began to tell him that the Basha Paleologus wonder'd that being so much straiten'd and not receiving any relief they should still so obstinately defend themselves He added that for his part he wonder'd that persons so wise as they should so pertinaciously seek their own ruine That they ought to remember Constantinople Trebisond Negropont Metelin and others far stronger places then Rhodes which could not hold out against Mahomet that Prudence ought to regulate Valour and that it was a folly to pretend to resist the Conqueror of two Empires twelve Kingdoms and three hunder'd Cities True it was that it was an honour for him to defend his Countrey but that it was better for him to preserve it entire by submitting to the stranger then to ruine himself out of a blind and unadvised ingenuity and therefore it was but common prudence for him to agree with Mahomet That his Favourite Misach Paleologus offer'd to manage the accommodation himself and so to order it that they should have no reason to complain and lastly that it was the only means to save their Reputation and Estates He concluded his Harang in a lively and perswasive manner conjuring him to have pitty upon the people and not to be the causes of the massacre of so many poor creatures the dishonour of their Daughters and Wives and the succage of the whole Island The Grand Master being inform'd of Solyman's propositions did no less wonder at the Basha's Embassador then the Basha wonder'd at their refistance That they could not apprehend that he had any compassion or tenderness for them which he endeavour'd to destroy by all means imaginable That Peace was not treated on with sword and poison and that the treasons discover'd made them suspicious of new ones That they very well remember'd that Trebisond Constantinople Negropont and so many other Towns could not resist the power of Mahomet but they remember'd as well that he was a Conqueror that seldom kept his word and that contrary to the publick Faith given he had put to death David Commenius with all his children not to speak of the Princes of Bosnia and Metelin The Knight who spoke in the name of the Grand Master added haughtily that the Soldan of Egypt and Babilon no less potent then the Emperor of the Turks had often attempted Rhodes without getting any thing but shame that the Rhodians hop'd that their entrenchments would prove the tombs of the Ottoman Army and that they would rather perish in the ruines of their own Countrey then then deliver it up to the enemies of the Christian Faith And lastly that neither the threats nor promises of Mahomet were sufficient to force them to any thing which might either be against their profession or blast their honour After this the Knight added that when the Army of the Infidels was return'd to Constantinople the Emperor might send an Embassador to Rhodes and that then the Grand Master would consider what was most honourable and advantageous for the Order but that so long as such an Army remain'd about the City he could not heark'n to Peace That the Ottoman Trroops might do like declar'd Enemies but that for his part he hop'd by the assistance of Heaven to let his General know that the Knights of Rhodes were not so soon conquer'd as other Nations This generous and haughty answer quite disappointed all the Basha's designs Shame Honour Despair Fury rais'd in his Soul those Opposite motions as almost put him besides himself Fury at length got the upper hand and the Barbarian abandoning himself to all the thoughts that rage could inspire after he had excited his Souldiers to punish the pride of those that brav'd the soveraign power of the Ottomans he commanded all the Engines to be set at work and that they should batter the City night and day without ceasing Never were orders better executed for the Turks enliven'd by the fury of the Basha and transported at the same time with a desire of Victory and revenge in a small time made above three thousand five hundred Shot which brought the Towers and Walls almost down to the Ground Yet neither did this affright the Rhodians For the Grand Master went up and down to hearten the Inhabitants and encourage the Souldiers His confidence in God increas'd his natural Constancy and spread in his Countenance a serene Air which prov'd a happy success When he thought the Enemy was ready to give the assault he plac'd at the most dangerous place strong Squadrons of Cavalry under the most skilful Commanders which he chose himself He retain'd near his own person the French Gentlemen who had follow'd the Count of Monteil to Rhodes and plac'd himself with them near the Jews quarter from whence he might relieve all parts as need requir'd But because he repos'd all his hopes in the protection of Heaven he first went and prostrated himself at the feet of the Altars recommending to God the safety of Rhodes and commanding prayers to be continually said in all the Churches of the City In the mean time the Basha encourag'd by the Havock which his Artillery had made after he had flatter'd his men with their Martial vertue and had perswaded them that they had nothing more now to take then Ruines without defence he openly declar'd to them that they should freely have the pillage of the Town He commanded them to put all to the Sword except the young Infants whom he permitted them to preserve either for their own benefit or the Grand Signiors Militia He ordain'd also that all the men that should escape the Sword of the Mussel men should be empal'd to which purpose he set upright a thousand Stakes in the Field The Turks reviv'd anew by this apparent facility of the enterprize and the hope of plunder with impatience expected the hour of assault with their Arms in their hands and Chains about their wasts to bind those that they should not kill Nor could the Basha hardly retain them one day more that he shot continually at the Town to level the Fortifications of the Besieged At length the 27th of July he gave the signal just at break of day by the shooting of a Mortar piece Immediately the Ottoman Army ran furiously on invoking the name of their false Prophet and assail'd the City on every side with most dreadful shouts and yells that made all the Sea-shoar and all the Hills to ring again Nevertheless the main onset was giv'n to the Jews Wall where the Ruines which had fill'd up the Ditch again made the way easy Then an innumerable multitude mounted the Walls and fell on with that fury that the Christians who kept the Walls were quite overlaid with number and almost all slain The Turks puft up with this success drove back the rest and set up seven of their colours upon the walls before the Christians could get up upon a slope made with the Ruins of the Wall on their side The Knights and Souldiers that
continually from side to side so that there was a great slaughter in a short time In the mean time the Galleys being come up close to the Rock and the Wood'n bridg being fix'd to the point of the Rock by the assistance of the Barks a multitude almost innumerable of the Turks gave the assault on that sight where the Gross of the Wall was fall'n down The discharges that were made so thick upon them brake their first effort and threw headlong a good number of them that were already got up The rest were repuls'd by the Knights that defended that part and there it was to be seen how sometimes valour might prevail against number The Grand Master who was every where encourag'd the Knights and confidently assur'd them of victory provided they themselves would but do their best to overcome While the heat of the Combat encreas'd the Batteries which the Grand Master had planted against the bridg took that effect as was expected For the Bridg was cut in pieces at the same time when a reinforcement of Souldiers was upon it who all perish'd miserably being neither to be reliev'd by the Barks nor able to save themselves by swimming under a Shower of Stones and Arrows that follow'd the discharges of the Artillery The Enemies Galleys ceas'd not to batter the Tower of St. Nicholas and to tire the Knights But they resum'd new vigour when they perceiv'd that the Bridg was broken and that the Assailents could no longer be that way reliev'd and that which more encreas'd their resolution was that the Artillery of the Tower had sunk four Galleys with several Ships of War and that the Fire-Ships sent against the rest had dismay'd and disorder'd the whole Fleet. This However did not hinder the Infidels from being obstinate in their assault for despair sometimes instead of abating raises courage Both sides fell on again without remorse and the Combat which had already dilasted three hours began again with more violence then ever The day which soon after appear'd did but serve to irretate the Combatants while it discover'd the Massacre in the Night The sight of so many Bodies stretch'd upon the Earth or floting upon the Sea with the ruines of the Bridg and Gallies incited the Infidels to repair their Honour and the Christians to maintain their advantages Both sides perform'd as much as men of Bravery could act upon such occasions the loss was great upon the Turks side and their most considerable Commanders lay dead upon the place among the rest Mahomets Son-in-law a young Prince very valiant and very dear to the Grand Signior He stood a long time firm upon the ruins of the Tower and kill'd severalKnights with his own hand fortifying himself with heaps of dead bodies But having receiv'd several wounds he fell as he was making a blow with his Scimitar and expir'd in a moment after The death of Ibrahim allay'd the heat of the Barbarians they gave ground mauger all the resolution of their Geneneral who exhorted them to revenge the death of the Grand Signior and with his own hand kill'd some of those that recoil'd But the Knights repell'd and forc'd them at length to retire This dishonourable retreat put Paleologus into a profound fit of sadness When he was return'd to his Camp he shut him self up and there kept himself three whole days together without giving audience to any person either to conceal his grief or to meditate at leisure what farther course to take Now in regard the Turks had lost above two thousand five hundred men in these assaults because the dead bodies which either cover'd the Earth or else were wash'd upon the Shoar by the Sea were enough to corrupt the Air the Grand Master caus'd all the shoar to be cleans'd with a particular care of his own Souldiers And after he had caus'd the Bodies to be enterr'd with all the honour that the present state of affairs would permit He himself look'd after the dressing of the Wounded he visited them every foot and distributed among them with his own hands the rich spoils of the slain And indeed the lying still of the Enemy while their General lock'd himself up gave the Grand Master leisure to attend these particular duties of a Great Commander At length the Basha appear'd abroad and forgetting in some measure the dishonour which had occasion'd his recess he resum'd his usual heat and fury However he laid aside all thonghts of attempting any thing upon St. Nicholas Tower which now he began to think impregnable bending his whole design to reduce the City by dividing the Forces of the besieged believing he should accomplish his work by assayling it in several quarters at once He perswaded himself that when the Walls should be ruin'd in other places as they were in the Jews quarter and the Italian Post that by a general assault he should not fail to enter the place and that the besieged would be constrain'd to surrender when they were no longer able to resist Moreover he made no question but that the German Engineer upon whom he still depended would at length find a way to serve him wherein lay the chiefest of his hopes Thereupon by his order the best Pieces of Artillery were planted round about the City and while they thunder'd upon the Walls the Turks animated by the presence of their General on the one side set themselves to undermine their way through the Earth to make themselves Trenches cover'd with Planks and Bavins to bring their men securely into the Moat Then they rais'd Plat-forms supported with Hurdles and Boughs of Trees and pallisado'd round upon which they planted Culverins and other small shot equal with the VValls and Bastions of the City which fire without ceasing But in regard they design'd to give the assault principally upon the Jews VVall where the Batteries had done most mischeif after they got into the Moat by such passages as they had min'd under ground they endeavour'd by means of the noise and smoak which hinder'd the besieged from hearing or seeing them to fill up the Moat with the Rubbish which the Cannon had loosen'd from the Wall which being thrown together by hazard made a kind of a slope ascent In this they labour'd with so much vigor and success that notwithstanding all the firing from the City that in a short time the Moat was fill'd up almost as high as the Ravelin or Bastion of the Jews so that they might easily get up to the Wall The Grand Master who husbanded his men against the Assault finding that the principal Batteries of the City did little good and that the Enemies advanc'd every day without receiving any great dammage caus'd an extraordinary Engine to play which was made to cast Stones of great weight at a great distance which Engine was call'd the Tribute because it was made in the time that Mahomet demanded a Tribute from the Knights This Engine plac'd just opposite to the Turks place of working wrought
