trussed vp al his furniture of houshold with his wife went to Cepta When he was come thither fayning an excuse that his wife was sore sicke he desired the king to geue Caba his doughter leaue to come home and sée her languishing mother who was neuer like to sée her any more For Caba with other Princes and Lordes daughters as the manner was at that time waited in the court Hauing by this meanes receiued home his Daughter he went to Mucas who was as before we shewed the head ruler of all Lybya vnder Vlite and vnto hym he opened from poynt to poynt the whole cause of his comming away from the Court and promysing to make hym Lord of all Spayne if he woulde geue the aduenture take the enterprise in hand Mucas shewed the whole matter vnto Vlite because he durste not deale in such a waightye case withoute his will and pleasure first knowne Of whom he receaued this answer that the matter propounded was of great importaunce and difficultie and that it were not best in such a doubtfull matter to geue rashe credite to a subtyle persone and one altogether estraunged from their Religion Notwithstandinge to trye the trust and faithfulnesse of the Earle he was resolued that the matter might be best assayed by deliuering vnto hym a small crewe of Souldiours at the first and if he sped well and had good successe at the beginning afterward more ayde and greater power might be sent Mucas although he were throughlye perswaded by the Earles talke and motion that althings would sort to good effect yet durst he not passe nor goe beyond the contents of his Commissiō prescribed by vlite Wherefore he delyuered vnto Iulyan one of his Capitaynes named Tarife Auenzarca with a hundred Horsmen 400. footemē Who were all transported in foure Ships into a litle Ile lyinge in that Elbow of Sea that the Promontorie Calpe maketh which I le was afterward of this Capitayne Tarife called Gelriza Tarif Vnto this place Iulyan called and by gentle meanes allured all his friendes and kinsfolkes recomptinge vnto them from poynct to poynt the commodities and plesures which by his labour industrie and perilles the King had receaued for recompence whereof he forgat not to tell them the Kinges vngratitude and the spightfull dishonor doone vnto hys house by the rauishing and deflowryng of his Daughter telling them further that the King did vniustly vsurp that kingdome whiche by rightfull succession of inheritaunce belonged to the Sonnes of Vitiza For which causes he desired their helpynge handes in this so good and iust quarell to assiste hym tellyng them that the next yéere he would come with a conuenient army to performe asmuch as he then spake He so much perswaded them with these and such lyke wordes that they promysed hym when time shoulde serue their best seruice and furtheraunce and there vpon retourned home euery man to his owne house Iulian because he would make a beginning of his purposed warre inuaded the Ile Gades liing in the vtter part of the ocean néere to the narrow sea whiche Ile was afterwarde named Alzira Dalfrada which with Sword and fire he spoyled caryinge the Inhabitantes awaye with hym Prisoners and after that shewed the lyke curtesie to Lusitania and Betica and beyng laden with aboundaunce of spoyles and booties returned into Aphrica Mucas séeing this good successe and thinkyng it a beginninge good ynough delyuered vnto hym twelue thowsande Saracenes beside them before vnder the conducte of the same Tarife With whome hee arriued at the foote of the Promontorie Calpe which Mountayne was thereof afterward called Gabel Traife which is as much to say as the Mount of Traif and now it is called Gibel and setting his Souldiers on land tooke by force the citie Carceia which afterwarde euen till our time was called Tarifa The rumour of this great cōmotion being spred throughout all Spaine the kinsfolkes of Earle Iulian gathering together all the power that they were able and feigning that they went to repulse this Saracenicall inuasiō went straight wayes thither and ioyned themselues with him And so all their powers being linked in one they wasted and haryed al the coast about the Riuer Betis now named Guadolouir and commonly called Andalusia or of the Vandales Vandalusia Roderike in the meane season with as much spéede as he coulde gathered a very great Armie and appointing his Cosen Germaine Ignicus to be Chieuetaine thereof sent him against his enemyes Who making many conflictes and skirmishes with them was at length with all his Armie discomfited and ouerthrowne The Saracens hauing made great pyllage desolation in the Countrey and laden with foyson of many booties and carying a great multitude of Prisoners with them returned into Affrica At which time Vlite beyng in Asia and making preparation to warre with Constantinople dyed after whom Zulciminie the Sonne of Abdimelik was made high Bishop during whose raigne the Saracens the seconde time besieged Constantinople For immediatly after his creation he sent Malsana with an armie by lande and Aumar with an other by Sea against Constantinople and he himselfe with a great power folowed after But this his strong and terrible purpose was for a while defeated by Leo the Praetor of Armenia whō they séeking meanes to entrap and deceiue were themselues by him entrapped and deceaued for he stopping the passages conuenient places through which they must néedes goe hindered their reckening Whilest these thinges were in doyng Mucas comming out of Affrica to congratulate and doe his duetie to Zulciminie the new Byshop declareth vnto him the state of their affaires in Spaine wherevpon he being meruelous desirous to enlarge the limittes of his Empire gaue him in commaundement to send Tarife againe into that Prouince with a mightier armie then any he had before Mucas therfore retourning into Affrica the next yeere folowing transfreted with a buige armie into Spayne kéeping with him as a pledge or hostage Richila Counte of Tingis and cosen to Iulian whom he halfe mistrusted Which armie being once landed on the next coast Roderike speedely gathered the powers of the Prouinces néere about And so with the ayde of the people of Gottalonia now called Catalonia and in tholde time Lacetani the inhabitauntes of Iberia now called Tarracon or Aragon the Cantabrians béeyng at this day in the Kingdome of Nauarre and the people of Gallia Gottica wherein are the Cities Tolosa Nimes vnto the Ryuer Rhone he sodainly and vnlooked for encountred with them at the Ryuer Bedalaces whiche of tholde wryters was called Betis néere to a towne called xerez The Saracenes at that tyme had encamped them selues on that side of the Ryuer where Andalusia standeth and the King wyth hys battaile on the other side wherein the Kingdome of Castile is For the Ryuer Betis springing out of mount Ortospeda in the borders of Aragon and runnyng into the Ocean nexte to the Streightes diuideth Andalusia and the Kyngdome of Granado from Castile and runneth
