Revel

Sources from old books

1638. The merchants mappe of commerce wherein by Lewes Roberts.

Revel is nothing inferiour for trade to Rhiga, situated on the North part of the Baltique seas, famoused in these Northerne countries for the safetie and commodiousnesse of the haven: it is well stored of Merchants that frequent the place for the traffique of the commodities thereof, nominated in the aforegoing Chapter. The inhabitants stand much upon their ancient priviledges granted them by their old masters Tentonique Knights, and acknowledging the King of Swethland for Protector, to whom they yeeld obedience, the keeping of which cost him 100000 Crowns yearly, as naturally defending his own, and offending his neighbours teritories. This Citie in one thing hath a larger freedome than Rhiga, and is the same as in Lubeck for coyning of monies, which they doe foure square, yet are bound to stampe the same of the same worth and value as the currant coynes of Poland, therefore I shall not need further to insist thereupon.

Their common weight is a pound, their Ship-pound is 400 pound, and the 100 pound of London makes here 116 pound.

There is found some Exchanges practised in these parts by the mark Swedens of 16 shil. and by the mark Lups of 32 shil. &c.

Their common measure of length is the Ell, agreeing with that of Coninxburgh and Rhiga, the 100 yards London making by computation in circa 166½ ells here. Narva also seated in this tract, agreeth in weights and measures with Revel, therefore I shall not need to insist further thereupon.

1693. A geographical dictionary representing the present and ancient names by Edmund Bohun.

Revel, Revalia, a great City and Sea-Port in Livonia; called by the Russ, Roliva. The Capital of the Province of Esthonia. It stands upon the Bay of Finland; thirty three German Miles from Narva to the West, and thirty seven from Riga to the North. This City was an Hanse Town, and a Bishops See, under the Archbishop of Riga; subject to the Crown of Poland till 1558: when being affrighted with the Threats of the Russ, it was forced to fly to Christian III. King of Denmark for Protection. (Having been built by Waldemar or Walmar II. King of Denmark, in 1223.) This Prince not willing to engage in a War in his old Age, refused their proffered submission. But the next year Erick King of Sweden accepted it: whereupon in 1563, there followed a sharp War between him and the City of Lubeck. In 1569, the Swedes receiving a great Defeat, a Peace was made at Stetin in 1570. Magnus Duke of Holstein being imployed by the Russ in the same year, laid close Siege to Revel, but with no success. In 1577, the Rusi did likewise attempt it, with the same success. So that ever since it has been in the Hands of the Swedes. This City, as Olearius saith, was built in 1230. Sold together with Narva and Wesemberg by Walmar III. King of Denmark, in 1347, to Gosvin d' Eck, (Great Master of the Order of Livonia) for nineteen thousand Marks of Silver. About 1477, it began to be a place of great Trade; by reason of its very excellent Haven, and convenient Situation for the Trade of Russia: and being thereupon grown great, rich, and insolent, it broke with the other Hanse Towns in 1550. But the Russ taking Narva in 1558, and settling the Staple there, and threatning Revel with a Siege, they submitted to Sweden; who have abated some of their Privileges, to secure their Obedience. Yet is it still a place of great Commerce, and enjoying many Privileges: fortified after the modern way, and hath a Castle upon a Rock. The Religion professed is the Augustane Confession. The Government, democratical, in the likeness of the Customs of Lubeck. Long. 48. 30. Lat. 50. 25. In others Lat. 60. 07. // Paris Meridian is used in the book