alone be fought vvith but ouercome Where ioyning in Battell vvith the Christians in the sayde Gulfe of Corinth vpon the Nones of October GOD giueing vs the victorie the Turkes vvere vvhollie discomfited and enforced to flye Their great Admirall shippe taken Haly Bassa slaine and some thousands of Captiue Christians vvho wer slaues in the Turkish Fleet sett at libertie For vvhich Victorie generallie thorough Europe there vvas thanks publickly giuen to God vvith other spectacles shewes of ioy â—et for all that those worthy captaines left no sooting of any other memorable exploit or trophe puld from the empire of the Turkish tyâ—ant as was well supposed they might who notwithstanding the same held noâ— onely the whole Isle of Ciprus but many townes besides in Dalmatia before taken amongst which Vlcinium and Docleum wonne by force were not the least In the yeere 1571 then next following the Venetians both feeling and fearing the forces of that mightie enemy wherwith they were well nigh opprest made preparation againe for all things needefull to these wars But vvhilst nevv stirs in the lovv countryes and borders of France did seeme to encomber king Philip the succours from the confederates long in comming Don Iohn de Austria about the Calends of September repayred to the place of appointment and the associates vvith their fleet scarce shewing themselues to the Turkes at Peloponesus without ought else worthie of that preparation had retired to their places of vvintering The Venetians I say supposing themselues forsaken and left to themselues without the priuity of any other their confederates priuely made peace with Selymus Of vvhich vvhile diuers men diuersly did dispute according as affection or fancy led them Marcus Antonius Columna Admirall of the Popes nauie who in this expedicion vvas a companion and associate to Iohn de Austria the chiefe generall amongst others was in opinion cleere against and improuing the same peace condoling the deed and constantly affirming so noble a victory thus got against the Turks vvas to haue beene prosecuted with all might and mayne which not onely in his publike and familier conferences hee had osten protested but likewise had affirmed by his letters writ to his auncient friend Hubert Folieta of Genua wherevnto whilst hee the said Folieta returnes aunswere and his opininion withall hee further takes occasion therevpon to touch some causes of the greatnesse of the Turkish Empire with their perpetuall felicitie and good successe in those their warring affayres the which for that it is most worthy to be read as well for the excellent wit therein contayned as for the great profit and pleasure which thereby may be conceyued I thought it not vnbeefitting heereunto to haue it annexed ¶ The causes of the greatnesse of the Turkish Empire vvritten by Hubert Folieta of Genua to the famous Captaine Mircus Antonius Columna YOV write most worthy Columna what great griefe you conceiue in considering this peace thus concluded betwixt the Turks and Venetians being ashamed as you say of the condicion of vs Christians that notwithstanding the memorable sea victory gotten against them by the confederate princes wherein your selfe with that most fortunate prince Don Iohn de Austria was both a counsellor and companion in command then which since the suppression of the Romain empyre there was neuer seene or heard any more famous yet notwithstanding the great ioy thereon conceiued is sodaynely setled the hopes from so happy beginnings which had enflamed good mens mindes in short time vanished and the preparations of so high and excellent counsells comd to naught For my owne part sir I am in opinion that not onely the griefe but the shame is to all noble mindes as to your selfe in common What the determination of the Venetians was therein as I doe not well know so if I did it is not needefull that I should detect it For there are some as it is well knowen to you vvho mightely disalovv of vvhat is done and are much discontent that they through pusilnanimity and sodaine dispaire should so giue vp their friends who for theyr sakes alone had thrust themselues in the dangers and charge of those wars to which opinion I perceiue you specially inclining Others thinking otherwise and excusing them doe aunswere that the Venetians perceiuing it lay not in their power alone to manage these warres with sufficient might and seeing few other of Christian prouinces and princes ought prouoked by so worthie and good beginnings or happy successe whereby to take part either in paynes or charge or to lay hould with the said confederates of so sayre an occasion to conioyne the forces and to reuenge so many iniuryes in all former times receaued now especially when it was suppoled that the Turkes were vtterly dispolyed and left naked both of friends ships or sea forces and thereby had opportunitie to expell them from forth whole Europe But chiefely the Germaine princes fayling whom the many attempts of the Turks against their state hath continually with offensâ—ue armes vexed afflicted with infinite losses and nearest of all others to the danger had beene in these affayres for theyr owne safetie to haue giuen them furtherance All which motiues to others smally auayling the said Venetians and therefore destitute vtterly of hope nor daring to support themselues in the succours of their confederates knowing what enemy they had in hand they were compelled to prefer wholesome commodious counsell rather then plausible and so without obstinacy to their destruction as was supposed to prouide for theyr piuate affayres Thus these thinges in both parts diuersly disputed according as euery man his affection or passion perswades him thervnto My selfe vvill leaue of vncertaine estimation indifferent to euerie mans ovvne peculier Iudgement vvithout interposing myne especiallie when the matters handled are to small purpose the deede done not to be vndone and that euerie expostulation is friuolus vvhich is vvithout fruit But rather lett mee communicate with you my honorable friend in that whereof your Letters giue good occasion and which may perhaps bring with it to vs both some profit detecting such my cogitacions as often and long haue encombred my secret thoughts and manifesting therein my opinion which without some gaine I hope shall not retourne againe For if what my conceit is herein shal be allowed by you a man of so great estimation for wisedome and accustomed to the managing of high affaires then shall I think my selfe assuredly protected from the caluminations of all maligners or if not allowed yet shall I giue occasion by my writing wherby you may remoue the errour which for long hath taken possession in my minde and so in both these parts it shall draw mee aduantage The effect whereof is that as I haue alwaies houlden these Turkish affayres to be both fearefull and preiudiciall to the good estate of all Christian Prouinces yet now more then at any time am I driuen into a vvondefull admiration of the same vvho hauing so great a
who maried the daughter of King Baldwin succeded in the kingdome of Hierusalem ouerthrew the Turkes at Ybelim which Place holy Scripture calleth Geth The yeere 1140 or ther abouts Alaph or Balach Souldan of Hames tooke the towne of Rohaiz there vnmercifully murdered a great number of Christians The yeere 1143 King Baldwin the third of that name sonne of king Fulque discomfited at Hierico the valiant Norradin son to Baldecan Soldan of Damaz The yeere 1146. The Emperour Conrad and King Lewes of Fraunce sonne of Lewes le Groz passed into Surie where with king Baldowin they besieged the towne of Damasco but could not take the same and therefore they returned home into their Countries The yeere 1148 after the departure of these said two Princes Norradin the Souldan of Damasco besieged Antioche wher Raimond the Conte of Antioche issuing forth in a skirmish was vnfortunately slaine the Contes of Rohaiz and Tripoli taken prisoners which Contee of Tripoli after was shamefully murdered by an Assassin The yeere 1160 Almery king of Hierusalem brother to king Baldowin tooke the towne Alexandria beesieged the great citie of Caire in Egipt The yeere 1170. Saladin the Souldan of Egipt began to inuade the holy land in the time of king Baldowin the fourth of that name king of Hierusalem at what time likewise the Emperour Frederic made war vpon the Pope the church in burning destroying Italy The yeere 1174 king Baldowin discomfited the Souldan Saladin at the towne of Tabaria which sometime was called Tiberias after that ouerthrew a second time at the towne of Ascalone The yeere 1179 king Baldowin aforesaid fought againe with the Souldan Saladin at Margelion nigh to the towne of Tabarie where king Baldowin then was discomfited The yeere 1184 began that discention among the Christians in the holy land which was the cause of the losse of the same The originall of which was this Guy of Lusignen hauing married the Lady Sibil sister of the late king Baldowin and widow of William Longuespee Marquis of Monferrato by whom she had a son named Baldowin who at that time but sucked his Nurce to whom appettained the kingdome of Hierusalem the said Guy of Lusignen father in law of the infant would needes haue his title and wardship against the will minde of Bartrand Contee of Tripoly to whose tuition and gouernance the childe was giuen by force of the testament of king Baldowin brother of the said lady Sibell when in the mean time the infant died ther vpon Guy of Lusignen named himselfe king in the right of his wife wherwith the Contee of Tripoly was wonderfully wroth The yeere 1186 Saladin tooke prisoner Guy of Lusignen king of Hierusalem with the maisters of the Templars and of the order of Sainct Iohn that came to succour the towne of Tabarie which the said Saladin had then besieged so as vpon restoring of king Guy the both aforenamed maisters to their liberties Tabarie Lique and Ascalone were rendred to Saladin who in the end wan also the citie of Hierusalem after that the towne of Acres The yeere 1147 the Templars reencountred Saladin nigh to Casal Robert where Saladin ouethrew them slew in fight the maister of the order of Sainct Iohn Hierusalem named Brother Roger dez Molins which hapned the first day of May that yeere In the yeere of our Lord God 1149 ther passed to succour the holy land the Emperour Frederic Barberossee Philip the French King and Richard King of England Frederic tooke his way by land and comming into Cilicia where thorough extreame heate desirous to bath himselfe or as some say in passing the riuer which some doe call Cauno and the frenchmen the riuer of Salif the latins doe name Cydnus which passeth through the famous citie of Tharsus at this present named Therasso was vnfortunatly drowned The two kings his confederates ariued in Sicilia frō the towne of Mossana they passed into the holy land came to the towne of Acre which after two yeeres beesieging they tooke King Richard in his passage thether tooke the Island of Cypres which he gaue to king Guy of Lusignen in exchaunge for the kingdome of Hierusalem But after the taking of Acre king Phillip being sickly returned into Fraunce The yeere 1204 Baldouin Earle of Flaunders and Henry Conte de Sainct Paul with his brother Loys Conte de Sauoy and the Conte Boniface Mont ferrat with a great company assembled themselues at Venice to passe from thence into the holy land To whom the Venetians did graunt ships vpon condition that beefore they passed they should aide them to recouer the