, reforted to the courte
and made his complaynt to the kinge of th[e]infolencie of Vafchus, wheruppon the kynge gaue fentence ageynft hym: And howe apte the barbarous nations are to embrafe the Chriflian fayth.
a4 The contentes of the feuenth booke.  Fol. 79. [p. I26.]
4i Howe Quicedus and Colmenaris the procuratours of Dariena, were
honorably enterteyned at the courte and brought to the kynges prefence:
And howe theyr complexion was chaunged by alteration of the ayer.
Howe Petrus Arias a noble man, was elected gouernour and Lieuetenaunt
of Dariena: And howe other of the court laboured for the fame office.
Alfo howe the byffhop of Burges fpake to the kynge in his behalfe.
Howe Petrus Arias had a thoufande and two hundrethe fouldyers
appoynted hym at the kynges charges: And of the kynges cuflome houfe
in the citie of Ciuile, cauled the houfe of the contractes of India.
Howe a great number of Spanyardes profered themfelues to go at theyr
owne charges: And of a reftraint made that no fIraunger myght paffe
without the kynges licence. Alfo howe the autour reproueth Aloifius
Cadamuftus a wryter of the Portugales vyages.
Howe Petrus Arias fhortely after his departure frome Ciuile, loft two of
his fhyppes and was dryuen backe ageyne by tempeft: And howe beinge
newly furnyffhed, hee paffed the Ocean with more profperous wyndes.
The thyrde vyage of Vincentius Pinzonus, and howe he came to the


regions of Paria where encounterynge with th[e]inhabitauntes he put them
fyrft to flyght: but after faulyng to entreatie of peace, they gue hym
greate plentie of golde and abundaunce of mafculine frankenfence with
dyuers other princely prefentes.
Of the greate multitude of popingiayes which are in the region of Paria,
and howe th[e]inhabitours are apparelled. Alfo of the fyue kynges that
made a league of frendefhyppe with Vincentius.
Howe Vincentius fayled Eaftwarde by the tracte of the regions of Paria
vntyll he came to the poynte [Cap. S. Azgu/ini] of that longe lande which
the autour fuppofeth to be the greate Ilande Atlantike wherof the owlde
wryters make mention.
~ The contentes of the. viii. booke.  Fol. 80. [p. 129.]
4 A contention betwene the Caftilians and Portugales as concernynge
the diuifion of the newe founde landes: And howe the controuerfie was
fynyffhed by the byfhop of Rome.
Howe Don Chryftopher the gouernoure of the Ilande of Sancti Iohannis,
was flayne by the Canibales and the byffhop put to flyght. Alfo of the
other byffhops of the Ilandes.
Howe the Canibales of the Iland of Sancta Crux, flew and eate a kynge
with certeyne of his men beinge frendes to the Chryftians and made faggottes of theyr bones: And how querelynge with owre men, they put them
to filence.
41 The contentes of the. ix. booke.  Fol. 8i. [p. 30.]1
C Of the maruelous frutefulnes of the regions of Beragua, Vraba, and
Dariena: And of the dyuers kyndes of trees and frutes. Alfo of the pleafaunt tafte of fwynes fleffhe beinge fedde with the frutes of Mirobalane trees.
Of Lions and Tygers and other wylde beaftes: And of a beafte of
ftraunge forme.
Of the ryuers of the goulfe of Vraba, as the ryuer of Dariena and Rio
Grandis: And howe the great ferpentes cauled Crocodiles, are founde in
other ryuers byfyde Nilus in Egypte. Alfo howe th[e]autour of this booke
was fent Ambaffadour to the Soldane of Alcayr in Egipte.
Of the Portugales nauigations, and of the ryuer Senega founde by them
to bee a chanel of Nilus. Alfo of the multitude of byrdes and foules beinge
in the maryffhes of Dariena.
A phylofophicall difcourfe of th[e]originall and generation of fprynges
and ryuers: And of the breadth of the lande diuydynge the north and
fouth Ocean.
Of the great ryuer Maragnonus and of the earthly Paradyfe: And howe
fprynges are engendered by conuercion of ayer into water.
Of the often faule of rayne vnder the Equinoctiall line, and of the pores
of the fea opened by the South wyndes.
Of the great ryuers of Tanais, Ganges, Danubius, and Eridanus, famous
to the owlde wryters: And howe certeine ryuers runnynge throughe the
caues of the earthe, breake furth into fprynges afarre of.
C The contentes of the. x. booke.  Fol. 86. [p. I34.]
(1 Howe the newe founde landes difcouered by the Spanyardes in the
Weft Ocean, are eyght tymes bygger then Italie befyde that which the
Portugales poffeffe: And of the cardes of the fea drawen by Colonus and
Americus Vefputius.
The order of meafurynge the lande: And howe a league conteyneth
foure myles by fea and but three by lande.
The Nauigation of Iohannes Dias, and of the fundrye eleuations of the
pole ftarre.
Of the Ilande of Boiuca or Agnaneo, and of the fpringe whofe water
being dronke, caufeth owld men to loke yonge.
Howe Nicuefa and his fouldiers were fo oppreffed with famin, that they
were dryuen to eate mangie dogges, toades, and deade men: And howe a
brotbe made of a dogges fkinne, was foulde for many pieces of golde.


394




The con/entes of f/e decades.


395


C The contentes of /he bookes of the thyrde Decade.


C The conten/es of the fyrf booke.  Fol. 88. [p. 137.]
C Of the defperate aduenture and good fortune of Vafchus: And how
with a hundreth fourfcore and ten men, he brought that to paffe for the which
Petrus Arias was fente with a thoufande and two hundreth freffhe fouldyers.
Howe iren ferueth for more neceffary vfes then gold, and howe fuperfluities hynder libertie.
Howe Vafchus in one conflicte, filewe fyxe hundreth barbaryans with
theyr kynges: And howe he founde the houfe of kyng Quarequa infected
with vnnatural lechery, commaundynge that the kynge and fortie fuche as
he kepte for that purpofe, fhulde be gyuen for a pray to his dogges whiche
he vfed to ferue in the warres ageynft thefe naked people.
Of a region of blacke Moores: And howe Vafchus came to the toppes
of the mountaynes, where geuynge thankes to god, he behelde the newe
fouth Ocean neuer before fene nor knowen to men of owre worlde.
Howe Vafchus put kynge Chiapes to flyght, and after made a league of
frendefhyppe with hym: And howe the king gaue hym. iiii. hundreth
poundes weyght of wrought golde.
Howe kynge Coquera was putte to flyght; who alfo beinge receaued to
frendefhyppe, gaue Vafchus fyxe hundreth and fiftie poundes weyght of
wrought golde.
Of the goulfe cauled Sinus. S. Michaelis beinge full of inhabited Ilandes:
And of the manly corage and godly zeale of Vafchus. Alfo of the ryfynge
and faulyng of the fouth fea.
Howe kynge Tumaccus beinge dryuen to flyght and afterwarde reconciled, gaue Vafchus. vi. hundreth and. xiiii. pefos of golde, and two hundreth and fortie of the greateft and fayreft pearles: And howe the kynge
caufed his men to fyfhe for pearles.
Of the Ilande cauled Margaritea Diues: And of the abundaunce of fayre
and great pearles founde therin.
Of habitable regions vnder the Equinoctiall line: And of the Portugales
nauigations to the Antipodes inhabytynge the fyue and fiftie degree of the
fouth pole. Alfo a declaration of Antipodes, and of the flarres about the
fouth pole.
C The contentes of the feconde booke.  Fol. 95. [p. I42 ]
C Of the maner of fyffhynge for pearles and of the three kyndes therof.
Alfo dyuers other queftions concerynge perles.
Of the multitude of the fhell fyffhes wherin perles are engendered and
founde in maner in all places in the fouth fea: And of abundaunce of
golde founde almofte in euery houfe. Alfo howe the treafurie of nature is
in thofe coaftes: And of the golde mynes of Dariena.
Howe kynge Teaocha gaue Vafchus. xx. poundes weight of wrought
golde and two hundreth perles. Alfo of defertes full of wylde beaftes, and
howe Vafchus was troubled with greate heate in the moneth of Nouember.
Howe a dogge Tyger was taken, and his whelpes tyed in cheynes and
tome in pieces: Alfo howe Vafchus gaue. iiii kynges to his dogges to be
deuoured.
Of the vfe of dogges in theyr warres, and of the fierceneffe of the Canibales.


Howe kynge Bononiana fauoured the Chryftians and gaue Vafchus. xx.
pounde weyght of wrought golde. Alfo his oration to Vafchus.
A fimilitude prouynge greate plentie of golde in the regions of the fouth
fea, and of the trauayles which owlde fouldyers are able to fufleyne.
C The contentes of the thyrde booke.  Fol. 99. [p. 146.]
C Howe kynge Buchibuea fubmytted hym felfe to Vafchus, and fent
hym certeyne veffelles of golde. Alfo howe kynge Chiorifus fente hym. xxx.
dyffhes of pure golde.
Howe iren ferueth for more neceffary vfes then gold. Alfo an exemple
of the lyfe of owr fyrfte parentes.
Howe kynge Pocchorrofa fubmytted hym felfe, and gaue Vafchus. xv.
pounde weyght of wrought golde. Alfo howe Tumanama the great kynge
of the golden regions towarde the fouth fea, is taken prifoner. Lykewyfe
howe he gaue Vafchus. xxx. pounde weyght of pure and wrought golde,
and his noble men. Ix. poundes weyght of golde.
Of the caufe of vehement wyndes nere vnto the Equinoctiall line, and of
the coloure of the earth of the golden mines.
Of the large and frutefull playne of Zauana, and of the ryuer Comogrus.
Alfo howe kynge Comogrus baptifed by the name of Charles, gaue Vafchus.
xx. pounde weyght of wrought golde.
Of the good fortune of Vafchus, and howe he was turned from Goliath
to Elifeus, and from Anteus to Hercules: And with what facilitie the
Spanyardes fhall hereafter cbteyre greate plentie of golde and pearles.
Of the Spanyardes conqueftes, and fierceneffe of the Canibales. Alfo an
exhortacion to Chryftian princes to fette forwarde Chryftes religion.
C The contentes of thefourth booke.  Fol. I04. [p. I50.]
C The fourth vyage of Colonus the Admirall frome Spayne to Hifpaniola, and to the other Ilandes and coafles of the firme lande: Alfo of
the floryffhynge Ilande Guanaffa.
Of feuen kyndes of date trees, wylde vynes, and Myrobalanes: Alfo of
byrdes and foules.
Of people of goodly flature which vfe to paynt theyr bodyes: And of the
fwyfte courfe of the fea from the eaft to the weft. Alfo of freffhe water in
the fea.
Of the large regions of Paria, Os Draconis, and Quiriquetana: And of
greate Tortoyfes and reedes. Alfo of the foure frutefull Ilandes cauled
Quatuor Tempora, and. xii. Ilandes cauled Limonares.
Of fweete fauours and holfome ayer: And of the region Quicuri, and the
hauen Cariai or Myrobalanus: Alfo of certeyne ciuyle people.
Of trees groynge in the fea after a ftraunge forte, and of a ftraunge kynde
of Moonkeys which inuade men and feight with wylde bores.
Of the greate goulfe of Cerabaro repleniffhed with many frutefull Ilandes,
and of the people which weare cheynes of golde made of ouches wrought
to the fimilitude of dyuers wylde beaftes and foules.


395




396


The conltentes of t/e decades.


r


I


Of fyue vyllages whofe inhabitauntes gyue them felues onely to gatherynge of golde, and are paynted, vfynge to weare garlandes of Lyons and
Tygers clawes. Alfo of feuen ryuers in all the which is founde greate
plentie of golde: And where the plentie of golde ceafeth.
Of certeyne people which paynt theyr bodyes, and couer theyr priuie
members with fhelles, hauynge alfo plates of golde hangynge at theyr nofethrylles.
Of certeyne woormes which beinge engendered in the feas nere abowt
the Equinoctiall, eate holes in fhyppes: And how the Admirals fhyppes
were deftroyde by them.
Howe the kynge of Beragua enterteyned the Lieuetenant and of the
great plentie of gold in the ryuer of Duraba and in al the regions there
aboute: Alfo in rootes of trees and ftones and in maner in all the ryuers.
Howe the Lieuetenaunt and his coompany wold haue erected a colonie
befyde the ryuer of Beragua, and was repulfed by th[e]inhabitauntes.
Howe the Admirall fel into the handes of the barbarians of the Ilande
of Iamaica where he lyued miferably the fpace of tenne moonethes: And
by what chaunce he was faued and came to the Ilande of Hifpaniola.
Of holfome regions, temperate ayer, and continual fpring al the hole
yeare: Alfo of certeyne people which honour golde religioufly durynge
theyr golden harueft.
Of the mountaynes of Beragua beinge fiftie myles in heyght and hygher
then the clowdes: Alfo the difcripcion of other mountaynes and regions
there about, comparynge the fame to Italy.
Colonus his opinion as touchynge the fuppofed continente, and ioynynge
of the north and fouth Ocean. Alfo of the breadth of the fayde continente
or firme lande.
Of the regions of Vraba and Beragua and the great ryuer Maragnonus
and the ryuer of Dabaiba or Sancti lohannis Alfo of certeyne maryffhes
and defolate wayes, and of dragons and Crocodiles engendered in the fame.
Of. xx. golden ryuers abowt Dariena and of certeyne precious ftones,
efpecially a diamunde of marueilous byggeneffe bought in the prouince of
Paria.
Of the heroical factes of the Spanyardes and howe they contemne effeminate pleafures. Alfo a fimilitude prouynge greate plentie of golde and
precious flones.
C The conlentes of tle fif/ti booke.  Fol I1 3. [p. 56.]
C The nauigation of Petrus Arias from  Spayne to Hifpaniola and
i)ariena, and of the Ilandes of Canarie. Alfo of the Ilandes of Madanino,
Guadalupea, and Galanta.
Of the fea of herbes and mountaynes couered with fnow: Alfo of the
fwyfte courfe of the fea towarde the wefl.
Of the ryuer Gaira, the region Caramairi, and the porte Carthago
and Sancta Martha: Alfo of Americus Vefputius and his expert cunnynge
in the knowledge of the carde, compaffe and quadrant.
Howe the Canibales affayled Petrus Arias with his hole nauie, and fhot
of theyr venemous arrowes euen in the fea. Alfo of theyr houfes and
houfholde fluffe.
Howe Gonzalus Ouiedus founde a faphire bygger then a goofe egge:
Alfo emerodes, calcidonies, iafpers, and amber of the mountaynes.
Of woddes of braille trees, plentie of golde, and marchafites of metals
founde in the regions of Caramairi, Gaira, and Saturma. Alfo of a ftraunge
kynde of marchaundies exercifed amonge the people of Zunu.
That the region of Caramairi is lyke to an earthly Paradife: And of
the frutefull mountaynes, and pleafaunte gardeynes of the fame.
Of many goodly countreys made defolate by the fiercenes of the Canibales, and of dyuers kyndes of breade made of rootes. Alfo of the maner
of plantynge the roote of Iucca, whofe iuife is deadely poyfon in tile Ilandes,
and without hurte in the continent or firme lande.
Of certeyne golden ryuers, hartes, wylde bores, foules, goffampine,
whyte marble, and holfome ayer. Alfo of the greate ryuer Maragnonus
defcendynge from  the mountaines couered with fnowe, cauled Serra
Neuata.