and came to ruyne But to retourne agayne to our purposed narration Malsamas aduaunced his power to besiege by lande that part which we sayde stoode in the Isthmos or streict péece of grounde betwéene the Horne and Propontis whiche could be oppugned none other way but onely by land He because his purpose was vtterlye to disapoynt the Citizens that no victuall shoulde be conueighed vnto them and for that his desire was to encroche as néere to the walles as could be so politiquely lodged his Garrisons Host on euery side that the fronte of his Armye was as though it had bene a Horhe next to the walles thence as the Féelds farder of from the narrow land stretch out in breadth scope raught out along about the Cape or Bay vnto the mouthes of the riuers which we sayd had their yssu es fallynge into the same For this Host was merueilous populous and formydable and therfore required greatground elbow roome From thence making many roades into the country adioigning he lamentably distressed the same and threatning vtter subuersion to the Citie laide battrye and siege to it with Mynes Bastiles and all kinde of Engynes that might any way further his pretence On thother side Zulciminie with his Nauye on the Sea enuironed the whole Citie on that side towarde Propontis and Bosphorus from the narowe lande to the Promontorye Metopick insomuche that to them that looked out of the Citie the Seas Propontis and Bosphorus séemed all ouer to be couered with wodde lyke a Forest He slept no more in his businesse then Malsamas dyd but with sea skalyng ladders and such Gunnes as then were in vse assaulted the citie and most fiercely shooke it But the besieged Citizens were so vigilaunt and so hardy withal that all their attemptes and deuoyres were wholy frustrate Wherfore seing they could not this way preuaile they thought to win their purpose by long siege and tract of time But Zulciminie in the meane season died in his owne Campe whereby there arose a seditious tumult among the Saracenes for the chosinge of a new bysshop and for that cause the siege was for a time intermitted At length Aumar the sonne of Abdimazid was created Byshoppe in the dead mans place in the yéere 721. The wynter was then so extréemly colde that all the riuers were hard frosen ouer with yce And also they had victuall dayly brought into their Campe out of Egipt yet because the number of the men and Beastes was excéedyng great and the winter extreamely colde a great sorte of them dyed some with colde some for famyne and some of diseases a great rablement of them thinking to get some booty abroad yssued out of their owne Campes and made incursions into the frontiers of Bulgaria where they were of the Bulgarians incountred withall and in manner all slayne as they were about their pyllage At which time there were as some affirme of them slaine xxx thousand Leo the Emperour also was with them to bring by an artificiall deuise of fireworke wrought by a Glasse as Archymedes of Syracuse aforetime did By meanes of which Glasse he set on fire the fléete of the Saracenes and so spoyled them that few of them escaped vnburnt and they which escaped were takeÌ„ of the Greekes by reason that the Captaines of them for feare of the fire yelded themselues fledde for succour vnto the Gréekes This fine inuention â—ounde out by a certaine cunning Architect merueilously appauled their spirites for the verie Sea about the Shippes séemed to be al on a light fire Such another kind of burning glasse as this wée reads was at Alexandria in Aegypt in the watche Tower named Pharus wherewith the inhabitauntes when they lysted holding the same ful against the Sunne Beames set the Shippes of their enemies on fire a great way of During this while Mucas Tarifa hauing subdued Spaine began to bée had in suspicion by Aumar Whervpon they came both together to salute their new Bishop and to cleare themselues from all suspicious crymes that coulde be obiected against them Where Tarifa accused Mucas of extortion and layde to his charge that hée had purloyned the Princes treasure during his regiment in Spaine of which crime he being attainted and found giltie against the high Bishop tooke such inward griefe that he dyed In whose place Aumar preferred Gizid to the Lieutenauntship of Affrica and Tarifa he appointed Regent of all Spaine Wherefore Gizid with a well appoynted Nauie of thrée hundreth and sixtie Saile wyth the supplie of the other Legions and victuall made hys course directly toward Constantinople but hearing by the way tidings how the Constantinopolitanes had consumed the most part of the Saracenes Ships with fire he durste not aduenture any further but stayed vpon the coastes of Bithynia robbyng and makinge spoyle of the Country round about In which place he had but a colde welcome géeuen hym by the Romane Legions beynge there in Garrisons who setting fiercely vpon hym kylled many of his people and so skarred the residue that they were glad to retire Yet neuertheles the terrestrial army vnder the conduct of Malsamas desisted not their Siege before the Citie and yet they were so sore pinched with famine and hungre that they were fayne to eate the dead Carion of any maner of Beaste yea they eat dryed ordure and dung and are reported also to be so nere driuen that for very néede they eate their owne fellowes fleshe being dead such an excéeding desire had they to conquere that Imperiall Seate and Citie royall of all the Romane Empire orientall Constantinople in the meane season escaped not frée but was plagued with as great mortalytie an other way For the pestilentiall plague consumed wel néere CCC thousand persons When tydinges of these so great and so many ouerthrowes and infortunate calamyties was brought to Aumar he was therewith so dismayd that hée immediatly addressed his letters to Malsamas with commaundement foorthwith vpon the receipt thereof to retourne home with all his Army left aliue Wherevpon Malsamas shipped his Souldiours and departed But there sodenlye arose such a vehement tempest and boysterous wynd that all their Shippes sauing onely tenne perished in the Sea whereof fiue were taken by the Romanes the residue retourned home to bringe newes of this their heauy chaunce mysfortune But Abdeluzite the Nephieu of Mucas whome Mucas at his departure out of Spaine appointed his Deputie marying the Quéene Egilona late wife of Rodericke by her counsell proclaymed himselfe king of Syuyle Whereat the Saracenes greatly fumyng chafyng kylled both him and his wife and in his roome substituted an other of Mucas his kinsmen named Aiub tyll such time as their high Byshoppe should take order for lendinge some other This Aiub repayred and reedified the Citie Bilbilis wherein the noble Poet Martiall was long before borne ruinated and much defaced durying those warres and many other Cities in Spaigne and named it by his
meane stature bigge headded somwhat broune complexioned chéerefully countenaunced and liuely coloured a long bearde and yet not hoare because alwayes as it beganne to waxe graye with oyntmentes he altered it his visage and looke was graue and portly pretending a kynde of Maiestie ioyned wyth gentlenesse and curtesie hys legges very well proportioned his bodie in goyng or mouyng pleasaunt and gentle and lyke as they terme it to the course of a styll runnyng Ryuer in talke verie curteous in mynde and body both stoute stronge and venturous quicke and prompte of witte but the same as Salust writeth of Catiline wicked and disposed to all mischiefe bolde hardie and suche a one that cared for no perilles 〈◊〉 Whereof hée gaue once a manyfest example for beyng mounted vppon a marueilous fierce and vntamed Horse in the presence and sight of sundrie his friendes he so spourred and galloped him that all the beholders seeyng him in suche great perill earnestly desyred him to alyght Vnto whom wyth very amiable countenance and pleasaunt language he aunswered that the Horse was lyke vnto the Sea dooyng them thereby to vnderstande that he tooke no lesse pleasure and delectation in that prauncing then if hée were in a Shippe vppon the Sea. Also hée was fickle mynded and double in all hys doynges as the infinite rable of Lawes one cleane contrarying an other by him made doe manyfestly witnesse whiche thyng caused great varietie and diuerse sortes of sectes in hys Religion hée was also a déepe counterfeytor and dissembler in euerye matter but by nature verie eloquent withall Hys ambicious and haultie mynde gaped wythout measure after promocion and authoritie In so muche that consydering in hys mynde this great varietie of Sectes hée was merueilously enflamed with a desyre to establishe and make one manner of religion and to take vnto him as well the Soueraigntie of Empyre as also of diuine honour Whereof he was put in greate hope by reason of the great sedicion and discorde of the Christians the corruption of manners and the want of warlicke discipline Moreouer hée was grealy anymated by the peruerse and Deuilyshe Counsell of one Sergius a Monke who béeyng exiled and expulsed oute of Constantinople for mayntainyng the Heresie of the Arrians fled into Arabie and vsed oftentimes to come to the house of Abdimoneples Mahomets maister and