towne of Zara in Sclauonie which before had reuolted from them and so hauing done they after proceeded on their voyage to Constantinople whereof they possessed themselues in the Empire which remained in the frenchmens hands about threescore yeares after The yeere 1210. Ichan de Brene maried the daughter of Conrad of Montferrat and the Lady Isabell daughter of king Amaulry who was sister of Baldouin the Meseled and of the Lady Sibel that was wife to Guy of Lusignen Which said Ichan de Brene was made king of Hierusalem crowned at the towne of Tyrus which commonly is called Sur and Sor by reason that it is situated vpon a rocke in the sea But Alexander the great to the intent to winne that towne filled vp all that distance of the sea betwixt the same and the land with stone and earth so as at this day the same remaineth firme groūd which towne of Tirus came into the possession of the said Conte Conrad who afterward was shamefullie on a suddaine murdered by a couple of the sect of the Assassins In the yeere 1216. Pope Honorius the third of that name did send the Cardinal Colonne into Surie accōpanied with Henry Contee of Neuers and Gualtier of Sancerre constable of Fraunce with others in a great nūber who after their landing in Acre discended into Egipt tooke there the towne of Damiat which within sixe yeeres after vpon composition was surrendred to Cordier son of Saladin Souldan of Egipt whom the frenchmen doe call Le Admiral des Cordes In which time also Iehan de Brene king of Hierusalem accōpanied with his brother Garin de Montaguae great maister of the order of Saint Iohns came into Fraunce in passing through Italy the said king of Hierusalem gaue his daughter Yolant in marriage to the Emperour Frederic second son to Henry who was sonne to Frederic Barberousse with the whole interest title which he had to the kingdome of Hierusalem which the Kinges of Sicilia doe intitle themselues to claime at this day The yeere 1229. the said Emperour Frederic departed out of Italy giuing hopes that hee would passe into Surie but incontinently hee returned againe as one hauing small deuocion to performe that voiage In the yere 1230 the aforenamed Soldan Corder caused the vvals of Hierusalem to be
ouerthrovven at such time as the Emperour Frederic persecuting the church gaue beginning to the partialities of the Guelfs Gibelins therwith not contented did call in the Sarazins of Africk to his seruice and gaue to them the towne of Nucera in Italy vvhich yet is called Nucera des Sarazins from vvhich aftervvard they vvere expulsed by the Frenchmen In the yeere 1237 Theobald king of Nauarre Emery Contee of Mont fort Henry Contee of Campaign Barre vvith a great army passed through Hungary Constantinople into Surie and recouered sundry townes which the Sarazins beefore had wonne but encountring with the Soldan Corder beetwixt the tovvnes of Acre and Gazera sometime called Gaza there they vvere discomfited and ouerthrovven by the same Soldan In the yeer of our Lord God 1244 the christians were discomfited at a place called Forbye where were taken the Maister of our order of Sainct Iohns called brother Guillaume de Chastelnâ—uf and the Maister of the Templers named brother Herman de Pierresort the Archbishop of Sury and two sonnes of Signeur de Boteron which otherwise was called Botrus with moe then three hundred Gentlemen At which time likewise the cruell wars by sea began betwixt the Venetians the Geneuoys about the intrest possession of the Monestary of Sainct Saba in the towne of Acre in Sury which may wel be said another cause of y losse of the holy land In the yeere 1249 Lewes the French king otherwise named Sainct Lewes passed the Seas and was taken prisoner before the tovvne of Damiat in Egipt by the Soldan Melechsalem but after his atteined liberty hee recouered the tovvnes of Sidon and Iaffe aunciently called Ioppe before that time taken by the said Soldan I am now come vnto the time that the Tartares inuaded the Turks or Turquimans but to the end it may be better vnderstood how this came to passe froÌ„ whom this people of the Tartares haue their being it behoueth me a little to turne back to begin a little before this time In the yeere 1231. in that country of Tartaria vvhich at this day is called Catay and the Orientall Scythia at vvhich time the Tartares liued vvithout knovvledge of any law or sorme of gouernment there was one by Hayton called Cangy and by Paulus Venetus Chinchis but by Michael a Michou Cinguis beegotten vpon a widdow during hir widdowhood who hauing other children by hir former husband they would haue staine hir all for shee had conceiued this Cangy while shee was widdow howbeit shee so wittely behaued hir selfe in hir words that shee caused them beleeue how she conceiued that birth by force of the beames of the sun other father in name the child had not which opinioÌ„ so taking place was not onely auaileable to the mother but also afterwards to Cangy who coÌ„ming to perfect age brought this barbarous people to beleeue that the almightie God had sent him to bee their king to make them Lords of those other nations to whom euen vnto that time they had ben tributaries by reason they neuer had head to guide the. And so prudentlie this Cangy can led himselfe that he subdued all his neighbours and therefore was â—uâ—named Cangy Can or Cham hee reigned twelue yeeres and died by the stroke of an Arrow which had wounded him in the knee at the aslault of a castellâ—â— his Cangy was the first that perswaded the Tartares to beleeue in one God To Cangy Cham succeeded Hoccata his son who to know countries further of sent ten thousand horse men to inuade the territorie of Cappadocia than possessed by the Turks by whome these Tartares were ouerthrowen with vvhich losse Hoccata being not a little mooued he sent againe thirtie thousand men whom hee called Tamachi that is to say conquerers against whom vpon the fronters of Cappadocia which the Turks call Genech came Guijatadin king of the said Turkes whom Sabellicus doth name Goniat In whose army were two thousand christians the remainder of the forces that before came into Surie conducted by two â— aptains where of the one vvas called Iohn Liminad of the Island of Cypres and the other Boniface du Chasteau a Geneuoys Sabellicus calleth this Boniface Boniface du Molin vvho he saith vvas a Venetian but in that daies deed Guijatadin and his Turks vvere discomfited in the yeere of our Lord God 1239. about vvhich time also Hoccata died leauing behind him three sons the one named Cin vvhom Paul the Venetian calleth Cui and of others Guys Guyscan the second vvas called Iochy the third Baydo or Batho as Michaell of Michou saith After Hoccata his son Cin or Cui succeeded vvhose reigne not long continued Next to him Mango or Mongu whom Sabellicus calleth Metho cosen to the faid Hoccata possessed the Empire of Tartaria This is that Mango Cham to whom Pope Innocent the fourth of that name did send Frees Ascelin one of the order of the Freers Preachers in the yeere of our Lord God 1266. as Vincent the Historial and Michael a Michou doe report IOCHY whom some doe call Iachis one of the sonnes of the sayde Hoccata tooke his way towards the West being the countries of Turquesten and the Corasmins and part of the Region of Persia euen vnto the riuer of Tygris which Hayton calleth Phison but I beleeue that Phison is that Riuer which is called Ganges where Iochy remayned BAYDO or Batho the third sonne of Hoccato passed thorough Russie Cumanie or Comanie and Moscouia and entred into Polone Hungary Austruhe burning and destroying the countries beefore him which afterward thorough famin he was enforced to abandon and so to returne into Tartarie Comanie which is beeyond the sea Maior called Pontus Euxinus but at this day Zauolha and Zahady Some doe affirme that this countrie of Comanie is that which Strabo calleth Cataonia part of Capadocia at this day called Cricassj The sayd Baydo was called by the Polonians Bathy Zaim Cham of whom Tamberlane the great discended as Michael a Mechou saith who did write of these great distructions in these North Regions done by Baydo which was in the yeere of our Lord God 1263. To Iochy in the orient succeded his sonne named according to Hayton Barath and after Paulus Venetus Barachim IN the yeere of our Lord God 1250. or there abouts at such time as king Lewes otherwise called S. Lewes the French king passed the seas The king of Armenie being a christian named Hayton perceiuing that the Tartaires had conquered so many countries and were entred into Natolie purposed to enterteine amitie and league with the said Mango Cham or Mongu VVho as before succeded to his cosin Gin or Cuj son to Hoccata in the realme of Tartarie onely to haue ayde against the Caliph of Baudraz and the Turkes of Damasco Halep Haman other places for which he sent towards him the great Constable of Armenie named Sinebaud but the yeere after he went in person where he obtained such fauor
that the realme of Armenia was big inough for him to gouerne so that to haue greater dominions were but further troubles to him therfore most hartely he thanked him of his most gentle offer which he was bounden to remember vpon due occasion vpon which refusall Abagan committed the gouernaÌ„ce regement of Natolye to sundrie of his owne Captains among the which one named Othoman was one from whom the Princes of the Turks that presently reigne are descended Abagan returned into Persia wher he staied a certaine time and in the meane season he was stirred by the said king Thiuon of Armenia to make war vpon the Soldan of Egipt named Melechsayt that is to say the king desired who succeeded next to Melechdaer molested the said king Thiuon for which cause Abagan did send Mangodanior his brother with thirtie thousand horsemen ioyned with the army of the same King of Armenia against the said Souldan Melechsayt and came before the towne of Hames where they found encamped the armie of the Sarazins and therevpon each side preparing to fight they ordered their armie and deuided them into three battelles whereof the one was vnder the leading of Mangodanior the second was guided by King Thiuon and the third by a Captaine Tartarian named Aâ—â—â—ech or Achmat which signifieth gracious these two so worthely behaued themselues with their battails against the like number of Sarazines that those Sarazins were vanquished and put to flight The meane time Mangodanior who had no manner of experience as it seemed in wars without giueing any manner of charge vpon the enemie which towards him was readie to encounter against him hee gaue himselfe shamefully to flie staied not a whit vntill he came to the riuer of Euphrates which they call Euphra though hee was not pursued or chased at all by the third battell of the Sarazins which consisted of those people called Beduins who in the holy Scripture are named Madiani or Madianites and to succour their companions that were ouerthrowen and fled followed their fellowes so fast as they could but the next day when king Thyu on and Achmet vvere returned froÌ„ the chase to Hames perceiuing that Mangodanior vvas in such order departed they follovved him and ouertooke him at the saide riuer and instantly required him to returne declaring to him hovv they had vvon the battaile put the Sarazins to flight but for any thing they could say or aledge he vvould not returne but immediatly retired tovvards his brother into Persia about the yeere of our Lord God 1282 Abagan beeing not a little displeased vvith the flight