FRIAR BEATUS ODORICUS ad. 



1330- 



Of the citie of Cambaleth. 



T Ravelling eight dayes journey further by divers 

 territories and cities, at length I came by fresh water 

 unto a certaine citie named Leneyn, standing upon the 

 river of *Karavoran, which runneth through the midst Karamoron. 

 of Cataie, and doeth great harme in the countrey when it 

 overfloweth the bankes, or breaketh foorth of the chanell. 

 From thence passing along the river Eastward, after 

 many dayes travell, and the sight of divers cities, 1 

 arrived at a citie called *Sumakoto, which aboundeth Stmacoto. 

 more with silke then any other citie in the world : for 

 when there is great scarcitie of silke, fortie pound is sold 

 for lesse then eight groates. In this citie there is abund- 

 ance of all merchandize, and of all kindes of victuals 

 also, as of bread, wine, flesh, fish, with all choise and 

 delicate spices. Then travelling on still towards the East 

 by many cities, I came unto the noble and renowmed 

 citie of Cambaleth, which is of great antiquitie, being 

 situate in the province of Cataie. This citie the Tartars 

 tooke, and neere unto it within the space of halfe a mile, 

 they built another citie called Caido. The citie of Caido 

 hath twelve gates, being each of them two miles distant 

 from another. Also the space lying in the midst 

 betweene the two foresayd cities is very well and 

 throughly inhabited, so that they make as it were but 

 one citie betweene them both. The whole compasse 

 or circuit of both cities together, is 40. miles. In this 

 citie the great emperour Can hath his principall seat, and 

 his Imperiall palace, the wals of which palace containe 

 foure miles in circuit : and neere unto this his palace are 

 many other palaces and houses of his nobles which 

 belong unto his court. Within the precincts of the sayd 

 palace Imperiall, there is a most beautifull mount, set and 

 replenished with trees, for which cause it is called the 

 Greene mount, having a most royall and sumptuous 

 palace standing thereupon, in which, for the most part, 

 the great Can is resident. Upon the one side of the 



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