JOHN DE PLANO CARPINI a.d. 



1246. 



keepe It wonderfully secrete, so that he may by no meanes 

 provide for himselfe, nor find a remedie against their 

 conspiracies. They are unmanerly also and uncleanly in 

 taking their meat and their drinke, and in other actions. 

 Drunkennes is honourable among them, and when any ot 

 them hath taken more drinke then his stomacke can well 

 beare, hee casteth it up and falles to drinking againe. 

 They are most intollerable exacters, most covetous 

 possessours, and most nigardly givers. The slaughter 

 of other people is accompted a matter of nothing with 

 them. 



Of their lawes and customes. Chap. 6. 



Moreover, they have this law or custome, that Punishments 

 whatsoever man or woman be manifestly taken of adultery. 

 in adultery, they are punished with death. A virgine 

 likewise that hath committed fornication, they slay 

 together with her mate. Whosoever be taken in of theft. 

 robberie or theft, is put to death without all pitie. Also, of secretes 

 if any man disclose their secrets, especially in time of disclosed. 

 warre, he receiveth an hundreth blowes on the backe with 

 a bastinado, layd on by a tall fellow. In like sort when any 

 inferiours offend in ought, they finde no favour at their 

 superiours handes, but are punished with grievous stripes. 

 They are joyned in matrimony to all in generall, yea, Lawes of 

 even to their neare kinsfolkes except their mother, -^^^rtmome. 

 daughter and sister by the mothers side. For they use 

 to marrie their sister by the fathers side onely, and also 

 the wife of their father after his decease. The yonger 

 brother also, or some other of his kindred, is bound to 

 marry the wife of his elder brother deceased. For, at the 

 time of our aboad in the countrey, a certaine duke of Andreas duke 

 Russia named Andreas, was accused before duke Baty for v^^"^^- 

 conveying the Tartars horses out of the land, and for 

 selling them to others : and although it could not be 

 prooved, yet was he put to death. His yonger brother 

 and the wife of the party deceased hearing this, came 

 & made their supplication unto the forenamed duke, that 



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