and cowardnesse of his brother was purposed to haue gone in his owne person against the Souldain howbeit he was enpoisoned by a Sarazin and died leuing behinde him two sonnes the one named Argon and Ragait Tangodor neuertheles succeded to his brother Abagan being elected by Tartares to be their king this Tangodor was sometime a christian and at the time of his baptisme hee was named Nicolas but through his tomuch keping companie with Sarazins he became a Mahomatist and was named Mahumet he caused to be destroied ouerthrowen all the churches of the Christians within his dominions and entered in amitie and league with Melechsayt Souldan of Egipt wherfore one of his owne bretheren together with his said nephew Argon accused him before Cobila Cham of the aforesaid crimes wherevpon Cobila Cham sent him word and commaunded him to amend and redresse those iniuries which he had done and from thence forth to liue in a better sort or otherwise he would extremely punish him but Tangodor nothing amended with this aduertisement from Cobila Cham in dispight he caused his said brother to be apprehended and to be put to death Howbeit his nephew Argon vpon this escaped from him and fled to the mountaines and after with the aid and helpe of his friends and seruants of Abagan his faide father he surprised and tooke Tangodor and caused him to bee sawen in sunder in the middle after that he had reigned three yeeres in the yeere of grace 1283. Argon after that hee had put to death Tangodor his vncle was elected king but hee would neuer accept the name and title of Cham without the leaue of Cobila who perceiuing the same gladly thereto did condiscend This Argon was a christian and caused to bee reedified repaired the Churches which his vncle wickedly before had destroyed He vvas visited by the kings of Armenia and Georgia to whom hee promised hee would goe vvith them to recouer the holy land but the meane time he died as one that had not the leasure to performe that worthie promise after that he had reigned three yeeres at such time as Melechnazer Souldan of Egipt florished After Argon succeeded Ragayt his brother called by Sabellicus Queghat and by others Tagadayt a man most vnprofitable to rule without either faith or law hated of his owne and vtterly abhorred of straungers he had a son named Cassan Baydo or Bathy and according to Sabellicus called Bandon and had a cosen also called Cassan which succeded him anno domino 1290. This said Cassan Baydo was a christian and honoured the Churches of God and prohibited that none should speake of Mahumet which those that followed the sect tooke it in meruailous euill part and secretly aduertised the said Cassan or Assan which was sonne to the saide Argon that if hee would forsake the christian faith beeing also a christian they would proclayme him king vnto whom this Cassan son to Argon accorded vnder this promise hope Cassan son to Argon raised war against his cosen Baydo which Baydo hearing gathered his power togethers encouÌ„tred Cassan ioyning in battell Baydo was shamefully forsaken by his owne subiects being Mahometists that reuolted to the part of Cassan so Baydo ther was slaine After the death of Baydo Cassan was called king but at the first he durst not declare what was resting secretly in his mind against those who brought him to this dignity by the meanes abouesayde Howbeit when he thought himselfe assured and confirmed in his regall authoritie hee beegan first to shew himselfe a friend to christians and then hee commaunded to bee put to death those who counsailed him to denie the christian faith And after he addressed an armie against the Soldan of Egipt the Sarazins of the which his purpose Cassan aduertised the kings of Armenia Georgie who with their armies came ioyned with him at Baudras and from thence marched to the towne of Hames which is situated in the midst of Sury where the Souldan of Egipt called Melechseraph who had chased the christians out of Sury came against them with a great army encamped in a great medow thereby supposing to haue surprized the christians and albeit he found the christians partlie in disorder and so gaue charge vpon them yet Cassan with the rest of the christians so manfully fought it out that in the end
which as it brought the Citie of Venice to such extremety that it seemed readie to render it selfe to the mercy of the Geneuois so in the ende it was cause by the alteration of fortune that the Geneuois beeing in sundry fights and conflicts on the seas aâ—ter ouerthrowen by the Venetians came to miserable ruine and seruitude for thereby they were enforced to yeelde themselues to the Archbishop of Milane whom they made gouernour of their Citie of Geanes and to sell all their lands and Seigneuries to the communaltie and brotherhood of Saint George which is within their Citie and lastly to submit themselues to the french Kinges protection vnder whose subiection they remained a while vntill hee gaue them to Iohn Duke of Calabre sonne to Reignard King of the realme of Naples vntill they reuoulted to Philippe Duke of Milane whom in the end they forsooke to in such sort as through their inconstancie they did not know well to what good Saint to vow themselues howbeit the greatest mischiefe was that this forenamed warres gaue an vndoubted occasion to the vtter losse of Surie the realme of Hierusalem what was worse then that the same opened to the Turks the gate and entry to Greece and other parts of Europe as heereafter I shall declare all which was about the time that Lewes de Bauiere Frederic of Austrich contended about the obtaining of the Empire of Alemaign The said Orcan reigned two twenty yeres vnto the beginning of the reigne of Iohn the french king which was in the yeere of our Lord God 1350. leauing behinde him his sonne Amurath Amurath whom the Hungarians and the Sclaâ—â—nes doe call Ammarat and the Turkes Moratbeg which is as much to say as the Lord Morat but Frossart supposing to pronounce this name as they doe calleth him Lamorabaquin entred to his dominions when as Catacusan pursued the Emperour his sonne in law through the aide of Marâ— Carlouich the Despot of Bulgaria this word Despot is so much to say in our English tongue as Prince or Lord and the Prouince of Bulgaria is that Country which anciently was named Gaetae and Gepidae This Amurath was secretly fauored among certaine of the Nobility of Grecia whom the Emperor Caloiaun hated who finding that hee was to weake to encounter with the Nobilitie that reuoulted hee was constrained to demaund and require aide of Amurath who forthwith sent him twelue thousand horsemen through whose help when the Emperour had pacified his affaires hee gaue the Turks leaue to returne home But they hauing seene tasted the sweetnesse beautie of the region of Grecia after their returne perswaded as it was easie to doe Amurath to goe in person to inuade Grecia Which he so did who accompanied with threescore thousand men by the help of two great ships of the Geneuois among whom he bestowed a threescore thousand ducats Amurath passed the famous straits called by the ancients Hellespontus and now the straits of Calipoli or the Castells by reason of two castells whereof the one is situated in Asia and the other in Europ wherin ancient time were also the townes of Sestus and Abydos The french doe call these straits Le Bras de Sainct George Saint Georgesarme where the said Amurath wan the towne of Calipoli beeing on this side those straits in Grecia than tooke Adrianople and Philippopoli aunciently called Olympias and so ouerran the Prouince of Romany in times past called Thracia vnto the Mountaine Rhodope which the Greekes doe name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Queene and Lady of those Mountaines which some a so do call the mountaine of Siluer by reason of the mines of siluer that are found in the same and after ouercame in â—attaile the aforenamed Marc Carlouich taking prisoner the Conte Lazaro of Seruia which is Misia Inferior whom Frossart calleth Le Conte â—e Lazaran whose head hee smote off which was when Charles the fourth was letted from resisting the sonnes of the Emperour Lewes of Bauer to deâ—end himselfe against Frederic Marquiz of Misne the Countie of Wittenberg his competiteurs leauing the Empire after him to his sonne Lancelot who sold the Cities and Segneuries of Italy as Milane to the family of the viconts and others In the ende Amurath was slaine by a seruant of the said Conte Lazaro as reuenging the death of his saide Maister the yeere of our Lord God 1373 after that hee had reigned 23 yeeres about the beeginning of the reigne of Charles the fifth the french king and left two sonnes Pasait and Seleyman Pazait or Basait as the Turks doe name him who neuer pronounce this letter P. and called by Frossart le Roy Basant sonne of Lamorabaquin and sometime â—morabaquin according to his fathers name Enguerran Master Nicolâ—â— Gâ—les that collected the Annales of Fraunce call him the king Basaaâ—g This Pazait was hardy diligent and very couragious he sâ—â—wâ—iaâ— battaile Marc Carlouich where with him the whole Nobilitie of Seruia and Bulgaria ended their liues and after did ouerrun the territories of Thessalia and Macedonia now called Thumnestie and Albanie He wasted whole Grecia vnto Athens which at this day is called Cethine and spoiled the territories oâ— Bosna which is called Misia Superior Crocia and Sclauonie that are named aunciently Dalâ—â—tia and Liburnia and this at that time when the Emperour Lancelot sonne of Charles the fourth liued so vertuouslie that his subiects sundry times did enprison him but in the end was deposed by the Alemans who elected at one time two Emperours the one called Ioce Nephew to Lancelot and the other Robert of Bauiere otherwise called Ruebrecht which is interpreted in their Alleman language Trouble Peace But to returne to Bazait who then inuaded Hungary there ouerthrew king Sigismond that afterward was Emperour of Alleman called by the Historiographer Engerrant de Mountralet Sagimont in the renowned battaile of Nicopoli the cause of the losse wherof was for that the french men ther seruing would not bee aduised by the king Sigismond nor frame themselues according to the pollicie of these wars as the Allemans also counsailed them the which Frossart imputeth likewise to the orgulitie and pride of the french where was taken prisoner the Conte of Neuers Iohn who afterward vvas Duke of Burgoign sonne of Philippe the first duke Philip Darthois Conte de Eue constable of Fraunce Iohn le Maingre called Boucicault and sundrie others beeing men of estimation to the number of seauen or eight vvho all vvere sent to Bursie the rest of that nacion vvere slayne to the number of a thousand horsemen This battaile was foughten on Michaelmas euen Anno Domini 1396 and these prisoners vvere after redeemed for no little ran some in expedicion vvherof great dilligence vvas vsed by one Iames Hely a gentleman of Picardie vvho also vvas taken prisoner among them and beefore had serued in the Court of Amorabaquin After this battaile Bazait beesieged the Citie of Constantinople and had wonne it
