[1] Queen Elizabeth and Amurath III.
[2] Sequins.
[3] Von Hammer.
[4] Clarke, Travels.
[5] Mr. John Chapman was sent out in September 1621, arriving in Constantinople December 12th, with orders for Eyre to return directly and leave Chapman in charge of the Embassy till the arrival of his successor.
[6] Sir Thomas Phillipps was appointed in October 1625 to succeed Roe, but, for some reason, he did not go.
[7] He arrived in Constantinople 13th October 1638, but did not assume office till the middle of 1639, owing to the Grand Seigneur’s absence.
[8] In 1653 Mr. Richard Lawrance was sent out by Cromwell to replace Bendysh, but, apparently owing to the latter’s influence, the Grand Seigneur refused to receive Lawrance, and Bendysh remained as Ambassador till 1661.
[9] Though appointed in 1672, Finch did not reach Constantinople till 1674.
[10] Carsaye = Kersey, a kind of stuff. The ordinances for upholding the Levant Company merchants, 9th March 1643, speak of the “venting of Kerseys, sayes (silks), perpetuanas (a stuff so called for its durability), and several other articles.”
[11] Points were laces for fastening up clothes; e.g.,
[12] Pantables = pantofles. “Swearing by the pantables of Paris.” (Sidney, Arcadia.)
[13] The hangers were that part of the sword-belt to which the weapon was suspended. “Sir, French rapiers and poniards, with their assigns, as girdle, hangers, and so.” (Hamlet, v, 2.)
[14] Rosa solis = a cordial.
[15] Compostie = compost, a mixture. “Compostes and confites.” (Babees Boke, p. 121.)
[16] Algiers.
[17] Asia Minor.
[18] These words are in a later hand.
[19] Virginals were spinetts, so called from being played by young girls. The term “a pair of virginals”, “a pair of organs”, was common, and only denoted one instrument. Cf. the phrases “a pair of stairs”, “a pair of bellows”, still exist.
[20] “The Sleeve” is a literal translation of the French “La Manche”.
[21] Lanneret = a hawk.
[22] Probably the dangerous “Pommier Rocks” in the Casquets.
[23] The captain.
[24] Dunkirks. The Dunkirkers were at that time the pirates of the Channel, and their privateers did much damage to English trade.
[25] Carvel, caravel, Italian form of ship in the Middle Ages. Word extant in modern Greek καρὰβι.
[26] Faightes = fightes. Waste-cloths formerly hung about a ship to conceal the men from the enemy. Shaks., Merry Wives of Windsor, Act ii, Scene 2: “Clap on more sails: pursue, up with your fights.” Close fights = close quarters.
[27] Bandeleer = leathern cases or belts containing charges for firelocks, used before modern cartouche-boxes were invented.
[28] Chase peeses = chase-guns, which were placed during an engagement at the chase-ports at the bows.
[29] Written on the opposite blank page of the MS. is: “We gave them 3 chase peeces before they woulde strike.”
[30] Drablings = the drabler, or a piece of canvas laced on the bonnet of a sail to give it more drop.
[31] Spardecke. This is a loose term applied to the quarter-deck, gangways, and forecastle.
[32] The paragraphs inserted between brackets are written, in the original, on the opposite blank page.
[33] Tarifa.
[34] Still known as Ape Hill.
[35] Gibraltar.
[36] Ceuta.
[37] Marbella.
[38] Malaga.
[39] Salobreña.
[40] Algiers.
[41] Assinego, a Portuguese word to signify “ass”. “Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbow; an assinego may tutor thee.” (Troilus and Cressida, ii, 1.)
[42] Cf. French, renier = renegade.
[43] Bagno.
[44] Dellys.
[45] Bougie.
[46] Zembra el Jamoor, over against Carthage.
[47] Cape Bon.
[48] Tunis.
[49] Sicily.
[50] Grand Master of Knights of Rhodes.
[51] Watchet silk, so called from the colour of the dye of woad, Saxon Wadchet.
[52] Chios.
[53] Marseilles.
[54] Saffranee = Sovrano, or Windward, the modern Bay of Argostoli in Cephalonia.
[55] Each of the Ionian Islands was governed by a Proveditore from Venice until the downfall of the Republic in 1797.
[56] Castel Tornese.
[57] Pratique.
[58] The γυναικεῖον, or woman’s quarter in a Greek church.
[60] Easter eggs.
[61] Eggs for a country festivity.