entirely loued Mahomet for the singular dexteritie that he conceyued to bée in his wit and towardnes Therefore assoone as his maister Abdimoneples was dead leauing behind him no Children his wife Hadigia beyng then wedow a woman of fyftie yéeres of age and lefte sole heyre of all her husbandes Landes Goods and Cattells tooke her seruaunt Mahomet to husband Now beyng in possession of the wedow and all her substance by meanes therof growen to great wealth he often fell grouelong on the ground foming and froathing at the mouth for he had the fallyng sicknes and laye in a horrible extasie or distraction of minde which his wife tooke very heauily and cursed her fortune in that shée had so lothsomely matched her selfe Hée therfore to appease her griefe and to make her from great agonie to leape to sodaine ioye tolde her that the same happened vnto him by the operation of the Spirite of God himselfe who appeared vnto him and reuealed certaine things which he should pronounce and shewe to the people touching the law of Moses and of Christ For quod he our mortall bodyes beyng subiect to corruption are not hable to sustaine and abyde the glorious and glittering sight of God whereby his bodie was in a manner at such times bereft and seperated from his mind Which wordes the olde trotte beléeuing as she that tenderly loued him for his lustie corage and beautifull age begann◠now not to loue him as a husband but to worship and reuerence him as a holy man and a diuine Prophete highly in Gods fauour and to blaze his holines abroad among her Companions and Gossippes In so much that when she dyed she not onely left him wealthie in goods and possessions for she made him heyre of all but also in great veneration and credite among the common people for an opinion of sanctitie which was thought to be in him For which cause Buback the chiefest and in greatest authoritie among all of that parte of Arabie and of the same Tribe that Mahomet was gaue his daughter Aissa to him in mariage when he was but yet thirtie yéeres of age Puffed vp with pryde because of this new affinitie and for the great abundance of wealth left vnto him by his other wife he openly professed himselfe to be the messanger of God and a Prophete and to teach the people a new kind of religion patched and gathered together out of the erronious Schismes and hereticall dreames of all Sectes For he taught and commaunded Circumcision Baptisme and abstinence from Swines fleshe wyne He instituted a generall fast to bée kept one whole month in the yéere and that no meate for that space shoulde bée eaten in the day tyme but onely in the night He affirmed that there were but thrée Prophetes that is to wit himself Moses and Christ and that Christ was not God with an innumerable rable of most blasphemous opinions contained in his filthie Alcorane Which assertions and opinions were of many at the first deryded flouted at in so much that they accoūpted him no better thē lunatique and distraught of his right wittes But when that he had persuaded and allured all his Allyantes and the familie of Buback which bore great sway and authoritie yea and many of the common people also to credite and leane to his Secte the Magistrates of Mecca perceiuing that this new dotage and commotion would bréede a scab in the common wealth if the inconuenience like to ensue therby were not spéedily preuented and the impudencie of the man by rigour repressed for he slaunderously would inueigh and openly raile vpon Princes determined with them selues to lay handes vpon him and to put him to death Mahomet hauing vnderstanding of their intentes and mindes fled out of Mecca whom many of his Kinsfolkes Alies Friends and Clientes who were throughly persuaded that he was such a one in déede as he had professed and woulde séeme to bée folowed And from this yéere which was after the Natiuitie of our Lorde and Sauiour Christ 593. yéeres the Arabians do recken their yéeres calling this the yéere of Legira which is to say the yéere of flight or transmigration Mahomet therefore seeyng such a great multitude to fauour and sticke to him putting more trust in his power then he did before made vnto them an Oration in effect as foloweth How earnest I haue béene and what desire I haue alwayes had to proclaime aduance and publishe that law which hath béen vnto me reuealed by the Archangell and Messanger of Almightie God Gabriel with commaundement to teach the same to all mortall wyghtes both God himselfe knoweth and you
stoode and what he purposed to do willing him spéedily to come with more power to ayde him and be partaker of that glorious noble enterprise The Antiochians knowing their chiefe Tower to be taken ranne couragiouslye to repell and dispossesse the Romanes out of the same Now the Maister of the Tentes had in charge from the Emperour that he should not in ani wise inuade Antioch because the common brute went that the captiuitie of that Citie did portende within awhile after the Emperours confusion whiche bred in him such doubtfull cares that he knew not what to doo in that case nor which way to take Neuerthelesse loath that so manye valiaunt men should through his default perysh thinkyng it no poynt of humanytie to sée them thus fall into the lapse for want of a small ayde marched with all his power and inuaded Antioche at whose comming the Saracenes were so dismayde that their hartes fainted and their stomackes immediatly quayled Burzes his company which before dispayred of any help or remedye looking for nothing but present death tooke new hart agrace and were reuiued and bursting open the Gates with his battayle Axe made frée passage and ingresse for the maâ—ster of the Tentes and his traine to enter Thus was Antioche one of the noblest Cities in the world brought into the power of the Romanes whiche shortly after in the time of the Emperoure Iohn Zimisca the Saracenes with all their ioynt powers and forces both of the Orient and occident attempted to recouer And so vnder the conduct of the Caliph of Cairoan in Affrica because the power of the Caliph of Syria was now sore weakened and brought to a lowe ebbe they planted their Siege about it Whose inuasions and malyce the Citezins and Inhabitauntes manfullye and constantlye withstoode tyll the Emperour might hereof be certyfied Who hauing intelligence of this generall conspiracie of the Gentiles commaunded his Prouost of Mesopotamia to ayde his besieged Fréendes and Subiectes Who according to his charge and coÌ„mission in a pitched battaile wherein the Saracenes were in number farre moe then the Romanes them disparcled chased and discomfited Now because I sée the empire of the Saracens to draw apace towarde an ende and finall ruyne we must before we procéede any further briefelye and compendiouslie wryte of the remnauntes and reliques of them that yet lurked in Africa and Spayne and firste wee wyll speak of Spayne then afterward of Africa In Spayne therefore Ramire Kinge of Lyon in the yéere of our Sauiour Christ 901. making war vpon the Saracenes destroyed a Towne of theirs named Madrite and put them to flight néere vnto Osma and made Benaiam King of Saragoza Tributary vnto hym Whom afterward rebelliouslye ioyninge in league with Abduramen King of Corduba and tourning to his olde vomyt agayne Ramire eftsoones vanquished and tooke Prisoner in battayle néere to a Towne called Synâ—ncas wherein there were slayne of the Saracenes thyrtye thousande and many other annoyances and harmes did hee vnto them Afterwarde lying at the Siege of Talauâ—ra he ouercame the Toletane Saracenes whiche came to reyse the Siege and to rescue the Citie of whom vii M. were taken and xii M. slayne After this Sancius kinge of Lyon beinge depriued and driuen out of his kingdome by his owne people came to Abduramen king of Corduba to be cured of a certayne disease by the help of his Phisicions whom for conning and knowledge he had heard to be the expertest and skilfullest that were then in al the world Whom the king of Corduba did not onely cause to be healed but also with his power and help maugre all