this stay of the assault was welcome to them all For their continuall labour and the heat of the day accompanied with extreame hunger and thirst had in a manner wholly spent them by reason that the suddennesse of the assault had preuented many from taking any repast The residue therefore of the day and the night following they consumed in refreshing themselues both with sleepe and victuals The same night tidings being brought to Scanderbeg of the victory of the Croians it gaue him good cause of ioy and gladnesse and he presently imparted these good newes vnto the Princes and peoples his next neighbours But on the other side the enemie was in great sorrow and discontentment and was seene for many dayes to be very sad and pensiue for the notable losse of that daies worke was very hard to be digested hauing lost in that seruice more then 8000. good souldiers but the Croians had verie little losse and without any great slaughter to speake of It is reported that Amurath kept himselfe close shut vp within his tent for two whole dayes together in debating vpon diuerse counsels and opinions with his Captaines and the Visirs his Counsellers But aboue all others young Mahomet shewed himselfe to be notably vexed and discontented his spirit boiling with fury and choller and his youthfull yeares being yet vnacquainted with crosse fortunes and aduersities had turned all his passions of griefe and anguish into meere rage and madnesse From thenceforth he tooke vpon him to deale in all the affaires of the campe with a carefull eye viewing and reuiewing all the seuerall companies he shewed himselfe so greedie of reuenge that he spared not to labour himselfe extreamely both night and day and was verie watchfull at all times to take the aduantage of any fit occasion but principally he had an eie to that side where the Albanois had lately endammaged their campe For there he placed a strong and puissant court of garde and dressed many ambushments and oftentimes would he watch there him selfe whole nightes in proper person to the intent if fortune did present him any good opportunitie to oppresse Scanderbeg he might not escape againe out of his handes But all these his deuises turned to nothing and vanished away as the smoake by the prouident and circumspect cariage of that expert Chiefetaine the Prince of Albany who being from day to day enformed of all thinges either by such as came to render themselues vnto him or by espials sent abroad of purpose he helde himselfe still and quiet in his campe for a season ordering and prouiding for the safetie of his affaires and drawing on his enemies with delayes Notwithstanding he could not endure to remaine long idle but being very desirous that his enterprises shold surpasse all others in glory reputatioÌ„ he aduised him self of a fine stratageme by which he purposed to surprise theÌ„ who were too intentiue to intrap him One night therefore trussing vp his baggage very secretly he remoued his army to a place called Monticlea from whence he might most coÌ„modiously trauel disturbe the enemy He left Moses Tanusee at Tumeâ—ista accompanied with 500. horse only and hauing set downe a certaine and prefixed time course and coÌ„municated his enterprise with them he willed them to set vppon the trenches of the enemy a litle after midnight next ensuing on the same side where he had last inuaded theÌ„ and that assoone as they had but giuen them a false allarme and made a shew of forcing the barriers of their campe they should suddenly and speedily make away without giuing the enemie any meanes to come to handiblowes with them and that himselfe in the meane time hauing set all things in good order and leauing 200. men for the guarde of his campe would on the other side breake in vpon the tentes of the enemie with the residue of his armie According to this conclusion there was little distance of time betweene the allarme made by Moses and the comming of Scanderbeg For assoone as he perceiued the sudden rumour and terrour of the allarme raised by the Dibrian on the other side he bare in with a full and strong carrer and charged them on that part where they litle doubted or suspected In this manner was the campe of the Infidels full of doubt feare and confusion some ranne here some there making great haste on all sides to oppose themselues against the violence of the Christians One of them wakened another crying that they were enuironned and rounde beset with the enemie But as for Moses he did indeede put them in a feare and that was all he did by reason that those souldiers which had beene lately placed in that quarter by Mahomet did easilie repulse them especially such as were most forward But the night hindered them froÌ„ pursuing after him for that they suspected some ambushment which they had good cause to be in doubt of and especially at that time But the dammage that Scanderbeg wrought them cannot be recounted For their campe was on all parts beaten downe and foully deformed and disordered both by sword fire and yet did not this inuasion continue any long time by reason of the sudden comming and readie arriuall of the Turkes whose presence in so great multitudes did soone determine and ende the conflict For the Christians making a retreate durst not hazarde and oppose themselues against so huge forces as were there vnited especially in a place that was so plaine and euen for it was in Tyranna where they gaue this charge vppon the enemie Neuerthelesse when the Christians beganne to retire the Infidels had no great desire to follow after and if they had it might be they should haue paid well for it for this warie and circumspect warrior had placed all his infanterie and 8000. horse neere at hand to the intent they should be as a gard vnto him behind at his backe and should serue against all such casualties as might befall him Of these companies was he receiued in his retreate with great ioy and high cries and clamors and so passing forward they spent the rest of the night in trauelling to their campe It is reported that Scanderbeg did neuer doe anie exploite vppon his enemie with lesse losse and bloudshed for he brought backe all his troupes safe and sounde without the losse of any one man not leauing vnto the Barbarians aniething saue woundes teares and lamentations as the testimonies of his being with them in such sort that this slaughter and foule discomfiture did make them in a manner quite to forget the calamitie of their late losse which they had had before Croy. No man durst from thencefoorth open his mouth vnto the Sultan or to aduise him to any enterprise for this accident hauing succeeded to their so notable infamie did seeme to reproue all their counsels and deliberations both in times past and at that present Wherefore they had recourse in this their
battell and pushed forward the Standard-bearer with his hand telling him that he was but an ill prognosticator vnto himselfe and he saide with a loud voice that it behoued them vpon such an opportunitie to take the aduantage of the time and to charge the enemie that this was no other but the casualtie and inconstancie of the spring time and new season of the yeare namely of the moneth of March and that before they should be able to come to handie-stroakes with the enemie they should see the ayre would waxe cleare and as calme and pleasant as before Whereupon the souldiers being recomforted and interpreting it to be a signe of their owne good fortune they did both mutually encourage one another and they put their leaders likewise in a better hope and comfort By this time the weather being cleared as Scanderbeg had foretolde the brightnesse of the moone-light encreasing with her course and the neerenesse of their troupes did now discouer the approach of the Albanois which hastened on eche mans fortune eyther good or bad The enemie at the first being astonished and vnresolued stoode a while in suspence whether they should fight or flie or whether it were best to temporize The darkenesse of the night did much augment their terrour and the audacitie of the Christians whom they sawe to be aduaunced so farre without their confines and from their owne dwellings On the contrarie this seemed to encourage them and to encrease their hardinesse in that they knewe they were to fight not in the enemies countrie where they might be in feare of ambushments and surprises But the principall point that made them to cast awaie all feare was the multitude and valure of their troupes which was enough euen to make the veriest cowards to be ashamed to thinke of flight Wherefore in the ende Debreas giuing a signe to beginne the fight willed them to goe to the charge and calling to minde his owne great and large promises made to the Ottoman and the instructions giuen him he animated his souldiers and coursing vppe and downe nowe here now there thus did he incense and egge them on more fiercely against the enemie On on braue souldiers quoth he now is the time come that you shall be fully reuenged of your wrongs and repaire the honour which heretofore we haue lost now may you auenge you of your imprisonment of the losse of your fellowes and your owne bloud See how these Champions of the night doe hasten against you see how they come bringing as it were bondes and