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.