Produced by Karl Hagen, Juliet Sutherland,
and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.




** Transcriber's Notes **

The printed edition from which this e-text has been produced retains the
spelling and abreviations of Hakluyt's 16th-century original. In this
version, the spelling has been retained, but the following manuscript
abbreviations have been silently expanded:

- vowels with macrons = vowel + 'n' or 'm'
- q; = -que (in the Latin)
- y[e] = the; y[t] = that; w[t] = with

This edition contains footnotes and two types of sidenotes. Most footnotes
are added by the editor. They follow modern (19th-century) spelling
conventions. Those that don't are Hakluyt's (and are not always
systematically marked as such by the editor). The sidenotes are Hakluyt's
own. Summarizing sidenotes are labelled [Sidenote: ] and placed before the
sentence to which they apply. Sidenotes that are keyed with a symbol are
labeled [Marginal note: ] and placed at the point of the symbol, except in
poetry, where they are moved to the nearest convenient break in the text.

** End Transcriber's Notes **


THE PRINCIPAL
Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries
OF THE ENGLISH NATION.

Collected by
RICHARD HAKLUYT, PREACHER

AND
Edited by
EDMUND GOLDSMIDT, F.R.H.S.

NORTHERN EUROPE

VOL. I.




EDITORS PREFACE

"This elaborate and excellent Collection, which redounds as much to the
glory of the English Nation as any book that ever was published, has
already had sufficient complaints made in its behalf against our suffering
it to become so scarce and obscure, by neglecting to _republish_ it in a
fair impression, with proper illustrations and especially an _Index_. But
there may still be room left for a favourable construction of such neglect,
and the hope that nothing but the casual scarcity of a work so long since
out of print may have prevented its falling into those able hands that
might, by such an edition, have rewarded the eminent _Examples_ preserved
therein, the _Collector_ thereof and _themselves_ according to their
deserts."

Thus wrote Oldys (The British Librarian, No III, March, 1737, page 137),
nearly 150. years ago, and what has been done to remove this, reproach? The
work has become so rare that even a reckless expenditure of money cannot
procure a copy [Footnote: Mr. Quantch, the eminent Bibliopole, is now
asking £42 for a copy of the 1598-1600 edition.]

It has indeed long been felt that a handy edition of the celebrated
"Collection of the Early Voyages, Travels and Discoveries of the English
Nation," published by Richard Hakluyt 1598, 1599, 1600, was one of the
greatest desiderata of all interested in History, Travel, or Adventure. The
labour and cost involved have however hitherto deterred publishers from
attempting to meet the want except in the case of the very limited reprint
of 1809-12. [Footnote: Of this edition 250 copies were printed on royal
paper, and 75 copies on imperial paper.] As regards the labour involved,
the following brief summary of the contents of the Second Edition will give
the reader some idea of its extent. I refer those who desire a complete
analysis to Oldys.

Volume I. (1598) deals with Voyages to the North and North East, and
contains _One hundred and nine_ separate narratives, from Arthur's
Expedition to Norway in 517 to the celebrated Expedition to Cadiz, in the
reign of good Queen Bess. Amongst the chief voyages may be mentioned:
Edgar's voyage round Britain in 973; an account of the Knights of
Jerusalem; Cabot's voyages; Chancellor's voyages to Russia; Elizabeth's
Embassies, to Russia, Persia, &c.; the Destruction of the Armada; &c., &c.

Volume II. (1599) treats of Voyages to the South and South East, beginning
with that of the Empress Helena to Jerusalem in 337. The chief narratives
are those of Edward the Confessor's Embassy to Constantinople; The History
of the English Guard in that City; Richard Coeur de Lion's travels; Anthony
Beck's voyage to Tartary in 1330; The English in Algiers and Tunis (1400);
Solyman's Conquest of Rhodes; Foxe's narrative of his captivity; Voyages to
India, China, Guinea, the Canaries; the account of the Levant Company; and
the travels of Raleigh, Frobisher, Grenville, &c. It contains _One hundred
and sixty-five_ separate pieces.

Volume III. (1600) has _Two hundred and forty-three different narratives_,
commencing with the fabulous Discovery of the West Indies in 1170, by
Madoc, Prince of Wales. It contains the voyages of Columbus; of Cabot and
his Sons; of Davis, Smith, Frobisher, Drake, Hawkins; the Discoveries of
Newfoundland, Virginia, Florida, the Antilles, &c.; Raleigh's voyages to
Guiana; Drake's great Voyage; travels in South America, China, Japan, and
all countries in the West; an account of the Empire of El Dorado, &c.

The three volumes of the Second Edition therefore together contain _Five
hundred and seventeen_ separate narratives. When to this we add those
narratives included in the First Edition, but omitted in the Second, all
the voyages printed by Hakluyt or at his suggestion, such as "Divers
Voyages touching the Discoverie of America," "The Conquest of Terra
Florida," "The Historie of the West Indies," &c., &c., and many of the
publications of the Hakluyt Society, some idea may be formed of the
magnitude of the undertaking. I trust the notes and illustrations I have
appended may prove useful to students and ordinary readers; I can assure
any who may be disposed to cavil at their brevity that many a _line_ has
cost me hours of research. In conclusion, a short account of the previous
editions of Hakluyt's Voyages may be found useful.

The _First_ Edition (London: G. Bishop and R. Newberie) 1589, was in one
volume folio. It contains, besides the Dedication to Sir Francis Walsingham
(see page 3), a preface (see page 9), tables and index, 825 pages of
matter. The map referred to in the preface was one which Hakluyt
substituted for the one engraved by Molyneux, which was not ready in time
and which was used for the Second Edition.

The _Second_ Edition (London, G. Bishop, R. Newberie, and R, Barker), 1598,
1599, 1600, folio, 3 vols. in 2, is the basis of our present edition. The
celebrated voyage to Cadiz (pages 607-19 of first volume) is wanting in
many copies. It was suppressed by order of Elizabeth, on the disgrace of
the Earl of Essex. The first volume sometimes bears the date of 1598.
Prefixed is an Epistle Dedicatorie, a preface, complimentary verses, &c.
(twelve leaves). It contains 619 pages. Volume II. has eight leaves of
prefatory matter, 312 pages for _Part I_., and 204 pages for _Part II_. For
Volume III. there are also eight leaves for title, dedication, &c., and 868
pages.

The _Third_ Edition (London, printed by G. Woodfall), 1809-12, royal 410, 5
vols., is an excellent reprint of the two early editions. It is very
scarce, a poor copy fetching £17 to £18. Since this edition, there has been
no reprint of the Collection.

I have taken upon myself to alter the order of the different voyages. I
have grouped together those voyages which relate to the same parts of the
globe, instead of adopting the somewhat haphazard arrangement of the
original edition. This, and the indices I have added to each volume, will,
I hope, greatly assist the student. The maps, with the exception of the
facsimile ones, are modern; on them I have traced the presumed course of
the journey or journeys they refer to. The illustrations I have taken from
a variety of sources, which are always indicated.

EDMUND GOLDSMID.

EDINBURGH, _August 23rd_, 1884.




THE PRINCIPAL

NAVIGATIONS, VOYAGES, TRAFFIQUES, AND DISCOVERIES

OF

THE ENGLISH NATION,

MADE BY SEA OR OUER-LAND TO

THE REMOTE AND FARTHEST DISTANT QUARTERS OF THE EARTH,

AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE COMPASSE OF THESE 1600 YERES:

DIUIDED INTO THREE SEUERALL VOLUMES, ACCORDING TO THE POSITIONS OF THE
REGIONS WHEREUNTO THEY WERE DIRECTED.

THE FIRST VOLUME CONTAINETH

The Worthy Discoueries, &c. of the English toward the North and Northeast
by Sea,

AS OF

LAPLAND, SCRIKFINIA, CORELIA, THE BAIE OF S. NICOLAS, THE ISLES OF
COLGOEVE, VAIGATZ, AND NOUA ZEMBLE, TOWARD THE GREAT RIUER OB, THE MIGHTY
EMPIRE OF RUSSIA, THE CASPIAN SEA, GEORGIA, ARMENIA, MEDIA, PERSIA, BOGHAR
IN BACTRIA, AND DIUERS KINGDOMES OF TARTARIA:

TOGETHER WITH MANY

NOTABLE MONUMENTS AND TESTIMONIES OF THE ANCIENT FORREN TRADES, AND OF THE
WARRELIKE AND OTHER SHIPPING OF THIS REALME OF ENGLAND IN FORMER AGES,

WHEREUNTO IS ANNEXED

A Briefe Commentary of the True State of Island and of the Northern Seas
and Lands Situate that Way:

AS ALSO

The Memorable Defeat of the Spanish Huge Armada, Anno 1588.

THE SECOND VOLUME COMPREHENDETH

The Principall Nauigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoueries of the
English Nation made by Sea or Ouer-land,

TO

THE SOUTH AND SOUTH-EAST PARTS OF THE WORLD, AS WELL WITHIN AS WITHOUT THE
STREIGHT OF GIBRALTAR AT ANY TIME WITHIN THE COMPASSE OF THESE 1600 YERES:

DIVIDED INTO TWO SEUERAL PARTS, &c.

By Richard Hakluyt PREACHER,
AND SOMETIME STUDENT OF CHRIST-CHVRCH IN OXFORD

IMPRINTED AT LONDON BY GEORGE BISHOP, RALPH
NEWBERIE, AND ROBERT BARKER.

ANNO 1599.




DEDICATION TO THE FIRST EDITION

TO THE

RIGHT HONORABLE

SIR FRANCIS WALSINGHAM KNIGHT, [Footnote: Born at Chislehurst, Kent, in
1536 He was educated at King's College Cambridge, where he specialty
devoted himself to the study of languages in which he became proficient.
Appointed Ambassador to Paris in 1570, he distinguished himself by the
extensive system of "secret police," or spies which he established. He was
present at the Massacre of St. Bartholomew, which did not excite in his
cold diplomatic mind the horror it created in England. On his return in
1573 he became Secretary of State. Ten years later he was Ambassador to
James VI of Scotland and in 1586 he sat as one of the commissioners on the
trial of Mary, Queen of Scots. In the matter of the Rabbington Conspiracy,
he is said to have "outdone the Jesuits in their own Low, and overreached
them in their equivocation." He died in 1590, in comparative disgrace with
his mistress.]

PRINCIPALL SECRETARIE TO HER MAIESTIE, CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHIE OF
LANCASTER, AND ONE OF HER MAIESTIES MOST HONOURABLE PRIUIE COUNCELL.

Right Honorable, I do remember that being a youth, and one of her Maiesties
scholars at Westminster [Footnote: We know little of Richard Hakluyt beyond
what we can gather from his writings. He was born at Eyton, in
Herefordshire in 1553; was educated, as we here learn, at Westminster
School and afterward, at Christ Church, Oxford, where geography was his
favourite study; In 1584 he went to Paris as Chaplain to the English
Embassy and, during his absence, was made Prebendary of Bristol. On his
return he published several works, Leo's "Geographical History of Africa,"
translated from the Spanish, and Peter Martyr's "History of the West
Indies" In 1605 he became Prebendary of Westminster, and Rector of
Wetherogset in Suffolk. He died in 1616. In compiling the present work,
Hakluyt had the assistance of Sir Walter Raleigh.] that fruitfull nurserie,
it was my happe to visit the chamber of M. Richard Hakluyt, my cosin, a
Gentleman of the Middle Temple, well knowen vnto you, at a time when I
found lying open vpon his boord certeine bookes of Cosmographie, with an
vniuersall Mappe: he seeing me somewhat curious in the view therof, began
to instruct my ignorance, by shewing me the diuision of the earth into
three parts after the olde account, and then according to the latter, &
better distribution, into more: he pointed with his wand to all the knowen
Seas, Gulfs, Bayes, Straights, Capes, Riuers, Empires, Kingdomes,
Dukedomes, and Territories of ech part, with declaration also of their
speciall commodities, & particular wants, which by the benefit of traffike,
& entercourse of merchants, are plentifully supplied. From the Mappe he
brought me to the Bible, and turning to the 107. Psalme, directed mee to
the 23 & 24 verses, where I read, that they which go downe to the sea in
ships, and occupy by the great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and
his woonders in the deepe, &c. Which words of the Prophet together with my
cousins discourse (things of high and rare delight to my yong nature) tooke
in me so deepe an impression, that I constantly resolued, if euer I were
preferred to the Vniuersity, where better time, and more conuenient place
might be ministred for these studies, I would by Gods assistance prosecute
that knowledge and kinde of literature, the doores whereof (after a sort)
were so happily opened before me.

According to which my resolution, when, not long after, I was remoued to
Christ-church in Oxford, my exercises of duety first performed, I fell to
my intended course, and by degrees read ouer whatsoeuer printed or written
discoueries and voyages I found extant either in the Greeke, Latine,
Italian, Spanish, Portugall, French, or English languages, and, in my
publike lectures was the first, that produced and shewed both the olde
imperfectly composed, and the new lately reformed Mappes, Globes, Spheares,
[Footnote: "Ortelius, in his 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum,' the first edition
of which was in 1570, gives a list of about 150 geographical
treatises."--Hallam's "Literature of Europe," c. xvii. § 53.] and other
instruments of this Art for demonstration in the common schooles, to the
singular pleasure, and generall contentment of my auditory. In continuance
of time, and by reason principally of my insight in this study, I grew
familiarly acquainted with the chiefest Captaines at sea, the greatest
Merchants, and the best Manners of our nation: by which meanes hauing
gotten somewhat more then common knowledge, I passed at length the narrow
seas into France with sir Edward Stafford, her Maiesties carefull and
discreet Ligier, where during my fiue yeeres abroad with him in his
dangerous and chargeable residencie in her Highnes seruice, I both heard in
speech, and read in books other nations miraculously extolled for their
discoueries and notable enterprises by sea, but the English of all others
for their sluggish security, and continuall neglect of the like attempts
especially in so long and happy a time of peace, either ignominiously
reported, or exceedingly condemned: which singular opportunity, if some
other people our neighbors had beene blessed with, their protestations are
often and vehement, they would farre otherwise haue vsed. And that the
trueth and euidence heerof may better appeare, these are the very words of
Popiliniere in his booke called L'Admiral de France, and printed at Paris.
Fol. 73. pag 1, 2. The occasion of his speech is the commendation of the
Rhodnais, who being (as we are) Islanders, were excellent in nauigation,
whereupon he woondereth much that the English should not surpasse in that
qualitie, in this sort: Ce qui m'a fait autresfois rechercher les
occasions, qui empeschent, que les Anglois, qui ont d'esprit, de moyens &
valeur assez, pour s'aquerir vn grand honeur parmi tous les Chrestiens, ne
se font plus valoir sur l'element qui leur est, & doit estre plus naturel
qu' à autres peuples: qui leur doiuent ceder en la structure, accommodement
& police de nauires: comme i' ay veu en plusieurs endroits parmi eux.
[Footnote: _Translation_ "This made me inquire into the reasons which
prevent the English, who have sufficient intelligence, means, and courage
to acquire great honour amongst all Christians, from shining more on the
element which is and ought to be more natural to them than to other
nations, who must needs yield to them in the building, fitting out, and
management of ships, as I have my self often witnessed when amongst them."]
Thus both hearing, and reading the obloquie of our nation, and finding few
or none of our owne men able to replie heerin: and further, not seeing any
man to haue care to recommend to the world, the industrious labors, and
painefull trauels of our countrey men: for stopping the mouthes of the
reprochers, my selfe being the last winter returned from France with the
honorable the Lady Sheffield, for her passing good behauior highly esteemed
in all the French court, determined notwithstanding all difficulties, to
vndertake the burden of that worke wherin all others pretended either
ignorance, or lacke of leasure, or want of sufficient argument, whereas (to
speake truely) the huge toile, and the small profit to insue, were the
chiefe causes of the refusall. I call the worke a burden, in consideration
that these voyages lay so dispersed, scattered, and hidden in seuerall
hucksters hands, that I now woonder at my selfe, to see how I was able to
endure the delayes, curiosity, and backwardnesse of many from whom I was to
receiue my originals: so that I haue iust cause to make that complaint of
the maliciousnes of diuers in our time, which Plinie [Footnote: Plinius.
lib. 25. cap. 1. Naturalis historiæ.] made of the men of his age: At nos
elaborata ijs abscondere átque supprimere cupimus, & fraudare vitam etiam
alienis bonis, &c.

To harpe no longer vpon this string, & to speake a word of that iust
commendation which our nation doe indeed deserue: it can not be denied, but
as in all former ages, they haue bene men full of actiuity, stirrers
abroad, and searchers of the remote parts of the world, so in this most
famous and peerlesse gouernement of her most excellent Maiesty, her
subiects through the speciall assistance, and blessing of God, in searching
the most opposite corners and quarters of the world, and to speake plainly,
in compassing the vaste globe of the earth more then once, haue excelled
all the nations and people of the earth. For, which of the kings of this
land before her Maiesty, had theyr banners euer beene in the Caspian sea?
which of them hath euer dealt with the Emperor of Persia, as her Maiesty
hath done, and obteined for her merchants large & louing; priuileges? who
euer saw before this regiment, an English Ligier in the stately porch of
the Grand Signor at Constantinople? who euer found English Consuls & Agents
at Tripolis in Syria, at Aleppo, at Babylon, at Balsara, and which is more,
who euer heard of Englishman at Goa before now? what English shippes did
heeretofore euer anker in the mighty riuer of Plate? passe and repasse the
vnpassable (in former opinion) straight of Magellan, range along the coast
of Chili, Peru, and all the backside of Noua Hispania, further then any
Christian euer passed, trauers the mighty bredth of the South sea, land
vpon the Luzones in despight of the enemy, enter into alliance, amity, and
traffike with the princes of the Moluccaes, & the Isle of Iaua, double the
famous Cape of Bona Speranza, ariue at the Isle of Santa Helena, & last of
al ruturne home most richly laden with the commodities of China, as the
subiects of this now florishing monarchy haue done?

Lucius Florus in the very end of his historie de gestis Romanorum recordeth
as a wonderfull miracle, that the Seres, (which I take to be the people of
Cathay, or China) sent ambassadors to Rome, to intreate friedship, as moued
with the fame of the maiesty of the Romane Empire. And haue not we as good
cause to admire, that the Kings of the Moluccæs and Iaua maior, haue
desired the fauour of her maiestie, and the commerce & traffike of her
people? Is it not as strange that the borne naturalles of Iapan, and the
Philippinæs are here to be seene, agreeing with our climate, speaking our
language, and informing vs of the state of their Easterne habitations? For
mine owne part, I take it as a pledge of Gods further fauour both vnto vs
and them: to them especially, vnto whose doors I doubt not in time shall be
by vs caried the incomparable treasure of the truth of Christianity, and of
the Gospell, while we vse and exercise common trade with their marchants. I
must confesse to haue read in the excellent history intituled Origines of
Ioannes Goropius, a testimonie of king Henrie the viij, a prince of noble
memory, whose intention was once, if death had not preuented him, to haue
done some singular thing in this case: whose words speaking of his dealing
to that end with himselfe, he being a stranger, & his history rare, I
thought good in this place verbatim to record: Ante viginti & plus eo annos
ab Henrico Kneuetto Equite Anglo nomine Regis Henrici arram accepi, qua
conuenerat, Regio sumptu me totam Asiam, quoad Turcorum & Persarum Regum
commendationes, & legationes admitterentur, peragraturum. Ab his enim
duobus Asiæ principibus facile se impetraturum sperabat, vt non solùm tutò
mihi per ipsorum fines liceret ire, sed vt commendatione etiam ipsorum ad
confinia quoque daretur penetrare. Sumptus quidem non exiguus erat futurus,
sed tanta erat principi cognoscendi auiditas, vt nullis pecunijs ad hoc
iter necessarijs se diceret parsurum. O Dignum Regia Maiestate animum, O me
foelicem, si Deus non antè & Kneuettum & Regem abstulisset, quàm reuersus
ab hac peregrinatione fuissem, &c. [Footnote: Ioannis Goropij Becari
originum lib. 5 pag 494. _Translation_: "More than twenty years before I
received from Henry Knevett, an English knight, in the name of King Henry,
a retaining fee, it being agreed that I should travel at the king's expense
throughout Asia, so far as the letters of introduction or embassies of the
Turkish and Persian monarchs would enable me. For he (the king) hoped
easily to obtain from these two Asiatic monarchs not only permission for me
to travel through their territories, but also, by their influence, through
the frontier states of their kingdoms. The cost was not to be light, but
such was that prince's eagerness, after knowledge that he declared he would
spare no expense for this journey. O mind worthy of regal dignity! O happy
me if God had not called away both Knevett and the king before I had
returned from that journey!"] But as the purpose of Dauid the king to
builde a house and temple to God was accepted, although Salomon performed
it: so I make no question, but that the zeale in this matter of the
aforesaid most renowmed prince may seeme no lesse worthy (in his kinde) of
acceptation, although reserued for the person of our Salomon her gratious
Maiesty, whome I feare not to pronounce to haue receiued the same Heroicall
spirit, and most honorable disposition, as an inheritance from her famous
father.

Now wheras I haue alwayes noted your wisdome to haue had a speciall care of
the honor of her Maiesty, the good reputation of our country, & the
aduancing of nauigation, the very walles of this our Island, as the oracle
is reported to haue spoken of the sea forces of Athens: [Footnote: Plutarch
in the life of Themistocles.] and whereas I acknowledge in all dutifull
sort how honorably both by your letter and speech I haue bene animated in
this and other my trauels, I see my selfe bound to make presentment of this
worke to your selfe, as the fruits of your owne incouragements, & the
manifestation both of my vnfained seruice to my prince and country, and of
my particular duty to your honour: which I haue done with the lesse
suspition either of not satisfying the world, or of not answering your owne
expectation, in that according to your order, it hath passed the sight, and
partly also the censure of the learned phisitian M. Doctor Iames, a man
many wayes very notably qualified.

And thus beseeching God, the giuer of all true honor & wisdome to increase
both these blessings in you, with continuance of health, strength,
happinesse, and whatsoeuer good thing els your selfe can wish, I humbly
take my leaue.

London the 17. of Nouember.

Your honors most humble alwayes to be commanded

RICHARD HAKLUYT.




PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION

RICHARD HAKLUYT TO THE FAVOURABLE READER

I haue thought it very requisite for thy further instruction and direction
in this historie (Good Reader) to acquaint thee brieflie with the Methode
and order which I haue vsed in the whole course thereof: and by the way
also to let thee vnderstand by whose friendly aide in this my trauell I
haue bene furthered: acknowledging that ancient speach to be no lesse true
then inenious, that the offence is great, Non agnoscere per quos
profeceris, not to speake of them by whom a man in his indeuours is
assisted.

Concerning my proceeding therefore in this present worke, it hath bene
this. Whatsoeuer testimonie I haue found in any author of authoritie
appertaining to my argument, either stranger or naturall, I haue recorded
the same word for word, with his particular name and page of booke where it
is extant. If the same were not reduced into our common language, I haue
first expressed it in the same termes wherein it is originally written
whether it were a Latine, Italian, Spanish or Portugall discourse, or
whatsoeuer els, and thereunto in the next roome haue annexed the
signification and translation of the wordes in English. And to the ende
that those men which were the paynefull and personall trauellers might
reape that good opinion, and iust commendation which they haue deserued,
and further that euery man might answere for himselfe, iustifie his
reports, and stand accountable for his owne doings, I haue referred euery
voyage to his Author, which both in person hath performed, and in writing
hath left the same: for I am not ignorant of Ptolomies assertion, that
Peregrinationis historia, and not those wearie volumes bearing the titles
of vniuersall Cosmographie which some men that I could name haue published
as their owne, beyng in deed most vntruly and vnprofitablie ramassed and
hurled together, is that which must bring vs to the certayne and full
discouerie of the world.

Moreouer, I meddle in this worke with the Nauigations onely of our owne
nation: And albeit I alleage in a few places (as the matter and occasion
required) some strangers as witnesses of the things done yet are they none
but such as either faithfully remember, or sufficiently confirme the
trauels of our owne people: of whom (to speake trueth) I haue receiued more
light in some respects then all our owne Historians could affoord me in
this case, Bale, Foxe, and Eden onely excepted.

And it is a thing withall principally to be considered that I stand not
vpon any action perfourmed neere home, nor in any part of Europe commonly
frequented by our shipping, as for example: Not vpon that victorious
exploit not long since atchieued in our narow Seas agaynst that monstrous
Spanish army vnder the valiant and prouident conduct of the right
honourable the lord Charles Howard high Admirall of England: Not vpon the
good seruices of our two woorthie Generals in their late Portugall
expedition: Not vpon the two most fortunate attempts of our famous
Chieftaine Sir Frauncis Drake, the one in the Baie of Cales vpon a great
part of the enimies chiefest shippes the other neere the Islands vpon the
great Carrack of the East India, the first (though peraduenture not the
last) of that employment, that euer discharged Molucca spices in English
portes: these (albeit singular and happy voyages of our renowmed
countrymen) I omit, as things distinct and without the compasse of my
prescribed limites, beyng neither of remote length and spaciousnesse,
neither of search and discouerie of strange coasts, the chiefe subiect of
this my labour. [Footnote: Halkuyt afterwards, in his second edition, did
not omit these remarkable adventures.]

Thus much in breuitie shall serue thee for the generall order. Particularhe
I haue disposed and digested the whole worke into 3. partes, or as it were
Classes, not without my reasons. In the first I haue martialled all our
voyages of any moment that haue bene performed to the South and Southeast
parts of the world, by which I chiefly meane that part of Asia which is
neerest, and of the rest hithermost towards vs: For I find that the oldest
trauels as well of the ancient Britains, as of the English, were ordinarie
to Iudea which is in Asia, termed by them the Holy land, principally for
deuotions sake according to the time, although I read in Ioseph Bengorion a
very authenticall Hebrew author, a testimonie of the passing of 20000.
Britains valiant souldiours, to the siege and fearefull sacking of
Ierusalem vnder the conduct of Vespasian and Titus the Romane Emperour, a
thing in deed of all the rest most ancient. But of latter dayes I see our
men haue pierced further into the East, haue passed downe the mightie riuer
Euphrates, haue sayled from Balsara through the Persian gulfe to the Citie
of Ormuz, and from thence to Chaul and Goa in the East India, which
passages written by the parties themselues are herein to be read. To these
I haue added the Nauigations of the English made for the parts of Africa,
and either within or without the streights of Gibraltar: within to
Constantinople in Romania, to Alexandria, and Cayro in Egypt, to Tunez, to
Goletta, to Malta, to Algier, and to Tripolis in Barbary: without, to Santa
Cruz, to Asafi, to the Citie of Marocco, to the riuer of Senega, to the
Isles of Cape Verde, to Guynea, to Benyn, and round about the dreadfull
Cape of Bona Speranza, as farre as Goa.

The north, and Northeasterne voyages of our nation I haue produced in the
second place, because our accesse to those quarters of the world is later
and not so auncient as the former: and yet some of our trauailes that way
be of more antiquitie by many hundred yeeres, then those that haue bene
made to the westerne coastes of America. Vnder this title thou shalt first
finde the old northerne Nauigations of our Brittish Kings as of Arthur, of
Malgo, of Edgar Pacificus the Saxon Monarch, with that also of Nicholaus de
Linna vnder the North pole: next to them in consequence, the discoueries of
the bay of Saint Nicholas, of Colgoieue, of Pechora, of the Isles of
Vaigats, of Noua Zembla, and of the Sea eastwards towardes the riuer of Ob:
after this, the opening by sea of the great Dukedome and Empire of Russia,
with the notable and strange iourney of Master Ienkinson to Boghar in
Bactria. Whereunto thou maist adde sixe of our voyages eleuen hundred
verstes vp against the streame of Dwina to the towne of Vologhda thence one
hundred and fourescore verstes by land to Yeraslaue standing vpon the
mighty riuer of Volga: there hence aboue two thousand and fiue hundred
versts downe the streame to the ancient marte Towne of Astracan, and so to
the manifolde mouthes of Volga, and from thence also by ship ouer the
Caspian sea into Media, and further then that also with Camels vnto
Georgia, Armenia, Hyrcania, Gillan, and the cheefest Cities of the Empire
of Persia: wherein the Companie of Moscouie Marchants to the perpetual
honor of their Citie, and societie, haue performed more then any one, yea
then all the nations of Europe besides: which thing is also acknowledged by
the most learned Cosmographers and Historiographers of Christendome, with
whose honorable testimonies of the action not many for number, but
sufficient for authoritie I haue concluded this second part.

Touching the westerne Nauigations, and trauailes of ours, they succeede
naturallie in the third and last roome, for asmuch as in order and course
those coastes, and quarters came last of all to our knowledge and
experience. Herein thou shall reade the attempt by Sea of the sonne of one
of the Princes of Northwales in saylng and searching towards the west more
then 400. yeeres since: the offer made by Christopher Columbus that
renowned Genouoys to the most sage Prince of noble memoire King Henrie the
7. with his prompt and cheerefull acceptation thereof, and the occasion
whereupon it became fruitlesse, and at that time of no great effect to this
kingdome: then followe the letters Patentes of the foresaid noble Prince
giuen to Iohn Cabot a Venetian and his 3. sonnes, to discouer & conquer in
his name, and vnder his Banners vnknowen Regions who with that royall
incouragement & contribution of the king himselfe, and some assistance in
charges of English Marchants departed [Footnote: Robert Fabian] with 5.
sailes from the Port of Bristoll accompanied with 300. Englishmen, and
first of any Christians found out that mightie and large tract of lande and
Sea, from the circle Arcticke as farre as Florida, as appeareth in the
discourse thereof. The triumphant reigne of King Henry the 8. yelded some
prosecution of this discouerie for the 3. voyages performed, and the 4.
intended for all Asia by his Maiesties selfe, do approoue and confirme the
same. Then in processe of yeeres ariseth the first English trade to
Brasill, the first passing of some of our nation in the ordinarie Spanish
fleetes to the west Indies, and the huge Citie of Mexico in Noua Hispania.
Then immediately ensue 3. voyages made by M. Iohn Hawkins now Knight, then
Esquire, to Hispaniola, and the gulfe of Mexico: vpon which depende sixe
verie excellent discourses of our men, whereof some for 15. or 16. whole
yeeres inhabited in New Spaine, and ranged the whole Countrie, wherein are
disclosed the cheefest secretes of the west India, which may in time turne
to our no smal aduantage. The next leaues thou turnest, do yeelde thee the
first valiant enterprise of Sir Francis Drake vpon Nombre de Dios, the
mules laden with treasure which he surprised, and the house called the
Cruzes, which his fire consumed: and therewith is ioyned an action more
venterous then happie of Iohn Oxnam of Plimmouth written, and confessed by
a Spaniard, which with his companie passed ouer the streight Istme of
Darien, and building certaine pinnesses on the west shoare, was the first
Englishman that entered the South sea. To passe ouer Master Frobisher, and
his actions which I haue also newly though briefely printed, and as it were
reuiued, whatsoeuer Master Iohn Dauis hath performed in continuing that
discouery, which Master Frobisher began for the northwest passage, I haue
faithfully at large communicated it with thee, that so the great good hope,
& singular probabilities & almost certaintie therof, which by his industry
haue risen, may be knowen generally of all men, that some may yet still
proscute so noble an action. Sir Humfrey Gilbert, that couragious Knight,
and very expert in the mysteries of Nauigation amongst the rest is not
forgotten: his learned reasons & arguments for the proofe of the passage
before named, together with his last more commendable resolution then
fortunate successe, are here both to be read. The continuance of the
historie, produceth the beginnings, and proceedings of the two English
Colonies planted in Virginia at the charges of sir Walter Raleigh, whose
entrance vpon those newe inhabitations had bene happie, if it had ben as
seruiously followed, as it was cheerefuly vndertaken. I could not omit in
this parte the two voyages made not long since to the Southwest, whereof I
thinke the Spanyard hath had some knowledge, and felt some blowes: the one
of Master Edward Fenton, and his consort Master Luke Warde: the other of
Master Robert Withrington, and his hardie consort Master Christopher Lister
as farre as 44. degrees of southerly latitude, set out at the direction and
charge of the right honorable the Earle of Cumberland, both which in diuers
respectes may yelde both profite and pleasure to the reader, being
carefully perused.

For the conclusion of all, the memorable voyage of Master Thomas Candish
into the South sea, and from thence about the globe of the earth doth
satisfie mee, and I doubt not but will fully content thee: which as in time
it is later then that of Sir Franncis Drake, so in relation of the
Philippinæs, Iapan, China and the Isle of S. Helena it is more particular,
and exact: and therfore the want of the first made by Sir Frauncis Drake
will be the lesse: wherein I must confesse to haue taken more then
ordinarie paines, meaning to haue inserted it in this worke but being of
late (contrary to my expectation) seriously delt withall, not to anticipate
or preuent another mans paines and charge in drawing all the seruices of
that worthie Knight into one volume, I haue yeelded vnto those my freindes
which pressed me in the matter, referring the further knowledge of his
proceedings to those intended discourses. [Footnote: This, however, he
printed privately.]

Now for the other part of my promise, I must craue thy further patience
friendly reader, and some longer suspence from the worke it selfe, in
acquainting thee with those vertuous gentlemen and others which partly for
their priuate affection to my selfe, but chiefely for their deuotion to the
furtherance of this my trauaile, haue yelded me their seuerall good
assistances: for I accompt him vnworthy of future fauours, that is not
thankefull for former benefites. In respect of a generall incouragement in
this laborious trauaile, it were grosse ingratitude in me to forget and
wilfull maliciousnes not to confesse that man, whose onely name doth carrie
with it sufficient estimation and loue, and that is Master Edward Dier, of
whom I will speake thus much in few wordes, that both my selfe and my
intentions herein by his friendly meanes haue bene made knowne to those,
who in sundrie particulars haue much steeded me. More specially in my first
part, Master Richard Staper Marchant of London, hath furnished me with
diuers thinges touching the trade of Turkie, and other places in the East.
Master William Burrowgh, Clarke of her Maiesties nauie and Master Anthonie
Ienkinson, both gentlemen of great experience, and obseruations in the
north Regions, haue much pleasured me in the second part. In the third and
last besides myne owne extreeme trauaile in the histories of the Spanyards,
my cheefest light hath bene receiued from Sir Iohn Hawkins, Sir Walter
Raleigh, and my kinseman Master Richard Hakluyt of the middle Temple.

And whereas in the course of this history often mention is made of many
beastes, birds, fishes, serpents, plants, fruits, hearbes, rootes,
apparell, armour, boates, and such other rare and strange curiosities,
which wise men take great pleasure to reade of, but much more contentment
to see: herein I my selfe to my singular delight haue bene as it were
rauished in beholding all the premisses gathered together with no small
cost, and preserued with no litle diligence, in the excellent Cabinets of
my very worshipfull and learned friends M. Richard Garthe, one of the
Clearkes of the pettie Bags, and M. William Cope Gentleman Vssier to the
right Honourable and most prudent Counseller (the Seneca of our common
wealth,) the Lord Burleigh, high Treasourer of England.

Nowe, because peraduenture it would bee expected as necessarie, that the
descriptions of so many parts of the world would farre more easily be
conceiued of the Readers, by adding Geographicall, and Hydrographicall
tables thereuuto, thou art by the way to be admonished that I haue
contented my selfe with inserting into the worke one of the best generall
mappes of the world onely, vntill the comming out of a very large and most
exact terrestriall Globe, collected and reformed according to the newest,
secretest, and latest discoueries, both Spanish Portugall, and English,
composed by M. Emmerie Mollineux of Lambeth, a rare Gentleman in his
profession, being therein for diuers yeeres, greatly supported by the purse
and liberalitie of the worshipfull marchant M. William Sanderson.
[Footnote: This map it has been found impossible to reproduce in facsimile,
though every effort has been made, a facsimile of Ziegler's Map of 1532 has
been substituted as a Frontispiece to this Volume.]

This being the summe of those things which I thought good to admonish thee
of (good Reader) it remaineth that thou take the profite and pleasure of
the worke: which I wish to bee as great to thee, as my paines and labour
haue bene in bringing these rawe fruits vnto this ripenesse, and in
reducing these loose papers into this order. Farewell.




DEDICATION TO THE SECOND EDITION,

TO THE

RIGHT HONORABLE MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD

THE LORD CHARLES HOWARD,
[Footnote: He was the grandson of Thomas, second Duke of Norfolk and was
born in 1536. He entered the army early, and distinguished himself in
suppressing the rebellion of the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland in
1568 (for full particulars of which see Froude, "History of England," vol
IX, p 96). He became Lord High Admiral in 1585, and rendered great service
in 1588 against the Invincible Armada. In 1596 he was created Earl of
Nottingham for his Expedition against Cadiz in conjunction with the Earl of
Essex. In 1601 he suppressed the revolt of the latter and made him
prisoner. He was present at Elizabeth's death in 1603, and the following
year went as ambassador to Spain. He died in 1624, never having forfeited
in any way the confidence of his sovereign or the esteem of his
countrymen.]

EARLE OF NOTINGHAM, BARON OF EFFINGHAM, KNIGHT OF THE NOBLE ORDER OF THE
GARTER, LORD HIGH ADMIRALL OF ENGLAND, IRELAND, AND WALES, &c, ONE OF HER
MAIESTIES MOST HONOURABLE PRIVIE COUNSELL.

Right Honourable and my very good Lord, after I had long since published in
Print many Nauigations and Discoueries of strangers in diuers languages, as
well here at London, as in the citie of Paris, during my fiue yeeres abode
in France, with the woorthie Knight Sir Edward Stafford your brother in
lawe, her maiesties most prudent and carefull Ambassador ligier with the
French King: and had waded on still farther and farther in the sweet studie
of the historie of Cosmographie, I began at length to conceiue, that with
diligent obseruation, some thing might be gathered which might commend our
nation for their high courage and singular actiuitie in the Search and
Discouerie of the most vnknowen quarters of the world. Howbeit, seeing no
man to step forth to vndertake the recording of so many memorable actions,
but euery man to folow his priuate affaires: the ardent loue of my countrey
deuoured all difficulties, and as it were with a sharpe goad prouoked me
and thrust me forward into this most troublesome and painfull action. And
after great charges and infinite cares after many watchings, toiles, and
trauels, and wearing out of my weake body: at length I haue collected three
seuerall Volumes of the English Nauigations Traffiques, and Discoueries, to
strange, remote, and farre distant countreys. Which worke of mine I haue
not included within the compasse of things onely done in these latter
dayes, as though litle, or nothing woorthie of memorie had bene performed
in former ages: but mounting aloft by the space of many hundred yeares,
haue brought to light many very rare and worthy monuments, which long haue
ben miserably scattered in mystic corners, & retchlesly hidden in mistie
darkenesse, and were very like for the greatest part to haue bene buried in
perpetual obliuion. The first Volume of this worke I haue thus for the
present brought to light, reseruing the other two vntill the next Spring,
when by Gods grace they shall come to the Presse. In the meane season
bethinking my selfe of some munificent and bountifull Patrone, I called to
mind your honourable Lordship, who both in regard of my particular
obligation, and also in respect of the subiect and matter, might iustly
chalenge the Patronage thereof. For first I remembered how much I was
bound, and how deeply indebted for my yongest brother Edmund Hackluyt, to
whom for the space of foure whole yeares your Lordship committed the
gouernment and instruction of that honorable yong noble man, your sonne &
heire apparant, the lord William Howard, of whose high spirit and wonderful
towardlinesse full many a time hath he boasted vnto me. Secondly, the
bounden duetie which I owe to your most deare sister the lady Sheffield, my
singular good lady & honorable, mistresse, admonished me to be mindfull of
the renoumed familie of the Howards. Thirdly, when I found in the first
Patent graunted by Queene Marie to the Moscouie companie, that my lord your
father being then lord high Admirall of England was one of the first
fauourers and furtherers, with his purse and countenance, of the strange
and wonderfull Discouerie of Russia, the chiefe contents of this present
Volume, then I remembred the sage saying of sweet Isocrates, That sonnes
ought not onely to be inheritors of their fathers substance but also of
their commendable vertues and honours. But what speake I of your ancestors
honors (which to say the trueth are very great, and such as our Cronicles
haue notably blazoned) when as your owne Heroicall actions from time to
time haue shewed themselues so admirable, as no antiquitie hath affoorded
greater, and the future times will not in haste (I thinke) performe the
like. To come to some particulars when the Emperors sister the spouse of
Spaine, with a Fleete of an 130. sailes, stoutly and proudly passed the
narow Seas, your Lordship accompanied with ten ships onely of her Maiesties
Name Roiall, enuironed their Fleet in most strange and warrelike sort,
enforced them to stoope gallant, and to vaile their bonets for the Queene
of England, and made them perfectly to vnderstand that olde speach of the
prince of Poets:

     Non illi imperium pelagi sæuúmmque tridentem,
        sed tibi sorte datum.

[Footnote: Virgil, Æneid I _Translation_ "Not to him is given by fate the
empire of the ocean and the potent trident, but to thee."]

Yet after they had acknowledged their dutie, your lordship on her Maiesties
behalfe conducted her safely through our English chanell, and performed all
good offices of honor and humanitie to that forren Princesse. At that time
all England beholding your most honorable cariage of your selfe in that so
weightie seruice, began to cast an extraordinarie eie vpon your lordship,
and deeply to conceiue that singular hope which since by your most worthie
& wonderfull seruice, your L. hath more then fully satisfied. I meane
(among others) that glorious triumphant, and thrise-happy victory atchieued
against that huge and haultie Spanish Armada (which is notably described in
the ende of this volume) wherein being chiefe and sole Commander vnder her
sacred and roiall Maiestie, your noble gouernment and worthy behauior, your
high wisedom, discretion and happinesse, accompanied with the heauenly
blessing of the Almightie, are shewed most euidently to haue bene such as
all posteritie and succeeding ages shall neuer cease to sing and resound
your infinite prayse and eternall commendations. As for the late renoumed
expedition and honorable voyage vnto Cadiz, the vanquishing of part of the
king of Spaines Armada, the destruction of the rich West Indian Fleete, the
chasing of so many braue and gallant Gallics, the miraculous winning,
sacking, and burning of that almost impregnable citie of Cadiz, the
surprising of the towne of Faraon vpon the coast of Portugal, and other
rare appendances of that enterprise, because they be hereafter so
iudicially set downe, by a very graue and learned Gentleman, which was an
eye witnesse in all that action, I referre your good L. to his faithfull
report, wherein I trust (as much as in him lay) he hath wittingly depriued
no man of his right. Vpon these and other the like considerations, I
thought it fit and very conuenient to commend with all humilitie and
reuerence this first part of our English Voiages & Discoueries vnto your
Honors fauourable censure and patronage.

And here by the way most humbly crauing pardon, and alwayes submitting my
poore opinion to your Lordships most deep and percing insight, especially
in this matter, as being the father and principall fauourer of the English
Nauigation, I trust it shall not be impertinent in passing by, to point at
the meanes of breeding vp of skilfull Sea-men and Mariners in this Realms.
Sithence your Lordship is not ignorant, that ships are to litle purpose
without skilfull Sea-men; and since Sea-men are not bred vp to perfection
of skill in much lesse time (as it is said) then in the time of two
prentiships; and since no kinde of men of any profession in the common
wealth passe their yeres in so great and continuall hazard of life; and
since of so many, so few grow to gray heires: how needfull it is, that by
way of Lectures and such like instructions, these ought to haue a better
education, then hitherto they haue had; all wise men may easily iudge. When
I call to minde, how many noble ships haue been lost, how many worthy
persons haue bene drenched in the sea, and how greatly this Realme hath
bene impouerished by losse of great Ordinance and other rich commodities
through the ignorance of our Sea-men, I haue greatly wished there were a
Lecture of Nauigation read in this Citie, for the banishing of our former
grosse ignorance in Marine causes, and for the increase and generall
multiplying of the sea-knowledge in this age, wherein God hath raised so
generall a desire in the youth of this Realme to discouer all parts of the
face of the earth, to this Realme in former ages not knowen. And, that it
may appeare that this is no vaine fancie nor deuise of mine, it may please
your Lordship to vnderstand, that the late Emperour Charles the fift,
considering the rawnesse of his Sea-men, and the manifolde shipwracks which
they susteyned in passing and repassing betweene Spaine and the West
Indies, with an high reach and great foresight, established not onely a
Pilote Maior, for the examination of such as sought to take charge of ships
in that voyage, but also founded a notable Lecture of the Art of
Nauigation, which is read to this day in the Contractation house at Siuil.
The readers of which Lecture haue not only carefully taught and instructed
the Spanish Mariners by word of mouth, but also haue published sundry exact
and worthy treatises concerning Marine causes, for the direction and
incouragement of posteritie. The learned works of three of which readers,
namely of Alonso de Chauez, of Hieronymo de Chauez, and of Roderigo
Zamorano came long ago very happily to my hands, together with the straight
and seuere examining of all such Masters as desire to take charge for the
West Indies. Which when I first read and duely considered, it seemed to mee
so excellent and so exact a course as I greatly wished, that I might be so
happy as to see the like order established here with vs. This matter, as it
seemeth, tooke no light impression in the royall brest of that most
renowmed and victorious prince King Henry the eight of famous memory, who
for the increase of knowledge in his Seamen, with princely liberalitie
erected three seuerall Guilds or brotherhoods, the one at Deptford here
vpon the Thames, the other at Kingston vpon Hull, and the third at
Newcastle vpon Tine: which last was established in the 28. yeere of his
reigne. The chiefe motiues which induced his princely wisedome hereunto
himselfe expresseth in maner following: Vt magistri, marinarij,
gubernatores, & alij officiarij nauium, iuuentutem suam in exercitatione
gubernationis nauium transigentes, mutilati aut aliquo alio casu in
paupertatem collapsi, aliquod releuamen ad eorum sustentationem habeant,
quo non solùm illi reficiantur, verùm etiam alij iuuenes moueantur &
instigentur ad eandem artem exercendam, ratione cuius, doctiores & aptiores
fiant nauibus & alijs vasis nostris & aliorum quorumcúnque in Mare
gubernandis & manutenendis, tam pacis, quàm belli tempore, cùm opus
postulet, etc. [Footnote: _Translation_ "That masters, mariners pilots, and
other officers of ships, who have passed their youth in the profession of
navigating vessels, being mutilated, or reduced to poverty through any
other cause, might have some means of subsistence, by which not only they
may be made comfortable but by which other youths may be induced and led to
the exercise of the same profession, through which they may become more apt
to and skilful in the pilotage and management at sea of ships and vessels
in times of peace or war, as is neccssary," etc.] To descend a little
lower, king Edward the sixth, that prince of peerelesse hope, with the
aduice of his sage and prudent Counsaile, before he entered into the
Northeasterne discouery, aduanced the worthy and excellent Sebastian Cabota
to be grand Pilot of England, allowing him a most bountifull pension of
166. li. vj. s. viij. d. by the yeere during his life as appeareth in his
Letters Patents which are to be seene in the third part of my worke. And if
God had granted him longer life, I doubt not but as he dealt most royally
in establishing that office of Pilote Maior (which not long after to the
great hinderance of this Common wealth was miserably turned to other
priuate vses) so his princely Maiestie would haue shewed himselfe no nigard
in erecting, in imitation of Spaine, the like profitable Lecture of the Art
of Nauigation. And surely when I considered of late the memorable bountie
of sir Thomas Gresham, [Footnote: He was the son of Sir Richard Gresham,
merchant and Lord Mayor of London, and was born in 1519. Educated at
Cambridge, he was placed under his uncle, Sir John Gresham, and enrolled a
member of the Mercers Company. His father had been the king's agent at
Antwerp, and the person who succeeded him, having mismanaged the royal
affairs, Sir Thomas was sent over in 1552. to retrieve them. This he was
most successful in doing. Elizabeth removed him from his office, but soon
restored and knighted him. He planned and erected the Royal Exchange in
London, in imitation of that of Antwerp, and the queen opened it in person
in 1570. Having built a mansion in Bishopsgate Street, he directed by his
will that it should be converted into habitations and lecture rooms for
seven professors or lecturers on the seven liberal sciences, and their
salaries to be paid out of the revenues of the Royal Exchange. These and
other benefactions procured for him the name of the "Royal Merchant." He
died in 1579. Gresham College has since been converted into the General
Excise Office, and the lectures have been given in a room over the
Exchange.] who being but a Merchant hath founded so many chargeable
Lectures, and some of them also which are Mathematicall, tending to the
aduancement of Marine causes; I nothing doubted of your Lordships
forwardnes in settling and establishing of this Lecture: but rather when
your Lordship shall see the noble and rare effects thereof, you will be
heartily sory that all this while it hath not bene erected. As therefore
our skill in Nauigation hath hitherto bene very much bettered and increased
vnder the Admiraltie of your Lordship; so if this one thing be added
thereunto, together with seuere and straight discipline, I doubt not but
with Gods good blessing it will shortly grow to the hiest pitch and top of
all perfection: which whensoeuer it shall come to passe, I assure my selfe
it will turne to the infinite wealth and honour of our Countrey, to the
prosperous and speedy discouerie of many rich lands and territories of
heathens and gentiles as yet vnknowen, to the honest employment of many
thousands of our idle people, to the great comfort and reioycing of our
friends, to the terror, daunting and confusion of our foes. To ende this
matter, let me now I beseech you speake vnto your Lordship, as in times
past the elder Scipio spake to Cornelius Scipio Africanus: Quò sis,
Africane, alacrior ad tutandam Rempublicam, sic habeto: Omnibus, qui
patriam conseruauerint, adiuuerint, auxerint, certum esse in coelo, ac
definitum locum, vbi beati æuo sempiterno fruantur. It remaineth therefore,
that as your Lordship from time to time vnder her most gracious and
excellent Maiestie, haue shewed your selfe a valiant protectour, a carefull
conseruer, and an happy enlarger of the honour and reputation of your
Countrey; so at length you may enioy those celestial blessings, which are
prepared to such as tread your steps, and seeke to aspire to such diuine
and heroical vertues. And euen here I surcease, wishing all temporal and
spirituall blessings of the life present and that which is to come to be
powred out in most ample measure, not onely vpon your honourable Lordship,
the noble and vertuous Lady your bedfellow, and those two rare iewels, your
generous off-springs, but also vpon all the rest wheresoeuer of that your
noble and renowmed family. From London the 7. day of this present October
1598.

Your honours most humble alwayes to be commanded:

Richard Hakluyt Preacher.




PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION

A preface to the Reader as touching the principall Voyages
and discourses in this first part.

Hauing for the benefit and honour of my Countrey zealously bestowed so many
yeres, so much trauaile and cost, to bring Antiquities smothered and buried
in darke silence, to light, and to preserue certaine memorable exploits of
late yeres by our English nation atchieued, from the greedy and deuouring
lawes of obliuion: to gather likewise, and as it were to incorporate into
one body the torne and scattered limmes of our ancient and late Nauigations
by Sea, our voyages by land, and traffiques of merchandise by both: and
hauing (so much as in me lieth) restored ech particular member, being
before displaced, to their true ioynts and ligaments; I meane, by the helpe
of Geographie and Chronologie (which I may call the Sunne and the Moone,
the right eye and the left of all history) referred ech particular relation
to the due time and place: I do this second time (friendly Reader, if not
to satisfie, yet at least for the present to allay and hold in suspense
thine expectation) presume to offer vnto thy view this first part of my
threefold discourse. For the bringing of which into this homely and
rough-hewen shape, which here thou seest; what restlesse nights, what
painefull dayes, what heat, what cold I haue indured; how many long &
chargeable iourneys I haue trauailed; how many famous libraries I haue
searched into; what varietie of ancient and moderne writers I haue perused;
what a number of old records, patents, priuleges, letters, &c. I haue
redeemed from obscuritie and perishing; into how manifold acquaintance I
haue entered; what expenses I haue not spared; and yet what faire
opportunities of priuate game, preferment, and ease I haue neglected;
albeit thyselfe canst hardly imagine, yet I by daily experience do finde &
feele, and some of my entier friends can sufficiently testifie. Howbeit (as
I told thee at the first) the honour and benefit of this common weale
wherein I liue and breathe, hath made all difficulties seeme easie, all
paines and industrie pleasant and all expenses of light value and moment
vnto me.

For (to conteine myselfe onely within the bounds of this present discourse
and in the midst thereof to begin) wil it not in all posteritie be as great
a renowme vnto our English nation to haue bene the first discouerers of a
Sea beyond the North cape (neuer certainly knowen before) and of a
conuenient passage into the huge Empire of Russia by the bay of S. Nicholas
and the riuer of Duina; as for the Portugales to haue found a Sea beyond
the Cape of Buona Esperanza, and so consequently a passage by Sea into the
East Indies; or for the Italians and Spaniards to haue discouered vnknowen
landes so many hundred leagues Westward and Southwestward of the streits of
Gibraltar, & of the pillers of Hercules? Be it granted that the renowmed
Portugale Vasques de Gama trauersed the maine Ocean Southward of Africke:
Did not Richard Chanceler and his mates performe the like Northward of
Europe? Suppose that Columbus that noble and high-spinted Genuois escried
vnknowen landes to the Westward of Europe and Africke: Did not the valiant
English knight sir Hugh Willoughby; did not the famous Pilots Stephen
Burrough, Arthur Pet, and Charles Iackman accoast Noua Zembia, Colgoieue,
and Vaigatz to the North of Europe and Asia? Howbeit you will say perhaps,
not with the like golden successe, not with such deductions of Colonies,
nor attaining of conquests. True it is that our successe hath not bene
correspondent vnto theirs: yet in this our attempt the vncertaintie of
finding was farre greater, and the difficultie and danger of searching was
no whit lesse. For hath not Herodotus (a man for his time, most skilfull
and iudicial in Cosmographie, who writ aboue 2000. yeeres ago) in his 4.
booke called Melpomene, signified vnto the Portugales in plaine termes;
that Africa, except the small Isthmus between the Arabian gulfe and the
Mediterran sea, was on all sides enuironed with the Ocean? And for the
further confirmation thereof, doth he not make mention of one Neco an
Ægyptian King, who (for trials sake) sent a fleet of Phoenicians downe the
Red sea, who setting forth in Autumne and sailing Southward till they had
the Sunne at noonetide vpon their sterbourd (that is to say hauing crossed
the Æquinoctial and the Southerne tropique) after a long Nauigation
directed their course to the North and in the space of 3. years enuironed
all Africk, passing home through the Gaditan strait and arriuing in Ægypt.
And doth not [Footnote: Lib. 2. nat. hist. cap. 67.] Plinie tell them that
noble Hanno in the flourishing time and estate of Carthage sailed from
Gades in Spaine to the coast of Arabia foelix, and put down his whole
iournall in writing? Doth he not make mention that in the time of Augustus
Cæsar the wracke of certaine Spanish ships was found floating in the
Arabian gulfe? And, not to be ouer tedious in alleaging of testimonies,
doth not Strabo in the 2. booke of his Geography, together with Cornelius
Nepos and Plinie in the place beforenamed, agree all in one, that one
Eudoxus fleeing from King Lathyrus, and sailing downe the Arabian bay,
sailed along, doubled the Southern point of Africk, and at length arriued
at Gades? And what should I speake of the Spaniards? Was not diuine
[Footnote: In Timæo] Plato (who liued so many ages ago and plainely
described their West Indies vnder the name of Atlantis) was not he (I say)
instead of a Cosmographer vnto them? Were not those Carthaginians mentioned
by Aristotle lib. [Footnote: [Greek: peri thaumasion akousmaton]] de
admirabil. auscult. their forerunners? And had they not Columbus to stirre
them vp and pricke them forward vnto their Westerne discoueries; yea to be
their chiefe loads man and Pilot? Sithens therefore these two worthy
Nations had those bright lampes of learning (I meane the most ancient and
best Philosophers, Historiographers and Geographers) to shewe them light;
and the load starre of experience (to wit those great exploits and voyages
layed vp in store and recorded) whereby to shape their course: what great
attempt might they not presume to vndertake? But alas our English nation,
at the first setting foorth for their Northeasterne discouery, were either
altogether destitute of such cleare lights and inducements or if they had
any inkling at all it was as misty as they found the Northren seas, and so
obscure and ambiguous, that it was meet rather to deterre them then to giue
them encouragement.

But besides the foresaid vncertaintie into what dangers and difficulties
they plunged themselues, Animus meminisse horret, I tremble to recount. For
first they were to expose themselues vnto the rigour of the sterne and
vncouth Northren seas, and to make triall of the swelling waues and
boistrous winds which there commonly do surge and blow: then were they to
saile by the ragged and perilous coast of Norway, to frequent the vnhaunted
shoares of Finmark, to double the dreadfull and misty North cape, to beare
with Willoughbres land, to run along within kenning of the Countreys of
Lapland and Corelia, and as it were to open and vnlocke the seuen-fold
mouth of Duina. Moreouer, in their Northeasterly Nauigations, vpon the seas
and by the coasts of Condora, Colgoieue, Petzora, Ioughoria, Samoedia, Noua
Zembla, &c. and their passing and returne through the streits of Vaigats,
vnto what drifts of snow and mountaines of yce euen in Iune, Iuly, and
August, vnto what hideous ouerfals, vncertaine currents, darke mistes and
fogs, and diuers other fearefull inconueniences they were subiect and in
danger of, I wish you rather to learne out of the voyages of sir Hugh
Willoughbie, Stephen Burrough, Arthur Pet and the rest, then to expect in
this place an endlesse catalogue thereof. And here by the way I cannot but
highly commend the great industry and magnanimity of the Hollanders, who
within these few yeeres haue discouered to 78. yea (as themselues affirme)
to 81. degrees of Northerly latitude [Footnote: This is wrong. The
Austro-Hungarian Expedition of 1872-1874 only reached 81° in Franz Josef
Land. Barentz certainly neuer penetrated beyond 77° or 78°] yet with this
prouiso; that our English nation led them the dance, brake the yce before
them, and gaue them good leaue to light their candle at our torch
[Footnote: This refers to the expeditions of Willoughby (1553), Frobisher
(1576-7), Pett, Jackman (1580), and Davis (1585)]. But nowe it is high time
for vs to weigh our ancre, to hoise vp our sailes, to get cleare of these
boistrous, frosty, and misty seas, and with all speede to direct our course
for the milde, lightsome, temperate, and warme Atlantick Ocean, ouer which
the Spaniards and Portugales haue made so many pleasant prosperous and
golden voyages. And albeit I cannot deny, that both of them in their East
and West Indian Nauigations haue indured many tempests, dangers, and
shipwracks: yet this dare I boldly affirme; first that a great number of
them haue satisfied their fame-thirsty and gold-thirsty mindes with that
reputation and wealth, which made all perils and misaduentures seeme
tolerable vnto them, and secondly, that their first attempts (which in this
comparison I doe onely stand vpon) were no whit more difficult and
dangerous, then ours to the Northeast. For admit that the way was much
longer, yet was it neuer barred with ice, mist, or darknes, but was at all
seasons of the yeere open and Nauigable; yea and that for the most part
with fortunate and fit gales of winde. Moreouer they had no forren prince
to intercept or molest them, but their owne Townes, Islands and maine lands
to succour them. The Spaniards had the Canary Isles: and so had the
Portugales the Isles of the Acores of Porto santo, of Madera, of Cape verd,
the castle of Mina, the fruitfull and profitable Isle of S. Thomas, being
all of them conueniently situated, and well fraught with commodities. And
had they not continuall and yerely trade in some one part or other of
Africa, for getting of slaues, for sugar, for Elephants teeth, graines,
siluer, gold and other precious wares, which serued as allurements to draw
them on by little and little, and as proppes to stay them from giuing ouer
their attempts? But nowe let vs leaue them and returne home vnto ourselues.

In this first volume (Friendly Reader) besides our Northeasterne
Discoueries by sea, and the memorable voyage of M. Christopher Hodson, and
M. William Burrough, Anno 1570. to the Narue, wherein with merchants ships
onely, they tooke fiue strong and warrelike ships of the Freebooters, which
lay within the sound of Denmark of purpose to intercept our English Fleete:
besides 1 all these (I say) thou maiest find here recorded, to the lasting
honor of our nation, all their long and dangerous voyages for the
aduauncing of traffique by riuer and by land to all parts of the huge and
wide Empire of Russia: as namely Richard Chanceler his first fortunate
arriuall at Newnox, his passing vp the riuer of Dwina to the citie of
Vologda for the space of 1100. versts, and from thence to Yaruslaue,
Rostoue, Peraslaue, and so to the famous citie of Mosco, being 1500. versts
trauell in all. Moreouer, here thou hast his voiage penned by himselfe
(which I hold to be very authentical, & for the which I do acknowledge my
selfe beholding vnto the excellent Librarie of the right honorable my lord
Lumley) wherein he describeth in part the state of Russia, the maners of
the people and their religion, the magnificence of the Court, the maiestie,
power, and riches of the Emperour, and the gracious entertainment of
himselfe. But if he being the first man, and not hauing so perfect
intelligence as they that came after him, doeth not fullie satisfie your
expectation in describing the foresayd countrey and people; I then referre
you to Clement Adams his relation next following, to M. Ienkinsons
discourse as touching that argument to the smooth verses of M. George
Turberuile, and to a learned and excellent discourse set downe pag. 536. of
this volume, [Footnote: Refers to _original_ edition.] and the pages
following. Vnto all which (if you please) you may adde Richard Iohnsons
strange report of the Samoeds pag. 316. But to returne to our voyages
performed within the bounds of Russia, I suppose (among the rest) that
difficult iourney of Southam and Sparke, from Colmogro and S. Nicholas
Baie, vp the great riuer of Onega, and so by other riuers and lakes to the
citie of Nouogrod velica vpon the West frontier of Russia, to be right
woorthy of obseruation; as likewise that of Thomas Alcock from Mosco to
Smolensko, and thence to Tirwill in Polonia, pag. 339. & that also of M.
Hierome Horsey from Mosco to Vobsko, and so through Liefland to Riga,
thence by the chiefe townes of Prussia and Pomerland to Rostok, and so to
Hamburg, Breme, Emden, &c. Neither hath our nation bene contented onely
throughly to search into all parts of the Inland, and view the Northren,
Southerne, and Westerne frontiers, but also by the rulers of Moscua, Occa
and Volga, to visite Cazan and Astracan, the farthest Easterne and
Southeasterne bounds of that huge Empire. And yet not containing themselues
within all that maine circumference they haue aduentured their persons,
shippes, and goods, homewards and outwards, foureteene times ouer the
vnknowen and dangerous Caspian sea; that valiant, wise, and personable
gentleman M. Anthonie Ienkinson being their first ring-leader: who in Anno
1558. sailing from Astracan towards the East shore of the Caspian sea, and
there arriuing at the port of Mangusla, trauelled thence by Vrgence and
Shelisur, and by the riuers of Oxus and Ardok, 40. dayes iourney ouer
desert and wast countreys, to Boghar a principall citie of Bactria, being
there & by the way friendly entertained, dismissed, and safely conducted by
certaine Tartarian kings and Murses. Then haue you a second Nauigation of
his performance to the South shore of the foresayd Caspian sea, together
with his landing at Derbent, his arriuall at Shabran, his proceeding vnto
Shamaky, the great curtesie vouchsafed on him by Obdolowcan king of Hircan,
his iourney after of 30. dayes Southward, by Yauate, Ardouil, and other
townes and cities to Casben, being as then the seate imperiall of Shaugh
Thamas the great Sophy of Persia, with diuers other notable accidents in
his going foorth, in his abode there, and in his returne home. Immediately
after you haue set downe in fiue seuerall voiages the successe of M.
Ienkinsons laudable and well-begun enterprise, vnder the foresayd Shaugh
Thamas, vnder Shally Murzey the new king of Hircan, and lastly our
traffique with Osman Basha the great Turkes lieutenant at Derbent.
Moreouer, as in M. Ienkinsons trauel to Boghar the Tartars, with their
territories, habitations, maner of liuing, apparell, food, armour, &c. are
most liuely represented vnto you: so likewise in the sixe Persian Iournals
you may here and there obserue the state of that countrey, of the great
Shaugh and of his subiects, together with their religion, lawes, customes,
& maner of gouernment, their coines, weights and measures, the distances of
places, the temperature of the climate and region, and the natural
commodities and discommodities of the same.

Furthermore in this first Volume, all the Ambassages and Negociations from
her Maiestie to the Russian Emperor, or from him vnto her Maiestie, seemed
by good right to chalenge their due places of Record. As namely, first that
of M. Randolph, 1568. then the emploiment of M. Ienkinson 1571. thirdly,
Sir Ierome Bowes his honorable commission and ambassage 1582. and last of
all the Ambassage of M. Doct. Fletcher 1588. Neither do we forget the
Emperours first Ambassador Osep Napea, his arriuall in Scotland, his most
honourable entertainment and abode in England, and his dismission into
Russeland. In the second place we doe make mention of Stephen Tuerdico, and
Pheodata Pogorella; thirdly, of Andrea Sauin; and lastly, of Pheodor
Andrewich Phisemski. And to be briefe, I haue not omitted the Commissions,
Letters, Priuileges, Instructions, Obseruations, or any other Particulars
which might serue both in this age, and with all posteritie, either for
presidents in such like princely and weightie actions to bee imitated, or
as woorthy monuments in no wise to bee buried in silence. Finally that
nothing should be wanting which might adde any grace or shew of perfection
vnto this discourse of Russia; I haue prefixed before the beginning
thereof, the petigree and genealogie of the Russian Emperors and Dukes,
gathered out of their owne Chronicles by a Polonian, containing in briefe
many notable antiquities and much knowledge of those partes as likewise
about the conclusion, I haue signified in the branch of a letter the last
Emperour Pheodor Iuanowich his death, and the inauguration of Boris
Pheodorowich vnto the Empire.

But that no man should imagine that our forren trades of merchandise haue
bene comprised within some few yeeres or at least wise haue not bene of any
long continuance, let vs now withdraw our selues from our affaires in
Russia, and ascending somewhat higher, let vs take a sleight suruey of our
traffiques and negotiations in former ages. First therefore the reader may
haue recourse vnto the 137 page [Footnote: This refers to the original
edition] of this Volume & there with great delight and admiration, consider
out of the iudicial Historiographer Cornelius Tacitus, that the Citie of
London fifteene hundred yeeres agoe in the time of Nero the Emperour was
most famous for multitude of merchants and concourse of people. In the
pages folowing he may learne out of Venerable Beda, that almost 900. yeeres
past, in the time of the Saxons, the said citie of London was multorum
emporium populorum, a Mart towne for many nations. There he may behold, out
of William of Malmesburie, a league concluded betweene the most renowned
and victorious Germane Emperour Carolus Magnus, and the Saxon king Offa,
together with the sayd Charles his patronage and protection granted vnto
all English merchants which in those dayes frequented his dominions. There
may hee plainly see in an auncient testimonie translated out of the Saxon
tongue, how our merchants were often woont for traffiques sake, so many
hundred yeeres since, to crosse the wide Seas and how their industry in so
doing was recompensed. Yea, there mayest thou obserue (friendly Reader)
what priuileges the Danish king Canutus obtained at Rome of Pope Iohn of
Conradus the Emperour, and of king Rudolphus for our English merchants
Aduenturers of those times. Then if you shall thinke good to descend vnto
the times and ages succeeding the conquest, there may you partly see what
our state of merchandise was in the time of king Stephen and of his
predecessor, and how the Citie of Bristol (which may seeme somewhat
strange) was then greatly resorted vnto with ships from Norway and from
Ireland. There may you see the friendly league betweene king Henry the
second, and the famous Germane Emperour Friderick Barbarossa, and the
gracious authorizing of both their merchats to traffique in either of their
dominions. And what need I to put you in mind of king Iohn his fauourable
safe conduct, whereby all forren merchants were to haue the same priuileges
here in England, which our English merchants enioied abroad in their
seuerall countreys. Or what should I signifie vnto you the entercourse of
league and of other curtesies betweene king Henry the third, and Haquinus
king of Norway; and likewise of the free trade of merchandise between their
subiects: or tell you what fauours the citizens of Colen, of Lubek, and of
all the Hansetownes obtained of king Edward the first; or to what high
endes and purposes the generall, large, and stately Charter concerning all
outlandish merchants whatsoeuer was by the same prince most graciously
published? You are of your owne industry sufficiently able to conceiue of
the letters & negotiatios which passed between K. Edward the 2. & Haquinus
the Noruagian king; of our English merchants and their goods detained vpon
arrest at Bergen in Norway; and also of the first ordination of a Staple,
or of one onely setled Mart towne for the vttering of English woolls &
woollen fells instituted by the sayd K. Edward last before named. All which
(Reader) being throughly considered, I referre you then to the Ambassages,
Letters, Traffiques, and prohibition of Traffiques, concluding and
repealing of leagues, damages, reprisals, arrests, complaints,
supplications, compositions and restitutions which happened in the time of
king Richard the 2. and king Henry the 4. between the said kings and their
subiects on the one partie; and Conradus de Zolner, Conradus de Iungingen,
and Vlricus de Iungingen, three of the great masters of Prussia, and their
subiects, with the common societie of the Hans-townes on the other partie.
In all which discourse you may note very many memorable things; as namely
first the wise, discreet, and cautelous dealing of the Ambassadors and
Commissioners of both parts, then the wealth of the foresaid nations, and
their manifold and most vsuall kinds of wares vttered in those dayes, as
likewise the qualitie, burthen, and strength of their shipping, the number
of their Mariners, the maner of their combates at sea, the number and names
of the English townes which traded that way, with the particular places as
well vpon the coast of Norway, as euery where within the sound of Denmark
which they frequented; together with the inueterate malice and craftie
crueltie of the Hanse. And because the name, office, and dignitie of the
masters generall or great Masters of Prussia would otherwise haue been
vtterly darke and vnknowen to the greater part of Readers, I haue set downe
immediatly before the first Prussian ambasasage, pagina 158 [Footnote: This
means, of course, page 158 of _original_ edition.] a briefe and orderly
Catalogue of them all, containing the first originall and institution of
themselues and of their whole knightly order and brotherhood, with the
increase of reuenues and wealth which befell them afterward in Italy and
Germany and the great conquests which they atchieued vpon the infidels of
Prussia, Samogitia, Curland, Liefland, Lituania, &c. also their decay and
finall ouerthrow, partly by the reuolt of diuers Townes and Castles vnder
their iurisdiction, and partly by the meanes of their next mightie
neighbour the King of Poland.

After all these, out of 2. branches of 2. ancient statutes, is partly
shewed our trade and the successe thereof with diuers forren Nations in the
time of K. Henry the sixth.

Then followeth the true processe of English policie, I meane that excellent
and pithy treatise de politia conseruatiua maris: which I cannot to any
thing more fitly compare, then to the Emperour of Russia his palace called
the golden Castle, and described by Richard Chanceller page 264. [Footnote:
_Ibidem_.] of this volume: whereof albeit the outward apparance was
but homely and no whit correspondent to the name, yet was it within so
beautified and adorned with the Emperour his maiesticall presence, with the
honourable and great assembly of his rich-attired Peers and Senatours, with
an inualuable and huge masse of gold and siluer plate, & with other
princely magnificence; that well might the eyes of the beholders be
dazeled, and their cogitations astonished thereat. For indeed the exteriour
habit of this our English politician, to wit, the harsh and vnaffected
stile of his substantiall verses and the olde dialect of his wordes is
such; as the first may seeme to haue bene whistled of Pans oaten pipe, and
the second to haue proceeded from the mother of Euander; but take you off
his vtmost weed, and beholde the comelinesse, beautie, and riches which lie
hid within his inward sense and sentence, and you shall finde (I wisse) so
much true and sound policy, so much delightfull and pertinent history, so
many liuely descriptions of the shipping and wares in his time of all the
nations almost in Christendome, and such a subtile discouery of outlandish
merchants fraud, and of the sophistication of their wares, that needes you
must acknowledge, that more matter and substance could in no wise be
comprised in so little a roome. [Footnote: The poem here alluded to was
written between 1416 and 1438, as appears from the lines:

    "For Sigismond, the great Emperour
     Wich yet reigneth, when he was in this land
     With King Henryy the fifth" etc.

Sigismund died in 1438, and visited England in 1416.] And notwithstanding
(as I said) his stile be vnpolished, and his phrases somewhat out of vse,
yet, so neere as the written copies would giue me leaue, I haue most
religiously without alteration obserued the same, thinking it farre more
conuenient that himselfe should speake, then that I should bee his
spokesman, and that the Readers should enioy his true verses, then mine or
any other mans fained prose.

Next after the conclusion of the last mentioned discourse, the Reader may
in some sort take a vieu of our state of merchandise vnder K. Edward the
fourth, as likewise of the establishing of an English company in the
Netherlands, and of all the discreet prouisoes, iust ordinations, &
gratious priuileges conteined in the large Charter which was granted for
the same purpose.

Now besides our voyages and trades of late yeeres to the North and
Northeast regions of the world, and our ancient traffique also to those
parts; I haue not bene vnmindefull (so farre as the histories of England
and of other Countreys would giue me direction) to place in the fore-front
of this booke those forren conquests, exploits, and trauels of our English
nation, which haue bene atchieued of old. Where in the first place (as I am
credibly informed out of Galfridas Monumetensis, and out of M. Lambert his
[Greek: Archaionomia]) I haue published vnto the world the noble actes of
Arthur and Malgo two British Kings. Then followeth in the Saxons time K.
Edwin his conquest of Man and Anglesey, and the expedition of Bertus into
Ireland. Next succeedeth Octher making relation of his doings, and
describing the North Countreys, vnto his soueraigne Lord K. Ecfrid. After
whom Wolstans Nauigation within the Sound of Denmark is mentioned, the
voyage of the yong Princes Edmund and Edward into Sweden and Hungarie is
recorded, as likewise the mariage of Harald his daughter vnto the Russian
duke Ieruslaus. Neither is that Englishman forgotten, who was forced to
traueile with the cruel Tartars into their Countrey, and from thence to
beare them company into Hungary and Poland. And because those Northeasterne
Regions beyond Volga, by reason of the huge deserts, the colde climate, and
the barbarous inciuilitie of the people there inhabiting, were neuer yet
throughly traueiled by any of our Nation, nor sufficiently knowen vnto vs:
I haue here annexed vnto the said Englishmans traueile, the rare &
memorable iournals of 2. Friers, who were some of the first Christians that
trauailed farthest that way, and brought home most particular intelligence
& knowledge of all things which they had seene. These Friers were sent as
Ambassadours vnto the sauage Tartars (who had as then wasted and ouerrunne
a great part of Asia, and had pierced farre into Europe with fire and
sword) to mitigate their fury, and to offer the glad tidings of the Gospel
vnto them. The former, namely Iohannes de Plano Carpini (whose iourney,
because he road sixe moneths poste directly beyond Boristhenes, did, I
thinke, both for length and difficultie farre surpasse that of Alexander
the great, vnto the riuer of Indus) was in the yeere 1246. sent with the
authoritie and commission of a Legate from Pope Innocentius the fourth: who
passed through more garisons of the Tartars, and wandered ouer more vast,
barren, and cold deserts, then (I suppose) an army of an hundred thousand
good souldiers could haue done. The other, to wit, William de Rubricis, was
1253. by the way of Constantinople, of the Euxin sea, and of Taurica
Chersonesus imployed in an ambassage from Lewis the French King (waging
warre as then against the Saracens in the Holy land) vnto one Sartach a
great duke of the Tartars, which Sartach sent him forthwith vnto his father
Baatu, and from Baatu he was conducted ouer many large territories vnto the
Court of Mangu-Can their Emperour. Both of them haue so well played their
parts, in declaring what befell them before they came at the Tartars, what
a terrible and vnmanerly welcomming they had at their first arriuall, what
cold intertainment they felt in traueiling towards the great Can, and what
slender cheere they found at his Court, that they seeme no lesse worthy of
praise then of pitie. But in describing of the Tartars Countrey, and of the
Regions adiacent, in setting downe the base and sillie beginnings of that
huge and ouerspreading Empire, in registring their manifolde warres and
bloody conquests, in making relation of their herds and mooueable Townes,
as likewise of their food, apparell and armour, and in setting downe their
vnmercifull lawes, their fond superstitions, their bestiall liues their
vicious maners, their slauish subiection to their owne superiours, and
their disdainfull and brutish inhumanitie vnto strangers, they deserue most
exceeding and high commendation. Howbeit if any man shall obiect that they
haue certaine incredible relations; I answere, first that many true things
may to the ignorant seeme incredible. But suppose there be some particulars
which hardly will be credited; yet thus much I will boldly say for the
Friers, that those particulars are but few, and that they doe not auouch
them vnder their owne names, but from the report of others. Yet farther
imagine that they did auouch them, were they not to be pardoned as well as
Herodotus, Strabo, Plutarch, Plinie, Solinus, yea & a great many of our new
principall writers, whose names you may see about the end of this Preface;
euery one of which hath reported more strange things then the Friers
between the both? Nay, there is not any history in the world (the most Holy
writ excepted) whereof we are precisely bound to beleeue ech word and
syllable. Moreouer sithens these two iournals are so rare, that Mercator
and Ortelius (as their letters vnto me do testifie) were many yeeres very
inquisitiue, and could not for all that attaine vnto them; and sithens they
haue bene of so great accompt with those two famous Cosmographers, that
according to some fragments of them they haue described in their Mappes a
great part of those Northeastern Regions; sith also that these two
relations containe in some respect more exact history of those vnknowen
parts, then all the ancient and newe writers that euer I could set mine
eyes on; I thought it good if the translation should chance to swerue in
ought from the originals (both for the preseruation of the originals
themselues, and the satisfying of the Reader) to put them downe word for
word in that homely stile wherein they were first penned. And for these two
rare iewels, as likewise for many other extraordinary courtesies, I must
here acknowledge my selfe most deepely bounded vnto the right reuerend,
graue and learned Prelate, my very good lord the Bishop of Chichester, and
L. high Almner vnto her Maiestie; by whose friendship and meanes I had free
accesse vnto the right honor my L. Lumley his stately library, and was
permitted to copy out of ancient manuscripts, these two iournals and some
others also.

After these Friers (thought not in the next place) foloweth a testimonie of
Gerardus Mercator, and another of M. Dee, concerning one Nicholas de Linna
an English Franciscan Frier.

Then succeedeth the long iourney of Henry Earle of Derbie, and afterward
king of England into Prussia & Lithuania, with a briefe remembrance of his
valiant exploits against the Infidels there; as namely, that with the help
of certaine his Associates, he vanquished the king of Letto his armie, put
the sayd king to flight, tooke and slew diuers of his captains, aduanced
his English colours vpon the wall of Vilna, & made the citie it selfe to
yeeld. Then mention is made also of Tho. of Woodstock his trauel into
Pruis, and of his returne home. And lastly, our old English father Ennius,
I meane, the learned, wittie, and profound Geffrey Chaucer, vnder the
person of his knight, doeth full iudicially and like a cunning
Cosmographer, make report of the long voiages and woorthy exploits of our
English Nobles, Knights, & Gentlemen, to the Northren, and to other partes
of the world in his dayes.

Neither haue we comprehended in this Volume, onely our Trades and Voiages
both new and old; but also haue scattered here and there (as the
circumstance of times would giue vs leaue) certaine fragments concerning
the beginnings, antiquities, and grouth of the classical and warrelike
shipping of this Island: as namely, first of the great nauie of that
victorious Saxon prince king Edgar, mentioned by Florentius Wigorniensis,
Roger Houeden, Rainulph of Chester, Matthew of Westminster, Flores
historiarum, & in the libel of English policie, pag. 224. and 225. of this
present volume. [Footnote: _Original_ edition.] Of which Authors some
affirme the sayd fleet to haue consisted of 4800. others of 4000. some
others of 3600. ships: howbeit (if I may presume to gloze vpon the text) I
verily thinke that they were not comparable, either for burthen, strength,
building, or nimble stirrage vnto the ships of later times, and specially
of this age. But howsoeuer it be, they all agree in this, that by meanes of
the sayd huge Fleet he was a most puissant prince; yea, and some of them
affirme together with William of Malmesbury, that he was not onely
soueraigne lord of all the British seas, and of the whole Ile of Britanne
it selfe, but also that he brought vnder his yoke of subiection, most of
the Isles and some of the maine lands adiacent. And for that most of our
Nauigators at this time bee (for want of trade and practise that way)
either vtterly ignorant or but meanely skilfull, in the true state of the
Seas, Shoulds and Islands, lying between the North part of Ireland and of
Scotland, I haue for their better encouragement (if any weightie action
shall hereafter chance to drawe them into those quarters) translated into
English a briefe treatise called A Chronicle of the Kings of Man. Wherein
they may behold as well the tragical and dolefull historie of those parts
for the space almost of 300. yeeres, as also the most ordinarie and
accustomed nauigations through those very seas, and amidst those
Northwesterne Isles called the Hebrides, so many hundred yeeres agoe. For
they shall there read, that euen then (when men were but rude in sea causes
in regard of the great knowledge which we now haue) first Godredus Crouan
with a whole Fleet of ships throughly haunted some places in that sea;
secondly, that one Ingemundus setting saile out of Norway, arriued vpon the
Isle of Lewis; then, that Magnus the king of Norwau came into the same seas
with 160. sailes, and hauing subdued the Orkney Isles in his way, passed on
in like conquering maner, directing his course (as it should seeme) euen
through the very midst, and on all sides of the Hebrides, who sailing
thence to Man, conquered it also, proceeding afterward as farre as
Anglesey; and lastly crossing ouer from the Isle of Man to the East part of
Ireland. Yea, there they shall read of Godredus the sonne of Olauus his
voiage to the king of Norway, of his expedition with 80. ships against
Sumerledus, of Sumerled his expedition with 53. ships against him; of
Godred his flight and second iourney into Norway, of Sumerled his second
arriuall with 160. shippes at Rhinfrin vpon the coast of Man, and of many
other such combates, assaults, & voyages which were performed onely vpon
those seas & Islands. And for the bringing of this woorthy monument to
light, we doe owe great thanks vnto the iudiciall and famous Antiquarie M
Camden. But sithens we are entred into a discourse of the ancient warrehke
shipping of this land the reader shall giue me leaue to borow one
principall note out of this litle historie, before I quite take my leaue
thereof, and that is in few words, that K. Iohn passed into Ireland with a
Fleet of 500. sailes; so great were our sea-forces euen in his time.
Neither did our shipping for the warres first begin to flourish with king
Iohn, but long before his dayes in the reign of K. Edward the Confessor, of
William the Conquerour, of William Rufus and the rest, there were diuers
men of warre which did valiant seruice at sea, and for their paines were
roially rewarded. All this and more then this you may see recorded, pag.
19. [Footnote: Of original edition.] out of the learned Gentleman M.
Lambert his Perambulation of Kent; namely, the antiquitie of the Kentish
Cinque ports, which of the sea-townes they were, how they were
infranchised, what gracious priuileges and high prerogatiues were by diuers
kings vouchsafed vpon them, and what seruices they were tied vnto in regard
thereof; to wit, how many ships, how many souldiers mariners, Garsons, and
for how many dayes each of them, and all of them were to furnish for the
kings vse; and lastly what great exploits they performed vnder the conduct
of Hubert of Burrough, as likewise against the Welshmen, vpon 200. French
ships, and vnder the commaund of captaine Henry Pay. Then haue you, pag.
130, [Footnote: Of original edition.] the franke and bountifull Charter
granted by king Edward the first, vpon the foresayd Cinque portes: & next
thereunto a Roll of the mightie fleet of seuen hundred ships which K.
Edward the third had with him vnto the siege of Caleis: out of which Roll
(before I proceed any further) let me giue you a double obseruation. First
that these ships, according to the number of the mariners which were in all
14151. persons, seeme to haue bene of great burthen; and secondly, that
Yarmouth an hauen towne in Northfolke (which I much wonder at) set foorth
almost twise as many ships and mariners, as either the king did at his owne
costs and charges, or as any one citie or towne in England besides. Howbeit
Tho. Walsingham maketh plaine and euident mention of a farre greater Fleete
of the same king; namely, of 1100. shippes lying before Sandwich, being all
of them sufficiently well furnished. Moreouer the Reader may behold, pag.
205, [Footnote: Of original edition.] a notable testimonie of the mightie
ships of that valiant prince king Henry the 5. who (when after his great
victory at Agincourt the Frenchmen to recouer Harflew had hired certain
Spanish and Italian ships and forces, & had vnited their owne strength vnto
them) sent his brother Iohn Duke of Bedford to encounter them, who bidding
them battell got the victory, taking some of their ships and, sinking
others, and putting the residue to dishonorable flight. Likewise comming
the next yeere with stronger powers, and being then also ouercome, they
were glad to conclude a perpetuall league with K. Henry: & propter eorum
naues (saieth mine Author) that is for the resistance of their ships, the
sayd king caused such huge ships to be built, quales non erant in mundo, as
the like were not to be found in the whole world besides.

But to leaue our ancient shipping, and descend vnto later times, I thinke
that neuer was any nation blessed of IEHOVAH, with a more glorious and
wonderfull victory vpon the Seas, then our vanquishing of the dreadfull
Spanish Armada, 1588. But why should I presume to call it our vanquishing;
when as the greatest part of them escaped vs, and were onely by Gods
out-stretched arme ouerwhelmed in the Seas, dashed in pieces against the
Rockes, and made fearefull spectacles and examples of his iudgements vnto
all Christendome. An excellent discourse whereof, as likewise of the
honourable expedition vnder two of the most noble and valiant peeres of
this Realme, I meane the renoumed Erle of Essex, and the right honorable
the lord Charles Howard, lord high Admirall of England, made 1596. vnto the
strong citie of Cadiz, I haue set downe as a double epiphonema to conclude
this my first volume withall. Both of which, albeit they ought of right to
haue bene placed among the Southerne voyages of our nation, yet partly to
satisfie the importunitie of some of my special friends, and partly, not
longer to depriue the diligent Reader of two such woorthy and long expected
discourses, I haue made bold to straine a litle curtesie with that methode
which I first propounded vnto my selfe.

And here had I almost forgotten to put the Reader in mind of that learned
and Philosophical treatise of the true state of Iseland, and so
consequently of the Northren Seas & regions lying that way, wherein a great
number of none of the meanest Historiographers and Cosmographers of later
times, as namely, Munster, Gemma Frisius, Zieglerus, Krantzius, Saxo
Grammaticus, Olaus Magnus, Peucerus and others, are by euident arguments
conuinced of manifold errors, that is to say, as touching the true
situation and Northerly latitude of that Island, and of the distance
thereof from other places, touching the length of dayes in Sommer and of
nights in Winter, of the temperature of the land and sea, of the time and
maner of the congealing, continuance, and thawing of the Ice in those Seas,
of the first Discouerie and inhabiting of that Island, of the first
planting of Christianitie there, as likewise of the continuall flaming of
mountains, strange qualities of fountaines, of hel-mouth, and of purgatorie
which those authors haue fondly written and imagined to be there. All which
treatise ought to be the more acceptable, first in that it hath brought
sound trueth with it, and secondly, in that it commeth from that farre
Northren climate which most men would suppose could not affoord any one so
learned a Patrone for it selfe.

And thus (friendly Reader) thou seest the briefe summe and scope of all my
labours for the common-wealths sake, and thy sake, bestowed vpon this first
Volume: which if thou shall as thankefully accept, as I haue willingly and
freely imparted with thee, I shall bee the better encouraged speedily to
acquaint thee with those rare, delightfull and profitable histories, which
I purpose (God willing) to publish concerning the Southerne and Westerne
parts of the World.

       *       *       *       *       *

[Greek: EIS APODAEMIAS BRETTANON PONAEMA RIKARDOU TOU HAKLYITOU,

    Hygon ho Brochthonos.

    Ossoi gaian echousi Brotoi henos ekpephyasi
      hos allaela horan ethnesi charma physei.
    Hos de thaliplagktos metekiathen ethnea pleista,
      hoikoi mimnazous axiagastos ephy.
    Exocha Brettanoi d', alloin schisthentes erantai,
      idmenai allothroun phyla polysperea.
    Indous hesperious kai eoous, Aithiopas te
      kai Moschous, kai pant eschatounta genae.
    Touton d' oia malista, klyta, klytos Haklyutos
      graphen ariphradeos, mnaem aei essomenon.]

       *       *       *       *       *

In nauales RICHARDI HAKLUYTI Commentarios.

    Anglia magnarum foecunda puerpera rerum,
      siue solum spectes nobile, siue salum;
    Quæ quantum sumptis se nobilitauent armis,
      siue domi gessit prælia, siue foris;
    Multorum celebrant matura volumina: tantæ
      Insula materiem paruula laudis alit.
    At se in quot, qualésque, & quando effuderit oras,
      qua fidit ignotum peruia classis iter,
    Solius Hakluyti decus est, prædiuite penna
      ostendisse suis ciuibus ausa mari
    Quæcunque idcirco celeri gens Anglica naui,
      Oceani tristes spernere docta minas,
    A primi generísque & gentis origine gessit,
      qua via per fluctus vlla pattre potest,
    Siue decus laudémque secuta, vt & hostibus alas
      demeret, atque suis læta pararet opes:
    Hoc opus Hakluyti; cui debet patria multum,
      cui multum, patriæ quisquis amicus erit
    Qui re námque magis se nostra Britannta iactat,
      quàm quod sit præter cætera classe potens?
    Quam prius obsessam tenebris sic liberat, vt nunc
      quisque sciat quàm sit nobile classis opus.
    Quam si Dædalicè vtemur surgemus in altum,
      sin autem Icaricè, quod voret, æquor habet.
                                  RICH. MVLCASTER.

               Eiusdem in eundem

    Qui graui primus cecinit camoena
    Aureum vellus, procerésque Græcos,
    quos sibi adiunxit comites Ianson
                                   Vectus in Argo
    Naue, quàm primùm secuisse fluctus
    prædicant salsos, sibi comparauit
    Inde non vnquam moritura magnæ
                                   præmia famæ
    Tanta si merces calamum secuta
    Vnicæ nauis referentis acta,
    Quanta Rachardum manet Hakluytum
                                   gloria? cuius
    Penna descripsit freta mille, mille
    Insulæ nostræ celeres carinas,
    Quæ per immensi loca peruolarunt
                                   omnia mundi
    Senties gratam patriam, tuæque
    Laudis æternùm memorem, & laboris:
    Quæ tua cura, calamóque totum
                                   ibit in orbem:
    Quam doces omni studio fouere
    Nauticum robur, validámque classem.
    Hac luet quisquis violentus Anglo
                                   vsserit hostis.

       *       *       *       *       *

In eximium opus R. HAKLUYTI de Anglorum ad disiunctissimas regiones
nauigationibus GVLIELMI CAMDENI Hexastichon.

    Anglia quæ penitùs toto discluditur orbe,
      Angulus orbis erat, paruus & orbis erat.
    Nunc cùm sepositos alios detexent orbes,
      Maximus orbis honos, Orbis & orbis erit.
    At quid Haklute tibi monstranti hæc debeat orbis?
      Laus tua, crede mihi, non erit orbe minor.

       *       *       *       *       *

Di Marc' Antonio Pigafeta Gentilhuomo Vicentino

    Ignota mi starei, con poco honore
       Sepolta nell' oscure, antiche carte,
       S'alcun de figli miei con spesa & arte
       Non hauesse hor scoperto il mio splendore

    Ramusio pria pieno d' ardente amore
       Manifesto le mie piu riche parte,
       Che son lá doue il Maragnon diparte,
       E doue il Negro allaga, e'l Gange scorre,
    Hakluyto poi senza verun risguardo
       Di fatica o di danno accolt' hà insieme,
       Ciò c' hà potuto hauer da typhi Inglesi.
    Onde vedrassie dove bella sguardo,
       E la Dwina agghiaccia, e l' Obi freme,
       Et altri membri miei non ben palesi.

EXTRACT FROM OLDYS'S LIBRARIAN, 1738.
(Article Hakluyt's Voyages.) p. 137.

Oldys (having given a list of the contents of the three volumes of Hakluyt)
concludes,

This summary may sufficiently intimate what a treasury of maritime
knowledge it is, wherefore we shall here take our leave of it, with
referring only to a needful observation or two:

And first, As it has been so useful to many of our authors, not only in
Cosmography, and Navigation, but in History, especially that of the
glorious reign in which so many brave exploits were atchievcd; As it has
been such a LEADING STAR TO THE NAVAL HISTORIES since compiled; and saved
from the wreck of oblivion many exemplary incidents in the lives of our
most renowned navigators; it has therefore been unworthily omitted in the
English historical library. And lastly, though the first volume of this
collection, does frequently appear, by the date, in the title page, to be
printed in 1599, the reader is not thence to conclude the said volume was
then reprinted, but only the title page, as upon collating the books we
have observed, and further, that in the said last printed title page, there
is no mention made of the Cadiz Voyage; to omit which, might be one reason
of reprinting that page; for it being one of the most prosperous and
honourable enterprizes that ever the Earl of Essex was ingaged in, and he
falling into the Queen's unpardonable displeasure at this time, our author,
Mr. Hakluyt, might probably receive command or direction, even from one of
the patrons to whom these Voyages are dedicated, who was of the contrary
faction not only to suppress all memorial of that action in the front of
this book, but even cancel the whole narrative thereof at the end of it, in
all the copies (far the greatest part of the impression) which remained
unpublished. And in that castrated manner the volume has descended to
posterity; not but if the castration was intended to have been concealed
from us, the last leaf of the preface would have been reprinted also, with
the like omission of what is there mentioned concerning the insertion of
this Voyage. But at last, about the middle of the late King's reign, an
uncastrated copy did arise, and the said Voyage was reprinted from it,
whereby many imperfect books have been made complete.

EXTRACT FROM ZOUCH'S LIFE OF SIR PHILIP SIDNEY, page 317.

Every reader conversant in the annals of oar Naval transactions will
cheerfully acknowledge the merit of Richard Hakluyt, who devoted his
studies to the investigation of those periods of the English history, which
regard the improvement of navigation and commerce. He had the advantage of
an academical education. He was elected Student of Christ-Church in Oxford
in 1570, and was therefore contemporary with Sidney at the University. To
him we are principally indebted for a clear and comprehensive description
of those noble discoveries of the English nation made by sea or over land
to the most distant quarter of the earth. His incomparable industry was
remunerated with every possible encouragement by Sir Francis Walsingham and
Sir Philip Sidney. To the latter, as to a most generous promoter of all
ingenious and useful knowledge, he inscribed his first collection of
voyages and discoveries, printed in 1582. Thus animated and encouraged, he
was enabled to leave to posterity the fruits of his unwearied labours--an
invaluable treasure of nautical information, preserved in volumes, which
even at this day, affix to his name a brilliancy of reputation, which a
series of ages can never efface or obscure.




CERTEINE TESTIMONIES CONCERNING
K. ARTHUR AND HIS CONQUESTS OF THE NORTH REGIONS,
TAKEN OUT OF
THE HISTORIE OF THE KINGS OF BRITAINE.
WRITTEN BY GALFRIDUS MONUMETENSIS, AND NEWLY PRINTED
AT HEIDELBERGE, ANNO 1587.


Lib 9. cap. 10.

Anno Christi, 517. Arthurus, secundo regni sui anno subiugatis totius
Hyberniæ partibus, classem suam direxit in Islandiam, eámque debellato
populo subiugauit. Exin diuulgato per cæteraa insulas rumore, quòd ei nulla
Prouincia resistere poterat, Doldauius rex Gotlandiæ, & Gunfacius rex
Orcadum vltro venerunt, promissóque vectigali subiectionem fecerunt. Emensa
deinde hyeme, reuersus est in Britanniam, statúmque regni in firmam pacem
renouans, moram duodecim annis ibidem fecit.

The same in English.

In the yere Of Christ, 517. king Arthur in the second yeere of his reigne,
hauing subdued all parts of Ireland, sailed with his fleet into Island, and
brought it and the people thereof vnder his subiection. The rumour
afterwards being spread thorowout all the other Islands, that no countrey
was able to withstand him, Doldamus the king of Gotland, and Gunfacius the
king of Orkney, came voluntarily vnto him, and yeelded him their obedience
promising to pay him tribute. The Winter being spent, he returned into
Britaine, and establishing his kingdome in perfect peace, he continued
there for the space of twelue yeres.

Lib 9. cap. 12.

Missis deinde in diuersa regna Legatis, inuitantur tam ex Gallijs quàm ex
collateralibus Insulis Oceani qui ad curiam venire deberent, &c. Et paulò
post: Ex collateralibus autem Insulis Guillaumurius rex Hyberniæ, Maluasius
rex Islandiæ, Doldauius rex Gotlandiæ, Gunnasius rex Orchadum, Lot rex
Noruegiæ, Aschihus rex Danorum.

The same in English.

After that king Arthur sending his messenger into diuers kingdomes, he
summoned such as were to come to his Court, as well out of France, as out
of the adiacent Islands of the sea, &c. and a little after: From those
adiacent Islands came Guillaumarius king of Ireland, Maluasius king of
Island, Doldauius king of Gotland, Gunnasius king of Orkney, Lot the king
of Norway, and Aschilius the king of Denmarke.

Lib 9. cap. 19.

At reges cæterarum Insularam, quoniam non duxerant in morem equites habere,
pedites quot quisque debebat, promittunt, ita vt ex sex Insulis, videlicet,
Hyberniæ, Islandiæ, Gotlandiæ, Orcadum, Noruegiæ, atque Daciæ, sexies
viginti millia essent annumerata.

The same in English.

But the kings of the other Islands, because it was not their custome to
breed vp horses, promised the king as many footmen, as euery man was bound
to send: so that out of the six Islands, namely of Ireland, Island,
Gotland, Orkney, Norway, and Denmarke, the king had sixe score thousand
souldiers sent him.

       *       *       *       *       *

A testnnome of the right and appendances of the crowne of the kingdome of
  Britaine, taken out of M. Lambard, his [Greek: Arkaionomia], fol 137.
  pag. 2.

