service; embassadors from the Turk, the Persian, Georgian, and other Tartar princes; from Almany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark. But this glory lasted not long, through the treachery of Boris, who procured the death Ei first of Demetrius, then of the emperor himself, whereby the imperial race, after the succession of three hun dred years, was quite extinguished. Boris. Such of the nobles that were best beloved by entreaty prevailed at length to put an end to this tumult. The empress, flying to a safer place, had her collar of pearl pulled from her neck; and by the next message command was given to secure her, with her son and daughter. Whereupon Demetrius by general consent was proclaimed emperor. The empress, now seeing all lost, counselled the prince her son to follow his father's example, who, it seems, had dispatched himself by poison; and with a desperate courage beginning the deadly health, was pledged effectually by her son; but the daughter, only sipping, escaped. Others ascribe this deed to the secret command of Demetrius, and self-murder imputed to them, to avoid the envy of such a command. Boris adopted, as before was said, third son to Juan Vasiliwich, without impeachment now ascended the throne; but neither did he enjoy long what he had so wickedly compassed, divine revenge rising up against bim a counterfeit of that Demetrius, whom he had caused to be murdered at Ouglets. This upstart, strengthened with many Poles and Cossacks, appears in arms to claim his right out of the hands of Boris, who sent against him an army of two hundred thou- Demetrius Evanowich, for so he called himself, who sand men, many of whom revolted to this Demetrius: succeeded, was credibly reported the son of Gregory Peter Basman, the general, returning to Mosco with Peupoloy a Russe gentleman, and in his younger years the empty triumph of a reported victory. But the to have been shorn a friar, but escaping from the moenemy still advancing, Boris one day, after a plentiful nastery, to have travelled Germany and other counmeal, finding himself heavy and pained in the stomach, tries, but chiefly Poland: where he attained to good laid him down on his bed; but ere his doctors, who sufficiency in arms and other experience; which raised made great haste, came to him, was found speechless, in him such high thoughts, as, grounding on a common and soon after died with grief, as is supposed, of his ill belief among the Russians that the young Demetrius success against Demetrius. Before his death, though was not dead, but conveyed away, and their hatred it were speedy, he would be shorn, and new christened. against Boris, on this foundation, with some other cirHe had but one son, whom he loved so fondly, as not cumstances, to build his hopes no lower than an empire; to suffer him out of sight; using to say he was lord which on his first discovery found acceptation so geneand father of his son, and yet his servant, yea his slave. rally, as planted him at length on the royal seat: but To gain the people's love, which he had lost by his ill not so firmly as the fair beginning promised; for in a getting the empire, he used two policies; first he caused short while the Russians finding themselves abused Mosco to be fired in four places, that in the quenching by an impostor, on the sixth day after his marriage, thereof he might shew his great care and tenderness of observing when his guard of Poles were most secure, the people; among whom he likewise distributed so rushing into the palace before break of day, dragged much of his bounty, as both new built their houses, him out of his bed, and when he had confessed the and repaired their losses. At another time the people fraud, pulled him to pieces; with him Peter Basman murmuring, that the great pestilence, which had then was also slain, and both their dead bodies laid open in swept away a third part of the nation, was the punish-the market-place. He was of no presence, but otherment of their electing him, a murderer, to reign over wise of a princely disposition; too bountiful, which them, he built galleries round about the utmost wall of occasioned some exactions; in other matters a great Mosco, and there appointed for one whole month twenty lover of justice, not unworthy the empire which he had thousand pound to be given to the poor, which well nigh gotten, and lost only through greatness of mind, negstopped their mouths. After the death of Boris, Peter lecting the conspiracy, which he knew the Russians Basman, their only hope and refuge, though a young were plotting. Some say their hatred grew, for that man, was sent again to the wars, with him many Eng- they saw him alienated from the Russian manners and fish, Scots, French, and Dutch; who all with the other religion, having made Buchinskoy a learned protestant general Goleeche fell off to the new Demetrius, whose his secretary. Some report from Gilbert's relation, messengers, coming now to the suburbs of Mosco, were who was a Scot, a captain of his guard, that lying on brought by the multitude to that spacious field before his bed awake, not long before the conspiracy, he saw the castle gate, within which the council were then sit- the appearance of an aged man coming toward him, at ting, many of whom were by the people's threatening which he rose, and called to them that watched; but called out, and constrained to hear the letters of Deme- they denied to have seen any such pass by them. He trius openly read: which, long ere the end, wrought so returning to his bed, and within an hour after, troubled with the multitude, that furiously they broke into the again with the same apparition, sent for Buchinskoy, castle, laying violence on all they met; when straight telling him he had now twice the same night seen an appeared coming towards them two messengers of De-aged man, who at his second coming told him, that metrius formerly sent, pitifully whipped and roasted, which added to their rage. Then was the whole city in an uproar, all the great counsellors' houses ransacked, specially of the Godonovas, the kindred and family of e Post Christ. 