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
[Strong Guards about his Court.] He has strong Watches night and
day about his Court. And they are his Grandees, who themselves in
person watch in certain places, where the King himself appoints them:
and they dare not be absent from thence, without it be to go to eat,
or upon such like occasions. At Night they all have their set places
within the Court, where they cannot one come to the speech of the
other, neither dare they that are near together, or in fight one of
the other, so much as come and sit together and talk, to pass away
the Nights. All these great men have Souldiers under them, and they
are also to come by turns to watch the Court. But at Night as their
Masters and Commanders watch within the Walls, so they must watch
without, in outward Courts and Guards; neither dare any of them be
seen within with their Commanders. At the end of every Watch there
are a multitude of Trumpets and Drums to make a noise; which is to
keep his People waking, and for the honour of his Majesty. There are
also Elephants, which are appointed all night to stand and watch, lest
there should be any Tumult; which if there should, could presently
trample down a multitude.
[Next his own Person Negro's watch.] He hath also a Guard of Cofferies
or Negro's, in whom he imposeth more confidence, then in his own
People. These are to watch at his Chamber door, and next his Person.
[Spies sent out a Nights.] At uncertain times he will send out a
Spy by Night, to see what Watch is kept. Who once finding one of the
Great Men asleep, took his Cap, his Sword and other Arms, and brought
them to the King; who afterwards restored them to the Owner again,
reproving him, and bidding him take more heed for the future. These
Spyes also are to hear and see what passes: neither is there any
thing said or done but he has notice of it. Formerly he used in the
Nights to disguise himself and walk abroad in the Streets to see all
passages, but now he will not adventure so to do.
[His attendants.] Most of his Attendants are Boyes, and Young Men,
that are well favoured, and of good Parentage. For the supplying
himself with these, he gives order to his Dissava's or Governors of
the Countreys to pick and choose out Boyes, that are comely and of
good Descent, and send them to the Court. These Boyes go bare-headed
with long hair hanging down their backs. Not that he is guilty of
Sodomy nor did I ever hear the Sin so much as mentioned among them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account