and serve the Venetians The Grand Master who before he broke with the Turk was desirous to see the success of the War with Venice hesitated at first upon the proposal of his Nephew but the bus'ness being deliberated in Council it was order'd that the Grand Prior should have his liberty but that he should not take along with him above thirty Knights at most So that Blanchefort came to Modon at the same time that the French Ships arriv'd there As for the Venetian Fleet they had not so many Vessels as the Turks But they had better men and Ships more fit for fight The Turks therefore avoided meeting with the Christians minding onely to husband themselves for some greater Enterprise But the Adventurers of Rhodes desiring nothing more then a Battel press'd Grimani not to lose the opportunity And indeed they might have sought found and vanquish'd the Infidels had not the over-prudence of the Venetians rendred the heat of the French unprofitable But the Ottoman Fleet consisted of 260 Sail a number that astonish'd Grimani so that instead of engaging he did nothing but follow them aloof off Thereupon the Grand Prior and the French Admiral who had a full resolution to have signaliz'd themselves disgusted at the conduct of the General quitted him with a generous disdain The Infidels embolden'd by the Cowardice of the Venetians and by the retreat of the French fiercely skirted along the Coasts of Morca and enter'd into the Gulph of Lepanto whether Bajazet was come with his Army The City was taken almost in sight of Grimani who had not the courage to relieve it This untoward news very much troubl'd the Grand Master but the Pestilence that increas'd in Rhodes much more afflicted him He made excellent Orders to stop the Torrent of the Contagion and to the end the Barbarians might not attempt any thing at a time so seasonable for them he kept in pay four Galleys which his Nephew brought along with him from Provence and having re-inforc'd them with Knights and Souldiers he commanded them to cruise about the Islands wherein he did two good acts at one time for he preserv'd the Islands from Pirats and empti'd the City of a great number of People which might have been swept away by the Pestilence Lewis the XII who made himself Master of the Dutchy of Milan while the Turks took Lepanto and who had a design to re-conquer the Kingdom of Naples out of which the French had been driv'n thought himself oblig'd to assist the Venetians in the low Ebb of their Affairs but he was perswaded he could not do it unless he acted by consent with the Grand Master For that reason he sent to him two Heralds at Arms who carri'd a Letter also to the Port to the end that by his means they might travel safely through Turky and have a favourable Audience So soon as the Heralds came to Rhodes the Grand Master who had made no open Breach with the Turks wrote to Constantinople for Letters of safe Conduct To which Bajazet did not onely freely consent but gave order to the Basha's of Lycia to go and meet the Heralds of France and convoy them to the Port. Esarcho Centurino a man of good judgment and one of the principal Inhabitants of Rhodes departed along with them carrying a Letter of Credence to beseech the Grand Signior not to detain the Heralds long and to make some small Complement to his Highness as to the War which he made against the Venetians Now though the Letters from Lewis were very haughty and threaten'd the Ottoman Empire with the Force of France if he did not cease to molest the Venetians and restore all that had been taken from them Bajazet nevertheless receiv'd them very well nor did he send them back without good Words and magnificent Presents As the King of France had sent two Heralds by the way of Rhodes the Grand Signior by the same way also sent to the King of France two Grandees of the Port of which the one was called Sivanbeii and the other Musibeii to excuse himself likewise to the Grand Master In some sort he endeavour'd in a large Letter to lay the blame upon the Venetians and gave the reasons that mov'd him to declare War against them He pretended that the Venetians had violated the Faith of Treaties and the Right of Nations exercising all manner of violences upon the Turks of which to the end he might be believ'd he gave a long List And the more to defame the Venetians he added that the most Illustrious King of France knew well enough what wrongs they had done the French when being onely Duke of Orleans he accompani'd Charles the 8th to the Conquest of Naples when they proffer'd him ten Duckats for every Souldier to invade Italy alledging that if they did not stop the progress of the French Arms they would at length assail the Ottoman Empire All this the Grand Seignior wrote to justifie himself but mention'd not a word how Lodowic Sforza finding the King of France in League with the Venetians against him had invited the Ottoman Arms against them aggravating to the Port that Lewis the XII would certainly put in execution what Charles the VIII design'd for the Conquest of Milan and Naples In the mean time a Ship of Rhodes being bound from thence to the Coast of Egypt was attack'd by a Turkish Gallion near ro Alexandria The Knights who were in the Ship defended themselves stoutly and had reduc'd the Turk to the last extremity but when the Ship was just upon the point of yielding another Vessel well arm'd came to her relief so that the Knights were forc'd to quit her They made for Alexandria and putting up the Soldan's Colours enter'd the Port. But the Admiral of Alexandria a perfidious Brute without any regard either to the Peace and Laws of Nations made the Knights Pris'ners and sent them to Caire with all the Christians that were in the Ship The Grand Master conjectur'd by the attempt of the Gallion that the Turks had no intentions any longer to keep fair with the Order However he complain'd to the Soldan of the Admirals behaviour and that in high terms too as of a violence insupportable The Soldan understanding that such sharp complaints were as good as threats and that he that made them would be as good as his word disown'd the Admiral and releas'd the Pris'ners But the Grand Signior's proceedings were far different For all his Civilities to the Grand Master and his Embassie to the Court of France did not hinder the Infidels from continuing the War against the Venetians nor from invading Italy Twelve thousand Spahi's entred into Friuli through uncouth and difficult passages and putting all to Fire and Sword carri'd away above 20000 Christians into Slavery The Pope who minded nothing but the advancement of his Family till then had onely been a Spectator of the War but now he began to think himself concern'd when he saw the
So that in stead of marching against Ishmael he fled to the Mountains and abandon'd the Throne that belong'd to him to save his life Thus the Usurper became the Master and though all the Kingdom had not yet submitted to his Scepter he caus'd himself to be call'd King of Persia These Revolutions appear'd no way favourable to the King of Hungary nor to the intentions of the Grand Master There was no probability that Ishmael Sophi would engage in the Affairs of the League while Persia was not yet at Peace within it self and all those accidents were still to be fear'd that might ruine a new Dominion unjust and unsetl'd besides that the Successes of Ishmael naturally bred suspitions in the King of Caramania's breast Which reasons would not permit him to enterprize against the Turks when he had enough to do to secure himself at home Nor was the Soldan of Egypt in a better condition to favour the Princes of the Croisade for besides that he was embroil'd in the Domestick Dissentions of his own Court he fear'd the victorious Arms of Ishmael who by the advice giv'n him by Attula Turcoman threaten'd to begin his Conquests with those of Syria and Egypt when he had setl'd himself in Persia Nevertheless when the Grand Master better consider'd he bethought himself that the Troubles of Persia would be no way disadvantagious to the Enterprize of the Christians for that the Turk alarm'd with the Success of his Victorious Neighbour and Enemy would be oblig'd to keep very numerous Armies upon the Fronteers of Turky and that being thereby much weaken'd he might be the easier vanquish'd at home The noise of the League no less perplex'd Bajazet then the Revolutions of Persia Understanding therefote that the Grand Master was the Head and Soul of the Enterprize he be thought himself of dealing with him by the means of Sultan Corcut the best belov'd of all his Sons to whom he had giv'n the Government of Anatolia Corcut being well instructed by the Ministers of the Port what part he was to act sent very rich Presents to the Grand Master with a most obliging Letter wherein he requested his friendship and conjur'd him after a thousand offers of his services that they might live together in Amity and good Correspondence and that there might be a freedom of Trade between each others Subjects He added that his Father had given him all power in reference to a peace and that he was ready to do what ever the Knights desir'd But these fair words could not dazle the Grand Master He knew by the Turks themselves who were his Spies that the famous Pirate Camali who had fitted out several Vessels at Gallipoli for the service of Bajazet was just ready to set Sail out of the Straits with above fifty men of War to attack the Isles that belong'd to the Order So that without entring into any further Negotiation he frankly declar'd That being nominated General of the League by the Pope he could not forsake the Common Cause nor could hearken to any Peace which the Grand Seignior would not make with all the Princes of Christendom as well as with the Knights of Rhodes The Grand Master declar'd himself upon this point so much the more boldly because he knew that seven of the Popes Galleys were joyn'd to the Venetian Armado at the Island of Cerigo and that his Holiness was setting out thirteen more the care of which he had given to the Knight Fabricio de Caretta who was then at Genoa This news was brought to Rhodes by an Envoy of the Bishop of Baffo under whose Conduct the Galleys set Sail and who had also in Charge a Brief from the Pope to be deliver'd to the Grand Master This Brief contain'd many Applauses of the Grand Masters Actions and many Excuses of the Popes Neglect That he had the most sincere intentions in the world but that the misfortunes of the times would not suffer him to keep his word that he would repair what was past with advantage and send Twenty Galleys instead of Fifteen But to return to the Sophi He had no sooner establish'd his Throne partly by fair partly by foul means but he resolv'd to extend his Conquests Instead of advancing against Egypt as he intended he fell into Armenia with fourscore thousand fighting men drawn thither by the Neighbourhood and the hatred which he bore the Turks In this Expedition Ishmael soon mastered Armenia after he had cut in pieces above twenty thousand men Bajazet alarm'd by the Success of the Conqueror gather'd all his Forces together to defend himself but he could not believe himself able to resist so potent an Enemy while he was at odds with the Christians For that reason he made Propositions of Peace to the Grand Master and the Republick of Venice The Grand Master who had intelligence of every thing and in particular knew the Consternation of the Grand Signior fail'd not to give notice of it to the Pope that never a fairer opportunity offer'd it self to ruine the Common Enemy That Bajazet was oblig'd to go in Person against the Persian for want of a Basha experienc'd in Military Affairs in whom he could absolutely confide That the Sophi a liberal and affable Prince drew to his Party the Militia of the Grand Signior That there was no likelihood of any accord between Persia and Turky in regard a Conqueror hates nothing more then Peace Therefore he besought his Holiness not to neglect the opportunity that Providence presented But the Commotions in Italy render'd all these Remonstrances void For while the Turks and Persians make War one against another the French and Spaniards break the Peace which they had made They had contracted an Alliance against Frederick of Naples who succeeded Ferdinand his Nephew and had got possession of his Dominions by force of Arms. But Ambition soon divided them which it had united Lewis the XII and Ferdinand King of Castile became jealous each of other neither could endure a Competitor nor a Companion both of them claim the whole Kingdom which they had parted betwixt them And the differences of their Ministers touching the limits of their common Conquests serving for a pretence occasion'd a most bloody War that fill'd all Italy with horrour and confusion The Bishop of Baffo who had joyn'd himself with the Fleet of the Venetians had intelligence of the Rupture between the two Crowns at what time the Naval Army of the Venetians had taken the Island of Santa Maura from the Turk with the assistance of a Squadron of Knights which the Grand Master sent them and some Galleys of a French Captain call'd Pre' Jan de Bidoux a very understanding Seaman and a very stout Souldier Presently the Bishop gave a shrewd guess at the ill success of the League by the state of affairs in Italy and according to his Instructions he gave notice to the Grand Master That new divisions hinder'd his Holiness from being exact to his word
