Part 4

And this is my opinion of their originall and migrations, out of which I shall not be perswaded by those learned men who believe they rather came from the _Tartars_, for we never read of any of them going into the North. Moreover the _Tartars_ live altogether by war and plunder, whereas the _Laplanders_ live by hunting and grasing, abhorring nothing more than war. Besides the cheif delight of the _Tartars_ is in having many stately Horses, of which the _Lapps_ are so ignorant, that in their whole language they have not a word to signify an Horse: the language also of the two Nations is so different that one cannot possibly be derived from the other. And altho some learned men, who pretend they understood both languages of _Finland_ and _Lapland_, confidently aver that they are altogether diverse: yet it will be easy to produce diverse men as well skill’d in them, as they that say the contrary. Besides ’tis no consequence because there are a few differences between the _Finland_ and _Lapland_ languages, that they are therefore utterly diverse, when this disagreeing may rather proceed from the length of time than any diversity of the Tongues at first, as we find now many _Swedish_ words that do not at all agree with those now in vogue, which yet do not constitute a new language. And their saying the _Laplanders_ could not come from the _Finlanders_, because they alwaies hated one another, is of little force, when the reasons of their hatred are enough explained already. But it signifies less that the _Finlanders_ have severall Customs and Manners not in use among the _Laplanders_, as the way of building houses, _&c._ for these were to accommodate themselves to the nature of the place whither they came, and to forget those things which would not be of any use to them. And moreover, there remains still a memoriall of those that came out of _Finland_, where they first sate down in the woods of _Tavastia_, near a Lake which they call _Lappiakairo_, that is the Fountain of the _Laplanders_, who when their necessary food grew scarce, went further up into the Desarts, and the _Finlanders_ pursuing them in _Tavastia_, they retreat’d to the _Bothnic_ bay, where they might be more safe, and have more conveniences for living: and this is that migration yet in memory which _Plantin._ speaks of, _viz._ that the _Laplanders_ lived here for an age, or more, till the time of King _Magn. Ladulaos_, An. 1272, who to get them under his subjection, promised any one that could effect it, the Government of them, which the _Birkarli_, _i. e._ those that lived in the allotment or division of _Birkala_, undertook; and having for a great while cunningly insinuated themselves into them, under a pretence of friendship, at last set upon them unawares, and quite subdued them. But before this they were infested by the _Tavasti_ under the command of _Kurk_, which if we would strictly examine, we should find it of later date than about Christs time, contrary to some mens opinions. As it happens in things that are taken upon trust, the _Laplanders_ confound the more modern with the ancient, making but one history of all that happen’d in the distinct times of _Ericus Sanctus_, _Magnus Ladulaos_, with some other Kings before and after, and that so confused and lame, that it is hard for any one to understand it. _Ol. Petr._ mentions at large one _Matthias_, Captain of the _Finlanders_, when they subdued and drove out the _Laplanders_ into the furthest and most desolate place of the North, whom some think to be a noble Family of the _Kurks_ in _Finland_, and that he ceased not, by frequent inrodes upon them, to molest them, till they promised to pay him yearly tribute, which he at length weary of the long and tedious journey exchanged with some of _Birkarla_ in _Tavastia_ for a part of _Finland_, whence followed what is most true, that the _Laplanders_ to the year 1554 paid annuall tribute to the _Birkarli_, besides whom it was not lawfull for any others to trade with them. There are those now living who say they have seen the letters and conditions of the _Kurks_ kept in _Ersnees_, an allotment of _Lulalapmark_, by one _Jo. Nilson_. Which things are so far from being immediatly after the birth of _Christ_, that they may be reasonably thought to have bin since _Mag. Ladulaos_, unless we can imagine that _Ol. Petr._ by his _Tavasti_ and _Buræus_ by _Birkarli_ meant the same people, since there were other _Birkarli_ inhabitants of _Tavastia_, who chose them a Captain named _Kurk_, under whom they drove out the _Laplanders_ out of the Borders of the Eastern _Bothnia_, and made them tributary, and the letters may not be ascribed to _Kurk_, but to _Ladulaos_, in which he had granted the _Birkarli_ the priviledge to receive tribute of the _Lapps_, and of trafficking with them, for it is not probable that _Kurk_, though he was their chosen Captain, was to have all the benefit of the _Laplanders_ to himself, so as by contract to tranfer to the _Birkarli_ his right. For the _Tavastii_ were either a free People and so shared among one another whatever they got, or else under some Prince, and so could not give another what was not their own, but their Masters. Besides if they did give _Kurk_ any thing, as some Villages, or the like, it was not from any bargain that they were to receive in its stead tribute from the _Laplanders_, but as a reward to himself for his pains and conduct in the war. But whatever may be said of _Kurk_ and the _Tavasti_, ’tis certain the _Laplanders_ never came originally from the _Russians_, nor as others think from the _Tartars_, but from the _Finlanders_, having bin driven out of their Country, and forc’t to change their habitations often, till at length they fixt in this Land where they now live: and that Country, which from the remove of its inhabitants was called _Lapland_, had the same name continued by the _Swedes_, who had conquered the greatest part thereof. For after the _Swedes_ had learnt from the _Finlanders_ that they were called _Lapps_, they also gave them the same name, then the _Danes_ took it up: then _Saxo_, afterwards _Ziegler_, then _Dam. Goes_, who had the account which he gives of the _Laplanders_ from _Ol._ and _Joh. Magn._ and so at last all the Country was called _Lapland_ from the Bay of _Bothnia_ Northwards, especially after it was made subject to the _Swedes_, except only that part which lies on the Coasts of _Norway_, which retained its antient name of _Finland_; as also that part towards the white Sea, called by the _Moscovites_, _Cajanica_, altho these sometimes call the inhabitants _Loppi_, which without doubt they took from their neighbours the _Finlanders_.