Arthurus qui fuit quondam inclytissimus Rex Britonum, vir magnus fuit &
animosus, & miles illustris. Parum fuit ei regnum istud, non fuit animus
eius contentus regno Britanniæ. Subiugauit igitur sibi strenuè Scantiam
totam, quæ modo Norweia vocatur, & omnes insulas vltra Scantiam, scz.
Islandiam, & Grenlandiam, quæ sunt de appendicijs Norweiæ, & Suechordam, &
Hyberniam, & Gutlandiam, & Daciam, Semelandiam, Winlandiam, Curlandiam,
Roe, Femelandiam, Wirelandiam, Flandriam, Cherelam, Lappam, & omnes alias
terras & insulas, Orientalis Oceani vsque Russiam (in Lappa scilicet posuit
Orientalem metam regni Britanniæ) & multas insulas vltra Scantiam, vsque
dum sub Septentrione, quæ sunt de appendicibus Scantiæ, quæ modo Norweia
vocatur. Fuerunt autem ibi Christiani occultè. Arthurus autem Christianus
optimus fuit, & fecit eos baptizari, & vnum Deum per totam Norweiam
venerari, & vnam fidem Christi semper inuiolatam custodire, & suscipere.
Ceperunt vniuersi proceres Norweiæ vxores suas de nobili gente Britonum
tempore illo, vnde Norwegienses dicunt se exijsse de gente & sanguine regni
huius. Impetrauit enim temporibus illis Arthurus rex à domino Papa, & à
Curia Romana, quod confirmata sit Norweia, in perpetuum coronæ Britanniæ in
augmentum regni huius, vocauítque illam dictus Arthurus Cameram Britanniæ.
Hac verò de causa dicunt Norwegienses, se debere in regno isto cohabitare &
dicunt se esse de corpore regni huius, scilicet de corona Britanniæ.
Maluerunt enim manere in regno isto, quàm in terra eorum propria. Terra
enim eorum arida est, & montuosa, & sterilis, & non sunt ibi segetes nisi
per loca. Ista verò opulenta est, & fertilis, & crescunt hic segetes, &
cætera vniuersa. Qua ex causa sæpius per vices gesta sunt bella atrocissima
inter Anglos & Norwegienses, & interfecti sunt innumerabiles. Occupauerunt
verò Norwegienses terras multas & insulas regni huius, quas adhuc detinent
occupatas, nec potuerunt vnquam postea penitus euelli. Tandem modò
confederati sunt nobis fide, & sacramento, & per vxores suas, quas postea
ceperunt de sanguine nostro, & per affinitates, & coniugia. Ita demum
constituit, & eis concessit bonus rex Edouardus propinquus noster (qui fuit
optimus filius pacis) per commune consilium totius regni. Qua de causa
possent, & debent prædicti de cætero nobiscum cohabitare, & remanere in
regno, sicut coniurati fratres nostri.

The same in English.

Arthur which was sometimes the most renowmed king of the Britains, was a
mightie, and valiant man, and a famous warriour. This kingdome was too
litle for him, & his minde was not contented with it. He therefore
valiantly subdued all Scantia, which is now called Norway, and all the
Islands beyond Norway, to wit, Island and Greenland, which are apperteining
vnto Norway, Sweueland, Ireland, Gotland, Denmarke, Someland, Windland,
Curland, Roe, Femeland, Wireland, Flanders, Cherilland, Lapland, and all
the other lands & Islands of the East sea, euen vnto Russia (in which
Lapland he placed the Easterly bounds of his Brittish Empire) and many
other Islands beyond Norway, euen vnder the North pole, which are
appendances of Scantia, now called Norway. These people were wild and
sauage, and had not in them the loue of God nor of their neighbors, because
all euil commeth from the North, yet there were among them certeine
Christians liuing in secret. But king Arthur was an exceeding good
Christian, and caused them to be baptized, and thorowout all Norway to
worship one God, and to receiue and keepe inuiolably for euer, faith in
Christ onely. At that time all the noble men of Norway tooke wiues of the
noble nation of the Britaines, whereupon the Norses say, that they are
descended of the race and blood of this kingdome. The aforesayd king Arthur
obteined also in those dayes of the Pope & court of Rome, that Norway
should be for euer annexed to the crowne of Britaine for the inlargement of
this kingdome, and he called it the chamber of Britaine. For this cause the
Norses say, that they ought to dwell with vs in this kingdome, to wit, that
they belong to the crowne of Britaine: for they had rather dwell here then
in their owne natiue countrey, which is drie and full of mountaines, and
barren, and no graine growing there, but in certeine places. But this
countrey of Britaine is fruitfull, wherein corne and all other good things
do grow and increase, for which cause many cruell battels haue bene
oftentimes fought betwixt the Englishmen and the people of Norway, and
infinite numbers of people haue bene slaine, & the Norses haue possessed
many lands and Islands of this Empire, which vnto this day they doe
possesse, neither could they euer afterwards be fully expelled. But now at
length they are incorporated with vs by the receiuing of our religion and
sacraments, and by taking wiues of our nation, and by affinitie, and
marriages. For so the good king Edward (who was a notable mainteiner of
peace) ordeined and granted vnto them by the generall consent of the whole
kingdome, so that the people may, and ought from hencefoorth dwell and
remaine in this kingdome with vs as our louing sworne brethren.

       *       *       *       *       *

A testimonie out of the foresayd Galfridus Monumetensis concerning the
  conquests, of Malgo, king of England. Lib. II. cap. 7.

Vortipono successit Malgo, omnium ferè Britanniæ pulcherrimus, multorum
tyrannoram depulsor, robustus armis, largior cæteris, & vltra modum
probitate præclarus. Hic etiam totam Insulam obtinuit, & sex
comprouinciales Oceani Insulas: Hyberniam videlicet, atque Islandiam,
Gotlandiam, Orcades, Noruegiam, Daciam, adiecit dirissimis prælijs
potestati suæ.

The same in English.

Malgo succeeded Vortiponus which was the goodliest man in person of all
Britaine, a prince that expulsed many tyrants. He was strong and valiant in
warre, taller then most men that then liued, and exceeding famous for his
vertues. This king also, obteined the gouernment of the whole Island of
Britaine, and by most sharpe battailes he recouered to his Empire the sixe
Islands of the Ocean sea, which before had bene made tributaries by king
Arthur, namely Ireland, Island, Gotland, Orkney, Norway, and Denmarke.

       *       *       *       *       *

The conquest of the Isles of Anglesey and Man by Edwin the Saxon king of
  Northumberland written in the second Booke and fift Chapter of Beda his
  Ecclesiasticall historie of the English nation.

Eduinus Nordanhumbrorum gentis, id est, eius quæ ad borealem Humbri
fluminis plagam inhabitat, maiore potentia cunctis qui Britanniam incolunt,
Anglorum pariter & Britonum populis præfuit, præter Cantuarios tantùm,
necnòn & Menauias Britonum insulas, quæ inter Hiberniam & Britanniam sitæ
sunt, Anglorum subiecit potestati.

The same in English.

Edwin king of the people Northumberland, that is to say of them which
inhabit to the North of the riuer Humber, being of greater authontie then
any other potentate in the whole Isle of Britaine, bare rule as well ouer
the English as the British nation, except onely the people of Kent: who
also brought in subiection vnder the English, the Isles of Man and
Anglesey, and the other Northwesterne Isles of the Britons, which are
situate betweene Britaine and Ireland.

Another testimonie alledged by Beda to the same purpose. Lib 2. cap 9.

Anno ab incarnatione Domini sexcentesimo vicesimo quarto, gens
Nordanhumbrorum, hoc est, ea natio Anglorum quæ ad aquilonarem Humbri
fluminis plagam habitat, cùm rege suo Eduino, verbum fidei (prædicante
Paulino, cuius supra meminimus) suscepit: cui videlicèt regi in auspicium
suscipiendæ fidei, & regni coelestis potestas & terrem creuerat imperij:
ita vt (quod nemo Anglorum ante eum fecit) omnes Britanniæ fines, qua vel
ipsorum vel Britonum Prouinciæ habitabantur, sub ditione acceperit. Quìn &
Menauias insulas (sicut & supra docuimus) imperio subiugauit Anglorum.
Quarum prior quæ ad austrum est, & situ amplior & frugum prouentu atque
vbertate foelicior, nongentarum sexaginta familiarum mensuram, iuxta
æstimationem Anglorum, secunda trecentarum & vltrà spatium tenet.

The Same in English.

In the yeere from the incarnation of our Lord, sixe hundreth twentie and
foure, the people of Northumberland, to wit, those English people which
inhabit on the North side of the riuer of Humber, together with their king
Edwin, at the Christian preaching and perswasion of Paulinus aboue
mentioned, embraced the Gospel. Vnder which king, after he had once
accepted of the Christian faith, the power both of the heauenly & of his
earthly kingdome was inlarged; insomuch, that he (which no English king had
done before him) brought vnder his subiection all the prouinces of
Britaine, which were inhabited either by the English men themselues, or by
the Britons. Moreouer, he subdued vnto the crowne of England (as we haue
aboue signified) the Hebrides, commonly called the Westerne Islands. The
principall wherof being more commodiously and pleasantly seated towards the
South, and more abounding with corne then the rest, conteineth according to
the estimation of the English, roome enough for 960. families, and the
second for 300. and aboue.

       *       *       *       *       *

The voyage of Bertus, generall of an armie sent into Ireland by Ecfridus
  king of Northumberland, in the yere of our Lord 684, out of the 4. Booke
  and 26. Chapter of Beda his Ecclesiasticall Hystorie.

Anno Dominicæ incarnationis sexcentesimo octogesimo quarto, Ecfridus rex
Nordanhumbrorum, misso Hiberniam cùm excercitu duce Berto, vastauit miserè
gentem innoxiam, & nationi Anglorum semper amicissimam, ita vt nec
ecclesijs quidem aut monasterijs manus, parceret hostilis. At insulani &
quantum valuere armis arma repellebant, & inuocantes diuinæ auxilum
pietatis coelitus se vindicari continuis diù imprecationibus postulabant.
Et quamuis maledici regnum Dei possidere non possint, creditum tamen est,
quod hi qui merito impietatis suæ maledicebantur, ocyus Domino vindice,
poenas sui reatus luerent.

The same in English.

In the yeere of our Lord 684, Ecfrid the king of Northumberland sent
captaine Bert into Ireland with an armie, which Bert miserably wasted that
innocent nation being alwayes most friendly vnto the people of England,
insomuch that the fury of the enemy spared neither churches nor
monasteries. Howbeit the Islanders to their power repelled armes with
armes, and crauing Gods aid from heauen with continuall imprecations and
curses, they pleaded for reuenge. And albeit cursed speakers can by no
meanes inherit the kingdome of God, it was thought notwithstanding, that
they which were accursed for their impiety did not long escape the
vengeance of God imminent for their offences.

       *       *       *       *       *

The voyage of Octher made to the Northeast parts beyond Norway, reported by
  himselfe vnto Alfred the famous king of England, about the yere 890.

Octher said, that the countrey wherein he dwelt was called Helgoland.
Octher tolde his lord king Alfred that he dwelt furthest North of any other
Norman. [Sidenote: Fynnes live by hunting and fishing.] He sayd that he
dwelt towards the North part of the land toward the West coast: and
affirmed that the land, notwithstanding it stretcheth marueilous farre
towards the North, yet it is all desert and not inhabited, vnlesse it be
very few places, here and there, where certeine Finnes dwell vpon the
coast, who liue by hunting all the Winter, and by fishing in Summer. He
said that vpon a certeine time he fell into a fantasie and desire to prooue
and know how farre that land stretched Northward, and whether there were
any habitation of men North beyond the desert. Whereupon he tooke his
voyage directly North along the coast, hauing vpon his steereboord alwayes
the desert land, and vpon the leereboord the maine Ocean: and continued his
course for the space of 3. dayes. [Sidenote: The Place wither the whale
hunters trauel.] In which space he was come as far towards the North, as
commonly the whale hunters vse to trauell. Whence he proceeded in his
course still towards the North so farre as he was able to saile in other 3.
dayes. At the end whereof he perceiued that the coast turned towards the
East, or els the sea opened with a maine gulfe into the land, he knew not
how farre. Well he wist and remembred, that he was faine to stay till he
had a Westerne winde, and somewhat Northerly: and thence he sailed plaine
East along the coast still so far as he was able in the space of 4. dayes.
At the end of which time he was compelled againe to stay till he had a full
Northerly winde, forsomuch as the coast bowed thence directly towards the
South, or at least wise the sea opened into the land he could not tell how
farre: so that he sailed thence along the coast continually full South, so
farre as he could trauaile in 5. dayes; and at the fifth dayes end he
discouered a mightie riuer which opened very farre into the land.
[Sidenote: The Riuer of Duina of likelihood.] At the entrie of which riuer
he stayed his course, and conclusion turned back againe, for he durst not
enter thereinto for feare of the inhabitants of the land; perceiuing that
on the other side of the riuer the countrey was thorowly inhabited: which
was the first peopled land that he had found since his departure from his
owne dwelling: [Sidenote: A Desert countrey. Fynnes.] whereas continually
thorowout all his voyage he had euermore on his steereboord, a wildernesse
and desert countrey, except that in some places, he saw a few fishers,
fowlers, and hunters, which were all Fynnes: and all the way vpon his
leereboord was the maine ocean. [Sidenote: Biarmia.] The Biarmes had
inhabited and tilled their countrey indifferent well, notwithstanding he
was afrayed to go vpon shore. [Sidenote: Terfynnes.] But the countrey of
the Terfynnes lay all waste, and not inhabited, except it were, as we haue
sayd, whereas dwelled certeine hunters, fowlers, and fishers. The Biarmes
tolde him a number of stories both of their owne countrey, and of the
countreys adioyning. Howbeit, he knew not, nor could affirme any thing for
certeine trueth; forsomuch as he was not vpon land, nor saw any himselfe.
[Sidenote: The Fynnes and Biarmes speak one language.] This onely he
iudged, that the Fynnes and Biarmes speake but one language. [Sidenote:
Horsewhales teeth commended.] The principall purpose of his traueile this
way, was to encrease the knowledge and discouerie of these coasts and
countreyes, for the more commoditie of fishing of horsewhales, [Footnote:
Or morses.] which haue in their teeth bones of great price and excellencie:
whereof he brought some at his returne vnto the king. [Sidenote: Use of the
morses skins for cables.] Their skinnes are also very good to make cables
for shippes, and so vsed. This kinde of whale is much lesse in quantitie
then other kindes, hauing not in length or aboue seuen elles. And as for
the common kind of whales, the place of most and best hunting of them is in
his owne countrey: whereof some be 48. elles of length, and some 50. of
which sort he affirmed that he himselfe was one of the sixe, which in the
space of 3. dayes killed threescore. He was a man of exceeding wealth in
such riches, wherein the wealth of that countrey doth consist. [Sidenote:
Sixe hundreth raine Deere.] At the same time that he came to the king, he
had of his owne breed 600. tame Deere, of that kinde which they call Rane
Deere: of the which number 6, were stall Rane Deere, a beast of great
value, and maruellously esteemed among the Fynnes, for that with them they
catch the wilde Rane Deere. He was among the chiefe men of his countrey
one: and yet he, had but 20. kine, and 20. swine, and that little which he
tilled, he tilled it all with horses. [Sidenote: The Fynnes trubute.] Their
principall wealth consisteth in the tribute which the Fynnes pay them,
which is all in skinnes of wilde beasts, feathers of birds, whale bones,
and cables, and tacklings for shippes made of Whales or Seales skinnes.
[Sidenote: Note. Cables of Whales and Seales skins.] Euery man payeth
according to his abilities. The richest pay ordinarily 15. cases of
Marterns, 5. Rane Deere skinnes, and one Beare, ten bushels of feathers, a
coat of a Beares skinne, two cables threescore elles long a piece, the one
made of Whales skin, the other Seales.

He sayd, that the countrey of Norway was very long and small. So much of it
as either beareth any good pasture, or may be tilled, lieth vpon the Sea
coast, which notwithstanding in some places is very rockie and stonie:
[Sidenote: A description of Norway.] and all Eastward all along against the
inhabited land, lie wilde and huge hilles and mountaines, which are in some
places inhabited by the Fynnes. The inhabited land is broadest toward the
South & the further it stretcheth towards the North, it groweth euermore
smaller and smaller. Towards the South it is peraduenture threescore miles
in bredth or broader in some places: about the middest, 30 miles or aboue,
and towards the North where it is smallest, he affirmeth that it proueth
not three miles from the Sea to the mountaines. [Sidenote: The bredth of
the mountaines.] The mountaines be in breadth of such quantitie, as a man
is able to traueile ouer in a fortnight, and in some places no more then
may be trauailed in sixe dayes. [Sidenote: Swethland. Queeneland.] Right
ouer against this land in the other side of the mountaines, somewhat
towards the South lieth Swethland, and against the same towards the North,
lieth Queeneland. The Quenes sometimes passing the mountaines, inuade and
spoile the Normans: and on the contrary part, the Normans likewise
sometimes spoile their countrey. [Sidenote: Boats caried on mens backs.]
Among the mountaines be many and great lakes in sundry places of fresh
water, into the which the Queenes vse to carie their boats vpon their backs
ouer lande, and thereby inuade and spoile the countrey of the Normans.
These boats of theirs be very little and very light.

       *       *       *       *       *

The voyage of Octher out of his countrey of Halgoland into the sound of
  Denmarke vnto a port called Hetha, which seemeth to be Wismer or
  Rostorke.

Octher sayd that the countrey wherein he dwelled, was called Halgoland: and
affirmed that there was no man dwelling towards the North from him. From
this countrey towards the South, there is a certeine port [Marginal note:
Or streight.] [Footnote: It seemeth to be about Elsenborg--_Original
note_.] called Scirings hall, whither, he sayth that a man was not able
to saile in a moneths space, if he lay still by night, although he had
euery day a full winde. [Sidenote: The description of the Sound of
Denmarke.] And he shall saile all the way along the coast, hauing on his
steereboord, first Iutland and the Islands which lie betwixt this countrey
& Iutland, still along the coast of this countrey, till he came to Scirings
hall hauing it on his larboord. At Scirings hall there entreth into the
land a maine gulfe of the Sea, which is so broad, that a man cannot see
ouer it: [Sidenote: Gotland.] and on the other side against the same, is
Gotland, and then Silland. This sea stretcheth many hundreth miles vp into
the land. [Sidenote: Vandals.] From Scirings hall he sayd that be sailed in
5. dayes to the port which is called Hetha, which lieth betwixt the
countries of Wendles, Saxons, and Angles, whereunto it is subiect. And as
he sailed thitherward from Scirings hall, he had vpon his steereboord
Denmarke, and on his leereboord the maine sea, for the space of 3. dayes:
[Sidenote: Hetha but two dayes sayling from Seland.] and 2. dayes before,
he arriued in Hetha, [Footnote: It seemeth to be Wismer or Rostocke--
_Original note_.] he had Gotland on leerboord, and Silland. with
diuers other Islands. In that countrey dwelt English men, before they came
into this land. And these 2. days he had vpon his leereboord the Islands
that are subiect to Denmarke.

       *       *       *       *       *

Wolstans nauigation in the East sea, from Hetha to Trusco, which is about
  Dantzig.

Wolstan sayd, that he departed from Hetha, and arriued at Trusco, in the
space of 7. dayes, and 7. nights: during which time, his shippe kept her
course continually vnder saile. All this voyage Wenedland [Footnote:
Prussia.] was still vpon his steerboord, and on his leerboord was Langland,
Layland, Falster, and Sconie: all which countreyes are subiect to Denmarke.
[Sidenote: Bargenland or Borholme.] Vpon his leerboord also, was
Bargenland, which hath a priuate king, to whom it is subiect. Hauing left
Bargenland, he passed by Blekingie, Meere, Eland and Gotland, hauing them
on his leerboord: all which countreys are subiect to Sweden: and Wenedland
was all the way vpon his steerboord, vntil he came to Wixel mouth.
[Sidenote: Wixel is the riuer that falleth into the sea by Dantzig.] Wixel
is a very great riuer which runneth along betwixt Witland and Wenedland.
Witland is appertaining to the Easterlings, and the riuer of Wixel runneth
out of Wenedland into Eastmeere, which Eastmeere is at the least 15. miles
in breadth. [Sidenote: Fuso.] There runneth also another riuer called
Ilsing from the East, and falleth into Eastmeere, out of another lake vpon
the banke, whereupon is situated Fruso. So that Ilsing comming out of
Eastland, [Footnote: Lithuania.] and Wixel out of Wenedland, both fall
together into Eastmeere, and there Wixel depriueth Ilsing of his name, and
runneth thence West & North into the sea; whereof the place is called
Wixelmouth.

[Sidenote: The description of Eastland.] Eastland is a very large land, and
there be many cities and townes withtn it, and in euery one of them is a
king: whereby there is continually among them great strife and contention.
There is great plentie of hony and fish.

[Sidenote: Mares milke a chiefe drinke.] The wealthiest men drinke commonly
Mares milke, and the poore people and slaues meade. There is no ale brewed
among the Easterlings, but of mead there is plentie.

       *       *       *       *       *

The nauigation of King Edgar, taken out of Florentius Wigoriensis, Houeden,
  and M. Dee his discourse of the Brittish Monarchie, pag. 54, 55, &c.

I haue often times (sayd he) and many wayes looked into the state of
earthly kingdomes, generally the whole world ouer (as farre as it may be
yet knowen to Christian men commonly) being a studie of no great
difficultie, but rather a purpose somewhat answerable to a perfect
Cosmographer, to finde himselfe Cosmopolites, a citizen and member of the
whole and onely one mysticall citie vniuersall, and so consequently to
meditate of the Cosmopoliticall gouernment thereof, vnder the King
almightie, passing on very swiftly toward the most dreadfull and most
comfortable terme prefixed.

And I finde (sayd he) that if this British Monarchie would heretofore haue
followed the aduantages which they haue had onward, they might very well,
yer this, haue surpassed by iustice, and godly sort, any particular
Monarchie els, that euer was on earth since mans creation, and that to all
such purposes as to God are most acceptable, and to all perfect common
wealths, most honorable, profitable, and comfortable.

But yet (sayd he) there is a little locke of Lady Occasion flickering in
the aire, by our hands to catch hold on, whereby we may yet once more
(before all be vtterly past, and for euer) discreetly and valiantly recouer
and enioy, if not all our ancient & due appurtenances to this Imperiall
Brittish monarchie, yet at the least some such notable portion thereof, as
(al circumstances duely and iustly appertaining to peace & amitie with
forrein princes being offred & vsed) this may become the most peaceable,
most rich, most puissant, & most florishing monarchie of al els (this day)
in chnstendome. Peaceable, I say, euen with the most part of the selfe same
respects that good king Edgar had (being but a Saxon) and by sundry such
meanes, as he chiefly in this Empire did put in proofe and vse
triumphantly, whereupon his sirname was Pacificus, most aptly and iustly.
This peaceable king Edgar had in his minde about six hundred yeeres past,
the representation of a great part of the selfe same Idæa, which from aboue
onely, & by no mans deuise hath streamed downe into my imagination, being
as it becommeth a subiect carefull for the godly prosperitie of this
British Empire vnder our most peaceable Queene Elizabeth.

For, Ædgaros pacificus, Regni sui prospiciens vtilitati, pariter & quieti,
quatuor millia octingentas sibi robustas congregauit naues è quibus mille
ducentas, in plaga Angliæ Orientali, mille ducentas in Occidentali, mille
ducentas in Australi, mille ducentas in Septentrionali pelago constituit,
vt ad defensionem regni sui, contra exteras nationes, bellorum discrimina
sustinerent. [Footnote: _Translation_: "Edgar the Pacific, looking
forward to the benefit and peace of his kingdom, collected Four Thousand
Eight Hundred powerful ships, of which he stationed One Thousand Two
Hundred on the East Coast of England, One Thousand Two Hundred on the West
Coast, One Thousand Two Hundred on the South Coast, and One Thousand Two
Hundred on the Northern Coast, in order to be prepared for war in defence
of his kingdom against foreign nations."]

O wisedome imperiall, most diligently to be imitated, _videlicet,
prospicere_, to foresee. O charitable kingly parent, that was touched
with ardent zeale, for procuring the publike profite of his kingdome, yea
and also the peaceable enioying thereof. O, of an incredible masse of
treasure, a kingly portion, yet, in his coffers remayning: if then he had,
(or late) before any warres, seeing no notable taxe, or contribution publike
is historically mentioned to haue bene for the charges leuied: if in peace
he himselfe flourished so wealthily: O marueilous politicall, & princely
prudencie, in time of peace to foresee, and preuent, (and that most
puissantly, and inuinciblly) all possible malice, fraude, force, and
mischiefe forrain. O most discreet liberalitie to such excellent vses,
powring out his treasure so abundantly. O faithfull English people (then,)
and worthy subiects, of such an Imperiall and godly Gouernour. O your true,
and willing hearts, and blessed ready hands (then,) so to impart such
abundance of victuals for those huge Names maintenance: so (I say) as
neither dearth of famine, seemed (fondly) to be feared of you, for any
intolerable want likely to ensue thereby, nor prices of victuals complained
of to be vnreasonable enhaunsed by you, finding, for their great sales so
good, and rare opportunitie.

This peaceable king Edgar, was one of the perfect Imperiall Monarches of
this British Empire, and therefore thus his fame remaineth (for euer)
recorded.

[Sidenote: Charta Regis Henrici secundi.] Anglici orbis Basileus, flos, &
decus Ædgarus, non minus memorabilis Anglis, quàm Cyrus Persis, Romulus
Romanis, Alexander Macedonibus, Arsaces Parthis, Carolus Francis, Anno vitæ
37. Regni sui cùm fratre, & post 21. Idibus Iulij obijt, & apud Glascon
sepelitur. [Footnote: _Translation_: "The king of the English realm,
that flower (of kings) and renowned Edgar, not less famous amongst the
English than Cyrus amongst the Persians, Romulus amongst the Romans,
Alexander amongst the Macedonians, Arsaces amongst the Parthians, Charles
(the Great) amongst the Franks, in the 37th year of his age and 21st year
of his reign with his brother and alone, died on the Ides of July, and was
buried at Glastonbary."]

O Glastonbury, Glastonbury, the treasurie of the carcases of so famous, and
so many persons (_Quæ olim mater sanctorum dicta es, & ab alijs, tumulus
sanctorum, quam ab ipsis discipulis Domini, ædificatam fuisse venerabilis
habet Antiquorum authoritas_) how lamentable is thy case nowe? howe hath
hypocrisie and pride wrought thy desolation? though I omit here the names
of very many other, both excellent holy men, and mighty princes, whose
carcases are committed to thy custody, yet that Apostolike Ioseph, that
triumphant British Arthur, and nowe this peaceable and prouident Saxon king
Edgar, doe force me with a certaine sorowful reuerence, here to celebrate
thy memorie.

[Sidenote: Ranulphus Cestrinis.] This peaceable king, Edgar, (as by ancient
Recordes may appeare) his Sommer progresses, and yerely chiefe pastimes
were, the sailing round about this whole Isle of Albion, garded with his
grand name of 4000. saile at the least, parted into 4. equall parts of
petie Nauies, eche one being of 1000. ships, for so it is anciently
recorded.

Idem quoque Ædgarus 4000. naues congregauit, ex quibus omni anno, post
festum Paschale, 1000. naues ad quamlibet Angliæ partem statuit, sic,
æstate Insulam circumnauigauit: hyeme verò, iudicia in Prouincia exercuit:
& hæc omnia ad sui exercitium & ad hostium fecit terrorem. [Footnote:
_Translation_: "The same Edgar collected Four Thousand ships, of which
each year, after Easter, he placed One Thousand on each side of England,
and thus sailed round the Island in summer; but in winter he rendered
justice throughout the country; and he did all this for the practice of his
own navy and the terror of his enemies."]

Could, and would that peaceable & wise king Edgar, before need, as being in
peace and quiet with all nations about him, and notwithstanding mistrusting
his possible enemies, make his pastimes so roially, politically and
triumphantly, with so many thousand ships, and at the least with ten times
so many men as ships and that yerely? and shall we being not assured of
such neighbors friendship as may become to vs as cruel and tyrannicall
enemies as neuer king Edgar needed to dread the like, and they as many and
mighty princes, as neuer king Edgar coped with the like, shall we (said he)
not iudge it some part of wisdome, to imitate carefully in some litle
proportion (though not with so many thousands) the prosperous pastimes of
peaceable king Edgar, that Saxonicall Alexander? yea, prosperous pastimes
these may be iustly counted, by which he also made euident to the whole
world, that as he wisely knew the ancient bounds and limits of this British
Empire, so that he could and would royally, iustly, and triumphantly enioy
the same, spite of the deuil, and maugre the force of any forreine
potentate. And al that, so highly and faithfully to the glory of God
finally intended and brought to passe, as the wisest and godliest prelates
and counsellors of those dayes (so counted of and recorded) coulde best
aduise and direct him, or perchance, but sincerely commend and duetifully
incourage him in, he being of himselfe so bent, as purposing first
inuincibly to fortifie the chiefe and vttermost walles of his Islandish
Monarchie, against all forreine encombrance possible. And in that
fortification furthering and assuring to trust best his owne ouersight and
iudgement, in yerely viewing the same in euery quarter thereof, and that as
it were for his pastime Imperiall, also in Sommer time, to the ende that
afterward in all securitie, hee might in Winter time (_vacare_) be at
conuenient leisure on land, chiefly to set foorth God's due honour and
secondly to vnderstand and diligently to listen to the causes and
complaints of his commons. For as Mattheus Westmonasteriensis of him to his
Imperiall commendation hath left vs a remembrance.

Habebat autem præterea consuetudinem, per omnes Regni prouincias transire,
vt intelligeret quomodo legum iura, & suorum statuta decretorum, a
principibus obseruarentur, & ne pauperes à potentibus præiudicium passi,
opprimerentur diligenter inuestigare solebat; in vno fortitudini, in altero
Iustitia studens & Reipub. regníque vtilitati consulens in vtroque. Hinc
hostibus circumquáque timor, & amor omnium erga eum excreuerat subditorum.
[Footnote: _Translation_: "He had, besides the habit of travelling
through all the provinces of the kingdom, to ascertain how the enactments
of the law and the ordinances of his decrees were carried out by those in
authority; and he was careful that the poor who suffered injury from those
in power should have justice done them, promoting courage in one, justice
in another, in both ways benefiting the Crown and State. Thus on every side
the fear of his enemies and the love of his subiects increased."]

Thus we see how in opportunitie, this peaceable Edgar procured to this
Empire such prosperous securitie, that his true and faithfull subiects, all
maner of wayes (that is at home and also at sea, both outward and inward)
might peaceably, safely and sccurely employ their wits and trauels for the
marueilous enriching of this kingdome and pleasuring very many other,
carying forth the naturall commodities of this land, abounding here aboue
our necessity vses (and due store reserued) and likewise againe furnishing
the same with all necessary and not superfluous forreine commodities, fet
from farre or foreign countreys. This was in deed (as before is recorded) a
kingly prouidence. Reipub. Regnique vtilitati consulens, &c. besides with
great vtilitie and profite publique foreseene and by his meanes enioyed, he
himselfe vsed most gladly the aduantage of that securitie, in ministring of
iustice or causing the same to be executed all his kingdome ouer not
squemishly, frowningly or skornefully shunning the ragged and tattered
sleeue of any suppliant, holding vp to him a simple soiled bill of
complaint or petition, and that homely contriued, or afrayde at, and
timerously hasting from the sickly pale face or feeble limmed suter,
extreemely constrained so to speake for himselfe, nor parcially smoothering
his owne conscience, to fauour or mainteine the foule fault and trespasse
vnlawfull of any his subiects, how mightie or necessary soeuer, they (els)
were, but diligently made search, least Pauperes a potentibus præiudicium
passi, opprimerentur.

Thus did publique securitie from forrein foe abroad, and true loue of his
owne subiects, garding him at home, and the heauenly spirit directing all
his good purposes, cause iustice and equitie in all quarters of this Albion
to flourish. For which his peaceable and prosperous benefits at the
eternall king his hand obteined, hee became not insolent or declined to
tyrannicall regiment (as some princes in other countreis haue made their
liues Comicotragical) but with all his foresaide inunicible Sea-force,
aboundant wealth, triumphant peace, with securitie and Iustice ouer all his
Monarchie preuailing, his heart was continually, and most zealously bent to
set foorth the glory, laude and honour of the Almightie Creator, the
heauenly and euerlasting king, by such principall and princely meanes, as
(then) were deemed to God most acceptable, as many monuments yet to our
dayes remaining, do of him vndoubtedly testifie: As this, for one
[Footnote: Ex charta fundationis Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Wigorniæ.]

Altitonantis Dei largiflua clementia, qui est rex Regium, Ego Ædgarus
Anglorum Basileus omniúmque Regum, Insulatum, Oceanique Britanniam
circumiacentis, cunctarúmque nationum quæ infra eam includuntur, Imperator,
& Dominus, gratias ago ipsi Deo omnipotenti, Regi meo, qui meum Imperium
sic ampliauit, & exaltauit super regnum patrum meorum: qui licet Monarchiam
totius Angliæ adepti sunt a tempore Athelstani (qui primus regnum Anglorum,
& omnes Nationes, quæ Britanniam incolunt, sibi Armis subegit) nullus tamen
eorum vltra eius fines imperium suum dilatare aggressus est. Mihi autem
concessit propitia Diuinitas, cum Anglorum Imperio, omnia regna Insularum
Oceani, cùm suis ferocissimis Regibus, vsque Noruegiam, maximámque partem
Hyberniæ, cùm sua nobilissima Ciuitate Dublinia, Anglorum regno subiugare:
Duos etiam omnes, meis Imperijs colla subdere (Dei laudente gratia) coegi.
Quaproptcr & ego Christi gloriam, & laudem exaltare, & eius seruitium
amplificare deuotus disposui, & per meos fideles Fautores, Dunstanum, viz.
Archiepiscopum, Athelwoldum, & Oswaldum episcopos (quos mihi patres
spirituales, & Consiliatores elegi) magna er parte, secundum quod disposui,
effeci, &c. [Footnote: _Translation_ "By the wide-extending Grace of the
mighty God of Thunders, who is king of kings, I, Edgar, king of Angles and
of all Kingdoms, and Islands, and of the Ocean lying around Britain,
Emperor and Lord of all the nations therein contained, return thanks to
that same, all-powerful God, my king, who has thus extended my Empire and
exalted me above the state of my forefathers, who, although they held sway
ouer all England from the days of Athelstan (who first conquered the
kingdom of the Angles and all the nations which inhabit Britain) yet none
attempted to extend his empire beyond the frontiers of Athetstan's kingdom.
Favouring Providence, however, has permitted me, together with the throne
of England, to add thereto all the kingdoms of the Islands of the Ocean,
with their warlike kings, as far as Norway, and the greater part of
Ireland, with its very powerful city of Dublin, all of whom, by the help of
God, I have compelled, to bow the neck to my power. Wherefore I desire to
exalt the glory and praise of Christ, and increase His worship, and by my
faithful counsellors, viz., Dunstan the Archbishop and Athelwold and
Oswald, bishops (whom I have chosen to be my spiritual Fathers and
Aduisers), I have in a great measure performed what I intended etc."]

And againe this in another Monument. [Footnote: Fundatio Ecclesiæ
Cathedralis Eliensis.]

Omnipotentis Dei, &c. Ipsius nutu & gratia suffultus, Ego Ædgarus Basileus
dilectæ Insulæ Albionis, subditis nobis sceptris Scotorum, Cumbrorum, ac
Brytonum, & omnium circumcirca Regionum, quieta pace perfruens, studiosus
sollicitè de laudibus creatoris omnium occupo addendis. Ne nunc inertia,
nostrísque diebus (plus æquo) seruitus eius tepescere videatur, &c. 18. mei
terreni Imperij anno, &c. Anno Incarnationis Dominicæ, 973.

Ego Ædgarus totius Albionis Basileus hoc priuilegium (tanta roboratum
authontate) crucis.

Thaumate confirmaui. [Footnote: _Translation_ "In the name of Almighty God,
etc. Strengthened by the favour and grace of God, I, Edgar, king of the
favoured Isle of Albion having made subject to us the kingdoms of the
Scots, the Cumbrians, the Britons, and all regions around, in the enjoyment
of quiet peace, being anxious, to increase the praise of the Creator of all
things, in order that lukewarmness may not appear to render His worship
less earnest in these our days, etc., in the 18th year of my earthly reign,
and the year of the Holy Incarnation 973. etc., I, Edgar, king of all
Albion, haue confirmed that privilege, etc."]

So that by all these rehearsed Records, it is most euident that the
peaceable king Edgar, was one of those Monarchs, in whose handes (if life
had suffised) the incredible value and priuiledge granted by God and nature
vnto this British monarchie might haue bene peaceably purchased in such
sort, as the very blessing and fauour of the diuine Trinitie hath laid
meanes for our industrie to attaine to, and enioye the same by.

And though sundry other valiant princes and kings of this land I could
recite, which in times past haue either by intent gone about or by wise and
valiant exploit, haue meetely well prospered towards this Islandish
appropriate supremacie attaining, yet neuer any other reasonable meanes was
vsed, or by humane wit, or industrie can be contriued, to al purposes
sufficient, but only by our sea forces preuailing, and so by our inuincible
enioying al within the sea limites of our British royaltie contained.

To which incredible political mysterie attaining, no easier, readier or
perfecter plat and introduction, is (as yet) come to my imagination then is
the present and continuall seruice of threescore good and tall warlike
ships, with twentie smaller barkes, and those 80. ships (great and smal)
with 6660. apt men furnished, and all singularly well appointed for seruice
both on sea and land, faithfully and diligently to be done in such
circumspect and discreet order as partly I haue in other places declared,
and further (vpon good occasion offered) may declare.

This grand name of peaceable King Edgar, of so many thousand ships, and
they furnished with an hundred thousand men at the least, with all the
finall intents of those sea forces, so inuincible, continually maintained,
the order of the execution of their seruice, the godly and Imperial
successe thereof, are in a maner kingly lessons and prophetical
incouragements to vs left, euen now to bee as prouident for publique
securitie as he was, to be as skilful of our sea right and royal limits,
and wisely to finde our selues as able to recouer and enioy the same as he
was, who could not chuse, but with the passing and yeerely sayling about
this British Albion, with all the lesser Isles next adiacent round about
it, he could not chuse I say, but by such ful and peaceable possession,
find himselfe (according to right, and his hearts desire) the true and
soueraigne Monarch of all the British Ocean, enuironing any way his empire
of Albion and Ireland, with the lesser Islands next adiacent: with memorial
whereof, as with one very precious iewel Imperial, hee adorned the title
and crowne of his regalitie, as with the testimonie annexed of the states
and nobles of his Empire, to commit to perpetuall memorie, the stile of his
chiefe worldly dignitie, in this very tenor of words before also remembred.

[Sidenote: Note the Queenes Maiesties royaltie ouer the British Ocean sea,
round about the British Empire.] Ego Ædgarus Anglorum Basileus, omniúmque
Regum, Insularum, Oceanique Britanniam circumiacentis, cunctarúmque
nationum, quæ infra eam includuntur, Imperator, & Dominus.

       *       *       *       *       *

The voyage of Edmund and Edward the sonnes of King Edmund Ironside into
  Hungarie, Anno D. 1017. Recorded by Florentius Wigorniensis pag. 391.

[Sidenote: An. Dom. 1017.] Dedit consilium Edricus Canuto regi, vt
clitunculos Eadwardum & Eadmundum regis Eadmundi filios necaret. Sed quia
magnum dedecus sibi videbatur, vt in Anglia perimerentur, paruo elapso
tempore, ad regem Suauorum occidendos misit. Qui, licèt foedus esset inter
eos, precibus illius nullatenùs voluit acquiescere, sed illos ad regem
Hungarorum Salomonem nomine misit nutriendos vitæque reseruandos. Quorum
vnus scilicet Eadmundus processu temporis ibidem vitam finiuit. Eadwardus
verò Agatham filiam Germani Imperatoris Henrici in matrimonium accepit, ex
qua Margaretam Scotorum reginam, & Christinam Sanctimonialem, & Clitonem
Eadgarum suscepit. [Footnote: "Pus par le conseil le duc Edric aveit il en
pense de aver tue les fiz le re Edmund; cest a dire, Eduuard e Edmun. Mes
pur ceo ke il fust avis ke ceo eust este grant honte ali, si il les eust
fet tuer en Engleterre, e pur ceo ke il se duta ausi ke se il demorassent
en Engleterre ke il pensent en prendre contre lui, il les envea al rei de
Sueue, e ly manda ke il les meist ala mort: ki ne, voleit unkes fere sa
priere mes les envea a Salomon le rei de Hungrie pur nurir. E tant com il
furunt la, Edmund morust tost, e Eduuard prist a femme Agathe la filie le
emperour Henri, de la quele il engendra Margarete, ki pus fust reyne de
Escoce, e Edgar" (_Le Liuere de reis de Engleterre_, MS in Trinity College,
Cambridge.)]

The same in English

Edric counselled king Kanutus to murther the young princes Edward and
Edmund the sonnes of King Edmund. But because it seemed a thing very
dishonourable vnto him to haue them put to death in England, hee sent them,
after a short space, vnto the king of Sweden to be slaine. Who, albeit
there was a league betweene them, would in no case condescend vnto Canutus
his bloody request, but sent them vnto Salomon [Footnote: An error for
_Stephen_ the Holy, who married the sister of Henry II William of
Malmesbory makes Agatha the niece of Henry and daughter of Stephen.] the
king of Hungarie to be nourished and preserued aliue. The one whereof
namely Edmund in processe of time there deceased. But Edward receiued to
wife Agatha daughter vnto the Germane Emperour Henry of whom he begot
Margaret the Queene of the Seots, and Christina a Nunne, and Clito Edgar.
[Footnote: Edgar Atheling]

       *       *       *       *       *

Chronicle of the Kings of Man, taken out of M. Camdens Chorographie.

In the yeere of our Lord 1066, Edward King of England, of famous memory
deceased, whom Harald sonne of Godwin succeeded in his kingdome, against
which Harald the king of Norwaie called Harald Harfager fought a battel at
Stamford bridge, where the English winning the fielde put all the
Norwegians to flight: [Footnote: "Memes cel an Harald le rey de Norweye,
frere Seint Olaf, ariva al flum de Tine a Nof Chastel ou plus de Ve granz
neofs, a ki le connte Tostin, le frere le rey Harald de Engletere, vint ou
sa nauie, si com il aveient fet covenant en semble, e vindrunt sus a
Richale (_Richmond_) e destrurent tut le pais de Euerwyk (_York_) E Kant
ceo out oy Harald, le rei de Engletere, tant tost se mist conntre eus ou
son ost en vn liu ki hom apele Stamfordbrigge e la twa il le rey de Norweye
e Tostin son frere de meine, e grant partie del ost. Mes IX. de ses
chivalers pus le lesserent, pur ceo ke il ne les voleit ren doner de la
preye ki il prist des Norreis." (_Le Liuere de reis de Engleterre_ MS in
Trinity College, Cambridge.)] out of which flight one Godredus surnamed
Crouan (the sonne of Harald the blacke, who had before time fled out of
Island) repaired vnto Godred sonne of Syrric who then reigned in Man and
was right friendly and honourably enterteined by him.

[Sidenote: Fingal.] In the very same yeere William the Conquerour subdued
England and Godred the sonne of Syrric, king of Man, deceased, after whom
succeeded his sonne Fingal.

In the yeere 1066. Godredus Crouan gathered a fleete of ships, and sailed
vnto Man, and giuing battell vnto the people of the countrey, was
vanquished and put to flight. The second time also hauing gathered his
armie and ships together, hee came vnto Man, fought with the inhabitants,
lost the victorie, and was chaced away. Yea, the third time [Footnote: in
1077] he assembled a great multitude, and comming by night vnto the port
which is called Ramsa, [Footnote: Ramsay] hid 300. of his men in a wood
standing vpon the side of the hill called Scacafel. The Sunne was no sooner
vp, but the Mannians arranged themselues and with great furie set vpon
Godred. And in the midst of the skirmish, the foresaid 300. men rising out
of their ambush, and comming vpon the backes of the Mannians, molested them
so sore, that they were enforced to flie. But when they saw that they were
ouercome and had no place of refuge to retire vnto (for the tide of the sea
had filled the chanel of the riuer of Ramsa [Footnote: The riuer Colby])
and seeing the enemie so fiercely pursuing them on the other side, they
which remained, with lamentable outcries beseeched Godred to spare their
liues. Then hee being mooued with compassion, and pitying their extreme
calamitie, because hee had bene of late sustained and nourished among them,
sounded a retreat and forbad his souldiers to make any longer pursuit. The
day following Godred put his souldiers to their choice, whether they would
diuide Man among themselues and inhabite it, or whether they would take the
wealth of the countrey, and so returne vnto their owne home. Howbeit, it
pleased them better to waste the whole Island and to enrich themselues with
the commodities thereof, and so to returne from whence they came. Nowe
Godred himselfe with a fewe Islanders which had remained with him, tooke
possession of the South part of the Island, and vnto the remnant of the
Mannians he granted the North part thereof, vpon condition, that none of
them should at any time afterward dare once to chalenge any parcell of the
said ground by title of inheritance. Whereupon it commeth to passe, that
vnto this day the whole Island is the kings owne Fee-simple, and that all
the reuenues thereof pertaine vnto him. [Sidenote: Boats hauing not past
three yron nailes in them] Also Godredus subdued Dublin vnto himselfe & a
great part of Lainestir. And he so tamed the Scots, that none of them durst
build a ship or a boate, with aboue three yron nailes in it. Hee reigned
16. yeeres and died in the Island called Yle. [Footnote: Yell, a northern
island of the Shetland group, seventeen miles by seven.] He left behinde
him three sonnes, Lagman, Harald, and Olauus. Lagman being the eldest
chalenged the kingdome and reigned seuen yeeres. Howbeit Harald his brother
rebelled against him a long time, but being at length taken by Lagman, hee
was gelt and had his eyes put out. Afterward Lagman repenting him that he
had put out the eyes of his brother, did of his owne accord relinquish his
kingdome, and taking vpon him the badge of the crosse, he went on
pilgrimage to Ierusalem, in which iourney also he died.

In the yeere 1075. all the principall men of the Islands hauing
intelligence of the death of Lagman, sent messengers vnto Murccardus
O-Brien King of Irland, requesting him that hee would send some
wel-disposed person of his owne kinred and blood royall, vntill Olauus
sonne of Godred were come to full age. The king most willingly condescended
vnto their request, and sent vnto them one Dopnald the sonne of Tade,
charging and commaunding him that with all meekenesse and modestie, hee
should gouerne that kingdome, which of right belonged not vnto him. Howbeit
he, after he had once attained vnto the kingdome, neglecting the
commaundement of his lord, vsurped the gouernment with great tyrannie,
committing many heinous crimes, and so he reigned very disorderly for the
space of three yeeres. Then all the princes of the Islands making a
generall conspiracie, banded themselues against him, and expelled him out
of their dominions. And he flying into Irland returned no more vnto them.

In the yeere 1077. one Ingemundus was sent from the king of Norway, to take
possession of the kingdome of the Islands. And being come vnto the Island
of Leodus, [Footnote: Lewis.] he sent messengers vnto all the princes of
the Islands to come vnto him, commaunding them to assemble themselues, and
to appoint him to be their King. In the meane season he and his companions
spent their time in robbing and rioting, rauished women and virgines, and
addicted themselues to filthy pleasures and to the lustes of the flesh. And
when these things, were reported vnto the princes of the Islands, who had
assembled themselues to chuse him king, being mightely incensed thereat,
they made haste towards him, and comming vpon him in the night they burnt
the house wherein hee was and slue both him and the rest of his company,
partly with sword and partly with fire.

In the yeere 1008. the abbey of S. Manes at Cistertrum was founded. In the
same yeere also Antiochri was taken by the Chnstians and a Comet appeared.

Moreouer the same yeere there was a battel fought betweene the inhabitants
of Man at Santwat [Footnote: In the parish of Jurby.] and they of the North
obtained the victory. In which battell were slaine Earle Othor and
Mac-Maras chieftaines of both parts.

The same yeere Magnus king of Norway, sonne of Olauus, sonne of Harald
Harfagre, being desirous to view the corpse of S. Olauus king and Martyr,
gaue commaundment that his monument should be opened. But the Bishop and
the Clergie withstanding this his attempt, the king went very boldly and by
his kingly authoritie caused the cophin to be opened. And when hee had
scene with his eyes and handled with his hands the incorrupt body of the
foresaid King and Martyr, a sudden feare came vpon him and he departed with
great haste. The night following Olauus king and Martyr appeared vnto him
in a vision saying: Chuse (I say) vnto your selfe one of these two, either
within 30. dayes to lose your life with your kingdome, or else to depart
from Norway and neuer to see it againe. The King so soone as he was awaked
out of sleepe, called his princes and Senatours, and expounded the
foresaide vision vnto them. And they also being astonished thereat gaue him
this counsell, that with all speed he should depart out of Norway. Then he
without any further delay caused a Nauie of 160. ships to be prouided, and
so sailed vnto the Islands of Orkney, which hee presently subdued, and
passing along through all the Islands and conquering them at length he came
vnto the Isle of Man, where he was no sooner arriued, but hee went vnto the
Isle of S. Patric to see the place of battell, where the inhabitants of Man
had of late fought, because many of the dead bodies were as yet vnburied.
And seeing that it was a most beautifull Island, it pleased him exceeding
well, and therefore hee made choice to inhabite therein his owne selfe, and
built forts there which are at this day called by his owne name. He had the
people of Galway in such awe that he constrained them to cut downe their
owne timber, and to bring it vnto his shore for the building of his fortes.
Hee sailed on further vnto the Isle of Anglesey neere vnto Wales, and
finding two harles therein (either of them being called by the name of
Hugo) be slue the one, and the other hee put to flight, and so subdued the
Island. But the Welshmen presented many gifts vnto him, and so bidding them
farewell he returned vnto Man. Vnto Murecard king of Irland he sent his
shooes, commaunding him that he should cary them on his shoulders, vpon the
birth-day of our Lord through the midst of his Palace, in the sight of his
Embassadours, that thereby it might appeare vnto them that he was subiect
vnto king Magnus. Which when the Irishmen heard, they toke it grieuously
and disdeined much thereat. But the King being better aduised, I had rather
(said he) not onely beare his shooes, but eate his shooes, then that king
Magnus should destroy any one prouince in Irland. Wherefore he fulfilled
his commaundement, and honourably enterteined his Embassadours. Many giftes
also he sent vnto king Magnus by them, and concluded a league. But the
messengers returning vnto their lord, tolde him of the situation of Irland,
of the beautie thereof, of the fruitfulnesse of the soile, and of the
holesomnesse of the aire. Magnus hearing these things was fully resolued to
conquer all Irland vnto himselfe. And for the same purpose he commaunded
that a Fleet should be made ready. But he taking his voyage with sixteene
ships, & being desirous to view the land, when he had vndiscreetly departed
from his Nauie, he was suddenly inuironed by the Irish, and was himselfe
slaine, together with all that were with him almost. Hee was interred neere
vnto the Church of S. Patric in Armagh. Hee reigned sixe yeeres. After his
death the Princes of the Islands sent for Olauus the sonne of Godredus
Crouan, who liued in the Court of Henry King of England son vnto William
the Conquerour.

In the yeere 1102. Olauus sonne of Godredus Crouan beganne his reigne and
reigned fourtie yeeres. He was a peaceable man being in league with all the
Kings of Scotland and Irland in his time. He took to wife Affrica the
daughter of Fergusius of Galway, of whom he begat Godredus. Of his
concubines he begat Regnaldus, Lagmannus, and Haraldus, and many daughters,
whereof one married vnto Sumerledus king of Herergaidel, [Footnote:
Argyll.] which afterward occasioned the ouerthrow of the whole kingdome of
the Islands. He begat foure sonnes by her, namely Dulgallus, Raignaldus,
Engus and Olauus.

In the yeere 1134. Olaaus gaue vnto Yuo the Abbat of Furnes a portion of
his owne ground in Man to build an Abbey in the place which is called
Russin. [Footnote: Rushen] Also hee inriched with reuenues and indued with
priuiledges al places of religion within his islands.

In the yere 1142. Godredus the son of Olauus sailed vnto the K. of Norway
called Hinge, and doing his homage vnto him he remained with him, & was by
him honorably enterteined. The same vere the 3. sonnes of Harald brother
vnto Olauus, who were brought vp at the citie of Dublin, gathering together
a great multitude of people, and all the fugitiues and vagabonds of the
kingdome resorted vnto Man, and demaunded of the said king the one halfe of
al the kingdome of the Islands. Which thing when the king heard, being
desirous to pacifie them, he answered that he would consult about that
matter. And a day and place being appointed, where the consultation should
bee kept, in the meane time those miscreants conspired together, about the
murthering of the King. And when the day appointed was come, both companies
assembled themselues vnto the hauen towne called Ramsa, and they sate in
order, the king with his nobilitie on the one side, and they with their
confederates on the other side. Howbeit Regnaldus who had an intention to
slay the king, stoode a-side in the midst of the house talking with one of
the Princes of the lande. And being called to come vnto the king he turned
himselfe about as if hee would haue saluted him, and lifting vp his
glittering axe, he chopt the kings head quite off at a blow. [Sidenote:
1143.] Nowe hauing committed this outragious villanie, within a short space
they diuided the Island betweene themselues, and gathering an armie
together sailed vnto Galway, intending to subdue that also, howbeit the
people of Galway assembled themselues, and with great furie encountred with
them. Then they immediately turning their backs with great confusion fled
vnto Man. And as touching all the Galwedians which inhabited in the said
Island, some of them they slue, and the residue they banished.

In the yeere 1143. Godredus sonne of Olauus returning out of Norway was
created king of Man, who in reuenge of his fathers death, put out the eyes
of two of Haralds sonnes and slue the thirde.

In the yeere 1144. Godredus began his reigne, and hee reigned thirtie
yeeres. In the thirde yeere of his reigne the citizens of Dublin sent for
him and created him king of Dublin, against whom Murecardus king of Irland
made warre, and encamping himselfe at the citie called Coridelis, he sent
his brother Osibel with 3000. horsemen vnto Dublin, who was slaine by
Godred and the Dubliners, the rest of his company being put to flight.
These things being thus finished, Godredus returned vnto Man, and began to
exercise tyrannie, disinheriting certaine of his nobles, of whome one
called Thorfinus the sonne of Oter, being mightier then the rest, went vnto
Sumerledus, and named Dubgal the sonne of Sumerledus, king of the Islands,
and subdued many of the said Islands on his behalfe. Whereof when Godred
had intelligence by one Paulus, prouiding a Nauie, hee went to meete
Sumerledus comming against him with 80. ships: [Sidenote: 1156.] and in the
yeere 1156. vpon the night of the feast of Epiphanie, there was a
Sea-battell fought, and many being slaine on both parts, the day folowing
they were pacified, and diuided the kingdome of the Islands among
themselues, and it continued two kingdomes from that day vnto this present
time. And this was the cause of the ruine of the monarchie of the Islands,
from which time the sonnes of Sumerled inioyed the one halfe thereof.

In the yeere 1158. Sumerled came vnto Man with 53. ships, putting Godred to
flight and wasting the Island: and Godred sailed vnto Norway to seeke for
aide against Sumerled. In the yere 1164. Sumerled gathered a fleete of 160.
ships together; and arriued at Rhinfrin, [Footnote: Renfrew] intending to
subdue all Scotland vnto himselfe: howbeit, by Gods iust iudgement being
ouercome by a few, together with his sonne, and an innumerable multitude of
people, he was slaine. The very same yere there was a battel fought at
Ramsa, betweene Reginald the brother of Godred, and the inhabitants of Man,
but by the stratageme of a certaine Earle the Mannians were put to flight.
Then began Reginald to vsurpe the kingly authoritie. Howbeit his brother
Godred, within foure dayes after comming out of Norway with a great power
of armed men, apprehended his brother Reginald, gelt him, and put out his
eyes. The same yeere deceased Malcolme the king of Scots and his brother
William succeeded in the kmgdome.

In the yeere 1166. two Comets appeared in the moneth of August before the
rising of the Sunne, one to the South and another to the North.

In the yeere 1171. Richard earle of Penbroke sailed into Irland, and
subdued Dublin with a great part of Irland.

In the yere 1176. Iohn Curcy conquered Vlster vnto himselfe. And at the
same time also Viuianus legate from the sea of Rome came into Man, & caused
king Godred to bee lawfully wedded vnto his wife Phingola, daughter of
Maclotlen son of Murkartac king of Irland, mother of Olauus, who was then
3. yeeres old. Siluanus the abbat married them, vnto whom the very same
day, king Godred gaue a portion of ground in Mirescoge, where he built a
Monastery: howbeit, in processe of time, the said land with the monkes, was
granted vnto the abbey of Russin.

In the yere 1172. Reginaldus the son of Eacmarcat (a man descended of the
blood royal) comming into Man with a great multitude of people, in the
absence of the king, at the first conflict hee put to flight certaine
watchmen which kept the shoare, & slue about 30. persons. Whereupon the
very same day the Mannians arranging themselues put him, & almost almost al
his folowers to the sword.

In the yere 1183. O-Fogolt was vicount of Man.

In the yere 1185. the Sunne was ecclipsed vpon the feast of S. Philip and
Iacob.

In the yere 1187. deceased Godred king of the Islands, vpon the 4. of the
Ides of Nouember, and the next sommer his body was translated vnto the
island of Hy. He left 3. sonnes behinde him Reginaldus Olauus, and Yuarus.
In his life time he ordeined his sonne Olauus to be his heire apparant
because he onely was borne legitimate. But the Mannians, when Olauus was
scarce ten yeeres olde, sent vnto the islands for Reginald and created him
king.

In the yeere 1187. began Reginald the sonne of Godred to reigne ouer the
islands: and Murchardus a man of great power throughout all the kingdome of
the islands was put to death.

In the yere 1192. there was a battel fought betweene Reginald and Engus the
two sonnes of Sumerled: but Engus obtained the victory. The same yere was
the abbey of Russin remooued vnto Dufglas, [Footnote: Douglas] howbeit
within foure yeeres after the monkes returned vnto Russin.

In the yere 1203. Michæl bishop of the islands deceased at Fontanas, and
Nicholas succeeded in his roome.

In the yere 1204. Hugo de Lacy inuaded Vlster with an armie and encountered
with Iohn de Curcy, tooke him prisoner & subdued Vlster vnto himselfe.
Afterward he permitted the said Iohn to goe at libertie, who comming vnto
king Reginald was honourably enterteined by him, because he was his sonne
in lawe, for Iohn de Curcy had taken to wife Affrica the daughter of
Godredus, which founded the abbey of _S. Mary de iugo domini_, and was
there buried.

In the yeere 1205. Iohn de Curcy & Reginald king of the islands inuading
Vlster with a hundreth ships at the port which is called Stranfeord did
negligently besiege the castle of Rath: but Walter de Lacy comming vpon
them with his armie, put them to flight, & from that time Curcy neuer
recouered his land. In the yeere 1210. Engus the son of Sumerled & his 3.
sonnes were slaine.

[Sidenote: King Iohn passed into Irland with 500. sailes] At the same time
Iohn king of England conducted a fleet of 500. ships into Irland, and
subdued it vnto himselfe and sending a certaine earle named Fulco, vnto the
isle of Man, his souldiours almost vtterly wasted it the space of 15.
dayes, and hauing taken pledges they returned home into their owne
countrey. King Reginald and his nobles were at this time absent from Man.

In the yere 1217. deceased Nicolas bishop of the islands, and was buried in
Vlster, in the house of Benchor, whom Reginald succeeded.


I thinke it not amisse to report somewhat more concerning the two foresaid
brethren Reginaldus and Olauus.

Reginald gaue vnto his brother Olauus, the island called Lodhus or Lewes,
which is saide to be larger then the rest of the islands, but almost
destitute of inhabitants, because it is so ful of mountaines & quarreis,
being almost no where fit for tillage. Howbeit the inhabitants thereof do
liue for the most part vpon hunting and fishing. Olauus therefore went to
take possession of this Island, and dwelt therein leading a poore life; and
when he saw that it would by no meanes suffice for the sustentation of
himselfe & his folowers hee went boldly vnto his brother Reginald, who as
then remained in the islands, & spake on this wise vnto him. My brother
(said he) and my lord and king you know that the kingdom of the islands
pertained vnto me by right of inheritance, howbett because the Lord had
chosen you to beare the scepter, I doe not enuie that honour vnto you,
neither doeth it any whit grieue me that you are exalted vnto this royall
dignitie. Nowe therefore I beseech you to prouide mee some portion of land
in the islands, whereby I may honestly liue. For the island of Lewis which
you gaue me is not sufficient for my maintenance. Which his brother
Reginald hearing said that he would consult about the premisses. And on the
morow when Olauus was sent for to parle, Reginald comanded him to be
attached, and to be caried vnto William king of Scotland and with him to
remame prisoner: and Olauus remained in prison almost for the space of 7.
yeres. But at the 7. yeres end William king of Scots deceased, and
Alexander his sonne reigned in his stead. The foresaid William, before his
death, commanded that all prisoners should be set at libertie. Olauus
therefore being at libertie came vnto Man, and immediatly with a great
company of nobles tooke his iourney vnto S. Iames: and his brother Reginald
caused the said Olauus to take vnto wife, the daughter of a certaine noble
man of Kentyre, cousine german vnto his owne wife, & by name being called
Lauon, and he granted vnto him the possession of Lewis. After a few dayes
Reginald the bishop of the Islands hauing gathered a Synod, separated
Olauus and Godred his sonne, and Lauon his wife, namely because shee was
cousin german vnto his former wife. Afterward Olauus maried Scristina
daughter vnto Ferkarus earle of Rosse.

Hereupon the wife of Reginald Queene of the Islands being incensed, sent
letters vnto the Island of Sky in K. Reginald his name to her sonne Godred
willing him to take Olauus. Which comandement Godred putting in practise, &
entring the isle of Lewis for the same purpose, Olauus fled in a little
skiffe vnto his father in law the earle of Rosse, & in the meane time
Godred wasted the isle of Lewis. At the very same time Pol the son of Boke
vicount of Sky, being a man of power in al the islands, because he would
not consent vnto Godred, fled, & dwelt together with Olauus in the
dominions of the earle of Rosse, & making a league with Olauus, they went
both in a ship vnto Sky. To be short, sending certaine spies, they were
informed that Godred remained secure with a smal company in a certaine Isle
called the isle of S. Colomba. [Footnote: Iona.] And vniting vnto
themselues their friends and acquaintance, & others that would goe
voluntarily with them, in the dead of the night, hauing lanched 5. ships
from the next sea-shore, which was distant about the space of 2. furlongs
from the foresaid Island, they enuironed the said Island on all sides. Now
Godred and his company rising early in the morning, and seeing themselues
beset with their enemies on all sides, they were vtterly astonied. Howbeit
arming themselues they began stoutly to make resistance, but altogether in
vaine. For about 9. of the clocke in the morning, Olauus and the foresaid
vicount Pol, with al their souldiers, entred the Island, and hauing slaine
all whom they found without the precincts of the Church, they apprehended
Godred, gelding him, and putting out his eyes. Vnto which action Olauus
gaue not his consent, neither could he withstand it, by reason of the
forenamed vicount the son of Boke. This was done in the yere of Christ
1223. The next sommer folowing Olauus hauing receiued pledges from all the
chiefe men of the Islands, with a fleet of 32 ships sailed vnto Man, and
arriued at Rognolfwaht. [Footnote: Peel.] [Sidenote: The Isle of Man
aduanced to a kingdome] At the same time Reginald and Olauus diuided the
kingdome of the Islands betweene themselues, Man being granted vnto
Reginald, & besides his portion the name of a king also. Olauus hauing
recieued certaine victuals of the people of Man, returned, together with
his company, vnto his owne portion of Islands. The yeere folowing Reginald
taking vnto him Alanus lord of Galway, together with his subiects of Man,
sailed vnto the Islands, that hee might take away that portion of ground
from his brother Olauus, which he had granted vnto him, and subdue it vnto
himselfe. Howbeit, by reason that the people of Man had no list to fight
against Olauus or the Islanders, because they bare good will towards them,
Reginald and Alanus lord of Galway being defeated of their purpose,
returned home vnto their owne. Within a short space after Reginald, vnder
pretense of going vnto the Court of his lord the king of England, receiued
an 100. markes of the people of Man, and tooke his iourney vnto Alanus lord
of Galway. Which the people of Man hearing tooke great indignation thereat,
insomuch that they sent for Olauus, and appointed him to be their king.

In the yeere 1226. Olauus recouered his inheritance, that is to say the
kingdome of Man and of the Islands, which Reginald his brother had gouerned
for the space of 38. yeeres, and he reigned two yeeres in safetie.

In the yeere 1228. Olauus with all his nobles of Man, and the stronger part
of his people, sailed vnto the Islands. A short space after Alanus lord of
Galway, Thomas earle of Athol, & king Reginald came vnto Man with a mightie
army, and wasted all the South part of Man, spoiled the Churches, and slue
all the men whom they coulde take, insomuch, that the Southpart of the
saide Island was brought almost into desolation. And then Alanus returned
with his army into his owne land, leauing behind him bailiffes and
substitutes in Man, which should gather vp and render vnto him the tribute
of the countrey. Howbeit king Olauus came suddenly vpon them, chaced them
away and recouered his kingdome. And the Mannians which of late were
dispersed and scattered abroad, began to vnite themselues, and to inhabite
without feare. The same yeere, in the time of Winter, vpon the sudden, and
in the very dead of the night came king Reginald out of Galway with fiue
ships, & burnt all the ships of his brother Olauus and of the nobles of
Man, at the isle of S. Patric, & concluding a peace with his brother,
remained at the port of Ragnolwath 40. dayes; in the meane while hee
allured vnto himselfe all the Islanders vpon the South part of Man, who
sware, that they would aduenture their liues, vntill hee had gotten the one
halfe of his kingdome: contrary wise Olauus ioyned vnto himselfe them of
the North part, & vpon the 14. of February in the place called Tingualla,
[Footnote: Tynwald Mount.] a field was fought betweene the two brothers,
wherein Olauus got the victory, and Reginald the king was by certaine
souldiers slaine without the knowledge of his brother. Also certaine
pirates comming to the South part of Man, wasted & spoiled it. The monkes
of Russin conueyed the body of K. Reginald, vnto the abbey of S. Mary of
Fournes, & there he was interred in the place, which his owne selfe had
chosen for the purpose. After these things Olauus traueiled vnto the king
of Norway, but before he was arriued there, Haco king of Norway appointed a
certaine noble man named Husbac the son of Owmund to be king of the Islands
of the Hebrides & called his name Haco. Then came the said Haco with Olauus
& Godred Don the son of Reginald and a multitude of Noruegians, vnto the
Islands, and while they were giuing an assault vnto a castle in the Island
of Both. [Footnote: Bute.] Haco being hit with a stone died, and was buried
in Iona.

In the yere 1230. came Olauus with Godredus Don and certeine Noruegians
vnto Man, and they parted the kingdome among themselues, Olauus stil
reteining Man. Godred as he was going vnto the Islands, was slaine in the
Isle of Lewis, & Olauus inioyed the kingdome of the islands also.

In the yere 1237. vpon the 12. of the kalends of Iune, Olauus sonne of
Godred king of Man deceased in the isle of S. Patric, and was interred in
the abbey of Russin. He reigned 11. yeres, two while his brother was aliue,
and nine after his death.

Haraldus his sonne being of the age of 14. yeres, succeeded, and he reigned
12. yeeres. The first yere of his reigne taking his iourney vnto the
islands, he appointed one Loglen his kinsman to be his deputie in Man. The
Autumne folowing Haraldus sent the three sonnes of Nel, namely Dufgaldus,
Torquellus, & Molmore, and his friend Ioseph vnto Man, that they might
enter into cosultation together. Wherefore the 25. day they assembled
themselues at Tingualla: and malice growing betweene the sonnes of Nel, and
Loglen they fel to blowes and skirmished sore on both parts, Molmore,
Dufgald, and the foresaid Ioseph being all slaine in the fray. The Spring
folowing, king Harald came into the Isle of Man, and Loglen fleeing into
Wales, was himselfe, together with Godred the sonne of Olauus his pupil,
and 40. others, drowned by shipwracke.

In the yere 1238. Gospatricius and Gillescrist sonne of Mac-Kerthac came
from the king of Norway vnto Man, expelling Harald out of the said island,
and taking tribute on the behalfe of the Noruegian king, because the said
Harald refused to come vnto his Court.

In the yere 1240. Gospatricius deceased and was buried in the abbey of
Russin.

In the yere 1239. Haraldus went vnto the king of Norway who within two
yeres confirmed vnto him, his heires and successors, vnder seale, all the
islands which his predecessors enioyed.

In the yeere 1242. Haraldus returned out of Norway vnto Man and being
honorably receiued by the inhabitants he liued in peace with the kings of
England and Scotland.

In the yere 1247. Haraldus (like as his father also before him) was
knighted by the king of England, and so being rewarded with many gifts he
returned home. The same yere he was sent for by the king of Norway, and he
maried his daughter. And in the yere 1249. as he was returning home with
his wife, with Laurence the elect of Man, and with many other nobles, neere
vnto the confines of Radland, he was drowned in a tempest.

In the yere 1249. Reginald the sonne of Olauus and brother vnto Harald
began to reigne the day next before the nones of May: and vpon the 30. day
of the same moneth he was slaine by Yuarus a souldier, and other of his
complices in the South part of a certaine medow neere vnto the Church of
the holy Trinitie, and he was buried at the Church of S. Marie at Russin.

The same yere Alexander king of Scots prouided a great nauie of ships that
he might conquere the islands vnto himselfe, howbeit falling into an ague
at the isle of Kenwary [Footnote: Query, Kerrera.] he deceased.

Then Haraldus the sonne of Godred Don vsurped the name of a king ouer the
islands, hee banished also all the princes of Harald the sonne of Olauus
and ordeined his fugitiues to bee princes and nobles in their stead.

In the yere 1250. Haraldus the son of Godred Don being summoned by letters
went vnto the king of Norway who deteined him in prison because he had
vniustly possessed the kingdome. The same yeere Magnus the sonne of Olauus,
and Iohn the sonne of Dugalt arriued at Roghalwhat, which Iohn named
himselfe king, but the Mannians taking it grieuously, that Magnus was not
nominated, draue them from their shoare, and many of the company perished
by shipwracke.

In the yeere 1252. came Magnus the sonne of Olauus vnto Man, and was
ordained king. The yere folowing he tooke his iourney vnto the king of
Norway & there he remained one whole yere.

In the yeere 1254. Haco king of Norway ordeined Magnus the sonne of Olauus
king of the islands, confirming them to him and to his heires, and by name
vnto Harald his brother.

In the yere 1256. Magnus tooke his iourney into England, and was by the
king of England created knight.

In the yere 1257. the Church of S. Maries of Russin was dedicated by
Richard bishop of Soder.

In the yeere 1260. Haco king of Norway came into the parts of Scotland, and
without atchieuing ought, turning his course towards the Orcades he there
deceased at Kirwas, [Footnote: Kirkwall. The date is an error Hacos
expedition took place in 1263. He sailed from Herdle-Voer on the 5th of
July, and died Saturday, 15th December (_Det Norske Folks Historie_, by P.
A. Munch.)] and was buried at Bergen.

In the yeere 1265. Magnus the sonne of Olauus king of Man and of the
Islands died at the castle of Russin, and was buried at the Church of St.
Mary at Russin.

In the yere 1266. the kingdome of the Islands was translated vnto Alexander
king of Scots.

       *       *       *       *       *

That which followeth was written in a new character or letter, and of a
diuers kinde from the former.

In the yeere 1270. vpon the seuenth day of October the Fleete of Alexander
king of Scots arriued at Roghalwath, and the next day before the sunne
rising there was a battell fought betweene the Mannians and the Scots, in
the which conflict there were slaine 535. Mannians: whereupon a certaine
versifier writeth to this effect:

    Fiue hundreth fourtie men are slaine:
      against ill haps,
    Yee Mannians arme your selues, for feare
      of afterclaps.

In the yeere 1313. Robert king of Scots beseiged the castle of Russin,
which Dingaway Dowil held against him howbeit at the last the king tooke
the castle.

In the yeere 1316. vpon the feast of Ascension, Richard le Mandeuile and
his brethren, with diuers great personages of Irland arriued at Ramaldwath,
demaunding to haue victuals and money ministred vnto them, because they had
bene spoyled by their enemies, which made continuall warre vpon them. But
when the whole company of the Mannians answered that they would giue
nothing, they proceeded against them in warlike maner with two bands, till
they were come vnder the side of the hill called Warthfel, in the fielde
where Iohn Mandeuile remained, and there hauing fought a battell, the Irish
ouercame the people of Man, and spoiled the Island and the Abbey of Russmin
also: and when they had reueled a whole moneth in the Island, lading their
ships they retained home.

       *       *       *       *       *

The mariage of the daughter of Harald, slaine by William the conquerour,
  vnto Ieruslaus duke of Russia, taken out of the 9. booke of the Danish
  historie written by Saxo Grammaticus. An. D. 1067.

[Sidenote: 1067.] Haraldo cæso, filij eius duo confestim in Daniam cum
sorore migrarunt. Quos Sweno, paterni illorum menti oblitus consanguineæ
pietatis more accepit, puellamque Ruthenorum regi Waldemaro, (qui & ipse
Iarislaus a suis est appellatus) nuptum dedit. Eidem postmodùm nostri
temporis dux, vt sanguinis, ita & nominis hæres, ex filia nepos obuenit.
Itaque hinc Britannicus, indè Eous sanguis in salutarem nostri principis
ortum confluens communem stirpem duaram gentium ornamentum effecit.

The same in English.

Harald being slaine his two sonnes with their sister sped themselues
immediatly into Denmarke. Whom Sweno forgetting their fathers deserts
receiued in most kinde and friendly maner, and bestowed the yong damosell
in mariage vpon Waldemarus king of Russia who was also called by his
subiects Iarislaus. Afterward the said Waldemarus had by his daughter a
nephew being duke at this present, who succeeded his predecessour both in
lineal descent and in name also. Wherefore the English blood on the one
side and the Russian on the other side concurring to the ioyful birth of
our prince, caused that mutual kinred to be an ornament vnto both nations.

       *       *       *       *       *

The state of the shipping of the Cinque ports from Edward the Confessour
  and William the Conquerour, and so downe to Edward the first, faithfully
  gathered by the learned Gentleman M. William Lambert in his Perambulation
  of Kent, out of the most ancient Records of England.

[Sidenote: The antiquity of the Ports. 1070.] I finde in the booke of the
generall suruey of the Realme, which William the Conquerour caused to bee
made in the fourth yeere of his reigne, and to be called Domesday, because
(as Matthew Parise saith) it spared no man but iudged all men
indifferently, as the Lord in that great day wil do, that Douer, Sandwich,
and Rumney, were in the time of K. Edward the Confessour discharged almost
of all maner of imposicions and burdens (which other townes did beare) in
consideration of such seruice to bee done by them vpon the sea, as in their
special titles shall hereafter appeare.

Whereupon, although I might ground reasonable coniecture, that the
immunitie of the hauen Townes (which we nowe call by a certaine number, the
Cinque Ports) might take their beginning from the same Edward: yet for as
much as I read in the Chartre of K. Edward the first after the conquest
(which is reported in our booke of Entries) A recitall of the graunts of
sundry kings to the Fiue Ports, the same reaching no higher then to William
the Conquerour, I will leaue my coniecture, and leane to his Chartre:
contenting my selfe to yeelde to the Conquerour, the thankes of other mens
benefits, seeing those which were benefited, were wisely contented (as the
case then stood) to like better of his confirmation (or second gift) then
of K. Edwards first graunt, and endowment.

And to the ende that I may proceed in some maner of array, I will first
shewe, which Townes were at the beginning taken for the Fiue Ports, and
what others be now reputed in the same number: secondly, what seruice they
ought, and did in times passed: and lastly, what priuiledges they haue
therefore, and by what persons they haue bene gouerned.

If I should iudge by the common, and rude verse,

    Douer, Sandwicus, Ry, Rum, Frigmare ventus,
    [Sidenote: Which be the Fiue Ports.]

I must say that Douer, Sandwich, Rie, Rumney, and Winchelsey, (for that is,
Frigmare ventus) be the Fiue Ports: Againe, if I should be ruled by the
Rolle which reciteth the Ports that send Barons to the Parliament, I must
then adde to these, Hastings and Hyde, for they also haue their Barons as
well as the other and so should I not onely, not shew which were the first
Fiue, but also (by addition of two others) increase both the number, and
doubtfulnesse. Leauing the verse therefore, for ignorance of the authour
and suspition of his authoritie, and forsaking the Rolle (as not assured of
the antiquitie) I will flee to Henry Bracton, [Sidenote: 1250.] a man both
ancient, learned, and credible, which liued vnder K. Henry the thirde and
wrote (aboue three hundreth yeeres since) learnedly of the lawes of this
Realme.

[Sidenote: Citizens were called Barons in old time.] He (I say) in the
third booke of his worke, [Footnote: _De Legibus et Consuetudinibus
Angliæ_.] and treatise of the Crowne taking in hand to shewe the
articles inquirable before the Iustice in Eire, (or Itinerent as we called
them because they vsed to ride from place to place throughout the Realme,
for administration of iustice) setteth forth a special fourme of writs, to
be directed seuerally to the Bailifes of Hastings, Hithe, Rumney, Douer,
and Sandwich, commanding them that they should cause twentie & foure of
their Barons (for so their Burgesses, or townesmen, and the citizens of
London likewise, were wont to be termed) to appeare before the Kings
Iustices at Shipwey in Kent (as they accustomed to do) there to enquire of
such points, as should be giuen in charge. [Sidenote: Contention betwtene
Yarmouth and the Fiue Ports. 1250. Antiquitie of Yarmouth fishing.] Which
done, hee addeth moreouer, that forsomuch as there was oftentimes
contention betwene them of the Fiue Ports, & the inhabitants of Yarmouth in
Norfolke, and Donwich in Suffolke, there should be seuerall writs directed
to them also, returnable before the same Iustices at the same day and
place, reciting, that where the King had by his former writs sommoned the
Pleas of the Fiue Ports to bee holden at Shipwey, if any of the same townes
had cause to complaine of any (being within the liberties of the said
Ports) he should be at Shipwey to propound against him, and there to
receiue according to law and Iustice.

Thus much I recite out of Bracton, partly to shew that Shipwey was before
K. Edward the firsts time, the place of assembly for the Plees of the Fiue
Ports: partly to notifie the difference, and controuersie that long time
since was betweene these Ports, and those other townes: But purposely, and
chiefly, to proue, that Hastings, and Hithe, Douer, Rumney, and Sandwich,
were in Bractons time accompted the Fiue principall hauens or Ports, which
were endowed with priuiledge, and had the same ratified by the great
Chartre of England.

Neither yet will I deny, but that soone after, Winchelsey and Rie might be
added to the number. [Sidenote: 1268.] For I find in an old recorde, that
king Henry the third tooke into his owne hands (for the better defence of
the Realme) the townes of Winchelsey, and Rie, which belonged before to the
Monasterie of Fescampe in Normandie, and gaue therefore in exchange, the
Manor of Chiltham in Gloucestershire, & diuers other lands in
Lincolneshire. This he did, partly to conceale from the Priors Aliens the
intelligence of the secret affaires of his Realme, and partly because of a
great disobedience & excesse, that was committed by the inhabitants of
Wincelsey, against Prince Edward his eldest sonne. And therefore, although
I can easily be led to thinke, that he submitted them for their correction
to the order, and gouernance of the Fiue ports, yet I stand doubtfull
whether hee made them partners of their priuiledges or no, for that had
bene a preferment, and no punishment vnto them: [Sidenote: Winchelsey first
builded 1277] but I suspect rather, that his sonne king Edward the first,
(by whose encouragement and aide, olde Winchelsey was afterward abandoned,
and the newe towne builded) was the first that apparelled them with that
preeminence.

By this therefore let it appeare, that Hastings, Douer, Hithe, Rumney, and
Sandwich, were the first Ports of priuiledge: which (because they were 5.
in number) both at the first gaue, and yet continue, to all the residue,
the name of Cinque Ports, although not onely Winchelsey and Rie, be (since
that time) incorporated with them as principals, but diuers other places
also (for the ease of their charge) be crept in, as partes, lims, and
members of the same.

Now therefore, somewhat shalbe said, as touching the seruices that these
Ports of duetie owe, and in deed haue done, to the Princes: whereof the one
(I meane with what number of vessels, in what maner of furniture, and for
how long season, they ought to wait on the king at the Sea, vpon their owne
charges) shall partly appeare by that which we shall presently say, and
partly by that which shall followe in Sandwich, and Rumney: The other shall
bee made manifest by examples, drawne out of good histories: and they both
shall be testified by the words of king Edward the first in his owne
Chartre.

The booke of Domesday before remembred, chargeth Douer with twentie vessels
at the sea, whereof eche to be furnished with one and twentie men for
fifteene dayes together: and saith further, that Rumney and Sandwich
answered the like seruice. But now whether this (like) ought to be
vnderstoode of the like altogether, both in respect of the number and
seruice, or of the (like) in respect of seruice according to the proportion
of their abilite onely, I may not hereby take vpon me to determine. For on
the one side, if Rumney, Sandwich, and the residue should likewise finde
twentie vessels a piece, then (as you shall anone see) the fiue Ports were
subiect to a greater charge at that time then King Edward the first layd
vpon them: And on the other side if they were onely chargeable after their
proportion, then know I not how farre to burthen them, seeing the Record of
Domesday it selfe bideth them to no certeintie. And therefore leauing this
as I find it I must elsewhere make inquisition for more lightsome proofe.
And first I will haue recourse to king Edward the first his Chartre, in
which I read, that At ech time that the King passeth ouer the sea, the
Ports ought to rigge vp fiftie and seuen ships, (whereof euery one to haue
twentie armed souldiers) and to mainteine them at their owne costes, by the
space of fifteene dayes together.

And thus it stoode with the Ports for their generall charge, in the sixt
yeere of his reigne, for then was this Chartre sealed. But as touching the
particular burthen of ech one, I haue seene two diuers testimonies, of
which the first is a note in French (bearing the countenance of a Record)
and is intituled, to haue bene renued in the two and twentie yeere of the
Reigne of the same king, by Stephan Penchester, then Constable of Douer
Castle, in which the particular charge is set downe in this maner.

  The Port of Hastings ought to finde three ships.
  The lowie of Peuensey one.
  Buluerhithe and Petit Iahn, one.
  Bekesborne in Kent, seuen.
  Grenche at Gillingham in Kent, two men and armour, with the ships of
    Hastings.
  The towne of Rie, fiue.
  To it was Tenterdene annexed, in the time of King Henrie the sixt.
  The towne of Winchelsey, tenne.
  The Port of Rumney, foure.
  Lydde, seuen.
  The Port of Hythe, fiue.
  The Port of Douer, nineteene.
  The towne of Folkestone, seuen.
  The towne of Feuersham, seuen.
  The Port of Sandwich, with Stonor, Fordwich, Dale, &c. fiue.

These ships they ought to finde vpon fortie dayes summons, armed and
arrayed at their owne charge, and in ech of them twentie men, besides the
Master of the Mariners: all which they shall likewise mainteine fiue dayes
together at their owne costs, giuing to the Maister sixe pence by the day,
to the Constable sixe pence, and to ech other Mariner three pence. And
after those fiue dayes ended, the King shall defray the charges.

The other is a Latine Custumall of the towne of Hyde, the which although it
pretend not so great antiquity as the first, yet seemeth it to me to import
as much or more likelihood and credit: It standeth thus.

These be the Fiue Ports of our soueraigne Lord the King hauing liberties,
which other Ports haue not: Hasting, Romenal, Heth, Douer, Sandwich, the
chiefe Townes. The seruices due by the same.

Hasting shall finde 21. ships, in euery ship 21. men, and a Garcion, or
Boy, which is called a Gromet. To it perteine (as the members of one towne)
the Seashore in Seford, Peuenshey, Hodeney, Winchelsey, Rie, Ihame,
Bekesbourne, Grenge, Northie, Bulwerheth.

Romenal 5. ships, in euery ship 21. men, and a Garcion: To it perteine, as
members thereof, Promhell, Lede, Eastwestone, Dengemareys, olde Rumney.

Hethe 5. ships, as Romenal before. To it perteineth the Westhethe.

Douer 21, ships, as Hasting before. To it pertaine, Folkstane, Feuersham,
and S. Margarets, not concerning the land, but for the goods and cartels.

Sandwich 5. ships, as Romenal and hethe. To it perteine Fordwich, Reculuer,
Serre, and Dele, not for the soile, but for the goods.

Summe of ships 57.

Summe of the men 1187. and 57. Garcions.

This seruice, the Barons of the Fiue Ports doe acknowledge to owe to the
King, vpon summons yerely (if it happen) by the space of 15. dayes
together, at their owne costs and changes, accounting that for the first
day of the 15. in which they shall spread their sailes to goe towards those
parts that the King intendeth: and to serue so long after 15. dayes, as the
King will, at his owne pay and wages.

Thus much out of these ancient notes, whereby your selfe may easily
discerne the difference: but whether the one or the other, or (by reason of
some latter dispensation) neither of these, haue place at this day, I must
referre it to them that be priuie, and of counsell with the Ports: and so
leauing this also vndecided, holde on the way, wherein I am entred.

This duetie of attendance therefore (being deuised for the honourable
transportation, and safe conduct of the Kings owne person or his armie ouer
the narrow Seas) the Ports haue not onely most diligently euer since that
time performed, but furthermore also valiantly behaued themselues against
the enemie from time to time, in sundrie exploits by water, as occasion
hath bene proferred, or the necessitie of the Realme required.

[Sidenote: The good seruice of the fiue ports. 1217] And amongst other
feats not vnwoorthy perpetuall remembrance, after such time as Lewes (the
eldest sonne of the French King) had entred the Realme to aide Stephan
Langton the Archbishop, and the Nobilitie, in the life of King Iohn, and
had sent into France for new supply of Souldiers after his death, Hubert of
Borough (then captaine of Douer) following the opinion of Themistocles in
the exposition of the oracle of the wooden walles, by the aide of the Port
townes, armed fortie tall ships, and meeting with eightie saile of
Frenchmen vpon the high seas, gaue them a most couragious encounter, in
which he tooke some, sunke others, and discomfited the rest.

King Henrie the third also, after that he came to riper age, had great
benefit by the seruice of the Cinque Ports: [Sidenote: 1278.] And king
Edward the first in his Chartre, maketh their continuall faithfull seruice
(and especially their good endeuour, then lately shewed against the
Welshmen) the principall cause, and motiue of that his liberall grant.

[Sidenote: 1293.] Furthermore, about the midst of the reigne of the same
king, an hundreth saile of the Nauie of the Ports fought at the Sea with a
fleet of 200. French men, all which (notwithstanding the great oddes of the
number) they tooke, and slew, and sunke so many of the Mariners, that
France was thereby (for a long season after) in maner destitute, both of
Seamen, and shipping.

[Sidenote: 1406.] Finally, and to conclude this part, in the dayes of king
Henrie the the fourth, the name of the Fiue Ports, vnder the conduct of one
Henrie Paye, surprised one hundreth and twentie French ships, all laden
with Salt, Iron, Oile, and no worse merchandize.

[Sidenote: Priuiledges of the fiue ports.] The priuiledges of these Ports
being first granted by Edward the Confessour, and William the Conquerour,
and then confirmed and increased by William Rufus, Henrie the second,
Richard the first, Henrie the third, and king Edward the first be very
great, considering either the honour and ease, or the freedome and
exemption, that the inhabitants haue by reason of the same.

Part of the great Charter granted by king Edward the first to the Barons of
  the Cinque portes, in the sixt yeere of his reigne 1278. for their good
  seruices done vnto him by sea, wherein is mention of their former ancient
  Charters from Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, William Rufus,
  Henry the second, king Richard the first, king Iohn, and Henry the third
  continued vnto them.

Edward by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, & duke of
Gastcoigne, to all Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earles, Barons,
Iustices, Shirifs, Prouosts, Officers, & to all Bayliffes and true subiects
greeting. You shall knowe that for the faithfull seruice that our Barons of
the fiue Ports hitherto to our predecessors kings of England, & vnto vs
lately in our armie of Wales haue done, and for their good seruice to vs
and our heires kings of England, truly to be continued in time to come, we
haue granted & by this our Charter confirmed for vs and our heires, to the
same our Barons and to their heires, all their liberties and freedomes. So
that they shall be free from all toll, and from all custome; that is to say
from all lastage, tallage, passage, cariage, riuage, asponsage, and from
all wrecke, and from all their sale, carying and recarying through all our
realme and dominion, with socke and souke, toll and theme. And that they
shall haue Infangthefe, and that they shall be wreckefree, lastagefree, and
louecopfree. [Sidenote: The fishing at great Yarmouth.] And that they shall
haue Denne and Strande at great Yarmouth, according as it is contayned in
the ordinance by vs thereof made perpetually to bee obserued. And also that
they are free from all shires and hundreds: so that if any person will
plead against them, they shall not aunswere nor pleade otherwise then they
were wont to plead in the time of the lord, king Henrie our great
grandfather. And that they shall haue their findelles in the sea and in the
land. And that they be free of all their goods and of all their
marchandises as our freemen. And that they haue their honours in our court,
and their liberties throughout all the land wheresoeuer they shall come.
And that they shall be free for euer of all their lands, which in the time
of Lord Henrie the king our father [Sidenote: Henry the third.] they
possessed: that is to say in the 44. yere of his reign, from all maner of
summonces before our Iustices to any maner of pleadings, iourneying in what
shire soeuer their lands are. So that they shall not be bound to come
before the Iustices aforesaid, except any of the same Barons doe implead
any man, or if any man be impleaded. And that they shall not pleade in any
other place, except where they ought, and where they were wont, that is to
say, at Shepeway. And they that haue their liberties and freedomes from
hencefoorth, as they and their predecessors haue had them at any time
better, more fully and honourably in the time of the kings of England,
Edward [Sidenote: Edward the confessor.], William the first, William the
second, Henrie the king our great grandfather, and in the times of king
Richard, and king Iohn our grandfathers, and lord king Henrie our father,
by their Charters, as the same Charters which the same our Barons thereof
haue, and which we haue seene, doe reasonably testifie. And we forbid that
no man vniustly trouble them nor their marchandise vpon our forfeyture of
ten pounds. So neuerthelesse, that when the same Barons shall fayle in
doing of Iustice or in receiuing of Iustice, our Warden, and the wardens of
our heires of the Cinque Portes, which for the time shall be, their Ports
and liberties may enter for to doe their full Iustice. [Sidenote: 57. Ships
of the Cinque Ports bound to serue the king 15. dayes at their owne costs.]
So also that the sayd Barons and their heires, do vnto vs and to our heirs
kings of England by the yeare their full seruice of shippes at their costs
by the space of fifteene dayes at our somounce, or at the somounce of our
heires. We haue granted also vnto them of our speciall grace that they haue
Outfangthefe in their lands within the Ports aforesayd, in the same maner
that Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earles and Barons, haue in their manours
in the countie of Kent. And they be not put in any Assises, Iuries, or
Recognisances by reason of their forreine tenure against their will: and
that they be free of all their owne wines for which they do trauaile of our
right prise, [Footnote: Prisage--one cask in ten, on wine, was the first
customs-duty levied in England.] that is to say, of one tunne before the
mast, and of another behind the maste. We haue granted furthermore vnto the
said Barons for vs and our heires, that they for euer haue this liberty,
that is to say, That we or our heires shall not haue the wardship or
mariages of their heires by reason of their landes, which they holde within
the liberties and Portes aforesayde, for the which they doe their seruice
aforesayd: and for the which wee and our progenitors had not the wardships
and marriages in time past. But we our aforesayd confirmation vpon the
liberties and freedomes aforesayde, and our grants following to them of our
especiall grace, of newe haue caused to be made, sauing alwaies in al
things our kingly dignitie: And sauing vnto vs and to our heires, plea of
our crowne, life and member. Wherefore we will and surely command for vs
and our heires that the aforesaid Barons and their heires for euer haue all
the aforesaid liberties and freedomes, as the aforesaid Charters do
reasonably testifie. And that of our especial grace they haue outfangthefe
in their lands within the Ports aforesaid after the manner that
Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Earles and Barons haue in their manours in
the county of Kent. And that they be not put in Assizes, Iuries, or
recognisances by reason of their forreine tenure against their will. And
that they bee free of their owne wines for which they trauaile of our right
price or custome, that is to say of one tunne of wine before the maste, and
of another tunne behinde the maste. And that likewise for euer they haue
the libertie aforesayde: that is to say: That wee and our heires haue not
the worships or mariages of their heires by reason of their landes which
they holde within the liberties and Portes aforesayd, for the which their
seruice aforesaid, and for which wee and our predecessors the wardships and
mariages haue not had in times past, But our aforesayd confirmation of
their liberties and freedomes aforesaid and other grants following to them
of our especiall grace of new we haue caused to bee made. Sauing alwayes
and in all things our regall dignity. And sauing vnto vs and our heires the
pleas of our crowne of life and member as is aforesayd. These being
witnesses, the reuerend father Robert of Portuens Cardinall of the holie
Church of Rome, frier William of Southhampton Prior prouincial of the
friers preachers in England, William of Valencia our vncle, Roger of the
dead sea, Roger of Clifford, Master Robert Samuel deane of Sarum, Master
Robert of Scarborough the Archdeacon of East Riding, Master Robert of
Seyton, Bartholomew of Southley, Thomas of Wayland, Walter of Hoptan,
Thomas of Normannel, Steuen of Pennester, Frances of Bonaua, Iohn of
Lenetotes, Iohn of Metingham and others. Giuen by our hand at Westminster
the fourteenth day of Iune, in the sixth yeare of our reigne.

[Sidenote: Thomas Walsingham writeth that he had once 1100. strong
shippes.] The roll of the huge fleete of Edward the third before Calice,
extant in the kings wardrobe in London, whereby the wonderfull strength of
England by sea in those days may appeare.

The South fleete.

The Kings   /Shippes    25.     Lyme         /Ships        4.
            \Mariners  419.                  \Mariners    62.
London      /Shippes    25.     Seton        /Ships        2.
            \Mariners  662.                  \Mariners    25.
Aileford    /Shippes     2.     Sydmouth     /Ships        3.
            \Mariners   24.                  \Mariners    62.
Hoo         /Shippes     2.     Exmouth      /Ships       10.
            \Mariners   24.                  \Mariners   193.
Maydstone   /Shippes     2.     Tegmouth     /Ships        7.
            \Mariners   51.                  \Mariners   120.
Hope        /Shippes     2.     Dartmouth    /Ships       31.
            \Mariners   59.                  \Mariners   757.
New Hithe   /Shippes     5.     Portsmouth   /Ships        5.
            \Mariners   49.                  \Mariners    96.
Margat      /Shippes    15.     Plimouth     /Ships       26.
            \Mariners  160.                  \Mariners   603.
[1]Motue    /Shippes     2.     Loo          /Ships       20.
            \Mariners   22.                  \Mariners   315.
Feuersham   /Shippes     2.     Yalme        /Ships        2.
            \Mariners   25.                  \Mariners    47.
Sandwich    /Ships      22.     [2]Fowey     /Ships       47.
            \Mariners  504.                  \Mariners   770.
Douer       /Ships      16.     Bristol      /Ships       22.
            \Mariners  336.                  \Mariners   608.
Wight       /Ships      13.     Tenmouth     /Ships        2.
            \Mariners  220.                  \Mariners    25.
Winchelsey  /Ships      21.     Hasting      /Ships        5.
            \Mariners  596.                  \Mariners    96.
Waymouth    /Ships      15.     Romney       /Ships        4.
            \Mariners  263.                  \Mariners    65.
Rye         /Ships       9.    Swanrey       /Ships        1.
            \Mariners  156.                  \Mariners    29.
Hithe       /Ships       6.    Ilfercombe    /Ships        6.
            \Mariners  122.                  \Mariners    79.
Shoreham    /Ships      20. [4]Patricke-     /Ships        2.
            \Mariners  329.      stowe       \Mariners    27.
[3]Soford   /Ships       5.    Polerwan      /Ships        1.
            \Mariners   80.                  \Mariners    60.
Newmouth    /Ships       2.    Wadworth      /Ships        1.
            \Mariners   18.                  \Mariners    14.
Hamowl      /Ships       7.    Kardife       /Ships        1.
  hooke     \Mariners  117.                  \Mariners    51.
Hoke        /Ships      11.    Bridgwater    /Ships        1.
            \Mariners  208.                  \Mariners    15.
Southhapton /Ships      21.    Kaermarthen   /Ships        1.
            \Mariners  576.                  \Mariners    16.
Lymington   /Ships       9.    Caileches-    /Ships        1.
            \Mariners  159.      worth       \Mariners    12.
Poole       /Ships       4.    Mulbrooke     /Ships        1.
            \Mariners   94.                  \Mariners    12.
Wareham     /Ships       3.    Summe of the  /Ships      493.
            \Mariners   59.     South fleete \Mariners  9630.

[Footnote 1: Or, Morne.]
[Footnote 2: Or, Foy.]
[Footnote 3: Or, Seford.]
[Footnote 4: Or, Padstow.]