his foes restored him to his Roome and dignitie But after that hee was dead the Saracenes wanne Symancas Duengas Sepulueda and Gormas Townes belonginge to the kingdome of Lyon and rased Zamorra And within awhile after destroyed and euerted Portugall the head of all Lusitanie and Compostella After the death of Abduramen Alliagib his Successoure in that kingdome naming him selfe Almansor which is as much to say as the Protectoure of king Mansor his Lorde and maister because bee hoped therby the rather to allure the peoples goodwils and vnder that coloure to insinuate himselfe into their fauoures for at that time Mansor raigned at Marrocco Which Citie as we haue afore shewed was the Seate royall of all the Saracenes Empire Occidentall vnder whose iurisdiction and rule all the inferiour kinges of the Saracenicall nacion in Spayne lyued gathered a mighty power and inuaded the Territories of the Castulonians Lyon and Bâ—â—kaye The Citie of Lyon he almost vtterly defaced the Towers and Bulwarkes thereof which were all of Marble he rased and heat downe to the grownde leauinge onelye one vntouched and vnblemished to the intent that the memorye of the beautye and gorgeousnes of that Citie might appeare and remayne to posterytie He tooke Asturia and Coiaca which is now called Valenâ—ja not that Valentia which standeth vpon the midland Sea but an other in the kingdome of Leon by the Pyrenes and Sansagnium with many other Townes And in the Precinct of the Castulonians he destroyed Osma Alcobetla Berlanga and Atienza and of the Gallycian Townes he tooke S. Iames and commaunded the Belles to bee caryed away thence to Corduba where he vsed them in stéede of Lampes in his prophane Temples in this sorte he continued outraging and kéeping sharpe warres for the space of twelue yeares Tyll at length Bermudes King of Lyon with the powers of the Castulonians the Byskayes and his owne bad vnto hym battayle in a place called Calataicor This battayle was fiercely foughten on both sides for the space of a whole daye where were slayne of the Saracenes many thousandes and in th' end Almansor with all his retinew and Adherents fled and shortly after died for sorow of his ouerthrow The Spaniardes ruffling and spoiling their camp found therin great booties prayes which they at their flight had left behind them Abdimelick greatly mooued with his fathers misfortune and purposing to recouer and haue amendes for the same was also vanquished But afterward in the reigne of Alphonsus the Son of Bermudes the Saracenes agayne inuading the borders frontiers of the Castulonians destroied Auila tooke Ormetum with any other townes And Alphonsus reedifled the citie of Lyon. After al this there sprang vp ciuile warres among the Spanish Saracenicall Kinges and Princes whereby the power of the Christians in that prouince dayly encreased insomuch that Mahomet Enasâ—r Bishop of Marrocco being vanquished in Gottalonia néere to Valentia and ix M. Saracenes slaine with him in the yéere of our redémption 1150. the Christians within xxx yéeres folowing recouered Valentia Deuia Alicante Muria new Carthage Corduba Syuile Iaen and Vbeda and the Saracenes had no more in their possession but onely the Kingdome of Granado from whence at length they were vtterlye expulsed and driuen out by Ferdinando the last king of the Tarracomans or Aragon Grandfather by the Mothers side
the goodnes of God slew of their Enemies with the sworde 7000 and 5000 drowned so that the victorye fell to the Christians In Syria the Christians discomfited the Saracens in two notable ouerthrowes in the first conflict 2500 of them were slaine In the other although both Armies were afflicted yet the Christians obteined the victory The king of Ascalon was by Baldwine repressed and the king of Damascus in thrée battailes ouercome After the death of Baldwine the third king of Hierusalem Fulco was made the fourth king The Erle of Tripolis by treason was slaine king Fulco was put to flight by his Enemies and condiscended to very hard conditions to be clearely deliuered from siege The Christians coaped in fight with the Egyptians and were superiours Ascalon was recouered by the Christians Fulco the fourth king of Hierusalē in hunting the Hare and ryding fast after the game through a fall from hys horse dyed after whom succéeded his Sonne Baldwine who was the fift king The Citie Edessa and almost all Mesopotamia was wonne by the Saracens Alaph Captaine of the Turks which now were of great name and power in the East where they kylled without all mercy a wonderfull number of Christiās rauishing mens wiues in the Church of Saint Iohn Baptiste in despight of Christianitie euen vpon the Alter Baldwine the thirde of that name and the fifte king of Hierusalem conquered Gaza and Ascalon and cast out al the Saracens And at Hierico he ouercame and put to flight Norandine Maister of the Chiualry of Damascus and slue 5000. of his enemyes Manuel Emperour of Constantinople with muche ouersight and negligence led through daungerous wayes and desert places his Christian Hostes against the Saracens insomuch that for scarcitie of vittayles and other necessaries they could atchiue no notable enterprise against the myscreaunt people Roger King of Sicilie and Normannes made the Africane Saracens tributarie to him for .xxx. yéeres and tooke their king Prisoner This yéere Conrade the second Emperour leuyed a great power against the Saracens against whom he had in battaile but ill successe Lewys King of Fraunce assembled a mightie Armie to go against the Infideles Out of England Flaunders and Loraine were furnished out 200 saile against the Saracens This yéere Conrade the Emperour passing ouer Bosphorus without anye resistaunce came néere to his enemies but for want of victuals and as some say his corne being corrupted and mingled with lyme and plaister he was glad to stay himselfe and go no further and to bring backe his Armye The Saracens vnderstanding hereof set vpon them behind and slue of them certain thousands The same yéere the French king came to the Emperour to aide him but by reason that his Army was greatly distressed and pynched with famine he could bring no notable atchieuaunce to passe The same time the Venetians with a well furnished Nauie went into Asia to aide the Emperour against the Saracens The Spanyardes expulsing the Saracens recouered Almaria and Tortosa two goodly embattailed Cities The same yeere Damascus was besieged by the Syrians Frenchmen and Hierosolymitanes and the Vamures thereof defaced And when they were euen at the poynt to haue wonne the Citie and subdued the Saracenes the chiefe Princes and Capitaines disagreyng and fallyng out amonge themselues called theyr owne Souldiours euery man together and departed thence leauing the siege Raymund King of Antioch with hys whole Hoast was discomfyted by the Saracens who spoyled all hys Countrey Antioch it selfe by the Kinge of Hierusalem was hardly rescued and saued Baldwine King of Hierusalem discomfited the Aegiptians and Babilonians The Saracenes draue the Spanyardes by force of Armes out of Almaria Baldwine set at libertie and restored many Cities expulsing thence the Saracens Baldwine dyed and in his stéede reigned hys brother Almericke the fixt king of Hierusalem Almericke in Aegypt obteined a noble victorie The same king befieged Damiata but in th' ende he agreed to a peace vppon conditions neither honorable nor profitable The Saracenes of Africa made manye Roades into Spaine Almericke King of Hierusalem dyed of an Ague And his sonne Baldwine was annoynted the seuenth king Baldwine in two battailes vanquished Saladine Kyng of Aegypt and brought much treasure into Hierusalem The Daughter of the king of Saracens being maryed to Prince Pagane was taken prisoner on the Sea by the King of Sicilie in hir voyage and iourney homewarde to hir husband Thys yeere the Christians in Hierusalem were ouercome Mausamunth king of the Saracens with great costes and charges repayred Carthage Baldwine the .vij. king of Hierusalem beyng infected with Leprosie dyed His Nephew Baldwine