staff of the Sinners always to rage into the portion of the Just with merciful eye to look down upon these distressed men and with an unwonted kind of clemency to touch the Sultans heart in such sort as that he which but the other day stood in dread of the Emperor and now having him as it were in his power was overcome with his misery or as in times past he by Husai overthrew the councel of Achitophel and changed the mind of Absalom to follow such advice as should bring him to destruction so then also he turned the mind of the Turkish Sultan that perswaded by certain of the chief men about him who in time of peace had used to receive great Gifts and Presents from the Emperor he of his own accord by his Embassadors offered Peace unto the Emperor before that he in so great distress sued unto him for any and that upon the self same conditions they had made their Leagues before The Turks in the mean time ignorant of the Sultans resolution early in the morning were ready to assault the Emperors Camp in hope at once to have overthrown his whole power and with a barbarous outcry still riding about it came so nigh that with their Arrows they slew divers of the Christians within their own Trenches against whom the Emperor sent out Iohn the Son of Constantinus Angelus and after him Macroducas Constantinus but to little or no purpose In the mean time came one Gabras a man of greatest reputation among the Turks Embassador from the Sultan by whose commandment the Turks ceased further to assault the Camp. This Gabras coming unto the Emperor and after the manner of the Barbarians honouring him with reverence done even down to the ground first presented him with a goodly Horse whose furniture was all of Silver as if it had been for triumph and a rare two edged Sword. Afterwards falling into a large discourse concerning a Peace to be made and with many kind words as with an Inchantment appeasing the Emperors heaviness conceived of his late loss he among other pleasant conceits then uttered seeing the Emperor in a rich Robe of yellow over his Armor told him that the colour was not fit for War as ominous and portending evil luck whereat the Emperor a little smiling gave it him with the fortune thereof and receiving the Horse and Sword sent him from the Sultan signed the Peace Amongst other conditions of the Peace which the dangerousness of the time suffered not the Emperor curiously to examine one was That Dorileum and Subleum before by him fortified and the ground of this unfortunate War should be again rased Peace thus beyond all hope being concluded and the Emperor delivered of a great fear purposed another way to return home to avoid the sight of the Slain yet was he by his Guides even of purpose as it was thought led back the same way to behold with his eyes those miserable spectacles of the Slain which could not with any tears be sufficiently lamented for the Straights were made plain the Vallies were raised into Hills and the Forrests lay covered with the Carcasses of the Slain no man passed by but with heaviness and grief calling by name upon their Friends and Familiars there lost Having again passed those doleful Straights the Turks were again in the tail of the Army for it was reported That the Sultan repenting himself to have suffered his Enemies so to escape out of his hand had given leave to such as would to pursue them but followed not himself with his whole Power as before for most of the better sort of his Souldiers loaded with the Spoil were now returned home Yet these that followed after the Army slew many especially such as were weak or wounded and so unable to follow the rest although the Emperor to help the matter had for the repressing of them placed the best of his Captains and Souldiers in the Rereward Being come to Chonas and now out of fear of his Enemies he gave unto every one of his hurt Souldiers mony to pay for the curing of their wounds and to bring them into their Countries and coming to Philadelphia there staied for the refreshing of himself after so great miseries In his return he rased Subleum according to his promise but not Dorileum whereof the Sultan by his Embassadors complaining he answered That what he had promised inforced thereunto by necessity he greatly forced not to perform In revenge whereof the Sultan sent out one of his most valiant Captains called Atapack with 24000 good Souldiers chosen out of his whole Army with straight charge to waste and destroy all the Emperors Provinces and Towns even unto the Sea-side without sparing Man Woman or Child and in token thereof to bring with him some of the Sea-Water an Oar and some of the Sea-Sand who according to his Charge spoiled Phrygia with the Cities along the River Moeander even unto the Sea side and so returning with a rich Prey by the way spoyled what before he had left untouched But in passing the River Moeandâr when he feared least he fell into the hands of Iohn Bataza the Emperors Nephew and of Ducas Constantine a most valiant Captain of purpose sent against him by the Emperor with a great Power where he was by them slain together with all his Army and the rich booty he had taken all again recovered Many other hard conflicts passed after this betwixt the Imperials and the Turks the one continually seeking to annoy the other all which for that therein nothing fell out much worth the remembrance I for brevity willingly pass over In these endless troubles died Emanuel the Greek Emperor when he had by the space of eight and thirty years worthily governed that great Empire having in the time of his sickness but a little before his death taken upon him the habit of a Monk in token he had forsaken the World. All the time of his Reign he was no less jealous of the Christian Princes of the West than of the Turks in the East and therefore ever dealâ with them unkindly In time of War he was so laborious as if he had never taken felicity but in pain and again in Peace so given over to his pleasure as if he had never thought of any thing else After whose death the Turkish Sultan without resistance invading the Frontiers of the Empire took Sozopolis with divers Towns thereabout in Phrygia and long besieged the famous City of Atâalia and so daily encroached more and more upon the Provinces of the Empire joyning the same unto his own which was no great matter for him to do the Greek Empire being then no better governed than was the Chariot of the Sun as the Poets feign by Phaeton far unfit for so great a charge for Alexius Comnenus otherwise called Porphyrogenitus being then but a Child of about twelve years old succeeding his grave Father in the-Empire after the manner of
These two great men Cairadin Bassa and Cara Rustemes before named sometimes two Doctors of the Mahometan Law were as the Turkish Histories report the first that corrupted the Turkish Court with Covetousness and Bribery and are therefore of them even yet much blamed Whilst Amurath thus wintred in Asia News was brought unto him That the Christians of Servia and Bulgaria had gathered a great Army for the besieging of Hadrianople which caused him to prepare great Forces in Asia to aid his Captains in Europe But in returning out of Asia he by the way took the Town of Boga where he put to the Sword all the Christians that were therein able to bear Arms leading the rest into Captivity and with the spoil rewarded his Souldiers This strong Town was not long after again recovered by the Christians who requited the Turks with like measure and doubting the keeping thereof rased it down to the ground yet was it afterwards reedified by the Turks as it is at this present to be seen which was done in the year of our Lord 1365. In the mean time the Christian Army of Servia and Bulgaria in number betwixt forty and fifty thousand marching towards Hadrianople and now come very near the same fell in mutiny among themselves Whereof the Turks by their Espials having intelligence suddenly in the night set upon them who blinded with inward hatred and no less fearing one another than their Enemies neglected to joyn their Forces against them but were ready to turn their Weapons one upon another and so by their own discord more than by the Enemies force were made a prey to the Turks by whom they were put to flight and slain with so great a slaughter that the place wherein they fell not far from Germia is thereof at this day called Zirf-Zindugi that is to say the place wherein the Servians were overthrown The news of this so notable a Victory with the fith part of the Spoil and a great number of the heads of the slain Christians were after the barbarous manner of the Turks sent to Amurath into Asia being now ready with a great Power to have come over to Callipolis who joyful thereof and glad to see such a Present the assured witness of the Victory returned again to Prusa This was done in the year 1366. In which year also Amurath with wonderful Triumph circumcised his two Sons Bajazet and Iacup At which time he also built a Temple with a Monastry and a Colledge at Bilâzâga and another fair Church at Neâopolis At Prusa he also built a stately Palace in the Castle with a great Church at the Gates thereof in which City he also founded an Abbey and a Colledge Germean Ogli a great Mahometan Prince in Asia whose Territory for the most part lay in the greater Phrygia and the Countries thereabout bordering upon the Oâhoman Kingdom having always envyed at the rising of the Othoman Kings as did all the rest of the Mahometan Princes of the Selzuccian Family and fearing that their Greatness might after his death grow dangerous to his son Iacup being now himself very aged thought good for the more safety of his State to joyn in Alliance with Amurath And for that purpose sent Isaac a learned Doctor of the Mahometan Law Embassador to him with many rich Presents and to offer his Daughter the Lady Hatun in marriage unto his Son Bajazet promising with her in Dowry divers great Cities and Towns with their Territories in Phrygia and Bâthynia adjoyning upon the Othoman Kingdom namely Cutaie Sâmaâ Egrâgiâs Taâsanle and others Neither was this a small Dowry but well beseeming so great a Prince the City of Cutaiâ being at this day the pâace whereat the Turkish Emperors great Lieutenant or Vice-Roy in Asia is always resiant as in the heart of his Kingdom in the lesser Asia Of which Mâtch so offered Amurath liking well contracted his Son Bajazet unto the said Lady and for Solemnization of the Marriage prepared all things with great Magnificence sending his Embassadors to most of the Mahometan Kings and Princes both far and near to invite thereunto commanding also most of the Nobility of his Kingdom to honour the same with their presence The time of this Marriage drawing near Embassadors came to Amuraths Court from all the Princes before invited amongst whom the Embassador from the Egyptian Sultan had the highest place These Embassadors brought with them many great and rich Gifts such as well beseemed the great Princes their Masters which they with all Reverence presented unto Amurath At length amongst the rest of his own Nobility came the Lord Eurenoses whom he had before left Governor of the Frontiers of his Kingdom in Europe who besides many other rich Gifts not easily to be valued presented unto Amurath an hundred goodly Boys with as many beautiful young Maidens all Christian Captives sutably attired in Garments richly embroidred with Gold and Silver every one of them carrying a Cup of Gold in the one hand and a Cup of Silver in the other the Cups of Gold having in them divers precious Stones of great value and the Cups of Silver being filled with Gold. The richness of this Present was so great that all the Embassadors of the foreign Princes much wondred thereat All which rich Gift Amurath most bountifully bestowed upon the strange Embassadors and the Presents which were sent unto him from other Princes he liberally gave to Eurenoses The Learned and Religious which came to that Marriage he so bountifully rewarded also that none came to the same poor but he went away rich He had before sent divers of his Nobility with an hundred Ladies and Gentlemen and a Guard of three thousand Horsemen to attend the coming of the Bride On the other side the old Prince Germean-Ogli meeting this honourable Company upon the way saluted every man of Account according to his Degree and bringing them to one of his Cities in most Royal manner feasted them bestowing upon them many rich and princely Gifts all which things with great Solemnity performed he delivered his Daughter the Bride to two of the most ancient Ladies whereof the one had been Bajazets Nurse and so taking leave of his Daughter sent her away accompanied with his Wife Ienses and other of his Courtiers who conveying her to Prusa she was there in most Royal manner married to Bajazet The Cities and Towns promised in Dowry were accordingly delivered into the Possession of Amurath who shortly after took Possession of the same and furnished them with his own Garrisons At this Marriage Chusen-Beg Prince of Amisum in Galatia by his Embassador sold his Territory of Amisum unto Amurath with many fair Cities and Towns doubting as it was thought how to be able to keep them now that Amurath was come so near him whom he saw not to let slip any occasion offered unto him for the inlarging of his Kingdom When Amurath had in this sort spent great time in Asia he gathered
purpose so to terrifie the Defendants The next day after he sent the great Bassa of Constantinople to Lyssa called also Alessa a City of the Venetians situated upon the River Drinus about thirty miles from Scodra The Bassa coming thither found the City desolate for the Citizens hearing of his coming were for fear before fled for which cause he set the City on fire Here the Turks digged up the Bones of the worthy Prince Scanderbeg for the superstitious opinion they had of the vertue of them and happy was he that could get any little part thereof to set in Gold or other Jewel as a thing of great price as is before declared All these things thus done Mahomet committed the direction of all things concerning the Siege of Scodra unto the discretion of Achmetes by whose perswasion he leaving a great power for the continuing of the Siege departed thence himself with forty thousand Souldiers for Constantinople cursing and banning by the way all the Country of Epirus all the Inhabitantâ therein and every part thereof their Corn their Cattel and whatsoever else was fruitful but above all other things the City of Scodra with all that therein was for that he had never received greater dishonour or loss than there After his departure which was about the seventh of September the two great Bassaes of Constantinople and Asia according to order before taken built a great bridge over the River Boliana and on either side a strong Castle to the intent that no relief should that way be brought into the City Which work when they had brought to perfection and furnished both Castles with Garrisons Ordnance and all things necessary they left Achmetes Bassa with forty thousand Souldiers to continue the Siege and returned themselves the one to Constantinople the other into Asia The wary and politique Bassa mindful of the charge he had taken upon him took such order that no relief could possibly be brought unto the City either by Land or by Water and so lying still before it a long time he brought it at length into such a distress and want of all things that the poor Christians were fain to eat all manner of unclean and loathsome things Horses were dainty meat yea they were glad to eat Dogs Cats Rats and the Skins of Beasts sod it exceedeth all credit to tell at what exceeding great price a little Mouse was sold or Puddings made of Dogs guts All these bare shifts and extremities the poor Christians were content to endure even unto the last gasp rather than to yield themselves into the hands of their merciless Enemies Whilst Scodra thus lay in the suds the Venetians weary of the long and chargeable War they had to their great loss now maintained against so mighty an Enemy by the space of sixteen years and having no means to relieve their distressed Subjects in Scodra thought it best to prove if they could procure a Peace from the Tyrant For which purpose they sent Benedictus Trivisanus a great Senator and a man of great experience to Constantinople who so well used the matter that after long debating too and fro at length a Peace was concluded whereof the chief Capitulations were That the Venetians should deliver unto Mahomet the City of Scodra the Island of Lemnos and the strong Castle of Tenarus in Pâloponnesus and pay him yearly eight thousand Ducats that they might freely after their wonteâ manner traffique into the Euxine by the Straits of Hellespontus and Bosphorus Thracius and other parts of his Dominions Concerning the Citizens of Scodra it was comprised in the same Peace That it should be at their own choice either to live there still under the government of the Turkish Emperor or else at their pleasure to depart in safety with their Goods whither they would Trivisanus having in this manner concluded a Peace in his return homeward the fourth of April found the Venetian Admiral riding at Anchor in the mouth of Boliana from whence they both by Letters certified the Governor and Citizens of Scodra in what manner the Peace was concluded with the Turk and what provision was therein made for them Upon receipt of which Letters the Governor calling together the Citizens declared unto them how the case stood and there with them entred into consultation upon this hard question Whether they would remain there still in their Native Country under the Turkish Tyranny or forsaking the same live amongst other Christians in perpetual exile But after the matter had been throughly debated and many reasons on both parts alledged at length it was by general consent concluded That they should all forsake the City and the House of Bondage as dangerous both to their Souls and Bodies and live as it should please God amongst other Christians So the Turks giving Pledges for the safe departure of the Christians in Scodra they all at an appointed day with bag and baggage came out of the City and were by the Venetians carefully transported into other parts of their Territory in Italy where they lived in peace The Turks who had now besieged the City a whole year after the departure of the Christians entred the City with great joy and triumph which with many others thereabout hath ever since to the great ruth of all Christendom remained in the possession of the faithless Infidels Thus was the strong City of Scodra lost and the long Wars ended betwixt Mahomet and the Venetians which happened in the year 1478. year 1480. Mahomet now at Peace with the Venetians sent the same Achmetes Bassa by whom he had but a little before taken in Scodra with his Fleet of Gallies against one Leonard Prince of Neritus Zacyntâus and Cephalania Islands near unto Peloponnesus where the Bassa arriving easily took the same Islands the poor Prince for safeguard of his life being glad to fly into Italy with his Wife and Treasure to King Ferdinand whose nigh Kinswoman he had married About the same time Alis-Beg sirnamed Michael Ogli Isa-Beg the Son of Cassanes and Balis-Beg sirnamed Malcozogli men of great account amongst the Turks and most honourably descended entred into Transilvania with a great Army of an hundred thousand men and brought such a general fear upon the Country that Stephanus Batore the Vayvod was glad with all speed to flie unto Matthias King of Hungary to declare unto him the danger of his Country and to crave his Aid Matthias at the same time lay sick of the Gout nevertheless he took such order by his Captains Stephanus Cherepetrus and Paulus Kinisius Count of Temeswarâ that the Turks were encountred not far from Alba Iulia and there in a great and bloody Battel overthrown wherein Isa one of their great Captains was slain with thirty thousand Turks more Neither was this Victory gained by the Christians without loss Bator the Vayvod himself being sore wounded and eight thousand men slain Mahomet in his ambitious humor had long time desired to have in his subjection
and within a year should cause sufficient Recognizance or Caution sealed with his own hand to be delivered unto the Creditors That he should cause all the Letters and Writings as well concerning the upper Austria as the nether within the same time to be delivered unto him together with a Copy of the Priviledges therein until that Deliberation might be had concerning them to be transferred unto him also That the Nobility and States of Bohemia should in the Emperours Name ratifie and confirm the Treaty held at Vienna for the making of the Peace betwixt the Emperour the Turks and the Hungarians That they also should not refuse at the Emperours request to promise unto the Arch-duke a certain Succession into the Kingdom of Bohemia but yet with condition so that if it should happen the Emperour to dye without Heirs Male before the death of the Arch-duke his Brother but if he should have Heirs Male lawfully begotten and under age that in that case he should only have the Rule and Government of the Kingdom of Bohemia yet with certain Bohemian Counsellers joyned unto him That the Arch-duke should by writing confirm unto the Nobility and States of Bohemia That he should after the usual manner and fashion demand the Kingdom of Bohemia being void of a King. That he should take the usual Oath of a King and always have like regard of all their Priviledges as the other Kings his Predecessors had That the States of Bohemia should not gainsay but that the Arch-duke might hereafter use the Title of the designed King of Hungary That the Adminstration of the Marquiset of Moravia should be granted unto the Arch-duke Matthias and his Heirs together with the Title of a Marquess until that after the death of the Emperour this Province was again to revert unto him which was to enjoy the Kingdom of Bohemia But if it should happen the Arch duke to dye before the Emperour the States of Bohemia should not refuse but that this Province separate a-part might as should seem good chuse unto it self a Patron and Defender unto the death of the Emperour That the Bishoprick of Almits hitherto in Temporalities subject unto the King of Bohemia should from thenceforth acknowledge the Arch-duke Matthias to be the Governour thereof lest there should be a confusion of Suits in Moravia the Bishop in the mean time having regard unto his own Priviledges That the Emperour at the request of the Arch-duke should maintain the Priviledges of them of Silesia and of the States of the six Cities and augment them also with new Priviledges being reasonable and convenient That for the defence of the borders against the Turks the Nobility and States of Bohemia should not contribute more than hitherto they were wont yet saving unto the Arch-duke power and ability in the general Meetings and Assemblies of the Kingdom to entreat thereof as the Emperour had hitherto had That the Titles of all the Provinces which the Emperour did now surrender unto the Arch-duke Matthias should be still unto him reserved That the Arch-duke Matthias should utterly renounce the County of Tirali and surrender his part thereof unto the Emperour That in the Meetings and Assemblies to come the Arch-duke should by all means endeavour that the Emperour should receive a reasonable yearly Contribution out of those Provinces which he now departed with That all offences hitherto committed should generally be forgiven and pardoned all and every the Persons on both Parties onely Verkavious excepted concerning whom as also concerning his debt the Nobility of Moravia had undertaken in their next Assembly to take order And that Arms should on both sides be laid a part Which Articles thus agreed upon and on both parts accepted of the Crown of Hungary with the Ornaments thereto belonging such as are King Stephen's Sword the Golden Apple with the Cross of the Kingdom upon it two pair of rich Shooes a very ancient Robe with a Royal Scepter were by the Emperour 's chief Lieutenant carried into the Camp and there in a broad and open Field delivered unto the Arch-duke Matthias who with his Army in order ranged and sixteen thousand Horse and Foot divided into three Battalions after he had received these Royal Ornaments commanded three great Vollies of shot to be discharged and afterwards royally feasted the Emperour's Ambassadors Which Pacification thus made many out of the Arch-duke's Camp but especially the Hungarians went into the City of Prague there to buy things necessary and many came also out of the City to see the Arch-duke's Camp. But in the mean time certain insolent Souldiers having by night broken up certain Shops of the Iews and carried out of them much rich Wares were the cause of great stirs and Tumults in the City insomuch that divers of the Souldiers were therefore cast into Prison The first of Iuly King Matthias rising with his Army departed from before Prague taking his way with his chief Counsellors towards Lintz and dividing his Army into three parts that so they might the more easilier pass through those Countries home After the rising of which Army a certain Noble Bohemian and a good Souldier called Cottouits unto whom the Hungarians and Haiducks had in this Expedition done great harm with six hundred Harquebusiers and a number of Country-men went forth to a Place called Partouitse where having cut off the Passage and cut down Trees cross the ways that none might that way conveniently pass he with such fury in a Place of advantage charged the Hungarians coming that way that having slain about nine hundred of them some others were also carried away Prisoners with a great booty of Horses Waggons and other Goods With which deed the Hungarians grieved trod down the Corn as they went and began to set fire on the Villages and Houses in the Country thereabouts But the news thereof being brought unto the King he forthwith by Herbenstein General of the Horse-men commanded the Hungarians and Haiducks not onely to desist from this their Insolency but themselves also upon a great Penalty to help to quench the fires by them raised In the mean time the coming of King Matthias being reported at Vienna great preparation was there made for the receiving of him and bringing of him into the City according to his Royal Dignity who the fourteenth of Iuly toward night being come thither with the Arch-duke Maximilian his Brother and three thousand Horse the Archbishop of Hungary who with Count Trautsamius and many other the Emperour's Counsellors and Servants went out of the City to meet him and there amidst eight Ensigns of German Souldiers and fifteen hundred Horse-men as it were set in order of Battel received him with a long and Eloquent Oration as did afterwards Trauâsamius in the name of the States of Austria the Emperour's Counsellors also honourably welcoming him Which done mounting again to Horse the King with the Arch-duke Maximilian his Brother staied until that two Troops of the
were too well provided to hazard an assault About mid August the Governour or Visier of Buda Kara Mehemet was kill'd with a shot he received in his face a Person very brave and very knowing Ephraim Bassa succeeded him in the Government but did not enjoy it long being likewise slain with a Cannon Bullet so that the Chief command was devolved upon the Aga of the Janizaries As the attack was vigorous so the defence was brave the Turks continually vexing the Christians with their Alarms and Sallies who on the other side continued their approaches with great resolution but their Foot being much spent it was judged advisable not to hazard a General assault before the Bavarian Forces which were daily expected were come up In the mean time the Serasquier Bassa formed a design to make a diversion some other way in order to which he marches towards the frontiers of Croatia where General Lesley was camped who had besieged Virovitza in Iuly beaten the relief designed for their succour and thereupon had the place surrendered to him upon composition Having now notice of the Serasquier's design he went and posted himself within half a League off his Camp near a Bridge that was lay'd over the Danube at Turanowitz A while after the Turks approached who charged with great fury eight hundred Croats newly come to the Imperial Camp but with their accustomed misfortune They however returned immediately to the fight and forced the Croats to retire leaving them three Standards for prise so that being animated with this advantage they would attempt more and attacked the Imperialists in their Post but they were so ill received that they were obliged to retire with the loss of five hundred men which were killed upon the place The Christians lost two hundred Though this Siege for the Greatness and Fame of it deserves to be described in all its particulars the Approaches the Attacks the Mines the Battels the Batteries the Breaches of the Christians being carried on with so much Valour and Constancy that it amazed the wondering World yet the Greatness of the Garrison the Scituation and Strength of the Place the reiterated Succours that were brought in a potent Army commanded by a Seraskier within the noise of their Guns yea oft-times their view a vigorous and intrepid Courage in the Defendants frequent and furious Sallies Countermines and the advance of a wet Season so favourable to them rendred all the Endeavours of the Besiegers fruitless and forced them to a Retreat The Duke of Bavaria had indeed brought with his Person a considerable recruit to the Imperialists and they performed all that Courage could suggest but being the fatal moment of the reducing of this Capital City of the Kingdom was not yet come we will transmit the History of it till then when the same great Atchievements were in a manner acted over again and indeed by the same Generals on the side of the Christians but with better fortune The Siege had lasted from the fourteenth of Iuly till the first of November at which time the Christians having transported their Baggage their sick and some pieces of Artillery to the Isle of St. Andrew the Army sending their great Cannon their Ammunition and the rest of their Baggage by Water for want of draught-Horses though well convoyed followed themselves in a Body uninterrupted and marched to their Winter Quarters the Bavarians into upper Hungary and thâ Imperialists into both the upper and lower Hungary Boâemia Silesia c. according to their Repartitions The Turks attempted nothing upon the Army in their retreat but brought near a thousand Prisoners which were left in the Isle of St. Margaret into the City not singly triumphing for so signal a deliverance Such was the end of this bloody Siege where following the common Opinion the Emperour lost twenty thousand Men and amongst them a great number of Officers Of those of most note were the Counts of Altheim two of the Starembergs Iames and Lewis Carlowitz Richtari Hoken-Zollern Furstenburg Nassau Durheim Chriminz and the young Counts of Harrah and great quantity of others The Turks recovered their Garrisons of Pest and Vacia without any great difficulty but in exchange the Count of Zober took the Castle of Suran near Newheusel The Republick of Venice had a more fortunate Campaign Their Doge or Prince being dead Marco Antonio Iustiniano being elected Duke in his place the Senate sent orders to their Secretary Capello at the Ottoman Port immediately after the conclusion of the Alliance made with the Emperour and Poland to declare War against the Turks and to save himself as well as he could which he did for having scarce finished his Declaration he retired from Constantinople in the habit of a Sea-man and embarked himself upon a French Ship. But two of his Domesticks and six other servants had the misâortune to be taken whilst the Merchants of his Nation took Sanctuary in the French Embassadour's Palace The Kaimacan of Constantinople would search whether Capello was not there also but the Ambassadour answered him if he came to re-search there without express orders from the Grand Seignior he should repent it which so discomposed him that after some excuses he proceeded no further The Council choosing their great Officers made Morosini Captain General Mocenigo Procurer General of Dalmatia the Prince of Parma General of the Infantry c. General Strozoldo passed out of the Emperour's service to that of this Common-wealth The Morlacks did likewise for the most part embrace the Party of the Venetians holding the Turks in perpetual Alarms making oft-times very considerable Booty perpetually pestering them with their ravagings and excursions The General Rendezvouz of the Venetian Fleet was at Corfu where the Gallies of the Pope of Maita and of Tuscany joyning with them consisting in all of forty-six Gallies six Galliasses thirty-three Men of War besides other smaller Vessels manned with above twenty thousand Foot and five or six hundred Horse A General Council of War being held in presence of all the Chief of the Auxiliary Squadrons it was resolved to attempt the Island of St. Maure in pursuance whereof arriving before the Island about the 20 th of Iuly the Army entred the Port of Dameta on the East side of the Island where also they made their descent Seignior Monetta landed first with one hundred and fifty Men being followed by General Strozoldo with two Venetian Regiments the Popes and the Infantry of Malto the rest of the Venetian and Duke of Tuscany's Forces landing on the West side Having taken their Posts the Generalissimo sent a Summons to them in the Fort to surrender it which they with contempt refusing the Christians began to batter the Town from theirGallies and Galliasses whereby the houses and fortifications of the City were greatly endamaged as also a Mosque which was ruined and however the Turks were not wanting in their defence yet they would hinder the Christians to lodge in the Suburbs and to
set apart for labour and menial Services These are 1. Porters 2. Bostangies or Gardiners 3. Baltagies or Hatchetmen who cut and carry Wood. 4. Asgees or Cooks with all the Offices of the Kitchin. 5. Paicks and Solacks 6. Butchers 7. Holvagees or Confectioners 8. The Attendants of the Hospital of sick Pages And all other set apart for servile Offices These are seldom the Sons of natural born Turks but yearly collected as I said from the increase of poor Christians in the Morea and Albania by which means those Countries are greatly dis-peopled the yearly number of those thus collected amount most commonly as I am given to understand to about 2000 which being brought to Constantinople are first presented before the Vizier who according as his Humour directs him are placed in divers Stations either in the Seraglioes of Galata Okmedon or Adrianople others are put forth to learn divers Trades in the City others to be Seamen and learn Navigation others especially are placed in the great Seraglio where they are made to serve in the Stables in the Kitchin to dig in the Gardens to cleave Wood to row in the Grand Signior's Barge and to do what other Services they are commanded by the Superiors set over them called Odahashees who are Men of Ancienter standing than the rest having about fifteen Aspers a day Salary two Vests of Cloth a Year and two pieces of Linen Cloth for Shirts and Hankerchiefs c. and these are subject to the Bostangi Pasha who is the Head and absolute Commander of all those who have the Name of Bostangees or Gardiners of which there may be 10000 in and about the Seraglioes and Garden of the Grand Signior Of these Bostangees some are raised to a higher degree and called Hasaki which signifies Royal and attend only to Messages sent by the Grand Signior himself and are Men of special Authority Their Habit or Cloathing nothing differs from the Bostangees unless in the fineness of their Cloth. The Power of the Bostangi Pasha is very great for though he himself arose but from the Agiamoglans and wore a felt Cap yet he hath the command of all the Grand Signior's Gardens and Houses of Pleasure oversees all his Water-works and hath Power and Jurisdiction along the Bosphorus unto the Mouth of the Black Sea commands also the Country at a large distance from Constantinople having power to punish all Debaucheries and Extravagancies in and about the Country Villages and is capable by the Grand Signior's Favour to become Pasha of Grand Cairo Babylon Buda c. and of the first degree which is Vizier Azem The Agiamoglans who are designed to the Grand Signior's Seraglio are of the choicest amongst the whole number the strongest Bodies and most promising Aspects and are distributed into several Companies as they want to make up their Complement This Discipline is very severe and strict so that they are taught Obedience and readiness to serve with Watchings Fastings and other Penances Their Cloathing is of course Cloth made at Salonica anciently called Thessalonica their Caps of Felt after the form of a Sugar-loaf of a Hair colour Some of them are taught to Read and Write who are esteemed the most acute and fit to receive ingenious Learning but the most part are exercised in activity of Body in Running Leaping Wrestling throwing the Iron Bar and other Agility wherein the strength and activity of Body is best practised Their Lodgings are under several Pent-houses or Sheds built under the Walls of the Seraglio their Dyet is Flesh and Rice sufficient though not luxurious Out of these belonging to the Seraglio none are drawn out for Janisaries but are sometimes preferred to service of Pashaes for their Fidelity or good Deserts and by those Masters arise to considerable Riches and commodious manner of Livelihood others of these in great numbers are made use of for attendance on the Grand Signior's Tents when he gooes to the Wars and in other Journies are useful for the management of the Grand Signior's Carriages and travelling Necessaries Such Agiamoglans as we have said before that are distributed into other Quarters besides the Royal Seraglio are principally designed as they grow ripe and of strength of Body to be made Janisaries in the place of the deceased so that their principal Education is in order thereunto of whom we shall speak more largely when we treat of the Militia The Names of the Agiamoglans are written in a Book with the Places where they are distributed their several Pays of two three or five Aspers a Day which Book is under-written by the Grand Signior and consigned to the Tefterdar or Lord Treasurer who pays their Salaries every three Months being obliged at that time to enquire who is dead or removed and so accordingly to make a true report to the Grand Signior And thus I have given you a brief account of the Grand Siginor's Seraglio and the Regiment of it which if well considerd and weighed is one of the most Politick Constitutions in the World and none of the meanest Supports of the Ottoman Empire which Relation I had from the Mouth of one who had spent nineteen Years in the Schools of the Seraglio I must confess I have not treated so amply thereof as the Subject might require because the Rules and Oeconomy observed among the Women Mutes Eunuchs and other of the retired Apartments I conceive to be a kind of digression from my purpose my intention being principally to describe the Government Maxims and Polities of the Turk And therefore I proceed to treat of the diversities of Offices and Places of great Riches and Trust which remain in the power of the Sultan to confer on those Favourites Minions and Creatures whom thus at his own Charge he hath nourished like a Father from their Infancy to invest in their riper Years with great Honours for security of his own Person and flourishing Estate of his Dominions CHAP. XI Of the Vizier Azem or Prime Vizier his Office the other six Viziers of the Bench and of the Divan or place of Iudicature THE Prime Vizier called in Turkish Vizier Azem is as much as chief Counsellor he is sometimes termed the Grand Signior's Deputy or Representative or Vicarius Imperii because to him all the Power of the Sultan is immediately devolved there is no other Solemnity as I know of in the creating a Vizier than the delivery of the Grand Signior's Seal which he always carries about him in his Bosom on which is engraven the Emperor's Name by which he becomes invested in all the Power of the Empire and can without the formality and process of Law remove all Obstacles and Impediments which hinder the free sway of his Government It hath always been the Policy of the great Princes of the East to erect one as Superintendent over all the rest of their Ministers so Daniel was constituted by Darius over the Presidents and Princes because of the admirable Spirit and Wisdom that
following and therefore had left them this Town as a bait to train them out of their Trenches And after that the Christians were thus possessed of the Town having laid certain strong ambushes they drave out certain heards of Cattle the more to allure them all which certain companies of the Christians brought in without any loss the Turks still winking thereat With which booty the Christians encouraged went out three thousand of them to take in a little Town not far off who were by the Turks cut off and slain every Mothers Son as they were about to have divided the Spoil Which overthrow reported into the Town discouraged even the chief Commanders of the Army so that they resolved no more to try the fortune of the field before the coming of their friends Nevertheless the common Souldiers condemning them of cowardise chose them a new General one Godfrey Buxel whom they now requested not but enforced to go out to revenge the death of their fellows Which their rashness not long after turned to their own destruction for ten thousand of them going out of Exorgum to forrage the Country were by the Turks intrapped and almost all slain except some few which by speedy flight escaped The Turks prosecuting their victory laid hard siege to them in the Town also until they had partly with famine and partly with the sword consumed the most part of them The Hermit with the poor remainder of his Army took his refuge to Cinite a Town not far off before abandoned by the Turks where with much ado he defended himself until the coming of Duke Godfrey and the rest of the Princes Cutlu-Muses the Turk was now dead having left unto his Son Sultan Solyman many large Countries and Provinces altogether gained from the Christians in Asia whom he held in great subjection and thraldom This warlike Prince having discomfited and almost brought to nought the Hermits forces was no less careful for the withstanding of the great Army following which now being come into Bithyâiâ and lying before Nicomedia removing thence laid siege to the City of Nice called in ancient time Antigonia of Antigonus the Son of Philip that built it and afterwards Nicea of Nicea the Wife of King Lysimachus In this City dwelt many devout Greeks Christians but in such thraldom unto the Turks that they could not do any thing for the delivery of themselves This siege indured longer than the Christian Princes had at the sirst supposed who although they to the uttermost of their power forced the City on three sides yet was it still notably defended new supplies still coming from the Turks by the Lake of Ascanius joyning upon the other side of the City But after that the Christians possessed of the Lake began on that side also to lay hardly unto the City the Turks discouraged and seeing themselves beset round with their enemies yielded up the City the fifth of Iuly in the year 1097 year 1097. after it had been fifty days besieged But whilst the Christians thus lay at the siege the Turks assailed that quarter of the Camp where the Legat lay by whom they were notably repulsed and with great loss inforced to retire unto the Mountains In this City amongst the rest of the Turks was taken Solymans wife with two of her Children whom the Princes sent prisoners to Constantinople This City so won was according to the agreement before made restored unto Alexius the Emperor whose Fleet had in that siege done good service by taking the Lake from the Turks The City of Nice thus won the Christian Princes removing thence with their Army and marching through the Country came the fourth day âfter unto a River which watered many rich pastures where as they were about to have incamped for the commodiousness of the place and refreshing of the Army suddenly news was brought into the quarter where Bohemund lay now busie in casting up his trenches That the Turks with a great Army were ready even at hand to charge him For Solyman having raised a great power of his own and aided by the Sultan of Persia his kinsman was now come with an Army of 60000 strong to give the Christians battel of whose approach Bohemund advertised left the fortifying of his Trenches and putting his Souldiers in array set forward to meet him sending word to the rest of the Princes that lay a far off to be ready as occasion should require to relieve him These two Armies conducted by their most resolute Chieftains meeting together joyned a most fierce and terrible battel where in a short space the Turks lay slain upon heaps in such sort that they served the Christians instead of Bulwarks But whilest Bohemund thus prevaileth in the battel certain of the Turks horsemen wheeling about brake into Bohemunds Camp not as then altogether fortified and but slenderly manned where among the Women and other weak persons there left they raised a great tumult and outcry to the great appaling of them that were fighting in the battle which Bohemund perceiving withdrew himself with certain companies unto the Camp from whence he with great slaughter repulsed the Enemy But returning again into the battle he found there a great alteration for his Souldiers whom before he had left as it were in possession of a most glorious victory were now so hardly laid on by the Turks as that they were ready to have turned their backs and fled Nevertheless by his coming in the battel was notably restored and again made doubtful when the ânemy perceiving how much the assaulting of the Camp had troubled the Christians in battel sent out certain Troops of Horsemen again to assault the same and had not failed undoubtedly to have taken it being as aforesaid not yet fortified had not Hugh the French Kings Brother come in good time to the rescue who coming in with 30000 Horsemen after he had relieved the Camp entring directly into the battel was notably incountred by a Squadron of fresh Souldiers of the Turks by them of purpose reserved for such event There began a battel more terrible than the first with most doubtful victory But at the length the Turks weary of the long and cruel fight and seeing most of their fellows slain began by little and little to give ground and so retired into the Mountains which were not far off In this battel which continued a great part of the day were slain of the Turks 40000 and of the Christians about 2000. The next morning Bohemund with the French Kings Brother came again into the field in such order as if they should presently have given or received battel where after they had stayed a great while and saw no Enemy to appear they fell to the honâst burial of their dead which were easily known from the Turks by the red crosses upon their garments the cognisance of their sacred warfare Solyman flying with the remainder of his Army notably dissembled his loss giving it out