sixteen Electors whom the Assembly chose out of the whole number of Languages to elect whom they should think most capable of the supreme power gave their suffrages with one consent for Peter D'Aubusson Grand Prior of Auvergne At the name of Aubusson the whole Assembly with redoubl'd shouts and acclamations testify'd their unparallel'd joy He only was sorry when he heard himself nam'd and at first he refus'd a Command of which he did not think himself worthy But I know not by what inward motive which afterward prevail'd he was forc'd to accept it almost against his own will Yet could he not refrain from tears when according to the custom he was carry'd in his Seat to the Great Altar upon the Shoulders of the principal Commanders There it was that confessing his weakness to sustain so great a burthen he receiv'd the submissions of the Knights after he had solemnly sworn upon the Evangelists to observe the Statutes of the Order The news of this Election was no sooner spread over the Island but the people made Bonfires and testify'd all the signs of publick joy This caus'd every body to hope for a happy Government neither was Mahomet so much fear'd when they understood that the Grand Prior of Auvergne had the Authority in his hands THE HISTORY OF Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES Book Second SO soon as the Grand Master was acknowledg'd in Rhodes his first care was to render to Pope Sixtus the Fourth that Obedience which is due from the Chief of an Order wholly devoted to the Sacred See To that purpose he held a Council the next day after his Election and nominated the Prior of Lombardy together with the Prior of Rome for that Embassy Then he apply'd all his thoughts to the Government of a Dominion of which he had taken possession And not to loose time he began at the very first to act as Grand Master Though the Ottoman Army were as yet far enough from Rhodes nevertheless the Island was not a little infested by the incursions of the Barbarians The Pyrats who landed day and night in several parts pillaged the Cities burnt the Houses massacred and carried away many of the Christians The Grand Master thought it convenient to put a stop to these disorders that so sensibly afflicted him and for that purpose to build upon the Coast at such such distances several Forts and Towers to hinder the landing of the Pyrats But because this design requir'd a great sum of Money and that these Pyracies had very much exhausted the Grand Masters Revenue he ordain'd for the raising those works that all those Knights who obtain'd Commanderies by favour only should pay the value of the first years Revenue to the Order so soon as they receiv'd their Commissions without which payment the Donation should be void The Grand Master also took in hand again and went on with all those works which were discontinu'd by the death of the Grand Master More especially he forwarded the new Wall of the Arsenal and took upon himself the charge of looking after it But in regard it was of high importance to look after the security of the Port he order'd the Grand Prior of St. Gilles to provide a Chain to shut it up He also at the same time gave order to the Chevalier Raymond who commanded in the Castle of St. Peter to widen the Mote so far for the Sea to fill it that the Brigantines of the Castle might ride there secure from Enemies and Tempests The Castle St. Peter which we shall have often an occasion to mention was a strong place scituated in Cana between two Arms of the Sea which form'd a Peninsula built upon the ruines of the ancient City Halicarnassus near the place where was formerly the Sepulcher of Mausolus so famous for the love and grief of Artemisia The Order of St. John is beholding for that Fortress to the prudence and valour of one of the French Grand Masters For Philibert of Nailac Grand Master of Rhodes desirous to make his best advantage of the consternation of the Infidels after the Battel wherein Tamerlain had taken Bajazet Prisoner fitted out the Gallies of the Order and sailed directly for Caria with the choicest Knights of the Order He took a Castle there from the Turks the scituation whereof seem'd to him to be of so much advantage that he built in the same place another almost impregnable which he call'd the Castle of St. Peter This place it was which in the midst of the Turks Dominions serv'd as a Sanctuary for the poor Christian Slaves that can get away from their Masters And here it was if we may believe the Writers of that age that certain Dogs of a particular breed who by a strange instinct of nature watch'd all the night long and would fly upon the Turks and fawn upon the Christians as if they had known the one from the other Among all the Knights which the Grand Master employ'd according to the variety of occurrences and which were always nearest his person there was not one in whom he put more confidence then in Charles de Montholon He was a person of a very good judgment and one that bare the character of being fierce in fight temperate in counsel and one that had a genius capable of every thing This Knight acquitted himself of several Trusts that were put upon him for the defence of the City and he it was that had the charge of fortifying St. Nicholas Fort. While the Grand Master issued out his orders and labour'd himself to have all things in readiness to sustain a Siege Antonio Loredano General of the Venetian Fleet in the Island of Cyprus understanding that Riccio de Marino a Cipriot by birth and a person born for intrigue and one of the most zealous Servitors of Charlote de Lusignan negotiated at Rhodes to the prejudice of Katharine Carnara he sent an Ambassador to complain in the name of the Duke of Venice for that the Knights did entertain those that were Rebels to the Republick It is impossible to understand the grounds of that Embassy nor the answer of the Grand Master without being inform'd beforehand of the Claims of those two Princesses to the Kingdom of Cyprus and wherefore the Republick took Katharine's part and oppos'd Charlota John de Lusignan King of Cyprus one of the weakest and most effeminate Princes that ever sway'd a Scepter had only one natural Son who was nam'd James de Lusignan when he espous'd his Second Wife Helena of the House of the Paleologi and Daughter of the Despote of Moria By this second Wife he had a Daughter nam'd Charlote who was married to John of Portugal Duke of Conimbria This Prince who had both wit and courage being at the Court of Cyprus easily wound himself into the management of affairs and depriv'd the Queen of all that authority which the weakness of the King had permitted her to use The Queens Nurse who govern'd
Mahomet thought he had done for the best Of so great importance it is for the success of Negotiations and Embassies to employ persons of Integrity and honour or at least such as have the reputation of being so Nevertheless the Grand Master dissembl'd his distrust and judging how advantageous a suspension of Arms would be till such time as all the warlike Provision which he expected every day were arrived together with the Knights which had been summon'd he did not utterly reject Propositions of Demetrius neither did he absolutely accept it and whatever Artifice the cunning Fox could use to draw from him a precise answer all his reply was that the Knights of Rhodes could not treat with Mahomet without the permision of the Pope that questionless his Holiness would not oppose the peace provided that his Master would harken to those Conditions which had formerly been concluded with Amurath that is to say without any mention of Tribute That in expectation of the Popes answer it would do well if so it pleas'd the Ottoman Princes that there should be a Cessation of Arms and liberty of Commerce between the Christians and the Turks The Renegado who well understood how nice the Knights were in point of Tribute and thought of nothing more then a positive refusal at first contented himself that he had set the business a foot And the better to bring it to a happy conclusion promised of his own accord in the names of Zizim and Shelebi what the Grand Master had desir'd and departed very well satisfy'd that he was not flatly deny'd The Grand Master wrote a very civil Letter to the two Princes he thanked them for their kind endeavours and highly applauded their good intentions but he declar'd at the same time without so much as mentioning the Tribute that he could not come to any conclusion till he knew the Popes resolution and how the Christian Princes stood affected to it who made the affairs of Rhodes their own business Demetrius had no sooner given an accompt of his Negotiation but the Princes sent him back with order not to speak a word more of the Tribute and to demand only some small present to cover with a specious Title that submission which Mahomet exacted from the Knights But their answer was still the same that they could make no engagement till they had heard news from Rome All that they could farther say was that those Presents which were exacted yearly did very much resemble presents and that the Knights of Rhodes were not overforward to make any kind of Presents to the Grand Signior Demetrius understood well enough what they meant However he was yet in hopes that the Grand Master might at length be brought to relent and to engage him thereto by his Interest he promis'd him again a suspention of Arms with liberty of Trade Nevertheless the Grand Master did not fail to prepare for War as if their had not been so much as any discourse of peace and that Mahomet should not be inform'd of any thing he order'd that no Vessel should stir out of the Port. He soon perceiv'd that the Infidels were not very curious in observing Truces and the advice which was brought him that the Turkish Brigantines had taken certain Vessels belonging to the Order near the Islands of Calamo and Episcopia confirm'd him more and more in the thoughts which he had that all this Treaty was but an Artifice and he rather believ'd that the Turks were so much the more ready to beseige Rome by how much they seem'd to be farthest from any such design So that he renew'd all the Orders which he had given out for the security of the City he also sent to Naples the Knight D'Albalat of Aragon to buy Corn and besides that as he was resolv'd that the Barbarians should not carry by famine what they could not win by force he sent into Aegypt and Syria for plenty of all sorts of Provisions In the mean time the Knights arriv'd at Rhodes from all parts of Christendom And in regard the assembly which was to be held the first of May was put off by the Popes Bull and deferr'd to the 28th of October by an order of Council they appear'd almost all at a time The Grand Master at the opening the Assembly made a speech that