fetters to manacle your handes They thinke they shall encounter here with their courteous hoast Amese they are perswaded that they shall be fauoured by the vallies of Mocrea and the thickets of Modrissa and these dens starting holes which are the ordinary refuges of theeues and robbers Behold with what securitie and suertie the battell is offered vnto you euen in a manner at home and at your owne doores If your selues will they cannot stand against you neither for valure nor for number and you can not desire a place more fit and conuenient to fight on horsebacke For my part either will I loose my life together with you and here will I rest if not fortunate yet free amongst the dead bodies of my deerest companions or else by your prowes and vertue I will so carrie and demeane my selfe as the seuere iudgement of our Prince shall haue no cause to reproue vs. Goe to then my good friends let euery man be of good courage none did desire this voyage so earnestly as we none did accept the iourney with more ioy and gladnesse If we be conquerors none can expect greater glorie nor greater rewardes then are prepared for vs if we be vanquished as great will be the frownes the scornes and the reproofe which will be laid vpon vs. Thus saying he sent forth a certaine number of souldiers in manner of forlorne hope to skirmish with the Christians and to keepe them play that whilest they did stoppe and hinder their furie and violence himselfe in the meane time might take some sure course vpon the hazard of his whole forces in the maine fight and then afterwards by little and little he came to trie the fortune of the field Scanderbeg on the other side thus spake vnto his men How now my souldiers what a shame is this Haue they that were of late your prisoners taken armes now againe Haue they the courage to oppose themselues against you that were their maisters See these infamous reliques of the campe of Amese they complaine and they cry out against you that you were but bad banquetters For it is the fashion at great banquets and it is the dutie of right banquetters to leaue nothing behind them behold here I see other store also of fresh and new forces with their new Generall what other thing is it then a newe matter and obiect of greater glorie downe with them ouerthrowe them as you were wont you braue Albanois Let not our faintnesse and slothfulnesse cast vs out of the possession of ouâ— wonted good fortune let not our aduersaries haue any occasion to say by our present misfortune that it was Modrissa and the vallies of Mocrea and not we that did of late vanquish them let the plaine and open fieldes giue plaine and apparant proofe of your valiant hearts and vndaunted valure In this manner admonishing and encouraging his companies he tooke especiall care that his souldiers should keepe themselues firme in good â—rray and order of battell to the intent the ranckes might not be confounded and intermingled but might be discerned and distinguished from the enemie And he had this reason especially for that the smaller number being once disordered might easily be forced and ouerthrowen by the greater And because he durst not relie too much vpon the strength of those loose troupes which he had made out to encounter and to beginne the fight with the Barbarians he caused Moses and Amese with a strong squadron of chosen men to make head against the enemie which was comming to giue the onset vpon him doubting least if at the beginning of the battell they in the forefront should happen to be repulsed both his owne people might be the more troubled and terrified and the enemie the better hartened and encouraged As for the rest of his squadrons he kept them close and excellently well ordered in great silence In like case the Infidell either doubting the obscuritie of the night or conforming his counsels to the renour and demeanour of the Christians stirred not at all but with his battell close arraunged and in good array he held himselfe quiet as a beholder of the fight Thus the conflict betweene the vauntcurrours on the one side and the other did seeme to represent as it were a pleasant combat and the two armies on both partes did carefully attend in great doubt the euent and hazard of the battell which it behoued them
increased by them The two champions thus resolute and well assured being furnished with short daggers for longer weapons would not the streightnesse of the place permit made their entry into the field were there left with great silence on all parts It is not to be imagined that here needed any great counsel and aduise or any rare and extraordinarie hardines and resolution but onely a certaine promptitude and readines and a quicke and deliuer agility of the hand Both of them now standing vpon their gard and ech readie to offend the other the Scythian gaue the first charge and onset vpon his enemie against whom dressing and bearing the point of his dagger he stroke at his belly with intent to haue stabbed him Scanderbeg bending his bodie in all partes and bowing it arch-wise almost in forme of a bow with his left hand seized on the right arme of the barbarian and stayed the blow and in the same instant aduancing his poignard at one blow he cut his throat and that with such dexteritie as he deuided all the arteries of it asunder So that with his tongue yet staggering and stuttering in his head he tumbled to the ground litle wanting but that he filled al the place with the massie hugenes of his bodie But being soone and speedily remoued by those that stood neere at hand to behold the fight and diuerse of the Courtiers also flocking together full of ioy and gladnes about the Victor they led him safe and sound vnto the presence of Amurath vnto whome being exceedingly ioyous of his good happe with his hands yet all bloody his champion presented the head of the dead Scythian Then were deliuered vnto him the rewardes ordained for the partie that should obtaine the victorie which he accepted as it were vnwillingly protesting that he did not hazard himselfe in that enterprise neither for gold nor siluer but onely to maintaine the honor of the Court and to represse the arrogancie of the barbarian So great was the modestie of this braue Epirot that thereby he allured vnto him more and more the good will of ech person the naturall bountie and dexteritie of his gentle heart abolishing the enuie and hatred which the excellency of exceeding vertue doth vsually engender in men of his sort and calling I hold it not amisse here in this place also to recount one other exploite which he atchieued with no lesse honor and commendation and with like courage by force of armes At such time as he followed Amurath into Bithynia in a voiage which he made thither rather for his pleasure and recreation then vpon any occasion of warre There were at that time in the citie of Bursa which is at this present the capitall city of the empire of Asia two Persians named Iaia Zampsa being of a very faire goodly stature most sumptuously apparelled as is the manner of that nation they came to seeke out the Turkish Prince demanded entertainment in his seruice Ech of thē pleaded in the behalfe of the other and by magnifying and extolling their owne acts the one sought to further the others sute with mutuall testimonies and soothing vp of ech other that it seemed to proceed more of a kind of impudent and shamelesse audacitie then of any valure or resolution in them At last Zampsa the younger of the two spake vnto Amurath in this manner To the intent most mightie and puissant king it may not be thought that we are come furnished onely with glorious speeches and great wordes to demaund thy pay and that the certaintie thereof being vnknowne vnto thee we be not condemned of vaine arrogancie nor of foolish hardinesse and forward temeritie behold here we are readie to make proofe before thee of our courages if not haughtie yet at least desirous of honor and glorie Though there be here many braue men and full of valure we chalenge them all to take armes that it may be tryed whether we be worthy or vnworthy to liue vnder the commaund of thy greatnesse Then shewing that they had no other armes but their horse sword launce and shield and that their bodies were not otherwise armed they sayed that they would combat only thus appointed Amurath as he was both courteous and gracious after he had spoken vnto them with a kind of benignitie he promised them that they should want nothing which on his part might be conueniently yeelded vnto them And then turning his head and looking here and there round about him he stayed to see if any one would receiue the chalenge But perceiuing that euery man stood still and mute and that all his seruants did by their silence bewray a secret confession and acknowledgement of their faintnesse backwardnes supposing it would be smally for his honor reputation if the presumption of those Persians should so rest vnpunished casting his countenance vpon Scanderbeg as being well acquainted with his hardines and fierce courage by meanes whereof he made no doubt but he would vpon any termes vndertake it though the perill were very doubtfull and hazardous he thus spake vnto him What is thy cause of stay my sonne in whom all vertue and valure doe abound so