greater courage than good speed set forward and so joyning battel with the Enemy was therein overthrown with the greatest part of his Army and himself taken Prisoner in the fight with certain other of his best Commanders who all together were carried away Captives unto Carras Upon the report of this overthrow and taking of the King the Chaliph of Aegypt on the other side took occasion with all his Power to invade the Kingdom of Ierusalem and having in himself purposed the utter ruine thereof beside the great Army which he sent thither by Land which lay incamped not far from Ascalon he put to Sea an huge Fleet also of 700 Sail for the distressing of the Sea-Towns which he well knew were not otherwise to be won This Fleet of the Sarasin Kings for Aegypt with the Kingdoms of Tunis and Morocco were yet in possession of the Sarasins arriving at Ioppa there put ashore their Land Forces and hardly besieged the Town both by Sea and Land. But whilst they thus lay in great hope to have won the Town Dominicus Michael Duke of Venice stirred up by Calixtus then Bishop of Rome was come to Cyprus with a Fleet of two hundred Sail for the Relief of the Christians in Syria and the Holy Land and hearing of the distress of Ioppa nothing dismaid with the number of the Enemies Fleet hasted thither and came so suddenly upon them that he had as some report overthrown them before they could put themselves in order or be in readiness to fight or as some others say after a great and doubtful fight having sunk or taken a great number of them and put the rest to flight he obtained of them a most glorious Victory With like good Fortune also were the Sarasins overthrown in a notable battel at Land near unto Ascalon by the Lord Eustace unto whom the defence of the Kingdom was committed after the taking of the King who not long after so great a Victory died Ioppa relieved as is aforesaid the Duke of Venice travelled by Land to Ierusalem where he was honourably received by Guarimund the Patriarch and the Confederation before made betwixt King Baldwin and the Venetians upon the same conditions solemnly again renewed The Sarasins thus notably discomfited both by Sea and Land and the Christians thereby not a little incouraged and joyning their forces together with the Venetians came and the first of March laid Siege unto the ancient and strong City of Tyre which they having beset both by Sea and Land gave thereunto many a sharp assault which the Turks as Men fighting for their Lives and Wives right valiantly repulsed In which sort the Siege was continued longer than the Christians had at the first thought should have needed yet at length after four Months siege the Turk sore weakened with often assaults and hardly pinched with want of Food all their store being spent yielded the City by composition Thus was the City of Tyre the most famous Port of Phoenicia yielded unto the Christians the nine and twentieth of Iune in the year 1124. year 1124. The third part of this City was given to the Venetians according to the Composition made betwixt them and the Kings of Ierusalem That of all such Cities as were by their help won from the Infidels in Syria they should have a third part with one street and free Traffique in all the rest of the Cities of the Kingdom on Ierusalem Shortly after was King Baldwin set at liberty for the Ransome of an hundred thousand Ducats after he had been eighteen months Prisoner among the Turks The Duke of Venice having now spent almost three years in this Sacred Expedition and well confirmed the state of the Christians in Syria returning home by the way took the Islands of Chios Rhodus Samos Mitylen and Andrus with the City of Modon in Peloponesus all places belonging unto the Greek Empire Which he did in revenge of the Injuries done by the Emperor in the time of his absence who envying at the success of the Christians in Syria as had his Father Alexius before him had in the absence of the Duke infested the Territories of the Venetians for the which he was now justly requited with the loss of a good part of his own Baldwin also not unmindful of the Injuries unto him before done by the Turks in requital thereof invaded the Country about Damasco and there in three notable battels overthrew the King and spoiled the Country wherein he took so great a Prey that therewith he redeemed his Daughter whom he had at the time of his deliverance left in Hostage with the Turks for the payment of his Ransome He also overthrew the Sarasins at Ascalon who aided by the Chaliph of Aegypt had sundry times invaded the Country about Ierusalem And so having well repressed his Enemies for a space lived in peace Not long after Hugh Paganus first Master of the Templars an Order of Knights first begun in the Reign of this Baldwin before sent to crave Aid of the Christian Princes of the West against the Turks and Sarasins returned with a great number of zealous Christians ready to lay down their Lives for defence of the Christian Faith and Religion with whom Baldwin and the other Christian Princes of Syria joyning their Forces set forward and besieged Damasco the Regal Seat of the Turks in those quarters But such was the strength of this City with the valour of the Defendants and contagiousness of the Air that the Christians the Heavens as it were then fighting against them were glad to raise their Siege in vain begun and so to retire Whilst things thus passed in Syria Fulke Count of Turin Mayn and Anjou a man almost of threescore years having as he thought best disposed of his things at home had for devotion sake taken upon him an expedition into the Holy Land. In the time of which his preparations Embassadors came unto him from King Baldwin offering him in Marriage Melisenda or as some call her Margaret his eldest Daughter with the Succession of the Kingdom of Ierusalem in dowry if he should survive the King and in the mean time to content himself with the Cities of Tyre and Ptolemais of which offer he accepted and so held on his journey before intended It fortuned about three years after that the King fell dangerously sick and feeling his death drawing on having laid aside all Regal Dignity caused himself to be removed out of his own Palace into the Patriarchs house which was neerer unto the Temple of the Sepulchre and there calling unto him Fulk the Count his Son-in-Law with his Daughter and his Son Baldwin then but two years old in the presence of the Patriarch and divers other Princes and great Commanders commended unto them the Government and Defence of the Kingdom appointing Fulk to succeed him And taking unto himself the habit and Profession of a Monk if he should have longer lived presently after gave up the
effeminate People resting for the most part upon forraign Strength had purposed himself to invade the Kingdom and so if possible he might to joyn it to his own For colour whereof it was pretended that the Sultan contrary to his faith before given had secretly sought to joyn in League and Amity with Noradin the Turk King of Damasco The chief stirrer up of the King unto this War was one Gerbert Master of the Templars who in respect of the aid by them of his order to be given had obtained of the King after the Victory gained to have the City of Pelusium with all the rich Country about the same given unto him and his Brethren the Knights of the Order for ever upon which hope he contrary to the mind of many of the Knights for the furtherance of that War gaged his whole Wealth and Credit with all the Treasure of his House So all things now in readyness for so great an Enterprise Almericâs with his Army set forward in October and having in ten days passed the sandy Desert came to Pelusium which City he after three days Siege took by force and put to the Sword all them that were therein without respect of Age Sex or Condition which City he according to his promise before made gave unto the Templars After that he began also to besiege Caire at which time his Fleet sacked the City of Tapium In the mean time Sanar the Egyptian Sultan considering the danger he was in to satisfie Almericus his greedy desire offered to pay him twenty hundred thousand Ducats to withdraw his Forces and forthwith sent him one hundred thousand for the ransom of his Son and his Nephew taken Prisoners at Pelusium and for the rest to be paid within five days after he gave two of his Nephews Hostages Nevertheless the payment he deferred from day to day of purpose in the mean time to raise the whole power of Egypt also to receive aid from the Turks by Saracon which he daily expected of whose speedy coming Almericus understanding left part of his Army at Pelusium and with the rest went to have met him but missing him by the way Saracon with his Turks came in safety to Caire unto the Sultan as he had desired Wherefore Almericus dismaid with the multitude of two so great Armies now joyned together retired back again to Pelusium and there taking with him the Garrison before left returned home to Hierusalem having in that expedition begun with the breach of Faith laid the foundation of the ruin of his Kingdom as in few years after it by proof appeared by the evil Neighbourhood of the Turks by that means brought down into Egypt Saracon the Turk after the departure of Almericus easily perceiving a most fit time and opportunity to be offered for him now to obtain that which he had in vain before both sought and sought for encamped with his Army near unto Caire and notably counterfeited himself of all others the most devoted Friend of the Sultans so that betwixt them two passed all the kind tokens of Love and Friendship that could possibly be devised the Sultan oftentimes feasting the Turk and in kindness likewise being feasted of him but at length going as his manner was unto the Camp to visit him he was by the Turks slain So Saracon having brought to pass what he desired and entring the City with his Army was by the great Caliph from whom the Egyptian Sultans as from their Superiors the true Successors of their great Prophet Mahomet took their Authority appointed Sultan the first of the Turks that ever enjoyed the same which Royal Dignity he had not possessed fully a year but that he was taken away by death In whose stead Saladin his Brothers Son by and by stept up who altogether a Martial Man not regarding the reverend Majesty of the Caliph as had his Uncle Saracon and all the Egyptian Sultans before him with his Horsemans Mace struck out his Brains and not so contented utterly rooted out all his Posterity the better to assure himself and his Successors the Turks in the possession of his new begotten Kingdom and after that divided the great Treasures of the Egyptians among his Turks to encourage them the more to follow him in his Wars against the Christians This glorious Kingdom so much spoken of in Holy Scripture and renowned of the Learned Historiographers of all Ages after the Ruine of the Roman Empire was sometime part of the Constantinopolitan Empire and a notable Member of the Christian Common Weal until that about the year of our Lord 704 the Egyptians weary of the Pride and Covetousness of the Grecians revolted from them unto the Sarasins whose Superstition they also received and so under the Government of the Sarasin Caliphs the Successors of the false Prophet Mahomet lived about 464 years until that now being invaded by Almericus they prayed aid of Noradin the Turk Sultan of Damasco who to their relief sending Saracon with an Army repulsed indeed the Christians but oppressing their liberty took to himself the Kingdom which he left unto his Nephew Saladin in whose Posterity it remained until it was from them again taken by the Circassian Slaves the Mamalukes under whose servile Government it was holden of long time till that by the great Emperor of the Turks Selimus the first it was again conquered and the Mamalukes utterly destroyed In the Government of whose Prosperity the mighty Emperors of the Turks it hath ever since remained as part of their Empire until this day as in the process of this History God willing shall appear year 1170. Saladin thus possessed of the great Kingdom of Egypt and all things set in such order as he thought best for the Newness of his Estate with a great Army entred into the Land of Palestine in the year 1170. and there besieged Daron which Town he won and overthrew such as were sent by King Almericus to have relieved the same with which small Victory contenting himself as with the good beginning of his rising Fortune he returned back again into his Kingdom yet was his Army so great and populous as that the like Army of the Turks had never before been seen in the Holy Land. Wherefore Almericus considering in what great danger he stood his Kingdom now being on both sides beset by the Turks sent out his Embassadors unto the Christian Princes of the West to crave their Aid for the defence of that Kingdom which their Fathers had won and for the same purpose went himself in Person unto the Emperor of Constantinople of whom he was Royally entertained and afterward sent back loaded with the promises of great matters as were also his Embassadors from the Princes of the West All which for all that sorted unto nothing but vanished into smoke The year following viz. 1171. Saladin besieged Petrea year 1171. the Metropolitical City of Arabia but hearing that Almericus with a great Power was coming to
gave the most hearty thanks that possibly he could unto the Latine Princes for that by their Bounty Charity and Valour the Greek Empire had been delivered out of a long and miserable Servitude and for his own particular that he had received of them so great good that albeit his sight could not be restored to him again nevertheless he acknowledged his Life his Liberty his Empire his Country his Son to have been unto him by them restored and he likewise to them for which their so great Deserts he could not as he said render them condign Thanks or devise Rewards or Honours answerable to their Demerits and Valour and that therefore he did ratifie and confirm whatsoever his Son had before promised unto them for his deliverance and not only that but further promised That if they were not therewith contented he would of his own bounty give them better contentment not meaning they should go discontented that had saved his life and otherwise so highly pleasured him Hereupon this good old Emperor began to consult with his Friends about the means whereby he might satisfie and content the Latines in such things as the young Prince his Son had unto them promised And to the intent that the Citizens of Constantinople might the more willingly do that he was to command them and the more chearfully pay such Impositions as he was to lay upon them he intreated all the Latines to retire themselves out of the City into their Camp or about their Ships which they accordingly did But the Imposition being set down and what every man was to pay seemed unto the Greeks as men of long accustomed to receive Tribute of others and not to pay Tribute to others a matter most heavy and intollerable In this very instant that this Exaction was required died the old Emperor Isaac who having of long been kept in a dark and stinking Prison in continual fear of death and now deliveâed and restored to his Empire could not indure so sudden and unexpected a change both of the Air and of his manner of living but so suddenly died At this Exaction imposed for the contentment of the Latines the light Constantinopolitans grievously murmured and exclaimed saying That it was a villanous thing to see the Greek Empire ingaged and bound by a young Boy unto a covetous and proud Nation and so to be spoiled and made bare of Coin That the great and rich Island of Crete lying in the midst of âhe Sea was by him given as a Gift unto the Latines That the City of Constantinople and the Greek Church had by him been enforced and constrained to yield unto the See of Rome to receive the Opinions of the Latine Church to submit it self unto the Obeysance of old Rome from whence it had once happily departed ever since the time that the Empire was by Constantine the Great translated thence to them Thus every one said for himself in particular thus all men said in general And thereof the Noblemen in their Assemblies and the vulgar people in their meetings grievously complained whereupon a Sedition and Tumult was raised in the City Some presently took up Arms and the common people all enraged ran furiously disordered unto the Palace with a purpose to have committed some great Outrage upon the Person of the young Emperor Alexius who in that so sudden an Insurrection as might well have troubled a right constant man without longer delay resolved upon a most wholsome and necessary point for the appeasing of the peoples fury unto whom assembled in a wonderful multitude he shewed himself from above in his Palace promising them to remain in their Power and not from thenceforth to do any thing without their advice and liking but wholly to depend upon them with which good words the people held themselves well content and so was the tumult for that time appeased But forthwith the young Emperor considering the injury done unto him began to burn with the desire of Revenge and to change his purpose He could not together satisfie the Citizens and the Latines for if he would keep his promise with the Latines he must of necessity offend his own people neither was there any means to be found to satisfie both the one and the other But thinking himself more bound to keep his promise with the Latines whose Forces he knew not how to withstand he sent secretly to request the Marquess of Mont-Ferrat General of the Army to send him about mid-night certain Companies of Souldiers unto the City assuring him to receive them in by a Gate near unto the Palace which should be opened unto them by certain of his trusty Servants there left for that purpose Of this Plot Alexius Ducas of his bittle brows sirnamed Murzufle whom of a base Fellow the Emperor Isaac had promoted unto the greatest Honours of the Court was not ignorant who being a man of an aspiring mind and in those troublesome times having long thirsted after the Empire took now this occasion to work upon The night following he by his Agents men instructed for the purpose raised a tumult in the City not inferior unto that which had hapned the day before and at the same instant as if he had had nothing to do in the matter came suddenly to the young Emperor in the dead time of the night which he might at all time do by reason of the great confidence the Emperor had in him and with a sad countenance told him That the People were up again in an uprore and especially they of his Guard and that they were coming toward him to do him some violence for the love he bare unto the Latines With which unexpected news the young Emperor terrified demanded of him as of his most faithful Counsellor What were best in that case for him to do Who presently embracing him in his Night-gown led him out by a secret door into a Tent he had of his own in the Court as if he would there have kept him safe but far was that from his traiterous thoughts who departing from him as if he had gone to appease the Tumult had before taken order that he should presently after his departure be cast into Bonds and so be clapt up into a close stinking Prison which done the false Traitor openly shewing himself made an Oration to the People wherein he shewed himself to have great compassion of the Greek Empire and of the Greeks his Country men themselves especially in that they were governed by a youth unfit for the government who suffred himself to be misled according to the pleasure of the Latines And that it was high time for the City of Constantinople the seat of the Greek Empire to look about it and to have an Eye unto it self sith it was betrayed and sold by them which ought to preserve and keep the same that they had now need of a man that loved his Country and Country-men before that which yet remained of the
inviting him to hasten his coming into the City who thereupon coming to Rhegium by his Embassadors sent from thence requested the old Emperor either to give him leave according to the League betwixt them to come into the City or else to send him certain of the chief of the Nobility and Clergy with some of the better and more understanding sort of the Burgers and Citizens also unto whom he might frankly speak his mind for them faithfully to deliver the same again unto the Emperor his Grandfather and the People Which request the old Emperor perceiving to be full of Deceit and Treachery for a good space answered thereunto nothing at all but stood all silent as doubting which to grant for to suffer his Nephew to come into the City he saw was dangerous the Citizens as he well knew being for the most part inclined to revolt to him so soon as they should once see him within the Gates and to send any forth unto him as he desired might be as he feared an occasion of some tumult to be after raised in the City for he knew that his Nephews drift therein was openly by fair words and secretly with great gifts and large promises first to gain them and by them the rest of the Citizens Both which things being dangerous he made choice of the easier and sent forth unto him two of the most noble Senators two of the most reverend Bishops two other grave Prelates and four of the chief Burgesses of the City unto whom at their coming unto him he in the open hearing of all men delivered this premeditated and crafty Speech It is not unknown unto the World you my Subjects to have alwaies been unto me more dear than I have been unto my self and how that I have not upon any ambitious conceit or desire of the sole Government against my Grandfathers good Will gon out For you see how that I neither spare mine own life or attend my pleasure for the care I have of you I come not unto you compassed about with a Guard of armed men as is the manner not of Kings only for the envy of their high place but of others also of far meaner calling whom disaster fortune banished from their Parents and Kindred hath enforced to wander here and there with death also before their Eyes Let any man tell me how I came by these wounds which I yet bear in my body but in fight with the Enemies of my Country which pass over out of Asia into Thracia or else dwelling near unto Isther do with their incursions from thence miserably waste that side of Thracia which is next unto them For I to tell you the very truth seeing the old Emperor by reason of his great years to become slothful and blockish and not possible to be awaked out of his drowsie sleep neither any whit to grieve when as the poor Christians his Subjects were both by day and night some as Sacrifices slain by the barbarous Enemies some carried away into most miserable Captivity and the rest poor and naked to be driven out of their Houses and Cities not to speak in the mean time of the greater mischiefs in Asia and how many Cities have been there lost through the old Emperors sloth and neglience when I saw these things I say strucken with a piercing grief which my heart could not indure I went out for two causes either by some kind of honourable death to end my grief together with my life or else to the uttermost of my power to stand my Country in some stead For by no means it can come to pass but that a man and he that hath of long time reigned must at length become loathsome unto his Subjects and encur their deadly hatred For why God hath made nothing in this life immutable and firm whereby it cometh to pass as we see that all worldly things joy and delight in change But if a man will as it were force Fortune to his desire and strive to bind things unto a certain firm and constant course he shall but lose his labour and in vain strive against nature But whatsoever is contrary unto nature or exceedeth the just bounds thereof hath in it neither comfort nor delight This was it that caused the wise men to say and to leave to us as Rules Not to dwell too long upon any thing and a measure to be the fairest vertue For you see how that my Grandfather being grown to great years and having reigned so long I may almost say as never did any but he is become hateful unto all his people and yet regardeth not either how to discharge himself of so great a burthen or how to relieve the declining State of the Empire or so much as grieveth to see the Successors of the Empire to die before him For my Father is dead without any fruit of the Empire except the bare Title only and others also nearest to him of blood and far younger than hâ are dead likewise and happily I my self may die also before I shall receive any profit thereof for what can more easily happen especially unto a man that shunneth no danger and regardeth not his life But some perhaps will suspect me of Ambition for departing from the Emperor my Grandfather and for refusing to be ruled by him Which thing I neither flatly deny or altogether confess For might I see the Empire increase and the bounds thereof inlarged I could willingly content my self and at my ease take my rest chearing my self up with such hope as do they that bear with their Cooks making them to stay long for their dinner in hope thereby to fare the better But seeing the State of the Empire daily to decline from evil to worse and the miserable people carried away Captives or slain by their Enemies even at the Gates and under the Walls of the Imperial City what deem you me then to think For most men ease their present grief with the hope of future good although the same be but vain But unto me is not left even such vain hope unto my false comfort And can you marvel at the impotent affection of the Great Alexander of Macedon grieved and displeased to see his Father to heap Victory upon Victory and to cut off all the hope of his Sons glory by leaving him so few occasions of War and not think me to whom you see the quite contrary is chanced and from whom not only the hope of the Empire is cut off for the wasting thereof but even the course of a quiet life to fret and grieve thereat Moved herewith and not able longer to indure it at length I rise up and requested of the Emperor my Grandfather but a thousand men at Arms promising him by the Power of God with them to preserve the Cities in Bithynia and to drive his Enemies further off before that having them they should pass over the strait and besiege the Imperial City of
so for that time he retired a little from the Walls But night being come certain busie heads among the common people and they not a few secretly meeting together gave him knowledge that about midnight when as all the Citizens were asleep and the Watchmen in security he should come unto the Walls where they would be ready with Ropes to draw him up unto the top of the Bulwarks which done the matter as they said was as good as dispatched for that they were perswaded that the Citizens so soon as they should once see him in the midst of the City amongst them would forthwith all revolt unto him So he according to this appointment about midnight approaching the Walls found there no such matter as he had well hoped for the receiving of him into the City But contrariwise the Watchmen carefully watching all alongst the Wall and calling one unto another Wherefore finding there no hope he with Catacuzenus and Synadenus his chief Counsellors leaving the South side of the City in a little Boat rowed softly all along the Wall that is toward the Sea if happily they might there find their Friends and so be received in but there the Watchmen also descrying them from the Walls and calling unto them but receiving no answer began to cast stones at them and to make a noise so that deceived of their purpose and out of hope they were glad to get them further off and to depart as they came But the evil success of this Exploit was shortly after with his better Fortune recompenced for by and by after secret Letters were sent unto him from Thessalonica requesting him with all speed to come thither assuring him in the name of the Bishop with divers of the Nobility and the good liking of the people in general at his coming to open the Gates of the City unto him Whereupon he leaving a great part of his Army with Synadenus to keep short the Constantinopolitans he himself with the rest of his Power set forward towards Thessalonica where he in the habit of a plain Country man entred the City unsuspected but being got within the Gate and there casting off that simple attire wherewith he had covered his Rich and Royal Garments and presently known to be the young Emperor the people came flocking about him and with many joyful Acclamations received him as their Lord and Soveraign yet some few more favouring the old Emperor fled into the Castle and there stood upon their Guard which after they had for a space notably defended was at length taken from them Thessalonica thus yielded Demetrius Andronicus and Asan Michael the old Emperors chief Captains then lying with their Army not far off and not well trusting one another fled most of whose Souldiers presently went over unto the young Emperor who departing from Thessalonica came to Serre which by composition was delivered unto him also but not the Castle for that was by Basilicus Nicephorus the Captain thereof still holden for the old Emperor This Basilicus was a man honourably descended but of no great Capacity or Wit as the finer sort supposed and therefore not of them much regarded or thought fit for the taking in hand of any great matter whom yet the old Emperor for his plain sincerity more than for any thing else had made Captain of that Castle and Governor of the Country thereabouts which he yet still held and in these most troublesome times shewed himself wiser than all that had so thought of him of whom some died in despair some fled some were taken Prisoners and so suffered a thousand evils the rest with the loss of their Honour traiterously revolting from the old Emperor to the young whereas he alone looking but even forward upon his Allegiance with his trust in God so long as the old Emperor lived opposed himself against these troubles and stood fast for him and was not to be moved with any fair Promises or cruel Threats of the young aspiring Emperor whereof he lacked none But having strongly fortified the Castle committed to his Charge there kept himself until that hearing of the death of the old Emperor he then reconciling himself to the young as unto his right Soveraign delivered up unto him the Castle who in reward of his Fidelity gave it him again to hold for him in as ample manner as he had before held it for his Grandfather For wise men honour Vertue even in their Enemies as did King Philip in Demosthenes when as he said If any Athenian living in Athens doth say that he preferreth me before his Country him verily would I buy with much money but not think him worthy my friendship but if any for his Countries-sake shall hate me him will I impugne as a Castle a strong Wall or a Bulwark and yet admire his vertue and reckon the City happy in having such a man. And so in few words to conclude a long discourse the young Emperor in short time having roamed through all Macedonia and without resistance taken all the strong Towns and Cities therein he there took also Demetrius the Despots Wife and Children with all his Treasure as also the Wives of Andronicus and Asanes and of all the Senators that followed them after whom the great Commanders their Husbands were also for the most part taken and cast into prison some at Thessalonica some at Didâmotichum some of the rest afterward most miserably perishing in exile Wherewith the old Emperor discouraged was about to have sent his Embassadors unto his Nephew for Peace whilst he was yet thus busied in Macedonia and had indeed so done had not another hope arising in the mean time quite altered that his better purpose It fortuned at the same time whilst the old Emperor was thus thinking of Peace that Michael the Bulgarian Prince in hope of great profit thereof to arise secretly offered his Aid unto him against the young Emperor his Nephew of which his Offer the old Emperor gladly accepted and Embassadors were sent to and fro about the full conclusion of the matter no man being acquainted therewith more than two or three of the Emperor his most secret friends and trusty Counsellors Yet in the mean time disdaining to be so coupt up as he was by Synadenus one of his Nephews Captains even in the Imperial City sent out one Constantinus Assan with the greatest part of his strength against him who encountering him at the River Maurus was there by him in plain battel overthrown and taken Prisoner the rest of his discomfited Army flying headlong back again to Constantinople All things thus prosperously proceeding with the young Emperor and the Countries of Macedonia and Thracia now almost all at his Command he returned in hast with all his Power unto Constantinople to prevent the coming of the Bulgarians thither as fearing lest that they finding the City weakly manned should treacherously kill the old Emperor with such as were about him and so seize upon the City themselves
his elder Brother Solyman being dead a little before his Father This Amurath with greater zeal than any one of the Turkish Kings advanced the Mahometan Religion and had therein wonderful Success In the beginning of his Reign he gathered a great Army out of all parts of his Kingdom to Prusa purposing to pass over Hellespontus to invade the Christians in Thracia But understanding that the other Mahometan Princes in Asia had combined themselves against him he was thereby inforced to leave his former determination for Europe and to turn his Forces upon them In which Wars he mightily prevailed against them and returned with Victory to Prusa But having so subdued those Confederate Princes he the next year after prosecuted his Wars before intended against the Christians in Europe For which purpose having levied a strong Army in Asia he passed over to Callipolis accompanied with his Tutor whom the Turks call Lala Schahin whose grave advice and counsel he most followed in all his weighty Affairs being at that time one of his chief Counsellors From Callipolis he marched to the Castle of Benutum which was by composition yielded unto him From thence he went to Tzurulus where the Christians gave him a sharp encounter but in the end he won the Town and carried away the Victory And so proceeding farther took divers other small Castles and Towns in that part of Thracia which of the ancient Roman Colonies was then called Romania and now of the Turks Rumilia namely Mesine Burgos and others whereof some he utterly rased and into the rest put strong Garrisons At this time also Chasi-Ilbeg and Eurenoses two of his most valiant Captains took certain Forts standing upon the River Meritza in ancient time called Hebrus whereby they much troubled the Inhabitants of the Country thereabouts Wherewith the Captain of Didymotichum offended gathered his Souldiers together intending to have intercepted the great Captain Chasi-Ilbeg in which Attempt he lost most of his Followers and was himself there taken Prisoner For whose Ransom and certain other Conditions the Citizens of Didymotichum yielded the City unto the Turks Shortly after Amurath sent his Tutor Lala Schahin to besiege Hadrianople now called Adrianople but in ancient time Oâestias of whose coming the Christians hearing encountred him upon the way and fought with him a great battel wherein many were on both sides lost but in the end the Christians being put to the worst retired again to the City Of this Victory Schahin sent News unto Amurath with certain of the heads of the slain Christians who thereupon sending Chasis and Eurenoses before he himself with a great Army followed after to the Siege of Hadrianople of whose coming the Governor of Hadrianople understanding fled secretly out of the City by night to Aenus The Citizens seeing themselves so forsaken of their Governor yielded their City unto Amurath in the year of our Lord 1362. The taking of these strong Cities in Thracia especially of Didymotichum and Hadrianople is by some of the Turks own Histories otherwise reported which because it is neither improbable nor disagreeing from the subtil dealings of the Turks and of themselves also received I have thought good to set down as their own Historiographers report the same The Turkish King Amurath had as they say and as truth was in the beginning of his Reign concluded a Peace with the Christians of Thracia during which Peace the Governor of Didymotichum intending to fortifie his City with new and stronger Fortifications against the Assaults of the Turks entertained all the Masons Carpenters and other Workmen he could by any means get which Amurath understanding secretly caused two hundred good and lusty Workmen and Labourers to come out of Asia to offer their Service unto the Governor who gladly entertained them using their help in that his great and hasty Work. Which thing some of the wiser sort of the Citizens disliking wished the Governor to beware of those Asian Workmen as by them suspected But he presuming upon the Peace made with Amurath and considering they were but base Workmen and no Souldiers had the less care of them nevertheless using their work all day he commanded them to lodge without the Walls of the City every night Amurath understanding that these Workmen were thus by the Governor entertained sent for the valiant Captain Chasis-Ilbeg and requested him with thirty other good Souldiers disguised as poor Labourers to go to Didymotichum to seek for Work and in doing thereof to espy if any opportunity might be found for the surprising of the City Chasis with these thirty according to Amurath his direction coming as poor men lacking Work found entertainment at Didymotichum where they carried stones morter and such like things ever shewing themselves very diligent in their work Chasis with vigilant eye still awaiting what might best serve his turn for the surprising of the City When night was come the Turkish Workmen and Labourers after their accustomed manner and as they were by the Governor appointed went out of the City into the Suburbs to their Lodgings from whence Chasis secretly departing in the night came to Amurath and shewed him how one of the gates of the City might upon the sudden be taken if it would please him to place a sufficient number of Turks in ambush near unto the City to joyn with him and the other Turkish Labourers when occasion should serve Which being resolved upon Amurath sent him back again to put this his device in execution So Chasis returning to Didymotichum brake the matter to so many of the Asian Workmen as he thought convenient fully instructing them what was to be done The next day according to his appointment the Christians being then at dinner these Turkish Workmen and Labourers fell at words among themselves and from words to fained blows in which counterfeit Brawl and Tumult they suddenly ran to one of the Gates of the City fast by as was before appointed and there laying hands upon the Warders Weapons as if it had been to defend themselves against their Fellows suddenly set upon those Warders being in number but few and then at dinner also and so presently slew them which done they opened the Gate of the City and let in the other Turks which lay in wait not far off who with great celerity entring the City presently took the same and there put the chiefest of their Citizens to the Sword sparing the rest of the meaner sort The City of Rhodestum of the old Writers called Rhâdestum was by Amurath his commandment in this time of peace by sudden assault given in the night by the Lord Eurenoses taken also With this foul dealing and breach of League yet in force the Christians hardly charged Amurath who turned it over to the unruliness of his Captains and Men of War whom he threatned with great severity to punish and to give the better colour that it was done without his privity he had fained himself sick all the