CHAP. VII.

_Of the Religion of the_ Laplanders.

Having seen the rise and Original of the _Laplanders_, we come now to speak more distinctly of them, but first of their Religion; not only what is now, but also what was before Christianity came to be receiv’d there. For there were _Laplanders_, or at least some Inhabitants of _Lapland_ before the Christian Religion was introduced: such as the _Finni_, _Lappofinni_, _Scridfinni_, or _Biarmi_, as is above said; but it was very long before the _Laplanders_ properly so called embraced the Christian Religion. At first there is no doubt they were Pagans, as all the Northern Nations were, but being all Pagans were not of the same Religion, it may be enquired which the _Laplanders_ profest. And I suppose it could be no other then that of the _Finlanders_, from whom they derive their original, and consequently their Religion too. But what the Religion of the _Finlanders_ was is very uncertain, since we have no account of the ancient affairs of that Nation. Therefore we must make our conjectures from the _Biarmi_, and _Scridfinni_, as also from some remains among the _Finlanders_ and _Laplanders_.

We have already prov’d the _Biarmi_ to be the first Colony that the _Finlanders_ sent into _Lapland_, of whom this is chiefly recorded in ancient Monuments, that they worship’d a certain God whom they called _Jumala_: which _Jumala_ or _Jomala_ is manifestly a different word from what is mentioned in the History of _St. Olaus_ King of _Norway_, and of _Herrodus_, for they relate it as peculiar to the _Biarmi_, and unknown to themselves; who being either _Goths_, _Norwegians_ or _Islanders_, it cannot possibly be any old _Gothic_ word, but of some other Country, and therefore most probably of _Finland_, where it is now in use. For _God_, which is by the _Swedes_, _Goths_, and all of the same original termed _Gott_, or _Gudh_, is by them called _Jumala_; custom without doubt prevailing that the same name, whereby in ancient times they called the false God, was translated to the true One, both by the _Finlanders_, the _Biarmi_ and the _Laplanders_ also who came out of _Finland_, and being joined with the _Biarmi_ made one Nation. Besides _Jumala_, it seems the _Laplanders_ had a God whom the _Swedes_ call _Thor_, which may be gathered, not only because they worship one _Thor_ at this present among their idols, as shall be shewn hereafter, but also because in the number of Gods which the old _Finlanders_, especially the _Tavasti_ adored, there was reckoned _Turrisas_, the God of War and Victory, which was no other then _Thor_. This _Turrisas_ is put in one word for _Turris-As_ (i. e.) _Turris_, _Turrus_, or _Torus_ (for so his name is diversly written) the Prince of the _Ases_, or _Asiatics_, for those who in former times came out of _Asia_ into these parts were called _Ases_, of whom this _Turrus_ was the first, who from that time was worshipped by the _Finlanders_ by the name of _Turrisas_; which may farther be proved from _Arngrinus Jonæ_, who saies the first King of the _Finlanders_ was _Torrus_, one of the Predecessors of King _Norus_, from whom some think _Norige_, (i. e.) _Norway_, quasi _Nori Rige_, to take its denomination, it being frequent for the ancient Kings to take upon them the names of their Gods. Thus among the ancient _Greeks_ we find many who were called by the names of _Jupiter_ and _Neptune_. So _Torrus_ the King was so called from _Torus_ the ancient God of the _Finlanders_, from whom without doubt he was derived to the _Laplanders_, together with their language, worships, and other customs. To these two (if they are two) _Jumala_ and _Thor_, may be added the _Sun_, which I gather from this, because he is still reckoned among their Gods. Besides he is generally worship’d in all barbarous and pagan Countries, and if he be adored for his light and heat by those People, who enjoy the benefit of a warm air and temperate climate, how much more by the _Laplanders_, who for no small space endure the hardship of continual night and bitter frosts? but I shall speak more concerning the Sun hereafter.