made no small Impression upon their Spirits After the usual ceremonies and Formalities the sixteen who were elected for the Government of all things laid new Taxes upon all the Commanderies and earnestly desir'd the Grand Master to take upon him the administration of the Revenue Though he had other weighty business enough to do and that this alone was sufficient to take up a mans whole time he readily accepted it but the easiness wherewith he acquitted himself of a charge so burthensome oblig'd the Knights to qualify the hardness of the Labour by the entire confidence which they manifestly let him see they had in him They gave him full power to employ to what uses and after what manner he should think good all the money that should be brought into the Treasury They also order'd that all the Ammunition and Warlike provisions should be put into his hands to distribute as he should see cause Moreover that he should have power to create the Receiver General of Avignon and all the other Receivers by one Warrant alone sign'd by his hand that without having regard to the priority of Languages nor the antiquity of the Knights he might make the Castellane of Rhodes the Judges and Baily of Commerce the Captain of the Castle St. Peter and all the Captains of the Galleys That he might also choose the Captains of the three Towers and the Gates of the City that in case the Grand Commandery of Cyprus the Bayliage of Lango and the Office of Procurator General at the Court at Rome came to be vacant during his administration it should be free for him to dispose thereof at his pleasure But to the end he might not be thwarted in the exercise of his charge they forbid the Bayliffs the Priors and all the rest of the Knights to meddle in any manner whatsoever with the treasury They also gave him the liberty to retain next his person or to send to what place he pleas'd seven of the Grand Crosses which they nam'd and to choose others by his own particular authority if any one happen to miscarry Lastly because the revenue of the Grand Master was very much impair'd because of their extraordinary expences for the Fortifications of the Island or for the aid of the Subjects of the Order they permitted him to keep in his hands during his life three of those Commanderies which he had the priviledg to dispose of himself as Grand Master Hardly were the affairs of the Chapter at an end when news was brought that the Infidels had shewn themselves before the Castle of St. Peter under pretence of parlying upon an accommodation but in truth to surprize the
choler and despight He could no longer endure that a small Republick should brave him in the very bosom of his Empire and the haughtiness of the Knights augmented his so far as to make him fall into transports of rage which would not permit him to listen to the reasons of his wisest Ministers He believ'd none but Demetrius and Meligale those two Renegado's obtain'd the sole disposal of his thoughts and according to the custom of interested Courtiers who flatter the passion of the Prince to satisfy their own they so vehemently incens'd him against the Rhodians and the Order of St. John that he resolv'd to lay siege to Rhodes The better to six and settle so important an enterprize he held a secret Council to which he call'd the most expert Engineers of all his Armies but the person he most confided in was George Frapam a German who was profoundly skill'd in the art of War and who after he had liv'd some years in the Island of Scio went to Constantinople where being marri'd he had access to the Grand Signior who lov'd men of Parts He had formerly been at Rhodes and had taken an exact plat-form of the City Upon this plat-form as that which was adjudg'd the most regular of all the rest he began to lay his contrivances for the management of the siege Mahomet who was resolv'd not to go in person whether for fear of hazarding his Renown or else not caring to honour the Knights by fighting against them himself declar'd his Basha Misach Paleologus General of his Army This was his principal Favourite and the most Illustrious Basha of the whole Empire He was a Greek of the Imperial House of the Paleologi born a Christian and bred up in Christianism He forsook his Religion to save his life at the taking of Constantinople when the Conqueror put to death all that fell into his hands of the Family or Blood of the Emperor Constantine Having abjur'd his Faith it was no hard thing for him to obtain the highest Commands in the Ottoman Court His wit his courage and deportment were answerable to his birth He had by degrees habituated himself to the customs of the Turks yet not altogether forgetting the fashions of the Greeks so that in him the rudeness of the one and the politeness of the other seem'd to be both joyn'd together When he had gain'd the favour of the Grand Signior he accompani'd him in all his military Expeditions and always shar'd both in his designs and Conquests So that in time he acquir'd great experience in War and it was the general opinion of Turkey that next to Mahomet there was none more fit to undertake the Conduct of a difficult enterprize then Basha Paleologus In the mean while for fear the Grand Master should have advice of what past at Constantinople Mahomet set guards upon all the Passes and commanded his Governors to stop all Posts and to open all Letters He order'd also a great number of Infantry to fall down through Asia the less But that it should not be thought that he intended a siege while he prepares the great Ships which were to carry the extraordinary pieces of Cannon he sent forth out of the Streight a hunder'd and fifty light Ships with ordinary Artillery giving it our at the same time that the whole design of the Ottoman Court was to pillage the Sea Coasts and Islands of the Christians Basha Paleologus stay'd not till the great Fleet was ready he went abroad the first Vessels that set sail and to conceal his design from the Turks themselves he steer'd a course different from that of Rhodes Mahomet was pleas'd that Demetrius and Meligale should bear the Basha Company together with the German Engineer from whom he promised himself great matters All these precautions of Mahomet and the Basha could not prevent but that the defigns of the Ottoman Court were discover'd at Rhodes the Grand Master being inform'd of every thing by his Spies which he kept in the Ottoman Court. However the News did not come much before the Gallies that set out first began to appear For they shew'd themselves within sight of the Island upon the fourth day of December in the year 1479. and came to an Anchor before the Fort of Fano The General of the Turks who would not be idle in expectation of the rest of his Forces immediately landed the Cavalry which he had brought with him and order'd his Avant Curriers to harrass the Countrey and burn the Villages The Knight Rodolphus of Wertemberg Baily of Brandenburgh whom the Grand Master had assign'd to sustain the first efforts of the Enemy did not suffer the Spahi's punctually to execute the Orders of their General for he charg'd them at the head of the Light Horse which he commanded and after he had slain several of them forc'd the rest to betake them to their Ships This Repulse constrain'd the Basha to retire but it was only to attacque Felo one of the Islands which the Knights possess'd in the Archipelago The Turks batter'd the Fort without ceasing for eight days together and several times they scal'd the Walls but all to no purpose for the Knights the Souldiers and the Country men that defended the place made so stout a resistance that the Enemy rais'd his Siege with no small loss and disgrace Whereupon the Grand Master did not only commend in full council the valour of the Garison but also sent considerable rewards to those that had most couragiously behav'd themselves proportionable to their condition and merit These first Exploits encourag'd the Christians though they did discourage the Infidels Nor did Misach Paleologus lay so much to heart the misfortune of his Arms as the death of Meligale That Renegado whom the Basha reserv'd for great occasions was struck with a prodigious disease upon the Sea which carry'd him off in a few days His body was all over nothing but corruption and besides the insupportable stench of his Corps the Worms which eat him alive render'd him a miserable spectacle to all the world the sight of which was dreadful to behold After he had endur'd the utmost extremities of Torment and in vain implor'd relief from Heaven he dy'd blaspheming God and cursing men almost in view of Rhodes Paying that punishment which his Country exacted from him by a most Tragical end In the mean time the Turkish Fleet pass'd the Streight of Gallipoli and the Forces that came by Land rendevouz'd in Lycia as they were appointed There the report ran that Mahomet was suddenly dead and that the Souldiers which march'd from all parts were only to prevent such Commotions and Insurrections as are wont to happen upon the death of the Emperor A Greek Spy who was discover'd at Rhodes and the Prisoners that were taken and sent thither by the Knights of the Fort of Fano confess'd all they knew By other means also the Grand Master understood that the Enemies Fleet drew nearer and
wonderful effects For the huge pieces of Marble which it threw with an unspeakable violence not only cruish'd to pieces the Work-men upon the Terrasses but in several places broke into their Mines and their cover'd Trenches so that an infinite number of Turks were stifl'd in the Earth and buried in the Ruins of their own works The Rhodians shouted every time the Engin play'd and when they saw the Stones fly they cry'd that was Mahomet's Tribute The Grand Master took the cheerfulness of his Souldiers for a good Omen And though he were not a little troubl'd at the last advance of the Enemy yet by his familiarity with the Souldiery he engag'd them to cleanse the Moat which the Turk had fill'd up and to mine a way under the Walls to get in that they might not expose themselves to the Shot of the Enemy The Souldiers in that good humour cheerfully obey'd the Grand Master they min'd a hole into the Moat and by degrees drew in all the Stones into the City together with the other Rubbish that had fill'd up the Moat the Grand Master being present all this while to encourage the Labourers And finding that part of the Jews Walls where the Enemies Cannon had plaid hottest was ready to fall he terrass'd it with all speed and rais'd a new Wall to support the Earth which was not well settl'd To this part the Grand Master order'd great Fat 's of Flint Stones and old pieces of Iron Sacks of Sulphur and Powder Caldrons of boiling Oil and whatever was proper to stop the fury of the Turks when they gave the assault But besides all this he was desirous to know of the German Engineer what other Invention he could think of to repel the Enemy or what new work was to be rais'd should they force the Defences which were already rais'd The German seem'd surpriz'd to hear himself ask'd so many questions and coldly answer'd that he would consider of it and that for the security of the place it was requisite he should make use of all the Secrets of his Art But as he was already suspected and for that a Battery which he had already rais'd in the presence of the Grand Master had tak'n no effect suspitions began to arise that he did not act Cordially But that which more encreas'd those mistrusts was that the Turks us'd several designs to discredit him in the City They shot in Arrows with Letters fix'd to them where in they wrote that the German Engineer was a person not to be trusted that he was a Villain full of ill designs believing that the hatred which they testifi'd against him would make him the more credited by the Rhodians The Grand Master not questioning but that the advice was as true as the intention of the Turks was that it should be accounted false deliver'd him up to the hands of Justice At length as conscience often urgeth Criminals to speak against themselves he confess'd all he declar'd that he came not into Rhodes but to endeavour how he might deliver the Town up to the Infidels that he came by the express order of Mahomet to observe the condition and estate of the City and to return to him with a full account thereof in case the Turkish Army should be forc'd to raise the Siego He added that this had not been the first City which he had betray'd in this manner and that his conscience accus'd him for the murther of an infinite number of Christians These confessions were enough for his