So that as Schahin was returning homeward with a rich booty having then with him but a thousand men suddenly appeared in his way thirty thousand Christians well armed which Schahin seeing thinking it folly to oppose so few against so many would have presently fled but the rest of the Gallants that were with him presuming of their good Fortune and loth to lose their rich Prey would needs first Skirmish with the Christians in which desperate Conflict they were almost all slain and the spoil they had taken all recovered by the Christians As for Schahin he was glad by shameful flight to save himself The like mishap befel the other Turks in the other parts of Bosna who for the most part were likewise intercepted and slain so that of twenty thousand scarce five thousand returned home Whilst these things were doing in Europe Amurath in great Triumph at Neapolis married the Emperor of Constantinople his Daughter whose two Sisters were also given in marriage to his two Sons at which time he with great Solemnity circumcised three of Bajazets Sons At this time also returned Iazigi Ogli whom he had before sent Embassador to the Sultan of Egypt in requital of the honourable Embassage before to him sent from the said Sultan Now Amurath understanding of the loss of his men in Bosna with the revolt of Lazarus Despot of Servia was therewith much disquieted Wherefore he commanded Alis Bassa his chief Counsellor with all speed to send forth Commissions into all parts of his Kingdom for the levying of a Royal Army which was done in such post hast that it was thought he would have taken the Field before the beginning of the Spring At which time also the other Mahometan Kings and Princes of Asia Caraman Ogli Teke Ogli and the rest bound unto him by Homage with divers others of smaller Power were sent for to Aid him in his War who partly for fear and partly moved with the zeal of their Mahometan Superstition brought their Forces with great devotion Unto this War against the Christians came also great numbers of the Mahometans from far Countries as voluntary Souldiers Bajazet his Son also then Governor of Cutaie with a great part of Galatia gathering all his Forces came to aid his Father in this religious War as it was by them termed The Christian Tributary Princes were not then forgotten of whom two came namely Custendil and Seratzil other two forsaking Amurath came not which was Sasmenos Prince of Bulgaria and the Prince of Varna and Dobritza with whom Amurath was highly offended In the time of this so great Preparation old Lala Schahin Amuraths Tutor and faithful Servitor died being a man of great years and Temurtases was appointed Governor in his place The revolting of the two Christian Princes Sasmenos and the Prince of Varna much grieved Amurath Wherefore he commanded Alis Bassa with an Army of thirty thousand to invade and spoil Sasmenos his Country now called Bulgaria and in ancient time the lower Mysia Alis Bassa according to that was given him in charge calling unto him Iaxis Beg the Son of Termutases Ulu Beg Suraâze Bassa with other Captains and Commanders of the Turks Provinces in Europe assembled an Army of thirty thousand for the Invasion of Bulgaria With this Army the Bassa took many strong Towns and Castles in Bulgaria as Piravade Venuzina Madra Suni and others In the mean time whilst Alis Bassa had thus begun the War against the Christians in Bulgaria Amurath having gathered a great Army in Asia determined in the beginning of the Spring to pass over with the same into Europe commending the Government of his Countries in Asia to Temurtases Bassa Ferices Beg Temurtases Subbassa Cutlu Beg and Haza Beg and so all things set in order in Asia he drew down his Asian Forces toward Hellâspontus where he was a while stayed with contrary Winds but was afterwards transported to Callipolis by Ienitze Beg Sanzack there This was the third time that Amurath brought his Army out of Asia into Europe But whilst he stayed at Callipolis Bajazet his Son with a great Power came unto him thither Alis Bassa also understanding of Amuraths arrival in Europe retired out of Bulgaria and came to him at Alcide recounting unto him the whole Success of his Expedition into Bulgaria Sasmenos Prince of Bulgaria seeing his Country spoiled his strong Cities and Castles taken by the Turks and withall hearing of their great Preparations for War by the advice of his Nobility thought it best betimes again to submit himself unto Amurath wherefore tying a Winding-sheet about his Neck in token that he had deserved death after the manner of the Barbarians he came to Amurath at Calcide where falling flat upon the ground at the Horses feet whereon Amurath sate he in most humble wise craved pardon offering by a certain day to deliver Silistria the chief City of his Dominion into Amuraths Possession as a pledge of his Fidelity who thereupon granted him pardon and to assure him of his Favour commanded a rich Garment to be cast upon him after the manner of the Turks sending Alis Bassa at the time appointed to take possession of Silistria But Sasmenos repenting himself of that he had so largely promised would not deliver his City but in strongest manner he could presently fortified the same Wherewith Amurath more offended than before commanded the Bassa with Fire and Sword again to spoil and wast his Country who according to his commandment entred again into Bulgaria and struck such a terror of his coming into the hearts of the people that many strong places were voluntarily yielded into his Power namely Diritze Cossova with the City of Ternova the Seat of the Princes Court Tzernevi Novakestri Zistova with divers others and proceeding farther he laid siege to Nicopolis the strongest City of Bulgaria upon the side of the great River Danubius whether Sasmenos was for fear himself fled Who finding himself unable to hold out the Siege once again with shame enough tying a Winding-sheet about his Neck as he had done before and taking his Son with him went out of the City and in most abject manner falling down at the Bassa his Feet craved pardon which the Bassa moved with compassion to see the misery of so great a man and having already taken from him the greatest part of his Dominion and now out of fear of further resistance easily granted And having thus ended the Bulgarian War returned to Amurath of whom he was right joyfully received Amurath had now made great Preparation for the invading of Servia for which purpose he had drawn over into Europe the greatest Forces he possibly could out of Asia sending also for his youngest Son Iacup Governor of Carasia who understanding his Fathers pleasure repaired unto him with all the Power he could make This Army by Amurath thus assembled was the greatest that ever was before that brought by the Turks into Europe Lazarus not ignorant of this
for that she had so desired who coming unto her was by her commanded to sit down she began to demand of him how the King her Son did and of the success of his Wars Whereunto he answered That he did very well and had won from the Christians a great Country and greatly inriched his Souldiers But after a little more talk the Queen Mother desirous to hear again the good news or else after the manner of some which think nothing sufficiently told except it be told an hundred times asked him again how the King her Son did and how he sped in his Wars Whereunto he answered every word as before but asking him the third time the very same question how her Son did Dost thou ask me so often said the Aethiopian how he doth Bre Cachpe O Whore said he thou hast brought forth a Son like a Divel who roaming up and down doth nothing but burn and destroy the World where he cometh Whereat the Queen crying out up started the Aethiopian and betaking himself to his Heels was never more afterwards seen In the Wars which Bajazet had against Sigismund the Vayvod of Valachia had given aid to the Hungarian King wherewith Bajazet being offended determined now at length to be revenged and therefore intending to make War upon the Valachian Prince left Temurtases his great Lieutenant at Ancyra in Asia and so passed over Hellespontus himself against the Valachians Upon whose departure Aladin his Sisters Son the young King of Caramania with a great Power came suddainly in the night to Ancyra and took Temurtases Prisoner who then feared nothing less than in time of Peace to be so surprised and carried away in bonds into Caramania But when he understood that Bajazet had ended his Wars in Valachia and was with Victory returned to Prusa he fearing his heavy indignation for so great an outrage presently released Temurtases out of Prison apparelled him richly after the manner of that Nation craved pardon for the wrong he had done him and set him at liberty to go whither he would and withal sent one of his Noblemen with great Gifts and Presents to Bajazet to make his excuse in the best manner he could unto which Embassador Bajazet yet in choler would not give audience or suffer him to come in his sight but at the same time levied a great Army to invade Caramania Which Aladin understanding and now out of all hope to appease this mighty Enemy levied all the Forces he could in his own Kingdom and withal entertained all the Mercenary Souldiers he could get intending to try his Fortune in the Field as a man of Valour rather than to be thrust out of his Kingdom like a Coward and so in readiness hearing of the coming of Bajazet met him upon the way and at a place called Aczac gave him Battel but being too weak he was overcome and put to Flight in which Flight his Horse stumbling and he falling to the ground was there before he could recover himself taken by his Enemies which had him in chase and so brought bound to Bajazet his two Sons Muhamet Beg and Alis Beg being taken in that Battel also were sent Prisoners to Prusa Aladin himself was by Bajazets command delivered to his Enemy Temurtases who in revenge of the wrong he had before done him presently caused him to be hanged which when Bajazet understood he seemed very sorry that he had so put him to death for that he was his own Sisters Son. Bajazet following the course of his Victory won Iconium Larenda Nigde with all the rest of Aladin his Kingdom About this time also Amasia the great Metropolitical City of Capadocia was by the Prince thereof delivered unto Bajazet being too weak himself to defend the same against the force of Casi-Burchanidin Prince of the great and strong City of Sebastia his Enemy now grown to be a man of great Power in that part of Asia and had sollicited the Sultan of Egypt to aid him against Bajazet Whereupon Bajazet returning from the Conquest of Caramania led his Army towards Sebastia where the Citizens had a little before deprived Casi-Burchanidin of his Government for his Cruelty and placed his Son in his stead but in short time no less weary of the Son than before of the Father they with like inconstancy sent word to Bajazet That if he would come that way they would yield unto him the City upon whose approach Casis his Son for fear fled out of the City to Prince Nasradin his Brother-in-Law After whose departure the Citizens according to their promise delivered the City unto Bajazet at his coming wherein he left Solyman his eldest Son Governor And so having in this notable expedition conquered the Kingdom of Caramania and taken the great Cities of Amasia and Sebastia with most part of Capadocia and all that part of Asia which the Turks call Rumilia Asiatica he returned to Prusa and there wintered The next Spring Bajazet hearing that his old Enemy Cutran Bajazet Prince of Castamona and Pontus was dead came to Castamona with a great Army which Isfendiar Cutrun Bajazets Son and then Prince of that Country hearing fled out of the City of Synope a little City upon the coast of the Euxine from whence he sent an Embassador to Bajazet humbly requesting him to suffer him to have that little City as his Servant to live in which he was sure he would otherwise bestow upon some other of his Servants and not to seek the innocent blood of the Son for the Fathers offence Which his request Bajazet moved with pity easily granted yet nevertheless took from him Castamona with the greatest part of his Dominion in Pontus which he gave to his Son Solyman At the same time he violently oppressed the Prince Germean and took from him the Cities of Despotâpolis and Hierapolis with all the rest of his Dominion The Prince of Mentesia long before driven out of his Country by Bajazet as is before declared and having all this while made his abode at Castamona doubting now of his own safety after the death of his good Friend Cutrun Bajazet in the Habit of an Hermit fled to the great Tartarian Prince Tamerlane Bajazet returning to Prusa there built a magnificent Mahometan Temple during which work he with great Superstition forbore drinking of Wine reposing himself with the Company of grave and learned men and the administration of Justice whereby he greatly won the Hearts of his Subjects and had now so inlarged his Kingdom that all Kings and Princes bordering upon him stood in great fear of him It fortuned about this time that Achmetes King of Bagdat or New Babylon and Eiracum with Iosephus Niger King of Colchis inforced with the violent incursions of Tamerlane and his Tartars for safeguard of their Lives were glad to flie into Syria where they being discovered were both cast in Prison by the commandment of the Egyptian Sultan who then commanded over Syria from
like case caused him presently to be strangled with a Bow-string His dead body was by and by after presented to his Brother Mahomet who seeing it shed a few Crocodils tears over it He reigned three years end seven months and was afterwards conveyed to Prusa and there lieth buried by the body of his Brother Solyman in the same Chappel with his Grandfather Amurath Mahomet after the death of Musa now free from all Competitors took upon him the sole Government of the Turkish Kingdom as well in Europe as in Asia And here the Turkish Histories begin the Reign of this Mahomet fifth King of the Turks accounting the troublesome time from the Captivity of Bajazet unto the death of Musa as a time of vacancy or Anarchy wherein the Turkish Kingdom was not at any time wholly possessed by any one of Bajazet his Sons Isa possessing one part whereof he was by Mahomet dispossessed who afterwards usurped all that part of the Turkish Kingdom in Asia being the right of his elder Brother Solyman who at that time reigning in Eurâpe was deposed and strangled by his Brother Musa who was in like manner served by his youngest Brother Mahomet the only Son of Bajazât then left as is before declared Which divers Mutations and interrupted Successions was the cause that the Historiographers do so greatly dissent upon the Successor of Bajazât some reckoning one some another and some more some fewer and some such as never were But forasmuch as Mahomet held all or most part of the Turkish Kingdom in Asia during his troublesome time and in the end possessed the other part thereof in Europe also I reckon him for the fifth King of the Turks and Successor to his Father Bajazet including also in this History of his life all that Intestine and Serpentine-like Tragedy wherein he himself was the principal Actor Whilst Mahomet was as is aforesaid thus busied in his Wars in Europe against his Brother Musa year 1415. the King of Caramania taking the advantage of his Troubles there with a great Army invaded his Kingdom joyning upon him in Asia burning and spoling all before him as he went Eivases Bassa Mahomet his Lieutenant then lying at Prusa not able to withstand him and fearing his coming thither because it was the Seat of the Othoman Kings in Asia caused the Citizens to bring the greatest part of their Wealth into the Castle whereinto he also received so many of the Citizens as he conveniently could willing the rest to shift for themselves as they might in such case of extremity Shortly after the King of Caramania according to his expectation came to Prusa and without resistance took the City not as yet fully fortified which he without delay caused the second time to be burnt down to the ground and afterwards laid siege to the Castle giving many great Assaults thereto by the space of thirty days but was always valiantly repulsed by Eivases the Bassa who ceased not continually to encourage his Souldiers still putting them in comfort that Mahomet having now overcome his Enemies in Europe would in few days undoubtedly come to their Relief It chanced at the same time that the dead body of Musa sent to Prusa to be buried was honourably conveyed upon the way with much people following it The Caramanian King hearing of the coming of such a multitude and fearing it to have been Mahomet with his Power raised his Siege and with speed departed whereat the Turks long time after jested saying If the Caramanian King run away for fear of the dead body of the Othoman King what would he do if he had come against him alive But the truth was he feared Mahomet and his Power Orchanes the Son of Solyman yet a Boy having lived at Constantinople ever since the death of his Father about this time departed thence because of the League lately made between the Emperor and his Uncle Mahomet purposing to have gone into Valachia but by the way as he was travelling the Turkish voluntary Souldiers understanding that he was the Son of their late King Solyman resorted unto him in great numbers offering in his Quarrel to spend their lives Of which Insurrection Mahomet hearing marched thither in all hast with a great Power to suppress the same of whose coming the Souldiers with Orchanes understanding dispersed themselves and fled As for Orchanes himself he was by his unlawful Tutor Zaganos betrayed unto his Uncle Mahomet who presently caused his Eyes to be put out and so sent him to Prusa allowing him great Revenues to live upon and ever after used him with great Honour The Sister of this Orchanes he gave in marriage to one of his Noblemen with a great Dowry This is that Orchanes whom some Historiographers reckon up among the Turkish Kings as one of the Successors of Bajazet and that he was betrayed to his Uncle Moses erring as I suppose both in Succession and the Name mistaking Moses for Mahomet year 1416. Now Mahomet calling to remembrance the Injury which the Caramanian King had done to him in his absence returning to Prusa assembled a great Army to revenge himself of that wrong At which time he sent to the Prince Isfendiar for Aid who sent him his Son Cassumes He commanded also the Prince Germean Ogli to make provision for the Victualling of his Camp as he should pass by his Country which was accordingly done And so provided of all things necessary he with his Army entred into the Caramanian Country where he took the Cities Aspropolis Despotopolis Hierapolis and besieged Iconium but by reason of the immoderate rain which at that time fell he was glad to make Peace with the Caramanian King called also Mahomet And so raising his Siege departed towards Pontus where he had not long stayed but that News was brought unto him That the Caramanian King renouncing his League was again up in Arms. Wherefore returning into Caramania and so to Iconium he there overthrew the King in battel and took both him and his Son Mustapha Prisoners who redeemed themselves by delivering many of their strong Cities and Castles into his hands and afterward concluded a Peace they receiving from him an Ensign as the Turkish manner is in token they were now become his Vassals year 1417. The Caramanian War thus happily ended he went over into Europe and passing over Danubius foraged the Country of Valachia Transalpina making there great spoil for redress whereof the Valachian Prince by his Embassadors sent him such Tribute as he demanded and his Son also to serve him in his Court. About which time hapned a great Earthquake in Prusa and other places of Asia whereby many Houses and Towns were overthrown after which ensued great troubles in most parts of Asia howbeit Mahomet going thither by his presence kept all his Dominions in peace and quietness Isfendiar Prince of Castamona and part of Pontus reserving unto himself Castamona with a little part more of his Dominion gave the rest
Attire that he seemed to be a natural Turk who assoon as he was come into the City he went unto the Governor whom after he had saluted according to the Turkish manner he delivered his Message as from Scanderbeg his Master with so good Grace and words so well placed that all he said was verily believed for truth But when Scanderbeg himself came and had delivered the great Commanders Letters the Governor made no further question of the matter but presently delivered unto him the Government of the City and the next day departed out of Croia with all his Houshold towards Hadrianople Scanderbeg having by this policy got the Government of the chief City of Epirus the night following found means in the dead time of the night to receive into the City the Souldiers of Dibra who were by this time come according as he had before appointed most part of them he placed in most convenient places of the City and for the speedy suppression of the Turkish Garrison he with the rest first set upon the Turks which kept the Watch upon the Wall and slew them and afterwards breaking into their private houses slew many of them in their Beds the Christian Citizens also taking up Arms at the same time helped to increase the slaughter of the Turks so that in the space of a few hours there was none of the Turkish Garrison left alive except some few which were content to forsake their Mahometan Superstition and to become Christians Many of the Turks might so have saved their lives and would not chusing rather to die and as it is reported also to kill themselves than to forsake their damnable Superstition so small is the regard of life unto resolute Minds in what quarrel soever The City of Croia being thus happily by Scaâderbeg recovered wherein appeared both the greatest difficulty and hope of his good or bad Success in so great an Attempt he presently sent Amesa back again into Dibra and other speedy Messengers likewise into all the parts of Epirus to disperse the News and to stir up the people to take up Arms for the recovery of their lost Liberty but flying Fame the speedy Post had prevented the Messengers by him sent and already filled every corner of Epirus with report of Scanderbeg his coming and of all that was done at Croia And the oppressed Epirots which had long wished to see that happy day were now up in Arms in every place wanting nothing but Leaders whose coming although they greatly desired yet they stayed not thereupon but running together by heaps as the manner of the common people is in all great Tumults they set upon the Turks Garrisons which lay abroad in the Country and slew most part of them whereby it came to pass that no Turk could stir in the Country but that he was snatched up and slain so that in few days there was not a Turk to be found in Epirus but such as lay in Garrisons in strong Towns. In this fury of the people the Governor of Croia with all his Retinue was by the Country people by the way as he went set upon and slain and all his Goods taken as a Prey When Scanderbeg had thus recovered Croia and scoured the Countrey yet to remove the Garrisons which Amurath had put in every strong City was thought to be a matter of great importance and more difficulty For which purpose he commanded those whom he had appointed for Captains speedily to repair unto Croia with all the Power they could make At which time also divers Noblemen his nigh Kinsmen resorted to him with their Followers so that within a few days he had together at Croia twelve thousand Souldiers well appointed With this Army he marched from Croia to Petrella a strong City 25 miles distant from Croia and encamped before it This City is strongly situate upon the top of a steep rocky Mountain as all the rest of the Cities of Epirus be and was by the Turks well furnished with Men Munition and other things needful yet Scanderbeg was in good hope that the Turkish Garrison there terrified with the fortune of the Garrison of Croia and the slaughter of the Turks in the Country round about would be glad to hearken unto reasonable Conditions Which to make proof of assoon as he was encamped he sent one of those Souldiers which had followed him out of Hungary a faithful and wise Fellow unto Petrella to offer unto the Souldiers That if they would yield up the City it should be at their choice either to continue in Service with Scanderbeg with whom they should find most bountiful Entertainment or else to depart in safety with Bag and Baggage at their pleasure with an honourable Reward to be divided among them The subtil Messenger coming thither and framing his Tale according to the present occasion and necessity of the time first declared unto them how that Amurath of late vanquished by the Hungarians in a great Battel and looking every day to be set upon by divers other Christian Princes was so busied that he had no leisure to look into Epirus or to send them any Relief after that he in the name of Scanderbeg offered them the Conditions before rehearsed setting the same forth with many great words willing them oftentimes by the way to consider the dreadful misery that but the other day befel to the Garrison at Croia and other their Fellows abroad in the Country whose dead bodies as then lay in every Corner of Epirus for a prey to the hungry Dogs and greedy Wolves which thing was easily believed of them of the Garrison for that divers of the Turks lately fled out of the Country into the City had themselves seen the same to be true The Governor having a little considered of the matter was content to give up the City upon condition that he with the Souldiers might in safety depart with such things as they had not covenanting upon any further Reward because it should not be said that he had sold the City Which when Scanderbeg had faithfully promised to perform The Turkish Governor coming forth with all his Garrison yielded up the City and Scanderbeg mindful of his promise gave unto them both Meat and Money and sent them with a sufficient Convoy of Horsemen in safety out of Epirus When Scanderbeg had thus gained Petrella he placed therein a convenient Garrison and set all things in order as he thought good but suffered none to enter into the City more than the appointed Garrison although it was then very cold and frosty Weather This done he presently raised his Camp and following his good fortune marched towards Petra-Alba in such hast as if the City had been running away from him well knowing that though Time be evermore precious yet never more than in martial affairs wherein the least moment is oftentimes of such power as to effect or frustrate mens greatest designs Petra-Alba is a City in the Country of Aemathia
only with the provocations of Honour and Liberty with the emulation of adventure and danger and the very sight one of another and I my self will not be far off with my couragious Souldiers a silent Beholder and Encourager of your Vertue where although I may not avert from you all the force of the cruel Enemy by rash adventure nor try the whole Fortune of this War in plain Field yet will I turn a great part of your dangers upon my self and trouble the Enemies designs with many a hot Skirmish For as much as there is no better manner of fight nor safer kind of War for us amongst such a multitude of men and so many thousands of Souldiers than never to offer battel unto the Enemy in plain Field neither to adventure all upon the Fortune of one Conflict although a man did see apparent signs of Victory He will of purpose at the first give us the opportunity of good hap he will feed our hardiness with the blood of his base Souldiers the easilier to intrap and oppress our rashness allured with the sweet baits of good Fortune but the crafty Devices of the Othoman King are by great policy and consideration to be frustrated this mighty Enemy is by little and little to be cut off as time and place shall give occasion For truly that Victory should be unto me lamentable which I should buy with the blood of my Souldiers and believe me it would be unto me a more sorrowful than pleasant sight to see eight or ten thousand of my Enemies slain with the loss of a few of you I praise and honour my Subjects of Epirus for valiant Conquerors if they shall nât suffer themselves to be conquered of the Turkish King. The rest I had rather you couragious Souldiers of Dybra should consider with your selves than that I should seem to distrust of your assured Faith by giving you a carâful and tedious Admonition When Scanderbeg had with chearful perswasion thus encouraged the Minds of them of Sfetigrade he departed thence and visited divers other Cities of Epirus where finding all things politiquely ordered by Moses and the other Captains whom he had put in trust he returned to his Army then lying near unto Croia Whilst Scanderbeg was with great carefulness yet thus providing for the safeguard of his Kingdom in the mean time Amurath his Army was assembled at Hadrianople to the number of a hundred and fifty thousand men whereof many were Pioneers and men appointed for other base Services necessary at the Siege of Towns. Of this great Army Amurath sent forty thousand light Horsemen before him to Sfetigrade who according to his command came and incamped before the City The news of their coming with a great deal more than truth was forthwith brought to Scanderbeg then lying with his small Army near Croia whereupon he with four thousand Horse and a thousand Foot took the way toward Sfetigrade and strongly incamped his Army within seven miles of the City Where having set all things in good order he accompanied with Moses and Tanusius went by certain blind ways through the Mountains and Woods until he came so near unto the City that from the place where he stood he might easily discover in what sort the Enemy lay incamped and so returning back again to his Camp rose with his Army in the night following and drawing as near unto the Turks Army as he could undiscovered placed all his Army in the covert of the Woods and secret Vallies unperceived of his Enemies After that he sent âorth Moses and Musachi his Nephew with thirty of his best Horesemen apparelled as if they had been but Common Souldiers but passing well mounted driving before them certain Horses laden with Corn by a by-way as if they had secretly purposed to have got into the City The day then breaking they were discovered by the Turks Scouts and set upon where at the first Moses and the rest began of purpose to fly but when he saw that they were pursued but with like number to themselves he turned back upon the Turks and slew five of them and chased the rest unto the Camp. The General seeing what had happened sent forth four thousand Horsemen to pursue these supposed Victuallers whom they quickly recovered the sight of for that Moses of purpose had made small hast to fly but when the Turks began to draw nigh Moses leât the Horses laden with Corn and fled yet so that he still drew on the Turks with hope to overtake him until he had brought them where Scanderbeg with his Army lay in wait by whom they were suddenly assailed on every side and with great slaughter put to flight In this Conflict two thousand of the Turks were slain and a thousand of their Horses taken of the Christians were lost but two and twenty This was the fiâst welcome of the Turks Army to Sfâtigrade About eight days after came Amurath with all his Army in the beginning of May Anno Dom. 1449. year 1449. and having made the greatest shew he could with his huge Army to terrifie the Defendants he incamped the baser sort of his Footmen at the foot of the Hill whereon the City stood and lay himself with his Janizaries and other his most valiant Souldiers about three quarters of a mile further off where after he had liân still one day and well considered the strength of the place toward evening he sent a Messenger to the City who requested to speak with the Governor Perlat Whereof he hearing came to the Wall of whom the Messenger requested That he would command the Souldiers standing by to go further-off forasmuch as he had something in secret to say unto him from his Master Unto whom Perlat merrily answered It is like indeed to be some great secret that you would have kept not only from the hearing of my Souldiers but from the very light of the day and therefore have chosen the night but I have not learned of mine Elders to hear any Message from mine Enemies by night neither at any time else out of the hearing of the Garrison Souldiers to whom Scanderbeg hath committed the defence of this City and I the safeguard of my Person you must therefore at this time pardon me and to morrow if your Master so please I will hear you at large And therefore commanded him to depart from the Walls So he returned for that time without Audience as he came It grieved Amurath not a little to see his Messenger so lightly regarded yet for as much as he had more hope to gain the City by large Offers or some reasonable Composition than by all his great force he dissembled his wrath and the next day sent the Messenger again with one of his Bassaes a grave and well spoken man himself born in Epirus This Bassa with three Souldiers and two Servitors was by the Governors commandment by one of the Ports received into the City and brought into Saint Maries
to decline as all worldly things have but their time one Isaac whose Father Emperor of Constantinople the Constantinopolitans had for his evil Government slain flying to Trapezond took upon him the Government of that City with the Countries of Pontus and Capadocia and many other great Provinces and was at first called the King of Trapezond but after he was well established in that Government both he and his Successors took upon them the Name and Title of Emperors which they maintained equally if not better than the late Constantinopolitan Emperors and therefore are of most accounted for Emperors He that then reigned was caââed David Comnenus which most Honourable Family of the Comneni had long time before reigned in Constantinople and out of the same were many other great Princes descended which ruled in divers places of Macedonia Epirus and Graecia Mahomet coming to Trapezond laid hard Siege unto the same by the space of thirty days both by Sea and Land and burnt the Suburbs thereof as he had before at Sinope The fearful Emperor dismayed with the presence of so mighty an Enemy and the sight of so puissant an Army offered to yield unto him the City with his whole Empire upon condition That he should take his Daughter to Wife and deliver unto him some other Province which might yield him such yearly profit as might suffice for the honourable Maintenance of his State. Mahomet perceiving the weakness of his Enemy by his large Offers refused to accept thereof and attempted by force to have taken the City which not sorting to his desire the matter was again brought to parle where after long debating to and fro it was at last agreed upon That the Emperor upon the Faith of the Turkish King for his safe return should in Person meet him without the City if happily so some good Attonement might be made betwixt them Whereupon the Emperor following the Turks Faith before solemnly given for his safe return as was before agreed went out of the City to meet him in hope to have made some good agreement with him but as soon as he was come out Mahomet according to the damnable and Hellish Doctrine of his false Prophet That Faith is not to be kept with Christians presently caused the Emperor to be cast into bonds and so to be detained as Prisoner Which when it was bruted in the City the Citizens utterly discouraged without farther resistance yielded themselves with the City into his Power Mahomet now Lord of Trapezond entring the City took Prisoners the Emperors Daughter with all the rest of his Children and Kindred and all such of the Nobility as he found in the City whom he caused forthwith together with the Emperor to be sent by Sea as it were in Triumph to Constantinople Of the rest of the Citizens he chose out so many as he pleased for his own Service and appointed eight hundred of the Christian Children in whom appeared most towardliness to be brought up for Janizarâes many also of the other Citizens were sent into Captivity to Constantinople the beautiful Women and Virgins he divided amongst his Friends and Men of War certain chosen Paragons of whom he sent as Presents to his Sons After he had thus taken his pleasure in the City and left none there but the basest of the people he put a strong Garrison of his Janizaries into the Castle and a great Garrison of common Souldiers into the City appointing his Admiral to Govern the same The rest of the Emperors strong Towns discouraged with the taking of Trapezond and the miseries thereof in short time submitted themselves unto the Turkish Thraldom wherein they have ever since most miserably lived So Mahomet in the space of few months having reduced that Empire into the form of a Province returned in great Triumph to Constantinople when he had in this Expedition subdued Paphlagonia Pontus and a great part of Capadocia with some other Provinces near unto the Euxin Sea. When he was come to Constantinople he sent the Emperor with his Children Prisoners to Hadrianople But afterwards understanding that the Persian Queen the Wife of Usun-Cassan sought means to get some one of her Uncles Children whom by the Power of her Husband she might if it were possible advance unto her Fathers Empire he sent for David the woful Emperor to Constantinople and there cruelly caused him with all his Sons and Kinsmen to be put to death and to the uttermost of his Power rooted out all that most honourable Family of the Comneni excepting George the Emperors youngest Son who at his first coming to Hadrianople turned Turk whose Sister the Emperors Daughter Mahomet afterwards took to be one of his Concubins This Christian Empire was by the Turkish Tyrant Mahomet thus miserably subverted and brought to nought in the year of our Lord 1461. The year following which was the year 1462. year 1462. Mahomet having Intelligence that Wladus Dracula Prince of Valachia his Tributary was resolved to cast from him his Obedience and to joyn himself unto the Hungarians his mortal Enemies thought it best to prove if he could by policy circumvent him before he were altogether fallen from him For which purpose he sent Catabolinus his Principal Secretary unto him to bring him unto the Court promising him greater Favours and Promotions from the Emperor than he had as yet at any time injoyed And by the same trusty Messenger he commanded Chamuzes Bassa Governor of Bidina and the Country lying over against Valachia on the other side of Danubius to do their uttermost devoir for the entrapping of Wladus promising him great Rewards if he could bring the matter to effect Whereupon Chamuzes devised with the Secretary that when he had done his Message to the Prince and with all his cunning perswaded him to take that Journey upon him he should secretly before hand give notice unto him of the certain day of his return back again from the Prince at which time it was like that Wladus would in courtesie of himself bring the Secretary well on his way being a man of so great Account in the Court or at leastwise not refuse so to do being thereto requested by the Secretary at which time the Bassa secretly passing over Danubius with certain Troops of Horsemen and lying close in ambush upon the way should suddenly set upon the Prince and so either take him or else kill him The Plot thus laid and every circumstance agreed upon the Secretary held on his way and coming to the Prince forced his wit to perswade him to go to the Court sometime cunningly extolling the great opinion that Mahomet had of his Fidelity and Valour and otherwhiles feeding him with the hope of greater Honours and Princely Preferments he was to receive at the Emperors hands But when he had said what he could he obtained no more of the wary Prince but good words again and that he would in courtesie conduct him on his way to
the Siege and then that no part of all Epirus lay nearer unto the Turks or more in danger than Dibra and that therefore he could not do any better service than to see unto the safety of that Country long before committed to his charge and in which also most part of his Living lay These his excuses proceeding indeed from deep Treason were yet nevertheless thought reasonable and he for his provident care highly commended and Authority given him with new supplies to augment the Garrison under his command as time and occasion should require By that time that Scanderbeg had fully made his preparation for the intended Siege the Embassadors before sent to Alphonsus were returned into Epirus and with them such aid as Scanderbeg had before requested and a great deal more For Alphonsus fearing the greatness of the Turkish Emperor in what he could furthered Scanderbeg his actions reckoning Epirus not above sixty miles distant from his Dominions to be the strongest Walls of his Kingdom in Apulia as not many years after it by proof appeared when as the Turks having taken Oâranto put all Italy in no small fear With this aid he also wrote loving Letters unto Scanderbeg thanking him for his Presents and for the good opinion he had of him willing him to make as bold of all his things as of his own But when he came to make mention of the Souldiers he had sent Alphonsus after the manner of his pleasant nature merrily wrote unto Scanderbeg That he had sent him Italian Souldiers which could according to his desire âight well both with Men and Walls but better with Women and that therefore the Epirots were best to take heed that they whose help they required for fight afar off proved not also good Warriors at hand at home in their Houses The great commendation Scanderbeg had given of the King was by him referred unto the excess of his love and by the King requited with the like Scanderbeg now furnished with all things needful set forward and according to his former determination came and encamped before Belgrade with an Army of fourteen thousand good Souldiers and in short time had so distressed the City that the Turks were glad to take truce with him for sixteen days which time expired they promised to deliver up the Town if they were not before relieved Upon conclusion of this truce Scanderbeg encamped himself upon an high Hill near unto the City with three thousand Horse and a thousand Foot and appointed Musachius and Tanusius with the rest of his Army to remove farther off into a large Plain where they might encamp themselves in a more wholsome and fresh Air in that hot season of the year during the time of the truce At which time he appointed also five and twenty Scouts to keep continual Watch upon the top of the high Mountain to discover afar off the coming of the Enemy and to give warning thereof unto the Camp by making a fire upon the Mountain by the negligence of which Watch Scanderbeg received a great overthrow as hereafter followeth The news of the Siege of Belgrade was brought unto Mahomet at such time as he was ready to have passed into Asia against the Emperor of Trapezond which great enterprise he was loath to give over for the relief of Belgrade and yet to lose that City unto Scanderbeg grieved him much wherefore he resolved with himself so to do the one as that he would not altogether neglect the other And so holding on his intended journey into Asia himself with such fortune as is aforesaid he sent Sebalias one of his great Bassaes with forty thousand Horsemen to relieve Belgrade promising him great rewards if he could bring him Scanderbeg either alive or dead This Bassa was of the Turks accounted for a wary Captain but not so couragious alwaies more politick than forward He having received his charge set forward with all speed possible no less careful of that he was commanded than was Mahomet himself and by great journies came on so fast that he still prevented the fame of his coming and by his Forerunners intercepted or rather as some write corrupted the Watch which Scanderbeg had before placed upon the Mountains so that no sign was given unto the Camp of the Enemies as was expected By means whereof Sebalias with all his power were upon that part of Scanderbegs Army which lay in the Plains before they were well aware of his coming so that most part of them had not so much leisure as to bridle their Horses or to put on their Armor In which so suddain a fear Musachius armed himself and put his Souldiers in such order as the shortness of the time and the Enemies approach would permit doubting much whether it were better to fight or to flie but seeing no less danger in Flight than in Fight he resolutely received the Enemies charge as a man desirous beforehand to revenge his own death And at length seeing his men slain about him by heaps and that courage must needs give place unto fortune fiercely attempted to have broken through the midst of his Enemies and so to have fled unto the Mountain where Scanderbeg lay but he was so beset that no way was possible to be made wherefore resolving there to die he desperatly fought to the great admiration of his Enemies untill that he with all there with him were every man slain Tanusius on the other side after he had given divers brave attempts to have rescued his cousin Musachius finding by proof that he could do him no more good therein but to become the wofull companion of his death exhorted all the rest yet left for safegard of there lives to flie in which doing most of them were slain for the Bassaes great Army so filled all places thereabout and so eagerly pursued the Victory that it was almost impossible any way to escape Scanderbeg lying upon the Mountain and seeing the overthrow of most part of his Armie was about many times to have descended from the Hill to have holpen them in what he might or else to have there died with them but yet staied being thereto earnestly requested by his other most expert Captains and perswaded not desperatly to thrust both himself and them all into the manifest peril of assured death Sebalias having slain Musachius and put Tanusius to flight followed the chase with the greatest part of his Army so that few were left in the great Plain except such as staied to rifle the dead Scanderbeg taking that opportunity came down from the Hill whereon he stood with his four thousand Souldiers and in a moment slew all such Turks as he found in his way and after following in the tail of the Turks Army cut off a great number of them and brought a general fear upon the whole Army insomuch that Sebalias perceiving that he gained not so much in chasing of Tanusius but that he lost more in the rereward of