The North fleete

Bamburgh     /Ships       1.    Waynefleet    /Ships        2.
             \Mariners    9.                  \Mariners    49.
Newcastle    /Ships      17.    Wrangle       /Ships        1.
             \Mariners  314.                  \Mariners     8.
Walrich      /Ships       1. [2]Lenne         /Ships       16.
             \Mariners   12.                  \Mariners   382.
Hertilpoole  /Ships       5.    Blackney      /Ships        2.
             \Mariners  145.                  \Mariners    38.
Hull         /Ships      16.    Scarborough   /Ships        1.
             \Mariners  466.                  \Mariners    19.
Yorke        /Ships       1. [3]Yearnmouth    /Ships       43.
             \Mariners    9.                  \Mariners 1950. or 1075.
Ranenser     /Ships       1.    Donwich       /Ships        6.
             \Mariners   27.                  \Mariners   102.
Woodhouse    /Ships       1.    Orford        /Ships        3.
             \Mariners   22.                  \Mariners    62.
[1]Stokhithe /Ships       1.    Goford        /Ships       13.
             \Mariners   10.                  \Mariners   303.
Barton       /Ships       3.    Herwich       /Ships       14.
             \Mariners   30.                  \Mariners   283.
Swinefleete  /Ships       1.    Ipswich       /Ships       12.
             \Mariners   11.                  \Mariners   239.
Saltfleet    /Ships       2.    Mersey        /Ships        1.
             \Mariners   49.                  \Mariners     6.
Grimesby     /Ships      11. [4]Brightlingsey /Ships        5.
             \Mariners  171.                  \Mariners    61.
Colchester   /Ships       5.    Boston        /Ships       17.
             \Mariners   90.                  \Mariners   361.
Whitbanes    /Ships       1.    Swinhumber    /Ships        1.
             \Mariners   17.                  \Mariners    32.
Malden       /Ships       2.    Barton        /Ships        5.
             \Mariners   32.                  \Mariners    91.
Derwen       /Ships       1.    The Summe     /Ships      217.
             \Mariners   15.     of the North \Mariners  4521.
                                 fleete

        The summe totall of    /Ships        700.
        all the English fleete \Mariners   14151.

[Footnote 1: Stockhith]
[Footnote 2: Or, Linne]
[Footnote 3: Or, Yermouth]
[Footnote 4: Now Brickelsey]

Estrangers their ships and mariners

Bayon       /Ships      15.    Flanders      /Ships       14.
            \Mariners  439.                  \Mariners   133.

Spayne      /Ships       7.    Gelderland    /Ships        1.
            \Mariners  184.                  \Mariners    24.

Ireland     /Ships       1.
            \Mariners   25.

The summe of all the Estrangers /Ships       38.
                                \Mariners   805.

The summe of expenses aswell of wages & prests as for the expenses of the
kings houses, and for other gifts and rewards, shippes and other things
necessary to the parties of France and Normandie, and before Calice, during
the siege there, as it appeareth in the accompts of William Norwel keeper
of the kings Wardrobe from the 21. day of April in the 18 yeere of the
reigne of the said king vnto the foure and twentieth day of Nouember in the
one and twentieth yeere of his reigne, is iii. hondreth xxxvii. thousand
li. ix. s. iiii. d.

       *       *       *       *       *

A note out of Thomas Walsmgham [Footnote: Thomas Walsingham, a native of
  Norfolk and Benedictine monk of St. Albans. He wrote _A History of
  England, from 1273 to the Death of Henry V_, and _Ypodigma
  Neustriæ_. His writings contain very little original information.]
  touching the huge Fleete of eleuen hundred well furnished ships wherewith
  King Edward the third passed ouer vnto Calais in the yeere 1359.

Anno gratiæ 1359. Iohannes Rex Franciæ sub vmbra pacis, & dolose obtulit
Regi Angliæ Flandriam, Picardiam, Aquitaniam, aliasque terras quas
equitauerat & vastarat: pro quibus omnibus ratificandis, idem Rex Edwardus
in Franciam nuncios suos direxit: quibus omnibus Franci contradixerunt.
Vnde motus Rex Angliæ, celeriter se & suos præparauit ad transfretandum,
ducens secum principem Walliæ Edwardum suum primogenitum, ducem Henricim
Lancastriæ & ferè proceres omnes, quos comitabantur vel sequebantur poene
mille currus, habuitque apud Sanwicam instructas optime vndecies centum
naues, & cum hoc apparatu ad humiliandum Francorum fastum Franciam
nauigauit, relicto domino Thoma de Woodstock filio suo minore admodum
paruulo Anglici regni custode, sub tutela tamen.

The same in English.

In the yeere of our Lord 1359. Iohn the French king craftily, and vnder
pretence of peace offered vnto Edward the third king of England, Flanders,
Picardie, Gascoigne, and other territories which he had spoyled and wasted,
for the ratifying of which agreement the foresaid king Edward sent his
ambassadors into France, but the Frenchmen gainsaied them in all their
articles and demaunds. Whereupon the king of England being prouoked,
speedily prepared himselfe and his forces to crosse the seas, carying with
him Edward Prince of Wales his heire apparant, and Henry duke of Lancaster
and almost all his Nobles, with a thousand wagons and cartes attending vpon
them. And the said king had at Sandwich eleuen hundred ships exceedingly
well furnished: with which preparation he passed ouer the seas, to abate
the Frenchmens arrogancie, leauing his yonger sonne Thomas of Woodstocke,
being very tender of age as his vicegerent in the Realme of England, albeit
not without a protectour, &c.

       *       *       *       *       *

The voyage of Nicholas de Lynna a Franciscan Frier, and an excellent
  Mathematician of Oxford, to all the Regions situate vnder the North pole,
  in the yeere 1360. and in the raigne of Edward the 3. king of England.

[Sidenote: The words of Gerardus Mercator in the foote of his general Map
vpon the description of the North partes.] Quod ad descriptionem partium
Septentrionalium attinet, eam nos accipimus ex Itinerario Iacobi Cnoyen
Buscoducensis qui quædam ex rebus gestis Arthuri Britanni citat, maiorem
autem partem & potiora, a Sacerdote quodam apud Regem Noruegiæ, An. Dom.
1364. didicit. Descenderat is ex illis quos Arthurus ad has habitandas
insulas miserat, & referebat, An. 1360. Minoritam quendam Anglum Oxonieasem
Mathematicum in eas insulas venisse, ipsisque relictis ad vlteriora arte
Magica profectu descripsisse omnia, & Astrolabio dimensum esse in hanc
subiectam formam ferè, vti ex Iacobo collegimus, Euripos illos quatuor
dicebat tanto impetu ad interiorem voraginem rapi, vt naues semel ingressæ
nullo vento retroagi possent, neque verò vnquam tantam ibi ventum esse, vt
molæ frumentariæ circumagendæ sufficiat. Simillima his habet Giraldus
Cambrensis (qui floruit, An. 1210.) in libro de mirabilibus Hyberniæ, sic
enim scribit. Non procul ab insulis Hebridibus, Islandia, &c. ex parte
Boreali, est maris quædam miranda vorago, in quam à remotis partibus omnes
vndique fluctus marini tanquam ex condicto fluunt, & recurrunt, qui in
secreta naturæ penetralia se ibi transfundentes, quasi in Abyssum vorantur.
Si verò nauem hac fortè transire contigerit, tanta rapitur, & attrahitur
fluctuum violentia, vt eam statim irreuocabiliter vis voracitatis
absorbeat.

Quatuor voragines huius Oceani, a quatuor oppositis mundi partibus
Philosophi describunt, vnde & tam marinos fluctus, quàm & Æolicos flatus
causaliter peruenire nonnulli coniectant.

The same in English.

Touching the description of the North partes, I haue taken the same out of
the voyage of Iames Cnoyen of Hartzeuan Buske, which alleageth certaine
conquests of Arthur king of Britaine: and the most part, and chiefest
things among the rest, he learned of a certaine priest in the king of
Norwayes court, in the yeere 1364. This priest was descended from them
which king Arthur had sent to inhabite these Islands, and he reported that
in the yeere 1360, a certaine English Frier, a Franciscan, and a
Mathematician of Oxford, came into those Islands, who leauing them, and
passing further by his Magicall Arte, described all those places that he
sawe, and tooke the height of them with his Astrolabe, according to the
forme that I (Gerard Mercator) haue set downe in my mappe, and as I haue
taken it out of the aforesaid Iames Cnoyen. Hee sayd that those foure
Indraughts were drawne into an inward gulfe or whirlepoole, with so great a
force, that the ships which once entred therein, could by no meanes be
driuen backe againe, and that there is neuer in those parts so much winde
blowing, as might be sufficient to driue a Corne mill.

Giraldus Cambrensis (who florished in the yeere 1210, vnder king Iohn) in
his booke of the miracles of Ireland, hath certaine words altogether alike
with these videlicet:

[Sidenote: There is a notable whirlepoole on the coast of Norway, caled
Malestrando (Mælstrom), about the latitude of 68.] Not farre from these
Islands (namely the Hebrides, Island &c.) towards the North there is a
certaine woonderful whirlpoole of the sea, whereinto all the waues of the
sea from farre haue their course and recourse, as it were without stoppe:
which, there conueying themselues into the secret receptacles of nature,
are swallowed vp, as it were, into a bottomlesse pit, and if it chance that
any shippe doe passe this way, it is pulled, and drawen with such a
violence of the waues, that eftsoones without remedy, the force of the
whirlepoole deuoureth the same.

The Philosophers describe foure indranghts of this Ocean sea, in the foure
opposite quarters of the world, from whence many doe coniecture that as
well the flowing of the sea, as the blasts of the winde, haue their first
originall.

       *       *       *       *       *

A Testimonie of the learned Mathematician master Iohn Dee, [Footnote: Born
  in London in 1537. He was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge. He
  was a man of vast erudition, but being, in Mary's reign, suspected of
  devoting himself to the "black art," a mob broke into his house and
  destroyed his library, museum, and mathematical instruments, said to be
  worth £2,000; and he himself was cast into prison. He was in great favour
  with Queen Elizabeth, who is said to haue paid him a salary, employed him
  on secret political missions, and visited him at Mortlake. He professed
  to be able to raise the dead, and had a magic ball (in reality a lump of
  black lead), in which he pretended to read the future, and which was
  afterwards in Horace Walpole's collection at Strawberry Hill. In 1596. he
  was made Warden of Manchester College, and died in 1608.] touching the
  foresaid voyage of Nicholas De Linna.

Anno 1360. (that is to wit, in the 34. yeere of the reigne of the
triumphant king Edward the third) a frier of Oxford, being a good
Astronomer, went in companie with others to the most Northren Islands of
the world, and there leauing his company together, hee transited alone, and
purposely described all the Northerne Islands, with the indrawing seas: and
the record thereof at his returne he deliuered to the king of England.
[Sidenote: Inuentio Fortunata.] The name of which booke is Inuentio
Fortunata (aliter fortunæ) qui liber incipit a gradu 54. vsque ad polum.
Which frier for sundry purposes after that did fiue times passe from
England thither, and home againe.

It is to be noted, that from the hauen of Linne in Norfolke (whereof the
foresaid Francisan frier tooke his name) to Island, it is not about a
fortnights sailing with an ordinarie winde, and hath bene of many yeeres a
very common and vsuall trade: which further appeareth by the priuileges
granted to the Fisher men of the towne of Blacknie in the said Countie of
Norfolke, by king Edward the third for their exemption and freedome from
his ordinary seruice in respect of their trade to Island. [Sidenote: An 2.
& 4. & 31. Edwardi tertij.]

       *       *       *       *       *

The voyage of Henry Earle of Derbie, after Duke of Hereford and lastly king
  of England by the name of Henry the fourth, An. Dom 1340. into Prussia
  and Lettowe against the infidels, recorded by Thomas of Walsingham

[Sidenote: An. Dom. 1390.] Dominus Henricus Comes de Derbie per idem tempos
profectus est in le Pruys, vbi cum adjutorio marescalli dictæ patriæ &
cujusdam Regis vocati Wytot deuicit exercitum Regis de Lettowe, captis
quatuor ducibus, & tribus peremptis & amplius quam trecentis, de
valentioribus exercitus sapradicti pariter interemptis. Ciuitas quoque
vocatur [Marginal note: Alias Vilna] Will in cujus castellum Rex de Lettowe
nomine Skirgalle confugerat, potenti virtute dicti Comitis maximè atque
suorum capta est. Namque qui fuerunt de familia sua primi murum ascenderant
& vexillum ejus super muros, cæteris vel torpentibus vel ignorantibus,
posuerunt. Captaque sunt ibi vel occisa quatuor millia plebanorum, fratre
Regis de Poleyn inter cæteros ibi perempto, qui aduersarius nostri fuit
Obsessumque fuit castrum dictæ Ciuitatis per quinque hebdomadas: Sed
propter infirmitates, quibus vexabatur exercitus magistri de Pruys & de
Lifland noluerunt diutiùs expectare. Facti sunt Christiani de gente de
Lettowe octo. Et magister de Lifland duxit secum in suam patriam tria
millia captiuorum.

The same in English.

About the same time L. Henry the Earle of Derbie trauailed into Prussia,
where, with the helpe of the Marshall of the same Prouince, and of a
certaine king called Wytot, hee vanquished the armie of the king of
Lettowe, with the captiuitie of foure Lithuanian Dukes, and the slaughter
of three, besides more then three hundred of the principall common
souldiers of the sayd armie which were slaine. The Citie also which is
called Wil or Vilna, into the castle whereof the king of Lettow named
Skirgalle fled for his sauegard, was, by the valour of the sayd Earle
especially and of his followers, surprised and taken. For certaine of the
chiefe men of his familie, while others were slouthfull or at least
ignorant of their intent, skaling the walles, aduanced his colours
thereupon. And there were taken and slaine foure thousand of the common
souldiers, and amongst others was slaine the king of Poland his brother,
who was our professed enemie. And the castle of the foresaid Citie was
besieged for the space of fiue weekes: but by reason of the infirmities and
inconueniences wherewith the whole armie was annoyed, the great masters of
Prussia and of Lifland would not stay any longer. There were conuerted of
the nation of Lettowe eight persons vnto the Christian faith. And the
master of Lifland carried home with him into his countrey three thousand
captiues.

       *       *       *       *       *

The voyage of Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester into Prussia, in the
  yeere 1391. written by Thomas Walsingham.

Eodem tempore dux Glouerniæ Dominus Thomas de Woodstock [Marginal note:
Filius natu minimus Edwardi 3.], multis moerentibus, iter apparauit versùs
le Pruys: quem non Loudinensium gemitus, non communis vulgi moeror retinere
poterant, quin proficisci vellet. Nam plebs communis tàm Vrbana quàm
rustica metuebant quòd eo absente aliquod nouum detrimentum succresceret,
quo præsente nihil tale timebant. Siquidèm in eo spes & solatium totus
patriæ reposita videbantur. Ipse verò mòx, vt fines patriæ suæ transijt,
illicò aduersa agitatus fortuna, nunc hàc nunc illàc turbinibus procellosis
circumfertur; & in tantum destituitur, vt de vita etiam desperaret.
[Sidenote: Reditus.] Tandem post Daciam, post Norwagiam, post Scoticam
barbariem non sine mortis pauore transcursam, peruenit Northumbriam, & ad
castellum se contulit de Tinnemutha velut assylum antiquitus notum sibi:
vbi per aliquot dies recreatus iter assumpsit versus manerium suum de
Plashy, magnum apportans gaudium toti regno, tam de eius euasione, quàm de
aduentu suo.

The same in English.

At the same time the Duke of Glocester Lord Thomas of Woodstock (the
yongest sonne of Edward the third) to the great griefe of many, tooke his
iourney towards Prussia: whom neither the Londoners mones nor yet the
lamentation of the communaltie could restraine from his intended
expedition. For the common people both of the Citie and of the countrey
feared lest in his absence some newe calamitie might happen; which they
feared not while he was present. For in him the whole nation seemed to
repose their hope and comfort. Howbeit hauing skarce passed as yet the
bounds of his owne countrey, he was immediatly by hard fortune tossed vp
and downe with dangerous stormes and tempests, and was brought into such
distresse, that he despaired euen of his owne life. At length, hauing not
without danger of death, sailed along the coastes of Denmarke, Norway, and
Scotland, he returned into Northumberland, and went to the castle of
Tinmouth as vnto a place of refuge knowen of olde vnto him; where, after
hee had refreshed himselfe a fewe dayes, hee tooke his iourney toward his
Mannour of Plashy, bringing great ioy vnto the whole kingdome, aswell in
regard of his safetie as of his returne.

       *       *       *       *       *

The verses of Geofrey Chaucer in the knights Prologue, who liuing in the
  yeere 1402. [Footnote: Chaucer died 25. October, 1400, according to the
  inscription on his tombstone at Westminster. Urry, in his edition of
  Chaucer, folio, 1721, p. 534, attributes the _Epistle to Cupid_ to Thomas
  Occleue, Chaucer's scholar, but does not give his authority.] (as hee
  writeth himselfe in his Epistle of Cupide) shewed that the English
  Knights after the losse of Acon, were wont in his time to trauaile into
  Prussia and Lettowe, and other heathen lands, to aduance the Christian
  faith against Infidels and miscreants, and to seeke honour by feats of
  armes.

The English Knights Prologue.

[Sidenote: Long trauaile.]
    A Knight there was, and that a worthie man,
    that from the time that he first began
    to riden out, he loued Cheualrie,
    trouth, honour, freedome, and Curtesie.
    full worthy was he in his lords warre:
    and thereto had hee ridden no man farre,
    As well in Christendome as in Heathennesse,
    and euer had honour for his worthinesse.

[Sidenote: Alexandria.]
    At Alisandre hee was, when it was wonne:
    full oft time hee had the bourd begon
    abouen all nations in Pruce,
    In Lettowe had hee riden, and in Ruce,
    no Christen man so oft of his degree:
    In Granade at the siege had he bee
    At Algezer[1]: and ridden in Belmarye:
    At Leyes [2] was hee, and also at Satalye,[3]
    when they were wonne: and in the great see
    at many a Noble armie had hee bee.
    At mortall battailes had he bin fifteene,
    And foughten for our faith at Tramissen,[4]
    in listes thries, and aye slayne his foe:

    This ilke worthie Knight had bin also,
    sometime with the lord of Palathye [5]
    ayenst another Heathen in Turkie.

    Written in the lustie moneth of May
    in our Palace, where many a million
    of louers true haue habitation,
    The yeere of grace ioyfull and iocond,
    a thousand, foure hundred and second.

[Footnote 1: Algezer in Granado.]
[Footnote 2: Layas in Armenia. Froysart. lib. 3. cap. 40.]
[Footnote 3: Satalie in the mayne of Asia neere Rhods.]
[Footnote 4: Tremisen is in Barbarie.]
[Footnote 5: Or, Palice. Froysart lib. 3. cap. 40.]

       *       *       *       *       *

The original proceedings and successe of the Northren domestical and forren
  trades and traffique of this Isle of Britain from the time of Nero the
  Emperour, who deceased in the yeere of our Lord 70. vnder the Romans,
  Britons, Saxons, and Danes, till the conquest: and from the conquest,
  vntill this present time, gathered out of the most authenticall histories
  and records of this nation.

       *       *       *       *       *

A testimonie out of the fourteenth Booke of the Annales of Cornelius
  Tacitus, proouing London to haue bene a famous Mart Towne in the reigne
  of Nero the Emperour, which died in the yeere of Christ 70.

At Suetonius mira constantia medios inter hostes Londinium perrexit,
cognomento quidem coloniæ non insigne, sed copia negociatorum & commeatu
maxime celebre.

The same in English.

But Suetonius with wonderfull constancie passed through the middest of his
enemies, vnto London, which though it were not honoured with the name and
title of a Romane Colonie, yet was it most famous for multitude of
Marchants and concourse of people.

       *       *       *       *       *

A testimome out of Venerable Beda (which died in the yeere of our Lord
  734.) proouing London to haue bene a Citie of great traffike and
  Marchandize not long after the beginning of the Saxons reigne.

Anno Domminæ incarnationis sexcentesimo quarto Augustinus Britanniarum
Archiepiscopus ordinauit duos Episcopos, Mellitum videlicet & Iustum:
Mellitum quidem ad prædicandum prouinciæ Orientalium Saxonum, qui Tamesi
fluuio dirimuntur à Cantia & ipsi Orientali Mari contigui, quorum
Metropolis Londonia Ciuitas est super ripam præfati fluminis posita & ipsa
multorum emporium populorum, terra marique venientium. [Footnote: Beda
Ecclesiasticæ historiæ Gentis Anglornm lib. 2. cap 3.]

The same in English.

In the yeere of the incarnation of Chnst 604. Augustine Archbishop of
Britaine consecrated two Bishops, to wit Mellitus and Iustus. He appoynted
Mellitus to preach to the East Saxons which are diuided from Kent by the
riuer of Thames, and border vpon the Easterne sea, whose chiefe and
Metropolitane Citie is London seated vpon the banke of the aforesaid riuer,
which is also a Marte Towne of many nations, which repayre thither by sea
and by land.

       *       *       *       *       *

The league betweene Carolus Magnus and Offa King of Mercia concerning safe
  trade of the English Marchants in all the Emperours Dominion. This Offa
  died in the yeere of our Lord 795.

Offa interea Carolum magnum Regem Francorum frequentibus legationibus
amicum parauit: quamuis non facile quod suis artibus conduceret in Caroli
animo inuenerit. Discordarunt antea, adeo vt magnis motibus vtrobique
concurrentibus, etiam negociatorum commeatus prohiberentur. Est Epistola
Albini huiusce rei index, cuius partem hic apponam.

Nescio quid de nobis venturum sit. [Sidenote: Nauigatio interdicta.]
Aliquid enim dissentionis diabolico fomento inflammante, nuper inter Regem
Carolum & Regem Offam exortum est: ita vt vtrinque nauigatio interdicta
negociantibus cesset. Sunt qui dicant nos pro pace in illas partes
mittendos. Et nonnullis interpositis, Nunc, inquit, ex verbis Caroli foedus
firmum inter eum & Offam compactum subijciam. Carolus gratia Dei Rex
Francorum, & Longobardorum, & patricius Romanorum, viro venerando & fratri
charissimo Offæ Regi Mercioram salutem. Primo gratias agimus omnipotenti
deo, de salute animarum, de Cathocæ fidei sinceritate, quam in vestris
laudabiliter paginis reperimus exaratam. De peregrinis vero qui pro amore
Dei, & salute animarum suarum beatoram Apostolorum limina desiderant adire,
cum pace sine omni perturbatione vadant. Sed si aliqui, non religioni
seruientes, sed lucra sectantes, inueniantur inter eos, locis opportunis
statuta soluant telonia. [Sidenote: Negociatorum Anglicanorum patrocinium.]
Negociatores quoque volumus vt ex mandato nostro patrocinium habeant in
Regno nostro legitime. Et si aliquo loco iniusta affligantur oppressione,
reclament ad nos vel nostros indices, & plenam videbimus iustitiam fieri.
[Footnote: Malmsbur. de gestis Regum Anglorum lib. 1. cap 4.]

The same in English.

In the meane season Offa by often legacies solicited Charles le maigne the
king of France, to be his friend: albeit he could not easily finde king
Charles any whit enclined to further and promote his craftie attempts.
[Sidenote: Traffique prohibited] Their mindes were so alienated before,
that bearing hauty stomacks on both parts, euen the mutuall traffique of
their Marchants was prohibited. The Epistle of Albmus is a sufficient
testimony of this matter part whereof I will here put downe.

I know not (quoth he) what will become of vs. [Sidenote: Nauigation
forbidden.] For there is of late, by the instigation of the deuill, some
discord and variance sprung vp betweene king Charles and king Offa:
insomuch that sailing to and fro is forbidden vnto the Marchants of both
their dominions. Some say that we are to be sent, for the obtaining of a
peace, into those partes. And againe, after a fewe lines. Nowe (quoth he)
out of Charles his owne words, I will make report of the league concluded
betweene him and Offa.

[Sidenote: A league between Carol. Mag. and K. Offa.] Charles by the grace
of God king of the Franks and Lombards and Senatour of the Romanes, vnto
the reuerend and his most deare brother Offa king of the Mercians sendeth
greeting. First we doe render vnto almightie God most humble thankes for
the saluation of soules, and the sinceritie of the Catholique faith, which
we, to your great commendation, haue found signified in your letters. As
touching those pilgrimes, who for the loue of God and their owne soules
health, are desirous to resort vnto the Churches of the holy Apostles, let
them goe in peace without all disturbance. But if any be found amongst them
not honouring religion, but following their owne gaine, they are to pay
their ordinarie customes at places conuenient. [Sidenote: Protection of the
English marchants] It is our pleasure also and commandement, that your
marchants shall haue lawfull patronage and protection in our dominions.
Who, if in any place they chance to be afflicted with any vniust
oppression, let them make their supplication vnto vs, or vnto our Iudges,
and we will see iustice executed to the full.

       *       *       *       *       *

An ancient testimonie translated out of the olde Saxon lawes, containing
  among other things the aduancement of Marchants for their thrise crossing
  the wide seas, set downe by the learned Gentleman Master William Lambert
  pagina 500. of his perambulation of Kent.

It was sometime in English lawes, that the people and the lawes were in
reputation: and then were the wisest of the people worship worthy, euery
one after his degree: Earle, and Churle, Thein, and vnder-Thein. And if a
churle thriued so, that hee had fully fiue hides of his owne land, a Church
and a Kitchin, a Belhouse, and a gate, a seate, and a seuerall office in
the Kings hall, then was he thenceforth the Theins right worthy. And if a
Thein so thriued, that he serued the king, and on his message rid in his
houshold, if he then had a Thein that followed him, the which to the kings
iourney fiue hides had, and in the kings seate his Lord serued, and thrise
with his errand had gone to the king, he might afterward with his foreoth
his lords part play at any great neede. And if a Thein did thriue so, that
he became an Earle; then was he afterward an Earles right worthie. And if a
Marchant so thriued, that he passed thrise ouer the wide seas, of his owne
craft, he was thencefoorth a Theins right worthie. And if a scholar so
prospered thorow learning that he degree had, and serued Christ, he was
then afterward of dignitie and peace so much worthie, as thereunto
belonged, vnlesse he forfaited so, that he the vse of his degree vse he
might.

       *       *       *       *       *

A testimonie of certaine priuiledges obtained for the English and Danish
  Merchants of Conradus the Emperour and Iohn the Bishop of Rome by Canutus
  the King of England in his iourney to Rome, extracted out of a letter of
  his written vnto the Cleargie of England.

Sit vobis notom quia magna congregatio nobilora in ipsa solemnitate
Pascali, Romæ cum Domino Papa Ioanne, & imperatore Conrado erat, scilicet
omnes principes gentium a monte Gargano, vsque ad istum proximum Mare: qui
omnes me & honorifice suscepere, & magnificis donis honorauere. Maxime
autem ab imperatore donis varijs & muneribus pretiosis honoratus sum, tam
in vasis aureis & argenteis, quam in pallijs & vestibus valde pretiosis.
Locutus sum igitur cum ipso imperatore, & Domino Papa, & principibus qui
ibi erant, de necessitatibus totius populi mei, tam Angli quam Dani, vt eis
concederetur lex æquior, & pax securior in via Romam adeundi, & ne tot
clausuris per viam arcerentur, & propter iniustum teloneum fatigarentur.
Annuítque postulatis Imperator, & Rodulphus Rex, qui maxime ipsarum
clausurarum dominatur, cunctique principes edictis firmarunt, vt homines
mei tam Mercatores, quàm alij orandi gratia viatores, absque omni anguria
clausurarum & teloneariorum, cum firma pace Romam eant & redeant.
[Footnote: William of Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 9. de gestis Regum Anglorum.]

The same in English.

You are to vnderstand, that at the feast of Easter, there was a great
company of Nobles with Pope Iohn and Conradus the Emperour assembled at
Rome, namely all the princes of the nations from mount Garganus [Footnote:
Garganus a mountain of Apulia in Italy.] vnto the West Ocean sea. Who all
of them honourably interteined me, and welcomed mee with rich and
magnificent gifts: but especially the Emperour bestowed diuers costly
presents and rewards vpon mee, both in vessels or golde and siluer, and
also in cloakes and garments of great value. Wherefore I conferred with the
Emperour himselfe and the Pope, and with the other Princes who were there
present, concerning the necessities of all my subiects both Englishmen and
Danes; that a more fauourable law & secure peace in their way to Rome might
bee graunted vnto them, and that they might not bee hindered by so many
stops & impediments in their iourney, and weaned by reason of iniust
exactions. And the Emperour condescended vnto my request, and king
Rodulphus also, who hath greatest authoritie ouer the foresaid stops and
streights, and all the other princes confirmed by their Edicts, that my
subiects, as well Marchants, as others who trauailed for deuotions sake,
should without all hinderance and restraint of the foresaid stops and
customers, goe vnto Rome in peace, and returne from thence in safetie.

       *       *       *       *       *

The flourishing state of Marchandise in the Citie of London in the dayes of
  Willielmus Malmesburiensis, which died in the yeere 1142. in the reigne
  of K. Stephen.

Haud longe a Rofa quasi viginti quinque milliarijs est Londonia Ciuitas
nobilis, opima ciuium diuitijs, constipata negociatorum ex omni terra, &
maxime ex Germania venientium, commercijs. Vnde fit vt cum vbique in Anglia
caritas victualium pro sterili prouentu messium sit, ibi necessaria
distrahantur & emantur minore, quàm alibi, vel vendentium compendio, vel
ementium dispendio. Peregrinas inuehit merces Ciuitatis finibus Tamesis
fluuius famosus, qui citra vrbem ad 80. milliaria fonticulo fusus, vltra
plus 70. nomen profert. [Footnote: Guliel. Malmesb. de gestis pont.
Anglorum lib. 2.]

The same in English.

Not farre from Rochester, about the distance of fiue and twenty miles,
standeth the Noble Citie of London, abounding with the riches of the
inhabitants, [Sidenote: Germanie] and being frequented with the traffique
of Marchants resorting thither out of all nations, and especially out of
Germanie. Whereupon it commeth to passe, that when any generall dearth of
victuals falleth out in England, by reason of the scarcitie of corne,
things necessary may there be prouided and bought with lesse gaine vnto the
sellers, and with lesse hinderance and losse vnto the buyers, then in any
other place of the Realme. Outlandish wares are conueighed into the same
Citie by the famous riuer of Thames: which riuer springing out of a
fountaine 80. miles beyond the Citie, is called by one and the selfe same
name 70. miles beneath it.

       *       *       *       *       *

The aforesaid William of Malmesburie writeth of traffike in his time to
  Bristowe in his fourth booke de gestis pontificum Anghorum, after this
  maner.

In eadem valle est vicus celeberrimus Bristow nomine, in quo est nauium
portus ab Hibernia & Norwegia & cæteris transmarinis terris venientium
receptaculum, ne scilicet genitalibus diuitijs tam fortunata regio
peregrinarum opum frauderetur commercio.

The same in English.

[Sidenote: Norway.] In the same valley stands the famous Towne of Bristow,
[Footnote: Bristol.] with an Hauen belonging thereunto, which is a
commodious and safe receptacle for all ships directing their course for the
same, from Ireland, Norway, and other outlandish and foren countreys:
namely that a region so fortunate and blessed with the riches that nature
hath vouchsafed thereupon should not bee destitute of the wealth and
commodities of other lands.

       *       *       *       *       *

The league betweene Henry the second and Fredericke Barbarossa Emperour of
  Germanie, wherein is mention of friendly traffike betweene the Marchants
  of the Empire and England, confirmed in the yeere of our Lord 1157,
  recorded in the first Booke and seuenteenth Chapter of Radeuicus
  Canonicus Frisingensis, being an appendix to Otto Frisingensis.

Ibidem tunc affuere etiam Henrici Regis Angliæ missi, varia & preciosa
donaria multo lepore verborum adornata præstantes. Inter quæ papilionem
vnum quantitate maximum, qualitate optimum perspeximus. Cuius si
quantitatem requiris, non nisi machinis & instrumentorum genere &
adminiculo leuari poterat: si qualitatem, nec materia nec opere ipsum putem
aliquando ab aliquo huiusce apparatu superatum iri. Literas quoque mellito
sermone plenas pariter direxerat, quarum hic tenor fuit. Præcordiali amico
suo, Frederico Dei gratia Romanorum imperatori inuictissimo, Henricus Rex
Angliæ, dux Normanniæ, & Aquitaniæ, & Comes Andegauensis, salutem, & veræ
dilectionis concordiam. Excellentiæ vestræ quantas possumus referimus
grates, dominantium optime, quod nos nuncijs vestris visitare, salutare
literis, muneribus præuenire, & quod his charius amplectimur, pacis &
amoris inuicem dignatus estis foedera inchoare. Exultauimus, & quodammodo
animum nobis crescere, & in maius sensimus euehi dum vestra promissio, in
qua nobis spem dedistis in disponendis. Regni nostri negocijs, alacriores
nos reddidit, & promptiores. Exultauimus inquam, & tota mente magnificentiæ
vestræ assurreximus, id vobis in sincero cordis affectu respondentes, quod
quicquid ad honorem vestrum spectare nouerimus, pro posse nostro effectui
mancipare parati sumus. Regnum nostrum & quicquid vbique nostræ subijcitur
ditioni vobis exponimus & vestræ committimus potestati, vt ad vestrum nutum
omnia disponantur, & in omnibus vestri fiat voluntas imperij. [Sidedote:
Commercia inter Germanos & Anglos.] Sit igitur inter nos & populos nostros
dilectionis & pacis vnitas indiuisa, commercia tuta. Ita tamen vt vobis,
qui dignitate præminetis, imperandi cedat authoritas, nobis non deerit
voluntas obsequendi. Et sicut vestraa Serenitatis memoriam vestrorum
excitat in nobis munerum largitio, sic vos nostri quoque reminisci
præoptamus, mittentes quæ pulchriora penes nos erant, & vobis magis
placitura. Attendite itaque dantis affectum, non data, & eo animo quo
dantur accipite. De manu beati Iacobi, super qua nobis scripsistis, in ore
magistri Hereberti & Guilielmi Clerici nostri verbum posuimus. Teste Thoma
Cancellario apud Northanton.

The same in English.

There were present also the same tune, the messengers of Henry [Footnote:
The Second.] king of England presenting diuers rich and precious gifts, and
that with great learning & eloquence of speech. Amongst the which we saw a
pauilion, most large in quantity, & most excellent in quality. For if you
desire to know the quantitie therof, it could not be erected without
engines and a kinde of instruments, and maine force: if the qualitie, I
thinke there was neuer any furniture of the same kinde, that surpassed the
same either in stuffe or workemanship. The said king directed his letters
also, full of sugred speeches, the tenour whereof was this that followeth.

To his entirely beloued friend Frederick [Footnote: Son of Frederick, Duke
of Suabia, was born in 1121. and succeeded his uncle Conrad III. in 1152 as
Emperor of the West. As was proved by his campaigns in Italy in 1154, 1158,
and 1162, and by the justice and probity of his administration, he was
equally great as a soldier and as a ruler. He joined the Third Crusade in
1189, and was drowned whilst crossing a river in Asia in June, 1190. His
memory is still cherished amongst the peasants of Germany, who look upon
him in the same light as the Welsh on Arthur.] by the grace of God Emperour
of the Romanes most inuincible, Henry king of England, duke of Normandie
and Aquitaine, Earle of Anjou wisheth health and concord of sincere amitie.
We doe render vnto your highnes (most renowmed and peerelesse Prince)
exceeding great thanks for that you haue so graciously vouchsafed by your
messengers to visite vs in your letters to salute vs, with your gifts to
present vs, and (which wee doe more highly esteeme of then all the rest) to
beginne a league of peace and friendship betweene vs. We reioyced, and in a
maner sensibly felt our selues to bee greatly emboldened, and our courage
to encrease, whilest your promise, whereby you put vs in good comfort, did
make vs more cheerefull and resolute, in managing the affaires of our
kingdome. We reioyced (I say) & in our secret cogitations did humble
obeisance vnto your Maiestie, giuing you at this time to vnderstand from
the sincere & vnfained affection of our heart, that whatsoeuer we shal know
to tend vnto your honour, we are, to our power most ready to put in
practise. Our kingdome, and whatsoeuer is vnder our iurisdiction we doe
offer vnto you, and commit the same vnto our highnesse, that all matters
may be disposed according to your direction, and that your pleasure may in
all things be fulfilled. Let there be therefore betweene our selues and our
subiects, an indiuisible vnitie of friendship and peace, and safe trade of
Marchandize yet so, as that vnto you (who excell in dignitie) authoritie in
commanding may bee ascribed, and diligence in obeying shall not want in vs.
And as the liberalitie of your rewards doeth often put vs in remembrance of
your Maiestie euen so in like maner sending vnto your Highnesse the most
rare things in our custodie and which we thought should be most acceptable
vnto you, wee doe most heartily wish that your selfe also would not
altogether bee vnmindefull of vs. Haue respect therefore not vnto the
gifts, but vnto the affection of the giuer, and accept of them with that
minde, wherewith they are offered vnto you.

Concerning the hand of S Iames, [Footnote: According to the legend, the
relics of this saint were miraculously conveyed to Spain in a ship of
marble from Jerusalem, where he was bishop.] about which you wrote vnto vs,
we haue sent you word by M Herbert, and by William the Clerke. Witnes
Thomas our Chancelour at Northanton.

       *       *       *       *       *

A generall safe conduct graunted to all forreine Marchants by king Iohn in
  the [Marginal note: 1199] first yeere of his reigne, as appeareth in the
  Records of the Tower, Anno 1. Regis Ioannis.

Ioannes Dei gratij &c. Maiori & Communitati Londinensi salutam. Sciatis
voluntatem esse nostram, quod omnes Mercatores de quicunque fuerunt terra
saluum habeant conductum ire & redire cum mercibus suis in Angliam.
[Sidenote: Solitæ mercatorum consuetudines.] Volumus etiam quod eandem
habeant pacem in Anglia, quam Mercatores de Anglia habent in terris illis
vnde fuerunt egressi. Et ideo vobis præcipimus, quod hoc faciatis
denunciari in Balliua vestra, & firmiter teneri; permittentes eos ire &
redire sine impedimento per debitas & rectas & solitas consuetudines in
Balliua vestra. Teste Galfredo filio Petri comite Essexiæ apud Kinefard 5.
die Aprilis.

In eadem forma scribitur vicecomiti Sudsex, Maiori & commumtati Ciuitatis
Winton, Balliuo de Southampton, Balliuo de Lenne, Balliuo Kent, Vicecomiti
Norffolciæ & Suffolciæ, Vicecomiti dorset & Sommerset, Baronibus de quinque
portubus, Vicecomiti de Southampton sire, Vicecomiti de Herttford & Essex,
Vicecomiti Cornubiæ & Deuon.

The same in English.

Iohn by the grace of God &c. to the Maior and communaltie of London,
greeting. You are to vnderstand, that it is our pleasure, that all
Marchants of what nation soeuer shall haue safe conduct to passe and
repasse with their Marchandize into England. It is our will also, that they
be vouchsafed the same fauour in England, which is granted vnto the English
Marchants in those places from whence they come. [Sidenote: The ancient
customes of Marchaunts.] And therefore we giue you in charge, that you
cause this to be published, and proclaimed in your bailiwicke, & firmely to
be obserued, permitting them to goe & come, without impediment, according
to the due, right and ancient customes vsed in your said Bailiwucke.
Witnesse Geofry Fitz-Peter Earle of Essex at Kinefard the 5. day of April.

The same forme of writing was sent to the sherife of Sudsex, to the Maior
and communaltie of the Citie of Winchester, to the Baily of Southampton,
the Baily of Lenne, the Baily of Kent, the sherife of Norfolke and
Suffolke, the sherife of Dorset and Sommerset, the Barons of the
Cinque-ports, the sherife of Souththampton shire the sherife of Hertford
and Essex the sherife of Cornewal and Deuon.

       *       *       *       *       *

Literæ regis Henrici tertij ad Haquinum Regem Norwegiæ de pacis foedere &
  intercursu mercandisandi Anno 1 Henrici 3. [Marginal note: 1216.]

Henricus Dei gratia &c. Haquino eadem gratia Regi Norwegiæ salutem.
Immensas nobilitati vestræ referimus gratiarum actiones de his quæ per
literas vestris prudentem virum. Abbatem de Lisa nobis significastis
volentes & desiderantes foedus pacis & dilectionis libenter nobiscum inire
& nobiscum confoederari. Bene autem placet & placebit nobis quod terræ
nostræ comunes sint, & Mercatores & homines qui sunt de potestate vestra
libere & sine impedimento terram nostrum adire possint, & homines &
Mercatores nostri similiter terri vestram. Dum tamen literas vestras
patentes super hoc nobis destinctis & nos vobis nostras transmittemus.
Interim autem bene volumus & concedimus, quod Mercatores tam de terra
vestra quàm nostra eant veniant, & recedant per terras nostras Et si quid
vestræ sederit voluntati quod facere valeamus id securè nobis significetis.
Detinuimus autem adhuc Abbatem prælictum, vt de naui vestra & rebus in ea
contentis pro posse nostro restitutionem fieri faceremus: per quem de statu
nostro & Regni nostri vos certificare curabimus & quàm citius &c. Teste me
ipso apud Lamhithe decimo die Octobris.

Eodem modo scribitur S. Duci Norwegiæ ibidem & eodem die.

The letters of King Henry the third vnto Haquinus [Footnote: Haco IV.,
  bastard of the able adventurer Swerro. His invasion of Scotland in 1263
  forms a striking episode of medæval history.] King of Norway concerning a
  treatie of peace and mutuall traffique of marchandize, &c.

Henry by the grace of God, &c. vnto Haquinus by the same grace King of
Norway sendeth greeting. Wee render vnto your highnesse vnspeakeable thanks
for those things which by your letters, and by your discreete subiect the
Abbat of Lisa, you haue signified vnto vs, and also for that you are right
willing and desirous to begin and to conclude betweene vs both, a league of
peace and amitie. And wee for our part both nowe are, and hereafter shalbe
well contented that both our lands be common to the ende that the Marchants
and people of your dominions may freely and without impediment resort vnto
our land, and our people and Marchants may likewise haue recourse vnto your
territories. Prouided, that for the confirmation of this matter, you send
vnto vs your letters patents, and wee will send ours also vnto you. Howbeit
in the meane while wee doe will and freely graunt, that the Marchants both
of our and your lands, may goe, come, and returne to and from both our
Dominions. And if there be ought in your minde, whereby we might stand you
in any stead, you may boldly signifie the same vnto vs. Wee haue as yet
deteined the foresaid Abbat, that wee might, to our abilitie, cause
restitution to be made for your ship, and for the things therein contained:
by whome wee will certifie you of our owne estate, and of the estate of our
kingdome so soone, &c, Witnesse our selfe at Lambith the tenth of October.

Another letter in the same forme and to the same effect was there and then
sent vnto S. Duke of Norway.


Mandatum pro Coga Regis Norwegiæ Anno 13. Henrici 3.

Mandatum est omnibus Balliuis portuum in quos ventura est Coga de Norwegia,
in qua venerint in Angliam milites Regis Norwegiæ & Mercatores Saxoniæ,
quod cum prædictam Cogam in portus suos venire contigerit, saluò permittant
ipsam Cogam in portubus suis morari, quamdiu necesse habuerit, & libere
sine impedimento inde recedere quando voluerint. Teste Rege.

The same in English.

A Mandate for the King of Norway his Ship called the Cog.

Wee will and commaund all bailifes of Portes, at the which the Cog of
Norway (wherein certaine of the king of Norwaie his souldiers, and certaine
Marchants of Saxonie are comming for England) shall touch, that, when the
foresaid Cog shall chance to arriue at any of their Hauens, they doe permit
the said Cog safely to remaine in their said Hauens so long as neede shall
require, and without impediment also freely to depart thence, whensoeuer
the gouernours Of the sayd ship shall thinke it expedient. Witnesse the
King.

       *       *       *       *       *

Carta pro Mercatoribus de Colonia anno 20. Henrici 3. Confirmata per Regem
  Edwardum primum 8. Iulij Anno Regni 18. prout extat in rotulo cartarum
  de Anno 18. Regis Edwardi primi.

Rex Archiepiscopis &c. salutem. Sciatis nos quietos clamasse pro nobis &
hæredibus nostris dilectos nostros, Ciues de Colonia, & mercandisam suam de
illis duobus solidis, [Marginal note: Antiqua consuetudo Gildhallæ
Coloniensium Londini.] quos solebant dare de Gildhalia sua London, & de
omnibus alijs consuetudinibus & demandis, quæ pertinent ad nos in London, &
per totam terram nostram; & quod liberè possunt ire ad ferias, per totam
terram nostram & emere & vendere in villa London & alibi, salua libertate
Ciuitatis nostræ London. Quare volumus & firmiter præcipimus pro nobis &
hæredibus nostris quod prædicti ciues de Colonia prænommatas libertates &
libera consuetudines habeant per totam terram nostram Angliæ sicut
prædictum est. His testibus, venerabili patre Waltero Caerleoiensi
Episcopo, Wilhelmo de Ferarijs, Gilberto Basset, Waltero de Bello campo,
Hugone Disspenser, Waltero Marescallo, Galfrido Dispenser, Bartholomæo
Pech, Bartholomæo de Saukeuill, & alijs. Data per manum venerabilis patris
Radulphi Cicistronsis Episcopi, Cancellarij nostri apud Dauintre Octauo die
Nouembris, Anno Regni nostri vicesimo.

The same in English.

A Charter graunted for the behalfe of the Marchants of Colen [Footnote:
  Cologne.] in the twentieth yeere of Henry the third, confirmed by King
  Edward the first, as it is extant in the roule of Charters, in the
  eighteenth yeere of King Edward the first.

The King vnto Archbishops &c. greeting. [Sidenote: The ancient custome of
the Coloners Gildhall in London.] Be it knowen vnto you, that wee haue
quite claimed, and for vs and our heires released our welbeloued the
Citizens of Colen and their marchandize, from the payment of those two
shillings which they were wont to pay out of their Gildhall at London and
from all other customes and demaunds, which perteine vnto vs, either in
London, or in any other place of our Dominions and that they may safely
resort vnto Fayers throughout our whole Kingdome, and buy and sell in the
Citie of London. Wherefore we will and firmely command for vs and our
heires, that the forenamed Marchants of Colen may enioy the liberties and
free priuiledges aboue-mentioned, throughout our whole kingdome of England
as is aforesaid. Witnesses, the reuerend father Walter Bishop of Carlil,
William de Ferarijs, Gilbert Basset, Walter de Beauchamp Hugh Disspenser,
Walter Marescal, Geofrie Disspensser. Bartholomew Peach, Bartholomew de
Saukeuill and others. Giuen by the hand of the reuerend father Ralph Bishop
of Chichester and our Chauncellour at Dauintre, the eight day of Nouember
in the twentieth yeere of our reigne.

       *       *       *       *       *

Carta Lubecensibus ad septennium concessa. Anno 41. Henrici 3.

[Sidenote: Carta conditionalis]

Henricus dei gracia Rex Angliæ dominus Hiberniæ, dux Normaniæ, Aquitaniæ, &
Comes Andegauiæ, omnibus Balliuis suis salutem. [Sidenote: Ricardus Comes
Cornubiaæ Rex Romanorum.] Sciatis nos ad instantiam dilecti & fidelis
fratris nostri Ricardi Comitis Cornubiæ in Regum Romanorum electi,
suscepisse in protectionem & defensionem nostram & saluum & securum
conductum nostrum Burgenses de Lubek in Alemania cum omnibus rebus &
mercandisis quas in Regnum nostrum deferent, vel facient deferri. Et eis
concessimus, quod de omnibus rebus & mercandisis suis nihil capiatur ad
opus nostrum vel alterius contra voluntatem eorundem; sed libere vendant &
negocientur inde in Regno prædicto, prout sibi viderint expedire. Et ideo
vobis mandamus, quod dictis Burgensibus vel eorum nuncijs in veniendo in
terram nostram cum rebus & mercandisis suis ibidem morando, & inde
recedendo, nullum inferatis, aut ab alijs inferri permittatis impedimentum
aut grauamen. Nec eos contra quietantiam prædictam vexetis, aut ab alijs
vexari permittatis. In cuius rei testimonium has literas nostras fiera
fecimus patentes per septennium durantes: Dum tamen ijdem Burgenses interim
bene & fideliter se habuerint erga præfatum electum fratrem nostrum. Teste
meipso apud Westmonasterium vndecimo die Maij Anno Regni nostri
quadragesimo primo. Hæc litera duplicata est, pro Burgensibus &
mercatoribus Dacis, Brunswig, & Lubek.

The same in English.

The charter of Lubek granted for seuen yeeres, obtained in the one and
  fortieth yeere of Henry the third.

Henry by the grace of God King of England, Lord of Ireland, Duke of
Normandie and Aquitaine, and Earle of Anjou, to all his Bailifs sendeth
greeting. Know ye that at the instant request of our welbeloued and trusty
brother Richard Earle of Cornewal being of late elected king of the
Romanes, we haue receiued vnder our protection and defence, and vnder our
safe and secure conduct, the citizens of Lubek in Alemain, with all their
goods and wares, which they shall bring or cause to be brought into our
kingdome. We haue also granted vnto them, that of all their goods and
merchandize, nothing shal be seized vnto the vse of our selues, or of any
other without their owne consent, but that they may freely sell and
exercise traffike therewith according as they shall thinke expedient. And
therefore we straightly command you, that neither your selues do offer, nor
that you permit any other to offer any impediment or moletstation vnto the
said Burgers or vnto their messengers, either at their comming into our
land, with their goods and marchandize, in the time of their abode there,
or at their departure from thence, and that yee neither molest them your
selues, nor yet suffer them by others to be molested, contrary to the
aforesaid Charter. In testimonie whereof, we haue caused these our Letters
to be made Patents, during the space of seuen yeeres next following.

Prouided, that the sayd Burghers doe in the meane time behaue themselues
well and faithfully towards our foresaid elected brother. Witnesse our
selues at Westminster the eleuenth day of March, [Footnote: _Sic_ in
Hakluyt. It should be _May_.] in the one and fortieth yeere of our reigne.

       *       *       *       *       *

This Letter was doubled, namely for the Burghers, and the Marchants of
  Denmarke, of Brunswig, and of Lubecke.

Carta pro Mercatoribus Alemanniæ, qui habent domum in London, quæ Gildhalla
  Teutonicorum vulgariter nuncupatur. Anno 44. Henrici tertij, & Anno primo
  & 29. Edwardi primi renouata & confirmata.

Ad instantiam Serenissimi principis Richardi Romanorum Regis charissimi
fratris nostri concedimus mercatonbus Alemanniæ, illis videlicet qui habent
domum in Ciuitate nostra London, quæ Gildhalla Teutonicorum vulganter
nuncupatur, quod eos vniuersos manutenebimus per totum Regnum nostrum in
omnibus ijsdem libertatibus & liberis consuetudinibus, quibus ipsi nostris
& [Marginal note: Nota antiquitatem.] progenitorum nostrorum temporibus vsi
sunt & gauisi. Ipsosque extra huiusmodi libertates & liberas consuetudines
non trahemus, nec trahi aliquatenus permittemus. In cuius rei testimonium
has literas nostras fieri fecimus patentes.

The same in English

A charter for the Marchants of Almaine, who haue an house at London
  commonly called [Marginal note: The Stiliard.] the Guild hall of the
  Dutch, graunted in the 44. yeere of Henry the third, renued and confirmed
  in the 1. & 29. yeere of Edward the first.

At the instant request of the most gracious Prince Richard king of the
Romanes our most deare brother, wee doe graunt vnto the Marchants of
Alemain (namely vnto those that haue an house in our citie of London,
commonly called the Guildhall of the Dutch Merchants) that we will,
throughout our whole Realme, maintaine all and euery of them, in all those
liberties and free customes, which both in our times, and in the times of
our progenitors, they haue vsed and enioyed. [Sidenote: Note the
antiquity.] Neither will we inforce them beyond these liberties and free
customes, nor in any wise permit them to be inforced. In witnesse whereof,
wee haue caused these our letters to be made patents.

       *       *       *       *       *

Mandatum regis Edwardi primi de mercatoribus alienigenis.

Mercatores extranei vendant mercimonia sua in ciuitate London &c. infra
quadraginta dies post ingressum suum, anno 3. Edwardi primi.

The same in English.

A mandate of king Edward the first concerning outlandish marchants.

We will and command that outlandish marchants doe sel their wares in the
citie of London &c. within forty dayes of their ariuall.

       *       *       *       *       *

The great Charter granted vnto forreine marchants by king Edward the first,
  in the 31. yeare of his reigne commonly called Carta mercatoria, Anno
  Domini 1303.

Edwardus Dei gratia Rex Angliæ, Dommus Hiberniæ dux Aquitaniæ,
Archiepiscopis, Episcopis, Abbatibus, Prioribus, Comitibus, Baronibus,
Iustitiarijs, Vicecomitibus, præpositis, ministris, & omnibus balliuis &
fidelibus suis salutem. Circa bonum statum omnium mercatorum subscriptorum
regnorum, terrarum, & prouinciarum, videlicet Alemanniæ, Franciæ, Hispaniæ,
Portugalliæ, Nauarræ, Lombardiæ, Thusciæ, Prouinciæ, Cataloniæ, ducatus
nostri Aquitaniæ, Tholosaniæ, Caturluni, Flandriæ, Brabantiæ, & omnium
aliarum terrarum & locorum extraneorum, quocunque nomine censeantur,
venientium in regnum nostrum Angliæ & ibidem conuersantium nos præcipua
cura sollicitat, qualiter sub nostro dominio tranquillitatis & plenæ
securitatis immunitas eisdem mercatoribus futuris temporibus præparetur. Vt
itaque vota ipsorum reddantur ad nostra & regni nostri seruitia promptiora,
ipsorum petitionibus fauorabiliter annuentes, & pro statu eorundem plenius
assecurando, in forma quæ sequitur ordinantes, pro nobis & hæredibus
nostris in perpetuum subscripta dictis mercatoribus duximus concedenda.

1. In primis videlicet quod omnes mercatores dictorum regnorum & terrarum
saluè & secure sub tuitione & protectione nostra in dictum regnum nostrum
Angliæ, & vbique infra potestatem nostram alibi veniant cum mercandisis
suis quibuscunque de muragio, pontagio & pannagio liberi & quieti. Quodque
infra idem regnum & potestatem nostram in ciuitatibus, burgis, & villis
mercatorijs possunt mercari duntaxat in grosso tam cum indigenis seu
incolis eiusdem regni & potestatis nostræ prædictæ, quàm cum alienigenis,
extraneis, vel priuatis. Ita tamen quod merces, quæ vulgariter merceriæ
vocantur, ac species, minutatim vendi possint, prout antea fieri consueuit.
[Sidenote: Exceptio contra notorios regni hostes.] Et quod omnes prædicti
mercatores mercandisas suas, quas ipsos ad prædictum regnum & potestatem
nostram adducere, seu infra idem regnum & potestatem nostram emere, vel
aliàs acquirere contingerit, possint quo voluerint tam infra regnum &
potestatem nostram prædictam, quàm extra ducere vel portare facere,
præterquam ad terras manifestorum & notoriorum hostium regni nostri,
soluendo consuetudines quas debebunt: vinis duntaxat exceptis, quæ de codem
regno seu potestate nostra, postquam infra idem regnum seu potestatem
nostram ducta fuerint, sine voluntate & licentia specili non liceat eis
educere quoquo modo.

2. Item quod prædicti mercatores in ciuitatibus, burgis, & villis prædictis
pro voluntate sua hospitari valeant, & morari cum bonis suis ad gratiam
ipsorum, quorum sunt hospitia siue domus.

3. Item quod quilibet contractus per ipsos mercatores cum quibuscunque
personis vndecunque fuerint super quocunque genere mercandisæ initus,
firmus sit & stabilis, ita quod neuter mercatorum ab illo contractu possit
recedere, vel resilire, postquam denarius Dei inter principales personas
contrahentes datus fuerit & receptus. Et si forsan super contractu euismodi
contentio oriatur fiat inde probatio aut inquisitio secundum vsus &
consuetudines feriarum & villarum, vbi dictum contractum fieri contigerit &
iniri.

4. Item promittimus præfatis mercatoribus pro nobis & hæredibus nostris in
perpetuum concedentes, quod nullam prisam vel arrestationem, seu dilationem
occasione prisæ de cætero de mercimonijs mercandisis seu alijs bonis suis
per nos vel alium seu alios pro aliqua necessitate vel casu contra
voluntatem ipsorum mercatorum aliquatenus faciemus, aut fieri patiemur,
nisi statim soluto precio pro quo ipsi mercatores alijs eiusmodi mercimonia
vendere possint, vel eis aliter satisfacto, ita quod reputent se contentos:
Et quod super mercimonia, mercandisas, seu bona ipsorum per nos vel
ministros nostros nulla appreciatio aut estimatio imponetur.

[Sidenote: Lex mercatoria.]
5. Item volumus quod omnes balliui & ministri feriarum, ciuitatum,
burgorum, & villarum mercatoriarum mercatoribus antedictis conquerentibus
coram ijs celerem iustitiam faciant de die in diem sine dilatione secundum
legem mercatoriam, de vniuersis & singulis quæ per eandem legem poterunt
terminari. Et si forte inueniatur defectus in aliquo balliuorum vel
ministrorum prædictorum, vnde ijdem mercatores vel eorum aliquis dilationis
incommoda sustinuerint vel sustineant, licet mercator versus partem in
principali recuperauerit damna sua, nihilominus balliuus vel minister alius
versus nos, prout delictum exigit puniatur. Et punitionem istam concedimus
in fauorem mercatorum prædictorum pro corum iustitia maturanda.

6. Item quod in omnibus generibus placitorum, saluo casu criminis pro quo
infligenda est poena mortis, vbi mercator implacitatus fuerit, vel alium
implacitauent, cuiuscunque conditionis idem implacitatus extiterit,
extraneus vel priuatus, in nundinis, ciuitatibus, siue Burgis, vbi fuerit
sufficiens copia mercatorum prædictarum terrarum, & inquisitio fieri
debeat, sit medietas inquisitionis de eijsdem mercatoribus, & medietas
altera de probis & legalibus hominibus loci illius vbi placitum illud esse
contigent. Et si de mercatoribus dictaram terrarum numerus non inuenientur
sufficiens, ponentur in inquisitione illi qui idonei inuenientur ibidem, &
residij sint de alijs bonis hominibus & idoneis de locis in quibus placitum
illud erit.

7. Item volumus, ordinamus, & statuimus, quod in qualibet villa mercatoria
& feria regni nostri prædicti & alibi infra potestatem nostram pondus
nostrum in certo loco ponatur & ante ponderationem statera in presentia
emptoris & venditoris vacua videatur & quòd brachia sint equalia & ex tunc
ponderator ponderet in æquali. Et cum stateram posuerit in æquali statim
amoueat manus suas, ita quod remaneat in æquali; quodque per totum regnum &
potestatem nostram sit vnum pondus & vna mensura: & signo standardi nostri
signentur: Et quod quilibet possit habere stateram vnius quaternionis, &
infra, vbi contra domini loci, aut libertatem per nos & antecessores
nostros concessam illud non fuerit, siue contra villarum & feriarum
consuetudinem hactenus obseruatam.

8. Item volumus & concedimus, quod aliquis certus homo fidelis & discretus
Londini residens assignetur iustitiarius mercatoribus memoratis, coram quo
valeant specialiter placitare, & debita sua recuperare celeriter, si
Vicecomites & Maiores eis non facerent de die in diem celeris iustitiæ
complementum: Et inde fiat Commissio extra Cartam præsentem concessa
mercatoribus antedictis: [Sidenote: Lex mercatoria quæ?] scilicet de his
quæ sunt inter mercatores & mercatores secundum legem mercatoriam
deducenda.

[Sidenote: Antiquæ Costumæ.]

9. Item ordinamus & statuimus, & ordinationem illam statutúmque pro nobis &
hæredibtis nostris in perpetuum volumus firmiter obseruari, quòd pro
quacunque libertate, quam nos vel hæredes nostri de cætero concedemus,
præfati mercatores supradictas libertates vel earum aliquam non amittant.
Pro prædictis autem libertatibus & liberis consuetudinibus obtinendis, &
prisis nostris remittendis ijdem supradicti mercatores vniuersi & singuli
pro se & omnibus alijs de partibus suis nobis concorditer & vnanimiter
concesserunt, quòd de quolibet dolio vini, quod adducent vel adduci facient
infra regnum & potestatem nostram, & vnde marinarijs fretum soluere
tenebuntur, soluent nobis & hæredibus nostris nomine Custumæ duos solidos
vltra antiquas custumas debitas & in denarijs solui consuetas nobis, aut
alias infra quadraginta dies, postquam extra naues ad terram posita fuerint
dicta vina. Item de quolibet sacco lanarum, quem dicti mercatores, aut alij
nomine ipsorum ement & è regno educent, aut emi & educi facient, soluent
quadraginta denarios de incremento vltra custumam antiquam dimidiæ marcæ,
quæ prius fuerat persoluta pro lasta coriorum extra regnum & potestatem
nostram vehendorum dimidiam marcam supra id quòd ex antiqua custuma ante
soluebatur. Et similiter de trecentis pellibus lanitis extra regnum &
potestatem nostram ducendis quadraginta denarios vltra certum illud, quod
de antiqua custuma fuerat prius datum. Item duos solidos de quolibet
scarlato & panno tincto in grano. Item decem & octo denarios de quolibet
panno, in quo pars grani fuerit intermixta. Item duodecem denarios de
quolibet panno alio sine grano. Item duodecem denarios de qualibet æris
quintalla.

10. Cumque de præfatis mercatoribus nonnuli eorum alias excicere soleant
mercandisas, vt de Aucrio ponderis, & de alijs rebus subtilibus, sicut de
pannis Tarsensibus, de serico, & cindallis, de seta & alijs diuersis
mercibus, & de equis etiam & alijs animalibus, blado & alijs rebus &
mercandisis multimodis, quæ ad certam custumam facile poni non poterunt,
ijdem mercatores concesserunt dare nobis & hæredibus nostris de qualibet
libra argenti estimationis seu valoris rerum & mercandisaram huiusmodi,
quocunque nomine censeantur; tres denarios de libra in introitu rerum &
mercandisaram ipsarum in regnum & potestatem nostram prædictam infra
viginti dies postquam huiusmodi res & mercandisæ in regnum & potestatem
nostram adductæ & etiam ibidem exoneratæ seu venditæ fuerint. Et similiter
tres denarios de qualibet libra argenti in eductione quarumcunque rerum &
mercandisaram huiusmodi emptarum in regno & potestate nostris prædictis
vltra custumas nobis aut alijs ante datas. Et super valore & estimatione
rerum & mercandisarum huiusmodi de quibus tres denarij de qualibet libra
argenti sicut prædicitur sunt soluendi, credatur eis per literas, quas de
Dominis aut socijs suis ostendere poterunt: Et si literas non habeant
stetur in hac parte prædictorum mercatorum, si præsentes fuerint, vel
valetorum suorum in eorandem mercatorum absentia, iuramentis.

11. Liceat insuper socijs de societate prædictorum mercatorum infra regnum
& potestatem nostram prædictas, lanas vendere alijs suis socijs, &
similiter emere ab ijsdem absque custuma soluenda. Ita tamen quod dictæ
lattæ ad tales manus non deueniant, quòd de custuma nobis debita
defraudemur. Et præterea est sciendum, quòd postquam supradicti mercatores
semel in vno loco infra regnum & potestatem nostram custumam nobis
concessam superius pro mercandisis suis in forma soluerint supradicta, &
suum habeant inde warantum, siue huiusmodi mercandisæ infra regnum &
potestatem nostram remaneant, siue exterius deferantur, (exceptis vinis,
quæ de regno & potestate, nostris prædictis sine volnntate & licentia
nostra sicut prædictum est nullatenus educantur:) Volumus, ac pro nobis, ac
hæredibus nostris concedimus, quòd nulla exactio, prisa, vel præstatio, aut
aliquod onus super personas mercatorum prædictorum, mercandisas seu bona
eorundem altquatenus imponatur contra formam expressam superius &
concessam. His testibus veracibus principalibus, Roberto Cantuariensi
Archiepiscopo totius Angliæ primate, Waltero Couentriæ & Lichfildiæ
episcopo, Henrico de Lacy Lincolniense, Humfredo de Bohum comite
Herfordiense, & Essexiæ & Constabulo magno Angliæ, Adomaro de Valentia,
Galfrido de Gaymal, Hugone de Lespensor,[Footnote: _Sic_.] Waltero de
Bello campo, senescallo hospitij nostri, Roberto de Burijs, & alijs. Datum
per manum nostram apud Windesore, primo die Februarij, anno regni nostri
xxxj.

The aforesaid generall Charter in English.

Edward by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, duke of
Aquitaine, to Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Earles, Barons,
Iustices, Vicounts, gouernours, officers, and all bayliffes, and his
faithfull people sendeth greeting. Wee haue speciall care for the good
estate of all marchants of the kingdomes, lands, and countries following:
to wit of Almaine, France, Spaine, Portugal, Nauarre, Lombardie, Florence,
Prouence, Catalonia, of our duchie of Aquitaine, Tholosa, Caturlune,
[Footnote: Catalonia] Flanders, Brabant, and of all other forreine
countreis and places by what name soeuer they be called, which come into
our kingdome of England, and there remayne, that the sayd marchants may
liue in quiet and full securitie vnder our dominion in time to come.
Wherefore that their hearts desires may bee more readily inclined to our
seruice and the seruice of our kingdome, wee fauourably agreeing to their
petitions, for the fuller assuring of their estate, haue thought good to
graunt to the sayd merchants for vs and our heires for euer these
priuiledges vnder written, ordaining in forme as followeth.

1. First, that all marchants of the sayd kingdomes and countreys may come
into our kingdome of England, and any where else into our dominion with
their marchandises whatsoeuer safely and securely vnder our defence and
protection without paying wharfage, pontage, or pannage. And that in
Cities, Boroughs, and market townes of the sayd kingdome and dominion they
may traffique onely by the great [Footnote: Wholesale.] as well with the
naturall subiects and inhabitantes of our aforesayde kingdome and dominion,
as with forreiners, straungers, or priuate persons. Yet so that
marchandises which are commonly called mercerie wares, and spices, may be
sold by the small, [Footnote: Retail.] as heretofore hath bin accustomed.
[Sidenote: An exception for traficking with the known enemies of the
kingdome.] And that all the aforesaid marchants may cary or cause to be
caried whither they will, aswell within our realme or dominion, as out of
the same; sauing vnto the countreis of the manifest and knowne enemies of
our kingdome, those marchandises which they shall bring into our foresayd
realme and dominion or buy or otherwise purchase in our sayd realme and
dominion paying such customes as they ought to doe: except onely wines,
which it shall not be any wayes lawfull for them to cary out of our sayd
realme and dominion without our speciall fauour and licence, after they be
once brought into our realme and dominion.

2. Item that the aforesayd marchants may at their pleasure lodge & remaine
with their goods in the cities, boroughs, and townes aforesaid, with the
good liking of those which are owners of their lodgings.

3. Item that euery bargaine made by the said marchants with any maner of
persons, of what places soeuer they be for any kind of marchadise
whatsoeuer, shalbe firme & stable so that none of both the marchants shall
shrinke or giue backe from that bargaine, after that the earnest penie be
once giuen and taken betweene the principall bargayners. And if
peraduenture any strife arise about the same bargaine, the triall and
inquirie thereof shall be made according to the vses and customes of the
fayres and townes where it chanced that the said bargaine was made and
contracted.

4. Item, we promise the aforesaid marchants granting for euer for vs and
our heires, that from hence foorth we will not in any wise make nor cause
to be made any stay or arrest, or any delay by reason of arrest of their
wares, marchandises or other goods, by our selues, or by any other or
others for any neede or accident against the will of the sayd marchants,
without present payment of such a price as the marchants would haue sold
those marchandises for to other men, or without making of them other
satisfaction, so that they shall hold themselues well contented and that no
price or valuation shalbe set vpon their wares, marchandises, & goods by vs
or by any officer of ours.

5. Item, we will that all bayliffes and officers of fayres, cities,
boroughs, and market townes shall doe speedie iustice from day to day
without delay accgrdmg to the lawe of Marchants to the aforesayd marchants
when they shall complaine before them, touching all and singuler causes,
which may be determined by the same law. [Sidenote: Where is this law now
become?] And if default be found in any of the bayliffes or officers
aforesayd, whereby the sayd marchants or any of them haue sustained, or do
sustaine any damage through delay, though the marchant recouer his losses
against the partie principall, yet the bayliffe or other officer shall be
punished to vs ward, according to the qualitie of the default. And wee doe
grant this punishment in fauour of the aforesayd marchants in regard of the
hastening of their iustice.

6. Item, that in al maner of pleas, sauing in case where punishment of
death is to be inflicted, where a marchant is vnpleaded, or sueth another,
of what condition soeuer hee bee which is sued, whether stranger or home
borne, in fayres, cities, or boroughs, where sufficient numbers of
marchants of the foresayd countreis are, and where the triall ought to bee
made, let the one halfe of the Iurie be of the sayd marchants, and the
other halfe of good and lawfull men of the place wheie the suite shall fall
out to bee: and if sufficient number of marchants of the sayd countries
cannot bee found, those which shall be found fit in that place shall be put
vpon the Iurie, and the rest shall be chosen of good and fit men of the
places where such suit shall chance to be.

7. Item we will, we ordaine, and wee appoint, that in euery market towne
and fayre of our realme aforesayd and elsewhere within our dominion our
weight shall bee set in some certaine place, and that before the weighing
the balance shall bee seene emptie in the presence of the buyer and of the
seller, and that the skales bee equall: and that afterward the weigher
weigh in the equall balance. And when hee hath set the balances euen, let
him straightway remooue his hands, so that the balance may remayne euen:
And that throughout all our kingdome and dominion there be one weight and
one measure, and that they be marked with the marke of our standard. And
that euery man may haue a weight of one quarter of an hundred, and vnder,
where the same hath not bin contrary to the liberty of the lord of the
place, and contrary to the libertie granted by vs and our predecessors, or
contrary to the custome of townes and fayres which hath hitherto beene
obserued.

8. Item we will and we grant that some certaine faythfull and discreete man
resident in London be appointed to doe Iustice to the aforesayd marchants,
before whome they may haue their sutes decided, and may speedilie recouer
their debts, if the Shiriffes and Maior should not from day to day giue
them speedy iustice. And hereof let a Commission be made: which we grant
vnto the aforesaid marchants besides this present Charter: to wit of such
things as betweene marchant and marchant are to be decided according to the
lawe of marchants.

9. Item we ordayne and appoynt, and wee will that this ordinance and
statute shall firmely bee obserued for euer for vs and our heires, that the
aforesayd marchants shal not loose the aforesayd liberties nor any of them,
for any libertie whatsoeuer, which wee or our heires hereafter shall grant.
And for the obtayning of the aforesayd liberties and free customes, and for
remission of our arresting of their goods the aforesayd marchants all and
euery of them for themsetues and all other of their parties with one
accorde and one consent hane granted vnto vs, that of euery tunne of wine,
which they shall bring or cause to be brought into our realme and dominion,
for which they shall bee bound to pay freight vnto the mariners, besides
the olde customes which are due and were woont to bee payd vnto vs, they
will pay vnto vs and to our heires in the name of a custome two shillings
in money, either out of hande, or else within fortie dayes after the sayd
wines shall bee brought on land out of the shippes. Item for euery sacke of
wooll, which the sayd marchants or others in their name shall buy and carie
out of the realme, or cause to bee brought and caried out, they will pay
forty pence aboue the old custome of halfe a marke, which was payed
heretofore: And for a last of hides to bee caryed out of our realme and
dominion halfe a marke aboue that which heretofore was payed by the olde
custome. And likewise for three hundreth Felles with the wooll on them to
bee transported out of our realme and dominion fortie pence, aboue that
certaine rate which before was payed by the olde custome: Also two
shillings vpon euery scarlate and euery cloth died in graine. Item
eighteene pence for euery cloth wherein any kind of graine is mingled. Item
twelue pence vpon euery cloth dyed without graine. Item twelue pence vpon
euerie quintall of copper.

And whereas sundrie of the aforesayd marchants are woont to exercise other
marchandises, as of Hauer de pois, and other fine wares, as sarcenets,
lawnes, cindalles, and silke, and diuers other marchandlses, and to sell
horses and other beastes, corne, and sundrie other things and marchandlses,
which cannot easily bee reduced vnto a certaine custome: the sayd marchants
haue granted to giue vnto vs, and to our heires of euery pound of siluer of
the estemation and value of these kinde of goods and marchandises, by what
name soeuer they be called, three pence in the pound in the bringing in of
these goods into our realme and dominion aforesaid, within twentie dayes
after these goods and marchandlses shall be brought into our realme and
dominion, and shall be there vnladen and solde. And likewise three pence
vpon euery pound of siluer in the carying out of any such goods and
marchandises which are bought in our realme and dominion aforesayd aboue
the customes beforetime payd vnto vs or any of our progenitors. And
touching the value and estimation of these goods and marchandises, whereof
three pence of euery pound of siluer, as is aforesayd, is to be payd,
credite shalbe giuen vnto them vpon the letters which they are able to
shewe from their masters or parteners. And if they haue no letters in this
behalfe, we will stand to the othe of the foresayd marchants if they bee
present, or in their absence to the othes of their seruants.

Moreouer, it shall be lawfull for such as be of the company of the
aforesayd marchants within our realme and dominion aforesayd, to sell
woolles to other of their company, and likewise to buy of them without
paying of custome. Yet so, that the said wools come not to such hands, that
wee be defrauded of the custome due vnto vs. And furthermore it is to be
vnderstood, that after that the aforesaid marchants haue once payed in one
place within our realme and dominion, the custome aboue granted vnto vs in
forme aforesayd for their marchandises, & haue their warrant therof,
whether these marchandises remayne within our kingdome or be caried out
(excepting wines, which in no wise shalbe caried forth of our realme and
dominion aforesayd without our fauour & licence as is aforesayd) we wil and
we grant for vs and our heires, that no execution, attachment or loane, or
any other burthen be layd vpon the persons of the aforesayd marchants, vpon
their marchandises or goods in any case contrary to the forme before
mentioned and granted. The faithfull & principall witnesses of these
presents are these Robert Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England,
Walter bishop of Couetrey and Lichfield, Henry Lacie of Lincolne, Humfrey
de Bohume, Earle of Herford and Essex high Constable of England, Adomare of
Valentia, Geofrey of Gaymal, Hugh Spenser, Walter Beauchampe Seneschall of
our house, Robert of Bures, and others. Giuen by our owne hand at Windesore
the first day of February, in the yere of our reigne xxxi.

       *       *       *       *       *

De mercatoribus Angliæ in Norwegia arestatis, & eorum mercimonijs de
  arrestandis literæ Edwardi secundi anno sexto regni sui, Haquino regi
  Norwegiæ.

Magnifico principi domino Haquino Dei gratia regi Norwegiæ illustri amico
suo charissimo Edwardus eadem Dei gratia rex Angliæ, Dom. Hiberniæ, & dux
Aquitaniæ salutem cum dilectione sincera. Miramur non modicum & in intimis
conturbamur de grauaminibus & oppressionibus quæ subditis nostris infra
regnum vestrum causa negociandi venientibus his diebus plus solito absque
causa rationabili, sicut ex graui querela didicimus, inferuntur. Nuper
siquidem Willihelmus filius Laurentij de Waynfleete, Simon filius Alani de
eadem, Guido filius Mathei & eorum socij mercatores nostri nobis
conquerendo monstrarunt, quod cum ipsi quosdam homines & seruientes suos
cum tribus nauibus suis ad partes regni vestri, ad negotiandum ibidem
transmisissent: [Sidenote: Villa de Tonnesbergh.] & naues illæ in portu
villæ vestræ de Tonnesbergh halece & alijs bonis diuersis vsque ad magnam
summam oneratæ fuissent Et licet nautis nauium prædictarum hominibusque &
sermentibus prædictis à regno vestro liberè cum nauibus & bonis prædictis
ad partes Angliæ redeundi vestras fieri feceritis de conductu, postmodùm
tamen antequam naues illæ propter venti contrarietatem portum prædictum
exire potuerunt, quidam balliui vestri naues prædictas cum hominibus &
bonis omnibus tunc existentibus in eisdem, occasione mortis cuiusdam
militis nuper balliui vestri in Vikia per malefactores & piratas, dum naues
prædictæ in portu supradicto sicut præmittitur remanserunt supra mare vt
dicitur interfecti, de mandato vestro vt dicebant arrestarunt, & diu sub
aresto huiusmodi detinebant, quousque videlicet homines & marinarij
prædicti de quadraginta libris sterlingorum certo die statuto ad opus
vestrum pro qualibet naui prædictarum soluendis inuiti & coacti securitatem
inuenissent: Et similiter de eisdem nauibus cum hominibus prædictis infra
portum prædictum citra festum natiuitatis Sancti Ioannis Baptistæ proximo
futuro ad standum tunc ibidem de personis & nauibus suis vestræ gratiæ seu
voluntatis arbirio reducendis tres obsides vlterius liberassent: quod ipsis
valde graue censetur & auditu mirabile auribus audientium non immerito
reputatur. Et quia contra rationem & æquitatem, omnemque iustitiam fore
dinoscitur, atque legem, quòd delinquentium culpæ seu demerita in personis
vel rebus illorum qui criminis rei conscij vel participes, seu de huiusmodi
delinquentium societate non fuerunt, aliqualiter vlciscantur, vestram
amicitiam affectuose requirimus & rogamus quatenus præmissa diligenti
meditatione zelo iustitiæ ponderantes, obsides prædictos iubere velitis ab
hostagiamento huiusmodi liberari, dictamque securitatem relaxari penitus &
resolui. Scientes pro certo, quod si malefactores prædicti, qui dictum
militem vestrum vt dicitur, occiderunt, alicubi infra regnum seu potestatem
nostram poterunt inueniri, de ipsis iustitiam & iudicium secundum legem &
consuetudinem eiusdem regni fieri faciemus. Non enim possumus his diebus
æequanimiter tolerare quod naues prædictæ seu aliæ de regno nostro, quæ
semper promptæ ad nostrum seruitium esse debent, extra idem regnum ad
partes remotas se diuertant sine nostra licentia speciali. Quid autem ad
hanc nostram instantiam faciendum decreueritis in præmissis, nobis si
placeat rescribatis per præsentium portatorem. Datæ apud Windesore decimo
sexto die Aprilis.

The same in English.

The letters of Edward the second vnto Haquinus king of Norway, concerning
  the English marchants arrested in Norway, and their goods to be freed
  from arrest.

To the mighty Prince, lord Haquinus, by the grace of God the famous king of
Norway his most deare friend Edward by the same grace of God, king of
England, lord of Ireland duke of Aquitaine, greeting and sincere loue. We
maruell not a little, and are much disquieted in our cogitations,
considering the greeuances and oppressions which (as wee haue beene
informed by pitifull complaints) are at this present more than in times
past without any reasonable cause inflicted vpon our subiects, which doe
vsually resort vnto your kingdome for traffiques sake. For of late one
William the sonne of Laurence of Wainfleete, and one Simon the sonne of
Alan of the same towne, and Guido the sonne of Mathew and their associates
our marchants, in complayning wise declared vnto vs: [Sidenote: The towne
of Tonesbergh.] that hauing sent certaine of their factors and seruants,
with three shippes into your dominions, there to exercise traffique, and
the sayd ships being laden in the hauen of your towne of Tonnesbergh, with
Herrings and other commodities to a great value: and also the said
mariners, men, and seruants of the foresayd shippes, being licenced by
vertue of the safe conduct which you had granted them, freely to returne
from your kingdome vnto the parts of England with their ships and goods
aforesayd, but afterward not being able to depart out of your hauen by
reason of contrary windes: certaine of your bayliffes vpon occasion of the
slaughter of a knight being himselfe also of late your bayliffe of Vikia,
committed by malefactors and Pirates vpon the sea, whilest the sayd shippes
remained in the hauen aforesayd, did at yoar commandement (as they say)
arrest, and for a long season also deteined vnder that arrest, the foresaid
ships, with all the men and goods that were in them: namely vntill such
time, as the men and mariners aforesaide (beeing driuen perforce, and
constrained thereunto) should lay in sufficient securitie for the payment
of fortie pounds sterling, vpon a certain day appointed, vnto your vse for
euery of the foresaide ships and: also vntill they had moreouer deliuered
three pledges, for the bringing of the saide ships and men backe againe
into the foresaid hauen, before the feast of the natiuitie of S. Iohn the
Baptist next ensuing, then and there to stand vnto your fauour and
curtesie, as touching the said persons, and those ships of theirs: which
dealing, the parties themselues take very grieuously, yea, and all others
that heare thereof thinke it to be a strange and vnwonted course. And
because it is most vndoubtedly contrary to all reason, equitie, iustice,
and lawe, that the faults or demerits of offenders should in any sort be
punished in such persons, or in their goods, as neither haue bene accessory
nor partakers in the crime, nor haue had any society with the saide
offenders: we doe heartily intreat and request your Highnes, that weighing
and pondering the matter in the balance of iustice, you would of your loue
and friendship, command the foresaid pledges to be set at libertie, and the
said securitie vtterly to bee released and acquited. And know you this for
a certaintie, that if the foresaide malefactors, who (as it is reported)
slewe your Knight aforesaide shall any where within our realme and
dominions be found, we wil cause iustice and iudgement to bee executed vpon
them, according to the Lawe and custome of our sayde Realme. For we cannot
in these times conueniently and well indure, that the ships aforesaide, or
any other ships of our kingdome (which ought alwayes to be in a readinesse
for our seruice) should without speciall licence, depart out of our saide
kingdome, vnto forreine dominions. Nowe, what you shall think good at this
our request to performe in the premisses, may it please you by the bearer
of these presents to returne an answere vnto vs. Geuen at Windsore the 16.
of April.

       *       *       *       *       *

Another Letter of Edward the second, to Haquinus King of Norway, in the
  behalfe of certaine English Marchants

Magnifico Principi Dom Haquino Dei gratia regi Norwegiæ illustri, amico suo
charissimo, Edwardus eadem Dei gratia Rex Angliæ, dominus Hyberniæ, & dux
Aquitaniæ, salutem cum dilectione sincera. [Sidenote: Northbernæ villa.]
Querelam dilectorum Mercatorum nostrorum Thomæ de Swyn de Waynfleete, &
Simonis filij Alani de eadem recepimus, continentem, Quod cùm ipsi nuper
quosdam seruientes suos infrà regnum vestrum pro suis ibidem exercendis
mercimonijs transmisissent, Thesaurarius vester bona & mercimonia
prædictorum Thomæ & Simonis ad valenciam quadraginta librarum, quæ
seruientes prædicti in villa de Northberne in sua custodia habuerunt, die
Sancti Michælis vltimò præterita fecit absque causa rationabili arestari, &
ea adhuc taliter arestata detinet iniustè, in ipsorum Thomæ & Simonis
damnum non modicum & depauperationem manifestam. Et quia eisdem
mercatoribus nostris subuenire volumus, quatenus suadente iustitia
poterimus in hac parte, vestram amicitiam requirimus cum affectu, quatenus
audita querela prædictorum Thomæ & Simonis, vel ipsorum atturnatorum super
restitutione bonorum & mercimoniorum prædictorum impendere velitis eisdem
celeris iustitiæ complementum: Ita quod pro defectu exhibitionis iustitiæ
super arestatione prædicta non oporteat nos pro mercatoribus nostris
prædictis de alio remedio prouidere. Nobis autem quid ad hanc nostram
instantiam duxeritis faciendum, rescribere velitis per præsentium
portitorem. Datæ vt supra.

The same in English.

To the mightie Prince Lord Haquinus, by the grace of God the famous King of
Norway, his most deare friend Edward by the same grace of God king of
England, Lorde of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine, greeting and sincere
loue. Wee receiued the complaint of our welbeloued Merchants Thomas de Swyn
of Waynfleet, and Simon the sonne of Alanus of the same towne: the contents
whereof are, that whereas of late, the saide parties sent certaine of their
seruants to traffike in your kingdome, your Treasurer vpon the feast of S.
Michæl last past, without any iust or reasonable occasion, caused the goods
and merchandise of the foresaide Thomas and Simon, to the value of fortie
pound, which their said seruants had vnder their custodie at the towne of
Northberne, to be arrested, and as yet also iniurously deteineth the same
vnder the same arrest, to the great damage and impouereshing of the sayd
Thomas and Simon. And forasmuch as our desire is to succour these our
marchants so far foorth as we can, Iustice requiring no lesse in this
behalfe, we doe right earnestly request you, that hauing hearde the
complaint and supplication of the foresayde Thomas and Simon, or of their
Atturneyes, you woulde of your loue and friendship, vouchsafe them speedie
administration of Iustice, about the restitution of their goods and
marchandise aforesaide: least that for want of the exhibiting of Iustice
about the foresaid arrest, we be constrained to prouide some other remedie
for our marchants aforesaid. Our request is, that you would by the bearer
of these presents, returne an answere vnto vs, what you are determined to
doe, at this our instant motion. Giuen as aboue.

       *       *       *       *       *

A third letter of King Edward the second, to Haquinus King of Norway in the
  behalfe of certaine English Marchants.

Magnifico Principi Domino Haquino Dei gratia Regi Norwegiæ illustri, amico
suo charissimo, Edwardus eadem Dei gratia Rex Angliæ, dominus Hyberniæ, &
dux Aquitaniæ, salutem cum dilectione sincera. Pro mercatoribus nostris
Lennæ, & partium vicinarum, quos Balliuus & Officiarij vestri ciuitatis
vestræ Bergen dudum ceperunt, & stricto carceri manciparunt, quorum multi
vt iam intelleximus, propter alimentorum subtractionem & duritiam, ac
asperitatem carceris perierunt, vt ipsorum & bonorum suorum deliberationem
præcipere curaretis, vestræ serenitati Regiæ nostras nuper transmisimus
literas speciales. Sed vos, retentis adhuc in carcere nostris mercatoribus
sicut prius, nobis per literas vestras quas audiuimus & intelleximus
diligenter, inter cætera rescripsistis, quod quidam mercatores de regno
vestro de iniurijs, violentijs & arrestationibus, quibus in regno nostro
his diebus sunt vt asserunt, contra iustitiam aggrauati, multipliciter
conqueruntur, adijciendo in vestris literis memoratis, quod quidam
iniquitatis filij in villa Lennæ, ad piscandum vt dicebant halecia
venientes quendam militem Balliuum vestrum, in Vikia vnà cum decem alijs
subditis vestris, in vestris & regni vestri negotijs existentibus
crudeliter occiderunt. Super quibus mens nostra grauatur quàmplurimum &
turbatur, præsertim quum nunquam nostræ fuerit voluntatis, quod iniuriæ,
violentiæ, seu arrestationes aliquæ mercatoribus, vel alijs de regno vestro
per aliquos de regno & potestate nostris fierent indebitè vel iniustè: nec
adhuc intelligere possumus, quod mercatoribus vestris per aliquem vel
aliquos de subditis nostris huc vsque aliter factum fuerit: Scientes pro
certo quod si nobis per inquisitiones legitimas constare poterit huiusmodi
grauamina subditis vestris infra regnum nostrum illata fuisse, nos
sufficientes emendas, & satisfactiones debitas super illis, celerísque
iustitiæ complementum fieri faciemus. Et insuper si malefactores prædicti,
qui præfatum militem, & alios secum existentes, vt præmittitur, occiderunt,
de regnò, seu potestate nostra sint, vel infrà idem regnum vel potestatem
poterunt inueniri, de ipsis iudicium & iustitiam fieri pracipiemus,
secundum Leges & consuetudines regni nostri. [Sidenote: Antiquitas comercij
inter Angliam & Norwegiam.] Et quia inter nos & vos, nostrósque & vestros
subditos hinc inde foueri desideramus mutuam concordiam & amorem; ita quod
mercatores nostri & vestri mercandisas suas in nostris & vestris regnis &
dominijs liberè, & absque impedimento valeant exercere, prout temporibus
progenitorum nostrorum fieri consueuit, & ex dictarum literarum vestrarum
serie collegimus euidenter vos promptos esse similiter, & paratos ad omnia
& singula, quæ pro vobis & vestris subditis super discordijs,
contentionibus, aut grauaminibus inter nostros & vestros subditos
qualitercunque suscitatis pro bono pacis & iustitiæ fuerint æquanimiter
facienda; Nos consimilia pro nobis & nostris, quantum ad nos & ad ipsos
attinet, illius amore, qui pacis author fore dinoscitur, & pro quiete &
commodo populi vtriusque regnorum nostrorum, quatenus ius & ratio
dictitauerint, promittimus nos factoros: Vestram amicitiam requirentes
obnixius & rogantes, quatenus mercatores nostros prædictos, qui adhuc
superstites relinquuntur, quos etiam tempore, quo dicta felonia committi
dicebatur, interclusos tenebat custodia carceralis, iubere velitis nostri
contemplatione, zelóque iustitiæ ab huiusmodi custodia liberari, bona ab
ipsis capta eis prout iustum fuerit restitui faciendo. Et vt deliberatio
mercatorum nostrorum prædictorum, & bonorum suorum eò facilius concedatur,
placeat vobis cum diligentia debita ponderare, quod Galfridus Drewe, &
quidam alijs mercatores nostri de Lenne, quibusdam mercatoribus de regno
vestro occasione eiusdem grauaminis ipsis mercatoribus vestris, ad sectam
Tidemanni Lippe infrà regnum nostrum, vt dicebatur, illati, centum libras
sterlingorum persoluerunt, sicut in quodam scripto indentato inter
Ingelramum Lende de Thorenden, & quosdam alios mercatores vestros ex parte
vna, & præfatam Galfridum, & quosdam alios de regno nostro similiter ex
altera confecto, vidimus contineri. Si qui verò de subditis vestris de
aliquibus subditis nostris, de aliqua iniuria ipsis facta querelas in curia
nostra deponere voluerint, & prosequi cum effectu, ipsorum subditorum
vestrorum petitiones admitti, & eis super querelis huiusmodi plenam &
celerem iustitia fieri faciemus. Ita quod ijdem subditi vestri exinde
reputare debebunt meritò se contentos. Et interim de excessibus &
grauaminibus subditis vestris infrà regnum nostrum qualitercunque illatis
inquiri faciemus cum diligentia veritatem. Vestræ igitur voluntatis
beneplacitum in præmissis nobis rescribere velitis per præsentium
portitorem. Datas apud Westminster tertio die Aprilis.

The same in English.

To the mightie Prince king Haquinus, by the grace of God the famous king of
Norway, his most deare friend Edward by the same grace of God, king of
England, lord of Ireland, Duke of Aquitaine, greeting and sincere loue. We
sent of late vnto your royall maiestie our special letters, for the behalfe
of our late marchants of Lenne, and of the coast adioyning (whome your
baily and officers of the citie of Bergen lately apprehended, committing
them to close prison, many of whome, as we vnderstand, are, for want of due
nourishment, and by reason of the extremitie & loathsomnesse of the prison,
quite perished) that you would cause them and their goods to bee released.
Howbeit, you reteining as yet our marchants in durance as before, in your
letters, which we haue diligently heard, and throughly vnderstood, haue,
amongst other matters, returned this answere vnto vs, that certaine
marchants of your kingdome doe make sundrie complaints of iniuries,
violences and arrests, whereby they haue lately (as themselues auouch)
contrary to iustice bene aggrieued and oppressed in our dominions adding
moreouer in your sayde letters, that certaine sonnes of iniquitie of the
towne of Lenne, comming, as they saide, to fish for herings cruelly
murthered a certaine Knight, who was in times past your bayliffe of Vikia,
together with ten others of your subiects, being imployed about the
affaires of your kingdome. In consideration whereof our minde is
exceedingly and aboue measure grieued and troubled, especially sithence it
as neuer any part of our intent, that any iniuries, violences, or arrests
should vniustly be inflicted vpon any marchants, or any others of your
realme by any of our kingdomes: neither can we as yet haue any
intelligence, that any such hard measure hath bene offered vnto any of your
marchants, by any one or moe of our subiects: giuing you for a certaintie
to vnderstand, that if vpon lawfull inquisition we shal be aduertised of
any such grieuances, which haue bene offered vnto your subiects within our
realme, we will cause speedie iustice to be administred, and sufficient
recompence, and due satisfaction to be made in regarde thereof. And
moreouer, if the saide malefactors, which, as it is aforesaid, slewe the
forenamed Knight, and others of his companie, either be appertaining vnto
our kingdome and dominion, or may at any time be found within our saide
kingdome or dominion, we will command iustice and lodgement to be executed
vpon them according to the lawes and customes of our realme. And forasmuch
as our desire is, that mutuall concord and amitie should be mainteined and
cherished between your and our subiects on both parts: so that our and your
marchants may, in both our Realmes and dominions, freely and without
impediment exercise their traffique, as in the times of our progenitors it
hath bene accustomed; [Sidenode: The antiquity of traffique betweene
England and Norway] Whereas also we euidently gathered out of the contents
of your letter, that you are in like sort readie and willing to put all
things in practise, which are by you and your subiects (for the taking away
of discords, contentions, and molestations howsoeuer occasioned, and sprung
vp betweene your and our subiects) louingly to be performed: we also doe
promise for our selues and our subiects so much as in vs and them lieth for
his sake who is knowen to be the author of peace, and for the benefite &
tranquilitie of both our Realmes (as iustice and reason shall moue vs) to
doe the like. Desiring and earnestly requesting at your hands, that of your
loue and friendship, hauing regard of vs, and consideration of iustice, you
would commaund that our foresaide marchants, who as yet remaine aliue, and
who also at the time of the saide felonie committed, were shut vp in close
prison, be deliuered out of the saide thraldome, causing their goods which
haue bene taken from them, to bee, according vnto iustice, restored to them
again. And that the deliuerie of our foresaide marchants and goods, may be
the more easily yeelded vnto, may it please you with diligent obseruation
to consider, that Gefferey Drew, and certaine other of our marchants of
Lenne, vpon occasion of the greiuances offered vnto your marchants within
our Realme, (as the report goeth) at the suite of Tidman Lippe, paide vnto
the same your marchants an hundreth pound sterling: euen as in a certain
Indenture made betweene Ingelram Lende of Thorenden, and some other of your
marchants on the one part, and betweene the foresaide Geffrey, and certaine
of our marchants on the other part, wee sawe conteined. Moreouer, if any of
your subiects be minded to exhibite, and effectually to prosecute their
complaints in our Court, concerning any of our subiects, or of any iniury
done vnto them, we will cause the petitions of those your subiects to be
admitted, and also full and speedie iustice to be administred, vpon any
such like complaints of theirs. Insomuch, that those your subiects shal
thinke themselues right well and sufficiently contented therewithall. And
in the meane space we will cause diligent inquisition of the trueth to be
made, of all excesses and grieuances howsoeuer offered vnto your subiects
within our dominions. May it please you therfore, by the bearer of these
presents, to returne an answere vnto vs, what you are determined to doe in
the premisses. Giuen at Westminster, the third day of April.

       *       *       *       *       *

De Stapula tenenda in certo loco ordinatio, Anno 13. Edwardi secundi.

Rex collectoribus custumæ lanarum & pellium lanutarum in portu London
salutem. Cùm nos vicesimo die Maij anno regni nostri sexto attendentes
damna & grauamina, quæ mercatoribus de regno nostro diuersimode euenerunt,
ex eo quod mercatores tam indigenæ quàm alienigenæ lanas & pelles lanutas
infra regnum & potestatem nostram ementes, & se cum eisdem lanis & pellibus
ad vendendum eas ad diuersa loca infra terras Brabantiæ, Flandriæ, & de
Artoys eorum libito voluntatis transtulerint: [Sidenote: Maior & Communitas
stapulæ.] & volentes etiam huiusmodi damnis & grauaminibus quatenus bono
modo possemus prouidere, de consilio nostro ordinauerimus, quod mercatores
indigenæ & alienigenæ lanas & pelles huiusmodi infrà regnum & potestatem
prædictam ementes, & ad terras prædictas ibidem vendendas ducere volentes,
lanas illas & pelles ad certam stapulam infrà aliquam earundem terrarum,
per Maiorem & Communitatem eorundem mercatorum, de regno nostro ordinandam
assignari, ac prout & quando expedire viderint mutandum, & non ad alia loca
in terris illis ducant, seu duci faciant vllo modo: & inter cætera
concesserimus mercatoribus de regno nostro supradicto pro nobis & hæredibus
nostris, quòd ipsi Maior & consilium dictorum mercatorum, qui pro tempore
fuerint, quibuscunque mercatoribus indigenis seu alienigenis, qui contra
dictam ordinationem venerint, & modo rationabili conuicti fuerint, certas
pecuniæ summas pro delictis illis imponant, & quòd illæ huiusmodi summæ de
bonis & mercimonijs mercatorum sic delinquentium, vbicunque ea infra regnum
& potestatem prædictam inueniri contigerit, per ministros nostros ad opus
nostrum leuentur: prout in Charta nostra inde confecta plenius continetur:
[Sidenote: Charta anno regni sexio confecta.] quam quidem Chartam per
singulos comitatus regni nostri super costeras maris fecimus publicari, &
firmiter inhiberi, ne qui mercatores indigenæ seu alienigenæ contra tenorem
Chartæ prædictæ sub poenis contentis in eadem venerint vllo modo: Ac
postmodum dato nobis intelligi, quod quàmplures mercatores tam indigenæ
quàm alienigenæ, lanas & pelles lanutas infrà regnum & potestatem prædictas
ementes, & se cum eisdem lanis & pellibus ad vendendum eas ad alia loca in
dictis terris, quàm ad Stapulam iuxta concessionem nostram prædictam per
Maiorem & communitatem dictorum mercatorum de regno nostro in aliqua
terrarum illarum ordinatam & assignatam transtulerint in nostri contemptum,
& contra Chartam ordinationis, publicationis & inhibitionis prædictarum
assignauerimus quosdam fideles nostros in diuersis partibus regni ad
inquirendum de lanis & pellibus lanutis ad dictas terras alibi quàm ad
Stapulam illam ductis, ita quod emendæ inde ad nos pertinentes, ad opus
nostram leuentur; etiam intellexerimus, quod quasi omnes mercatores tam
indigenæ quàm alienigenæ huiusmodi mercimonia in dicto regno nostro
exercentes sunt culpabiles de præmissis: & quod plures inde indictati, ac
alij timentes inde indictari, lanas suas ac pelles lanutas sub nominibus
aliorum non culpabilium faciunt aduocari, & extra regnum nostrum transmitti
quibusdam alienigenis, sic culpabilibus in dictum regnum forsitan non
reuersuris, vt sic forisfacturas prædictas effugiant, & nos de emenda ad
nos sic pertinente illudant: quæ si permitterentur sic transire in nostri
damnum non modicum redundarent. Nos volentes huiusmodi fraudibus obuiare, &
nostris damnis quatenus bono modo poterimus præcauere, vobis præcipimus
firmiter iniungentes, quod à singulis mercatoribus lanas seu pelles lanutas
per portum prædictum ad partes exteras ducere volentibus corporale
sacramentum ad sancta Dei Euangelia recipiatis, quod ipsi lanas seu pelles
lanutas sub nomine ipsius, cuius propriæ sunt, & non alterius aduocabunt, &
tunc recepta ab illo cuius lanæ & pelles huiusmodi erunt, vel nomine suo
sufficiente securitate pro qua respondere volueritis, de respondendo &
faciendo nobis id quod ad nos pertinet de lanis & pellibus lanutis per
ipsum ductis seu missis ad aliquam dictarum terrarum Flandriæ & Brabantiæ,
& de Artoys contra formam Chartæ, proclamationis, & inhibitionis
supradictarum, si ipsum super hoc conuinci contingat, lanas & pelles illas
lanutas extra portum prædictum, recepta prius custuma debita de eisdem, ad
partes exteras transire pemittatis. Teste Rege apud Doueram decimo octauo
die Iunij, per ipsum Regem & Consilium.