Howe Petrus Arias wafted certeyne Ilandes of the Canibales: And
howe by the fwyfte courfe of the fea, his fhyppes were caried in one nyght
fortie leagues beyond th[eleftimation of the belle pylottes..  C The contentes of thefyxte booke.  Fol. i 8. [p. 6i.]
41 Of fundry opinions why the fea runneth with fo fwyft a courfe from
the Eafte to the weft: and of the greate goulfe of the north parte of the
firme lande.
The vyage of Sebaftian Cabote from Englande to the frofen fea, and
howe being repulfed with Ife in the moonethe of Iuly, he fayled farre weftwarde.
Of people apparelled with beaftes fkynnes: And howe beares take fyffhes
in the fea and eate them.
Howe Sebaftian Cabote after that he had difcouered the lande of Baccallaos or Baccallearum, was cauled out of Englande into Spayne, where he
was made one of th[e]affiftaunce of the counfayle of th[e]affayres of India,
and of his fecond viage
Of the Ilande Fortis: And howe a great foule as bygge as a florke
lyghted in the gouernours fhyppe. Alfo howe he arryued at Dariena with
the kynges nauie.
Howe Vafchus receaued the newe gouernour: And of habitable regions
vnder the Equinoctial.
Howe Petrus Aries the newe gouernour diftributed his army to conquere
the fouth regions ryche in golde, and to erecte newe colonies in the fame.
Of the ryche golde mynes of Dabaiba, and of th[e]expedition ageynft the
kynge of that region.
Of the Violent courfe of the fea from the eaft to the weft: And of the
difficulte faylynge ageynft the fame.
Of the pettiferous and vnwholfome ayer of Sancta Maria Antigua in
Dariena: and howe the Spanyardes were of neceffitie inforced to plant
theyr fyrft colonie and habitation there.
The caufe of the varietie of regions lyinge all vnder one degree or paralelle, and by what meanes the fonne beames are caufe of feruent heate.
Of toades and flees engendered of droppes of water, and of a houfe fet
on fyre with lyghtnynge.
Of a dogge deuoured of a Crocodyle [ Tanquam canis e Nilo], and of the
venemus bytynge of great battes. Alfo of Lions and Tygers and other
wylde beafles.
Howe in thefe regions all foure footed beafles growe to a bygger quantitie
then they whiche were of the fyrfle broode. Alfo of certeyne trees of whofe
planckes if fhips be made, they are fafe frome the woormes cauled Broma
or Byffas.
Of a tre whofe wod is prefent poyfon yf it be only borne about: And of
an herbe that is a preferuatiue ageinft the fame.
Of the ryche Ilandes of the fouth fea, and of certeyne expeditions ageynflt
the Canibales.
C The contentes of the. vii. booke.  Fol. I24. [p. I65.]
C The particular defcription of the Ilande of Hifpaniola, and of the
ryche Ilande cauled Margaritea Diues lyinge in the South fea. Alfo of
the greate abundaunce of bigge pearles founde in the fame.
Howe the autoure compareth Hifpaniola to the earthely Paradyfe: And
howe it farre excelleth Italy in fertilitie and temperate ayre.
Of the fyrfle inhabitours of Hifpaniola and of the Ilandes of Canarie.
Howe the inhabitauntes of Hifpaniola in theyr fonges and rhymes had
certeyne prophefies that appareled men fhulde coome to theyr contrey and
brynge them into feruitude: And of theyr familiaritie with fpirites. Alfo
howe thofe fpirites haue no more appered to them fence they were
baptifed.
Of theyr experteneffe in fwymmynge: And of tneyr delycate ferpentes,
byrdes, foules, and popingiais.


I


396




The contenles of the decades.


397


-


Of the forme and fituation of Hifpaniola nere the Equinoctiall: And
howe coulde is in fum place thereof accidentall and not by the fituation of
the region.
Of oxen and fwyne of exceadinge bygneffe: And of eares of wheate as
bygge as a mans arme in the braun. Alfo howe the fwyne are fedde with
myrobalanes. &c.
Of plenty of golde, brafyle, maftix, goffampyne, Electrum &c.: And of
th[e]incommodities of intemperate regions.
Of dyuers languages in the Ilande: And howe the prouynces are deuided into regions.
Howe Andreas Moralis fayled into a daungerous and darke caue within
the rocke of a mountayne: And of hole ryuers deuoured of fuch caues.
Alfo of the conflycte of the waters.
Of a fiandynge pole in the tope of an hygh mountayne: And howe
ferne and bramble buffhes growe only in coulde regyons.
C The coitentces of the. viii. boole.  Fol. 130. [p. I70.]
E Of a greate lake or ftandyng poole of fowre and falte water, and of the
fea fyffles in the fame in the myddelande of the Ilande. Alfo of deuourynge fyffhes cauled Tiburoni.
Of the ryuers fauling into the lakes, and of. CC. [200] fpringes in the fpace
of a furlonge.
A meruelous hyftory of a kynge ifryken dumme and lame by a miracle:
And of the Indian language.
Howe fuche as are drowned in the lake, are neuer cafte vp ageyne:
And of the Ilande Guarizacca in the myddefte of the flandynge lake. Alfo
of a lake of freffhe water, and an other of falte and freffhe water.
Of a large pla,vne of two hundreth myles in length: And an other of a
hundrethe and twentie.
Of the meruelous fyffhe or monifer of the fea, cauled Maniti or Matum,
fedde with mans hande: and howe fhe caryeth men ouer the lake.
Of the mountaynes, vales, hylles, playnes, and ryuers of Hifpaniola:
And howe golde is founde in all mountaines and golde and fyffhes in all
ryuers.
Of falte bayes, and howe the ryuers haue theyr increafe from the caues
of the mountaynes. Alfo howe there is no hurtefulle beafte in the Ilande.
Of the pleafures of Hifpaniola: And of the region of Cotohi well
inhabyted and fituate in a playne in the toppes of mountaynes reachynge
to the clowdes.
Of moderate coulde in the mountaynes, and of ferne of merueylous
bygneffe.
Howe pure and maffie golde is founde in the region of Cotoy or Cotohy:
And that the veyne of golde is a lyuynge tree. Alfo of the rootes,
braunches, and floures of the fame, and howe certeyne caues are fufteyned
with pyllers of golde.
What golde is broughte yearely from Hifpaniola into Spayne: And of
the falte of the mountaynes, beinge as hard as ftones and cleare as cryflall.
Alfo fprynges of falte, frefh and fower water.
Of certeyne wylde men lyuynge in caues and dennes without any certeyne
language: And of theyr meruylous fwiftneffe a foote.
Of pytche of the rocke and twoo kyndes of trees: And of the leafe of a
tree vfed in the fleede of paper. Alfo howe th[e]inhabitantes tliinke
that the Chriftians can make thofe leaues fpeake and difclofe all fecreates.
Of a ftronge coloure made of the iufe of a certeyn apple: And of the
herbe whofe fmoke is poyfon.


The conltelnes of the. ix. booke.  Fol. 136. [p. 175.]
Of the kyndes of frutes wherwith th[e]inhabitauntes of Hifpaniola lyued
fyrRfe, and howe they came to the knowelege of Iucca. Alfo howe Ceres
fyrtf found wheate and barley in Egypte.
Wl y tkeyr kinges are cauled by dyuers names, and by what names they
falute the kynges chyldren when they are borne.
Howe they make theyr teftamentes, and howe certeyne of the kynges
wyues and concubines are buryed with them.
Of the variable motions of the elementes in Hifpaniola: And where it
rayneth but lyttle, and where much.
Of the colonies and vyllages that the Spanyardes haue buylded in
Iifpaniola: and of the other Ilands about the fame
Of a fprynge which runnyng vnder the fea from Hifpaniola, breaketh
furth in the Iland of Arethufa: Alfo of habitable regions vnder the Equinoctial, and of the ryche golde mynes of the Ilande of Cuba.
Of the gumme cauled Animev Album: And of the Canibale[s]. Alfo
whereby it was thought that there were Ilandes of women.
Of hony founde in trees and rockes: And of the generation of greate
Tortoyfes and of theyr egges.
C The contentes of the. x. booke.  Fol. 140. [p. 178.]
C Of the expedition ageynfte the kynge of the Ilande Dites in the fouth
fea: And howe after foure conflictes, fubmyttynge hym felfe, he gaue our
men a hundreth and ten pounde weyght of greate pearles. Alfo howe
he agreed to pay yearely a hundreth pounde weyght of pearles for a
tribute.
Howe axes and hatchettes are more erfeemed then golde, or perles:
And of greate plentie of hartes and cunnyes. Alfo howe the kynge of
Dites and his famelie were baptifed.
Of perles of great pryce: And howe Paule the byffhop of Rome bowght
a perle for four and fortie thoufand ducades.
Dyuers opinions of the generation of perles: And of a hundreth pearles
founde in one fhel fyffhe. Alfo of the byrth of pearles.
Of the regions of the Eafte fyde of the goulfe of Vraba: And of the
originall of the Canibales.
Of certeyne circumcifed people which haue the knowledge of letters and
vfe bookes: And what chaunced of the capitaynes which Petrus Arias
fente furth dyuers wayes. Alfo howe Iohn Solyfius was flayne of the
Canibales, and of theyr fierceneffe.
Howe Iohn Pontius was repulfed of the Canibales, and of the lewde
behauour of Iohn Aiora.
Of the variable fortune of Gonfalus Badaiocius: And howe after he
hadde gathered greate ryches of golde, he had the ouerthrowe, and was
fpoyled of all. Of the golden region of Coiba l)ites: And howe theyr
flaues are marked in the face.
Of the Ilandes of the fouth fea: And of the regions frome whenfe the
Portugales fetche their fpices.
Of a ftraunge kynde of fowlynge: and of the trees that beare gourdes.
Of the later opinions as touchynge the fwyfte courfe of the Ocean
towarde the wefte: and of the continente or firme lande. Alfo of the
vyage from the newe landes to Spayne.
Of the golde mynes of Dariena: and the maner of gatherynge of golde in
the fame: Alfo of the dropfie of couetoufnes which is not fatiffyed with ryches.


C For t/he contentes of te booeke of the Hands laely found reade the margenle
notes of the fame.;rIxNeo.




398                               [The Eud of I/hc Originial Editloll.]
~ITH[E-]INTE-RPRE-TOVRS E-XCV-S'"I haue not in wrytynge byn very curious
To auoyde the fcornes of Rhinoceros nofe,
Or the fyled iudgement of feuere Ariffarchus
Not fearynge thereby any thynge to lofe,
But haue thought it fufficient to be open and playne
Not lookynge for other commoditie or gayne.
I am not eloquent I knowe it ryght wvell.
If I be not barbarous I defyre no more,
I haue not for euery woorde afked counfell
Of eloquent Eliot or fyr Thomas Moore.
Take it therfore as I haue intended,
The fautes with fauour may foone be amended.
The poet Hromere for all his eloquence,
Lacked not Zoilus to be his fo[e]
Wherfore I conclude this for a trewe fentence.
That no man lacketh fuo bargello:
For as no beafte lyueth without woorme or flye,
So no man lacketh his priuie enemie.
Rumpatur Zoilus.
E1 Fautes efcaped in (lie pryntynge. F. (lhe lea/e. L. (lie line. B. (lie backe fj'de of (lie lea/c.
[Thefe corrections have all been embodied in the Text.]
(j Itnprpntrb at?Lonbon in 4Vaulto CIturdj=
LParbe at tI)c 0[t11t of tije JipbIc
bp Thyipdabc 1 tigo
[In other copies.]
piarb at tije ztipi of tije 3ell 14)
3Uobrtt Q1OM.
Anno. Domini. M. D. LV.


398




Abarien


ZIndex.


Atiei           399




Index
of
Personal names, and names of paeciefl outside Europe.


*.* The Contents Pages at vii.-x., 12, 45, and 391-398 have not been indexed.


Abarien island, 255
Abdua river, 315
Abenamachie, King, I 1, 120, 121
Abibeiba, King, 120, 121
Abila inountaynes, 236
Abraham, 51, 52
Abraiba, 120, 121
Abrayme Prouince, 226
Aburemna river, 135, 152
Acatan, 34
Acateba, 153
Achaia, 176
Achas town, 325'
Achemenides, 135, 154
Achilles, 5
Achor, Vale of, 50
Acla village, 231
Acuna, The Licentate, 272
Adain, 229, 338, 340
Adams, Clement, xxxviii., 289
Adda river, 363, 364
Aden, 13, 24, 267, 269
Aden, King of, 13
Adialbenicus, Emperor, 176
Adipson, 285
Adriane, Pope, 309
Adriatike sea, 133, 155, 318
A/Eneas Siluius, 8, 41, 50, 347
Africa, xix., xxi., xxix., 9, 13, 35,
52, 56, 126, 1 29, 139, 236, 2415,
248, 250, 261, 262, 273, 285,
295, 298, 337, 338, 340, 346,
373, 384, 385, 387.
Africa, Gulf of, 270, 374.
Afrijken, xxxi.
Agathyrsi, 91i
Agermannia, Dukedome Of; 305
Agisimba, Region Of, 41
Agnaneo island, 135
Agnes, Vinceptius, 105, 128, 129
Agricola, Georgius, xli., xliv., 7,
366
Agrippa, Cornelius, xliv.
Agus, Antipater, 319
Ahumada, Peter de, 346
Aiaguitin river, 153
Ajora, Gonsalus, i~i
Ajora, Johannes, 162, 18i
Alamino Antonie, 187, i88
Alaminus, 192, 193, 194, 195
Alba Russia, 291
Albertus, Magnus, 7, 9, 10, 41, 364
Alcala, 63


Alcantara, i65
Alcaraz, Antonie of, 272
Alcayr [Cairo], City of, 13, 14, 63,
131, 153, 172, i86, 267, 285, 337,
315, 374
Alcazaua, Simon of, 272
Alday, James, xix., xx.
Alexander, xxix., xxxiii., xliv., 5,
32, 50, 74, 129, 176, 201, 241,
248, 273, 274, 285, 310, 315, 325,
339, 385,Alexandria, City of; 110o, 153, 21t7,
267, 283, 351
Alexandryne, Patriarch of, xxx.
Alfonsus de Ponte, 157
Alla, 359, 368
Allago, xxviii.
Allen, Richard, xiii.
Almanzor, 271, 272
Almayne [Gerinany], Emperour of
xxx.
Almaynes, 56, 97, 116, 292, 320,
328
Alonso, 341
Alonso, Don, 273, 341
Alonsus, Petrus, 36
Alpha, Poynt, 75, 76
Alpheus river, 134, 176
Alphonsus, 40, 389
Alphonsus, Petrus, 94, 96
Alvarado, Peter, 187
Alverado, Spatense, 192
Amacaiz, City Of; 374
Amaiauna, Cave of, 99
Amaitheum sea, 289
Amaquei, Region of, 169
Amari, Lake of; 284
Amaxobii, 301
Ambalao island, 260
Ambon island, 260
America, xi., xiii., Xviii., xxi.,
Xxiii., xxv., xxvi., Xxviii., xxx.,
xxxii., xxxiv., xl., 3, 8, 32, 35,
43, 61, 205, 243, 281, 335, 343,
353, 371, 385
Americus, xxi.
Amerigo Vespucci, xxv., 37, 38, 39,
127, 134, 157, 275, 277, 279
Anacaona, Queen, 85, I76
Anacauchoa, Beuchius, 83, 84, 85,
86, 1 76
Anata, King, 182, I83
Anbon island, 344


Ancisus, xo18, 109, 110, 113, 114,
115, 116, itS, 119, 123, 124,
125, 126, 137
Ancyra, 31 1
Andalusia., xiii.,) 130, 220, 225,
339
Andalusia, Noua, 130
Andreas, Moralis, 13 1
Andrewe, Lawrence, xcvi.
Andronicus, xlviii.
Anes, John, 377, 378
Angleria, 43, 63, 65, 185', 2.7
246, 299                   7
Anghiera, xxxvii.
Annez, Vincentius, 126, 12S, 129,
I30
Anniuici, Region of; 169
Antei, 285
Anteus, 149
Anthiochyen, xxxi.
Anthiocus, 8
Anthropophagi, 23, 29, 41, 65,
385
Antiglia island, 38
Antilia island, 66
Antiqua, Island of; 177
Antonie, Master, 288
Antony di Mendoza, 287
Anunctus, 191
Apianus, 10
Apollo, 10, 102, 172, 295, 2)8
Apnu, Region Of; 322
Apsa, 363
Aprutium, Bishop Of; 309
Aquanil, Province of, 187
Aquillaris, Hlieronimus, 192, 1,93
Arabia, xxviii., xxxi., 8, 9, 13, 14,
20, 56, 129, 153, I56, i6:, i~ci,
235, 284, 285, 286, 3,59, 385
Arabia, Gulf Of; 284, 286, 339, 347
Arabia, Sea Of; 309
1Arabo, i68
Aragon, King of; xxx. 51
Aragonie, Cardinal of; 64, 73, 79,
82, 87, 93, 94, 96, 103, 133
Aranmana, Region of; i68
Arambec, xiv.
Arbolantius, 141
Archimedes, xlvii., xlviii.
Arcimboldus, 127
Ardagni, Kingdom Of; 3 4
Aretbusa, 134, 176
Arenalis, 88


Arenado, 232
Argilla, City Of; 374
Ariane, 245
Arias, Helizabetha Boadilla, 127
Arias, Petrus, 6i, 126, 127, I35
137, 142, 156, 157, 158, 162z,
165, 178, 179, i8i, 198, 19),
214
Arimathia, Joseph Of, 56
Arion, I171
Aristarchus, 398
Aristocleon, 41
Aristotle, xliii., xliv., 9, to, 6,7,
142, 179, 278, 293, 313, 333,
339, 340, 386
Arkey, Laurence, xii.
Armenes, xxx.
Arme-neten, xxxi.
A;menia, xxvii., xxviii., xxx., xxxii.,
xxxiv., I76, 311, 314, 329
Armenicus, Einperour, 176
Armennyten, xxxi.
Arnold, R., xxv., xxvi.
Arnheim, xxv.
Arottinbergh, 368
Arra, Castle, 381
Arsina, xxix.
Arsinee, City of; 284, 285
Artawischa river, 323
Artawische, 323
Arternisia, 49, 12S
Arucetto island, 260
Arzina Ford, xxxix.
Asasi, xx.
Ascanius, 63, 64
Asmauius Sphorcia [i~e., Sforza], 65,,
68, 103, 127
Ascham, Rogcr, xl.
Ascon City, 37t
Asia, the less, 7
Asqiph, 324, 325
Asopus, 142
Asseuedo, Antonie de, 272
Assyryen, xxxi.
Astesia, 363
Astrachan, 308, 314, 325, 326, 32-9
Astor, Oaietenses, 135
Astoria, 54, 1 6
Asyen, xxx.
Atahaliba, King, 346
Atamea village, 152
Ath, xliii.
Atiei, Regionr of; 169




400           Atlantike


Index.