These are the chief Gods of the _Laplanders_, whether they had any of less note may be questioned, tho I doubt it not; because at this day they worship some others, which the _Finlanders_ did before them, and probably brought with them into _Lapland_. Of these the _Carelii_ had _Rongotheus_ the God of Ry, _Pellonpeko_ of Barly, _Wierecannos_ of Oats, _Egres_ of Herbs, Pease, Turnips, Flax, and Hemp; _Uko_ with his wife _Rowne_, of tempests; _Kækre_ the Protector of Cattel from wild beasts; _Hyse_ had the command of _Wolves_, and Bears, _Nyrke_ of Squirrel-hunting, _Hyttavanes_ of Hare-hunting. Some of these the _Laplanders_ worshipped; especially those whose help they stood chiefly in need of to the performing of their business, as the gods of hunting and preserving their Cattel from wild beasts, and such like: others probably they neglected as useless, because they neither plowed nor sowed. But I cannot say under what names they worshipped them, because I find nothing of certainty thereof, either in their ancient records, or modern customs.

Next we must consider what kind of worship they pai’d their Gods, which we have already mentioned; but of this also we are in great uncertainty, unless we make our judgment from the present times, and deliver those rites which are now used by the _Laplanders_ in their religious performances, but of this we shall speak more when we come to treat of the present state of their Religion. We shall only note here what is read of _Jumala_. He was heretofore represented in the image of a man sitting upon an Altar, with a Crown on his head, adorned with twelve gems, and a golden Chain about his neck, which was formerly of the value of 300 Marks; tho whether the word in the History doth signify a chain, or may better be rendred a Jewel, ’tis uncertain; for it is said that _Charles_ lifting his Ax, cut the collar whereon it hanged: which shews that it was rather gold, artificially carved and set with jewels, which was (I suppose) the reason why _Herrodus_ doth not set down its weight, as is usual in the valuing of chains, but its price. This Jewel called _Men_ from _Mene_ the Moon whose figure it represented, was, as I imagine, tied to a collar about the neck, and hanged down upon the brest of the image, as is usual in all such ornaments at this day. But whether this were a chain or locket, it is certain the other parts of his habit were agreeable to our description of him; wherein he was not much unlike the _Swedes_ God _Thor_, as he is described in our History of _Upsal_: for he also was made sitting with a Crown on his head, adorned with stars, as _Jumala_ with jewels, each to the number of twelve, from whence I am almost perswaded that the _Biarmi_, and after them the _Laplanders_, either worshipped one God under two names, or if they were two Gods, they used their names promiscuously. For the true God, whom they knew partly by reason, and partly by tradition, was by them called _Jumala_: but after the name of _Thor_ began to be famous, they either called _Jumala_ by the name of _Thor_, or gave _Thor_ the name of _Jumala_: which I gather from hence, because at this day the _Laplanders_ attribute that to their _Thor_, which questionless formerly they did to _Jumala_, _viz._ the power and command over the inferior Gods, especially the bad and hurtful: also over the air, thunder, lightning, health, life and death of men, and such like; as shall be shewn hereafter. What his image was made of, is not known, but I suppose it was wood, because _Charles_ is said to have cut off his head with his Ax, when he only designed the cutting of the collar that held the aforesaid jewel, which he could hardly have don, had it bin either silver or gold. Besides, to prove it was wood, it was burnt to ashes, together with the Temple, and all its furniture, excepting some gold, and other precious things; with which gold particularly they did homage to their God: for the _Biarmi_ in their ceremonies to _Jumala_, did cast gold as a sacred offertory to him into a golden dish, of a vast weight and bigness, which stood upon his knees. This Vessel, in the History of _Olaus_, is said to be of silver, and full of silver coin, for a little before his time both basin and gold were lost, and the _Biarmi_, never had an opportunity of getting more. They did not worship _Jumala_ every where, but in some few places, or perhaps only in that one, where in a thick remote wood he had a kind of a Temple, not as they are usually built with walls and roof, but only a piece of ground fenced as the old Roman Temples were; from hence one might look every way, which could not have bin don had they bin cover’d at the top. As in the form of their Temples, so in the situation of them they did imitate the ancients, who for the most part chose groves to worship their Gods in, and there built their Temples. So much of _Jumala_, and the ancient manner of worshipping him amongst the _Biarmi_, as it is transmitted to us by ancient Writers; but of _Thor_, the Sun, and the other Gods, there is nothing read but what belongs to the times of Christianity, and the superstition still remaining amongst them, of which we shall speak particularly in the following Chapter.