1604. Purch. part 3. p. 750. though he were a good prince of himself, yet for the injustice and oppression of his inferiour ministers, his empire should be taken from him. The secretary counselled him to embrace true religion, affirming that for f Purch, part 3. p. 764. lack thereof his officers were so corrupt. The emperor | by another reviving Demetrius brought in by the seemed to be much moved, and to intend what was Poles; whose counterfeited hand, and strange relating persuaded him. But a few days after, the other secre- of privatest circumstances, had almost deceived Gille tary, a Russian, came to him with a drawn sword, of himself, had not their persons been utterly unlike; ba which the emperor made slight at first; but he after bold Gryshca's wife so far believed him for her husband, a words assaulted him, straight seconded by other con- to receive him to her bed. Shusky, besieged in spirators, crying liberty. Gilbert, with many of the guard castle of Mosco, was adventurously supplied with some oversuddenly surprised, retreated to Coluga, a town powder and ammunition by the English; and with tr which they fortified; most of the other strangers were thousand French, English, and Scots, with other fortes massacred, except the English, whose mediation saved from Charles king of Sweden. The English, ah also Buchinskoy. Shusky, who succeeded him, reports in many miseries of cold and hunger, and assaults by t a letter to King James otherwise of him; that his right way, deserted by the French, yielded most of them: name was Gryshca the son of Boughdan; that to escape the Pole, near Smolensko, and served him against te punishment for villanies done, he turned friar, and fell Russ. Meanwhile this second Demetrius, being at last to the black art; and fearing that the metropo- rejected by the Poles, with those Russians that she litan intended therefore to imprison him, fled into Let- with him laid siege to Mosco; Zolkiewsky, for Sags tow; where by counsel of Sigismund the Poland king, mund king of Poland, beleaguers on the other side with he began to call himself Demetry of Onglitts; and by forty thousand men ; whereof fifteen hundred English many libels and spies privily sent into Mosco, gave out Scotch, and French. Shusky, despairing success, be the same; that many letters and messengers thereupon takes him to a monastery; but with the city is yieldwere sent from Boris into Poland, and from the patri- to the Pole; who turns now his force against the couarch, to acquaint him who the runagate was: but the terfeit Demetrius; he seeking to fly is by a Tarta Polanders giving them no credit, furnished him the slain in his camp. Smolensko held out a siege of tw more with arms and money, notwithstanding the years, then surrendered. Shusky the emperor, carmed league; and sent the palatine Sandamersko and other away into Poland, there ended miserably in prison lords to accompany him into Russia, gaining also a But before his departure out of Moscovy, the Polandes prince of the Crim Tartars to his aid; that the army of in his name sending for the chief nobility, as to a last Boris, hearing of his sudden death, yielded to this farewel, cause them to be entertained in a secret place Gryshca, who, taking to wife the daughter of Sanda- and there dispatched: by this means the easier to submersko, attempted to root out the Russian clergy, and due the people. Yet the Poles were starved at length to bring in the Romish religion, for which purpose out of those places in Mosco, which they had fortified many Jesuits came along with him. Whereupon Wherein the Russians, who besieged them, found, as Shusky with the nobles and metropolitans, conspiring is reported, sixty barrels of man's flesh powdered, beagainst him, in half a year gathered all the forces of ing the bodies of such as died among them, or were Moscovia, and surprising him, found in writing under slain in fight. his own hand all these his intentions; letters also from the pope and cardinals to the same effect, not only to set up the religion of Rome, but to force it upon all, with death to them that refused. b After which the empire of Russia broke to pieces, the prey of such as could catch, every one naming himself, and striving to be accounted, that Demetrius of Ouglitts. Some chose Uladislaus King Sigismond's son, but he not accepting, they fell to a popular geventment; killing all the nobles under pretence of favour ing the Poles. Some overtures of receiving them were made, as some say, to King James, and Sir John Meri and Sir William Russell employed therein. This Russia remaining in this confusion, it happened that a mean man, a butcher, dwelling in the north abo Duina, inveighing against the baseness of their net lity," and the corruption of officers, uttered words, th." if they would but choose a faithful treasurer to pay w the soldiers, and a good general, (naming one Pozarsát a poor gentleman, who after good service done, lived not far off retired and neglected,) that then he doit Vasily Evanowich Shusky, after the slaughter of Demetry or Gryshca, was elected emperor, having not long before been at the block for reporting