Page:Notes upon Russia (volume 2, 1851).djvu/283

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AND KINGDOMES LYING THAT WAY.
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strong and swyfte. Theyr horsemen are armed with pykes, Ryuettes, Mases of yron, and arrowes. Fewe haue hooked swoordes. Theyr bodyes are defended with rounde Targets, after the maner of the Turkes of Asia: or with bendyng and cornarde Targettes after the maner of the Greekes: also with coates of mayle, Brygantines, and sharpe Hehnettes. Basilius dyd furthermore instytute a bande of hargabusiers on horsebacke: and caused many great brasen peeces to be made by the workemanshyp of certaine Italyans: and the same with theyr stockes and wheeles to be placed in the Castle of Mosca.

Their horses and horsemen.

Theire armure.

Hargabusiers.

Gonues.

The prince dyneth openly.

Sigismundus sayth that much of this is golde.

The custodie of the citie.

The dukes courte.

The kynge him selfe, with princely magnificence and singular familiaritie (wherwith neuerthelesse no parte of the maiestie of a kyng is violate) is accustomed to dyne openly with his noble men, & strange Ambassadours, in his owne chamber of presence, where is seene a marueyl- ous quantitye of syluer & gylt plate, standyng vppon two great and high cubbardes in the same chamber. He hath not about him any other garde for the custody of his person, sauing only his accustomed familie. For watch and warde is deligently kept of the faithful multitude of the citizens. Insomuch, that euery warde or quarter of the citie is inclosed with gates, rayles, and barres: neyther is it lawfull for any man rashely to walke in the citie in the nyght, or withowt lyght. All the courte consisteth of noble men, Gentelmen, and choyse souldyers, which are called out of euery region by theyr townes and vyllages, and commaunded to wayte course by course at certayne monethes appoynted. Furthermore when warre is proclaymed, all the armie is collected, both of the oulde souldyers and by musteryng of newe in all prouinces. For the Lieueten- antes and Capytaynes of the army are accustomed in al cities to muster the youth, & to admyt to the order of souldyers such as they thynke able to serue the turne.

Theyr wages is payde them of the common treasury

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