CHAP. VIII.

_Of the second, or Christian Religion of the_ Laplanders.

_Lapland_ among other Nations, after a long night of Paganism, was enlightned with the Christian Religion: of which I shall now speak. In the first place we must enquire how and when they first began to hear’d of Christs name: but this will be very difficult, because all Writers are silent herein. _Plantin_ indeed affirms from their report, that they first hear of the Christian Religion in the last age; from whence he concludes that they came out of _Finland_ before the _Finlanders_ were converted. But for all this we can hardly yield our assent to him; for it is certain on the contrary that they knew, and some of them embraced, the Christian Religion in the time of _Ziegler_, who lived in the very beginning of the precedent age, and was present at the destruction of _Stockholm_ by _Christiern_ the Tyrant, which he hath very well described: he affirms that they admited Christianity to obtain the favor of their Kings, which cannot be spoken of _Christiern_, or his immediate Predecessor, but of several others in former ages. And indeed it is very improbable that so many Christian Kings should take no care of propagating their Religion among the _Laplanders_, but permit them to live in a heathenish impiety, without so much as ever hearing the name of Christ; especially since there are Letters of _Ericus_ King of _Pomerania_ extant, wherein he advises the Consistory of _Upsal_ that they would send Priests to instruct the _Laplanders_; which _Charles_ the IX afterwards made an argument of his title to _Lapland_ against his neighbors. Besides they had adjoining to them the _Birkarli_, who were either _Finlanders_ or _Swedes_, and were converted long before; with these they maintained a commerce, and paid them tribute even from the time of _Ladulaus Magnus_, who reign’d four ages ago. Therefore it is false what _Plantin_ affirms of their being converted in the last age; on the contrary I presume that from the time of _Ladulaus_, there alwaies were some in _Lapland_ who either were Christians, or pretended to be so: for then their Country was subdued and made a Province of _Swedland_, and it cannot be doubted but the _Swedes_ propagated the Christian Religion together with their dominion in _Lapland_. Tho if our conjecture prove true of the _Laplanders_ removing out of _Finland_, by reason of the wars of _Ericus Sanctus_, and the planting of the Christian Religion there, it will appear from thence that they heard of Christ, tho they neglected him. However no prudent man can suppose that their neighbors the _Finlanders_ for so many ages should never mention any thing of the Christian Religion to them. And therefore my opinion is the more confirmed that the _Laplanders_ had heard of Christ ever since _Ericus Sanctus_ his time, even these five ages, tho they rejected his Doctrine, as long as they retained their own freedom: but after they became subject to the _Swedes_, whether on their own accord to please their Kings, as _Ziegler_ would have it, or for other reasons, at length they took upon them the name of Christians, which happened in the time of _Ladulaus Magnus_, in the year 1277, from whence we must date the planting of Christian Religion in _Lapland_, which Religion they neither wholy embraced, nor wholy refused, but retained it with an inveterate, and as it were Jewish prejudice, not out of any zeal, or preferring it as more necessary for their welfare before their former Religion; but outwardly only and in shew, esteeming it the best means to gain their Princes favor, and to prevent those evils which threatened them, if they should persist in their obstinacy. Hence it was that they were married by a Christian Priest, and baptised their children according to the ceremonies of Christianity, which were the two chief things wherein their Christian Religion consisted; and the only things mention’d by _Olaus M._ For the use of catechising, or preaching of the Gospel, and other information in the heads of Christian Religion were wholy unknown to them, as may be prov’d from the ancient records of Bishopricks, wherein there is no mention of any _Lapponian_ Diocess, or Church, or of any Diocess to which _Lapland_ might belong. Lastly, if it had not bin so, what need was there of _Ericus_ his express to _Upsal_, that they would send Priests into _Lapland_? this, and whatsoever else _Ziegler_ alledges for the slow advance of Christianity in _Lapland_, _Olaus Magnus_ endevors to evade; but at length is forc’t to confess that the Northern parts thereof are not yet reclaimed, and therefore hopes for their conversion.