exceedingly This doth belong to thee and the glorie of this victorie doth tarrie for thee Go to then once againe at this time let the gallantise and brauery of thy youth and thy inuincible arme be made yet more famous and memorable by some notable act in this spectacle Litle entreatie needed to encourage him to this attempt for hauing kissed the prince his feete according to the Turkish custome he called for horse and armour to be giuen him and issuing forth with great applause of the people into the middest of a large plaine appointed for the combat with a braue audacity he called his enemies vnto him demaunding of them what order they ment to obserue in the fight The conclusion was that Iaia should first assay his fortune and if he were victorious that then the fight should be determined but if he were vanquished then his companion should succeede him and at all aduentures to abide the hazard of the like condition Scanderbeg would not refuse their order albeit the kings seruantes who accompanied him into the listes did alleage the inequalitie of the order affirming that it was against reason that the party which had the victorie against the one if he hapned to be either weary or wounded should endure a second enemy fresh and sound notwithstanding after that the presse of people was auoided out of the place the trumpet gaue the signall of the battell and the champions set spurres to their horses fetching a full course ech against the other Then the Persian hauing fastned his lance in the shield of his aduersarie bare himselfe close coutched with all his force full vppon him thinking to haue throwen him from his horse and therewithall he brake his staffe vpon him On the other side the Albanois who ranne
and in this extremity of our affaires not yet altogether desperate and without hope you will succour vs with your victorious Forces Hereunto doe all the princes of Hungarie and of Poland and all good men inuite you Iulian the Cardinall of Sainct Angell intreateth you and so many Catholique and deuout men at armes Christians who are here with vs long since ready in armes and well appointed no other thing doe wee attend then your ensignes This will be a sure meane at this time if you refuse not this fitte opportunitie which God now so graciouslie sendeth vs to vanquishe our common and troublesome enemy and wholly to determine this warre to chase and driue away the Turkes and to dispossesse them of Europe so long time by them occupied and wrongfully vsurped I neede not then as I take it vse any kinde of perswasion vnto you in this cause and quarrell the defence whereof doth purchase vs safety light and liberty Contrariwise being abandoned I will not forehalsen that which may come of it Wee Christians haue beene too too slacke and backeward in doing our deuoyr to helpe and succour each other The flame hath now well neare consumed all of vs yet haue none in the meane time bene aduised or perswaded that this fire would passe on and come neare vnto them selues What doth the estate of the Greekes represent vnto vs and the condition of the Triballians and last of all mine owne losses What Iliade can recount vnto vs all the mischieues wee haue endured and those which doe daily menace vs So many braue and valiaunt Princes the bulwarke and defence of Hungarie which we do loose from time to time aswell in puissant armies consumed and brought to nothing and with one and the same fatall chaunce of warre almost wholly extinguished In such sort that in this Realme from hence forward there is neither family wife nor matrone exempted from bearing a part in this grieuous and lamentable calamity All this and worse by farre do Christian Princes heare of and yet the miserable estate and condition of their Allies can nothing moue any one of them but thus doe they suffer vs on all parts to be exposed to the rage and fury of the common enemies as if we were an offering to be sacrificed to all perils and daungers Onely Eugenius the chiefe Pastor of the Church and Philip Duke of Burgundie are to be excepted who haue not reiected nor refused the burthen of our afflicted and miserable Fortune The one hath sent hither his legate the Cardinall of Sainct Angell with notable and puissant succours and the Duke of Burgoyne with his Army at sea hauing aduentured as farre as Gallipoly doth valiantly hinder the passage of the Turkes into Europe One other hope there is not now farre from vs and that is the succours whereof we are so desirous the which we doe require of you being moued thereunto partly by your valour so well knowen and notorious and partly also in regard of the imminent perill and the hazard of the common affaires which presseth vs all in generall And albeit we are not ignorant of the discommodities which may befall you in this expedition we pray you notwithstanding that they may not withhold and keepe you backe assuring you that as it cannot be but to your great honour so the benefite of this your present desert shall not be bestowed on persons of an vngrate and thankelesse spirite But that which you shall at this time beginne and vndertake for our preseruation and dignity we will from henceforth and euermore continue for your glory and for the increase of your greatnesse God haue you in his keeping From Bude our Capitoll and chiefe city the fourth day of Iuly 1443. By this time had Haly Bassa brought backe the reliques of his defeated army vnto Amurath howbeit that the newes of his desaster oftentimes reiterated had made way before him Some say that he was sharply reproued by the Ottoman who obiected vnto him by way of reproach that it was not likely that so puissant an army could haue bene almost wholly ruinated without some great and notable cowardize or some counsell rash and timerous Sometimes he would exclaime and say that his army was betrayed sometimes he would alleadge that either it was surprized by the negligence of the Generall or that in comming to the encounter they had giuen the aduantage of the place vnto the enemy whereof it proceeded that so great a desaster and misfortune had fallen vpon his people Now albeit Haly Bassa could not deny but hee had bene ouerreached and preuented by our ambushments the which might haue deceiued any man were he neuer so polliticke subtill and circumspect yet did he excuse himselfe neuerthelesse calling his souldiours to witnesse that there was nothing in him to be reprehended but the variable and inconstant chaunce and lotte of Armes and that there wanted neither good order nor discipline nor the aduauntage of place nor the oportunity of charging at a fit and conuenient time Finally that neither the souldiours did faile their Captaine nor the Captaine their souldiours But if it would please his Maiesty to permit him once more to attempt and make triall of his Fortune he would make him to see that he had a deuise and stratageme by which he would bring it to passe that this prosperity of Scanderbeg should proue dolefull and lamentable The vaine promises of the Bassa did soone moue the Sultan who being now more animated then euer was willing that in any case new forces shoulde speedily be prouided if the other Bassaes and Councellours especially Caly Bassa making him to change his aduise had not shewed him That another war of greater difficulty and consequence did fall vpon his shoulders that the enterprise of Epyre might with safety either be deferred or omitted but so could not the tumults of Hungarie but that it behoued him carefully to attend and looke vnto them In the middest of these affaires the letters of King Vladislaus being brought to Scanderbeg were a speciall meane and occasion to moue and induce him to giue him aide and succours For a more honest cause and fitter occasion of warre could not haue bene found then was the same ministred at that time This notwithstanding for that he would determine nothing without the aduise of those with whoseayde he was to serue him selfe vppon all occasions hauing called together his chiefetaines he would that the kings letters should be read openly in full assembly of a generall councell And there was not any one who did disalow of that warre for that the excessiue greatnesse of the Ottoman Empire encreasing from day today did animate euery one with the spurres of wrath and indignation and did sollicite their mindes almost trembling and quaking for feare of more grieuous inconueniences and did ad mouish all the world of the vnfortunate condition of the Christians and of the former fortune sometimes inuincible of the Hungarians