[62] “Many shiftes and subtle traverses were overwrought by this occasion.” (Proceedings against Garnet, 1606.)
[63] A game with a beam and sack of sand.
[64] Probably the Strophades, the largest of which is still called Convent Island, and has a convent on it of monks only.
[65] Cerigo, anc. Cythera.
[66] Milos and Antimilos.
[67] Cassos and Carpathos.
[68] I.e., the Knights of Rhodes.
[69] Caramania.
[70] Paphos.
[71] Ras el Khanzir.
[72] Dallam’s constant use of the word butt for boat sufficiently explains the following passage in Shakspeare, where butt is supposed to have been a misprint:
[73] Scalastead. Cf. roadstead, the wharf or emporium for disembarkation.
[74] Platt = plan. “To draw plattes of Sicily, and describe the situation of Libya and Carthage.” (North’s Plut., 220 B.)
[75] Lizards.
[76] Cf. Introduction for the English trade in Aleppo.
[77] Hostelries.
[78] Tarsus.
[79] “Jonah’s Pillar”, a rock in the sea, at the mouth of Scanderoon harbour.
[80] Sampeare = Samphire, the Crithnum maritimum, pickled as a salad. “Hangs one that gathers samphire: dreadful trade.” (Shaks., Lear, iv, 6.)
[81] Ayash, or more probably Korghos, or Corycos. Ayash, ancient Elaeusa, is at present a mass of ruins, Roman and mediæval, about 30 miles west of Messina, joining on to the ancient Corycos, now Korghos, with an island and fortress built during the Crusades, which is probably the “fayre and large castle” alluded to by Dallam.
[82] Castellorosso, an island much frequented by Greek mariners.
[83] Kiaya is Turkish for “deputy”.
[84] Stave = stave of a barrel.
[85] Small black and white stones are still used for paving floors, etc., in Rhodes.
[86] Ægean Sea.
[87] Stanco = Kos, contracted form of εἲς τὰν Κὸ. Cf. Stalimna for Limnos, Stamboul, εῖς τὰν πὸλιν, etc., etc.
[88] Leros.
[89] The Boghaz.
[90] Between Samos and the Island of Nicaria.
[91] Mt. Kerki, at the west end of Samos.
[92] There are twenty-two mastic-growing villages on Chios.
[93] Doubtless one of the mastic villages to the south of the island, most of which have still castles in their midst.
[94] Raspis = raspberry.
[95] Escutcheons.
[96] Caked = calked. “The windows close shut and calked.” (Ben Jonson, Silent Woman, i. 1.)
[97] Tobacco-smoking was just then in its infancy; it was introduced into England by Sir John Hawkins in 1565, and grew rapidly in the next decades. A curious old book of travels in Wales, says, “William Myddleton, elder brother of Sir Hugh Myddleton, projector of the New River, is remarkable for having been one of the first three who smoked tobacco in England, when crowds gathered round to witness the phenomenon.” Shakespeare never once alludes to tobacco.
[98] Cape Janissary is on the Asiatic side of the entrance to the Dardanelles.
[99] Gallipoli.
[100] Chirmagee = a boat rowed by chiurme, or slaves.
[101] Thomas Glover subsequently went out, in 1602, as Ambassador to the Porte, with power to appoint Consuls, and regulate the trade.
[102] Relezea corresponds in position to modern Ereklidia, which is mentioned by Wheeler as Heraclissa.
[103] Sledge = sledge-hammer. “The blacksmith’s sledge, and the scythe of the mower.” (Longfellow, Evangeline, i, 2.)
[104] Fadem, old form of word “fathom”. A.-S. fædm = the space reached by the arms extended, a grasp:—
[105] Sequins.
[106] Greek village called Chora; modern pronunciation, “Hora”.
[107] A pottle was a quart jug. “Potations pottle deep.” (Othello, ii, 3.)
[108] Ganos.
[109] Heraclia.
[110] Selibria, anc. Selymbria.
[111] Musk melons.
[112] Citrons or pumpkins. Pumpion is old form of word pumpkin, showing its derivation from French pompon, Lat. pepo. “As flat and insipid as pompions.” (Goodman, Winter’s Evening’s Conference, pt. 1.)
[113] Vineyards.
[114] Pera.
[115] The old line of the Kings of Fez was driven out by the Emperor of Morocco in 1548, and the country annexed. Presumably the exiled family took refuge in Constantinople.