to have seen the true Demetrius dead and buried; but Gryshca not only recalled him, but advanced him to be the instrument of his own ruin. He was then about the age of fifty; nobly descended, never married, of great wisdom reputed, a favourer of the English: for he saved them from rifling in the former tumults. Some say he modestly refused the crown, till by lot four times together it fell to him; yet after that, growing jealous of his title, removed by poison and other means all the nobles, that were like to stand his rivals; and is said to have consulted with witches of the Samoëds, Lap-ed not to drive out the Poles. The people assent, as pians, and Tartarians, about the same fears; and being warned of one Michalowich to have put to death three of that name, yet a fourth was reserved by fate to succeed him, being then a youth attendant in the court, one of those that held the golden axes, and least suspected. But before that time he also was supplanted choose that general; the butcher they make their ta surer; who both so well discharged their places, ta with an army soon gathered they raise the siege Mosco, which the Polanders had renewed; and with Boris Licin, another great soldier of that country, fa': into consultation about the choice of an emperor, at choose at last Michalowich, or Michael Pheodorowich, the fatal youth, whose name Shusky so feared. D Michael Pheodorowich thus elected by the valour of Pozarsky and Boris Licin, made them both generals of his forces, joining with them another great commander of the Cossacks, whose aid had much befriended him; the butcher also was made a counsellor of state. Finally, a peace was made up between the Russians and the Poles; and that partly by the mediation of King James. CHAP. V. The first discovery of Russia by the north-east, 1553, with the English embassies, and entertainments at that court, until the year 1604. young man, with a grave and elegant speech commended Chancelor unto them. After this, they omitted no inquiry after any person, that might inform them concerning those north-easterly parts, to which the voyage tended; and two Tartarians then of the king's stable were sent for; but they were able to answer nothing to purpose. So after much debate it was concluded, that by the twentieth of May the ships should depart. Being come near Greenwich, where the court then lay, presently the courtiers came running out, the privy council at the windows, the rest on the towers and battlements. The mariners all apparelled in watchet, or skycoloured cloth, discharge their ordnance; the noise whereof, and of the people shouting, is answered from the hills and waters with as loud an echo. Only the good King Edward then sick beheld not this sight, but died soon after. From hence putting into Harwich, they staid long and lost much time. At length passing by Shetland, they THE discovery of Russia by the northern ocean, kenned a far off Ægelands, being an innumerable sort made first, of any nation that we know, by English- of islands called Rost Islands in sixty-six degrees. men, might have seemed an enterprise almost beroic; Thence to Lofoot in sixty-eight, to Seinam in seventy if any higher end than the excessive love of gain and degrees; these islands belong all to the crown of Dentraffic had animated the design. Nevertheless, that in mark. Whence departing Sir Hugh Willoughby set regard that many things not unprofitable to the know- out his flag, by which he called together the chief men ledge of nature, and other observations, are hereby come of his other ships to counsel; where they conclude, in to light, as good events ofttimes arise from evil occa- case they happened to be scattered by tempest, that sions, it will not be the worst labour to relate briefly Wardhouse, a noted haven in Finmark, be the appointthe beginning and prosecution of this adventurous ed place of their meeting. The very same day aftervoyage; until it became at last a familiar passage. noon so great a tempest arose, that the ships were some When our merchants perceived the commodities of driven one way, some another, in great peril. The England to be in small request abroad, and foreign general with his loudest voice called to Chancelor not merchandise to grow higher in esteem and value than to be far from him; but in vain, for the admiral sailing before, they began to think with themselves, how this much better than his ship, and bearing all her sails, might be remedied. And seeing how the Spaniards and was carried with great swiftness soon out of sight; but Portugals had increased their wealth by discovery of before that, the ship-boat, striking against her ship, new trades and countries, they resolved upon some new was overwhelmed in view of the Bonaventure, whereof and strange navigation. At the same time Sebastian Chancelor was captain. The third ship also in the Chabota, a man for the knowledge of sea affairs much same storm was lost. But Sir Hugh Willoughby renowned in those days, happened to be in London. escaping that storm, and wandering on those desolate With him first they consult; and by his advice conclude seas till the eighteenth of September, put into a haven to furnish out three ships for the search and discovery where they bad weather as in the depth of winter; and of the northern parts. And having heard that a cer- there determining to abide till spring, sent out three tain worm is bred in that ocean, which many times men south-west to find inhabitants; who journied three eateth through the strongest oak, they contrive to cover days, but found none; then other three went westward some part of the keel of those