The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 03Hakluyt, Richard
History
The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 03
Hakluyt, Richard
Discoveries in geography -- English; Voyages and travels
After this he hath many more ceremonies, as anoynting eares and eyes with
spittle, and making certaine crosses with oyle vpon the backe, head, and
brest of the childe: then taking the childe in his armes, carieth it to the
images of S. Nicholas, and our Ladie, &c. and speaketh vnto the images,
desiring them to take charge of the childe, that he may liue, and beleeue
as a Christian man or woman ought to doe, with many other words. Then
comming backe from the images, he taketh a paire of sheares and clippeth
the yong and tender haires of the childes head in three or foure places,
and then deliuereth the childe, whereunto euery of the Godfathers and
Godmothers lay a hand: then the priest chargeth them, that the childe be
brought vp in the faith and feare of God or Christ, and that it be
instructed to clinege and bow to the images, end so they make an end: then
one of the Godfathers must hang a crosse about the necke of the childe,
which he must alwayes weare, for that Russe which hath not a crosse about
his necke they esteeme as no Christian man, and thereupon they say that we
are no Christians, because we do not weare crosses as they do.
Of their Matrimonie.
Their matrimonie is nothing solemnized, but rather in most points
abominable, and as neere as I can learne, in this wise following.
First, when there is loue betweene the parties, the man sendeth vnto the
woman a small chest or boxe, wherein is a whip, needles, threed, silke,
linnen cloth, sheares, and such necessaries as shee shall occupie when she
is a wife, and perhaps sendeth therewithall raisins, figs or some such
things, giuing her to vnderstand, that if she doe offend she must be beaten
with the whip, and by the needles, threed, cloth, &c. that she should apply
her selfe diligently to sowe, and do such things as shee could best doe,
and by the raisins or fruites he meaneth if she doe well, no good thing
shalbe withdrawn from her, nor be too deare for her: and she sendeth vnto
him a shirt, handkerchers, and some such things of her owne making. And now
to the effect.
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