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TO THE NORTHERN PARTS OF RUSSIA AND SIBERIA. at
quiring the camp. After the other hath his oath, it is granted as well to the one as to the
‘other. So when they go to the field, they {wear upon the crucifix, that they be both
in the right, and that the one fhall make the other to confefs the truth before they de-
part forth of the field: and fo they go both to the battle armed with fuch weapons as
they ufe in that country: they fight all on foot, and feldom the parties themfelves do
fight, except they be gentlemen. For they ftand much upon their reputation, for they
will not fight, but with fuch as are come of as good an houfe as themfelves. So that
if either party require the combat, it is granted unto them, and no champion is to ferve
in their room: wherein is no deceit: but otherwife by champions there is. For al-
though they take great oaths upon them to do the battle truly, yet is the contrary often
feen: becaufe the common champions have none other living. And as foon as the
one party hath gotten the victory, he demandeth the debt, and the other is carried to
prifon, and there is fhamefully ufed till he take order. There is alfo another order in
the law, that the plaintiff may {wear in fome caufes of debt. And if the party defend-
ant be poor, he fhall be fet under the crucifix, and the party plaintiff muft fwear over
his head ; ‘and when he hath taken his oath, the duke taketh the party defendant home
to his houfe, and ufeth him as his bondman, and putteth him to labour, or letteth
him for hire to any fuch as need him, until fuch time as his friends make provifion for
his redemption: or elfe he remaineth im bondage all the days of his life. Again, there
are many that will fell themfelves to gentlemen or merchants to be their bondmen, to
have during their life. meat, drink, and cloth, and at their coming to have a piece of
money. Yea, and fome will fell their wives and children to be bawds and drudges to
the buyer. Alfo, they have a law for felons and pickers contrary to the laws of Eng-
land. For by their law they can hang no man for his firft offence ; but may keep him
long in prifon, and oftentimes beat him with whips and other punifhment: and there
he fhall remain until his friends be able to bail him. If he be a picker or a cut-purfe,
as there be very many, the fecond time he is taken, he hath a piece of his nofe cut off,
and is burned in the forehead, and kept in prifon till he find fureties for his good
behaviour. And if he be taken the third time, he is hanged. And at the firft time
he is extremely punifhed and not releafed, except he have very good friends, or that:
fome gentleman require to have him to the wars: and in fo doing he fhall enter into.
great bonds for him: by which means the country is brought into- good quietnefs..
But they be naturally given to great deceit, except extreme beating did bridle them.
- They be naturally given to hard living as well in fare asin lodging. I heard a Ruffian
fay, that it was a great deal merrier living in prifon than forth, but for the great beat–
ing. For they have meat and drink without any labour, and get the charity of -well-
difpofed people: but being at liberty they get nothing. ‘The poor is very innume-
rable, and live moft miferably : for I have feen them eat the pickle of herring and other:
ftinking fifh; nor the fifh cannot be fo ftinking nor rotten, but they will eat it, and
praife it to be more wholefome than other fith or frefh meat. In mine opinion there:
be no fuch people under the fun for their hardnefs of living. ‘Well, I will leave them.
in this point, and will in part declare their religion. They do obferve the law of the:
Greeks with fuch excefs of fuperftition, as the like hath not been heard of.. They
have no graven images in their churches, but all painted, to the intent they will not
break the commandment : but to their painted images they ufe fuch idolatry, that the
like was never heard of in England. They will neither worfhip nor honour any image
that is made forth of their own country. For their own images (fay they) have pic-
tures to declare, what they be, and how they be of God, and fo be not ours.. Th 2y
3. fay,,
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