condemnation without any other evidence so that he was hang'd in the publick Market place of the City This execution was soon spread in the Camp of the Turks for the Grand Master inform'd them himself by Arrows shot over the Wall after their example Which he did the rather to let them understand how ill success their Spies had at Rhodes and that he had follow'd the Turks advice It is not to be believ'd how extremely the Basha was afflicted for the death of this Traytor He had almost no other hopes left but in him since his last misfortune for he was half assur'd that the intreagues of a wit so crasty as his could not fail him at last However he would not suffer himself to be altogether dishearten'd though before he resolv'd upon a general assault he was resolv'd to try the most gentle means he could To this purpose after he had shot in several Letters into the City aggravating and extolling the power of the Ottoman Empire he advertiz'd the people that the Grand Signior intended no ill to the Rhodians that he had only made the War to deliver them from an unjust and tyrannical Government that being Greeks they ought naturally to obey the Emperor of the Rhodians and that they would never be at quiet so long as they continu'd enemies to the Ottoman Court He promis'd them if they would surrender not only their lives and liberties but also all sorts of Immunities and Honours At length he declar'd to them that if they refus'd such advantageous proffers they must expect to be all put to the Sword That the Invincible Mahomet was resolv'd to drain his Empire of all its Forces to take Rhodes that he was marching thither with all speed and that there would be no capitulations thought of when his Highness arriv'd This Letter wrought no impression upon their resolutions The wiser sort laugh'd at them the meanest capacities took them only for pieces of craft and falsity They all contemn'd and scorn'd the change which he propos'd and so far they were from dreaming of a submission to the Grand Signior that they made new protestations of fidelity to the Grand Master So that nothing more contributed to retain the Prince in their obedience and to redouble their affection to their lawful Prince then the subtilty which was us'd to corrupt and gain them to a revolt The Basha finding no effect of his Letters to which they would not so much as vouchsafe an answer took another way to obtain an answer A runagate Greek presented himself that night by his order before the Walls of the City and calling to the Centinels with a loud voice he told the Knights that appear'd that the General of the Ottoman Army was desirous to send an Embassador to the Ottoman Army provided he might have the liberty to go and come with safety Answer was return'd to the Renegado that the law of Nations was inviolably observ'd at Rhodes that the Embassadors had no reason to fear any thing and that he might come to the Jews Moat and that he should find in the Bulwark of the Tower a Knight that should return him an answer in the name of the Grand Master An ancient Bey whose name was Solyman appear'd the next morning just against the Bulwark He was a prudent man and besides his experience had excellent natural parts After he had civilly saluted the Knight who was deputed by the Grand Master to give him audience he
the fortune of Mahomet and his own he despair'd to take the place after so many vain assults and understanding that he had lost above nine thousand men slain out-right and above fifteen thousand wounded which were not in the fight he took care of nothing more then how to save the rest by retiring While the Turks were embarquing their Engines of War and all their Baggage there appear'd two great Ships which Ferdinand King of Spain had sent to the relief of Rhodes Paleologus who saw them making to the Port with full sail considering what a shame it would be to let them enter the Port shot at them with such pieces of Artillery as were not embarqu'd not being able to assault them with his Galleys because the winds were contrary The shot brought one of the Masts of one of the Ships by the board but did the other no harm But the wind changeing and the Sea growing rough of a sudden they both came to an Anch or just against the Port till the tempest forc'd them to make all the sail they could to get in The Ship whose Mast was broken was the more fortunate and steer'd so well that she got in The other being carri'd off by storm fell back into the road so that she was the next day very near the Infidels Fleet. The Basha unwilling to let go a prize that he thought in his hands sent out twenty Galleys to seize her and commanded the Captain of the Galleys to go himself The Christians prepare themselves for fight The twenty Galleys surround the Vessel and thunder upon her on every side and by an incredible kindness of divine protection did them much more mischief then she receiv'd herself However some that were best mann'd fetch'd her up by the strength of their oars and having grappl'd her a whole throng of Barbarians endeavour'd to enter upon all her quarters But the Spaniards and Italians kept their ground with so much resolution that after a bloody Fight of three hours the Turks were constrain'd to give way and the death of the General of the Galleys so abated their courage that they wholly forsook the Vessel Then it was that Misach Paleologus being out of all hope and fearing all the worst of fortune gave order to weigh Anchor and be gone And that which hasted his departure was that he understood by his Spies that the Christians expected a very considerable relief and that the Vessels of Ferdinand were but the fore-runners of the Christian Prince's Fleet. So that the Ottoman Fleet put out to Sea the 18th of August and steer'd toward the Port of Fisco where having set the Army a shore they continu'd their course toward Constantinople The Victorious Ship enter'd the Port of Rhodes almost at the same that the Ottoman Fleet set sail And now it is no difficult thing to apprehend the joy of the Rhodians to see themselves so well deliver'd after a siege of sixty days The whole Port resounded with shouts of gladness and the noise of the Bells mix'd with that of the Trumpets made a pleasing harmony which proclaim'd the raising of the Siege to all the people of the Island But that which most contributes to the publick rejoycing was that the Grand Master began to recover whether the Chirurgeons were deceiv'd in their judgments or that the wound which they deem'd to be mortal were not so indeed or whether there were something divine and miraculous in the cure However in that languishing estate wherein as yet he continu'd he commanded solemn Processions to be made for three days and that Masses should be said in all the Churches of the City for the souls of the Knights and Souldiers that had been slain during the Siege So soon as he was cur'd of his wounds and that he had strength enough to walk he went himself to return thanks to God at the feet of the Altars And because he was perswaded that the protection of the Virgin had sav'd Rhodes he made a Vow to build a magnificent Church by the name of St. Maries of the Victory neer the Jews Wall where the Turks were put to the rout Nor did he delay the execution of his vows for being somewhat better settl'd in his health he caus'd himself to be carri'd to the place and order'd the foundations to be laid in his presence They labour'd might and main at this great work so soon as the fortifications of the Town were repair'd And because the Victory was won upon the day wherein the Greeks solemnize the Festival of St. Pantaleon the Grand Master built a sumptuous Chappel for the exercise of the Grecian Ceremonies in honour of that holy Martyr to the end that the Latins and the Greeks celebrating at the same time the holy Mysteries they might return thanks both together in both Churches for so renown'd a Victory Nor was his devotion enclos'd within the Walls of Rhodes He founded a perpetual Mass every week at the great Altar of St. John of Jerusalem to preserve until the end of time the memory of so happy a success and in some measure to make an immortal acknowledgment thereof in the same place where the Order of St. John had its first Institution But because that having implor'd the aid of St. John Baptist when he fally'd to the Combat he found in his Souldiers and in himself a new courage which could not spring but from above he resolv'd to build a Church in Italy in Honour of the happy Precursor whose body Julian the Apostate caus'd to be burnt and whose precious ashes lye in the Cathedral Church of St. Lawrence at Genoa This Structure time brought to perfection and it was built neer to the Chappel where those holy Reliques are expos'd to the veneration of the people To which that he might do the greater Honour he also built a Convent neer to the said Chappel for twelve religious persons of the Order to sing Divine Service to say Masses for the propagation of the Faith for the Benefactors of the Order and the Souls of the Grand Masters deceas'd to which end he employ'd the Revenue of several Commanderies and his own according to the power which he had receiv'd from the See of Rome He wrote at the same time to the Princes of Christendom to give them advice of the Victory and to engage them to send him relief in case the Turks should make any new attempts and that the Knights should be constrain'd to hold out another Siege But because that Ferdinand's Ships had brought him a Brief from Sixtus which Brief contain'd such expressions as testifi'd how much the Pope did interest himself in the affairs of Rhodes he sent to Rome the Prior of Capua and the Commander of Aliaga with the Title of Embassadors Extraordinary He charg'd them also in their way to wait upon the King of Naples and to tell him how much the Knights were oblig'd to him for his aid That in his own particular he highly
submissions of Ferdinand or whether he were jealous of the Progress of the Republick However it were Sixtus agrees with the Father and Son in Law He also threaten'd the Venetians with the indignation and Anathema's of the Church if they continu'd the war of Ferrara The Republick incens'd at so strange a proceeding and foreseeing that this change would cause a great disorder in affaires implor'd the aid of the Turk to sustain themselves and to revenge the injury done them Bajazet who was unwilling to displease the Venetians forgot that he had promis'd not to disturb the Christians or rather violated his word in that respect and prepares a considerable Fleet to invade Italy The news presently spread it self over all Europe At Rome the alarum was taken as if the enemy had been already at the Gates and the Pope foreseeing the danger of the Church if the Turks should enter Italy during the discords of the Christian Princes and knew himself to be guilty of the discontent of the Republick made it his whole business to divert the storme The King of Naples whom the danger more nerely concern'd follow'd the Popes steps and by common consent had recourse to the Grand Master to whom they both wrote and sent to him the Knight Carraffa But never was Embassie more to less purpose for the care of the Grand Master had prevented the requests of Ferdinand and the Pope He understanding sooner then they the preparations that were made at Constantinople and likewise knowing the private motives to that Engagement labour'd incessantly to divert the storme before it began to break forth The Publick good and the particular Interest of the Church excited his diligence to keep the common enemy out of Italy And his obligations to the King of Naples made him more Solicitous to omit nothing that might preserve the Kingdom of his Benefactour and freind from the invasion of the Barbarians Therefore not to loose time he dispatch'd away to the Grand Signior a Rhodian whose name was Mosco Perpiano a man 't is true of low birth but of an exalted genius and capable of great affaires and besides that very proper to negotiate with the Turks as being one who had lived long in Turky and perfectly understood their humour and language And this was he that treated with the Sub-Basha of Pizzona about the truce and first discover'd the cunning of Achmats Letters Mosco after he had made known to the Grand Signiour with whom he had a private audience the Interest of his Highness to live in friendship with the Grand Master gave him to understand by degrees that the Venetians were about to engage him in a bad designe To that intent ne represented to him that this great preparation was the ready way to