if it had not beene that into Natolie was entered the great Prince of Tartary called Tamerlaine or Tamburlaine but by the Turkes Demirling and by some French Historiographers as Enguerrant named Le Grant Tacon de Tartarye but the Tartariens themselues doe call him Temircutlu that is to say the Fortunate Swâ—ord or luckie iron descended of the race of one Cham of Tartarie called Zaym Cham of the Horde or multitude of Zauolba and Czahaday which is towardes the riuer of Rha or Volha which falleth into the Sea Dabacuth by the latins named Mare Caspium and Hircanum which Zaym was he whom the Polonians doe call in their Histories Bathy the first Mahumâ—tist of all the Tartares Tamerlaine was afterward Lord of Tartarie Precopie called by them Prezelzoph situated betwixt the riuers of Tanais which they call Don and Boristhenes called Nâ—per and Dâ—râ—â—z the which countrie of Precopie was in auncient time called Scithia Inferior now in possession of the Turke This Tamerlayne was for the most part resident in the great Citie of Samarcand which is toward the sea Caspium who caused himselfe to bee called the Scourge of God though his verie title of his dignitie was Vlucham which is to say the mightie Lord. Bazait hauing intelligence of the entrie of Tamerlayne into Natoly thought it requisit to raise his siege of Constantinople and with all diligence to encounter with the innumerable army of Tamerlayne where nigh the city of Dangory by our ancients called Ancira not far from the mountaine Stella which Enguerrant de Monstrelet doth call Appadi where Pompeius Magnus ouerthrew the famous Mithridates the mighty armies encountred and cruelly did fight in which conflict Bazait was vanquished and taken prisoner whom Tamerlaine caused to bee bound and made fast with chaines of gold and so to be put in a cage as though hee had beene a Lyon in which sort hee carried Bazait about with him through euery region of Asia as he passed so long as Bazait lined which was not aboue two yeeres after or therabouts who died Anno Domini 1400 after he had reigned twentie seauen yeeres about the twentith yeere of the reigne of Charles the sixth the french king From this conflict escaped certaine of Bazaits sons who supposing to haue passed into Europe chanced to fall into the hands of the Emperour of Constantinople who caused the seas surely to bee kept at that time An other of his sonnes named Cyris and by the frenchmen Quirici whom some also doe call Calapin or Calepin escaped ouer to Adrinopoli whose sirname beeing called Ciris Cheleby was but a little of dignitie and Noblesse giuen to the children of the great Turk as Achmat Cheleby Mahumet Cheleby or Mustapha Cheleby which is as much as to denominate a gentleman according as the Spaniards doe name their Nobilitie Don Alonso or Don Rodrigo and the frenchmen Charles Monsieur or Loys Monsieur being appropriate to their blood roiall Cyris reigned sixe yeeres or thereabouts and left behind him a son named Orcan when as his three bretheren named Musach Mahumet and Mustapha escaped out of Constantinople while the Emperour was gone into Fraunce to the sayd king Charles to require succours against the afornamed Cyris Musach slew Orcan his nephew for recompence himselfe was after slaine by his owne brother Mahumet And than first began they to deuise how the one brother might kill another which vnto this time they haue right well practized and put in vre Mahumet the first of that name after he had slaine his brother Musach vsurped the Empire and recouered all the whole Countries of Natolie which Tamerlayne before had wonne of Bazait This Mahumet remoued his seat imperiall from the citie of Bursie in Natolie to Adrianopoli in Grecia He made wars vpon the region of Valachie which some french histories doe call Valaigne and other Blaquie and of the ancients named Bessi and Triballi He also ouerthrew in battaile the Emperour Sigismond in the plaines of Selumbez and was the first of his nation that passed the riuer of Donaw or Danuby hee subdued the countrie of Bosnia made war vpon Caraman and died the yeere of our Lord God 1418 and in the xxxviii yeere of the reigne of the said King Charles after hee had reigned eighteene yeeres reconing therewith the yeares of Cyris which some doe not and left a sonne called Amurath Amurath the second of that name was in Natolie when his father died whereof so soone as hee was aduertised passed into Europe albeeit the Emperour of Constantinople did what he could to stop his passage who sent against him Mustapha his vncle sonne of Bazait whom the said Emperour had kept prisoner sithens the taking of Bazait as before I haue tolde howbeit Mustapha beeing to weake was vanquished slaine in battaile by Amurath who to reuenge himselfe vpon the Emperor of Constantinople spoiled and burnt the whole territory of Thracia in Grecia and tooke from the Venetians the notable towne of Thessalonica called now Salonichi which Andronico Paleologo before had sold them in dispite of the Emperour Constantine his brother after that the said Amurath entred into Seruia or Rascia constrained George Vucouich the Despot or Prince of that country to giue him in mariage his daughter named Irinye surnamed Catacusine notwithstanding which affinity hee afterward came against this Despot with an army and enforced him to flie into Hungary towards the Emperour Albert sonne in law to the late Sigismond the Emperour leauing his sonne George for the defence of his said Countrie this George was taken by Amurath who caused his eies to bee put forth though he was his brother in law After the death of the said Albert Lancelot brother to the king of Pole was chosen by the Hungarians for their King albeit that Albert had left his wife with childe who after the death of hir husband was deliuered of a sonne that at his Baptisme was also named Lancelot who after waâ— nourished and brought vp vnder the keeping of the Emperour Frederic the third of that name and was the onely cause that the said Lancelot of Polen durst make no maner of enterprize against the Turks nor to inuade them least in the meane time the Emperour Frederic should haue annoied him vpon some other part and so haue set the other Lancelot the true king in his realme of Hungary During this time Amurath who could not long rest besieged Belgrado which they call Nandoralba and Alba Greca and by the Hungariens Chrieschisch but by our elders Taurinum situated betwixt the riuers of Danubia or Donaw and Sauus or Saua vpon a verie necke of lande where those two riuers doe ioyne togethers the which towne of Belgrado the said George Vucouich before had giuen in exchange for others to the said Emperour Sigismond for that it was the key and entrie to the kingdome of Hungarie After which at the suit and perswasion of the same George Vucouich the said king Lancellot raised a very great army
against Amurath and therewith recouered the territories of Seruia and Rascia which he rendred againe to the said Despot George Vucouich to reuenge which wrong Amurath leuied a great power vnder the leading of one Carabey who encountring with the Christians nigh the mountaine Costegnaz anciently called Hemus was there ouerthrowen and Carabey taken prisoner The which two victories with sundrie others before and after were obtained by the famous prowesse and valiantnesse of Iohn Huniad called by Enguerrant de Monstrelet and Philip de Comines Le Blanc Cheualier de la Velaign and by the Hungarians Iancâ— Ban or Vaiuod that is to say Prince of Transiluania at this present Moldauia and by the Hungarians named Sibenbourg that is to say Septemcastrum but by our elders Dacia This worthy Iohn Huniad was father to the valiaunt Mathias king of Hungary who not long agone reigned there After this battaile there was an abstinence from armes condicioned betwixt the Hungarians and the Turks for two yeres by reason wherof with the paiment of fifty thousand ducats of ransome Carabey was deliuered the which trewse beeing soone after broken by the said king Lancelot at the instance and perswasion of Eugenius the Pope the fourth of that name to king Lancelot was very infortunate for afterward he was slaine in the battaile soughten beetwixt him and Amurath nigh the towne of Verna aunciently called â—yonisiopolis vpon Saint Martins day the eleauenth of Nouember Anno Domini 1444 wher the said Iohn Huniad was put to flight Of this victory Amurath had small cause to reioyce considering it cost him very decre both in losse of his best friends choice souldiers after this Amurath toke the towne of Sophie beeing the head towne of whole Bulgaria Scopie and Nouomont and ouerran all the territories of Acarnania called at this instant Ducat or Duche and the Prouince of Cymera aunciently called Epirus where hee spoiled and wasted alongst the riuer of Achelous at this day named the riuer of Pachicolan vnto the mountaines Du Diable in times past called Acroceraunii which are part of the Mountaines called Pindus hee tooke also the famous port towne named Velone sometime called Aulon and passed the Gulfe of Larta in latin called Sinus Ambracius vnto the towne of Oricus now named Rigo and so went forward towards the Gulf of Cataro which is called Sinus Risonicus beeing fiue and twentie miles from the towne of Ragusa in ancient â—â—me named Epidaurus Hee enforced Iohn Cosâ—â—iâ—th the Despot of Cymera to giue him the enpregnable towne of Croia with his three sonnes in hostage and pledge of fidelitie all which hee caused to beâ— come Turks the yongest named George Castrioth at that time not aboue nine yeeres of age was called by the Turkes Scanderbeg that is to say Alexander the great who after became so valiant a Captaine that for his worthie acts hee was comparable to the famous and most renowmed Pyrrus and others his worthy predecessours dominators and rulers of Epirus for hauing commaund vnder Amurath he conquered Seruia and did bring to the Turks obeisance the Countrie of Carmania how beit afterward this Scanderbeg retourning to the christian faith caused Amurath to loose the territorie of Seruia and then toke from him the strong towne of Croia with all the countries townes castells that before belonged to his said father Iohn Castrioth besides that in twentie or thirty battels wherein valiantly he fought with the Turks he alwaies caried away with him the victorie so as Amurath had neuer iuster matter to obiect to this Scanderbeg then to reproch him with vnkindnes that beeing so carefully brought vp by him in his tender age should so without cause reuoult calling him by sundrie letters the ingrate vnthankfull sonne howbeit Scanderbeg cared so little for Amurath that vpon occasion he departed from his owne Countries to succour in person Ferdinand king of Naples against Iohn Duke of Galabre which Ferdinand hee restored to his realme expelled the Duke from the same for which deede Ferdmand afterwards curteoushe receiued the spoiled and calamitous children of Scanderbeg whom 〈…〉 the second after the death of their father exiled and 〈…〉 of all their liuelihoode gaue them lands in the kingdome of Naples so as they became Marquizes of Saint Angelo and of Tripaldo so as a worthy gentelman of that race named Ferdinand Castrioth Marquiz of Saint Angelo was slaine valiantly fighting on the imperiall part in the late battaile before Pauia Amurath after that did winne the countrie of Moree which in latin by our elders is called Peloponesus through the discord of two bretheren the one called Thomas and the other Demetrius Despots of the same country being brothers of Constantine Paleologo last Emperour of Constantinople who by reason that the Albanois moued warres against them sought for succours to Amurath and became his tributaries but after denying to pay their promised tribute Amurath draue them out of their whole countrie of Moree Howbeit Demetrius afterwards retired himself towardes the Turque but Thomas repayred to Rome to the