Et postmodùm per breue de priuato sigillo eodem modo mandatum est
collectoribus custumæ prædicts in portubus subscriptis: Videlicet,

  In portu villæ Southhampton.
  In portu villæ Weymouth.
  In portu villæ Sancti Botolphi.
  In portu villæ de Kingtone super Hull.
  In portu villæ de nouo Castro.
  In portu villæ de magna Iernemutha.
  In portu villæ de Lenne.
  In portu villæ de Gypwico.

The same in English.

An Ordinance of the Staple to bee holden at one certaine place.

The King vnto his Collectors of custome, for wooll and woollen fels, in his
port of London, greeting. Whereas we vpon the 20. of May, in the sixt yeere
of our reigne, considering the damages and grieuances that haue diuersly
happened vnto the marchants of our realme, vpon occasion that the marchants
both of our owne, & of other countreis, buying vp wooll and woollen fels
within our kingdome and dominions, haue, for the better sale thereof, at
their pleasure conueyed theselues, and trasported the said wooll & fels
into sundry places within the prouinces of Brabant, Flanders and Artoys:
and being desirous also, to our power, to prouide a remedie against such
damages and inconueniences, haue ordained by our counsel, that all
marchants, both homeborne and aliens, buying vp such wools and fels, within
our kingdome and dominion aforesaid, and being desirous to transport them
into the foresaid prouinces, there to bee solde, may carrie the saide wools
and fels, or cause them to be caried to some certaine staple, within any of
the saide Prouinces, by the Maior and Communaltie of the said marchants of
our realme, to be appointed and assigned, and when they shall thinke it
expedient, to be changed and remoued, and not vnto any other place within
the saide Prouinces whatsoeuer: and whereas also, amongst other things, we
haue granted vnto the marchants of our foresaid realme, for vs and our
heires, that the Maior and Councel of the saide marchants for the time
being, may impose vpon all marchants, home-borne or aliens whatsoeuer, that
shall transgresse the foresaid ordination, and shall thereof lawfully be
conuicted, certaine summes of money to be paid for their offences, and that
such summes must by our ministers and officers, to our vse, be leuied out
of the goods and wares of the marchants so offending, wheresoeuer they
shall chance to be found within our kingdome and dominions aforesaid,
[Sidenote: A Charter made in the sixt yeere of his reigne.] as in our
Charter made for the same purpose it is more plainly expressed, (which
Charter we haue caused to be published vpon the Sea-coasts, throughout all
the countreys of our realme, and a strong prohibition to be proclaimed,
that no marchants, neither home-borne, nor strangers, may in any wise
transgresse the tenour of the foresaide Charter, vnder the penalties
therein contained) and whereas afterward it beeing giuen vs to vnderstand,
that diuers marchants both homeborne and aliens, bought vp such woolles and
woollen felles within our saide Realme and dominions, and conueyed
themselues with the saide wools and felles for the sale thereof vnto other
places within the foresaide Prouinces, besides the saide Staple, which was,
according to our graunt aforesaide appointed and ordained by the Maior and
communaltie of the said marchants of our Realme, in some one of those
Prouinces, to the contempt of our authoritie, and contrary to the Charter
of the ordination, publication, and inhibition aforesaide, wee assigned
certaine of our faithfull subiects, in diuers parts of our Realme, to make
inquisition for such wools and woollen felles, as were conueyed vnto any
other place of the saide Prouinces, then vnto the Staple, so that by these
meanes, the penalties due vnto vs might bee leuied vnto our vse: and hauing
intelligence also, that in a maner all marchants both home-borne, and
strangers bartering such wares in our kingdome, are culpable of the
premisses, and that many being indicted thereupon, and others fearing to
bee indicted, doe cause their wools and woollen felles to bee auouched
vnder the names of persons not culpable, and to be sent ouer vnto certaine
strangers being also culpable, and not minding perhaps to return any more
into our realme, that they may so escape the foresaid forfeitures, and
defraud vs of the penaltie, appertaining of right vnto vs, (which abuses,
if they were suffered so to goe vnpunished woulde redound vnto our extreame
hinderance:) and beeing likewise desirous to withstand such deceitefull
dealing, and so farre forth as wee can, to preuent our owne losses, we
firmely command, and streightly charge you, that you doe receiue of euery
particular marchant, desirous to conuey any wools, or woollen fels out of
the foresaid port, into any forrein dominions, a corporal oath vpon Gods
holy Euangelists that they shall auouch all those wools and woollen fels
vnder his name vnto whom they doe properly belong, & vnder the name of none
other: and then taking sufficient security from the owner of those wools
and fels, or in his name, in regard whereof you wil vndertake to
warrantize, and make good vnto vs those penalties and forfaitures which
shal vnto vs appertaine, for all wools, and woollen fels conueied or sent
by any of the foresaid merchants vnto any of the said prouinces of
Flanders, Brabant, and Artoys, contrary to the Charter of the Proclamation
and inhibition aboue mentioned (if they shal chance to be conuinced hereof)
that first, our due custome being receiued, you doe permit the said wools
and woollen fels to passe out of the foresaid port into forrein countnes.
Witnes the king at Douer the 18. day of Iune. By the king himselfe and his
Councell.

And afterwarde by a Writte vnder the Kings priuie Seale there was a like
commandement giuen vnto the Collectors of the custome aforesayde in the
portes vnderwritten.

That is to say:

In the port of the Towne of:

  Weymouth.
  Southhampton.
  Saint Botulphs towne, now called Boston.
  Kingtone vpon Hull.
  Newcastle.
  Iernemouth magna, or Yermouth.
  Lenne.
  Gypwick or Ipswich.

       *       *       *       *       *

Carta Henrici quarti Anno [Marginal note: 1404] quinto regni sui concessa
  mercatoribus Angliæ in partibus Prussiæ, Daciæ, Norwegiæ, Swethiæ, &
  Germaniæ, de gubernatore inter ipsos ibidem constituendo.

Henricus Dei gratia Rex Angliæ & Franciæ & Dominus Hiberniæ omnibus, ad
quos præsentes literæ peruenerint, salutem Sciatis quod cum, vt accepimus,
ob defectum boni & sani regiminis & gubernationis, diuersa damna,
dissensiones, grauamina, & angustiæ inter mercatores Regni nostri Angliæ in
partibus Pruciæ, Daciæ, Noruegiæ, Hansæ, & Suethiæ commorantes sæpius ante
hæc tempora mota fuissent & perpetrata, ac maiora, exinde, quod absit,
futuris temporibus verisimiliter euenire formidantur, nisi pro meliori
gubernatione inter eosdem mercatores mutuò habenda manus nostras adiutrices
apponamus: Nos damnis & periculis in hac parte imminentibus præcauere, &
eosdem Mercatores & alios de dicto regno nostro ad partes prædictas
venturos iuste & fideliter regi & pertractari intime desiderantes, volumus
& tenore præsentium concedimus eisdem mercatoribus, quod ipsi quoties &
quando eis placuerit in quodam loco competenti & honesto, vbi sibi
placuerit, se congregare & vnire, & certas personas sufficientes & idoneas
in gubernatores suos in eisdem partibus inter se ad eorum libitum eligere &
obtinere valeant libere & impune: Dantes vlterius & concedentes huiusmodi
gubernatoribus per prædictos Mercatores sic eligendis, quantum in nobis
est, potestatem & authoritatem speciales, omnes & singulos mercatores
Anglicos ad partes prædictas de cætero venientes & declinantes per se vel
sufficientes loca sua tenentes regendi & gubernandi, ac eis & eorum
cuilibet in suis causis & querelis quibuscunque inter eos in partibus
prædictis motis vel mouendis plenam & celerem iusticiam faciendi &
quascunque quæstiones contentiones, discordias, & debatas inter ipsos
mercatores Anglicos partium prædictarum motas sue mouendas reformandi,
reformationemque petendi, redigendi, sedandi, & pacificandi, & quascunque
transgressiones, damna, mesprisiones, excessus, violencias, & iniurias
mercatoribus partium prædictarum per prædictos mercatores Anglicos factas
seu faciendas redigendi, reparandi, restaurandi, & emendandi, consimilesque
restitutiones, reparationes, restaurationes & emandationes de ipsis
mercatoribus partium prædictarum seu deputatis suis requirendi, petendi, &
recipiendi: Ac de communi assensu mercatorum Anglicorum prædictorum
statuta, ordinationes, & consuetudines, prout pro meliori gubernatione
status eorundem mercatorum Anglicorum in hac parte videbitur expedire,
faciendi & stabiliendi & omnes & singulos mercatores Anglicos præfatis
gubernatoribus sic eligendis vel eorum loca tenentibus seu eorum alicui,
aut alicui statutorum, ordinationum & consuetudinum prædictarum contrarios,
rebelles, vel inobedientes iuxta quantitatem delicti sui in hac parte
rationabiliter puniendi. Volentes insuper omnia iusta & rationabilia
statuta, ordinationes & consuetudines per dictos gubernatores sic eligendos
in forma prædicta facienda & stabilienda, nec non omnes iustas &
rationabiles ordinationones per [Marginal note: Nota.] nuper gubernatores
prædictorum mercatorum Anglicorum de communi assensu eorundem mercatorum
pro huiusmodi gubernatione sua in partibus prædictis iuxta priuilegia &
authoritates sibi per magistrum. Pruciæ seu alios dominos partium
prædictarum concessa, factas & stabilitas, sen per prædictos gubernatores
nunc vt præmittitur eligendos iuxta priuilegia prædicta, seu alia
priuilegia eisdem mercatoribus Anglicis per prædictos magistrum & dominos
in posterum concedenda, facienda & stabilienda, rata, firma & accepta
haberi, & pro ratis firmis, & acceptis ibidem fimiter & inuiolabiter
obseruari. Damus autem vniuersis & singulis mercatoribus Anghcis prædictis
tenere præsentium firmiter in mandatis, quod eisdem gubernatonbus sic
eligendis & eorum loca tenentibus in præmissis omnibus & singulis ac alijs
gubernationem & regimen in hac parte qualitercunque concernentibus
intendentes sint, consulentes obedientes & auxiliantes prout decet. Data in
palatio nostro Westmonasterij sub magni sigili nostri testimomo sexto die
Iunij Anno regni nostri quinto.

A Charter of King Henry the fourth graunted in the fift yeere of his reigne
  to the English Marchants resident in the partes of Prussia, Denmarke,
  Norway, Sweden, and Germanie for the chusing of gouernours among
  themselues.

Henry by the grace of God king of England and of France, and lord of
Ireland to all to whom these present letters may come, sendeth greeting.
Know ye, that whereas, according as we are informed, through want of good
and discreete rule and gouernement, sundry damages, strifes, oppressions,
and wrongs oftentimes heretofore haue bene moued and committed among the
Marchants of our kingdome of England remaining in the parties of Prussia,
Denmarke, Norway, the Hans steeds and Sweden, and greater hereafter, which
God forbid, are feared to be like to fall out, vnlesse we put to our
helping hands for the procuring of better gouernement to be maintained
among the said Marchants: wee heartily desiring to preuent the perrils and
dangers which are like to fall out in this case, and that the sayde
Marchants and others which shall trauaile out of our said Realme into the
partes aforesaid may iustly and faithfully be ruled and intreated, we will
and graunt by the tenour of these presents to the said Marchants, that they
may freely and without danger assemble and meete together as often and
whensoeuer they please in some conuenient and honest place where they shall
thinke good, and that they may choose among themselues certaine sufficient
and fit persons for their gouernours in those parts at their good liking.
And furthermore we giue and graunt to the said Gouernours which are in such
sort to be chosen by the aforesaid Marchants, as much as in vs lieth,
speciall power and authoritie to rule and gouerne all and singular the
English Marchants which hereafter shall come or repayre to the parts
aforesaid by themselues or their sufficient Deputies, and to minister vnto
them and euery of them in their causes and quarels whatsoeuer, which are
sprung vp, or shall hereafter fall out among them in the parts aforesaid
full and speedie iustice, and to reforme all maner of questions,
contentious discords, and debates moued or to be moued betweene the English
Marchants remayning in those parts, and to seeke reformation, to redresse,
appease, and compound the same. And further to redresse, restore, repayre
and satisfie all transgressions, damages, misprisions, outrages, violences,
and iniuries done or to be done by the aforesaid English Marchants against
the Marchants of those parts: And to require, demaund and receiue the like
restitutions, reparations, satisfactions and amends of the Marchants of
those parts or of their deputies. And by the common consent of the
aforesaid English Marchants to make and establish statutes, ordinances, and
customes, as shall seeme expedient in that behalfe for the better
gouernement of the state of the said English Marchants: and to punish with
reason according to the quantitie of their fault in that behalfe all and
singular the English Marchants which shall withstand, resist or disobey the
aforesaid gouernours so to be chosen or their deputies, or any of them: or
any of the aforesaid statutes, ordinances, or customes. Moreouer we doe
ratifie, confirme, and approoue, and as ratified, confirmed, and approoued,
wee command firmely and inuiolably there to be obserued all iust, and
reasonable statutes, ordinances, and customes which shalbe made and
established by the said gouernors, so to be chosen, in forme aforesaid, and
also all iust and reasonable ordinances made & established by the late
gouernours of the aforesaid English Marchants with the common consent of
the sayd Marchants for this their gouernement in the parts aforesayd,
according to the priuileges and authorities now granted vnto them by the
Master of Prussia, or other Lords of the partes aforesayd, or which shall
be made and established by the aforesayd gouernours now as is mentioned to
be chosen according to the aforesaid priuileges heretofore graunted, or
other priuileges hereafter to bee granted to the sayde English Marchants by
the aforesayde Master and lords of the Countrey. And furthermore by the
tenor of these presents we straitely commaund all and singular the
aforesaid English Marchants, that they attend, aduise, obey and assist, as
it becommeth them, the sayde gouernours so to bee chosen, and their
deputies in all and singular the premisses and other things, which any way
may concerne in this behalfe their rule and gouernement. Giuen in our
Palace at Westminster vnder the testimonie of our great Seale the sixt day
of Iune in the fift yeere of our reigne.

       *       *       *       *       *

A note touching the mighty Ships of King Henry the fift, mentioned
  hereafter in the treatie of keeping the sea, taken out of a Chronicle in
  the Trinitie Church of Winchester.

Eodem anno quo victoria potitus est videlicet Anno Domini 1415. & regni sui
Anno tertio, post bellum de Agencourt, conducti a Francis venerunt cum
multis Nauibus recuperaturi Harfletum. Sed Rex Angliæ misit fratrem suum
Iohannem Ducem Bedfordiæ & Andegauiæ, qui pugnauit cum eis & vicit, & Naues
cepit, & quasdam submersit: cæteri fugerunt cum Hispanis nauibus qui
venerant cum eis Anno gratiæ 1416. Sequenti vero Anno redierunt
potentiores, & iterum deuicti perpetuam pacem cum Rege composuerunt, &
propter eorum naues fecit Rex fieri naues quales non erant in mundo. De his
sic conductis a Francis ita metricè scribitur.

[Sidenote: Naues maximæ Henrici quinti.]

      Regum belligero trito celeberrimus aruo
      Gallos, Hispanos, Ianos, deuicit, & Vrget,
      Vastat; turbantur cætera regna metu.
      Nauali bello bis deuicti quoque Iani.

       *       *       *       *       *

A branch of a Statute made in the eight yeere of Henry the sixt, for the
  trade to Norwey, Sweueland, Denmarke, and Fynmarke.

Item because that the kings most deare Vncle, the king of Denmarke, Norway
and Sueueland, as the same our soueraigne Lord the king of his intimation
hath vnderstood, considering the manifold & great losses, perils, hurts and
damage which haue late happened as well to him and his, as to other
foraines and strangers, and also friends and speciall subiects of our said
soueraigne Lord the king of his realme of England, by the going in, entring
& passage of such forain & strange persons into his realme of Norwey &
other dominions, streits, territories, iurisdictions & places subdued and
subiect to him, specially into his Isles of Fynmarke, and elsewhere, aswell
in their persons as their things and goods: for eschuing of such losses,
perils, hurts & damages, and that such like (which God forbid) should not
hereafter happen: our said soueraigne Lord the king hath ordeined and
statuted, that all and singular strangers, as well Englishmen and others
willing to apply by Ship and come into his realme of Norwey and other
dominions, straights, territories, iurisdictions, Isles & places aforesaid
with their ships to the intent to get or haue fish or any other
Marchandises, or goods, shall apply and come to his Towne of Northberne,
where the said king of Denmarke hath specially ordained and stablished his
staple for the concourses of strangers and specially of Englishmen, to the
exercise of such Marchandises granting to the said Englishmen that they
shall there inioy in and by all things the same fauour, priuileges and
prerogatiues which they of the Hans did enioy. Therefore our said
soueraigne Lord the king willing the loue, affinitie and amities to be
firmely obserued, which betwixt his said Vncle and his noble progenitors of
good memory, their Realmes, lands, dominions, streites, territories,
iurisdictions and their said places, and the same our soueraigne Lord the
king & his noble progenitours of famous memory, his great men, subiects,
Realmes, lands & dominions hath bene of old times hitherto continued nor
nothing by our said soueraigne Lord the king or his people to be attempted
or done whereby such amities by reason of any dissensions, enemities or
discords might be broken: by the aduise of the Lords spintuall & temporall
& of the comons of his said Realme of England, assembled in this present
Parliament, hath ordained, prohibiting that none of his liege people nor
subiects of his Realme of England by audacitie of their follie presume to
enter the Realmes, lands, dominions, straits, terntones, iurisdictions &
places of the said king of Denmarke against the ordinance, prohibition &
interdiction of the same his Vncle aboue remembred, & in contempt of the
same, vpon paine of forfeiture of all their moueable goods & imprisonment
of their persons at the kings will.

       *       *       *       *       *

Another branch of a statute made in the tenth yeere of the reigne of Henry
  the sixt concerning the state of the English Marchants in the dominions
  of the king of Denmarke.

Item because that our soueraigne Lord the king at the grieuous complaint to
him made in this Parliament by the commons of his realme of England being
in this Parliament is informed that many of his faithfull liege people be
greatly impouerished, vndone, & in point to be destroyed by the king of
Denmarke & his lieges, which be of the amitie of the king our soueraigne
Lord, because that they do daily take of his said faithfull subiects their
goods, so that they haue taken of marchants of York and Kinston vpon Hul
goods & marchandises to the valour of v. M. li. within a yeere, and of
other lieges & marchants of the realme of England goods & cattals to the
valour of xx. M. li. wherof they haue no remedie of the said king of
Denmarke, nor of none other, forasmuch as none of them commeth within the
Realme of England, nor nothing haue in the same realme of England, & that
the goods be taken out of the same Realme: The king willing to prouide
remedy for his said liege people, hath ordeined & established, that if the
goods of any of the said his lieges be or shalbe taken by the said king of
Denmarke or any of his said lieges, the keeper of the priuie seale for the
time being, shall haue power to make to the partie grieued letters of
request vnder the priuie seale, without any other pursuite to be made to
any for restitution to be had of the goods so taken & to be taken. And if
restitution be not made by such letters, the king our soueraigne lord by
the aduise of his counsel shal prouide to the partie grieued his couenable
remedy, according as the case requireth.

       *       *       *       *       *

Here beginneth the Prologue of the processe of the Libel of English
  policie, exhorting all England to keepe the sea, and namely the narrowe
  sea shewing what profite commeth thereof, and also what worship and
  saluation to England, and to all English-men.

[Sidenote: Incipit liber de custodia Maris præsertim arcti inter Doueram &
Galisiam.]

    The true processe of English policie
    Of vtterward to keepe this regne in rest
    Of our England, that no man may deny,
    Ner say of sooth but it is one of the best,
    Is this, that who seeth South, North, East and West,
    Cherish Marchandise, keepe the admiraltie,
    That wee bee Masters of the narrowe see

    For Sigismond the great Emperour,
    Wich yet reigneth, when he was in this land [1]
    With king Henry the fift, Prince of honour
    Here much glory, as him thought, he found,
    A mightie land which had take in hand
    To werre in France and make mortalitie,
    And euer well kept round about the see.

[Footnote 1: It is clear, from these lines, that this poem must have been
written between 1416, when Sigismond was in England, and 1438, when he
died.]

[Sidenote: Videns imperator Sigismundus duas villas inter cæteras Anglie
scilicet Calisiam & Doueream ponens suos duos digitos super duos suos
oculos ait regi: Frater custodite istas duas villas sicut duos vestros
oculos.]

    And to the king thus hee sayd: My brother,
    (When hee perceiued two Townes Caleis and Douer)
    Of all your Townes to chuse of one and other,
    To keepe the sea and soone to come ouer
    To werre outwards and your regne to recouer:
    Keepe these two Townes sure, and your Maiestee
    As your tweyne eyne: so keepe the narrowe see.

    For if this sea bee kept in time of werre,
    Who can heere passe without danger and woe
    Who may escape, who may mischiefe differre
    What Marchandie may forby bee agoe:
    For needs hem must take trewes euery foe:
    Flanders and Spaine, and other, trust to mee,
    Or ellis hindred all for this Narrow see.

    Therefore I cast mee by a little writing
    To shew at eye this conclusion,
    For conscience and for mine acquiting
    Against God and ageyne abusion,
    And cowardise, and to our enemies confusion.
    For foure things our Noble [2] sheweth to me,
    King, Ship, and Swerd, and power of the see

[Foonote 2: The Noble was coined by Edward the third Anno regni 18. Quatuor
considerantur in moneta aurea Anglica, quæ dicitur Nobile: scilicet Rex,
Nauis gladius, & Mare: Quæ designant potestatem Anglicorum super Mare. In
quorum opprobrium his diebus Britones minores & Flandrenses & alij dicunt
Anglicis: Tollite de vestro Nobile nauem & imponite ouem. Intendentes, quod
sicut quondam à tempore Edwardi tertij Anglici erant domini Maris, modo his
diebus sunt vecordes, victi, & ad bellandum & Mare obseruandum velut oues.]

    Where ben our ships, where ben our swerds become:
    Our enemies bed for the ship set a sheepe.
    Alas our rule halteth, it is benome.
    Who dare well say that lordship should take keepe:
    I will assay, though mine heart ginne to weepe,
    To doe this werke, if wee will euer thee,
    For very shame to keepe about the see.

    Shall any Prince, what so be his name,
    Which hath Nobles much leche ours,
    Bee Lord of see: and Flemings to our blame,
    Stop vs, take vs, and so make fade the flowers
    Of English state, and disteyne our honours:
    For cowardise alas it should so bee
    Therefore I ginne to write nowe of the see.

Of the commodities of Spaine and of Flanders.

The first Chapter

    Knowe well all men that profits in certaine
    Commodities called comming out of Spaine
    And Marchandie, who so will weete what it is,
    Bene Figs, Raisins, wine Bastard, and Datis,
    And Licoris, Siuill oyle, and graine,
    White Pastill Sope, and Waxe is not vayne.
    Yron, Wooll, Wadmolle, Gotefell, Kidfell also:
    For Poynt-makers full needefull bene they tweyn
    Saffron, Quickesiluer, which owne Spaine Marchandy,
    Is into Flanders shipped full craftily,
    Vnto Bruges as to her staple fayre:
    The Hauen of Scluse hir Hauen for her repayre
    Which is cleped Swyn tho shippes giding:
    Where many vessels and fayre are abiding.
    But these marchandes with their shippes great,
    And such chaffare as they bye and get
    By the weyes must nede take on hand
    By the coasts to passe of our England,
    Betwixt Douer and Caleis, this is no doubt.
    Who can well els such matter bring about?

[Sidenote: Flemish cloth made of English Wooll.]

    And when these sayd Marchants discharged bee
    Of Marchandie in Flanders nere the see,
    Then they bee charged againe with Marchandy,
    That to Flanders bougeth full richly.
    Fine cloth of Ypre that named is better than ours,
    Cloth of Curtrike, [3] fine cloth of all colours,
    Much Fustian, and also Linen cloth.
    But Flemings, if yee bee not wroth,
    The great substance of your cloth at the full
    Yee wot ye make it of our English woll.

[Footnote 3: Courtrai.]

[Sidenote: The necessarie coniunction of Spaine and Flanders.]

    Then may it not sinke in mannis brayne,
    But that it must this Marchandy of Spaine
    Both out and in by our costes passe:
    Hee that sayd nay in witte was like an asse.
    Wee should haue peace with the grounds tweyne
    Thus if this see were kept, I dare well sayne.
    For Spaine and Flanders is as eche other brother,
    And neither may well liue without other:
    They may not liuen to maintaine their degrees,
    Without our English commodities:
    Wolle and Tynne: for the woolle of England
    Susteineth the Commons Flemings I vnderstand.
    Then if England would her wolle restraine
    From Flanders, this followeth in certaine,
    Flanders of nede must with vs haue peace,
    Or els shee is destroyed without lees.
    Also if Flanders thus destroyed bee:
    Some Marchandy of Spaine will neuer ythee:
    For destroyed it is, and as in cheeffe
    The wolle of Spaine it commeth not to preeffe,
    But if it be costed and menged well
    Amongst the English wolle the greter delle.
    For Spanish wooll in Flaunders draped is,
    And euer hath bee, that men haue minde of this:
    And yet Wooll is one of the chiefe Marchandy
    That longeth to Spaine: who so will espie,
    It is of little value, trust vnto mee,
    With English wooll but if it menged bee.
    Thus if the sea be kept, than herken hether,
    If these two lands comen not together:
    So that the Fleete of Flanders passe nought
    That in the narrowe see it be not brought
    Into the Rochelle to fetch the famose wine,
    Ner into Bytonuse Bay for salt so fine,
    What is then Spaine? What is Flanders also?
    As who sayd, nought, the thrift is agoe
    For the little land of Flanders is
    But a staple to other lands ywis:
    And all that groweth in Flanders graine and seede
    May not a Moneth finde hem meate and brede.
    What hath then Flanders, bee Flemings lieffe or loth,
    But a little Mader and Flemish Cloth:
    By Drapering of our wooll in substance
    Liuen her commons, this is her gouernance,
    Without which they may not liue at ease.
    Thus must hem sterue, or with vs must haue peace.


Of the commodities of Portugal.

The second Chapter,

    The Marchandy also of Portugal
    By diuers lands turne into sale.
    Portugalers with vs haue troth in hand:
    Whose Marchandy commeth much into England.
    They ben our friends, with their commodities,
    And wee English passen into their countrees.
    Her land hath wine, Osey, Waxe, and Graine,
    Figges, Reysins, Hony and Cordoweyne:
    Dates, and Salt, Hides, and such Marchandy:
    And if they would to Flanders passe for by,
    They should not bee suffred ones ner twyes,
    For supporting of our cruell enemies,
    That is to say Flemings with her gyle:
    For changeable they are in little while.   [Note well.]
    Then I conclude by reasons many moe,
    If we suffred neither friend nor foe,
    What so enemies, and so supporting
    Passe for by vs in time of werring,
    Seth our friends will not ben in cause
    Of our hindring, if reson lede this clause:
    Then nede from Flanders peace bee to vs sought,
    And other lands should seeke peace, dout nought:
    For Flanders is Staple, as men tell mee,
    To all nations of Christianitie.


The commodities of pety Britaine,[Footnote: Brittany] with her Rouers on
the sea.

The third Chapter

[Sidenote: The Britons great Rouers and Theeues.]

    Furthermore to write I am faine
    Somewhat speaking of the little Britayne.
    Commoditie thereof there, is and was,
    Salt, and wine, crest cloth and canuas.
    And the land of Flaunders sickerly
    Is the staple of their Marchandy.
    Wich Marchandie may not passe away
    But by the coast of England, this is no nay.
    And of this Britaine, who so trueth louis,
    Are the greatest rouers and the greatest theeuis,
    That haue bene in the sea many one yeere:
    That our Merchants haue bought full dere.
    For they haue tooke notable goods of ours,
    On this side see, these false pelours
    Called, of Saincte Malo, and ellis where:
    Which to their Duke none obeysance will bere:
    With such colours wee haue bee hindred sore.
    And fayned peace is called no werre herefore.
    Thus they haue bene in diuers coasts many
    Of our England, more then rehearse can I:
    In Norfolke coastes, and other places about,
    And robbed and brent and slame by many a rowte:
    And they haue also ransomed Towne by Towne:
    That into the regnes of bost haue run her sowne:
    Wich hath bin ruth vnto this Realme and shame:
    They that the sea should keepe are much to blame.
    For Britayne is of easie reputation;
    And Saincte Malo turneth hem to reprobation.


A storie of Edward the third his ordinance for Britayne.

[Sidenote: Historia ostendens quam ordinationem Rex Edwardus tertius fecit
contra de prædicatores marinos Brittaniæ minoris ad debellandum eos &
subiugandum Britannos minores.]

    Here bring I in a stone to mee lent,
    That a good Squire in time of Parliament
    Tooke vnto mee well written in a scrowe:
    That I haue commond both with high and lowe,
    Of which all men accorden into one,
    That it was done not many yeeres agone
    But when noble King Edward the third
    Reigned in grace, right thus it betyd.
    For hee had a maner gelosie
    To his Marchants and loued them hartily.
    He feld the weyes to rule well the see,
    Whereby Marchants might haue prosperitee.
    That for Harflew [4] Houndflew [5] did he maken;
    And great werre that time were vndertaken,
    betwixt the King and the Duke of Britayne:
    At last to fall to peace both were they fayne:
    Vpon the wich made with conuencion
    Our Marchants made hem readie bowne
    Toward Britayne to loade their Marchandie,
    Wening hem friends they went foorth boldly:
    But soone anon our Marchants were ytake,
    And wee spedde neuer the better for truce sake.
    They lost her good, her nauy and spending:
    But their complaint came vnto the king.
    Then wext he wroth, and to the Duke he sent,
    And complained that such harme was hent;
    By conuention and peace made so refused:
    Wich Duke sent againe, and him excused,
    Rehearsing that the mount of Saincte Michael,
    And Sainct Malo would neuer a dell
    Be subiect vnto his gouernance,
    Nor be vnder his obeysance:
    And so they did withouten him that deede.
    But when the king anon had taken heede:
    Hee in his herte set a iudgement,
    Without calling of any Parliament,
    Or greate tarry to take long aduise
    To fortifie anon he did deuise
    Of English Townes three, that is to say,
    Dertmouth, Plymouth, the third it is Fowey:
    And gaue hem helpe and notable puisance
    With insistence set them in gouernance
    Vpon pety Bretayne for to werre.
    Those good sea men would no more differre,
    But bete hem home and made they might not rowte,
    Tooke prisoners, and made them for to lowte.
    And efte the Duke, an ensample wise,
    Wrote to the king as he first did deuise,
    Him excusing: But our men wood
    With great power passed ouer the floode
    And werred foorth into the Dukes londe,
    And had ny destroyed free and bond.
    But than the Duke knewe that the townes three
    Should haue lost all his natiue Countrie,
    He vndertooke by suretie true not false,
    For mount Michael and Saincte Malo als.
    And other parties of the litle Brytaine,
    Which to obey, as sayd was, were not fayne
    The Duke hymselfe for all did vndertake:
    With all his herte a full peace did hee make:
    So that in all the life time of the king,
    Marchants had peace withouten werring:

[Footnote 4: Harfleur]
[Footnote 5: Honfleur]

[Sidenote: Statutum Regis Edwardi tertij pro Lombardis.]

  He made a statute for Lombards in this land,
  That they should in noe wise take on hande
  Here to inhabite, here to chardge and dischardge
  But fortie dayes, no more time had they large.
  This good king by witte of such appreiffe
  Kept his Marchants and the sea from mischiefe.


Of the commodities of Scotland and draping of her wolles in Flanders. The
  fourth Chapiter

 [Sidenote: Anno Domini 1436. Hen 6. 14.]

    Moreouer of Scotland the commodities
    Are Felles, Hides, and of Wooll the Fleese.
    And all these must passe by vs away
    Into Flanders by England, sooth to say.
    And all her woolle was draped for to sell
    In the Townes of Poperinge and of Bell:
    Which my Lord of Glocester with ire
    For her falshed set vpon a fire.
    And yet they of Bell and Poperinge
    Could neuer drape her wool for any thing,
    But if they had English woll withall.
    Our goodly wooll which is so generall
    Needefull to them in Spaine and Scotland als,
    And other costes, this sentence is nnot false:
    Yee worthy Marchants I doe it vpon yow,
    I haue this learned ye wot well where and howe:
    Ye wotte the Staple of that Marchandie,
    Of this Scotland is Flaunders sekerly.
    And the Scots bene charged knowen at the eye,
    Out of Flanders with little Mercerie,
    And great plentie of Haberdashers Ware,
    And halfe her shippes with cart wheeles bare,
    And with Barrowes are laden as in substance:
    Thus most rude ware are in her cheuesance.
    So they may not forbeare this Flemish land.
    Therefore if wee would manly take in hand,
    To keepe this Sea from Flanders and from Spaine,
    And from Scotland, like as from pety Britaine,
    Wee should right soone haue peace for all her bosts,
    For they must needes passe by our English costs.


Of the commodities of Pruce, and High Dutch men, and Easterlings. The fifth
  Chapitle.

    Nowe goe foorth to the commodities,
    That commeth from Pruce in two maner degrees.
    For two maner people haue such vse,
    That is to say, High Duch men of Pruse,
    And Esterlings, which might not be forborne,
    Out of Flanders, but it were verely lorne.
    For they bring in the substance of the Beere,
    That they drinken feele too good chepe, not dere.
    Yee haue heard that two Flemings togider
    Will vndertake or they goe any whither,
    Or they rise once to drinke a Ferkin full,
    Of good Beerekin: so sore they hall and pull.
    Vnder the board they pissen as they sit:
    This commeth of couenant of a worthie wit.
    Without Caleis in their Butter they cakked
    When they fled home, and when they leysure lacked
    To holde their siege, they went like as a Doe:
    Well was that Fleming that might trusse, and goe.
    For feare they turned backe and hyed fast,
    My Lord of Glocester made hem so agast
    With his commimg, and sought hem in her land,
    And brent and slowe as he had take on hand:
    So that our enemies durst not bide, nor stere,
    They fled to mewe, they durst no more appeare,
    Rebuked sore for euer so shamefully,
    Vnto her vtter euerlasting villany.

    Nowe Beere and Bakon bene fro Pruse ybrought
    Into Flanders, as loued and farre ysought:
    Osmond, Copper, Bow-staues, Steele, and Wexe,
    Peltreware and grey Pitch, Terre, Board, and flexe,
    And Colleyne threed, Fustian and Canuas,
    Card, Bukeram: of olde time thus it was.
    But the Flemings among these things dere,
    In common louen best Bakon and Beere.
    Also Pruse men maken her aduenture
    Of Plate of siluer of wedges good and sure
    In great plentie which they bring and bye,
    Out of the lands of Beame and Hungarie:
    Which is increase full great vnto their land,
    And they bene laden, I vnderstand,
    With wollen cloth all maner of colours
    By dyers crafted full diuers, that ben ours.
    And they aduenture full greatly vnto the Bay,
    for salt that is needefull withouten nay.
    Thus if they would not our friends bee,
    We might lightly stoppe hem in the see:
    They should not passe our streemes withouten leue,
    It would not be, but if we should hem greue.


Of the commodities of the Genuoys and her great Caracks. Chap. 6.

    The Genuois comen in sundry wies
    Into this land with diuers marchandises
    In great Caracks, arrayed withouten lacke
    With cloth of gold, silke, and pepper blacke
    They bring with them, and of crood [6] great plentee,
    Woll Oyle, Woad ashen, by vessel in the see,
    Cotton, Rochalum, and good gold of Genne.
    And then be charged with wolle againe I wenne,
    And wollen cloth of ours of colours all.
    And they aduenture, as ofte it doth befall,
    Into Flanders with such things as they bye,
    That is their chefe staple sekerly:
    And if they would be our full enemies,
    They should not passe our stremes with merchandise.

[Footnote 6: Woad.]

The comodities and nicetees of the Venetians and Florentines, with their
  Gallees. Chap. 7.

    The great Galees of Venice and Florence
    Be well laden with things of complacence,
    All spicery and of grossers ware:
    With sweete wines all maner of chaffare,
    Apes, and Iapes, and marmusets tayled,
    Nifles and trifles that little haue auayled:
    And things with which they fetely blere our eye:
    With things not induring that we bye.
    For much of this chaffare that is wastable
    Might be forborne for dere and deceiuable.
    And that I wene as for infirmities
    In our England are such commodities
    Withouten helpe of any other lond
    Which by witte and practise both yfound:
    That all humors might be voyded sure,
    With that we gleder with our English cure:
    That we should haue no neede of Scamonie,
    Turbit, enforbe, correct Diagredie,
    Rubarbe, Sene, and yet they ben to needefull,
    But I know things al so speedefull,
    That growen here, as those things sayd.
    Let of this matter no man be dismayde;
    But that a man may voyde infirmitie
    Without degrees fet fro beyond the sea.
    And yet they should except be any thing
    It were but sugre, trust to my saying:
    He that trusteth not to my saying and sentence,
    Let him better search experience.
    In this matter I will not ferther prease,
    Who so not beleeueth, let him leaue and cease.
    Thus these galeys for this licking ware,
    And eating ware, bare hence out best chaffare.
    Cloth, woll, and tinne, which as I sayd before,
    Out of this lond worst might be forbore,
    For ech other land of necessitie
    Haue great neede to buy some of them three:
    And we receiue of hem into this coste
    Ware and chaffare that lightly wilbe loste.
    And would Iesus, that our Lord is wold
    Consider this well both yong and old:
    Namely old that haue experience,
    That might the yong exhorte to prudence;
    What harme, what hurt, and what hinderance
    Is done to vs, vnto our great grieuance,
    Of such lands, and of such nations:
    As experte men know by probations,
    By writings as discouered our counsailes,
    And false colour alwaies the countertailes
    Of our enimies: that doth vs hindering
    Vnto our goods, our Relme, and to the king:
    As wise men haue shewed well at eye;
    And all this is couloured by marchandye.

An example of deceite

    Also they bere the gold out of this land,
    And sucke the thrift away out of our hand:
    As the Waspe souketh honie fro the bee,
    So minisheth our commoditee.
    Nor wol ye here how they in Cotteswold
    Were wont to borrow or they shold be sold
    Her woll good as for yere and yere.
    Of cloth and tinne they did in like manere:
    And in her galies ship this marchandie:
    Then soone at Venice of them men woll it bye.
    Then vtterne there the chaffare by the peise,
    And lightly als there they make her reise.
    And when the goods beene at Venice sold,
    Then to carie her change they this money haue,
    They will it profer, their subtiltie to saue,
    To English marchants to yeue it out by eschange
    To be payed againe they make not strange,
    At the receiuing and sight of a letter,
    Here in England, seeming for the better,
    by foure pence lesse in the noble round:
    That is twelue pence in the golden pound.
    And if wee wol haue of payment
    A full moneth, than must him needes assent
    To eight pence losse, that is shillings twaine
    In the English pound: as eft soone again,
    For two moneths twelue pence must he pay.
    In the English pound what is that to say,
    But shillings three? So that in pound fell
    For hurt and harme hard is with hem to dwell.
    And when English marchants haue content
    This eschange in England of assent,
    That these sayd Venecians haue in woone
    And Florentines to bere her gold soone
    Ouer the see into Flanders againe:
    And thus they liue in Flanders sooth to saine,
    And in London with such cheuisance,
    That men call vsury, to our losse and hinderance.

Another example of deceite.

    Now lesten well how they made vs a valeys
    When they borrowed at the town of Caleis
    As they were wont, their woll that was hem lent,
    For yere and yere they should make payment.
    And sometimes als two yere and two yeare.
    This was fayre [7] loue: but yet will ye heare
    How they to Bruges would her woll carie,
    And for hem take payment withouten tarie,
    And sell it fast for ready money in hand.
    For fifty pounds of money of losse they wold not wond
    In a thousand pound, and liue thereby
    Till the day of payment easily,
    Come againe in exchange: making
    Full like vsury, as men make vndertaking.
    Than whan this payment of a thousand pound
    Was well content, they should haue chaffare sound
    If they wold fro the Staple full,
    Receiue againe three thousand pound in woll.
    In Cotteswold also they ride about,
    And all England, and buy withouten doubte
    What them list with freedome and franchise,
    More then we English may gitten many wise
    But would God that without lenger delayes
    These galees were vnfraught in fortie dayes,
    And in fortie dayes charged againe,
    And that they might be put to certaine
    To goe to oste, as we there with hem doe.
    It were expedient that they did right soe,
    As we doe there. If the king would it:
    Ah what worship wold fall to English wit?
    What profite also to our marchandie
    Which wold of nede be cherished hertilie?
    For I would witte, why now our nauie fayleth,  [Note diligently]
    When manie a foe vs at our doore assayleth.

[Sidenote: A woful complaint of lacke of nauie if need come. A storie of
destruction of Denmarke for destruction of their marchants.]

    Now in these dayes, that if there come a nede,
    What nauie should we haue it is to drede.
    In Denmarke were full noble conquerours
    In time past, full worthy warriours:
    Which when they had their marchants destroyed,
    To pouerty they fell, thus were they noyed:
    And so they stand at mischiefe at this day.
    This learned I late well writon, this no nay.
    Therefore beware, I can no better will,
    If grace it woll, of other mennis perill.
    For if marchants were cherished to her speede,
    We were not likely to fayle in any neede.
    If they be rich, then in prosperitee
    Shalbe our londe, lords, and commontee,
    And in worship. Now thinke I on the sonne
    Of Marchandy Richard of Whitingdon;

[Sidenote: The prayse of Richard of Whittingdon marchant.]

    That load sterre, and chiefe chosen floure:
    What hath by him our England of honour,
    And what profite hath bin of his riches,
    And yet lasteth dayly in worthines?
    That pen and paper may not me suffice
    Him to describe: so high he was of price
    Aboue marchants, that set him one of the best:
    I can no more, but God haue him in rest.

[Footnote 7: Or, lone.]

Now the principal matter.

    What reason is it that we should goe to oste
    In their countries, & in this English coste
    They should not so? bat haue more liberty
    Then we our selues now also motte I thee.
    I would to gifts men should take no heede
    That letteth our thing publicke for to speede
    For this we see well euery day at eye,
    Gifts and fests stopen our policie.
    Now see that fooles ben either they or wee
    But euer we haue the worse in this countree.
    Therefore let hem vnto oste go here,
    Or be we free with hem in like manere
    In their countrees: and if it will not bee,
    Compell them vnto oste, and yee shall see
    Moch auantage, and moch profite arise,
    Moch more then I can write in any wise.

Of our charge and discharge at her marts.

    Conceiue wel here, that Englishmen at martes
    Be discharged, for all her craftes and artes,
    In Brabant of her marchandy
    In fourteene dayes, and ageine hastily
    In the same dayes fourteene acharged eft.
    And if they bide lenger all is bereft,
    Anon they should forfeit her goods all,
    Or marchandy: it should no better fall.
    And we to martis in Brabant charged beene
    With English cloth full good and fayre to seene:
    We ben againe charged with mercerie,
    Haburdasher ware, and with grosserie:
    To which marts, that English men call fayres,
    Ech nation oft maketh her repayres:
    English, and French, Lombards, Iennoyes,
    Catalones, thedre they take her wayes:
    Scots, Spaniards, Irishmen there abides,
    With great plenty bringing of sale hides.
    And I here say that we in Brabant bye,
    Flanders and Zeland more of marchandy
    In common vse then done all other nations:
    This haue I heard of marchants relations:
    And if the English ben not in the marts
    They ben feeble, and as nought bene her parts.
    For they byemore, and fro purse put out
    More marchandie then all the other rowte.
    Kept then the see, shippes should not bring ne fetch,
    And then the carreys wold not thidre stretch:
    And so those marts wold full euill thee,
    If we manly kept about the see.

Of the commodities of Brabant and Zeland and Henauld and marchandy carried
  by land to the martes. Cap. 8.

    Yet marchandy of Brabant and Zeland
    The Madre and Woad, that dyers take on hand
    To dyen with, Garlike and Onions,
    And saltfishe als for husband and commons.
    But they of Holland at Caleis byen our felles,
    And wolles our, that Englishmen hem selles.
    And the chaffare that Englishmen doe byen
    In the marts, that noe man may denien,
    Is not made in Brabant that cuntree:
    It commeth from out of Henauld, not by see,
    But al by land, by carts, and from France,
    Bourgoyne, Colem, Cameret in substance,
    Therefore at marts if there be a restraint,
    Men seyne plainely that list no fables paynt,
    If Englishmen be withdrawen away,
    Is great rebuke and losse to her affray:
    As though we sent into the land of France
    Ten thousand people, men of good puissance,
    To werre vnto her hindring multifarie.
    So ben our English marchants necessarie.
    If it be thus assay, and we shall witten
    Of men experte, by whom I haue this written.

[Sidenote: What our marchants bye in that cost more then all other.]

    For sayd is that this carted marchandy
    Draweth in value as much verily,
    As all the goods that come in shippes thider,
    Which Englishmen bye most and bring it hither.
    For her marts ben febel, shame to say,
    But Englishmen thither dresse her way.

A conclusion of this depending of keeping of the sea.

    Than I conclude, if neuer so much by land
    Were by carres brought vnto their hand,
    If well the sea were kept in gouernance
    They should by sea haue no deliuerance.
    Wee should hem stop, and we should hem destroy,
    As prisoners we should hem bring to annoy.
    And so we should of our cruell enimies
    Make our friends for feare of marchandies,
    If they were not suffered for to passe
    Into Flanders. But we be frayle as glasse
    And also brittle, not thought neuer abiding,
    But when grace shineth soone are we sliding,
    We will it not receiue in any wise:
    That maken lust, enuie, and couetise:
    Expone me this; and yee shall sooth it find,
    Bere it away, and keepe it in your mind.
    Then shuld worship vnto our Noble bee
    In feate and forme to lord and Maiestie:
    Liche as the seale the greatest of this land
    On the one side hath, as I vnderstand,
    A prince riding with his swerd ydraw,
    In the other side sitting, soth it is in saw,
    Betokening good rule and punishing
    In very deede of England by the king.
    And it is so God blessed mought he bee.
    So in likewise I would were on the see
    By the Noble, that swerde should haue power,
    And the ships on the sea about vs here.
    What needeth a garland which is made of Iuie
    Shewe a tauerne winelesse, also thriue I?
    If men were wise, the Frenchmen and Fleming
    Shuld bere no state in sea by werring.
    Then Hankin lyons shuld not be so bold
    To stoppe wine, and shippes for to hold
    Vnto our shame. He had be beten thence
    Alas, alas, why did we this offence,
    Fully to shend the old English fames;
    And the profits of England and their names:
    Why is this power called of couetise;
    With false colours cast beforn our eyes?
    That if good men called werriours
    Would take in hand for the commons succours,
    To purge the sea vnto our great auayle,
    And winne hem goods, and haue vp the sayle,
    And on our enimies their liues to impart,
    So that they might their prises well departe,
    As reson wold, iustice and equitie;
    To make land haue lordship of the sea.

[Sidenote: Lombards are cause enough to hurt this land although there were
none other cause. False colouring of goods by Lombards. Alas for bribes &
gift of good feasts & other means that stoppen our policie. This is the
very state of our time.]

    Then shall Lombards and other fained friends
    Make her chalenges by colour false offends,
    And say their chaffare in the shippes is,
    And chalenge al. Looke if this be amisse.
    For thus may al that men haue bought to sore,
    Ben soone excused, and saued by false colour.
    Beware yee men that bere the great in hand
    That they destroy the policie of this land,
    By gifte and good, and the fine golden clothis,
    And silke, and other: say yee not this soth is?
    But if we had very experience
    That they take meede with prime violence,
    Carpets, and things of price and pleasance,
    Whereby stopped should be good gouernance:
    And if it were as yee say to mee,
    Than wold I say, alas cupiditie,
    That they that haue her liues put in drede,
    Shalbe soone out of winning, all for meed,
    And lose her costes, and brought to pouerty,
    That they shall neuer haue lust to goe to sea.

An exhortation to make an ordinance against colour of maintainers and
  excusers of folkes goods

[Sidenote: It is a marueilous thing that so great a sicknes and hurt of
the land may haue no remedie of so many as take heselues wise men of
gouernance.]

    For this colour that must be sayd alofte
    And be declared of the great full ofte,
    That our seamen wol by many wise
    Spoile our friends in steede of our enimies:
    For which colour and Lombards maintenance,
    The king it needes to make an ordinance
    With his Counsayle that may not fayle, I trowe,
    That friends should from enimies be knowe,
    Our enimies taken and our friends spared:
    The remedy of hem must be declared.
    Thus may the sea be kept in no sell,
    For if ought be spoken, wot yee well,
    We haue the strokes, and enemies haue the winning:
    But mayntainers are parteners of the finning.
    We liue in lust and bide in couetise;
    This is our rule to maintaine marchandise,
    And policie that wee haue on the sea,
    And, but God helpe, it will no other bee.

Of the commodities of Ireland and policie and keeping thereof and
  conquering of wild Irish: with an incident of Wales. Chap. 9.

    I cast to speake of Ireland but a litle:
    Commodities of it I will entitle,
    Hides, and fish, Salmon, Hake, Herringe,
    Irish wooll, and linen cloth, faldinge,
    And marterns goode ben her marchandie,
    Hertes Hides, and other of Venerie.[8]
    Skinnes of Otter, Squirell and Irish hare,
    Of sheepe, lambe, and Fox, is her chaffare,
    Felles of Kiddes, and Conies great plentie.
    So that if Ireland helpe vs to keepe the sea,
    Because the King cleped is Rex Angliæ,
    And is Dominus also Hyberniæ,
    Old possessed by Progenitours:
    The Irish men haue cause like to ours
    Our land and hers together to defend,
    That no enemie should hurt ne offend,
    Ireland ne vs: but as one commontie
    Should helpe well to keepe about the sea:
    For they haue hauens great, and goodly bayes,
    Sure, wyde and deepe, of good assayes,
    At Waterford, and costes many one.
    And as men sayne in England be there none
    Better hauens, ships in to ride,
    No more sure for enemies to abide,
    Why speake I thus so much of Ireland?
    For all so much as I can vnderstand,
    It is fertile for things that there doe growe
    And multiplien, loke who lust to knowe,
    So large, so good, and so commodious,
    That to declare is strange and maruailous.

[Footnote 8: Hunting.]

[Sidenote: Mynes of siluer and gold in Ireland.]

    For of siluer and golde there is the oore,
    Among the wilde Irish though they be poore.
    For they are rude can thereon no skill:
    So that if we had their peace and good will
    To myne and fine, and metal for to pure,
    In wilde Irish might we finde the cure,
    As in London saith a Iuellere,
    Which brought from thence golde oore to vs here,
    Whereof was fyned mettal good and clene,
    As they touch, no better could be seene.
    Nowe here beware and heartily take intent,
    As yee will answere at last iudgement,
    That for slought and for racheshede
    Yee remember with all your might to hede
    To keepe Ireland that it be not lost.
    For it is a boterasse and a post,
    Vnder England, and Wales another:
    God forbid, but ech were others brother,
    Of one ligeance due vnto the king.
    But I haue pittie in good faith of this thing
    That I shall say with auisement:
    I am aferde that Ireland will be shent:
    It must awey, it wol bee lost from vs,
    But if thou helpe, thou Iesu gracious,
    And giue vs grace al slought to leue beside.
    For much thing in my herte is hide,
    Which in another treatise I caste to write
    Made al onely for that soile and site,
    Of fertile Ireland, wich might not be forborne,
    But if England were nigh as goode as gone.
    God forbid that a wild Irish wirlinge
    Should be chosen for to bee their kinge,
    After her conqueste for our last puissance,
    And hinder vs by other lands alliance.
    Wise men seyn, wich felin not, ne douten,
    That wild Irish so much of ground haue gotten
    There vpon vs, as likenesse may be
    Like as England to sheeris two or three
    Of this our land is made comparable:
    So wild Irish haue wonne on vs vnable
    Yet to defend, and of none power,
    That our ground is there a litle corner,
    To all Ireland in true comparison.
    It needeth no more this matter to expon.
    Which if it bee lost, as Christ Iesu forbed,
    Farewel Wales, then England commeth to dred,
    For aliance of Scotland and of Spaine,

[Sidenote: This is now to be greatly feared.]

    And other moe, as the pety Bretaine,
    And so haue enemies enuiron round about.
    I beseech God, that some prayers deuout
    Mutt let the said apparance probable
    Thus disposed without feyned fable.
    But all onely for perill that I see
    Thus imminent, it's likely for to bee,
    And well I wotte, that from hence to Rome,
    And, as men say, in all Christendome,
    Is no ground ne land to Ireland liche,
    So large, so good, so plenteous, so riche,
    That to this worde Dominus doe long.
    Then mee semeth that right were and no wrong,
    To get the lande: and it were piteous
    To vs to lese this high name Dommus.
    And all this word Dominus of name
    Shuld haue the ground obeysant wilde and tame.
    That name and people togidre might accord
    Al the ground subiect to the Lord.
    And that it is possible to bee subiect,
    Vnto the king wel shal it bee detect,
    In the litle booke that I of spake.
    I trowe reson al this wol vndertake,
    And I knowe wel howe it stante,
    Alas fortune beginneth so to scant,
    Or ellis grace, that deade is gouernance.
    For so minisheth parties of our puissance,
    In that land that wee lese euery yere,
    More ground and more, as well as yee may here.
    I herd a man speake to mee full late,
    Which was a lord [9] of full great estate;
    Than expense of one yere done in France
    Werred on men well willed of puissance
    This said ground of Ireland to conquere.
    And yet because England might not forbere
    These said expenses gadred in one yeere,
    But in three yeeres or foure gadred vp here,
    Might winne Ireland to a finall conqueste,
    In one sole yeere to set vs all at reste.
    And how soone wolde this be paied ageyne:
    Which were it worth yerely, if wee not feyne:
    I wol declare, who so luste to looke,
    I trowe full plainely in my litle booke.
    But couetise, and singularitie
    Of owne profite, enuie, crueltie,
    Hath doon vs harme, and doe vs euery day,
    And musters made that shame is to say:
    Our money spent al to litle auaile,
    And our enimies so greatly doone preuaile,
    That what harme may fall and ouerthwerte
    I may vnneth write more for sore of herte.

[Footnote 9: This Lorde was the Earle of Ormond that told to me this
matter, that he would vndertake it, in pain of losse of al his liuelihood.
But this proffer could not be admitted. Ergo malè.]

An exhortation to the keeping of Wales

    Beware of Wales, Christ Iesu mutt vs keepe,
    That it make not our childers childe to weepe,
    Ne vs also, so if it goe his way,
    By vnwarenes: seth that many a day
    Men haue bee ferde of her rebellion,
    By great tokens and ostentation:
    Seche the meanes with a discrete auise,
    And helpe that they rudely not arise
    For to rebell, that Christ it forbede.
    Looke wel aboute, for God wote yee haue neede,
    Vnfainingly, vnfeyning and vnfeynt,
    That conscience for slought you not atteynt:
    Kepe well that grounde for harme that may ben vsed,
    Or afore God mutte yee ben accused.

Of the commodious Stockfish of Island and keeping of the Sea namely the
  Narrow sea, with an incident of the keeping of Caleis. Chap. 10.

[Sidenote: The trade of Bristow to Island.]
[Sidenote: The old trade of Scarborough to Island and the North.]

    Of Island to write is litle nede,
    Saue of Stock fish. Yet forsooth in deed
    Out of Bristowe, and costes many one,
    Men haue practised by nedle and by stone
    Thider wardes within a litle while,
    Within twelue yere, and without perill
    Gon and come, as men were wont of old
    Of Scarborough, vnto the costes cold.
    And nowe so fele shippes this yeere there ware,
    That moch losse for vnfreyght they bare:
    Island might not make hem to bee fraught
    Vnto the Hawys: thus much harme they caught.
    Then here I ende of the commoditees
    For which neede is well to kepe the seas:
    Este and Weste, South and North they bee.
    And chiefly kepe the sharpe narrow see,
    Betweene Douer and Caleis: and as thus
    that foes passe none without good will of vs:
    And they abide our danger in the length,
    What for our costis and Caleis in our strength.

An exhortation for the sure keeping of Caleis.

    And for the loue of God, and of his blisse
    Cherish yee Caleis better then it is.
    See well thereto, and heare the grete complaint
    That true men tellen, that woll no lies paint,
    And as yee know that writing commeth from thence:
    Doe not to England for slought so great offence,
    But that redressed it bee for any thing:
    Leste a song of sorrow that wee sing.
    For litle wenith the foole who so might chese
    What harme it were good Caleis for to lese:
    What wo it were for all this English ground.

[Sidenote: The ioy of Sigismund the Emperour that Caleis was English.]

    Which wel concerned the Emperour Sigismound,
    That of all ioyes made it one of the moste,
    That Caleis was subiect vnto English coste.
    Him thought it was a iewel most of all,
    And so the same in Latine did it call.
    And if yee wol more of Caleis heare and knowe,
    I cast to write within a litle scrowe,
    Like as I haue done before by and by
    In other parteis of our policie.
    Loke how hard it was at the first to get;
    And by my counsell lightly doe not it let.
    For if wee lese it with shame of face
    Wilfully, it is for lacke of grace.
    Howe was Harflew [10] cried vpon, and Rone,[11]
    That they were likely for shought to be gone:
    Howe was it warned and cried on in England,
    I make record with this pen in my hand.
    It was warened plainely in Normandie,
    And in England, and I thereon did crie.
    The world was defrauded, it betyde right so.
    Farewell Harflew: lewdly it was a go.
    Nowe ware Caleis, I can say no better:
    My soule discharge I by this present letter.

[Footnote 10: Harfleur, which was lost in 1449.]
[Footnote 11: Rouen]

After the Chapitles of commodities, of diuers lands, sheweth the conclusion
  of keeping of the sea enuiron, by a storie of King Edgar and two
  incidents of King Edward the third, and King Henrie the fifth. Chap. 11.

    Now see we well then that this round see
    To our Noble by pariformitee
    Vnder the ship shewed there the sayle,
    And our king with royal apparayle,
    With swerd drawen bright and extent
    For to chastise enimies violent;
    Should be lord of the sea about,
    To keepe enimies from within and without;
    To behold through Christianitee
    Master and lord enuiron of the see:
    All liuing men such a prince to dreed,
    Of such a regne to bee aferd indeed.
    Thus proue I well that it was thus of old;
    Which by a [*] Chronicle anon shalbe told,
    Right curious: but I will interprete
    It into English, as I did it gete:
    Of king Edgar: O most marueilous
    Prince liuing, wittie, and cheualerous:
    So good that none of his predecessours
    Was to him liche in prudence and honours.
    Hee was fortanate and more gracious
    Then other before, and more glorious:
    He was beneth no man in holines:
    Hee passed all in vertuous sweetnes.

[Marginal note *: Dicit Chronica, quod iste Edgarus cunctis prædecessoribus
suis fælicior, nulli sanctitate inferior, omnibus morum suauitate
præstantior fuerit Luxit ipse Anglis non minus memorabilis quàm Cyrus
Persis, Carolus Francis, Romulus verò Romanis.]

    Of English kings was none so commendable
    To English men no lesse memorable:
    Then Cyrus was to Perse by puissance,
    And as great Charles was to them of France,
    And as to the Romanes was great Romulus,
    So was to England this worthy Edgarus.
    I may not write more of his worthines
    For lacke of time, ne of his holines:
    But to my matter I him exemplifie,
    Of conditions tweyne and of his policie:
    Within his land was one, this is no doubt,
    And another in the see without,
    That in time of Winter and of werre,
    When boystrous windes put see men into fere;
    Within his land about by all prouinces
    Hee passed through, perceiuing his princes,
    Lords, and others of the commontee,
    Who was oppressour, and who to pouertee
    Was drawen and brought, and who was clene in life,
    And was by mischiefe and by strife
    With ouer leding and extortion:
    And good and badde of eche condition
    Hee aspied: and his ministers als,
    Who did trought, and which of hem was fals:
    Howe the right and lawes of the land
    Were execute, and who durst take in hand
    To disobey his statutes and decrees,
    If they were well kept in all countrees:
    Of these he made subtile inuestigation
    Of his owne espie, and other men's relation.
    Among other was his great busines,
    Well to ben ware, that great men of riches,
    And men of might in citie nor in towne
    Should to the poore doe non oppression.
    Thus was he wont in this Winter tide,
    On such enforchise busily to abide.
    This was his labour for the publike thing,
    Thus was hee occupied: a passing holy King
    Nowe to purpose, in the Sommer faire
    Of lusty season, whan clered was the aire,
    He had redie shippes made before
    Great and huge, not fewe but many a store:
    Full three thousand and sixe hundred also
    Stately inough on our sea to goe.

[Sidenote: Dicit Chronica præparauerat naues robustissimas numero tria
millia sexcenta: in quibus redeunte æstate omnem insulam ad terrorem
extraneorum & ad suorum excitationem cum maximo apparatu circumnauigare
consueuerat.]

    The Chronicles say, these shippes were full boysteous:
    Such things long to kings victorious.
    In Sommer tide would hee haue in wonne
    And in custome to be ful redie soone,
    With multitude of men of good array
    And instruments of werre of best assay.
    Who could hem well in any wise descriue?
    It were not light for eny man aliue.
    Thus he and his would enter shippes great
    Habiliments hauing and the fleete
    Of See werres, that ioyfull was to see
    Such a nauie and Lord of Maiestee,
    There present in person hem among
    To saile and rowe enuiron all along,
    So regal liche about the English isle;
    To all strangers terrours and perile.
    Whose fame went about in all the world stout,
    Vnto great fere of all that be without,
    And exercise to Knights and his meynee
    To him longing of his natall cuntree
    For courage of nede must haue exercise,
    Thus occupied for esshewin of vice
    This knew the king that policie espied;
    Winter and Somer he was thus occupied.
    Thus conclude I by authoritee
    Of Chronike, that enuiron the see
    Should bene our subiects vnto the King,
    And hee bee Lord thereof for eny thing:
    For great worship and for profile also
    To defend his land fro euery foo.
    That worthy king I leue, Edgar by name,
    And all the Chronike of his worthy fame:

[Sidenote: Dicit Chronica &c. vt non minus quantum ei etiam in hac vita
bononum operum mercedem donauerit: cum aliquando ad maximam eius
festiuitatem, reges, comites multarúmque, prouinciarum protectores
conuenissent, &c.]

    Saffe onely this I may not passe away,
    A worde of mighty strength till that I say,
    That graunted him God such worship here,
    For his merites, hee was without pere,
    That sometime at his great festiuitee
    Kings, and Erles of many a countree,
    And princes fele were there present,
    And many Lords came thider by assent.
    To his worship: but in a certaine day
    Hee bad shippes to be redie of aray:
    For to visit Saint Iohns Church hee list
    Rowing vnto the good holie Baptist,
    Hee assigned to Erles, Lords, and knights
    Many ships right goodly to sights:
    And for himselfe and eight kings moo
    Subiect to him hee made kepe one of thoo,
    A good shippe, and entrede into it
    With eight kings, and downe did they sit;
    And eche of them an ore tooke in hand,
    At ore hales, as I vnderstand,
    And he himselfe at the shippe behinde
    As steris man it became of kinde.
    Such another rowing I dare well say,
    Was not seene of Princes many a day.
    Lo than how hee in waters got the price,
    In lande, in see, that I may not suffice
    To tell, O right, O magnanimitee,
    That king Edgar had vpon the see.

An incident of the Lord of the sea King Edward the third.

    Of king Edward I passe and his prowes
    On lande, on sea yee knowe his worthines:
    The siege of Caleis, ye know well all the matter
    Round about by land, and by the water,
    Howe it lasted not yeeres many agoe,
    After the battell of Crecye was ydoe:
    Howe it was closed enuiron about,
    Olde men sawe it, which liuen, this is no doubt.

[Sidenote: Caleis was yeelded to the English 1347.]

    Old Knights say that the Duke of Borgoyn,
    Late rebuked for all his golden coyne;
    Of ship on see made no besieging there,
    For want of shippes that durst not come for feare.
    It was nothing besieged by the see:
    Thus call they it no siege for honestee.
    Gonnes assailed, but assault was there none,
    No siege, but fuge: well was he that might be gone:
    This maner carping haue knights ferre in age,
    Expert through age of this maner language.

[Sidenote: King Edward had 700. English ships and 14151. English mariners
before Caleis.]

    But king Edward made a siege royall,
    And wanne the towne: and in especiall
    The sea was kept, and thereof he was Lord.
    Thus made he Nobles coyned of record;
    In whose time was no nauie on the see
    That might withstand his maiestie.
    Battell of Scluse,[12] yee may rede euery day,
    Howe it was done I leue and goe my way:
    It was so late done that yee it knowe,
    In comparison within a litle throwe:
    For which to God giue we honour and glorie,
    For Lord of see the king was with victorie.

[Footnote 12: The battle of L'Ecluse.]

Another incident of keeping of the see, in the time of the marueilous
  werriour and victorious Prince, King Henrie the fifth, and of his great
  shippes.

[Sidenote: The great ships of Henry the fift, made at Hampton.]

    And if I should conclude all by the King
    Henrie the fift, what was his purposing,
    Whan at Hampton he made the great dromons,
    Which passed other great ships of all the commons,
    The Trinitie, the Grace de Dieu, the holy Ghost,
    And other moe, which as nowe bee lost.
    What hope ye was the kings great intent
    Of thoo shippes, and what in minde hee meant?
    It was not ellis, but that hee cast to bee
    Lorde round about enuiron of the see.
    And when Harflew had her siege about,
    There came caracks horrible great and stoute
    In the narrow see willing to abide,
    To stoppe vs there with multitude of pride.

[Sidenote: Great caracks of Genoa taken by the Duke of Bedford.]

    My Lord of Bedford came on and had the cure,
    Destroyed they were by that discomfiture.

[Sidenote: 1416.]

    This was after the king Harflew had wonne,
    Whan our enemies to siege had begonne:
    That all was slaine or take, by true relation,
    To his worshippe, and of his English nation.

[Sidenote: The French nauie thus ouerthrowen was of fiue hundred saile.]

    There was present the kings chamberlaine
    At both battailes; which knoweth this in certaine;
    He can it tell other wise then I:
    Aske him, and witte; I passe foorth hastily
    What had this king of his magnificence,
    Of great courage of wisedome, and prudence?
    Prouision, forewitte, audacitee,
    Of fortitude, iustice, and agilitee,
    Discretion, subtile auisednesse,
    Attemperance, Noblesse, and worthinesse:
    Science, prowesse, deuotion, equitie,
    Of most estate, with his magnanimitie
    Liche to Edgar, and the saide Edward,
    As much of both liche hem as in regard.
    Where was on liue a man more victorious,
    And in so short time prince so marueilous?
    By land and sea, so well he him acquitte,
    To speake of him I stony in my witte
    Thus here I leaue the king with his noblesse,
    Henry the fift, with whom all my processe
    Of this true booke of pure policie
    Of sea keeping, entending victorie
    I leaue endly: for about in the see
    No prince was of better strenuitee.
    And if he had to this time liued here,
    He had bene Prince named withouten pere:

[Sidenote: The Trinitie, the Grace de Dieu, the holy Ghost]

    His great ships should haue ben put in preefe,
    Vnto the ende that he ment of in cheefe,
    For doubt it not but that he would haue bee
    Lord and master about the round see:
    And kept it sure to stoppe our enemies hence,
    And wonne vs good, and wisely brought it thence:
    That no passage should be without danger,
    And his licence on see to moue and sterre.

Of vnitie, shewing of our keeping of the see: with an endly or finall
  processe of peace by authoritie. Chap. 12.

[Sidenote: Exhortatio generales in custodiam totius Angliæ per diligentiam
custodiæ circutus maris circa littora eiusdem: quæ debet esse per
vnanimitatem Consilariorum regis, & hominum bonæ voluntatus.]

    Now than for loue of Christ, and of his ioy,
    Bring it England out of trouble and noy:
    Take heart and witte, and set a gouernance,
    Set many wits withouten variance,
    To one accord and vnanimitee.
    Put to good will for to keepe the see.
    First for worship and profite also,
    And to rebuke of eche euill willed foe.
    Thus shall worship and riches to vs long.
    Than to the Noble shall we doe no wrong,
    To beare that coyne in figure and in deede,
    To our courage, and to our enemies dreede:
    For which they must dresse hem to peace in haste,
    Or ellis their thrift to standen and to waste.
    As this processe hath proued by and by
    All by reason and expert policy;
    And by stories which proued well this parte:
    Or ellis I will my life put in ieoparte,
    But many londs would seche her peace for nede,
    The see well kept: it must be doo for drede.
    Thus must Flanders for nede haue vnitee
    And peace with vs: it will non other bee,
    Within short while: and ambassadours
    Would bene here soone to treate for their succours.

[Sidenote: Tres sunt causæ prædictæ custodiæ scilcet, honor commodum
regnum, & opprobrium inimicis.]

    This vnitie is to God pleasance:
    And peace after the werres variance.
    The ende of battaile is peace sikerly,
    And power causeth peace finally.
    Kept than the sea about in speciall,
    Which of England is the towne wall.
    As though England were likened to a citie,
    And the wall enuiron were the see
    Kepe then the sea that is the wall of England:
    And than is England kept by Goddes hande;
    That as for any thing that is without,
    England were at ease withouten doubt,
    And thus should euery lond one with another
    Entercommon as brother with his brother
    And liue togither werrelesse in vnitie,
    Without rancour in very charitie,
    In rest and peace, to Christes great pleasance,
    Without strife, debate and variance.
     Which peace men should enserche with businesse,
    And knit it saddely holding in holinesse.

[Sidenote: Ephes. 4. Solliciti sitis seruare vnitatem spiritus in vinculo
pacis.]

    The Apostle seith, if ye list to see,
    Bee yee busie for to keepe vnitee
    Of the spirit in the bond of peace.
    Which is nedeful to all withouten lese.
    The Prophet biddeth vs peace for to enquire
    To pursue it, this is holy desire.
    Our Lord Iesu saith, Blessed motte they bee
    That maken peace; that is tranquillitee.

[Sidenote: Matth. 5. Beati pacifici quoniam filij Dei vocabuntur.]

    For peace makers, as Matthew writeth aright,
    Should be called the sonnes of God almight.
    God giue vs grace, the weyes for to keepe
    Of his precepts, and slugly not to sleepe
    In shame of sinne: that our verry foo
    Might be to vs conuers, and turned so.

[Sidenote: Cum placuerint Domino viæ hominis eius inimicos ad pacem
conuertet]

    For in the Prouerbs is a text to this purpose
    Plaine inough without any glose:
    When mens weyes please vnto our Lord,
    It shall conuert and bring to accord
    Mans enemies vnto peace verray,
    In vnitie, to liue to Goddis pay,
    With vnitie, peace, rest and charitie.
    Hee that was here cladde in humanitie,
    That came from heauen, and styed vp with our nature,
    Or hee ascended, he gaue to vs cure,
    And left with vs peace, ageyne striffe and debate,
    Mote giue vs peace, so well irradicate
    Here in this world: that after all this feste

[Sidenote: Vrbs beata Ierusalem dicta pacis visio.]

    Wee may haue peace in the land of beheste
    Ierusalem, which of peace is the sight,
    With his brightnes of eternall light,
    There glorified in rest with his tuition,
    The Deitie to see with full fruition:
    Hee second person in diuinenesse is,
    Who vs assume, and bring vs to the blis. Amen

Here endeth the true procease of the Libel of English policie, exhorting
  all England to keepe the sea enuiron: shewing what profit and saluation,
  with worship commeth thereof to the reigne of England.

    Goe forth Libelle, and meekely shew thy face;
    Appearing euer with humble countenance:
    And pray my Lords to take in grace,
    In opposaile and cherishing the aduance.
    To hardines if that not variance
    Thou hast fro trought by full experience
    Authors and reasons: if ought faile in substance
    Remit to hem that yafe thee this science;
    That seth it is soth in verray fayth,

[Sidenote: The wise lord of Hungerfords iudgement of this booke.]

    That the wise Lord Baron of Hungerford
    Hath thee ouerseene, and verely he saith
    That thou art true, and thus he doeth record,
    Next the Gospel: God wotte it was his worde,
    When hee thee redde all ouer in a night.
    Goe forth trew booke, and Christ defend thy right.

_Explicit libellus de Politia conseruatiua maris_.

       *       *       *       *       *

Breuis Commentarius de Islandia: quo Scriptorum de hac Insula errores
  deteguntur, & extraneorum quorundam conuitijs, ac calumnijs, quibus
  Islandis liberiùs insultare solent, occurritur: per Arngrimum Ionam
  Islandum. Serenissimo Principi ac Domino, domino Christiano IIII, Daniæ,
  Noruegiæ, Vandalorum, Gothorúmque, Regi electo: Slesuici, Holsatiæ,
  Stormariæ & Dithmarsiæ Duci: Comiti in Oldenburg & Delmenhorst: Domino
  suo clementissimo.

Præclaram sanè apud Historicos meretur laudem, Sereniss. Princeps, Anchuri
illius Midæ regis filij ausus plusquam humanus, & in patriam pietas, ferè
exemplo carens, quòd ad occludendum ingentem circa Celænam Phrygiæ oppidum,
terræ hiatum, quotidie homines haud exiguo numero, & quicquid in propinquo
erat, absorbentem, sese vltrò obtulerit. Cum enim ab oraculo Midas pater
accepisset, non prius conclusum iri istam voraginem, quam res eò
preciosissimæ immitterentur: Anchurus existimans, nihil esse anima
pretiosius, sese viuum in illud profundissimum chasma præcipitem dedit:
ídque tanto animi cum feruore, vt neque parentis desiderio, neque
dulcissimæ coniugis amplexu vel lachrymis, ab isto proposito se retrahi
passus sit.

Nec inferiorem multò consecuti sunt gloriam Sperthius & Bulis, Lacedæmonij,
qui ad auertendam potentissimi Regis Persarum Xerxis, ob occisos à
Lacedemonijs Darij patris legatos, vltionem, ad Regem profecti sunt, & vt
legatorum necem in se, non in patria vlcisceretur, erectis & constantibus
animis sese obtulerunt.

Quæ verò res, Sereniss. Princeps, illos ac alios complures mouit, vt patriæ
flagrantes amore, nullum pro ea periculum, nullas molestias, imò ne mortem
ipsam recusarint, ea profectò me quoque impulit, non quidem, vt quemadmodum
illi, mortem sponte oppeterem, aut me mactandum vltro offerrem, sed tamen,
vt id quòd solum possem, in gratiam patriæ tentarem: Hoc est, vt scriptorum
de ea errores colligerem & rumusculos vanos refellerem: Ac ita rem profectò
periculosam, & multorum forsan sinistro obnoxiam iudicio, aggrederer.

In eo proposito me etiam Cn. Pompeij exemplum confirmauit: Quem rei
frumentariaæ apud Romanos procuratorem, cum in summa Vrbis annonæ
charitate, in Sicilia, Sardinia & Africa frumentum collegisset, maiorem
patriæ, quàm sui, tradunt rationem habuisse. Cum enim Romam versus
properaret, & ingenti ac periculosa oborta tempestate, Naucleros trepidare,
nec se ventorum aut maris sævitiæ committere velle animaduerteret, ipse
nauim primus ingressus, anchoras tolli iussit, in hæc verba exclamans: Vt
nauigemus vrget necessitas: vt viuamus, non vrget. Quibus vir
prudentissimus innuisse videtur, patriæ periclitantis maiorem habendam
rationem, quàm priuatæ incolumitatis.

Hunc ego sic imitor,

(Si parua licet componere magnis, & muscam Elephanto conferre) vt collectis
ac comportatis ijs, quibus ad succurrendum gentis nostræ nomini ac famæ,
apud extraneos, ex maleuolorum quorundam inuidia iam diu laboranti vterer;
paucula hæc in lucem emittere, méque pelago huic quantumuis turbulento
committere, lintea ventis tradere, cúmque illo exclamare non dubitem: Vt
scribamus, vrget necessitas: Vt verò scriptum nostrum, cuiusuis, delicato
palato, vbíque satisfaciat, aut omnem Momi proteruiam effugiat, non vrget.
Institutum meum complures probaturos spero: successum forsan non itidem
omnes probabunt. Nihiiominus tamen maiorem habendam rationem patriæ,
multorum hactenus opprobria & contumelias sustinentis, quàm siue laudis,
siue vituperationis, ad me ipsum hinc forsan redituræ, existimabam. Quid
enim causæ esse potest, cur nonnullorum odium & inuidentiam, cum hoc
patriæ, benefaciendi seu gratificandi studio fortè coniunctam recusem?

Quodsi scriptorum errores liberius notare, si quorundam calumnias durius
perstringere videbor, eos tamen æquos me habiturum censores confido, qui
paulò diligentius animaduertere volent, quam parùm tolerabiles sint
scriptorum de nostra gente errores: quot etiam & quàm graues quorundam in
nos calumniæ, quibus nationem nostram varijs modis laccssiuere, & etiamnum
lacessere non desistunt. Dandum etiam aliquid omnibus congenito soli
natalis amori est; Dandum iusto, ob hanc patriæ illatam iniuriam, dolori.
Et ego quidem, quantum fieri potuit, vbíque mihi temperaui, ac à conuitijs
abstinere volui: quòd si quid videatur mollius dicendnm fuisse, id prædicta
ratione veniam, spero, merebitur.

Cum igitur hæc mihi subeunda sit alea, quod omnibus scriptum aliquod
edituris in more positum animaduerto, id mihi hoc tempore solicitè curandum
est: Nempè vt patronum & mecænatem aliquem huic meo commentariolo quæram,
sub cuius nomine & numine, tutius in vulgi manus exeat.

Eam igitur ad rem nihil poterit contingere optatius, vestra, clementissime
Princeps Sereniss. Maiestate: Et enim nos ei, qui vitam & fortunas nostras
in suam potestatem & tutelam accepit, ei inquam, nomen quoque gentis nostræ
innocenter contaminatum, curæ vt sit, supplices rogamus.

Imò verò, Rex clementiss. non solùm ad hanc rem, S. Maiestatis V. clemens
implorare auxilium necessum habemus; Sed ad multa quoque alia, quæ in
nostra patria desiderantur, aut quæ alioqui ad huius vtilitatem & salutem
communem spectant: quæque non per me, sed per summorum nostræ gentis
viroram libellos supplices hoc tempore exponuntur, aut certè breui
exponentur. Nihil enim dubitamus quin S. V. Maiestas, Christianissimorum
maiorum exemplo, etiam nostram patriam, inter reliquas imperij sui Insulas,
sua cura & protectione regia dignari velit. Nam quæ nostra est ad S.
Maiestatem V. confugiendi necessitas, ea est S. Maiestatis V. in nobis
subleuandis, curandis & protegendis, gloria: Et ob nutritam extremi ferè
orbis Arctoi ecclesiam, in remotissimis M. V. imperij finibus, quæ
tranquillitatem & tuta singulari Dei beneficio halcyonia habet, præmium, ac
reposita in coelis immarcessibilis vitæ æternæ corona.

Cæterum cùm illa huius loci non sint, id quod mei est propositi subiungo: &
à S. Maiestate V. ea, qua par est, amimi submissione peto, vt huic meæ
opellæ & studio in patriam collato, fauere, & patroni benigni esse loco,
clementer dignetur. Quod superest, Sereniss. Princeps, Dom. clementissime,
Maiestatem V. sapientiæ & prudentiæ, omniúmque adeò virtutnm heroicarum
indies incrementa sumentem, ad summum imperij fastigium, summas ille
regnorum, omniúmque adeò rerum humanaram dispensator, Deos opt. max.
euehat: Euectam, omni rerum foelicissimo successu continuè beet: Beatámque
hoc modo, vt summum horum regnorum ornamentum, columen, præesidium,
Ecclesiæ clypeum & munimen, quàm diutissimè conseruet: Ac tandem in altera
vita, in solido regni coelestis gaudio, cùm præcipuis ecclesiæ Dei
nutritijs, syderis instar, illustrem fulgere faciat. Faxit etiam idem Pater
clementis. vt hæc vota, quanto sæpius, in amplissimorum Maiestatis V.
regnorum & Insularem quouis angulo, quotidiè repetuntur ac ingeminantur,
tantò rata magis & certiora, maneant.

Haffniæ 1593. Mense Mart.

S. M. V. humiliter subiectus:

Aragrimos Ionas Islandus.

The same in English.

A briefe commentarie of Island: wherein the errors of such as haue written
  concerning this Island, are detected, and the slanders, and reproches of
  certaine strangers, which they haue vsed ouer-boldly against the people
  of Island are confuted.

By Arngrimus Ionas, of Island.

To the most mighty Prince and Lord, Lord Christian the 4. [Footnote:
  Christian IV. was the last elective king of Denmark and Norway. Frederick
  III. in 1665 changed the constituion to an hereditary monarchy, vested in
  his own family.] of Denmarke, Norway, and of the Vandals and Gothes, King
  elect: of Sleswic, Holste, Stormar, and Dithmarse Duke: Earle of
  Oldenburg, and Delmenhorst: His most gratious Lord.

That heroical attempt of Anchurus, sonne of King Midas (most gratious
prince) and that pietie towards his countrey in maner peerelesse, deserueth
highly to be renowmed in histories: in that freely and couragiously he
offered his owne person, for the stopping vp of an huge gulfe of earth,
about Celoena, a towne in Phrigia, which daily swallowed multitudes of men
and whatsoeuer else came neere vnto it. For when his father Midas was
aduertised by the Oracle, that the said gulfe should not be shut vp, before
things most precious were cast into it; Anchurus deeming nothing to be more
inualuable then life plunged himselfe aliue downe headlong into that
bottomless hole; and that with so great vehemencie of mind, that neither by
his fathers request nor by the allurements and teares of his most amiable
wife, he suffered himselfe to be drawne backe from this his enterprise.
[Footnote: It is added that Midas raised an altar to Jupiter on the spot.]

Sperthius also and Bulis, two Lacedemonians, were not much inferiour to the
former, who to turne away the reuenge of Xerxes that most puissant King of
the Persians, entended against the Lacedemonians, for killing the
ambassadors of his father Darius, hyed them vnto the sayd king and that he
might auenge the ambassadours death vpon them, not vpon their countrey,
with hardy, and constant mindes presented themselues before him.

The very same thing (most gracious prince) which moued them and many others
being enflamed with the loue of their countrey, to refuse for the benefite
thereof, no danger, no trouble, no nor death it selfe, the same thing (I
say) hath also enforced me, not indeed to vndergoe voluntarie death, or
freely to offer my selfe vnto the slaughter, but yet to assay that which I
am able for the good of my countrey: namely, that I may gather together and
refute the errors, and vaine reports of writers, concerning the same: and
so take vpon me a thing very dangerous, and perhaps subiect to the sinister
iudgement of many.

In this purpose the example of Cneius Pompeius hath likewise confirmed me:
who being chosen procurator for corne among the Romanes, and in an extreme
scarcetie and dearth of the citie hauing taken vp some store of grains in
Sicilia, Sardinia, and Africa, is reported to haue had greater regard of
his countrey, then of himselfe. For when he made haste towards Rome, and a
mighty and dangerous tempest arising, he perceiued the Pilots to tremble,
and to be vnwilling to commit themselues to the rigor of the stormie sea,
himselfe first going on boord, and commanding the anchors to be weighed,
brake foorth into these words: That we should sayle necessitie vrgeth: but
that we should liue, it vrgeth not. In which words he seemeth wisely to
inferre, that greater care is to be had of our countrey lying in danger,
then of our owne priuate safetie.

This man doe I thus imitate,

    If small with great as equals may agree:
    And Flie with Elephant compared bee.

Namely that gathering together and laying vp in store those things which
might be applied to succour the fame and credite of our nation, hauing now
this long time bene oppressed with strangers, through the enuie of certeine
malicious persons, I boldly aduenture to present these fewe meditations of
mine vnto the viewe of the world, and so hoysing vp sailes to commit my
selfe vnto a troublesome sea, and to breake foorth into the like speeches
with him: That I should write necessitie vrgeth: but that my writings in
all places should satisfie euery delicate taste, or escape all peeuishnes
of carpers it vrgeth not. I doubt not but many will allow this my
enterprise: the successe perhaps all men will not approue. Neuertheles, I
thought that there was greater regard to be had of my countrey, sustaining
so many mens mocks and reproches, then of mine owne praise or dispraise,
redounding perhaps vnto me vpon this occasion. For what cause should moue
me to shunne the enuie and hate of some men, being ioyned with an endeuour
to benefite and gratifie my countrey?

[Sidenote: The errors of the writers of Island intolerable.]

But if I shall seeme somewhat too bold in censuring the errors of writers,
or too seuere in reprehending the slanders of some men: yet I hope all they
will iudge indifferently of me, who shall seriously consider, how
intolerable the errors of writers are, concerning our nation: how many also
and how grieuous be the reproches of some, against vs, wherewith they haue
sundry wayes prouoked our nation, and as yet will not cease to prouoke.
They ought also to haue me excused in regard of that in-bred affection
rooted in the hearts of all men, towards their natiue soile, and to pardon
my iust griefe for these iniures offered vnto my countrey. And I in very
deed, so much as lay in me, haue in all places moderated my selfe, and haue
bene desirous to abstaine from reproches but if any man thinke, we should
haue vsed more temperance in our stile, I trust, the former reason will
content him.

Sithens therefore, I am to vndergo the same hazard, which I see is commonly
incident to all men that publish any writings: I must now haue especiall
regarde of this one thing: namely, of seeking out some patron, and Mecoenas
for this my briefe commentary, vnder whose name and protection it may more
safety passe through the hands of all men.

But for this purpose I could not finde out, nor wish for any man more fit
then your royal Maiestie, most gratious prince For vnto him, who hath
receiued vnder his power & tuition our liues and goods, vnto him (I say)
doe we make humble sute, that he would haue respect also vnto the credit of
our nation, so iniuriously disgraced.

Yea verily (most gracious King) we are constreined to craue your Maiesties
mercifull aide, not only in this matter, but in many other things also
which are wanting in our countrey, or which otherwise belong to the
publique commoditie and welfare thereof which not by me, but by the letters
supplicatory of the chiefe men of our nation, are at this time declared, or
will shortly be declared. For we doubt not but that your sacred Maiesties,
after the example of your Christian predecessors, will vouchsafe vnto our
countrey also, amongst other Islands of your Maiesties dominion, your
kingly care and protection. For as the necessitie of fleeing for redresse
vnto your sacred Maiestie, is ours so the glory of relieuing, regarding,
and protecting vs, shal wholy redound vnto your sacred Maiestie: as also,
there is layd vp for you, in respect of your fostering and preseruing of
Gods church, vpon the extreme northerly parts almost of the whole earth,
and in the vttermost bounds of your Maiesties dominion (which by the
singular goodnes of God, enioyeth at this present tranquillitie and quiet
safetie) a reward and crowne of immortall life in the heauens.

But considering these things are not proper to this place, I wil leaue
them, and returne to my purpose which I haue in hand: most humbly
beseeching your S. M. that yon would of your clemencie vouchsafe to become
a fauorer, and patron vnto these my labours and studies, for the behalfe of
my countrey.

It now remaineth (most gracious and mercifull souereigne) for vs to make
our humble prayers vnto almighty God, that king of kings, and disposer of
all humane affaires, that it would please him of his infinite goodnes, to
aduance your Maiestie (yearely growing vp in wisedome & experience, and all
other heroicall vertues) to the highest pitch of souereigntie: and being
aduanced, continually to blesse yon with most prosperous successe in all
your affaires: and being blessed, long to preserue you, as the chief
ornament, defence and safegarde of these kingdomes, and as the shield and
fortresse of his church: and hereafter in the life to come, to make you
shine glorious like a starre, amongst the principall nurcing fathers of
Gods Church, in the perfect ioy of his heauenly kingdome. The same most
mercifull father likewise grant, that these praiers, the oftener they be
dayly repeated and multiplied in euery corner of your Maiesties most ample
territories & Islands, so much the more sure and certain they may remaine,
Amen. At Haffnia, or Copen Hagen 1593. in the moneth of March. Y. S. M.
most humble subiect,

Arngrimus Ionas, Islander. [Footnote: A celebrated Icelandic astronomer,
disciple of Tycho Brahe, and coadjutor of the Bishop of Holen, died in 1649
at the great age of 95. His principal works, besides his Description and
History of Iceland, (published at Amsterdam in 1643, 4to), are _Idea Vera
Magistratus_ (Copenhagen, 1689, 8vo); _Rerum Islandicarum libri tres_
(Hamburg, 1630, 4to); _The Life of Gundebrand de Thorlac_, etc. He is
remembered amongst the peasantry of Iceland as the only instance known in
that country of a man of ninety-one marrying a girl in her teens.]

Benigno & pio Lectori salutem.

In lucem exijt circa annum Christi 1561. Hamburgi foetus valdè deformis,
patre quodam Germanico propola: Rhythmi videlicet Germanici, omnium qui
vnquam leguntur spurcissimi & mendacissimi in gentem Islandicam. Nec
sufficiebat sordido Typographo sordidum illum foetum semel emisisse, nisi
tertiùm etiam aut quartùm publicasset, quo videlicet magis innocenti genti
apud Germanos & Danos, aliósque vicinos populos summam & nunquam delendam
ignominiam, quantum, in ipso fuit, inureret. Tantum Typographi huius odium
fuit, & ex re illicita lucri auiditas. Et hoc in illa ciuitate, quæ
plurimos annos commercia sua magno suorum cùm lucro in Islandia exercuit,
impunè fecit. Ioachimus Leo nomen illi est, dignus certè qui Leones pascat.

Reperiuntur præterea multi alij scriptores, qui cum miracula naturæ, quæ in
hac Insula creduntur esse plurima, & gentis Islandicæ mores ac instituta
describere se velle putant, à re ipsa & veritate prorsus aberrarunt,
nautarnm fabulas plusquam aniles, & vulgi opiniones vanissimas secuti. Hi
Scriptores etsi non tam spurca & probrosa reliquerunt, quàm sordidus iste
Rhythmista: multa tamen sunt in illorum scriptis, quæ illos excusare non
possunt, aut prorsus liberare, quo minus innocentem gentem suis scriptis
deridendam alijs exposuerint. Hæc animaduertens, legens, expendens, subinde
nouis, qui Islandorum nomen & æstimationem læderent, scriptoribus ortis,
alienorum laborum suffuratoribus impudicis, qui etiam non desinunt gentem
nostram nouis conspurcare mendacijs, lectorésque noua monstrorum
enumeratione & descriptionibus fictis deludere, sæpe optabam esse aliquem,
qui ad errata Historicorum, & aliorum iniquorum censorum responderet,
quíque aliquo scripto innocentem gentem à tot conuicijs si non liberaret,
certè aliquo modo apud pios & candidos Lectores defenderet. Quare hoc
tempore Author eram honesto studioso, _Arngrimo Ionæ_ F. vt reuolutis
scriptorum monumentis, qui de Islandia aliquid scripserunt, errores &
mendacia solidis rationibus detegeret. Ille etsi primò reluctabatur, vicit
tamen demum admonitio, amórque communis patriæ, ita vt hunc qualemcunque
commentariolum conscriberet, non ex vanis vulgi fabulis, sed & ex sua &
multorum fide dignorum experientia, comprobationibus sumptis.

Ille verò, qui hanc rem meo est aggressus instinctu, vicissim à me suo
quasi iure flagitabat, vt in has pagellas, vel tribus saltem verbis
præfarer: existimans aliquid fidei vel authoritatis opusculo inde
conciliatum iri. Quare vt mentem breuiter exponam: Ego quidem & honestam &
necessariam quoque operam nauasse eum iudico, qui non modò scriptorum
varias sententias de rebus ignotis perpendere, & inuicem conferre, nec non
ad veritatis & experientiæ censuram exigere: Sed etiam patriam à venenatis
quorundam sycophantarum morsibus vindicare conatus sit. Æquum est igitur,
Lector optime, vt quicquid hoc est opusculi, velut sanctissimo veritatis &
patriæ amore aduersus Zoilorum proteruiam munitum & muniendum excipias.
Vale.

Gudbrandus Thorliacus Epìscopus
Holensis in Islandia.
Anno 1592. Iul. 29.

[Footnote: In the _original_ edition of the description of Iceland by
Arngrimus, follow these lines:

¶   Authoris ad Lectorem.
    Imbute Lector suauis arte Palladis,
    Lector benigne, humane, multùm candide,
    Qui cuncta scis collis sacri mysteria:
    Has videris si fortè quando paginas
    Non lectione síque dedignabere,
    Fac, nos tuo candori vt hæc committimus
    Et æquitati, fronte sic non tetrica,
    Vultu legas nec ista quando turbido:
    Communis vnquam sortis haud sis immemor,
    Infirmitas quam nostra nobis contulit.
    Obnoxius nam non quis est mortalium
    Erroribus næuísque semper plurimis?
    Quod si diu multúmque cogitauens,
    Nostris eris conatibus paulò æquior,
    Tuis & isto rite pacto consules:
    Candore nam quo nostra arctans vtere,
    En te legentes rursus vtentur pari:
    Sic ipse semper alteri quæ feceris.
    Æqualitatis lege & hæc fient tibi.

    De gente multis prædicata Islandica
    Authoribus quamuis probata maximis,
    Nostro periclo hucúsque vulgò credita,
    Licere nobis credimus refellere,
    Non vt notam scriptorum muram nomini,
    Nostrum sed à nota probosa vindicem:
    Hoc institutum iúsque fásque comprobant:
    Hoc nostra consuetudo léxque comprobant:
    Hoc digna lectu exempla denique comprobant.
    Ergo faue: nostris faue conatibus,
    Sis mitis indulgens et æquus arbiter,
    O lector arte imbute suauis Palladis,
    Lector benigne, amice, multum candide,
    Qui cuncta scis collis sacri mysteria.]

The same in English.

To the courteous and Christian reader Gudbrandus Thorlacius, Bishop of
  Holen in Island, wisheth health.

There came to light about the yeare of Christ 1561, a very deformed impe,
begotten by a certain Pedlar of Germany: namely a booke of German rimes of
al that euer were read the most filthy and most slanderous against the
nation of Island. Neither did it suffice the base printer once to send
abroad that base brat, but he must publish it also thrise or foure times
ouer: that he might thereby, what lay in him, more deepely disgrace our
innocent nation among the Germans, & Danes, and other neighbour countries,
with shamefull, and euerlasting ignominie. So great was the malice of this
printer, & his desire so greedy to get lucre, by a thing vnlawfull. And
this he did without controlment, euen in that citie, which these many yeres
hath trafficked with Island to the great gaine, and commodity of the
citizens. His name is Ioachimus Leo, a man worthy to become lions foode.

[Sidenote: Great errors grow vpon mariners fabulous reports.]

Moreouer, there are many other writers found, who when they would seeme to
describe the miracles of nature, which are thought to be very many in this
Island, & the maners, & customs of the Islanders, haue altogether swarued
from the matter and truth it selfe, following mariners fables more trifling
than old wiues tales, & the most vain opinions of the common sort. These
writers, although they haue not left behind them such filthy and reprochful
stuffe as that base rimer: yet there are many things in their writings that
wil not suffer them to be excused, & altogether acquited from causing an
innocent nation to be had in derision by others. Wherefore marking,
reading, & weighing these things with my selfe, & considering that there
dayly spring vp new writers, which offer iniury to the fame & reputation of
the Islanders, being such men also as do shamelesly filtch out of other
mens labours, deluding their readers with feined descriptions, & a new
rehearsal of monsters, I often wished that some one man would come forth,
to make answere to the errors of historiographers & other vniust censurers:
and by some writing, if not to free our innocent nation from so many
reproches, yet at leastwise, in some sort to defend it, among Christian &
friendly readers. And for this cause I haue now procured an honest and
learned young man one Arngrimus Fitz-Ionas, to peruse the works of authors,
that haue written anything concerning Island, and by sound reasons to
detect their errors, & falshoods. And albeit at the first he was very loth,
yet at length my friendly admonition, & the common loue of his countrey
preuailed with him so farre, that he compiled this briefe commentary,
taking his proofes, not out of the vaine fables of the people, but from his
owne experience, and many other mens also of sufficient credit.