bring upon him all the forces of Europe That the most divided of the Christian Princes would not saile to reunite for the defence of their Religion and Crowns That France who glory'd in assisting the Popes and the Holy See would infallibly join with Italy upon such an occasion and lay aside for a time their pretences to Naples That whatever care the Knights could take that they should not make use of the person of Zizim against the Ottoman Empire it would not be any longer in their power to keep him That the King of France would force him out of their hands in spite of all their strength and put him at the head of an Army and then nothing was more to be fear'd then a Popular rising at Constantinople which might happen to be attended with a total revolution Mosco added according to his Instructions that the Grand Master being of that accompt as he was among the Christian Princes he could not possibly prevent his being engag'd in the Quarrel how great so ever his desire might be to keep a good Correspondence with the Court. That if the preparations which the Turks made against Italy should infringe the accommodation which had been made upon Zizim's score he had no reason to blame the Knights who are ready punctually to observe all the articles of the treaty Mosco then gave the Grand Signiour to understand that Rhodes was not in a condition to fear him the ruins being repaird and new fortifications daily added by the Grand Master This discourse of the Rhodian took singular effect Bajazet was so mov'd at it that he stood a good while without making any answer casting frightful looks here and there which shew'd the agitation and disturbance of his mind At length rows'd out of a deep contemplation and looking somewhat more calmely he told Mosco that in respect to the Grand Master whom he honoured as his Father he had abandon'd the design which he had in hand Then calling for Basha Misach Paleologus and two other of his Ministers he declar'd that he would not send his Fleet into the Mediterranean Sea and commanded them at the same time to surcease all their preparations for war wherein they labour'd with an excessive earnestness And that he might testify more of his freindship and do him more honour he wrote him a very obliging Letter which he deliver'd to Mosco the copy whereof follows Bajazet King of Asia Emperour of the Turks To the thrice happy Prince Peter D'Aubusson Grand Master of RHODES WE have understood from the mouth of your Embassadour what it is you request at our hands In truth you desire great things and which are of extream consequence to our Empire For a considerable Fleet is not to be set forth without great expence nor is such an enterprize to be quitted without some kind of disgrace But however as I refer my self wholly to your Counsel and for that I can refuse you nothing for your sake I forget all my advantages I surcease any further preparations and engage to you upon my word that my Navy shall not stir forth of the Streights of Gallipoly I do this willingly out of the desire I have that you should alwaies be my friend as you ought to be since that for your sake I renounce both my interest and my honour From Constantinople the fifth of the month of Rabi el Evel in the year of the Hegira 889. April 13. in the year of grace 1484. Mosco return'd to Rhodes almost at the same time that the Knight Caraffa arriv'd there That new Embassador of the Pope and the King of of Naples was surpriz'd to see that with all his haste he was come too late So that finding his work done he return'd as he came at least that he might be the first that should bring the tydings carrying along with him to the Pope and King Ferdinand the Copy of the Letter of the Grand Signior A resolution so sudden and so happy extreamly rejoyc'd all Italy and the Pope was so satisfi'd with the Grand Master that speaking of him to the Knight Quendal Procurator of the Order at Rome he call'd him several times The Buckler of the Church and The Preserver of
touching an Embassie to Rome But that he might know more exactly what he had to say to the Pope and after what manner he should proceed sent another Ambassador to the Grand Master This Negotiation continued several moneths in which time there were nothing but continual Voyages from Constantinople to Rhodes The Grand Master however put no confidence in these Embassies but expected a Rupture so soon as Bajazet should have an opportunity to display his secret hatred against the Knights and therefore that the Pope might have time to make a League between the Christian Princes he spun out affairs as much as he could either by creating difficulties which perplexed the Grand Seignior or by giving ambiguous Answers which were unsatisfactory While things thus passed between the Knights and the Turks one of the Popes Legates had like to have spoiled all by his imprudence Philip de Canova whom the Pope sent to the Soldan being arrived at Caire publickly declared very idly and without any ground That the Knights of Rhodes had no power in the affair of Zizim He spoke this so openly and upon so many occasions that the report thereof came to the Port. This news cool'd the Grand Seignior as to any further Negotiation with Rhodes now growing jealous that the Knights did but abuse him and it had come to an open War had not the Grand Master dextrously reconcil'd what the Legat had spoil'd He declar'd so loudly the contrary and by the Popes Letters themselves so well over-turn'd the falsity that Canova had averr'd that in a short time he regain'd the former confidence which Bajazet had in him The Negotiation was renew'd and it was on both sides agreed that the Grand Prior Blanchefort who was come to Rhodes to be present at the General Chapter and was to return to Zizim should conduct the Ambassador of the Port that was to go to Rome An act so dextrous and so successful soon made a noise over Europe and very much advanc'd the Reputation of the Grand Master He was the discourse of all the Courts of Europe and his name was so famous in that of Castile that a young Lady of eminent Quality having forsaken the World admiring what she had heard of the prudence and virtue of Cardinal D'Aubusson resolv'd to found a Nunnery according to his Model of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem To which purpose she requested leave of the Cardinal who over-joy'd to see such pious and virtuous inclinations in a young Lady readily condescended Thereupon the Lady whose name was Isabella di Leon descended from one of the most antlent Families in Andalousia founded a House of Religious Virgins of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the Founder was named Princess by the Grand Master the Nuns are to be all of Noble Race and to be approved as the Knights are and they are particularly to pray for the Knights and as much as in them lies to forward the ruine of Mahumetism and the exaltation of the Faith Isabella Fernandes founded also another House of Nuns in Evora a City of Portugal in the time of Villerius Grand Master But to return to Bajazet Chamisbuerch his Capigi Basha his Ambassador to the Pope arrived at Rome and was presented to his Holiness by the Grand Prior Blanchefort who accompani'd him to the City The Grand Master when he counselled the Embassie advised the Grand Seignior to make a Present to the Pope and above all things to send him the Head of the Lance that pierced the side of Christ which Mahumet laid up in in his Treasury among the rich Spoils which he found in the Churches of Constantinople The Relick was suspected at first but upon the testimony of the Grand Master the Infidels were believed who testifi'd that he had had it from very credible persons that the Venetians had offered Mahomet 15000 Crowns in Gold to retrieve it out of his hands after the taking of Constantinople But in regard it was the intention of the Grand Seignior wholly to gain the Pope he added to his Present very obliging Letters wherein after he had given him an account of an Expedition which he had made against the Rebels of Macedonia he swore an inviolable friendship with him and besought him that his Brother Zizim might always remain under the Guard of the Knights of Rhodes according to the Articles he had made with them These submissions of Bajazet very much pleased the Pope and were no small honour to the Grand Master He had a thousand Applauses in Italy and received the Complements of all the Christian Princes But an unhappy accident did not long permit him quietly to enjoy this Honour for a young Gentleman of a good House who was then in the service of the Knight Puis Bayliff of the Morea and Captain of the Castle of St. Peter stealing away from his Masters House and having renounced his Religion in Turkey the Peace was just upon the point of being broken between the Christians and the Turks For the Bayliff of the Morea touched to the quick at what had befall'n his Page took a strange resolution to recover him he Sallies out of the Castle with some Soldiers and entring into Lycia he takes by way of Reprisal two young Turks Sons of the most considerable person in the Countrey notwithstanding the resistance made by their Father whom he slew with his own hand So violent an act seemed to the Barbarians a visible breach of the Peace They take Arms and march directly to the Castle of St. Peter whether the Bayliff of the Morea was retired with his Prey The Sultan Zalabi the Grand Seignior's Son and Governour of Lycia sent an Agent to Rhodes to complain of the Attempt made by the Knights of the Castle of St. Peter The Bayliff's act was neither prudent nor just so that the Grand Master could not but with sorrow very much resent it and he had not stuck a moment to have delivered both the Children back again but that one of them testified an inclination to turn Christian But the young Turk declaring that he was resolved to continue a Mussulman and hated the very thought of Christianity the Governour of Lycia was satisfied with the restoration of the two Prisoners Thus was the Tranquility of the Province re-setled nor had the Subjects any thing more to fear but onely the Rapines of certain Pirats that infested their Coasts the most famous was Don Diego Ordonna a Spaniard by Nation a person bold and daring of a savage humour and a bestial valour more barbarous than the Infidels cruising all Coasts with an Armed Caravel and acknowledging no Right but Force nor any God but Interest He had taken a little before certain Merchants Vessels within sight of Rhodes and his power at Sea was grown so formidable that the Ships of the Order durst hardly venture out of the Port. The Grand Master could not brook the Insolencies and Robberies of this Castilian Pirate And knowing