Campechium


Atlantike island, I29, 337, 338, 3340
Atlas mountains, I29
Atlas, the greater, 385
Attabeira, 99
Attibuni, Region of, 169
Attibunicus river, 73, i68, I71
Attila, 326
Aunazo mountains, 368
Augusta, City Of, 286
Augustinus de Ceratta, 54
A ugustus, Emperour, 8, 283, 306,369
Auila Alphons[o], 187, 192
Auis, 273
Auleta, King, 283
Aurea Anus, 323, 324
Aurea Chersonesus, 32, 40, 75, 247,
313, 344
Ausonia, 167
Austria, Archduke of, 289
Auxendia, xxviii.
Auxerre, xliv.
Ay Ay islands, 69, 130
Ayqueroa, Region of, 169
Azamor, City Of, 374
Azania, Region Of, 3855
Azafi, 374
Azeuedo, 274
Azgar, 374
Azion Gaber, 7
Azores, Islands of, 203, 204, 2I9,
339, 347, 348
Azotus, 57
Azoumn river, 314
Azuam village, 176
Azzuei, Region of, 169
Babbareo lake, 170
Babel, Tower of, xxxii.
Babell, 290
Babilon, 14, 56, 57, 63, 172, 187,
241, 266, 284, 285, 297, 307, 315
Babilon, Soltane of, 153, 172
Babilonii, The, 385
Babilonyon, xxxii.
Bacanor, 265               ii
Baccallaos, Land of, xix., 55, i1
162, 195, 242, 287, 288, 299, 344,
345, 347
BaIcchian island, 259, 260
Baccia, 126
Bachau. sea, 291
Bacon, Lord, xxii.
Bacon, Roger, xliv., xlvii., xlviii.
Bactria, 308
Badaiocius, Gasper, 165
Badaiocius, Gonzalus, ISI, 182, 183
BadaiOZ, 272, 273
Badajos, xiii.
Bafrida, 291.
Baguanimaho, Region of, i68
Bahaboni, i 66
Bahuan river, 172
Baian, I171
Baia Natiuitatis, 129
Bainoa, i68, 169, 170, 172, 173, I76
Baiohaigua, Region of, 169
Bajasetes, Ottomanus, 6, 311
]Balassia, Region of, 264 i2
Balboa, Vaschus, 149, 16,178,
338
Baleares islands, 301
Ballard, William, xiii.
Baltheum sea, 299, 312, 331
Baluastro, 346
Banda island, 22
]Bandan, xxix., 260, 269
Banderana, xxix.
Bangalla, King, 21
Bangella, City of, 21
Baptiste, Elisius, 85, 99
Baptiste, Master, Xliii.


[3arack, Soltan, 329
LBarbai island, 256
Barbaregaf, City Of, 374
[3arbarossa, Emperour, 1347
Barbata island, 177
Barbary, xix., xx, xxviii., xxxviii.,
237, 374, 380, 384
Barbessa, Adoardo, 258
Barcha, 374
lBarnarde of Mesa, 130
Barramedabas, 87
Barrientos, 272
Barthema, [i.e., Vartherna], Ludi.
vico, xlviii.
Bartholomneus Colonus, 31 82, 1334,
1 53, 154, 340
Barthus castle, 331
Barutti, xii.
Basilides, 41
LBasiliUS, 289, 308, 309, 311, 314,
316, 317, 319, 321, 324, 328, 329
Basilius, Andreas, 316
Basilius, Demetrius, 316
Basilius, George, 316
Basilius, John, 316, 319
B~asilius, Magnus, 290, 291
Blasilius, Symeon, 316
Basing, xxxix.
Baskird, 293
Basle, xxxvii.
Bastard, Count L. de, xliv.
Bastarne, 311I
Bastimento island, 235
Bath, Earl of, xix.
Bauruco, Region of, 169
Bazantium, Emperours Of, 314
Bleata port, 107, 113, 177, 213
Beaton, Cardinal, xxxviii.
B~ebeid, Chan, 329
Beda island, 35
Beit island, 374
Belchia, 309
Belozeria, 309
Benaia island(, 260
Beneu island, 260
Bengala, Province of, 261, 264, 267,
2 68, 134 4
Benin, 270, 376
Beragua, Region of, 107, ioS, 11i,
112, 1 13, 114, 115, 128, 130, 132,
134, 135, 136, 149, 150, 151 I 53,
154, 1 55, 1 63, 1 65, 211, 214, 21i8.
219, 233, 234
Berenice, City of, 284
Beres river, 323
Berges, City Of, _3 31
Beringocius, Vannucius, xlvi.
Berma, 344
Bermeio, Sea Of, 338, 339, 346, 34,'
Bermuda island, 233
Berosus, xlviii., 346
Beryn, John, 383
Beselchel, 49
Besermani, The, 327
Besson, xlvii.
Betanchor, 65, i66
Betis river, 127, *157
Beuchius Auacauchoa, King, 83, 84
85, 86, 176
Beyrout, xii.
Bezerra, Franciscus, i65, 181, 183
Bian, Sancti, Johannis gulf, 194
Biddle, Mr, xv.
Bieloiefero, 321
Bimini, 345
Binthaitel, 100
Bion, 41
Biraen, 344
Biringuccio Vann-_ccie, xxxv-, 353
356
IBiron, 'Master, xviii.


Biscaine, 274
Bisinagar, City of, 15
Bisineghe, 277
Bithynia, 290, 3"1
Bitsagitsch, xxviii.
Bizantium, 307
Bizantium, Emperour Of, 314
Bizerta port, 374
Blasius, 331
Blemnines, The, 385
Blesconia, City of, 289
Blondus, 348
Boadilla, Governour of, 105, 127
Boadilla, Helisabetha, I27
Bodenham, Roger, xviii.
Boheme, King of, xxx., 312
Bohol island, 256, 258
Boilus, 79
Boiuca island, 135
Boium, gatti river, 109, 132
Bulgaria, 309
Bolschega mountains, 323
Bombassa, xxviii.
Bonauientura, 105
Bonauista island, 87, 272
Bonanum, City Of, 84
Boneface, 56
Bonham, W., xxxvii.
Bononiamna, King, 145
Bononie, Aristotles ot', 313
Bononie, Galeatius Butrigarius of,
io6, 127, 283, 285
Boriostomea river, 98
Boriquena island, 45, 345, 346
Boristhene river, 289, 309, 31 I,
312, 314, 316, 319
Bornei islands, 22, 23
Bosphorus, The, 59
Boua port, 374
Boubige, xlv.
Bourne, Mr H. R. Fox, xvi.
Bowyer, Sir William, xiii.
Boyuca island, 345
Braalin island, 260
Brabant, xliii.
Brasil, xv., xvi., XVii., 250, 251,
253, 273, 285, 288, 375, 385,
386
Brewer, Rev.. S., M.A., xiii.
Bridger, Mr C., xlviii.
Brocardlus, xlvi.
Brooke, John, xviii.
Bryaces, 49
Buchebuea, King, 146
Buchema island, 30
Buda, 326
Budia island, 260
Budomnel, 384
7Buen Abrigo Point, 273
Buena Vista, 272
Bugia, Region of, 374
Buiaici, Region of, 169
Bullen, 9
IBuona Speranza, 261, 262, 338,
374, 385
Bur island, 344
Burges, Bishop of, 126, 127, 134
Burgonie, Duke of, 208
Biirichena island, 45, 70, 104, 130,
159, I73, 176
Burleigh, Lord, xxxvii.
Burnei island, 258
Burney island, 272
Burrough, Stephen, xxxviii.
Buru island, 260
Buthuan island, 255, 259
Buthuan, King, 255
Butler, John, xlv.
Butricarius Galeatius, i o6, 1 2-,
283, 285
Buts, Sir William, xvlii., xix.


Butts, Thomas, xviii., xix,
Byzantium, xi.
Cabedus, Johannes, 130, 157
Cabot, Loaisa, 274
Cabot, Sebastian, xiii., xv., xix.,
xxxviii., xxxix, Xl., xlvi., xlvii.,
6, 55, 6i, i6i, 162, 195, 272,
274, 283, 288, 289, 299, 335,
343, 345, 348, 350, 386
Cabouerde [i.e., Cafe- Verde], 74,
87, 97, 129, 134, 272, 277, 385
Cacacubana, Region of, 169
Cacausu, City Of, 24
Cacedus, John, 198
Caccicus, 72, 89, 128. 223
Caccicus Catinahoa,' 72, 79, So, Si,
Cacique Chiman, 225
Cadamustus, Aloisius, 127, 270, 280
Cades, 86
Cadissen, 329
Cadona, Duke of, I73
Caghaian island, 258
Cahaymi, Region of, 169
Cahini island, i68
Cahonas island, i66, 172
Caiahi, Province of, i68, I72, I73,
176
Caiacoa, Province of, i68, 173
Caiguam. mountain, 17I
Caigui, City of, 26, 171
Caihabo, Province of, i68, 169, 170
Cailon island, 344
Caiouana, Valley of, I70
Cairo, 374
Cairus, 307
Caizcimu, Province of, i6S, 169,
170, 173
Cakeado, 381
Calaghan island, 255, 256, 259
Calantan, 260
Calauera, Barnardino de, ioS
Cales, 86, 87, 93, 94, 97, i8i
Calese island, 286
Calicium, 38
Calicut, 7, 5, 13, i6, 17, iS, 19, 20,
21, 24, 32, 39, 256, 261, 263,
264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 344,
374, 385
Calicut, King of, 14, 17, IS, 19, 21
Calidonia, 143, I77
Caliz, 346, 347
Callienten, xxix.
Calligula, 59
Calpe mountains, 23,6
Cals, 68, 73
Caluacam, Region of, 188, 189
Calunezfcho, Region Of, 322
Calzadilla, 341
Camaie, Region of, 169
Carnhaia, 8, 13, 14, 20, 261, 267,
269
Camhaia, King Of, 40
Cambalu [i~e., Pekin], City of, 24,
25, 287, 307, 326
Cambie, 259
Camemorus, Region of, 183
Camen mountains, 323
Camen Bolschoi mountains, 322,
323
Camenckh, 322
Cameni, 323
Camenipoias mountains, 323
Camigna, Don Christopher of, 33o
Camomorus, Region of, 98, I32
Camoteia island, i66
Campaa, Region of, 260
Campbell, Dr M. F. A. C., xxv.,
xxvi.
Campechiium, Province of, 187, iSS




Canmpegius


fudexr.


Corus         401




Campegius, Cardinal, 310
Campion, Gasper, xvii., xviii.
Camul, Province Of, 27
Canabocoa, Region of, i69, I72
Canada, 2.87
Canary islands, Xiii., XXViii., 28,
30, 32, 36, 38, 40, 41, 65, 66,
68, 87, 97, 150, 157, i66, 177,
i8i, 199, 210, 245, 250, 277,
339, 374, 375, 380, 389
Cananor, xxviii.
Cananor, King of, 15
Cancell, Luys, 346
Canchietans, The, 95
Canchietes, Region Of, 36, 95
Cane, 271
Canghu island, 256
Cangiu, City of, 24
Canibals, Islands of the, 30, 66, 68,
78, i6o, 162, 177, i8o
Cannafistula island, 11i9
Cano, 272
Canonor, Kingdom of; 14, 15, 20,
261, 268
Canthan, City of, 260
Cape Blanke, 380
Cape Bona Speranza, 129, 279, 285,
286, 348, 350
Cape Breton, xlv., xviii.
Cape Cattigara, 253
Cape Corea, 382
Cape (le Bas, xiv.
Cape de Buona Speranzo, 374
Cape de Monte, 381
Cape de las Palmas, 381, 382
Cape de tres Puntas, 381
Cape de Sper, xiv.
Cape Trepoyntes, 381, 382, 383
Cape of Good Hope, 129, 385
Capelan, City of; 21, 344
Capha, 324
Caphi island, 260
Capira, Region of, 234
Capling, William, xii.
Capo Desiderato, 252
Capo Verde Islands, 32, 35, 36, 65,
74, 87', 129, 203, 204, 250, 261,
262, 272, 273, 274, 277, 280,
338, 373, 382, 385.~ 387
Capronus, 86, 91, 92
Capucar, 265
Caput Bonax Sperantixe, 129, 385
Caput Sancti Augustini, 129, 134,
181, 183
Caput Veride islands, 32, 35,? 36,
74, 87, 129, 385
Caracaracoles, 100
Caramairi, Region of; io6, 107,
109, 134, 144, I57, I58, 159,
i6o, 162
Caramatexius, King, 171
Carandra, Gulf of; 285
Caraqueira island, 177
Carcham, Province Of; 26
Cardano, Girolamo, xxxv'iii., i58,
i61, 207, 217, 250, 294, 307
Carenas, 191,
Careta, io8, i15, ii6, 117, 121,
137, 164, 182
Caria, King Of; 49, 128
Caria, Queen Of; 49, 128
Cariai, Region of; 151, 152, 156
Caribana, 107, 119, i~o, 183
Caribdis, 304
Caribes islands, 68
Carles, Captain, xlviii.
Carnica, 314, 368
Caromoram, 25
Carter, Master, xviii.
Carthage, 176, 340, 374
Carthage, Ilanniball. of, 139g