ships with thin sheets of four days journey, and lastly three south-east three lead; and victual them for eighteen months; allowing days; but they all returning without news of people, qually to their journey, their stay, and their return. or any sign of habitation, Sir Hugh with the company Arms also they provide, and store of munition, with of his two ships abode there till January, as appears sufficient captains and governors for so great an enter- by a will since found in one of the ships; but then rise. To which among many, and some void of ex- perished all with cold. This river or haven was Arzina perience, that offered themselves, Sir Hugh Willoughby, in Lapland, near to Kegor, where they were found dead a valiant gentleman, earnestly requested to have the the year after by certain Russian fishermen. Whereof charge. Of whom before all others both for his goodly the English agent at Mosco having notice, sent and personage, and singular skill in the services of war, recovered the ships with the dead bodies and most of they made choice to be admiral; and of Richard Chan- the goods, and sent them for England; but the ships celor, a man greatly esteemed for his skill, to be chief being unstaunch, as is supposed, by their two years plot. This man was brought up by Mr. Henry Sid-wintering in Lapland, sunk by the way with their Ley, afterwards deputy of Ireland, who coming where dead, and them also that brought them. the adventurers were gathered together, though then a Chancelor, with his ship and company thus left, shaped Post Christ. 1613. b Ibid. 464. But now his course to Wardhouse, the place agreed on to expect the rest; where having staid seven days without tidings of them, he resolves at length to hold on his voyage; and sailed so far till he found no night, but continual day and sun clearly shining on that huge and vast sea for certain days. At length they enter into a great bay, named, as they knew after, from St. Nicholas; and spying a fisherboat, made after him to know what people they were. The fishermen amazed with the greatness of his ship, to them a strange and new sight, sought to fly; but overtaken, in great fear they prostrate themselves, and offer to kiss his feet; but he raising them up with all signs and gestures of courtesy, sought to win their friendship. They no sooner dismissed, but spread abroad the arrival of a strange nation, whose humanity they spake of with great affection; whereupon the people running together, with like return of all courteous usage receive them; offering them victuals freely, nor refusing to traffic, but for a loyal custom which bound them from that, without first the consent had of their king. After mutual demands of each other's nation, they found themselves to be in Russia, where Juan Vasiliwich at that time reigned emperor. To whom privily the governor of that place sending notice of the strange guests that were arrived, held in the mean while our men in what suspense he could. The emperor well pleased with so unexpected a message, invites them to his court, offering them post horses at his own charge, or if the journey seemed over long, that they might freely traffic where they were. But ere this messenger could return, having lost his way, the Muscovites themselves loath that our men should depart, which they made shew to do, furnished them with guides and other conveniences, to bring them to their king's pre sence. taken and read his letters, after some inquiry of King and the F In the year fifteen hundred and fifty-five,d Chance made another voyage to this place with letters fr Queen Mary; had a house in Mosco, and diet #> Chancelor had now gone more than half his journey, when the sledman sent to court meets him on the way; delivers him the emperor's letters; which when the Russes understood, so willing they were to obey the contents thereof, that they quarrelled and strove who should have the preferment to put his horses to the sled. So after a long and troublesome journey of fifteen hundred miles he arrived at Mosco. After he had remained in the city about twelve days, a messenger was sent to bring them to the king's house. Being entered within the court gates, and brought into an outward chamber, they beheld there a very honour-pointed him; and was soon admitted to the empe** able company to the number of a hundred, sitting all apparelled in cloth of gold down to their ancles: next conducted to the chamber of presence, there sat the emperor on a lofty and very royal throne; on his head a diadem of gold, his robe all of goldsmith's work, in his hand a chrystal sceptre garnished and beset with precious stones; no less was his countenance full of majesty. Beside him stood his chief secretary; on his other side the great commander of silence, both in cloth of gold; then sat his council of a hundred and fifty round about on high seats, clad all as richly. Chancelor, nothing abashed, made his obeisance to the emperor after the English manner. The emperor having d Iac. 258, 263, 465. e presence in a large room spread with carpets; at In the year fifteen hundred and fifty-seven, Ok e Ibid. 286. f Ibid. 310, &c. Napea returned into his country with Anthony Jenkinson, who had the command of four tall ships. He reports of a whirlpool between the Rost Islands and Lofoot called Malestrand; which from half ebb to half flood is heard to make so terrible a noise, as shakes the door-rings of houses in those islands ten miles off; whales that come within the current thereof make a pitiful cry; trees carried in and cast out again have the ends and boughs of them so beaten, as they seem like the stalks of bruised