pray aid of them in these Wars against the Turks According to this Decree the Venetians for defence of their Territory sent one Bertholdus Este a valiant Captain with an Army into Peloponnesus where at his first coming he in short time recovered the City of Argos before lost And departing thence marched through the Country with his Army of fifteen thousand men unto the Strait of Corinth called Isthmus At which place Alovisus Lauretanus Admââal for the Venetians by appointment before made met him and there joyning their Forces together with great labour in the space of fifteen days fortified all that Strait from the Ionian to the Sea Aegeum with a continual Rampier and double ditch in length about five miles In which work they used the help of thirty thousand men and in doing thereof were much furthered by the ruines of the old Wall before destroyed by Amurath The Venetian Commanders having fortified this Strait incamped before Corinth and laid strait Siege unto it where at the second assault Bartholdus the General desirous by his own forwardness to encourage his Souldiers was in that assault grievously wounded with a Stone cast down upon him from the Wall of which hurt he shortly after died Nevertheless the Siege was still continued by Betinus Calcinatius who succeeded in Bartholdus his place But whilst the Venetians lay thus at the Siege of Corinth suddainly news was brought unto the Camp That Mahomet was coming with a great Army himself in Person to raise the Siege and to destroy the new fortifications at Isthmus Whereupon the Venetians left the Siege with purpose to have defended the late fortified Strait but after that it was certainly known that Mahomet was even now at hand with an Army of fourscore thousand Turks Betinus distrusting with his small number to be able to defend the Strait against so puissant an Army left the place so lately before fortified and with all his Army retired to Neapolis to keep the Sea coast Shortly after Mahomet without any resistance at all entred with a world of men by the Strait into Peloponnesus and when he had with the great slaughter of the Country People roamed up and down about Argos he came to Neapolis and in most terrible manner assaulted the City twice both which times he was notably repulsed by the Venetians and many of his men slain Departing thence he destroyed and wasted the Country about Methone now Modon and Corone and assaulted the City of Iuncum but with no better success than he had before Neapolis Wherefore Winter now drawing on he returned with his Army to Constantinople After his departure the Venetians spoyled all that part of Arcadia which was subject to the Turks requiting him with like injuries as he had done them before Not long after Lauretanus the Venetian Admiral had the Island of Lemnos delivered unto him by one Cominius a famous Pyrat who had surprised the same and taken it from the Turks but distrusting how he should be able to keep the same delivered it over unto the Venetians Shortly after Ursatus Iustinianus a great Magnifico amongst the Venetians was sent to succeed Lauretanus their Admiral but whilst he was scouring the Aegeum with a Fleet of two and thirty great Gallies Andreas Dandalus General of their Forces at Land inconsiderately encountring with the Turks Horsemen between Mantynia and Pytheme was by them overthrown and slain and with him divers other Gentlemen of great account in which skirmish fifteen hundred of the Venetians were slain also with their General And as Fortune is never more constant than in mischief so at the same time Ursatus General at Sea landing his men in the Island of Lesbos besieged the City of Mitylene and gave thereunto two great assaults wherein he lost five thousand men and understanding that the Turks Fleet was coming to relieve the City raised the Siege and sailed into Euboea and from thence passed over into Peloponnesus where he shortly after died for sorrow and grief of mind In whose place the Venetians sent another famous Captain called Iacobus Lauretanus The Venetians well considering the great power of the Turkish Emperor laboured by their Embassadors to draw aâ many of the Christian Princes as they could into the Fellowship of this War but especially the great Bishop by whose means they were in good hope to be greatly strengthned Pius the second of that name was then the great Bishop who at first answered the Venetian Embassadors That he must take away the little Turk before he had any thing to do with the great meaning thereby Sigismundus Maletasta Prince of Ariminum whom he deadly hated for that he took part with the French against the Aragonians Howbeit the Wars in Italy being well appeased Pius still solicited by the Venetians made great preparation against the Turks giving it out That he would in Person himself go unto those Wars and by his Authority then much regarded procured great aid out of Germany France Spain and other Countries also further off At which time also voluntary men in great number resorted out of all parts of Christendom into Italy ready to adventure their lives in those religious Wars At the same time also the Venetians had with much ado by the working of Paulus Angelus Archbishop of Dirrachium perswaded Scanderbeg to renounce the League which he had before made with the Turk and to enter into Arms again which he presently did and spoyled the Borders of the Turks Dominions next unto him Wherewith Mahomet was no less troubled than with all the rest of the great preparation of the Christians against him fearing that as it was then reported he should be made General of the Christian Army which Mahomet feared might tend to the utter ruin of his Kingdom so dreadful was the name of Scanderbeg amongst the Turks Wherefore thinking it most convenient for his Affairs to reconcile him if it were possible by his Embassador sent for that purpose wrote unto him as followeth Sultan Mahomet Emperor of the East and of the West unto Scanderbeg Prince of the Albanenses and of the Epirots greeting I Have always had thy fidelity and upright dealing in great admiration most noble Prince Scanderbeg for which cause I thought it a thing incredible that thou being a Prince of such an heroical and Princely perfection shouldst so inconsiderately and without any occasion break the Faith and League which thou not long since solemnly contractedst with me For as I am advertised thou hast entred into the Confines of our Dominion with a great Army and with Fire and Sword destroying all that thou couldst hast carried away with thee a great Booty Of which thing I know right well that the Venetians are the only cause by whose Counsel and Perswasion thou hast been set on to do this deed and seduced by their allurements and subtil perswasions hast made War upon me and art become the faithless breaker of thine own League and of the sacred Law
certain Troops of Horsemen rid even to the Gates of the City perswading the Defendants to yield the City making them in the name of his Master such Offers and Promises as he thought might most move them But they nothing regarding his words but rather incensed with his presumption sallied out upon him and inforced him to retire but he therewith enraged and half mad for anger came upon them with a fresh charge thinking by plain force to have driven them back into the City In which skirmish he was by one Georgius Alexius with a Bullet shot quite through the Throat and feeling himself mortally wounded setting spuâs to his Horse ran as fast as he could to his Camp where he presently fell down from his Horse and died The Turks discouraged with the death of their General and the coming of Scanderbeg rose the same night and with great silence retired themselves unto the Plain of Tiranna about eight miles from Croia Scanderbeg the next morning entring the forsaken Tents of the Turks found therein greatstore of Corn and other Victuals which he caused to be forthwith conveighed into the City and in triumph followed after himself to the great joy and comfort of his late besieged Subjects whom he highly commended for their Fidelity and bountifully rewarded according to their deserts The same day he sent certain companies of Souldiers to take the strait passages whereby the Turks must needs pass in their return out of Epirus which when the Turks understood they sent two Messengers to Scanderbeg who seemed to be men of good account in the Army offering in the name of the rest of the Captains and Commanders to deliver unto him their Horses and Arms so that they might in safety depart with their lives Which their request Scanderbeg propounding to his Counsellors and Captains was by them diversly digested In conclusion they received this answer from Scanderbeg himself That as they came into his Country without his Commandment so should they not by his leave depart thence The Turks receiving this short answer by their Messengers and considering that they must needs in that bare Country in short time perish either with Famine or with the Sword the same night departed from Tiranna and in the dead time of the night entring the aforesaid Straits by plain force desperately brake through and escaped but not without their great loss for whose escape the common Souldiers murmured grievously against Scanderbeg and were not without much ado appeased In short time after Scanderbeg recovered all such places as Mahomet had before taken from him and put to Sword the Souldiers he had left for the keeping of the same which done he brake up his Army retaining only two thousand Horsemen and a thousand Foot for the defence of his Frontiers The Turkish Tyrant hearing of the evil success of his Affairs in Epirus as that his General was slain Croia relieved his Army discomfited and all that he had done brought to nought fretted thereat exceedingly and was therewith so much grieved that he could not for a season eat or drink or take rest his discontented thoughts so much troubled him In the end to remedy the matter he resolved the next Spring to go again in person himself with a most puissant Army into Epirus and so if it were possible to make a full Conquest thereof of which his purpose Scanderbeg understanding provided for his coming as he had in former time The Spring being come Mahomet according to his former resolution with a mighty Army entred into Epirus and there with exceeding labour and charge first repaired or rather re-edified the old ruines of the City of Valmes wherein he left a strong Garrison of purpose to trouble that part of the Country From thence he marched to Dirrachium now called Durazzo but of old time Epidamnum a City upon the Sea-coast then in the possession of the Venetians famous for many things in the time of the Roman Empire but especially for the Flight of the Roman Senate thither and their entertainment there in the time of the civil Wars betwixt Caesar and Pompey This City Mahomet thought to have taken unprovided and so upon the suddain to have carried it but was therein much deceived finding it strongly fortified and manned both by the Venetians and Scanderbeg Where when he had there spent some time and to his great loss in vain attempted the City he rose upon the suddain and retiring into Epirus came and sate down again before Croia of purpose by his suddain coming to have terrified the Citizens and vainly perswaded that he had left Scanderbeg in Dirrachium for that in the assailing thereof he had discovered many of Scanderbegs men and thereby supposed him to have been there also the greatest cause why he so suddainly rose and came to Croia At his first coming he offered great rewards and large priviledges unto the Citizens if they would forthwith yield up their City otherwise he threatned unto them all the calamities of War vowing never to depart thence before he had it whereunto he received no other answer out of the City than was sent him by the mouth of the Canon or brought him by many most brave Sallies Scanderbeg in the mean while continually molesting his Camp and every night falling into one quarter or another thereof Mahomet taught by experience to what small purpose it would be for him to lie there long rose with his Army and marched again to the Sea side to a place now called the head of Redon upon the Gulf of Venice not far from Dirrachium where Scanderbeg had begun to build a new City called Chiuril not yet finished which Mahomet in despight of the man rased down to the ground After that hearing that many of the Epirots were retired into the Mountains he went to seek them out and was with great loss by those Mountain People repulsed Scanderbeg still following them at the Heels and awaiting all opportunities daily cut off part of his Army So that at last the Tyrant despairing of any good to be done in that Expedition was glad to depart out of Epirus having atchieved nothing worth his coming and so full of discontentment and melancholy returned to Constantinople After all these great troubles Scanderbeg rid over most part of Epirus to view the state of his Kingdom and so at last came to Lyssa a City of the Venetians which he had alwaies especially liked there to confer with the Venetian Legate and other the confederate Princes of matters concerning their state in general as his manner was but more particularly how they might take the City of Valmes which Mahomet had the last year built in the Seigniory of Ariannites Comynat and much troubled that part of Epirus But whist he lay there he fell sick of a Fever which daily so increased upon him that he became sick even unto death and now perceiving his end to draw nigh sent for his Wife and Son with the Princes and
Lords his Confederates and the Embassadors of the Venetians into his Bed-Chamber Where after he had at large with greater pain notably discoursed of his troublesome life led among them than he had before passed the same and carefully forewarned them of the dangers like to ensue he earnestly exhorted them to continue in Unity and Concord and valiantly to stand in defence of their Religion Country and Liberty And afterwards turning his Speech to his Wife and his Son commended them both with his Kingdom to the tuition of the Venetians who by the Articles of the Confederation betwixt him and them were in honour bound to protect his Son and Kingdom during the time of his Minority and afterwards peaceably to place him in the same In fine he willed his Wife after his Death to pass over with her Son into Apulia where they might in safety and quiet live upon such Possessions as he there held by the Gift of King Ferdinand And so after he had with most fervent prayer commended his Soul into the hands of Almighty God departed in peace the 17 th day of Ianuary in the year of our Lord 1466. when he had lived about 63 years and thereof raigned about 24. His death was worthily lamented of all Christian Princes but especially of the Venetians and Princes of Albania who had now lost their most careful Watchman and invincible Champion the sorrow of his Subjects is not to be expressed every man bewailing him as the only stay of the Common-weal and as if with him they had lost all their hope His dead Body was with the general Lamentation of all Men royally buried in the Cathedral-Church of St. Nicholas at Lyssa where it rested in peace until that about nine years after the Turks coming to the Siege of Scodra by the way took the City of Lyssa and there with great devotion digged up his Bones reckoning it some part of their happiness if they might but see or touch the same and such as could get any part thereof were it never so little caused the same to be set some in Silver some in Gold to hang about their Necks or wear upon their Bodies perswading themselves by the wearing thereof to be partakers of such good fortune and hap as had Scanderbeg himself whilst he lived which is not unaptly by Gabriel Fairnus of Cremona thus in Verse expressed Turcarum clades Othomanni nominis horror Epiri tutela illo jacuere Sepulchro Quo quondam invicti cubuerunt ossa Georgi Nunc membra viri dissectum in frustra sepulchrum Interijt sparsi manes conscisa vaguntur Ossa nec in gelida nunc saltem morte quiescunt Namque ut is assertum toties cum laude paternum Imperium exacta moriens aetate reliquit Illicet immanes tenuerunt omnia Turcae Tum clari Herois venerati nobile bustum Ossaque marmoraque invictum condentia corpus Abstuierant sibi quisque in partes secta minutas Tanquam ijs bellica vis Martiuss ardor inesset Et genium praestare bonum sortemque valerent Sic quae alijs tumulum virtus parat abstulit illi Atque cadem diro venerandum praebuit hosti In English thus The bloody Bane of faithless Turks and terrour of their Name Epirus strong defence and guard lay buried there with fame Within that Tomb wherein long since Great Castriotus lay But now those Limbs and Tomb defac'd are carried quite away The remnants of that worthy Wight out of his grave were torn And being dead could find no rest but were for Jewels worn For after he far spent with age gave place to fatal Doom And left his Fathers Kingdom got and kept with great Renown Forthwith the cruel Turks prevail'd and all things there possest Who worshipping his stately Tomb and place of quiet rest Dig'd up his Bones and brake the Tomb wherein he did remain And glad was he that could thereof some little part obtain As if in them some Martial force or vertue great had been Or fortune rare such as before in him was living seen So Vertue which to others gives a Sepulture and Grave Bereft it him yet forc'd his Foe in Honour it to have Most part of the times of those Wars betwixt Mahomet and Scanderbeg the Venetians by Sea and the Hungarians by Land kept the Turks throughly busied Mathias Corvinus King of Hungary according to his promise made unto the Venetians entred into the Kingdom of Bosna where by force he overthrew the strong Forts which the Turks had built for the defence of their Frontiers and manfully drave them out before him until he came to Iaziga of some called Iaitze the chief City of Bosna which he at length took and following the course of his Victory scarcely sufferd the Turks to breath until he had by force wrested all that Kingdom out of their hands Wherewith Mahomet being exceedingly grieved in great fury came with a strong Army into Bosna and laid hard Siege to Iaziga which was by the Christians right valiantly defended until Mathias with a puissant Army came to the Relief thereof who so troubled the Turks Camp with continual Skirmishes on the one side and they of the Town with desperate Sallies on the other that at length the proud Turk was driven to such extremity that he was glad secretly to steal away by night with all his Army into Servia and for hast to leave behind him both his Tents and great Ordnance which the Turks Histories report he caused to be cast into the River because it should not come into the hands of the Christians Mathias after he had thus valiantly put to flight his Enemies and relieved his City followed the Turks into Servia and took part of that Country alâo which together with Bosna he united to the Kingdom of Hungary In these Wars Mahomet had such proof of the Force and Power of Mathias and the Hungarian that for a good while after he had no great stomach to provoke them farther for why the name of Mathias was now become unto the Turks no less dreadful than was sometime the name of his Father the valiant Huniades The Venetians at the same time also with their Gallies scoured the Seas and landing their Men sometime in one place sometime in another did great harm in many places of the Turks Dominion near unto the Sea coast Amongst other their Generals at divers times sent from that State one Nicholas Canalis succeeding Lauretanus whom we have before spoken of as soon as he had received his Charge came with his Fleet into the Bay of Salonichi and landing his Men burnt divers Towns and Villages alongst the Sea side And afterwards returning into Peloponnesus he fortified the Town of Legosticium in the Gulf of Patras which work the Turks with their often Skirmishes laboured to have hindred but in despite of all they could do it was brought to perfection and a strong Garrison therein left for the defence thereof which
had undoubtedly so done if some of his most expert and valiant Captains which might be bold with him had not sharply reproved him that having so populous an Army as scarcely felt that small loss he should once think of returning without Victory With which their comfortable perswasions he was again encouraged to give Battel Yet for his more safety he withdrew his Army into a Strait betwixt two Mountains and with his Carriages foâtified the front thereof as with a Trench behind which Carriages he placed his great Ordnance and on either side his Archers The Persians as men of great Valour and thereto encouraged with their former Victories came on as men fearing no peril to have charged the Turks even in their Strength presenting their whole Army before they were aware into the mouth of the Turks Artillery which suddenly discharged amongst the thickest of them brake their Ranks and took away a number of them Besides that the Persian Horses terrified with the unacquainted and thundering report of the great Ordnance were not to be ruled by their Riders but starting back ran some one way some another as if they had felt neither Bit nor Rider Which their confusion Mahomet perceiving presently took hold of the occasion offered and with his Horsemen fiercely charged them being now by themselves intangled and out of order Nevertheless the Persians made great resistance and slew many of the Turks but still fighting confusedly and out of order they were at the last inforced to flie in which Flight a great number of them were slain and their Tents also taken Zeinal Usun-Cassanes his eldest Son labouring to stay the Flight of the Persians was slain with a small shot So the Honour of the day remained with the Turks yet they had no great cause to brag of their winnings having lost in that Battel forty thousand Souldiers whereas of the Persians fell not above ten thousand Mahomet contenting himself with this dear bought Victory returned homewards and Usun-Cassanes leaving another of his Sons with his Army for the defence of Armenia returned likewise to Tauris But whilst the Christian Princes were in their greatest expectation what might be the Event of these Wars betwixt these two mighty Mahometan Kings they upon the suddain concluded a Peace and confirmed the same with new Affinity excluding the Christians quite out of the same This last Battel betwixt Mahomet and Usun-Cassanes was fought in the year of our Lord 1474 about four years before the death of Usun-Cassanes who died the fifth of Ianuary in the year 1478. In the time of these Wars died the noble Mustapha Mahomet his eldest Son at Iconium having spent himself with reveling amongst his Paragons or as some write commanded to die by his âather upon this occasion This youthful Prince upon a time coming to the Court to see his Father or as they term it to kiss his hand became amorous of the Wife of Achmetes Bassa a Lady of incomparable Beauty and Daughter to Isaac Bassa the chief men in the Turkish Empire next unto Mahomet himself but finding no means to compass her in whom his Soul lived he awaited a time when as she after the manner of the Turks went to bath her self and there as he found ãâã all disroabed shamefully forced her without regard either of his own Honour or of hers Of this so foul an outrage Achmetes her Husband with his cloaths and hat all rent for madness came and grievously complained to Mahomet craving vengeance for the same Unto whom Mahomet again replied Art not thou thy self my Slave and if my Son Mustapha have known thy Wife is she not my Bondslave he hath had to do withal Cease therefore thus to complain and hold thy self therewith content Nevertheless he in secret sharply reproved his Son for so hainous and dishonorable a Fact by him committed and commanded him out of his sight and as he was of a severe nature caused him within a few days after to be secretly strangled Nevertheless the wrong done unto the Bassa sunk so deep into his haughty mind as that he would never admit excuse therefore but put away his Wife the ground of the implacable hatred betwixt him and the great Bassa Isaac his Father-in-law and in fine the very cause of his utter destruction as is afterward declared in the life of Bajazet Mahomet delivered of his greatest fear year 1475. by the Peace he had lately concluded with Usun-Cassanes the Persian King was now at good leisure to imploy all his Forces against the Christians And bearing a deadly hatred against the Princes of Epirus and Albania with a wonderful desire to extend his Empire unto the Ionian and Adriatick that he might from thence but look toward Italy which he began now to long after he determined with himself first to subdue those Countries as standing in his way both for the invasion of Italy and of the Territories of the Venetians And forasmuch as the strong City of Scodra otherwise called Scutary then in the possession of the Venetians for the commodious Situation thereof seemed to give him the best entrance into the Countries of Albania Epirus Dalmatia and to such Cities as the Venetians held alongst the Sea coast he resolved there to begin his Wars This City was of great Strength as well for the natuaral Situation thereof as for the strong Fortifications therein made by the hand of man which thing Mahomet was not ignorant of but presuming of his own Strength and Power vainly perswaded himself that no place was now able long to hold out against him Wherefore having prepared all things fit for the besieging thereof he sent Solyman Bassa an Eunuch whom he made his Lieutenant General in Europe in the place of Amurath Bassa before slain by Usun-Cassanes with eighty thousand Souldiers to besiege Scodra This great Bassa according to his charge came and with great pomp incamped round about the City the 25 of May. Shortly after having planted his battery he began most furiously to shake the Walls and ceased not by all means he could devise to trouble the Defendants and when he had by force of the Canon done what he could gave divers sharp assaults unto the City but was still with great loss valiantly repulsed by them of the City Long it were to declare how often and in what terrible manner that warlike Bassa Mahomet his chief Captain attempted to have won the City as also to shew how they of Scodra directed by their worthy Governor Antoninus Lauretanus valiantly defended themselves and their City nothing was omitted that the Enemy could do or devise for the gaining thereof but all his devices and attempts were so met withal by the Defendants that they served him to no other purpose but to the destruction of his people Whilst the Bassa thus lay at the Siege of Scodra Mocenicus having received such commandment from the Senate came and joyned himself to Grittus the new Admiral who then lay with
Naples where he found the Gates now shut against him and all the Citizens up again in Arms and not willing to receive any of the Souldiers which came from Capua more than the King himself for flying Fame preventing his return had filled every corner of the City with report That all the chief Captains of his Army were either gone over to the Enemy or else for safeguard of their lives fled That the whole Army was broken up and Capua yielded to the French. Wherefore the Neapolitans framing their fancies according to the condition of the time began now also to fawn upon the good fortune of the French and to have King Ferdinand in contempt which he well perceiving and fetching a compass farther off from the City came unto the Castle whereinto he was received with his Followers by his faithful Captains therein before left But providently foreseeing that he could not there long stay but that he should be besieged by his Enemies both by Sea and Land he commended the keeping of that Piece unto Alphonsus D'avalus a most valiant Captain and departed himself with 20 Gallies well appointed unto Aenaria an Island not far from Naples having in it a commodious Harbour and a strong Castle where Fortune never firm but in misery seemed again to deride the poor remainder of his Honour for coming thither the Captain of the Castle unworthily named Iustus forgetting his duty towards his Soveraign of whom he had before received many extraordinary favours most traiterously now in his so hard distress shut the Gates of the Castle against him at his landing and unkindly refused to receive him With which unexpected ingratitude the poor King was wonderfully perplexed and almost abashed yet with earnest intreaty and ample commemoration of the benefits and preferments which both his Father and himself had in times past bestowed upon him he prevailed so much with this unthankful man that he was content to receive him into the Castle so that he would come but himself alone of which his offer when no more could be got the King seemed to accept So the Captain having opened a Port to receive him in was in the very entrance thereof suddainly stab'd to the heart with a Dagger by King Ferdinand and slain in the midst of his armed Souldiers which was done with such a Countenance and Majesty that the Warders with their Weapons in their hands dismaid with his look forthwith at his commandment opened the Gate and received him in with all his Followers Whereby it appeareth That in the Countenances of Princes resteth a certain Divine Majesty in all Fortunes above the common course of Nature which is of power to daunt the Hearts of most disloial Traitors in the performance of their unnatural Treasons The next day after the departure of King Ferdinand from the Castle of Naples Charles the French King was received into the City with such Pomp Triumph and Acclamation of the Neapolitans as if they had even then by the benefit of that forraign King been restored to perfect Liberty and delivered out of some long and hard Bondage Shortly after the Castle of Naples with all the strong places thereabout were yielded unto the French and Embassadors sent from all the Princes and People of that Kingdom yielding themselves into the power of the French King. Then Ferdinand seeing all lost and gone departed from Aenaria where he lay expecting the event of his hard fortune and sailed into Cicilia Thus the House of Aragon in less than five months lost the Kingdom of Naples about sixty three years after it was first taken from the French by Alphonsus the elder this Ferdinand his great Grandfather The report of the great preparation made by the French for this War had long before filled the Ears of them which dwelt in any part of the Turks Dominions in Europe but when they saw the French Ensigns displaied upon the Walls of the Castles and strong Towns alongst the coast of Calabria and Salerne such a suddain fear fell upon the Turks Garrisons alongst the coast of Epirus and Macedonia on the other side of the Adriatick over against that part of Italy that many of them forsook their charge the Christians in those places as also in Grecia and Peloponnesus beginning then to lift up their heads in hope of their deliverance and to make the best preparation they could to joyn with the French against the Turks but especially the rough and wild People inhabiting the high Mountains called Acrocheraunij in the borders of Epirus who presently took up Arms refusing to be any longer tributary unto the Turkish Emperor This prosperous and speedy success of the French King in the conquest of Naples filled the minds of most of the Christian Princes as also of the Turkish Emperor with a doubtful expectation whither his greatness would grow many being of an opinion that he covertly affected the Empire of Rome and to make himself the sole Monarch of Italy Which conceit no little troubled both the great Bishop Alexander and Maximilian then Emperor Bajazet also feared much lest he should upon the suddain turn his Forces into Epirus or Grecia to his no small disquiet And Ferdinand the advised King of Spain was no less careful for the safety of Silicia Lodovicus Sfortia also shortly after created Duke of Millan the chief occasion of the French Kings coming into Italy and a great aider of him in those Wars began now to consider better of the matter and to stand in doubt of the King whom he well perceived to make small reckoning of his word or promise so that he might thereby enlarge his Dominions And the Venetians who in all these Wars had stood looking on as neuters in hope that when the Aragonians and French had with long Wars which they vainly imagined well weakned one another that they might then at their pleasure share out something for themselves were now in doubt with the rest of the States of Italy to lose some part of their own Territory for now there was no Prince or State in Italy able to oppose themselves against the French but stood all as it were at his devotion Wherefore the aforesaid Princes namely Maximilian the Emperor Ferdinand King of Spain Alexander Bishop of Rome the State of Venice and Lodovicus Sfortia Duke of Millan for the more assurance of their Estates by their Embassadors speedily sent from one to another concluded a strong League among themselves whereof the chief Capitulation was That if any of these Confederates should upon their own accord make War upon any other Prince they should do it upon their own charges but if any of them should chance to be invaded by any other that then every one of these Confederates should of their own charge send four thousand Horse and ten thousand Foot in aid of their Confederates so invaded until the Wars were ended which League was to endure for twenty years The fame of this League was
whole Fleet in no small fear But the most part of the Venetian Gallies lay looking on a far off unto whom the other before in fight with the Turks after they had done what they could retired also But by that they had done it appeared plainly that the Venetian Admiral that day let slip out of his hands a most notable Victory if he as a resolute Man had with his whole Fleet charged the Enemy After this Fight the Turks held on their course still keeping Morea on the right hand whom the Venetians still followed at length the Turks Fleet was come to the entrance of the Gulf of Patras where the Venetians again faintly setting upon them suffered them to recover the Gulf with no less dishonour than they had before let them escape at the Port Sapientia for the Venetians having the advantage of the place and better appointed for Fight at Sea might easily as it was supposed have gained the Victory if the Commanders but especially the Admiral had been so forward in the service as became Men of their place But many of them afraid to Fight lay aloof so that Dauthes the Turks Admiral who perceiving himself too weak had purposed to run his Gallies on shoar and so to have fled to the Army at Land if he had felt himself overcharged by the Venetian Fleet had now contrary to his expectation recovered the Gulf he desired though not without loss of some of his Gallies Within this Gulf standeth the antient City of Naupactum now called Lepanto then subject to the Venetians whether Bajazet was then come by Land with his Army and now by the coming of his Fleet into the Gulf laid hard Siege unto the City both by Sea and Land. They of the City seeing themselves on every side beset with their Enemies without any great resistance fell to composition with Bajazet and so yieldâd unto him the City which the Turks hold at this day Grimanus the Venetian Admiral returning to Venice was for all his evil service or rather for that he according to his mild nature had not used severity against such Captains as refused to Fight cast into Prison and although he was a Man mightily befriended yet was he by a publick Decree Banished into one of the Absytides Islands upon the Coast of Liburnia From the first foundation of the City of Venice was never Man impugned with more spight or defended by greater friends but common hatred prevailing he was nevertheless exiled Thus Bajazet having made a Road into the Venetian Territory by Scander-Bassa and taken from them the City of Naupactum with the Country thereabout returned with Victory to Constantinople The next yeâr following year 1500. which was the year 1500. Bajazet put to Sea a greater and stronger Fleet than he had the year before and himself in person with a puissant Army of an hundred and fifty thousand men entred by the Strait of Corinth into Peloponnesus and marching through the Country came and incamped before the strong City of Methone now called Modon then under the Government of the Venetians at which time his great Fleet met him there also by Sea as he had before appointed When he thus had beset the City both by Sea and Land and with long and continual battery made three great and fair breaches in the Walls he gave unto the same two terrible Assaults and that with such desperate fury that many of them which went first unto the breach overthrown by the press of them which followed were trodden to death Yet nevertheless the City was both times valiantly defended by the Citizens and Garrison Souldiers so that when he had done what he could he was glad to retire from the Walls having filled the Town-Ditches with the Bodies of his slain Turks The Venetian Admiral Trivisanus lying at the Isle of Zacynthus but far too weak to fight with the Enemy in the beginning of the Siege sent Valerius Marcellus and Baptista Polanus with two Gallies full of Men and Munition in relief of the besieged and now doubting their further wants sent Io. Maripetrus Alex. Cothius of Corcyra and Cachuris of Hydruntum with three other great Gallies with Men Munition and such other things as he thought needful for the defence of the City These three resolute Captains coming with a full wind and packing on all their Sails brake through the Turks Fleet lying in their way and ran themselves aground under the Walls of the Town for they of the Town had so barred the Haven for fear of the Enemy that they could not that way possibly get in The Citizens and Souldiers joyful of the coming of this fresh Supply and withal fearing lest the Gallies should be fet off again from them by the Enemy came running by heaps from all parts of the City towards the Sea to receive this new come Aid which was done with such confused disorder that divers places of the City towards the Land were left without Defendants as if there had been no Enemy near Which the Janizaries quickly perceiving presently entred by those forsaken places with little or no resistance Then the Citizens all too late began to make head for the Janizaries already entred made way for the rest of the Army which swarming into the City slew without pity all that came in the way as well Grecians as Venetians with all the Souldiers but even then newly landed out of the three Gallie In this slaughter Anthonius Fabrius and Bardella Governors of the Town with Andreas Falco Bishop of Methone in his Pontificalibus and his Mytre on his head were slain none escaped their fury but such as were for their strength reserved for servile labour or for their beauty to the Victors lust and of these a thousand bound fast together in long Ropes were brought to Bajazets Pavilion and there in his sight by his commandment cruelly murthered The Cities of Corone and Pilus now called Navarrinum sometime the dwelling place of old Nestor terrified with the taking of Methone yielded themselves by composition to Bajazet This City of Chrisseum now known by the name of Caput S. Galli was taken also by Cherseogles Bajazet his Son in law All these were Cities belonging to the Venetians Nauplium was also besieged by Haly Bassa but yet still defended by the Venetians Bajazet having new fortified the City of Methone and stored it with new Inhabitants left in it a strong Garrison and so with Victory returned to Constantinople At this time Trivisanus the Venetian Admiral died of grief of mind as some supposed year 1501. in whose place the Senate sent Benedictus Pisaurius a noble and valiant Gentleman who with the Veneâian Fleet followed the Enemy then departing from the Siege of Nauplium pursuing them even unto the Straits of Hellespontus still cutting off such as straggled or tarried behind the rest of the Flâet by which means he took above twenty of their Gallies and in his return took from the