his Sisters sonne was elected king after him but by frouning destenies he was kepte backe from his dignitie After whom succéeded the .viij. king Guye of Lesingham Betweene this Guye kyng of Hierusalem and Raymund Earle of Tripolis there arose dissension and hartburning whiche was the cause that the Christians were brought into extreme daunger The Christians ioyning battayle with the Armye of Saladine had a lamentable ouerthrow In this battayle were slaine 20500. Christians King Guye was taken Prisoner and the Erle of Tripolis dyed sodainly Hierusalem hauing now bene enioyed and possessed by the Christians lxxxbiij was this yéere by surrendrie deliuered vp to the king of Saracens and the Christians there expelled the second day of October This yéere all Iurie was wonne from the Christians by the Saracens the Cities of Tyre Tripolis and Antioche being with much a doe and hardly kept Fridericke Emperour of Romans with his sonne Fridericke Philip king of Fraunce Richarde king of England with manye other Princes and Nobles assembling their Parliamentes decreed throughly determyned to ayde the Christians in Iurie Great preparation was made for this voyage Fridericke leadyng hys Armie into Syria and wynning the lesse Armenia went in the hoate time of Sommer into the Riuer Selephus to bathe washe himselfe where by misfortune he was drowned Lewes Kinge of Fraunce went with an Armye toward the holy Land with entent to supplant the Saracenes and relieue the Christians The sayd King Lewes ioyning battayle with the Saracenes brought vnder his subiection Damiata a populous citie and curiouslye embatteyled The same King Lewes in a terible conflict at Faramia was taken prisoner by the Saracens with his two brethren Charles and Alphonse Wherevpon Damiata was redeliuered into the hands of the Saracens whereby he saued his owne lyfe and his fréendes and was delyuered out of Prison This kinge was taken the fifte day of Aprill The Saracens lost the I le called Baleares which the Duke of Aragon subdued The kinges of Spaine fallynge at variaunce and discord the one brother fled into Fraunce to craue ayde the other into Africa to desire assistaunce of the Saracens against his owne brother whereby they wrought much scath both to themselues and to their countrey Deadly hatred and grudge fell betwéene the Venetians and the Genoways whereby the Christians inhabyting Ptolomais and Tyre were gréeuously
went vnto the Pauilion of Mustapha with the keyes of the Citie of whom at the first they were curteously enterteyned and caused to sit downe by him discoursing with them of sundrye matters and drawing them froÌ„ one tale to another till at leÌ„gth picking a surmysed quarel and specially to Sig. Bragadino sodainly commaunded them all to be pynyoned and to be layde bounde one by one in the market place and in hys presence there to be hewen in péeces As for Sig. Bragadino he first commaunded his eares to be cut of and most vilely to be stretched a long vpon the grounde while Mustapha talked and blasphemously demaunded of him where his Christ was that he helped him no better Then he led him to all the breaches of the Citie making him to carie at once two baskettes of rubbish and earth th' one on hys backe and th' other in his hand slauelyke to euery sundry battry being enforced also and commaunded to kysse the grounde as often as he passed by him After this he was ledde to the Sea side where being set in a Chayre he was wynched vp and fastened to the maineyard of a Galley and hoysed vp with a Crane so high that al the Christian Souldiours and Slaues in the Hauen alreadye shipped might behold and was afterward let downe againe and vpon the Pyllorie in the market place most cruelly fleyed quicke After which most sauage tyraÌ„nie his skinne was stuffed with Straw and hanged vpon the Bowsprit of a foyst to be caryed along the coastes of Syria that al the Port townes might behold and vnderstand who he was The Turkish Army at this Siege of all sortes were in number 200 thousande persons In 79 dayes all which time the Battry still continued 140 thousande yron pellettes were shot into the Citie numbred and séene The Christian Nauy being in number 207 Gallyes 6. Galeazes beside a great nuÌ„ber of Pynnesses and other Shippes and 20. thousande â—all Souldiours of Spayne Italy and Germanie beside the Labourers and Rowers wherof was chiefe General Don Iohn de Austria tooke the Sea at Messana from thence sayling to Coreyra so to Cephalenia séeking the Turkes where being out of Candy enformed of the miserable taking and cruell dealyng at Famagosta were further geuen to vnderstande that the Turks lay at Anker in the Gulph of VelapanÌ„t Spéeding themselues thytherward the Turkes were in a ioly ruffe marueilyng that the Christians curste so fondly hazard themselues vnto certayne death and makyng full reckenyng so to afflict and crush the Christian power at that time that they should neuer be able afterwarde to withstand theÌ„ more But they reckened before their Host and God gaue the victorie For there were taken burnt and sunk of the Turkish Gallyes Galiots and Brygandines 230. There were slayne of the Turkes 30. thousand beside a great number taken prisoners and about xiiii thousand Christians that had bene kept in lothsome captyuitie were set at libertie breaking their chaynes to be reuenged of their extréeme slauerie to helpe the Christians when the Turkishe side began to goe to wreck The chiefe brunt of this conflict was vpon the 6. day of October and lasted foure houres but the slaughter and chase continued all day from morning tyll night insomuch that the Sea séemed redd with bloud for none escaped thence aliue sauing 40. Gallyes which fled at the first beginning The Christians lost seauen Gallyes and were slayne betwéene the number of vi or vii thousande The wind and Sunne was on the backs of the Christians and full in the faces of the Turkes whiche greatlye helped them at this pinch and furthermore the Stemmes of the Turks Gallies were so high that they ouershotte our men which made them to vasten to grappling there beside a great sort of Ianyzaries and commoÌ„ Turkes their Bassa was slaine This yéere the seauenth of October the noble and valyaunt Prince Don Iohn De Austria with 105 Gallyes and 40. great Shippes was sent by Phylip King of Spayne to take and set order in the kingdome of Tunice where was great ruffling and hurly burly for the State. He therfore takyng Ship at Iauagnana had the wynd so fauorable that by noone the next day he arryued at Goletta Afterward there folowed and came to him Marcellus Auria with 29. well trimmed Foysts and the Duke of Sessia with 14. of the Popes gallyes The Turkes in Tunice for dread of his puissaunce whom to their cost not long before they had tryed fled out of Tunice some to Carauana and 400. of them to Bisana sometime called Vtica whom the Bisanes would not receiue nor succour whervpon after many hoat wordes on either party they fell together by the eares among themselues The Bisanes to be the stronger in that byckeringe vnclogged and vnchayned 150. Christian Prisoners whom the Turkes had vsed for Gallye Slaues and them furnished with Weapon and armure By whose help and meane specially the Bisanes got the vpperhande and slue many of the Turkes Which done Don Iohn hauing the goodwyl of the Townesmen sent thither Sig. Salazara the Spaniarde to take possession of the Towne and to sweare the Aâ—â—habitauntes to be true obedient Subiectes to Kinge Philip. Then landing his Army within foure miles of Tunice he sent 2500. Footemen to the citie where they found no body to resist them but onely 200 Moores in the Castle who sayde that they kept the same to the vse of Amidas their Kinge Whom Don Iohn sent Prisoner with his Wife and Children into Sicile because he had bene cause of great discorde and faction in that Countrie and dispossessing the lawfull heyres thereof had violentlye vsurped the same and procured the Turkes to come thither In whose roome be appoynted young Muleasses who sware to be true Vassall vnto Kinge Phylip and to holde his Crowne of hym by Homage whom the Citezins with a goodly peale of Ordinaunce receiued gladlye séemed to admit for their Souereigne Ouer the Castle or chiefe Fort of the Citie he appoynted Sig. Serbellane Captaine The iiij of February 200 footemen and 150 Horsemen of the Garrison of the sayd Sig. Serbellan ioyning also vnto theÌ„ for helpe 4000 Moores yssued out of their Fort and encountred with 1500 Turkes and 3000 Arabians which robbed and spoyled the goods of the Tunicians and gréeuously molested them In which conflict the false harted Moores reuolting and refusing to fight there was taken 150 Christians and two Gunnes Still the Turkes stamping and staring for rage to see the Spanyardes beare rule and authoritie in those quarters priuely in the night the 21 of Februarie surpryzed Canisum killing therein and slaying aboue a thousande persons and after they had vtterly burnt the towne euen to the Castle gate they retyred backe whence they came The Garrison in the Castle to their great griefe all thys while beholding this outragious dealing durst not once aduenture to coape with them for frare of loosing all because they were in number farre fewer their they