daunger they might make all of them in particular to yeeld an accompt and reckoning of their iorney so vnaduisedly vndertaken At the first Castriot seemed to be somewhat cheared concerning his counsailes and determinations by reason that these tydings seemed to giue fitte occasion and oportunitie for his affaires but after that hee had more particularly enquired of the peasant touching the estate of all things howe the Campe of the enemie was seated and in what manner he carried him selfe then extolling and praysing the prudence of Mustapha he began to admire him and from thencefoorth he iudged that it would stand him vppon from that time forwarde to be better aduised and to looke vnto him selfe and his affaires more nearely and narrowly Hereuppon being not willing to attempt anie thing rashly calling his armie round about him and standing in the middest so as he might well be heard of them all he spake vnto them in this fashion I was wont my companions and copartners in Armes to giue counsell and to set downe the course and order of our affaires but nowe it standeth both you and me vppon to take counsell together touching the state of our matters and the manner of our proceedings against the enemie and this euerie one of you will easily acknowledge if you do but looke into the euent of matters the which in case where reason is not of sufficient force is the chiefe maister and director We were giuen to vnderstand that the Turkes as robbers and free-booters without any order or conduct without any regard did wander vp and downe the fields flying hither and thither as men that did feare any thing more then our comming For this cause by my perswasion and procurement vnder my conduct here are you come with this honorable intent and purpose to inuade and set vpon them with your forces it is not needful that I tell you what new counsels and directions the happy oportune comming of this man hath brought vs you haue heard himself recount what the enemie doth how they do demeane thēselues One thing there is which no man can denie if you consider the purpose and drift of Mustapha both in the fashion of his encamping and in the fortification and defence thereof with men well armed appointed you shall soone vnderstand that he carieth not towards you the countenance nor mind of a robber as it may be you supposed but of a most aduised warie enemie For this cause in my opinion it is requisit that you carrie yourselues more considerately with a better deliberation against your enemies then it seemeth you were determined Let vs leaue them alone that are abrode on foraging lest that in offering occasion to their Captaine to issue out of his trenches who looketh for no better aduātage we do giue them the oportunitie of an easie victorie against vs for whilest we out of order dispersed and in disarray shall thinke to pursue them as they be scattered and disordered it is to be feared lest we being double charged by the enemie be ouerthrown by thē and without all remedie cut in peeces it is better that we issue forth all at once with our whole puissance and that we breake in vpon the rampiers of their fortresse the which if our valor and resolution as it is accustomed shall happen to carrie or if we may put their Generall to flight or may get his head he being slaine to present and make shew thereof to the rest of the Barbarians to appall them which God almight for his mercy grant vs there is no doubt but without any danger you shall to your endlesse honor attaine to your desire in each of these respects For the residue of these free-booters some of them being excluded and separated from the succours of their companions and others of them being on all sides besieged by your forces they will be at your mercie either aliue or dead as your selues shal please to dispose of them But in any case my good soldiers take you heed that the filthie auarice desire of pillage do not carrie you away in the sacking and spoile of the campe for many are the examples that with great shame and dishonor this hatefull humor and affection of couetousnesse hath oftentimes taken away the victories out of the hands of the victors hath giuen it to the enemy when they haue bene quite ouerthrowne discomfited This counsell of the Generall was vniuersally liked and allowed and it was put in execution and followed with the consent of all the soldiers The troupes therefore being marshalled and ordered according to the Art and skil of armes they were drawne forth of the secret and close vallies into the open and plaine fields they did now discouer thēselues to the wards scouts of the Turks who from the tops of the mountaines by the fiers mounting vp on high did giue notice of their comming to those within the fortresse Then was heard the sound noise of the trumpets to the great griefe of those men of armes who were dispersed abroad in the champion and were busied in spoyling and pilling of the countrey Many of them retired vppon the summons and were receiued within the trenches before that our men could get neare them and others as they were making hast to enter were sore troubled and terrified The noise and cry of the enemies soldiers sounding and fearing them with the name of Scanderbeg Many whom the sodaine and speedy comming of the Albanois did finde without at the entry of the Fort were excluded and shut out And being ouercharged with the spoile and prey of the countrey they found them selues likewise charged with their enemies On all sides was the assault giuen to the trenches and at the first charge in a manner their cariages and baggage which they hadde made as a Barricado to their fort and the Targatiers that guarded the place were ouerthrowen and cast downe with an exceeding great noise and confusion both of those that were excluded of our men who striued pell mell to enter with them All of them made way indifferently and alike and all places were full of enemies mixt together The presse was so great and the place so straight that there was no vse of dartes nor yet of shot The fight was more hand to hand and they found it more aduauntage to vse the sword and certaine Mases of iron a short kinde of weapon which the Turkes did often vse in battell It was a strange kinde of fight to see the Turks fighting with their swords in one hand and their fatall booty in the other So greedy is that people of catching proling of any thing whatsoeuer The Christians encreasing still in fury and fiercenesse did eagerly presse vppon them more and more and without intermission did on al parts put them to vtterance filling the whole place with feare and slaughter till such time as Mustapha who kept in the safest
torment the conscience of good men nor is more curiously respected by men of warre before they come to fight with their enemy thē to enquire the iustice of the quarrell that they may be resolued whether they shall not contend with God aswell as men for my part my good citizens I am content therfore that if any of you do thinke that my motion in the vndertaking of this war be to be condemned of rashnes or temeritie or if you do thinke me to be too greedie and desirous of new warres troubles I shall be well pleased I say neither will I hinder it if presently you trusse vp baggage and that we returne euery man to his home For I am not he that would traine you by force to hazard your persons I know not wherfore neither do I desire in this troublesome estate of my affaires and chiefest tumults of Epire of an obstinate minde to seeke new quarrels and causes of contention with the segniorie of Venice If therefore my attempt and purpose be exempted free from blame and the causes of this warre doe seeme vnto you iust and necessarie then is it your part also and none but you haue reason as being interested in the cause to effect by your vertue and couragious perseuerance that the happie end euent do shew and testifie your armes to be accompanied with right and equitie For nothing can be more reprochfull to him that is nobly minded neither can anie thing be more repugnant to the dignitie and maiestie of a Prince then to suffer by timorousnesse and pusilanimitie his right to be vsurped by an other and to holde as a man would say his finger vnder his girdle when he knoweth his right is not to be had but by force of armes There is none of you but knoweth the hartie amitie and the inwarde conuersation which was euer betweene me and the Seignior Lech Zacharie whose death being no lesse cruell then grieuous hath stirred on all parts so many troubles and that he and I induced thereunto by other mutuall affection did with one consent set downe this as a lawe inuiolable that which soeuer of vs two should first decease without issue should be seized by the compact and the right of suruiuorship of the other his heritage dominions Now the Venetians haue gotten his lands and I am left heire only of his teares to lament the iniquity of his fortune Did not I by this agreemēt hazard the renouncing of my own patrimony if my accident as the danger of death is cōmon to all men had taken me first away out of this life I haue no reason therefore neither am I determined to giue ouer the warre except God being against me I be put to the worst or that I be inuested in the quiet possessiō of Dayna for none but fooles can blame me for this war whereunto so good reason so honest a cause doth perswade me Let no man maruell to see me in armes against Christians against the Venetians against my next neighbors seeing they haue giuen me so iust an occasion themselues haue in a manner put the weapons into my hands True it is we do with a streight siege presse the towne countrie of our owne kinsmen of our owne bloud alliance but yet we do it not with so ill an intention as they imagine neither are we lead thereunto either vpon a greedie desire of cōmaund Empire or delight of murther and bloudshed but only to wring that citie out of the hands of our aduersary and to draw the vngratefull inhabitants at the least to