of garments of a blue colour, to speak nothing of the trappings of
the horses, which were adorned with gold and silver, and very
curiously embroidered; they had also with them one hundred white and
fair spare horses, to use them at such times as any weariness came
upon them. But now the time requireth me to speak briefly of other
cities of the Muscovites, and of the wares and commodities that the
country yieldeth.


NOVOGORODE.


Next unto Moscow, the city of Novogorode is reputed the chiefest of
Russia; for although it be in majesty inferior to it, yet in
greatness it goeth beyond it. It is the chiefest and greatest mart
town of all Muscovy; and albeit the Emperor's seat is not there, but
at Moscow, yet the commodiousness of the river falling into the gulf
which is called Sinus Finnicus, whereby it is well frequented by
merchants, makes it more famous than Moscow itself. This town
excels all the rest in the commodities of flax and hemp; it yields
also hides, honey, and wax. The Flemings there sometimes had a
house of merchandise, but by reason that they used the like ill-
dealing there which they did with us they lost their privileges--a
restitution whereof they earnestly sued for at the time that our men
were there. But those Flemings, hearing of the arrival of our men
in those parts, wrote their letters to the Emperor against them,
accusing them for pirates and rovers, wishing them to detain and
imprison them; which things, when they were known of our men, they
conceived fear that they should never have returned home. But the
Emperor, believing rather the king's letters which our men brought