An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous EscapeKnox, Robert
History
An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies: Together with an Account of the Detaining in Captivity the Author and Divers other Englishmen Now Living There, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape
Knox, Robert
Sri Lanka -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Sri Lanka -- Social life and customs
[The King's Lineage.] Radga-Singa is his Name, which signifies a
Lyon-King. He is not of the right Descent of the Royal-Blood. For the
former King deceased leaving his Queen a Widow, and two young Princes,
which he had issue by her. She was a Christian, having been baptized
by the Portuguez, and named Dona Catharina. She afterwards married to
the Chief Priest, whom in their Language they call Tirinanxy. And by
him had this Son, the present King. The Tirinanx his Father reigned
and ruled the Land during the minority of the young Princes: but
being aged, he divided the Countrey between the three Princes by Lot,
intending Conde Uda, which is the best part of the Land, for his
own Son, Radga-Singa. Which was obtained by this device. The names
of the three Kingdoms being written on three Papers, were put into
a Pot, and one was appointed, who knew the matter to take them out,
and deliver them one to each, beginning with the Eldest, craftily
delivering that which had Conde Uda written in it unto Radga-Singa;
and so it came to pass according to the old Kings determination. All
these three in the beginning of their Reigns joyned together against
the Portuguez, but soon after fell out among themselves, and this
King in the end prevailed, and got all the Countrey. Danna Polla
Rodgerah the youngest, King of Mautoly, being overthrown, fled down
to the Portuguez to Columba, who sent him to Goa, where he dyed. The
other named Comaure-Singa, King of Owvah, dyed in Cande.
[His Person, Meen and Habit.] As to the Person of the present King. He
is not tall, but very well set, nor of the clearest colour of their
complexion, but somewhat of the blackest; great rowling Eyes, turning
them and looking every way, alwayes moving them: a brisk bold look,
a great swelling Belly, and very lively in his actions and behaviour,
somewhat bald, not having much hair upon his head, and that gray, a
large comely Beard, with great Whiskers; in conclusion, a very comely
man. He bears his years well, being between Seventy and Eighty years
of age; and tho an Old man, yet appears not to be like one, neither
in countenance nor action. His Apparel is very strange and wonderful,
not after his own Countrey-fashion, or any other, being made after
his own invention. On his head he wears a Cap with four corners like a
Jesuits three teer high, and a Feather standing upright before, like
that in the head of a fore-horse in a Team, a long band hanging down
his back after the Portuguez fashion, his Doublet after so strange
a shape, that I cannot well describe it, the body of one, and the
sleeves of another colour; He wears long Breeches to his Anckles,
Shoes and Stockings. He doth not always keep to one fashion, but
changes as his fancy leads him: but always when he comes abroad,
his Sword hangs by his side in a belt over his shoulder: which no
Chingulays dare wear, only white men may: a Gold Hilt, and Scabberd
most of beaten Gold. Commonly he holdeth in his hand a small Cane,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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