a confession acknowledgement of their error and obstinacie We are come to fight with the enemie who hath first prouoked vs by diuers acts of hostilitie Resolue you therefore in your courage with an assured honest resolution to maintaine your honor and reputation It may seeme that the souereignty of Dayna being propounded for the reward of the cōqueror should giue sufficient ample occasion to take armes but let not I pray you any such conceipt enter into your thoughts for these are cōmonly the baites to allure ambitious minds they are entisements of the base popular vulgar sort The only desire of praise and commendation is sufficient to animate stirre on those which are valiant and yet if you obtain this daies victory al shal be yours without controuersie For the enemie being chased away and the besieged seeing their hope to be frustrate which they had in their cōpanions being pressed with extreame famine they will soone open their gates to receiue you in as cōquerors As touching the victory I need not say any thing vnto you who haue always accustomed to be victors if they against whō you are now to make proofe of your valure be a new enemy so is it a new kind of glory that doth now attend you Doe the Venetians surpasse you in number be it the honor which you haue purchased in so many battels where you haue alwaies bin the lesser number hath euer heretofore made you famous the free and gentle heart doth disdain to ouercome when euery mans deuoire cannot be seene where he can not purchase particular praise and commendation againe what aduantage haue they in that their number is greater then ours Seeing as there is amongst them diuersitie of languages variety of habits a different vse in armes so is there as great diuersity and disagreement in their mindes and courages and as their army is compounded of many and sundrie Nations as Sclauonians Italians Albaneezes so are they diuerse in fashions and with a confused kinde of ignorance followe vnder one and the same colours their crie and noyse in the fight will be of diuerse and sundrie sounds and much lesse auaileable will be the encouragements of their leaders March on therefore my good souldiers and in the very entrie and beginning of the battell valiantly doe you beate backe repulse and disperse these enemies who are better disposed to the flight then to fight and see that you doe nowe renewe by the honour of this dayes iourney the glorious renowne of so manie trophees and victories which you haue heretofore gotten and obtained vppon the Turkes Neuerthelesse I would not that you should carie your selues towardes these as against other enemies but rather that you vse more moderation and lesse choller and that being inclined to mercie and clemencie you doe labour rather to haue them all prisoners then to haue them slaughtered in the fieldes In anie case doe you not either through intemperate furie of warre or the heate of your anger and indignation pollute and defile your victorious handes with the bloud of those who shall yeelde and render themselues to your mercies For it is not with Barbarous fierce and sauage Nations that we haue now to deale but with Christians against whom we are to contende according to the rights and lawes of armes with equitie and iustice and onely to
horsemen all ouer the fieldes did destroy the vines and other things bearing frute throughout the countrey He dismarched therefore with as great secrecie as was possible and being arriued within a three myles off the Barbarian he chose out foure thousand good and strong horse to charge vpon him in the open and plaine fields All his foote forces and the residue of his horsemen he left with Moses and placed them on a high hill neare to the high waye where he was in hope that the enemie should passe and he willed him that if he saw the Infidels to flie that way our of order dispersed he should suddenly fall in vpon them and charge them most fiercely but if he did perceiue them to hold good and to stand firme maintaining the fight with equall fortune and valure and without mouing that then he should speedily come forward with his companies and ioyne himselfe to his forces and he doubted not in case the enemie durst abide him either to make him pay for it and to buy his resistance verie deare or else to driue him to a most shamefull dishonorable flight For their flight he was nothing at all deceiued but for the rest it fell out otherwise then he expected for Sebalias being aduertised of the comming of the Christians by the sentinels which he had set to watch of purpose vpon a signe giuen had made all his forces to gather together and to keepe neare vnto him excepting some few scattered a farre off who became an easie prey to the Albanois And before that he had any sight of the enemie he poasted thence by another way and not by that where he knew Scanderbeg was marching Thus was there nothing done at that time worthy the speaking and the rather for that Castriot kept his forces from following after them in regard that his footemen were not able without excessiue toyle trauell to endure so long a iorney in pursuing them Besides that the perpetuall care of Croie did greatly restraine his forwardnes and fierecnes and he held it more wisedome to reserue his armie in good plight for the continuall wants and necessities of the towne On the one side therfore the Turkish Chieftaine returned to Amurath with great ioy and contentment for that he had so abused Scanderbeg and kept him all that day from troubling of their trenches on the other side the Epirot returned his campe extremely grieued because he had lost that oportunitie and through that perplexity of his mind which he tooke for Croy from whence he was not accustomed so farre to absent himselfe The report goeth that he met with many vpon the way who gaue him notice of the Turkish Commissaries being abroad for victuals and of the conuoy which they had prouided for the safe conduct of the same Whereupon disguising himselfe out of hand in simple attire an ordinarie policie which he vsed in the warres and being attended with a hundreth souldiers in the same habit he followed those victuallers by the tract where they had passed and hauing learned by what way they were to returne he put himselfe with his companie in an ambuscado Then sent he two of his souldiers men of good iudgement and experience to go to Lyssa willing them to get notice and to beare good espiall vpon the troupes of the enemie and carefully to obserue whether in their returne they did take any other way then that by which they had passed thitherwards and if they did they should poast away with all speede to giue him intelligence of it But these victuallers returning the same way they went fell into the hands of Scanderbeg who hauing slaine some of them tooke the others prisoners The corne the beasts and carriage horses he conueyed to his campe where he distributed the booty amongst his souldiers This done Moses returning backe to the campe besides Isme brought thither those other troupes of foote of which he had the leading Whilest Amurath did carefully and with great diligence set forwarde his mines against Croy so much the more carefull was he and neuer ceased to molest the besieged with often and continuall allarmes and skirmishes to the intent that by keeping them busied in the defence of their walles they might be the lesse able to discouer the drift of his new deuises and his secret practises during the which he receiued diuerse messages the one acquainted him with the discomfiture of his victuallers the taking of his corne and how all things else had passed the other from Alchia brought him newes of certaine corne which was comming out of Macedon So that as the latter gaue him cause of ioy and contentment so the former did renue his wonted griefe discontentments But the one being partly a recompence for the other the Turkes were not much moued at the matter but laying aside the care of all other matters for that instant the souldiers applyed all their care and studie that the new supply of prouisions might be brought in safetie to their campe Wherefore with the consent of their Prince there were appointed 20000. of the strongest and most able men of their whole armie for a conuoy of those other victuals to the intent those also should not be made a prey to the Christians as the other had lately bene for default of a good and strong conuoy to safeconduct them But Scanderbeg was at that time sufficiently busied in conueying his bootie towards his owne campe for that he might the better auoide the enemie and not any way encounter with him in his returne he fetched a long compasse about by diuerse by wayes and with great discommoditie and paines he draue the beasts loaden with the prey through the roughest and hardest streights that he could chuse within the mountaines which was an occasion of no small wearines and toile vnto him and made him to spend long time in his returne and yet if he had bene freed from that cariage and though all his forces had bene present with him and in a readines I do not think that he would for all that haue bene so desirous to pursue and set vpon the enemie as to hazard himselfe against so mightie and puissant a multitude All this while was Moses in great incertaintie and perplexitie for the prince of Epire by reasō he was certified by good espials of the departure of those troupes out of the campe of the Turkes And he was in doubt least they were prepared for his confusion wherefore he sent forth some light horsemen who with all diligence and celeritie and with great iornies should go seeke out Scanderbeg and to aduertise him of this particular But they had no tidings of him till he was returned to his people charged with the spoiles of his slaine enemies and the graine which he had taken from them Likewise the Mahomatistes without any lette or disturbance made a speedie returne with their corne victualles and other prouisions to their campe By meanes whereof being