Pope where hee ended his life leauing foure children two sonnes and two daughters Amurath beeing now become aged and wearie both of the world and of his victories withdrew himselfe among certaine Heremits and other Religieux of his supersticious sect pretending to leade the rest of his daies solitarilie and in quietnesse established in his place his son Mahumet being but yong of yeeres to reigne and gouerne his Kingdomes appoynting for his gouernour one Haly Bassa called of some Caly Bassa Howbeit when the famous Iohn Huniades with the Hungarians had gathered togethers a mightie army to haue inuaded the dominions of this young Mahumet Amurath at the great instaunce and suite both of his sonne as also of the sayd Haly Bassa that could not bee obeyed was enforced to take vppon him the administration and gouernment of the present affaires who making head against the saide Hungarians in the ende vanquished and put them to flight After which Amurath inuaded the dominions of the valiaunt Scanderbeg beesieged his strong towne of Croia howbeeit hee could not winne the same And in his retyring by the Mountaynes there hee was spoyled by the Paisaunts and verie manie of his armie slaine whereby Amurath entered into such a meruaylous melancholie and displeasure that what by disease therewith taken and his olde age togethers hee dyed in the yeere of our Lord God 1451. of his age seauentie fiue and of his reigne thirtie two and of the reigne of Charles the French king the seauenth of that name twentie sixe Thus Amurath was the first that instituted the Iannisaries MAHVMET the second of that name called by Enguerrand and other french Historiographers Morbesan perhaps they would haue said Morbesalem which is as much in the Surien or Moresque language as these woordes in the Gospell Vade in Pace depart in peace This woord Morbesan among the Turkes signifieth so much as Duke or Duchie This Mahumet was sonne
hath in maner compassed the little limits of the christian kingdomes now considering that all domesticall and ciuill warres beeing vtterly extinguished and assured amitie and peace by the prouidence of God beeing resident among Christian princes it beehoueth vs now to awake For if by misfortune our princes againe should fall to any new vvarres among themselues this importunate beast would not sleepe but would seeke how hee may worke our vtter ruine Truely most holy father for the great pietie and singuler prudence in your holynesse remaining I hope that so great an occasion of laude and perpetuall glory whereby you may deserue well towards both God and man you would leaue to no successor of yours With this hope I will comfort my selfe trusting before I shall depart fro this mortall life to see this saoredâ—ourny to bee aduanced against our cruell and commoneenemie of Christes religion beesides which nothing can happen to mee more ioyfully or bee to mee a greater felicitie If therefore in these matters I haue beene either longer or more liberall of writing than to mee hath appertained I hope that of your fathely clemency you will giue pardon vnto me whom no little care of our Christian religion rather then rashnesse hath mooued mee thus to wright And for my part for your perpetuall goodnesse or rather pietie towardes this our order I most humbly render to your holynesse immortall thankes and so will continue to doe during life and so doe beeseech almightie God to preserue your holinesse in good and prosperous life About this time Dom Garza di Toledo the Viceroy of Sicilia vnder Philip king of Hispain and gouernour of all his graces nauy in those parts fearing that the nauie of Solyman vnder coulour to seeme that hee would inuade Malta would straight passe to the Gulet a Castle standing in the straites and entering of the poole or stagne of Tunes and to beesiege the same therefore he passed ouer to the castle of Gulet both to furnish the same with new supplie of Garrison and other necessaries thereunto appertaining and in his way the Viceroy touched at Malta and there landed to confer with the great master touching the warres pretended against Malta But they hauing intelligence that the nauy of Solyman was departed from Constantinople so as by reason of small time they could not tarry so long togethers as the waight of the cause required Dom Garza immediatly departed from Malta vnto the castle of Gulet in Barbaria which when he had viewed and furnishing the same with such necessaries as it lacked hee retourned with all possible diligence into Sicilia to rig set forward ther the kings nauy But the meane time the nauy of Solyman the xxii of March in the yeere of our sauiour Christ M. D. lxv began vnloose from Constantinople the next day after departed from that port towards Peloponneso so came to Methone Ther Mustapha Bassa a man of the age of lxxv yeres being appointed to be generall of the Turks army by land ther mustered his army where of his horsemen called Spachi which came out of the lesser Asia were seauen thousand hauing to their captaine a gentleman of the same prouince of Asia with two liuetenants Out of Cilicia came v. C from the Iland of Mitilena came also iiii C that of euery of their prouinces had captaines from whence they came he had also of olde souldiers whom they call Ianizers foure thousand fiue hundred to whom Solyman himselfe appointed two Captaines to bee their leaders considering that their generall whom the Turkes in their tongue call Aga neuer departeth out of Constantinople Beesides this there be among the Turkes a kinde of souldiers that liue of the fruits and stipends of their spiritualtie of these in this army were thirteene thousand who at Constantinople had vowed theÌ„selues to serue for the defence of their faith and Emperour There came also out of Thrasia and Peloponneso two Captaines and one liuetenant with a thousand two hundred horsemen three thousand and fiue hundred other souldiers that came from diuers places voluntary to serue for wages there likewise did Pial Bassa the Turkes Admirall muster his nauy wher he found to be a hundred thirtie gallies eleauen ships of burden of the lesser sort a eleauen ships of burden of the greater making beesides a great ship that was broken beesides Methone in which were then sixe thousand barrells of gun pouder thirtie thousand shot and sixe hundred Spachi of the which scarce two hundred were saued There came also from the Island of the Rhodes ten gallies vnder the guiding of Haliport a man of the age of threescore and tenne two gallies from Mitylene vnder the leading of Salach brother to the king of Alger that newly was dead also there were othersoists pirats ships about the number of seauenteene With this great and mightie nauy the Turks departed from Methone the thirteenth day of Maie and ariued at Malta the eighteenth day of the saide moneth of Male and tooke first port at the North cast part of the Island which the inhabitants call Marzasirocco But the Turkes perceiuing that they had not a safe rodested there they remoued from thence to an other rodested of that Island called Maiaro All this time the famous pirate Dorguta was not come it was said he was tarieng in the Island called Meninges commonly named Gerbas with his ships and in readinesse to come and that hee had sent to the king of Tunes foure peeces of artillery of brasse and other things which hee gaue to him to the end that the king should not aide the Christians in these wars but rather to help the Turks with a certaine porcion of victuall according to the agreement made beetwixt them and for these and other causes it was fayned that the Turks would first goe vnto the Gulat or else of purpose these newes were sowed to the ende that those of Malta crediting the same should at vnawares be surprised But the great maister of Malta being a man of a meruailous quicke and ingenious wit and therewith right expert in the act of warres and also wonderfull constant and circumspect against the practises and pollicies of the enimie did fore cast these deuises and counsailes of the enimie and right well did espie their purposes on euery side in his gentlemen and souldiers all there was espied to rest an assured constancy and meruailous liuelinesse to serue in so worthy and most honorable cause how beeit beefore I further proceede this place requireth to discriue vnto you the situation of this Island called Melita otherwise Malta of the especiall places thereof wherein so many worthie acts were done to make mencion The Island Malta is placed beetwixt Africk and Sicilia and doubted whether it should belonge to Africk or Europe if it had not ben that the ancient inhabitants of Melita time out of minde hauing vsed the common language of those of Africk haâ—e alwaies reputed the
enter Whereby the knights of the order resting at Messana could not tell how to send safely the two Gallies away to Malta Notwithstanding considering that the great Maister so earnestly vvrote to haue them that they thought Vbirerum agitur summa vnius particulae periculum minus esse metuendum Where the vvhole affaires rest in daunger the perill and losse but of a part particle thereof for the conseruacion of the rest ought the lesse to be regarded and feared they determined vvith themselues to commit the two Gallies to the guiding of Fortune alwaies aforeseeing that all those knights of the order should not passe in that hazard but onely fortie of them ioyned vvith a good number of soldiours that furnished vp the two Gallies With these passed Captain Salazar an Hispaniard in a bote towed by the Gallies into the Iland of Goza vvho after from thence passed into Malta to espie both the state of the Citie and the Turks Armie The meane tyme the Turks not forgetting the great ouerthrow and repulse that they receaued at their late assalt at Saint Michaels and not a litle desirous to reuenge the same therefore they began vvith terrible sury theyr batterie againe against the Fortres of Saint Michaell in such sort as that so much as the defendours repaired vp in the night the Turks by day by their Artillery ouerthrew and brake While the enemies Artillerie dyd their feate the Turks deuised theyr bridge vvhich they finished and dyd sett ouer the dyke before the Sunne rysing the twentith of Iuly vvhereby they might come to hand strokes vvith our Christians Which being perceaued by the defendours and considered vvhat detriment the bridge vvould import if the same vvere suffered Immediately seignior Parisoto the great Maisters Neuew and Agleria knights of the Order vvith a good company of other soldiours issued forth of entent to haue burned the bridge Who in such sort vvere receaued by the Turks that vvithout executing the matter they came for all those that issued together vvith Parisoto and Agleria vvere vtterly slaine The Turks this space seased not to continue the sury of their Artillery in battering the walls vntill the xxviij day of Iuly So as that afternone they couragiously assalted the For tres on sundry parts thereof and thrise did send fresh men to supply the roomes of their soldiours that were either vvery in the fight or ouerthrowen in the assalt so manfully the Turks stood to their mark that they doubted not to gaine the Fortres that day But our Christians on their part with no lesse valyant courage resisted them with very force what by Gunshot arrowes wildefire handstrokes at last they compelled the Turks to retire from the assalt with incredible losse With this victory the harts of the defenders in such manner encreased that they cared nothing