He added That of Twenty Galleys promis'd by the Holy See he had receiv'd but Thirteen That he could not keep them above four months without express command from the Pope which were almost expir'd and most certainly would not be prolong'd That the French Fleet would not come at all That Captain Pré Jan de Bidoux was gone from St. Maura upon the first intelligence of the Broils between France and Spain That the Venetians being resolv'd to fortifie St. Maura could not spare their Fleet any farther so that Winter being at hand he did not believe that the Confederate Princes would undertake any thing against the Turk this year However the eager longing which the Grand Master had to see the League renew'd and his joy for the taking Santa Maura made him believe that the flames of War between the French and Spaniards might be as easily extinguish'd as they were kindled upon this consideration he resolv'd not to give off so So that without taking any notice of the Bishop of Baffo's advice he fell again to writing to the Pope After he had congratulated the Pope for the Success of his Galleys in the taking Santa Manra he besought him to keep them still in readiness and to excite the Venetians to prepare the most powerful Armado they could He besought him to endeavour the reconciliation of the two Kings and to make use of all his Art in that particular He press'd with new vehemency the Emperour and other Kings particularly the King of England who was very powerful at Sea and who was very zealous for the Interests of the Church After which committing the rest into the hands of Providence he set himself to regulate the Customs both of the People and the Knights In the first place understanding that the Jews that dwelt in Rhodes led a very scandalous life and that their bad example was the occasion of many sins committed in the City he took up a resolution to expel them Having assembl'd a Council for this effect he set forth in a long discourse all the evil that the Trade of the Jews might produce among the Faithful and that an Order particularly consecrated to the defence of Christendom ought to abhor a Nation which was so much the Enemy of Christ himself Then he came in particular to the Jews of Rhodes whom the Prodigies of the last Siege and those upon the Wall had harden'd the more The Grand Master's judgment was approv'd in Council and they all decreed with one accord that the Jews should depart the Island and all the Territories of the Order within fifty days They were also forbid to settle in the East lest they should prove spies to the Turks and all that was permitted them was to put off their Goods in fourty days But all sorts of Liberty and priviledges were offer'd on the other side to those that would turn Christians As for their little Children it was decreed that they should be Baptiz'd whether their Parents would or no. And the Decree of Council was drawn in express terms That since it was the opinion of all Divines and Canonists that the Jews were the Slaves of the Christian Princes they had not the Right nor Jurisdiction of Parents over their Children So that the Grand Master might dispose of them for the good of Christendom and the Salvation of their Souls Thereupon according to the power of the Laws the Jews Children were Baptiz'd And lest they should renounce their Christianity when they came to years of discretion the Grand Master kept them at Rhodes and brought them up at the publick Charge in some measure doing the Duty and Office of a Father to them After this the Grand Master appli'd himself to examine the Statutes of the Order which the Vice-Chancellor Caoursin had reduc'd into a Method some years before Some he cancell'd that were grow nout of use the observation whereof did more harm then good serving onely to multiply Quarrels and Suits of Law Others he made new according to the Constitution of the present Time For seeing how far the Impiety and Luxury of the Knights had extended it self who liv'd more like Seculars and Libertines then men in Holy Orders he ordain'd That whosoe'er should swear by or blaspheme the Name of God or speak a word to the dishonour of the Virgin Mary or the Saints for the first fault should undergo the punishment of Lent for the second two months imprisonment in the Castle and for the third be put in the publick Prison during the pleasure of the Grand Master and the Council and that they that were put into these Prisons should lose three years priviledge of Precedency He also forbade that the Knights should habit themselves like other people of the world or wear any thing that had the least semblance of Gallantry or Vanity He order'd particularly that their habits should be plain and of one colour and that if any Knight disobey'd this Order besides the punishment of the Quarantine his Habit should be confiscate to the Publick Treasury But though he lov'd Modesty in Habit he was Magnificent in all things that concern'd the Ornament and Beautifying of the Church as the stately Tapestries Statues of Silver Crosses of Gold Chalices and Image-Chariots of Malta engraven with his Arms for the most part testifie to this day While he employ'd himself in this manner in expectation of his Embassie Letters in reference to the League the Spaniards who had for their Captain in the Kingdom of Naples Alexander Cordova sir-nam'd the Great Captain made most cruel War against the French and both Parties grew so violent one against another that there was no likelihood of Peace The Pope instead of labouring an accommodation and reconcilement between the two Nations as the Grand Master had desir'd him openly favour'd the Spaniards and fed the fire which he ought to have extinguish'd Besides he had no other thoughts in his head but how to Aggrandize Cesar Borgia his Son Duke of Valentinois whom he passionately lov'd so far as to dare any thing and think any thing lawful for his advancement and enrichment But that which directly ruin'd the Croisade was this That the Venetians tir'd with the War made Peace with the Turks after several private Negotiations wherein the Knights of Rhodes were not taken notice of in the least By this Peace the Venetians restord the Island of Santa Maura which Pesara had fortifi'd at great Expences and the Grand Signior engag'd himself to restore what he had taken from the Venetian Merchants from the begining of the War Ladislaus King of Hungary soon follow'd the example of the Republick making an agreement though not very Honourable with Bajazet These sad tidings pierc'd the very heart of the Grand Master and to add to his affliction he understood at the same time that his Holiness had conferr'd Commanderies of the Order upon Secular Persons and that he had promis'd the Priorie of Castile to Don Henry of Toledo
undermin'd But the most part of those Mines prov'd ineffectual because of the Counter-mnies which were continually made round about There was one that was perceiv'd in the midst of the Trench of Provence But Martinengo immediately enter'd the Trench open'd the Mine and casting in barrels of Powder and other combustible stuff burnt and stifled all the Turks within Another Mine the Turks made under the Bulwark of England which play'd the fourth of September and blew up above seven times nine foot of the wall and fill'd the Moat so full of rubbish that the Turks that they might easily mount the wall and come on furiously to the Assault with their accustom'd cries gain'd the top of the Bastion immediately and set up seven of their Colours and had made themselves masters of it but for an Intrenchment which Martinengo had made the day before which stood entire about four foot from the Ruins of the wall That Intrenchment stopt the Enemy and thither the Knights ran and came to a close fight with Pike and Sword while others did great mischief to the Enemy with hand-Granadoes and other Artificial fires and there it was that Martinengo and the Chevelier de Bidoux did wonders becoming men of Extraordinary valour and courage Here they came to Sword and Dagger and even to coller one another the Turks perceiving that if they could but get the victory here they might easily get into the City And indeed that small handful of Christians that sustain'd the weight of such a multitude could not have bin able to have held out had not the Grand Master upon the noise of the blowing up of the Mine hasted to their Relief and with the Knights of the reserve and the Souldiers of his guard rush'd into the midst of his Enemies and charg'd them so furiously that in a small time a good part of them were cut to pieces and the rest so smartly repuls'd that they quitted the fight and fled in confusion and disorder'd and astonish'd those that were coming to their assistance so that neither the threats nor Exhortations of the Captains could stop them Which the General Mustapha seeing flew out of the Trenches in great indignation crying to the fugitives aloud that if they would not return to the Assault he would go on without them and having so said boldly march'd toward the breach His countenance and Language inspir'd the fugitives with new vigour so that they rally'd and return'd with their Basha more resolutely then before to the Assault and maintain'd the fight for above two hours At length the Christians redoubling their courage and animated by the presence and Example of the Grand Master fell upon the Turks with that fury that being no longer able to resist they turn'd their backs besides the Rhodian Canoneers had planted certain pieces against the bottom of the breach which play'd upon the Turks retiring so successfully that they kill'd more then were slain in the Assault Two thousand of the Turks were slain that day of the Rhodians twelve or fifteen slain out-right and fifteen or twenty wounded In the midst of these encounters the Chevalier Didier de Puy Governour of Ferracta gave notice to the Grand Master that he had taken certain Turks who confess'd that there were in Rhodes certain Persons of Quality who sent the Enemy Intelligence of what was deliberated concluded in Council and of all that was done in the City and that the Turks were digging a large Mine nere St. John's de Collaccio This was no small trouble to the Grand Master so much the more because he was forc'd to conceal his resentments by reason that no persons were nam'd However he promis'd a large reward to those that could discover the Mine But it was not long before it discover'd it self under the Bastion of England by seven a clock in the morning upon the ninth of September overthrowing about nine yards of the wall next to the Mine before-mention'd and came to the very barricado's before they met with any resistance But when the Dread and terrour was once over the Knights resuming their wented courage put the Turks to a shameful retreat till forc'd by the swords and scimitars of their Commanders even of their General himself they return'd again with more vigour and renew'd a bloody fight but the Grand Master coming to the relief of his own with his reserve sought them with so much fury for three hours that the Turks no longer able to abide so powerful a defence quitted the fight and retir'd into their Trenches leaving one of their Ensignes behind them This Assault cost the Great Turk three thousand of his men and three Sangiacs of the Christians about 30 were slain and some of the Knights wounded The Turkes repuls'd with so much loss in two assaults began again to murmur and discommend the enterprize as rash and impossible Which Solyman perceiving began to despair and to be offended against Mustapha The mean time Peri Basha to preserve himself in the good Opinion and favours of the Grand Signiour press'd him continually to make a furious battery of 17 Canons against the Italian Post But the besieged still repair'd with so much speed and diligence whatever the Enemies Artillery ruin'd and play'd their great and small shot with so much success that the Turks durst hardly peep out of their Trenches The Beglerbeg of Natolia did the same against the Post of Provence and fell to mining very industriously being advis'd thereto by a treacherous Greek who under pretence of trade had well observ'd the strength of the City But the most remarkable accident was the killing of the Governour of Negropont and Solyman's Favorite who riding by the Italian Post richly clad with a red Battoon in his hand was hit by a musket-bullet from the Italian Post and fell down dead immediately to the great grief of Solyman Peri enrag'd against the Italians resolv'd to make a most terrible assault upon their Platform which he did so unexpectedly and with so much speed that the sentinels that stood without the Entrenchment were kill'd before they could be succour'd But the Italians taking the Alarum and being well seconded by the Grand Master and his usual guard in an hours time the Bastion was well soak'd with the Blood of the Turks Peri finding such a stout resistance here and believing that other places were left naked gave immediate order for other forces to assail the New Bastion of the Grand Master Carretta but there the Chevalier Angelot Captain of the Bastion so behav'd himself having a good number of Souldiers and Citizens with him that the most part of the Turks were either kill'd or wounded and the Flanking Artillery of other Bastions made such havock among the thick multitudes of the Turks that at length quite dismay'd they began to retire Peri thereupon seeing the Souldiers would no longer abide the heat of such a terrible encounter sounded a general Retreat though with the loss of more men then in