Carthagena, 134, 157, i6o, 214,
215, 226
Carthaginis Portus, io6
Carthago, io6, 107, io8, 109, 113,
134, 157, 162, i65
Cartier, Jaques, 287, 345
Carucueria, 69, 157, 159
Casa Francisus, xlvii.
Casan,King Of; 326, 328
Caspia, 8, i69, 170, 173
Caspian sea, 170, 287, 291, 308,
309, 311, 314, 321, 326, 329,
346
Cassam, City of; 291, 311I, 314, 31I9,
325, 326, 327, 328, 329
Cassima. river, 323
Cassius mountain, 285
Castaglione, Baltassar, 9
Castaneda, 272
Castella, Aurea, 130
Castella de Mina. 382
Castella, Vetus, 68
Castile, King of, xxx., 37, 201, 203,
340
Castile, Queen Of, 201
Castile, Isabel of; 273, 274, 341
Castile, Ferdinando Of, 51, 52, 65,
73, 127, 131, 201, 208, 209, 211,
229, 236, 273, 341, 342, 343,
345
Castlen, Edward, xli.
Castor, 250
Castoreum sea, 303
CastromOw, 331
Catalonia, 173
Catarapa, 237
Catena Mundi mountains, 286, 324
Cathay [i~e., China], xiii., xxxviii.,
xxxix., Xl., xli., 8, 22, 24, 25, 26,
59, 98, 261, 283, 284, 285, 286,
287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292,
293, 294, 308, 310, 312, 313,
321, 322, 324, 325, 326, 327,
328, 329, 330, 331, 333, 339,
344, 345, 363
Cathay Chain. [i.e., Khav], of; Xxi.,
21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 60, 286, 287,
289, 322, 324, 326, 329, 330
Cathay, Emperour of, 2 5, 6o
Catighan island, 256
Catherine, Queen, 51, 71I, 274
Catherine, Saint, 84
Cato, 122
Cattigara, 262
Cattigara, Cape, 253
Caucasus mountains, i8
Cauchieta, 95, 98
Caunaboa, Cacicus, 72, 79, 8o, 8i,
Caun'ana, 99
Caunoa, Region of, 169
Cauta., 99
Cautan, City Of; 344
Caya river, 272, 273, 274
Caya hridge, 273, 274
Cayrus [i~e., Cairo], City of, 14, i86
Cazacubuna mountains, 172
Cazibaxagua, 99
Cecil, Sir VW., xxii., xxxviii., xliii.
Ceden, xxx.
Ceilamn island, 344
Celaruri island, 260
Celer, Quintus Metellus, 347
Cemaccus, King, 110, 119, 121,
122, 1 98
Cemobal, 1 96
Cenalo island, 255.
Cenegales, 155
Central America, xi.
Centurione, Paulo, 287, 308, 309,
310
2 G


Cerabaro, Region of; 112, 135, 152,
Ceratta [i~e., Zaratte] Augustinus
de, 54
Cerda, 341
Ceres, 175
Cernigonia, 309
Cesar, 59, 305
Cesariensis, 374
Chabot, C., xlv.
Chacouam island, 260
Chagre river, 234, 235
Chain, 346
Chamailaba, Prince, 129
Chan Cublai, 330
Charles V., xiii., xlv.
Charles, King, 63
Charles IX., xlv., xlvii.
Charybdis, 163, 330
Chaucer, xxxvii.
Chaunceler, Richard, xvii., xxxviii.,
XXXiX., XL., 59, 285, 289, 326,
333, 386
Chedsey, Dr, xxxix.
Cheke, Sir John, xliii., xliv.
Cheregatus, Francis, 191, 309
Chethai lake, 287
Cheru, King, 182
Chiacones, King, 128
Chiapes, King, 139, 140, 141, 142,
143, 145, 178
Chiauaccha, Prince, 129
Chiman, Cacique, 225
China, 20, 260, 261, 267, 269, 272,
339, 344, 347
China, Gulf of; 260
Chionsus., King, 146
Chiouia mountain, 319
Chirara, 152
Chippit island, 258
Chitaza, 152
Chorogoski Nosz, 322
Chrisostomnus, 290, 291
Christiernus, 304, 309
Christophori Sancti, 105
Ciamnba, 130, 150
Cihana, Region of; 73, 74, 79, 8o,
Si, 82, 83, 84, 85, 105, i68, 171,
172
Cicero, Marcus Tullus, xliv., 49,
132, 283, 284
Ciclopes, 154
Cicylian, King, xxx.
Ciguaios, 86, 91
Ciguana, 91
Cilapulapu, Prince, 285
Cilicia, 7, 8
Cimbrica Chersonesus, 311I, 314
Cimnbulon, King, 258
Cinchital, 27
Cingaporla, 260
Cingulus Mundi mountain, 324
Ciniana, Region Of; 36
Cipanga, Region Of; 73, 8o, 8i, 82,
i67, 253, 339, 340, 343
Citrachan, 308, 314
Ciuola, 287
Claudius, 54
Clement VI., Pope, 308, 309,
347
Cleodii, The, 385
Cleopatra, 141, 142, i66, 283, 315
Cleopatrida, City Of; 284
Clesma river, 314
Cloelia, 71
Cochin, King of; xxix.
Cochinus, 183,
Cockeram, Martin, xvii.
Codego, island, io6, 2I5
Coi Cathay island, 343
Coiba Dites, 182


Coiba, Gulf of, 1o8, 1 15, i i6, 1 64,
182
C oiba, King of, io8, 115, i I6, I117,
121, 137, i64, I8226
Colchis, R~egion of, 51, 135, 22
310
Cole, Master, xix.
Colen, xxix.
Coligny, Admiral, xlv.
Collao, City Of, 343
Collocutea, Region of, 183
Colluacana island, 189, 191, 195,
196
Colmenaris, Rodericus, 113, 1 14,
115, ii6, 119, 120, 122, 123, 126,,
157, 183
Colmogora, Region of; 291, 293, 312
Colmogor, City of; 286, 322.
Colmum, City Of; 290
Cologna, 29I
Colonia Agrippina, City of; 289
Colum, xxix
Columbus (or Colonus), Bartholomeus, 31, 82, 134, 153, 154, 340
Columbus (or Colonus), Christophorus, 28, 29, 35, 38, 41, 65, 66,
67, 69, 79, So, 87, 94, 96, 98, 99,
103, 105, io6, io8, III, 112, 113,
11I5, IuS, 127, 128, I29, 132, 134,
135, 150, 151, 153, 154,155, 157,
163, 177, 184, 191, 192, 202, 209,
236, 272, 288, 337, 339, 340, 341,
342, 346
Columbus (or Colonus), Diegus,
115, uS8, 122, 127, 177, 184, 240
Columbus (or Colonus), Fernando,
272
Columna, 313
Commendator, King, 123, 124, 125
Comi, 187
Comnogra, ii6, 162, 179
Comogrus, King, n 6, 1 17, 1IS8,
120, 122, 137, 146, 147, 148, 162
Coinmodus, Emperour, 284
Comoiayxa, 172
Compostele, 100
Conception, Tower of, So, 82, 84,
86, 92, 93, 105, 130
Conde', Prince de, xliv., xlv.
Condiuia, 310
Conigangui, 26
Connulaha, City of; 260
Constantina, 374
Constantine, 290, 316
Constantinople, Bishop of, xxxi.
Constantinople, Emperour Of; 316
Constantinople, Patriarche of, xxx.,
290, 291
Conte Rimondo, 270
Cooper, xxxvii.
Coperdalia, 305
Copto, 284
Coquera, King, 140
Corala, 271
Corales, 18o
Corduba, 162, i~i, i86, 192
Corea, 382
Corelia, 292, 321
Corichotum, 102
Corimucol, 20
Corinthus, City of; So, ioo'
Coro island, 2I5
Coronado, 287
Coronati, 238
Cortes, xiii., xl., xlv., xlvi., 274
Cortesreales, Gasper, 344
Cortesreales islands, 344
Cortesius Fernando, 191, 192, 195,
198, 238, 342
Corsali, Andreas de, 275, 279
Corus, 382


I




402


Corytho


Index.


Frobisher


Corytho, i66
Cossa, Johannes
156
Cossa, 107
Cossin river, 323
Cossum, 329
Cotami, 26
Cotochus, King,i
Cotohi, 172, 173
Cotoy, 169
Cozumella island,
191, 192, I93
Cozumellauis, Kin
Cracouia, 314
Crayford, 7
Creta, i66, 172,
Cretenses, xlviii.,
Cresus, 42, 146
Croke, 381i
Crystente, xxxiv.
Cuadalchiber, 211
Cuba island, 6, 3J
75, 76, 77, 79,
125, 128, 130,
i67, 173, 176,
1 89, I190, 191,
210, 231, 2-33.
338S, 344, 346
Cuba, Governour
Cubagua island,
Cubana, 1 69
Cubigar river, 15
Cuchibachoa, K(
113, 128, 134
Cuella de Segovi,
Cueua, 219, 237
Cuguibacoa, 165
Cugureo, 340
Cuhabo, i68, 16(
Cuiriza, 146
Culchas, 141
Culata point, I I
Cumana, 89, 94,
i65, 213, 214
Cupoton King, i
Curiana, 89, 94,
Cursius Quintus,
Curtana, 36, 95
Cuti river, 226
Cuzibet island, 2
Cybaho,i169
Cyrenaua, 374
Cyrrha, 100
Czar Kythaiski,
Czilma river, 32:
Czircho river, 32
Czriremissa, 293
Dabaiba, King,
1 63
IDabaiba river, i
Dabiague, 169
Dacicus, 176
Dahabon, 169
IDahabonici, Re:
Dahatio, i68
IDaiaguo mounto
Daiguani mount~
Dalekarle river,
Dalion, 41
Dalmacyen Kin,
Dalmatia, 290,
Damascus, 56,
TDamian, 310
Damianus a Go(
Damniata, City
I)anadim. river,
Danowe river, I
Danaus, xlviii.
Daneo port, 2841
1)ardanus, 166


Dariena, 114, 115, ii6, ii8, 119,I
Dc la, 126, 134,    121, 1 23, 125, 126, 130, 131, 134,
135, 136, 137, 1 43, 145, 148, 149,
156, 157, 158, 162, 1 63, 1 64, 1 65,
i 86, 192, 1 98, 1 99, 207, 218, 220,
226, 236, 238, 262
[46.               Darien river, 1 10, 132, 191
Darius, King, 59, 284
Darnasseri, 20
40, 187, i88, 189, Darthmouth, 379
Daubeny, Oliver, xviii.
Ig, i88            Dauid, xlvii., 51, 349, 385
Dauid], Master, 330
Dausian, 344
316               IDavis, xlvi.
172               1)ecan, 264
Dechan, 14
Dedalus, 55
Deerfeorth, Cornelius, xxxviii.
0.            De las Perlas island, 54
1, 40, 66, 73, 74, De la Sal island, 272
90, 104, 105, 123, De la Flore island, 382
150, 154, i6i, 163, Delagartos river, 132
177, I84, i86, i88, Delapuente, Franciscus, 183
192, 193, 195, 198, Deli mountains, 268
239, 241, 262, 299, De los Azores, 203, 204, 339
Delphis, 296, 298
of, 191           Demiahus river, i68
213, 214           Demnetriowe, City Of, 321
Demetrius, 59, 292, 308, 309, 310,;3                   311, 313, 325, 329, 331
egion of, C,8, Io8, Demogorgon, xlvi., i6i
Denham, Henry, xiii,a, xv.            Denmark, King of, xxx., 299, 304,
308, 309, 319, 331, 332
Deptford, xxxviii.
Desborch, John of, xxv., xxvi.
9                  Desiderata island, 177, 210
Desideratus, IPortus, i88.
Destam island, 192
9, 121, 122        Desseosa, Francis, 377
96, 98, 128, I56, Deza, 130
Diaguo, Region of, 169
187                Diaz, Johannas, 105, 135, 165
95, 96, 98, 128    Didacus, 75, 77, 78, 79
241                Dido, i66
Diego, Henniques, 378
Diego, Nicuesa, ic6, I07, io8, 109,:3                    III, 112, 113, 114, 115, ii6, 126,
128,135,137,145,1I50,151,153,156
Dieguan sea, 266
Diegus M\arques, 157
324                Diegus Mendez, I54~
2                   Diegus Ordassus, 192
22                  Diegus Valasquen, i86
Dikilappones, Region Of, 331
Diodorus, xlviii., 351
119, 121, 122, Diodorus Sicu/u1s, 55, 369
1)ites, i65, I78, 183:32, 155, I833, 199  Diumn, City of, 13
Doesborch or Doesburg, xxv.
Doesburgh, Jan Van, xxv., xxvi.
Dolateranus, 10
gion of, 1 69       Dominica island, 30, 68, 70, 105,
130, 150, 157, 163, 174, 210
xins, I73           Domninikes, Tower, Seynt, 82, 84.ains, I71          Domitian, 284
305                Don Alonso, 341
Don Eunique, 341
g, xxx.            IDon, John Captain, 382
364                 Don, John, of Austria), xii.
311                 Don Lewves, 378
Don Luys, 34I
Cs, 51, 58          Don Pascval de Gayangos, xiv.
if, 284            IDon Phylippe, 346
323                 Donco, 324, 325
131                 Donetz Scwerski, 325
Doria, juanette, xvii.
Doria, Pedro, xvii.
Dorpe, Roeland van der, xxv., xxvi.




Douer, 379
Dragonis, Os, 88, 95 96, 98, io8
Dranus river, 318
1)rauer, Master. xviii.
IDromon, Achillis, 310
Dront, 331
Dryades, 83, 101
Duas Arbores, 176
Dubna River, 321
IDuchala, 374
D)udley, John, xxxix.
Duna River, 312
IDunenburg, 312
IDnraba, 135, 153
Duran, Thomas, 272
Durriba, 153
Dyonisius, King, xliv.
East India, xii., 8, 9, 32, 79, 103,
I33, 234, 235, 247, 262, 279, 283,
285, 339, 344
East Indian Sea, 8
Easte Sea, 8, 9, 24, i6i
Ebro river, 363
Ebetere, 153
Eccampi island, i86
Edel river, 292, 314
Eden, Alban, xlviii.
Eden, Richard, xii., xiii., xiv., xv.,
xx., xxii.,5 xxxvii., xxxviii., xxxix.,~
Xl., xli., xlii., xliii., xliv., xlv.,
xlvi., xlvii., xlviii., 1, 3, 6, 7, 13,
43, 49, 270
Edward VI-, xii., xix., xxxviii, 1, 333
Egypt, xi., xxx., xlviii., 8, 41, 51,
75, HO0, 131, 132, 141, 153, 155,
172, 175, 193, 217, 283, 284, 293,I
296, 307, 308, 315, 351, 369, 374
Egypt, King Of; 284
Egypt, Pyramides Of; 49
Egypt, Soltane Of, 311I, 369
Egyptian sea, 199
Elabath, 374
Elbes, 272
Elcauz, 374
Elder., John, xxxix.
Elgazaet, Region Of; 374
Elias, xlvii.
Elide, City of; I76
Eliot, 398
Eliot, Hugh, xvi., xxi.
Eliot, Master, xiv.
Elis, City of; 1 34
Elizabeth, Queen, xii., xvii., xI.,
xliv., xlv.,I xlvi., 65, 201, 209,288,
342
Elzaba, 8
Emanuel, King, xxiii., xxvi., xxvii.,
37, 39, 40
Embigar, 153
Eneas, 135, i66
England, King of; xxx., xxxvi.
Engronlande, Region Of; 312, 324,
332
Eningia, 298, 306
Ephesyn, xxxi.
Epileguanita, 102
Erancanqui, 344
Erasmus, 57, 58
Eratosthenes, 41, 349
Eridanus, 133
Errifi, 374
Erythra, King, xlviii.
Esaras, 49
Eson, Colchis of; I35
Esope, 377
Esquegua, 23C, 234
Estremadura, 274
Ethiopia, xxx., 8, 13, 14, 39, 41, 51I
88, 132, 139, 169, 175, 248, 250
284, 339, 351, 369, 374, 384, 385


I
I
i
i
0
1
3


Ethiopia, King Of; 374
Euangelista island, 77
Eude island, 260
Eudoxus, 286, 346
Eoe, 229, 338
Euergetes, Tomnoleus, 346
Eugenius, Pope, 290
Euphrates river, 41, 51, 308
Eurique, Don, 341
Euripus sea, 304
Eusebius, xlviii.
Euxinus sea, 155, 292, 298, 310,
314
Exer, 266
Ezzab, 374
Faber, Jacobus, 246
Faber, John, 289
Facies, Coinbusta King, 135
Faial island, 347
Faro, Strait Of; 208
Fartalio, xlvi.
Faubourg, xlv.
Feminie the Great, xxxiii.
Ferdinando Cortese, 238, 342
Ferdinando de Soto, 346
Fernandina islands, i86, 187, 190,
'9', '95
Fernando de Vega, 96
Fernandes Francicus, i86, 187, 192
Fernandus, Gonzalus, 50, 158, i6o,
184, I85, 207, 208, 241
Fernelius, Johannes, xlvii.
Ferraria, xlvi.
Ferrea island, 65, 66, 68, 157), iSI
Ferri~res, Francois de, xliv.
Ferri~res, jean de, xliv.
Ferrum island, 41
Fes, 374
Fessa, City Of; 374
lFeti, i8o
Ficinus, Mlarcilius, xlii., 338
Fin, jean de la, xlv.
Finland, 229, 306, 312, 319
IFinlappia, 330
IFinmarchia, 8, 3347
Fiorauanti, Leonardo, xlviii.
Fladimer, City Of; 289
Flauius, 348
Flaunders, Earl of; 208
Fletcher, John, xix.
Florida, 32, 55, 191, 288, 342, 345,
346
Floures [i~e., F/or-es] island, 214
Flnmen Amnazonum, i6o
Flumen, S. Johannis, 155
Fog~eda, Alphonsus, io6, 107, io8,
I09, 110, III, 113, 114, 115, 123,
126, 128, 134, 145, i65, i8o, 183
Fonseca, Johannes, 126
Forrest, George, xvii.
Fortis island, 107, 1o8, 109, 134, 162
Fortisuentura, xx., 65, I57, 380
Fortunate islands, 28, 137, 40, i66,
374
Forum Julii, 318
Foxe, John, xxxix.
Fracta laucea island, 41
France, King of; xxx., xxxii., xxxvi.
France, Lieutenaunt Of; 347
Francis, St., I30
Francisco, 376
Francisco de Siquera, 378
Francisco, Lopez de Gomara, xxxviii
271, 337
Fredenike, King, 73, 102, 103
Fretum Herculeumn sea, i6i
Fretum trium fratrumn, 9
Friseland, 303
Friole, 368
Frobisher, Sir Martin, xiii.