raigne and Empyre from the which there is scarce any age or person exempted but hath some instinct and naturall motion thereunto Afterwards when it happeneth that the Emperour is deceased or that it is thought that his death is not farre off the Bassaes and others who are of greatest power and authoritie both with the people and in the gouernment of the estate doe send away speedie poastes and letters to the one and other of the sonnes of the Prince last deceased according as eche man is particularlie affected and they doe from point to point aduertise him of all things willing him to hasten his comming that he may get the possession of the crowne and seate himselfe in the succession of the Empyre then readie to fall voide and emptie It is a sport to see with what contention these great men doe studie to surprize the packettes and curriers of each other whilest that euerie one of them laboureth to get the scepter to that partie to whom he is most affected and euerie one doth his best and worst to beguile his companion Nowe when these young Princes are thus sollicited with what vehemencie with what fancies and affection they do come poasting from all partes to beare away the prize thus in question I leaue it to your imagination Certaine it is that he amongst them all that can first get to the streights of Gallipolie or Hellespont he commonly is the man that obtaineth the soueraignitie of the Empire for that the Ianissaries comming to meete and to salute him doe afterwardes all at leasure easily and quietly put him in possession of the kingdome The other brethren are forthwith eyther banished or exiled out of all the territories and limits of their dominions or else are cruelly and vnnaturally slaine and murthered for feare least there should remaine so me cause of ciuill tumults and sedition Hence is deriued that prouerbe vsed by the auncients That more fortunately are children borne to priuate persons then to Princes But now of all this nothing could happen in this manner vnto Mahomet for neither had he any brethren of sufficient age eyther fit to gouerne the Realme or able to attempt or to obtaine the kingdome neither did he returne as a priuate person out of Asia but with a most strong and mightie armie which he brought backe out of the enemies countrie where he had bene before saluted and proclaymed King and Emperor by the vniuersall consent of all the souldiers in generall For this cause he came peaceably and quietly to the Empire without any commotion without any danger or difficultie and with the exceeding ioy and incomparable gladnesse of the whole Communaltie Now had they forgotten the losse of their late deceased Prince and all griefe and sorrowe for his death was vanished together with his memorie The calamities and slaughters lately receiued in Epyre and the obsequies and funeralles of their companions were nowe cleane worne out of minde and there was scarce any one by reason of this newe pompe and tryumphe which did apperceiue or obserue the poore reliques of their miserable defourmed armie or that did remember by reason they were so drowned in ioy what goodly forces and what strong squadrons they had sent into Epyre in respect of those which were thence returned and were brought home againe The new Monarke whose delight was in bloudshed and cruelty as much as any that euer raigned thought it good to looke to his affaires and to prouide for the security of his estate and he had an intention to settle some of them in good assurance and of others to make a change and innouation The first deede that he did was to make diligent inquisition if he could finde any other aliue besides himselfe that was descended from the loines of Amurath vpon whom after the maner of his predecessors he might poure out the venome of his hatefull ambition There were found two infants the one called Tursines of the age of eighteene moneths the other was called Calepin The former was cast into the water and drowned by the expresse commaundement of Mahomet who gaue it in charge to Moses one of his Bassaes to see it executed and he without any difficulty or relenting did easily yeeld to assist so execrable a spectacle The mother of the infant detesting the deede and exclaiming vppon the brutishnes of the fact with howlings and horrible cries intermingled with continuall tears and lamentations did poure out a thousand curses against the author of the murther being there in presence The tyrant to appease his mother in law did deliuer into her hands in expiation of his Parricide him that was the executioner and shee full of rage and extreame fury with a knife stabbed him to the heart euen in the presence of Mahomet and then ripping vp his body shee diued searched into his bowels for his heart which hauing found shee pulled it forth cast it the dogs A most worthy and notable lesson for men of a corrupt mind who can be content to staine their consciences and to prostitute them selues and their affections to serue the furious passions of great men and princes As concerning the other child named Calepin the common report is that Caly Bassa to get the good wil of Mahomet such is the inconstancy of mortall men who do gladly follow the fortune of the most puissant did present the infant vnto him being then but of the age of six moneths and the only ioy and delight of his mother the widow of Amurath who in his second mariage with this woman the daughter of one Sponderbeg the noble Prince of Penderacia had begottē this yong infant had committed him to the custody of this Bassa and recōmended him to his especial care at such time as he drew neare his end Mahomet being enformed by womē of good knowledge that he was of the linage of his father caused him speedily to be strangled and then with great magnificence celebrated his obsequies at Bursa by this means consecrating the first fruits and beginnings of his cruel Empire with the bloud of his owne brethren How beit others write that Caly Bassa did prefer another childe in stead of Calepin who was still nourished and brought vp in Constantinople amongst the Greekes and that afterwards in the shipwracke and ruines of that noble city he with some others being left aliue was conueied thence and that in the end during the Papacy of Calixtus the third he was entertained at Rome in the Vatican where being instructed in the true religiō regenerat in holy baptisme he wēt after that to the court of the Emperour Fredericke in Almaine of whom being receiued according to the honor due vnto so great a Prince he spent the rest of his daies in Austriche You see what diuersity there is between writers in this behalfe notwithstanding in my iudgement it hath no great likelihood or probability that Amurath should be able to
profite and commoditie Wherefore the trumpet sounding speedily to horse no man shewed him selfe backward in executing the commaundement of their Generall but all of them testifying by their high cryes and clamours that they did approue the new decree and conclusion of the Councell in a moment trussed vp their baggage and with Ensignes displaied beganne to march forwarde Amese likewise was not much discontented with this their resolution but being of a cherefull and good courage against all casualties and occurrences he imagined there would be litle or no daunger for a day or two of anie alarmes or attemptes made by Scanderbeg howbeit that in matters of warrefare those counsailes which did forecast and doubt most daungers and which were most warie and politique did continually more please and like him then anie others because euen in the least errour and ouersight there consisted no small weight and importance And therefore he admonished the Bassa to proceede in these affaires prudently and with good order and direction for feare least by the immoderate couetousnesse of the souldiers their prey and bootie might not onely turne to their infamie but might also proue lamentable vnto his people All these thinges therefore were carefully regarded the battallions and squadrons were wisely ordered and deuided into diuerse partes with a streight and expresse charge and commaundement that no man vppon payne of death should disranke nor disbande him selfe out of the battell where he had his place assigned him without the speciall leaue and license of the Generall albeit they should happen to see all the wealth and riches of Epyre before their eyes for that where time should serue they should haue free libertie to take whatsoeuer they could seize vppon The souldiers for that