Now, he that vndertooke this matter at my procurement, did againe as it
were by his owne authority chalenge at my hands, that I should in two or
three words at least, make a preface vnto his booke; thinking it might
gaine some credit, and authority thereby. Wherfore to speake my minde in a
word: for my part, I iudge hin to haue taken both honest & necessary
paines, who hath done his indeuour not onely to weigh the diuers opinions
of wrighters concerning things vnknowen, and to examine them by the censure
of trueth, and experience, but also to defend his countrey from the
venemous bitings of certaine sycophants. It is thy part therefore (gentle
reader) to accept this small treatise of his, being as it were guarded with
the sacred loue of truth, and of his countrey, against the peruersnes of
carpers. Farewel.

Anno 1592. Iulii 19.


COMMENTARII DE ISLANDIA INITIUM.

Quemadmodum in militia castrensi, alios nulla æqua ratione adductos, sed
ambitione, inuidia & auaritia motos, Martis castra sequi animaduertimus:
Alios verò iustis de causis arma sumere; vt qui vel doctrinæ coelestis
propagandæ aut seruandæ ergo bella mouent, vel aliquo modo lacessiti
paratam vim ac iniuriam repellunt, vel saltem non lacessiti, propter
obsidentem hostem metu in armis esse coguntur: Non secus Apollini
militantes: alij animo nequaquam bono, Philosophico seu verius Christiano,
ad scribendum feruntur: puta qui gloriæ cupiditate, qui liuore ac odio, qui
affectata ignorantia alios sugillant, vt ipsi potiores habeantur, nunc in
personam, nomen ac famam alicuius, nunc in gentem totam stylum acuentes,
atque impudenter quasi mentiendo, insontem nationem & populos
commaculantes: Alij verò contrà, animo ingenuo multa lucubrando inuestigant
& in lucem emittunt; vt qui scientiam Theologicam & Philosophicam scriptis
mandarunt, quique suis vigilijs veterum monumenta nobis explicuerunt: qui
quicquid in illis obscurum, imperfectum, inordinatum animaduerterunt, vsu &
experientia duce illustrarunt, explerunt, ordinarunt: qui mundi historias,
bona fide, æternæ memoriæ consecrarunt: qui linguarum cognitionem suis
indefessis laboribus iuuerunt: denique qui aliorum in se suamue gentem vel
patriam, licentiosam petulantiam reprimere, calumnias refellere, & quandam
quasi vim iniustam propulsare annixi sunt.

Et quidem ego, cui literas vix, ac ne vix quidem videre contigit, omnium
qui diuinæ Palladi nomen dederunt, longè infimus (vt id ingenuè de mea
tenuitate confitear) facere certè non possum, quin me, in illorum aciem
conferam, qui gentis suæ maculam abluere, veritatem ipsam asserere, &
conuitiantium iugum detrectare studuerunt: Maiora ingenio sors denegauit:
Id quoquo modo tentare compellit ipsius veritatis dignitas, & innatus amor
patriæ, quam extraneos nonnullos falsis rumoribus deformare, varijs
conuitijs, magna cum voluptate proscindere, aliísque nationibus deridendam
propinare comperimus. Quorum petulantiæ occurrere, & criminationes falsas,
detectis simul scriptorum de hac Insula erroribus, apud bonos & cordatos
viros, (Nam vulgus sui semper simile, falsi & vani tenacissimum, non est
quòd sperem me ab hac inueterata opinione abducere posse) diluere hoc
commentariolo decreui.

Etsi autem Islandia multos habet, vt ætate, ita ingenio & eruditione me
longe superiores, ideóque ad hanc causam patriæ suscipiendam multò magis
idoneos: Ego tamen optimi & clarissimi viri, Dom. Gudbrandi Thorlacij,
Episcopi Holensis, apud Islandos, sollicitationibus motus communi causæ,
pro viribus, nequaquam deesse volui, tum vt æquissimæ postulationi ipsius
parerem, atque amorem & studium debitum erga patriam declararem, tum vt
reliquos sympatriotas meos, in bonarum literarum scientia foelicius
versatos, atque in rerum plurimarum cognitione vlterius progresses, ad hoc
gentis nostræ patrocinium inuitarem: Tantum abest, vt ijs qui idem
conabuntur, obstaculo esse voluerim.

Cæterum vt ad rem redeamus, quoniam illi quicunque sunt nostræ gentis
obtrectatores, testimonio scripto se vti ac niti iactitant: videndum omnino
est, quidnam de Islandia, & quàm vera scriptores prodiderint, vt si fortè
isti, alijs in nos dicendi aliquam occasionem dederint, patefactis ipsorum
erroribus (nolo enim quid durius dicere) quàm meritò nos calumnientur,
reliquis planum fiat, Porrò, quamuis vetustiorum quorundam scripta de hac
Insula, ad veritatis & experientiæ normam exigere non verear: Tamen nobis
eorundem alioqui sacra est memoria, reuerenda dignitas, suspicienda
eruditio, laudanda voluntas & in Rempub. literariam studium; Nouitij verò,
si qui sunt id genus scriptores, aut verius pasquilli, cum ijs longè
veriora quàm scripserant, audire & nosse de Islandia licuerit, sua leuitate
& ingenio malè candido, nihil nisi inuidiæ & calumniæ maculam lucrati esse
videbuntur.

[Sidenote: Commentarij duæ partes.]

Atque vt Commentarius hic noster aliquid ordinis habeat, duo erunt
propositæ orationis capita, vnum de Insula, de incolis alterum: quantum
quidem de his duobus capitibus Scriptores qui in nostris manibus versantur,
annotatum reliquerunt: Quoniam vltra has metas vagari, vel plura quàm hæc
ipsa, & quæ huc pertinere videbuntur attingere nolo. Non enim ex professo
Historicum vel geographum sed disputatorem tantùm agimus. [Sidenote: Primæ
partis tractatio.] Itaque omissa longiore præfatione partem primam, quæ est
de situ, nomine, miraculis & alijs quibusdam adiunctis Insulæ, aggrediamur.

The same im English.

HERE BEGINNETH THE COMMENTARY OF ISLAND.

Euen as in war, dayly experience teacheth vs, that some vpon no iust &
lawful grounds (being egged on by ambition, enuie, and couetise) are
induced to follow the armie, and on the contrary side, that others arme
themselues vpon iust and necessary causes: namely such as go to battell for
the defence and propagation of the Gospel, or such as being any way
prouoked thereunto, doe withstand present violence and wrong, or at least
(not being prouoked) by reason of the enemie approching are constrained to
be vp in armes right so, they that fight vnder Apolloes banner. Amongst
whom, a great part, not vpon any honest, philosophical, or indeede
Christian intention, addresse themselues to wright: especially such as for
desire of glory, for enuy and spight, or vpon malicious and affected
ignorance, carpe at others: and that they may be accompted superiours,
sometimes whette their stiles against the person, name and fame of this or
that particular man, sometimes inueighing against a whole countrey, and by
shamelesse vntrueths disgracing innocent nations and people. Againe, others
of an ingenuous minde, doe by great industry, search and bring to light
things profitable: namely, they that write of Diuinity, Philosophy, History
and such like: and they who (taking vse and experience for their guides) in
the said Sciences haue brought things obscure to light, things maimed to
perfection, and things confused to order: and they that haue faithfully
commended to euerlasting posteritie, the stories of the whole world: that
by their infinite labours haue aduaunced the knowledge of tongues: to be
short, that endeuour themselues to represse the insolencie, confute the
slanders, and withstand the vniust violence of others, against themselues,
their Nation or their Countrey:

And I for my part, hauing scarce attained the sight of good letters, and
being the meanest of all the followers of Minerua (that I may freely
acknowledge mine owne wants) can do no lesse then become one of their
number, who haue applied themselues to ridde their countrey from dishonor,
to auouch the trueth, and to shake off the yoke of railers & reuilers. My
estate enabled me onely to write; howbeit the excellencie of trueth and the
in bred affection I beare to my countrey enforceth me to do the best I can:
sithens it hath pleased some strangers by false rumours to deface, and by
manifolde reproches to iniurie my sayd countrey, making it a by word, and a
langhing-stocke to all other nations. To meet with whose insolencie and
false accusations, as also to detect the errours of certeine writers
concerning this Island, vnto good and well affected men (for the common
people will be alwayes like themselues, stubbornly mainteining that which
is false and foolish, neither can I hope to remooue them from this
accustomed and stale opinion) I haue penned the treatise following.

And albeit Island is not destitute of many excellent men, who, both in age,
wit, and learning, are by many degrees my superiors, and therefore more fit
to take the defence of the countrey into their hands: notwithstanding,
being earnestly perswaded thereunto, by that godly & famous man Gudbrandus
Thorlacius Bishop of Hola in Island, I thought good (to the vtmost of mine
ability) to be no whit wanting vnto the common cause: both that I might
obey his most reasonable request, and also that I might encourage other of
my countreymen, who haue bene better trained vp in good learning, and
indued with a greater measure of knowledge then I my selfe, to the defence
of this our nation: so farre am I from hindering any man to vndertake the
like enterprise.

But to returne to the matter, because they (whatsoeuer they be) that
reproch and maligne our nation, make their boast that they vse the
testimonies of writers: we are seriously to consider, what things, and how
true, writers haue reported of Island, to the end that if they haue giuen
(perhaps) any occasion to others of inueying against vs, their errours
being layd open (for I will not speake more sharpely) all the world may see
how iustly they do reproch vs. And albeit I nothing doubt to examine some
ancient writers of this Island, by the rule of trueth and experience: yet
(otherwise) their memory is precious in our eyes, their dignity reuerend,
their learning to be had in honour, and their zeale and affection towards
the whole common wealth of learned men, highly to be commended: but as for
nouices (if there be any such writers or rather pasquilles) when they shall
heare and know truer matters concerning Island, then they themselues haue
written, they shall seeme by their inconstancie and peruerse wit to haue
gained nought else but a blacke marke of enuy and reproch.

And that this commentarie of mine may haue some order, it shall be diuided
into two general parts: the first of the Island, the second of the
inhabitants: and of these two but so farfoorth as those writers which are
come to our hands haue left recorded: because I am not determined to wander
out of these lists, or to handle more then these things and some other
which perteine vnto them. For I professe not my selfe an Historiographer,
or Geographer, but onely a Disputer. Wherefore omitting a longer Preface,
let vs come to the first part concerning the situation, the name, miracles,
and certaine other adiuncts of this Iland.

SECTIO PRIMA.

[Sidenote: Munst. lib. 4. Cosmograph.] Insula Islandiæ, quæ per immensum à
  cæteris secreta longè sita est in Oceano, vixque à nauigantibus
  agnoscitur, &c.

Et si hæc tractare, quæ ipsam terram vel illius adiuncta seu proprietates
concernunt, ad gentem vel incolas à calumniantium morsu vindicandos parùm
faciat: tamen id nequaquam omittendum videtur. Sed de his primùm, & quidem
prolixiùs aliquantò agendum est, vt perspecto, quàm vera de hac re tradant
illi Islandiæ scriptores, facilè inde candidus Lector, in ijs quæ de
Incolis scripta reliquerant, quæque ab illis alij, tanquam Dijs
prodentibus, acceperunt, vnde sua in gentem nostram ludibria depromi aiunt,
quantum fidei mereantur, iudicet.

Primum igitur distantiam Islandiæ à reliquis terris non immensam esse, nec
tantam, quanta vulgò putatur, si quis insulæ longitudinem & latitudinem
aliquo modo cognitam haberet, facilè demonstrari posset. Non enim id alio,
quàm isto cognosci exactè posse modo existimarim, cum nulli dubium sit,
quàm semper nautarum vel rectissimus, vt illis videtur, cursus aberret.
Quare varias authorum de situ Islandiæ sententias subiungam, vt inde quiuis
de distantia id colligat, quod maximè verisimile videbitur, donec fortè
aliquando propria edoctus experientia, meam quoque sententiam si non
interponam, tamen adiungam.

                                       Longit.    Latitud.
Munsterus Islandiam collocat sub
 gradibus ferè                         20         68
Gerardus Mercator                     352         68
Gemma Frisius:
 Medium Islandiæ:                       7   0     65  30
 Hersee:                                7  40     60  42
 Thirtes:                               5  50     64  44
 Nadar:                                 6  40     57  20
    Iacobi Ziegleri:
Littus Islandiæ Occident.              20         63
Chos promontorium:                     22  46     63
Latus orientale extenditur contra
  Septentrionem: & finis extensionis
  habet                                30         68
Latus septentrionale contra occidentem
  extenditur, & finis extensionis
  habet                                28         69
Lateris Occidentalis descriptio.
Heckelfel promontorium                 25         67
Madher promontorium                    21  20     65  10
Ciuitates in ea mediterraneæ sunt
Holen Episcopalis                      28         67  50
Schalholten Episcopalis                22         63  30
         Reinholdus.
Per Holen Islandiæ                               68
      Ioh. Myritius.
Per Med. Islandiæ                                69
        Neander.
Islandia tribus gradibus in circulum
   vsque Arcticum ab æquinoctiali
   excurrit, adeò ferè, vt
   mediam circulus ille secet, &c.

Et si qui sunt præterea, qui vel in mappis, vel alioqui suis scriptis
Insulæ situm notarunt, quorum plures sententias referre nihil attinet, cùm
quò plures habeas, eò magis dissidentes reperias. Ego quamuis verisimiles
coniecturas habeo, cur nullæ citatæ de Islandiæ situ sententiæ assentiar,
quin potius diuersum quippiam ab ijs omnibus statuam, tamen id ipsum in
dubio relinquere malo, quàm quicquam non exploratum satis affirmare, donec,
vt dixi, fortè aliquando non coniecturam, sed obseruationem & experientiam
propriam afferre liceat.

[Sidenote: Bidui nauigatio ab Islandia ad Noruagiam desertam.]

Distantiam ab ostio Albis ad portum Istandiæ meridionalis Batzende, quidam
scripserat esse circiter 400. milliarium: Vnde si longitudinis differentiam
ad meridianum Hamburgensem supputaueris, nullam modò positarum longitudinum
habebit illo in loco Islandia. Ego ternis Hamburgensium nauigationibus
docere possum, septimo die Hamburgum ex Islandia peruentum esse. Præterea
etiam, Insulæ quæ ab ouium multitudine Færeyjar, seu rectius Faareyjar
dictæ sunt, bidui nauigatione, vt & littora Noruagiæ deserta distant.
Quatridui verò nauigatione in Gronlandiam habitabilem, & pari ferè temporis
interuallo, ad prouinciam Noruagiæ Stad. inter opida Nidrosiam & Bergas
sitam peruenitur, quemadmodum in harum nationum vetustis codicibus
reperimus.

The same in English.

THE FIRST SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munsterus lib. 4. cosmographiæ] The Isle of Island being seuered
  from other countreys an infinite distance, standeth farre into the Ocean,
  and is scarse knowen vnto Sailers.

Albeit a discourse of those things which concerne the land, and the
adiuncts or properties thereof be of little moment to defend the nation or
inhabitants from the biting of slanderers, yet seemeth it in no case to be
omitted, but to be intreated of in the first place; that the friendly
reader perceiuing how truely those writers of Island haue reported in this
respect, may thereby also easily iudge what credit is to be giuen vnto them
in other matters which they haue left written concerning the inhabitants,
and which others haue receiued from them as oracles, from whence (as they
say) they haue borrowed scoffes and taunts against our nation.

First therefore, that the distance of Island from other countreys is not
infinite, nor indeed so great as men commonly imagine, it might easily be
prouided, if one did but in some sort know the true longitude & latitude of
the said Iland. For I am of opinion that it cannot exactly be knowen any
other way then this, whenas it is manifest how the Mariners course (be it
neuer so direct, as they suppose) doth at all times swerue. In the meane
while therfore I will set downe diuers opinions of authors, concerning the
situation of Island, that from hence euery man may gather that of the
distance which seemeth most probable, vntil perhaps my selfe being one day
taught by mine owne experience, may, if not intrude, yet at least adioin,
what I shal thinke true as touching this matter. [Footnote: The real
position of Iceland is 700 miles west of Norway, 200 miles east of
Greenland, and 320 miles north-west of the Faroe Islands. It lies between
latitude 63° 25 and 66° 32 north and longitude 13° 30' and 24° 30' west;
length east to west 280 miles; breadth 210 miles. It will be thus seen that
while Frisius is nearly right in his latitude, Gerard Mercator is
considerably out. As regards the longitude, whilst Munster's estimate is
converted to the standard of Greenwich, Mercator's reckoning is from
Copenhagen or Hamburg, and Frisius has reckoned east of Reikiavik or
Skallholt.]

                                     Longit.     Latitud.
                                    deg  min.    deg  min.

Munster placeth Island almost in     20           68
Gerardus Mercator                   325           68
Gemma Frisius placeth the midst
   of Island                          7    0      65   30
  Hersee                              7   40      60   42
  Thirtes                             5   50      64   44
  Nadar                               6   40      57   10
     Iacobus Zieglerus
The West shore of Island             20    0      63    0
The promontorie of Chos              22   46      63    0
The East shore is extended
  Northward, and hath bounds
  of extension in                    30    0      68    0
The North shore is extended
  Westward and hath bounds of
  extension in                       28    0      69    0
The description of the West side
The promontorie of Heckelfell        25    0      67    0
The promontorie of Madher            21   20      65   10
The inland cities of Island
Holen the seat of a bishop           28    0      67   50
Schalholten the seat of a bishop     22           63   30
         Reinholdus
By Holen in Island                                68
         Iohannes Miritius
By Mid-Island                                     69-1/2
         Neander
Island stretcheth it selfe 3 degrees
  within the circle arctic from the
  equinoctial, insomuch that the
  said circle arctic doeth almost
  diuide it in the midst &c.

There be others also, who either in their maps, or writings haue noted the
situation of Island: notwithstanding it is to no purpose to set downe any
more of their opinions, because the more you haue, the more contrary shall
you finde them. For my part, albeit I haue probable coniectures perswading
me not to beleeue any of the former opinions, concerning the situation of
Island, but to dissent from them all: yet had I rather leaue the matter in
suspense then affirme an vncerteinty, vntill (as I haue sayd) I may be able
perhappes one day not to gesse at the matter, but to bring forth mine owne
obseruation, and experience.

[Sidenote: Seuen dayes sailing from Island to Hamburg Island but two dayes
sailing distant from Faar-Islands & from the desert shores of Norway.]

A certeine writer hath put downe the distance betweene the mouth of Elbe &
Batzende in the South part of Island to be 400 leagues: from whence if you
shall account the difference of longitude to the meridian of Hamburgh,
Island must haue none of the forenamed longitudes in that place. I am able
to proue by three sundry voyages of certaine Hamburgers, that it is but
seuen dayes sailing from Island to Hamburgh. Besides all those Islands,
which by reason of the abundance of sheepe, are called Fareyiar or more
rightly Faareyiar,[Footnote: Faroe Islands.] as likewise the desert shores
of Norway, are distant from vs but two dayes sailing. We haue foure dayes
sailing into habitable Gronland; and almost in the same quantitie of time
we passe ouer to the prouince of Norway, called Stad, lying betweene the
townes of Nidrosia or Trondon, [Footnote: Trondheim.] and Bergen, as we
finde in the ancient records of these nations.




SECTIO SECUNDA.

[Sidenote: Munsterus, Olaus magnus & reliqui.] In hac, æstiuo solstitio,
  sole signum Cancri transeunte, nox nulla, brumali Solstitio proinde
  nullus dies. Item, Vadianus. In ea autem Insula quæ longe Supra Arcticum
  circulum in amplissimo Oceano sita est, Islandia hodie dicta, & terris
  congelati maris proxima, quas Entgronlandt vocant, menses sunt plures
  sine noctibus.

Nullum esse hyemali solstitio diem, id est, tempus quo sol supra horizontem
conspicitur in illo tantum Islandiæ angulo, si modò quis est, fatemur, vbi
polus ad integros 67. gradus attollitur. Holis autem, quæ est sedes
Episcopalis Borealis Islandiæ, sita etiam in angustissima & profundissima
conualle, latitudo est circiter grad. 65. 44. min. vt à Domino Gudbrando
eiusdem loci Episcopo accepimus, & illic diem breuissimum habemus ad
minimum duarum horarum, in meridionali autem Islandia longiorem, vt ex
artificum tabulis videre est. Vnde constat nec Islandiam vltra Arcticum
circulum positam esse, nec menses plures noctibus in æstiuo, vel diebus in
brumali solstitio carere.

The same in English.

THE SECOND SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munsterus, Olaus Magnus and others.] In this Iland, at the
  Summer solstitium, the Sun passing thorow the signe of Cancer, there is
  no night, and therefore at the Winter solstitium there is no day. Also:
  Vadianus. But in that Iland, which farre within the artic circle is
  seated in the maine Ocean, at this day called Island, and next vnto the
  lands of the frozen sea, which they call Engrontland, there be many
  moneths in the yere without nights.

At the solstitium of winter, that there is no day (that is to say, no time,
wherein the Sunne is seene aboue the horizon) we confesse to be true onely
in that angle of Island (if there be any such angle) where the pole is
eleuated full 67. degrees. But at Holen (which is the bishops seat for the
North part of Island, and lieth in a most deepe valley) the latitude is
about 65. degrees and 44. minutes, as I am enformed by the reuerend father,
Gudbrand, bishop of that place: and yet there, the shortest day in all the
yere is at least two houres long, and in South-Island longer, as it
appeareth by the tables of Mathematicians. [Sidenote: Island is not within
the circle arctic.] Heerehence it is manifest, first that Island is not
situate beyond the arctic circle: [Footnote: This is true, except for the
very small portion of Iceland round about Cape North.] secondly, that in
Island there are not wanting in Summer solstitium many nights, nor in
Winter solstitium many dayes.



SECTIO TERTIA.

[Sidenote: Musterus Saxo.] Nomen habet à glacie quæ illi perpetuo ad Boream
  adheret Item. A latere Occidentali Noruagiæ Insula, quæ Glacialis
  dicitur, magno circumfusa Oceano repentur, obsoletæ admodum habitationis
  tellus, &c. Item, Hæc est Thyle, nulli veterum non celebrata.

Nomen habet à glacie) Tria nomina consequenter sortita est Islandia.
[Sidenote: Snelandia.] Nam qui omnium primus eius inuentor fuisse creditur
Naddocus genere Noruagus, cum versus insulas Farenses nauigaret tempestate
valida, ad littora Islandiæ Orientalis fortè appulit: vbi cum fuisset
aliquot septimanas cum socijs commoratus, animaduertit immodicam niuium
copiam, montium quorundam cacumina obtegentem, atque ideò à niue nomen
Insulæ Snelandia indidit. Hunc secutus alter, Gardarus, fama quam de
Islandia Naddocus attulerat impulsus, Insulam quæsitum abijt, reperit, &
nomen de suo nomine Gardarsholme id est, Gardars Insula imposuit. Quin &
plures nouam terram visendi cupido incessit: nam & post illos duos adhuc
tertius quidam Noruagus (Floki nomen habuit) contulit se in Islandiam,
illique à glacie qua viderat ipsam cingi nomen fecit.

Obsoletæ admodum) Ego ex istis verbis Saxonis hanc sententiam nequaquam
eruo, vt quidam, quòd inde ab initio habitatam esse Islandiam, seu vt verbo
dicam, Islandos autocthonas dicat, cum constet vix ante annos 718. incoli
coeptam.

Hæc est Thyle) Grammatici certant & adhuc sub iudice lis est. Quam tamen
facilè dirimi posse crediderim, si quis animaduertat, circa annum Domini
874. primùm fuisse inhabitatam. Nisi quis dicere velit Thulen illum Ægypti
Regem, quem hoc ipsi nomen dedisse putant, ad Insulam iam tum incultam &
inhabitatam penetrasse. Illud verò rursus si quis neget, per me sanè
licebit, vt illud sit quaddam quasi spectaculum, dum ita in contrarias
scinduntur sententias. Vnus affirmat esse Islandiam. Alter quandam insulam,
vbi arbores bis in anno fructificant. Tertius vnam ex Orcadibus, siue
vitimam in ditione Scoti, vt Ioannes Myritius & alij, qui nomen illius
referunt, Thylensey, quod etiam Virgilius per suam vltimam Thylen sensisse
videtur. Siquidem vltra Britannos, quo nomine Angli hodie dicti & Scoti
veniunt, nullos populos statueret. Quod vel ex illo Virgilij Eclog I.
apparet:

  Et penitus toto diuisos orbe Britannos.

Quartus vnam ex Farensibus. Quintus Telemarchiam Noruagiæ. Sextus
Schrichfinniam.

Perpetuò ad Boream adhæret.) Illud verò, Glaciem Insulæ perpetuò, vel vt
paulò post asserit Munsterus: Octo continuis mensibus adhærere: neutrum
verum est. [Sidenote: Glacies Aprili aut Maio soluitur.] Nam vt plurimum in
mense Aprili aut Maio soluitur, & Occidentem versus propellitur, nec ante
Ianuarium aut Februarium sæpissimè etiam tardius redit. Quid? quòd plurimos
annos numerare licet, quibus glaciem illam huius nationis immite flagellum,
ne viderit quidem Islandia: Quod etiam hoc anno 1592. compertum est. Vnde
constat quàm verè à Frisio scriptum sit, nauigationem ad hanc insulam
tantùm quadrimestrem patere, propter glaciem & frigora, quibus
intercludatur iter, Cùm Anglicæ naues quotannis nunc in Martio, nunc in
Aprili, quædam in Maio, Germanorum & Danorum in Maio & Iunio, plærumque ad
nos redeant, & harum quædam non ante Augustum iterum hinc soluunt.
Superiore autem anno 1591. quædam nauis Germanica, cupro onusta, portum
Islandiæ Vopnafiord 14. dies circiter in Nouembri occupauit, quibus lapsis
inde foeliciter soluit Quare cum glacies Islandiæ, nec perpetuò, neque octo
mensibus adhæreat, Munsterus & Frisius manifestè falluntur.

The same in English.

THE THIRD SECTION.

It is named of the ice which continually cleaueth vnto the North part
  thereof. [Sidenote: Munsterus Saxo] Another writeth: From the West part
  of Norway there lieth an Iland which is named of the ice, enuironed with
  an huge sea, and being a countrey of ancient habitation, &c. Zieglerus.
  This is Thyle [Footnote: Thule] whereof most of the ancient writers haue
  made mention.

It is named of ice, &c. Island hath beene called by three names, one after
another. [Sidenote: Island first discouered by Naddocus in a tempest.] For
one Naddocus a Noruagian borne, who is thought to be the first Discouerer
of the same, as he was sailing towards the Faar-Ilands, [Footnote: Faroe
Islands.] through a violent tempest did by chance arriue at the East shore
of Island; [Sidenote: Sneland.] where staying with his whole company
certaine weeks, he beheld abundance of snow couering the tops of the
mountaines, and thereupon, in regard of the snow, called this Iland
Sneland. [Sidenote: Gardarsholme] After him one Gardarus, being mooued
thereunto by the report which Naddocus gaue out concerning Island, went to
seeke the sayd Iland who when he had found it, called it after his owne
name Gardars-holme, that is to say, Gardars Ile. There were more also
desirous to visit this new land. [Sidenote: Island.] For after the two
former a certaine third Noruagian, called Flok, went into Island, and named
it of the ice, wherewith he saw it enuironed.

Of ancient habitation &c. I gather not this opinion out of these wordes of
Saxo (as some men do) that Island hath bene inhabited from the beginning or
(to speake in one word) that the people of Island were autochthones, that
is, earth-bred, or bred out of their owne soile like vnto trees and herbs:
sithens it is euident that this Island scarse began to be inhabited no
longer agoe then about 718 yeres since. [Footnote: The Viking Naddodr is
said to have discovered Iceland in 860, and it was colonised by Ingulf, a
chieftain from the west coast of Norway.]

This is Thyle, &c. Grammarians wrangle about this name, and as yet the
controuersie is not decided. Which notwithstanding, I thinke might easily
grow to composition, if men would vnderstand that this Iland was first
inhabited about the yeere of our Lord 874. Vnlesse some man will say that
Thule King of Ægypt (who, as it is thought, gaue this name thereunto)
passed so farre vnto an Iland, which was at that time vntilled, and
destitute of inhabitants. Againe, if any man will denie this, he may for
all me, that it may seeme to be but a dreame, while they are distracted
into so many contrary opinions. One affirmes that it is Island: another,
that it is a certeine Iland, where trees beare fruit twise in a yeere: the
third, that it is one of the Orcades, or the last Iland of the Scotish
dominion, as Iohannes Myritius and others, calling it by the name of
Thylensey, which Virgil also seemeth to haue meant by his vltima Thyle. If
beyond the Britans (by which name the English men and Scots onely at this
day are called) he imagined none other nation to inhabit. Which is euident
out of that verse of Virgil in his first Eclogue:

    And Britans whole from all the world diuided.

The fourth writeth, that it is one of the Faar-Ilands: the fift, that it is
Telemark in Norway: the sixt, that it is Scrichfinnia.

[Sidenote: The ice of Iseland sets always to the West.] Which continually
cleaueth to the North part of the Iland. That clause that ice continually
cleaueth &c. or as Munster affirmeth a little after, that it cleaueth for
the space of eight whole moneths, are neither of them both true, when as
for the most part the ice is thawed in the moneth of April or May, and is
driuen towards the West: neither doth it returne before Ianuarie or
Februarie, nay often times it commeth later. [Sidenote: No ice at all some
yeres in Island.] What if a man should recken vp many yeeres, wherein ice
(the sharpe scourge of this our nation) hath not at all bene seene about
Island? which was found to be true this present yeere 1592. Heereupon it is
manifest how truely Frisius hath written that nauigation to this Iland
lieth open onely for foure moneths in a yeere, and no longer, by reason of
the ice and colde, whereby the passage is shut vp, when as English ships
euery yere, sometimes in March, sometimes in April, and some of them in
May; the Germans and Danes, in May and Iune, doe vsually returne vnto vs,
and some of them depart not againe from hence till August. [Sidenote:
Nauigation open to Island from March till the midst of Nouember.] But the
last yere, being 1591, there lay a certeine shippe of Germanie laden with
Copper within the hauen of Vopnafiord in the coast of Island about
fourteene dayes in the moneth of Nouember, which time being expired, she
fortunately set saile. Wherefore, seeing that ice, neither continually, nor
yet eight moneths cleaueth vnto Iland, Munster and Frisius are much
deceiued. [Footnote: The mean temperature of Iceland is said to be 40
degrees.]




SECTIO QUARTA

[Sidenote: Kranzius. Munsterus.] Tam grandis Insula, vt populos multos
  contineat. Item, Zieglerus. Situs Insulæ extenditur inter austrum &
  boream ducentorum prope Schænorum longitudine.

Grandis.) Wilstenius quidam, rector Scholæ OLDENBVRGENSIS Anno 1591. ad
auunculum meum in Islandia Occidentali misit breuem commentarium, quem ex
scriptorum rapsodijs de Islandia collegerat. Vbi sic reperimus Islandia
duplo maior Sicilia,&c. Sicilia autem secundum Munsterum 150. milliaria
Germanica in ambitu habet. [Sidenote: Magnitudo Islandiæ.] Nostræ verò
Insulæ ambitus etsi nobis non est exactè cognitus, tamen vetus & constans
opinio, & apud nostrates recepta 144. milliaria numerat per duodecim
videlicet promontoria Islandiæ insigniora, quæ singula 12. inter se
milliaribus distent, aut circiter, quæ collecta prædictam summam ostendunt.

Populos multos.) Gysserus quidam, circa annum Domini 1090, Episcopus
Schalholtensts in Islandia, omnes Insulæ colonos seu rusticos qui tantas
facultates possiderent, vt regi tributum soluere tenerentur (reliquis
pauperibus cum foeminis & promiscuo vulgo omissis) lustrari curauit,
reperítque in parte Insulæ Orientali 700, meridionali 1000, Occidentali
1100, Aquilonari 1200. Summa 4000. colonorum tributa soluentium. Iam si
quis experiatur, inueniet Insulam plus dimidio fuisse inhabitatam.

The same in English.

THE FOURTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Krantzius. Munsterus.] The Iland is so great that it conteineth
  many people. Item Zieglerus sayth: The situation of the Iland is extended
  betweene the South and the North almost 200 leagues in length.

So great, &c. One Wilstenius schoolemaster of Oldenburg, in the yere 1591,
sent vnto mine Vncle in West Island, a short treatise which he had gathered
out of the fragments of sundrie writers, concerning Island. Where we found
thus written: Island is twise as great as Sicilie, &c. But Sicilie,
according to Munster, hath 150. Germaine miles in compasse. [Sidenote: 144.
Germaine miles in compasse.] As for the circuit of our Iland, although it
be not exactly knowen vnto vs, yet the ancient, constant, and receiued
opinion of the inhabitants accounteth it l44 leagues; namely by the 12
promontories of Iland, which are commonly knowen, being distant one from
another 12 leagues or thereabout, which two numbers being mulitplied,
produce the whole summe. [Footnote: The exact area is 39,737 square miles.]

Many people, &c. One Gysserus about the yere of our Lord 1090, being bishop
of Schalholten in Island, caused all the husbandmen, or countreymen of the
Iland, who, in regard of their possessions were bound to pay tribute to the
king, to be numbred (omitting the poorer sort with women, and the meaner
sort of the communally) and he found in the East part of Island 700, in the
South part 1000, in the West part 1100, in the North part 1200, to the
number of 4000. inhabitants paying tribute. Now if any man will trie, he
shall finde that more then halfe the Iland was at that time vnpeopled.
[Footnote: In 1875 the population was 69,800.]




SECTIO QUINTA.

[Sidenote: Munst. Frisius, Ziegler] Insula multa sui parte montosa est &
  inculta. Qua parte autem plana est præstat plurimum pabulo, tam læto, vt
  pecus depellatur à pascuis, ne ab aruina suffocetur.

Id suffocationis periculum nullo testimomo, nec nostra nec patrum
nostrorum, vel quàm longè retro numeraris, memoria confirmari potest.

The same in English.

THE FIFTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munster. Frisius. Zieglerus.] The Iland, most part thereof, is
  mountainous and vntilled But that part which is plaine doth greatly
  abound with fodder, which is so ranke, that they are faine to driue their
  cattell from the pasture, least they surfet or be choaked.

That danger of surfetting or choaking was neuer heard tell of, in our
fathers, grandfathers, great grandfathers or any of our predecessours
dayes, be they neuer so ancient. [Footnote: In the tenth and eleventh
centuries, corn and other crops seem to have been raised in considerable
quantities, but at present only small crops of potatoes, turnips, and
cabbages are grown. The pastures are good, and many horses, cattle, and
sheep are reared.]




SECTIO SEXTA.

[Sidenote: Munst. Frisius.] Sunt in hac Insula montes elati in coelum,
  quorum vertices perpetua niue candent, radices sempiterno igne æstuant.
  Primus Occidentem versus est, qui vocatur Hecla, alter crucis, tertius
  Helga. Item Zieglerus. Rupes siue promontorium Hecla æstuans perpetuis
  ignibus. Item Saxo. In hac itidem Insula mons est, qui rupem sideream
  perpetuæ flagrationis æstibus imitatus, incendia sempiterna iugi
  flammarum eructatione continuat.

Miracula Islandiæ Munsterus & Frisius narraturi mox in vestibulo, magno suo
cum incommodo impingunt. Nam quod hic de monte Hecla asserunt, etsi aliquam
habet veritatis speciem, tamen quod idem de duobus alijs montibus perpetuo
igne æstuantibus dicunt, manifestè erroneum est. Illi enim in Islandia non
extant, nec quicquam, quod huic tanto scriptorum errori occasionem dederit,
imaginari possumus. Facta tamen est, sed nunc demum Anno 1581. ex monte
quodam australis Islandiæ, maritimo, perpetuis niuibus & glacie obducto
memorabilis fumi ac flammæ eruptio, magna saxorum ac cineris copia eiecta.
Cæterum ille mons longe est ab his tribus, quos authores commemorant,
diuersissimus. Porro etsi hæc de montibus ignitis maximè vera narrarent,
annon naturaliter ista contingerent? An ad extruendam illam, quæ mox in
Munstero, Zieglero & Frisio sequitur, de orco Islandico opinionem aliquid
faciunt? Ego sanè nefas esse duco, his vel similibus naturæ miraculis ab
absurda asserenda abuti, vel hæc tanquam impossibilia cum quadam impietate
mirari. Quasi verò non concurrant in huiusmodi incendijs causæ ad hanc rem
satis validæ. Est in horum montium radicibus materia vri aptissima, nempe
sulphurea & bituminosa. Accedit aër per poros ac cauernas in terræ viscera
ingressus, ac illum maximi incendij fomitem exsufflans vnà cum nitro, qua
exsufflatione tanquam follibus quibusdam, ardentissima excitatur flamma.
Habet siquidem ignis, his ita conacnientibus, quæ tria ad vrendum sunt
necessaria, materiam scilicet, motum, & tandem penetrandi facultatem:
Materiam quidem pinguem & humidam ideoque flammas diuturnas alentem: Motum
præstat per terræ cauernas admissus aër: Penetrandi facultatem facit ignis
vis inuicta, sine respiraculo esse nescientis, & incredibili conatu
violenter erumpentis, atque ita (non secus ac in cuniculis machinisue seu
tormentis bellicis, globi è ferro maximi, magno cum fragore ac strepitu, à
sulphure & nitro, è quibus pyrius puluis conficitur, excitato, eijciuntur)
lapides & Saxa in ista voragine ignita, ceu quodam camino, collique facta
cum immodica arenæ & cinerum copia, exspuentis & eiaculantis, idque vt
plurimum, non sine terræmotu: qui si secundum profunditatem terræ fiat,
succussio à Possidoneo appellatur vel hiatus erit, vel pulsus. Hiatu terra
dehiscit: pulsu eleuatur intumescens, & nonunquam, vt inquit Plinius
[Sidenote: Lib. 2. cap. 20.], motes magnas egerit: Cuiusmodi terræmotus iam
mentionem fecimus, maritima Islandiæ Australis Anno 1581 infestantis quíque
à Pontano his verbis scitissimè describitur.

    Ergo incerta ferens raptim vestigia, anhelus
    Spiritus incursat, nunc huc, nunc percitus illuc,
    Explorátque abitum insistens, & singula tentat,
    Si qua forte queat victis erumpere claustris.
    Interea tremit ingentem factura ruinam
    Terra, suis quatiens latas cum moenibus vrbes:
    Dissiliunt auulsa iugis immania saxa, &c.

Hæc addere libuit, non quòd cuiquam hæc ignota esse existimemus; sed ne nos
alij ignorare credant, atque ideo ad suas fabulas, quas hinc extruunt,
confugere velle.

Cæterum video quid etiamnum admirationem non exiguam scriptoribus moueat,
in his, quos ignoranter fingunt, tribus Islandiæ montibus, videlicet cum
eorum basin semper ardere dicant, summitates tamen nunquam niue careant.
Porrò id admirari, est præter authoritatem tantorum virorum, quibus Ætnæ
incendium optimè notum erat, quæ, cùm secundum Plinium hybernis temporibus
niualis sit, noctibus tamen, eodem teste, semper ardet. Quare etiam
secundum illos, ille mons, cum adhac niuium copia obducitur, & tamen ardeat
sordidarum animarum quoque erit receptaculum: id quod Heclæ propter niues
in summo vertice & basin æstuantem, adscribere non dubitarunt. [Sidenote:
Cardanus.] Vix autem mirum esse potest, quòd ignis montis radicibus latens,
& nunquam, nisi rarissimè erumpens, excelsa montis cacumina, quæ niuibus
obducuntur, non collique faciat. Nam & in Caira, altissima montis cacumina
niuibus semper candentia esse perhibentur: & in Beragua quidem similiter,
sed 5000 passuum in coelum elata, quæ niuibus nunquam liberentur, cum tamen
partibus tantum decem ab æquatore distent. Vtrámque hanc prouinciam iuxta
Pariam esse sitam accepimus. Quid? quod illa Teneriffæ (quæ vna, est ex
insulis Canarijs, quæ & fortunatæ) pyramis, secundum Munsterum, 8 aut 9
milliarium Germanicorum altitudine in aëra assurgens, atque instar Ætnæ
iugiter conflagrans, niues, quibus media cingitur, teste Benzone Italo,
Indiæ occidentalis Historico, non resoluit. Quod ipsum in nostra Hecla quid
est, quod magis miremur? Atque hæc ita breuiter de incendijs montanis.

Nunc illud quoque castigandum arbitramur, quod hos montes in coelum vsque
attolli scribant. Habent enim nullam præ cæteris Islandiæ montibus
notabilem altitudinem. Precipuè tertius ille Helga à Munstero appellatus,
nobis Helgafel. i. Sacer mons, apud monasterium eiusdem nominis, nulla sui
parts tempore æstiuo nimbus obductus, nec montis excelsi, sed potius collis
humilis nomen meretur, nunquam, vt initio huius sectionis dixi, de incendio
suspectus. Nec verò perpetuæ niues Heclæ, vel paucis alijs adscribi
debebant: Permultos enim habet eiusmodi montes niuosos Islandia, quos omnes
vel toto anno, non facilè collegerit aut connumerarit, horum prædicator &
admirator Cosmographus. Quin etiam id non negligendum, quod mons Hecla non
occidentem versus, vt à Munstero & Zieglero annotatum est, sed inter
meridiem & orientem positus sit. Nec promontorium est: sed mons ferè
mediterraneus.

[Sidenote: Annales Islandiæ.] Incendia perpetua ragi, &c. Quicunque
perpetuam flammarum cructationem Heclæ adscripserunt, toto coelo errarunt,
adeò, vt quoties flammas eructarit, nostrates in annales retulerint, viz.
anno Christi 1104. 1157. 1222. 1300. 1341. 1362. & 1389. Neque enim ab illo
de montis incendio audire licuit, vsque ad annum 1558. quæ vltima fuit in
illo monte eruptio. Interea non nego, fieri posse, quin mons infernè
latentes intus flammas & incendia alat, quæ videlicet statis interuallis,
vt hactenus annotatum est, eruperint, aut etiam forte posthac erumpant.

The same in English.

THE SIXTH SECTION

[Sidenote: Monsterus. Frisius.] There be in this Iland mountaines lift vp
  to the skies, whose tops being white with perpetuall snowe, their roots
  boile with euerlasting fire. The first is towards the West, called Hecla:
  the other the mountaine of the crosse: and the third Helga. Item
  Zieglerus. The rocke or promontone of Hecla boileth with continuall fire.
  Item: Saxo. There is in this Iland also a mountaine, which resembling the
  starrie firmament, with perpetuall flashings of fire, continueth alwayes
  burning, by vncessant belching out of flames.

Munster and Frisius being about to report the woonders of Island doe
presently stumble, as it were, vpon the thresholde, to the great
inconuenience of them both. For that which they heere affirme of mount
Hecla, although it hath some shew of trueth: notwithstanding concerning the
other two mountaines, that they should burne with perpetuall fire, it is a
manifest errour. For there are no such mountaines to be found in Island,
nor yet any thing els (so farre foorth as wee can imagine) which might
minister occasion of so great an errour vnto writers. Howbeit there was
seene (yet very lately) in the yeere 1581 out of a certaine mountaine of
South Island lying neere the Sea, and couered ouer with continuall snow and
frost, a marueilous eruption of smoke and fire, casting vp abundance of
stones and ashes. But this mountaine is farre from the other three, which
the sayd authours doe mention. Howbeit, suppose that these things be true
which they report of firie mountaines: is it possible therefore that they
should seeme strange, or monstrous, whenas they proceed from naturall
causes? What? Doe they any whit preuaile to establish that opinion
concerning the hell of Island, which followeth next after in Munster,
Ziegler, and Frisius? For my part, I thinke it no way tollerable, that men
should abuse these, and the like miracles of nature, to auouch absurdities,
or, that they should with a kinde of impietie woonder at them, as at
matters impossible. As though in these kindes of inflammations, there did
not concurre causes of sufficient force for the same purpose. There is in
the rootes of these mountaines a matter most apt to be set on fire, comming
so neere as it doeth to the nature of brimstone and pitch. There is ayer
also which insinuating it selfe by passages, and holes, into the very
bowels of the earth, doeth puffe vp the nourishment of so huge a fire,
together with Salt-peter, by which puffing (as it were with certeine
bellowes) a most ardent flame is kindled. [Sidenote: Three naturall causes
of firie mountaines.] For, all these thus concurring fire hath those three
things, which necessarily make it burne, that is to say, matter, motion,
and force of making passage: matter which is fattie and moyst, and
therefore nourisheth lasting flames: motion which the ayer doeth performe,
being admitted into the caues of the earth: force of making passage, and
that the inuincible might of fire it selfe (which can not be without
inspiration of ayre, and can not but breake foorth with an incredible
strength) doeth bring to passe: and so (euen as in vndermining trenches and
engines or great warrelike ordinance, huge yron bullets are cast foorth
with monstrous roaring, and cracking, by the force of kindled Brimstone,
and Salt-peeter, whereof Gunne-powder is compounded) chingle and great
stones being skorched in that fiery gulfe, as it were in a furnace,
together with abundance of sande and ashes, are vomitted vp and discharged,
and that for the most part not without an earthquake which, if it commeth
from the depth of the earth, (being called by Possidonius, Succussio) it
must either be either an opening or a quaking. Opening causeth the earth in
some places to gape, and fall a sunder. By quaking the earth is heaued vp
and swelleth, and sometimes (as Plinie saith) [Sidenote: Lib. 20. cap. 20.]
casteth out huge heaps: such an earth-quake was the same which I euen now
mentioned, which in the yere 1581 did so sore trouble the South shore of
Island. And this kinde of earth-quake is most clearkely described by
Pontanus in these verses:

    The stirrng breath runnes on with stealing steppes,
      vrged now vp, and now enforced downe:
    For freedome eke tries all, it skips, it leaps,
      to ridde it selfe from vncouth dungeon.
      Then quakes the earth as it would burst anon,
    The earth yquakes, and walled cities quiuer.
    Strong quarries cracke, and stones from hilles doe shiuer.

I thought good to adde these things, not that I suppose any man to be
ignorant thereof: but least other men should thinke that we are ignorant,
and therefore that we will runne after their fables, which they do from
hence establish. But yet there is somewhat more in these three famed
mountaines of Island, which causeth the sayd writers not a little to
woonder, namely whereas they say that their foundations are alwayes
burning, and yet for all that, their toppes be neuer destitute of snowe.
Howbeit, it beseemeth not the authority and learning of such great clearks
to marueile at this, who can not but well know the flames of mount Aetna,
which (according to Plinie) being full of snowe all Winter, notwithstanding
(as the same man witnesseth) it doth alwayes burne. Wherefore, if we will
giue credit vnto them, euen this mountaine also, sithens it is couered with
snowe, and yet burneth, must be a prison of vncleane soules: which thing
they haue not doubted to ascribe vnto Hecla, in regard of the frozen top,
and the fine bottome. And it is no marueile that fire lurking so deepe in
the roots of a mountaine, and neuer breaking forth except it be very
seldome, should not be able continually to melt the snowe couering the
toppe of the sayd mountaine. [Sidenote: Cardanus] For in Caira (or Capira)
also, the highest toppes of the mountaine are sayd continually to be white
with snowe: and those in Veragua likewise, which are fiue miles high, and
neuer without snowe, being distant notwithstanding but onely 10 degrees
from the equinoctiall. We haue heard that either of the forsayd Prouinces
standeth neere vnto Paria. What, if in Teneriffa (which is one of the
Canarie or fortunate Islands) the Pike [Footnote: The Peak.] so called,
arising into the ayre, according to Munster, eight or nine Germaine miles
in height, and continually flaming like Aetna: yet (as Benzo an Italian,
and Historiographer of the West Indies witnesseth) is it not able to melt
the girdle of snowe embracing the middest thereof. Which thing, what reason
haue we more to admire in the mountaine of Hecla? And thus much briefly
concerning firie mountaines.

Now that also is to be amended, whereas they write that these mountaines
are lifted vp euen vnto the skies. For they haue no extraordinarie height
beyond the other mountaines of Island, but especially that third mountaine,
called by Munster Helga, and by vs Helgafel, that is the holy mount,
standing iust by a monastery of the same name, being couered with snowe,
vpon no part thereof in Summer time, neither deserueth it the name of an
high mountaine, but rather of an humble hillocke, neuer yet as I sayd in
the beginning of this section, so much as once suspected of burning.
Neither yet ought perpetuall snowe to be ascribed to Hecla onely, or to a
few others; for Island hath very many such snowy mountaines, all which the
Cosmographer (who hath so extolled and admired these three) should not
easily find out, and reckon vp in a whole yere. And that also is not to be
omitted, that mount Hecla standeth not towards the West, as Munster and
Ziegler haue noted, but betweene the South and the East: neither is it an
headland, but rather a mid-land hill.

[Sidenote: The chronicles of Island.] Continueth alwayes burning &c.
whosoeuer they be that haue ascribed vnto Hecla perpetuall belching out of
flames, they are farre besides the marke: insomuch that as often as it hath
bene enflamed, our countreymen haue recorded it in their yerely Chronicles
for a rare accident: namely in the yeeres of Christ 1104, 1157, 1222, 1300,
1341, 1362, and 1389: For from that yeere we neuer heard of the burning of
this mountaine vntill the yeere 1558, which was the last breaking foorth of
fire in that mountaine. In the meane time I say not that is impossible, but
that the bottome of the hill may inwardly breed and nourish flames, which
at certaine seasons (as hath bene heretofore obserued) haue burst out, and
perhaps may do the like hereafter. [Footnote: The surface of the country is
very mountainous, but there are no definite ranges, the isolated volcanic
masses being separated by elevated plateaux of greater or less size. The
whole centre is, in fact, an almost continuous desert fringed by a belt of
pasture land, lying along the coast and running up the valleys of several
of the greater riuers. This desert is occupied partly by snow mountains and
glaciers, partly by enormous lava streams, partly by undulating plains of
black volcanic sand, shingle, and loose stones. This region is of course
without verdure, and entirely uninhabited. The rocks are all of igneous
origin, but of very different ages, traps, basalts, amygdaloids, tufas,
ochres, and porous lavas. The number of active volcanoes is, at present,
not great, but hot springs and mud volcanoes testify to the existence of
volcanic action along a line running from the extreme south west at Cape
Reykjanes to the north coast near Husavik. The only recent well ascertained
eruptions have been from Hecla, Aotlugja, Skaptar Vokul, and (in 1874-5)
from the mountains to the south-east of Myratu Lake. The eruption of
Skaptar in 1783 is the greatest anywhere on record in respect of the
quantity of lava and ashes ejected. Earthquakes are not unfrequent. The
greatest mountain group is the Vatna or Klofa Yokul, on the south coast, a
mass of snow and ice covering many hundred square miles, and sending down
prodigious glaciers which almost reach the sea. From one of these a torrent
issues, little more than a hundred yards long, and a mile and a half broad.
The line of perpetual snow ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 feet. The loftiest
summits of this great mountain mass have never been ascended, but the
highest point is believed to be the Orefa Yolcal, 6,405 feet. The other
considerable peaks in different parts of the island are Herdubreidr (an
extinct volcano), 5,290 feet, Eyjafjalla Yokul, 5,579 feet, Snæfels Yokul,
5,965 feet, and Hecla, 5,095 feet.]




SECTIO SEPTIMA.

[Sidenote: Frisius. Munst.] Montis Heclæ flamma nec stuppam lucernarum
  luminibus aptissimam adurit, neque aqua extinguitur: Eóque impetu, quo
  apud nos machinis bellicis, globi eijciuntur, illinc lapides magni in
  aera emittuntur, ex frigoris & ignis & sulphuris commixtione. Is locus à
  quibusdam putatur carcer sordidarum animarum. Item Zieglerus. Is locos
  est carcer sordidarum animarum.

Nec stuppam adurit.) Vnde habeant Scriptores, non satis conijcitur. Hæc
enim nostris hominibus prorsus ignota, nec hic vnquam, nisi prodidissent
illi, audita fuissent. Nemo enim est apud nos tam temerariæ curiositatis,
vt huius rei periculum, ardente monte, facere ansit, vel quod scire licuit,
vnquam ausis fuerit. Quod tamen Munsterus asserit. Qui, inquit, naturam
tanti incendij contemplari cupiunt, & ob id ad montem propius accedunt, eos
vna aliqua vorago viuos absorbet &c. Quæ res, vt dixi, nostræ genti est
ignota prorsus. Exstat tamen liber veteri Noruagorum lingua scriptus, in
quo terrarum, aquarum, ignis, aëris, &c. miracula aliquot confusa reperias,
pauca vera, plurima vana & falsa. Vnde facile apparet, à Sophis quibusdam,
si dijs placet, in Papatu olim esse conscriptum: [Sidenote: Speculum
Regale.] Speculum Regale nomen dederunt, propter vanissima mendacia, quibus
totus, sed plærúmque sub religionis & pietatís prætextu (quo difficilius
est fucum agnoscere) scatet speculum minimè regale, sed Anile & Irregulare.
In hoc speculo figmenta quædam de Heclæ incendio, his quæ nunc tractamus
non multum dissimilia, habentur, nullo experimento magis quàm hæc
stabilita, ideóque explodenda.

Cæterum ne audaculus videar, qui speculum illud Regale mendacij accusem;
nullum verò ex his quæ minus credibilia affert, recenseam; Accipe horum
pauca Lector, quæ fidem minimè mereri existimarim.

1. De quadam Insula Hyberniæ; quæ templum & Parochiam habet: Cuius incolæ
decedentes non inhumantur: sed ad aggerem seu parietem coemeterij, viuorum
instar erecti, consistunt perpetuò: Nec vlli corruptioni, nec ruinæ.
obnoxij: vt posterum quiuis suos maiores ibi quærere & conspicere possit.

2. De altera Hyberniæ Insula, vbi homines emori nequeant.

3. De omni terrâ & omnibus arboribus Hyberniæ, quæ omnibus omninò venenis
resistant, serpentes & alia venenata, vbiuis terrarum, solâ virtute &
præsentia, etiam sine contactu, enecent.

4. De tertia Hyberniæ Insula: Quòd hæc dimidia Diabolorum colonia facta
sit. In dimidiam vero propter templum ibidem exstructum, iuris habeant
nihil, licet & pastore (vt tota Insula incolis) & sacris perpetuò careat:
idque per naturam ita esse.

5. De quarta Hyberniæ Insula, quæ in lacu quòdam satis vasto fluitet: cuius
gramina, quibusuis morbis præssentissimum remedium existant: Insula verò
ripam lacus statis temporibus accedat, idque vt plurimum, diebus Dominicis,
vt tum quiuis facilè eam veluti nauim quandam, ingrediatur: id quod tamen
pluribus simul, per fatum licere negat. Hanc vero Insulam septimo quoque
anno ripæ adnasci tradit, vt à continente non discernas: In eius autem
locum mox succedere alteram, priori, naturam, magnitudine & virtute
consimilem: quæ vnde veniat, nesciri: idque cum quòdam quasi tonitru
contingere.

6. De venatoribus Noruegiæ, qui lignum domare (sic enim loquitur,
quantumuis impropriè: cùm ligno vt non vita, ita nec domitura competat)
adeo docti sint, vt asseres 8. vlnas longi, plantis pedum eorundem
alligati, tanta eos celeritate, vel in excelsis montibus, promoueant, vt
non modò canum venaticorum, aut caprearum cursu, sed etiam auium volatu
superari nequeant: atque vnico cursu, vnico etiam hastæ ictu, nouem vel
plures capreas feriant. [Sidenote: Gronlandia.] Hæc & similia, de Hybernia,
Noruegia, Islandia, Gronlandia, de aquæ & aëris etiam miraculis, centonum
ille magister, in suum speculum collegit: Quibus, licet suis admirationem,
vulgo stuporem, nobis tamen risum concitauit.

Sed Frisium audiamus. Flamma, inquit, Montis Heclæ nec stuppam, lucernarum
luminibus aptissimam, adurit, nec aqua extinguitur. Atqui inquam, ex Schola
vestra Philosophica petitis rationibus hoc Paradoxon confirmari poterit.
Docent enim Physici, commune esse validioribus flammis omnibus vt siccis
extinguantur, alantur verò humidis: Vnde etiam fabri, aqua inspersa, ignem
excitare solent. Cùm enim, aiunt, ardentior fuerit ignis, à frigido
incitatur, & ab humido alitur, quorum vtrumque aquæ inest. Item: Aqua solet
vehementes accendere ignes: Quoniam humidum ipsum quod exhalat, pinguius
redditur, nec à circumfuso fumo absumitur, sed totum ignis ipse depascitur,
quò purior inde factus, ac simul collectus, à frigido alacrior inde
redditur. Vnde etiam ignes artificiosi aqua minimè extinguibiles. Item:
Sunt sulphure & bitumine loca abundantia, quæ sponte ardent, quorum flamma
aqua minimè extinguitur. Prodidit etiam Philosophus, Aqua ali ignem. Arist.
3. de anim. Et Plin. lib. 2. Nat. Histor. cap. 110. Et Strabo lib. 7. In
Nymphæo excitè Petra flamma, que aqua accenditur. Idem, Viret æternùm
contexens fontem igneum fraxinus. Quin & repentinos ignes in aquis
existere, vt Thrasumenum lacum in agro Perusino arsisse totum, idem autor
est. [Sidenote: Chronica Islandie.] Et anno 1226, & 1236. non procul à
promontorio Islandiæ Reykianes, flamma ex ipso mari erupit. Etiam in
corporibus humanis repentinos ignes emicuisse, vt Seruio Tullio dormienti,
è capite flammam exsilijsse: Et L. Martium in Hispania, interfectis
Scipionibus, concionem seu orationem ad milites habentem, atque ad vltionem
exhortantem, conflagrasse, Valerius Antias narrat. Meminit etiam Plinius
flammæ montanæ, quæ, vt aqua accendatur, ita terra aut foeno extinguatur.
Item, Alterius campestris, que frondem densi supra se nemoris non adurat.
Quæ cum ita sint, mirum, homines id in solâ Heclâ mirari (ponam enim iam
ita esse, cum non sit tamen, quòd à quoquam scire potuerim) quòd multis
aliarum terrarum partibus seu locis, tam montanis, quàm campestribus, cum
ea commune esset.

Eo impetu quo apud nos globi. Sic enim Munsterus. [Sidenote: Frisius.] Mons
ipse cum furit, inquit, horribilia tonitrua insonat, proijcit ingentia
Saxa, sulphur euomit, cineribus egestis, tam longè terram circumcirca
operit, vt ad vicesimum lapidem coli non possit, &c. Cæterum oportuit
potius cum Ætnâ, aut alijs montibus flammiuomis, quos mox recitabo,
comparasse, cum non deesset, non modò simile, sed prope idem: Nisi fortè
quòd incendia rarius ex Heclâ erumpant, quàm alijs id genus montibus. Nam
proxunis 34. annis prorsus quieuit, facta videlicet vltima eruptione, An.
1558. vt superius annotauimus. Et nihil tam magnificè dici potest de nostra
Hecla, quin idem, vel maius cæteris montibus flammiuomis competat, vt mox
apparebit. Quòd verò sulphur eiaculetur, manifestum est commentum nullo
experimento apud nostrates cognitum.

Is locus est carcer sordidarum animarum. Hic præfandum esse mihi video,
atque veniam à Lectore petendam quòd cum initio proposuerim, de terra &
incolis diuisim agere in hac prima parte tamen, quæ sunt meritò secundæ
partis miscere cogar. Euenit hoc scriptorum culpa, qui Insulæ situi ac
miraculis, religionis incolarum particulam hanc, de opinione infernalis
carceris, confuderunt. Quare etiam vt hunc locum attingamus, quis non
miretur isthoc commentum ab homine cordato in Historia positum esse? Quis
non miretur, viros sapientes eò perduci, vt hæc vulgi deliramenta
auscultent, nedum sequantur? Vulgus enim extraneorum & hominum colluuies
nautica (hic enim saniores omnes tam inter nautas quam reliquos excipio,)
de hoc insolito naturæ miraculo audiens, ingenito stupore ad istam, de
carcere animarum, imaginationem fertur: Siquidem incendio nullam substerni
materiam videt, quemadmodum in domesticis focis fieri consueuit. Atque hac
persuasione vulgi fama inoleuit dum (vt ad maledicta optimè assuefactum
est) vnus alteri huius montis incendum imprecatur. Quasi verò ignis
elementaris & materiatus ac visibilis, animas, i. substantias spirituales
comburat. Quis deníque non miretur cur eundem carcere damnatorum, non in
Ætna etiam, nihilo minus ignibus ac incendijs celebri, confingant? At
confinxit dices, Gregorius Pontifex. Purgatorium igitur est. Sit sanè:
Eadem igitur huius carceris veritas quæ & purgatorij. Sed priusquam longius
procedamus, libet hic referre fabulam perlepidam, huius opinionis
infernalis originem & fundamentum: Nempe cuidam extraneorum naui Islandiam
relinquenti & turgidis velis citissimo cursu iter suum rectà legenti,
factam obuiam alteram similiter impigro cursu, sed contra vim tempestatum,
velis & remis nitentem: cuius præfectus rogatus, quinam essent? Respondisse
fertur: De Bischop van Bremen. Iterum rogatus quo tenderent? ait. Thom
Heckelfeldt tho, Thom Heckelfeldt tho. Hæc videns Lector vereor, ne peluim
postulet dari: Est enim mendacium adeo detestandum, vt facilè nauseam
pariat. Abeat igitur ad Cynosarges & ranas palustres: illud enim eiusde
facimus atque illarum coax, coax. Nec verò dignum est hoc commentum, quod
rideatur, nedum refutetur. Sed nolo cum insanis Papistis nugari: Quin
potius ad scriptores nostros conuertamur.

Atque inprimis nequeo hic, clarissimi viri, D. Casparis Peuceri, illud
præterire. Est in Islandia, inquit, mons Hecla, qui immanis barathri, vel
inferni potius profunditate terribilis, eiulantium miserabili & lamentabili
ploratu personat, vt voces plorantium circumquaque, ad interuallum magni
milliaris audiantur. Circumnolitant hunc coruorum & vulturum nigerrima
agmina, quæ nidulari ibidem ab incolis existimantur. Vulgus incolarum
descensum esse per voraginem illam ad inferos persuasum habet: Inde cum
prælia committuntur alibi in quacunque parte orbis terrarum aut cædes fiunt
cruentæ commoueri horrendos circumcirca tumultus & excitari clamores atque
eiulatus ingentes longâ experientiâ didicerunt. Quis verò rem tam
incredibilem ad te vir doctissime perferre ausus fuit? Nec enim vultures
habet Islandia, sed genus aquilarum secundum, quod ab albicante caudâ
Plinius notauit & Pygarsum appellauit. Nec vlli sunt huius spectaculi apud
nos testes: Nec deníque ibidem coruos aut aquilas nidificare probabile est,
quæ, igni & fumo semper inimicissimo, potius à focis vel incendijs
arceantur. Et nihilominus in huius rei testimonium, (vt & exauditi per
voraginem montis tumultus extranei,) experientiam incolarum allegant, quæ
certè contraria omnia testatur. Vnde verò foramen vel fenestra illa
montana, per quam clamores, strepitus & tumultus apud antipodes, periæcos &
antæcos factos exaudiremus? De quâ re multa essent, quæ authorem istius
mendacij interrogatum haberem, modò quid de illo nobis constaret: qui
vtinam veriora narrare discat, nec tam perfrictâ fronte similia,
incomperta, átque, adeò incredibilia, clarissimo viro Peucero, aut alijs
referre præsumat.

Ast verò Munsterus cum incendij tanti & tam incredilis caussas in
famosissimâ Ætna inuestigare conatus sit, quam rem illic naturalem facit,
hic verò præternaturalem imo infernalem faciat, an non monstri simile est?
Cæterum de Æthnâ quid dico? Quin potius videamus quid de Heclæ incendio
alias sentiat Munsterus.

[Sidenote: Munsterus Cosmograph. vniuersal. lib. 1. cap. 7.] Dubium non
est, inquit, montes olim & campos arsisse in orbe terrarum: Et nostra
quidem state ardent. Verbi gratia: In Islandia mons Hecla statis temporibus
foras proijcit ingentia Saxa, euomit sulphur spargit cineres, tam longè
circumcirca, vt terra ad vicesimum lapidem coli non possit. Vbi autem
montium incendia perpetua sunt, intelligimus nullam esse obstructionem
meatuum, per quos modò, quasi fluuium quendam, ignes, modò flammas, nunc
verò fumum tantùm euomunt. Sin per temporum interualla increscunt, internis
meatibus obturatis, eius viscera nihilominus ardent Superioris autem partis
incendia, propter fomitis inopiam, non nihil remittunt ad tempus. Ast vbi
spiritus vehementior, rursus reclusis meatibus ijsdem vel alijs, ex carcere
magnâ vi erumpit, cineres, arenam, sulphur, pumices, massas, quæ habent
speciem ferri, saxa, aliásque materias foras proijcit, plerúnque non sine
detrimento regionis adiacentis. Hæc Munsterus. Vbi videas quæso Lector,
quomodo suo se iugulet gladio, videas inquam hic eadem de incendio Heclæ &
Ætnæ opinionem & sententiam, quæ tamen lib 4. eiusdem, admodum est dispar,
vt illic ad causas infernales confugiat.

Habet profectò Indiæ occidentalis mons quidam flammiuomus æquiores multò,
quàm hic noster censores & historicos, minimè illic barathrum
exædificantes: Cuius historiam, quia & breuis est, & non illepida,
subijciam, ab Hieronimo Benzone Italo in Historiar noui orbis, lib. 2. his
verbis descriptam.

Triginta quínque, inquit, milliarium interuallo abest Legione mons
flammiuomus, qui per ingentem craterem tantos sæpe flammarum globos
eructat, vt noctu latissimè vltra 10000. passuum incendia reluceant.
Nonnullis fuit opinio, intus liquefactum aurum esse, perpetuam ignibus
materiam. Itáque Dominicanus quidam monachus cum eius rei periculum facere
vellet, ahenum & catenam ferream fabricari curat móxque in montis iugum cum
quatuor alijs Hispanis ascendens, catenam cum aheno ad centum quadraginta
vlnas in caminum demittit. Ibi ignis feruore, ahenum cum parte catenæ
liquefactum est. Monachus non leuiter iratus Legionem recurrit, fabrum
incusat, quòd catenam tenuiorem multò, quàm iussisset ipse, esset
fabricatus. Faber aliam multo crassiorem excudit. Monachus montem repetit:
Catenam & lebetem demittit. Res priori incoepto similem exitum habuit. Nec
tantùm resolutus lebes euanuit, verum etiam flammæ globus repentè è
profundo exsiliens, propemodum & Fratrem & socios absumpsit. Omnes quidem
adeo perculsi in vrbem reuersi sunt, vt de eo incoepto exequendo nunquam
deinceps cogitarent &c.

O quam censura dispar? In montano Indiæ occidentalis camino auram: Islandiæ
verò, infernum quærunt. Sed hoc vt nimis recens, ac veteribus ignotum
fortasse reijcient: Cur igitur eundem, quem in Hecla Islandiæ, animarum in
Chimæra carcerem, Lyciæ monte, cuius noctu diúque flamma immortalis
perhibetur, non sunt imaginati scriptores? Cur no in Ephesi montibus, quos
tæda flammante tactos, tantum ignis concipere accepimus, vt lapides quoque
& arenæ in ipsis aquis ardeant, & ex quibus accenso baculo, si quis sulcum
traxerit, riuos ignium sequi narrator à Plinio? Cur non in Cophantro
Bactrorum monte, noctu semper conflagrante? Cur non in Hiera Insula, medio
mari ardente? Cur non in Æolia, similiter in ipso mari olim dies aliquot
aliquot accensa? Cur non in Babyloniorum campo, interdiu flagrante? Cur non
in Æthiopum campis, Stellarum modo, noctu semper nitentibus? Cur non in
illo Liparæ tumulo, ampla & profunda voragine hiante, teste Aristotele, ad
quem non tutò noctu accedatur: ex quo Cymbalorum sonitus, crotalorum
boatus, cum insolitis & inconditis cachinnis exaudiantur? Cur non in
Neapolitanorum agro ad Puteolos? Cur non in illa superius commemorata
Teneriffæ pyramide montana, instar Ætnæ, iugiter ardente, & lapides, vt ex
Munstero videre est, in aëra exspuente? Cur non in illo Aethiopum iugo,
quod Plinius testatur, horum omnium maximo aduri incendio? Cur non denique
in Vesuuio monte, non sine insigni viciniæ clade, & C. Plinij exitiali
detrimento, dum insueti incendij causas perscrutaturus venit, nubium tenus
flammas cum saxis euomente, pumicum & cinerum ineffabili copiâ aëra
replente, & solem meridianum per totam viciniam densissimis tenebris
intercipiente? Dicam, & dicam quod res est: Quia scilicet illis, vtpote
notioribus, fidem, etsi inferni esse incendia finxissent, minimè adhiberi
præuidebant: Heclæ verò æstum, cuius rumor tardius ad eorum aures peruenit,
huic commento vanissimo stabiliendo, magis inseruire putabant. Sed
facessite: Depræhensa fraus est: Desinite posthac illam de inferno Heklensi
opinionem cuiquam velle persuadere. Docuit enim & nos, & alios, vobis
inuitis, consimilibus incendijs, operationes suas Natura, non Infernus. Sed
videamus iam plura eiusdem farinæ vulgi mendacia, quæ Historicis &
Cosmographis nostris adeò malè imposuerunt.

The same in English.

THE SEUENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Frisius. Munsterus.] The flame of mount Hecla will not burne
  towe (which is most apt for the wieke of a candle) neither is it quenched
  with water: and by the same force that bullets are discharged out of
  warlike engines with vs, from thence are great stones cast foorth into
  the aire, by reason of the mixture of colde, and fire, and brimstone.
  This place is thought of some to be the prison of vncleane soules. Item:
  Zieglerus. This place is the prison of vncleane soules.

Will not burne towe. Where these writers should finde such matters, it is
not easie to coniecture. For our people are altogether ignorant of them,
neither had they euer bene heard of heere among vs, if they had not brought
them to light. For there is no man with vs so rashly and fondly curious,
that dareth for his life, the hill being on fire, trie any such
conclusions, or (to our knowledge) that euer durst: which notwithstanding
Munster affirmeth, saying: They that are desirous to contemplate the nature
of so huge a fire, & for the same purpose approch vnto the mountaine, are
by some gulfe swallowed vp aliue, &c. which thing (as I sayd) is altogether
vnknowen vnto our nation. [Sidenote: Speculum regale written in the
Noruagian tongue.] Yet there is a booke extant, written in the ancient
language of the Noruagians, wherein you may finde some miracles of earth,
water, fire, and aire, &c. confusedly written, few of them true, and the
most part vaine and false. Whereupon it easily appeareth that it was
written long since by some that were imagined to be great wise men in the
time of Popery. [Sidenote: Whence the fables of Island grew.] They called
it a royall looking glasse: howbeit, in regard of the fond fables,
wherewith (but for the most part vnder the shew of religion and piety,
whereby it is more difficult to finde out the cousinage) it doeth all ouer
swarme, it deserueth not the name of a looking glasse royall, but rather of
a popular, and olde wiues looking glasse. In this glasse there are found
certaine figments of the burning of Hecla, not much vnlike these which we
now entreat of, nor any whit more grounded vpon experience, and for that
cause to be reiected.

But that I may not seeme somewhat foolehardy, for accusing this royall
looking glasse of falshood (not to mention any of those things which it
reporteth as lesse credible) loe heere a few things (friendly reader) which
I suppose deserue no credit at all.

1. Of a certain Isle in Ireland, hauing a church and a parish in it, the
inhabitants whereof deceasing are not buried in the earth, but like liuing
men, do continually, against some banke or wall in the Churchyard, stand
bolt-vpright: neither are they subiect to any corruption or downefall:
insomuch that any of the posteritie, may there seeke for, and beholde their
ancestors.

2. Of another Isle of Ireland, where men are not mortall.

3. Of all the earth and trees of Ireland, being of force to resist all
poisons, and to kill serpents, and other venimous things, in any countrey
whatsoeuer, by the only vertue and presence thereof yea euen without
touching.

4. Of a third Isle of Ireland, that the one halfe thereof became an
habitation of deuils, but that the sayd deuils haue no iurisdiction ouer
the other halfe, by reason of a Church there built, although, as the whole
Isle is without inhabitants, so this part is continually destitute of a
Pastor, and of diuine seruice: and that it is so by nature.

5. Of a fourth Isle of Ireland floating vp and downe in an huge lake, the
grasse whereof is a most present remedy for all kinde of diseases, and that
the Iland, at certeine seasons, especially on Sundayes, commeth to the
banke of the lake, so that any man may then easily enter into it, as it
were into a shippe: which notwithstanding (sayth he) destiny will not
suffer any more then one to enter at a time. Furthermore he reporteth that
this Island euery seuenth yere groweth fast to the banke, so that you
cannot discerne it from firme land: but that into the place thereof there
succeedeth another, altogether like the former, in nature, quantitie, and
vertue: which, from what place it commeth, no man can tell: and that all
this happeneth with a kinde of thundering.

6. Of the hunters of Norway who are so expert to tame wood (for so he
speaketh very improperly, whereas vnto wood neither life nor taming can be
ascribed) that wooden pattens of eight elnes long being bound to the soles
of their feet do cary them with so great celeritie euen vpon hie
mountaines, that they cannot be outrun, either by the swiftnes of hounds
and deere, or yet by the flying of birds. And that they will kill nine roes
or more at one course & with one stroke of a dart.

These and such like, concerning Ireland, Norway, Island, Gronland. of the
miracles of water, and aire, this master of fragments hath gathered
together into his looking glasse: whereby, although he hath made his owne
followers woonder, and the common people to be astonished, yet hath he
ministred vnto vs nothing but occasion of laughter.

But let vs heare Frisius. The flame of mount Hecla (sayth he) will not
burne towe (which is most apt matter for the wicke of a candle) neither is
it quenched with water. But I say that this strange opinion may be
confirmed by many reasons borrowed out of your schoole of Philosophy. For
the natarall Philosophers doe teach, That it is common to all forcible
flames to be quenched with dry things, and nourished with moiste:
whereupon, euen blacksmithes, by sprinckling on of water, vse to quicken
and strengthen their fire. For (say they) when fire is more vehement, it is
stirred vp by colde, and nourished by moisture, both which qualities doe
concurre in water. Item, water is wont to kindle skorching fires: because
the moisture it selfe, which ariseth, doth proue more fattie and grosse,
neither is it consumed by the smoke enclosing it, but the fire it selfe
feedeth vpon the whole substance thereof, whereby being made purer, and
gathering round together, it becommeth then more vehement by reason of
colde. And therefore also wild-fires cannot be quenched with water. Item,
There be places abounding with brimstone and pitch, which burne of their
owne accord, the flame wherof cannot be quenched with water. The graund
Philosopher also hath affirmed, that fire is nourished by water. Arist 3.
de anim. And Plinie, in the second booke of his naturall historie cap. 110.
And Strabo in his 7. booke. In Nympheum there proceedeth a flame out of a
rocke, which is kindled with water. The same author sayth: The ashe
continually flourisheth, couering a burning fountaine. And moreouer that
there are sudden fires at some times, euen vpon waters, as namely that the
lake of Thrasumenus in the field of Perugi, was all on fire, as the same
Strabo witnesseth. And in the yeares 1226, and 1236, not farre from the
promontorie of Islande called Reykians, a flame of fire brake forth out of
the sea. Yea euen vpon mens bodies sudden fires haue glittered: as namely,
there sprang a flame from the head of Seruius Tullius lying a sleepe: and
also Lucius Martius in Spaine after the death of the Scipions, making an
oration to his souldiers, and exhorting them to reuenge, was all in a
flame, as Valerius Antias doth report. Plinie in like sort maketh mention
of a flame in a certaine mountaine, which, as it is kindled with water, so
is it quenched with earth or haye: also of another field which burneth not
the leaues of shadie trees that growe directly ouer it. These things being
thus, it is strange that men should accompt that a wonder in Hecla onely
(for I will graunt it to be, for disputation sake, when indeede there is no
such matter so farre foorth as euer I could learne of any man) which is
common to manie other parts or places in the world, both hilly and plaine,
as well as to this.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] And by the same force that bullets, &c. Munster saith
the like also. This mountaine when it rageth, it soundeth like dreadfull
thunder, casteth forth huge stones, disgorgeth brimstone and with the
cinders that are blowen abroad, it couereth so much ground round about it,
that no man can inhabite within 20. miles thereof, &c. Howbeit, they ought
to haue compared it with Aetna, or with other fierie mountaines, whereof I
will presently make mention, seeing there is to be found in them, not onely
a like accident, but in a manner the very same. Vnlesse perhaps this be the
difference, that flames brake seldomer out of Hecla, then out of other
mountaines of the same kinde. For it hath now rested these 34. yeares full
out, the last fierie breach being made in the yeare 1558. as we haue before
noted. And there can no such wonders be affirmed of our Hecla, but the same
or greater are to be ascribed vnto other burning mountaines, as it shall by
and by appeare.

But that brimstone should be sent foorth it is a meere fable, and neuer
knowen vnto our nation, by any experiment.

This place is the prison of vncleane soules. Here I am constrained to vse a
preface, and to craue pardon of the Reader, because, whereas in the
beginning I propounded vnto my selfe to treat of the land, and of the
inhabitants distinctly by themselues, I must of necessitie confusedly
handle certaine matters in this first part, which do properly belong vnto
the second. This is come to passe through the fault of these writers, who
haue confounded this part of the inhabitants religion concerning the
opinion of hell, or of the infernall prison, with the situation & miracles
of the island. Wherfore that we may come to this matter, who can but wonder
that wise men should be growen to this point, not onely to listen after,
but euen to follow and embrace the dotings of the rude people: For the
common sort of strangers, and the offskowring of mariners (here I do except
them of better iudgement aswell mariners as others) hearing of this rare
miracle of nature, by an inbred and naturall blockishnesse are earned to
this imagination of the prison of soules: and that because they see no wood
nor any such fewell layed vpon this fire as they haue in their owne
chimneys at home. And by this perswasion of the grosse multitude, the
report grew strong, especially (as they are too much accustomed to banning
and cursing) while one would wish to another the firie torments of this
mountaine. As though elementarie, materiall and visible fire could consume
mens soules being spirituall, bodiless and inuisible substances. And to be
short, who can but woonder, why they should not faine the same prison of
damned soules, aswell in mount Aetna, being no lesse famous for fires and
inflamations then this: But you will say, that Pope Gregorie fained it so
to be. Therefore it is purgatorie. I am content it should be so: then there
is the same trueth of this prison that there is of purgatorie. But before I
proceede any further I thinke it not amisse to tell a merie tale, which was
the originall and ground of this hellish opinion: namely that a ship of
certaine strangers departing from Island, vnder full saile, a most swift
pace, going diectly on her course, met with another ship sailing against
winde & weather, and the force of the tempest as swiftly as themselues, who
hailing them of whence they were, answere was giuen by their gouernor, De
Bischop van Bremen: being the second time asked whether they were bound: he
answered, Thom Heckelfeld tho, Thom Heckelfeld tho. I am affeard lest the
reader at the sight of these things should call for a bason: for it is such
an abominable lie, that it would make a man cast his gorge to heare it.
Away with it therefore to fenny frogs, for we esteeme no more of it, then
of their croaking coax coax. Nay, it is so palpable that it is not worthy
to be smiled at, much lesse to be refuted. But I will not trifle any longer
with the fond Papists: let vs rather come vnto our owne writers.

And first of all I cannot here omit a saying of that most worthie man
Doctor Caspar Peucer. There is in Islande (quoth he) mount Hecla, being of
as dreadfull a depth as any vaste gulfe, or as hell it selfe, which
resoundeth with lamentable, & miserable yellings, that the noise of the
cryers may be heard for the space of a great league round about. Great
swarmes of vgly blacke Rauens and Vultures lie hoouering about this place
which are thought of the inhabitantes to nestle there. The common people of
that countrey are verily perswaded, that there is a descent downe into hell
by this gulfe: and therefore when any battailes are foughten else where, in
whatsoeuer part of the whole world, or any bloudie slaughters are
committed, they haue learned by long experience, what horrible tumults and
out-cryes, what monstrous skritches are heard round about this mountaine.
Who durst be so bold (most learned Sir) to bring such an incredible report
to your eares: Neither hath Island any Vultures, but that second kinde of
Eagles, which Plinie noted by their white tayles, and called them Pygarsi:
neither are there any with vs, that can beare witnesse of the foresaid
spectacle: nor yet is it likely that Rauens and Eagles would nestle in that
place, when as they should rather be driuen from thence by fire and smoke,
being things most contrarie to their nature. And yet notwithstanding for
proofe of this matter, as also of a strange tumult heard within the hollow
of the mountaine, they allege the experience of the inhabitants, which
indeede testifieth all things to the contrarie. But whereabout should that
hole or windowe of the mountaine be, by the which we may heare outcries,
noyse and tumults done among them, who inhabite the most contrarie,
distant, and remote places of the earth from vs: Concerning which thing I
would aske the author of this fable many questions, if I might but come to
the knowledge of him: in the meane time I could wish that from hencefoorth
he would learne to tell troth, & not presume with so impudent a face to
enforme excellent Peucer, or others, of such vnknowen and incredible
matters.

But to returne to Munster, who endeuouring to search out the causes of the
great and strange fire of that famous hill Aetna, is it not monstrous that
the very same thing which he there maketh natural, he should here imagine
to be preternaturall, yea infernal? But why do I speake of Aetna? Let vs
rather consider what Munster in another place thinketh of the burning of
Hecla.

[Sidenote: Munsterus Cosmograph. vniuersalis lib. 1. cap. 7.] It is without
doubt (saith he) that some mountaines and fields burned in old time
throughout the whole world: and in this our age do burne. As for example:
mount Hecla in Island at certaine seasons casteth abroad great stones,
spitteth out brimstone, and disperseth ashes, for such a distance round
about, that the land cannot be inhabited within 20. miles thereof. But
where mountaines do continually burne we vnderstand that there is no
stopping of the passages, wherby they poure forth abundance of fire
sometime flaming, & sometime smoaking gas it were a streaming flood. But if
betweene times the fire encreaseth, all secret passages being shut vp, the
inner parts of the mountaine are notwithstanding enflamed. The fire in the
vpper part, for want of matter, somewhat abateth for the time. But when a
more vehement spirite (the same, or other passages being set open again)
doth with great violence breake prison, it casteth forth ashes, sand,
brimstone, pumistones, lumpes resembling iron, great stones, & much other
matter, not without the domage of the whole region adioyning. Thus farre
Munster. Where consider (good Reader) how he cutteth his throat with his
owne sword, consider (I say) that in this place there is the very same
opinion of the burning of Hecla, & the burning of Aetna, which
notwithstanding in his 4. booke is very diuerse, for there he is faine to
run to infernall causes. A certaine fierie mountaine of West India hath
farre more friendly censurers, & historiographers then our Hecla, who make
not an infernall gulfe therof. The History of which mountain (because it is
short & sweete) I will set downe, being written by Hieronimus Benzo an
Italian, in his history of the new world, lib. 2. These be the words.
"About 35. miles distant from Leon there is a mountaine which at a great
hole belcheth out such mightie balles of flames, that in the night they
shine farre and neare, aboue 100. miles. Some were of opinion that within
it was molten gold ministring continuall matter & nourishment for the fire.
Hereupon a certain Dominican Frier, determining to make trial of the
matter, caused a brasse kettle, & an iron chain to be made: afterward
ascending to the top of the hill with 4. other Spaniards, he letteth downe
the chaine & the kettle 140. elnes into the fornace: there, by extreme
heate of the fire, the kettle, & part of the chaine melted. The monke in a
rage ran back to Leon, & chid the smith, because he had made the chaine far
more slender then himselfe had commanded. The smith hammers out another of
more substance & strength then the former. The Monke returnes to the
mountains, and lets downe the chaine & the cauldron; but with the like
successe that he had before. Neither did the caldron only vanish & melt
away: but also, vpon the sudden there came out of the depth a flame of
fire, which had almost consumed the Frier, & his companions. Then they all
returned so astonished, that they had small list afterward to prosecute
that attempt, &c." What great difference is there betweene these two
censures? In a fiery hill of West India they search for gold: but in mount
Hecla of Island they seeke for hel. Howbeit they wil perhaps reiect this as
a thing too new, & altogether vnknowen to ancient writers. Why therefore
haue not writers imagined the same prison of soules to be in Chimæra an
hill in Lycia (which, by report, flameth continually day and night) that is
in mount Hecla of Island? Why haue they not imagined the same to be in the
mountaines of Ephesus, which being touched with a burning torch, are
reported to conceiue so much fire, that the very stones & sand lying in the
water are caused to burne, & from the which (a staffe being burnt vpon
them, & trailed after a man on the ground) there proceede whole riuers of
fire, as Plinie testifieth? Why not in Cophantrus a mountaine of Bactria,
alwayes burning in the night? Why not in the Isle of Hiera, flaming in the
midst of the sea? Why not in Aeolia in old time likewise burning for
certaine daies in the midst of the sea? Why not in the field of Babylon
burning in the day season? Why not in the fields of Aethiopia glittering
alwaies like stars in the night? Why not in the hill of Lipara opening with
a wide and bottomlesse gulfe (as Aristotle beareth record) whereunto it is
dangerous to approch in the night: from whence the sound of Cymbals and the
noyse of rattles, with vnwonted and vncouth laughters are heard? Why not in
the field of Naples, neare vnto Puteoli? Why not in the Pike of Teneriffa
before mentioned, like Aetna continually burning and casting vp stones into
the aier, as Munster himselfe witnesseth? Why not in that Aethiopian hill,
which Plinie affirmeth to burne more then all the former? And to conclude,
why not in the mountaine of Vesuuius, which (to the great damage of al the
countrey adioyning, & to the vtter destruction of Caius Plinius prying into
the causes of so strange a fire) vomiting out flames as high as the clouds,
filling the aire with great abundance of pumistones, and ashes, & with
palpable darknesse intercepting the light of the sunne from al the region
therabout? I wil speake, & yet speake no more then the truth: because in
deede they foresaw, that men would yeeld no credite to those things as
being too well knowen, though they should haue feined them to haue beene
the flames of hell: but they thought the burning of Hecla (the rumour
whereof came more slowly to their eares) to be fitter for the establishing
of this fond fable. But get ye packing, your fraud is found out: leaue off
for shame hereafter to perswade any simple man, that there is a hel in
mount Hecla. For nature hath taught both vs & others (maugre your opinion)
to acknowledge her operations in these fire workes, not the fury of hell.
But now let vs examine a few more such fables of the common people, which
haue so vnhappily misledd our historiographers & cosmographers.


SECTIO OCTAUA.

[Sidenote: Frisius Zieglerus, Olauus Magn.] Iuxta hos montes (tres
  prædictos Heclam, &c.) sunt tres hiatus immanes, quorum altitudinem apud
  montem Heclam potissimum, ne Lynceus quidem perspicere queat: Sed
  apparent ipsum inspicientibus, homines primùm submersi, adhuc spiritum
  exhalantes, qui amicis suis, vt ad propria redeant, hortantibus, magnis
  suspirijs se ad montem Heclam proficisci debere respondent: Sicque subitò
  euanescunt.

Ad confirmandum superius mendacium de Inferno terrestri ac visibili,
commentum hoc, non minus calumniosum (etsi facilè largiar, Frisium non tam
calumniandi, quàm noua & inaudita prædicandi animo ista scripsisse) quàm
falsum ac gerris Siculis longè vanius ac detestabilius, excogitarunt
homines ignaui, nec coelum ec infernum scientes. Quos scriptores isti, viri
alioqui præclarissimi & optimè de Repub. literaria meriti, nimium
præpropero iudicio secuti sunt.

Cæterum optandum esset, nullos tanto nouitatis studio Historias scribere,
vt non vereantur aniles quasuis nugas ijs inserere, atque ita aurum purum
coeno aspergere. Qui verò demum sunt homines illi submersi, in lacu
infernali natitantes, & nihilominus cum notis & amicis confabulantes? Anne
nobis veterem Orphea, cum sua Euridice, in Stygias relabente vndas,
colloquentem, & in his extremi orbis partibus, tanquam ad Tanaim Hebrúmque
niualem, cantus exercentem lyricos, rediuiuum dabitis? Certè, etsi nolint
alij futilem huiusmodi ineptiarum leuitatem ac mendacium agnoscere, agnouit
tamen rerum omnium haud negligens æstimator Cardanus, lib. 18. subtil.
cuius hæc sunt verba.

Est Hecla mons in Islandia, ardétque non aliter ac Ætna in Sicilia per
interualla, ideóque persuasione longa (vulgi) concepta, quòd ibi expientur
animaæ. Alij, ne vani sint, affingunt inania fabulæ, vt consona videantur.
Quæ sunt autem illa inania? Quòd spectra comminiscuntur, se ad montem
Heclam ire respondentia, ait idem. Et addit. Nec in Islandia solum, sed
vbique, licet rarò, talia contingunt: Subdítque de laruâ homicidâ
Historiam, quæ sic habet. Efferebatur, inquit, anno præterito, funus viri
plebeij Mediolani, orientali in porta iuxta templum maius foro venali, quòd
à caulium frequentia nomen caulis nostra lingua sonat. Occurrit mihi notus:
Peto, vt medicorum moris est, quo morbo excesserit? Respondet ille:
consuesse hunc virum hora noctis, tertia à labore redire domum: Vidit
lemurem nocte quadam insequentem: Quam cum effugere conaretur, ocyus citato
pede abibat: Sed à spectro captus atque in terram proiectus videbatur.
Exclamare nitebatur: Non poterat. Tandem, cum diu in terra cum larua
volutatus esset, inuentus à prætereuntibus quibusdam, semiuiuus domum
relatus, cum resipuisset, interrogatus, hæc quæ minus expectabantur,
retulit. Ob id animam despondens, cum nec ab amicis, nec medicis, nec
sacerdotibus persuaderi potuisset, inania esse hæc, octo inde diebus
perijt. Audiui postmodum & ab alijs, qui vicini essent illi, neminem ab
inimico vulneratum tam constanter de illo testatum, vt hic, quod à mortuo
fuisset in terram prouolutus. Cum quidam quærerent, quid ille postquam in
terram volutaretur ageret? Conatum, inquit, mortuum adhibitis gulæ manibus,
vt eum strangularet: Nec obstitisse quicquam, nisi quòd se ipsum tueretur
manibus. Cum alij dubitarent, ne fortè hæc à viuo passus esset,
interrogarentque in quo mortuum à viuo secernere potuisset? Caussam
reddidit satis probabilem, dicens se tanquam cottum attrectasse, nec pondus
habuisse, nisi vt premebatur. Et paulò post addit. Eadem verò ratione qua
in Islandia, in arenæ solitudinibus Ægypti & Æthiopiæ, Indiæque vbi Sol
ardet, eædem imagines, eadem spectra viatores ludificare solent. Hactenus
Cardanus. Inde tamen nemo concluseret, sicut de Islandia scriptores nostri
faciunt, in illis Ægypti and Æthiopiæ, Indiæque locis, carcerem existere
damnatorum.

Hæc ex Cardano adscribere libuit, vt etiam extraneorum testimonia pro
nobis, contra figmenta tanta afferamus. Conuincit autem præsens Cardani
locus hæc duo, scilicet: nec esse Islandiæ proprias spectrorum
apparitiones: (quod etiam omnes norunt, nisi eius rei ignorantiam nimis
affectent) nec illud mortuorum cum viuis, in hiatu Heclensi, colloquium,
nisi ementitis hominum fabulis, quauis ampulla vani oribus, niti, quibus
beluæ vulgares, ad confirmandam de animarum cruciatibus opinionem, vsæ
fuerant. Et quisquam est, qui illis scriptorum hiatibus, mortuorum
miraculis ad summum vsque refertis, adduci potest vt credat? Quisquam, qui
vanitatem tantam non cotemnat? Certè. Nam & hinc conuicia in gentem nostram
recte sumi aiunt: Nihil scilicet hac proiectius ac deterius esse vsquam,
quæ intra limites Orcum habeat. Scilicet hoc commodi nobis peperit
Historicorum ad res nouas diuulgandas auiditas. Verum illa è vulgi dementia
nata opinio, vt stulta ac inanis, & in opprobrium nostræ gentis conficta,
hactenus, vt spero, satis labefactata est. Quare iam perge Lector, vlterius
hanc de secretis infernalibus Philosophiam cognoscere.

The same in English.

THE EIGHT SECTION.

[Sidenote: Frisius. Zieglerus. Olaus magnus.] Neare vnto the mountaines
  (the 3. fornamed Hecla &c.) there be three vaste holes, the depth
  whereof, especially at mount Hecla, cannot be discerned by any man, be he
  neuer so sharpe sighted: but there appeare to the beholders thereof
  certaine men at that instant plunged in, & as yet drawing their breath,
  who answere their friends (exhorting them with deepe sighs to returne
  home) that they must depart to mount Hecla: and with that, they suddenly
  vanish away.

To confirme the former lie, of an earthly & visible hell (albeit I will
easily grant that Frisius in writing these things did not entend to reproch
any, but only to blaze abroad new & incredible matters) certaine idle
companions knowing neither hell nor heauen haue inuented this fable, no
lesse reprochfull then false, and more vaine & detestable then Sicilian
scoffes. Which fellowes these writers (being otherwise men of excellent
parts, and to whom learning is much indebted) haue followed with an ouer
hastie iudgement.

But it were to be wished, that none would write Histories with so great a
desire of setting foorth nouelties & strange things, that they feare not,
in that regard to broch any fabulous & old-wiues toyes, & so to defile pure
gold with filthy mire. But I pray you, how might those drowned men be
swimming in the infernal lake, & yet for al that, parletng with their
acquaintance & friends? What? Will you coniure, & raise vp vnto vs from
death to life old, Orpheus conferring with his wife Euridice (drawen backe
againe down to the Stigian flood) & in these parts of the world, as it were
by the bankes of snowey Tanais, & Hebrus descanting vpon his harpe? But in
very deed although others will not acknowledge the falsbood, & vanity of
these trifles, yet Cardane being a diligent considerer of al things in his
18. booke de subtilitate, doth acknowledge & find them out. Whose words be
these. There is Hecla a mountaine in Island, which burneth like vnto Ætna
at certain seasons, & hereupon the comon people haue conceiued an opinion
this long time, that soules are there purged: some, least they should seeme
liars, heape vp more vanities to this fable, that it may appeare to be
probable, & agreeable to reason. But what be those vanities? namely, they
feine certaine ghosts answering them, that they are going to mount Hecla;
as the same Cardane saith. And further he addeth. Neither in Island only,
but euery where (albeit seldome) such things come to passe. And then he
tels this storie following of a man-killing spright. There was (saith he)
solemnized this last yeare the funerall of a comon citizen, in the gate
neare vnto the great Church, by that marketplace, which in regard of the
abundace of herbs, in our tong hath the name of the herbmarket. There meets
with me one of mine acquaintance: I (according to the custome of
Phisitians) presently aske of what disease the man died? he giueth me
answere that this man vsed to come home from his labour 3. houres within
night: one night among the rest he espied an hobgoblin pursuing him: which
to auoid, he ran away with al speed: but being caught by the spright, he
was throwne down vpon the ground. He would faine haue made a shout, & was
not able. At length (when the spright & he had struggled together vpon the
ground a good while) he was found by certain passengers, & carried home
halfe dead. And when he was come to himselfe againe, being asked what was
the matter, he vp and tolde this strange relation. Hereupon (being vtterly
daunted, & discouraged, when neither by his friends, nor by Phisitians, nor
by Priests, he could be perswaded, that these things were but his owne
conceits, & that there was no such matter) 8. daies after he died. I heard
also afterward of others which were his neighbors, that no man could more
constantly affirme himselfe to be wounded of his enemy, then this man did,
that he was cast vpon the ground by a ghost. And when some demanded what he
did, after he was tumbled on the earth? The dead man (quoth he) laying his
hands to my throat, went about to strangle me: neither was there any
remedy, but by defending my selfe with mine own hands. When others doubted
least he might suffer these things of a liuing man, they asked him how he
could discerne a dead man from a liuing? To this he rendered a very
probable reason, saying that he seemed in handling to be like Cottum, &
that he had no weight, but held him down by maine force. And presently
after he addeth. In like manner as in Island, so in the desert sands of
Ægypt, Æthiopia, and India, where the sunne is hot, the very same
apparitions, the same sprights are wont to delude wayfaring men. Thus much
Cardane. Yet from hence (I trow) no man will conclude as our writers of
Island do, that in the places of Ægypt, Æthiopia, and India, there is a
prison of damned soules.

