themselves use are bows and arrows: the arrows are but of small canes, headed with a sharp shell or tooth of a fish sufficient enough to kill a naked man. Their swords be of wood hardened: likewise they use wooden breastplates for their defence. They have beside a kind of club, in the end whereof they fasten the sharp horns of a stag, or other beast. When they go to wars they carry about with them their idol, of whom they ask counsel, as the Romans were wont of the oracle of Apollo. They sing songs as they march towards the battle instead of drums and trumpets: their wars are very cruel and bloody, by reason whereof and of their civil dissensions which have happened of late years amongst them, the people are marvelously wasted, and in some places the country left desolate.... Beyond this island called Roanoak, are main islands very plentiful of fruits and other natural increases, together with many towns, and villages, along the side of the continent, some bounding upon the islands, and some stretching up further into the land.... Thus Sir, we have acquainted you with the particulars of our discovery made this present voyage, as far forth as the shortness of the time we were continued would afford us to take views of: and so contenting ourselves with this service at this time, which we hope hereafter to enlarge, as occasion and assistance shall be given, we resolved to leave the country, and to apply ourselves to return for England, which we did accordingly, and arrived safely in the west of England about the middle of September. (Ed. from Hakluyt, The Principal Navigations, etc., Lond., 1598-1600.) CHAPTER XX THE REIGN OF JAMES I. 148. Coronation Oath of James I. Tanner MSS. The following oath should be compared with that taken by Edward II., two centuries before (No. 89). In that space of four centuries, with all the tremendous changes in ecclesiastical organization, the coronation oaths of the sovereigns of England altered but little; yet in comparing those instanced, we find sufficient difference to indicate that the king had taken the place which the Pope once held, and that the Church of the State was no longer the child of Rome. Archbishop. Sir, will you grant and keep and by your oath confirm to your people of England the laws and customs to them granted by the kings of England your lawful and religious predecessors; and namely the laws, customs and franchises granted to clergy and to the people by the glorious king, St. Edward, your predecessor, according and conformable to the laws of God and true profession of the gospel established in this kingdom, and agreeing to the prerogatives of the kings thereof and to the ancient customs of this realm? King. I grant and promise to keep them. A. Will you keep peace and agreement entirely, according to your power, both to God, the holy church, the clergy and the people? K. I will keep it. A. Will you to your power cause law, justice and discretion in mercy and truth to be executed in all your judg ments? K. I will. A. Sir, will you grant to hold and keep the laws and rightful customs which the commonalty of your kingdom have, and to defend and uphold them to the honour of God, so much as in you lieth? K. I grant and promise so to do. |