time shewed themselues verie conformable and obedient in that which was commaunded them till such time as their couetous fingers itching at the faire shew of the goodly things forbidden them did finde fit matter whereupon to seize and to lay hold But before the departure of the armie the Bassa hauing made his prayers to God that he would vouchsafe to graunt him the grace to be able to tame the insolencie of the Albanois and to obtaine the honour of all those trophees and victories befallen to Scanderbeg for so manie yeares together he called Amese vnto him who was then ordering and disposing of his regiment and after he had openly graced him with manie goodly prayses and commendations he caused him by the voices of the souldiers to be proclaimed king of Epyre and with a long and superfluous inuectiue detesting and disgracing Scanderbeg and all his worthy deedes and notable exploites Amese refused not this good fortune but from thence forward he shewed himselfe prompt and cherfull in all his doing dispatching his affaires with singular diligence and currying the fauour and good will of the people both in deedes and in words These things thus done the hoast of the Barbarians hauing sent forth their vantcurrours to discouer and beate ouer the plaine countrie did now beginne to march forwarde part of their baggage being put before in the vaward and part following in the rereward of their armie The way which they tooke was by the conduct and direction of Amese to that part of Epyre which lyeth to the Eastward of Croy and was distant from thence about 80. miles the which for that it was least furnished with forces did seeme to be more easily exposed to prey and pillage besides they had an intention also that as their troupes should approch neerer vnto the walles if occasion did so serue they might all vnder one make themselues Lordes of the towne Neuerthelesse by reason of the continuall and vehement heate they went not farre that day neither did they finde vppon the fieldes any the least recompence of their paine and trauell so wilde and wast did the countrie appeare on all partes as if it had beene a meere and solitarie desart This made the Mahometan to redouble his feare and suspition besides that the ambition of the man did mightily trouble and torment him least that the Christian eyther by his absence or by his continuall delayes refusing the fight should constraine him to returne vnto Constantinople without any purchase or increase of honour and reputation For there was no kinde of bootie to be found at all which ordinarily is esteemed to be a part of the victorie neither had they any ready meanes without artillerie to get them any honour by the besieging of any townes As for the wasting and spoiling of the corne frutes and trees the burning and fireing of townes and such like calamities being the ordinarie appendants of the warres they are commonly and oftentimes reserued to the last and extreame rigour for that in very deede they doe seeme rather to testifie and to declare a certaine rage and furie then any benefit or commoditie of reuenge Besides they had some hope also such as it was to come to fight with Scanderbeg and to bring the Prouince vnder their subiection if so be he durst present himselfe to the combat And these it may be were the especiall causes and considerations that detained and withheld them from such acts of hostilitie The heate of the sunne growing by litle and litle to be abated by reason of her declyning towards the West the sweete and pleasant shade yeelded great refreshing to the bodies of the souldiers who were sore wearied and well neere spent with extreamitie of heate of harde trauell and long iournyes To the intent therefore they might take the benefite of so sweete a refreshing they doubled their way and began to ride a good round trot But the Bassa commaunded them to make a stand not daring to passe on any further by reason that the night approached and drew neere In the meane time him selfe in person with part of his armie encamped on an high mountaine which lay aloft on the left hand after he had first caused Amese and certaine horsemen to take a viewe of the conueniencie and situation of the place The residue of his armie was lodged all alongest the valley and in other places in as great safetie as might be and there was ordained good watch and warde seuerall courtes of garde being placed both in the plaine and vppon the mountaines round about especially on that side that lay towardes Lissa and which they most suspected In this place the night being thus spent and consumed the next day by the common aduise and consent of them all they purposed to take their iourney into * Emathia Here hath it beene auerred by some writers that certaine Peysants of the countrie of Albanie were surprised as they descended vndiscreetely out of the forrests next adioyning and being put to tormentes for feare of death they did reueale manie of Scanderbeg his secretes For you must note that there be in Epyre manie mountaines full of such huge thickets so wooddie and so difficult of accesse that the
and newly shed wherewith both all Greece and the fieldes of Hungary are now ouerflowen Shall we recompence the late losse of Morea with such a peace shall we with a most base and cowardly truce shame and disgrace that notable victory and the late glory of the Hungarians before Belgrade let Mahomet as long as he will seeke for peace as for vs we will purchase our quietnes by the sword and hauing once gotten and attained it we will by the sword likewise seeke to maintaine it and the rather for that it is not only your excessiue iniuries or your notorious disloialty but a certaine naturall disposition that hath made vs your enemies the hatred wherwith the one of vs is armed and hardened against the other is perpetual and immortall For my part I am your enemy euen by birth by natiuity and the enmity which I beare you is hereditary my desire is not so much to get me honor reputatiō vpon you as to seeke the iust deserued reuenge of the bloud of my friends which you haue shed and of the bondage both of my selfe and my people the Albanians and I am fully resolued neuer to make an end of these my trauels till such time as I haue either restored my citizens to their auncient estate or rendred this my life vnto you to whō it is so hatefull All this could not make the Saniacke to desist from his pursuite but putting him in mind of the variable succes of wars withall repeating vnto him many accidents of diuers ages and times past as fit examples to that purpose and effect he told him that if he did take so great a pleasure were so desirous of war he might after the truce was once expired returne to armes and that he could neuer want occasion to reuiue the wars that he demanded only truce for ten yeares during the which time the forces courages of the Albanians might be greatly repaired and might be the better able to attaine to a more notable reuenge and to purchase themselues new honor reputation Scanderbeg by litle and litle suffred himselfe to be perswaded he began somwhat to relent from his first obstinacy seeming to hearken more willingy to the demands of the Saniacke Neuertheles he would not in any case yeeld to any abstinency of arms not so much as for a moneth only except that both Sfetigrade and Belgrade might be yeelded vnto him for a recompence Thus without any thing concluded did Messeit and his companions returne to their owne country howbeit he had truce granted till such time onely as he had acquainted the Turkish Monarch with the conditions propounded by Scanderbeg in case the peace proceeded There were many other Turkes permitted to depart in the company of the Saniacke besides those 40. which were ransomed vnto whom the king of Epire did freely and of the magnanimity of his owne mind grant their liberty suffring them without ransome to returne into their country the rest also which remained were deliuered out of prison some of them becomming Christians and being baptized did plant themselues to dwel in Epire the residue were dipersed abroad for presents in a maner to all the kings of christendome to the kings of France and Spaine besides those slaues was sent a great quantity of horses and other spoiles of all sorts and to other Princes were sent other the like presents The citie of Rome as it had bin filled with the renowme of this victory so was it replenished with many of the trophees ornamēts of the same Thus did Scanderbeg determine to the vttermost of his power to bind vnto him by his curtesie almost the whole world Together with these giftes and presents did he send solemne ambassades who had giuen them in charge to exhort all Princes Christian to concord and amity and earnestly to pray them that they would now at the length awake out of their long dead sleepe and that they would chase away that mist of darknes wherewith they had bin so blinded and consider more aduisedly the imminent ruine which was threatned to the Christian liberty and religion that they would at the last seeke to redeeme it from the miserable and wretched yoke and seruitude of the Infidels Mahometans otherwise they should be well assured that the plague which by litle and litle did grow within their bowels would in