given amongst the Turks freely to pardon all the Offenders and for ever to forget all the outrages before committed When Bajazet saw his Men of War thus generally to oppose themselves against the translation of the Empire to Achomates he of purpose to corrupt the minds of them which were before already corrupted promised to give them five hundred thousand Ducats if they would stand favourable to Achomates and accept him for their Sovereign which Mass of Mony his Customers and Receivers undertook to levy of the same Merchants Strangers and Jews and to pay it as Bajazet had promised Yet the overthwart forwardness of these Men of War overcame the good Fortune of Achomates although the reward promised were great for why they had in their Martial Minds conceived far greater Rewards and Preferments if instead of a peaceable and quiet Prince a monstrous Tyrant of restless nature as was Selymus might by their help and means aspire to the Empire Thus Bajazet driven from his hope thought it best for the present to dissemble the matter and concealing his grief with patience to put up that dishonour until a fitter opportunity were offered for the effecting of that he so much desired Selymus advertised from his Friends with what affection and fastness the Souldiers of the Court had in the secret favour of him openly withstood the earnest desire of Bajazet for the preferment of Achomates because he would no longer frustrate the expectation of his Favourites by lingring and delay or seem to distrust the ready good Wills of the Men of War towards him left the borders of Hungary and with his Army marching through Thracia incamped at length upon the rising of an Hill not far from Hadrianople from whence the neighing of his Horses might easily be heard and his Tents from the high places of the City discovered From thence he sent a Messenger to his Father then lying in the City to certifie him That forasmuch as he had not of many years before seen him he was now therefore desirous to come unto his presence to visit him before he crossed the Seas back again by his appointment to Trapezond and the rather because it might chance that he should never see him again being now become both aged and diseased besides that it much concerned as he would have had him to believe the quietness of his Kingdom in Asia and the unity of his Children if the controversies betwixt him and his Brother Achomates which could not safely be committed to Messengers might by themselves be discovered to him their Father as an indifferent hearer and decider thereof Wherefore he humbly besought him to appoint him a time and place to give him audience in and not to denie him leave to come and kiss his Hands which thing his Ancestors never refused to grant to their poor Friends much less to their Children Bajazet who a few days before understanding of the coming of Selymus and throughly seeing into his devices had called unto him certain of his Sanzacks or chief Captains with their select Companies out of the nearest parts of Grecia and had also set strong Watch and Ward through the City fearing lest under the colour of parle his Souldiers attending about his person corrupted by Selymus and his Friends who even then loaded with Gifts and Promises were secretly upon the point of revolt should be quite drawn away from him and so he himself at length be either by open force oppressed or secret Treachery circumvented thought it best to cut him off at once from all hope of conference or access unto his presence Wherefore seriously blaming him that he had upon his own head brought his Army into another mans Province that he in Arms required audience and last of all so insolently abused his Fathers lenity and patience he by the same Messenger sent him farther word That he should not presume to approach any nearer unto him or expect any thing appertaining to peace who guarded with forreign power had without his Fathers leave entred into Arms and spoiled the Countries of his Friends and that therefore he should do well with all speed to retire out of Thracia yea and out of Europe also and disbanding his Forces again to retire himself unto his own charge in Pontus in which doing he should find greater favour and kindness with him his Father than ever he had before but if he would needs proceed in the course by him begun that then he would no more take him for his Son but for his Enemy and before it were long sharply chastise for his malapert Insolency little differing from unnatural Treachery The Messenger with his answer dismissed it was not long after but that Bajazet was by his espials advertised that Selymus the night following was risen with his Army and marched directly towards Constantinople whether he was sent for by his Friends in hope that upon his approach with his Army some suddain tumult and uprore would to his avail arise in that so great and populous City Whereupon Bajazet fearing lest in staying at Hadrianople he might lose the Imperial City of Constantinople early in the morning by break of the day departed from Hadrianople towards Constantinople Upon his departure Selymus peaceably entred the City of Hadrianople the Citizens fearing that if they should have made any resistance their unseasonable faithfulness towards Bajazet might have turned to their utter destruction Selymus after he had a while refreshed his Army with the plenty of that City according to his former determination set forward again of purpose by long and speedy Marches to have prevented his Fathers coming to Constantinople Bajazet was yet scarcely come to Chiurlus or rather Tzurulum an ancient ruinous City almost upon the mid way betwixt Hadrianople and Constantinople when warning was given him of them that followed his Army that the forerunners of Selymus were at hand cutting off the straglers of his Army and with hot skirmishing stayed and troubled his Rearward The aged Emperor more moved than terrified with the strangeness of the matter because his marching should not seem as if it were a Flight or Chase commanded his Standard to be set up and all his Army to make a stand of purpose that if Selymus should come on to give him Battel he might find him in readiness The great Captains and Noblemen then present with Bajazet whether it were for old acquaintance or upon some new inclination of their affection or else upon hope of new Allyance and Preferment wishing well unto Selymus and therefore indirectly and cunningly favouring him seemed not to like of Bajazet his resolution to be so far moved as they said with the youthful heat and lightness of his Son as to seek revenge by battel whereas the Victory it self could yield him nothing but sorrow but the overthrow threatned destruction both to himself and all them that were with him the imminent event thereof seemed to be so much the more dangerous
advantages to cut off his people spent with long travel wanting Victual and falling into divers Diseases as it commonly chanceth to populous Armies in strange Countries where the change of the Air with the inevitable necessity always attending upon a great Army most times causeth grievous and contagious Diseases Wherefore Tamas to shun the coming of Solyman retired further off into Sultania about six days journey from Tauris Whereof Solyman having knowledge departed from that rich City without doing any harm therein following after Tamas into Sultania to joyn battel with him if he could possible leaving behind him for hast a great part of his Carriages and Baggage with five hundred Janizaries and three of his Sanzacks with their Companies The City of Sultania was in ancient time one of the Royal Seats of the Persian Kings but ruinated by the Scythian Tamerlane retained no shew of the ancient Majesty but only in the Churches by him spared Near unto this City Solyman lay incamped many days expecting that the Persian King in revenge of the injuries to him done and for the safeguard of his Honour should at length come out of the Mountains and shew himself in plain Field and give him battel Which was a thing so far from Tamas his resolution upon the due comparing of his own strength with his Enemies that he retired in such sort that Solyman could by no means learn what was become of him or which way to follow him The Country near unto the City of Sultania wherein Solyman lay incamped at large is on every side invironed with huge Mountains whose tops are to be seen afar off always covered with deep Snow these Mountains were in ancient time called Nyphates Caspius Coathras and Zagrus taking their beginning no doubt from Caucasus the Father of Mountains and joyning one to another some one way some another do divide most large and wide Countries Whilst Solyman in those vast and plain Fields most fit to fight a battel in expected the coming of Tamas such a horrible and cruel Tempest as the like whereof the Persians had never before seen at that time of the year fell down from those Mountains which was so much the more strange for that it fell in the beginning of September with such abundance of rain which froze so eagerly as it fell that it seemed the depth of Winter had even then of a sudden been come in for such was the rage of the blustring Winds striving with themselves as if it had been for Victory that they swept the Snow from off the tops of those high Mountains and cast it into the Plains in such abundance that the Turks lay as men buried alive in the deep Snow most part of their Tents being overthrown and beaten down to the ground with the violence of the Tempest and weight of the Snow wherein a wonderful number of sick Souldiers and others of the baser sort which followed the Camp perished and many others were so benummed some their Hands some their Feet that they lost the use of them for ever most part of their Beasts which they used for carriage but especially their Camels were frozen to death Yea Solyman himself was in great danger to have been overwhelmed in his Tent all the Tents round about him being overthrown with the violence of the Tempest Neither was there any remedy to be found for so great mischiefs by reason of the hellish darkness of that tempestuous night most of their fires being put out by the extremity of the Storm which did not a little terrifie the superstitious Turks as a thing accounted of them ominous And that which troubled them no less than the miseries of the Tempest was the fear of the Enemy whose sudden coming they deadly feared until that after so tedious a night the Sun breaking out the next morning with his chearful beams revived many before ready to give up the ghost for cold and gave comfort unto them all in general by discovering the open Fields clear of their feared Enemies It was a dreadful thing to have seen what misery that one night had brought into the Turks Camp the ground lay almost covered with Bodies of the dead and many lived but so as that they accounted the dead more happy than themselves Many of the Turks vainly thought that horrible Tempest was brought upon them by the Charms and Inchantments of the Persian Magicians whereas it was undoubtedly by the Hand of him who bringeth the proud devices of Princes to naught Solyman troubled as well with the strangeness of the accident as the loss he had received after he had a little refreshed his discouraged Souldiers rose with his Army and took his way on the left hand into Assyria Ulemas the Persian perswading him thereunto for many causes but especially by putting him in hope of the taking of Babylon for that Mahometes a Friend of his was Governor thereof But he when the matter came to proof was not to be won either by Promise or Reward to betray the City Wherefore Solyman resolved to take it by force neither did his Fortune fail him therein for as soon as Mahometes understood that Ulemas was at hand with the Forerunners of the Turks Army and that Solyman with all his Power was coming after who as he thought would never have come so far he not provided to withstand so mighty an Enemy and not beloved of the Citizens fled out of the City Solyman coming in short time after was of the Babylonians received without resistance The City of Babylon commonly called Bagdat rose out of the ruines of the old City of Babylon so much spoken of in holy Writ from whence it is not far distant standing upon the River Tygris which not far beneath falleth into the River Euphrates In this famous City is the Seat of the great Calyph the chief Mahometan Priest whom all the Mahometan Princes have in great Reverence and hath an old Prerogative in the choice and confirmation of the Kings of Assyria and the Sultans of Egypt of which Calyph Solyman according to the old superstitious manner received at his hands the Ensigns and Ornaments of the Assyrian Kings and with great bounty won the hearts of the people and thereupon resolved to spend that Winter there billiting his Army in divers places of that fertile Country The other Cities of Assyria and Mesopotamia also namely Caraemida Meredinum Orsa and Asancesa hearing that Solyman had without resistance taken Babylon yielded themselves and received his Garrisons Yet the fame thereof was so great that Embassadors came unto him as far as Ormus a City in the mouth of Euphrates where it falleth into the Persian Gulf famous for the great Traffique out of India thither suing unto him for Peace Thus the ancient City of Babylon with the great Countries of Assyria and Mesopotamia sometimes famous Kingdoms of themselves and lately part of the Persian Kingdom fell into the hands of the Turks and
too wise men is pretended to your haughty mind ever desirous of Honour and Fame But I as a blunt man understand not this high point of Wisdom abounding with Glory which in the very course thereof cutteth in sunder the sinews of Victory and is never by politique Generals admitted into their Camps In which doing as I wish you more fortunate than your Ancestors who have united eighteen Kingdoms to this your Empire so would I not have you more wise than they for what can be a more unwise part than always to play the unwise man that is to say always to be careful of other mens Affairs and in mâan time oftentimes to endanger his own Estate his Health his Wealth his Honour You have satisfied and that in my opinion plentifully the duty both of Charity Fidelity and if it must needs be so of Honour and Glory also if it be to be gotten rather by Courtesie Clemency and Lenity than by the invincible strength of wise Policy and the constant resolution of a Martial Mind for by those instruments and none other have worthy Vertues always promoted and supported the Othoman Kings Wherefore let those vain shews as seemeth unto me of counterfeit honour delight the minds of idle and sloathful Kings assuredly they never pleased your armed Ancestors but after the Enemy was quite overthrown the Triumph made and the Trophies of Victory erected But let this be as best pleaseth your high Wisdom and Iudgment whereunto the greatest Wits gave place Truly I if I well foresee the chances of War and the assured events of things will not follow that manner of Counsel which the pleasure of my mind perswadeth me unto when as necessity which ruleth all things presently forceth me and sheweth me a far better Course The Hungarians above all other things notably warn us not to trust them who infamous for their unconstancy after Revolt and Treachery are still at variance amongst themselves and their banished men are continually setting on the Germans to invade the Country and the weak power of the Queen and the Child is not such as may withstand so near and so mighty an Enemy so that another mans Kingdom must of necessity be defended by our help which may not be less than a strong Army without our great peril To be brief every year to take in hand so long an expedition of so great labour and travel with an Army furnished with Horsemen Footmen Artillery and a Fleet of Ships for defence of another man as commonly we do seemeth to me meer madness neither do I think it to stand with the Majesty of the Othoman Emperors thus to be moved every year at the request of a puling Woman crying for help except you think it more profitable and honourable to maintain a defensive than invasive War Wherefore in my opinion it is best to turn this Kingdom so often conquered and defended by Law of Arms after the manner of your Ancestors into the form of a Province the Queen I would have sent to her Father and the Boy her Son brought up in your Court at Constantinople and there instructed in our Religion the Nobility of the Country I wish to be slain and their Castles rased and the notable Families which bare the bravest minds to be carried away out of all parts of the Country into Asia as for the base multitude I would have kept under with good Garrisons to till the ground and inhabit the Cities By this only means mighty Solyman shall both the Hungarians perceive themselves conquered and the Germans glad to forbear coming into Hungary unless they will rashly and unfortunately hazard both Styria and Austria But Solyman thinking it good to do sacrifice before he would resolutely determine of so great a matter entred into Buda with his two Sons Selymus and Bajazet the thirtieth of August in the year 1541. and there in the Cathedral Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary being before by his Priests Purified after the manner of their Superstition sacrificed the first Mahometan Sacrifice in Buda Shortly after he as it were moderating the opinions of his great Counsellors provided out of them all both for his own security and honour and published a Decree the fatal Doom of that flourishing Kingdom whereunder it yet groaneth at this day That Buda should from that day be kept with a Garrison of Turks and the Kingdom converted into a Province of the Turkish Empire and the Queen with her young Son should presently depart the City and live in Lippa in a fertile and quiet Country beyond the River of Tibiscus which something to comfort her was near unto the Borders of her Father Sigismund his Kingdom to be safely conducted thither with all her Wealth and Jewels by his Janizaries Wherefore the Queen and her Son according to this Decree with Tears and Mourning detesting in her heart the Tyrants perfideous dealing which necessity inforced her then to dissemble departed from Buda constrained by the Turks to leave behind her all the Ordnance in the Castle and City with all other the Warlike Provision and Store of Victual The Noblemen went with her also who although they went sorrowful for this woful and unexpected change of things yet were they very glad of their Liberty and Safety whereof they had for the space of three days despaired Only Valentinus was kept in safe custody in the Camp because he was a Martial Man of greatest power amongst the Hungarians and besides that much hated of the Turks for the hard pursuit of Cason and his Horsemen slain at Storamberg in Austria Thus the Royal City of Buda fell into the hands of the Turks whereupon not long after ensued the final ruin of that Kingdom sometime the strong Bulwark of Christendom but lost to the great weakning of the Christian Commonweal which may justly be imputed to the Pride Ambition and Dissention of the Hungarians amongst themselves and the calling in of the common Enemy the due consideration of whose only coming might well have sufficed to have made them agreed Whilst these things were doing at Buda King Ferdinand expecting the event of this War at Vienna and hearing of the shameful loss of his Army and that the General deadly wounded was fled to Comara and that Solyman Fame encreasing the evil News was coming towards Vienna sent Leonardus Velsius who never liked of the Siege of Buda to Comara to stay the further Flight of the Souldiers and to gather together so well as he could the dispersed Reliques of the scattered Army and to comfort again the discouraged men with the hope of new Supplies and of Pay. And somewhat to stay Solyman who as it was thought would suddainly come to Vienna he sent Count Salma and Sigismund Lithestain a noble and grave Counsellor his Embassadors with Presents and new Conditions of Peace to Solyman The Presents were a high standing Cup of Gold after the German fashion curiously set with Stones and a
that they should without delay yield up the City and put themselves wholly to the mercy of Solyman So the Spaniard being there staid himself writ to Liscanus how he had sped willing him forthwith if he loved his own safety to yield the City without standing upon further terms Liscanus upon receit of these Letters coming forth to the Souldiers declared unto them the necessity of yielding up of the Town and what hope there was to escape with life and liberty But whilst the Souldiers filled with indignation stood as Men in doubt what to do Halis Commander of the Janizaries came unto the Gate and with chearful rather than stern countenance required to have it opened unto him according to the agreement made by Salamanca in the Camp which was forthwith opened by Liscanus and the Keys delivered unto him The Janizaries entring peaceably into the City possessed themselves of the Walls and Fortresses round about commanding the Christian Souldiers to give place out of whom they chose all the beardless Youths and commanded the rest to cast down their Harquebusies and other Weapons in a place appointed which they all for fear did expecting nothing but some cruel execution to be done upon them by the barbarous Enemy Which their fear was the more encreased by a strange accident then unluckily chancing for whilst the Souldiers did as they were commanded with their Harquebusies cast their Flasks full of Powder also one of them suddainly took fire of a Match which was by chance cast in amongst them with fire in it which firing the rest blew about all that heap of Weapons among the Turks which so filled them with anger and fear of some suddain Treachery that they fell upon the Christians and slew divers of them until such time as Halis perswaded that it was a thing hapned rather by chance than malice commanded his Janizaries to stay their fury This tumult appeased Halis caused proclamation to be made That all such Christian Souldiers as would serve Solyman in his Wars should have such place in his Army as their quality required with bountiful entertainment yet of all the Christian Souldiers were found only seventy which careful of their lives accepted the offer fearing that the Turks would upon such as refused exercise their wonted cruelty Halis entertaining them courteously sent them away with the other youths whom he had before culled out down the River to Buda the other Souldiers he took into his protection and used their labour to help the Turks to make clean the Castle But Liscanus who to save his Gold had made Shipwreck of his honour and reputation was glad to give unto Halis the fair Chain of Gold which he had most covetously and insolently before taken from Perenus when as Halis who would otherwise have taken it from him by force by way of military courtesie now craved it of him as a strange kind of ornament among the Turks with which gift he was in hope to have saved the rest of his Coyn. But fortune favoured not so much the covetous Coward for when he was about to depart away with his Horses of service which he kept very good and had cunningly stuffed the Saddles full of Gold thinking so slily to have conveyed it the Turk laughing at him took from him his Horses furnished as they were saying That he which was to go by Water needed no Horses So was the covetous Wretch at once quit of the great Wealth which he had in long time evil got The Captains with the rest of the Souldiers dispoiled of the Arms were conveyed over the River of Danubius and so travelled on foot to Possonium where the Count Salme by the commandment of the King apprehended Liscanus Salamanca and some other of the Captains for suspicion of Treason and committed them to safe custody there to answer for their cowardly yielding up of the City Solyman entred into Strigonium the tenth of August in the year 1543. and there converting Christian Churches into Temples for the Mahometan Superstition first sacrificed for his Victory as he had before done in Buda and after with all speed so strongly fortified the City as if he would thereby for ever have taken from the Christians all hope of recovering the same again deriding the slothful negligence of the Germans who possessed of it fourteen years had neglected all that time to fortifie it Not long after Solyman leaving Ossainus a valiant Captain Governour of Strigonium and sending his Tartarian Horsemen to spoil the Country on the left hand as far as Alba Regalis went himself to besiege the Castle of Tatta called in ancient time Theodota The Garrison Souldiers terrified with the loss of Strigonium and the sight of the Turks Army upon the first summons yielded the Castle without resistance and were so suffered quietly to depart That Castle after the manner of the Turkish Discipline who with few and those very strong Holds keep their Provinces in subjection was by Solymans commandment presently rased down to the Ground Torniellus General of the Italians caused Hanibal Captain of the Castle to have his Head struck off for his cowardly yielding up of the place he had taken charge of thereby to admonish others which had the charge of strong places not to refuse an honourable death in defence of their Country for fear of an ignominious death attending their Cowardise Tatta thus laid in the Dust Solyman marched with his Army towards Alba surnamed Regalis for that the Kings of Hungary by an ancient custom used there to be Crowned and also buried Buda Strigonium and Alba Regalis three princial Cities of the Kingdom of Hungary stand in manner of a Triangle almost equally distant one from another about a hundred miles in compass Buda and Strigonium are situate upon the River of Danubius but Alba standeth more into the Land strongly seated in the midst of a great Lake but not so wholsomely especially in the Summer time the Winter Waters then decreasing and gross vapours arising with the heat of the Sun. From the City through the Marish or Lake unto the firm Land lie three broad and high Causeys in manner of the streaks of a Cart-wheel well built with fair Houses and Gardens on either side and a broad way in the middle whereby Men pass in and out of the City At the end of every Causey toward the Land were cast up strong Bulwarks which the Citizens used not to watch but in dangerous times of War so that by these Bulwarks the Houses of the Suburbs standing upon these Causeys were safe from the danger of the Enemy the Lake filling up all the spaces betwixt the Causeys which what for the Depth what for Mud Flags and Bulrushes growing in it was not by Horse or Man to be passed through And the City it self standing in the midst of the Lake compassed round about with a strong Wall and a deep Ditch always full of Water was hardly to
to lay first hand upon his Fathers Kingdom The People which as yet had heard nothing of the Kings death received him with doubtful countenance and as many stood marvelling that he was so rashly come into the City without his Fathers commandment Mahometes appointed by Muleasses to govern the City came out and sharply reproved him as guilty of high Treason perswading him to return again into the Camp and seeing him stay by force of multitude thrust him out of the City Amida deceived of his expectation got him out of the way into the pleasant Country of Martia between Utica and the ruins of old Carthage But Mahometes Governor of the City after he had repulsed Amida got him with all speed by Water to Touarres at Guletta to know of him more assuredly if any such evil News were brought from Sicily of the death of the King and to complain of the rashness and intollerable presumption of Amida Where staying somewhat long in discoursing with the Captain and afterwards returning to the City he was suspected to have practised with the Captain to make Mahometes the Pledge in Guletta King in his Fathers stead for so the common voice went. The Moors are by nature a faithless People hasty suspitious desirous of News which true or false they for the time interpret as serveth best their Factions whereunto they are exceedingly given So at the first there rose in the City a doubtful rumor of the making of a new King the suspicion whereof more and more increasing set all the City on an uprore By occasion whereof certain of the Citizens to whom the very name of Muleasses was odious speedily certified Amida then in the Gardens of Martia sighing and grieving at his hard Fortune how all stood and that now was the time to do himself good He revived with that unexpected News and encouraged by the perswasion of Bohamer and Adulzes and other his Followers resolved to take hold upon that good offer of Fortune which would not always frown and to follow his good hap So in haste returning to Tunes and entring in at the Gate which he then found open ran presently to the Governors House and finding him not at home cruelly slew all his Houshold and with his bloody company went presently to the Castle where Fares the Captain seeking to have kept him out and boldly laid hands upon his Horses Bridle to have thrust him back was by a desperate Ethiopian one of Amida his Followers thrust through with a Sword and slain over whose Body yet sprawling Amida forcing his Horse brake into the Castle with his Friends and finding Mahometes Governor of the City presently slew him also And so by this means Amida in the space of an hour a little before a man in despair obtained the City the Castle and the Kingdom together After that he murthred his younger Brethren and embrued with blood without shame polluted his Fathers Concubines Muleasses landed as we have before said at Guletta with such Forces as he had brought with him out of Italy was advised by Touarres the Spaniard not to adventure with such an handful of Men to go to Tunes before he were well assured of the good disposition of the Citizens towards him and was the more earnest with Lofredius not to go because the Viceroy had expresly written That he should in no case go any further than Guletta except the King according to his promise had a good strength of the Numidians to joyn with him But certain of the Noblemen amongst the Moors which under the colour of Friendship were fled out of the City and had after the solemn manner of their Nation put their Swords unto their Throats and sworn to be faithful unto him wonderfully prickt forward both the King and Lofredius too hasty of themselves to their own Destiny bearing them in hand That Amida upon the first sight of his Father would forsake the City and betake himself to flight So without more staying Muleasses with Ensign displaied set forward towards Tunes Lofredius chearfully following him Touarres requesting them in vain to beware of the Moors Treachery Muleasses marching still forward was come so nigh the City that they might from the Walls descry him when suddainly a strong Troop of Moors sallied out of the Gate with a terrible Cry and fiercely assailed him whom the Kings Horsemen valiantly received many falling on both sides Muleasses in this hot skirmish fighting couragiously against his Enemies was wounded in the Face and bled exceedingly which so discouraged them about him that they doubting of his life turned their Backs and fled when presently a wonderful number of Horse and Foot suddainly issuing out of the Olive Gardens had beset Lofredius and his Souldiers round upon whom the Italians discharged certain Field-Pieces but after they had once discharged them they had no leisure to charge them again for the barbarous Enemy came on so thick and so fast that the Italians seeing themselves too weak and compassed in round let fall their Waepons as Men discouraged and cast themselves into the Lake so by swiming and taking hold of the little Boats to save themselves from the Enemies Sword which Boats stood those distressed Men in great stead for being furnished with small Pieces they did beat back the Moors who eagerly pursued them even unto the Lake with their Horses Lofredius as a Man amazed with the suddain coming of the Enemy took the Lake with his Horse and was there unhorsed by the Enemy and slain as were divers with him Some few there were that fought couragiously chusing rather honourably to die in the midst of their Enemies than shamefully to be strangled in the stinking Lake Muleasses soiled with his own Blood and with the Dust flying amongst the rest was known and taken nothing more bewraying than his odoriferous Perfumes In this conflict a thousand three hundred Italians were lost the rest which escaped Touares relieved and shortly after shipped them over into Sicily from whence they travelled home to Naples but so poor as well shewed the misery of their Fortune Amida having thus obtained the Victory was more careful of nothing than to make his Father unfit for Government which he did by the cutting the sight of both his Eyes with a hot Penknife the like Cruelty he used upon Nahazar and Abdallas his Brethren then taken with his Father After that he certified Touarres Captain of Guletta That he had taken a few Youths Prisoners which he would deliver unto him and that he had bereft his Father of his sight who had deserved a worse punishment as he that had long before done the like to his Brethren but had yet left him his life as an example to other Tyrants and to shew that he dealt not altogether unmercifully with so perfideous a Father last of all he confirmed upon certain conditions the same League which his Father had with him which he well saw was to great purpose
in this sort Mustapha Bassa unto the Venetians THat the Kingdom of Cyprus by ancient right belongeth unto the Kingdom of Egypt you are not ignorant which being conquered by the Turks is together with it become of right a part also of the Othoman Empire that Island we come to challenge leading after us two hundred thousand valiant Souldiers unto which power and the Wealth of the Othoman Kingdoms all which the most mighty Emperor is abouâ if need shall be to send thither and to bend his whole strength thereon all the united Forces of the Christian Kings are not comparable much less the Venetians so small a part of Europe forsaken of their Friends can suffice Wherefore we will and exhort you for the ancient amity which hath been betwixt your State and the victorious Othoman Family to yield this Kingdom unto the most puissant Emperor whose very name is become dreadful unto all the Nations of the World and quietly and without resistance to leave the Island with the Love and Friendship of so great a Monarch to be for ever inviolably kept betwixt him and you Whereas if you shall before such wholsome Counsel fondly prefer your vain hopes you are to expect all the calamities of War with such dreadful examples as the angry Conquerors use to make of their vanquished Enemies For resolution whereof we yet give you half a months space to bethink your selves in and so fare you well All this being now in readiness and a most Royal Gally of wonderful greatness and beauty by the appointment of Selymus prepared for the great Bassa the General he together with Haly Bassa and the rest of the Fleet departed from Constantinople the six and twentieth of May and at the Rhodes met with Pial as he had befor appointed The whole Fleet at that time consisted of two hundred Gallies amongst whom were divers Galliots and small Men of War with divers other Vessels prepared for the transportation of Horses with this Fleet Mustapha kept on his Course for Cyprus They of the Island in the mean time carefully attending the Enemies coming from their Watch-Towers first discovered their Fleet at the West end of the Island not far from Paphos from whence the Turks turning upon the right hand and passing the Promontory Curio now called Del Le Gate landed divers of their Men who burnt and spoiled certain Villages and with such Spoil and Prisoners as they had taken returned again unto the Fleet which holding on their former Course came at length to a place called Salinae of the abundance of Salt there made where they knew was best landing and there in an open Road came to an Anchor where the Bassa's without any resistance upon a plain Shore landed their Army Now all the hope of the Christians was to have kept the Turks from landing which they should with all their strength and power have done neither was it a matter of any great difficultie for had the Defendants but kept the Shore and from the dry and firm Land valiantly repulsed their Enemies they might undoubtedly with their Shot and Weapons have kept them from landing or else have done them greater harm knowing in the mean time that in all the Island was no good harbour for them to put into and that riding in an open Road subject to all Wind and Weather they could not long without danger of Shipwrack ride it out but they either terrified with the greatness of the Fleet or prevented by the celerity of the Enemy to their great hurt omitted so fair an opportunity as the woful sequel of the matter declared It exceedingly incouraged the Turks that they had so easily footed the Island which they thought they should not have not done without a bloody Fight The Bassa now landed presently intrenched his Army and forthwith sent the Fleet to transport the rest of his Forces out of Pamphilia into the Island And at the same time sent out certain Scouts to take some Prisoners of whom they might learn the situation of the Country the best ways to pass them with his Army the strength of his Enemies and what they did and many other such like things which it concerned him to know But the greatest question among the Turks themselves was Whether they should first set upon Famagusta or Nicosia Famagusta standeth low altogether subject to the scortching Heat which was then great according as the time of the year and nature of the Country required wherefore the Bassa for fear of diseases to arise in his Army of the immoderate heat and unwholesome situation of the place thought it better to begin his Wars with the Siege of Nicosia and to make that City the seat of the War for the conquest of the rest of the Island So having put all things in order and well viewed the Country and finding nothing he need to stand in doubt of he set forward with his Army toward Nicosia which was about thirty miles distant being the chief and richest City of all the Island Which way soever the Army marched it spread a great deal of ground and the nearer it came the greater was the slaughter of the Country people and the number of Prisoners taken of all sorts But when news of the Enemies approach was brought unto the City a general fear presaging future misery possessed the hearts of all Men. There was not in the City any valiant or renowned Captain who as the danger of the time required should have taken upon him the charge neither any strong Army in the Island to oppose against the Enemy the Governour of the City was one Nicholaus Dandulus a Man too weak for so great a burthen who always brought up in Civil Affairs was to seek how to defend a Siege Of the Citisens and Country people he had taken up four thousand Footmen and a thousand Horsemen all raw Souldiers commanded by the Gentlemen of the Country Men of all others most courteous but as well the Captains as the Souldiers as Men brought up in a plentiful Country fitter for Pleasure than for War. The greatest hope and strength of the City was reposed in twelve hundred Italian Footmen and six hundred Horsemen The whole number of the Souldiers in Garrison for defence of the City was deemed about 8000 Horse and Foot too weak a Company against so fierce and strong an Enemy and the more for that the Bassa an old and most expert General was there in person himself present a most severe and absolute Commander whom it would have been a hard matter to have withstood with equal power The Venetians had ever had great care of the Island of Cyprus as lying far from them in the midst of the sworn Enemies of the Christian Religion and had therefore oftentimes determined to have fortified the same yet fearing thereby to seem to distrust or dread the Turks and so give them occasion of offence left it still undone This City of
noisome smell as was not by any Man well to be endured of this kind of Wood the Turks brought a wonderful quantity to one of the Gates called Limosina which once set on fire could not by the Defendants by any means be quenched although they cast whole Pipes and Tuns of Water at once into it but most terribly burning close unto the Gate by the space of four days with the vehemency of the heat and loathsomeness of the smell so troubled the Defendants that scarce any of them could endure to stand upon the Wall but forsaking the same were ever and anon like to have given the Enemy leave to enter Bragadinus the Governor more careful of the common safety than of his own danger ceased not still to be going about from one place to another telling the Italians That now was given the fittest occasion they could desire for them to shew their Valour in and to gain great Honour of their barbarous Enemies that it would be to their eternal Glory if by their only means without any other help the City so far off from the relief of the Christians might be defended and the great power of the Turks defeated This he said was the only time wherein it stood them most upon to play the Men for if they could keep that little was left the rest of the Island would be easily recovered And although the Turks Army exceeded far in number yet did they excel them in Prowess and Valour whereby a few and as it were but an handful of Men had oftentimes prevailed against most infinite multitudes now all the eies of the World as well Friends as Foes to be fixed upon them so that if they held out against so great a power both their Enemies would admire their Valour and all Christendom extol their invincible Courage and Prowess and that they themselves should thereby reap both great Profit and honour neither that any thing could be alledged why they should not be compared with the worthy Knights of Malta who to their eternal Fame had delivered themselves out of the mouth of the Turk and left unto the World a most fair example for Men valiantly to stand in so good a Quarrel upon their own defence Nicosia he said was lost rather by the Cowardise of the Defendants than by the Valour of the Enemy He also praised the fidelity and courage of the Graecians who for any fear or danger could never be removed from the Venetians or induced to submit themselves unto the Turks Government and perswaded them with the same resolution to defend their own City that they saw in the Venetian Souldiers fighting for them and for their own honour to strive with the Italians in defence of their State their Country their Wives and Children against the Tyranny of the Turks forasmuch as Aid would in short time come and set them free from all danger The Senate also in like manner had sent Letters to Famagusta willing them to be of good cheer and yet a while to hold out the Siege and that they should be in short time relieved Baleonius also General of the Garrison Souldiers himself in Arms was present at every Skirmish carefully foreseeing what was in every place and at all times to be done and by encouraging of hâs Souldiers and adventuring of his Person shewed hemself to be both a worthy Commander and valiant Souldier Neither did the Souldiers alone but even the Women also what they might striving above the power of the strength both of their minds and bodies some bringing Meat some Weapons unto the Defendants and other Stones Beds Chests and such like stuff to make up the Breaches But Victuals beginning now to wax scant eight thousand of the vulgar sort of People were turned out of the City who all in safety were suffered to pass through the midst of the Turks Army to seek their living in the Country Thus whilst open force prevailed not according to the Turks desire they began in four places to undermine the City in hope to have found entrance but the Defendants doubting such a matter by diligent listening and great Vessels set full of Water near unto the Walls and Drums laid upon the ground by the moving thereof discovered their Works and with Countermines frustrated those of the Enemy yet in so great a stir and hurly-burly all things were not possibly to be discovered whereby it came to pass that whilst the Defendants were altogether busied in defending the Walls a Mine not perceived was suddainly blown up near unto the Tower standing upon the Haven by force whereof a great part of the Wall thereabout was in a moment with a most horrible noise overthrown With the fall thereof the Turks thinking the City as good as taken with an horrible shout and out-cry mounted the Wall and in the Breach set up their Ensigns Count Peter who had the charge of that part of the Wall being not now able to defend the same so suddainly overthrown which Nestor Martinengus quickly perceiving came speedily from his own Station to repulse the Enemy now ready to have entred The Fight became there most fierce and terrible on the one side hope on the other desperation enraged their minds the Turks were in hope that if they forced themselves but a little they should forthwith win the City and the Defendants propounding nothing unto themselves but shameful death and torture fought as Men altogether desperate The Turks trusted to their multitude and the Christians to their valour In the mean time Andreas Bragadinus with certain great Pieces aptly placed out of the Castle slew a number of the Turks as they were coming to the Breach Baleonius hearing of the danger came in haste with a Company of couragious Souldiers to relieve them that were fighting at the Breach and cheering up his Followers thrust himself with the formost into the face of the Breach and there not only appointed what was to be done and with chearful countenance encouraged his Souldiers but with his own hand having slain many took one of the Turks Ensigns when as he had before slain the bearer thereof and tumbled him headlong into the Ditch With the sight whereof others encouraged both on the right hand and on the left made there a notable Battel as Men fighting for their last hope In fine the Turks were glad to retire leaving behind them four thousand Carkases of their slain Fellows in the Town-dith with fourteen of their Ensigns which were brought into the City Neither was this Victory gained without some loss of the Christians about a hundred were slain among whom were Robertus Malvetius David Nocius Celsus Feto Erasmus Firmo all Captains For all this they in the City took small rest the Turks great Shot still thundring in amongst them and in such furious sort as that in one day which was the eighth of Iune were numbered about five thousand great Shot shot into the City With which