Fronowo


Index.,


Ipsicratea


403


I                                                                                                                                                        i                                                                                                                                                        I


Fronowo', 312
Fryer, Ferdinando, 341
Fugui, 26
Fuluia, 122
Furatado, Captain, 121
Futeraca, i So
Gades islands, 28, 30, 34, 65, 68, 73,
75, 94, 97, 150, I8i, 316
Gaira river, 113, 132, 157, I58, 159
Galana island, 68, 157
Galanta island, 68, 157, 177, 210
Galeatius, Butrigarius, io6, 127, 285
Galian island, 260
'Galitia, 10, 96, 311
Ganmhra, 280, 374, 384
Gamelaro island, 374
Ganges river, 9, 32, 75, 98, I133, 155,
363
Gangeticus, Gulf Of, 39
Ganphasantes, 385
Garcia Nunnio, 272
Gardiner, Bishop, Xl., xlv.
Garet, 374
Garsia de Padilla, 130
Gasper, Cortesreales, 344
Gastaldus, Jacobus, 291, 345
Gates, Sir T., xxxix.
Gaza, 57
Gazatia, 385
Gedion, 51
Gelders, Land of, xxvi.
Geminus, 'Thomas, xxxvii., Xxxviii.,
Xl.
Gemma Phrysius, 55, 384, 385, 389
Geneen, xxviii.
Genua, City Of, 28, 65, 155, 206,
310, 3040
Genoa, xvii., xxx.
Georgianes, xxx., xxxi.
Germanicus, Emperour, 176
Ger[r]ard, Sir William, xix., xl., xli.
Gesnerus, 326
Getulia, 384
Giaua island, 23, 260, 269, 286
Giauintes island, 38
Gibeth island, 34
Gihilterra, 233, 236, 262
Gilolo island, 259, 272, 344
Gilona island, 34
Ginera island, 41
Gines Navarro, xv.
Gioghi islandl, 260
Giouan DulsaraZ, 250
Girardus Mapheus, 348
Giunti, L. A., xiv.
Goa, City Of, 40, 261
Godfrey, John, xvii.
Golden Castile, 211, 214, 218, 219,
233, 236
Golelta, Port, 374
Goliath, xlvii., 149
Gomera, Francisco Lopez de, xxxvii.
XXXiX., 271, 335, 337, 342, 350
Gomera island, xiii., 65, 66, 157,
210, 380
Gomnes, Steuen, 242, 272
Gonsalues, Peter, 378
Gonson, Richard, xvii.
Gonson, William, xvii.
Gonzales, Don Pero, 341
Gonzalo Fernandez de Oviedo y Valdes, xiv., xv., 158, 205, 241, 242
Gonzalus Badaiocius, i8i, 182, 183
Gorecius, Leonhardus, xxxix.
Gorgodes, Meducias island, 97
Gorgonas island, 338
Gornalanus, 72
Gothia, 298, 306
Gothicus, Emperour, 176
Gothland, 9, 286, 295, 299, 306, 347


Gothland, Bishop Of, 302
Gothus Olanus, 347
Graesse, xliii.
Grafton, xii.
Grafton, Richard, xiii.
Granada, 36, 52, 63, 67, 73, 103,
1 10, 133, 191, 201, 202, 273, 274,
340, 341
Grancanaria islands [the Canaries],
41, 65, 157, 210, 380
Grandis river, 131, 132, 199
Gratia Dei, 112, 182
Glray, Richard, xvii.
Great John, 385
Great Khan, xv.
Great Sophie, 326
Grecia, 54, 56, 155, 262, 296, 302,
319
Greenland, 299
Gregorie, I 12
Gregorye IL, 56
Gresham, John, xiii.
Gresham, William, xii.
Gretzium, 318
Grisalva, John, 187, i88, 189, 190,
192, 194
Gronland, 299, 300, 303
(;rosapha, King Of, 40
Groueland, 8
Grounzwyk, xxxii.
Gruhes, Master, xiv.
Grustina, Castle Of; 323
Grustintzi, 323
Grutland, 245, 300, 3.47
Guacana island, 345
Guacarapita, 99
Guaccaa lake, I70
Guaccaiarima, i68, i69, 173, I76
Guaccanarillus, King, 66, 70, 71, 72,
i68
Guadalupea island, 68, 69, 157, 159,
177, J81, 210, 345
Guadalqueuir river, 127, 157, 210,
220, 238, 250
Guadiana river, 273
Guahabba, 169
Guahague, Region of; 169
Guaiagua, Region of; i68
Guamaonocon, 99
Guamaretus, King, 102
Guanabba island, 85
Guanahaini island, 75
Guanahattahenechina, 176
Guanama, Region of, i68
Guanapan island, 190
Guanassa island, i05, 150, 163
Guanguan island, i90
Guaniha, Region of; 170
Guaninicaho river, 170
Guannabo, Region of, 170
Guariagua, Region of, 173
Guaricc.o, Region of; 169
Guarionexius, King, 79, 8o, 82, 84,
86, 87, 91, 92, 93, 102, i68,
'7'
Guarionexius, Vale of, 171
Guarizacca island, 170
Guaturo, 216, 226
Guaturo, King, 226
Guauiraho, Lake, 171
Guinea, xii., xvi., xix., xxviii., xxxix.
Xl., 250, 270, 273, 297, 348, 371,
373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379,
380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386,
387, 388
Guise, Duke of; xliii., xlv.
Gunson, William, xii.
Guserath, 266
Gutschyn, King of;l xxix.
Guzerat, Gulf of; 14
Guzman, Enrique Of; 341


Guzman, Peter Nunez de, 345
Guzula, 374
H-ahacoa, 169
Hahacucke, 57
Hahissia, Region Of; 385
Hahech, Region Of; 385
Hafnia, City Of; 331
Hagueigahon sea, 170
Haiha river, i68
Haina, 223
Haitho, 24, 6o
Haiti island, i66, i67, 168, 338
Hakluyt, Richard, xii., xiii., xiv.,
xv., xvi.,? xvii., xviii., xix., xx.,I
xxxviii., Xl., xlviii.
Ilalicarnassea, I28
Halle, R., xii., xiii.
11am, Kingdiom Of; 344
Hamadriades, 74, 101
Hamburg, 300
Hannibal, 139
Hanon, 338
Haraia, Region of; 96
Hardie, Master, xviii.
IHarsol, City Of; 300
Hathathiei, 171I
Hawkins, Sir John, xvi., xvii.,
xlviii.
Hawkins, William, xvi., xvii.
Hayhay island, 159
lHazchora, 374
Hazlitt, W. C., xxvi.
Hazoa, Region of; i68
H1azua mountains, 169, 176
Hea, Kingdom Of; 374
llehen, 284
Hehrewes, Captain of the, 316
Helga mountain, 300
Helisaheth, 73, 127, 129, 167
Ilelisabeth a Boadilla, I27
Heliseus, 149
H-ellespontus sea, xlviii., 59, 155
Hely, John, xii.
Henrique, Don, 273
Henriques, Diego, 378
Henry, King, 127, 162, 340, 345
Henry lV., xxxix.
Henry V., xxxix.
Henry VII., xxi., 288
Henry VIII., xii., xiii, xiv., xvi
xvii., xviii., xix., xx., xxi., xxxvii.,
Xlv., 6
Henry, King of France, xlvii.
Herbert, W., xxxvii., xxxix.
Hercinia, 313
Hercules, 50, 105, 138, 149, I56,
236, 285
Hercules Pillars, 86, 135, 236, 316,
374.
Hercyiua, 310
Herodotus, 248, 339, 346, 350
Heroum, City of; 284
Hesiod, xxxviii., xli.
Hesperides islands, 32, 74, 87, 97,
167, 338
IHeua river, 319
Hibusson island, 255
Hiebra, 135, 153, 154
Hieron, King, xlvii.
Hieronimuis Aquillaris, 192, 193
Hieronimus Cardanus, 307
Hieronimus Fracastor, 285
Hierusalein, 7, 8, 49, 51, A6 57, 82,
100, 384, 385
Ilierusalem, King of; 82, 208
Hierusalem, Temple of; xlvii.
Higinius, 346
Higuei, i68
Higuel, 346
Hircania Sylua, 292


Hircanian sea, 169, I70, 287, 291,
308, 310, 314
Hispana island, 6, 28, 29, 30, 31,
35, 36, 40
Hispaniola island, xv., 6, 35, 40,
45, 54, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 73, 74,
75, 78, 79, So, 82, 84, 85, 87, 89,
90, 96, 98, 99, 100o, 104, 105,
io6, 107, Io8, I113, 114, I115, x i6,
i i8, 119g, 122, I123, 125, 126, 127,
128, 130, 131, 135, 137, 138, 140,
144, 145, 149, 150, 1 53, 154, 159,
1 63, i164, i 65, i 66, i 67, 172, 173,
176, 177, 178, I 84, i 86, 191, I192,
I93, 199, 209, 210, 215, 219, 228,
230, 233, 235, 238, 239, 241, 262,
299, 346
Hojedus, 72, 79, 8i
Holstrocke, William, xvii.
Holtrop, Mr, xxv.
Holy Nose, 330
Homer, 5, 41, 346, 398
Honorucco, 169
Horace, 58
Hore, Master, xviii.
Hossuen. island, 304
Hozama, I68, 170
Huban island, 344
Hungary, King of; 208, 312
IHuhaho, i68, 169, 172
Huinaghan island, 255
Huitsarch, 299
Ilumos point, 273
Humphrey, Laurence, xl.
Hyperhorean sea, 288
Hyperhoreos mountains, xli., 293,
313, 314, 324
Hyperbories, 142, 155, 350
Hyram, 49
Iberia, 53, 54
Icthiophagi, 301, 385
Ida mountains, 172
Iguamu, 171r
Iguanama, 173
Illirium, 306
Ilmer Lake, 319
Inacus, Jopez Mendocius, 103
India, xxi., xxix., xxx., xxxii., 9,
10, 13, 14, 15, i6, i8, 19, 24, 25,
26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 40, 50, 52, 65,
67, 75, 79, 90, 98, 103, 120, 127,
I155, I 8o, 198, 203, 204, 209, 21i6,
21 9, 227, 233, 239, 261, 263, 264,
266, 269, 272, 283, 284, 285, 286,
287, 288, 308, 309, 313, 329, 339,
346, 347, 363, 384
India, Governour Of; 274~
India major, xxi., xxviii., xxxi.,
xxxii., 261
India minor, xxi.
Indian sea, 9, 39, 308, 347, 385
Indies, 52, 53, 54, 162, 213, 220,
221, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230,
232, 235, 238, 246, 271, 272, 273,
274, 337, 338, 340, 341, 345, 348,
350, 355
Indus river, 13, 308, 309
Infortunate islands, 28, 333, 37, 4r,
253
Innocientus, Pope, xxxi.
Inspruck, 359, 368
Insula crusis, 30 69
Insula, S. Johannis, 70
Insulin Latronum, 254
Insuloe verides, 39
Insulas Sancti Barnardi, 162
Inuagana island, 34
Ionicum. sea, 191
Ionium, 163
IDSicratea, 1 28




404


Irtische


Index.


Margarita


Irtische river, 323
Irus, 42
Isabella, City of, 74, 79, 80, 82, 84,
85, 86
Isabella island, 73, I67
Isabella, Lady, 341
Isaias, 52, 56, 57
Ismael the Sophi, 311
Isocrates, 346
Isodorus, Bishop, 290
Isopes, 53
Israeli, 51, 52, 56
Israeli, King of, xxxiv.
Isseria, 309
Ister river, 98, 131
Istoma Georgius, 330, 331
Ity island, 38
Jaccha, I68
Jacchi, Region of, 169
Jache river, i68
Jachem river, 73
Jaciga river, I68
Jacob, xxx.
Jacobi, Sancti, 97
Jacobus Gastaldus, 345
Jafet, 346
Jagohaiucho, Region of, I69
Jaia, o00, 163
Jaick river, 326, 329
Jainagua, Lake, 170
Jaioso, Region of, 374
Jamaica island, 31, 75, 78, 150, I54,
177, 193, 210, 241
Jamaizi, Region of, 169
James, St., Island of, 97
James, St., Tower of, 84
James the elder, 10
Jamgoma, Region of, 260
Janua, 155
Janus, 155
Japhet, I55
Jaques Cartier, 345
Jaroslavia, 309
Jaroslaw, Castle of, 324
Jason, 51, 262
Jausa river, 313
Java island, 23, 269, 344
Jaxartes river, 3 I
Jean de Ferrieres, xliv.
Jemptia, 305
Jenkenson, Anthony, xviii.
Jenkynson, Master, xliii.
Jenuen, xxx.
Jerieho, Priests of, xlvii.
Jerom, Castle of, 323
Jerusalem, xxi., xxxi., 7, 8, 49, 51,
56-7, 82, 100, i66, 374, 384-5
Jerusalem, Patriarche of, xxxv.
Job, I I, 349
Joga, 14
Johan, Duke, 289, 293
Johanna island, 28, 29, 66, 70, 74,
75, 104, 241
Johannes, Cursius, Io6
Johannes, Diaz, 105
John, King, 65, 129, 273, 274
John, Lake of, 325
John of Desborough, xxv., xxxvi.
John, Pope, xxiii., xxvi., xxvii.,
xxx., xxxii., xxxvi.
John, Queen, 273
John the Evangelist, Jo
Jonas, xxv., 338
Joppa, 18I
Joseph of Arimathea, 56
Josephus, xlviii., 8, 384, 385
Josuah, 316
Jouanaboina, 1oo
Joubert, Francoise, xlv.
Jovius, Paulus, 292, 331