for the malice of the enemie And because there was not so often skirmishing on our side as was wont and that the artillery of the Christian side began to stay from shoting the Turks supposed that there was few souldiours left on liue in the fortres that their furniture of pouder shot and other things were spent Which stay from skirmishing shooting was rather done of purpose by the counsaile and deuise of the Prince Valet then for any want of those matters in the fortres for a good cause considering that he heard of no maner of certaine aide at that time that euery day more more the enemies fury malice did grow the greater hee thought it not requisit to consume his garrisons other furnitures idely to no purpose But the Turks perceyuing that by these often assalts of theirs theyr pretences toke litle effect they determined with themselues to prooue what they could by myning and one mine they had in maner brought to passe beefore our Christians did perceiue the same to the end they might blinde the eyes of the defenders they caused two gallyes towards the water to aproch the wals of the towne of Saint Michael to beate at the same with theyr artillery supposing by the same that the garrison to haue forsaken their charge to haue aided the rest would haue neglected the custody of the wals of the castle so by this mine to haue entred into the fortres But the defenders vnderstanding the subtile pollicies of the Turks by the meanes prudence aswell of certaine of the garrison as chiefely of one of the ensignebearers ther brought vtterly to naught the mine of the enimy by a contermine For the ensigne bearer first entring the mine of the enemy with a lanterne in hand casting certain arteficial fire among the enemies in the mine that whether the enemy would or no hee draue them out of the mine For which good seruice done the great master rewarded this worthy ensigne bearer with the gift of a chaine of gold wayeng fiue pounds because that Virtus virtutem parit eaque in arduo sita est one vertuous act allureth another to do the like though the same be very difficult to attaine vnto The next day after which was the first of August certaine of the garrison of the fortres issued forth with pouder burnt to peeces the bridge which the Turks before had deuised layed ouer the dike which worthy deed so done turned to the whole fortres a wonderfull commodity For the next day after at the Sun setting the Turks assalted agayne the fortresse vpon that part which was garded by Carolo Roffo where by the space of three houres it was valiauntly foughten on each side but in the ende the Christians repulsed the Turkes leauing beehinde them three hundred slaine And on the Christian part remayned dead Roffo himselfe with one Bareso and certaine other souldiours This while during the assalt the Turks in such sort exercised their great artillery with continuall shot that none of the defenders durst scarce shew his head to looke into the dike but immediatly he was dispatched but for all that where occasion of any worthy seruice was at that instant to be shewed the souldiours of the fortresse would not spare his life to execute the same As well appeared in Calderonio the Hispaniard who when hee doubted that the enimy was breaking that part of the wall of bulwarke called the bulwarke of Castile hee issued immediatly to espy and know the same but in a moment hee was slaine with the bullet of an arquebuse Whose infortunity as to some it would haue beene a terrour and feare so was the same not the lesse an encouragement of the rest to endeauour to doe the like seruice For when they perceiued that the enemy did what they could to fill vp the dike of the fortresse they of the garrison determined rather to ende their liues with honour then to come into the handes of a most cruell enemy and therfore concluded togethers to issue forth that night vpon the enemy and to enbar them of their purpose
to win the places of the Christians and what preparation the Christians were in making to giue succours to Malta other such like things The meane time the two gallies of Malta departed from Messana and came to Sarragoza where they tarryed one day while the ship of Salazar was set on ground to tallow to make hir more swift of saile and that the better the next day after they might passe togethers the famous promontory and lands end of Sicilia called Pachino The next day as they departed out of the hauen of Sarragoza they encountred a boate that came from Pozalo hauing in the same one of Malta beeing very sore wounded who beeing demaunded who had in such sort euelly entreated him answered that when as he a companion of his that other night ariued nigh that port and so required by two Sicilians that had houses vpon the shore to come on land and to lodge with them that night which they did sodainely the night being quiet fiue Turks landed by whom the two Sicilians were taken and his companion slaine and he himselfe hurt as they did see which two Sicilians that were taken also told those Turks that in the port were riding two gallyes hauing in the same sundry knights of the order with other souldiours to passe in Malta by whose words the knights of the order in those two gallyes well perceiued that theyr going into Malta was discouered to the enemy whereby they knew it was either most dangerous for them to enter the port of Borgo in Malta or else vtterly impossible Neuerthelesse they dread not to keepe on their course towards Malta toweng at their sternes the boate of Salazar While these two galleyes thus sayled they perceiued not farre beefore them two other Gallyes and a little Barque who espying the two Gallyes of the Christians to follow them made all the hast they could towardes Malta from them whereby the Christians thought that without doubt they were the Gallyes that had sent the fiue Turkes on land who had done those hurts which hee of Malta beefore recounted to them Howbeeit the two Christian Gallyes continued theyr course vnto Pozalo from whence by theyr letters they gaue intelligence to the Viceroy of occurrants to them happened in theyr voyage And forsomuch as they could not proceede on their course in that the South and Southwest windes were so much contrarious to them they retyred with their Gallyes to Sarragoza agayne and so to proceede as the Viceroy should further aduise them About the which immediatly a knight of the order was sent from thence to Messana to the Viceroy whose counsell was that the two gallyes should stay at Sarragoza for the rest of the whole Nauy that right shortly would come and accompany them into Malta But Salazar being brought to Pozalo determined in his boate to continue forward his course and albeit at the time that hee departed from Pozalo the seas were meruaylously troubled with windes thunders other stormes the other daies following wer so quiet calme that within a short time Salazar ariued safely at the citie of Malta and there taking apparell of a Turk vpon him and like weed for a companion of his that could speake the Turkish tongue as hee could by night they departed thence into the Campe of the Turkes to espy the estate of the Turkish armie where they espying that they came for they perceyued that the whole number of the Turkes left on liue in theyr Campe amounted scarce to foureteene thousand men wherof many of them were â—â—urt and very sicke the residue were but an vnmeete and vnwarlike company considering that their former fights and assaults had consumed their best souldiours and after hauing secretly viewed the manner and forme of theyr encamping Salazar vvith his companion retourned backe to the citie of Malta againe The next night after Salazar vvith one Pietro Paccio a Spaniard a gentleman of meruaylous hardinesse and courage repayred to a place nigh vnto the beacon or vvatch place called Maleca vvhich place when hee had thoroughly considered hee left Pietro there and keeping in memory the signes and tokens of the cities of Gozo and Malta as Pietro shewed him to the ende to declare the same to the Viceroy Salazar taking passage in his owne boate againe found fortune so much to bee his friend that shortly after hee ariued at Messana vvhere hee discouered to the Viceroy vvhat hee had seene amongest many talkes hee shewed how vveake the Turkish Nauy remayned how slender theyr Armie on land was voyde of good souldiours and weapon that theyr whole number of Turkes were not able to encounter with tenne thousand Christians To affirme the wordes of Salazar to bee true at that time returned one of the two little shippes wherof I told you beefore that were sent to bee espialls in Malta bringing with him a Spaniard and a fugitiue out of the Turks campe beesides also retourned foure gallyes that before were sent from Messana who brought with them foureteene Turks whom they had taken about Malta who all approued the words of Salazar to be true that is to say that the Turks army was meruailously diminished and that with beatings they could not be compelled scarcely to aproach to the walls for which cause the Bassa had slaine sundry of them And the thing that made the Turks so affraied was that they saw neuer any of them whom the Christians wounded but hee lost his life Besides that they said they did see the Christians with incredible hardinesse defend their places that no peece of artillery of the Christians side was at any time vainely blowen of wheresore the Turks affirmed they had right good cause to bee weary and repent to detest such wars which made them to eschew vtterly to fight and vtterly to flie away and chiefely such as were Renegants that had forsaken the Christian faith and become Turks For which cause there was right strait watch set by the Bassa and commandement giuen by him that either they should winne the towne or else to loose their liues all for so had Soliman their prince commaunded These words and such like which the Turks that were taken did tell to the Viceroy made the Viceroy to set forth his nauie in a readinesse more soone then otherwise peraduenture he would In the Fortres of Borgo this vvhile vvas one Francis Giuara a Captain a very hardy gentleman and vvonderfull Ingenious he a litle from that place vvhere the enemie vvith Artillerie had beaten downe a part of the vvall of the towne builded a peece of Fortificacion contayning in length fiftie paces in bredth 〈…〉 paces vvith two flanking Corners vvhich being finished vvithin two nights turned afterward to a meruailous help and ayde of the defendours of that Towne The enemies the meane tyme vnder the corner of the Dike vvhere Boninsegna the Spaniard a vvorthie Knight of the Ioannits had his charge began to myne vvhich vvhan the defenders perceued they encountred