This yéere the Venetians entred into league with Selyme the Great Turke for confirmation whereof they sent Sig. Francesco Barbero to Constantinople the conditions wherof were that eyther partie should stil kéepe enioy so much as they had alredy in their seueral possessioÌ„s sauing that the Venetians promised the deliuery of Sapotum and resignation of all their tytle in the Forte of xemenicum into the Turkes handes and againe the Turke resigned and graunted vnto them two miles euery way about the Territory of Zara and other their Iurisdictions therabout and that the Venetians for Dalmatia and certeyne other péeces about Zara should yéerely answer on certaine tribute to the said Turke In March this yéere the Moores whom Don Iohn de Austria permitted vpon their humble sute still to inhabite in Tunyce by the egging and procurement of Radamane Viceroy of Algiera entred into conspyracie and deuise how to surprise and winne the new Fort that the Spaniardes had there lately made against whom Salazara was commaunded by Sig. Serbellane to go with a thousand footemen which put the Moorish Drudges to flight and slue of them 1200. Thrée Shippes were sent to Charles the ix Kinge of Fraunce laden with great Horses Lyons Lyberds and other Presentes Whiche colourable curtesie vnder the cloake of glosing flatterie it is thought the Turke vsed the rather to obteyne the Kinges goodwyll and consent that he might winter his Gallyes in the Port Tolonensis But hearing that the King was departed this lyfe before their comming one of them retourned to Constantinople with spéede to intimate to the Turke their Maister the French Kinges death and further to know his pleasure what they should doe In Iune the Emperour and the Turke concluded a peace for fiue yéeres to come In Iulâ—e 300 Turkes landing in Calabria to fetche fresh water and filch some other booties were snatched vp euery one and either slaine or taken Vppon the Seas about Tunyce were seene 350 Saile of the Turkes whose intent and meaning was as very shortly after they brought it to passe to recouer and wynne the new Fort which Sarraglion builded together with Goletta and other Péeces there With whom also a mighty rablement of traiterous Moores about Algiera Tripolis Zerbite ioyned side which dispossessed thence the Spanish garrisons to the great furtherance of their deuelish purposes aâ—d to the lamentable griefe of all Christendome considering what a small way they haue from thence into Spaine so into the rest of other Christian Realmes vnlesse the good and gracious prouidence of our God qualesâ—e and as with a Snaffle reine this raging Beaste and bloudy Tyraunt the common robber of all the world from further inuasion which he graciously graunt for his mercye sake through the mediation of his Sonne Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen FINIS Arabie Arabians are the ofspring of Ismael Affrica Esau inhabited part of Arabie Mahomet Alcorane is a Booke conteyning Mahomettes Law. Oration of Mahomet Horrible and vnnaturable murther First cause of grudge between the Christians and Saracens Mahomet beginneth to ruffle Damasens wonne by Saracenes A valaunt enterprise A lamentable slaughter Of our english money that Sum a mounteth to 40000 li. Peace dearly bought Lustie allowaÌ„ce only to allure men to his Sect. Ambitious Traytor He that hath most money shall haue most friendshippe Rome spoiled Emperour murthered Constantinople besseged seuen yeeres By whome Alcoran was clouted together Doting beliefe of Persians Marocco builded Tribute of Saracenes Christians instly plaged The Emperoure shamefully abused by his owne subiectes Slaughter of Saracens Beautye of a Woman causeth much mischief A most blodie battaile continuing a whole weeke How kings in those daies came into the field with what apparell for what cause All Spayne conquered by Saracenes The great daungers and aduentures of Pelagius His pithye Oration to his Countreymen A miracle of God in deliuering that Christians Traitours caÌ„not prosper long Constantinople again beseiged Constantinople is in compasse xiii miles Burning Glasses Lothsome famyne amonge Saracenes Great plague in Constantinople Shipwreck The Armes of the kingdome of Lyon. How FrauÌ„ce was first named Fraunce inuaded by Saracens Burdeaux taken and diuers other Cities and Townes Great slaughter Two balyaunt sailfull Capytaynes compared together Atine the saracen and Martellus the French. A pleasante and comfortable Oration of Martellus to his Souldiors Charles Charles the Great Kinge Charles cooled the saracens courage xii Peeres of Fraunce Thomas a ranke sedicious traitor and filthy villain Ende of Traytours By whom whervpon the Knightes of the order of S. Iames were first instituted Dronkenes the cause of a generall mishap and slaughter Inferiours take example of their Superiors A Churche buylt with the money the a Saracen payde for his raunsome Rome spoyled by the Saracens A pitifull state A Saracen Prince and all his host slayne An example of great loue and liberalitie toward learninge in a saracene Victory of saracens ouer the Greekes and Venetians Oration of Pope Leo the fourthe to encorage his Romans against the saracens A prayer A reuilinge Blasphemer Italians discomfired the Saracenes Geane takeâ— Antioche taken Granado wonne from the Saracenes Infideles by King Ferdinando Granfather to Charles the fift Anno D. 1492. A miserable king deposed froÌ„ his kingdome by desperation brake his owne necke and his wyues Saracenes were as the right childreÌ„ of Mahomet and Turkes in comparison but Bastardes Antioche taken TyraÌ„nye of Muchumet toward his owne men What a Souldane signifieth Emperoure in great danger A pollicie of the Saracens to haue taken the citie Edessa â–ª A Begger saued the Citie Turkes goe to wrake Emperour taken Prisoner Great curâ—esse of the Sultane An other voyage to Ierusalem Polycie The firste beginninge of the Assassines A thirde voyage toward the holy land One that toke vpon him to flie in the aire What trust is in the promise of a Turke A good Childe A lamentable slaughter of Christians by negligence Valiauntnes of the Emperour A freend at neede Friderick drowned Emperonte deposed by his Sonne in law Cambalu a noble citie of India Peace bringeth plentie The good example of the Prince doth muche good in a Realme A blessed plentie of al things caused through peace and good gouerment I Crowne Imperiall for the Empresse boght with the money that was had of the Turks for Egges in the time of dearth Pollice in Princes Mamalukea Egipt when it first came into the possession of the Turkes These people were after called Mamalukes Beg in the Turkishe language signifieth a Lorde An example of pitie toward them that were fatherlesse The kinges of Persia be right saracenes ⧠IMPRINTED AT London by William How for Abraham Veale dwelling in Paules Churchyard at the signe of the Lambe 1575.
