A.D. 

 1555. 



THE ENGLISH VOYAGES 



[I. 268.] 



The Charter of the Marchants of Russia, 

 graunted upon the discoverie of the saide 

 Countrey, by King Philipe and Queene Marie. 



Hilip and Marie, by the grace of God 

 King and Queene, &c. To all manner 

 of officers, true Jurie men, ministers and 

 subjects, and to all other people as well 

 within this our Realme or elsewhere 

 under our obeysance, jurisdiction, and 

 rule, or otherwise unto whome these 

 our letters shall bee shewed, seene, or read, greeting. 



Whereas wee be credibly informed, that our right 

 trustie, right faithfull, and welbeloved Counsailors, 

 William Marques of Winchester Lord high Treasurer 

 of this our Realme of England, Henrie Earle of Arundel 

 Lord Steward of our housholde, John Earle of Bedford 

 Lord keeper of our privie Seale, William Earle of Pem- 

 broke, William Lorde Howard of Effingham Lorde high 

 Admirall of our saide Realme of England, &c. Have 

 at their owne adventure, costs and charges, provided, 

 rigged, and tackled certaine ships, pinnesses, and other 

 meete vessels, and the same furnished with all things 

 necessary have advanced and set forward, for to discover, 

 descrie, and finde lies, landes, territories, Dominions, 

 and Seigniories unknowen, and by our subjects before 

 this not commonly by sea frequented, which by the 

 sufferance and grace of Almightie God, it shall chaunce 

 them sailing Northwards, Northeastwards, and North- 

 westwards, or any partes thereof, in that race or course 

 which other Christian Monarches (being with us in 

 league and amitie) have not heeretofore by Seas traf- 

 fiqued, haunted, or frequented, to finde and attaine by 

 The discoverie their said adventure, as well for the glorie of God, as 

 for the illustrating of our honour and dignitie royall, in 

 the increase of the revenues of our Crowne, and generall 

 wealth of this and other our Realmes and Dominions, 



304 



intended for 

 Gods glory. 