[116] Anshante = ancient, a standard; corruption of “ensign”. “Ten times more dishonourably ragged than an old-faced ancient.” (1 Hen. IV, iv, 2.)
[117] Braurie = bravery. “With scarfs and fans and double change of bravery.” (Taming of Shrew, iv, 3.)
[119] Capougee, lit. gatekeeper.
[120] Bostan Pasha = Chief of the Gardens.
[121] The Golden Horn.
[122] Jemeglans = adjemoglans = sons of strangers (adjemi). The adjemoglans were either captives in war, or sons of Christian parents taken when young, and designed for the more servile offices of the seraglio which a Turk would not do. The Bostangee-basha, or head-gardener, rose from their ranks and often obtained great power.
[123] Oda: Turkish for a compartment.
[124] Mohamed III put nineteen of his brothers to death on his accession; he was the last of the heirs allowed liberty. Henceforward, they were kept in the Kaweh, or cage, in the seraglio, from which they came out to rule or die. Presumably it is the Kaweh which Dallam describes.
[125] The Sultana Valide, mother of Mohamed III, was the celebrated Sultana Safiye, favourite wife of Amurath III. She was of Venetian origin, being captured when young. She ruled Turkey during the lifetime of both her husband and son; hence the expediency of sending her so handsome a present. Mr. Paul Pinder, afterwards Ambassador, amassed great riches in the East, and built a most beautiful house in Bishopsgate Street.
[126] The Feast of Bairam.
[127] Sir Henry Lello was Ambassador to the Porte at that time. For an account of him, and his correspondence with Lord Salisbury, vide Introduction.
[128] Mr. Paul Pinder was subsequently appointed Ambassador at Constantinople.
[129] Afterwards Sir Thomas Glover, Ambassador to the Porte.
[130] Grosgrain, from French grosgrain, i.e., thick, coarse.
[131] Spanish tantarara, the redoubled beating of a drum.
[132] Gatekeeper.
[133] Tissue = interwoven or variegated. “The chariot was covered with cloth of gold tissued upon blue.” (Bacon.)
[134] Made of Spanish leather. “I will send you the Cordovan pockets and gloves.” (Howell, Familiar Letters, 1650.)
[135] Sir Paul Ricaut, in his book on Turkish policy, thus describes the dumb:—“They are called Bizebani or mutes, which are taught mute language made up of several signs, in which, by custom, they can discourse and fully express themselves. Eight or nine are called favourite mutes, who serve for buffoons to sport with, whom he sometimes kicks, sometimes throws in the cisterns of water, sometimes makes fight together ... the mute language is much in vogue at Court, amongst others, as it is rude even to whisper in the Grand Signior’s presence ... the dwarfs are called Giuge, and especially valued if they are also eunuchs and deaf.”
[136] Sequins.
[137] The Baily of Venice at Constantinople at that time was one of the Capello family, celebrated for their admirals and statesmen. He retained the office from 1596 to 1604.
[138] Mandilion = a soldier’s cloak. “A mandilion that did with button meet.” (Chapman: Hom., Il., x.)
[139] Scamatie, deriv. Italian scamatare, to beat off the dust of wool.
[140] Muslin or lawn.
[141] The high shoe is still worn by Turkish women. (Vide note, p. 2.)
[142] The vizier. Ibrahim was Grand Vizier just then, a creature of Mohamed III and the Validè Sultan’s. He was the third Grand Vizier appointed in the year 1598, and was himself appointed for the third time. He had pillaged Egypt, assassinated the Druses, and during his period of office as Grand Vizier, which continued till his death in 1601, he perpetrated every horror possible. He married a daughter of the Sultan’s, and kept in the favour of the Sultan’s mother by giving her magnificent presents. (Von Hammer.)
[143] The French Ambassador at that time was François Savary de Brèves; he was appointed in 1589, and remained till 1606.
[144] Carmesale, probably from Karamosel, a seaport on the Gulf of Ismidt.
[145] Zeitoun or Lamia, on the Gulf of Lamia.
[146] Gulf of Corinth, or Lepanto; modern town called Epakto, ancient Naupactus.
[147] The house of a Greek, “Romaic” as they call modern Greek.
[148] The game of football is much older in England than cricket; the first mention of it is in the reign of Edward III, and it became so rough a game in the time of James I, that, in his Basilikon Doron he describes it “as meeter for laming, than making able the users thereof.”