Saint Michael agayne so to proue if they could win the same a few dayes before the comming of the Christian nauy had begun to packe and gather together their necessaries but vnderstanding of the arriuall of the Christian fleet and landing of the Christians army immediately some sounded the alarme some crying to remoue and so meruaylous fearefull euery one seeking for the couÌ„sell that was thought best some began to fly away some to take weapon in hand but the most part of the Turks marching to the trenches retired theyr artillery and did set fire in the forty fications that could bee burnt and so with as much expedytion as they could they drew their artillery and the rest of their baggage into their ships Which when the garrison of Borgo perceyued they manfully issued out and gaue charge vpon certayne bands of Turkes that were at a place called Bâ—rmola garding a great and mighty peece of artillery The Turks hauing no lust to fight fled away a pace leauing the great peece in the possession of the Christians which the Christians with force drew into Borgo and if at that time the new supply of the Christians had beene there in a readynesse and to haue giuen charge on the backe of the enemyes while they were thus in hasting to theyr shippes either they had opened to themselues a manifest path way of victory ouer the Turks or else to haue spoyled them of the most part of their great artillerie But I thinke if the new supply had bene there present perhaps they would rather haue followed the ancient opinion of famous men of warre saying Hosti abeunti viam sternendam esse pontemque vel argenteum faciendum giue way to a flying enemie yea and if you make for him a bridge of siluer Albeit the garrisons of Borgo and Saint Michael by reason of their fresh victuall other necessaries appertayning to further besieging if neede were which through the vnequallitie of the wayes lacke of horses was verie difficultlie and with much labour on foote brought to them from the citie thought not requisit to trouble the flying enemie with further skirmishes Wherby the Turks shipped their carriage artillery and the most part of their army without great let or impediment So the xi of September the Turkish nauy departed from Porto Musetto when a fugitiue a Genoua born came to the prince Valet saying that 10000 Turks were landed againe marching towards the citie of Malta to fight with the armie of the Christians which were comming towards Borgo Which when the great Maister heard immediatly hee sent certaine bands to seaze the sortresse of Saint Hermes and there to fixe the ensigne of the sacred order Who accordingly forthwith departing tooke the possession of the Fortres vvherein they found foure and twentie peeces of Artillerie great small vvhich the Turkes hauing no further leasure could not take away vvith them The Nauie of the Turks this vvhile departing from Porto Musetto passed vnto the Port of Sainct Paule and there dyd set on land seuen thousand Turkes vnder the leading of Mustapha their Generall by land Who had intelligence giuen him that the vvhole Armie of the Christians vvhich newly vvere come exceeded not the number of three thousand soldiours And therefore being the more bold to fight by reason of the litle number vvhich he supposed that vve vvere of he marched on proudly towards the Citie of Malta and in his vvay thetherward Mustapha discouered the Armie of the Christians Who espyeng the Turks and ready to fight marched forward couragiously against them and encountering vpon a hill the Christians valiantly gaue charge vpon the Turkes at vvhich first encounter few vvere slaine of either side But in the ende by reason that our number vvas both greater and our force therwith the more the Turks gaue back and fled the Christians followed killing and ouerthrowing them vnto such tyme the rest vvere driuen to their shippes but vvhilst each one clustered to get to their nauy through to much hast there perished in the sea about foure hundred Turkes and a thousand and eight hundreth slaine on the land So as if our Christians had bene expert of the places and knowne the land there needed not one of the Turkes to haue escaped away on liue The Turks beeing thus beaten into theyr ships stayed still with their Nauy in the port of Saint Paule all the next day following a great part of the next night then before day in shoting of a warning peece being a signe of their departure they set sayle and departed towards Grecia leauing the Iland of Malta shamefully wasted and enpouerished Thus the Turks beeing driuen out of Malta to their notable calamitie and ouerthrow the Prince Valet made victorious with immortall glory caused generall processions and prayers to bee made to almightie God for his infinit benefits to them shewed in this carefull time ascrybing the chiefest cause of this victory to his inexpressable goodnes then Valet distributed to the worthy seruitures that honorably had behaued themselues al this while condigne rewards in praysing openly euery one according to his demerits with continuall thankes to them all for their great paines and trauayles passed Vnto the wounded and sicke he had such tender regard for the restitution of their health as though it had ben to himselfe Hee lamented much the destruction wasting of the country of Malta and earnestly deuised for the repayring thereof againe Amongst all these things he did not forget to learne which way or whether the enemy this while passed what he pretended which many in the middes of theyr victory letteth passe for which cause euery one hath giuen this worthy Valet the name of a most prudent valiaunt and courteous prince and as one prepared of God to remaine on the earth to the defence of his sacred religion that during his life euery thing vnder his charge cannot but remaine fortunate and prosperous About this time Soliman sent a mightie Armie to inuade Hungarie vvhich the Spring time after he himselfe in person followed thorough vvhose comming vvhole Germany as it had good cause vvas meruailously afraied and gathered themselues together The Germans of auncient tyme haue vvith other nacions rather for glory than their owne safegarde made warres But vvith the Turks rather for their owne safetie they haue alwaies foughten than for any glory that they haue sought thereby Howbeit Maximilian the Emperour gathering together a great Army against Soliman proceded and layed seege to a place â—â—â—led Vespeâ—â—â— and dyd by assalt vvinne the same from the Turks But Soliman vpon an other part vvanâ—â—â—om the Emperour Segest and Iula being two places of no litle importance Whan as the fifth of September Anno 1566. Soliman the Emperour in the course and rase of his victories ended his lyfe in the famous Citie of Quinque Ecclesie vvhich of fiue Churches in the same is so called To vvhome his sonne Silimus succeeded in his Empire and
of the Souldans and taking of the kingdome of Egipt caused the yeerely reuenue vvhich beefore vvas accustomed to be paied to the said Souldans by the kings of Cyprus of all such merchandise as were brought in or transported thence to be set in certaine 8000 Duckets vpon condicion of which paimeÌ„t by way of a yeerely tribute he freely graunted to the Venetians as to his vassals the possession of the said I le which paimeÌ„t of 8000 ducats the Venetians onely would suppose to be graunted as an honorable reward or gratuitie in no sort as a tribute But Selymus the second demaunding of the said Venetians by a Harrauld the Fee possessioÌ„ of Cyprus which hetherto hee alleadged they had held vnder condicion of a yerely tribute affirmed their whole right so they had any to be extinguished the Intrest to be deuolued comd back to him as the superior Paramont Lord Because contrary to the allegance due to the lord of the Fee the said Venetians had giuen harborough and receit vnto certaine Spanish Pirats enemies to the sayd Selymus who by the licence of the Venetian Magistrates had brought into Cyprus ther made sale of great pillage certain booties taken out of Cilicia And although diuers other of the Turkish Emperours had tollerated the said Venetians to vvith-hould vvhat vvas not their right yet he the said Selymus had in determination to haue his due vvith vvhich if in good accord they vvould be content to depart he vvas not in any sort to violate their bonds of amitie or breake the peace but vvould endeauour in euery degree to aduance the estimation of that common vvealth If otherwise yet he the sayd Selymus vvas not to forgoe his right vvose meaning vvas to recouer the same by force The Venetians vpon this message although by the scarcitie of prouision and vittailes vvhich for diuers yeeres before they had endured as likewise by the firing of their Arsenall wherein the yeere precedent their whole sea preparation had ben consumed they were mightely perplexed and amated yet with noble resolution they returned aunswere that the sayd Selymus had no iust cause why to bereaue them of their iurisdiction in Ciprus which now for a hundred yeeres in right of inheritance they had peaceably possessed and that the yeerely pension accustomed to be paid to the Soldans of Egipt was no tribute dew to him as to the superior lord but onely an honorable gratuity whereby the kings of Cyprus were accustomed to acknowledge their thankfulnesse vnto the said Souldans as to their benefactors and friends by whose help Peter sometimes the king there had recoueted the same In which their good cause they made no doubt of gods asistance by whose aide and help they had decreed nothing doubted with force of armes to repell the violence and iniuries of Selimus and to defend Ciprus This answere returned to Constantinople all the marchants of Venice trading there were presently apprehended their goods seased and Pial Bassa Admirall at sea with a nauy Mustapha Bassa with an army by land conducted through Asia and Cilicia were sent against Ciprus Whilst in the meane time at Venice Petrus Lauredanus duke of that common wealth by griefe and discontent dyed during whose gouernment many heauie mischances and calamities had beefallen that state others more daungerous daily ensuing To this Lauredanus with great applause of the people Lodouicus Mocinega succeded The generall appointed for this war of Ciprus was Hieronimus Zanius an old man high fourescore yeeres of age yet of much viuacitie and abilitie in body who slowly coasting along Iadera and Corcyra made thereabouts whilst the rest of the Nauy should approch an idle and vnprofitable aboade but in the end houlding course towards Creet hee there continued as he had in commaund expecting the ayding forces of the Pope the king of Spaine of Cosmus duke of Florence But now whilst these affayres were in this sort carried by them Piall Bassa the Turkish Admirall first putting a strong garrison in Rhodes aryued at Micarium in Ciprus vpon the Calends of Iune whether Mustapha Bassa had likewise transported both his foote and horse forces without any worlds resistance Now the Venetians a little beefore had fortified the citie of Nicosia distant from the sea coast seauen Germain myles and which in formerages had both ben the seat of theyr kings an Archbâ—shops sâ—a with eleauen bulwarks a garrison of two thousand soldiors vnder the gouernment of Nichâ—â—â—us Tond â—â—us Astor Bâ—leonius This city Mustapha being without impeachment master of the field besieged erecting round about the same many fortes and sconses which hauing by a whole month both battered often assalted was in the end taken by force where hee repayring the ruins of the said fortifications and planting therin a garrison enforcing the course of his further victory vpon the 16. of September the same yeere he began to laie siege to Famagosta On which day the Christians who had lingered all this while about Creet with a nauy of 200 ships wholie ignorant what things had hapt at Cyprus and now setting sayle from Heraclea Sentia not far of encountred Lodouicus Bembus who recounted the losse of Nicosia whervpon the generals of the fleete Hieronimus Zanius Iohn Andreas Auria Marcus Antonius Columna with others calling a counsaile of war through different delaying opinions whervnto may be added the misfortune of a horrible tempest which dispersed the fleet lost both opportunity the aduantage of executing any honourable attempt In which their consultations it was chiefely argued that now the haruest being far spent the winter drawing neere the nauigation of the Pamphilian seas would be exceeding dangerous besides if ought should fall out otherwise then well there was no where thereabouts safe harborough for the ships That the Turks now becomd insolent through the successe of their late vctiory would fight with greater courage then before hauing besides all the hauens other harboroughs friend vnto them whom it was not now possible by any meanes as matters were fallen forth to expel from Ciprus The confederates further alledging that they were sent onely in ayde of the Venetians not to recouer things once lost but to giue let least ought shold be lost which occasion since it could not be holden it was thought most conuenient againe to returne â—o Creet the gulfe of Venice Andreas Auria likewise alledged for himselfe how he had in coÌ„mand from the king of Spaine his Maister to come back with his nauy in the end of September wherevpon this Christian captaines casting away both hope counsell of recouering Ciprus retyring backe were before they could recouer Creet with great stormes of winde they and their whole fleete miserably afflicted Now when they were ariued at Creet Andrea Auria craued lisence to depart that so he might obey his princes command from whom hee had in charge for the reducing of his fleet to Messana in Sicilia
