Восстание Болотникова 1606–1607 - [218]

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The state of the empire of Russia since the death of the late pretended Demetrie

The present Emperour Vassilie Evanow^ch haveing attayned the Empire by right succession and accordingly confirmed by the Election of the Nobillitie Gentrie and Comons of Mosco soone after the death of Demetrie and the solemnitie of his Coronation began to displace and appointe Vaivodes, and Comanders, in all the Provinces and Townes of his Domynions and amongst others sent a Vaivode to a Towne of importance called Poteeme and despatehed a Gentleman presently after him to sweare the people of that place to his Alleageance. This gentleman meeting w^th a speciall favorite of the slayne Emperour called Mutcham (whoe escapeinge thether had drawne many Gentlemen and Soldiers of those partes from acknowledginge the present Emperour) was seduced in like manner to affect taht partie uppon remonstrance of greate disparagement to the Borderers and remote partes of Russia to suffer those of the Mosco, ffirst to murther their prince and then to chose a newe Kinge wthout makeinge them acquainted w^th the causes of deposeinge the first not asking their consents in the choice of the latter, for w^th respect they tooke occasion to refuse the oath of Alleageance, and resolved to call them of the Mosco to an Accompte of their former proceedinges, w^ch they did the rather undertake for as much as Demetrius had for speciall service freed that Province of all Taxes and impositions for 10 yeares w^ch by his death was absolutely lost. The newe made Vaivode opposeinge himselfe against this ffaction was slayne. And the better to countenance their proceedinges they gave out that Demetrie was yett liveinge and had solicited them to reestablishe him in the Kingdome. W^ch Rumore meetinge w^ch discontented and factious persons tooke soe succesfull effectes, that most the Townes in those partes revoulted from their Alleageance to the present Emperour, and tooke an newe oathe to the supposed liveinge Demetrie, this made the Empereur to gather forces and raise an Army w^th the Rebells understandinge drewe all the Malecontents in those Quarters into their Partie and in shorte tyme grewe to such a heade they marched 60000 men and made their approache w^thin three Englishe myles of the Mosco: the presence of such an Army togeather w^th the report that Demetrius was alive did soe distracte the people of the Countrie that they stoode doubtefull what to doe expecting the sacke and spoyle of the Mosco beinge more then hälfe beseiged the other parte of the Towne, I Knowe not througt what blindenes left open to take in fforces and Victualls untill it was to late that thev went aboute to blocke it upp but were twice beaten off w^th greate losse. Notwth standinge they continued the Seige and Writt Itres to the Slaves w^th in the Towne, to take Armes against their Masters and to possesse themselves of their Goodes and substance, the feare of whome was almost as greate, as it was of the Enimie abroad and the rather in regard of the Comon sorte of people whoe lately infected w^throbbinge and spoyleinge of the Poales were very unconstent and readie to Mutine uppon every reporte, as hopeinge to share w^th Rebells in the spoyle of the Cittie — the Nobles and better sorte stoode as doubtefull as they (sic) rest, uppon the reporte made by the Rebells w^ch were taken. Whereof one of them was sett uppon a Stake and at his death did constantly affirm that the late Emperour Demetrie did live and was at Poteemoe. In the ende the Rebells writte letres into the Towne requireinge by name divers Noble men and some principall Cittizens to be delivered unto them as cheefe Actors in murtheringe the late Emperour. Theis Nobles and better sorte ot Cittizens perceaveinge in what extremitie they were, imployed all their Creditt and means to Supporte and assist the Emperour, perswaded him that there was noe meanes to free himselfe of this danger but to hazard a Battell w^ch beinge resolved uppon it happened that there fell a dissention betweene two principall Comander of the Rebells Campe, the one of them beinge an olde Robber or Borderer of the Volga called Bolotincke the other called Pasca in soe much that this Pasca forsooke the partie and cam and submitted himselfe to the Emperour w^th 500 followers: By him the Emperour understoode of the State of the Enimys Campe and that the Rumor of Demetrius liveinge was but a fojged conceipte. The Enymie beinge abashed at the departure of one of their cheefe Leaders, and w^th all devided emongst themselves, the Emperour sett uppon them and in the ende putt them to flight. Bolotincke fled w^th such of his men as escaped to a Towne called Calloog some 100 Myles or more from the Mosco where he fortified himseb fe and hath indured three Monethes Seige beinge favored by the frutefullest parte of that Countrie lyinge betweene the Rivers Tanais and Baristenes.

The event whereof is uncertaine.

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