the former combats Not long after Mustapha covetous to repair his honour and to regain the favour of the Grand Signiour resolv'd to give a third assault to the Bastion of England He imparted his resolution to the Achmat who agreed with him at the same time to assail the Bastions of Spain and Auvergne Upon the 3d. of September Mustapha unexpectedly fell upon the Bastion mounted the Ruins and fix'd their Ensigns neer the Rhodian Entrenchments and at the same time endeavour'd to make their way forward The fight was terrible and doubtful neither was Mustapha wanting in any part of a judicious and couragious Captain Achmat also at the same time play'd two Mines one in the Auvergnian the other in the Spanish Post The Auvergnian Mine prov'd in effectual the Spanish Mine brought down a considerable part of the wall of the Barbacan of the said Bastion And yet for these dreadful Ruins the Christians so well behav'd themselves in every place that the Turks having lost above 3000 men were forc'd to retreat with shame to their Trenches Two dayes after the Jewish Physitian often spok'n of before was discover'd shooting an Arrow into the Turkish Camp with a Letter fasten'd to the end of it Thereupon he was apprehended and upon his examination confess'd that he was a Spy for the Turks that he had sent them five Letters that he had given them several advices and had encourag'd them to continue the Siege For which He was condemn'd to be quarter'd After these Repulses and the giving fire to three other Mines soon after that did little or no harm the Basha's consulted together and resolv'd to give a general assault upon fore several places of the City all at a time Solyman approv'd their Resolution assembl'd his Captains together encourag'd and chear'd them up and assur'd them of Victory and by publick Proclamation gave the common Souldiers the whole Plunder of the City Thus the whole Army resum'd their wonted courage and full of Hopes prepar'd themselves for a general Assault As a preparation to which the Basha's order the English Bulwark the Posts of Spain and Auvergne and the Italian Platform to be batter'd for two dayes together on purpose to widen and enlarge the Breaches The Grand Master observing this universal motion of the Enemy and their continual Batteries for 2 days together with an extraordinary diligence prepar'd for his defence Day and night he visited all the Posts earnestly besought every one to be watchful and ready and having taken a little repose in his armes by break of day he rang'd the Souldiers in their several Posts and that there might remain no fear or astonishment among them he made them a short speech Declaring to them the glorious opportunity which offer'd it self for them to signalize their Zeal for the honour of God their fidelity to their Order and the welfare of Christendom and their affection to a people that had liv'd under their Dominion for above 200 years He gave them to understand how often they had prov'd their own valour and the timidity of the Enemy That though their number were great yet that there was yet a sufficient number left of brave and valiant men to defend a just cause and repel the force of Ambition and perfidious impiety That they were to consider their Enemies were a sort of ignorant people forc'd on by their Basha's for fear of encurring the displeasure of their Master to whom they had represented the enterprize so easy that they themselves were persons of honour dedicated from their Infancy to the service of God And therefore he besought and conjur'd them to do their duties The Turks by break of day discharg'd all their Artilleriy at once that they might pass the Moat under the covert of the smoak and that don they boldly fell on in all places at once The Grand Master posted himself in the English Bulwark as being the weakest place Nor was the Spanish Artillery a little favourable to the English flanking the Turks and making a great slaughter among them insomuch that they were almost ready to recoyle when Mustapha's Lieutenant throwing himself among them pray'd entreated threaten'd promis'd and heading them himself brought them on again though to his cost being the first man slain with a Canon Bullet as he was mounting the Ruins The Turks enrag'd by his fall discharg'd their small shot and arrows like hail upon the Rhodians And Mustapha observing their Metall sent them continually fresh supplies and with fair words and promises exhorted them to their Duties Yet could they not force the besieg'd to stir a foot who in the view of the Grand Master with an invincible courage sustain'd all that Impetuosity and at the same time fought with equal valour and obstinacy in all the other Quarters The very women were not unserviceable while some carry'd Bread Wine and other refreshments to the Souldiers others threw stones others pour'd down boyling Oyle and water upon the Enemy But the greatest danger of the Combat was in the Spanish Post where the Aga General of the Janissaries having pick'd out the choicest of his men march'd himself to the Assault at the head of them who follow'd him with such a Resoluton that they cover'd all the Breach gain'd the platform above and planted forty of their Ensigns upon it with the same violence rushing on to the Barricado's not minding the prodigious slaughter of their own that fell on every side Thereupon the Knights and Souldiers in the Spanish Bulwark seeing the distress of those in the Post ran to the assistance of their friends leaving only some few for a guard behind Which certain of the Turks that lay conceal'd behind the rubbish perceiving presently mounted the Bulwark and made themselves Masters of it pull'd down the Ensigns of the Christians and setting up their own cry'd out in their own Language Victory and invited their Companions to assist them Upon which Achmats Regiment advanc'd but the Auvergnian Spanish Artillery soon stopp'd their Career So that the Grand Master being advertiz'd of this new accident left the English and entring the Spanish Post charg'd the Enemy so vigorously that he put them absolutely to flight Then seeing the Spanish Bastion master'd by the Turks he sent the Commander of Bourbon with a Company of stout Souldiers with order to enter the Mine and Casemat and to mount the Bastion Which he did so effectually that in a short time he wholly regain'd it Notwithstanding all this the Aga with fresh forces return'd to the assault of the Spanish Post and the Grand Master having left a sufficient Guard in the Bastion return'd to the defence of the same and sending for two hundred fresh men from St. Nicholas Tower after a bloody fight of six hours forc'd the Turks to abandon their Colours and to retreat to their trenches after the loss of above 15000 men Solyman was so highly incens'd against Mustapha upon this defeat that he condemn'd him to be shot to
first ascended fell upon the Turks with such a fury that they forc'd them to retire But the Turks being presently reinforc'd both parties disputed a long time for the Wall they on both sides with great heat and courage But when the Combat grew hot and that the victory seem'd to encline to the Infidels the Count of Monteil came into the assistance of the Christians but notwithstanding all the effects of their valour they could not drive back their Enemies whom the presence of the Basha made undaunted and not being able to withstand so great a number as fell upon them In the mean time the report which was spread that the Enemy had carry'd the Jews Quarter struck terror and confusion every where But so soon as the Grand Master saw this beginning of a Rout with a half pike in his hand he mounted the Wall having already kill'd some that were got down and considering that the loss of all depended upon this post he resolv'd to hazard all or regain it The old Commanders and young Knights that were near to his person mounted after at what time the Grand Master breaking into a thick Battalion of the Turks with an astonishing fury charg'd them so rudely that they were soon clear'd off No sooner was it known to what danger the Grand Master had expos'd himself but the Burgesses of the Town ran with all speed to disingage him or to dye with him The women also who were for the most part habited in mens apparel appear'd upon the Ramparts to terrify the Assailants follow'd their husbands and pouring down scalding Oil Flints and old Iron upon the Turks while others were so hardy as to throw Wild fire and others to take up the Arms of the Slain and fight in their steads they did very good service On the other side the Archers which the Grand Master had plac'd in such parts of the Wall which the Cannon had a little spar'd shot continually upon those that came with fresh recruits The Barbarians fell in great heaps every where yet dearly selling their lives but more especially making a great slaughter about the Grand Master But the present Image of death redoubl'd his zeal and no way diminish'd his valour Let us dye my dear Brethren said he rather then retire 't is for the faith 't is for heaven that we fight our death shall be honour'd among men and precious in the sight of God His example and his words so encourag'd the Souldiers that mauger the obstinate resistance of the enemy they regain'd the Field and made themselves absolute Masters of it after a dispute of two hours The Knight de Montholon being the first that tore up the Ottoman Banners and flung them to the ground As much affrighted as the Barbarians seem'd and as much wearied as they were indeed shame or honour caus'd them to return to the Charge and the Basha drew out a Body of old Janizaries to second the assault Now in regard the Grand Master was known by his gilded Arms and the throng of remarkable persons that environ'd him the Basha commanded that they should pick him out particularly These fresh men threw themselves like beasts of prey upon the Christians having forc'd their way through the Pikes and Swords were making directly to the Grand Master if the Vicount of Monteil who saw them coming had not put a stop to them who flew upon them with the most valiant of the Auvernian Post In the mean time ten or twelve of the boldest of the Turks joyning with those that were at handy-strokes with the Grand Master they laid at him with several blows so that his arms being broken he receiv'd five wounds however he fought still very valiantly But the Knights perceiving he was wounded fell on so furiously that the enemy first began to give ground and lastly to betake them to their heels As for the Turks who were got upon the Posts of the other Languages where they found equal resistance so soon as they saw the Jews Wall forsaken they quitted their attaques and fled in the greatest disorder in the World except three hunder'd of the stoutest who staid upon the Walls and being no longer able to defend themselves fell half dead into the City where they were massacred by the people At the same time the Rhodians issu'd out after them in throngs and pursu'd them to their very Camp making a most fatal slaughter among them The Turks also kill'd one another to make room for themselves so much they dreaded to fall into the hands of the Christians The Basha did all he could by threats and promises to stay their flight their fear would not let them take notice of either and he was at length constrain'd to fly to the shore that he might be near his Galleys Khodgia Afendy who has wrote in the Turkish Language the Siege of Rhodes attributes the rout of the Infidels to the avarice of their General For he says that the Souldiers more covetous of booty then blood being ready to enter the Town and preparing themselves to plunder where they hop'd to find great riches the Basha to preserve the whole for himself caus'd proclamation to be made that the treasure of Rhodes was the demeans of the Ottoman Court and that the generous Mussulmen were to seek nothing more in fight then the honour of serving the Emperor however he would not sail to recompence those that should do their duty as he would punish those that should take the least rag The Historian adds that this Proclamation so cool'd the courage of the Souldiers that they thought of nothing after that but how to save their lives But we may easily conjecture by the examination of his words that he does not speak truth according to the manner of the Turks who make no scruple of lying when it is either to excuse and cover the cowardice or dishonour of their Nation For it has been the custom of the Ottoman Emperors and their Basha's always to abandon such Towns as were taken by assault to the plunder of the Souldiers So that it is not likely that Paleologus who us'd all the means he could to make himself Master of the place and who was naturally magnificent should of a sudden take to a course so contrary to his design and humour In the mean time the Grand Master who felt himself very much weaken'd by his wounds return'd into the City all bloody after whom follow'd the victorious Knights with the Imperial Standard which they had tak'n from before the Pavilion of the Basha but the condition of their Prince put them into such a consternation that they could not rejoyce for their Victory One of his wounds was accounted mortal and the second day they began to despair of his life So soon as the Basha had recover'd the Sea-shore with the remains of his Army he never stood to consult whether he should raise the Siege or no. Whatever confidence he had had till then in