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20 VOYAGES OF SIR HUGH WILLOUGHBY AND OTHERS,
to find himfelf and his wife on, and he may not once repine thereat: but for anfwer
he will fay, that he hath nothing, but it is God’s and the duke’s grace’s, and cannot
fay, as we the common people in England fay, if we have any thing, that it is God’s
and our own. Men may fay, that thefe men are in wonderful great awe, and obedi-
ence, that thus one muft give and grant his goods which he hath been fcraping and
fcratching for all his life to be at his prince’s pleafure and commandment. Oh that
our fturdy rebels were had in the like fubjection to know their duty towards their
princes. ‘They may not fay, as fome knaves in England fay, I would find the queen a
man to ferve in my place, or make his friends tarry at home, if money have the upper
hand. No, no, it is not fo in this country: for he fhall make humble fuit to ferve the
duke. And whom he fendeth moft to the wars he thinketh he is moft in his favour:
and yet as I before have faid, he giveth no wages. If they knew their ftrength, no
man were able to make match with them: nor they that dwell near them fhould have
any reft of them. But I think it is not God’s will: for I may compare them to a
young horfe that knoweth not his ftrength, whom a little child ruleth and guideth
with a bridle, for all his great ftrength: for if he did, neither child nor man could
rule him. Their wars are holden againft the Crimme Tartarians and the Nagaians.
I will ftand no longer in the rehearfal of their power and wars. For it were tog
tedious to the reader. But I will in part declare their laws and punifhments, and the
execution of juftice. And firft I will begin with the commons of the country, which
the gentlemen have rule on: and that is, that every gentleman hath rule and juftice
upon his own tenants. And if it fo fall out that two gentlemen’s fervants or tenants do
difagree, the two gentlemen examine the matter, and have the parties before them, and
fo give the fentence. And yet cannot they make the end betwixt them of the contro-
verfy, but either of the gentlemen mutt bring his fervant or tenant before the high
judge or juftice of that country, and there prefent them, and declare the matter and
cafe. The plaintiff faith, I require the law; which is granted: then cometh an officer
and arrefteth the party defendant, and ufeth him contrary to the laws of England. For
when they attach any man they beat him about the legs, until fuch time as he findeth
fureties to anfwer the matter: and if not, his hands and neck are bound together, and
he is led about the town, and beaten about the legs, with other extreme punifhments,
till he come to his anfwer: and the juftice demandeth if it be for debt, and faith :
oweft thou this man any fuch debt? He will perhaps fay nay. Then faith the judge:
art thou able to deny it? Let us hear how. By oath, faith the defendant. Then he
commandeth to leave beating him, till further trial be had.
Their order in one point is commendable. They have no man of law to plead their
caufes in any court; but every man pleadeth his own caufe, and giveth bill and anfwer
in writing, contrary to the order in England. The complaint is in manner of a fuppli-
cation, and made to the duke’s grace; and delivered him into his own hand, requiring
to have juftice, as in his complaint is alleged.
The duke giveth fentence himfelf upon all matters in the law: which is very coms
mendable, that fuch a prince will take pains to fee miniftration of juftice. Yet not-
withftanding it is wonderfully abufed ; and thereby the duke is much deceived. But if
it fall out that the officers be efpied in cloaking the truth, they have moft condign pu-
nifhment. And if the plaintiff can nothing prove, then the defendant muft take his
oath upon the crucifix whether he be in the right or no. Then is demanded if the
plaintiff be any thing able farther to make proof: if he be not, then fometimes he will
fay, 1 am able to prove it by my body and hands, or by my champion’s body, fo re-
quiring
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