antient obedience of those martial men is not now as it was in former times when they were with a more severe Discipline governed but now grown proud and insolent as the manner of men is living in continual pay with Weapons in their hands doubt noâ to do whatsoever seemeth unto themselves best be it never so foul or unreasonable Which although it be in many places of this History to be seen yet for the more manifestation thereof I thought it not amiss here briefly to set down an Example or two of their notorious Insolency Not many years before the Janizaries in Cyprus with like Insolency slew Achmetes Bassa Governour of that Island pretending for the colour of so foul a fact that he had defrauded them of their pay and oppressed them of the Country with intolerable exactions Amurath highly offended with this their Disloyalty in killing their General whom they had never before complained of thought it much to concern the Majesty of himself and the repressing of the like Insolency in others not to suffer it to go unpunished and for that purpose sent another new Governour into Cyprus with ten Gallies furnished as well in other necessary Provision as with such a convenient number of Souldiers as might suffice to chastise the Insolency of the chief Offendors This new Governour arrived in Cyprus dissembling the secret Commandment he had for the executing of the Transgressors by certain trusty men gave it out among the Janizaries That Amurath was so far from being angry with the death of Achmetes as that he thought him worthily slain by the Janizaries for defrauding them of their Wages and oppressing of his other Subjects Which report the new Governour had of purpose given out to put them in Security and without further trouble to bring them into his danger Hereupon the Janizaries chearfully and with all due Reverence received their new Governour but shortly after to be sure they by an unexpected guile when as nothing was less feared compassed in all the new come Souldiers and slew them every Mothers Son and not so contented seised also upon the Gallies that brought them Which second outrage though Amurath took in evil part as seeing his Majesty therein contemned yet was he content to pass it over being loth to add edomestical Troubles to the great War he had in hand with the Persian But to end this matter with the Opinion of their own greatest Bassaes concerning these masterful men It fortuned that whilst Busbequius Ambassador for Ferdinand the Emperour unto Solyman lay in the Turks Camp at such time as Solyman in Person himself was gon over the Straight in Asia to countenance his eldest Son Solymus against his younger Brother Bajazet That upon a light Quarrel though heavily taken between the Followers of the said Ambassador and certain Janizaries washing themselves at the Sea-side the Ambassador for the quieting thereof was glad to use the help of Rustan the great Bassa Solyman's Son-in-Law who understanding of the matter by a Messenger sent of purpose adviseth the Ambassador to cut off all occasion of Contention with those most naughty Fellows asking him further if he knew not that it was now the time of War in which time they so raigned as that Solyman himself was not able to rule them but stood in fear of them Which speech fell not rashly from Rustan a man right well acquainted with his Lord and Masters Grief for that most notable Prince feared nothing more than lest some secret and dangerous Treason should lie hidden among the Janizaries which breaking out upon the sudden might work his final Destruction whereof he needed not to seek for any further Example than to his Grandfather Bajazet For as true it is That great are the Commodities of a perpetual Army of a Princes own so are the Incommodities also not small if they be not carefully met withall but especially for that the Prince is ever in doubt of Rebellion and that it is still in the Power of those armed Souldiers at their Pleasure to translate the Kingdom to whom they list Whereof there have been many great Examples although there are many ways for the remedying of the same But now that we have by occasion of the Occurrents of that time a little stept out of the way year 1585 let us return again unto the Wars of Persia the chief Object of Amuraths haughty Designs Now according to the Commandments gon out through all the Cities of the Empire the Souldiers of all sorts began to flock together and all those that were either desirous to be established in their former Charges and Governments or ambitiously sought to be now promoted repaired to Osman as unto a King and the sovereign Moderator of the Turkish Empire presenting him very large and liberal Gifts whereby he gathered together a huge heap of infinite Treasure and so entertaining them with all affable Courtesie and promising both Rewards and Honours to such as would follow him in his purposed Expedition he levied a wonderful great number both of Men and Monies And now was the time come that called him away to go towards Erzirum where he was greatly expected of his huge Army there assembled together And notwithstanding the great dearth of Victual that commonly raigneth in those quarters yet thither he must where he arrived about the latter end of the Month of Iuly in the year 1585 and there taking a view of his whole Army and of all the Provision necessary for so important and famous an Enterprise he daily laboured to hasten his departure In this City of Erzirum were met together all the Souldiers of the Provinces that were wont to send help but yet in greater number than ever was gathered by any General before for that every man forsook his own private Business and upon assured hopes of new Rewards and unwonted Honours were all induced to follow the Fame of this their new Visier and General only the People of Egypt and Damasco were busied with other more private Quarrels at home whereof because they were both of great Importance and also fell out at this very instant leaving Osman with his Army for a while at Erzirum I will in as few words as I may make a brief rehearsal Amurath had heretofore taken Hassan Bassa the Eunuch out of the Seraglio from the charge he had there to serve in the Queens Court and at her instance sent him as Bassa to Caire the great City of Egypt Which great Office beside the Honour belonging unto it is also beneficial to them whose good hap it is to be advanced thereunto the Riches the multitude of People inhabiting therein being so great that it seemeth not to be one City but rather to contain within the large Circuit thereof many Cities This man being exceeding covetous and therefore desirous to handle the matter in such sort as that he should little need to seek for any more such grants at the Kings hands
Military Insolency as the Turks term it now and then at their pleasures make incursions for booty both by Sea and Land which answered with the like from their Neighbours so molested there never wanted new Grievances and just causes of Complaint to the stirring up of greater troubles even amongst the greatest Princes The Venetians thus wronged at Sea year 1591 and their Merchants robbed by their Ambassadors complained at Constantinople of the Injuries done them by the Turks Pirats requiring to have them called home and Justice done upon them In like manner the Emperour also seeing many things both this year and the next attempted by Hassan Bassa in Croatia and the other Turks in Hungary contrary to the League to the great disturbance of his Subjects in both those Countries by his Ambassador then lying at Constantinople complained of these Outrages desiring to know whether they were done by the consent and knowledge of Amurath or not and if not then to require that order might be taken for the restraining thereof which was accordingly done and those Incursions for a while stayed and the former Peace continued Amurath still making shew as if he were willing that the League agreed upon for eight years should not be in any wise on his part infringed At which time the Persian King's Son the League not long before concluded died in the Turks Court where he lay in Hostage whose dead body Amurath caused to be honourably sent home to his Father into Persia with an Apology in defence of himself against the suspicion conceived by some That he should have been the cause of the untimely death of that young Prince still urging withal the confirmation of the League which by the death of the Prince was like enough to have been broken Whereof Amurath was the more desirous for that perswaded by his Bassa's as is aforesaid to make Wars with the Emperour although he notably dissembled the same he was in hope thereby to add unto his Empire the reliques of Hungary with some good part of the Territory of the House of Austria also and so to open himself a way into the heart of Germany For which purposes he now caused very great preparation to be made and a strong Army to be raised and at the same time put a great Fleet of Gallies into the Archipelago for the safety of his Islands in that Sea. According to these Designments year 1592 the Bassa of Bosna by the Commandment of Amurath with an Army of fifty thousand entred into Croatia and without resistance burnt and destroyed the Country before him sparing nothing that came in his way And not so contented laid siege to the City of Wihitz being the metropolitical City of that Country strongly scituate as it were in an Island compassed about with the River Vna Which City after he had sore battered and twice assaulted was by the distressed Defendants now despairing of relief and unable longer to hold it out yielded unto the Bassa upon Composition That the German Souldiers there in Garrison might in safety with bag and baggage depart and that such of the Christian Citizens as would might there still remain without hurt from the Turks either in Body or Goods Which Conditions the Bassa faithfully performed to the Garrison Souldiers whom in number but four hundred he sent with safe convoy into their own Territory but afterwards contrary to his faith and promise exercised all manner of Turkish Tyranny upon the poor Citizens The Emperour troubled with this unexpected Invasion of the Turks sent the Lord Petzen whom he had many times imployed in Embassages to the Turk to pray Aid of the German Princes against the common Enemy Who according to the greatness of the danger in large terms promised their help The first that made head was Ernestus Arch-duke of Austria the Emperour's Brother who with five thousand Souldiers came from Vienna to Savaria commonly called Greis the Metropolis of Stiria to whom repaired daily more strength out of Carinthia In the mean time the Turks Army daily increasing in Croatia inclosed six thousand Foot-men any five hundred Horse-men of the Christians who had taken the Mountains Woods and streight Passages and so hardly beset them that of all that number few escaped with life amongst whom many valiant Souldiers and expert Captains were slain namely Iames Prants George Plesbach and Iohn Welverdurff The Bassa after the barbarous manner of the Turks to make his Victory seem more famous laded six Waggons with the Heads of the slain Christians The Turks thus raging in Croatia brought a general fear upon all Hungary Bavaria Bohemia Stiria Carinthia Silesia and the rest of the Provinces thereabouts Whereupon the Emperour calling together the States of Silesia and Moldavia declared unto them the imminent danger perswading them to ioyn their Forces with the rest for the repulsing of so dangerous an Enemy and so imminent a Danger After long delay Ernestus the Arch-duke the tenth of August came to the Emperour his Brother with the Ambassadors of Hungary and the seventh day after were called together the Embassadors of the Kingdoms and Provinces of the Empire where it was throughly debated how the Turks were to be resisted and their attempts infringed as also from whence Forces Money and other Warlike provision was to be raised For now it was manifestly seen that longer to delay the matter was dangerous and the rather for that the Beglerbeg or great Commander of Grecia with threescore thousand select Souldiers both Horse and Foot of long time exercised in the Persian War was e're long expected who joyning with the rest of the Turks Army might do great matters both in Hungary and the Places adjoyning For preventing of which so great and manifest dangers they sate daily in Counsel in Prague yea oftentimes even from morning untill night for the Hungarians and especially the Lord Nadasti a most noble and valiant Gentleman amongst them instantly urged to have Succours sent into Hungary forasmuch as the Turkish Emperour if he should get into his hands the rest of the Towns and Castles yet holden by the Christians in Hungary it was to be feared lest he should in short time after endanger the whole state of Germany the strength whereof the Turk feared not so much as he did those poor reliques of Hungary Others were no less careful of the dangers of Croatia and Stiria as more proper to themselves the Enemy now there raging In these so great dangers the Hungarians with the rest of the distressed cried upon the Emperour for help and he likewise called upon the Princes of the Empire Divers Assemblies were made in Bohemia Hungary Moravia Silesia and the other Provinces of the Emperours and Embassadors sent from almost all the German Princes to the Emperour all was full of Consultation but as for help that came in very slowly yet such as was to be had was forthwith sent into Croatia to defend the Fortresses there against the
and brought into the Camp and examined confessed that there was no Garrison in the City more than four hundred Ianizaries and that a new supply was daily expected from Buda The Christians labouring that Night were by the breaking of the Day come with their Trenches to a Hill over against the Castle where they placed their Battery and forthwith began to baâter the City The same day being the seventh of May two and twenty Turks Heads were presented to the Arch-duke and four men taken alive newly sent out of the City to have viewed the Christian Camp. About Night certain Balls of Wild-fire were shot into the City whereof one fell upon the Tower called St. Adelbert and set it on fire wherewith first the Church and afterward a great part of the Town fell on fire The Sanzacks House with all his Horses and Armour and a great quantity of Powder was then burnt and inestimable hurt done in the City The next day the Christians had with continual battery made a breach in the Castle Wall but adjoyning unto the Wall was an high and broad sandy Rampier which could hardly be battered for all that the Germans gave a fierce assault to the breach hoping to have entred by the Ruins of the Wall but not being able to get over the sandy Rampier were inforced with loss to retire The day following they began again the Battery with eighteen great pieces when about eight a Clock in the Morning the Rascians that were in the old City gave the General to understand That if he would at a place by them appointed assault the greater City to draw the Turks thither they would in the mean time deliver unto the Christians certain little Posterns and receive them into the old City upon Condition that no Violence should be done unto them or theirs Which being so agreed upon the Christians accordingly gave the assault the eleventh of May in the Evening and by the help of the Rascians took the City who according to promise were all taken to Mercy and the Turks slain except such as by their good hap recovered the new Town The keeping of this City was committed to the charge of two Companies of German Footmen and six hundred Hungarians with three hundred Rascians and other Townsmen Thus was the old City of Strigonium gained by the Christians the Suburbs whereof they presently burnt nevertheless the new Town with the Castle was still holden by the Turks Wherefore the Christians having cast up certain Trenches and Mounts and placed their Artillery as they thought most convenient began again to batter the Castle and after they had by the Fury of the Cannon made it assaultaâle with great Courage assailed the breach which the Turks valiantly defended so that the Christians were glad to retire leaving behind them about an hundred and thirty of their Fellows slain in the breach The Turks a little before the coming of the Christians had fortified an Hill whereunto the Castle was something subject called of the Christians St. Nicholas his Hill this Hill so fortified the Christians with continual battery and assault gained the 17 th of May and put all the Turks left alive therein to the Sword and turning the Ordnance from thence also battered the Castle The two and twentieth of May a little before the going down of the Sun certain Ensigns of Footmen were drawn out of the Camp to have the next day assaulted the lower Town who taking the benefit of the Night attempting to have entred the Town in the dead time of the Night were notably encountered by the Turks sallying out of the Town upon them The Christians for all that having enforced them to retire prosecuted their former Resolution and with much ado got over the uttermost Wall but finding there contrary to their Expectation such a deep and broad countermure as was not possible to be passed they stood as Men dismaied neither could they in the Darkness of the Night well see how to get back again over the Town-ditch but disorderly retiring stuck fast many of them in the deep mud and there perished In this assault there were about a thousand of the Christians wounded and slain and albeit that they twice or thrice renewed the assault yet prevailed they nothing but were still repulsed with loss Many also of the Turkish Garrison were likewise slain yea the Sanzack himself hurt with a great shot with many other wounded men sent down the River to Buda brought thither true News of the aforesaid Assaults and of the state of the besieged In the mean time News was brought to the Camp That Sinan Bassa the old Enemy of the Christians and the Turks great Lieutenant coming towards Hungary with a great Army and having by Boats conveyed over part thereof was set upon by the Rascians these are poor oppressed Christians dwelling on both sides of Danubius who weary of the Turkish Thraldom and desirous of their antient Liberty have oftentimes taken up Arms against the Turks as they now did encouraged by the good Success of the Christians on the other side of Hungary and that after divers Skirmishes they had taken thirteen of the Turks Vessels wherein besides Victuals and certain great pieces of Artillery they found about 2400 weight of Powder 447 hundred of Lead 46454 bundles of Match 1200 great shot whereof 1005 were of 66 pound weight and of small shot for Harquebusiers 48500 with much other warlike Provision a great part whereof was brought into the Camp at Strigonium and the rest reserved to future Uses This loss so troubled the great Bassa that he altered his purpose before intended for Cassovia The fourth of Iune about five hundred Turks sent up the River from Buda conducted by two Sanzacks under two red and white Ensigns landed near to Gokara on the further side of Danubius over against Strigonium where after they had a while refreshed themselves and left some few for the more assurance of the Place all the rest were conveyed over the River into Strigonium where they had been long looked for the old Garrison being now sore weakned by the former Assaults Four days after the Turks encouraged with this supply sallied out upon a sudden and had entred one of the Forts of the Christians but were forthwith again repulsed having lost six and twenty of their men and two of their Ensigns not far off lay a troop of Horsemen who if they had in time come in not one of the Turks had escaped Long it were to tell how often and in what manner the Christians assaulted this City but were by the Turks so received that in five Assaults they lost five thousand of their Men amongst whom were divers Captains Lieutenants Antients and others of good account three and twenty Canoneers were also slain and ten great pieces of Artillery so spoiled as that they were no more serviceable The Garrison of this City consisted for most part of the Ianizaries the Turks
wherein if he failed he threatned unto him his heavy displeasure not to be appeased without the price of his Head. Which so severe a Commandment of the great Sultan's the Bassa sent to them of Strigonium with most grievous threats from himself if they terrified with any Battery undermining or assault should yield the City and not hold it out as became valiant Souldiers unto the last man swearing to impale them all upon Stakes that should consent to the yielding up thereof The old Governour Alis Beg having received this so strait a Command from him that was both able and like enough to perform what he had threatned utterly to deterr the Souldiers from once thinking of yielding caused diligent Enquiry to be made throughout the Garrison if any of them had at any time made any motion of yielding up the City or otherwise murmured against their Captains or Commanders appointing them to any Service and such as he found to have so done he to the terror of others caused to be presently executed and after that went down himself into the lower Town to see that nothing were there wanting or amiss where most danger was But when he would have again returned into the upper Town he was stayed by the Janizaries who told him That seeing he was of so valiant and couragious a mind and their Governour he should there stay with them and take such part as they did were it better or worse and so would he or would he not there needs stay he must Now the Bassaes of Buda and Temesware with divers Sanzackes as well of those parts of Hungary which the Turks possessed as other places were assembling their forces for the relief of the besieged in Strigonium whereof the Transilvanian Prince hearing made shew as if he would forthwith have besieged Temesware so that the Bassa thereof leaving the intended Expedition for Strigonium was glad to return for the defence of his own Charge They also of Stiria Carinthia and Croatia with the Troops of County Serinus had so stopped all the Passages that twelve thousand Turks which were coming from Zigeth and the places thereabout could by no means come to joyn themselves with their Fellows for the relief of the distressed City The County leaving nothing unattempted or undone that might help for the gaining of Strigonium had made a notable Fort upon S. Thomas Hill and therein placed five great Culverins wherewith he furiously battered the higher City and did therein great harm and thereby also brought to pass that no man could go up or down the Hill betwixt the upper Town and the lower but he was in danger to be fetch'd off with those Pieces or the Musquetiers who defended by those great Pieces lay upon the side of the Hill in Caves and Bushes awaiting for such as should go up or down betwixt the two Towns. Thus the Christians at one time battered the upper Town the lower Town and the strong Town and Fort of Gokara standing on the farther side of Danubius over against Strigonium besieged by the Lord Palfi But of all these Places Gokara was with the fury of the great Ordnance most shaken which the County perceiving caused the Battery to be increased and so continued until he had beaten down the Counterscarf and made certain fair breaches in the Wall. Whereunto the Moravians unto whose Lot it fell the one and twentieth of Iuly gave an Assault in five divers places whom the Lord Palfi seconded with his Hungarians of whom certain were of purpose appointed besides their Arms to bring things with them for the firing of the Town which they in the time of the Assault found means so well to bestow that in a while the Town was all on a light Fire The Turks at first made notable Resistance but finding themselves over-pressed and seeing the Town now on a fire about their ears which with the Wind so increased that it caught hold of the lower Town on the other side of the River they retired to the River-side where some of them by Boats got over to Strigonium other some perished in the River the rest falling into the hands of the Christians were by them all put to the Sword. Gokara thus taken and the fire quenched the Christians repairing the Breaches and storing it with all warlike Provision left in it a strong Garrison Within a night or two after were two hundred of the Turks Horse-men descried in a Field fast by which caused an Alarm to be raised in the Camp as if the whole Army of the Turks had been at hand howbeit those Horse-men retiring and no other appearing it was afterwards known that they were only Scouts sent out by the Turks to take view of the Army of the Christians in what sort they lay encamped The latter end of this Month it fortuned that a young country fellow secretly sent out of the City by the Governour and falling into the hands of Palfi was by him sent to the County by whom he was in friendly manner demanded from whence he came whither he was going and whereabouts Whereunto the Youth frankly answered That he was sent from the Governour with Letters to the Bassa of Buda which he presently drew out of his Bosom and delivered them unto the County who after he had read them caused them to be closed up again and so delivered to the Young-man with some few Crowns commanding him to carry them to the Bassa as he was about and in his Return to bring him the Bassa's Answer promising for his so doing to reward him bountifully which the Young-man undertook to do and so departed Now the purport of the Governours Letters was That if the Bassa did not within six or seven days send him aid and relieve him he should for want of Victuals and other things necessary for the holding out of the Siege be inforced either to abandon the City or to yield it up into the Enemies hands Whereunto the Bassa returned Answer by the aforesaid Messenger That he would within the appointed time be with him willing him in the mean time to be mindful of his wonted Valour and not to be with any thing discouraged appointing him the day the hour the way the means with all the other Circumstances how he would relieve him Which Letters the Young-man according to his Promise delivered unto the County who thereupon provided accordingly for the welcoming of the Bassa Within a day after also one of the Turks Canoneers considering the danger the City lay in and fearing that it would be lost fled out of it into the Camp who besides that he aptly declared the state of the City and the wants the Besieged were in did also afterwards good Service during the time of the Siege The Turks had in this while many times sallied out to their great loss yet now upon hope of better Success they adventured the twenty ninth of this Month to sally out again but with like fortune as before
have aided the Moldavian Now in the mean time in Hungary also passed many an hot Skirmish betwixt the Christians and the Turks whose Garrisons at Buda and in other places in the lower Hungary attempting to have surprised Alba-Regalis and discovered by the Christians were with great slaughter enforced to retire At which time also County Serinus understanding by his Espials that the Turks with two hundred Waggons with Munition and Victuals were going to Canisia upon the sudden set upon them and having slain and put to flight the Convoy that guarded them carried the Waggons with all that was in them away with him And shortly after the free Haiducks of Comara in a great party going out towards Buda to seek after Booty and having taken threescore Turks Prisoners and so with them about to have returned home understanding by the way that Ali sometime the Bassa of Buda and now Governour of Pesth was with a small retinue about to come down the River Danubius from Buda towards Belgrade there to meet the Visier Bassa but then coming into Hungary they slew all the Prisoners and having got two small Boats about fifteen miles beneath Buda lay in wait for the Bassa who according to their Expectation coming down the River was by these Adventurers fiercely assailed and of his thirty followers having fourteen slain being himself also shot in two places of his Body was there with a great Booty taken and so brought to Comara and shortly after presented unto Matthias the Arch-duke at Vienna who amongst other things certainly enformed that Hassan Bassa was with a great Army by the commandment of the great Sultan Mahomet coming to besiege Alba-Regalis and that he was now upon his way as far as Belgrade presently sent thither the County Ysolan Governour thereof who with much ado got into the City the Turks having already taken all the Passages to have hindered the Christians from puting in either Men or Munition more than was therein already Howbeit the County now got in there and being no less good Engineer than a valiant Commander caused all them in the City to labour upon the Rampiers so that beside the natural Scituation thereof which was very strong he had in short time so fortified it as that in most mens Judgment it seemed a place almost impregnable This Ali Bassa was sometime the great Turks Butler but after the taking of Agria made Bassa of Buda which great place he held but three Months being by the Envy and Ambition of some but especially of Amurath Bassa removed thence and made Governour of Pesth from whence now going down the River to Belgrade it was his Fortune to be thus taken by the Haiducks unto whom he offered for his Ransom three hundred thousand Sultanies and had with him when he was taken seventy thousand Duckats Mahomet the great Sultan not a little troubled with the loss of Alba-Regalis taken from him by the Christians the last year and now resolved for the recovery of the same to ingage if need should be a great part of his Forces had caused an Army of an hundred and fifty thousand strong to meet at Hadrianople for that purpose under the leading of Hassan Bassa one of the chief Visiers to be sent into Hungary Who by the way of Belgrade coming to Buda and from thence to Alba-Regalis there the twelfth of August incamped as he had oftentimes before threatned with the multitude of his Tents covering all the Country round about as if it had been a white Snow where having well entrenched himself and planted his Artillery he began a most terrible and furious Battery in such sort as if he had not meant to have made a breach only but to have beaten the City even from the face of the Earth which seemed now to tremble under his feet and the Clouds to rend with the thundring of his great Ordnance and for that the Marish and deep Ditches were a great let unto his Men for to come unto the assault he caused them with the number of his Pioneers to be filled up a work thought almost impossible and so brought on his Men to assault the Counterscarf which the Governour had caused to be made before the City for better defence thereof which assault cost him much Blood by reason of the wonderful Valour of the defendants yet in the end the great number of the Turks prevailing the Christians were inforced to forsake it and retire into the City but shortly after sallying out again they with such force assailed the Turks now got within the Counterscarf that having slain most part of them that were entered they forced the other out again at the brute whereof an alarm being raised throughout the Camp infinite numbers of the barbarous Enemies came runing thither with such savage Fury that without regard of their Lives they as desperate men pressing still on fell twice as many as before insomuch that the Christians weary of that long and bloody fight and on every side charged or rather overwhelmed with the Enemies shot were glad again but not without great loss to abandon the place With which Skirmishes and divers others that they had the number of the Defendants was greatly diminished to keep a weak City shewing as yet the Ruins of the late Siege when it was by the Christians won the breaches thereof being but evil repaired and the Mines yet gaping requiring great and strong Fortification to hold out and endure any long Siege against so puissant an Enemy Yet was not the Courage of the valiant County Ysolan the Italian Governour any whit therewith abated but by his Letters gave the Arch-duke Matthias to understand in what case things stood with them in the City requesting him with all speed to send him relief for that otherwise the City so weakly both manned and fortified would be in danger to be lost many of the Garrison Souldiers being already slain in the defence thereof and divers of the Hungarians forsaking the Walls daily flying unto the Turks Camp promising yet nevertheless himself to do the uttermost of his devoir year 1602 Upon the receit of which Letters the Arch-duke gave order unto the Lord Russworm Master of the Camp to go forthwith to Comara and there with such Forces as were from divers places come thither to go forth and to prove if by any means the weak Garrison of Alba-Regalis might so be relieved by putting in some good supply of fresh Souldiers According to which Command Russworm coming thither without delay took the Field with 12000 men which he found there to see if he might with them put into the City the desired relief But whilst the matter was in the performance thereof too long delaied by discord arising betwixt him and the other Colonels about the manner of relieving the Town the Bassa had time to effect his purpose who the twenty eighth of the same Month of August after a long and terrible battery caused a general
assault to be given unto the City which the Turks from time to time renewing continued all that Day and the next Night with some part of the day following also without ceasing so that the Defendants now much weakened and they also that were left so wearied or wounded as that they were not well able to make any longer resistance and the County himself who gave as it were life unto them all being now also carried away dangerously hurt in the Thigh with a Musquet shot there was a sign of Parley given unto the Enemy which the Bassa granting and the Fury of the assault staid certain of the chief Captains and Commanders in the City going unto the Governour put him in mind of the weakness of the place of the force of the Enemy of the number of his most valiant men slain of the want of the Defendants They had as they said done enough for their Honour having endured so many and so great Assaults in a place not defencible and enough to discharge their Fidelity having holden it out to the uttermost of their Power That they could do no more than they had done being not relieved and that the same Bond which bound them to defend the place bound the Emperour also to relieve them seeing that otherwise it was not in their Power to maintain it That they had with the loss of their Lives and Blood shewed their Fidelity unto the Emperour no sufficient Army appearing from him according to his Promise for their Succour That to fight any longer was but to increase the Glory of their Enemies and their own Losses seeing that after they had done what they possibly could exposed to a thousand dangers they should nevertheless be vanquished and the City taken That the same Consideration which carried valiant Minds unto the Effects of Honour when they are relieved with hope dissuaded them being out of all hope of any happy end of their Troubles and to lose themselves to no purpose was as great a sign of Folly as to let slip a fair Opportunity was a sign of Cowardise That they were to expect nothing but extream Misery if the Enemy should again force them the breaches being so broad as whereby they might easily enter and their own best men slain that should keep them out And that therefore he should do well to come to some good Composition with the Enemy whilst they had yet something to yield up unto him and that he stood in some fear of them and not to expect whilst they were spoiled of all means either to resist him by force or to bind him by Courtesie nothing remaining for them in the place but death if they should obstinately stand to the defence thereof nor no way left to save their Lives but by yielding With these Perswasions the Governour moved came to a Parley with the Bassa being right glad thereof as well knowing that a Town besieged coming to a Parley year 1601 is commonly more than half woon and glad by any means to gain it for that thereof depended the assurance both of his Head and Honour where after some short talk it was agreed That the County should yield the Town into the Hands of the Bassa with all the great Ordnance and other warlike Munition therein and that the County with his Garrison should with Bag and Baggage in safety depart with their Arms by the Suburbs leading toward Rab and with a good Convoy in safety to be brought half way thither This Capitulation agreed upon and by the Bassa and the County signed every man assured himself of the Bassaes Faith and thereon rested But what Faith is to be expected from a faithless man Upon the first brute of this Composition yea and before it was altogether well concluded whilst the Merchants in the Town were seeking for Waggons to carry their Merchandise and the Souldiers for Horses to carry their Baggage the scarceness thereof bred a great Confusion and stir among the People as commonly it falleth out in things done in haste but especially where men for safeguard of their Lives in their flight for haste fall into a thousand Errors so whilst some in this hurly burly were quarreling about their Horses and Carriages and other some were opening the Gates to be gone others were as busie in robbing and pilfering the Baggages of their Captains and Companions miserable men who all appointed for a Prey unto the greedy and merciless Turks yet fell to preying one upon another Which Disorders encouraged the rest of the Souldiers to fall to Pillage also some loading themselves with such Goods as the Merchants had for lack of Carriages left behind them and other some even with the Goods of their own Captains which the Souldiers appointed for defence of the breaches seeing left their charge and came thronging into the Town and thrust themselves in amongst the Pilferers as if the Pillage of the Town had been unto them by triumphant Victory assured and that they themselves had been Victors and not men vanquished The Tartars lodged at the foot of the breach seeing it forsaken and without any great strength to defend it let not this Opportunity slip but pressing on without any great resistance entred the same and so in a trice full thirty thousand of them thrust into the Town and there surprised the vanquished Christians at once loaded with Prey Fear and Despair After whom even by the same Breach the Turks entered also to be Partakers of the spoil so that in a moment the Town was full of Enemies both Turks and Tartars The Turks beside the Booty they took themselves fell to quarrelling with the Tartars for some part of theirs and so long as there was any thing that might please their Eyes or fill their Hands they abstained from slaughter and bloodshed busying themselves with that which for the present was more for their Profit but the pillaging ceasing by reason there was no more to be had then the perfidious Wretches fell to massacring of the miserable Christians the Sword devouring all that they could light upon so that all the City flowed with Blood. Neither was there any end thereof until that by the coming in of the Bassa the slaughter was stayed by which means County Ysolan the late Governour with some other Captains and Souldiers were saved having escaped the Enemies Fury In this Massacre were slain 3000 Christian Souldiers beside others of the Citizens in number not few The Captains that were spared were led Prisoners to Constantinople there to be fed with the Bread of Tribulation and with them the County Ysolan for his Valour and noble Courage unworthy of so hard a Fortune Howbeit that he by lively and pregnant Reasons shewed both himself and the rest to be unjustly detained year 1602 as taken Prisoners contrary to the publick Faith unto them before given within the assurance of the Capitulation agreed upon with the Bassa and out of
that would serve him four Crowns a Month pay with all the booty that they could get Whereupon six thousand Haiducks which then served under Belioiosa forthwith revolted unto Botscay their number increasing daily But after that unto this extraordinary pay Pallas Lippa his Lieutenant had also joyned the Protection of the reformed Religion it is wonderful to say how the Haiducks by heaps resorted unto him and how the People in all parts of Hungary generally favoured him and his Quarrel being in all places whereas he came ready to joyn hands with him against the Imperials The Turks and Tartars also both with Men and Money furthering him in all his doings whose help he refused not Whereof proceeded all the aforesaid Miseries both in Hungary and Transilvania with many other worse than they which together with the beginning of this year took their beginning and encrease also Unto which so great Troubles still more and more encreasing Basta not able by force to give remedy sought by Lenity and fair Perswasions to have eased the same by Letters oftentimes advising even Botscay the chief Rebel himself to change his Mind to lay down Arms to disband his Forces and to perswade with the rest of his seditious followers to submit themselves unto the Emperour and to return again unto their wonted Obedience Whereunto he at length answered That if the Government of all Transilvania might be left unto himself alone if a natural Hungarian born might be still chosen Lieutenant General in Hungary if none but such as were Hungarians born should have the government and command of all the Garrisons in Hungary if the Wallon and French Souldiers might be shut out of Hungary if the natural Hungarians born might from thenceforth be regarded and provided of their pay if it might be lawful for every man to have the free Exercise of his Religion if the Authours of these Troubles might be delivered unto the Hungarians to be punished if the Emperour himself in Person should come and be present at the Parliament at Presburg if the German Garrison Souldiers should still keep themselves within the Places whereunto they were appointed without making of any Excursions into the Towns or Villages near unto them or hurting of the poor Country-men he could then be content to come to such a good Agreement for Peace With which offer he sent two of the Rebels his Followers unto Bassa who not liking thereof returned them back again without concluding of any thing But while things were thus in talk some of the Haiducks in the mean time with a number of Tartars joyned unto them in seeking after Booty surprised Gokara a Town over against Strigonium where having slain certain Germans which had the keeping of the Place and rifled the Town as they were about to set it on fire by the coming over of the Governour of Strigonium with his Garrison they were inforced to forsake the place and again to retire This loss received at Gokara was again by our men requited by the taking of Palantwar a good Fortress of the Turks after a long and cruel fight taken by Captain Bathian Commander of the Imperial Troops on this side of the River of Danubius whereinto a number of the Turks being retired were there together with the Garrison Souldiers all slain and amongst them divers men of great account who but some few days before were come thither Which Fortress the Captain caused to be forthwith razed because it should no more stand the Turks in stead for the annoying of the Christians The Turks about this time had a purpose to besiege Vacia a City not far from Vicegrade on the other side of Danubius a Place which still did them great harm and stood the Christians in great stead The Garrison of which Place was part Germans and part Hungarians as the rest of all the Garrisons in the Imperial Towns of Hungary were Of which the Turks purpose for the siege the treacherous Haiducks there in Garrison having got understanding conspired to deliver unto them the Place and yet not so contented to joyn thereunto a Treason more bloody and treacherous than was the betraying of the Town for finding themselves by farr too strong for the Germans in Garrison in the Town with them they fell upon them fearing no such matter and slew most part of them the rest saving themselves by speedy flight to Strigonium and so afterward according to their former pretended Treason delivered the Town unto the Turks joyning with them and the Tartars and directing them for the more easie spoiling of the Christians and the Country thereabout The taking of this City of Vacia had in short time called together great numbers of the Turks and Tartars out of all Places of the Realm who together with the Haiducks made a great and puissant Army to the Terrour of the Christians not then able to hold the field against them and the incouraging of the Turks thus holpen even by the Christians themselves to the destroying of one another With this Army they turned from Vacia to Gokara with a purpose from thence to have passed over the Danubius upon the Ice and to have surprised Strigonium Which Exploit they had once before attempted against the base Town being then by the Christians repulsed and beaten back with their great and small shot out of the Town as now they were again Howbeit that seeing the number of their Enemies daily more and more to increase they in Strigonium stood more in doubt of a second siege than they had done of the first whereof we have before spoken The Report of these so great Troubles and of the general revolt of the discontented Haiducks in Hungary much troubled and grieved the Christian Emperour who both in respect of his Honour and of the safety of his Estate raised what Power he might out of his Provinces thereabout and levied great sums of Money from his Subjects taking a Ducket upon every House in Austria being then in great fear of these Miseries and Mischiefs so fast spreading and still more and more increasing and approaching that way Unto whose Forces already on foot had the Aid promised from the King of Spain the Pope the Princes of Italy and Germany with six thousand Footmen and two thousand Horse out of Bohemia been in time joyned they might have made a sufficient Army under the Conduct of Basta the Emperours Lieutenant to have repressed both the attempts of the Enemy and the Insolency of the rebellious Haiducks All or most part of which Aid this year failing and Basta with his small Forces much weakened with Wants and the Extremity of Winter and not able to keep the Field the Enemies still increasing both in number and strength and without fear of any to encounter them at their Pleasure roaming up and down began now to draw near unto Vicegrade a good and strong Town of Hungary standing upon the side of Danubius about the mid way betwixt