This was the State of Christianity in _Lapland_ till the times of _Gustavus_, differing from their ancient Paganism only in name, and a few external rites, whereby they labored to make the World believe that they were Christians; which gave _Damianus à Goes_ (tho a friend and contemporary of _Johannes_ and _Olaus Magnus_) very good reason to complain that there was no knowledg of God and Christ in the Land. From hence we may understand how to interpret _Olaus M._ when he saies that by the earnest and pious exhortations of the Catholic Priests, great part of these wild People were, and more were likely to be brought over to the Christian Religion. But when _Gustavus_ came to the Crown, as he took greater care then his Predecessors for promoting of the true Religion in other parts of his dominions, so he did in _Lapland_ also; and as the chief means to effect this, he took the peculiar charge of them upon himself. Whereas heretofore they were rather tributaries of the _Birkarli_ then the Kings of _Sweden_; and consequently neglected by those Kings; now at some set times in the Winter, they were obliged to meet together in a place appointed, where they were to pay their tribute to the Kings Officers, and be instructed in the Gospel by the Priests, and also to give an account of what they learnt the year before. This custom must needs have its beginning in _Gustavus_’s time, for he was the first King that demanded tribute of the _Laplanders_, and consequently that assembled them together for the paying of it. Besides _Olaus M._ mentions no such institution; which he would have don had it bin received in his time. Nay he confesses that if the _Laplanders_ had a mind to have their Children baptised, they were forc’t to carry them on their backs two hundred Italian miles to a Christian Church, in some of their neighboring Countries, as _Aongermannia_, _Helsingia_, and the like, and if they neglected this duty, there was none to reprove them for it. This made _Gustavus_ complain in a Letter dated at _Stocholme_, July 24. 1556, that there were many among them, who were never baptised, which proceeded from an opinion that those who were baptised in their riper years, would dy Within 7 or 8 daies after; but when _Gustavus_ together with his Collectors sent Priests into _Lapland_, their children were baptised, and they instructed at home. Nor were they obliged only to a bare hearing of the word, but to a diligent attention, because they were to be catechised afterwards, and give an account of their progress; so that now it was that they began to be Christians in good earnest, and in this respect it might with some reason be said that in this last age the Gospel began to be preached among them, and that before they were wholy ignorant of the means of their salvation. Now it was that they had certain Priests appointed to instruct them, the first whereof, or at least since the reformation, was one _Michael_, whom _Gustavus_ in his before mentioned Letter earnestly recommends to them, giving him especial command by pious exhortation to reduce them to the true knowledg of God, and the Christian Faith.