were now dismaid at their wits end not hable to hold out ani longer but on euery side do what they could were by the valyant French Assaylaunts throwen downe from the walles or els slayne out of hand Within the Citie also there was a great slaughter of them vntyll the King had made proclamation that as many as were vnarmed and without weapon should be spared Then lo the Saracenes euer before that time choosing and accustomed rather to die then to yéeld as long as they had weapon Armure threwe downe their weapons and vpon their knées holdyng vp their vnarmed hands be sought pardon Then were the walles rased and the citie sacked From thence the Campe remooued and went to Saragoza the head Citie of the Prouince Taraconensis which beinge terryfied and feared by the example afore straightway condiscended and agréed to accept the offers and conditions propounded vnto them whiche was that they shoulde admitte and receaue into their Citie such as preached the glad tydinges of the Gospell of God and receaue againe Ibnabala their King and hym to acknowledg and obey as their Soueraigne Lorde After this he went into Gottalonia compelled the two kings of the Prouince which were accused to haue expulsed Ibnabala but of his kingdome Abuâ—am Deuiâ—feze to come into his Paullion with Giftes and Presents condiscend to become Tributaries Thus his name was had in feare and awe throughout all Spaine But when he was returned home agayne into Fraunce some write that there came out of Aphrica one Aigoland sent from the high Duke of the Aphrican Saracens who kept his Seat royall at Marrocco with a mighty army to recouer all such Townes and places as Charles had taken in Spaine with whom there were many other Princes Potentats and valyaunt personages And that Charles after many combates darraigned and foughten with hym hand to hand beinge thereunto by hym chalenged and prouoked fought a bloudy battayle with hym at Baion a Citie of Vasconia wherein were slayne 400000. Christians and among them Myles Anglere Father to Rouland a stout Gentleman and a hardy who had the leadinge and was Generall of the whole Army Notwithstanding all was regained by the puyssance and prowesse of Charles and other fresh ayd that then came euen in the nicke out of Italy to succour the Frenchman in that distresse Insomuch that Aegoland priuyly fled and conueighed himselfe away But not long after hauinge repaired his army with a supplie of moe Souldiours Aegoland againe prouoked Charles into Vasconia and besieged the Citie Gennum now called Baion the space of seuen Monthes and departing thence was in the borders of Xantongue in a cruell battel ouerthrowen after which discomfiture he fled back againe into Spaine And how that Charles because he would at length bring his Spanish warres to an end with a greater army then any afore entred into Spaine where after many light skirmishes he slew AegolaÌ„d in a notable battell after which victorie he brought vnder his subiection and rule almost all Spaine with many moe forged reportes and mere fables of some aduoutched all which for the vntruth and vnlykelyhood therof we do heare pretermit But if any be desirous to sée them let them reade Turpine Byshoppe of Rhemes to whom also I do referre you for the trueth of this which wee haue here last recited For we doe not fynde in any of those credible and approued wryters whych wée folowe that Charles made any moe voyages against the Saracenes into Spaine but one nor that they euer entred into Fraunce during his Raigne But this is manifest that Alphonsus Kyng of Asturia mooued with the famous renowne of his noble Actes and inuincible valiaunce and for the common weale of his Kingdome and Subiectes because he had no Children of his owne and saw that the power of that onely Region was farre vnhable so beare out and maintaine continuall warres wyth the Saracens offered vnto him secretely by trustie Messengers and Ambassadours the Kingdome of Lyon so that he would ayde hym against the King of Corduba with whom he had then waged Warre Charles accepting this offer and condition sent ayde vnto hym Which composition when the Nobles and Péeres of the Realme of Lyon vnderstoode they were soore displeased and tooke the matter greuously spighting as commonly in like cases it falleth out to haue a Nation hard vnder theyr noses to bée rulers ouer them and therevpon they compelled theyr King to starte from his Bargaine and vndoe his League And not so contented to leaue purposed also and deuised which way to dispatch and destroye King Charles and all his Army fearing least he séeing himselfe thus deluded and mocked would reuenge this iniurie done vnto him Therefore gathering and assembling all the power of the Asturians and Cantabrians together and sendyng also for ayde to the Saracenes in secrete wise preuenting Charles tooke and kept the narow Streights of the Mountaines where the passage way lyeth into Spaine by Ronceuall For Charles was retourned into Fraunce and was now againe in his way going into Spaine to reuenge this wrongfull dealing The Armie of King Charles was theÌ„ at the foote of the Pyrence Mountaines on that side next Fraunce in the valley yet called Hospita when there came newes vnto them that the Spaniardes were comming in warlike maner against him along by the valley called at this day Charles Valley which was a faire plaine ChaÌ„paine Therfore diuiding his hoast into thrée Battailes by the fraudulent traiterous couÌ„saile of GaleroÌ„ or as some cal him Gane whoÌ„ the enemies had corrupted with money he appointed Rouland his Nephew by his Sister commonly called of the vulgar sort Orland Duke of little Britaine a valiaunt GentlemaÌ„ and a hardy to leade the Vauwarde wherein he placed al the noble States Péeres of FrauÌ„ce in the second battaile he placed innumerable GentlemeÌ„ and noble Personages and he himself with the third wherin was the traitour GaleroÌ„ taried stil in the campe commaunding Orland with the vauntgard to aduaunce himself forward The Spanish army was embattailed in Ronceuall expecting their coÌ„ming Vpon whoÌ„ the fronte of the French hoast geuing the onset was at the first brunt so handled for the Spanyardes had gotteÌ„ the vpper grouÌ„d and al the strait passages that they were in worse case which escaped their hands theÌ„ they which were slain outright in fighting for they dyed were quickly out of pain but the other â—léeing through thicke thinne among the stones and craggy Cliues falling down froÌ„ high Rockes had their limmes brokeÌ„ so continued for a loÌ„ger seasoÌ„ in extreme tormente and agonies Thus Rouland all his traine being wearied what with climing vp the hill and what with the waight of their armour were easely killed and brought to confusioÌ„ After the same maner also was the second battaile haÌ„dled wherin were the 12. Péeres of FrauÌ„ce in whose power it is to create the king decide al waightie