the Country thereabouts was so plagued with such clouds of Grashoppers as they did shadow the very Sun beams and fell upon the City and Country round about The Turks consulted with their Wise-men what it might portend Who answered That they did foreshew great Plenty to follow But indeed they left not a green Herb nor Leaf in all the Country adjoyning not in the City where they entred into their very Chambers and annoyed them much being almost as big as Dormice with red wings And soon after there fell such extraordinary great Hail in Constantinople and Gallata with such abundance of Rain as the violence of the Water did suddenly shut up one of the Gates of the City and so rebounding filled their Shops and Houses that very many were in great danger of drowning Some Houses fell down and some People were slain the pavements of the streets were torn up and the stones carried together into great heapes We have formerly made relation of the Persians Victories and of the defeat and death of Cicala General of the Turks Army in the year 1605. And that the year following the Sophy having recovered whatsoever the Turks had taken from his Predecessors had extended the bounds of his Empire unto the black Sea from whence he sent an Ambassador unto the Grand Seignior to let him understand that having recovered what had been unjustly usurped from him he would proceed no further but desired to live in Peace the which might now be the better assured the one holding nothing from the other Moreover this Persian Ambassador having remained seven Months at the Sultans Port was in the end forced to retire into Persia without audience And lastly That Amurath Serder the Grand Visier was afterwards forced to convert his Arms against Gambolat and the Rebels of Asia and to neglect the War of Persia. year 1611 Notwithstanding the Persian War there arrived this year at Constantinople an Ambassador from Persia who according to the Turks manner was attended on by a great Troop of Ghaoux on Horseback Capigi's Janizaries and other Captains sent by the Sultan to conduct him to his lodging Within few days after his arrival there was a great show made in Constantinople by the several Trades of the City every one marching by themselves before the Grand Seigniors Serrail and representing unto him their manner of marching in the Wars and the order of their Provision some carrying on their Shoulders Sheep others Lambs Calves Beef c. All which was done of Policy to daunt and dishearten the Persian Ambassador and to encourage their own People and withal to let him know that there should be as great plenty in their Camps as he saw at that present And to abuse him still with the Imagination of their great Preparation the Chimacham or Visiers Lieutenant sent the next day for this Persian Ambassador and during their Conference had taken order That the Emperour of Tartaria's Brother who was then in the Sultans Court should come in at whose entrance the Chimacham arose from his Place Oh said he I know for what you come It is for Money for your Souldiers you shall receive it at such a Place Which words were heard by a Dragoman to the English Ambassador being then present the which was done to terrifie the Persian Ambassador and at the same time and to the same end they sent over divers Troops of Souldiers to Scudaret as if they had been ready to march with an Army The Turks great Armies are not raised in haste neither do they march in post when as the Spahi's that is to say the Horsemen which make the greatest part of his Army and have no other Pay or Entertainment than the Revenues of certain Land are discharged they must have a whole year to recover their Revenue and to put themselves in Equipage and moreover it is threescore days march for an Army from Constantinople into Persia. Also in the year 1609 and 1610 the Turk had not attempted any thing against the Persian who still sollicited him for Peace The greatness of the Othoman Empire could not resolve to make a Peace having receiv'd so great defeats they would give it but as Victors not as vanquished But this year Achmat resolved to send a puissant Army of above 150000 men against this antient Enemy of his House under the command of Amurath Serder his Grand Visier But before the Army entred into Persia it was without a Commander by the death of Serder in the end of Iuly so as they were forced to stay and attend the Sultans pleasure from Constantinople It was suspected that he had been poisoned by Nassuf Bassa one that stood out in Rebellion against the Grand Seignior and yet he had many Friends in the Turks Army wherefore to prevent all Mutinies and consequently the overthrow of the whole Army Amurath Bassa in his Sickness advised the Grand Seignior by Letters which he sent unto him to make Nassuf General of the whole Army and so by fair means to draw him home and then to dispose of him at his pleasure The Sultan with his Bassaes approved well of this Advice and chose him Grand Visier and General of the Army who having received the Seal and Authority did forthwith put many of Amurath's friends to death and with their money paid all the Souldiers which had wanted pay whereof some had been without five years before he also sent unto the Grand Seignior threescore and ten Mules laden with money of Amurath's treasure and threescore with goods all which the Sultan gave to Amurath's Wise and Children It is strange to read how the Grand Seignior doth tyrannize over his Subjects and how severely he doth punish the least omission in any of his Officers for I find it observed that the seventh of Ianuary in the end of this year 1611 the Grand Seignior being abroad in the Snow and not well provided for of fuel he caused Stambol Aga who had that charge to be strip't naked and sât in the Snow four or five hours Indeed this Winter was very rigorous and there fell abundance of Snow throughout all Turkie with great Storms many Houses were beaten down and amongst others the French Consul at Aleppo was slain with the fall of his own house Nassuff parted from Asia and marched with his Army unto the Frontiers of Persia where he committed such Spoils as the Sophy was constrained to draw all his Forces together to prevent the ruine of his Countrey being then about the midst of August But when they were come to a Battel the Persian finding the Party unequal for him and dangerous offered Conditions of Peace and promised to give the Turk a quantity of Silk which should make the charge of two hundred Camels for a yearly Tribute in acknowledgment of some Countreys which he had conquered from the Othomans These offers were accepted at Constantinople but there was added that the Persian's Son should be called
seek to ward off the blow of a War with Germany and yet secretly nourished and encouraged it by giving Orders to the Pasha of Buda to take up his Winter-quarters with the Prince of Transylvania and to follow his Directions but yet so to govern Matters with Caution as not to engage too far on uncertain Grounds or doubtful Hazard but to embrace Propositions of Peace if offered with Honour and Security In prosecution of these Rules Morteza observing that Weymar and Mansfelt having united their Forces with Gabor had formed a considerable Army and were able to fight with Wallestein General of the Imperialists joined also his Forces to theirs judging it a prudent and politick Design to wage a War at the Blood and Expence of others With these Encouragements and with the favour of a good Opportunity the Confederates fell upon the Army of Wallestein near the River Gran who not being able to withstand their Force and Fury was put to flight and pursued in the Rear with great slaughter and endeavouring to pass the River on two Bridges of Boats were closely followed by the Prince's Forces who gaining the Pass put the whole Army into great amazement and resolved to pursue them to the Gates of Presburg or Vienna Notwithstanding this Success the Prince of Transylvania observing the backwardness of his Allies to contribute the Succours of Men and Mony which they had promised and fearing that the unfortunate Estate of the Turkish Affairs should cause the Sultan to disown the War dispeeded a Messenger to the Emperor in the Winter-season to excuse the Constraint upon him of taking up Arms and to offer Terms of Accommodation and Peace But the Emperor refused all Treaties until such time as Gabor had separated himself from his Allies and from association with the Turk Upon which Answer Gabor retired to Cassovia and Morteza to Pesth This Compliance gave beginning to a Treaty at Komara where the Commissioners on part of the Emperor of the Grand Signior and Prince of Transylvania assembled All Parties seemed inclinable to War and yet with occult Intentions to make Peace being necessitated thereunto by the urgency of their distinct Interests The Emperor was urged by his Wars with the Protestants of Germany and apprehension of Forces from England in favour of the Elector Palatine then King of Bohemia The Grand Signior was encumbred by the unfortunate condition of his Wars in Asia And Bethlem Gabor jealous of being disowned by the Port deserted by his Allies and exposed to fight and contend singly with the Emperor In short Gabor concluded a Peace with the Emperor apart which gave some Jealousies and displeasure to the Grand Signior Howsoever he dissembled his Discontent and willingly interessed Gabor with Morteza as Commissioner for him who being variously disposed yet moved with the considerations of their common Advantage work'd all Differences into a Composition of Peace the Articles of which being brought to Constantinople by an Internuncio from the Emperor and delivered in presence of the two Ambassadors of Gabor they were accepted by the Chimacam and ratified by the Grand Signior Articles of Peace concluded between the Emperor of Germany Ferdinand the Second and Bethlem Gabor in the Month of December 1626. I. THE Prince of Transylvania doth promise by the Faith of a Christian never to move Arms or use any Hostility against the Majesty of the Emperor or the House of Austria or their Successors much less to enter into their Dominions with an Army nor to aid his Enimies or keep a Correspondence with them Not to plot any Innovation in the Kingdom of Hungary or other Christian Countries Nor to stir up or provoke the Turks Tartars or others to invade them Not to entertain or assist in any evil Counsel against his Majesty nor to give ear to the Requests and Destres of his Enemies but rather to reveal all their Conspiracies and Wickednesses which shall be made known unto him and by all means to demonstrate and shew a sincere mind truly desirous of Peace and sollicitous of the Common Good. III. That the Prince shall instantly depart with his whole Army out of the Territories and Cities of the Emperor and that he shall restore as well all Goods belonging to the Imperial Treasure as those of his faithful Subjects III. That he shall remove from him the Rebel Mansfelt and all other his Followers and Adherents desirous to invade the Dominions of the Emperor And that he shall not aid any Stranger whatsoever who at his Instance hath entered into the Territories of his Majesty with Count Mansfelt to whom Letters of Publick Safety shall be given that they may return by twenty or thirty in a Troop conditionally that in no place of their Retreat they shall joyn with the Enemies of the Emperor IV. That seeing it is fit for Establishment of the Peaâe that the Inhabitants of Countries and Cities belonging to the Prince by consent of the Emperor should remain during his Life in Obedience and Fidelity to him and that those Inhabitants should do Homage to the Emperor saving their corporal Oath to the Prince to keep inviolate these Articles That they should have leave by Letters of full Authority and Power granted them by the Prince in their first Assemblies and Conventions to make sâch Oath of Homage V. That at the same time of performing the Homage and Oath besides the Oath before the last War they shall take a new Oath according to the Agreement between the Prince and the Commissioners of the Emperor VI. The Prince shall procure that all Places upon the Confines which were taken by the Turks in the last War be restored and that all Captives taken Prisoners shall be set at liberty And that the Prince shall procure the freedom of all such the Emperor's Subjects as shall be in the Turkish Captivity VII That all the Subjects of the Emperor lately incited and drawn to the Service of the Prince shall be free from their Oath and if the Prince hath any of their Writings Obligatory in his Hands that he shall restore them And that these Conditions being confirmed all other things formerly treated shall remain in their former State and Vigour VIII That if any other Difficulties arise they shall be accommodated with Fidelity and Quietness by Commissioners on both Parts And that all those who in the last Commotions have served the Prince shall be absolved according to the Treaty and Agreement at Vienna IX That all the Inhabitants of Cities and Countries which have served the Prince shall be absolved only those excepted who have voluntarily taken up Arms against the Emperor for whom the Prince only shall intercede excusing always private Men who have done private Wrongs for they shall according to Law and Custom seek their Restitution by Civil Action X. That all other Articles of Peace concluded at Nichilsburg and Vienna shall remain in their former Vigour and Force And that all Goods of the Emperor's Clergy
Allegiance would be in hazard of losing all by the coming of a Foreign Prince who having Confidents of his own to prefer and grand Necessities to satisfy would make bold even with Estates and Provinces to prefer his Favorites his Kindred and Country-Men and establish the firmness of his Government on their Ruin. Yet setting aside those Considerations touching their own Safety and Interest she promised That if they would reach out their Hands unto her Son for to lift him unto the Throne he should acknowledg his Empire from them and accordingly love tender and esteem such faithful Subjects The Viziers after some Reflections on the Tye and Obligation which Sultan Morat had caused them to make to him declared and published it to be unlawful and void protesting That they were resolved to maintain inviolable the Allegiance they owed unto Sultan Ibrahim descended from the Ottoman Blood which they reverenced and adored with an Awe equal to the Religious Esteem which their Fore-fathers had of it and therefore with one Voice they cried out Let Sultan Ibrahim live Herewith the Council breaking up the Viziers accompanied with all the Officers and Attendants of the Seraglio went with Shouts and loud Acclamations to the Prison of Ibrahim to salute him Emperor for he poor Prince had now for four Years remained a sad Recluse in a dark Room where he had received neither Light nor Air but what came from a little Window which sometimes in favour was opened to him from Above and what was worse the continual expectations and fear of Death without Friends Conversation or Hope rendred those Apprehensions worse than Death it self which daily were represented to him in that Solemnity as might terrify a Mind more constant and firm than his So soon as he heard the SHouts and Voices of a Multitude near his Door he immediately conceived that the Fate was now come which he had so long expected and therefore he barred his Door and denied to give Entrance And when the Viziers proclaimed him Emperor fearing it might be some Artifice of his Brother to see with what Joy he would entertain the News he answered That he did not so much as think of the Empire nor desire it but only prayed that Sultan Morat might live to whom he pretended not to be a Brother but a Slave And when he perceived that they began to force the Door though with terms of Respect and Observance he still endeavoured to keep it close for Nature had taught him to conserve a Life howsoever Miserable and void of Consolation He continuing thus resolute not to open Reverence to his Person commanded them to forbear any ruder Violence until the Queen-Mother over-hearing all this Stir descended her self in Person and first causing the dead Corps of Sultan Morat to be extended before his Door with gentle Compellations and confident Assurances averred the Death of his Brother The Voice of his Mother began to dissipate the Fears and being in part already convinced by his Ears he adventured to peep at the Door and giving then entire Credence to his Eyes his Heart and Spirits consented to revive and so retiring back into his Chamber he willingly received the Congratulations of the Ministers and Souldiers which being past he readily applied his Shoulders to the Coffin of his dead Brother and having bore his share of that dear Burden to the Gate of the Seraglio he there resigned it to his Domestick Officers who buriâd him in the Sepulchre of Sultan Achmet From thence he took Boat and passed to the Mosch of Iub's Seraglio where in the space of eight days he compleated all the Ceremonies of his Coronation and afterwards according to the Custom of his Ancestors he rode through the City to his great Palace but whether it were for want of practice or by reason of a Posture natural unto Fools he sat so ridiculously on his Saddle as moved rather the Laughter than the Acclamation of the People In fine being entred the Seraglio he began to breath and enjoy the Air of Liberty with so much contentment and satisfaction that he unwillingly would empair the least Particle of his late acquired Freedom by thinking or attending to Business and as if he enjoyed sufficient committed all to the management of his Mother howsoever being desirous to handle something of the Government he did it with so little Grace and Dexterity that it plainly appeared that that Soul animated a Body not fit to sway or wield a Scepter The Queen-Mother to maintain the Word she had given to the Viziers continued them all in their respective Offices so that though there was great disproportion in the Mind of the two Princes yet the Ministers being the same there seemed to be little or no Alteration in the Government The Great Vizier remembring well the thoughts of War which Sultan Morat meditated against the Cossacks and being desirous of Glory and continuance of his Power resolved to prosecute the same Design hoping to meet a Spirit in Ibrahim equal to the Generosity of his Brother To this War many and various were the Motives as âirst A natural desire of Revenge on the Cossacks for having infested the Black Seas that they might thereby provoke Poland to a War which when they had reduced to some Extremity the Emperor would consequently fall in to their Assistance and thereby create Quarrels which must necessarily open a large Field of Troubles which being sown with the Seed of Discord could not fail to produce Causes and Pretentions for a War. It being thus resolved to which the Vizier neither wanted Eloquence nor Reasons to perswade great Preparations were made for a War which was intended to be maintained for many Years During which time God who disposes all Things at his Pleasure permitted a false Report to fly that the Persians were providing a great Army to besiege Bagdat to which the Turks giving entire Credence it was resolved in the Divan that those Preparations against Christendom should be diverted towards the Parts of the Eastern Countries By this vain Rumour only were all these Grand Designs disappointed and all farther Thoughts vanished for the present of molesting the Christians From whence it is observable how necessary are the Foreign Residences of Ministers and how absurdly the Turks err who by reason of their Pride vouchsafe not to entertain Ambassadors in the Courts of Strangers being beholden to the Jews or Armenian-Merchants for all their Intelligence they receive touching the Affairs of Neighbouring Kingdoms The Wars being thus suspended the Great Vizier had time to cast his Eyes about him and contrive the Ruin of such whom he suspected most dangerous to his Condition Amongst the rest none appeared more formidable than Mustapha Pasha Captain-Pasha a young brisk Person and Favourite of the Queen-Mother whom to remove was difficult and dangerous being a Vizier as well as he and in one of the most eminent Degrees of Dignity in the whole Empire And therefore that he might touch
of Peace had made secure these were to be seconded by four thousand Souldiers which lay ready in a Neighbouring Vally but it happened That an Officer of the Garrison returning from Hunting had by chance discovered this strong Party of Turks which caused him to quicken his pace towards the Town and overtaking in his way certain Carts of Straw which appearing to be laden in a form different to what was usual increased in him a farther suspicion of Treachery howsoever he proceeded forward with the more haste yet without any appearance of Jealousy until being entred into the Town he declared what he had seen at which the Garison was immediately in Arms and having permitted the Carts to enter the Bridg was drawn up and the Carts being searched the whole Fraud and Treachery was discovered and having made the Turks Prisoners and armed the Walls with Souldiers the whole Design was disappointed so that those who lay in Ambush returned to their own Cities The Emperor hereupon resolved to send an Ambassador to Constantinople to complain of this Treachery whereof the Turks being ashamed and the more because it did not succeed refused to admit the Ambassador unless the Emperor would first agree to pay a yearly Charge of an hundred thousand Rix-Dollars to the Port not by way of Tribute but of Present in which unreasonable Demand they took more confidence in regard they perceived that the Emperor was engaged in a War against the Swede Upon this dishonourable Demand the Emperor deferr'd the Embassy intended supposing it less perilous to adventure a War in Hungary than dishonourable to condescend unto a Proposition so derogatory to the Majesty of his Cesarean Greatness year 1643. This Year 1643 being entered the Prince of Transylvania conveyed his Annual Tribute being ten thousand Zechins to the Port which when the Agents of that Prince presented before the Vizier he seemingly refused it pretending that the compleat Tribute was to be fifteen thousand according to Agreement but the Agents replied that five thousand had been remitted unto Bethlem Gabor not by way of Gratuity or Recompence for his Service but in Exchange or as the price of two Cities which the Prince had yielded to the Sultan out of his own proper Estate in Hungary With which Answer the Vizier remained satisfied being jealous of the Turbulent and active Spirit of that Prince During all these Wars and Revolutions in Kingdoms and States Sultan Ibrahim contained and contented himself within the Precincts of his Seraglio where becoming a faithful and valiant Soldier of Venus he consumed more Treasure in that War than his Brother Morat did in Foreign Conquests and being as it were entered into the Mahometan Paradise where the Company of fair Women is the chiefest Felicity promised he laboured to increase the Ottoman Family and to acquit his People of the apprehension they had of wanting an Heir to succeed in the Throne so that on the 15 th of February he had a second Son born and a third on the 12 th of March following which absolutely took away the Reproach of his Frigidity or Impotence proving afterwards the most lascivious and devout Sultan that ever aspired to the Mahometan Heaven This Year the Turks armed out twenty Gallies more than usual besides thirty Sail of Ships and Gally-Grosses in the beginning of Iune riding at the Seraglio Point where the Commanders in Chief came to take their leave of Sultan Ibrahim they divided into two Squadrons one of which consisting of twenty Gallies under the Command of Beker Pasha took their Voyage into the Black Sea the remainder under the Captain Pasha sailed for Cyprus with intention to do Justice on the Pasha of that Island whose Riches gained by Oppression had debauched him from due Obedience towards his Prince and being arrived there without Rumor or Noise giving signs of good Will and Respects towards the Pasha one day he sent to invite him Aboard to banquet with him where the Pasha foolishly coming and having well eaten and drank with him his Entertainment had not time time to digest before he breathed his Last for being on his departure the Slaves assaulted him and strangled him by Order of the Captain-Pasha No other Matters remarkable did the Turkish Fleet perform this Year at Sea before they returned again to their Winter-Quarters Howsoever this Year proved favourable to many poor Christians in Slavery for there happening a most miserable Plague in Alexandria which relaxed the Spirits of Men and rendered every one so negligent in his Office that about four-thousand Slaves taking advantage of such Remisness in their Guardians seized a Ship in Port and crouding themselves therein set Sail and landed some of their People at Candia others at Malta the rest at Marscillia by which means they happily regained their Liberty on which incouragement eight hundred more adventuring to perform the like and fighting in a Body at the Gate of Alexandria three hundred of them were slain the rest leaped into a Gally which though without Oars had yet her Sails to the Yard and having the fortune of a favourable Wind arrived safe at Candia in like manner they became free taking convenient passage from thence to divers parts of Christendom These Slaves were all redemanded by the Grand Signior from the Venetians in which no Satisfaction being given was one Cause and Original of that War which afterwards ensued And now the Year 1644 being begun year 1644. Ragotski who was never contented but in Combustions and never at ease but when he was proving new Projects made Demands of certain Places on the Confines of Moravia scituated within the Mountains which he challenged as the Inheritance of his Son besides other Pretences which he made in right of Bethlem Gabor To forward which Designs moved with an inveterate Enmity to the Austrian Family he endeavoured to win the Hearts of the Commonalty with a plausible Declaration for Liberty and to throw off the Yoke which had so long gauled the Neck of Hungary whereby having raised an Army of twenty thousand Horse and thirty thousand Foot he entred and spoiled the Country of his old Enemy and Neighbour the Count of Humanay an Hungarian took Solnock by force and besieged Fileck and Cassovia For suppression of which Insurrection and Rebellion of Ragotski the Emperor was forced to a War and having Rendezvoused his Army at Presbourg the Conduct thereof was committed to the Charge of Count Puceain The Turks having intelligence of these Preparations for War commanded twenty thousand Men to march into those Parts to oppose these Combustions on the Frontiers with six-thousand of which the Count Puecaim encountering furiously assaulted and routed them And in the mean time Ragotski laying aside all care for the War in Hungary applied himself to relieve Olimz in Moravia but in his March thither he was recalled by the Inhabitants of Sendar which is a Castle erected on a Hill near Cassovia offering to surrender unto him but the Governor
made a present payment of one half but desired time for the Remainder either for want of that instant supply or else in hopes of ease of his Fine But the Sultan who is impatient of any delay in his Slaves which favours of obstinacy or disobedience tho never so reasonable dispatched another Command enjoining present Compliance and as a Penalty for the late Neglect raised the Demand from four hundred to six hundred Purses which if not as readily payed as required the Kimacham of Constantinople was impowered to commit him Prisoner within the four Gates of the Seraglio the fatal Prison from whence few find other Release than by Death The Pasha not being able to comply was there restrained of his Liberty and yet had the good fortune in a few days to obtain his freedom by the endeavours as some suppose of the Great Vizier who having by this Act weakened his Power and Treasure did afterwards as an instrument of his Deliverance conserve his Life and obtain for him the Government of Darbiquier where being remote and obscure at so far a distance could never be capable to shadow or by his great popularity and affable comportment endanger the present happy state of the Vâziers Office. Matters growing now towards Action by return of the Spring the Grand Signior to incourage his Vizier in a continuance of his duty sent him a Horse and a Sword as a Testimony of his favour and good esteem of his Person and Orders were issued out through all the Empire for publick Prayers to be made some days before the Vizâer began his March towards the Enemy This appointment of publick Devotions occasioned matter of argument and dispute between the Mufti and a Shegh or Preacher one that was always near the Grand Signiors Person and therefore on Confidence of his familiar Access to the Presence of the Sultan and on Presumption of his Sanctity and Priviledg of his Office took Liberty to oppose and contradict the Oracle of the Ottoman Law. The Problem in question was Whether Prayers appointed for success of the Ottoman Arms according to the Law of their Prophet were to be made privately and in every Mosch or Oratory apart or in a general Assembly of the whole City The Mufti maintained the last Position citing in favour of his Opinion the Testimony of divers Arabick Doctors and the customs of the present and past times The Shegh on the contrary was for Devotions to be performed in every Mosch declaring That the Assembly of all the People of a City into one Body did nothing avail or inforce the Power or Prayer for they being true Believers were all illuminated and had no need of helps to make their Prayers more fervent or more acceptable The Argument was hot on both sides and tho the Mufti had got another Shegh on his part who might pretend to as much of Illumination as the other and joyned to the Muâti's Opinion who is the Mouth and undoubted Interpreter of the Law might seem able not only to resolve the knottiest difficulties but to impoâe an Assent on them with greater Authority yet the Shegh having the Grand Signior on his side presently got most of Reason and forced the Muâti to recant his former Opinion as Erroneous and to banish the other Shegh his Companâon pretending that he was now convinced and had sooner discovered the truth had not the Impostâr the false Preacher deceived him by his feâgned Illuminations This Victory gained the Shegh much applause and eââeem with the Grand Signior so that he venâed what Doctrine he pleased and all he said was taken for Divine Rules and Precepts He was born about Van on the Coâfiâes of Persia so that he is called Vanni Efendâ and is of the Armenian Race he preached every Friday at Adrianople in one Moâch or other where the Grand Signior was for the most part present and tho the greatest part of his âermons were stuffed up with Praises of the Mahâmââan Religion and Invectives against Christians sentencing all polluted and profane who assâciate with them and exclaiming against the Abomination of Wine yet it is confidently reported that he is no strict Observer of the Law he proâesses the which his Disciples and Familiars are ready to excuse in him saying That it may be lawful for him to dispense with such matters in regard his Illuminations and high Prerogatives of Sanctity have infranchised him from observance of the meaner and less substantial points of the Law. The Turks who are as much given to Predictions and Interpretations of old Prophecies as ever the Egyptians were busied themselves this year more than ever to know the Event of this War. Some who had studied ancient Arabick Predictions had extracted certain Astrological Figures and from thence framed strange Fancies according to the humour or melancholly of the Astrologer one whereof coming to the Grand Signiors ears mentioning divers things obscurely and in general of the great Effusion of Blood but that at last the Advantage and Victory should remain to the Turk and that the Grand Signior himself should shortly make a Journey the Grand Signior troubled hereat as much as ever Pharaoh was about the Interpretation of his Dream sent for one of the Chief Justâces of the Law called the Kadilescher and with him conferâed concerning this Prediction all things pleased him well but only the latter part of making a Journey Whither that Journey should be he could not imagine his Arms were âo prosperous in Hungary that he conceived the Vâzâer had no need of his Preâence either to animate or recruit his Army and to any other part he knew not what could move him from his delightful and beloved City of Adrianople The Kadâlescher supposing that he might put that Interpretation thereon which might not be ungrateful replied Perhaps O Emperour he may mean that you shall again reâurn to your sublime and happy Porâ of Cââstantinople The Grand Signior suddenly touched herewith burst into choler How said he to Constantinâple what joy what comfort can I have there Hath not that place been fatal to my Father What benefit had my Uncle from thence or any of my Race Have not all my Princes Ancestors been subject to a thousand mutinies and Rebellions in that place I shall sooner than return thither set fire to it with my own hands and rejoyce to see that City with my Seraglio brought to ashes And that we may farther discover the strange aversion the Sultan had to Constantinople and his resolution to change the Seat of his Empire it is observable that he built a small Seraglio not far from Adrianople in imitation of that near Constantinople called ãâã Pasha the place to which he most frequently resorted after that City fell under his dâslike and hatred The Village where his Pallace was built was called Chiâmlichoi or the Village of Pots where earthen Vessels were made but the Grand Signior changed the name and called it
and assigned Fifthly That what shall remain unshipped at the end of the twelve days aforesaid the Vizier shall with his own Boats assist to the lading thereof Sixthly That during this time of truce no person whatsoever shall transgress his Limits or pass the bounds of his Station or Quarters and that he who doth shall be treated as an Enemy Seventhly That so soon as these Articles shall be subscribed under the white Flag all Acts of Hostility shall cease both on one side and the other Eighthly That for security of performance of these Articles three Hostages be mutually given on one side and the other Ninthly That for better assurance that the Venetians will use all their endeavours to embark their Men and Goods the Turks may employ two Officers for Eye-witnesses of the same Tenthly That for better effecting hereof all Ships Gallies and other Vessels may freely approach near unto the shore and enter into the Port both by Day and Night Eleventhly That the Venetian Fleet may remain at Standia or at any other Island in the Archipelago until such time as they are dispatched or that things are duly prepared for their departure Twelfthly That all Commissions given by one side and the other be revoked and that whosoever shall after the space of forty days commit any Act of Hostility against the tenor of these Articles of Peace shall be punished with capital punishment Thirteenly That so soon as an Ambassador from Venice shall arrive at the Port all Slaves or Prisoners of War taken under the Venetian Colours shall be freed and released Fourteenthly That what depredations shall be made at Sea or Land after these Articles are subscribed and before the publication thereof shall be faithfully made good and restored Fifteenthly That a general pardon be given to the Subjects of both sides who have acted contrary to their Faith and Allegiance during this War. Sixteenthly That in Vertue of these Capitulations the former Articles be likewise confirmed which were made in the Year 1571 and that no Tribute or Present be demanded from the Port unless as hath formerly been paid for such Islands as the Venetians hold in the Archipelago Seventeenthly That of these Articles two Copies be made one in Turkish with its Translation into Italian subscribed by the Vizier and sealed with the Grand Signior's Signet and the other in Italian underwrote by the Captain-General and sealed with the Seal of the Republick These Articles being signed the Hostages were given both on one side and the other Those given by the Venetians were Faustino da Riva Lieutenant-General Giovanni Battista Calbo Commissary and Zaccaria Mocenigo who had been Duke of Candia Those given by the Turks were Belin Assan Pasha Mahomet Aga of the Janisaries and Giâgi Bei Tefterdar of Treasurer During this Siege of the Venetians side there were killed and wounded thirty thousand nine hundred eighty five of the Turks one hundred eighteen thousand seven hundred fifty four The Batteries which the Turks raised against Sabionera and St. Andrea consisted of fifty nine Pieces of Cannon carrying from fifty to an hundred and twenty pound weight of Bullet The Storms which the Turks made upon the Town were fifty six The Combats under ground forty five The Sallies made by the Venetians ninety six The Mines and Fornelli sprang by the Venetians eleven hundred seventy three by the Turks four hundred seventy two The Venetians spent Battels of Powder fifty thousand three hundred and seventeen Bomboes of all sorts by the Venetians of fifty to five hundred weight were forty eight thousand an hundred and nineteen Granadoes of Brass and Iron an hundred thousand nine hundred and sixty Granadoes of Glass eighty four thousand eight hundred seventy four Cannon shot of all sorts two hundred seventy six thousand seven hundred forty three Pounds of Lead eighteen millions forty four thousand nine hundred fifty seven Of Match pounds thirteen millions twelve thousand five hundred What quantities the Turks might consume of Ammunition is not certain only it is observable That the Brass taken up in the streets which came from the Enemies Bomboes was so much that whole Ware-houses were filled with the Metal and so much sold as yielded many thousands of Crowns The Articles being subscribed and Hostages given the Captain-General attended with all application of mind and industry imaginable to imbark the Men and Ammunition committing in the mean time the care of the City to Cornaro the Proveditor of the Fleet. During these days that all things were providing in order to a Surrender there was great silence in the Turkish Camp and no disorder in the City the Souldiers on the Ramparts and the Turks in their Trenches saluted each other with civility and entertained communication and discourses together with friendship and freedom of several passages relating to their War nothing of quarrel or sââffle or rude words happening out between them in all the term of the twelve days The Vizier sent divers times civil Messages and Presents of refreshment to the Captain-General and Marquess St. Andrea which they returned with equal respect and generosity and so excessive were the Turks in these offices that the Venetians began to be jealous lest under this mark and guise of courtesie some sraud or design should be covered according to their own Proverb Chi ti fa piu carezze che suole ó ti ha engannato ó enganar ti vuole In short all things were dispatched with that diligence and care that on the 27 th of September the City was consigned all the Inhabitants departed thence not one remaining in the City except only two Greek Priests a Woman and three Jews In this manner the Whole Isle of Candia the cause and occasion of all that Blood and Treasure that was spilt and exhausted in twenty five years War fell at length to the fortune and increase of the Turkish Empire with its most impregnable Fortress of the World strengthened with as much Art and Industry as the human Wiâ of this Age was capable to invent after a strait Siege of two years three months and twenty seven days For the space of twelve days allotted for the Surrender being expired on the 27 17 th of September being Friday the great Cross erected on the Wall was after midnight taken down and advice given to the Venetians so soon as the morning dawned that the Turks did that day attend the Surrender which was accordingly performed by the Principal Citizen about nine of the clock of the same morning who offering the Keys of the City to the Great Vizier in a Bason of Silver on the breach of St. Andrea was by him presented with a Vest of Sables and five hundred Zechins in Gold and to his Servants were given two hundred To Morosini also a Present was offered worthy his Quality but he refused it saying That he would never give a seeming occasion to the malicious World to slander him with the least appearance of having