the end pierce into their hearts Scanderbeg sent also which I may not omit diuers presents vnto his great friend Alphonsus which were so magnificent that they caried the shew of a very beautifull and goodly triumph Amese his nephew was sent also together with these presentes vnto Naples where he was kept in a most straight and close prison for the Sultan tooke no care for his deliuerance and if he had made any such motion I doe assure my selfe that all the golde of the world would not haue redeemed him for he was condemned to perpetuall imprisonment The mind last resolution of the king of Epire touching the treaty of the peace between them being related vnto Mahomet he esteemed so slightly of the matter that he would not vouchsafe him any aunswere such was the haughtines and fiercenes of his minde notwithstanding that he were hard pressed on all sides with infinite affaires of great importance both from the partes of Hungary and by daily diets and assemblies which he knew very well were continually gathered against him throghout all christendome by the procurement and earnest meanes of the Popes holines He prouided therefore a most strong and puissant garrison to be sent into Epire for the surety of his countrey according to that which as we lately told you had bin before decreed in his priuat and secret councell Hamur and Synam had the charge of this commission both of them being expert and polliticke warriours and ech of them had 10000. horse and 4000. foote which number was iudged to be sufficient both to weary out the forces of Epire and to haue terrified euen a most stout and puissant enemy notwithstanding ech of them was expresly forbidden to attempt any thing against him whatsoeuer occasion and oportunity were offered them only he recommended vnto them gaue them in charge to looke to the defence of those limits which were assigned vnto thē The whole sommer being spent in this maner both on the one side the other it was now about the middest of Autumne at which time these troups being dislodged from Constantinople the report thereof preuented their cōming was brought to the eares of Scanderbeg who was ignorant of all this practise for that he relied vppon the word of the Saniack he did expect some answer from the Sultan whether he would either accept or reiect the summe of his demaunds for this cause departing from Croie with all speed possible he went presently into Dibria where hauing leauied new forces renued his old companies he attended the aduersary
two soules the one of them I haue vowed to God only the other I will giue to him that is willing to haue it and from thenceforth he perswaded with the Queene who of her selfe was sufficiently vnconstant to become the extreame enemie of Pope Vrban and Maister Nicolas was the chiefe Counseller and principall procurer of the proceeding of the election of Pope Clement Thus you may see howe great and waâ—ghtie a matter it is to outrage or iniurie any man of a haughtie spirit and of a great courage Vrban hauing made peace with the Florentines Perusians and others that had rebelled against Gregorie the eleuenth his predecessour bent and emploied all his endeuours and deuises how to reuenge himselfe vppon the Queene of Naples insomuch as by a solemne iudgement he depriued her of her realme and Kingdome in regard of manie crimes and offences and especially for that she had fauoured and maintained the Schisme and had yeelded her obedience to Pope Clement Hereuppon he inuested Charles of Duras with the Kingdome and crowne of Naples and he wrote his letters vnto the King of Hungarie with whom the sayed Charles was then abiding That he should send him vnto him and that he would crowne him and put him in possession of that Kingdome On the other part Clement the Antipope not thinking himselfe safe enough at Aniow for feare of the armie of the Romaines which had alreadie taken the field he speedily sent a message vnto the Queene willing her to send him certaine forces and a good and sufficient conuoy to conduct and bring him safe vnto Naples but the Neapolitans being aduertised of his comming betooke themselues to their armes and with great tumult they told the Queene plainely that they meant not to be troubled with two Popes at once not to enter into the warre vppon that cause and quarrell She therefore and Clement retired to the castell where hauing fortified themselues for certaine daies and in the end finding that it would not be for their benefit to soiorne or stay any longer in Naples the Queene caused three gallies to be trimmed and made readie in two of the which she imbarked Clement and his Cardinals and her selfe getting abord the third and with a prosperous gale of winde hauing put to sea in few dayes arriued safe vnto Auignion Clement being visited in great honour and reuerence by the French men and the processe of the two Popes being seene and examined by the parliament of Paris he was pronounced to be the true and lawfull Pope and Vrban was denounced to be no Pope but a Scismatique in such sort that both the kings of France and of Arragon did so take and acknowledge him and did yeelde him their obeissance and soueraigne honor In like manner the Queene Ione being roially entertained honored did receiue great and rich giftes but principally of Lewes Duke of Aniow the second sonne of Iohn king of France whereupon she seeing her selfe to be a sole woman and without any issue and more then that being truely enformed of the practises and enterprises of Charles of Duras and the Bishoppe of Rome who did daily multiply and increase in strength and puissance she did adopt the saide Prince for her sonne and ordained him to be the heire and inheritour of her kingdome giuing the same expressely vnto him after her decease and Clement by his authoritie did approue and allow the donation made by the Queene and in the yeare 1379. there were made letters Pattentes and authenticall Charters to that effect This was the first ground and foundation of the rights which the second discent of the house of Aniow did for a long time pretend vnto the realme of Naples These thinges being fully established and concluded Ione returned to Naples whilest that Vrban in the meane time persisting continually in his depriuation of the Queene and the inuestiture of Charles of Duras did earnestly and vehemently sollicite the King of Hungarie both by letters and by agents to set forwarde that enterprise and he pressed him so much the more for that Charles being then with a great and puissant armie of Hungarians vpon the confines of Treuisa against the Venetians by the direction of the Hungarian King who was confederate with the Genowaies and the Siegniour of Padua against the state of Venice he was alreadie in a manner at the end of the iourney Charles being fully enformed and verie well acquainted with the intent and pleasure of the King and verie desirous to reuenge the death of his vncle but much more greedie desirous of so rich a crowne in the yeare 1380. tooke his iourney with eight thousand Hungarians and a thousand Italians and came to Rome where Vrban receiued him with the greatest pompe and triumph that can be imagined and created him Senator which is the chiefest degree of honour amongst the Romanes Afterwardes the yeare following hauing strengthened himselfe with many other companies especially with the armie of the church he marched directly towardes Naples into the which by meanes of his practises with the Citizens he entred at one of the gates whilest that Otho being accompanied with the Queenes forces did issue out at another gate of purpose to affront and fight with him In conclusion being possessed of the towne and consequently of the whole realme and especially of the person of the Queene he caused her by the iudgement and direction of the King of Hungarie who had expresly written vnto him to that effect to be executed and put to death in the same place and with the same kind of punishment which she not long before had caused Andrew her husband most wickedly to endure and suffer Her sister the Ladie Marie was executed in like manner being at that time the widdowe of Robert late Countie of Artois to whom she had bene a most disloiall and vnchast wife and was greatly defamed for her dishonest familiaritie with Master Iohn Bocace so greatly renowmed amongest the Italians for his eloquence and great learning who in fauour and commendation of this Ladie made those two elegant bookes in the vulgar Italian entitled Flammette Philocole The affaires of Naples being setled in good order Charles returned to Rome where he was annointed and crowned King by Vrban with great solemnitie and triumph Yet for all this were not the troubles appeazed nor suppressed in those countries for the Duke of Aniow Lewes hauing bene before solicited by the Queene and being supported both by Clement and also by the French both to ayde and succour that vnfortunate Princesse as also to disposesse Vrban of the Papacie being readie to march with an armie of thirtie thousand men or as some say of fiue and fiftie thousand notwithstanding the death of Ione he entred into Italie in the pursuite of his owne right and title and comming into the kingdome of Naples he passed as farre as Apulia vpon the territorie