I thought good to write these things out of Cardane, that I may bring euen
the testimony of strangers on our sides, against such monstrous fables.
This place of Cardane implieth these two things, namely that apparitions of
sprights are not proper to Island alone (which thing al men know, if they
do not maliciously feigne themselues to be ignorant). And secondly that
that conference of the dead with the liuing in the gulfe of Hecla is not
grounded vpon any certainty, but only vpon fables coined by some idle
persons, being more vaine then any bubble, which the brutish common sort
haue vsed, to confirme their opinion of the tormenting of soules. And is
there any man so fantasticall, that wilbe induced to beleeue these gulfes,
mentioned by writers, to be any where extant, although they be neuer so ful
of dead mens miracles? yea doubtlesse. For from hence also they say, that
reproches are iustly vsed against our nation: namely that there is nothing
in all the world more base, & worthlesse then it, which conteineth hell
within the bounds therof. This verely is the good that we haue gotten by
those historiographers, who haue bin so greedy to publish nouelties. But
this opinion, bred by the sottishnes of the common people hath hitherto (as
I hope) bene sufficiently ouerthrowen as a thing foolish & vaine, and as
being deuised for the vpbrayding of our nation. Wherefore, proceede
(friendly Reader) and be farther instructed in this philosophy of infernall
secrets.

SECTIO NONA.

[Sidenote: Frisius & Munst.] Circum verò Insulam, per septem aut octo
  menses fluctuat glacies, miserabilem quendam gemitum, & ab humana voce
  non alienum, ex collisione edens. Putant incolæ, & in monte Hecla, & in
  glacie loca esse, in quibus animæ suorum crucientur.

Egregium scilicet Historiæ augmentum, de Orro Islandico in vnius montis
basin, haud sanè vastam, coacto: Et interdum (statis forsan temporibus)
loca commutante. Vbi scilicet domi in foco montano delitescere piget, &
exire, pelagúsque sed sine rate, tentare iuuat, seseque in glaciei
frustella colligere. Audite porrò, huius secreti admiratores: En porrigam
Historicis aliud Historiæ auctarium nequaquam contemnendum. Scribant
igitur, quotquot his scriptorum commentis adherent, Islandos non solùm
infernum intra limites habere, sed & scientes volentes ingredi, atque
intactos eodem die egredi. Quid ita? Quia peruetus est Insulæ consuetudo,
vt maritimi in hanc glaciem, ab Historicis infernalem factam, manè phocas,
seu vitulos marinos captum eant, ac vesperi incolumes redeant. Addite
etiam, in scrinijs & alijs vasis ab Islandis carcerem damnatorum asseruari,
vt paulò post ex Frisio audiemus.

Sed maturè prævidendum erit vobis, ne Islandi fortitudinis & constantiæ
laudem vestris nationibus præripiant: Quippe qui tormenta (vt historicis
vestris placet) barathri sustinuisse & velint & possint, illáque sine vllo
grauiore damno perrumpere atque effugere valeant, quod quidem ipsum ex iam
dictis efficitur: Et multos nostratium enumerare possum, qui in ipso
venationis actu longiusculè à littore digressi, glacie à Zephyris
dissipata, multa milliaria glaciei insidentes, tempestatis violentia
profligati, & aliquot dies ac noctes continuas crudelissimi pelagi
fluctibus iactati, sicque (id enim, inquam, ex præsenti Historicorum
problemate consequitur) tormenta & cruciatus barathri glacialis experti
sunt: Qui tandem mutata tempestate, atque à Borea spirantibus ventis, ad
littora, cum hoc suo glaciali nauigio rursus adacti, incolumes domum
peruenerunt: Quorum aliqui etiam hodie viuunt. Quare hoc nouitatis auidi
arripiant, indeque, si placet, iustum volumen conficiant, atque ad
Historiam suam apponant. Nec enim vanissima illa commenta aliter, quàm
eiusmodi iocularibus excipienda & confundenda videntur. Cæterum, ioco
seposito, vnde digressi sumus, reuertamur.

Primùm igitur ex sectione secunda satis constat, glaciem, neque septem,
neque octo mensibus circa ipsam Insulam fluitare: Deinde etiam, glaciem
hanc, et si interdum ex collisione grandes sonitus & fragores edit,
interdum propter vndarum alluuionem, raucum murmur personat, quicquam tamen
humanæ voci simile resonare aut eiulare minimè fatemur.

Quod autem dicunt, nos & in glacie, & in monte Hecla loca statuere, in
quibus animæ, nostrorum crucientur, Id verò seriò pernegamus, Deóque ac
Domino nostro Iesu Christo, qui nos à morte & inferno eripuit, & regni
coelestis ianuam nobis reserauit, gratias ex animo agimus, quòd nos de
loco, in quem animæ nostrorum defunctorum commigrent, rectius, quàm dicunt
isti Historici, instituerit. Scimus & tenemus animas piorum non in
Purgatoriam Pontificiorum, aut campos Elysios, sed in sinum Abrabæ, in
manum Dei, in Paradisum coelestem, mox è corporis ergastulo transferri.
Scimus & tenemus de impiorum animabus, non in montanos focos & cineres, vel
glaciem nostris oculis expositam, deflectere, sed in extremas mox abripi
tenebras, vbi est fletus & stridor dentium, vbi est frigus, vbi est ignis
ille, non vulgaris, sed extra nostram scientiam & subtilem disputationem
positus. Vbi non modò corpora, sed animæ etiam, i.e. substantiæ
spirituales, cruciantur. Huic extremo & tenebricoso carceri non Islandos
viciniores, quàm Germanos, Danos, Gallos, Italos, aut quamuis aliam gentem,
quoad loci situm, statuimus. Nec de huius carceris loco sitúue quicquam
disputare attinet: sufficit nobis abundè, quòd illius tenebricosum foetorem
& reliqua tormenta, dante & iuuante Domino nostro Iesu Christo, cuius
precioso sanguine redempti sumus, nonquam sumus visuri aut sensuri. Atque
hic de orco Islandico disputationis colophon esto.

The same in English.

THE NINTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Frisius and Munster.] But round about the Iland, for the space
  of 7. or 8. moneths in a yere there floateth ise, making a miserable kind
  of mone, and not vnlike to mans voice, by reason of the clashing
  together. The inhabitants are of opinion that in mount Hecla and in the
  ise, there are places wherein the soules of their countreymen are
  tormented.

No doubt, a worthy augmentation of the history, concerning the hel of
Island, shut vp within the botome of one mountaine, & that no great one:
yea, at some times (by fits and seasons) changing places: namely, when it
is weary of lurking at home by the fires side within the mountaine, it
delighteth to be ranging abroad, & to venter to sea, but without a ship, &
to gather it selfe round into morsels of yce. Come forth, & giue care all
ye that wonder at this secret. Lo, I will afford these historiographers
another addition of history very notable. Let them write therfore, that the
Islanders haue not only hel within their iurisdictction, but also that they
enter into it willingly & wittingly, & come forth againe vntouched the very
same day. How can that be? [Sidenote: Taking of Seales on the the ice.] Why
it is an ancient custome of the Island that they which inhabite neare the
sea shore do vsually go betimes in a morning to catch Seales, euen vpon the
very same ise which the historiographers make to be hel, & in the euening
returne home safe and sound. Set downe also (if ye please) that the prison
of the damned is kept in store by the Islanders in coffers and vessels, as
we shall anon heare out of Frisius.

But you had need wisely to foresee, lest the Islanders beguile all your
countries of the commendation of courage & constacy: namely, as they (for
so it pleaseth your writers to report) who both can and will endure the
torments of hell, & who are able to breake through & escape them, without
any farther hurt: which thing is necessarily to be collected out of that,
that hath bin before mentioned. [Sidenote: Westrerne winds disperse the
ice.] And I am able to reckon vp a great many of our countnmen who in the
very act of hunting, wandring somewhat farre from the shoare (the ice being
dispersed by westerne winds) & for the space of many leagues resting vpon
the ice, being chased with the violence of the tempest, & some whole daies
& nights being tossed vp & downe in the waues of the raging sea, & so (for
it followeth by good consequence out of this probleme of the
historiographers) haue had experience of the torments, & paines of this
hell of ice. Who at the last, the weather being changed, & the winds
blowing at the North, being transported again to the shoare, in this their
ship of ice, haue returned home in safety: some of which number are aliue
at this day. Wherefore let such as be desirous of newes snatch vp this, &
(if they please) let them frame a whole volume hereof, & adde it to their
history. Neither do these vaine phantasies deserue otherwise to be handled
& confuted, then with such like meriments, & sportings. But to lay aside
all iesting, let vs returne to the matter from whence we are digressed.
[Sidenote: Ice floateth not 7. or 8. moneths about Island.] First of all
therefore it is euident enough out of the second section, viz. ice floateth
not about this Iland, neither 8. nor 7. moneths in a yere then, that this
ice (although at some times by shuffling together it maketh monstrous
soundings & cracklings, & againe at some times with the beating of the
water, it sendeth forth an hoarse kind of murmuring) doth any thing at all
resound or lament, like vnto mans voice, we may in no case confesse. But
wheras they say that, both in the Isle, and in mount Hecla we appoint
certaine places, wherin the soules of our countrimen are tormented, we
vtterly stand to the deniall of that and we thanke God & our Lord Iesus
Christ from the botome of our hearts (who hath deliuered vs from death &
hell, & opened vnto vs the gate of the kingdome of heaæn because he hath
instructed vs more truely, concernmg the place, whether the soules of our
deceased countrimen depart, then these historiographers doe tell vs. We
know and maintain that the soules of the godly are transported immediatly
out of their bodily prisons, not into the Papists purgatory, nor into the
Elysian fields, but into Abrahams bosome, into the hand of God, & into the
heauenly paradise. We know & maintaine concerning the soules of the wicked,
that they wander not into the fires & ashes of mountaines or into visible
ice, but immediatly are carried away into vtter darknesse, where is weeping
& gnashing of teeth, where there is colde also, & fire not comon, but far
beyond our knowledge & curious disputation. Where not onely bodies, but
soules also, that is spirituall substances are tormented. And we do also
hold, that the Islanders are no whit nearer vnto this extreame & darke
prison, in regard of the situation of place, then the Germans, Danes,
Frenchmen, Italians, or any other nation whatsoeuer. Neither is it any
thing to the purpose, at all to dispute of the place or situation of this
dungeon. It is sufficient for vs, that (by the grace and assistance of our
Lord Iesus Christ, with whose precious blood we are redeemed) we shall
neuer see that vtter darknesse, nor feele the rest of the torments that be
there. Now let vs here shut vp the disputation concerning the hell of
Island.

SECTIO DECIMA.

[Sidenote: Frisius, Zieglerus Saxo fere similiter.] Quòd si quis ex hac
  glacie magnam partem ceperit, eámque vasi ant scrinio inclusam, quàm
  diligentissimè asseruarit, illa tempore glaciei, quæ circum insulam est,
  degelantis, euanescit, vt neque minima eius particula vel guttula aquæ
  reperiatur.

Id profecto necessariò addendum fuit: Hanc scilicet glaciem, voces humanas,
secundum Historicos, representatem, & damnatorom receptaculum existentem,
non esse, vt reliqua in vastissima hac vniuersitate omnia, ex Elementi
alicuius materia conflatam. Siquidem cum corpus esse videatur, corpus tamen
non sit, (quod ex Frisij paradoxo rectè deducitur) cum etiam corpora dura &
solida perrumpat, non secus ac, spectra & genij: Restat igitur cum non sit
elementaris naturæ, vt vel spiritualem habeat materiam, vel coelestem, vel
quod ipsi forsan largiantur, infernalem. Infernalem tamen esse non
assentiemur, quia ad aures nostras peruenit frigus infernale longè esse
intractabilius, quam est hæc glacies, humanis manibus in scrinio reposita,
nec quicquam suo contactu, vel nudatam carnem lædere valens. Nec profectò
spiritualem esse dabimus; accepimus enim à Physicis, substantias
spirituales nec cerni, nec tangi, nec ijs quicquam decedere posse: quæ
tamen omnia in hanc historicorum glaciem, quantumuis, secundum illos,
hyperphysicam, cadere certum & manifestum est. Præterea & hoc verissimum
est, eam calore solis resolutam, ac in superficie sua stagnantem, siti
piscatorum restinguendæ, non secus ac riuos terrestres, inseruire: Id quod
substantiæ spirituali denegatum est. Non est igitur spiritualis, vt nec
infernalis. Iam verò coelestem habere materiam, nemo audebit dicere: Ne
forte inde aliquis suspicetur, glaciem hanc barathrum, quod illi Historici
affingunt, secum è coelo traxisse: Vel id coelo, quippe eiusdem materiæ cum
glacie, commune esse, atque ita carcer damnatorum cum Paradiso coelesti
loca commutasse, Historicorum culpa putetur.

Quare cum glacies hæc Historica nec sit elementaris, vt ex præsenti loco
Frisij optimè sequi iam toties monuimus: nec spiritualis, nec infernalis,
quod vtrúmque breuibus, solidis tamen rationibns demonstrauimus: nec
coelestis materiæ, quod opinari religio vetat: relinquitur omnino, vt
secnndum eosdem Historicos nulla sit, quam tamen illi tàm cum stupenda
admiratione prædicant, & nos videri ac tangi putamus. Est igitur, & non
est: Quod axioma vbi secundum idem, & ad idem, & eodem tempore, verum esse
poterit, nos demum miraculis istis glacialibus credemus. Itáque iam vides
Lector, ad hæc refellenda nullo alio esse opus, quàm monstrari quomodo
secum dissideant. Sed haud mirum, eum qui semel vulgi fabulosis rumoribus
se cermisit, sæpius errare. Cuiusmodi etiam prodidit quidam de glaciei
huius Sympathia, quòd videlicet molis, cuius pars esset, discessum
insequeretur, vt omnem obseruatíonis diligentiam ineuitabili fugæ
necessitate deciperet. Atqui sæpe idimus eiusmodi solitariam molem post
abactam reliquam glaciem, nullis vectibus nullis machinis detentam, ad
líttus multis septimanis consistere. Palam est igitur, illud de glacie
miraculum fundamento niti, quàm est ipsa glacies, magis lubrico.

The same in English.

THE TENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Frisius. Zieglerus. Saxo.] If any man shall take a great
  quantity of this ice, & shall keepe it neuer so warily enclosed in a
  coffer or vessel, it wil at that time when the ice thaweth about the
  Iland, vtterly vanish away, so that not the least part thereof, no nor a
  drop of water is to be found.

Surely, this was of necessity to be added: namely, that this ice, which
according to historiographers representeth mans voice, & is the place of
the damned, doth not as all other things in this wide world, consist of the
matter of some element. For whereas it seemeth to be a body, when indeed it
is no body: (which may directly be gathered out of Frisius absurd opinion)
whereas also it pierceth through hard & solide bodies, no otherwise then
spirits & ghosts: therefore it remaineth, seeing it is not of an elementary
nature, that it must haue either a spirituall, or a celestial, or an
infernal matter. But that it should be infernall, we can not be perswaded,
because we haue heard that infernall cold is farre more vnsufferable then
this ise, which vseth to be put into a boxe with mens hands, & is not of
force any whit to hurt euen naked flesh, by touching thereof. Nor yet will
we grant it to be spirituall: for we haue learned in naturall Philosophy,
that spiritual substances can neither be seene nor felt, & cannot haue any
thing taken from them: all which things do notwithstanding most manifestly
agree to this ise of the Historiographers, howsoeuer according to them it
be supernatural. Besides also, it is most true, that the very same yse
being melted with the heat of the sunne, & resolued into water, vpon the
vpper part therof, standeth fishermen in as good stead to quench their
thirst, as any land-riuer would do, which thing can no way be ascribed to a
spirituall substance. It is not therefore spirituall, nor yet infernall.
Now none wilbe so bold to affirme, that it hath celestiall matter, least
some man perhaps might hereupon imagine, that this ise hath brought hell
(which the historiographers annexe vnto it) downe from heauen together with
it selfe: or that the same thing should be common vnto heauen, being of one
& the same matter with ise, & so that the prison of the damned may be
thought to haue changed places with the heauenly paradise, & all by the
ouersight of these Historiographers. Wherfore seeing the matter of this
historicall ise is neither elementarie (as we haue so often proued by this
place of Frisius) neither spirituall, nor infernall, both which we haue
concluded euidently in short, yet sound and substanciall reasons: nor yet
celestiall matter, which, religion forbiddeth a man once to imagine: it is
altogether manifest, that according to the said historiographers, there is
no such thing at all, which notwithstanding they blaze abroad with such
astonishing admiration, & which we thinke to be an ordinary matter commonly
seene and felt. Therefore it is, and it is not: which proposition when it
shall fall out true, in the same respect, in the same part, and at the same
time, then will we giue credite to these frozen miracles. Now therefore the
Reader may easily iudge, that wee need none other helpe to refute these
things, but onely to shew how they disagree one with another. But it is no
maruell that he, which hath once enclined himselfe to the fabulous reports
of the common people, should oftentimes fall into error. There was a like
strange thing inuented by another concerning the sympathy or conioining of
this ise: namely, that it followeth the departure of that huge lumpe,
whereof it is a part, so narrowly, & so swiftly, that a man by no diligence
can obserue it, by reason of the vnchangeable necessitie of following. But
we haue oftentimes seene such a solitarie lumpe of ise remaining (after the
other parts thereof were driuen away) and lying vpon the shore for many
weekes together, without any posts or engines at all to stay it. Therefore
it is plaine that these miracles of ise are grounded vpon a more slippery
foundation then ise it selfe.


SECTIO VNDECIMA.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] Non procat ab his montibus, (tribus prædictis) ad
  maritimas oras vergentibus, sunt quatuor fontes diuersissimæ naturæ. Vnus
  suo perpetuo ardore omne corpus sibi immissum raptim conuertit in saxum,
  manente tamen priore formâ. Alter est algoris intolrerabilis. Tertius vel
  melle dulcior & restinguendæ siti iucundissimus. Quartus plane exitialis,
  pestilens, & virulentus.

Etiam hæc fontium topographia satis apertè monstrat, quàm ex impuro fonte
has suas narrationes omnes miraculosas hauserit Geographus. Id enim dicere
videtur: Montes hos tres prædictos ferè, contiguos esse: Siquidem tribus
montibus quatuor fontes indiscrete adscribit. Alioqui si non vicinos
statuisset, vni alicui horam duos fontes adscripsisset. Sed neque hi montes
contigui sunt (quippe multis milliaribus inuicem dissiti) neque iuxta hos
fontes illi quatuor reperiuntur: quod, qui credere nolit, experiatur.
Cæterum ad hæc confundenda sufficit, credo, ipsorum historicorum
contrarietas. Nam de duobas fontibas quidam Frisio his verbis contradicit.
Erumpunt ex eodem monte (Heclâ) fontes duo, quorum alter equarum
frigiditate, alter feruore intolerabili exedit omnem elementarem vim. Hi
duo sunt primi illi Frisij fontes, nisi quod hîc miraculum indurandi
corpora, alteri fontium attributum, omissum sit. Atqui non simul possunt ex
ipso monte, & iuxta montem erumpere.

Hîc vero libenter quæsierim, quâ ratione quisquam ex Peripatecicis dicat,
aliquid ipso elemento aquæ frigidius, aut igne calidius? Vnde demum,
scriptores, ista frigiditas? Vnde iste feruor? Nonne è Schola vestra
accepimus aquam esse elementum frigidissimum & humidum, atque adeo
fngidissimum, vt ad constituendas qualitates secundas, remitti sit necesse,
nec simplicem vsibus humanis inseruire? (Hæc ego nunc Physicorum oracula
fundo, vera an falsa, nescio). Testis est vnus omnium, & pro omnibus,
Iohannes Fernelius lib. 2. Physiologiæ, cap. 4. Sic, inquit, qualitates hæ
(quatuor primæ) quatuor rerum naturis summæ obtigerunt, vt quemadmodum paro
igne nihil calidius, nihilque leuius: Sic terra nihil siccius, nihil
grauius: Aquam sinceram, nullius medicamenti vis gelida euincet, vt nec
aërem, vllius humor. Summæ præterea sic illis insunt, vt ne minimum quidem
possint augescere, remitti verò possint. Nolo huc rationes seu argumenta
Physicorum aggregare. Vnum profecto hic cauendum est, ne dum fontium
miracula prædicant scriptores, vt glaciem Islandorum, ita etiam fontes
creatorum numero eximant. Nos fontium adiuncta, quæ huc scriptores
pertraxerunt ordine persequemur. Primus suo perpetuo calore: Plurimæ sunt
in Islandia thermæ seu fontes calidi: Pauciores ardentes: quos neque
cuiquam miraculo esse debere existimamus, cum huiusmodi, vt a scriptoribus
didici, passim abundet Germania, præcipuè in ijs locis, quæ non sunt procul
ab Alpium radicibus. Nota est fama thermarum Badensium, Gebarsuiliensium,
Calbensium, in ducatu Wirtebergensi, & multarum aliarum quarum meminit
Fuchsius in lib. de arte medendi. Et non solum Germania, sed etiam Gallia,
& longe magis omnium bonorum parens Italia, inquit Cardanus. Et Aristoteles
narrat, circa Epyrum calidas aquas scaturire, vnde locus Pyriphlegeton
appellatur. Atque inquam, hæc ideo minus miranda, quod vt incendij montani,
ita feruoris aquei caussas indagarint Naturæ speculatores: Aquam scilicet
per terræ venas sulphureas, aut aluminosas labi, indeque non calorem solùm,
sed saporem etiam & virtutes alienas concipere. Docuit hoc Aristoteles
libro de mundo. Continet, inquit, terra in se multos fontes, vt aquæ, ita &
spiritus & ignis: Quidam amnium more fluunt, & vel ignescens eijciunt
ferrum: Nunc tepidæ aquæ erumpunt, nunc feruentissimæ, nunc temperatæ.
[Sidenote: Lib 3. Nat. quæst.] Et Seneca: Empedocles existimabat ignibus,
quos multis locis apertos tegit terra, aquam calescere, si subiecti sint
solo, per quod aquæ transitus est. Et scite de thermis Baianis Pontanus.

     Baiano sed ne fumare in littore thermas
     Mirere, aut liquidis fluitare incendia venis:
     Vulcani fora sulphureis incensa caminis
     Ipsa monent, latè multùm tellure sub ima
     Debacchari ignem, camposque exurere opertos.
     Inde fluit, calidum referens ex igne vaporem,
     Vnda fugax, tectis feruent & balnea flammis.

Hoc loco attingendum duxi quod tradit Saxo Grammaticus, Danorum
celebratissimus historicus, Islandiæ fontes quosdam nunc ad summum
excrescere, & exundare: Nunc adeò subsidere, vt vix fontes agnoscas. Qui
etsi rariores apud nos inueniuntur, adscribam tamen similes, etiam alibi à
natura productos, ne quis hic monstri quippiam imaginetur. Hos autem
recitat Plinius. In Tenedo Insula vnum, qui semper à tertia noctis hora, in
sextam solstitio æstiuo exundet. In agro Pitinate, trans Apenninum montem,
fluuium esse, qui omnibus Solstitijs æstiuis exundet, brumali tempore
siccetur. Refert etiam de fonte quodam satis largo, qui singulis horis
intumeseat & residat. Nec id magis neglidendum: subire terras flumina,
rursusque redire; vt Lycus in Asia, Erasinus in Argolica, Tigris in
Mesopotamia, quibus Cardanus addit Tanaim in Moscouia: Et quæ in Æsculapij
fonte Athenis immersa sunt, in Phaletico reddi. Et Seneca scribit esse
flumina, quæ in specum aliquem subterraneum demissa, ex hominum oculis se
subducunt, quæ consumi paulatim & intercidere constet: Eademque post
interuallum reuerti, recipereque & nomen & cursum priorem. Et iterum
Plinius; fluuium in Atinate campo mersum, post 20 millia passuum exire. Quæ
omnia, & his similia, Islandiæ fontes, miraculo nullo, præ cæteris esse
debere, ostendunt.

Omne corpus immissum continuò conuertit in saxum. His duobus adiunctis,
feruore nempe, seu ardore vehementissimo, & virtute indurandi corpora,
primum suum fontem describit Frisius. Et fama quidem accepi, ipse non sum
expertus, existere similem fontem in Islandia, non procul à sede Episcopali
Schalholt, apud villam nomine Haukadal. Habet simile Seneca, dicens, fontem
quendam esse, qui ligna in lapides conuertat, hominumque viscera
indurescere, qui aquam eius biberint: Et addit eiusmodi fontes in quibusdam
Italiæ locis inueniri: quod Ouidias Ciconum flumini tribuit 15. Metamorph.

     Flumen habent Cicones, quod potum saxea reddit
     Viscera, quod tactis inducit marmora rebus.

Et Cardanus: Georgius Agricola, inquit, in Elbogano tractu iuxta oppidum à
falconibns cognominatum, integras cum corpore abietes in lapidem conuersas
esse, atque quod maius est, in rimis etiam Pyritidem lapidem continere. Et
Domitius Brusonius, in Sylare amne, qui radices montis eius, qui est in
agro vrbis Vrsentinorum olim, nunc Contursij lambit, folia & arborum ramos
in lapides transire, non fide aliorum, sed propria, vt qui incola sit
regionis, (cui rei etiam Plinius astipulatur) narrat, cortices aute
lapidum, annos numero ostendere. Sic (si scriptoribus credimus) guttæ
Gotici fontis sparsæ lapidescunt. Et in Vngaria, Cepusij aqua, in vrceos
infusa, lapidescit. Plinius refert etiam, vt in Ciconom flumine, & in
Piceno lacu velino, lignum deiectum, lapideo cortice obduci.

Secundus algoris intolerabitis. Quantum ad secundum fontem attinet, nullus
hic est quòd quisquam sciat, algoris intolerabilis, sed plurimi bene
frigidi, ita vt vulgaribus riuis æstiuo sole tepescentibus, non sine
voluptate ex frigidioribus illis aquam hauriamus. Sunt & longè frigidiores
fortè alibi: Nam & Cardanus in agro Corinthio è montis vertice fluentem
riuum commemorat, niue frigidiorem: Et intra primum à Culma lapidem,
Insanam vocatum: quæ aqua cum feruere videatur, sit tamen longe
frigidissima, &c.

Tertius vel melle dulcior. Neque id prorsus verum est. Non enim est vllus
apud nos, qui vel minima ex parte cum mellis dulcedine conferri possit.
Rectius igitur Saxo, qui fontes (quoniam plures sunt) in Islandia dicit
inueniri Cerealem referentes liquorem, vt etiam ibidem non diuersi saporis
solùm, sed diuersi etiam coloris fontes & flumina reperiuntur.

Etsi autem tradunt Physici aquam naturaliter ex se neque saporem neque
odorem habere, tamen, vt superius attigimus, veri simile est, quod alij per
accidens vocant, eam sæpe referre qualitatem terræ, in qua generatur, & per
cuius venas transitum atque excursum habet: Atque hinc aquarum odores,
colores, sapores, alios atque alios existere, Cuiusmodi sunt, de quibus
narrat Seneca, quorum alij famem excitant, alij bibentes inebrient, alij
memoriæ officiant, alij inuent eandem, alij vini saporem & virtutem
repræsentent: [Sidenote: Lib. de mirab. auscultat.] Vt ille apud Plinium in
Andro Insula fons, in templo Liberi, qui Nonis Ian: vini sapore fluat. Et
apud Aristotelem fons in agro Carthaginensi, qui oleum præbeat, & guttulas
Cedri odore representet. Item, Orcus fluuius Thessaliæ, influens in Peneum,
olei instar supernatans: [Sidenote: Lib. 2. de Element.] Cuiusmodi etiam
narrat Cardanus in Saxonia esse, iuxta Brumonis oppidum, fontem oleo
perfusum: Et in Sueuia, iuxta Coenobium, cui Tergensche nomen est. Item, in
valle mentis Iurassi. Causam huius rei putat esse bitumen valde pingue,
quod oleum sine dubio contineat. Idem, famam esse ait, in Cardia, iuxta
locum Dascbyli, in campo albo aquam esse lacte dulciorem. Aliam quoque
iuxta pontem, qua Valdeburgum itur. Iam aquarum vini saporem referentium
meminit his verbis Propertius, 3. lib. Elegiar.

     En tibi per mediam bene olentia flumina Naxon,
     Vnde tuum pota Naxia turba merum.

Est autem Naxus Insula vna ex Cycladibus, in mari Ægeo. Causam huius
assignat Cardanus, quod hydromel vetustate transeat in vinum. Aristoteles
commemorat Siciliæ fontem, quo incolæ loco aceti vtantur. Idem saporum aquæ
causam in calorem retulit, quod terra excocta mutet & præbeat saporem aquæ.

Iam de aquæ coloribus ita Cardanus. Eadem est ratio colorum aquæ, ait, quæ
& saporum: videlicet à terra originem trahere. Nam Candida est aqua, ad
secundum lapidem à Glauca, Misenæ oppido: Rubea, vt in Radera Misenæ
fluuio, iuxta Radeburgum: Et olim in Iudæa iuxta Ioppen: Viridis, in
Carpato monte, iuxta Neusolam: Cærulea aut blaua, inter Feltrium &
Taruisium, & in Thermopylis etiam talem fuisse referunt: Nigerrima in
Allera fluuio Saxoniæ, vbi in Visurgim se exonerat. Caussæ sunt argillæ
colores, sed tenuiores. Item Aristoteles: circa Iapygiam promontorium, esse
fontem, qui sanguinem fundat, addens, eam maris partem suo foetore
nauigantes procul arcere. Aiunt præterea in Idumæa fontem esse, qui quater
in anno colorem mutet, cum sit colore nunc viridi, nunc albo, nunc
sanguineo, nunc lutulento.

Et de aquarum odore sic Cardanus. Similis ratio differentiæ est in
odoribus. Plerumque tamen aquarum odores iniucundi sunt, quòd rarò terra
bene oleat. Pessimè olim foetabat in Ælide, Anigri fluminis aqua, vsque ad
perniciem, non solum piscium, sed etiam hominum. Iuxta Metonem in Messania,
in puteo quodam optimè olens aqua hauriebatur. Hæc ideo recito, vt nullus
magis in Islandia quàm alibi, aquarum, colores, odores, sapores, miretur.

Quartus plane exitialis. Autor est Isidoras, esse fontem quendam, cuius
aqua pota vitam extinguat: Et Plinius: Iuxta Nonarim, inquit, Arcadiæ, Styx
(iuxta Cyllenem montem, ait Cardan. Sola equi vngula continebatur: referunt
ea sublatum Alexandrum magnum) nec odore differens, nec colore, epota
illico necat. Idem, In Beroso Taurorum colle sunt tres fontes sine remedio,
sine dolore mortiferi: Et quod longè maximum est, quod Seneca stagnum esse
dicat, in quod prospicientes statim moriantur. Nos verò Islandi etiam hunc
quartum Frisij fontem, cuius etiam Saxo meminit, vt antehac semper, itidem
etiam nobis hodie penitus ignotum testamur: Hocque igitur nomine, Deo
immortales gratias agimus, quòd ab eiusmodi fontibus & serpentibus,
insectis venenatis, ac alijs pestiferis & contagiosis, esse nos immunes
voluerit.

Præterea est apud prædictos fontes tanta sulphuris copia. Montes tres à
Munstero & Frisio igniuomi dicti, omnes longissimo interuallo à nostris
fodinis distant. Quare cum iuxta hos montes fontibus quatuor, quos
tantopere miraculis celebrant, locum & situm faciant, necesse est eos
fontes pari ferè interuallo à fodinis sulphureis remotos esse. Nec verò
apud montem Heclam, vt Munsterus, nec apud hos Frisij fontes (quorum rumor
quàm verus sit, hactenus ostensum est) sulphur effoditur: Nec patrum
nostrorum memoria effossum esse arbitramur. [Sidenote: Sulpher in bore. ali
Islandiæ parte.] Neque verum est, quod de sulphuris copia tradit Munsterus,
esse videlicet pene vnicum Insulæ mercimonium & vectigal. Nam cum insula in
quatuor partes diuisa sit, quarta pars, nempe borealis, tantum dimidia, hoc
vtitur mercimonio, nec sulphuris mica in vectigal Insulæ penditur.


The same in English.

THE ELEUENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] Not farre from these mountaines (the three forenamed)
  declining to the sea shoare, there be foure fountaines of a most contrary
  nature betweene themselues. The first, by reason of his continuall heat
  conuerteth into a stone any body cast into it, the former shape only
  still remaining. The second is extremely cold. The third is sweeter then
  honey, and most pleasant to quench thirst. The fourth is altogether
  deadly, pestilent, and full of ranke poison.

Euen this description of fountaines doth sufficiently declare howe impure
that fountaine was, out of which the geographer drew all these miraculous
stories. For he seemeth to affirme, that the three foresaid mountaines doe
almost touch one another: for he ascribeth foure fountaines indifferently
vnto them all. Otherwise if he had not made them stand neare together, he
would haue placed next vnto some one of these, two of the foresaid
fountaines. But neither doe these mountaines touch (being distant so many
leagues a sunder), neither are there any such foure fountaines neare vnto
them, which, he that wil not beleeue, let him go try. But to confute these
things, the very contrariety of writers is sufficient. For another
concerning two fountaines gainsayth Frisius in these words. There do burst
out of the same hill Hecla two fountames, the one whereof, by reason of the
cold streames, the other with intollerable heat exceedeth al the force of
elements. These be Frisius his two first fountaines, sauing that here is
omitted the miracle of hardening bodies, being by him attributed to one of
the said fountaines. But they cannot at one time breake forth, both out of
the mountaine it selfe, and neare vnto the mountaine.

But here I would willingly demannd, by what reason any of the Peripateticks
can affirme, that there is some thing in nature colder then the element of
water, or hotter then the element of fire. From whence (I pray yon, learned
writers) proceedeth this coldnesse: From whence commeth this heate: Haue we
not learned out of your schole that water is an element most colde and
somewhat moist: and in such sort most cold, that for the making of
secundarie qualities, it must of necessitie be remitted, & being simple,
that it cannot be applyed to the vses of mankind: I do here deliuer these
Oracles of the naturall Philosophers, not knowing whether they be true or
false. M. Iohn Fernelius, lib. 2. Phys. cap. 4. may stand for one witnesse
amongst all the rest, & in stead of the all. So excessiue (satth he) be
these foure first qualities in the foure elements, that as nothing is
hotter then pure fire, & nothing lighter: so nothing is drier then earth, &
nothing heauier: and as for pure water, there is no qualitie of any
medicine whatsoeuer exceedeth the coldnes thereof, nor the moisture of
aire. Moreouer, the said qualities be so extreme & surpassing in them, that
they cannot be any whit encreased, but remitted they may be. I wil not
heare heape vp the reasons or arguments of the natural Philosophers. These
writers had need be warie of one thing, lest while they too much magnifie
the miracles of the fountains, they exempt them out of the number of things
created, as wel as they did the ice of the Islanders. We wil prosecute in
order the properties of these fountains set downe by the foresaid writers.
[Sidenote: Many hote Baths in Island.] The first by reason of his
continuall heat. There be very many Baths or hote fountains in Island, but
fewer vehemently hote, which we thinke ought not to make any man wonder,
when as I haue learned out of authors, that Germanie euery where aboundeth
with such hote Baths, especially neere the foot of the Alpes. The hote
Baths of Baden, Gebarsuil, Calben in the dutchy of Wirtenberg and many
other be very famous: all which Fuchsius doeth mention in his booke de Arte
medendi. And not onely Germanie, but also France, & beyond all the rest
Italy that mother of all commodities, saith Cardan. And Aristotle
reporteth, that about Epyrus these hote waters doe much abound, whereupon
the place is called Pyriplegethon. [Sidenote: The causes of hote Baths.]
And I say, these things should therefore be the lesse admired, because the
searchers of nature haue as wel found out causes of the heate in waters, as
of the fire in mountaines: namely, that water runneth within the earth
through certaine veines of Brimstone & Allom and from thence taketh not
onely heat, but taste also & other strange qualities. Aristotle in his
booke de Mundo hath taught this. The earth (saith he) conteineth within it
fountains not only of water, but also of spirite & fire: some of them
flowing like riuers, doe cast foorth red hote iron: from whence also doeth
flow, sometimes luke-warme water, sometimes skalding hote, and somtimes
temperate. And Seneca. [Sidenote: Lib. 3. nat. quæst.] Empedocles thought
that Baths were made hote by fire, which the earth secretly conteineth in
many places, especially if the said fire bee vnder that ground where the
water passeth. And Pontanus writeth very learnedly concerning the Baian
Baths.

     No maruell though from banke of Baian shore
       hote Baths, or veines of skalding licour flow:
     For Vulcans forge incensed euermore
       doeth teach vs plaine, that heart of earth below
     And bowels burne, and fire enraged glow.
       From hence the flitting flood sends smokie streames,
       And Baths doe boil with secret burning gleames.

I thought good in this placel to touch that which Saxo Grammaticus the most
famous historiographer of the Danes reporteth. That certaine fountains of
Island do somtime encrease & flow vp to the brinke: sometimes againe they
fall so lowe that you can skarse discerne them to be fountaines. Which kind
of fountaines, albeit they bee very seldome found with vs, yet I will make
mention of some like vnto them, produced by nature in other countries, lest
any man should think it somwhat strange. Plinie maketh a great recitall of
these. There is one (saieth he) in the Isle of Tenedos, which at the
Solstitium of sommer doth alwaies flow from the third houre of the night,
till the sixt. In the field of Pitinas beyond the Apennine mountaine, there
is a riuer which in the midst of sommer alwaies encreaseth, and in winter
is dried vp. He maketh mention also of a very large fountaine, which euery
houre doeth encrease and fall. Neither is it to be omitted, that some
riuers run vnder the ground, and after that fall againe into an open
chanel: as Lycus in Asia, Erasinus in Argolica, Tigris in Mesopotamia, vnto
which Cardan addeth Tanais in Moscouia: and those things which were throwen
into Æsculapius fountaine at Athens, were cast vp againe in Phaletico. And
Seneca writeth that there are certaine riuers which being let downe into
some caue vnder ground, are withdrawen out of sight, seeming for the time
to be vtteriy perished and taken away, and that after some distance the
very same riuers returne, enioying their former name and their course. And
againe Plinie reporteth that there is a riuer receiued vnder ground in the
field of Atinas that issueth out twentie miles from that place. All which
examples and the like, should teach vs that the fonutaines of Island are
not to be made greater wonders then the rest.

Doth forthwith conuert into a stone any body cast into it. By these two
properties, namely warmth or most vehement heat, & a vertue of hardening
bodies doth Frisius describe his first fountaine. And I haue heard reported
(though I neuer had experience thereof my selfe) that there is such a
fountain in Island not far from the bishops seat of Schalholt, in a village
called Haukadal. Seneca reporteth of the like, saying: That there is a
certain fountain which conuerteth wood into stone, hardening the bowels of
those men which drinke thereof. And addeth further, that such fountains are
to bee found in certaine places of Italy: which thing Ouid in the 15. booke
of his Metamor. ascribeth vnto the riuer of the Cicones.

     Water drunke out of Ciconian flood
       fleshy bowels to flintie stone doeth change:
     Ought else therewith besprinckt, as earth or wood
       becommeth marble streight: a thing most strange.

And Cardane. Georgius Agricola affirmeth, that in the territorie of
Elbogan, about the town which is named of Falcons, that the whole bodies of
Pine trees are conuerted into stone, and which is more wonderfull, that
they containe, within certaine rifts, the stone called Pyrites, or the
Flint. And Domitius Brusonius reporteth, that in the riuer of Silar
(running by the foote of that mountain which standeth in the field of the
citie in old time called Vrsence, but now Contursia) leaues and boughs of
trees change into stones, & that, not vpon other mens credite, but vpon his
own experience, being borne & brought vp in that country, which thing
Plinie also auoucheth, saying, that the said stones doe shew the number of
their yeeres, by the number of their Barks, or stony husks. So (if we may
giue credite to authors) drops of the Gothes fountain being dispersed
abroad, become stones. And in Hungary, the water of Cepusius being poured
into pitchers, is conuerted to stone. And Plinie reporteth, that wood being
cast into the riuer of the Cicones, and into the Veline lake in the field
of Pice, is enclosed in a barke of stone growing ouer it.

[Sidenote: Riuers of Island in sommer season lukewarme.] The second is
extremely cold. As for the second fountaine, here is none to any mens
knowledge so extremely cold: In deed there be very many that bee
indifferently coole, insomuch that (our common riuers in the Sommer time
being luke-warme) wee take delight to fetch water from those coole springs.
It may be that there are some farre colder in other countries: for Cardane
maketh mention of a riuer (streaming from the top of an hill in the field
of Corinth) colder then snow, and within a mile of Culma, the riuer called
Insana seeming to be very hote is most extremely cold, &c.

The third is sweeter than honie. Neither is this altogether true. For there
is not any fountaine with vs, which may in the least respect be compared
with the sweetnesse of honie. And therfore Saxo wrote more truly, saying,
that certaine fountaines (for there be very many) yeelding taste as good as
beere, and also in the same place there are fountains & riuers not onely of
diuers tasts, but of diuers colours.

And albeit naturall Philosophers teach, that water naturally of it selfe
hath neither taste nor smel, yet it is likely (as we haue touched before,
which other call per accidens) that oftentimes it representeth the
qualities of that earth wherein it is engendred, and through the veines
whereof it hath passage and issue: and from hence proceed the diuers &
sundry smels, colours and sauours of all waters. Of such waters doeth
Seneca make mention, whereof some prouoke hunger, others make men drunken,
some hurt the memory, & some helpe it, & some resemble the very qualitie
and taste of wine, as that fountaine which Plinie speaketh of [Sidenote: In
lib. de mirab.] in the Isle of Andros, within the temple of Bacchus, which
in the Nones of Ianuary vsed to flow ouer with wine. And Aristotle
reporteth, that in the field of Carthage there is a fountain which yeeldeth
oile, & certaine drops smelling like Cedar. Also Orcus a riuer of Thessalie
flowing into Peneus, swimmeth aloft like oile. Cardane reporteth, that
there is in Saxonie, neere vnto the town of Brunswic, a fountaine mixed
with oile: and another in Sueuia neere vnto the Abbey called Tergensch.
Also in the valley of the mountain Iurassus. He supposeth the cause of this
thing to bee very fattie pitch, which cannot but conteine oile in it. The
same author saieth: It is reported that in Cardia neere to the place of
Daschylus, in the white field, there is water sweeter then milke. Another
also neere vnto the bridge which we passe ouer going to the towne of
Valdeburg. Propertius likewise in the third booke of his Elegies mentioneth
certaine waters representing the sauour of wine in these words.

     Amidst the Isle of Naxus loe, with fragrant smels and fine
     A freshet runs; ye Naxians goe fill cups, carouse, there's wine.

This Naxus is one of the Islands called Cydades lying in the Ægæan sea.
Cardane giueth a reason hereof, namely, because Hydromel or water-hony, in
long continuance will become wine. Aristotle nameth a fountaine in Sicilia,
which the inhabitants vse in stead of vineger. The same author maketh the
cause of sauours in water to be heate, because the earth being hote
changeth and giueth sauour vnto the water.

Now concerning the colours of water so saieth Cardane. There is the same
reason (saith he) of the colours of water, that there is of the sauours
thereof, for both haue their originall from the earth. For there is white
water within two miles of Glanca a town in Misena: red water in Radera a
riuer of Misena not farre from Radeburg: & in old time neere vnto Ioppa in
Iudea: greene water in the mountaine of Carpathus by Nensola: skie-coloured
or blue water betweene the mountains of Feltrius & Taruisius: & it is
reported that there was water of that colour in Thermopylis; cole-blacke
water in Alera a riuer of Saxonie, at that place where it dischargeth it
self into the Weser. The causes of these colours are the colours of the
soile. Also Aristotle saieth, that about the promontorie of Iapigia, there
is a fountaine which streameth blood: adding moreouer, that Mariners are
driuen farre from that place of the sea, by reason of the extreme stench
thereof. Furthermore, they say that in Idumæa there is a fountaine which
changeth color foure times in a yeere: for somtimes it is greene, somtime
white, somtime bloodie, & somtimes muddy coloured.

Concerning the smels of waters, thus writeth Cardane. There is the like
reason of difference in smell. But for the most part the steames of waters
bee vnpleasant, because the earth doeth seldome times smel well. The water
of the riuer Anigris in Aelis stanke, to the destruction, not onely of
fishes, but also of men. About Meton in Messania, out of a certaine pond
there hath bene drawen most sweet smelling, and odoriferous water. I doe
recite all these examples to the end that no man should make a greater
wonder at the colours, smels, and sauours of waters that be in Island, then
at those which are in other countreis.

The fourth is altogether deadly. Isidore affirmeth, that there is a
certaine fountaine whose water being drunke, extingnisheth life. And Plinie
saieth, That about Nonaris in Arcadia, the riuer of Styx (neere the
mountaine of Cillene, saieth Cardane: it would be contained in nothing but
an horse-hoofe: and it is reported that Alexander the great was poisoned
therewithal) not differing from other water, neither in smell nor colour,
being drunke, is present death. [Sidenote: The same Author saieth.] In
Berosus an hill of the people called Tauri, there are three fountains,
euery one of them deadly without remedy, & yet without griefe. And (which
is the strangest thing of all the rest) Seneca maketh mention of a poole,
into which whosoeuer looke, do presently die. But, as for this fourth
fountaine of Frisius, which Saxo doeth likewise mention, we Islanders, as
alwayes heretofore, so euen at this day do testifie, that it is vtterly
vnknowen vnto vs: [Sidenote: Island free from snakes and other venemous
beasts.] and therefore in this regard, we render vnto God immortall thanks,
because he hath vouchsafed to preserue our nation from such fountains, from
serpents and venemous wormes, & from al other pestiferous & contagious
creatures.

Furthermore about the foresaid mountaines there is such abundance of
brimstone. The three mountains called by Munster and Frisius, Fierie
mountains, do all of them stand an huge distance from our Mines. Wherefore,
when as neere vnto these hils they haue found out a place for foure
fountains, which they doe so mightily extoll for wonders, they must needs
haue some Brimstone Mines also, standing a like distance from the said
fountaines. And assuredly, neither about mount Hecla, as Munster would haue
it, nor by Frisius his fountaines (the report whereof how true it is, hath
bene hitherto declared) is Brimstone digged vp at this day: nor I thinke
euer was within the remembrance of our fathers. Neither is it true that
Munster reporteth concerning the abundance of Brimstone namely, that it is
almost the onely merchandize and tribute of the Iland. [Sidenote: Brimstone
Mines onely in the North part of Island.] For whereas the Iland is deuided
into foure partes, the fourth part onely towards the North (nay, but euen
the halfe thereof) doeth vse it for merchandize, and there is not one
crumme of Brimstone paied for tribute the Iland.


SECTIO DVODECIMA.

[Sidenote: Munst] Piscium tanta est copia in hac Insula, vt ad altitudinem
  domorum sub aperto coelo vendedi exponantur.

Sub aperto coelo. Id quidem facere vidimus mercatores extraneos, donec
naues mercibus extraneis exonerarint, incipiantque easdem rursus piscibus &
reliquis nostratium mercibus onerare. An verò nostri homines id aliquando
fecerint, non satis liquet. Certè copiosa illa & vetus piscium abundantia
iam desijt, Islandis & istius boni, & aliorum penuria laborare
incipientibus, Domino Deo meritum impietatis nostræ flagellum, quod vtinam
fitè agnoscamus, immittente.


The same in English.

THE TWELFTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munster] There are so great store of fishes in this Iland, that
  they are laid foorth on piles to be sold in the open aire, as high as the
  tops of houses.

In the open aire. In deed we haue seen other country merchants doe so,
vntill they had vnladen their ships of outlandish wares, & filled them
againe with fishes & with other of our countrey merchandize. But whether
our men haue done the like at any time, it is not manifest. [Sidenote:
Abundance of fish about island diminished.] Certainly, that plentifull and
ancient abundance of fish is now decaied, and the Islanders now begin to be
pinched with the want of these and other good things, the Lord laying the
iust scourge of our impietie vpon vs, which I pray God we may duely
acknowledge.


SECTIO DECIMATERTIA.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] Equos habent velocissimos, qui sine intermissione 30.
  millaria continuo cursu conficiunt.

Quidam in sua mappa Islandiæ, 20. millaria comunuo cursu assequi tradit
cuiusdam parosciæ equos. Sed vtrumque impossibile ducimus. Nam maximæ
celeritatis & roboris bestias (Rangiferos appellant) scribit Munsterus non
nisi 30. millaria 24. horarum spacio conficere.


The same in English.

THE THIRTEENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] They haue most swift horses, which wil run without
  ceasing a continual course for the space of 30. leagues.

A Certaine Cosmographer in his Map of Island reporteth concerning the
horses of one parish, that they will run 20. leagues at once in a continued
race. But we account both to bee impossible. For Munster writeth that those
beasts which excell all other in swiftnesse & strength of body, called
Rangiferi [Marginal note: Raine deere], cannot run aboue 36. leagues in 24.
houres.


SECTIO DECIMAQUARTA.

[Sidenote: Munst.] Cete grandia instar montium prope Islandium aliquando
  conspiciuntur, quæ naues euertunt, nisi tubarum sono absterreantur, aut
  missis in mare rotundis & vacuis vasis, quorum lusu delectantur,
  ludificentor. Fit aliquando, vt nautæ in dorsa cetorum, quæ Insulas esse
  putant, anchoras figentes. sæpe periclitentur, vocantur autem eorum
  lingua Trollwal, Tuffelwalen. i. Diabolica cete.

Instar montium: En tibi iterum, Lector, Munsteri, Telenicis Echo, et cæcum,
vt dici solet, insomnium. Deformat, me Hercule, adeò mendax et absurda
hyperbole historiam, idque tantò magis quantò minus est necessaria. Nam
quorsum attinet mentiri Historicum, si historia est rei veræ narratio?
Quorsum tropicas hyperboles assumet? Quid conabitur persuadere, aut quo
pertrahere Lectorem, siquidem nihil nisi simplicem rerum expositionem sibi
proponit?

     Pictoribus atque, Poëtis,
     Quodlibet audendi semper fuit æqua potestas:
       Non itidem Historicis.

Dorsa cetorum, quæ insulas putant. Nata est hæc fabula, vt et reliquæ, ex
mendacio quodam, vt antiquo, ita ridiculo et vano, cuius ego fidem
titiuilitio non emam. Est autem tale: Missos fuisse olim Legatos cum
sodalitio monastico, ab Episcopo Bremensi (Brandanus veteribus Noruagis,
Crantzio, ni fallor, Alebrandus appellatur) ad fidem Papisticam, quæ tum
Christiana putabatur, in Septentrione prædicandam et diuulgandam: Eosque,
vbi immensum iter Septentrionem versus nauigando consumpsissent ad insulam
quandam peruenisse: ibique iacta anchora descensum in Insulam fecisse,
focos accendisse: (Nam verisimile est nautas in ipso mari glaciali frigore
non parum esse vexatos) et commeatum naualem ad reliquum iter expediuisse.
Ast vbi bene ignibus accensis incaluerant foci, Insulam hanc submersam cito
euanuisse, nautas autem per præsentem scapham vix seruatos fuisse. Habes
huius rei fundamentum, Lector, sed quàm incredibile, ipse vides. Quid verò
tandem est animi nautis, qui in mari procelloso videntes scopulum, vel, vt
Munsterus, Insulam perexiguam emergere, non vitent potius omni studio,
allisionem et naufragium metuentes, quàm vt in portu parum tuto quiescere
tentent? Sed vbi anchora figenda? Solent enim, vt plurimum deesse nautis
tam immensi funes, vt in altissimo æquore anchoram demittant: Igitur in
dorsis cetorum, respondet Munsterus. Oportet igitur, vestigium vnci prius
effodiant. O stultos nautas, balenarum carnem, à terræ cespitibus, inter
fodiendum, non dignoscentes nec lubricam cetorum cutem, à terrestri
superficie internoscentes. Digni profectò, quibuscum ipse Munsterus,
nauclerus transfretaret. Equidem hoc loco, vt et superius, de miraculis
Islandiæ terrestribus agens, è Tantali; vt aiunt, horto fructus colligit,
id est, ea consectatur, quæ nunquam reperiuntur, nec vsquam sunt, dum
miracula hinc inde conquirere, terram et pelagus verrere, ad Historiæ suæ
supplementum studet: Vbi tamen nihil nisi cotnmentitia tantum venari
potest.

Vocantur autem lingua eorum Trollwal. Ne vltra peram, Munstere: Nullam
siquidem es linguæ nostræ cognitionem adeptus: Quare meritò puderet tantum
virum, rem ignotam alios velle docere: Est enim eiusmodi incoeptum
erroribus obnoxium complurimis, vt vel hoc tuo exemplo docebimus. Dum enim
vis alijs autor esse, quomodo nostra lingua balenæ vel cete appellentur,
detracta, per inscitiam, aspiratione, quæ pene sola vocis significationem
facit, quod minimè verum est, affers: Non enim val nostra lingua balenam,
sed electionem siue delectum significat, à verbo, Eg vel .i. eligo, vel
deligo: vnde val, &c. At balena Hualur nobis vocatur: Vnde tu Trollhualur
scribere debebas. Nec verò Troll Diabolum, vt tu interpretaris, sed
Gigantes quosdam montanos significat. Vides igitur, quomodo in toto
vocabulo turpiter, quod haud tamen mirum, erres. Leuis quidem illa in
linguam nostram iniuria, in vnica tantum voce: quoniam plures, haud dubiè,
non noras.

Idem alijs etiam vsu venit: Non enim probandum est, quòd quidam, dum
Islandiæ descriptionem, ab Islandis acceptam, ederet, maluerit omnia, aut
certè plurima promontoriorum, sinuum, montium, fontium, fluminum,
tesquorum, vallium, collium, pagorum nomina desprauare (quòd nostræ linguæ
ignaris, non sciret à nostratibus accepta satis exactè legere) atque
corrumpere, quàm prius ab ipsis Islandis, qui turn temporis, id est, Anno
1585. In Academia Haffniensi vixerunt, quomodo singula legi ac scribi
deberent, ediscere. Ipsum certè hac natiuorum nominum et appellationum
voluntaria deprauatione, (qua factum est, vt ipsi ea legentes, paucissima
nostra agnoscamus) in linguam nostram, alioqui puram et auitam penè
elegantiam retinentem, non leuiter peccasse reputamus.

Cæterum iam plurima Islandiæ miracula, quæ quidem scriptores nostri
attigerunt, sic vtcunque examinauimus. Sed tamen priusquam alio diuertamur,
in hac parte attingendum videtur, quod idem ille in mappa Islandiæ, quam
sub suo nomine, prædicto anno edi fecerat, de duobus, præter supra dictos,
fontibus Islandiæ prodidit: quorum alter lanas albas colore nigro, alter
nigras, albo inficiat. Quod quidem vbi acceperit, aut vnde habeat, scire
equidem non possumus: Nec enim apud nostrates, nec apud extraneos
scriptores, reperire licuit. Sed vndecunque est, fabula est, nec veritatis
micam habet. Quamuis autem sit incredibile, Lanas nigras albo infici
colore, cum traditum sit a Plinio, Lanarum nigras nullum imbibere colorem:
Tamen simile quiddam narratur à Theophrasto: Flumen esse in Macedonia, quod
oues nigras, albas reddat. Et illa, cuius etiam superious memini, rapsodia
Noruagica, speculum scilicet illud Regale, hos ipsos fontes Irlandiæ, quæ
hodie Hybernia, non Islandiæ esse affirmat. Quod forsan Lectori imposuit,
in lingua peregrina, pro R, S, legenti.

Non maiorem fidem meretur, quod Historicus quidam habet. Esse in Islandia
saxum, quod montium prærupta non extrinseca agitatione, sed propria
natiuaque motione peruolitet: Id qui credere volet, quid incredibile ducet?
Est enim commentum tam inauditum, vt nullum eius simile, fabulatos fuisse
Epicuræos (qui tamen multa incredibilia excogitasse Luciano visi sunt)
constet: Nisi fortè hominem qui Islandis proprio nomine Stein dicitur,
sentit Historicus rupes quasdam circuisse, vel circumreptasse. Quod, etsi
ridiculum est in Historiam miraculosam referre, hominem scilicet moueri vel
ambulare, tamen ad saluandam Historici fidem, simulandum: ne figmentum
illud, per se satis absurdum, nec dignum quod legatur, durius
perstringamus.

Eodem crimine tenentur, quicunque; Islandiæ, coruos albos, picas, lepores,
et vultures adscripserunt: Perrarò enim vultures, cum glacie marina, sicut
etiam vrsos (sed hos sæpius quam vultures) et cornicum quoddam genus,
Islandis Isakrakur, aduenire obseruatum est. Picas verò et lepores, vt et
coruos albos, nunquam Islandia habuit.

Atque hæc ferè sunt, quæ de prima commentarij nostri parte per quotidianas
oocupationes, in præsentia, affere licuit. Quæ in hunc finem à me scripta
sunt, (quod etiam prius testatus sum,) vt scriptorum de terra ignota
errores, et quorundam etiam affectata vanitas, patefierent: Neque enim
eorum famæ quicquam detractum cupio: Sed quòd veritati et patriæ, operam
meam consecraram, ilia, quæ hactenus dicta sunt à multis, de Insula, fidem
valde exiguam mereri, necesse habui ostendere: ac ita mihi viam ad
sequentia de Incolis sternere.

Commentarij primæ partis Finis.


The same in English.

THE FOURETEENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munster] There be seen sometimes neere vnto Island huge Whales
  like vnto mountains, which ouerturne ships, vnlesse they be terrified
  away with the sound of trumpets, or beguiled with round and emptie
  vessels, which they delight to tosse vp and downe. It sometimes falleth
  out that Mariners thinking these Whales to be Ilands, and casting out
  ankers vpon their backs, are often in danger of drowning. They are called
  in their tongue Trollwal Tuffelwalen, that is to say, the deuilish Whale.

Like vnto mountains. Loe here once againe (gentle Reader) Munsters
falsifying eccho, and (as the prouerbe saieth) his blind dreame. Such a
false and sencelesse ouer reaching doeth exceedingly disgrace an historie,
and that by so much the more, by how much the lesse necessary it is. For to
what purpose should an Historiographer make leasings, if history be a
report of plaine trueth? Why should he vse such strange surmountings? What
is it that he would perswade, or whither would he rauish the reader, if he
propoundeth vnto himselfe nothing but the simple declaration of things:

     Poets and Painters had leaue of old,
     To feigne, to blaze, in all things to be bold.
                      But not Historiographers.

The backs of Whales which they thinke to be Ilands. This fable, like all
the rest, was bred of an old, ridiculous and vaine tale, the credite and
trueth whereof is not woorth a strawe. [Sidenote: Certain letters sent by
Brandan bishop of Breme, to preach Christian faith in the North.] And it is
this that foloweth, namely, that the bishop of Breme (called by the ancient
Norwaies Brandan, and by Krantzius, if I be not deceiued, Alebrandus) in
old time sent certanie Legates with a Couen of Friers to preach and publish
in the North the popish faith, which was then thought to bee Christian, and
when they had spent a long iourney in sailing towards the North, they came
vnto an Iland, and there casting their anker they went a shore, and kindled
fiers (for it is very likely that the Mariners were not a litle vexed with
the nipping cold which they felt at sea) and so prouided victuals for the
rest of their iourny. But when their fires grew very hote, this Iland
sanke, and suddenly vanished away, and the Mariners escaped drowning very
narowly with the boate that was present. This is the foundation of the
matter, but how incredible it is, I appeale to the Reader. But what ailed
these Mariners, or what meant they to doe, who in a tempestuous sea, seeing
a rocke before their eyes, or (as Munster saieth) a little Iland, would not
rather with all diligence haue auoided it for feare of running a shore and
shipwracke, then to rest in such a dangerous harbour? But in what ground
should the anker be fastened? for Mariners for the most part are destitute
of such long cables, whereby they may let downe an anker to the bottom of
the maine sea, therfore vpon the backs of Whales, saith Munster. But then
they had need first to bore a hole for the flouke to take hold in. O silly
Mariners that in digging can not discern Whales flesh from lumps of earth,
nor know the slippery skin of a Whale from the vpper part of the ground:
with out doubt they are woorthy to haue Munster for a Pilot. Verily in this
place (as likewise before treating of the land-miracles of Island) he
gathereth fruits as they say, out of Tantalus his garden, and foloweth hard
after those things which will neuer and no where be found, while he
endeuoureth to proule here and there for miracles, perusing sea and land to
stuffe vp his history where notwithstanding he cannot hunt out ought but
feigned things.

But they are called in their language Trollwal. Go not farther then your
skil, Munster, for I take it you cannot skill of our tongue: and therefore
it may be a shame for a learned man to teach others that which he knoweth
not himselfe: for such an attempt is subiect to manifold errours, as we
will shew by this your example. For while you take in hand to schoole
others, & to teach them by what name a Whale-fish is to be called in our
tongue, leauing out through ignorance the letter H, which almost alone
maketh vp the signification of the worde, you deliuer that which is not
true: for val in our language signifieth not a Whale, but chusing or choise
of the verbe Eg vel, that is to say, I chuse, or I make choise, from whence
val is deriued, &c. But a Whale is called Hualur with vs, & therefore you
ought to haue written Trollhualur. Neither doeth Troll signifie the deuill,
as you interprete it, but certaine Giants that liue in mountaines. You see
therefore (and no maruel) how you erre in the whole word. It is no great
iniurie to our language being in one word onely: because (doubtlesse) you
knew not more then one.

Others also do offend in the same fault, for it is not to be allowed that a
certaine man being about to publish a Map of Island receiued from Islanders
themselues, had rather marre the fashion of all, or in very deed of the
most names of Capes, Baies, mountaines, springs, riuers, homocks, valleis,
hils & townes (because that being ignorant of our language, he was not able
to read those things aright, which he receiued from our countreymen) he had
rather (I say) depraue & corrupt them all, then learne of the Islanders
themselues, which at that time, namely in the yeere 1585, liued in the
vniuersitie of Hafnia, or Copen Hagen, how euery thing ought to be read and
written. And we esteeme him for this his wilfull marring of our natiue
names and words, (where vpon it came to passe that we reading the same,
could acknowledge very few to be oure owne) that he is no slight offender
against our tongue, otherwise retaining the pure and the ancient propertie.

But now we haue after some sort examined most of the myracles of Island,
which our writers haue mentioned. Notwithstanding before we enter into any
further matter, we thinke it good in this section to touch that which the
last forenamed man (in this Map of Island, that he caused to be put forth
in the foresaid yeere vnder his own name) hath giuen out concerning two
other fountains besides the former: whereof the one should die white wooll
black, & the other blacke wooll white. [Sidenote: Who be the Islandish
writers?] Which thing where he receiued it, or whence he had it, we can by
nomeans imagine: for it is not to be found in our own writers, nor in the
writers of other countries. But whence soeuer it be, it is but a tale, &
hath not one iote of trueth in it. And although it be incredible That black
wooll may be died of a white colour, seeing it is affirmed by Plinie, that
blacke wooll (of all other) will receiue no colour: notwithstanding there
is some such thing reported by Theophrastus: namely, that there is a riuer
in Macedonia which maketh blacke sheepe white. [Sidenote: Speculum regale.]
Also that Norway pamphlet called the Roiall looking-glasse, which I
mentioned before, doth attribute these fountains to Ireland, which is also
called Hybernia, and not to Island. Which peraduenture deceiued the Reader,
reading in a strange language S in stead of R.

That likewise deserueth no better credite which another Author writeth:
That there is a certaine great stone in Island which runneth vp and downe
the crags and clifs of mountaines by no outward force, but by the owne
proper and natural motion. Hee that will beleeue this, what will he not
beleeue? For it is such a rare deuise that the Epicures themselues (who yet
seemed to Lucian to haue fained many incredible things) I am sure neuer
inuented the like: vnlesse perhaps the sayd Author doeth imagine (that a
man who is called of the Islanders by the proper name of Stein) should
compasse about, and clime vp certaine rockes: which although it be
ridiculous to put into a story of wonders, namely, that a man should mooue
or walke, yet is it so to bee supposed to saue the credite of the Author,
that we may not more seuerely condemne that fable, which is so sencelesse
of it selfe and not woorthy to be read.

[Sidenote: Vultures, beares and crows come vpon the drift Ice into Island.]
They are gulltie of the same crime also who haue found out rauens, pies
[Footnote: Magpies.], hares and vultures, all white in Island for it is wel
knowen that vultures come very seldome together with the Ise of the sea,
vnto vs, as beares also (but they seldomer then vultures) and a certaine
kind of crowes called by the Islanders Isakrakur. But as for white pies,
hares, and rauens Island neuer had any. [Footnote: All modern writers,
however, ascribe white hares to Iceland.]

And these in a maner be the things which, in regard of our daily busines,
we were able at this present to affoord, as touching the former part of our
treatise, which were penned by me for this purpos (as in the beginning I
did protest) that the errors of Authors concerning an vnknowen land, and
the affected vanitie also of some men might be disclosed, for I am not
desirous to diminish any mans good name: but because I consecrated these my
labours to trueth and to my countrey, I could not chuse but shew, that
those things which hitherto haue bene reported by many concerning our
Island deserue very litle credite: and so to addresse my selfe vnto the
matters folowing concerning the Inhabitants.

Here endeth the first part of the Commentarie.


Commentarij de Islandia pars secunda: quæ est de incolis.

Absolutis hactenus miraculis Islandiæ, (cum nonnullis alijs, primæ parti
annexis) quæ dum scriptores, velut Agamemnonios quosdam fontes, imò, vt
quiddam præter et contra omnem naturam, mirantur, nec non variè
deprædicant, minus veritati ipsi, et authoritati suæ cousulunt; monet
propositæ orationis series, vt ad alteram commentarij partem nos
conferamus, quæ est de incolis: Vbi quid primùm dicam, aut vnde initium
sumom, non satis teneo. Tanta enim sunt in nos vltimos Islandos, et tot
quorundam ludibria, tot opprobria, tot scommata, tot dicteria, (Atque inter
hæc etiam nonnulla eorum, qui simplicissimam veritatem profiteri, volunt,
nempe historicorum) vt si singula recensere velim, non aliud quàm

     Icariæ numerum dicere *corier* aquæ.

Sed, vt dixi initio, non cum omnibus æquè stricto iure agemus. Nam licet
Krantzius, Munsterus, Frisius, et alij, nimis audacter multa de gente
nostra scripserint: Tamen suis monumentis de studijs liberalibus alioqui
benè meriti, etiam apud nos eo erunt in precio, quo merentur. Verùm
interea, etsi quis velit eos à calumniandi nota liberare, tamen non leue
est, eos res quasdam tam absurdas, impossibiles et ridiculas proposuisse,
cuiusmodi illa fuerunt, quæ hactenus exposuimus, tum impias, et atrocitate
mendaciorum horrendas, cuiusmodi iam sequentur aliquot, in historias
retulisse. Ast alijs, quicunque; sunt, qui quotidianus conuicijs nationem
Islandorum incessunt, responsio, quam merentur, parata esse debet: Ex
quorum numero, scurra ille fuit, qui rhythmis aliquot, in gentis nostræ
contumeliam, Germanica lingua editis, nomen suum immortali dedecori
consecrauit.

Quapropter, vt instituti nostri ratio exigit, dum scriptorum de hac re
monumenta persequimur, etsi quædam in eis occurrant, quæ coutumeliæ parum
habent, nos tamen plæraque excutiemus, et errores, vt hactenas,
annotabimus: tum si quid veri interea attulerint, id nequaquam
dissimulabimus. [Sidenote: Secundæ partis distributio.] Ac eo modo, primùm
Munsterum, Krantzium, Frisium, et si qui sunt alij, audiemus, Graculo illo,
cum suis rhythmis Germanicis, dira calumnia infectis in postremum, vt
dignus est, relecto locum. [Sidenote: 1. Capitis huius partis diuisio.] In
hunc igitur modum, primùm de fide seu Religione Islandorum: Deinde de
ipsorum moribus, institutis seu viuendi ratione, authores isti scribunt.

The same in English.

Of Island the second part, concerning the Inhabitants.

Hauing hitherto finished the miracles of Island with certaine other
particulars belonging to the first part, the which while writers doe wonder
at and diuersly extoll as it were the fountains of Agamemnon, yea, as
things besides and against all nature, they haue bene very carelesse both
of trueth it selfe, & of their owne credite. Now the course of the present
speach doeth admonish mee to make haste vnto the other part of the treatise
concerning the Inhabitants wherein what I should first say, or where I
should begin, I am altogether ignorant. For there be such monstrous, and so
many mocks, reproches, skoffes, and taunts of certaine men against vs poore
Islanders dwelling in the vtmost parts & the world (and amongst these also,
some things of theirs who take vpon them to professe most simple trueth,
namely Historiographers) insomuch, that to reckon vp the particulars were
nothing els but to tell the drops of the Icarian sea. But as I said in the
beginning, we will not deale alike seuerely with all. For although
Krantzius, Munsterus, Frisius & others haue written many things too boldly
of our nation yet hauing otherwise deserued wel of learning by their
monuments, they shalbe still in ye same reputation with vs that they are
worthy of. Howbeit in the meane time, although a man would free them from
the marke of slanderers, yet is it no small matter that they should broch
certaine sencelesse, impossible & ridiculous things, such as those are
which we haue hitherto laid downe as also that they should record in
histories prophane and horrible vntrueths, some of which kind shal now
immediately be discussed. As for others, whatsoeuer they be, who vpbraid
the nation of Islanders with daily reproches, they are to haue that answere
in a readinesse which such men deserue. In the number of whom, that scoffer
is to be accounted, who by a company of rimes published in the Germane
tongue, to the disgrace of our countrey, hath brought his name into
euerlasting ignominie.

Wherefore as our present businesse requireth, while we are in hand with the
writings of Authors concerning this matter, although we meet with some
things containing litle reproch, notwithstanding we will examine most of
them, noting the errors as hitherto we haue done in the meane time also
when they shall alleage any trueth, we will in no case dissemble it. And
after this maner, first we will heare Munster, Krantzius and Frisius, and
others also, if there be any more, what they haue to say, reiecting that
Paro and his Dutch rimes infected with fell slander, as he is woorthy vnto
the last place. First therefore the sayd Authors write concerning the faith
or religion of the Islanders and secondly, of their Maners, Customes, and
course of life in maner folowing.


SECTIO PRIMA.

Adalbertius Metropolitanus Hamburgensis, Anno Christi
  1070. Vidit ad Christum conuersos Islandos: licet
    ante susceptam Christi fidem, lege Naturali vuuentes,
    non multum à lege nostra discrepantes: itaque, pretentibus
    illis, ordinauit quendam virum sanctum, primum
    Episcopum, nomine Isleif.

Krantzius his verbis, et Munsterus alibi, fidei seu Religionis Christianæ
dignitatem Islandis videntur adscribere: Facerentque et se, et veritate
dignum, nisi eandem alias nobis adimerent. Nam (vt de Krantzio infra)
Munsterus, quæ supra prodidit, de fide nostra, seu opinione circa Inferni
locum situmque, omnino est à Christiana pietate alienum: Velle scilicet
scrutari arcana, quæ Deus sibi soli reseruauit, quæque voluit nostrum
captum excedere: Non enim reperitur de hac re quicquam in literis sacris,
vbi locus vel sitis inferni seu ignis æterni, Diabolo et Angelis ipsius,
adeoque damnatis omnibus animabus destinati, determinetur, aut
circumscribatur: Nullam inquam, infra terram, seu in ea, aut vlla alia
huius mundi parte, corporalem seu localem situm illi damnatorum carceri
pagina sacra assignat: quinimo, terram hanc interituram, et terram nouam et
coelos nouos, iustorum et sanctorum habitacula, creanda affirmat: Apoc. 2.
2, Petri 3, Esa. 65. Quare Christianus rerum adeò abstrusarum inquisitionem
libenter præterit: tum dogmata nullis appertis et illustribus scripturæ
sacras testimonijs stabilita, velut certa et vera recipere, aut alijs
tradere, nefas esse ducit. Deut 4. et 12, Esa. 8. Matth, 17. 2, Timoth. 3.

Deinde etiam pugnat acriter cum Religione Christiana, quo Munsterus &
Krantzius Islandos ornant, encomium: Eos videlicet, catulos ac pueros suos
æquo habere in precio. De quo infra, section. 7. Sic igitur secum dissidet
Munst. dum quos Christianos assent, inferni architectos alias facit: Item,
Krantzius et Munsterus, dum quos fide Christo insertos affirmant, eosdem
omni pietatis et honestatis sensu exuunt: quòd scribant filios ab his, non
maiore cura, quàm catulos diligi.

Sed vt ad rem: De Religione equidem nostra, quæ qualiseu fuerit, cum
Ethnicismus primùm fugari coepit, nihil magnificè diceret possumus:
quemadmodum nec alia Septentrionis Regna vicina, vti existimo, de suis
fidei initijs. Fatendum enim est, et cum serijs gemitibus deplorandum vsque
ad illam nunquam satis prædicatam diem, quæ nobis velut immortalitatis
initium illuxit et repurgati Euangelij doctrinam attulit, tenebras plusquam
Cimmerias, etiam nostris hominibus, vt reliquis Septentrionis Ecclesijs,
offusas fuisse. Illud tamen piè nobis sentire liceat, apud nos, vt et in
vicina Noruegia (nam nolo vltra septa vagari, et de populis ignotis
quicquam pronunciare) eiecta primùm Idololatria Ethnica, sinceriorem longè
et simpliciorem fidem seu religionem Christianam viguisse; quippe veneno
Papistico minus infectam, quam posteà, vbi auctum Romanæ sedis fermentum
pestiferum, et malum contagiosum maturuit, et per totum orbem virus suum
diffudit: Nam vt posteà apparebit, multis annus antequam noua Pontificiorum
Idololatria vires et incrementum cepit, Islandia Christum amplexa est: et
vt laudatissimi duo illi Noruegiæ Reges, quibus vt commune nomen, ita
commune nominis Christi propagandi studium et professio, nihil nisi fidem
in Deum Patrem, Filium, et spiritum Sanctum, sonabat. Dico autem illum
Olaum Thryggonis F. qui Anno Christi 968. natus, Anno ætatis 27. imperium
Noruegiæ adeptus est, et primus, vt accepimus, Noruegis Christum obtrusit:
quibus imperitabat annis 5. Et huic cognominem, Olaum nuncupatum Sanctum,
Haraldi F. Qui anno Christi 1013. aut circiter, imperij habenas arctius in
primis obtinuit. Per annos fere 17. Christi doctrinam audacter tradidit.
Anno Christi 1030. ab improbis parricidis nefariè interfectus, in pago
Noruegise Stickla Stodum, pro Christi nomine cruorem fudit.

Habuit etiam nostra patria inter multos alios quendam insignem pietate
virum; cui Nialus nomen erat, qui circa annum Christi 1000 vixit in prædio
seu villa Berthors huol, sita in Parochia Islandiæ, Landenum: Quique rerum
humanarum experientia, circumspecta animi prudentia, sagacitate et
consilio, habebatur insignis. Cum enim, eius seculo, indomitis Islandia
motibus fluctuaret, incolis à nullo ferè superiore magistratu repressis,
nullis se factionibus immiscuit: Plurimas cauta animi virtute ac industria
composuit. Nunquam vim fecit, nec passus est, si vltimum tantum in vita
diem excipias. Adeò studiosè seditiones et turbas vitauit aliosque vitare
aut euadere cupientes optimè iuuit. Nec quisquam eius consilio, nisi maximo
suo commodo est vnquam vsus: nec quisquam ab eo, nisi cum vitæ et
fortunarum penculo deflexit. Tam certum ab eo oraculum petebatur, vt valde
mirandum sit, vnde homini tanta futurorum euentuum, et tam certa coniectura
et consilium esse potuerit, quanta in ipso deprehensa est. Vnde ipsius
cauta, prouidens et consilij plena sapientia, apud nostrates in prouerbium
abijt: Nials biita raden: quasi dicas, Niali consilium; vel, Niali consilio
res geritur, aut succedit: cùm quid prudenter et admirando cum consilio
gestum est.

Hic cum domi suæ, à 100. viris coniuratis ob cædem à filio ipsius, ipso
tamen inscio, patratam cingeretur, et inimicis domum vndique igni
succendentibus, sibi videret supremum fatum instare, ait tandem. Hæc quidem
fato, hoc est, voluntate diuina accidunt. Cæterum spem et fiduciam in
Christo sitam habeo, nos (de se et vxore loquens) licet corpus hoc nostrum
caducum, inimicorum flammis, mortalitatis corruptionem subeat, ab æternis
tamen flammis liberatum iri. Sicque inter has voces, et flammarum sævitiam,
vitam, An. Christo 1010. cum vxore et filio homicida, finiuit. Vox profectò
filijs Dei non indigna, animæ, cum mortis acerbitate luctantis summum
solatium arguens.

Hæc ideo addidi, vt ostendam quà coniectura adducar ad extstimamdum mox
initio Christianismi (vt sic loquar) apud nos recepti, non fuisse tam
deceptas et errorum tenebris immersas hominum mentes, quàm nunc, paulò ante
hæc nostra tempora fuerunt.

Ast verò iam postquam Dominus Deus per Lutherum, et Lutheri in vinea Domini
collegas, et pios successores, salutis doctrinam illustriorem reddidit,
mentiùmque nostrarum graui veterno et densa caligine excussis, dextræ suæ
digito, hoc est, spiritu Sancto, (Matth. 12. vers. 28.) cordis nostri
auriculas vellicauit, ac oculos, quibus saluificam ipsius veritatem
cerneremus, nobis aperuit: Nos omnes et singuli credimus et confitemur Deum
esse Spiritum, (Iohan. 4. vers. 24.) æternum (Esai 40. vers. 28.) Infinitum
(Ierem. 23. vers. 24. Psalm. 136. vers. 7. 8. 9.) optimum (Matth. 19. 17.)
omnipotentem (Gene. 17. 1. Apocal. 1. 8.) Vnum essentia et natura: Vnum
prouidentia: vnum efficentia rerum et administratione (Deut 6. 5. Ephes. 4.
5.) At personis diuinitatis, proprietatibusque distinctum, Patrem, Filium
et spiritum Sanctum (Matth. 28. 19. & 3. 17.) Deum Patrem quidem, primam
diuinitatis personam, coeli terræ et omnium rerum creatorem (Gene. 1. vers.
1. & sequent.) Sustentatorem et gubernatorem (Psal. 115. 3. Heb. 1. 3.)
Patrem Domini nostri Iesu Christi (Psalm. 2. 7. & sequent:) et nostrum per
eundem Patrem (Rom. 8. 15.) Animæ et corporis curatorem (Luc. 12. 12,) Tum
Iesum Christum, secundam diuinitatis personam, filium Dei patris (Iohan. 1.
18. &c.) Vnigenitum (Iohan. 1. 29. Heb. 1. 2.) æqualem patri (1. Paral. 17.
13. Iohan. 1. 1.) Deum verum (Iohan. 1. 2. &c.) ante omnia creata
præordinatum (1. Pet. 1. 20. Apocal. 13. 8. &c.) et statim post lapsum,
promissum Messiam (Gen. 3. 15.) Sanctis Patriarchis identidem promulgatum,
vt Abrahæ (Gen. 12. 3. &c.) Isaac. (Gen. 26. 4.) Iacob. (Gen. 28. 14.) et
promissionibus confirmatum (Genes. 49. 9. Esa. 11. 1. 10.) Sacrificijs
Mosaicis (Leuit. 1. 2. &c.) Et alijs typis præfiguratum: immolatione Isaac
(Gen. 22.) Exaltatione ænei serpentis. (Num. 21.) Iona (Ion. 2. &c.)
Prophetarum testimonio proclamatum (Esai 7. 14. &c.) ac tandem in
plenitudine temporis verè exhibitum: hominem verum (Iohan. 1. 14. &c. Paul.
Galat. 4.) mortuum pro peccatis nostris: resuscitatum propter
iustificationem nostri (Rom. 4. 25. &c.) Ascendentem in coelum (Act. 1. 9.
&c.) ac pro nobis ad dexteram patris sine intermissione interpellantem (1.
Iohan, 2. 1. &c.) per spiritum Sanctum suum qui tertia est diuinitatis
persona patri et filio compar et consubstantialis. (Actor. 5. 4.) Ecclesiam
sibi verbo et Sacramentis colligentem (Matth. 16. 18. Roman. 10. 14. &c) Et
ad vitam æternam sanctificantem (Actor. 9. 31. &c.) Ac tandem consummatis
seculis è coelo, venturum (Actor, 1. 11.) Iudicare viuos et mortuos (1.
Thess. 4. 15.) redditurum impijs secundum opera sua, eòsque poenis æternis
adiudicaturum (Mat 13. 42. & 25. 41.) credentes verò in nomine ipsius
æterna vita donaturum (Mat 25. 34. &c.) Hunc, inquam, Iesum Christum
redemptorem (Mat 1. 21.) Caput (1. Corinth. 12. 27.) et Dominum nostrum
(Ephes. 4. 5.) agnoscimus: Nosque illi nomen in sacro baptismo dare ac
dedisse (Actor. 2. 38.) Et per baptismum illi insertos esse (1. Cor. 12.
13.) apertè, ingenuè, liberè ac libenter fatemur ac contestamur: omnesque
alios, quicunque aliud nomen sub coelo datum esse hominibus, per quod salui
fiant, comminiscuntur, seriò detestamur, execramur et damnamus. (Actor. 4.
12.) Verbum ipsius sanctissimum vnicam salutis normam statuimus, illudque
tantummodò, omnibus humanis commentis abiectis et spretis, infallibilem
fidei nostræ regulam et amussim nobis proponimus: (Galat 1. 8. Esa. 29. 13.
Ezech. 20.) Quod duplicis Testamenti, veteris et noui appellatione
complectimur. (Hebr. 8.) traditum per Prophetas et Apostolos (Ephes. 2.
20.) singulari et immensa Dei bonitate in hunc vsque diem semper in
Ecclesia conseruatum et conseruandum in posterum. (Matth. 28. vlt. Psalm.
71. 18. 1. Cor. 11. 26.)

Deo igitur optimo maximo gratias ex animo et toto pectore agimus, quòd
etiam ad nos, vastissimo interuallo à reliquo Ecclesiæ corpore diuulsos et
vltimas mundi partes habitantes, lumen hoc suum, concessum, ad reuelationem
gentium, et paratum ante faciem omnium populorum, olim pio Simeoni benigne
ostensum (Nam in Christo omnes thesauri saptentiæ reconditi) quod nunc
totam nostram gentem radijs suis saluificis illuminat ac fouet, pertingere
voluerit. Hæc ita breuiter, ipsam summam perstringendo, fides nostra est,
et nostra religio, quaro monstrante spirtu Sancto, et ipsius in vinea
Christi ministris, bausimus: idque ex fontibus Isrælis.

[Sidenote: Krantzius.] Anno Domini 1070. vidit ad Christum conuersos
  Islandos.

Dubium nobis est, vtrum his verbis dicere voluerit Krantzius, Islandos
primùm Anno Domini 1070. ad Christum esse conuersos an verò, prius quidem
esse conuersos non neget, sed eo primùm anno id Adalberto innotuisse dicat.
[Sidenote: Chronologiæ Islandicæ gentis antiquissimæ.] Vtrumuis autem
affirmet, tamen fidem ipsius hoc loco suspectam reddunt annales et
chronologiæ nostræ gentis antiquissimæ, quæ contrarium testantur: quibus
vtrum malis, de rebus nostris proprijs et domesticis et intra nostræ insulæ
limites gestis credere, an verò Krantzio, aut cuius alteri in nostratium
rerum historia peregrino, sit penes tuum, candide Lector, arbitrium. Ego
profecto multis adducor vt nostris potius assentiar. Nostrates emm nota
tantum et fere domestica asserunt: ille peregrina et ignota. Hi suas
Chronologias sine aliarum omnium nationum labe, macula et sugillatione
contexuerunt tantummodò, vt rebus gestis suum verum tempus seu æram
assignarent; ille quædam cum re et veritate pugnantia in contumeliam gentis
nostræ ignotissimæ, historiæ suæ admiscuit, vt paulò post apparebit: hi
omnium episcoporum Islandiæ nomina, annos, ordinem et successum describunt:
ille vnius tantùm mentionem facit, idque longè secus quàm res habet. Porrò
vt his fidem faciam, panca, quæ in ventustissimis nostris annalibus de
Islandia ad Christum conuersa, et de Episcoporum in nostris Ecclesijs
successione reperi, quorum etiam fides apud nos publicè recepta est, cum
extraneis communicabo. [Sidenote: Vetustissmum annales.] Quæ tametsi
leuiuscula, nec omnia prorsus digna quæ scribantur, scribenda tamen omninò
sunt ad nostrarum rerum veritatem, aduersus Krantzium et alios asserendam:
Sic igitur habent.

[Sidenote: 874. Islandia primum inhabituta.] Anno Christi 874. prius
quidem, vt ante commemorauimus, inuenta, sed tunc primum à Noruagis (quorum
princeps fuit Ingulphus quidam, è cuios nomine promontorium Islandiæ
orientalis Ingulffs hoffdi appellatitionem traxit) occupata est Islandia.
Hi plures quam 400. cum cognatis et agnatis et præterea numerosa familia
nominatim in annalibus nostris recensentur: nec illorum tantùm numerus
describitur, sed quas oras, quæ littora, et quæ loca mediterranea, singuli
occupauerint et incoluerint, et quomodo primi inhabitatores, fretis,
sinibus, portubus, Isthmis, porthmis, promontorijs, rupibus, scopulis,
montibus, collibus, vallibus, tesquis, fontibus, fluminibus, riuis, ac
denique villis seu domicilijs suis nomina dederint, quorum hodiè plæraque
retinentur et in vsu sunt, apertè narratur. Itaque Noruagi occupatæ iam
Islandiæ 60. annorum spacio, aut circiter, habitabiles partes sua
multitudine implent: Centum verò prope modum annis Ethnici manserunt, ci
paucissimos, qui in Noruagia fortè sacro fonte abluti fuerant, excipias.
[Sidenote: 974.] Annis autem vix centum à primo ingressu elapsis, mox de
religione Christiana agi coeptum est, nempe circa annum Domini 974. quæ res
non sine insigni rebellione plusquam 20 annis variè à multis tentata est.
[Sidenote: Fredericus Saxo.] Commemorantur autem duo Episcopi extranei, qui
cum alijs, in conuertenda ad fidem Christi insula, diligenter laborarint:
Prior Fridericus, Saxo natione, qui anno 981. ad Islandos venit, atque
docendi munere strenuè functus est, ac tantum fecit, vt Anno 984, sacræ
ædes Islandis in vsu fuerint.

Alter verò ille extraneus Episcopus siue concionator, quem Thangbrandt
nuncupauere, anno 997. in Islandiam primùm venit.

[Sidenote: Anno Dom. 1000.] Hinc post 26, annorum disceptationem de
religione, tandem Anno 1000. in conuentu generali omnium incolarum decretum
est, vniuersali eorundem consensu, vt Ethnicorum numinum cultu seposito,
religionem sectarentur Christianam.

Rursus in solenni incolarum conuentu Anno 1050. sancitum est, vt leges
seculares seu politicæ (quarum constitutiones allatas ex Noruagia quidam
Vlfliotus, Anno 926. Islandis communicarat) vbique cederent iuri Canonico
seu diuino.

Anno 1056. abit peregrè ex Islandia Isleifus quidam, in Episcopum Islandiæ
ordinandus.

Redit ordinatus in Islandiam, et Cathedram Schalholtensem adit Anno 1057.
Moritur 1080. Ætatis 74. 4. Kalendas Iulias.

Videbuntur forsitan hæc minuta, concisa, vilia, nec narratione satis digna,
cum multis fortè quæ sequuntur: Sed nec historiam Romanam conteximus, nec
tam minuta erunt, quin contra Krantzij et aliorum errores conuincendos,
prout nostrum est institutum, valeant. Et certè, quantum ad fidem nostrarum
Chronologiarum, constat Saxonem Grammaticum non parum illis tribuisse:
Cuius, in præfatione suæ Danæ, hæc sunt verba. Nec Thylensium inquit, (sic
enim Islandos appellat) industria silentio obliteranda: qui cum ob natiuam
soli sterilitatem, luxuriæ nutrimentis carentes, officia continuæ
sobrietatis exerceant, omniàque vitæ momenta ad alienoram operum notitiam
conferre soleant, inopiam ingenio pensant. Cunctarum quippe nationum res
gestas cognosse, memoriæque mandare, voluptatis loco reputant non minoris
gloriæ iudicantes, alienas virtutes disserere, quam proprias exhibere.
Quorum thesauros Historicarum rerum pignoribus refertos curiosius
consulens, haud paruam præsentis operis partem ex eorum relationis
imitatione contexui: nec arbitros habere contempsi, quos tamta vetustatis
peritia callere noui. Hæc Saxo. Quare lubet Episcoporum Islandiæ Catalogum
persequi, vt ex annalibus nostris continuata diligenter, quoad eius fieri
potest, omnium series, his quæ de primo Isleifo contra Krantzium attulimus,
fidem faciat.

The same in English.

THE FIRST SECTION

[Sidenote: Krantzius in præfatione suæ Norwegiæ.] Adalbert Metropolitane of
  Hamburg in the yeere of Christ 1070. saw the Islanders concerted
  Christianitie: albeit, before the receiuing of Christian faith, they
  liued according to the lawe of nature, and did not much differ from our
  lawe: therefore at their humble request, he appointed a certaine holy man
  named Islief to be their first Bishop.

Krantzios in these words, and Munster other where, doe seeme to attribute
vnto the Islanders the prerogatiue of Christian faith and they should deale
both beseeming themselues and the trueth, if they did not in other places
depriue vs of the same. For (to speake of Krantzras anone) that which
Munster before reported concerning our faith or opinion about the place and
situation of hell, is very farre from Christian pietie: namely to be
desirous to prie into those secrets which God hath kept close vnto himselfe
alone, and which his pleasure is, should exceed our capacitie: for there is
not any thing found in the holy Scriptures of this matter, where the place
and situation of hell, or of eternall fire prepared for the deuill and his
angels, and so for all damned soules, is bounded or compassed about. The
holy Bible (I say) assigneth no locall or bodily situation beneath the
earth, or vpon the earth, or in any other place of this world, to that
prison of the damned: but it affirmeth that this earth shall perish, and
that a new earth, and new heauens shall be created for the habitation of
iust and holy men, Reuel. 2. 2. Pet. 3. and Esay [Footnote: Isaiah] 65.
wherefore a Christian man willingly giueth ouer to search into such hidden
secrets and he accounteth it vnlawful to receiue or deliuer vnto others,
opinions (grounded vpon no plaine and manifest places of Scripture) for
certainties and trueths, Deut. 4. and 12. Esay 8. Matth. 27. 2. Tim 3.

Further also that commendation wherewith Munster and Krantzius doe grace
the Islanders, is meerly contrary to Christian religion: namely that they
make al one reckoning of their whelps and of their children. But more of
this matter anone in the 7. section. So therefore Munster disagreeth with
himselfe, whereas those whom he affirmeth to be Christians, afterward, he
maketh to be master builders of hell. Also Krantzius and Munster both
together, when as those whom they affirme to be engraffed by faith into
Christ, they except from all sense of piety and honesty, in that they write
that their sonnes are not dearer vnto them then their whelpes.

But to returne to the matter: In very deed we haue no great thing to say
concerning our religion, what, or of what sort it was when Gentilisme was
first put to flight. No more (I thinke) haue other Northern nations neere
vnto vs to say concerning the beginning of their faith. For (alas) we must
needs confesse and bewaile with deepe sighes, that vntill that day which
shined vnto vs like the beginning of immortalitie, and brought vnto vs the
pure doctrine of the gospel, our countrymen, as likewise other churches of
the North, were ouerspred with more then Cimmerian darkenesse. But we may
iustly and religiously thinke thus muche, that among vs and our neighbours
of Norway (for I will not range out of my bounds, nor affirme any thing of
vnknowen people) after heathenish idolatry was rooted out, Christian faith
and religion did florish far more sincere, and simple, as being lesse
infected with the poison of poperie, at that time, then afterward, when as
the pestiferous leauen of the see of Rome being augmented, and the
contagious mischiefe growing ripe, the poison thereof was dispersed through
the whole world: for, as it shal afterward appeare, Island embraced Christ
many yeeres before the new idolatry of the papists began to preuaile, and
did sound foorth nothing but faith in God the Father, the Sonne and the
holy Ghost, like vnto those two most renouned kings of Norway, who as they
had one common name, so had they one common care and profession to aduance
the gospel of Christ. [Sidenote: The first christian king of Norway] I
meane Olaus the sonne of Thryggo, who was borne in the yere of Christ 968.
attaining to the kingdom of Norway in the 27. yeere of his age, and was the
first, as we haue heard, that offred Chnst vnto the Norwegians, ouer whom
hee reigned fiue yeeres and another of that name called Olaus Sanctus the
sonne of Harald, who in the yeere of Christ 1013. or there about, gouerned
with more seueritie, and for the space of 17. yeeres did boldly deliuer the
doctrine of Christ. In the yere of Chnst 1030. being vniustlie slaine by
wicked murtherers, he shed his blood for the name of Christ in a town of
Norway called Sticfla Stodum.

[Sidenote: Nialus the first knowne professour of Christian faith in
Island.] Our countrey also had, among many other, one man of excellent
pietie whose name was Nialus, who about the yeere of Chnst 1000. liued in
the village of Berthorshuol situate in the parish of Island called
Landehum: who also for his experience in humane affaires, for his great
wisedome and sage counsell was accompted famous. For whereas in his time
Island was turmoiled with many fierce mutinies, the inhabitants being in
subiection to no superiour magistrate, he intermedled not in any quarels,
sauing that by his discreet vertue and diligence he set through and brought
to composition a great number: hee neuer did nor suffered violence, but
onely vpon the last day of his life. So carefully auoyded he al seditions
and strifes: and gaue good assistance to others, who were desirous also to
auoyd and escape them: neither did any man euer put in practise his
counsel, but it turned to his especiall good: nor euer any did swerue
therefrom, but with the danger of his life and possessions. The wordes or
rather the oracles that came from him were so certaine, that it was
wonderful from whence any man should haue so great and so sure forecast and
counsell of things to come, as was found to be in him. Whereupon his
discreet and prouident wisedome, ioyned with counsell became a prouerbe
amongst vs, "Nials byta raden:" That is to say, the counsel of Nialus or,
the thing is done, or succeedeth by Nialus his counsel: when any business
was atchieued prudently, and with admirable discretion. This man, when, for
a slaughter committed by his sonne without his knowledge, he was in his
owne house beset with a 100. men, who had conspired his death, and when his
enemies began on all sides to set his house on fire, seeing his ende
approch, at length he brake into these words. "Doubtlesse these things
happen by fate, that is, by the will of God. Howbeit, I put my hope and
confidence in Christ, that we (meaning his wife and himselfe) although this
our fraile body shal vndergoe the corruption of death, in the fire of our
enemies, yet, that it shalbe deliuered from eternal flames." And so in the
midst of these voyces, and in the fury of the flames, he with his wife and
the manslayer his sonne, in the yere of Christ 1010. ended his life. A
voyce vndoubtedly full well beseeming the sonnes of God, arguing the
notable comfort of his soule amidst the very pangs of death.

I therefore added those things to shew by what reason I was moued to thinke
that in the very beginning of Christianitie receiued amongst vs, mens minds
were not so beguiled and ouerwhelmed in the darkenes of errors, as of late,
a little before these our times they haue bene.

[Sidenote: A summe of the Islanders Religion.] But after the Lord God by
Luther, and Luthers fellow-labourers in the vineyard of the Lord, and by
godly successours, did make the doctrine of saluation more manifest, and
shaking off the heauie slothe, and thicke miste of our minds by the finger
of his right hand, that is by his holy spirit (Matth. 12. v. 28.) did
plucke the eares of our hearts, and opened our eyes that we might behold
his sauing health: We all, and euery of vs do belieue and confesse that God
is a spirit (Iohn 4. v. 24.) eternal (Esay. 40. v. 28.) infinite (Iere. 23.
v. 24. Psal 139. v. 7. 8. 9.) most good (Matth. 19. v. 17.) almighty (Gen.
17. 1. Reuel. 1. 8.) one in being, and nature: one in prouidence, one in
the making and gouerning of all things (Deut. 6. 5. Ephe. 4. 5.) But
distinguished by the persons of the Godhead and their properties, the
Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost (Matth. 28. 19. and 3. 17.) God the
Father the first person of the Godhead creator of heauen and earth, and all
other things (Gen. 1. v. 1. and in those that folow) the vpholder and
gouernor of all (Psa. 115. 3. Heb. 1. 3.) Father of our Lord Iesus Christ
(Psal. 2, 7. and verses following) and our Father through him (Rom. 8. 15.)
keeper of our soules and bodies (Luke 12. 12.). And that Iesus Christ the
second person of the Godhead is the sonne of God the Father (Iohn 1. 18.
&c.) onely begotten (Iohn 1. 29. Heb. 1. 2.) equal to his Father (1. Chro.
17. 13. Ioh. 1. 1.) true God (Iohn 1. 2. &c.) foreappointed before the
creation of all things (1. Pet. 1. 20, Reuel 13. 8. &c.) and presently
after mans fell promised to be the Messias (Gene. 3. 15. &c.) published
eftsoones vnto the holy Patriaches, as vnto Abraham (Gen. 12. 3. &c.) vnto
Isaac (Gen. 26. 4.) vnto Iacob (Gene. 28. 14.) and confirmed by promises
(Gen. 49. 9. Esa. 11. 1, 10.) prefigured by the sacrifices of Moses (Leu.
1. 2. &c.) and by other types, as namely by the offering of Isaac (Gen.
22.) by the lifting vp of the brazen serpent (Num. 21.) by Ionas (Ionas 2.
&c.) proclaimed by the testimony of the Prophets (Esa. 7. 14.) and at
length in the fulnesse of time truely exhibited: true man (Iohn 1. 14. &c.
Gal. 4.) that he died for our sinnes, and was raised again for our
iustification (Rom. 4. 25. &c.) Ascending into heauen (Acts 1. 9. &c.) and
making intercession for vs at the right hand of his Father without ceasing
(1. Iohn 2. 1. &c.) by his holy Spirit (which is the thirde person of the
Godhead, coequall, and consubstantial to the Father and the Sonne, Acts. 5.
4.) gathering the Church to himselfe by the word, and Sacraments (Matth.
16. 18. Rom. 10. 14. &c.) and sanctifying it to eternal life, (Acts. 9. 31.
&c.) And that one day at the end of the world he will come from heauen
(Acts 1. 11.) to iudge the quicke and the dead (1. Thessal. 4. 15.) that he
will render vnto the wicked according to their workes, and that he will
iudge mem to eternal paines (Matth. 13. 42. and 25. 4.) but that he wil
reward them, with eternal life, who beleeue in his Name (Matth. 25. 34.)
This Iesus Christ (I say) wee acknowledge to be our Redeemer (Matth. 1.
21.) our head (1. Corinth. 12. 27.) and our Lord (Ephe. 4. 5.) And that wee
in our holy baptisme do giue, and haue giuen our names vnto him (Acts. 2.
38.) and that wee are engraffed into him by baptisme (1. Corin. 12. 13.)
And this we do plainely, ingenuously, freely, and willingly confesse and
witnesse: And as for all others who inuent any other name in heauen giuen
vnto men by which they may be saued, we doe earnestly detest, cursse, and
condemne them (Acts. 4. 12.) We holde his most holy Word to be the onely
rule of our saluation: and that alone (al mans deuises being cast away and
contemned) we propound vnto our selues as an infallible rule, and leuel of
our faith (Galat. 1. 8. Esai 29. 13. Ezech. 20.) which we conteine vnder
the name of the olde and newe Testament (Hebr. 8.) deliuered by the
Prophets and Apostles (Ephe 2. 20) by the singular and infinite goodnesse
of God, presented euer vnto this day and to be preserued here after alwayes
in the Church (Matth 28. last verse. Psal 71. 18. 1 Cor 11. 26.)