wealth with large lands and stately erected monasteries wherwith the plentisul couÌ„tries of Europe are euery vvhere pestered to vvhom a great part both of Christendomes reuenues coÌ„modities be comd This I doe not disalow but much commend the pietie wisedome of our ancestors who haue bene so bouÌ„tiful in bestowing to holy vses so liberal towards the maintenance of Gods seruice releueing the necessitie of the poore and both nourishing cherishing the studies of Arts euery good literature Another thing with vs is that our seates of Iustice prolong the deciding of causes with many quiddetyes delayes which is the sole reason that we see so many lawiers Iudges so many attorneys solicitors clarks notaries aduocates proctors to whom so great rewards large fees are assigned as this practise of the law lyke to that other hath drawen with it no litle part of the welth of Christendom Againe the Scholes of good learning are by vs vvith great charge mainteined to which many repaire perceauing the accompt that learned men daily liue in doe spend either all or the greatest part of their life in that profession Lastly good god what cost is bestowed in euery handi craft thing what huge foundations hourly laid what state abundaÌ„ce of publike priuate buildings what superfluety in ensignes of honor picturs haÌ„gings plate what delicacy in euery houshold prouisioÌ„ What riot in feastings what pride expeÌ„ce in apparell vvith how great stipends are the masters in these Artes maintained all which as they greatly beutifie our Christian countries maligne the Turks in regard of vs to appeare rude vnpolisht so are they vtterly ill fitting for martiall affaires or enlarging of an Empire vvhilst they consume wast a great part of that wealth which were better bestowed in the wars Now vvith the Turkes all these things are in proportion ether small or none Their Preists Religious are very few their lyuing litle supplyed with things onely necessary Their law determinations want demurs and delatory plees receauing sentence at the first or second hearing vvithout tossing so many volumes of the ciuill Canon Codices with their comments so many yeere bookes of the common lawes course wherby so great store of counsells aduocates such quantitie of clarks and notaries are in small request Ther is amongst them no orders of Monks Freeers no Pyles of stately builded Palaces no sumptuousnesse in their dayly port but thrifty cariage spare dyet vvherein the hands of cunning cookes haue no medling the Turkes neither caring or crauing these things but spending vvhat they haue in theyr needfull preparations for the vvars vvhere vvealth and rewards are peculiarly appropriate to the valiant No marueill therfore that so many as I haue sayd of vvorthy Christian seruitours leaue the displayed Banners of IESVS vvhere small and for the most part no consideration is allotted their merits repairing thether wher they finde riches and estimation the guerdon of well dooing Now since the one and onely meanes of the Turkish glory doth proceede from the warlike designes it is no wonder that all their endeauours should wholy bee bent to that which thus alone drawes with it honor riches power wherby we see how they excell all other nations in martiall estimatyon execution of high exployts what great numbers of valiant souldiours they continually keepe in pay how huge forces of horse and foote they maintaine so as to all people their name is now becomd fearefull that alwaies they returne victors from euery war once vndertaken for inlarging their dominion our mens mindes on the other part by multiplicitie of knowledges and imployments being so distraught as few can spare any time to follow such seruice through as I said the innumerable sorts of handy crafts studyeng of arts professing of religion things indeed that haue diuerted the thoughts of the greater part of able Christian bodies froÌ„ the affectation of armes for it is the condicion of man with greater content to follow that course of life which is easie safe lesse paynefull free from danger then that other of the wars prosessed enemy to rest quietnesse especially when this first with pleasure brings neuerthelesse the commodityes of estimatyon riches manifesting the apparant reason that thus we see all our cities so replenished with marchants craftsmen inholders vinteners such like euery place reporting the disputations different opinions of Philosophers deuines with continuall canuassing of law cases All which things as they mightely I say adorne our peaceable part of the world so doe they wholy disable all martiall credyt for which wee finde vpon euery occasion how weake our forces are for cause of the small number who follow the wars In which this further I dare affirme from sound iudgment that of that age whose bodies through Christendome are fit for the wars seruice the hundreth person scarce doth apply him to that profession whereas on the contrary with the Turks the greater part alwaies doe wholy deuote themselues to the practise of armes But now let vs come to the inflicting of punishment due to offenders the feare wherof of equall conteines men in compasse both to the ciuell and martiall discipline wholesome lawes being with vs as well as with the Turks to that end established Yet the vigor force of good lawes should not consist in a positiue decree but in a and sacred inviolable obseruation of the same the rigor whereof we Christians for the most auoide by the cunning distinctions of lawyers mitigate by the fauour of great personages or breake through by our owne power Where with the Turkes these thinges are otherwise there being left no meanes to obtaine pardon of any offence no hope of escaping punishment so as we see with vs all thinges to be corrupt dissolute liberty for each one to doe what he list Our souldiours licentious freed from feare of punishment with carelesse cariage executing what euer is committed to their charge still mutinous sedicious respectlesse of command great doers in words litle indeed in skirmish making courtsie who should first begin or rangd to fight running away the first squadrons scarcely chargd or before any honest hasard of fortune were attempted although we haue as cannot be denied diuers worthy captaines who are not impechable of any these crimes yet what shall those few excellent men affect in reâ—orming the generall corrupt conditions of time in faith little whose vertues are to feeble to encounter the outgrown vices of this age Againe it is well knowen that many great commanders ther are who casting away their priuate counsels consideratioÌ„s prefer the publike good yet euen these haue such for inferiour leaders who are no lesse if not more faulty then the ordinary souldiour the greater part of whom follow the seruice for gaine and make a traficke of the warres Who when a muster of men is to passe and pay to bee made beelie their number either borrowing or subborning base fellowes to fill vp such roomes as are fayling whereby it fals out that the payes bee euer strong but the companies weake Now none of all these defaults bee conuersant in the Turkish campe where the souldiour is euer seruiceable and at commaund executing what they haue in charge carefully reseruing their heat of courage to encounter the enemy which with high resolution they both vndertake and maintayne nothing dismayed with a first ouerthrow nor discouraged with the enemies second good successe whereby to leaue the field but valiauntly fighting conteyned more by the force of their lawes the punishment therof then by feare of the enemy keepe theyr assigned ranckes expecting the best and enduring the vtmost of good or bad fortunes chances who alwaies bearing in mind the fearefull spectacles of those theyr barbarous chastisements as ther may be caused etermine either to depart the field as victors or if fortune enuie theyr valour rather there to receiue an honest death from the edge of the enemies weapon then at home to be strangled or haue his throat cut by a hangman Againe whilst the valour of the leader striues with the obedience of the souldyour who neuer haue their priuate counsels deriued from the publike good we find them to performe most excellent offices in theyr seuerall places both towards their king and country These are such obseruations true honoured Columna as formerly I sayde haue long possest my minde touching the greatnesse of this Turkish Empire which if you allow I shall the better like if otherwise conceale them to your selfe I pray least they may chance into such mens hands as may detract from the estimation of my iudgement FINIS As the Latin word Imperator at the first was no name of Regall power and authoritie VVhence â— family of Mendoza in Spaine had their beginning Ptolemais Opp nunc Acre Laodicea Opp nunc Licquee Berythus Opp nunc Baruth Gamela Opp nunc Hames Geth nunc Ybelim Tyberias Opp nunc Tabaria By what tiâ— the kings of Spaine chalenge the right of the crowne of I rusalem Arsacides Tigado Despot what it meaneth Bulgariâ— ila Mammaluch Emir Quibir Vt sit et bene et semper The woor Solyman his Nobili The sheweth counsaiâ— of the of Malâ— woords let the mastar to â—annâ—ts The Letter froÌ„ the great maister of Malta to Pope Pius the fourth of that name 1565. The 22 of March the Turks nauy vnlosed from Constantinople The 180 Maâ—â— the Nauie of the Turks ariued at Malta descriptâ— Malta Ad Eurotiotum The Turkes landing in Malta Azorbar Consultation of the Turkes Vallum exâ—â—uunt Pa. 40. A fugitiue Decem Bâ—emes The first assalt Spachâ— qui seruent auec trois ou quatre cheualls chascun et aut 200 ducats per An et sont tous Azamoglan et esclaux dudict grand Turc A Bridge of mastes The death of Medrano and Baragamo The bridge of Masts burnt The famous pirat Dorguta wounded to death The counsell of the Ioannits The sentence of the counsâ—â—â—l Thâ— answere of the worthie defenders The last assalt giuen by the Turks to the castle of Saint Hermes The Fort of Saint Hermes wonne The letter of the great Maister to Mesquito Philip a Turke a noble man reuolted and came to the Christians Pluteum