Joy, Master, xviii.
Juan, I82
Juanaga, Region of, 234
Juba, King, 347
Jucatana island [i.e., the peninsula of
Yucatan], 40, 186, I88, 189, I91,
192, 193, 238
Juda, Princes of, 56
Judde, Sir Andrew, 383
Judea, 7, I8, 57
Jug river, 286, 312. 322
Juga river, 293, 312
Jugaria, 322, 326
Jugge, John, xlvi.
Jugge, Richard, xxxix., xlvi., 398
Jugoria, 309
Juharici, 326
Juhgary, The, 326
Juhra, 293, 322, 326
Julius, Pope, 309
Julyan Samano, 346
Junna river, 73, 168, 172
Jura, II6
Jureche, 152
Jurham, 292
Jwanowosero, Lake of, 325
Kaienska Semla, Region of, 330
Kama, Region of, 326
Kaman river, 325, 329
Katharine, Queen, 65
Kele river, xxxvii.
Kerry, John, xix.
Khan, Great, xv.
Kingsley, Rev. Canon, xvi.
Kitai, Lake, 323
Kitaisko, Lake, 323
Kithay, Lake, 324
Kohl, Mr J. G., xv.
Kuliuo river, 322
Kurbski, Simeon Pheodorowice, 324
Kyui, 20
La Desseada island, 21o
La Ferte, xlv.
La Mina, 382
La Spagnuola, 210
Labrador, xiii., xv., 287, 344, 345,
347
Lachroma river, 321
Lacossa, Johannes de, 107
Lactantius, 10, 11, 142
Lacus, Albus, 291
Lacus, Cronicus, 289
Ladoga, Lake, 319
Lagartos river, I
Lagoma island, 260
Laletania, 173
Lamas, 155
Lambert, Francis, xviii., xix.
Lambert, Nicolas, 376, 377
Lamer, xlv.
Lampaloda island, 374
Lancelotus island, 65, 157
Lancerota, xx.
Landinus, 279
Landman, Dauid, xix.
Langanas, 304
Lantchidol sea, 261
Laon, xliv.
Lapponia, Region of, 8, 291, 299,
301, 302, 305, 347
Lares, 176
Lasiesia, 363
Laterane, 309
Latium, 66, i66, 167
Lathyro King, 286
Laurence, xlvii., xlviii.
Lazaro, Archipelago di San, 254
Lazarus, King, I87, i88
Lech, King of the Polons, 318


Ledisma, Johannes, 144
Ledyl river, 291
Legion, 201
Legion, King of, 203
Leigh, Doctor, xvi.
Lemures, 85
Leo, Bishop of Rome, 64, o16, 137,
287, 308, 309
Leochares, 49
Leon, 342
Leon, John Ponce of, 345, 346
Leonhardus Gorecius, xxxix.
Lepanto, xii.
Lepin Castle, 323
Lesbos, 69
Levante, The, xii., xiii., xvii., xviii.,
xix., 233
Leviathan sea, 50
l.ewes, Don, 378
Libane, 1 0
Liberus, Sigismundus, 298, 312,
318
Libia, 8, 54, 56, 70, 81, I66, 177,
374, 384
Libicum, 163
Libra, xlii.
Ligurian sea, 297
Lima, 338
Limonares island, 151
Limoso island, 374
Lincoln, Bishop of, xl., xlv.
Lisbon, City of, I6, 39, 267, 277,
279, 341
Lithunia, Duke of, 318
Lituania, Realme of, 286, 291, 292,
31I, 314, 318, 326
Liuie, 132
Liuonia, 287, 291, 306, 308, 311,
312, 319, 33I
Lock, Sir William, xiii.
Locke, Michael, xix.
Lodge, Thomas, xl.
Lodovike, 73, 79, 82, 90, 94, 96,
103, 133
Longon, 260
Lop, City of, 26
Lopes, Diego, 272, 273
Lopez Francisco, 288, 335, 342,
350
Lordo, 287
Losoth island, 304
Louat river, 319
Lozon island, 260
Lucane, 310
Lucomorya mountains, 323, 324
Ludovico Barthema (i.e., Varthema],
xlviii.
Luft, Hans, xxv.
Lugo, Alphonsus, 66
Luigo, 252
Lumatola island, 260
Lumbardie, 306, 340
Lupus Sosa, 199
Lusheburne [i.e., Lisbon], xxvii.,
xxviii., xxix., 277, 309
Luther, xxvi.
Luttrel, Sir John, xix.
Luxanus, 74
Luys of S. Angell, 341
Luys, Cancell, 346
Luys, Don, 341
Luztu, 271
Lybien, xxxi.
Lyese Nicolas, 378
Lyuon sea, 314
Maccazina, Region of, 169
Macchian island, 259, 260
Macedonia, xxxiii., 14
Machiam sea, 344
Machinnech, King, 100


Machmetgirei, King, 328
Machochael, 99
Macorix, Region of, I68
Macrobius, 41, 298, 347
Madagascar, 7, 23, 285, 286
Madanino, 69, 157
Madera islands, 35, 40, 41, 87, 260,
270, 339, 340, 375, 380
Magellanus Ferdinando [i.e., Fernam de A age/lhaens], 9, 32, 33,
34, 35, 243, 249, 250, 252, 258,
272, 274
Magellanus, Straits of, 8, 33, 35,
i6i, 183, 252, 285, 350
Magna Canaria, 157
Magna fors island, 41
Magnete island, 348
Magnus, Albertus, 7, 9, 10, 41,
364
Magona, 8I
Magua, Region of, 169
Maguacochios, 167
Maguana, Region of, 169, 171, I72,
176
Mahaitin mountain, 169
Mahumet, 14, 23, 25, 27, 40, 57,
326, 374
Maia, Region of, I50, I63
Maiaguariti, Region of, I69
Maiam, 187
Maiobanexius, King, 86, 91, 92,
93
Maiolica, 270
Malabar, 263, 266, 267, 268, 269
Malacca, 21, 32, 34, 40, 75, 247,
255, 256, 260, 261, 267, 269,
271, 274, 313, 344
Malea, I55, 304
Maligny, Seigneur de, xliv.
Mallia island, 260.
Malpha, Flauius of, 348
1Manbrone, xxx.
Manabaho, Region of, 169
Manabaxao, Region of, I69
Manacapana, Region of, 89, 94,
96, 98, 128
Manache, Sibill, xx.
Manati, Lake, 171
Mlandeuell, 329
Mangalor, 265
Mangdando, City of, 259
Mangi, 25, 26
Manicautixius, King, 82
Manicheus, 10
Manicongo, 270, 374
Manilius, Marcus, xliv.
Mans, xliv.
Mansus, Alfonsus, 130
Manuel, Petro, 272
Maragnonum river, 98, I32, 134,
i55, i6o
Marburg, xxv.
Marchauntes island, 329
Marchena, 340, 341
Marcilius Ficinus, 338
Marco da Niza, 287
Marcus Antonius, 315
Marcus, Emperour, 284
Marcus Paulus, 55, 286
Marcus Paulus Venetus, 25, 27,
326, 330, 339, 340
Mare island, 35, 259, 260
Mare Congelatum, 8
Mare de Sabione, 374
Mare del Sur [i. e., the Pacific Ocean],
54, 211, 214, 223, 225, 230, 233,
234, 235, 252, 262, 338, 344,
345, 347
Mare Pacificum, 252, 253
Margarita island, 54, 88, 96, 141,
165, 178, 214, 233




Margarita


hidex.


Oxford        405


i                                                                                                                                                                                                                      I


Margarita, Peter, 79
Mariatambal,   Region  of,   98,
132
Marien, Region of, 169, 172
Mary, Virgin, xxvi., 69, I24, 192,
198
Marmarica, 8
Marmor, 112, 114, 135
Marobu, ioo
Marocco, xiX., xx.
Marques, Diegus, 157
Marris, 122
Marrocko, 374
Marrok, i6i
Martabani, 268
Martine, 383
Martinus Gratias island, 343
Martire, Pietro, or Martyr, Peter,
xiii., xxxvii., 43, 6i, 63, 64, 65,
102, i86, 207, 241, 246, 299
Mary, Queen, xii., xxxviii., xxxix.,
Xlv.,~ I.
Mary of Nernegen, xxvi.
Massana island, 34
Massaquiber port,.374
Mathan island, 258
Mathien island, 35
Mathinino island, ioo
Matinino island, 30, 69, 157, i66,
210
Matritis, 123, I84
Matthkur, 303
Mauicarao, 1 69
Maurevert, Xlv.
Mauritania, 8, 374, 384
Mauritania Cesariensis, 374
Mauritania Tingitania, 374
Mausolus, King, 49, 128
Maximilian, Emperour, 290, 308,
309, 312, 368
Mecca, i66, 267
Medecis, Catherine de, xlv.
Media, 3I4
Medina Celi, Duke Of, 341
Medina Sidonia, Duke of, 250,
34'
Medina de Campo, xxxix., 232
Medon, xxxi.
Meersch, P. C. van der, xxv.
Megha, xxviii.
Mela, Pomponius, 346, 347
Melaqua, City Of, xxix., 21
Meicha island, 39
Melchoir, 7I, 72
Meler, Lake, 305
Melinda, xxviii., 132, 385
Melo, Frances de, 273
Meluza, 20
MeMi, City of, 241
Memphis, City Of, 307, 315
Mendala, 344
Mendez, Diegus, I54
Mendocius, Inacus Jopez, 103
Mendoza, Anthony di, 287
Mendoza, Cardinall. Pero Gonzales
Of, 341
Mendoza, Luigo of, 252
Mendoza, Mentia of, 214
Mennones, 385
Mlense, 56
Mensurado, Cape, 381
Meotis, 155, 292, 298, 306, 311,
314, 325, 326, 351
Mercado, Lodouicus, i65, 182
Mercedis, Saynte Mary Of, 77
Mericke, William, xli.
Meroe island, 8, 385
Merooe, 41
Mesa, Barnarde of, 130
Messana island, xvii., 256
Messana, King Of, 256, 257, 258


Mesopotania, 297
Meta Incognita, xiii.
Metellus Celer, 9
Methymna Campi, City of, 68, 70,
7 2, 8o
Methyna, Duke of, 96
Mexico, Viceroy Of, 287
Mexico, City Of, xiii., 55, 61, 287,
288, 338,' 342
Mezen river, 322
Mezentium, 66
Michael Passamonte, 213
Midnall, Thomas, xiii.
Mien, 24, 261
Milan, City of, 63, 67, 103, 131,
141
Milenoes, 65
Mina, 339, 375, 382
Mina, Castle Of, 382
Mina river, 376
Minera, xlviii.
Minos, xlviii.
Mioformo, City Of, 284
Mirobalanus, Region of, I51
Mitaini, 167
Mithridates, 128, 129
Moguer, 341
Mogunce, Bishop Of, 56
Molucca islands, 8, 9, 20, 32, 33,
34, 35, 54, 183, 234, 235, 247,
249, 256, 258, 259, 260, 271, 272,
273, 274, 286, 287, 344
Molybe, 385
Momsahith, xxviii.
Moncellese, Master Bernardino, 356
Monoch island, 22
Mons Crucis, 300
Mons Farratus island, 30
Mons Serratus island, 69, 177
Monte Rodondo, 382
Montegio Francis, 187, 190, 191,
192, 195
Montes Luna, 41, 132, 217, 385
Montes Niuales, 157, i6o
Monyuye, 240
Moore, Sir Thomas, 398
Morales, Andreas, 134, 156, 165,
Morales, Gasper, 178, 179, 214
Morantes, Christophorus, i86
Morauia, Region Of, 326
Morea, The, 316
Moren, xxxi.
Morgan, Sylvanus, xlvi.
Morley, Professor H., xxxviii.
Moronites, xxx., xxxi.
Morrorabes, xxx., xxxi.
Mos, Lake, 304
Moscow, 187, 286, 289, 290, 291,
292, 293, 308, 312, 313, 314, 31I7,
321
Moscovia, xxxix., 285, 286, 287,
289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 298,
308, 309, 310, 31I1, 312, 313, 314,
315, 316, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322,
323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329,
330, 331, 332
Moscovia, Andreas Of, 316
Moscovia, George Of, 316
Moscovia, Helena Of, 289
Moscovia, John Of, 289, 316, 319,
321, 324, 325, 326
Moscovia, Sophia Of, 326
Moscovia, Simeon Of, 316
Moscovia, Demetrius Ambassadour
of, 292, 308, 309, 310, 311, 313,
316, 325, 329, 331
Moscovia, Dukes Of, 283, 286, 287,
289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 314, 31I8,
322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 328, 329,
330, 331, 332


Moscovites, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293,
306, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 315,
316, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323,
324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 331,
332
Moses, xxi., xlvii., II, 49, 50, 51,
57, 110
Mosyli, The, 385
Motka, Cape, 331
Mouy, Count de, xlv.
Moxica, Michael of, 65
Moxus river, 313, 314
Mozambique, 261
Muera, 318
Mifller, Mr Frederick, xxv., xxvi.
Multoxuman, King, 195
MUMU, I112
Miinster, Sebastian, 3, I 3, 42, 249,
291, 293
Murcien, 176
Muscostrom sea, 304
Muthil island, 34
Mutir island, 259, 260
Mysians, xlviii., 318
Naeldwyck, Jan van, xxvi.
Nagai, 329
Nagaria, xxix.
Naiba, 83
Naiba river, 73, 83, i68, 172
Nansao, Earl of, 214
Naples, King of, xxx.
Narmaria, xxix.
Narsinga, 14, 15, 20, 263, 264, 265
Narsinga, King of, 14, 40, 264
Nativitatis, Baia, 129
Nauaryen, King of, xxx., xlviii.
Nauchin, City of, 260
Navarre, King of, xxx., xlviii.
Nebrissa, 135, 165
Neglina river, 313
Negro river, 374
Nehemiah, 56
Neibaymao, Regin of, 169
Neibaymas mountain, 169
Nemea, 143
Nemroth, 53, 290
Neper river, 314
Nepos, Cornelius, 9, 286, 347
Neptunus, xlviii., 55, 163, i65, 176
Nereiades, 74, 101, 127, 165, 176
Nero, 41
Nerui, 340
Nestorius, xxx., 27
New Andalusia, 130
New Fraunce, 287, 288
New India, 3, 13, 14, 15, i6, 17, 18,
919 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,
28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36,
37, 38, 39, 40, 41
New Spayne, 236,238,241, 287, 342
New World, 68, 127, 137, I56, 174,.245, 247, 272, 273, 337, 338, 339,
342
Newfoundland, xiii., xiv., xv., xviii.
xxi.
Nicaragua, 338
Nicene, 290
Nicolai, 322
Nicuesa, Diego, io6, 107, io8, 109,
I I, 112, 1 13, 114, 115, i i6, 126,
128, 135, 137, 145, 150, 151, 153,
156
Nidrosia, 299, 303
Nidrosia, Archbishop Of, 299
Nignus, 94, 126
Nigritis, 132, 384
Nile river, 8, 4 1,110I, I II, 1 31, 132,
153, 155, 1 69, I175, 193, 199, 21I7,
283, 284, 285, 293, 309, 311, 31I2,
339, 346, 351, 374, 384, 385


Nimaca, 169
Nizaus, 1 69
Noah, xlViii., 5'I, 155, 340, 346, 386
Noceuamor island, 260
Nogais, 311, 329
Nomen Dei, 113, 234, 235
Norduegia, 331
Noricum, 314
Northumberland, Duke of, xxxviii.,
xxxix., 5
Nortpoden, 330
Norumbega, xiv.
Norway, G~overnours Of, 332
Norway, King Of, 331
Norwegia, King of, xxx.
Nova Castilia, 343
Nova Hispania, 55, 213, 238, 241,
287, 342
Novogradia [i.e., NovgMorod], Cityof,
289, 290, 291, 309, 312, 313, 314,
318, 31'9, 321, 326, 328, 329, 330
Nova Scotia, xv.
Nubia, 384
Nuceria, Paulus Jouius, Bishop of,
308, 312, 331
Numidia, 374
Nunnez, Alphonsus, 123
Nunnez de Gusman, Peter, 345
Nycolas, Saynt, 75, 78
Nysa, 100o
Nysea, 384
o [i.e., OmegaJ point, 75, 76
Obdoria,:287, 310, 323
Obea, Castle Of, 323
Obi river, xli., 287, 322, 323, 332
Obiowa, 323.
Occoa river, 170, 292
Ocha river, 292, 308, 313, 314, 319,
324, 325
Ochelaga, 287
Ocho Lupus, i86
Odia, 260
Odoardo Barbessa, 258
Ogni Sancti Marigalante island, 210
Olanus, Gothus, 300, 347, 348
Olanus, Lupus, 1II, 112
Olha, 319
Olmutium, 314
Oloan, i88, 191
Goliab, 49)
Oone, 305
Ophir, 7, 51i, 66, 73, 82, 338, 343
Oplandia, 305
Oram, City Of, 374
Ordassus, Diegus, 192
Oripei, The, 385
Ormuz island, 13, 20, 261i, 266
Oro river, 380
Orsa, 316
Oryenten, xxx., xxxi.
Os Dragonzis, Straits of, 88, 95, 96,
98, io8, 128, 132, 134, 151I, 178
'So
Ostrich, Henry, xix.
Ostrobothnia, 305, 306
Osep, Gregorevitch Napea, xL.
Otho, 9
Otifer, 289, 290
Otogeria, City Of, 291
Otoque island, 233
Otto Brumifelsius,' xliii.
Ottomanus, Bajasetes, 6o, 311
Ottoseria, City Of, 314.
Otwer, City Of, 314
Ouandus,.King, i90
Ouandus, Nicolaus, 165
Ouetenses, Astur, 135
Ouiedus, Gonzalus Fernandus, 50,
I58, i6ci, 184, i85, 207, 208, 241,
Oxford, Earl of, xxxvii.