causes of the Realme Charles still abode in the Valleye which for this cause is to this day called Charles Valley whyther he had remoued his Campe out of Hospita Who vnderstandinge of the great ouerthrow and losse of his Men retyred with al spéede againe into Fraunce Alphonsus excused himselfe by Ambassadours vnto him that all these thinges were attempted and done without his consent and knowledge with whome Charles renewed the former amytie and league betwene them stroken and concluded Then deuisinge in his minde to procure an atonement and vniuersall peace to the whole world sent his Ambassadours into Syria and Aegypt to conclude an amytie and peace with the Princes and Chiefe Rulers of the Infideles to the ende that they should the better vse and entreate the Christians liuing vnder their subiection Which he obteined insomuch that Aaron the high Caliph of Persia and Arabia who not longe afore rufflingly inuadyng the Prouinces of Asia that were vnder the Constantinopolitane Empire with CCC.M. men had enforced and by compulsion dryuen Nicephorus the emperour to redéeme and as it were to ferâ—â—e peace at his hands by paying yéerely an annuall fée in gold from thenceforth not onely not infested and vexed the Christians but also gaue yéerely a great Masse and summe of moneye to the reliefe of those poore Captiues that liued vnder his rule and also sent his Ambassadours with great rewardes to King Charles For when Aaron had with many ouerthrowes and pillages miserably afflicted and frusshed the Romane empyre surpryzed and taken Tyana where he erected and dedicated a temple vnto Mahomet an infinite numbre of townes moe Nicephorus séeinge his matters goe to wrecke and distrustinge any better fortune sent his Letters to the Arabian to obteyne and request a peace accordinge to the tenour folowinge Why thoâ— shouldest thus vniustlie warre againste me and my dominions sythens I haue not wronged nor offended thée or who they be that counsaile thee therunto I know not neither do I se any cause reasonable to moue thée vnles it be peraduenture because thou hast a delight and pleasure in murther robberie and rapine For that thou doest it for religion sake thou canst not pretend a ny excuse sithens Machomet thy high Prophet commauÌ„deth you to vse and accoumpt al Christians as Brothers Doest thou thinke that Almightie God the creatour of all thinges and the staie of both the People whome he hath created and made after his owne similitude and lykenes is delighted with effusion and shéeding of innocent bloud God forbid For your Prophet Mahomet did not commaund you to offre vnto him any such sacrifice or satisfactorie expâ—ation Or else perchaunce doest thou inuade the territories and prouinces belonginge to other men for some néede and want of Syluer Golde and such other thinges But alas there is no such store of these thinges with vs yea all precious iewelles and wares that are rare and hard to be gotten are among you in great plentie But if there be any thinge in our Countreys that may do thee pleasure why doest thou not aske it fréendly and we will bestow the same vpon the without delaye moste louingly If thou care not for man nor any force the mortall man can annoye thee with all yet know thou that there is a God which séeth and remembreth right and wronge For sythens we be mortall it is not comely nor fitte for vs to beare immortall grudge and endlesse enemitie one toward an other in that poinct to resemble imitate the Diuell which euer spighteth at mans felicity and soulehealth and is at perpetuall warre with all mankinde With these lettres sent not without rewardes and sumptuous presentes Aaron being appeased sent agayn many presentes and gyftes to Nicephorus concluded a peace with hym vpon a condition that the Emperour should pay yéerely vnto hym xxx M. Crownes and thrée for his owne head and as many for his Sonne and that he should not reedifie nor repayre such Townes as were rased and wasted by the saracenes But in the perfourmance of this agreement there was les faith in the Greke then in the Barbarian For Nicephorus after the departure of the Saracenes out of those townes immediatly reedified and fortyfied them Which dealyng when Aaron vnderstood he furnished out an other Armye into Grecia which tooke Thebes and sendinge a Nauy into Cyprus subuerted the Churches and expulsed the Cyprians And when Aaron had raigned xxiij yéeres he payed his debte to Nature after whom succéeded in the Pontificate his Sonne Muamat Who fallynge at mortall debate with his Brother Halad and with him coapynge in conflicte wherein his side went to wrack Fortune more fauoring his Brothers part grew to a composition with hym that they twaine should ioyntly with egal authoryty hauing both one and the same tytle or style enioy the Empire Then ther were created foure Tyrauntes whereof one had for his share Spayne an other Aphrica the third Aegipt and the fourth Syria and Palestina Wherevpon the Saracenical power began to decline for awhile the affayres of the Orient were indyfferently quiete among the Saracenes And Muamat the Caliph of Syria woulde not now haue his imperiall Seat at Damasco but buylded a newe citie néere where olde Babilon once stoode and called it Bagadat and it constituted the Pontificall Sea of Syria and all the Orient For the Persians were yet vnder his rule iurisdiction The Aegiptian kept his residence at his Metropolitane Citie of Cayre whiche was as before wee haue shewed buylded néere the place where olde Memphis earst stood Which after the Sea royall was in it appoyncted and kepte so encreased that at this daye it is thought to be one of the greatest Cities in the whole Worlde the chiefe Sea of Aphrica was accounted by Elagleb to be at Caioran whiche Citie was builte in Affrica when Ottmen had the regiment and gouernaunce of the Empyre and is distaunte from the Citie of Tunice about an hundreth Myles and from the Sea thyrtie and sixe Spaigne although it obeyed had in it many kings yet they all acknowledged the Byshop of Marrocco for their Diocesan whiche is a Citie of Mauritanie Tingitana He that gouourned Assyria was called the Caliph whiche name signyfieth a successoure because he boasted and bragged himself to be the Successoure of Mahomet The Aegiptian Byshoppe was called the Sultane and hee of Caioran lyke as the Assyrian dyd named himselfe a Caliph and hee of Marrocco by the auncient name of the Founder and buylder of that Citie was named a Miralmumine Vnder these there also arose certayne other lesse Kingdomes in Affrica as the Kyngdome of Tunice of Tripolis of Algeria of Oran of Fess and an innumerable sorte moe lesse then these For as euerye one was Ruler ouer anye Citie or Prouince So he called hymselfe Kinge of the same and possessinge the Stile and name thereof as due by inheritaunce lefte and delyuered the same as it were by hand to his