hemp. About Zeinam they saw many whales very monstrous, hard by their ships; whereof some by estimation sixty foot long; they roared hideously, it being then the time of their engendering. At Wardhouse, he saith, the cattle are fed with fish. Coming to Mosco, he found the emperor sitting aloft in a chair of state, richly crowned, a staff of gold in his hand wrought with costly stone. Distant from him sat his brother, and a youth the emperor's son of Casan, whom the Russe had conquered; there dined with him diverse embassadors, christian and heathen, diversely apparelled: his brother with some of the chief nobles sat with him at table: the guests were in all six hundred. In dinner-time came ia six musicians; and standing in the midst, sung three several times, but with little or no delight to our men; there dined at the same time in other halls two thousand Tartars, who came to serve the duke in his wars. The English were set at a small table by themselves, direct before the emperor; who sent them diverse bowls of wine and meath, and many dishes from his own hand: the messes were but mean, but the change of wines and several meaths were wonderful. As oft as they dined with the emperor, he sent for them in the morning, and invited them with his own mouth. On Christmas day being invited, they had for other provision as before, but for store of gold and silver plate excessive; among which were twelve barrels of silver, hooped with fine gold, containing twelve gallons apiece. In the year fifteen hundred and sixty was the first English traffic to the Narve in Livonia, till then conaled by Danskers and Lubeckers. Fifteen hundred and sixty-one. The same Anthony Jenkinson made another voyage to Mosco; and arrived while the emperor was celebrating his marriage with 4 Circassian lady; during which time the city gates for three days were kept shut; and all men whatsoever straitly commanded to keep within their houses; *xcept some of his household; the cause whereof is not ALOwn. man from the emperor, at whose charge he was conducted to Mosco: but met there by no man; not so much as the English; lodged in a fair house built for embassadors; but there confined upon some suspicion which the emperor had conceived; sent for at length after seventeen weeks' delay, was fain to ride thither on a borrowed horse, his men on foot. In a chamber before the presence were sitting about three hundred persons, all in rich robes taken out of the emperor's wardrobe for that day; they sat on three ranks of benches, rather for shew than that the persons were of honour; being merchants, and other mean inhabitants. The embassador saluted them, but by them unsaluted passed on with his head covered. At the presence door being received by two which had been his guardians, and brought into the midst, he was there willed to stand still, and speak his message from the queen; at whose name the emperor stood up, and demanded her health: then giving the embassador his hand to kiss, fell to many questions. The present being delivered, which was a great silver bowl curiously graven, the emperor told him, he dined not that day openly because of great affairs; but, saith he, I will send thee my dinner, and augment thy allowance. And so dismissing him, sent a duke richly apparelled soon after to his lodging, with fifty persons, each of them carrying meat in silver dishes covered; which himself delivered into the embassador's own hands, tasting first of every dish, and every sort of drink; that done set him down with his company, took part, and went not thence unrewarded. The emperor sent back with this embassador another of his own called Andrew Savin. Fifteen hundred and seventy-one. Jenkinson made a third voyage; but was staid long at Colmogro by reason of the plague in those parts; at length had audience where the court then was, near to Pereslave ; to which place the emperor was returned from his Swedish war with ill success: and Mosco the same year had been wholly burnt by the Crim: in it the English house, and diverse English were smothered in the cellars, multitudes of people in the city perished, all that were young led captive with exceeding spoil. Fifteen hundred and eighty-three. Juan Basiliwich having the year before sent his ambassador Pheodor Andrewich about matters of commerce, the queen made choice of Sir Jerom Bowes, one of her housebold, to go into Russia; who being attended with more than forty persons, and accompanied with the Russe returning home, arrived at St. Nicholas. The Dutch by this time had intruded into the Muscovy trade, which by Fifteen hundred and sixty-six. He made again the privilege long before had been granted solely to the same voyage; which now men usually made in a English; and had corrupted to their side Shalkan the Tenth from London to St. Nicholas with good winds, chancellor, with others of the great ones; who so Ling seven hundred and fifty leagues. wrought, that a creature of their own was sent to meet Fifteen hundred and sixty-eight. Thomas Randolf, Sir Jerom at Colmogro, and to offer him occasions of Esq. went embassador to Muscovy, from Queen Eliza- dislike: until at Vologda he was received by another th; and in his passage by sea met nothing remark- from the emperor; and at Heraslave by a duke well ble save great store of whales, whom they might see accompanied, who presented him with a coach and ten gendering together, and the spermaceti swimming geldings. Two miles from Mosco met him four gen50 the water. At Colmogro he was met by a gentle-tlemen with two hundred horse, who, after short salut g Hac. 317. h Ibid. 311. i Ibid. 373. k Ibid. vol. i. 458. |