406         Oxus


Jidmex.


Rome






I


Oxus river, 308
Ozarna, 240






Pacra, King, 143, 144 145, 146,
'47
Padilla, Garsia de, 130
Padus, 133
Pahan, 260
Paleacate, 263
Paleologus, Sophia, 316
Paleologus. Thomas, 316
IPalitzki, Lieuetenaunte, 328
Palma island, 4I, 66, 157, 177, 380
Palmaria, Region of, 189
Palmas, Cape de las, 381, 382
Palmer. Sir T., xxxix.
Palos, 96, 97, 99, 34I
Pan, i 66
Panama, City Of, 214, 223, 233,
234, 235, 338
Panchi,7 City Of, 26
Panes, 101
Pannonie, 133, 155, 290, 306, 310,
314
Panonome, King, 182
Pantalarea island, 374
PanUCo, 241
Papa, Johannes, 385
Ilapin, City Of, 324
Papinowgorod, City of, 324
IParacelsus, xlvi.
Paraue river, 343
Paria, 36, 38, 89, 90, 94, 95, 96,
98, 99, 103, 105, 113, 128, 129,
130, 132, 135, 151, 156, i65, 178,
i So, i~i, 184, 338, 363
Paria, Gulf of, I30
Paricora, 98, I32
Pariza, 183
Paropanisus mountain, 308
Parthenopea, Queen, 103
Parthia, 284
Parthicus, Emperour, 176
Paruaim, 7
Paruus, Georgius, 326
Passamonte, Mychel, 213, 240
Patani, 260
Patagoni, 252
Patalo river, 363
Pauiloghon. island, 258
Paul, 5i, SS
Paulus, 179, 309
Paulus, Jovius, 6o, 287, 308O, 312
Pazer, 344
Pean, John, 385
Pecerra, Region Of, 315
Pedernales mountains, 2I9
Pedir, 344
Pedrarias da Villa, 229
Pedro Doria, xvii.
Pegu, 20, 21, 261, 263, 264, 344
Peim, 26
Pellegrine de Maricourt, xliii.
Peloponeso, 134, 316, 319
Pelnsio river, 284, 285
PI~eusiUS, 285
Penguin island, xviii.
Peralfonso of Mlelo, 272
Peraria, F., 65
Percaslavia, City of, 291, 33I
Perecow, 382
Perez, John, 340, 341I
Perillus, 49
Perirluete, King, 182
Perm, 293
IPermia, 286, 309, 325, 326
Permska, 293
Persia, xxviii., 15, 26, 267, 309, 314
Persia, Gulf of, 82, 308
Persia, King of, 284, 311I, 319, 326
Persides, 75


i
I
I


Pert, Sir Thomas, xiii., 6
Peru, xiii.,  xxxix., 6, 54,  130,  285,
338, 343, 346, 363
Pescora River, 286
Peter, 125
Petit, F., xxxviii.
Petrus Alphonsus, 94, 96
Petrus Arias, 126, 127, 142, 214, 229
Pettislego, xl.
Petzora  River, 322,3, 32,  30
332
Phaeton, 73
Pharis River, 262, 310
Phenicen, xxxi.
Phidias, 74
Philadelphus, King, 284, 285
Philip, King, xvii., xxxviii., xxxix.,
xlv., 52.
Philistines, xlvii., 51
Philo, xliv.
Philostratus, 384
Phcunicia, xi.
Phrysius, Gernnia, 384
JPhylippe. the Apostle, 57
Pichet, John, xvii.
Piedmont, xliv.
Pienega, 312, 322
Piescoya River, 322
Pieza River, 322
Pigafetta, Antonio, 243, 246, 247,
249, 255, 258
Pignonem, 153
Pinnigt, 300
Pinsteado, Antoniades, 375, 376,
377
Pinsteado, Antonie Anes', 378
Pinsteado, John Anes, 377, 378
lPintiguanus, Chiaconus, I29
Pinzon, Martin Alonso, 341
Pinzonus, Aries, 96, 98
Pinzonus, Vincentiuts Annez, 36, 96,
98 105, 126, 128, 129, 130
Pircho, City Of, 305
Pisa, John Rodriguez of, 272
Pius Secundus,, 8, 9, 41
Pizarro, Francisco, xiii., io8, 110o
Placentia, 340
Plata river, 338, 343
Plato, xl., xlii., xliii., xliv., Io, 337
338, 340
Plaiper, 368
IPlescouia, 291, 309, 312, 314
Pliny, xliii., xlviii., 8, 9, 10, 14, i6,
I8, 41, 53, 67, 75, 120, 133, 142,
152, 175, 179, 208, 221, 225, 227,
231, 236, 245, 248, 278, 284, 285,
286, 289, 292, 294, 297, 298, 306,
310, 31I5, 340, 342, 347, 349, 363,
364,  383, 384, 385, 386
Plummer, Thomas, xvii.
Pluto, xlvi., 149, 355
Po river, 133, 314, 363, 364
Pocchorrosa, King, 147, 148, 162,
163,I178
Pocchorosa, Region of, 162, 163
Pogosa, 323
Poiassa river, 323
Polagua island, 344
Polen, King of, xxx., 318
Politianus, Angelus, xliv., xlvii.,
xlviii.
Polo islandl, 256
Polomus Chiacomus, 129
Polonie, 314, 318, 326
Polonie, King, 286, 290, 318, 1319
Polonie, Russus Of, 318
Polonie, Sigismunde Of, 309, 319
Polotzko, 312
Polybius, 41
Pomiponius Mela, 346, 347, 349
Ponce, John, i65, ISI, 345, 346


i
i
II
I
ii
i
i
Ii
i
I
I
I
II
iI
i
i
i
I
1
1
1
i


I




Poncha,  King,  115, i6 12,  137,
138, 139, 140, 149, 178
Poncius Johannes, i65, i81, 345,
346
Ponet, John, xxxvii.
Ponte, Alfonsus de, 157
Pontike sea, 131, 262, 296
PontUS, 297, 308, 318
Porcena, 71
Porne, King Of, 34
Porne islanrl, 22, 34, 258
Porte Joppa, i8i
Portofarnia, 374
iPorto Rigo, xv.
Portucarerius Alsons, 191, 192, 195
Portugal, Alonzo of, 273, 341
Portugal, Emanuel of, i6, 37, 39,
40
Portugal, Henrique of, 273
Portugal, Johan of, 129, 271, 273,
274
Portugal, Lewes of,37
Portugal, Kings of, xvi., xxiii., xxv.,
xxvi, xxvii., xxix., xxx., 13, 40,
41,  4,  4,  29,  256,  261.  267,
270, 271, 273, 274, 340, 341, 363,
374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 381, 382,
385
IPortus Bel]lus, 112, 135, 153), 177
Portus Cathaginis, io6
Portus Desideratuis, i88
Portus Platze, I76
Portus Regalis, 71, 105, 176
Pota-nchanus, King, 189, 194
Potassa, 323
Potiwlo, 330
Pothorst, 300
Potto, Chiaconus, 129
Potzcheriema river, 323
Powell, William, xxxix., 43
Poyas Semnoi mountains, 322, 323
Poynings, Sir Adrian, xlv.
Pozon island, 256
Praga, C ity of, 29I
Prato, Alhertus de, xiv.
Preciosus, Johannis, 5I
Precop, 325
IPrester, John, xxi., xxxii., xxxiii.,
xxxv., 51, 339, 374, 384, 3S5
Proclus, 338
iPrometheus, 57
PropertiUS, 285
Prussia, Master Of, 308, 319
Psammiticus, King, 284
Ptolomneus,, 4,  210,  236,  262,
284, 285, 289, 308, 313, 349, 384,
390
Pulaoan island, 258
Pulisachnites river, 25
Purchas, Samuel, xii., xiv.
Puren, I52
Pustoofero, 322, 323
Puta, 88
Pyconye river, xxxiii.
Pynle, H. xv.
Pynson, Richard, xxv.
Pyrinei mountain, 513
Pythagoras, xlVii., 215
Pythis, 49
Quadrado Gulf, 344
Quanrlo, Nicolas de, 345,34
Quareha, I153
Quarequa, King, 138, 178
Quarequa, Region of, 138, 139, 338
Quatour Temnpora island, I15
Q uauhtema, 338
Quaxaca, 342
Qunenquinasu, City of, 24, 25
Queraquiera island, 69, 157, 159
Quicedus, John, 123, 126


I


I


I
i
I


Quicuri Region of, I51
Quinsai, 26, 55, 307
Quiola, xxviii.
Quintanilia, 34I
Quintilian, xlviii.
Quiriquetana, 150, 15 I
Quitilla island, 190
Quito, 338
Quizqueia island, i66, i67
Rahida, 340, 341
Ragusa, City Of, 330
Raja, Calauar, King, 258
Raja, Capitayne, 120
Raja Colamhbu, King, 255
Raja Humabuon, King, 257
Raja Santoa, King, 260
Raj aSiagu, Prince, 255
Raj aSiripada, King, 258
Raja Sultan Manzor, 259
Ramonus, 99
Ramusio, J. B., xiv., xv., xxxx~iii
Rase, John, 382
lRastall, John, xx.
Rastadll Master, xviii., xix.
IRastadl Sarieant, xviii.
Rateliff, xxxxviii.
Ravenna, 314
Razauias 309
Red sea, xxix., xlviii., 7, I3, 51
43 ISO  284, 285, 339,  36  7
385
Regio Baccalearum, 32, 55
Regnumn Orguene, 384
Resan, City of, 290
Reyre, Region of, i68
Rezan, 324
Rezense, 292, 309
Rha river, 291, 292, 31I3, 329
Rhapsii, 385
Rhene river, 56, 314, 363
Rhodes, xii.
Rihera, Doctor, 272
Richard I., King, xxvi.
Richard 11I., King, xxxix.
Rico Porto, xv.
Ridley, Master, xviii.
Riga, river, 287,.308, 312, 3I4
Rilo Dulce river, 381
Rio Grande river, 380
Rio de Chicora river, xv.
Rio de los Perdidos river, 151, 156
Rio de la Plata river, xxxix., 54,
288, 338, 343, 386
Rio de los Potos river, 382
Riphea, 155
iRipheos mountains, 293, 324
Risophagi, The, 385
Riuo Nigro, 120, 121
Riuum. Nigrum, 191
Rivero Diego, 272
Robbyn Hood, 53
Rocumdulfe, Earl of, xlvii.
Rodanum, 314
Rodericus Colmenaris, 113, 114,
115, ii6, 1I9, 120, 122, 123
Rodes, 351I
Rodes, Grand Master of the, 374
Rodrigo, 341
Rodriguez, John, 272
Rogers, John, xxxix.
Roldlanus, Ximenus, 86, 87, 90
Rome, Adrian, P~ope Of, 309
Rome, Pope Alexander Vl. Of, 37,
74, I29, 201, 273, 274, 315
Rome, Pope Clement VII., 308,
309, 347
Rome, Cloelia of, 71
Rome, Consul of, xliv.
Rome, Emperour of, xxxii.
Rome, Gregory, Bishop Of, 56






Rome


Index.


Taquenazabo


407


Rome, Julius Of, 309
Rome, Leo X. of, 64, io6, 109, i iI,
113, 114, I23, 125, 126, 127, 130,
131, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137,
145, 149, 150, 154, 156, '57, 1 59,
162,  163, i64, i66,  167,  170,  17~2,
174, 175, 178, i8i, 184, 185, 287,
308, 309
Rome, Paul IIL' Of, 51, 58, '79
Rome, Pius II. Of, 8, 9, 41
Rosciuia, City Of, 290, 291, 309
Rosolanos, 289
Rostowe, 331
Rotunda, Sancta Maria, 69
Rubicho river, 322
Ruiz, Barthalome, 272
Ruiz, Peter, 272, 274
Rumnie, James, xvii.
Russia, Basilius Of, 289, 290, 308,
309, 311I, 314, 31i6, 317, 31I9, 32 1,
324, 328, 329
Russia, Emperour Of, 290
Russus, Town Of, 3 18
Rut, John, xiv., xv., xvi.
Ruthens; Constantine, Captain of
the, 316
Ruthens, Czar of the, 319
Saba, 8, 385
Saba, Queen of, 8, 374, 385
Sabea, 129, 385
Sachion, City of, 27
Sacrificios; Sacrifice, Island of, 189,
192
Safale, xxviii., 36
St Ambrose, 10, 315
St Andrew, 290, 319
St Angell, Luys Of, 341
St Antonie islands, 272, 273
St Aubin, Sieurde, xliv.
St Augustine, 10, 142, 165, 218, 238,
315, 318, 338
St Augustine, Cape of, 129,1~55, i65,
i8i, 183, 218, 250, 273, 338
St Benedict, 306
St Bernardi islands, i6i
St Catharine, Castle of, 84
St Christopher, Gold mine of, 105
St Christoval, Island of, 210
St Clare [electrical fir-e on masts],
251
St Cosmus, 310
St Cruz islands, 30, 130, 159, i88
St Cyrillus, 315
St Domingo, xv., 45, 82, 84, I130,
154, i68, 169, 170, 176, 209, 210,
213, 240, 338, 346
St Dunstan's parish, xlviii.
St Francis, 130, 176, 198, 240, 341
St George, xxxi., 39, 323
St Germain, Town of, xlv.
St Germain, Bay of, xv.
St Gregory, 315
St Helen [electrical fir-e on masts],
251
St Hericus, 305
St James, xxviii., i0, i86
St James island, xxviii., 97, i86,
261, 262
St James, Castle Of, 36, 84
St Jerome, I95, 338
St John, Gulf'of, 194
St John, Port, 192
St John's island, xv., 45, 104, 130,
155, 159, 173, I76, 210, 213,
241
St John's harbour, xiii., xiv., xv.,
192
St John of Jerusalem, Knights of,
xii.
St julian, Port, 252