Therefore we render thankes vnto our most gratious and Almighty God from
our soule, and from our whole heart, because that euen vnto vs being
separated an huge distance from the rest of the body of his Church, and
inhabiting the farthest parts of the world, hee would that this light
graunted for the reuelation of the Gentiles, and prepared before the face
of all people, and in olde time fauourably shewed to holy Simeon (for in
Christ are all the treasures of wisedome hidden) which now doeth enlighten
and cherish with the sauing beames thereof our whole nation, that hee would
(I say) this light should come vnto vs. This in briefe (running ouer the
very summe) is our faith, and our Religion, which by the direction of the
holy Spirt and of his Ministers in the vineyard of Christ, we haue drawen
and that out of the fountaines of Isræl.

[Sidenote: Kranzius] In the yeere of our Lord 1070. saw the Ilanders
  conuerted vnto Christ, &c.

It is doubtful vnto vs whether in these words Kranzius would haue said,
that the Islanders were first conuerted vnto Christ in the yeere of our
Lord 1070. or whether he doth not deny that they were indeed before
conuerted, but saith that it was knowne first vnto Adalbert that yeere.
[Sidenote: The most ancient Chronicles of Island.] But whethersoeuer of
these he affirmeth: notwithstanding the yeerely records, and most auncient
Chronicles of our nation testifying the contrary do make his credite to be
suspected in this place, vnto which records and Chronicles, whether you had
rather giue assent concerning our owne proper and domesbcal affaires, done
within the bounds of our Island, or to Krantzaus or any other being
ignorant in the story of our countrey, I appeale (friendly reader) vnto
your owne discretion. For my part I am enforced by many reasons to agree
rather vnto our owne writers. For our countreymen affirme those things
onely that be knowen, and in a maner domesticall he writeth matters
forreine and vnknowen they haue compiled their histories without the
diffaming, disgracing or reprehending of any other nations, onely that they
might assigne vnto their owne acts and exploits the true time or age
thereof: he hath intermedled in his historie certaine things contrary to
the trueth, and that to the vpbraiding of our nation being most vnknowen
vnto him, as it shall immediatly appeare: they describe the names, yeres,
order, succession of all the Bishops of Island: he mentioneth onely one,
and that farre otherwise then the trueth. Furthermore that I may make good
the credite of our Countreymen, I wil impart with strangers a fewe things
which I found in our most ancient records of the conuersion of Island vnto
Christ, and of the succession of Bishops in our Churches. Which although
they be of litle moment, and not altogether worthy to be written, yet must
they of necessitie bee set downe for the defence of the trueth of our
affaires against Krantzius and others: thus therefore standeth the
certaintie thereof.

[Sidenote: Island first inhabited.] In the yeere of Christ 874. Island
(being indeed discouered before that time, as is aboue mentioned) was then
first of all inhabited by certaine Noruagians. Their chiefetaine was one
Ingulphus from whose name the East cape of Island is called Ingulffs
hoffdi. These planters are reckoned vp by name in our recordes more then to
the number of 400 together with those of their blood and kinred, and great
families besides neither onely is their number described, but it is also
plainely set downe, what coasts, what shores, and what inland places eche
of them did occupie and inhabite, and what names the first inhabitants did
giue vnto Streights, bayes, harboroughs, necklands, creekes, capes, rockes,
cragges, mountaines, hilles, valleys, homockes, springs, floods, riuers.
And to be short, what names they gaue vnto their graunges or houses,
whereof many at this day are reteined and vsed. Therefore the Norwayes with
their company peopled all the habitable parts of Island now occupied by
them for the space of 60. yeeres or thereabout but they remayned Ethnickes
almost 100. yeres, except a very fewe which were baptised in Norwaie. But
scarce a 100. yeres from their first entrance being past, presently
Christian religion began to be considered vpon, namely about the yeere of
our Lord 974. Which thing aboue 20. yeres together, was diuersly attempted
of many not without notable rebellion: amongst the rest there are mentioned
two outlandish Bishops, who with others diligently laboured in conuerting
the Island to Christian faith: [Sidenote: Saxo, the first preacher of the
Christian faith in Island. Anno Domini 981.] the former was one Fridericus
a Saxon borne, who in the yeere 981. came into Island, and behaued himselfe
couragiously in the office of preaching, and preuailed so much, that in the
yeere 984. Churches were vsed in Island.

But the other outlandish Bishop or preacher whom they called Thangbrandt
came first into Island in the yeere 997.

[Sidenote: Anno Domini 1000.] And then after 26. yeeres consulting about
Religion, at length in the yeere 1000, it was decreed in a generall
assembly of all the inhabitants by their whole consent, that the worship of
heathenish Idoles being abandoned, they should embrace Christian Religion.

Againe, in the yeere 1050, it was decreed in a solemne assembly of the
inhabitants, that temporall or politique lawes (the constitutions whereof
being brought out of Norwaie were communicated vnto the Islanders by one
Vlfliot in the yeere 926.) should euery where giue place to the Canon or
diuine Lawe.

In the yere 1056. one Isleif went beyond the seas out of Island to be
consecrated bishop of Island.

He came home consecrated into Island, and entred into the bishopricke of
Scalholt in the yeere 1057. He died 1080. in the yeere of his age 74. The
4. of the Kalends of Iuly.

These things perhaps wil seeme trifling, short and base, not sufficiently
worthy to be mentioned, together with many other matters which follow: but
neither doe wee compile the Romane history, neither yet shall these things
be so trifling, but that they may be of sufficient force to conuince the
errours of Krantzius and others, according to our purpose. [Sidenote: A
notable testimonie of Saxo concerning the Islanders.] And vndoubtedly as
touching the trueth of our histories, it is euident that Saxo Grammaticus
attributeth very much vnto them: whose words in his preface of Denmarke be
these: Neither is the diligence of the Thylenses (for so he calleth
Islanders) to be smothered in silence: who when as by reason of the natiue
barrennes of their soile, wanting nourishments of riot, they do exercise
the duties of continuall sobrietie, and vse to bestow all the time of their
life in the knowledge of other men's exploits they supply their want by
their wit. For they esteeme it a pleasure to know and commit vnto memory
the famous acts of other nations, reckoning it no lesse praiseworthy to
discourse of other mens vertues, then to practise their owne. Whose
treasures replenished with the monuments of historical matters, I more
curiously searching into, haue compiled no smal part of this present worke
by following of their relation neither despised I to haue those men for my
iudges, whom I knew to be skilful in so great knowledge of antiquitie. Thus
farre Saxo.

Wherefore I thinke it not amisse to proceede in the recitall of the Bishops
of Island, that the order and descent of them all, being so farre foorth as
is possible, diligently put together out of our yeerely records, may make
good that which we haue alledged against Krantzius concerning Isleif the
first Bishop of Island.


CATALOGUS CHRONOLOGICUS EPISCOPORUM ISLANDIÆ.

Anno               Episcopi Schalholtenses
Christi
                             I.
                           Isleif.
1056    Ordinatur peregrè.
1057    Redit et Schalholtensem cathedram adit
1080    Anno ætat 74. Moritur 4. Kalend. Iul.

                             II.
                           Gysserus.
1082    Ordinatur peregrè,
1083    Redit in Islandiam cum Episopatu.
1118    Moritur 5. Kalend. Maias qui fuit dies Martis.

                             III.
                     Thorlacus Runolphi. F.
Anno
ætatis  Ordinatur eodem anno, quo prædecessor.
32:     Gysserus vita excessit, sed tamen ante illius obitum 30. die
1133    Moritur.

                             IV.
                           Magnus
1134    Ordinatur.
1148    Postridiè festi omnium Sanctorum in villa sacerdotali Hittardal
        comuiuans, coenaculo fulmine percusso, cum viris 70. flammis
        absumptus est.

                             V.
                          Klaingus.
1151    Eligitur.
1152    Cathedram adit.
1176    Moritur.

                             VI.
                          Thorlacus.
        Eligitur biennio ante obit, prædecessoris
1178    Ordinatur.
1193    Moritur.

                             VII.
                           Paulus.
1195    Ordinatur.
1211    Moritur.

                             VIII.
                            Magnus.
1216    Ordinatur.

                             IX.
                          Siguardus.
1239    Cathedram adit.
1268    Moritur.

                             X.
                          Arnerus.
1269    Cathedram adit.
1298    Moritur.

                             XI.
                     Arnerus Helgonis F.
1304    Ordinatur.
1305    Cathedram adit.
1309    In Noruagiam abit ligna à rege Noruagiæ petiturus, quibus
          templum Schalholtense reædificaretur, quod eodem anno
          fulmine tactum conflagrarat.
1310    Redit ex intinere.
1320    Moritur.

                             XII.
                        Ionas Haldorus.
1321    Eligitur.
1322    Ordinatur Kal. Augusti.
1323    Cathedram adit.
1338    Moritur.

                             XIII.
                   Ionas Indridi F. Roruages
1339    Cathedram adit.
1341    Moritur.

                             XIV.
                      Ionas Siguardi F.
1343    Cathedram adit.
1348    Moritur pridiè Diui Magni.

                             XV.
                           Gyrthus.
1349    Ordinatus Asloiæ Noruagorum, ab Episcopo Asloensi Salomone.
1356    Abiens peregrè fluctibus vitam finit.

                             XVI.
                         Thorarinnus.
1362    Cathedram adit.
1364    Moritur.

                             XVII.
                          Oddgeirus.
1366    Cathedram adit.

1381    Moritur in assumpt. beatæ virginis, in portu Noruagiæ Burgensi, è
          mercium aceruo in imum nauis delapsus. Sepultus Bergis in æde
          Saluatoris.

                             XVIII.
                         Michaël Danus.
1385    Cathedral adit.
1388    Resignat profectus in Daniam.

                             XIX.
                       Wilhelmus Danus.
1394    Cathedram adit. Moritur.

                             XX.
                          Arnerus.
        Hic cognomento fuit Milldur. i. liberalis. Gessit vna pæfecturam
          Islandiæ tertius: Episcopatum Schalholtens. & vice Episcopatum
          Holensem.
1420    Obijt.

                             XXI.
                       Ionas Gerichso.

1432    Suecus siue cognomento siue natione præest Ecclesiæ Schalholtensi:
          ac posteà ob quædam nimis audacter tentata, à quodam Thorualdo
          de Modruvallum (vt fama est) captus, & aligato ad collum saxo in
          amne Schalholtensi, qui à ponte nomen habet, viuus submersus &
          strangulatus est.

                            XXII.
                          Gosuinus.
1445    Præest Ecclesiæ Schalholtensi.

                           XXIII.
                           Sueno.
1472    Dictus sapiens præest.

                           XXIV.
                     Magnus Riolphi F.
1489    Præest.

                           XXV.
                       Stephanus.
1494    Cathedram adit.
        Deinde Godtschalco episcopo Holensi, qui crudelis nomen meritus
          esse videtur, Synchronos similem cum illo clementiæ & iusticiæ
          laudem reportauit.
1519    Moritur: aut circiter.

                          XXVI.
                        Augmundus.
        Eligitur anno obitus Stephani
1522    Cathedram adit.
        Hoc episcopo, prefectus regius cum comitibus aliquot Scalhotiam
          inuitatus, in ipso conuiuio à coniuram quibusdam interfectus est,
          eò quòd impiè passim in incolas & bona ipsorum grassatus esset.
          Augmundus vcro tanquam istius cædis author, quanquam se iuramento
          purgarat in Daniam transuectus, Obijt.

                          XXVII.
                         Gysserus.
1540    Eligitur viuente Augmundo
1541    Cathedram adit, Papisticarum traditionum abrogator circa coniugium
1544      sacerdotum: Eius nuptiæ Schalholtiæ celebratæ.

                          XXVIII.
                         Martinus.
1547    Præest, & sequentibus.

                          XXIX.
                      Gislaus Ionas.

        Hic statim, Augmundo episcopo, coepit iuuenis veræ pietatis &
          purioris doctrinæ Euangelicæ studio, & amore flagrare, eandemque
          pastor ecclesiæ Sclardalemsis diligenter propagare, qua ratione
          Pontificiorum odium adeò in se deriuauit, vt illorum insidijs ac
          rabiei cedere coactus, Hamburgum se contulerit, vnde Haffniam
          Danorum profectus, in coepto veræ Theologiæ studio strenuè
          pergens, in multorum, præcipuè verò in summa D. D. Petri Palladu
          tum temporis Episcopi, familiaritate et gratia viuebat.
1556      Postea, inde in patriam reuerso, Martinus sponte cessit.

1587      Moritur et hic 31. annos plus minus Euangelium Iesu Christi
            professus: nec tantum viua voce, sed et quocunque demum potuit
            modo, docendo, dicendo, scribendo, re et consilio Ecclesiam Dei
            iuuit et promouit.

                            XXX.
                         Otto Knerus
          Vir grauis, pius et eruditus.
1588      Electus abit patria.
1589      Ordinatur.
          Redit et cathedram adit, susceptique muneris labores aggreditur.

       *       *       *       *       *

Anno                Episcopi Holenses.
Christi

                             I.
                       Ionas Augmundi F.
        Isleifi discipulus.
1106    Ordinatur peregrè: anno ætat. 64. cognomentum illi, sanctus: curus
          memoriæ dies 3. Martij, apud Islandos est antiquitùs dicatus.
1121    Moritur 11. Kalend. Maias.

                             II.
                    Ketillus siue Catullus.
1122    Ordinatur.
1145    Moritur.

                             III.
                            Biorno.
1147    Ordinatus venit in Islandiam.
1162    Moritur.

                             IV.
                           Brandus.
1163    Ordinatur.
1165    Cathedram adit.
1201    Moritur.

                             V.
                  Gudmundus, cognomento Bonus.
1203    Eligitur et ordinatur.
1237    Moritur.

                             VI.
                          Botolphus.
1239    Redit ordinatus.
1246    Moritur.

                             VII.
                           Henricus.
1247    Cathedram adit.
1260    Moritur.

                             VIII.
                           Brandus.
1262    Abbas peregrè abit.
1263    Cathedram adit.
1264    Moritur.

                             IX.
                          Iorundus.
1267    Cathedram adit.
1313    Moritur.

                             X.
                          Audunnus.
1314    Cathedram adit.
1322    Moritur.

                             XI.
                         Laurentius.
1324    Eligitur & ordinatur.
1331    Moritur Idib. April.

                             XII.
                           Egillus.
1332    Cathedram adit.
1341    Moritur.

                             XIII.
                             Ormus.
1343    Cathedram adit.
1355    Moritur in festo omnium Sanctorum.

                             XIV.
               Ionas Erici F. _cognomento_ Skalle

1358    Cathedram Holensem aditurus venit in Islandiam. Hic Ionas, olim in
Grondlandiæ  Episcopatum Gronlandis ordinatus, à Pontifice Romano
Episcopus  impetrauit, vt liceret sibi Episcopatum Holensem adire, qui
1356       tunc temporis vacabat. Vnde cum confirmationem huius dignitatis
           ac munerus, à Pontifice acceptam, veniens non proferret, apud
           Presbyteros dioecesis Holensis, suspectæ fidet esse coepit.
           Quare abijsdem in Noruagiam relegæus est, vt ea res arbitrio
           Regis componeretur. Rege igitur ipsius partibus fauente
           Cathedram Holensem obitnuit.
1391    Moritur.

                              XV.
                            Petrus.
        Ordinatur, quo anno prædecessor rebus mortalium exemptus est.
1392    Cathedram adit Holensem.
        Moritur.

                              XVI.
                        Ionas Wilhelmus.
1432    Anglus, siue genere, siue cognomine, præfuit Ecclcsiæ Holensi.

                              XVII.
                           Godschalcus.
1457    Moritur.

                              XVIII.
                          Olaus Rogwaldi F.

1458    Prædicti Godschalchi ex sorore nepos, vterque Noruagus, eligitur.
1497    Moritur.

                              XIX.
                          Godschalcus.
        De mortus Olai nepos ex fratre, et ille Noruagus, eligitur eodem
          anno quo patruus decessit.

1500    Cathedram adit, ac per totos 20. annos multos ex subditis duriter
          exercuisse fertur.
        Anno 1520. cum inter pocula et voluptates conuiuales versaretur
          audirétque obijsse Ionam Sigismundum, quem cum vxore et liberis
          multos annos crudelissimè vexauerat, in subitum morbum repentè
          incidit, et sic paulò post, eam, qua in tota vita in miseros
          subditos vsus est vim cum miserabili morte commutauit.

                               XX.
                       Ionas Aræsonius.
1525     Cathedram adit: etiam hic papisticarum superstitionum vltimus et
           acerrimus assertor. Qui, cum Gyssero et Martino episcopus
           Schalhotiæ acriter resisteret, à pientiss. Rege Christiano
1548       tertio iubetur sub poena exilij protinus in Daniam aduentare.
1550       Sed hoc neglecto, captum Martinum Schalholtiæ Episcopum custodiæ
           mandauit.  Tandem et ipse à viro quodam magni nominis, quem
           prius vt fertur, lacessiuerat, captus, ac Schalholtiam adductus,
           ibidem cum filijs duobus, authoritate regij præfecti, capitis
1551       supplicio affectus est. In cuius vltionem, non multò post
           præfectus ille regius, cum socijs aliquot, à quibusdam sicarijs,
           decollatorum olim famulis, nefarie occisus est.

                               XXI.
                         Olaus Bialterus.
1552     Abit patria.
1553     Cathderam adit.
         Hic primus sincerioris doctrinæ apud Holenses amorem in multorum
           animis, etiam adhuc prædecessoris sui collega, accendit: Deinde
           eandem doctrinam Episcopus apertius docuit et propugnauit.
1568     Moritur.

                               XXII.
                       Gudbrandus Thorlacius.
         Ille non modò suæ ætatis, sed et posterntatis ornamentum. Qui
           præterquam quod inchoatum opus à prædecessore Olao sibi relictum
           ducente S. S. optimè ad eam, quam dedit Deus perfectionem,
           deduxit, (dico labores et diligentiam in asserenda veritate
           Euangelica, et papisticis superstitionibus abrogandis) etiam in
           hac patria sua officinam Typographicam primus Islandorum
           aperuit. Cui idcirco patria inter libros complures in linguam
           vernaculam translatos, etiam sacrosancta Biblia, elegantissimis
           typis Islandica lingua in officna ipsius excusa, in æternum
           debebit.
         Hic inquam Episcopus præsens, officium suscepturus.
1570     Abijt.
1571     Redit Cathedram Holensem ingreditur.


The same in English.

CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE BlSHOPS OF ISLAND.

The Bishops of Schalholt.                                     In the yeere
                                                                of Christ
                      I.
                   Isleif.
Consecrated beyond the seas.                                       1056
Returneth and entereth the Bishops sea of Schalholt.               1057
Dieth in the yere of his age 74. the 4. of the                     1080
   Kalends of Iuly.

                      II.
                   Gysserus.
Consecrated beyond the sea.                                        1082
Returneth into Island with his Bishopricke.                        1083
Dieth the 5. of the Kal. of May being tuesday.                     1118

                     III.
          Thorlacus sonne of Runulphus.
Consecrated the same yeere, wherein his predecessor.         In the year
   Gysserus deceased, but yet 30. dayes before               of his age 32
   his death. Dieth.                                               1133

                      IV.
                    Magnus.
Consecrated.                                                       1134
On the morrowe after the feast of all Saints, in his               1148
  parish towne of Hiitardal, the house being striken
  with lightning, hee, and 70. men with him were
  consumed with fire.

                      V.
                   Klaingus.
Chosen.                                                            1151
Entreth the see.                                                   1152
Dieth.                                                             1176

                      VI.
                   Thorlacus.
Chosen two yeres before the death of his predecessour.
Consecrated.                                                       1178
Dieth.                                                             1193

                      VII.
                     Paulus.
Consecrated.                                                       1195
Dieth.                                                             1211

                      VIII.
                     Magnus.
Consecrated.                                                       1216

                      IX.
                   Siguardus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1239
Dieth.                                                             1268

                      X.
                   Arnerus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1269
Dieth.                                                             1298

                      XI.
              Arnerus sonne of Helgo.
Consecrated.                                                       1304
Entreth the see.                                                   1305
Saileth into Norwaie, to craue timber of the king of Norway,       1309
  wherewith the Church of Schalholt might be reedified, which the
  same yere being toucht with lightning, was burnt downe.

Returneth home.                                                    1310
Dieth.                                                             1320

                      XII.
                 Ionas Haldorus
Elected.                                                           1321
Consecrated the first of August.                                   1322
Entreth his see.                                                   1323
Dieth.                                                             1338

                      XIII.
      Ionas, sonne of Indred, a Noruagian borne.
Entreth his see.                                                   1339
Dieth.                                                             1341

                      XIV.
            Ionas sonne of Siguardus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1343
Dieth on S. Magnus euen.                                           1348

                      XV.
                    Gyrthus.
Consecrated at Aslo in Norway by Salomon bishop of Aslo.           1349
Going beyond the seas he was drowned.                              1356

                      XVI.
                  Thorarinnus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1362
Dieth.                                                             1364

                      XVII.
                    Oddgeirus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1366
Dieth vpon the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, in the port of    1381
  Bergen in Norway, falling downe from a packe of wares into the
  botome of the ship. He was buried at Bergen in the Church of our
  Sauiour.

                      XVIII.
                 Michael a Dane.
Entreth his see.                                                   1385
Resigneth, and saileth into Denmarke.                              1388

                      XIX.
                 William a Dane.
Entereth the Bishopricke.                                          1394
Dieth.

                      XX.
                   Arnerus.
Arnerus sirnamed Mildur, that is to say Liberall. He was at one
  time Lord President of all Island, bishop of Schalholt, and
  vicebishop of Holen. He died.                                    1420

                      XXI.
               Ionas Gerichson.
Sueden either sirnamed or borne is made Bishop ouer the Church of  1432
  Schalholt and afterward for certaine bolde attempts being taken
  by one Thorualdus de Modruuollum (as it is reported) and a great
  stone being bound to his necke, hee was cast aliue into the
  riuer of Schalholt, (which taketh name of the bridge) and was
  there strangled.

                      XXII.
                    Goswinus.
Bishop of Schalholt.                                               1445

                      XXIII.
                      Sueno.
Called the wise, bishop of Schalholt.                              1472

                      XXIV.
            Magnus sonne of Riolphus.
Bishop &c.                                                         1489

                      XXV.
                    Stephen.

Entreth the See. Then (liuing at one time with Godschalchus bishop 1494
  of Holen, who seemed worthy to be sirnamed cruel) he had the
  same commendations for mercy and iustice, that Godschalchus had.
He died: or thereabout.                                            1519

                      XXVI.
                   Augmundus.

Chosen in the yeere wherein Stephen deceased.
Entreth the see.                                                   1522
While he was Bishop, the kings Lieutenant with some of his
  followers being inuited to Schalholt, in the time of the banquet
  was slaine by certaine conspirators because hee had in all
  places wickedly wasted the inhabitants and their goods. But
  Augmundus as the authour of that murther (although he purged
  himselfe with an othe) being transported into Denmarke there
  ended his life.

                     XXVII.
                   Gysserus.
Elected, Augmundus yet liuing.                                     1540
Entred the see.                                                    1541
He was the abolisher of Popish traditions about Priests marriages:
  his owne marriage being solemnized at Schalholt.                 1544

                     XXVIII.
                    Martinus.
Bishop &c. And the yeeres following.                               1547

                     XXIX.
                 Gislaus Ionas.
This man presently, in the time of bishop Augmund began in his
  youth to be enflamed with the loue of true pietie, & of the pure
  doctrine of the Gospel, & being pastour of the Church of
  Selardal, diligently to aduance the same, by which meanes he did
  so procure vnto himselfe the hatred of Papists, as being
  constreined to giue place vnto their craft & crueltie, he
  departed ouer to Hamburg, from whence comming to Copen Hagen in
  Denmarke & painefully proceeding in his former study of
  diuintie, he liued in the familiaritie, and fauour of many, but
  specially of D. D. Peter Palladius: who was at that time bishop
  there. Afterward returning into his countrey, Martine gaue place 1556
  vnto him of his owne accord. This man died also, hauing for the  1587
  space of 31. years or there abouts, professed the Gospel of
  Iesus Christ: neither did he helpe & further the Church of God
  by the sound of his voice much, but by all other meanes to the
  vtmost of his abilities, by teaching, preaching, writing, by his
  wealth & his counsel.

                     XXX.
                  Otto Knerus.
A graue, godly, and learned man. Being Chosen he departeth his     1588
  country. Hee is consecrated returneth, and entreth the sea,      1589
  endeuouring himselfe in the labours of his function.

       *        *       *       *       *

The Bishops of Holen                                          In the yeere
                                                                of Christ

                     I.
           Ionas sonne of Augrnundus.
Isleif his disciple.                                               1106
Consecrated beyonde the seas in the yeere of his age 64, his
  surname was Sanctus, vnto whose memorie the 3. of March was by
  the inhabitants in old time dedicated.
Dieth the 11. of the Kalends of May.                               1121

                     II.
             Ketillus or Catullus.
Consecrated.                                                       1121
Dieth.                                                             1145

                     III.
                    Biorno.
Being consecrated came into Island.                                1147
Dieth.                                                             1162

                     IV.
                   Brandus.
Consecrated                                                        1163
Entreth his Episcopall see.                                        1165
Dieth.                                                             1201

                     V.
           Gudmundus sirnamed Bonus.
Elected and consecrated.                                           1203
Dieth.                                                             1237

                     VI.
                 Botolphus.
Returneth consecrated.                                             1239
Dieth.                                                             1246

                     VII.
                   Henricus.
Entreth the see.                                                   1247
Dieth.                                                             1260

                     VIII.
               Brandus an Abbat.
Goeth beyond the seas.                                             1262
Entreth the Bishopricke.                                           1263
Dieth.                                                             1264

                     IX.
                  Iorundus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1267
Dieth.                                                             1313

                     X.
                  Audunnus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1314
Dieth.                                                             1322

                     XI.
                 Laurentinus.
Elected and consecrated.                                           1324
Dieth in the Ides of April                                         1331

                     XII.
                    Egillus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1332
Dieth.                                                             1341

                     XIII.
                    Ormus.
Entreth his see.                                                   1343
Dieth vpon the feast of all Saints.                                1355

                     XIV.
          Ionas Sonne of Ericus, sirnamed Skalle.

Being to enter his sea of Holen came into Island. This Ionas       1358
  being before time consecrated bishop of Gronland, obteined       A Bishop
  licence of the bishop of Rome to enter the See of Holen, which   Gronland
  was at that time vacant. Whereupon comming and not bringing      1356
  with him the confirmation of this dignitie and function,
  receiued from the Pope hee began to be suspected among the
  priests of the diocesse of Holen. Wherefore he was sent backe
  by them into Norway that the matter might bee set through by
  the iudgement of the king. The king therefore fauouring his
  part, he obteined the bishopricke of Holen.
He dieth.                                                          1391

                      XV.
                     Peter.
Consecrated the same yeere wherein his predecessour departed out
  of this present life.
Entreth the see of Holen.                                          1392
Dieth

                      XVI.
               Ionas Wilhelmus.                              An Englishman
                                                                Bishop of
English, either borne or sirnamed.                               Island.
Entred the see.                                                   1432

                      XVII.
                   Godschalcus.
Died.                                                             1457

                      XVIII.
                      Olaus.

Son of Rogwaldus nephew to the forenamed Godschalcus by the
  sisters side, both of them being Norwayes.
He was established.                                               1458
He died.                                                          1497

                      XIX.
                   Godschalcus.

The nephewe of Olaus deceased, by the brothers side: also hee
  being a Noruagian was elected the same yeere wherein his vncle
  deceased.
He entreth the see. And for the space of 20. whole yeres is       1500
  reported cruelly to haue entreated many of the subiects. In
  the yeere 1520. when he was in the midst of his cups, and
  banquetting dishes, and heard that Ionas Sigismundus was
  departed out of this life (whom with his wife and children,
  he had for many yeres most cruelly oppressed) he presently
  fell into a sudden disease, and so not long after changed that
  violence for miserable death, which in his whole life he had
  vsed against his distressed subiects.

                      XX.
                 Ionas Aræsonius.
Entreth the see.                                                  1525
This man was the last and most earnest mainteiner of Popish
  superstitions. Who stoutely withstanding Gysserus and Martinus
  bishops of Schalholt, was commanded by the most religious king
  Christian the 3. vnder paine of banishment to come with all
  speed into Denmarke. But neglecting the king's commaundement,
  hee tooke Martine bishop of Schalholt, and committed him to
  ward. At length he himselfe also being taken by a man of great
  name (whom before that time, it is saide, he had prouoked) and
  being brought to Schalholt, was, together with his two sonnes,
  by the authoritie of the kings Lieutenant beheaded. In reuenge  1551
  whereof not long after, the saide Lieu-tenant with some of his
  company, was villanously slaine by certaine roysters, which
  were once seruants to the parties beheaded.

                      XXI.
                 Olaus Walterus.
Departed his countrey.                                            1552
Entreth the see.                                                  1553

This man (being as yet in the life time of his predecessour
  fellow-labourer with him) was the first that kindled the loue
  of sincere doctrine at Holen in the hearts of many: and then
  being bishop did openly teache and defend the said doctrine.
He died.                                                          1568

                      XXII.
              Gudbrandus Thorlacius.
The ornament, not onely of his age, but of posteritie also who
  besides that, by the direction of the holy spirit, he hath
  most notably brought the worke begunne, and left vnto him by
  his predecessour Olaus to that perfection which it hath
  pleased God to vouchsafe: (namely his labours and diligence
  in maintayning the trueth of the Gospel, and in abolishing of
  Popish superstitions) euen in this his countrey hee is the
  first that hath established a Printing house. For which cause
  his countrey (besides, for many other books translated into our
  mother tongue) shalbe eternally bounded vnto him, that the
  sacred Bible also, by his meanes, is fairely printed in the
  language of Island. (I say) being at this present, Hee Bishop,
  when he was about to take his charge:
Departed his countrey.                                            1570
Returned and entred the see of Holen.                             1571


Circa hæc igitur tempora mentibus nostris è coelo redditta lux est, et
regni coelestis ianua per sinceriorem doctrinæ Christianæ expositionem
reserata. Nam et Schola triuialis in vtraque sede Episcopali, laudatissimi
Regis Daniæ Christiani tertij munificentia et pietate, circa annum 1553.
fundata est: ac subinde patris Christianissimi eximiam pietatem imitante
filio, Diuo Friderico secundo rege nostro sanctissimo, Anno 1588. ad
coelestem patriam euocato, aucta et promota: quæ etiam hodiè, clementissimi
regis et principis nostri, Christiani 4. fauore et nutu viget floretque: in
qua iuuentus nostræ Insulæ, artium dicendi et sacræ Theologiæ rudimentis
imbuta, ad scientiam et veram pietatem formatur, vt hinc ministri
Ecclesiarum petantur.

Peruenimus tandem ad hodiernum vsque diem in Episcoporum Islandiæ catalogo:
quo prædicti viri clarissimi Dom. Gudbrandus Thorlacius, et Dom. Otto
Enerus ille Holis, hic Schalholtiæ Ecclesiarum sunt antistites: quorum
vtrumque, vt Deus opt. max. Ecclesiæ suæ saluum et superstitem, propter
gloriam nominis sui sanctissimi, diu conseruare velit, omnes seriò et
ardentibus votis flagitamus.

The same in English.

In these times therefore light is restored vnto our soules from heauen, and
the gate of the kingdome of heauen is opened vnto vs by the sincere
preaching of Christian doctrine. For in either of the Bishops seats there
is a free schoole founded by the liberality and pietie of that most
renoumed King of Denmarke Christian the third: and afterward the sonne
following the godly steppes of his most Christian father, the said Free
schooles by Lord Friderick the second, our most religious King, being
called vp to his heauenly countrey in the yeare 1588, haue beene encreased
and furthered: which at this day also doe prosper and flourish by the
fauour and authoritie of the most gracious King and our Prince, Christian
the fourth, wherein the youth of our Islande being instructed in the
rudiments of liberall artes, and sacred diuinitie, are trained vp to
knowledge and true godlinesse, that from hence ministers of Churches may
proceede.

We are come at length in the register of the Bishops of Island downe to
this present day, wherein the forenamed excellent men Gudbrandus
Thorlacius, and Otto Enerus, the one at Holen, and the other at Schalholt
are Bishops of our Cathedrall Churches both of which men, that it would
please God long to preserue vnto his Church in health and life, for the
glorie of his most holy name, we all doe earnestly and with feruent prayers
beseech him.

SECTIO SECVNDA.

[Sidenote: Must. Krantz. Frisius.] Specus habitant plerùmque, aut ad
  montium latera in excauatis mansiunculis. Et mox: Templa habent multa et
  domos ex ossibus piscium et balenarum constructas. Item: Multi etiam ad
  pellendam frigoris asperitatem in cauernis latitant, quemadmodum Africani
  ad solis æstum vitandum. Item Munsterus. Multi in Islandia hodie costis
  et ossibus balenarum, domos suas construunt, &c.

Hic membrum secundum initium sumit, de incolarum viuendi ratione et
moribus. Et primùm, quibus vtantur, edificijs seu domibus: nempè secundum
Munsterum, Krantzium, Frisium, &c. Specubus et montium cauernis. Quamuis
autem in splendidis ædificijs, alijsque id genus mundani ornatus pretiosis
rebus parum inest, quod ad verè beatam vitam conferre queat, tamen nec hîc
veritatem tacere possumus: dicimúsque omnino Cosmographos et Historicos in
errore etiam hîc versari. Etenim, cuiusmodi gentis publica domicilia esse
scribunt, ea sunt tantùm in paucis locis, tum magalia, vt opilionum, tum
piscatorum casæ et receptacula, eo tantum anni tempore quo piscaturæ operam
dare, aut propter gregem excubare opus habent. [Sidenote: Negotiatio cum
Noruagis desijt. Sylua fluctibus maris delatæ.] At ipsas domus, seu ipsa
hominum domicilia, antiquitus quidem satis magnificè et sumptuosè, quoad
huius terræ fert conditio, ligno, cespite et saxis habuerunt Islandi
constructa, vsque ad illud tempus, quo illis cum Noruagis, qui ligna
sufficiebant, negociatio, et mercium commutatio esse desijt, quæ inde
paulatim collabi incipiunt: Cum nec syluas ædificijs aptas habeamus, nec
fluctuum maris beneficio iam vt olim ad littora, quod minima ex parte
sufficiat, adferatur: Nec mercatores extranei inopiæ nostræ succurrant.
Vnde plurima rura ignobiliora ab antiqua illa integritate multum
declinarunt, et iam quædam collapsa sunt, quædam ruinam minantur.
Nihilominus multa sunt prædia, multæ villæ, quas haud facile recensuero,
quarum ædificia veterem illam excellentiam imitantur, et quarum domus sunt
maximæ, et latæ et longæ, tum plærúmque benè altæ. Vt exempli gratia.
Prædia seu villæ, quæ cubilia habent plusquam 50. cubitos longa, 10. lata,
alta 20. Tum reliquas domus, vt coenaculum, hypocaustum, penuarium &c. huic
sua proportione respondentes. Possum multa nostratium ædificia ampla et
vasta, nec in speciem deformia, nec ob artis structuram et sumptuosam
firmitudinem, seu robur, contemnenda cum aliquot delubris, siue sacris
ædibus, solis lignis, antiqua et operosa grauitate et pulchritudine
extructis commemorare: Cuiusmodi est templum Cathedrale Holense atrium
habens, cuius columnæ vtrinque quinque vlnas 14. altæ, 5. circiter crassæ:
tum trabes ac tigna, et reliquum culmen, huic substructioni
proportionaliter respondens. Ligna ad hoc ipsum atrium Anno 1584. horrenda
tempestate collapsum, clementissimus Rex noster D. Fridericus cuius nobis
sacratissima est memoria, Anno 1588. benignissimè largitus est. Ipsum verò
templum atrium suum omni quantitate manifeste excedit: tum templi intima
pars quæ chorus appellari solet, et templi meditullio, et atrio magnitudine
nonnihil cedit. Erat autem hoc longè maius olim, vt accepi Schalholtense,
quod iam bis concrematum, ad inferiorem magnitudinem redactum est. Prætereà
aliquot alia templa nostræ Insulæ horum antiquam magnificentiam imitantia
licet non æquintia. Sed hic nequaquam res exigere videtur, vt in
prolixiorem eius rei descriptionem euager. Vt enim Domus et edificia nostra
nihil depredicamus: ita eorundem nos nihil pudet, quòd contenti paupertate
nostra Christo gratias immortales agamus, qui à nobis vili tecto non
dedignatur recipi, quòdque templa et domus nostras quas Munsterus Krantzius
et Frisius piscium et balenarum ossibus non verè dicunt extructas, non
aspernetur magis, quàm illa extraneorum culmina marmorea, parietes
vermiculatos pauimenta tesselata reliquùmque id genus ornamenti.

The same in English.

THE SECOND SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munsterus. Krantzius. Frisius.] They inhabite for the most part
  in caues, or hollowe places within the sides of mountaines. And againe,
  They haue many houses and Churches built with the bones of fishes, and
  Whales. Againe. Many of them also to auoide the extremitie of colde, doe
  keepe themselues close in their caues, euen as the people of Africa doe
  to auoyde the heate of the sunne. Also Munster sayth: Many in Island at
  this day build their houses with the ribbes and bones of Whales.

Here the second member taketh his beginning concerning the course of life,
and the manners of the inhabitants. And first of all what buildings or
houses they doe vse namely according to Munster, Krantinus, Frisius &c.
Holes and caues of mountaines. But although in gorgeous buildings, and such
other worldly braueries there is very little helpe to the attayning of a
life truely happie: notwithstanding, wee can not in this place conceale the
truth and we plainly affirme that Cosmographers and Historiographers also
doe erre in this point. For such habitations as they write to be common
vnto the whole nation, are but in verie fewe places, and are either
sheepe-cots for shepheards, or cottages and receptacles for fishermen at
that time of the yeere onely when they goe a fishing, and the others stande
in neede to watch their flocke. [Sidenote: Traffike with the people of
Norway ceaseth.] But for their houses themselues, and the verie dwelling
places of men, the Islanders haue had them built from auncient time stately
and sumptuously enough, according to the condition of the Countrey, with
timber, stones, and turfes, vntill such time as traffike and exchange of
wares beganne to cease betweene them and the Noruagians, who were wont to
supply them with timber, and for that cause nowe our houses beginne to
decay whenas neither we haue woods of conuenient for building, [Sidenote:
Drift wood not so plentifull now as in times past] nor yet there are nowe a
dayes, as there were in olde time, trees cast vpon our shores by the
benefite of the sea, which may in any sort relieue vs: neither doe
outlandish Merchants succour our neccessities; whereupon many of our
meanest countrey villages are much decayed from their auncicnt integritie,
some whereof be fallen to the ground, and others bee very ruinous.
Notwithstanding there be many farmes and villages which I cannot easily
reckon vp, the buildings whereof doe resemble that auncient excellencie,
the houses being verie large both in breadth and length, and for the most
part in height also As for example farmes or granges which conteine
chambers in them, more than fiftie cubites in length, tenne in breadth, and
twentie in height. And so other roomes, as a parler, a stoue, a butterie,
&c. answering in proportion vnto the former. I could here name many of our
countrey buildings both large and wide neither ilfauoured in shewe, nor
base in regarde of their workemanship and costly firmenesse or strength,
with certaine Churches also, or religious houses, built of timber onely,
according to auncient and artificiall seemelinesse and beautie: as the
Cathedrall Church of Holen hauing a bodie the fiue pillars whereof on both
sides be foure elnes high, and about fiue elnes thicke, as also beames and
weather-bourdes, and the rest of the roofe proportionally answering to this
lower building. Our most gracious King Lord Frederick, whose memory is most
sacred vnto vs, in the yere 1588. did most liberally bestowe timber for the
reedifying of this body being cast downe in the yere 1584. by an horrible
tempest. But the Church it selfe doth manifestlie exceed the body thereof
in all quantity: also the inner part of the Church, which is commonly
called the quier is somwhat lesse, both then the middle part of the Church,
and also then the bodie.

The Church of Schalholt was farre greater as I haue heard in olde time,
then this our Cathedrall, which hauing now beene twise burnt, is brought to
a lesser scantling. Likewise there be some other Churches of our Island,
although not matching, yet resembling the auncient magnificence of these.
But here the matter seemeth not to require that I shoulde runne into a long
description of these things. For as wee doe not greatly extoll our houses
and buildings, so are we nothing ashamed of them, because being content
with our pouertie, we render vnto Christ immortall prayse who despiseth not
to be receiued of vs vnder a base roofe, and contemneth not our temples and
houses (which Munster, Krantzius, and Frisius doe not truely affirme to be
built of fishes and Whales bones) more then the marble vaults, the painted
walles, the square pauements, and such like ornamentes of Churches and
houses in other countries.


SECTIO TERTIA.

[Sidenote: Munsterus Krantzius.] Commum tecto, victu, statu, (hic Krantzius
  habet, strato) gaudent cum iumentis. Item: Solo pastu pecorum et nunc
  captura piscium victitant.

Hæc sunt et sequentia, quæ Krantzius suo Munstero præmansa, in os ingessit,
adeò vt Munstero non opus fuent ea vel semel masticare, quod ex collatione
vtriusque patet. Munsterus enim hæc opprobria, vt ex Krantzij in suam
Noruegiam præfatione hausta deglutierat, ita eadem cruda lib. 4.
Cosmographiæ capit. 8. in gentem nostram euomit. Quæ hactenus fuerunt, etsi
satis grauia sunt, tolerabiliora tamen erant. Hoc verò commentum
malignissimum, et quæ sequentur, non facilè est sine stomacho præterire.
Nostrum igitur est, etiam hîc veritatem asserere, et mendacium in Authoris
caput retorquere.

Tecto: Primùm igitur quod de commum tecto (vti etiam de victu et statu) cum
iumentis dicunt, falsum et erroneum clamamus, teste non modò re ipsa, si
quis id hodiè perquirere volet: Sed etiam multorum extraneorum, qui aliquot
apud nos annos egerant, et veritati plus quam gentem nostram calumniandi
affectui tribuunt, experientia; qui ipsi domos et habitationes nostras
viderunt, et norunt in singulis prædijs seu villis, multas esse distinctas
domus: nempe in abiectissimis et vilissimis 7. vel 8. in maioribus, nunc
decem, nunc 20. In maximis, nunc 40, nunc 50; quæ vt plurimùm, et tecto et
parietibus distinctæ, vni possessori vel domino, rarò duobus aut tribus,
rarissimè pluribus inseruiunt, ac vsibus quotidianis et domesticis
sufficiunt. Vnde facilè intelligis, Lector, quàm verè eodem tecto cum
iumentis vtantur Islandi, cum singuli rustici in hac domuum varietate,
peculiaria bouilia, ouilia, equitia, agnilia, debitis interuallis dissita
habeant, quæ serui, quoties opus est, petunt, vnde rursus habitationem
subinde repetunt.

Quòd autem quidam in mappa Islandiæ de prouinca Skagefiord annotauit, sub
eodem tecto homines, canes, sues et oues, viuere, partim falsum, partim
minimè mirandum est. De ouibus quidem, vt iam dictum est, et præcipuè
suibus (cum illa prouincia sues non habeat) falsum: De canibus haud mirum,
cum illis nec regum aulæ caruerint nec hodiè careant, vt nimis omnibus est
notum. Sed de canibus paulò post Sect 7. huius.

Victu. An iumentorum pabula possint commodè victus appellatione contineri,
meritò dubitauerim. Cùm Doletus, Ciceronis interpretem agens, dicat:
Victum, inquit, cum iureconsultis, ita exponemus, vt victus verbo
contineantur, quæ esui, potui, cultuique corporis, quæque ad viuendum
homini sunt necessana. Et Vlpianus, de verborum significat. Ijsdem verbis
victum definit. Hoc loco verò Authores illi, etiam iumentorum pabula,
victum appellant.

Cæterum videamus quomodo hîc eluceat veritatis et candoris præstantia.
Iumenta non habemus præterquam equos et boues: His gramina et foenum (nisi
vbi foeni inopia obrepit) pabulum, aqua potum præbet. At hi ipsi scriptores
fatentur, Islandos piscibus, butyro, carnibus, tum bubulis, tum ouillis,
etiam frumento, licet pauco et aduentitio viuere. Non igitur cibum habent
cum brutis communem, quod tamen ijdem his verbis asserunt. Communi victu
gaudent cum iumentis: Quod quid sit Munstero, ipse paulò superius haud
obscurè docuit. Islandia, innquit, populos multos continet, solo pecorum
pastu, et nunc captura piscium victitantes. Quid autem est pecorum pastus,
aliud, quàm pecorum cibus? ait Doletus: nisi Munsterus fortè pecorum
pasium, ipsa pecora ad pastum hominum mactata appellet: cui, vt existimo,
vsus Romanorum refragatur, qui, vt homines vesci, ita pecora pasci docuit:
hominúmque victum pecorum autem, pastum et pabulum vocari iussit. An verò
existimem tam dementes fuisse Munsterum et Krantzium vt senserint Islandos
graminibus et foeno viuere? Quo miseriæ Nabuchodonozor, diuinæ vltionis
iugum subiens redactus est Dani 4. 30. Facilè dabimus multa, quibus
homines, non modò nostrates, sed vestrates quoque vescuntur, iumenta et
pecora fortè non reijcere, si familiari pabulo destituantur. Vt equi
frumento et panibus hordeaceis pascuntur: ijdem lac (quemadmodum etiam
vituli et agni) et cereuisiam, si offeratur bibunt, et quidem auidè. Sed et
canes quævis fercula et cibaria deuorant. An idcircò quisquam dicet,
homines communi victu cum canibus et iumentis gaudere?

Iam quæcunque famis grassantis tempore contigere pro vniuersali gentis
alicuius consuetudine in historiam referri non debent. Vt non licet nobis
de extraneis scribere huius aut illius terræ populos canum murium aut
felium vsu victitare solitos, etsi fortè fame siue obsidione, siue alioqui
annonas charitate inualescente immissa, id factitarint.

Potum autem interdum esse multis cum iumentis communem non magnoperè
contraibimus: nempè aquam limpidissimam, naturalem ilium potum omnibus
animantibus à Deo creatum quem etiam ex parte, medicinæ consulti comendant,
imò nec patres Hebræi nec ipse Seruator noster fastidiebat.

Ad amictum verò quod attinet, (Nam et amictum victus vocabulo
comprehendimus) nequaquam hic cum iumentis communis est. Illa enim pilis et
villis natura (quod Munsterum et Krantzium nouisse iurarim) vestiuit:
homines, alioqui nudi, pannis corpus induere necesse habent. Hæc indumenta,
quæ quidem Islandia suppeditat, ex lanis ouium conficiuntur. Sed non
cogitaram ideò recte dici, amictum esse nobis cum ouibus communem siue
eundem. Vtuntur etiam extranei pannis ex ouilla lana confectis, licet
artificio subtiliore. Sed de indumentis nihil: Stultum enim est, ex eo
laudem vel superbam æstimationem quærere quod naturæ nostræ infirmitatem
arguit.

Statu. Restat ille status quem cum brutis habere communem dicimur. Qui
qualis aut cuiusmodi sit, aut eum esse velint nostri scriptores, certè non
facilè assequor. Status inquit Doletus est vel corporis, vel causarum vel
ordinis et conditionis. Certè alium esse statum nostri corporis quàm
iumentorum (nam præter duos pedes etiam manus habemus et corpore ac vultu
sursum erecto incedimus) alium item ordinem et conditionem nostram ducimus.
Illi boni viri si id de se aut alijs cognitum habent fateantur. Nos hæc tam
vana et in Deum creatorem nostrum tam contemptibilia irridemus, nec
prolixiore tractatu dignamur.

[Sidenote: Occasi harum fabularum.] Cæterum quia nostrum est nec amori
patriæ, nec vlli rei tantum tribuere, quin plus semper et vbique veritati
largiamur: Dicam quid sit quod huic infami scriptorum conuicio occasionem
fortè dederit.

Sunt in vicinia Schalholtiæ, ad littus Islandie australe paroechiolæ tres,
inter duos rapidissimos amnes Thiorsaa et Olffwis Aa interceptæ; quæ et
syluis et cespitibus consueto gentis ad focos alendos fomite ferè
destituuntur. In istis paroechijs habitantes et si qui sint vicini, quamuis
plures eorum, vt de omnibus rebus ad rem familiarem pertinentibus, ita
etiam de his, quæ ad focos et balnea opus habent, sibi opportunè
prospiciunt: Tamen sunt inter eos quidam sed infirma tantum sortis coloni,
qui quoniam estis rebus domi destituantur, nec aliunde petere eas valeant
in culinis foeno ad coquendos cibos vtuntur: Ast vbi hyemis niuosæ sævitia
horrida ingruit, coloni isti miseri ad suum bouile refugiunt illic scilicet
exstructis tabulatis interidiù operas domesticas exercentes, à bobus, cum
focos habere nequeant, calorem mutuantur, quemadmodum mihi ab alijs
narratum est. Sicque illi tantùm qui sanè paucissimi sunt, communi cum
bobus tecto in bruma vti quidem non gaudent, sed coguntur. Verùm victum et
statum longè alium habent, de qua re hactenus. Hæc est in istis
Paroechiolis quorundam sors et inopia, quorum conditio idcirco etiam apud
nos fabula vulgi effecta est, quamuis non satis iustè. Vbi quo iure toti
genti tribuatur, quod vix ac ne vix quidem de istis paucis colonis verùm
est, libentur quæsierim? Tædet de his pluribus agere: Tantum quia mihi cum
Theologis res est illud Saiomonis ijs reponam. [Sidenote: Prouerb 14.] Qui
calummatur egenum, deridet factorem eius.

Equidem quia gens hæc nostra pauper et egena est et fuit, ad veluti quidam
mendicus inter diuites, tot extraneorum probra et scommata tulit. Sed
videant cui exprobrent. Certè, si aliud nihil nobis cum illis commune est,
tamen omnes ex ijsdem constamus elementis, et vnus et idem omnium Pater,
Deus.

The same in English.

THE THIRD SECTION.

[Sidenote: Krantzius Munsterus.] They and their cattell vse all one house,
  all one food or victuals, one state (here Krantzius hath it lodging.)
  Also. They liue onely by feeding of cattell, and sometimes by taking of
  fishes.

Those be the things together with those that followe, which Krantzius hath
champed, and put into Munsters mouth, so that Munster shall not neede so
much as once to chewe them, which may appeare by comparing them both
together. For Munster, as hee swallowed these reproches, taking them out of
Krantzius his preface vpon Norway, so he casteth vp the verie same morsels
vndigested and rawe against our nation, in his fourth booke of Cosmographie
cap. 8. Those things which haue beene hitherto, although they haue
sufficiently grieued vs yet will we let them seeme more tollerable: but
this most malitious deuise, and those which follow we cannot easily brooke.
It is our part therefore in this place also to auouch the trueth, and to
turne the leasing vpon the authors owne head.

House, &c. First, that which they say concerning the same common house (as
also liuing, and state) with our cattell, we plainely affirme to be false
and erronious, not onely the truth it selfe being our witnesse, if any man
would make triall, but also the experience of manie strangers, that haue
liued some yeeres amongst vs, and haue more minde to speake the trueth then
to reuile our nation: who haue seene our house and habitations with their
owne eyes, and knewe that in euery particular farme or graunge there were
many seuerall roomes namely, in those that were most simple and base, seuen
or eight: In others which were greater, sometimes tenne, and sometimes
twentie. In the greatest sometimes fortie, and sometimes fiftie. Which for
the most part being seuered, both by roofes and walles, doe serue for the
dayly and household affaires of one owner or master, seldome of two or
three, but almost neuer of more: whereupon the Reader may easily iudge,
howe true it is that the Islanders and their cattell haue all one house to
lie in, when euery husbandman in this varietie of roomes hath seuerall oxe
stalles, sheepe-cotes, stables lambes-cots separated in different spaces
one from another, which the seruants goe vnto so oft as neede requireth,
and from thence returne backe to the dwelling houses.

But whereas one noted in his Mappe of Island, concerning the prouince of
Skagefiord, that vnder the same roofe, men, dogges swine and sheepe liue
altogether, it is partly false, and partly no maruell: for sheepe, as it
hath been sayde, and especially for swine (when as that prouince hath no
swine at alt) it is vtterly false: for dogges it is no maruell, when is not
kings courts were euer, or at this day are destitute of them, as it is well
knowen to all men. But as touching dogges afterward in the seuenth section.

Victuals, &c. Whither beasts meate may fitly be termed by the name of
Victus, a man may lustly doubt: When Doletus interpreting a peece of
Tullie, saith: As for Victus (sayth he) wee will so expound it with the
Ciuilians, namely that we comprehend vnder the word of Victus all things
necessarie for the life of man as meate, drinke, attire of the bodie, &c.
And Vlpianus de verborum significatione defineth Victus in the very same
words. But in this place the saide authors call beaste meate by the name of
Victus.

But let vs see what trueth and plaine dealing is to be found in these men.
We haue no labouring cattel besides horses and oxen: these haue grasse and
hay (except where haye is wanting) for their fodder, and water to drinke.
Now, the very same writers confesse, that the Islanders liue by fish,
butter, flesh both beefe and mutton, and corne also, though it bee scarce,
and brought out of other countries. Therefore they haue not the same foode
with brute beasts, which notwithstanding the sayde writers affirme in these
wordes: They and their cattel vse all one victuals or food. What Munsters
meaning is in this clause, he himselfe a little before hath plainely
taught.

Island (saith he) conteineth many people liuing onely with the food of
cattell, and sometimes by taking of fishes. But what else is the food of
cattell, but the meat of cattell, saith Doletus? Vnlesse perhaps Munster
calleth the food of cattell, cattell themselues slaine for the foode of
men: whom, as I thinke, the vse of the latine tongue doth gaine say, which
hath taught vs that as men doe eate, so beasts do feede, and hath termed
the victuals of men, and the food or fodder of cattell. But may I thinke
that Munster and Krantzius were so mad as to imagine that the Islanders
liue vpon grasse and hay: To this passe of miserie was Nabuchodonozor
brought vndergoing the yoke of Gods vengeance Daniel 4. vers. 30. We will
easily graunt that beasts and cattell will not perhaps refuse many things,
which men not onely of our countrey but of yours also eate, if the saide
beasts be destitute of their vsuall food: as horses are fedde with corne
and barley loaues: they will drinke milke also (like vnto calues and
lambes) and ale if it be proffered them, and that greedily. And dogges in
like manner will deuour any deinty dishes whatsoeuer. May any man therefore
say that men vse the same common victuals with dogges and horses?

Now, whatsoeuer things haue happened in the time of grieuous famine ought
not to be recorded in historie for the generall custome of any countrey. As
it is not lawfull for vs to write concerning other nations, that the people
of this or that countrie, doe vsually liue by eating of dogs, mise, cats,
although perhaps in the time of famine or seige or dearth of corne, they
haue often bene constrained so to doe.

But that the same drinke is sometimes common to many men with beasts we
will not greatly gainesay: namely most pure water, that naturall drinke
created by God for all liuing creatures: which also in some respect
Phisicians doe commende, yea, neither the Patriarkes themselues, nor our
sauiour Christ despised it.

As touching apparell (for we comprehend apparell also vnder the name of
Victus) it is no wise common to vs with beasts. For nature hath clad them
with hairs and bristles (as I dare say Munster and Krantzius cannot be
ignorant) men, being otherwise naked stande in neede of clothes to couer
their bodies. But I had not thought it might therefore haue properly beene
sayde that sheepe and we haue all one apparell. Men of other countries also
weare cloth of sheepes wooll, although it be more finely wrought. But no
more concerning the attire of the bodie. For it is a meere folly to seeke
for praise, and ambitious reputation by that, which argueth the infirmitie
of our nature.

State, &c. Now, it remaineth that we should speake of that state, which we
are sayd to haue common with beasts; but of what kinde or maner it should
be, or our writers would haue it to be I cannot easily discerne. State
(sayth Doletus) is either of the body, or of causes, or of order and
condition. Doubtlesse, that there is another state of our bodies then of
beasts (for besides our two feet, we haue hands also, and go with our
bodies, and countenances lift vpright) and that we be of another order and
condition from them, we are verily perswaded. As for these good fellowes,
if they know any such matter by themselues or others, let them disclose it.
We doe altogether scorne these, being so vaine things, and breeding so
great contempt against the Maiesty of God our creator, neither do we
vouchsafe them any larger discourse.

But because it is our duty not so highly to regard either the loue of our
countrey, or of any other thing whatsoeuer, but that we may be ready at all
times and in all places, to giue trueth the preheminence: I will say in a
word what that was which perhaps might minister occasion to this infamous
reproch of writers.

There be neere vnto Schalholt, vpon the South shore of Island three small
parishes standing betweene two most swift riuers Thiorsaa and Olffwis Aa,
being in a maner destitute both of wood and turfe, which is the accustomed
fewell of the countrey. And although most of the inhabitants of these
parishes and some of their neighbours, as they doe in time of yeere prouide
all things necessary for householde, so especially those things which
belong to fires and bathes: notwithstanding there be certaine among them of
the basest sort of people, who because they want those things at home, and
are not able to prouide them from other places, are constrained to vse
straw for the dressing of their meat. But when the sharpe rigor of snowy
Winter commeth on, these poore people betake them to their oxe stalles, and
there setting vp sheds, and doing their necessary businesse in the day
time, when they are not able to make fires, they borrow heat from their
oxen, as it hath beene reported to mee by others: And so they onely being
verie fewe in number, doe not willingly enioye, but are constrayned to vse
the same common house with their oxen. But for their liuelihoode and state
it is farre otherwise with them then with their oxen, of which thing I haue
entreated before. This is the lot, & pouertie of certaine men in those
pettie parishes, the condition whereof is therefore made a common byworde
of the people amongst vs, though somewhat iniuriously. Where I would
willingly demaund with what honestie men can impute that vnto the whole
nation, which is hard and skantly true of these fewe poore men? I am wearie
to stay any longer in this matter: onely, because I haue to doe with
Diuines, let that of Salomon suffice, Prouerbs 17, verse 5. Hee that
mocketh the poore, reprocheth him that made him.

And in very deede, because this our nation is nowe, and heretofore hath
been poore and needie, and as it were a begger amongest many rich men, it
hath susteined so many taunts and scoffes of strangers. But let them take
heede whom they vpbraide. Verely if there were nothing else common vnto vs
with them, yet we both consist of the same elements, and haue all one
father and God.

SECTIO QUARTA.

[Sidenote: Krantzius Munster] In simplicitate sancta vitam agunt, cum nihil
  amplius quærant quàm natura concedit. Beata gens, cuius paupertati nullus
  inuidet. Sed mercatores Anglici et Dani quiescere gentem non sinunt, qui
  ob piscaturam vehendam terram illam frequentantes cum mercibus omnigenis
  vitia quoque nostra inuexerunt. Nam et fruges aquæ miscere in potum
  didicerunt, et simplicis aquæ haustus oderunt. Nunc aurum et argentum cum
  nostris admirantur.

Simplicitate. Equidem sanctæ simphcitatis laudem nobis attribui, meritò
gaudemus: Sed id dolemus, quòd reperiatur etiam apud nos iustitiæ ac legum
ingens deprauatio, ac magna anarchia, quam multorum scelerum myriades
consequuntur, quod pij et boni omnes quotidiè deplorant. Id mali autem
nequaquam supremi Magistratus, hoc est, Regis nostri clementissimi, sed
verius nostra culpa accidit: qui hæc quæ clàm ipso præposterè geruntur et
quæ in inferiore magistratu desiderantur, ad maiestatem ipsius non
deferimus.

Mercatores. Mercatores porrò, non solùm Angli et Dani, sed maximè Germani,
vt nunc, ita olim terram nostram, non ob piscaturam sed pisces euehendos
frequentantes, nequaquam artem illam, miscendarum frugum aquæ, Islandos
docuerunt. Quippe ipsi Noruagi primi, quòd nobis constet, terræ nostræ
incolæ; à quibus oriundi sunt Islandi, artem illam, sicut etiam aureos
argenteósque nummos, secum ex Noruegia attulerunt; vt initio non fuerit
minor argenti et auri vsus apud nos, quàm est hodiè.

Et quidem ante Danorum, Germanorum, Anglorumue frequentes ad nos
nauigationes, terra nostra multò, quàm nunc, senescentis mundi incommoda,
coelo solóque persentiens, fertilior, in delectis simis quibúsque locis,
Cereris munera produxit.


The same in English.

THE FOURTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Krantzius. Munster.] They leade their liues in holy simplicitie,
  not seeking any more then nature doeth afforde. A happie Nation, whose
  pouertie no man doth enuie. But the English and Danish merchants suffer
  not the nation to be at rest, who frequenting that countrey to transport
  fishing, haue conueighed thither our vices, together with their manifolde
  wares. For nowe, they haue learned to brew their water with corne, and
  beginne to despise, and loath the drinking of faire water. Now they couet
  golde and siluer like vnto our men.

Simplicitie, &c. I am exceedingly glad, that the commendation of holy
simplicitie is giuen vnto vs. But it grieueth vs that there is found so
great a decay of iustice, and good lawes, and so great want of gouernement
amongst vs, which is the cause of many thousande haynous offences which all
honest and godly men doe continually bewayle. This inconuenience doth not
happen through the negligence of the highest Magistrate, that is of our
most gracious King, but rather by our owne fault, who doe not present these
thinges vnto his Maiestie, which are disorderly committed without his
knowledge, and which are wanting in the inferiour Magistrate.

Merchants. Moreouer, Merchants, not onely of England and Denmarke, but
especially of Germanie, as at this time, so heretofore frequenting our
countrey, not to transport fishing, but fishes, taught not Islanders the
arte of brewing corne with water. For the Noruagians themselues, the first,
to our knowledge, that inhabited this Island, from whom ye Islanders are
lineally descended, brought with them out of Norway that arte, as also
golde and siluer coine, so that in old time there was no lesse vse of
siluer and golde with vs, then there is at this day.

[Sidenote: Corne of old time growing on Island.] And it is certaine that
before the often nauigations of Danes, Germans, and English men vnto vs,
our land was much more fertile then nowe it is (feeling the inconueniences
of the aged and decayed worlde, both from heauen and earth) and brought
foorth, in certaine choyse places, corne in abundance.


SECTIO QUINTA.

[Sidenote: Munsterus. Krantzius.] Rex Daniæ qui et Noruagiæ quotannis
  præfectum immittit genti.

Anno Domino 846. natus est Haraldus Harfagre (quod auricomum vel
pulchricomum dixeris) Qui deinde Anno 858, Rex Noruagiæ designatus, vbi
ætas viresque iustum incrementum acceperunt, formam imperij Noruagici
mutauit. Nam antea in minutas prouincias diuisum (quas Fylki vocabant, et
qui his præerant regulos, Fylkis Konga) ad Monarchiam armis potentibus
redegit. Id cum et genere et potentia valentes aliquot regni incolæ ægrè
ferrent, patria exulare, quàm ipsius Tyrannidis iugum non detrectare
maluerunt. Vnde hi in Islandiam, antea quidem à quibusdam visam et
inuentam, at desertam tamen, colonias, dicto Superius Anno 874.
transtulerunt: Atque sic genti nostræ originem præbentes, se Islandos
nuncuparunt, quod nomen hodiè posteri retinent. Vixerunt itaque Islandi
diu, nullius imperium agnoscentes, annis scilicet 386. plus minus. Et
quamuis Rex Noruagiæ Haquinus ille conatus, qui omnium regum Noruagiæ
diutissimè, nempe plusquam 66. annos imperium gerebat, sæpè per legatos
tentarat tributarios sibi facere Islandos, constanter tamen semper
restiterunt, donec tandem circa annum Domini 1260. homagium ipsi
præstarent. [Sidenote: Margareta.] Atque postea semper in data fide
persistentes, et regibus Noruagiæ parentes, translato per Margaretam,
Daniæ, Sueciæ, et Noruagiæ reginam, Noruagorum imperio, ad Danos, vnà cum
reliquis imperij Noruagici Insulis, Serenissimum Daniæ regem; Dominum et
Regem suum hodiè salutant.

The same in English.

THE FIFTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munsterus. Krantzius.] The King of Denmarke and Norway sendeth
  euery yeere a Lieutenant into the Countrey.

In the yeere of our Lord eight hundred fortie and sixe Harold Harfagre
(which is to say, golden haires or faire lockes) was borne. Who afterward
in the yeere eight hundred fiftie and eight, being chosen king of Norway,
when he was growen to age, and full strength, chaunged the forme of the
Noruagian gouernment. For whereas before it was diuided into pettie
Prouinces (which they called Fylki, and the pettie kings that gouerned
them, fylkis konga) he reduced it by force of armes vnto a Monarchie.
[Sidenote: The occasion of the first inhabiting of Island by the people of
Norway.] But when some inhabitants of the countrie, being mightie, and
descended of good parentages, could not well brooke this hard dealing, they
chose rather to be banished their countrey, then not to shake off the yoke
of tyranny. Whereupon, they in the yeere aboue named eight hundred seuentie
and foure, transported colonies into Island being before discouered by some
men and found out, but vnpeopled as yet: And so being the first founders of
our nation, they called themselues Islanders, which name their posteritie
reteineth vnto this day. And therefore the Islanders liued a long time,
namely, three hundred eightie and sixe yeeres, more or lesse, acknowledging
no submission to any other Nation. [Sidenote: Haquinus coronatus.] And
although Haquinus that crowned King of Norway who reigned longest of any
Noruagian king, namely, about sixtie sixe yeares, did oftentimes attempt by
Ambassadours to make the Islanders become tributaries vnto him,
notwithstanding at all times they constantly withstoode him, till at length
about the yeere of our Lord 1260. they performed homage vnto him. And
afterward continued alwayes in their promised loyaltie, being subiects to
the king of Norway. But now at this day, since the Empire of the Noruagians
was translated by Margaret Queene of Denmarke, Suedeland, and Norway vnto
the Danes, they doe honour as their soueraigne Lord and King the most
gracious king of Denmarke.


SEXIO SEXTA.

[Sidenote: Krantzius Munsterus] Omnia eos communia sunt, præter vxores.

Hoc loco præmittit Krantzius talem Ironiam.

Multa insignia in moribus illorum, &c. Porrò etiam hic fidem vestram eleuat
ingenium, ad asserendum res incompertas nimis procliue, cupidinem
nouitatis, et nominis ac famaæ, imò veritatis curam preposteram arguit,
omnium et rerum personarúmque et temporum experientia: O scriptores
suspiciendi.

Testes sunt leges politicæ, quibus inde ab initio cum Noruagis vsi sunt
eisdem Islandi: De Rege et subditis: De foro, et his quæ in forensem
disceptationem cadere possunt: De hæreditatibus: adoptionibus, nuptijs,
furto, rapinis, mutuo contractibus et cæteris: Quæ omnia, quorsum illis,
quebus res omnes sunt communes? Testes sunt, tot de bonis mobilibus et
immobilibus contentiones, turbæ et certamina, in foris ac iudicijs
Islandorum: Testes sunt Reges nunc Daniæ et olim Noruagiæ, qui tot libellis
supplicibus Islandorum, ad componendas istas de possessionibus
controuersias, olim et nunc interpellati sæpè fuerant. Testis contra
seipsum Krantzius, cuius verba distinction. i. huius, hæc fuerunt. Ante
susceptam Christi fidem (Islandi) lege naturali viuentes parum à lege
nostra discrepabant, &c. Si lege naturæ, certè lege illa iustitiæ, quæ
tribuit vnicuique suum: Si lege iustitiæ, certè proprietatum et dominiorum
distinctiones in nostra gente locum habuisse oportet: Quanquam autem in
hanc ipsam legem etiam in Ecclesia, et quidem satis atrocitur, sæpè
delinquitur tamen et Ecclesia et Ethnici iustissimam et optimam esse semper
fassi sunt.

The same in English.

THE SIXTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Krantzius. Munsterus.] All things are common among them except
  their wiues.

Here Krantzius in the first place beginneth with such a gybe There be many
notable things in their manners, &c. Moreouer, your wit being too hastie in
affirming things vnknowen, doth here also diminish your credite. The
experience as well of all things as of persons and times proueth your ouer
greedie desire of noueltie, of fame and vaine glorie, and argueth your
great negligence in maintaining the truth. O worthy writers.

But whether the aforesayde things bee true or no, wee call the lawes of our
Countrey to witnesse, which the Islanders from the beginning haue vsed all
one with the Norwayes: of the King and his subiects: of the seate of
iustice, and of law cases which come to be decided there, of inheritances:
of adoptions, marriages, theft, extortions, lending, bargaines, and the
rest: all which, to what purpose should they be enioyned vnto them with
whom all things are common? We call to witnesse so many broyls and
contentions in our courts, and places of iudgement in Island concerning
goods mooueable, and immooueable: we call to witnesse our kings now of
Denmarke, aforetime of Norway, who by so many billes of supplication out of
Island in old time, and of late haue beene often interrupted, for the
setting through of controuersies concerning possessions. Wee call Krantzius
himselfe to witnesse against himselfe, whose words in the first section
were these: Before the receiuing of Christian faith the Islanders liuing
according to the lawe of nature did not much differ from our lawe &c. If by
the lawe of nature, then doubtlesse by that lawe of iustice, which giueth
to euery man his owne: If by the lawe of iustice, then certainely
distinctions of properties and possessions must needes haue taken place in
our Nation: and although this very lawe is often transgressed, and that
haynously euen in the Church: notwithstanding both the Church, and also
heathen men doe acknowledge it to be most iust and good.


SECTIO SEPTIMA.

Catulos suos et pueros æquo habent in precio: Nisi quod à pauperioribus
  facilius impetrabis filium quàm catulum, &c.

Quamuis principio huius commentarioli censuerim, Munsterum et alios magni
nominis viros, in ijs, quæ de Islandia scripta reliquerunt, esse à calumnæ
nota liberandos: num tamen id hîc, etiam à candidissimo et maxime sincero
quocunque fieri possit, non satis video. Quid enim mouit tantos viros, vt
Nautarum maleuolas nugas et mendacia secuti, tam atroci et contumelioso
opprobrio gentem nostram diffamarent, commacularentque? Nihil profectò,
nisi secura ridendi et contemnendi gentem pauperem et ignotam, licentia, et
si quæ sunt huic vicia confinia.

Cæterum nôrint omnes non tam Islandis, quàm ipsis Authoribus, incommodare
hoc mendacium. Cum enim illud, et plurima etiam alia in historiam suam
accumulant, efficiunt vnà, vt alibi quoque suspectæ fidei habeantur.
Illudque quod ait Aristoteles lucrantur, vt cum vera dixerint, illis sine
suspitione non credatur.

Sed age Lector, subsiste paulisper, mecùmque grauitatem et sapientiam
tantorum virorum expende: Ne tantum Islandiæ Elogium intactum prætereamus.
Docuerunt hactenus Krantzius et Munsterus: Islandos esse Christianos. Item:
Islandos ante susceptam Christi fidem lege naturali vixisse. Item: Islandos
vixisse lege quadam non multum à lege Germanorum discrepante. Item: Vixisse
eos in sancta simplicitate. Adesdum igitur Lector, et quas Christianismi,
Legis naturalis, legis Germanorum, santæ simplicitatis notas Authores illi
requirant, et in Islandis monstrent ac depingant, perpende. Vna fuit supra,
quòd infernum siue carcerem damnatorum montis Heclæ voragine et radicibus
circumscribant Islandi: de quo vide Sect. i. huius: et sect. 7. prior.
part. Altera nota, quòd, cum Anabaptistis, proprietatum et dominiorum
distinctiones tollant: de quo Sect. præced. Tertia eàque longe
excellentissima hæc est: illi præclari affectus naturales, amor, cura, et
animus tam pius et paternus Islandorum in liberos, quòd videlicit eiusdem
precij sint apud illos canes et filij, aut hi etiam viltoris. Siccine nobis
Munstere et Krantzi. Legem Christi, naturæ, Germanorum, et sanctam
simplicitatem depingitis: O picturam præclaram et excellentem, quamuis non
prorsus Apellæam: O Inuentum acutum et admirandum, si benè authenticum: O
scientiam plusquàm humanam, etsi non prorsus diuinam.

Nos verò Islandi, quamuis vltimi et gelidum conclusi ad Arcton, longè alias
Christianismi notas requirimis. Nam et præceptum Dei habemus, vt quilibet
proximum diligat velut seipsum. Iam nemo est, puto, qui seipsum non plus
diligat, aut pluris faciat, quàm canem. Quod si tantus esse debet proximi
cuiuslibet fauor, tanta æstimatio, tantus amor, quantus quæso erit in
liberos? Quorum arctissimum amorem, præterquam quod ipsa parens natura
nobis firmissimè conciliauit, etiam Lex diuina curam summam in enutriendo
habere iussit (Exo. 12. 24. Ephe. 6, 4.) vt scilicet sint in sancto
coniugio, Ecclesiæ quædam seminaria, omnis pietatis et honestatis
exercitia: Prout vates ille pulcherrimè cecinit.

     Vult Ecclesiolam quamlibet esse domum.

     Item: Coniugium humanæ quædam est Academia vitæ.

Vt iam satis constet, apud Christianos longè pluris faciendos et curandos
filios, quàm canes: Et, si qui non aliter curent, Christianos non esse.

Sed et hic in prolem dulcissimam affectus naturalis in Ethnicis etiam satis
apertè conspicitur: vt si quos hoc penitùs exueris, eosdem etiam homines
esse negaueris. Monstrant id matres Carthaginenses, cum tertio bello Punico
adolescentes quique lectissimi obsides in Siciliam mitterentur, quos illæ
fletu et lamentatione miserabili ad naues comitatæ, et ex his quædam à
filioram compleximus ægrè diuulsæ, cum ventis pandi vela cernerent,
nauesque è portu egredi, dolore stimulante, in subiectos fluctus
dissiluere: Sabellico authore. Monstrat Ægeus, qui nauem filij Thesei, cum
velis atri coloris, ex Creta redeuntem cerneret, perijsse filium ratus,
vitam in proximis vndis finiuit. Sabellic. lib. 3. cap. 4. Monstrat
Gordianus senior, Africæ proconsul, qui similiter, ob rumores de morte
filij, vitam suspendio clausit. Campofulgos. lib. 5. cap. 7. Monstrant idem
Iocasta Creontis filia, Auctolia Sinonis F. Anius Tuscorum Rex, Orodes Rex
Parthorum, et alij numero innumero. De quibus vide stat. lib. 2.
Plutarchum, et alios, &c. Huc illud. Amor descendit, &c. Adeò, vt videas
non minus esse homini proprium, sobolem intimè diligere, et summo amore
prosequi, quàm aut volare; vt si iam aliquando homines esse Islandos, nedum
Christianos scriptores nostri fassi sint, hunc amorem et affectum in filios
ijsdem, quantumuis inuiti et repugnantes, adscribant: sin minus, non modò
hominis titulum et dignitatem illis detrahant, sed etiam infrà bruta et
quasuis bestias, quæ ipsæ, stimulante natura, maximo prolis suæ et
arctissimo amore tenentur, deprimant.

Non addam contra hoc impudens mendacium exempla etiam nostratium satis
illustria: Tacebo leges nostras plagiarias ipsis Islandis antiquiores,
quippe a Noruagis acceptas, quæ exstant in codice legum nostrarum, titulo
Mannhelge: cap. 5. Si quis hominem liberum (quemuis nedum filium) extraneis
vendat, &c.

Iam verò si quis eò fortunæ deueniat, vt proprium filium, siue incolæ, siue
extranei alicuius potestati, vel fame vel extrema quacunque vrgente
necessitate, aut periculo, permittat, ne familicum *media deficientem
aspicere cogatur, canem verò in proprias dapes reseruet, Is minimè dicendus
est filium æquo aut inferiore loco habere quàm canem, siue id faciant,
Islandi, siue extranei quilibet.

Offenderant fortè Germanorum vel Danorum nautæ apud nos mendicos quosdam,
liberis onustos, quorum hîc maximus est numerus, qui iocando, vt sunt nugis
scurrilibus addicti, dixerint: Da mihi aut vende hoc vel illud: Cumque
rogarint extranei: Quid tu mihi vicissim? Responderint mendici. Habeo
liberos 10. vel 14. dabo ex eis vnum vel plures, &c. Solet enim ista
mendicorum colluuies istiusmodi scurriles dialogismos cum extraneis
instituere. Quod si tum quispiam bonus vir, misertus stoliditatis et inopiæ
mendicorum, vno illos filio leuauerit, eique propter Deum in alijs terris,
aliquo tandem modo benè prospexerit, num mendicus, qui alioqui cum filio,
fame et paupertate moriturus, filium miserenti permittit et committit,
filium istum suum minoris facit quàm canem? Præstitum est à multis tam
Islandis quàm extraneis huiusmodi beneuolentiæ et commiserationis opus: ex
quibus fuit vir nobilissimus Accilius Iulius à serenissimo rege Daniæ olim
missus ad Islandos, Anno Domini 1552. Qui vt audiui, 15. pueros pauperculos
assumpsit et secum in Daniam auexit: Vbi postea ipsius beneficio singulos
suo vitæ generi addictos, in viros bonos et frugi euasisse, mihi narratum
est.

Quid si quis in extrema constitutus angustia, filium non modò vendat; sed
si emptorem non habet, ipse mactet et comedat? Nota sunt huius rei exempla:
Parentum videlicet inuitiæ crudelitatis in filios, stimulante non odio vel
astorgia, sed ineuitabili necessitate compellente. Num quis inde vniuersale
gentis alicuius conuicium exstruxerit? Legimus, in obsidione Samariæ matres
duas filios suos mactasse, et coctos comedisse: 4. Reg. C. 6. Legimus in
obsidione Ierosolymitana, quam flebilis fuerit vox miserrimæ matris, filium
misellum iam mactaturæ. Infans, ait, (referam enim Eusebij verba de hac re,
etsi notissima, vt miseræ matris affectus appareat,) miselle et infelix,
cuinam in hoc belli. famis, et seditionis tumultu, te commodè reseruem? Si
Romanorum subijciamur imperio, illic seruitutis iugo pressi, vitam
infoeliciter exigemus. Sed seruitutum credo fames anteuertet. Accedit
factiosorum prædonum turba, his vtrisque miserijs toleratu multò asperior.
Age igitur mi gnate, sis matri cibus, sis prædonibus furia, sis communi
hominum vitæ fabula, quæ res vna ad Iudæorum calamitates deesse videtur.
Quæ cum dixisset, natum trucidat, assatumque dimidium mox comedit, dimidium
reseruat &c. Eusebius libro 3. capite 6. Iam quis est, qui non credat
misserrimam hanc matrem filium hunc suum, domini alicuius, si se
obtulisset, apud quem credidisset seruatum iri, aut emptoris possessioni
fuisse permissuram? Nota est fames, Calagurium, Hispaniæ vrbem, olim à
Cneio Pompeio obsessam opprimens (Val. libro septimo cap. 7.) cuius
ciuibus, vxores et liberi in vsum estremæ dapis conuersi sunt, quos
profectò; pro cibarijs et alijs dapibus haud inuiti vendidissent. Nota est
quoque fames, quæ Anno Domini 851. (Vincent. libro 25. cap. 36.) Germaniam
attriuit, vt etiam pater filium suum deuorare voluerit. Notum etiam est,
post mortem Henrici septimi Imperat fame per triennium continuata, quomodo
parentes liberos, vel liberi parentes deuorarint, et præcipuè quidem in
Polonia et Bohemia. Et ne exempla tantùm antiqua petamus, accepimus tantam
annonæ sæuitiam, Anno 1586. et 1587. in Hungaria grassatam fuisse, vt
quidam alimentorum inopia adacti immanissimo Christianorum hosti proprios
liberos vendiderint, et in perpetuum seruitutis iugum manciparint: quidam
paruulos suos, quos vlterius tolerare non sustinebant, crudeli misericordia
in Danubium proiecisse, et, suffocasse dicantur. Sed, num hæc et similia
exempla quempiam eò insaniæ adigent, vt dicat hanc vel illam nationem,
liberos in escam propriam mactare *consuettisse, Turcis libenter vendere,
aut aquis submergere et suffocare solitam esse? Non opinor. Sic neque, quòd
mendici apud Islandos, extrema vrgente necessitate, cuius durissimi sunt
morsus, filios suos libenter amittant, toti genti, et quidem probri loco,
communiter adscribendum est à quoquam, nisi apud eundem omnis pudor,
candor, humanitas, veritas exulent.

Cæterum optarim ego, parcius Islandis canum curam exprobrare illos populos,
quorum matronæ, et præcipuè nobiles, canes in maximis delicijs habent, vt
eos vel in plateis, ne dicam in sacris concionibus, sinum gestent, quem
morem in peregrinis quibusdam, quos Romæ catulos simiarum et canum in
gremio circumferre Cæsar conspexit, hac quæstione reprehendit, dum
quæreret: Numquid apud ipsos mulieres liberos non parerent? Monens errare
eos, qui à natura inditos sibi affectus, quibus in amorem hominum ac
præcipuè sobolis incitarentur, in bestias transferunt, quarum deliciarum
voluptas Islandorum gentem, nunquam cepit aut habuit. Quare iam Munstere et
Krantzi, alias nobis Christianitatis, (vt sic dicam) legis naturæ, legis
item Germanorum, et sanctæ simplicitatis notas qusente.

The same in English.

THE SEVENTH SECTION.

They make all one reckoning of their whelpes, and of their children: except
  that of the poorer sort you shall easier obtaine their sonne then their
  shalke.

Although in the beginning of this Treatise I thought that Munster and other
men of great name in those things which they haue left written concerning
Islande, were not to bee charged with slander, yet whether that fauour may
here be shewed by any man whatsoeuer (be he neuer so fauourable, and neuer
so sincere) I doe not sufficiently conceiue. For what should moue such
great men, following the despightful lyes, and fables of mariners, to
defame and staine our nation with so horrible and so shamefull a reproch?
Surely nothing else but a carelesse licentiousnesse to deride and contemne
a poore and vnknowen Nation, and such other like vices.

But, be it knowen to all men that this vntrueth doth not so much hurt to
the Islanders, as to the authors themselues. For in heaping vp this, and a
great number of others into their Histories, they cause their credite in
other places also to be suspected: And hereby they gaine thus muche (as
Aristotle sayth) that when they speake trueth no man will beleeue them
without suspition.

But attend a while (Reader) and consider with me the grauitie and wisedome
of these great Clarkes: that we may not let passe such a notable
commendation of Island. Krantzius and Munster haue hitherto taught, that
the Islanders are Christians. Also: that before receiuing of Christian
faith they liued according to the lawe of Nature. Also: that the Islanders
liued after a law not much differing from the lawe of the Germanes. Also,
that they liued in holy simplicitie.

Attend I say (good Reader) and consider, what markes of Christianitie, of
the lawe of nature, of the Germanes law, of holy simplicitie, these authors
require, and what markes they shew and describe in the Islanders. There was
one of the sayd markes before: namely, that the Islanders doe place hell or
the prison of the damned, within the gulfe and bottome of mount Hecla:
concerning which, reade the first section of this part, and the seuenth
section of the former. The seconde marke is, that with the Anabaptists they
take away distinctions of properties and possessions: in the section next
going before. The third and most excellent is this: those singular and
natural affections, that loue and tender care, and that fatherly and godly
minde of the Islanders towards their children, namely, that they make the
same accompt of them, or lesse then they doe of their dogges. What? Will
Munster and Krantzius after this fashion picture out vnto vs the lawe of
Christ, the lawe of nature, the lawe of the Germanes, and holy simplicitie?
O rare and excellent picture, though not altogether matching the skill of
Apelles: O sharpe and wonderfull inuention, if authenticall: O knowledge
more then humane, though not at all diuine.

But wee Islanders (albeit the farthest of all nations and inhabiting a
frozen clime) require farre other notes of Christianitie. For we haue the
commaundement of God, that euery man should loue his neighbour as himselfe.
Nowe there is none (I suppose) that doeth not loue or esteeme more of
himselfe then of his dogge. And if there ought to bee so great fauour, so
great estimation, so great loue vnto our neighbour, then how great
affection doe we owe vnto our children? The most neare and inseparable loue
of whom, besides that nature hath most friendly setled in our mindes, the
loue of God also commaundeth vs to haue speciall regard in trayning them vp
(Exod 12. 24. Ephes. 6. 4.) namely that there may be in holy marriage
certaine seminaries of Gods Church, and exercises of all pietie and
honestie according to the excellent saying of the Poet--

     God will haue each family,
     A little Church to be,

Also,

     Of humane life or mans societie,
     A Schole or College is holy matrimonie

That it may be manifest, that among Christians their sonnes are more to be
accompted of and regarded, then their dogges: and if any doe no otherwise
esteeme of them, that they are no Christians.

But this naturall affection towarde our most deare of-spring is plainely
seene in the heathen themselues: that whomsoeuer you totally depriue of
this, you denie them also to bee men. The mothers of Carthage testifie this
to be true, when as in the third Punic warre the most choyse and gallant
young men in all the Citie were sent as pledges into Sicilia, whom they
followed vnto the shippes with most miserable weeping and lamentation, and
some of them being with griefe separated from their deare sonnes, when they
sawe the saules hoysed, and the shippes departing out of the hauen, for
very anguish cast themselues headlong into the water: as Sabellicus
witnesseth. Egæus doth testifie this, who when he sawe the shippe of his
sonne Theseus, returning out of Creete with blacke sayles, thinking that
his sonne had perished, ended his life in the next waters: Sabell lib. 3.
cap 4. Gordianus the elder, Proconsul of Affrica, doth testifie this, who
likewise, vpon rumours of the death of his sonne, hanged himselfe. Campoful
lib 5. cap. 7. Also, Iocasta the daughter of Creon, Auctolia daughter of
Simon, Anius King of the Thuscans, Orodes King of the Parthians, and an
infinite number of others. Concerning whom reade Plutarch stat. lib. 2. and
other authors, &c. To these may be added that sentence, Loue descendeth,
&c. So that you see, it is no lesse proper to a man entirely to loue his
children, then for a bird to flie: that if our writers at any time haue
confessed the Islanders to be men (muche lesse to be Christians,) they
must, will they nill they, ascribe vnto them this loue and affection
towardes their children: if not, they doe not onely take from them the
title and dignitie of men, but also they debase them vnder euery brute
beast, which euen by the instinct of nature are bound with exceeding great
loue, and tender affection towards their young ones.

I will not adde against this shamelesse vntruth most notable examples of
our owen countreymen: I will omit our lawes of man-stealing, more ancient
then the Islanders themselues, being receiued from the Noruagians, and are
extant in our booke of lawes vnder the title Manhelge cap. 5, Whosoeuer
selleth a free man (any man much more a sonne) vnto strangers, &c.

Now if any man be driuen to that hard fortune, that he must needs commit
his own sonne into the hands of some inhabitant or stranger, being vrged
thereunto by famine, or any other extreame necessity, that he may not be
constrained to see him hunger-starued for want of sustenance, but keepeth
his dogge still for his owne eating, this man is not to be sayd, that he
esteemeth equally or more basely of his sonne then of his dogge: whether
Islanders or any other countreymen do the same.

[Sidenote: The occasion of this slander.] The Germane or the Danish
mariners might perhaps find amongst vs certaine beggars laden with children
(for we haue here a great number of them) who in iesting maner, for they
are much giuen to trifling talke, might saye: Giue me this, or sell me
that: and when the stranger should aske, What will you giue me for it? the
beggar might answere: I haue ten or foureteene children, I will giue you
some one or more of them, &c. For this rabble of beggars vseth thus fondly
to prate with strangers. Now if there be any well-disposed man, who pitying
the need and folly of these beggers, releaseth them of one sonne, and doth
for Gods sake by some meanes prouide for him in another countrey: doth the
begger therefore (who together with his sonne being ready to die for hunger
and pouerty, yeeldeth and committeth his sonne into the hands of a
mercifull man) make lesse account of his sonne then of his dogge? Such
works of loue and mercie haue bene performed by many, as well Islanders
themselues as strangers: one of which number was that honourable man
Accilius Iulius, being sent by the most gracious King of Denmarke into
Island in the yere of our Lord 1552, who, as I haue heard, tooke, and
carried with him into Denmarke fiftene poore boyes: where afterward it was
reported vnto me, that, by his good meanes euery one of them being bound to
a seuerall trade, proued good and thriftie men.

What if some man be driuen to that passe, that he doth not onely sell his
sonne but not finding a chapman, his owne selfe killeth and eateth him?
Examples of this kinde be common, namely of the vnwilling and forced
cruelty of parents towards their children, not being pricked on through
hate, or want of naturall affection, but being compelled thereunto by
vrgent necessity. Shall any man hereupon ground a generall reproch against
a whole nation? We reade that in the siege of Samaria, two mothers slew
their sonnes, and eat them sodden: 4. King, chap. 6. We reade in the siege
of Ierusalem, how lamentable the voice of that distressed mother was, being
about to kill her tender childe: My sweete babe, sayth she (for I will
report Eusebius owne words, concerning this matter, though very common,
that the affection of a mother may appeare) borne to miserie and mishap,
for whom should I conueniently reserue thee in this tumult of famine, of
warre, and sedition? If we be subdued to the gouernment of the Romans, we
shall weare out our vnhappy dayes vnder the yoke of slauery. But I thinke
famine will preuent captiuity. Besides, there is a rout of seditious rebels
much more intollerable then either of the former miseries. Come on
therefore, my sonne, be thou meat vnto thy mother, a fury to these rebels,
and a byword in the common life of men, which one thing onely is wanting to
make vp the calamities of the Iewes. These sayings being ended, she killeth
her sonne, roasting and eating one halfe, and reseruing the other, &c.
Eusebius lib 3. cap. 6. Now, what man will not beleeue that this vnhappy
mother would full gladly haue passed ouer this her sonne into the
possession of some master or chapman, if she could haue happened vpon any
such, with whom she thought he might haue beene preserued: That famine is
well knowen which oppressed Calagurium, a city of Spaine, when in olde time
Cneius Pompeius layed siege thereunto (Valerius lib. 7. cap. 7.) the
citizens whereof conuerted their wiues and children into meat for the
satisfying of their extreame hunger, whom doubtlesse they would with all
their heartes haue solde for other victuals. That famine also is well
knowen which in the yere of our Lord 851. (Vincent lib. 35. cap 26.)
afflicted Germany, insomuch that the father was glad to deuoure his owne
sonne. It was well knowen after the death of the Emperour Henry the
seuenth, in a famine continuing three whole yeres, how the parents would
deuoure their children, and the children their parents, and that especially
in Polonia and Bohemia. And that we may not onely allege ancient examples:
it is reported that there was such a grieuous dearth of corne in the yeeres
1586, and 1587, thorowout Hungary, that some being compelled for want of
food were faine to sell their children vnto the most bloudy and barbarous
enemy of Christians, and so to enthrall them to the perpetuall yoke of
Turkish slauery: and some are sayd to haue taken their children, whom they
could no longer sustaine, and with cruell mercy to haue cast them into
Danubius, and drowned them. But should these stories and the like make any
man so mad as to affirme that this or that nation accustometh to kill their
children for their owne food, and to sell them willingly vnto the Turks, or
to drowne and strangle them willingly in the water? I cannot thinke it. So
neither (because beggers in Island being enforced through extreame and
biting necessitie, do willingly part with their sonnes) is this custome
generally to be imputed vnto the whole nation, and that by way of disgrace,
by any man, except it be such an one who hath taken his leaue of all
modesty, plaine dealing, humanity, and trueth.

But I could wish that the loue of dogges in Islanders might be more
sparingly reprehended by those people, whose matrons, and specially their
noble women, take so great delight in dogs, that they carry them in their
bosomes thorow the open streetes. I will not say in Churches: which feshion
Cæsar blamed in certaine strangers, whom he sawe at Rome carrying about
yoong apes and whelpes in their armes, asking them this question: Whether
women in their countrey brought foorth children or no? signifying heereby,
that they do greatly offend who bestow vpon beasts these naturall
affections, wherewith they should be inuited to the loue of mankinde, and
specially of their owne ofspring, which strange pleasure neuer ouertooke,
nor possessed the nation of the Islanders. Wherefore now (Munster and
Krantzius) you must finde vs out other marks of Christianity, of the law of
nature, of the Germans law, and of holy simplicity.

SECTIO OCTAVA.

[Sidenote: Krantzius Munsterus] Episcopum suum colunt pro Rege ad cuius
  nutum respicit totus populus. Quicquid ex lege, scripturis, et ex
  consuetudine aliarum gentium constituit, quàm sancte obseruant.

Fuit equidem initio ferè ad repurgatam Euangelij doctrinam maxima Episcopi
obseruantia; sed nunquam tanta vt exteris legibus aut consuetudini cederent
nostræ leges politicæ, ex nutu Episcopi. Nec tempore Alberti Krantzij,
multò minus Munsteri (quorum ille 1517, hic 1552. post partum salutiferum
decessit) Episcopi Islandorum regiam obtinuerunt authoritatem, cùm scilicet
multi ex ijs, qui diuitijs paulò plus valebant aduersus ipsos consurgere
non dubitarint; quæ res apud nostrates liquido constat. Intenm tamen
Episcopi, anathematis fulmine terribiles, alios in suam potestatem
redegerunt, alios furibunda sæuitia id temporis persecuti sunt.

Porrò etsi tum fuit magna, imò maxima Episcopi obseruantia, tamen nunc
dispulsis tenebris Papisticis, alia ratione homines Satan aggreditur,
eorùmque mentes contemptus libertate et refractaria contumacia, aduersus
Deum et sacrum ministerium, etiam hîc armare non negligit.


The same in English.

THE EIGHTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Krantzius, Munsterus] They honour their Bishop as their King
  vnto whose command all the whole people haue respect. Whatsoeuer he
  prescribeth out of the law, the scriptures, or the customes of other
  nations, they do full holily obserue.

There was indeed at the beginning, about the time of the reformation of
religion, great reuerence had vnto the bishop; but neuer so great, that our
politique lawes at the bishops command should giue place to outlandish
lawes and customes. Neither in the time of Albertus Krantzius, much lesse
of Munster (of which two the first deceased in the yere of our Lord 1517,
and the second 1552) the bishops of Island had the authonty of kings, when
as many of the country which were of the richer sort, would not doubt to
rebell against them; which thing is too well knowen in our countrey. Yet in
the meane time, the bishops being terrible with their authority of
excommunication, reduced some vnder their subiection, and others at that
time they cruelly persecuted.

Moreouer, albeit at that time the bishop was had in great, yea, in
exceeding great reuerence, yet now adayes, the darkenesse of popery being
dispelled, the deuill assaulteth men after another sort, and euen here
amongst vs, he is not slacke to arme their minds with contempt, and
peruerse stubburnnesse against God, and his holy ministery.


SECTIO NONA.

[Sidenote: Munster.] Illic victitant plerumque piscibus, propter magnam
  penuriam frumenti, quod aliunde à maritimis ciuitatibus infertur: & qui
  inde cum magno lucro pisces exportant. Item Munsterus. Illic piscibus
  induratis vtuntur loco panis qui illic non crescit.

Vide Lector, quàm Munsterum iuuet, eadem oberrare chorda: vt cum de gente
ignota nihil scribere possit, quod coloris aliquid habeat, vel falsa
afferre, vel eadem sæpius repetere, sicque cramben eandem recoquere
sustineat: Dixerat enim paulò ante, Islandos piscibus viuere. Verba ipsius
superiùs etiam recitata, hæc sunt. Islandia populos continet multos, solo
pecorum pastu et nunc captura piscium victitantes, etc. Et vt cætera
transeam in quibus leue quiddam notari poterat: Illud sanè, panem in
Islandia non crescere, perquam verùm est. Quod etiam illi cum Germania
commune esse crediderim, quòd videlicet nec illic panis crescat, nisi fortè
in Munsteri, agro, vbi etiam acetum naturale optimè crescit. Sed hæc,
troporum indulgentia, scilicet, salua erunt. Ad conicia autem, quæ ex victu
Islandorum petunt extranei, infrà paucis respondebitur, Sect. 15.

