THE TRUE
TRAVELS,
ADVENTURES,
AND OBSERVATIONS
Of Captaine John Smith,
in Europe, Asia, Africke, and America:
beginning about the yeere 1593, and
continued to this present 1629. | ||
Sigismundus Bathor, by the Grace of God, Duke of Transilvania,
Wallachia, and Moldavia,
178
have given leave and licence to John Smith an English Gentleman,
Captaine of 250. Souldiers, under the most Generous and Honourable
Henry ∥ Volda, Earle of Meldritch, Salmaria, and Peldoia,
Colonell of a thousand horse, and fifteene hundred foot, in the warres
of Hungary, and in the Provinces aforesaid under our authority;
whose service doth deserve all praise and perpetuall memory towards
us, as a man that did for God and his Country overcome his
enemies: Wherefore out of Our love and favour, according to the
law of Armes, We have ordained and given him in his shield of
Armes, the figure and description of three Turks heads, which with
his sword before the towne of Regall, in single combat he did overcome,
kill, and cut off, in the Province of Transilvania. But fortune,
as she is very variable, so it chanced and happened to him in the
Province of Wallachia, in the yeare of our Lord, 1602. the 18. day of
November, with many others, as well Noble men, as also divers other
Souldiers, were taken prisoners by the Lord Bashaw of Cambia, a
Country of Tartaria; whose cruelty brought him such good fortune,
by the helpe and power of Almighty God, that hee delivered himselfe,
and returned againe to his company and fellow souldiers, of
whom We doe discharge him, and this hee hathin witnesse thereof,
being much more worthy of a better reward; and now intends to
returne to his owne sweet Country. We desire therefore all our loving
and kinde kinsmen, Dukes, Princes, Earles, Barons, Governours of
Townes, Cities, or Ships, in this Kingdome, or any other Provinces
he shall come in, that you freely let passe this the aforesaid Captaine,
without any hinderance or molestation, and this doing, with all kindnesse
we are alwayes ready to doe the like for you. Sealed at Lipswick
in Misenland, the ninth of December, in the yeare of our Lord, 1603.
With the proper privilege
of his Majestie.
of his Majestie.
Sigismundus Bathor.
THE TRUE
TRAVELS,
ADVENTURES,
AND OBSERVATIONS
Of Captaine John Smith,
in Europe, Asia, Africke, and America:
beginning about the yeere 1593, and
continued to this present 1629. | ||