St Lazaro, Archepelago di,:254   Schavo, 381
St Lazarus, 187                   Schichmamai, 329
St Laurence [i.e., Madlagascar], Is- Schidack, 329
land Of, 285                    Schio, 366, 368
St Leger, xlv.                    Schondania, Region Of, 298
St Luca, or Lucar. de Barramneda, Schondenmarchia, Region, 298
157, 210, 262                  Sclavonia, 290, 306
St Lucas Guild at Antwerp, xxv.   Sclavons, 290, 306, 315, 318, 319
St Maria Antigua, Island Of, 30, Scolus, John, 345
69, 110, 134, 163, 198, 207, 218, Scombria Islands, io6, 107
226, 229, 236, 238              Scondia, Region Of, 295, 298, 299,
St Maria Rotund, Island Of, 30, 69  302, 305, 313
St Maria de Gratia, Island Of, 238  Scopa, 5 I
St Marina, i90                    Scoria, King, 183
St Martha, I56, 157               Scutum Cateba island, 135
St Martinus, Island Of, 30, 69    ScwAerski, 325
St Marye of Mercedis, 77, 240    Scythia, 155, 289, 291, 292, 297,
St Matthei, Region of, 112, 132,    306, 310, 312, 313, 316, 347, 363
135                            Sea, Admiral of the great Ocean, 29,
St Michael's Gulf, 54, 140, 1 62,   35, 67, 79, 94
i65, 182, 183, 214             Sebastian, John, 271, 272
St Nicolas [electricalfire on masts], Segovia, 126, 127
250                              eia, Capreansis de, 137
St Nicolas island, 375, 376      Selani Island, 34
St Nicolas, Port of, 75, 78      Seleucus Nicanor, 8, 6i
St Paul, 7, II, 55, 56, 204, 293  Selle, xiv.
St Peter, 130, 203, 204, 250, 290  Selymus, Prince, 311
St Romayne, Tower Of, 236        Sem, 346
St Sergius, 291                  Semnoi Poyas mountains, 324
St Sophia, 314                   Seneca, 48, 67, 337, 339
St Steven, 148                    Senega river, 280
St Thomas, xxix, xxx., xxxiv. -vi., Senegal river, 132, 374, 384
74, 79, 8o, 250                 Sequeryra, Dieogo Lopez of, 272,
St Thomas, Island Of, 250, 270     273
St Thomas Tower, 31, 74, 79, 8o  Serrannus, Johannes, 34, 157, i6o
St Vincent, Cape, 250            Serena, 274
St Vincent, Harbour Of, 381      Seres, 67
Salaye, Dr Sancho, 272           Serponowtzi, 323
Saleno, Monsieur de, xlvii.      Serra Nevata mountains, io8, i6o
Salla, Port, 374                 SerranuS,JTohannes, 34, I57, i6o, 258
Salsburg, Cardinal of, 24, 247, 248  Serrationa [Sierra Leone], 39, 250
Salvaterra, I176                 Sesostris, 284
Samnano, Julyan, 346             Sesostris, King, 284
Samarcandia, 311I                 Sesponow castle, 323
Samson, xlvii.                    Sest river, 321
Samnma, Town Of, 381, 383        Sestau island, 192
Sammaterra, Town Of, 383         Sesto river, xvi., 376, 381
Samogeds, The, 323               Setebos, 252
Samotor, 20                      Sette Citta, Kingdom, 287
Samotra [i~e., Suimatra], 7, 21, 22, Seville, xiv., xvi., xl., 50, 62, 210,
32, 344                          246, 250, 262, 288, 338, 342, 345,
Samua, Town Of, 381, 383           348
Sananton island, 272             Sforza Ascanius, 65, 68, 103, I27
Sancta Cruce, xiii.,I xx., 30, 40, I130, Shava, 381
I88                            Shawgro, 381
Sancta Fee, 341                  Shyawe, 381
Sanders, Blaise, xli.            Sian, Zacabedera King Of, 260
Sanguenai, 287                   Sianfu, City Of, 26
San Juan island, xv.             Sibier, Prouince Of, 326, 329
Saragossa, xxxviii. -ix., 247    Sibut river, 323
Sardinia, 56                     Sibylla Erythyrea, 135
Sardonica, 284                   Siccensis, Nicolaus, 309
Sardus, 1 63                     Sico island, 260
Sarmatia, 170, 284, 291, 295, 298, Siech, Ismael, 266
308, 311, 314, 326, 347        Sigismundus Liberius,:298, 312, 3 18
Sarmatians, 155, 301, 310        Siguera, Francisco de, 378
Saturma, Region Of, 157, i58, i6o, Siloli island, 34
i63                            Silver of Rever, 288, 343
Saunders, Laurence, xxxix.       Silvius Pandonus, 133
Sava, City Of, 374               Simonides, 41
Savoy, The Master of the, xliii.  Sina, Kindgom Of, 32, 313, 344
Sawolhenses, The, 327, 329       Sinum Perditorumn, Point, 155
Saxogramnmaticus, 300            Sinus Arabicus, 13
Saxony, Duke Of, 366             Sinus Finnonicus, 306
Shozzo, 368                      Sinus Magnus, 248
Scandia, 298                     Sinus Persicus, 20, 32, 41, 82
Scandinavia, 298, 347             Smith, Sir T., xxxvii., xlii., xlv.
Scarense, Bishop Of, 310          Smolense, 290, 291
Scharutzick, City Of, 329        Smyrnophora, 385
Scharaitz, 329                   Soborovius, George, 316
Schat river, 325                 Sofa, Lupus, 199


Solinus Julius, I6, 56, 338, 346, 347,
383
Solo island, 34
Solowki island, 321
Solysius, Johannes, iSI
Sorachi village, i~o
Soria islands, 347, 348, 387
Sossa river, 323
Soto, Ferdinando de, 346
Spacheford, Thomas, xiii.
Spaengian, 39
Spagnuola island, 199, 210
Spain, Emperor Charles V., 32, 47,
63, 208-14,2i6, 223,225,226,229,
233-6, 238, 240, 246-8, 255, 257,
259, 271-4, 278, 287, 343, 34S,
350, 363
Spain, Em"nperor Phillip, 54, 59,
346
Spartaria, 176
Spatense Alverado, I92
Sperantia castle, 84
Spiriostom —ea, 98
Spice islands, 235, 247, 271, 273,
274, 286, 344
Spinosa, Gasper, 183
Stanmoische, Region Of, 322
Steven, Iiysshop, 293, 325
Stoidum, 143
Stora, 374
Strabo, 10, 56, 283, 284, 285, 289,
296, 308, 346, 349
Strava, 308
Strelze, 322
Strub island, 324
Strucophagi, 385
Stzuchogora river, 323
Subuth, King Of, 34
Succana river, 286, 312, 322, 331
Suchana river, 322
Suchur, Province, 27
Suetia, 2-99, 30I, 304-6, 311I, 312,
319, 330, 331
Suevia, King Of, 9, 286, 301. 3c6,
308, 347
Suez, 13, 284, 285
Sulacho island, 260
Sumatra, 7, 12, 20, 21, 22, 32, 261,
267, 272-4, 344
Sumatra, Kings of, 22
Sumbit island, 253
Sumideros, 155
Sura river, 314
Surcium, river, 314
Sus, 374
Sussex, Earl of, xxxix.
Sustali, 290
Sutton, Edward, 42
Taboga island, 233
Tabor, King, I82
Tracarequi Margarita island, 56, 233
Tachola, 344
Tachola, C-ity Of, 344
Tachnin ryver, 323
Tadinsu, City Of, 24
Taghimna island, 259
Taia, Region of, 15o
Tainsu, Kingdom of, 25
Taismer, John, xliii.-vi.
Talvera, Ferdinand Of, 341
Tamburlane, 311
Tanagora, xxix.
T nis,  133, 155, 291-3,  297,  306,
310, 31iI, 314, 319, 321, 324, 325,
327, 34
Tangut, Region of, 12, 26, 27
Tapia, Francisco de, xv.
Tapobana [C~eylonz], 12, 21, 22, 32,
41, 143, 18o, 261, 286, 344
Taquenazabo, Region o f, i69,




408


Taracuru


JIdtex.


Zulan


Taracuru, King, 182
Tararequi, 214, 233
Tarchontan, King, 66
Tarenate island, 259, 260
Tarnasserie, 12, 20, 21, 22
Tartary, 12, 24, 26, 39, 286, 287,
289, 290, 292, 306, 344, 387
Tartary, 1\achi-netgirei, King of,
328
Taurisium, City Of, 311, 314
Tartars, 286, 287, 289, 290-2, 301,
310-14, 316, 319, 320, 324-9,
332
Tauira, Johannes de, 157
Tauira, Simon de, 272
Taxrnarus, King, 193
Teaocha, King, 143, 146
Telde, 374
Teniesne, 374
Tenado islandl, 344
Tendilla, Count of, 103
Teneriffe islands, 41, 66, 157, 250,
280
Tenerissa, xiii., 41, 380
Tenetum island, 260
Tenez, 374
Tenixtetan, City Of, 57, 287, 342
TemUlos, 273
TequinaS, 21I5
Terasequi island, 2I4
Terceira, 344, 348
Terra BaccalearuM, 242, 287
Terra Britonum, 287, 288
Terra de Laborador, 287
Terra Viridis, 299
Terra Florida, 32, 55, 57
Terra de Papagalli, 253
Tesino, river, 363, 364
Tharant island, 35
Themiscuthulu 311I
Theodori island, 35
Theodosia, Colony Of, 311
Erheophrastus, 8, 338, 340
Thomas, J., xix.
Thorne, iv., xiii., xiv., xxi.
Thorne, R., xvi.
Thorns, Mr, xxvi.
Thyle, Land Of, 300, 337
Tialleslund sea, 304
Tiha, King, 149, 151
Tichin village, 122
Ticobon island, 256
Tidore islands, 259, 260, 262, 272-4,
348
Tierra fromne, xv.
Tighe, xlvi.
Timor island, 260, 261, 269
Tingin, City of, 24
Tirecotus river, 172
Tiiusi village, I07
Tison, Thomas, xiii.
Todos Sanctos islands, 177
Tolstickh, 322
Toro, 273
Totonogo, King, 182
Totilas, King, 313
Toy, R., xii., xxxvii., xxxix., 388,
398
Transylvanus, Maximilian, 247, 249,
262
Trelensin, City Of, 374
Treinisen, 374
Trepojentes Cape, 381-3


Tripoli, 374
Trolhetta river, 304, 306
Trutham village, 304
Tucke, Master, xviii.
Tuckfield, Master, xviii.
Tulla, City Of, 324
Turnaccus, King of, 140-2, 178
Tumaccus, Region of, 140
Tumanama, King of, 117, 147,
148, 162, 163
Turnanamna, Region of, 162, 163
Turnen, Castle Of, 323, 324, 326
Tumenski, King of Tumen, 324
Turnur, King, 66
Turni, King, i19
Turufy village, 183
Tuver, City Of, 3I4
Tyrm-a, i66
Udall, Nicholas, xxxviii.
Udoria, 310
Uhaho, 170, 173
Ulna, 292
Ulysses, 135, 348
Ulnmbria, Petrus de, I i, 11I2
Unefride, 56
Ungerien, King of, xxx.
United States, xv.
Uppa river, 325
Upsala, Archbishop Of, 300, 347
Upsoliensis, 295
Uraha, 107, Io8, 109, ITO, III, 113,
1 14, I IS, I119, 123, 128, 130, 131,
132, 134, 143, I50, 155, 162, 163,
i8o, 192, 198, 199, 218, 229
Uracha, 230, 234
Urse, All. (le, xliv.
Uschatio, Peter Knes, 324
U ssa river, 322
Usting, City of, 286, 312, 322, 325
Ustiuga, Town Of, 293, 312
Ustyug, 312
Utterson, Mir, xxvi.
Vadianus, 56
V;agoniona, 99, 100
Vagus river, 318
Vald~s, Gonzalo Fernandez de
Oviedo, xxxvii.
Valdiuia, 115, ii6, ii8, 119, 122,
1 23, 192, 193
Valentia, 199
Vallacum, 314
Valladoleto, xiv., 125, 127, 133, 274
Valleius, i65, ISI, 183
Vlaniiuccio, Biringuccio, xxxvii.,xlvi.
353, 356
Varro, Marcus, 349
Vascho Nunnez de Balboa, 6i, 113,
11I4, I1I5, 1 19, I120, 121, 122, 125,
131, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142,
143, 144, 145, 146, I47, 148, 149,
155, I56, i62, 165, I78, i98, i~q
338
Vasilivich, John Duke Of, 326
Vasques, Captain Francesco, 287
Vassy, xliii.
Vastral, 304
Vaticane, The, 100, 309
Vecchiadoro, 287
Vega, Fernando de, 96
Velasquen, Diegus, i86, 187, 190,
'95


Valasquen, John, 192
Vendo~me, Francois de, xliv.
Venetiis, Marcus Paulus, 25, 27,
326, 330, 339, 340
Vera, Petrus de, 65
Verazzano, xv.
Vere, Edward, xxxvii.
Vesalius, A., xxxvii.
Vespasian, Emperour, 208, 342
Vespucci, Amerigo, xxv., 37, 38, 39,
127, 134, 157, I58, 275, 277
Vespucius, Johannes, 127, 157
Vetcha, 309
IViatra, City of, 291
Vibba, 153
Vicenza, 247
Victoria, Town of, 194
Vidarne de Chartres, xliv., xlv., xlvi.
xlviii.
\Vigentina, 368
Vilna, City Of, 314
Vilianoua, I76
Villa Ricca, 196
Villegas, Peter Ruiz of, 272, 274
Vincentina river, 366, 388
Vincentius, 36, 96,98, 105, 126, 128,
I129, 1 30
Vincentius, Agnes, 105, 128, I29
Vincentius, Annez, I126, 128, I 29,
130
Vincenza, City Of, 246
Virgil, 1I, 50, 91, 135, 279, 298
Visba, City Of, 306
Vischora river, 325
Visco, Bishop Of, 341
Vitry, xlv.
Vitzechda river, 325
Volaterane, 289, 290
Volga river, 291, 292, 293, 308,
311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 321,
325, 326, 328, 329, 331
Volham river, 293
Volochda. river, 286
Volodemaria, City of, 291, 309,
314
Volotchia, 309
Volut, City Of, 290
Vrida river, 135, 153
Vua river, 323
Vuaga river, 322
Vuarectzkoai sea, 319
Vuareczkote Morie sea, 31 2
Vuiathka, 326, 328
Vuilna, 31 2
Vuinlandia, 319
Vuitepsko, 31 2
Vuolochda, 312, 322, 325, 326,
33'
Vuolocon river, 319
Vuolodimaria, 319
Vuolok, Lake, 319
Wade, Armigil, xviii.
Wade, William, xviii.
Waranger fiord, 299
Wardhus, Castle of, 299, 302, 303,
304, 305, 331
Wardoe, 299
WardoehuUs, 299
Warwick, Earl of, xxxviii.
Watson, Thomas, xl., xlv.
Weyszarch mountain, 300
Whalley, Richard, xliv.


Whally, Thomas, xliv.
Whitcomne, Roger, xii.
White Russia, 301, 302, 31I
Wickes, Master, xviii.
Willes, Richard, xii., xlviii.
Williamson, John, xvii.
Willough'by, Sir Hugh, xxxviii.,
xxxix., 59, 333, 334
Winchester, Bishop of, xxxvii., Xl.,
Xlv.
Winter, Sir W., xlvi., xlviii.
Wolsey, Cardinal, xiv.
Wright, Master, xviii.
Wroth, Sir Thomas, xix.
Wyndam, Captain, xix., xxxviii.,
375, 376, 377
Wynterton Ness, xli.
Xaccoei river, 170
Xagua, Region of, i68
Xaguaguara, Region of, 153
Xamana, Region Of, 70, 169, 170
Xaragua, Region of, 83, 84, 85, 86,
169, 176
Xericium, City of, 65
Xerses, 59
Ximenus Roldanus, 86, 87, 90
Xuarez, Petrus, 130
Yaguana, Region of, 169
Yaguino, Region of, 176
Yiamiroa river, 176
X, mizui Hihahaino mountain, 169
Yorke, Sir John, xix., 382
Yucatan, 61, 338
Vucatos, 238
Zacabedera, 260
Zagathei, 31 1
Zahondaderos, 155
Zamnal island, 254, 260.
Zamara islandl, 32
Zarnatra, 274
Zamotra island,9 273
Zamudius, 115, I i6, 122, 126
Zanzibar island, 23
Zanzibar, King of, 23
Zarate, Augustin de, xxxix.
Zasia, xx.
Zauana, Region of, 148, 169, 173,
176, 212
Zaylon island, 20
Zehedus, 10
Zeilam island, 264, 265, 266, 267
Zeilon island, 256
Zelande island, -214
Zenete, Marquesse Of, 214
Zenu, R~egion of, i58
Zerbi island, 374
Zerema, i8o
Ziglerus, 294, 295, 299
Zobroha river, 135
Zobraha, 153
Zohoran river, 153
Zolo island, 259
Zolot island, 260
Zorobua island, 260
Zubut island, 256, 257, 258, 272
Zubut, King Of, 256, 257
Zula, Prince, 258
Zulan island, 254


Printed ly Turnbull &' S~pears, Edinburgh.