The same in English.

THE NINTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munsterus.] They liue there for the most part vpon fishes,
  because of their great want of corne, which is brought in from the port
  townes of other countreys: who cary home fishes from thence with great
  gaine. Also Munster sayth, they do there vse stockefish in stead of
  bread, which groweth not in that countrey.

Consider (friendly reader) how Munster is delighted to harpe vpon one
string, that when he can write nothing of an vnknowen nation which may cary
any shew with it, he is faine either to bring in falshood, or often to
repeat the same things, and so to become tedious vnto his reader: for he
sayd a little before, that the Islanders liue vpon fish. His words aboue
recited were these: Island conteineth many people liuing onely with the
food of cattell, and sometimes by taking of fishes. And that I may omit the
rest in which some trifle might be noted whereas he sayeth that bread
groweth not in Island: it is most true: which I thinke is common therewith
to Germany also, because bread groweth not there neither, except it be in
Munsters field where naturall vineger also doth marueillously encrease. But
these toyes, by the liberty of rethoricke forsooth, shall be out of danger.
Howbeit, vnto these reproches, which strangers do gather from the meats and
drinks of the Islanders, we will hereafter briefly answere, Sect. 15.


SECTIO DECIMA.

[Sidenote: Munster. Krantzius.] Incolæ res maiorum et sui temporis
  celebrant cantibus et insculpunt scopulis, atque promontorijs, vt nulla,
  nisi cum naturæ iniuria, intercidant apud posteritatem.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] Citharædi, et qui testudine ludunt, apud eos
  reperiuntur quàm plurimi, qui prædulci modulamine et volucres et pisces
  irretiant et capiant.

[Sidenote: Veterum gesta apud Islandes conseruata.] Quin veterum gesta
aliquot cantibus et poematibus nostratium, vt et soluta oratione, apud nos
conseruentur, non negamus. Quòd verò à nobis aut maioribus nostris eadem
scopulis vel promontorijs insculpta sunt, eam non licet nobis, vt neque
illam tantam Citharædorum, aues aut pieces demulcentium, laudem accipere.
Statuimus enim animi esse generosi ac veracis, vt crimina falsa refellere,
ita laudem immeritam sibi haud vendicare, nec, etsi quis tribuat,
agnoscere.

The same in English.

THE TENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: Munsterus. Krantzius.] The inhabitants do celebrate the actes of
  their ancestours, and of their times, with songs, and they graue them in
  rocks and promontories, that they may not decay with posterity, but onely
  by the defect of nature.

[Sidenote: Frisius.] There be diuers found amongst them that be minstrels,
  and can play vpon the lute, who with their delectable musicke ensnare and
  take both fowles and fishes.

[Sidenote: The Islanders preserue in writing the acts of their ancestors.]
We denie not but that some woorthy actes of our forefathers be reserued in
the songs and poemes of our countreymen, as also in prose: but that the
same things haue beene engrauen by vs, or by our ancestors in rocks or
promontories, we may in no case acknowledge that praise be due vnto vs, nor
yet the other of minstrels, and taking of birds and fishes. For we holde it
to be part of an honest and ingenuous mind, as to refute false crimes, so
not to challenge vndeserued praise vnto himselfe, nor to accept it being
offered.


SECTIO VNDECIMA.

Sed cum scriptoribus iam dictis, viris alioqui spectatæ eruditionis et
preclari nominis, qui tamen hæc ita inconsideratè scriptis suis
interseruerunt, actionis finis esto.

     Etiam magna mei pars est exhaosta laboris:

Sed restat tamen fætus ille vipereus Germanicus, quem idcircò anonymum
secundo partu mater edi voluit, vt venenatis aculeis nomen Islandorum tantò
liberiùs pungeret.

Porrò licet aduersus hanc bestiam in arenam descendere non dubitem, omnibus
tamen constate volo, quonam hoc animo faciam, videlicet, non vt cum illius
pestifera virulentia, conuicijs aut maledicentia certem (Nam vt est in
triuiali paroemia,

     Hoc scio pro certo, quod si cum stercore certo,
     Vinco, seu vincor, semper ego maculor:)

Sed vt bonis et cordatis omnibus, etiam extraneis, satisfaciam qui
maledicentiam istam Germanicam lecturi vel audituri sunt, aut olim
audierint, ne et hi nos meritò calumniam tantam sustinere credant: Tum
etiam vt alios qui istis virulentis rhythmis Germanicis, in gentis nostræ
opprobrium vtuntur, et inde dicteria et comumeliosas subsannationes ad
despiciendos Islandos petunt, ab ilia mordendi licentia in posterum, si
fieri possit, abducamus.

Ergò, ne longis ambagibus Lectori fastidium oratio nostra pariat, ad ea
narranda accedam, quæ maledicus ille Gennanus in suum pasquillum congessit:
Quem etiam sua de Islandis carmina Encomiastica recitantem in his pagellis
introducerem, nisi præuiderem foetum ilium probrosum, tot et tam varijs
maledictis turgidum, omnibus bonis nauseam mouere posse, ac sua spurcitie
ab ijs legendis absterrere.

Referam igitur præcipua, (ijs scilicet omissis quæ cum alijs communia
habet, atque hactenus ventilata sunt) sed, quàm ille, longe mitius; ne, vt
dixi, linguæ ipsius obscoena petulantia, aures bonæ et eruditæ offendantur:
Qui ipsum videre aut audire volet, quærat apud propolas. Nobis inquam, non
est in animo putida ipsius calumnia et conuiciorum sentina, has chartas
inquinare. [Sidenote: 1. Obiectio seu conuicium.] Primùm igitur obijcit
Germanicus hic noster, si Dijs placet, Historicus: Multos ex pastoribus
Islandiæ toto biennio sacram concionem ad populum nullam habere: Vt in
priore editione, huius pasquilli legitur, quod tamen posterior editio
eiusdem refutat: Dicens, eosdem pastores in integro anno tantum quinquies
concionari solitos: quæ duo quàm ritè sibi consentiant, videas bone Lector,
cum constet Authorem mox à prima editione vix vidisse Islandiam. Ita
scilicet plerúmque mendacium mendacio proditur, iuxta illud: Verum verò
consentit; Falsum nec vero nec falso.

Sed com nostrum non sit veritatem vspiam dissimulare, nos haud negandum
ducimus conciones sacras circa id tempus, quo iste Sycophanta in Islandia
vixit, nempe anno 1554. aut circiter multò fuisse rariores, quàm sunt
hodiè, tum scilicet tenebris Papisticis vix dum discussis. Quod etiam de
Psalmis Dauidicis à vulgo Latinè demurmuratis, vt idem nostratibus
exprobrat, intelligere est: Papistæ enim totam spem salutis in sua Missa
collocantes, de concione aut doctrina parum fuere solliciti. Postquam verò
caligine illa exempti sumus, aliter se rem habere, Deo imprimis gratias
agimus: Licet quorundam pastorum nostrorum tardam stupiditatem, segnitiem
et curam præposteram non possimus omni modo excusare. Quod vtrum in nullos
suorum popularium etiam competat, aliæ quoque nationes viderint.

The same in English.

THE ELEVENTH SECTION.

But now, let this be the end of our controuersie with the authours
aforesayd, being otherwise men of excellent learning, and of great renoume,
who notwithstanding so inconsiderately haue entermedled these things in
their writings. And now the better part of my labour is finished.

But yet there remaynes that viperous German brood, the mother whereof would
haue come to light, as it were at a second birth, without name, that it
might so much the more freely wound the fame of the Islanders with venomous
sting.

Moreouer, although I be not afrayd to encounter with this beast, yet would
I haue all men to know with what minde I vndertake this enterprise, namely,
not that I meane to contend with his pestiferous rancour, by reproches, and
railing speeches (for as it is in the common prouerbe:

  I know, that if I striue with dung most vile,
  How ere it be, my selfe I shall defile);

but that I may satisfie all honest and well affected men, euen strangers
themselues, who shall hereafter reade or heare, or haue heretofore heard
that Germane pasquill, least they also should thinke that we woorthily
sustaine so monstrous a disgrace: and also that I may from henceforth, if
it be possible, restraine others (who vse those venomous Germaine rimes to
the vpbrading of our nation, and from hence borrow their scoffes, and
reproachfull taunts to the debasing of vs Iselanders) from that libertie of
backbiting.

Therefore, that I may not be tedious to the reader with long circumstances,
I will come to the rehearsing of those things which that railing Germane
hath heaped vp in his leud pasquill: whom also I could bring in, repeating
his friendly verses of the Ilanders, within the compasse of this my booke,
but that I doe foresee that the sayd slanderous libell being stuffed with
so many and diuers reproches, might breed offence to all honest men, and
deterre them from reading it, with the filthinesse thereof.

I will therefore repeat the principall matters (omitting those things which
he hath common with others, or, that heretofore haue been examined) but
farre more modestly then he, least (as I sayd) I cause good and learned
mens cares to tingle at his leud and vnseemely rimes: that they are
desirous to see or heare him let them enquire at the Stationers. It is no
part of our meaning (I say) to defile these papers with his stinking
slanders, or with the filthy sinke of his reproches.

[Sidenote: The first obiection or reproch.] First therefore, this our
goodly Germaine Historiographer obiecteth that there be many Pastours in
Island, which preach not to their people once in two yeres, as it is read
in the former edition of this pasquill, which notwithstanding the latter
edition doth refute: saying that the sayd Pastours vse to preach but fiue
times in an whole yeere which two, how well they agree together, let the
reader be iudge, seeing it is manifest that the authour himselfe, presently
after the first edition, had scarse seene Island. So oftentimes one he
betrayeth another, according to that saying: Trueth agreeth vnto trueth;
but falshood agreeth neither to trueth nor to falshood.

But sith it is our part not to dissemble the trueth in any place, we will
not denie that holy sermons, about the time wherein this sycophant liued in
Island, namely in the yere 1554, were seldomer in vse then they are at this
day, namely, the darkenesse of popery being scarsely at that time
dispelled. Which also is to be vnderstood concerning the Psalmes of Dauid
mumbled by the common people in Latine, as he casteth vs in the teeth: for
the Papists grounding all the hope of their saluation in the Masse, did
little regard the sermon or doctrine. But after we were freed from that
mist, it hath bene (God be thanked) farre otherwise with vs: although we
cannot altogether excuse the dulnesse, slouth, and preposterous care of
certeine of our Pastours. Which, whether it agreeth to any of their
countreymen or no, let other nations iudge.


SECTIO DUODECIMA.

[Sidenote: 2. Conuitium] Secundò calumniatur vitilitigator: Adulteria et
  scortationes non modò publica esse et frequentia scelera inter Islandos:
  sed ab ijs pro scelere ne haberi quidem.

Etsi autem foedissimæ istæ turpitudines etiam in nostra repub. non prorsus
inusitatæ sunt: tamen cum omnibus constet in alijs quoque nationibus longè
etiam frequentiores esse, cum ibi quoque populi frequentia maior: immeritò
et malignè hoc nomine magis Islandos, quàm populos et gentes reliquas,
quarum, vt dixi, nomen etiam plus nostratibus hoc crimine malè audit,
notauit.

Et licet ex animo optarim longè minus ad scelera, et turpitudines in nostra
patria conniueri, quàm passim hîc fieri videmus: tamen etiam innata illa
mordendi libidine, hoc veterator in præsenti conuitio attexuit: videlicet,
quòd scelera ista ab Islandis pro scelere non habeantur. Nam in quâ demum
repub. id impudens ille asserere audet? Illane; quæ in legem codicis ll.
titulo Mannhelge: cap. 28. iurauit; quæ statuit, vt iterum adulterium qui
cum coniuge alterius commiserit, confiscatis suis bonis, capite etiam
pectatur? Illane, quæ pro adulterio, à famulo cum vxore domini commisso,
non ita dudum 80. thalerorum mulctam irrogauit? Illane, quæ eundem, si ad
statutum tempus non soluerit vel vades dederit, in exilium proscribendum
decreuit? Illane: cuius leges politicæ, quemuis in adulterio cum vxore, à
viro legitime deprehensum, si euaserit, homicidij mulctam expendere iubent?
Illane, cuius itidem leges politicæ, in complexu matris, filiæ aut sororis,
à filio, patre, vel fratre deprehensum, vitam suam midio eius, quod quis si
eundem insontem interfecisset, expendere teneretur, redimere iubent?
Illane, cuius leges politicæ adultorium sceleris infandi nomine notarunt et
damnarunt? Et in eo tertiò deprehensum, capite plectendum seuerè mandant?

Cernis igitur, Lector benigne, quàm iniurium habeamus notarium, dicentem:
Adulterium et scortationes in Islandia peccati aut sceleris nomen non
mereri. Nam licet politici quidam hoc vel illud scelus impunitum omittant,
non debet tota gens, non leges, non boni et pij omnes, eo nomine in ius
vocari, aut male audire.

The same in English.

THE TWELFTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: The second reproach. ] Secondly, the trifler shamefully
  reporteth, that adulteries and whoredomes are not onely publique, and
  common vices amongst Islanders: but that they are not accounted by them
  for vices.

Although indeed these most filthy abominations, euen in our common wealth,
be not altogether vnusuall: notwithstanding, since al men know that they
are farre more common in other nations, where be greater multitudes of
people, he did vndeseruedly, and maliciously note the Islanders rather with
this reproch, then other people and nations, who are more infamous with
this crime then our countreymen.

And albeit I wish with all mine heart that vices and enormities were much
lesse wincked at in our countrey, then we see they are, yet notwithstanding
this iugler by reason of his naturall inclination to backbiting, hath added
this in his last reproch: namely that these vices by the Iselanders are not
accounted for vice. For, in what common wealth dare the impudent companion
affirme this to be true? What? in that common wealth which hath sworne to
obserue the law contained in our statute booke vnder the title of Manhelge
chap 28, whereby it is enacted, that whosoeuer committeth adultery with
another man's wife the second time, his goods being confiscate, he shall be
punished with death? Or in that common wealth, which not long since hath
inflicted the penalty of 80 dollers vpon a seruant committing adultery with
his masters wife? Or in that common wealth which hath decreed that if he
doth not pay, nor lay in sureties at the day appointed he shalbe banished
the country? Or in that common wealth the politike lawes whereof doe
streightly command that whosoeuer be according to law found in adultery
with another man's wife, by her husband, if he escape, he shall vndergoe
the punishment of manslaughter? Or in that common wealth, the politike
lawes whereof do also enioyne a man that is taken in carnall copulation
with the mother, daughter, or sister, by the sonne, father, or brother, to
redeeme his life with the one halfe of that which he oaght to haue payed,
if he had shed the innocent bloud of the sayd party? Or in that common
wealth the pollitike lawes whereof haue noted and condemned adultery vnder
the name of a most heinous offence? And do straightly command that he which
is taken the third time in that beastly act shalbe punished with death?

You see therefore (friendly readers) what an iniurious Notary we haue,
affirming that adultery and whoredome in Island deserueth not the name of
sinne and wickednesse for although some officers let slip this or that vice
vnpunished, yet ought not the whole nation, nor the lawes, nor all good and
godly men, in that regard, to be accused or euill spoken of.


SECTIO DECIMATERTIA.

[Sidenote: 3. Conuitium] Tertium conuicium est, quo fraudis et perfidiæ
erga Germanos Islandis notam inurit. Fuit autem proculdubio famosi huius
libelli author, cerdo et propola circumforaneus, multòsque Ilandiæ angulos,
sordidæ mercaturæ gratia, ostintim adierat: quod ipse de se in præclaris
illi suis rythmis testatur, maximam Islandiæ partem sibi peragratam esse.
Vnde cum ipse mala fide cum mulus egerit (plerumque enim fraus et mendacia
coniunguntur, et mendacem se fuisse, hac ingenij sui experientia satis
probauit) etiam fortè à se deceptorum fraudem est expertus. Hinc illa in
totam gentem criminatio extitit: Dissimulato intereà, qua fide quidam
Germanorum, quibus annua est nauigatio ad Islandos, cum nostris hominibus
agant. Ea autem querela, cum non alios conuiciari, sed aliorum in gentem
nostram immerita conuncia monstrare instituerim, consultò supersedeo.

The same in English.

THE THIRTEENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: The third reproach] The third reproch is, whereby he doth brand
  the Islanders with the marke of deceit and trechery toward the Germans.

Doubtles the author of this libell was some vagabond huckster or pedler,
and had gone particularly into many corners of Island to vtter his trumpery
wares, which he also testifieth of himselfe in his worthy rimes, that he
had trauailed thorow the greatest part of Island, whereupon when he had
played the cousining mate with others (for often times deceit and lying are
ioyned together, and he hath sufficiently proued himselfe to be a liar, by
this triall of his wit) peraduenture himselfe was beguiled by them whom he
before time had defrauded.

From hence proceedeth this slander, against our whole Nation: dissembling
in the meane time with what honestie certaine Germans, making yerely
voyages into Island, deale with our men. But seeing by this complaint I
haue not determined to reproch others, but to lay open the vndeserued
reproches of others against oar nation, I do here of purpose surcease.


SECTIO DECIMAQUARTA.

[Sidenote: 4. 5. 6. & 7. Conuitia.] Quarto: negat in conuituijs quemquam
  discumbentium à mensa surgere: sed matres familias singulis conuiuis
  quoties opus fuerit matellas porrigere. Prætereà variam conuiuiorum
  edendi bibendíque rusticitatem notat.

Cubandi et prandendi ritus obijcit: quod decem plus minus in eodem lecto
  promiscuè viri cum foeminis pernoctent, inque lecto cibum capiant: atque
  interea se non nisi aleæ aut latrunculorum ludo exerceant.

Sexto. Calumniatur eosdem faciem et os vrina proluere.

Septimo. Nuptiarum, sponsalium, natalitiorum celebritatem et funerum ritus
  contemptuosè extenuat.

Hæc et huiusmodi plurima in gentem insontem, imò de se et suis optimè
meritam, impurus calumniator euomit. Quæ quidem eius generis sunt, vt illi
de his respondere prorsus dedignemur. Nam vt demus (quod tamen non damus)
aliquid huiusmodi apud homines sordidos, et ex ipsa vulgi colluuie infimos,
quibuscum longè sæpius, quàm bonus et honestis conuersabatur,
animaduertisse præclarum hunc notarium Gemanicum (vixerat enim, vt eius
rhythmi testantur, diutiuscule in locis maritimis Islandiæ, quo ferè
promiscuum vulgus, tempore piscaturæ annuatim confluit, et tam extraneorum
nautarum, quàm sua nequitia corruptum, sæpius inhonestè mores et vtam
instituit) Tamen manifestiorem etiam hoc loco iniuriam nobis facit, vnius
nebulonis et desperati Sycophantæ turpitudine, totam gentem (vt ferè solent
etiam alij) aspergendo, quàm vt refutatione vlla indigeat. Cuius rei etiam
ipsi extranei in nostra Insula non parum versati, locupletissimi testes
esse possunt.

Possem multas eius farinæ foeditates, rusticitates et obscoenitates etiam
in ipsius natione deprehensas colligere. Sed odi facundiam caninam, nec in
aliorum opprobrium disertum esse iuuat: nec tam tenet esse volo, vt
verbulis transuerberer. Id tantum viderint boni et pij omnes, cuius sit
animi, pessima quæque ab vno aut altera designata, toti genti obijcere. Si
quis Germaniæ aut alterius nationes vrbes et pagos omnes peragret, et
scelera ac mores pessimos, furta, homicidia, parricidia, scortationes,
adulteria, incestus luxuriem, rapinas et reliquas impietates et
obscoenitates in vnum coactas, omnibus Germanis, aut alioqui alteri cuiuis
toti nationi communes esse asserat, atque hæc omnia insigniter mentiendo,
exaggeret, ísne optimæ rei studiosus habebitur?

Sed quid mirum, licet verbero, et, vt propriè notem, porcus impurus, iste,
inquam, Rhythmista, naturam et ingenium suum eiusmodi loidoria prodiderit?

Notum est enim porcos, cum hortos amænissimos intrarint, nec lilium nec
rosas aut flores alioqui pulcherrimos et suauissimos decerpere: Sed rostro
in coenum prono, quicquid est luti et stercoris volutare, vertere et
inuertere, donec impurissima, hoc est, suo genio apprimè congruentia
eruant, vbi demum solida voluptate pascuntur.

Ad istum igitur modum hic porcus Rythmista, optima, et quæ in nostra Repub.
laudabilia esse possunt, sicco pede præterit, pessima quæque atque ea, vel
à nullo, vel admodum paucis designata, hoc est, suæ naturæ, et ingenio
aptissima, vt se esse, qui dicitur, re ipsa probaret, corrasit; vnde
posthac porci nomen ex moribus et ingenio ipsius factum, sortitor.

The same in English.

THE FOURTEENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: The 4. 5. 6. & 7. reproches.] Fourthly, he sayth that in bankets
  none of the ghests vse to rise from the table: but that the good wife of
  the house reacheth to euery one a chamber pot, so oft as need requireth.
  Moreouer, he noteth much vnmanerliness of eating and drinking at bankets.

Fiftly, he obiecteth customes of lying in bed, and of dining: namely that
  ten persons, more or lesse, men and women be altogether in the same bed,
  and that they eat their meat lying in bed: and that in the meane time
  they do nothing but play at dice or at tables.

Sixtly, he reporteth that they wash their hands or their faces in pisse.

Seuenthly, he despightfully abaseth our solemnizings of marriages,
  spousals, birth-dayes, and our customes at burials.

These, and a number of such like reproches hath this impure slanderer,
spued foorth against an innocent nation, yea and that nation which hath
deserued right well of him and his countrimen. Which are of the same kind
with these, in so much that we altogether disdeigne to make answere vnto
them. For, that we may graunt (which notwithstanding we will in no case
yeelde vnto) that this worthy Germane notarie obserued some such matter
among base companions, and the very of-scouring of the common people, with
whom he was much more conuersant than with good and honest persons (for he
had liued, as his rimes testifie, somewhat long vpon the coast of Island,
whither a confused rout of the meanest common people, in fishing time do
yerely resort, who being naught aswell through their owne leudnesse, as by
the wicked behauiour of outlandish mariners, often times doe leade a badde
and dishonest life) notwithstanding we are in this place more manifestly
wronged through the knauery of this one varlet, and desperate sycophant by
his defaming of the whole nation (as others also vsually do) then that it
should neede any refutation at all. Of which thing strangers themselues,
who are not a little conuersant in our Iland, may be most sufficient
witnesses.

I could also gather together many such filthy, vnmannerly, and baudie
fashions noted by others euen in his own countrey. But I detest this dogged
eloquence, neither take I any pleasure to be witty in the disgracing of
others: and yet I will not shew my selfe such a milke-soppe as to be
daunted with light words. Onely, let all honest and good men consider, what
disposition it argueth, for one to obiect against a whole nation certaine
misdemeanours committed by some one or other particular man. If any man
should trauell thorowout all the cities and townes of Germanie or any other
nation, and heaping together the offences, and most leud maners, the
robberies, manslaughters, murthers, whoredomes, adulteries, incests, riots,
extortions, and other prophane, and filthy actes, should affirme them to be
common to all Germans, or otherwise to any other whole nation, and should
exaggerate all these things with notorious lies, is he to be accounted one
that spends his time in a good argument? But what maruaile is it, though a
varlet, and, that I may giue him his true title, a filthy hogge, that imer
(I say) hath bewrayed his nature and disposition in reproches? For it is
well knowen that swine, when they enter into most pleasant gardens, do not
plucke lilies or roses, or any other most beautifull aud sweet flowers; but
thrusting their snouts into the ground, doe tumble and tosse vp and downe
whatsoeuer durt and dung they can finde, vntill they haue rooted vp most
vncleane things, namely such as are best agreeable to their nature,
wherewith they greedily glut themselues: Euen so this hoggish Rimer lightly
passeth ouer the best and most commendable things of our Common wealth, but
as for the woorst, and those which haue been committed by none, or by very
few, namely, such things as best fit his humour and disposition (that he
might indeed show himselfe to be the same which we haue termed him) those
things (I say) hath he scraped vp together: whereupon hereafter by my
consent, for his maners and disposition let him enioy the name of a swine.


SECTIO DECIMAQUINTA.

[Sidenote: 9. Conuitium.] Nonum conuicium hic recensebimus, quod à victu,
ac præcipuè cibo potu Islandorum maledicus ille porcus, non vno aut paucis
verbis, sed prolixa inuectiua petiuit: Nempe quòd cibis vtantur vetustis,
et insulsis, idque sine panis vsu: Tum etiam quòd varia et incognita
extraneis piscium genera illis sint esui, et aquam ac serum lactis in potum
misceant. Quæ omnia venenatus hic pasquillus diserta contumelia, et
ingeniosa calumnia, pulchrè amplificauit.

Cæterum etsi ilium prolixiore responsione non dignemur: tamen propter
alios, qui hodie hanc rem partim mirantur, partim haud leuiter nostræ genti
obijciunt, pauca hoc loco addenda videbantur.

Primùm igitur totam hanc gentem bipartitò secabimus: In mendicos, et hos
qui et se et cum alijs etiam mendicos alunt. Mendicorum, et eorum qui ad
hos proximè accedunt, omnia cibaria recensere aut examinare haud facile
est, nec quod illos edere, aut edisse, extrema aliquando coegit necessitas,
reliquæ genti cibariorum genera aut numerum præscribere fas est. Nam et de
suffocatis quidem non comedendis legem habemus inter canones, quorum
seruantissima videri voluit antiquitas.

Deinde etiam tempora distinguemus, vt nihil minim sit grassante annonæ
sæuitia, multa à multis ad explendam famem adhiberi aut adhibita fuisse,
quæ alias vix canes pascant. Vt nuperrimè de Parisiensibus accepimus, Anno
1590, arctissima Henrici 4. Nauarræi obsidione pressis, et famem
Saguntinam, vt P. Lindebergius loquitur, perpessis; eos non modò equinam,
sed morticinam quoque carnem ex mortuorum ossibus in mortario contusis
farinæ pugillo vno aut altero misto, confectam, in suas dapes conuertisse,
et de alijs quoque populis notum est, qui simili vrgente inopia, etiam
murium, felium et canum esu victi tarint. Sic etiam Islandis aliquando vsu
venit (quanquam a canina, munum et felium, vt et humana carne hactenus,
nobis quantum constat, abstinuerint) licet non ab hoste obsessis: Nam cùm
ad victum necessaria ex terra marique petant, et ab extraneis nihil
commeatus, aut parum admodum aquehatur, quoties terræ, marisque munera DEVS
præcluserit, horrendam annonæ caritatem ingruere et ingruisse, et dira fame
vexare incolas, necesse est. Vnde fit, vt illos qui in diem viuere soliti
fuerint, nec præcedentium annorum superantes commeatus habuerint, extrema
tentasse, quoties egestas vrserit, credibile. Cæterum, vtrum hæc res
publico et perpetuo opprobrio magis apud Islandos, quàm alias nationes,
occasionem meritò præbere debeat, candidis et bonis animis iudi candum
relinquo.

Porrò quod de gentis nostræ proprijs et consuetis alimentis multi obijcere
solent, potissimum de carne, piscibus, butyro, absque sale inueteratis,
Item de lacticinijs, frumenti inopia, potu aquæ, &c. et reliquis: id nos in
plurimis Islandiæ locis (nam sunt multi quoque nostratium, qui Danorum et
Germanorum more, quantum quidem castis et temperatis animis ad
mediocritatem sufficere debet, licet magna condimentorum varietate, vt et
ipsis Pharmacopolijs, destituimur, mensam instruere et frugaliter viuere
sustineant) ita se habere haud multis refragabimur, videlicet prædicta
victus genera, passim sine salis condimento vsitata esse. Et insuper
addemus, hæc ipsa cibaria, quæ extranei quidam vel nominare horrent, ipsos
tamen extraneos apud nos, non sine voluptate, manducare solitos. [Sidenote:
Ratio conseruandos cibos sine sale.] Nam etsi frumenti aut farris penè
nihil vulgò habeamus, nec sal, gulæ irritamentum, ad cibaria condienda,
omnibus suppetit: docuit tamen Deus opt. max. etiam nostros homines
rationem tractandi et conseruandi, quæ ad vitam sustentandam spectant, vt
appareat, Deum in alendis Islandis non esse ad panem vel salem alligatum.
Quòd verò sua omnia extranei iucundiora et salubriora clamant; negamus
tamen satis causæ esse, cur nostra nobis exprobrent: Nec nos DEVM gulæ
nostræ debitorem reputamus; quin potius toto pectore gratias agimus, quod
sine opiparis illis delicijs et lautitijs, quæ tam iucundæ et salubres
putantur, etiam nostræ gentis hominibus, annos et ætatem bonam, tum
valetudinem etiam firmissimam, robur ac vires validas (quæ omnia statimus
boni et conuenientis alimenti, [Greek: kai tes euchrasias] esse indicia)
concedere dignetur, cum ingenio etiam non prorsus tam crasso ac sterili,
quàm huic nostro aëri et alimentis assignare Philosophi videntur, quod re
libentius, quàm verbis multi fortasse nostratium comprobare poterant.

     Ni nos (vt inquit ille) paupertas inuidia deprimeret.

Sed hic vulgi iudicium, vt in alijs sæpè, etiam eos qui sapere volunt (iam
omnes bonos et cordatos excipio) nimis apertè decipit: Videlicet hoc ipso,
quòd omnia, quæ illorum vsus non admittit, aut quæ non viderunt, aut
experti sunt antea, continuò damnent. Veluti, si quis, qui mare nunquam
vidit, mare mediterraneum esse aliquod, non possit adduci vt credat: Sic
illi sensu suæ experientiæ omnia metiuntur, vt nihil sit bonum, nihil
conductibile, nisi quo illi soli viuunt: At profectò nos, eò dementiæ non
processimus, vt eos qui locustis vescuntur, quod tum de alijs, tum Æthiopiæ
quibusdam populis, ideo (autore Diodoro) Acridophagis appellatis, et Indiæ,
gente, cui Mandrorum nomen Clytharcus et Magestanes dederunt, teste
Agatarchide, didicimus; aut ranis, aut cancris mannis, aut squillis gibbis,
quæ res hodiè nota est, vulgi propterea ludibrijs exponere præsumamus, a
quibus tamen edulijs, in totum nostra consuetudo abhorret.

The same in English.

THE FIFTEENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: The ninth reproch.] Wee will heere rehearse the ninth reproch,
which that slanderous hogge hath drawen from the maner of liuing, and
specially from the meat and drinke of the Islanders, and that not in one or
a few wordes, but in a large inuectiue: namely, that they eate olde and
vnsauoury meates, and that, without the vse of bread. Also that they eate
diuers kinds of fishes which are vnknowen to strangers: and that they
mingle water and whey together for drinke. All which this venemous
pasquill, with eloquent railing and wittie slaunder hath set out at the
full.

And albeit we doe scarse vouchsafe to stand longer about answering of him,
yet in regard of others, who at this day partly woonder at the matter, and
partly obiect it to our nation, we thought good to adde some few things in
this place.

First therefore we will diuide this our nation into two parts: into
beggers, and those that susteine both themselues, and amongst others,
beggers also. As touching all kinds of meats wherewith beggers and other
poore men satisfie their hunger, it is no easie matter to rehearse and
examine them; neither, because extreame necessity hath at some times
compelled them to eate this or that, therefore it is meet to prescribe
certeine kindes and number of meats to the rest of the nation. For we haue
also a law among the canons apostolicall, which forbiddeth to eat things
strangled: in the obseruing of which canons, antiquity hath seemed to be
very deuout.

Moreouer, we will make a distinction of times also, that it may seeme no
strange accident in the time of famine, though many things are, and haue
bene vsed by a great number of men to satisfie their hunger, which at other
times are scarse meat for dogges. As very lately in the yeere 1590 we heard
concerning the citizens of Paris, being enuironed with the most streite
siege of Henrie the fourth, King of Nauarre, suffering (as Petrus
Lindebergius speaketh) the famine of Saguntum; insomuch that they did not
onely eate their horses, but also taking the flesh of dead men, and beating
their bones to powder in a morter, they mingle therewith a bandfull or two
of meale, esteeming it dainties. And it is well knowen also of other
nations who in the like vrgent necessities haue liued by eating of mise,
cats and dogs. In like maner sometimes are we Islanders constrained to doe,
not being besieged by our enemies (although hitherto we haue abstained from
mans flesh, yea, and to our knowledge, from dogs, mise, and cats) for
whereas we prouide things necessary for food out of the land and sea, and
no sustenance, or very little is brought vnto vs by strangers: so often as
God withholdeth his gifts of land and sea, then must follow and ensue a
dreadfull scarsity of victuals, whereupon the inhabitants are sometimes
vexed with grieuous famine. And therefore it is likely that they amongst vs
which vsed to liue from hand to mouth, and had not some prouision of former
yeeres remaining, haue beene driuen to great extremities, so often as need
hath enforced them thereunto. But whether this thing ought woorthily to
minister occasion to a publike and perpetuall reproch against the
Islanders, more then other nations, I referre it to the iudgement of
indifferent and honest mindes.

Moreouer, whereas diuers vse to obiect concerning the proper and accustomed
fare of our country, especially of flesh, fish, butter being long time kept
without salt, also concerning white-meats, want of corne, drinking of
water, and such like: in most places of Island (for there be many of our
countrimen also, who, after the maner of the Danes and Germans so farre
foorth as ought in a meane to suffice chast and temperate minds, although
we haue not any great variety of sauce, being destitute of Apothecaries
shops, are of ability to furnish their table, and to liue moderately) we
confesse it to be euen so: [Sidenote: Want of salt in Island.] namely that
the foresaid kind of victuals are vsed in most places without the seasoning
of salt. And I wil further adde, that the very same meats, which certaine
strangers abhorre so much as to name, yet strangers themselues, when they
are among vs do vse to eat them with delight. [Sidenote: The Islanders
meanes of preseruing their meates without salt.] For albeit for the most
part we haue no corne, nor meale, nor yet salt the prouocation of gluttony,
for the seasoning of our victuals, is common to vs all, yet notwithstanding
almighty God of his goodnesse hath taught our men also the wauy how they
should handle, and keepe in store those things which belong to the
sustentation of life, to the end it may appeare, that God in nourishing and
susteining of vs Islanders, is not tyed to bread and salt.

But whereas strangers boast that all their victuals are more pleasant and
wholesome: yet we denie that to be a sufficient reason, why they should
vpbraid vs in regard of ours: neither do we thinke God to be a debter vnto
our deinty mouthes: but rather we giue him thanks with our whole hearts,
that he vouchsafeth without this delicate and nice fare, which is esteemed
to be so pleasant and wholesome, to grant euen vnto the men of our countrey
many yeeres, and a good age as also constant health, and flourishing
strength of body; all which we account to be signes of wholesome and
conuenient nourishment and of a perfect constitution. Besides, our wits are
not altogether so grosse and barren, as the philosophers seeme to assigne
vnto this our aier, and these nourishments, which perhaps many of our
countreymen could much rather verifie in deeds then in words, if (as the
Poet sayth) enuious pouerty did not holde vs downe.

But here the iudgement of the common people, as often in other matters,
doth too plainly deceiue (I except all good and well experienced men) some
of them which would seeme to be wise, namely, that whatsoeuer their vse
doth admit, or that they haue not seene, nor had trial of beforetime, they
presently condemne. As for example, he that neuer saw the sea will not be
persuaded that there is a mediterrane sea; so doe they measure all things
by their owne experience and conceit, as though there were nothing good and
profitable, but that onely wherewith they mainteine their liues. But we are
not growen to that pitch of folly, that because we haue heard of certaine
people of Aethiopia, which are fed with locusts, being therefore called by
Diodorus, Acridophagi, and of a certaine nation of India also, whom
Clitarchus and Megasthenes haue named Mandri, as Agatarchides witnesseth,
or of others that liue vpon frogs or sea-crabs, or round shrimps, which
thing is at this day commonly knowen, that (I say) we should therefore
presume to make them a laughing stocke to the common people, because we are
not accustomed to such sustenance.


SECTIO DECIMASEXTA.

[Sidenote: 10. Conuicium.] Decimo. Hospitalitatem nostris hominibus
inhumanissimus porcus obijcit. Marsupium inquit, non cirumferunt, nec
hospitiari aut conuiuari gratis pudor est. Nam si quis aliquid haberet,
quod cum alijs communicaret, id faceret sane in primis ac libenter. His
quoque annectamus, quod templa, seu sacras ædiculas domi propriæ à multis
Islandorum extructas velut pudendum quiddam commemorat: quodque eas primùm
omnium de manè oraturi petant, nec à quoquam prius interpellari patiantur.
Hæc ille velut insigne quoddam dedecus in Islandis notauit.

Scilicet, quia nihil cum Amaricino, sui:

Nec porci diuina vnquam amarunt: quod sanè metuo ne nimis verè de hoc
conuiciatore dicatur, id quod vel ex his vltimis duabus obiectionibus
constare poterit.

Verùm enimuerò cùm ipse suarum virtutum sit testis locupletissimus, nos
Lectorem eius rei cupidum ad ipsius hoc opus Poëticum remittimus, quod is
de Islandia composuit, et nos tam aliquot proximis distinctionibus
examinauimus: cuius maledicentiæ et foeditatis nos hic pro ipso puduit;
ita, vt quæ is Satyrica, at quid Satyrica? Sathanica, inquam, mordacitate
et maledicentia in nostram gentem scribere non erubuit, nos tamen referre
pigeat: Tanta eius est et tam abominanda petulantia, tam atrox calumnia.
DEVS BONE: Hoc conuiciorum plaustrum (paucissima namque attigimus: Nolui
enim laterem lauare, et stulto, vt inquit ille sapientissimus, secundum
stultitiam suam respondere, cum in ipsius Rhythmis verbum non sit quod
conuicio careat) qui viderit, nonne iudicabit pasquilli istius autorem
hominem fuisse pessimum, imò fæcem hominum, cum virtutis ac veritatis
contemptorem, sine pietate, sine humanitate?

Sed hîc meritò dubitauerim, peiusne horum conuiciorum autor de Islandis
meritus sit, an verò Typographus ille Ioachimus Leo (et quicunque sunt
alij, qui in suis editionibus, nec suum nec vrbis suæ nomen profiteri ausi
sunt) qui illa iam bis, si non sæpius Typis suis Hamburgi euulgauit.
Hoccine impunè fieri sinitis, ô senatus populusque Hamburgensis? Hanccine
statuistis gratiam deberi Islandiæ, quæ vrbi vestræ iam plurimos annos,
exportatis affatim nostratium quibusuis commodis, pecudum, pecorumque
carnibus butyro et piscium copia quotannis, penè immodica, quædam quasi
cella penuaria fuit? [Sidenote: Vrbes Angliæ commercia olim in Islandia
excercentes.] Sensere huius Insulæ commoda etiam Hollandiæ olim et Angliæ
vrbes aliquot: Præterea Danis, Bremensibus, et Lubecensibus cum Islandis
commercia diu fuerunt. Sed a nullis vnquam tale encomium, talem gratiam
reportarunt, qualis hæc est Gregoriana calumnia: In vestrâ, vestrâ inquam
vrbe, nata, edita, iterata, si non tertiata: quæ alias nationes, quibus
Islandia vix, ac ne vix quidem, nomine tenus, alioqui innotuerat, ad huius
gentis opprobrium et contemptum armauit: quam à ciue vestro acceptam
iniuriam, iam 30. annos, et plus eò, Islandia sustinet. Sed etiam, inscio
magistratu, eiusmodi multa sæpè fiunt: Neque; enim dubitamus, quin viri
boni eiusmodi scripta famosa indignè ferant, et ne edantur, diligenter
caueant: cum tales editiones pugnent cum iure naturali: Ne alteri facias,
quod tibi factum non velis: Et Cæsareo, de libellis famosis: in quo
irrogatur poena grauissima ijs, qui tales libellos componunt, scribunt,
proferunt, emi vendiue curant, aut non statim repertos discerpunt.

Cæterum iam tandem receptui canamus: Nosque ad te, Islandia parens
carissima, quàm nec paupertas, nec frigora, nec id genus incommoda alia,
quamdiu Chnsto hospitia cupidè et libenter exhibere non desistis, inuisam
fecient conuertamus: Vbi te primùm ad id quod modò diximus, nempè serium et
ardens studium ac amorem DEI, et diuinæ scientiæ, nobis in Christo
patefactæ, totis viribus hortamur: vt vni huic cuncta posthabeas, doctrinæ
et verbi cupiditate flagres: Sacrum ministerium et ministros, non parum
cures, non contemnas aut odio prosequeris: sed reuerearis, foueas, ames.
Contra facientes, pro impijs et profanis habeas: vt omnia ad pietatis et
honestatis præscriptum geras, in vita priuata et communi, vt huic status et
ordines Ecclesiastici et Politici, in vniversum obtemperent: In vtroque
vitæ genere ab illi amussi seu norma æqui et boni dependeas, et cæteros qui
pertinacia ac impietate ab ea deflectunt, auersens, quos æquum est poenis
condignis affici, id quod magistratur curæ futurum non diffidimus. In
pritmis verò nullos nisi spectatæ fidei et probitatis viros, quique ad
istas virtutes, reliquas huc pertinentes coniungant, ad gubernacula
admittas, qua ratione reliquis incommodis ritè occurritur Res ista enim, si
probe curetur, vt videlicet, qui munus publicum gerunt, ex bonis omnibus
optimi quique deligantur, improbi et huic rei inepti, procul inde
arceantur, subditorum conditio, longè erit optatissima: vita et mores tantò
magis laudabiles sequentur: pietas et honestas tantò erunt illustriores. At
verò si secus fiat. si Pastores Ecclesiarum suo muneri, vel vita vel
doctrina non respondeant, si ad administrationem politicam promiscuè
admittantur, quicunque eò propria leuitate, ambitione vel auaritia et
contentione honoris, ruunt: si ijdem criminum aut improbitatis, vel
suspecti vel conuicti sint, aut suspectorum et conuictorum protectores, vel
ijsdem illicite indulgentes, quis tuus quæso demum futurus est status? quæ
facies? quæ conditio? Certe longe omnium miserrima. Nec enim alio pacto
citius ad ruinam et interitum tuum appropinquabis, quàm si istis te
regendam commiseris, qui quod in ijs est, licet sint et ipsi ex tuis,
iugulum tuum, propter emolumenta priuata, et odia latentia, quotidiè petere
contendunt/ Quamobrem (ne ista pluribus agam) quanti intersit, vt hæc probè
curentur, facile, ô Patria, intelligis.

Sed dum hæc tuis auribus à me occinuntur, utinam gemitus meos altissimos,
qui sub hac ad te Apostrophe latent, Serenis simæ Regiæ Maiestatis aures
exaudiant, apud quam ego pro te ita deploro damna publica, quæ ea de causa
exoriuntur maximè, quòd patria nostra à regia sede, et conspectu, tantò
interuallo sit remota, vt multi propterea tantò sibi maiorem sumant
licentiam, et impunitatem securius promittant. Cæterum ista numini
iustissimo, quod æquis omnia oculis aspicit, committenda ducimus.

Reliquum est, ô patria, vt studium in te nostrum, eo quo speramus animo i.
comi et benigno, suscipias: quod quamuis minimè tale est, quale optaremus,
tamen cum VELLE SIT INSTAR OMNIVM, nolui idcirco desistere, quod pro tuo
nomine, tua dignitate, tua innocentia pugnare me satis strenuè diffiderem.
Quin potius, quicquid id est si modò quicquam est et quantulumcunque
tandem, quod ad tui patrocinium pro mea tenui parte afterre possem,
nequaquam supprimendum putaui nec enim illos laudare soleo,

     Qui, quod desperent inuicti membra Glyconis,
     Nodosa nolunt corpus prohibere Chiragra.

Me sanè, si hæc commentatiuncula non erit tibi aut mihi dedecori, operæ
nequaquam poenitebit. Quod si ad laudem vel aliquale patrocinium tui
aliquid faciat, operam perdidisse haud videbor. Sin verò alios alumnos,
meos conterraneos, arte et industria superiores, ad causam tuam, vel nunc,
vel in posterum suscipiendam, hoc conatu tenello excitauero, quid est cur
operæ precium non fecisse dicar? quibus scribentibus, licet mea fama in
obscuro futura est, tamen præstantia illorum, qui nomini officient meo, me
consolabor: Nam etsi famæ et nominis cura surnma esse debett maior tamen
patriæ; cuius dignitate salua et incolumni, nos quoque saluos et incolumes
reputabimus.

Scripsi Holis Hialtædalensium in Islandia, Æræ Christianæ Anno 1592. 17.
Kalendas Maias.

The same in English.

THE SIXTEENTH SECTION.

[Sidenote: The tenth reproch.] Tenthly, that vnciuill beast casteth our men
in the teeth with their good hospitality. They do not (sayth he) carry
about money with them in their purses, neither is it any shame to be
enterteined in a strange place, and to haue meat and drinke bestowed of
free cost. For if they had any thing which they might impart with others,
they would very gladly. Moreouer, he maketh mention of certeine churches or
holy chappels (as of a base thing) which many of the Islanders haue built
in their owne houses: and that first of all in the morning, they haue
recourse thither, to make their prayers, neither do they suffer any man
before they haue done their deuotion to interrupt them. These be the things
which he hath set downe as some notable disgrace vnto the Islanders. And no
maruell:

     For filthy swine detest all cleanly ones,
     And hogs vncleane regarde not precious stones.

Which I feare, least it may be too truely affirmed of this slanderer, as it
is manifest out of these two last obiections.

Howbeit, sithens he himselfe is a most sufficient witnesse of his owne
vertues, we will referre the reader, who is desirous to know more of him
vnto his booke of rimes against Island, which we haue now examined in our
former sections at whose railing and filthy speeches we haue bene ashamed
on his behalfe: insomuch that those things which he with satyrical,
satyrical? nay sathanicall biting and reuiling of our nation, hath not
blushed to write, are irksome for vs to repeat: so great and abominable is
his insolency and his reproches so heinous. Good God! whosoeuer shall view
this cartlode of slanders (for we haue mentioned the least part thereof,
because I was loth to lose my labour, or, as the wise man sayth, to answere
a foole according to his foolishnesse, whereas in his rimes there is not
one word without a reproch) will he not iudge the authour of this pasquill
to haue bene a most lewde man, yea the very drosse of mankinde, without
pietie, without humanitie?

But here I haue iust occasion to doubt whether the authour of these
reuilings hath bene the more iniurious to Islanders, or the Printer thereof
Ioachimus Leo (and whatsoeuer else they be who in their editions dare
neither professe their own name, nor the name of their Citie) which Leo
hath nowe twise, if not oftener, published the saide pamphlet at Hamburg.
Doe you suffer this to goe vnpunished, O ye counsell and commons of
Hamburg? What? [Sidenote: The commodities of Island.] Haue you determined
to gratifie Island in this sort, which these many yeeres, by reason of your
aboundant traffique with vs, and your transporting home of all our
commodities, of our beeues and muttons, and of an incredible deale of
butter and fishes, hath bene vnto your Citie in stead of a storehouse.
[Sidenote: The ancient traffique of England with Island.] In times past
also, certaine Cities of England and of Holland haue reaped the commodities
of this Isle. Moreouer, there hath bene ancient traffique of Denmarke,
Breme, and Lubeck with the Islanders. But they neuer gained by any of their
chapmen such commendations, and such thanks, as are contained in this
libell: It hath in your, in your Citie (I say) bene bred, brought foorth,
iterated, if not the thirde time published: which I hath armed other people
vnto whom the name of Island was otherwise scarce knowne, to the disdaine
and contempt of this our Nation: and this iniurie offered by a Citizen of
yours, hath Island susteined these 30. yeeres and more, and doeth as yet
susteine. But many such accidents often come to passe without the knowledge
of the magistrate, neither do we doubt but that good men are grieued at
such infamous libels, and do take diligent heed that they be not published:
for such editions are contrary to the lawe of nature: Doe not that to
another which thou wouldest not haue done vnto thy selfe: [Sidenote: Lawes
against libels.] and to the laws Emperial of infamous libels: wherein is
enioyned a most grieuous penaltie vnto those who inuent, write, ytter, or
cause such libels to be bought or sold, or do not presently vpon the
finding thereof teare them in pieces.

But now time bids vs to sound a retreat: and to returne home vnto thee,
Island (our most deare mother) whom neither pouertie, nor colde, nor any
other such inconueniences shall make ircksome vnto vs, so long as thou
ceasest not to giue heartie and willing entertainment vnto Christ: where,
first we doe earnestly exhort thee to the serious and ardent affection, and
loue of God, and of the heauenly knowledge reueiled vnto vs in Christ: that
thou wouldest preferre this before all things, being enflamed with desire
of doctrine, and of the worde: that thou wouldest not lightly esteeme,
contemne or hate the holy ministerie and ministers, but reuerence, cherish
and loue them. Accompting those that practise the contrary as wicked and
prophane: and managing all thine affaires both priuate and publique,
according to the prescript rule of pietie and honestie, that vnto this, thy
states and orders Ecclesiasticall and politique may in all things be
conformed; and so in either kinde of life relying thy selfe vpon that
leuell and line of equitie and iustice, and auoyding others, who vpon
stubbernesse and impietie swerue therefrom. That thou wouldest also inflict
iust punishments vpon offenders: All which we doubt not but the Magistrate
will haue respect vnto. But especially that thou admittest none to be
Magistrates, but men of approued fidelitie and honestie, and such as may
adioyne vnto these vertues others hereto belonging, by which meanes
inconueniences may fitly be preuented. For if this matter be well handled,
namely that they which are the best of all good men be chosen to beare
publicke authoritie, wicked and vnfit men being altogether reiected; the
condition of the subiects shalbe most prosperous: the hues and maners of
all men shal proue by so much the more commendable; godlinesse also and
honestie shal become the more glorious. But on the contrary, if pastours of
Churches be not answerable to their function, either in life or doctrine;
if all men without respect or difference be admitted to the gouernment of
the common wealth, who aspire thereunto by their owne rashnesse, ambition,
or auarice, and desire of honour, yea though they be suspected or conuicted
of crimes and dishonestie, or be protectours or vniust fauourers of such
persons as are suspected and conuicted; then what will be thy state, oh
Island? What wil be thy outward show or condition? Doubtlesse most
miserable. Neither shalt thou by any other meanes more suddenly approch to
thy ruine and destruction, then if thou committest thy selfe to the
gouernment of such men, who to the vttermost of their power, although they
be of thine owne brood, dayly seeke thine ouerthrow for their owne priuate
aduantage and secret malice. Wherefore (to be short) let these be to
aduertise my deare Countrey, how behouefull it is that the matters
aforesaid be put in practise.

But whilest I am speaking these things vnto thee (my Countrey) oh that my
deepe and dolefull sighes, which lie hid in the former speach, might pierce
the eares of our Kings most excellent Maiestie, before whom, on thy behalfe
I doe bewaile the publique miseries, which in this respect especially doe
arise, because wee are so farre distant from the seate and royall presence
of our King, that many therefore take more libertie, and promise more
securitie of offending vnto themselues. But we will commit all these
matters to the most iust Judge of heauen and earth who beholdeth all things
in equitie.

Nowe it remaineth (my beloued Countrey) that thou wouldest take in good
part these my labours employed in thy seruice, and accept them with that
fauourable and courteous minde which I haue expected. And although they be
not of such worth as I could wish, yet sith a willing minde is worth all, I
would not therefore giue ouer because I mistrusted my selfe as one
insufficient to contend for thine innocencie, for thy reputation, and thine
honour, my deare Countrey. But rather whatsoeuer it be (if it be ought) and
how mickle soeuer which for my slender abilitie I was able to afford in thy
defence, I thought good not to suppresse it: for I esteeme not those men
worthy of commendation, who despairing

     To ouergrow the limmes of Lyco stoute,
     Neglect to cure their bodies of the goute:

And in very deed, it doeth no whit repent me of my labour, if this little
treatise shall tend neither to thine, nor to mine owne disgrace. But if it
shall any thing auaile to thine honour or defence, I will thinke my
trauaile right well bestowed. Yea, if by this my slender attempt, I may but
onely excite other of thy children, and my natiue Countreymen, being farre
my superiours both in learning and industrie to take thy cause in hand,
either nowe or hereafter what reason is there why any man should say that
it is not worth my labour? Nowe, if they addresse themselues to write,
howsoeuer my fame shalbe obscured, yet wil I comfort my selfe with their
excellencie, who are like to impaire my credite: for albeit a man ought to
haue speciall regard of his name and fame, yet he is to haue more of his
Countrey, whose dignitie being safe and sound, we also must needes esteeme
our selues to be in safetie.

Written at Holen Hialtedale in Island, the yeere of our Lord 1592. the 17.
of the Kalends of May.

       *       *       *       *       *

A letter written by the graue and learned Gudbrandus Thorlacius Bishop of
  Holen in Island, concerning the ancient state of Island and Gronland, &c.

Reuerendissimo viro, eruditione et virtute conspicuo, D. Hugoni Branham,
  Ecclesiæ Hareuicensis in Anglia pastori vigilantissimo, fratri et
  symmystæ obseruando.

Mirabar equidem (vt conijcis, reuerende domine pastor) primo literarum
tuarum intuitu, ignotum me, ab ignoto, scriptis salutari. Cæterùm, cum
vlterius progrederer, comperi me, si non aliter, certè nomine tenùs, tibi
(quæ tua est humanitas) innotuisse: Simúlque quòd te nominis Islandorum
studiosum experirer, ex animo gauisus sum. Vnde etiam faciam, vt tua
pietas, tuúmque nomen, de Euangelio Iesu Christi nobis congratulantis,
dèque gente nostra tàm benignè támque honorificè sentientis, et scribentis
apud nos ignotum esse desinat.

[Sidenote: Commentarius breuis de Islandia: per Arngrimum Ionam Islandum
editus, 1593.] Quòd verò ad antiquitatis monimenta attinet, quæ hic extare
creduntur, nihil sanè est (præter illa, quorum in Commentario isto de
Islandia, quem vidisse te scribis, fit mentio) de hac nostra insula lectu
scriptuuà dignum, quod cum humanitate tua communicem. De vicinis itidem
terris pauca, præter historiam Regum Noruegiæ, seu veriùs eiusdem historiæ
fragmenta; quæ alijs alitèr descripta sunt: sunt tamen talia, quæ Krantzius
non attigerit, aut eorum certè pauca. De vicina quoque Gronlandia, id
veterum opinione habemus, eam magno circuitu ab extrema Noruegia, vbi
Biarmlandia [Marginal note: Biarmia.] nuncupatur, et à qua haud vasto
interuallo sita sit, circum quasi Islandiam exporrigi. Illic nostrates
aliquando commercia exetcuisse, et eam terram tempore Pontificiorum suos
Episcopos habuisse annales nostri testantur. Cætera nobis incognita.
[Sidenote: Gronlandia olim suos habuit Episcopos.] At hodie fama est,
vestris Brittannis (quos ego propè maris dominos appellarim) quotannis csse
in Gronlandia negotmiones de qua re, si me certiorem feceris, non erit
iniucundum. Euam velim quæcunque noua erunt de rebus vestratium aut
vicinorum regnorum, ea non omittas.

Vale foeliciter (reuerende Dom. pastor) Deo musis, et commissio gregi quàm
diuttssime superstes, Amen. Ex Islindij in festo visitationis D. Mariæ Anni
1595.

Human. tuæ studiosus Gudbrandus Thorlacius Episcopus Holensis in Islandia.

The same in English.

To the reuerend, learned, and vertuous, Master Hugh Branham minister of the
  Church of Harewich in England, his brother and felow pastour, &c.

I much marueiled (euen as you your selfe, reuerend sir coniectured that I
would) at the first sight of your letters, that being a stranger I should
be saluted in writing by one altogether vnknown vnto mee. Howbeit, reading
a little further I found my selfe, if not otherwise, yet by name at least
(which procedeth of your courtesie) knowne vnto you: And also, for that I
sawe you desirous of the credite and honest report of vs Islanders, I
greatly reioyced. Wherefore I my selfe will be a meane, that your vertue
and good name (because you congratulate with vs for the gospel of Christ
here published, and doe thinke and write so louingly and honourably of our
nation) may sease hereafter to be vnknown amongst vs.

[Sidenote: This is the brief Commentarie of Ionas Arngrimus immediatly
going before.] As touching the monuments of antiquitie which are here
thought to be extant, there is, in very deede nothing (except those
particulars, whereof mention is made in the Commentary of Island which you
write vnto me that you haue seene) worthy to be read or written, which I
may communicate with you. And as concerning our neighbor Countreys we haue
litle to shewe, besides the history of the Kings of Norway, (or rather some
fragments of the same history) which others haue otherwise described:
howbeit they are all in a maner such things as Crantzius neuer mentioned:
vnlesse it be some fewe relations. Moreouer, as touching Grondland, we
holde this from the opinion of our ancestours, that, from the extreeme part
of Norway, which is called Biarmlandia [Marginal note: Biarmia.] and from
whence the saide Gronland is not farre distant, it fetcheth about the
Northren coast of Island with an huge circuit in maner of an halfe Moone.
[Sidenote: Gronland in old time had Christian Bishops.] Our Chronicles
likewise doe testifue that our owne countreymen in times past resorted
thither for traffique, and also that the very same countrey of Gronland had
certaine Bishops in the dayes of Poperie. More then this we cannot auouch.
But now it is reported that your Englishmen (whom I may almost call the
lordes of the Ocean sea) make yeerely voyages vnto Gronland: concerning
which matter if you please to giue me further aduertisement, you shall doe
me an especial fauour. Moreouer, whatsoeuer newes you heare concerning the
the affaires of England or of other Countreys thereabout, I pray you make
vs acquainted therewith. Thus (reuerend sir) wishing you long life, for the
seruice of God, for the increase of learning, and the benefit of the people
committed to your charge, I bid you farewel. From Island vpon the feast of
the visitation of the blessed Virgine Mary, Anno Dom. 1595.

Yours Gudbrandus Thorlacius Bishop of Hola in Island.




INDEX.

_Where the same Document is given in Latin and English the reference is
to the English Version._

NB--The large print indicates that the _whole_ section refers to the
subject mentioned.

ADAMS, Clement, mentioned
AFFRICA, daughter of Fergus of Galway, marries Olavus
AFRICA, a peninsula
  --Circumnavigated
  --Portuguese trade with
AGATHA marries Edward Atheling
AGINCOURT, battle of
ALCOCK, Thomas his voyage
ALEPPO, Elizabeths communications with
ALEXANDER (the Great), mentioned
ALEXANDRIA (Egypt), mentioned
ALFRED mentioned
ALGESIRAS or Algezar, mentioned
ALGIERS, English at
AMERICA, discovered
ANGLES, mentioned
ANGLESEY, conquered
  --CONQUEST OF BY EDMUND
ANTIOCH, taken
AQUITAINE, mentioned
ARABIA, Felix, mentioned
ARABIAN Gulf, mentioned
ARDOK (River), visited by Jenkinson
ARDOVIL, mentioned
ARGYLE, mentioned
ARISTOTLE, quoted
ARMADA, The Great
ARMENIA, English in
ARSACES, mentioned
ARTHUR, King, mentioned
  --THE CONQUESTS OF
  --Buried at Glastonbury
  --Alluded to (_ note_)
ASAFI, English at
ASCHILIUS, King, submits to Arthur
ASTRAKHAN, English at
ATHELSTAN, mentioned
ATHELWOLD, Bishop, mentioned (_note_)
ATLANTIS, mentioned
AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of Britain
AUGUSTUS, mentioned
AUSTRO HUNGARIAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION, mentioned (_note_)
AZORES, mentioned

BAATU, mentioned
BABYLON, Elizabeth's communications with
BALE, mentioned
BALSARA, Elizabeth's communications with
BALTIC, mentioned
  --Described
BARBAROSSA Frederick, HIS TREATY WITH HENRY II
  --Biographical Notice (_note_)
BARENTZ, mentioned (_note_)
BARGENLAND (_see Borhalme_)
BEDE, Venerable, quoted
  --HIS ACCOUNT OF THE CONQUEST OF ANGLESEY AND MAN
  --THE VOYAGE OF BERTUS
  --HIS TESTIMONY TO THE IMPORTANCE OF LONDON VNDER THE SAXONS
BEDFORD, John, Duke of, defeats the French
  --Defeats Genoese
BENGORION, Joseph, quoted
BENIN, English in
BERGEN, mentioned
BERTUS, mentioned
  --Account of his voyage into Ireland
BIARMIA described
  --Mentioned
BLEKINGIE, mentioned
BOATS, limited to three iron nails
BOKHARA or Boghar, mentioned
  --Visited by Jenkinson
BONA SPERANZA (Cape of), Englishmen double
BORHOLME, mentioned
BORIS, Emperor, mentioned
BORISTHENES, mentioned
BOSTON (Lincolnshire), mentioned
BOWES, Jerome, mentioned
BRABANT, mentioned
BRACTON, Henry, quoted
BRAZIL, first English trade to
BREMEN, mentioned
BRISTOL, mentioned
  --Its trade with Norway and Ireland
BRITTANY, mentioned
BRUNSWICK, mentioned
BURLEIGH, Lord, mentioned
BURROUGH, Hubert defeats the Welsh
BURROUGH, Stephen, mentioned
BURROUGH, William, assists Hakluyt
  --His voyage
BUTE, mentioned

CABOT, John, patent granted by Henry VII. to
CABOT, Sebastian, created Grand Pilot
CADIZ, Expedition to, mentioned
CAIRO, mentioned
CALAIS, mentioned
CAMDEN, eulogised
  --His eulogy of Hakluyt.
  --His CHRONICLES OF THE KINGS OF MAN
CANARY ISLES, mentioned
CANDISH, Thomas, mentioned
CANUTE obtains privileges at Rome
  --Mentioned
CAPE VERDE Islands, English in
CARDANUS, quoted
CARPINI, Joannes de Piano, his journey
CASBEN, mentioned
CASPIAN (Sea), mentioned
  --Visited fourteen times
CATALONIA, mentioned
CAZAN, mentioned
CHANCELLOR, Richard, doubles North Cape
  --Arrives in Russia
CHARLEMAGNE, concludes treaty with Offa
  --Mentioned
CHARLES V. founds lecture on navigation
CHAUCER, Geoffrey, mentioned
  --Quoted
CHAUEZ, Alonso de, quoted
CHAUEZ, Hieronymo de, quoted
CHAUL, Englishmen at
CHERRILLAND, mentioned
CHESTER, Rainulf de, quoted
CHILI, Englishmen in
CHINA, traffic with
  --Sends Embassy to Rome
  --Mentioned
CHRISTIAN IV, dedication of Commentary on Iceland to
CHRISTINA, daughter of Edward Atheling
CINQUE (Ports), mentioned
  --HISTORY OF, FROM EDWARD THE CONFESSOR TO EDWARD I.
CNOYEN, James, quoted
COG, The, mentioned
COLBY, (River), mentioned
COLGOIEVE (Gulf of), mentioned
COLMOGRO, mentioned
COLOGNE, mentioned
COLUMBUS, Christopher, mentioned
  --Discovers America
COMETS
COMMERCE, HISTORY OF
CONDORA, visited
CONRAD, Emperor, confers privileges on Canute
CONSTANTINOPLE, mentioned
COPE, William, his collection of curiosities
CORELIA, coasted
CORNWALL, Richard, Earl of, King of the Romans
COURCY, John de, conquers Ulster
  --Taken prisoner
  --Invades Man
COURLAND, mentioned
CROUAlN, Godred, mentioned
CRUZES burnt by Drake
CUMBERLAND, Earl of, sends Expedition to South West
CYRUS, mentioned

DANTZIG, mentioned
DARIEN, (Isthmus of), crossed by Oxnam
DAVIS, John, mentioned
DEAL, mentioned
DEDICATION To First Edition
  --To Second Edition
DEE, Doctor, mentioned
  --His Testimony Touching Nicholas de Lenna
  --Biographical notice
DENMARK, submits to Arthur
  --Conquered by Malgo
  --Mentioned
DENMARK (Sound of), [_See Baltic_]
DEPTFORD, Guild of Navigation founded at
DERBENT, visited by Jenkinson
  --Mentioned
DERBY, Henry, Earl of, his journey
DIODURUS, quoted
DOLDAVIUS, King, submits to Arthur
DONALD, usurps kingdom of Man
DOOMSDAY Book, quoted
DOUGLAS (Man), mentioned
DOVER, one of Cinque Ports
  --Mentioned
DRAKE Sir Francis, mentioned
DUBLIN, mentioned
  --Taken by Gadred Cronan
DUGALD, son of Sumerled, becomes King of Man
DWINA (River), English on
  --Mentioned
  --Visited
  --Description of
DYER or Dier, Edward, assists Hakluyt

EASTERLINGS, mentioned
EASTLAND (_See Lithunia_)
EASTMEERE, mentioned
EST(Sea) (_See Baltic_)
ECFRID, mentioned
  --Sends army into Ireland
EDEN, Richard, mentioned
EDGAR, Atheling, mentioned
EDGAR, King, mentioned
  --His navigation
  --Surnamed Pacificus--Buried at
Glastonbury
EDMUND, Prince, mentioned
  --His Voyage into Hungary
EDRIC, mentioned
EDWARD, Atheling, mentioned
  --His voyage into Hungary
EDWARD the Conftssor, mentioned
EDWRD I, confers privileges on Cologne, Lubeck, and Hanse Towns
  --Grants the Great Charter
  --Grants Charter to Cinque Ports
EDWARD II, corresponds with Haco
  --Decree of Staple
EDWARD III, his fleet against Calais
EDWARD IV, trade under
KDWARD VI, names Sebastian Cabot, Grand Pilot of England
EDWIN, King, conquers Man and Anglesey
ELAND, mentioned
ELIZABETH, Queen, portrait
ELSENBORG, mentioned
ELY, Foundation Charter of Cathedral
EMDEN, mentioned
ENNIUS, Father, mentioned
EPISTLE to Cupid, quoted
  --Its authorship
ESSEX, Earl of, his expedition against Cadiz
  --Geoffrey Fitz-Peter, Earl of
EUDOXUS, mentioned
EUPHRATES (River), Englishmen on
EUROPE, Map of Northern
EUXINE (Sea), mentioned

FABIAN, Robert, quoted
FALSTER, mentioned
FARAON, taken by Howard
FAROE Islands, mentioned
FAVERSHAM, mentioned
FEMELAND, mentioned
FENTON, Edward, mentioned
FERNELIUS, John, quoted
FINGAL, King of Man
FINMARK, visited
  --Mentioned
FINONS, described
  --Pay tribute to Biarmes
FLANDERS, mentioned
FLETCHER, Doctor, mentioned
FLORENCE, mentioned
FLORES Historiarum, quoted
FLORIDA, discovered by Cabot
FLORUS, Lucius, quoted
FOLKESTONE, mentioned
FONTANAS, mentioned
FOX, mentioned
FRANCE, mentioned
FRANZ-JOSEF Land, discovered
FREDERICK SAXO, mentioned
FREDERIC III, changes constitution of Norway
FRISIUS, mentioned
  --Confuted
FROBISHER, mentioned
FRUSO, mentioned

GADES (_see Gibraltar_)
GALWY, subdued by Magnus
GAMA, Vasco de, doubles Cape of Good Hope
GARGANUS (Mount), mentioned
GARTH or Garthe, Richard, his collection of curiosities
GENOA, mentioned
GERMANY, a Charter for Merchants of
  --Mentioned
GEORGIA, English in
GIBRALTAR (Straits of), mentioned
GILBERT, Sir Humphrey, mentioned
GILLAN (Persia), English in
GIRALDUS CAMBRIENSIS, quoted
GLASTONBURY, Invocation to
GOA, Englishmen at
GODRED, his voyage to Norway
  --Mentioned
GODRED, son of Olavus
  --Murdered
GODRED. (_See Cronan_)
GOLETTA, English at
GOROPIUS, Joannes, quoted
GOSPATRICIUS, usurps Man
GOTHLAND, submits to Arthur
  --Mentioned
  --Conquered by Malgo
GRANADA, mentioned
GREENLAND, mentioned
GRESHAM COLLEGE, founded
GRESHAM, Sir John, mentioned
GRESHAM, Sir Richard, mentioned
GRESHAM, Sir Thomas, founds lectures
  --Biographical sketch (_note_.)
GUILLAUMURIUS, King, sends Ambassadors to Arthur
GUINEA, English in
GUNFACIUS, King, submits to Arthur

HACO takes possession of the Islands
HACO HUSBAC invades the Islands
HACO IV., his treaties with Henry III.
  --HIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH HENRY III.
  --His expedition to Scotland
HAINAULT, mentioned
HAKLUYT, Edmund, tutor to Lord William Howard
HAKLUYT, Richard, of Middle Temple
  --Assists his cousin
HAKLUYT, Richard, preacher, biographical notice
  --Greek eulogy of
  --Latin eulogy by Richard Mukaster
  --Anonymous eulogy
  --Latin eulogy by Camden
  --Italian eulogy by M. A. Pigafeta
  --Eulogy by Oldys
  --Eulogy by Zouch
HAMBURG, mentioned
HANNO, mentioned
HANSE towns, treat with Edward I.
  --With Henry IV.
HARFLEUR, mentioned
HAROLD, daughter of, marries Jeruslaus
HAROLD Harfager, mentioned
HAROLD, son of Godred Crouan
HAROLD, son of Godwin, mentioned
HAROLD, son of Olave, King of Man, mentioned
  --Regains his kingdom
HAROLD (the Black), mentioned
HASTINGS, mentioned
HAWKINS, Sir John, his voyage
  --Assists Hakluyt
HEBRIDES, mentioned
  --Conquered by Edwin
HECLA, mentioned
HELGAFEL (Mount) mentioned
HELIGOLAND, mentioned
HENRY, Emperor of Germany, mentioned
HENRY II., his treaty with Frederick Barbarossa
  --His charter quoted
  --Mentioned
HENRY III, his treaties with Haco
  --His CORRESPONDENCE WITH HACO
  --His PRIVILEGES TO LUBECK
HENRY IV his treaties with the Great Masters of Prussia
     His CHARTER TO ENGLISH MERCHANTS
HENRY V, mentioned
  --His FLEET
HENRY VI, trade under
HENRY VII, offer made by Columbus to
HENRY VIII employs Knevett
  --Supports explorations
  --Founds Guilds of Navigation
HERDLE-VOER, mentioned
HERODOTUS, quoted
  --Mentioned
HETHA, mentioned
HINGE, King of Norway
HIREAN, mentioned
HISPANIA, Nova, Englishmen in
HISPANIOLA, visited by Hawkins
HODSON, Christopher, mentioned
HORSEY, HIEROME, his journey
HOVEDEN, Roger de, mentioned
HOWARD, Lord Charles, mentioned
  --Dedication of Second Edition to
  --Biographical notice
  --Accompanies Essex
HOWARD, Lord William, mentioned
HUGO, Earls, taken and slain
HUMBER (River), mentioned
HUNGARY, mentioned
HUNGERFORD, Earl of, mentioned
HY, Isle of, mentioned
HYRCAMlA, English in
HYTHE, mentioned

ICELAND, true state of
  --Conquered by Arthur
  --Sends Ambassadors
  --Mentioned
  --Conquered by Malgo
  --A COMMENTARY OF, BY ARNGRIMUS JONAS
  --Map of
  --Longitude and latitude
  --Mean Temperature
  --Size
  --Barrenness
  --Mountains and volcanoes
  --Volcanic eruptions
  --Gysers
  --Brimstone mines
  --Abundance of fish
  --Reindeer
  --Fauna
  --Conversion to Christianity
  --Oldest chronicles
  --Bishops of Schalholt
  --Bishops of Holen
  --The houses are built of fishes' bones
  --Men and beasts all live in one house
  --The habits of the inhabitants
  --Their morals
  --A yearly governor sent from Denmark
  --Community of property
  --Their want of love for their children
  --The status of the bishops
  --Food
  --Ancient trade with England
ICELANDIC clergy, defended
IERUSLAUS. (_See Jeruslaus_)
ILSING, mentioned
INDIAN (Ocean), discovered by Portuguese
INDIES (West) first visited by Englishmen
  --Mentioned
  --Described by Plato
INDUS (River), mentioned
INGEMUNDUS lands in Lewes
  --Sent to Man
INGULPH colonizes Iceland
INNOCENTIUS IV, mentioned
IONA, mentioned
IOUGHORIA, mentioned
IPSWICH, mentioned
IRELAND, invaded by Bertus
  --Invaded by Magnus
  --Conquered by John
  --By Arthur
  --Sends Ambassadors
  --Mentioned
  --Conquered by Malgo
ISOCRATES, quoted
IUNGINGEN, Conrad de, mentioned
IUNGINGEN, Ulrich de, mentioned

JACKMAN, Charles, mentioned
JAMES, Doctor, assists Hakluyt
JAPAN, mentioned
JAPANESE in England
JAVA, treaties with
JENKINSON, Anthony, mentioned
  --Assists Hakluyt
  --His narrative
JERUSALEM, Britains at Siege of
JERUSLAUS, marries Harold's daughter
JOHN, King, confers privileges on foreigners
  --Conquers
Ireland
  --Mentioned
JOHN, Pope, confers privileges on Canute
JOHNSON, Richard, mentioned
JONAS, Arngrimus, HIS COMMENTARIE OF ICELAND
  --Biographical notice
JOSEPH of Arimathea, buried at Glastonbury
JUSTUS, Bishop
JUTLAND, mentioned

KENT, mentioned
KERWARY, Isle of, mentioned
KINGSTON-UPON-HULL, Guild of Navigation founded at
  --Mentioned
KIRKWALL, Haco buried at
KNEVETT, Sir Henry, Agent for Henry VIII
KRANTZIUS, mentioned
  --Confuted

LACY, Hugo de, invades Ulster
LACY, Walter de, defeats De Courcy
LAGMAN, mentioned
LAMBERT'S [Greek: Archaionomia] quoted
  --His Perambulations of
Kent quoted
  --The History of the Cinque Ports
LANGLAND, mentioned
LAPLAND coasted
  --Mentioned
LATHYRUS, mentioned
LAYLAND, mentioned
LEINSTER, mentioned
LEO, Joachim, criticised
LETTO, King of, conquered
LEWES, Isle of, conquered
  --Mentioned
LIBEL, Law of, in Iceland
LIEFLAND, visited by Horsey
  --Mentioned
LINNA, Nicholas de, mentioned
  --ACCOUNT OF HIS
VOYAGES TO THE NORTH
LISTER, Christopher, mentioned
LITHUANIA, mentioned
  --Described
LIVERE DE REIS DE ENGLETERRE, MS., quoted
LOGLEN, Deputy in Man
LOMBARDS, mentioned
LOMBARDY, mentioned
LONDON, famous for Commerce
  --Its importance
under the Saxons
  --Under Stephen
LOT, King, submits to Arthur
LUMLEY, Lord, his Library
LUZONES, Englishmen landing on
LYNN (Norfolk), mentioned
MACMARRAS, slain
MADEIRA, mentioned
MæLSTROM, described
MAGELLAN, Straits of, Englishmen passing through
MAGNUS, King of Norway
  --Opens coffin of St Olave
MALCOLM, King of Scotland, dies
MALGO, mentioned
  --THE CONQUESTS OF
MALMESBURY, William of, quoted
  --His ACCOUNT OF THE TREATY BETWEEN CHARLEMAGNE AND OFFA
  --HIS ACCOUNT OF LONDON UNDER STEPHEN
MALTA, English at
MALVASIUS, King, sends Ambassadors to Arthur
MAN, Isle of, conquered
  --Chronicles of, mentioned
  --CONQUEST OF, BY EDWIN
  --CHRONICLE OF THE KINGS OF
  --Transferred to Scotland
MANCHESTER, mentioned
MANGUCAN, Emperor of Tartary
MANGUSLA, mentioned
MARE'S Milk
MARGARET of Scotland, mentioned
MARY, Queen, grants patent to Muscovy Company
MEDIA, English in
MEDITERRANEAN, mentioned
MEERE, mentioned
MELLITUS, Bishop of East Saxons
MERCATOR, mentioned
  --Quoted
MERCHANTS, raised in rank for thrice crossing the sea
  --Ancient customs of
  --Arrested by Haco
MEXICO, English in
MEXICO, Gulf of, visited by Hawkins
MICHæL, Bishop of the Isles
MOLLINEUX, his map mentioned
MOLUCCAS, Treaties with
  --Sir Francis Drake visits
MONMOUTH, Geoffrey de, quoted
  --His ACCOUNT OF ARTHUR
  --HIS ACCOUNT OF MALGO
MOROCCO, English in
MORSES
MOSCOW, English at
MOSKOWA (River), mentioned
MULCASTER, Richard, Eulogy of Hakluyts Collection
MUNCH, P. A., quoted
MUNSTER, mentioned
  --Confuted
MUSCOVY Company, mentioned
  --Receives patent from Queen Mary

NADDODR, mentioned
NAVARRE, mentioned
NAVIGATION, Lecture on, suggested
  --Founded by Charles V.
NECO, King of Egypt, mentioned
NEPOS, Cornelius, mentioned
NERO, mentioned
NETHERLANDS Company formed
NEWCASTLE-UPON TYNE, Guild of Navigation founded at
  --Mentioned
NIALUS, mentioned
NICHOLAS, Bishop of the Isles
NOBLE (coin)
NOMBRE DE BIOS, visited by Drake
NORTHBERN, mentioned
NORTH CAPE, doubled
NORTHUMBERLAND, mentioned
NORTH WEST PASSAGE
NORWAY, mentioned
  --Submits to Arthur
  --Conquered by Malgo
  --Described
NOVA ZEMBLA, mentioned
NOVGOROD, mentioned

OBDOLOWCAN, King of Hircan, mentioned
OBI (River), mentioned
O'BRIEN, Murecardus, King of Ireland
  --Forced to carry
shoes of Magnus
OCCA (River), mentioned
OCCLEVE, Thomas, THE EPISTLE OF CUPID attributed to
OCTHER, mentioned
  --His VOYAGE TO THE NORTH EAST
  --HIS VOVAGE INTO THE SOUND Of DENMARK
OFFA, TREATY WITH CHARLEMAGNE
O'FOGOLT, Viscount of Man
OLAVE, mentioned
  --His coffin opened
  --Appears to Magnus
OLAVUS MAGNUS, mentioned
  --Confuted
OLAVUS, son of Godred Crouan
  --King of Man
  --Detailed biography
OLDYS, quoted
ONEGA (River) mentioned
ORKNEYS, conquered by Magnus
  --Submit to Arthur
  --Conquered by Malgo
  --Mentioned
ORMOND, Earl of, mentioned
ORMUZ, Englishmen at
ORTELIUS, quoted
  --Mentioned
OSEP NAPEA, Russian Ambassador
OSMAN, Basha, mentioned
OSWALD, Bishop, mentioned
OTHOR, Earl, slain
OTTO Frisingensas, quoted
OVID, quoted
OXNAM, John, crosses Isthmus of Darien
OXUS (River), visited by Jenkinson

PACIFIC, first visited by English
PAGORELLA, Pheodata, Russian Ambassador
PAULINUS, converts Northumbrians
PAY, Henry, defeats the French
PECHORA (Gulf), mentioned
PEEL (Man), mentioned
PEMBROKE, Richard, Earl of, invades Ireland
PEROSLAF, English at
PERSIA, Elizabeth's communications with
PERSIAN GULF, Englishmen on
PERU, Englishmen in
PETT, Arthur, mentioned
PETZORA. (_See Pechora_).
PEUCER, Casper, mentioned
  --Quoted
PEVENSEY, mentioned
PHOENICIANS, circumnavigate Africa
PHEODOR, Emperor of Russia
PHILLIPPINES, inhabitants at, in England
  --Mentioned
PHISEMSKI, Pheodor, Russian Ambassador
PIGAFETTA, Marco Antonio, his eulogy of Hakluyt
PLATE (River), Englishmen at
PLATO, quoted
PLINY, quoted
  --Mentioned
PLUTARCH, quoted
  --Mentioned
POLAND, mentioned
POLICY, THE PROCESS OF THE LIBEL OF
  --Eulogised
  --Quoted
POLITIA, (_See Policy_)
POMERANIA, mentioned
POMERLAND, (_See Pomtrenia_)
PONTANUS, quoted
POPILINIERE, quoted
PORTO SANTO, mentioned
PORTUGAL, mentioned
PREFACE, Editors
  --To first edition, To second edition
PRISAGE
PROPERTIUS, quoted
PROUENCE, mentioned
PRUSSIA, mentioned
  --Grand Masters of
PTOLOMY, quoted

QUENELAND, mentioned

RADEVIEUS Frisingensis, quoted
RALEIGH, Sir Walter, assists in compiling this Collection
  --Plants colonies in Virginia
RAMSEY (Man), taken by Godred Crouan
  --Conspiracy at
  --Battle of
RANDOLPH, Ambassador to Russia
REGINALD, Bishop of the Isles
REGINALD, Son of Eacmarcat, invades Man
REGINALD, Son of Olavus, usurps Kingdom of Man
  --King of Man
  --Detailed biogragraphy
REIN-DEER
RHINFRIN, or RENFREW, mentioned
RICHARD, Bishop of Sodor
RICHARD II, his treaties with the Great Masters of Prussia
RICHMOND (Yorkshire), mentioned
RIGA, visited by Horsey
ROCHESTER, mentioned
ROE, mentioncd
ROGNOLPWAHT (_See Peel_)
ROMNEY
ROMULUS, mentioned
ROSTOFF, English at
ROSTOK, visited by Horsey
  --Mentioned
ROYAL Exchange, founded
RUBRIEIS, William de, his journey
RUDULPH, King, confers pnvileges on Canute
RUSHEN or Russin, Abbey of, founded
  --Grant of land to
  --Removed to Douglas
RUSSIA, mentioned, 11, 17, 24
RYE

SAINT DUNSTAN, mentioned
SAINT HELENA, English at
  --Mentioned
SAINT JAMES, Legend of
SAINT LOUIS, mentioned
SAINT MARY'S, Abbey of, founded
SAINT NICHOLAS (Bay), mentioned
SAINT PATRICK (Armagh), burial place of Magnus
SAINT PATRICK, Isle of, taken by Magnus
SAINT THOMAS, Isle of, mentioned
SALOMON, a mistake for _Stephen_, King of Hungary
SALT, scarcity of, in Iceland
SAMOEDIA, mentioned
SAMOGITIA, mentioned
SANDERSON, William, mentioned
SANDWICH, mentioned
SANTA CRUZ, English at
SANTWAT (Man), battle of
SARTACH, Duke of Tartary
SAXO GRAMMATIEUS, mentioned
  --HIS ACCOUNT OF THE
MARRIAGE OF HAROLD'S DAUGHTER TO JERUSLAUS
  --Confuted
SAXONS, cross the seas
  --Mentioned
SCACAFELL (Man)
SCARBOROUGH, mentioned
SCIPIO AFRICANUS, mentioned
SCIPIO (the Elder), quoted
SCIRINGS HALI, mentioned
SCONIE, mentioned
SCOTLAND, mentioned
SEALS, Capture of, in Iceland
SEMELAND, mentioned
SENECCA, quoted
SENEGAL, English in
SEVILLE, Lecture on Navigation at
SHAHRAM, visited by Jenkinson
SHALLY MURZEY, mentioned
SHAMAKY, visited by Jenkinson
SHEFFIELD, Lady, mentioned
SHELISUR, mentioned
SIDNEY, Sir Philip, fellow-student of Hakluyt
SIGISMUND, Emperor
SILLAND, mentioned
SMOLENSK, visited by Alcock
SOLIMUS, mentioned
SOUTHAM, mentioned
SOUTHAMPTON, mentioned
SPAIN, mentioned
SPARKE, mentioned
STAFFORD, Sir Edward, mentioned
STAMFORD BRIDGE, Battle of
STAPER, Richard, assists Hakluyt
STAPLE ordained for wool
STEPHEN, trade under
STEPHEN the Holy
STILYARD, the, mentioned
STRABO, quoted
  --Mentioned
SUETONIUS, mentioned
SUEZ, Isthmus of, mentioned
SUMERLED, his wars with Godred
  --Marries his daughter
  --His sons quarrel
SUN, eclipsed
SWEDEN, mentioned
SWERRO, mentioned
SYRRIE, mentioned

TACITUS, quoted
TARTARS take an Englishman prisoner
  --Visited by two friars
TAURICA CHERSONESUS, mentioned
TENERIFFE, mentioned
THAMAS, Shah, mumoned
THEOPHRASTUS, quoted
THORLACIUS GUDBRANDUS, Introduction to Arngrinus Jonas's Commentary on
  Iceland
  --A LETTER TO THE REV HUGH BRANCHAIN
THULE, identical with Iceland
TINGUALLA, (_See Tynwald Mount_)
TIRIVIL, mentioned
TITUS, mentioned
TONESBERG, mentioned
TOSTI mentioned
TOULOUSE, mentioned
TRIPOLIS, Elizabeth's communications with
TRUSCO, mentioned
TUERDICO, Stephen, Russian Ambassador
TUNIS, English at
TURBEVILLE, George, mentioned
TURKEY, Elizabeths communications with
  --Mentioned
TYCHO BRAHE, mentioned
TYNE (River)
TYNEMOUTH CASTLE, mentioned
TYNWALD MOUNT, Battle of

URGENCE, mentioned
URRY, quoted,

VAIGATZ, Isles of, mentioned
VANDALS, mentioned
VENICE, mentioned
VESPASIAN, mentioned
VESUVIUS, mentioned
VIRGIL, quoted
VIRGINIA, English colonies in
VIVIANUS, marries Godred to Rhingola
VOBSKO, visited by Horsey
VOLGA, English on the
VOLOGDA, English at
VORTIPORIUS, mentioned

WALES, Princce of, voyage to North West
WALPOLE, Horace mentioned
WALSINGHAM, Sir Francis, portrait
  --Dedication to Biographical Notice
  --Mentioned
WALSINGHAM, Thomas quoted
  --HIS ROLE OF THE FLEET OF EDWARD III
  --Biographical Notice
  --THE VOYAGE OF HENRY, EARL OF DERBY
  --VOYAGE OF THOMAS OF WOODSTOCK
WARD, Luke, mentioned
WENFDLAND, (_See Prussia_)
WESTMINSTER ABBEY mentioned
WESTMINSTER, Matthew of quoted
WEXEL or WIXEL (River) mentioned
WEXELMOUTH or WIXELMOUTH
WEYMOUTH, mentioned
WHALES, Hunting of
  --In Iceland
WHITTINGTON, Richard
WILLIAM I, mentioned
WILLIAM II, mentioned
WILNA, taken
WILLOUGHBY, Sir Hugh, mentioned
WlLLOLGHBY'S LAND, visited
WINCHELSEA
WINDLAND, mentioned
WIRELND, mentioned
WISMER, mentioned
WITHRINGTON, Robert, mentioned
WITLAND, mentioned
WOLSIAN, HIS NAVIGATION
  --Mentioned
WOODSTOCK, Thomas of, his journey
WOOL, Staple for
WORCESTER, Foundation Charter of Cathedral quoted
WORCESTER, Florence of, quoted
  --HIS ACCOUNT OF THE VOYAGE OF THE SONS OF EDMUND IRONSIDE

YARMOUTH, mentioned
YAVATE, mentioned
YELL or YLE (Island), mentioned
YENO, Abbot of Furness
YEROSLAV, English at
YORK, taken by Harold and Tosti

ZAMORANO, Rodengo, mentioned
ZEELAND, mentioned
ZIEGLER, J., mentioned
  --Confuted
  --Map of Northern Europe from his _Schndta_
ZOLNER, Conrad de, mentioned
ZOUCH'S eulogy of Hakluyt


LIST OF PLATES AND MAPS

1. MAP OF NORTHERN EUROPE FROM J. ZIEGLER's _Schodia_, 1532
2. PORTRAIT Of QUEEN ELIZABETH after WHITE--_Facsimile_
3. PORTRAIT OF SIR FRANCIS WALSIGHAM, after VIRTUE
4. MAP OF ICELAND


TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Editor's Preface
II. Facsimile Title-Page
III. Dedication to First Edition
IV. Preface to First Edition
V. Dedication to Second Edition
VI. Preface to Second Edition
VII. [Greek: Eis Apodaemias Brettanon ponaema Richardon tou Haklitou]
VIII. In Nauales Richardi Hakluyti Commentarios, R. Mulcaster
IX. Ejusdem in eundem
X. In eximium opus R. Hakluyti Gulielmi Camdeni Hexastichon
XI. Marco Antonio Pigafeta ad Hakluytum
XII. Extract from Oldys's Librarian, 1738.
XIII. Extract from Zouch's Life of Sir Philip Sidney


1. The Conquests of Arthur, from Geoffrey of Monmouth

2. A Testimonie of the Right and Appendances of the Crowne of the Kingdome
   of Britaine, taken out of Mr. Lambard, his [Greek: Archaionomia]

3. A Testimonie concerning the Conquests of Malgo, King of England, from
   Geofrrey of Monmouth

4. The Conquest of the Isles of Anglesey and Man, by Edwin, King of
   Northumberland, from Bede's Ecclesiastical History

5. Another Testimonie by Bede to the same purpose

6. The Voyage of Bertus, Generall of an Armie sent into Ireland by
   Ecfridus, King of Northumberland, from Bede's Ecclesiastical History

7. The Voyage of Octher, made to the North-East parts beyond Norway,
   reported by himselfe unto Alfred

8. The Voyage of Octher out of his countrey of Halgoland into the Sound of
   Denmarke

9. Wolstan's Navigation in the East Sea (Baltic), from Hetha to Trusco,
   which is about Dantzig

10. The Navigation of King Edgar, from Florence of Worcester, Hoveden, and
    Dr. Dee

11. The Voyage of Edmund and Edward, the Sonnes of King Edmund Ironside,
    into Hungarie, from Florence of Worcester

12. A Chronicle of the Kings of Man from Camden's Chorographia

13. The Marriage of the Daughter of Harold to Jeruslaus, Duke of Russia,
    from Saxo Grammaticus

14. The State of the Shipping of the Cinque Ports from Edward the
    Confessour and William the Conqueror, and so downe to Edward I., from
    Lambert's Perambulations of Kent

    15. The roll of the huge Fleete of Edward III. before Calice, from
        Thomas Walsingham

    16. The Voyage of Nicholas de Linna, a Franciscan Frier, and an
        excellent Mathetician, of Oxford, to all the regions situate under
        the North Pole, in the yeere 1360

    17. A Testimonie of the learned Mathematician Master John Dee, touching
        the foresaid Voyage of Nicholas de Linna

    18. The Voyage of Henry, Earle of Derbie, after Duke of Hereford, and
        lastly King of England, by the name of Henry IV., into Prussia and
        Lettowe, against the Infidels, from Thomas of Walsmgham

    19. The Voyage of Thomas of Woodstocke, Duke of Gloucester, into
        Prussia, written by Thomas Walsingham

    20. The verses of Geoffrey Chaucer, showing that the English Knights
        were wont in his time to travaile into Prussia and other heathen
        lands

The original proceedings and successe of the northren, domestical, and
  forren trades and traffiques of this Isle of Britain, from the time of
  Nero the Emperor, who deceased in the yeere of our Lord 70, under the
  Romans, Britons, Saxons, and Danes, till the Conquest; and from the
  Conquest untill this present time, gathered out of the most authenticall
  histories and records of this Nation, viz.:

    21. A Testimonie out of Cornelius Tacitus, proving London to have bene
        a famous Mart Town in the Reigne of Nero the Enperour

    22. A Testimome out of Venerable Beda, proving London to have bene a
        citie of great Trafficke, not long after the beginning of the
        Saxons Reigne

    23. The League betweene Carolus Magnus and Offa, concerning safe trade
        of English Merchants

    24. An ancient Testimonie as to the rank of Merchants, from Lambert's
        Perambulation of Kent

    25. A Testimonie of certaine privileges obtained for English and Danish
        Merchants, of Conrad the Emperor, and John, Bishop of Rome, by
        Canutus the Kinmg, extracted out of a Letter of his

    26. The flourishing state of the citie of London, in the Reigne of King
        Stephen, from William of Malmsbury

    27. The Traffike of Bristow with Norway and Ireland, from William of
        Malmsbury

    28. The League betwecne Henry II., and Frederick Barbarossa, from
        Radevicus and Otto Frisingenses

    29. A generall safe-conduct granted to all forreine Marchants by King
        John, from the Records of the Tower

    30. The Letters of King Henry III., unto Haquinus, King of Norway,
        concerning a Treaty of Peace

    31. A Mandate for the King of Norway, his ship called The Cog

    31. A charter granted to the Merchants of Colen, by Edward I.

    33. The Charter of Lubeck, graunted by Henry III.

    34. A Charter for the Marchants of Almaine, graunted by Edward I.

    35. A Mandate of King Edward I., concerning outlandish Marchants

    36. The Great Charter granted unto forreine Marchants by Edward I.

    37. The Letters of Edward II., unto Haquinus, King of Norway,
        concerning the English Marchants arrested in Germany

    38. An Ordinance of the Staple to be holden at one certaine place

    39. A Charter of King Henry IV., to English Merchants resident in
        Prussia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Germany

    40. A note touching the mighty ships of King Henry V., from a Chronicle
        in the Trinity Church of Winchester

    41. A branch of a Statute made in the Reigne of Henry VI., for the
        trade to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finmark

    42. Another branch of a Statute made in the Reigne of Henry VI.,
        concerning the English Marchants in Denmark

43. The Process or the Libel of English Policie, exhorting all England to
    Keepe the Sea

44. A brief Commentarie of Island: wherein the errors of such as have
    written concerning this island are detected, and the Slanders and
    Reproches of certaine strangers, which they have used over boldly
    against the People of Island are confuted by Arngrimus Ionas

  BOOK I.

  SECTION 1.

    The Isle of Island, being severed from other countries, an infinite
      distance standeth farre into the ocean, etc.

  SECTION 2.

    In this Island at the Summer Solstitum there is no night, etc.

  SECTION 3.

    It is named of the ice, which continually cleaveth unto the north part
      thereof.

  SECTION 4.

    The Island is so great that it containeth many people, etc.

  SECTION 5.

    The Island, the most part thereof, is mountainous and untilled.

  SECTION 6.

    There be in this Island mountaines lift up to the skies, whose tops
      being white with perpetual snowe, their roots boile with everlasting
      fire, etc.

  SECTION 7.

    The flame of Mount Hecla will not burne towe, neither is it quenched
      with water.... This place is thought by some to be the prison of
      uncleane soules, etc.

  SECTION 8.

    Neare unto the mountaines there be three vast holes, the depth thereof
      cannot be discerned by any man; but there appeare to the beholders
      thereof certaine men at that instant plunged in, who answere their
      friends, exhorting them, with deepe sighs, to returne home, and, with
      that, they suddenly vanish away

  SECTION 9.

    But round about the Island there floateth ice. The inhabitants are of
      opinion that in Mount Hecla and in the ice there are places wherein
      the soules of their countrymen are tormented,

  SECTION 10.

    If any man shall take a great quantity of this ice, and shall keepe it
      never so warily in a coffer or vessel, it wil, at the time when the
      ice thaweth about the Island, utterly vanish away, etc.

  SECTION 11.

    Not far from the Mountains there be four fountaines of a most contrary
      nature betweene themselves. The first converteth into a stoen any
      body cast into it. The second is extremely cold. The third is sweeter
      than honey. The fourth is altogether deadly, etc.

  SECTION 12.

    There are so great store of Fishes in this Island that they are laid
      forth on piles to be sold in the open air, as high as the tops of
      houses

  SECTION 13.

    They have most swift horses, which will run without ceasing a continual
      course, for the space of thirty leagues

  SECTION 14.

    There be seen neare unto Island huge whales.... It sometimes falleth
      out that Mariners thinking these whales to be Islands, and casting
      out upon their backs, are often in danger of drowning, etc.

  BOOK II.

  Introduction

  SECTION 1.

    Adalbert, Metropolitanate of Hamburg, saw the Islanders converted unto
      Christianity.... At their humble request he appointed a certaine holy
      man named Islief to be thsir first Bishop

Chronology of the Bishops of Schalholt

Chronology of the Bishops of Holen

  SECTION 2.

    They inhabit caves.... and have many houses built with the bones of
      fishes, etc.

  SECTION 3.

    They and their cattell use all one house, etc.

  SECTION 4.

    The customs of the inhabitants

  SECTION 5.

    The King of Denmarke and Norway sendeth every year a Lieutenant into
      the country

  SECTION 6.

    All things are common among them, except their wives

  SECTION 7.

    They make all one reckoning of their whelpes and of their children,
    etc.

  SECTION 8.

    They honour their Bishop as their King, etc.

  SECTION 9.

    They live there for the most part upon fishes, etc.

  SECTION 10.

    The inhabitants do celebrate the acts of their ancestors.... with
      songs, and they grave them in rocks.... There be divers found among
      them that be minstrels, etc.

  SECTION 11.

    Joachim Leo and his slanders on Iceland,

  SECTION 12.

    Adulteries and Whoredoms arc not only public and common vices.... but
      are not accounted by them for vices

  SECTION 13.

    The treachery of the inhabitants

  SECTION 14.

    The good wife of the house reacheth to every one a Chamber-pot.... at
      Banquets.... Ten persons, men and women, lie together in one bed,
      etc.,

  SECTION 15.

    The food of the inhabitants

  SECTION 16.

    The simple manners of the inhabitants, and their Commerce, etc.

45. A Letter written by Gudbrandus Thorlacius, Bishop of Holen in Island,
    concerning the Ancient State of Island and Gronland,

Index

List of Plates and Maps

Table of Contents

END OF VOL. 1