have been prohibited and now I know that this is the sum of the most important Affair conducing to my Kingdoms and my own Felicities and in general the principal and greatest care and the best and most necessary Canon of my Empire so that being desirous to satisfie the Creator of the World my Royal and immutable Will resolves to cleanse and purifie the Musulmin Kingdoms of this prohibited and filthy abomination wherefore when this Royal Command comes to your hands wheresoever there are Taverns of Wine let them be rased and thrown down in all Cities and Towns ennobled with Musulmin Moschs let the buying and selling thereof be prohibited with all drinking and use of Wine and likewise I command That in Constantinople Brusa and Adrianople the Imposition thereupon be wholly taken off And that in all other Cities and Towns adorned with Musulmin Moschs there be not a drop of Wine suffered or admitted in and that Musulmins neither privately nor secretly drink Wine and whosoever is or shall be Author of this sin and to alter my Command in this particualr either now or hereafter may he be punished by the Vniversal Lord of all the World. Likewise when this my Command of high Reputation appears which is a Royal Writing let it be annexed to the Decretal Rolls and be put in execution according as it is obligatory And when this Command comes to your hands you are to have all due care of this injoyned particular That it operate according to the Tenor of this Royal Injunction participating of Prosperity and Majestick Power by virtue of which you are to reprove reprehend hinder and prohibit according to the Law of God the drinking of Wine and that it may be wholly taken away let the Tax and Revenue which proceeds from thence be taken off and in all guarded and governed Cities and places of my Kingdoms let the Taverns be ruined and overthrown And therefore you are to make known and publish to all Citizens and Inhabitants the force of this my Royal Command as well in the City of Smyrna as in other Cities and Towns ennobled with Musulmin Moschs and you are to ruine the Taverns which are found there And you are to take away the Houses of Entertainment amongst the Franks which are in Smyrna that sell Wine nor shall they sell Wine in their own houses but you shall hinder and prohibit them and if those Taverns shall be the Possessions of private men you shall advise the Owners of them or if they be bequeathed by Testament to the Deputies of the Muteveli you shall admonish them with earnestness and threats That in the place of Taverns they raise other more profitable and lawful Buildings and that they re-edifie them in a different form from the first And the Taverns being ruined and demolished according to my Royal Command and the Butts and other Vtensils thereof taken away you shall make a publick Arz thereof and send it to my Royal Stirrup and you being admonished thereof by my Royal Admonition you are to have a care that neither in the City nor Suburbs thereof nor in Cities adorned with Royal Moschs any person whatsoever bring in Wine or one drop thereof or that the buying or selling thereof be admitted and that no Musulman drink Wine For if after this I come to understand That any person have brought in Wine though it be but one drop I swear by the Holy Souls of my Grandfathers and great Grandfathers that those who bring it in or sell it or drink it shall be punished with such tortures as were never inflicted on any before In short this being a business so important as to the Faith as to my Empire my strong intention and firm resolution is to cleanse and purifie in the highest degree as well the Frontiers as the Royal Seats of my Empire from so foul a sink of so much filthiness and dissention year 1671. and therefore do injoyn this Royal Writing of high felicity so far that nothing shall be able to change or alter it or rovoke this Command of Majestick Reputation And for the future let him be who he will that shall offer to oppose or alter or change this my Command declared by these Presents or have intention or design to the contrary may the curse of God be upon him In conformity hereunto know you that are Iudges that this being my Will and Pleasure and ultimate Resolution you are to register this noble Command in the Book of publick Aâts and Decrees that so it may be preserved and for execution thereof you are to use all your diligence and power and therein to take due care for if after these Admonitions Confirmations Menaces and Rigors Wine be either bought or sold in the Cities or Suburbs or other places as before or that there remains any Tavern not ruined or if in any wise a drop of VVine be bought or sold you shall receive due punishment and your self suffer the same torments which are threatned against those who are publickly guilty of the transgression of this Law. Therefore know this and knowing it give credit to my noble Firme Dated in the Month Rabiul Evel Hegeira 1081. in Adrianople And now one would imagine that this Command being a Hartesheriff signed with the Grand Signior's own hand would have been of durable and perpetual Force and Authority But experience hath shewed us the contrary that in one Year after Licence being first given to Franks to make Wine in their own houses and especially to all Christian Ministers in one year more the indulgence became universal and Taverns were again admitted and still continue as common and free as in former times Anno Christi 1671. Hegeira 1082. THE Ship which carried the Presents for the Turks and designed to transport the Ambassadour being cast away new preparations were made and the Gally Brazzana commanded by Alexandra Zeno a noble Venetian was dispatched with them being ordered to transport Signior Molino the Ambassadour to the Port who was received with the usual honours due to his Quality and Character all which Ceremonies and Offices being past several matters occured which were not so well expressed in the Capitulations but that they needed an explication and new Orders and Models for redress of Affairs in Dalmatia For the Morlacchs who in the time of the War had submitted themselves to the obedience of the Venetians began now to infest the Country and to enter into those places which in the first years of the War they had destroyed and abandoned the Turks on the other side opposed them and the Country being open many skirmishes happened and as many troubles ensued as in the time of the War. For adjusting these differences Mahomet Pasha of Bosna was dispatched into those Countries with Authority and Instructions where on the other side he was met by Antonio Barbaro Proveditor General of Dalmatia and Albania appointed by the Senate to accord and settle the differences of the Confines and the place
sustained on either part shall be quiet taken away and forgotten and this Peace shall be in fâll force and vertue and continue for ever And for all Depredations and Damages that shall hereafter be Committed or done by either side before Notice can be given of this Peace full satisfaction be immediately made And whatsoever remains in kind shall instantly be restored XXIII That whatsoever shall happen hereafter that any thing is done or committed by the Ships or Subjects of either side contrary to any of these Articles Satisfaction being Demanded therefore shall be made to the full and without any manner of Delay and that it shall not be Lawful to break this Peace unless such satisfaction be denyed and our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall be the Cause of the breaking of this Peace shall assuredly be punished with present Death Confirmed and Sealed in the Presents of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ one thousand six hundred seventy five Being the last day of the Moon Zelheldga and the year of the Hegeira on thousand and eighty six WHereas there were several Articles of Peace and Commerce between the most Serene and Mighty Prince Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Great-Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Christian Faith c. And the most Illustrious Lords Halil Bassa Ibraim Dei Aga Divan and Governors of the Noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary lately made and concluded by the said Lords on the one part And by Sir John Narbrough Knight Admiral of his said Serene Majesties Fleet in the Mediterranean Seas on the other part and by them confirmed and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God the fifth day of March Old Stile And in the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1675 6 being the last day of the Moon Zelhedga And the year of the Hegeira 1086. Since which time of Confirming and Sealing the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce The aforesaid Lord Ibraim Dei being fled away from the Government of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary Now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan Governors Souldiers and People of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly have Choosen and Elected Vice Admiral Mustapha Grande to be Dei of the aforesaid City and Kingdom of Tripoly to succeed Ibraim Dei in the aforesaid Government And now we Halil Bassa Aga Divan and Governors Souldiers and People of Tripoly aforesaid having seen the aforesaid Articles of Peace and Commerce which were lately made and concluded as aforesaid And having seriously perus'd and fully considered all particulars therein mentioned Do fully approve of all and every the aforesaid Articles of Peace and we and every one of us do now by these presents consent and agree to and with Sir John Narbrough Knight aforesaid for the just and exact keeping and performing of the said Articles And do accept approve ratifie and confirm all and every of them in the same manner and form as they are incerted and repeated in the preceding Articles aforesaid hereby firmly engaging our selves and successors assuring on our faith sacredly to maintain and strictly to observe perform and keep inviolably all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles of Peace and Agreements for ever And to cause and require all our Subjects and people of what degree or quality whatsoever within the City or Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary or Dominions thereunto belonging both by Sea and Land punctually inviolably carefully and duly to observe keep and perform all and every the aforesaid Article and Articles thereof for ever And our Faith shall be our Faith and our word our word and whosoever shall at any time violate and break any part of the said Article or Articles of Peace they shall be assuredly punished with greatest severity and his or their heads shall be immediately cut off and forthwith be presented unto any Officer whom the most Serene King of Great Britain c. shall Authorize to make Demand thereof It is further agreed that the Subjects belonging unto the most serene King of Great Britain c. Trading unto the Port of the City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary aforesaid or to any Port or Place of the Dominions thereunto belonging in any Merchants Ship or other Vessel belonging to the said Serene Kings Subjects shall not pay so much Custom by one per Cent. for whatsoever Goods or Merchandize they sell or buy as other Nations do for the Customs of the like Goods or Merchandize notwithstanding whatsoever is Specified in the Second Article aforesaid to the contrary And that the most Serene King of Great Britains Consul residing in Tripoly aforesaid shall have Liberty at all times when he pleaseth to put up his said Serene Majesties Flag on the Flag-staff on the Top of his House and thereto continue it spread as long time as he pleaseth likewise the said Consul to have the same Liberty of puâting up and spreading the said Flag in his Boat when he passeth on the Water and no Man whatsoever to Oppose Molest Disturb or Injury him therein either by Word or Deed. These and all other preceding Articles are to remain firm for ever without any alteration and in all other particulars not mentioned in any of these Articles the Regulation shall be according to the Capitulation general with the Grand Signior Confirmed likewise and Sealed in the Presence of Almighty God at our Castle in the noble City and Kingdom of Tripoly in Barbary the first day of May Old Stile and in the year of our Lord Iesus Christ 1676 being the twenty sixth day of the Moon Zaphire and the year of the Hegeira 1080. Halil Bassa's Seal Mustapha Dei's Seal Aga's Seal Ally Admiral 's Seal A True Coppy Examined out of Sir John Narbroughs Thomas Fowler HAving thus related the original cause proceedings and conclusion of our War with Tripoly Let us Travel to Tunis which though since the year 1655 hath ever maintained Peace with England yet the civil dissentions among themselves have administred unto us Subject of discourse and more especially since it hath some relation to Hoffse-bey whom formerly we named as Mediator of the Peace between Us and Tripoly On the sixth of September 1675. Morat Bei General of all the Land Forces in the Kingdom of Tunis dyed the most Politick and Popular Person that ever mannaged that Office his Sons Ciddi Mehmet and Ciddi Ali by the general approbation and consent of the Souldiery joyntly succeeding him in that charge But the ambition of these two young Gallants would admit no union in the Government the Elder would know no equal and the younger no superior so that it was necessary for one to govern or both to be laid aside the decision of which was referred to a full Assembly of the Turks In the mean time Hoffsey-bey Brother to Morat deceased and Uncle to the two
moved by their reiterated Prayers and Supplications graciously to affranchise them from the Yoke of that Nation 'T is therefore that We communicate this Design to you as Our faithful Minister by the Bassa Caput and the Aga Starra with express Command that you make your self forthwith ready to deliver the Hungarians from the Oppression of their Enemies with all the Forces of Transilvania which shall be immediately reinforced with those of Valachia and of the Bassa of Silistria 13003 Ianizaries and 20000 Horse for We have promised them Our Imperial Protection in consideration of the Fidelity which they have manifested to Vs which We have since had experience of And therefore We Command you yet again to neglect nothing that may tend to the Execution of Our Pleasure and good Will to the end that by the Assistance of the most High and most Mighty God this People so cruelly oppressed may be forthwith delivered from the Bondage of the unmerciful Germans In the mean time you shall from time to time inform Our great Ottoman Mightiness with what shall happen and what you shall have done pursuant hereunto And you are farther enjoyned to take heed that you do nothing that may be disadvantageous to Our Incomparable Greatness Abaffi animated with this Mandate and having received the Orders that were necessary drew his Troops together and joyned with Tekeley with the Turks the Valachians and the Moldavians emitting withal a Declaration That he did not Arm against the Interest of Christendom but only to deliver the Protestants of Hungary from the Oppression they laboured under by restoring them in their Possessions and their Churches and re-establishing them in their ancient Priviledges He added that the Grand Seignior had expresly commissioned him for this Expedition which he also undertook with the consent of all the States of Transilvania He had besieged Zatmar and pressed the place vigorously to shew the Defendants that he was in a Condition to force them if they would not voluntarily Surrender A few days after he received a recruit of 8000 Men which the Bassa of Buda sent him who had already assembled an Army of 40000 Men which he incamped near the place of his Government Whilst Abaffi was engaged in the aforesaid Siege 3000 Turks made an Inroad into Styria near Gratz where they took a 1000 Prisoners which they made Slaves and very much Pillage And now the Grand Seignior resolves not only to assist the Malecontents but joyntly with them to force the Places of Hungary until they were in a condition to pay him the Tribute they were engaged to do In the mean time Abaffi having made his Circumvaâlation about Zatmar divided his Army into four Bodies The first was composed of the Transilvanians the second of the Moldavians the third of Turks and the fourth of the Malecontents and he forced the City but could not take the Citadel which obliged him to raise his Siege Many were the Discourses of this Action and some gave out that Abaffi had no mind to take the Place upon a Surmise that the Grand Seignior pretended it should be delivered into his Hands upon Surrender However it was it is certain that the Bassa which commanded the Ottomans at this Siege sent great Complaints to Constantinople against this Prince which obliged him to return into his own Countrey lest his Enemies should take advantage by his absence Thus this great Army vanished as well by the misintelligence of the Chiefs and the rigour of the Season the Winter approaching as by the Vigilancy of Count Caprara the Imperial General who tho' he was not able to fight the Enemy did notwithstanding perpetually incommode them with Parties and Detachments Tekely hereupon having pillaged and burnt Kalo except the Citadel which he garrisoned put his Troops into their Winter quarters But the Turks to finish their Campania would surprise the Castle of Pettinia upon the Borders of Croatia but their design being discovered the Militia of the Country drawing into a body forced them to retire On the side of the Christians the Winter was spent in fruitless Treaties and Contestations betwixt the Ecclesiasticks and Seculars save that the Empress was crowned Queen of Hungary which was effected with great Magnificence and Pomp. On the other side the Turks having agreed with the Muscovites year 1682. the Grand Seignior resolved by the Council of his great Visier to carry his Arms into Hungary in order to which vast Magazins were made at Belgrade and other places of his Obedience He sent such Bodies of Men thither that the Souldiers were forced to lye in Tents and Baracks Hali Bassa being sent thither in the Spring with Monies to pay these Forces behaved himself with so little Prudence that he had well nigh occasioned a great Mutiny amongst them In his review of them he caused the Spahies to pass before the Ianizaries who being extream jealous of their rank mutinied and threatned to kill him To repair this fault he would restore them to their Precedence but the Spahies took also their turn to mutiny nor did he appease them but by a considerable gratuity above their pay Besides these the preparations for War through all the extent of the Otthoman Empire were so vast that they did not suffice only to protect the Malecontents but to attack that of Germany and now they lay a Bridge over the Danube and another at Zolnock over the Teys or Tibiscus capable of bearing their great Cannon Tekely however well informed of the Designs of the Port did notwithstanding agree to a prolongation of the Trevis with Count Caprara which was ended the last of March to the first of Iuly but the Malecontents slighting the Treaty did in the beginning of May seize upon all the Corn which the Emperour had bought upon the Frontiers of Poland to furnish his Magazins withal The Turks also attacked and forced a Commissary who conducted many Wagons loaden with Cloths for the Imperial Army Tekely being to act as soon as the Treaty was ended joyntly with the Turks judged it proper for him to take his measures from the Bassa of Buda in order to which he went to wait upon him with a Convoy of 3000 Horse the Bassa being advertised of his arrival gave his Son orders to go and receive him at the Gate of the City at the Head of the Spahies or Horse to complement him in his Name and to regale him with refreshments according to the Custom of that Nation Being enter'd the City he was received by the Bassa at the head of all his Janizaries and after reciprocal Civilities he assured him of the Protection of the Grand Seignior when ever he had need of it His Troops in the mean time were lodged near Pesth along the River side in Tents The Bassa causing Tekely's Bonnet to be taken off put another after the Turkish fashion upon his Head enrich'd with pretious Stones and a Heron's Feather He further made him a Present from his Otthoman Highness of
entertain a certain number of Souldiers at their proper charge and did The Great himself raised 400 men And the Ladies no less forwards raised great sums for the Expedition especially the Asseki or Sultan Queen His Highness being resolved to march in the beginning of the Spring to Belgrade sent the Emperour according to the Practise of the Sultans a to mark that he declared War against him The Great Visier being ready to move sent 1200 Camels loaden with Powder to Belgrade before him together with Orders to the Bassa of the said place to build a Bridge upon the Savus which was immediately put in Execution The Emperour received at the same time an express from Count Wallestin his Ambassador in Poland which informed him that he had concluded with that King a League Offensive and Defensive against the Turks This News did most sensibly affect the Imperial Court with Joy because they had doubted much of the Success of this Negotiation the King of Poland having shewed some Dissatisfaction in that the Emperour would never assist him nor enter into any concert with him whilst he alone supported a War against the Turks but Interest took place of Passion The King of Poland like a prudent Prince foresaw that if the Turks conquered Hungary and the German Neighbouring States he should be scarce able to resist so powerful a Neighbour which made him resolve to oppose his Designs and to joyn his Arms with the Emperours The Conditions of this mutual alliance briefly were that the Alliance should be not only defensive but also offensive against the Turks and last till both found their assured repose neither should make Peace without consent of the other his Imperial Majesty should entertain 60000 Men whereof 40000 should keep the Field and the rest be put in Garisons the King of Poland will lead 40000 under his own Conduct he shall be also obliged to recover his Places in Podolia Wallachia and Vkranis whilst the Imperialists shall do the same by those Places they left in Hungary The Poles shall furnish 6000 men to act against Tekely Other Articles not immediately regarding the present War are purposely omitted There had been ill observed Treaties and Cessations continued betwixt the Tekelists and Germans and now the first besiege the Castle of Donavisth in the County of Sepusa in upper Hungary C. Caprara having by message represented to Tekely that it was a violation of the Trevis He answered that he only did it because C. Iâanelli to whom the Place belonged had refused to come to the Diet of Cassovia so frivolous an excuse made it apparent to the Emperours Ministers that they were not too much to confide in the Promises of this Count and that he would take his advantages as often as occasions presented themselves Some few days after he had News that his Princess was brought to bed of a Son at Montcats whereupon he sent one of his chief Officers to Prince Abaffi to invite him to Christen the Babe which he accepted of and sent one of the principal Lords in Transilvania to supply his Place In the beginning of May the great Visier came to Belgrade with the Van of the Ottoman Army and more than 300 pieces of Cannon besides Mortars to throw Granadoes of a prodigious bigness At the same time the Troops that were to compass the Imperial Army began to draw towards Presburg where Count Rabata encamped them as they came according to the orders he had received from his Imperial Majesty who had chosen the great Plain of Kirtzer joyning to that City to take the general review of his Army which being drawn into Batalia in two Lines extended four Miles in length seventy two pieces of Cannon with the General of the Artillery Count Starenberg were placed at the head of the Infantry which was ranged in Batalions and in such order that they might be perceived on both sides they were numbered 20000 and the Horse in two Wings amounted to 12000 besides 5000 Hussars drawn up on the Right of the German Horse with fourteen field pieces The Emperour arrived in the Camp about Ten of the Clock preceded by his Guards and riding between the Dukes of Bavaria and Lorrain being followed by many other Princes and Lords and saluted with three Vollies of all the Cannon and Musqueteers of the Army After Mass the Archbishop of Strigonium read with a loud Voice the Bull of Indulgence accorded to such who should fight against Infidels and having given his Benediction to their Imperial Majesties who received it on their Knees and consequently to all the Army this Prince caused 500000 Livers to be distributed amongst the Souldiery which was no less acceptable to them The Command of the Forces being given to the Duke of Lorrain Generalissimo the Right wing was conducted by the Duke of Sax-Lawenburg the Left by General Caprara and the Infantry and Cannon by the Count of Starenberg With this Army thus composed most of the Emperour 's old and best Souldiery and under so expert a General as the Duke of Lorrain the Court hoped for somewhat extraordinary though as it will appear they were disappointed in their Expectation In the mean time a Council of War was held to see what might be done before the arrival of the Turks and after what manner they should act upon the Defensive when the Enemy did appear All agreed that for the Offensive there was nothing to be attempted but Gran or Newhausel and that as they ought to avoid those Enterprises which would cost much Blood and weaken the Army so they seemed to point at Gran as most easie though others were for Newhausel for several Reasons For the Defensive it was concluded they must endeavour to defend the Passages of the Rivers Raab and Waagh The result of this Council being referred to the Emperour he judged that for the Reputation of his Arms and other important Reasons not to suffer his Army to lye idle the space of two Months time which they had before the Enemy could take the field but left the choice to the Duke whether he would attempt Gran or Newhausel He only recommended to him that when the Turks advanced he should take care for the security of the Garrisons and oppose as much as in him lay the Enemies ravaging of the Hereditary Countries The Army being advanced near Comorra the Duke having no certain Intelligence of the condition of Gran resolved in person to take a view of the Place which he did but being upon the point to resolve its Siege he was advertised that the Turks were forming a Camp at Buda and judging that they might from thence relieve Gran by Water as the Bassa of Newhausel had already done upon the news of the Christians Design to attempt the place and perhaps cut off the Communication betwixt him and Comorra by posting themselves betwixt this Place and Gran he quitted the thoughts of that Enterprise resolving upon
Effects but from the Fundamental and Original Constitutions so that your Lorship will conclude that a People as the Turks are Men of the same Composition with us cannot be so Savage and Rude as they are generally described for Ignorance and Grossness is the Effect of Poverty not incident to happy Men whose Spirits are elevated with Spoils and Trophies of so many Nations Knowing my Lord that this Work which I have undertaken is liable to common Censure I have chosen to shrowd my Name under the Patronage of your Lordship to protect me from the ill-understanding and mis-conceptions of our Country-men both at Home and Abroad against which I doubt not but to be sufficiently armed in all parts where I travel when the Countenance your Lordship affords me is joined to the Authority of his Excellency the Earl of Winchelsea His Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary now actually Resident at Constantinople my ever honoured Lord to whom I read a long time before published to the World the greatest part of this following Treatise and as I received his favourable Approbation and Assent to the Verity of most Matters herein contained so I must ingenuously confess to have been beholden to that quick and refin'd Genius of his who often rectified my Mistakes supplied me with Matter and remembred me of many material Points which I might otherwise have most unadvisedly omitted And his Excellency knowing that in his absence this Book might want a favourable Patron left me to my self to seek out one who might concur with him in the same Innocent Defence And as my Lord you are a Publick Person and under our Gracious Sovereign are one of those Generous Spirits which have espoused the common Interest of the Nation so I presume on this present Occasion not to want your Protection also in a single Capacity For which excess of Favours I shall ever pray for the Exaltation of the greater Glory of your Lordship and for ever acknowledg my self My Lord Your Lordship 's most Humble most Faithful and most devoted Servant PAVL RICAVT TO THE READER Courteous Reader I Present thee here with a true System or Model of the Turkish Government and Religion not in the same manner as certain ingenious Travellers have done who have set down their Observations as they have obviously occured in their Iourneys which being collected for the most part from Relations and Discourses of such who casually intervene in Company of Passengers are consequently subject to many Errors and Mistakes But having been an Inhabitant my self at the Imperial City for the space of five Years and assisted by the advantage of considerable Iourneys I have made through divers parts of Turky and qualified by the Office I hold of Secretary to the Earl of Winchelsea Lord Ambassador I had opportunity by the constant access and practice with the chief Ministers of State and variety of Negotations which pased through my hands in the Turkish Court to penetrate farther into the Mysteries of this Polity which appear so strange and barbarous to us than hasty Travellers could do who are forced to content themselves with a Superficial Knowledg The Computations I have made of the Value of their Offices of the Strength and Number of their Souldiery according as every City and Country is rated are deduced from their own Registers and Records The Observations I have made of their Polity are either Maxims received from the Mouth and Argument of considerable Ministers or Conclusions arising from my own Experience and Considerations The Articles of their Faith and Constitutions of Religion I have set down as pronounced from the Mouth of some of the most learned Doctors and Preachers of their Law with whom for Mony or Presents I gained a familiarity and appearance of friendship The Relation of the Seraglio and Education of their Youth with divers other matters of Custom and Rule where transmitted to me by several sober Persons trained up in the best Education of the Turkish Learning and particularly by an understanding Polonian who had spent nineteen Years in the Ottoman Court. If Reader the Superstition Vanity and ill foundation of the Mahometan Religion seem fabulous as a Dream or the Fancies of a distracted and wild Brain thank God that thou wert born a Christian and within the Pale of an Holy and an Orthodox Church If the Tyranny Oppression and Cruelty of that State wherein Reason stands in no competition with the Pride and Lust of an unreasonable Minister seem strange to thy Liberty and Happiness thank God that thou art born in a Country the most free and just in all the World and a Subject to the most indulgent the most gratious of all the Princes of the Vniverse That thy Wife thy Children and the Fruits of thy Labour can be called thine own and protected by the valiant Arm of thy fortunate King And thus learn to know and prize thy own freedom by comparison with Foreign Servitude that thou mayst ever bless God and thy King and make thy Happiness breed thy Content without degenerating into Wantonness or desire of Revolution Farewel THE MAXIMS OF THE Turkish Polity BOOK I. CHAP. I. The Constitution of the Turkish Government being different from most others in the World hath need of peculiar Maxims and Rules whereon to establish and confirm it self I Have begun a Work which seems very full of Difficulty and Labour for to trace the Footsteps of Government in the best formed and moulded Common-Wealths such as are supported with Reason and with Religion is no less than to unriddle and resolve a Mystery For as a Common-Wealth by many Authors hath not been unaptly compared to a Ship in divers respects and proper Allegories so principally the small Impression or Sign of Track the floating Habitation leaves behind it on the Sea in all the Traverses it makes according to the different Winds to attain its Port is a lively Emblem of the various Motions of good Government which by reason of Circumstances Times and multiplicity of Changes and Events leaves little or no Path in all the Ocean of Humane Affairs But there must be yet certain Rules in every Government which are the Foundations and Pillars of it not subject to the Alteration of Time or any other Accident and so essential to it that they admit of no change until the whole Model of Polity suffer a Convulsion and be shaken into some other Form which is either effected by the new Laws of a Conqueror or by intestine and civil Revolutions Of such Maxims as these obvious to all who have had any practice in the Ottoman Court I have made a Collection subjoining to every Head some Reflexions and Considerations of my own which at my leisure Hours I have weighed and examined bâânging them according to the proportion of my weak Judgment and Ability to the Measure and Test of Reason and Vertue as also to a Similitude and Congruity with the Maxims of other Empires to which God hath given
the inward Gate of the Royal Lodgings with Clamours and Out-cries they made their Complaint In this Danger the Grand Signior was advisâd by the Capi Agasi and Solyman Aga the Kuzlir Aga or chief Eunuch of the Women that this happy Conjuncture was to be embraced for the destruction of Bectas and his Complices but fear and too much caution hindred that Design for the present only it was jâdged fit âor satisfaction of the Multitude that Melek Ahmet Pashaw then Prime Vizier and yet a Slave to the Lusts of the Janisaries should be deprived of his Office which was immediately effected and the Seal taken from him was delivered to Siaus Pashaw a stout and valiant Person This Vizier being jealous of his own Honour and jealous for the safety of the Empire cast about all ways to suppress the arrogance of Bectas and his Adherents lest the like shame and misfortune should befal him as did to Murad Pashaw one of his late Predecessors in the Office of Vizier who for dissenting from Bectas in Opinion had lost his Life had he not escaped his Fury by flying into Greece The times were also troublesome and full of danger the Janisaries kept Guard in the Streets not suffering so much as two Citizens to walk together for prevention of secret Consultations many Artisans or Handy-craftsmen were imprisoned as principally in the late Tumult against the Consent and Order of the new Vizier the Court was also divided The Sultan's Party contrived to surprize and kill the rebellious Commanders of the Janisaries and that the day following the Lieutenant of the Baltagees or Hatchetmen should encounter Kul-chiachia as he came according to custom to the Divan and slay him but the Old Queen being of a contrary Faction with Threats and Menaces frighted that Officer from his design The two Queens were exasperated highly against each other one to maintain the Authority of her Son and the other her own in the City the confusion grew greater the Janisaries were not pleased with the election of Siaus Passa knowing him to be averse to their Faction but yet considering the state of the Times they endeavoured with fair Promises to allure him to their Party The old Queen by Letters advised Bectas of all Matters that were discoursed in the Seraglio intimating that the young Queen was Author of all these Disturbances and that therefore as a remedy of all these Evils it was necessary that Sultan Mahomet should be deposed and his younger Brother Solyman placed in his stead who having a Mother would be absolutely subject to her Tuition she added likewise that Solyman was a lusty Youth corpulent and Majestical whereas Sultan Mahomet was lean weakly and unable for the Crown Bectas having received this Message from the Queen Regent assembled a Council at Orta-giami that is the Janisaries Mosch where was a great and solemn appearance both of the Souldiery and Lawyers which latter are of the Spiritual Function amongst them some out of friendship to their Party and others for fear of their Power only the Vizier was wanting whom they sent to invite out of an Opinion that he might be drawn to their side and in case they found him opposite then not to suffer him to escape alive from their Councils It was then two hours in the Night when this Message came to the Vizier and though it was against the State and Gravity of a Vizier to go to any but his Master yet he thought it now time to dissemble and overcome the greatness of his Mind and so with a private Retinue went to the Mosch where the first he encountred was a Guard of Ten thousand Janisaries armed with their Muskets and Matches lighted which at first so dismayed him that he had some thoughts of returning but afterwards recovering himself and taking Courage resolved to proceed and coming to the Mosch Bectas vouchsafed not to meet him but sent another to perform that Ceremony at which neglect though the greatness of his Spirit could scarce contain it self yet suppressing his choler he addressed himself to the Feet of Bectas who scarce arising gave him a faint welcome and setting him on his left hand which is the upper hand with the Turkish Souldiery began to propound to him his new Designs and first That it was necessary that the present King should be deposed and Solyman Crowned in his place That the Canons of the Imperial Seraglio should be reformed and that whereas the Children of divers Nations were yearly collected for the Service of the Grand Signior none should for the future have admission there but the Sons of Janisaries The Vizier consented to all that was proposed professing a sincere affection and reality to them and their Party swearing upon the Alchoran with the most horrid Imprecations on himself and his Family if he were not faithful to Him and his Designs which gave Bectas that satisfaction that he began to persuade himselfe that the Vizier was really a confiding Person and one affectionate to their Interest and so partly from this consideration and partly out of a confidence of his own strength and inability of the Vizier to hurt him fairly took his leave of him and so dismissed his Kalaba Divan or his confused Council But the Chiachia Bei or Lieutenant-General of the Janisaries and Kara-Chiaus reproved very much Bectas for permitting the Vizier to escape with his Life saying he had done ill in suffering the Bird to escape out of the Cage that he had released one and permitted him to carry his Head on his Shoulders who would shortly take off theirs with many words of the like effect But Bectas slighted their Reproof as proceeding from want of Courage and the Ignorance of their own Power and that the time until morning was so short that should the Vizier intend to countermine them he was wholly unable being unprovided both of Power and Council The Vizier being got free went apace to the Seraglio with two Men only thanked God as he walked that he was freed from the Hands of those Tyrants and Villains and coming to the Iron-gate intending to pass through the Garden he found it open contrary to the custom and enquiring of the Bostangees or Gardiners the reason he could learn nothing farther from them than that it was the order of the old Queen who as it appeared afterwards expected her Confidents who might withdraw her that Night into some retirement where she might remain secure from the Dangers of the ensuing Day The Vizier being entred went softly to the Sultan's Apartments and in his way by good chance met with the Kuzlir Agasi Solyman Aga the chief Eunuch of the Women who in the dark was making his rounds about the old Queen's Lodgings by the Vizier's voice Solyman knew who he was but was amazed at his unseasonable visit yet understanding the Business thanked him for his Vigilance adding that he had also observed that the old Queen contrary to her custom was not
Constitutions of the People they had conquered and accordingly made Provision and used proper Arts to keep them in Obedience and next by their Generosity and Wisdom won those Nations to admire and imitate their Vertues and to be contented in their Subjection But the Turks have but one sole Means to maintain their Countries which is the same by which they were gained and that is the cruelty of the Sword in the most rigorous way of execution by Killing Consuming and laying desolate the Countries and transplanting unto parts where they are nearest under the Command and Age of a Governor being wholly destitute and ignorant of other resined Arts which more civilized Nations have in part made to serve in the place of Violence And yet the Turks made this course alone answer to all the Intents and Ends of their Government For the Subjects of this Empire being governed better by Tyranny than Gentleness it is necessary that courses should be taken whereby these People may remain more within compass and reach of Authority which they would hardly be were every part of this Empire so well inhabited to afford entertainment within the Fortifications of its vast Mountains and Woods to the many unquiet and discontented Spirits that live in it And this may be one cause that so rarely Rebellions arise amongst the Turks though in the remotest parts of Asia and when they do are easily suppressed This also is one Cause why great Men so easily resign themselves up the Will of the Grand Signior to Punishment and Death whether the Sentence be according to Law or only Arbitrary This is the reason that Fugitives and Homicides cannot escape for having no place for flight neither the inhabited Cities which are immediately under the Eye of a vigilant Commander will afford them refuge nor can the desolate Countries entertain them and Christendom is so abhorred by them that they will never take it for their Sanctuary And thus deprived of all means of Safety they wholly attend to please and serve their Great Master in whose Favour and Hands alone is the Reward and Punishment Another Advantage and that not inconsiderable that this manner of dispeopling the Country brings to this Empire is the difficulty an Enemy would find in their March should they with a Land Army attempt to penetrate far into the Country for without great quantities of Provision they could not possibly be sustained from the Country none can be expected what little it affords the Inhabitants will conceal or carry away and leave all Places as naked and barren of Food for Man as the Sea it self And though it is known often that in Asia the Troops of some discontented Bei or Aga to the number of three or four hundred Men in the Summer-time having their retirements in the Woods and Mountains assault Caravans and rob all Passengers from whom there is any hope of Booty yet in the Winter they are dispersed because they have no Quarters against the Weather nor Provisions for humane Sustenance every one shifting for himself in some place where his Condition is the least known or suspected And it may not be here from our Purpose to admonish the Reader that as the Turks account it one good part of their Policy to lay a considerable part of their Empire desolate so on the contrary they observe in their new Conquests to fortify strengthen and confirm what they have gained by numbers of People and new Colonies of their own and when they have reduced any considerable Country to their subjection they commonly are inclined to make Peace with that Prince from whom they have won it so as to have time to settle and secure their new Conquests for Countries over-run in haste are almost as speedily again recovered and are like Tempests and sudden Storms which are the sooner dispersed for being violent Augustus Caesar who was a wise and judicious Prince considering the extent of the Roman Empire wrote a Book saith Tacitus which was published after his Death wherein he described the publick Reâenue the number of Citizens and Confederate listed for the War the Fleets Kingdoms Provinces Tributes Customs c. Addideratque insuper Consilium coercendi intra terminos imperii incertum saith that Author Tac. Lib. 1. Annal. metu an per invidiam Which doubtless this wise Emperor meant of a moderate and not a precipitate progress of their Arms as well as of prescribing fixed limits to the ultimate Confines of the Empire beyond which a Statute should be made of Non plus ultra notwithstanding the most promising Designs and Incitements that could offer CHAP. XVI All Hereditary Succession in Government as also the preservation of an Ancient Nobility against the Maxims of the Turkish Poâity HAving formerly entred into Discourse of the several great Officers of State it will be necessary to declare what care the Turks take to preserve the Body of their Empire free of Faction and Rebellion for there being many Provinces in the Sultan's Gift which are remote rich and powerful and so administer temptation to the Governors to throw off the Yoke of their Dependance and make themselves and their Posterity Absolute great care is taken to prevent this Mischief by several Arts none of which hath been more effectual amongst the Turks nor more sedulously practised than the destruction of an Ancient Nobility and admitting no succession to Offices of Riches but only in the direct Ottoman Line as my Lord Verulam says Essay 14. A Monarchy where there is no Nobility at all is ever pure and absolute Tyranny as that of the Turks for Nobility attempers Sovereignty and draws the People somewhat aside from the Line Royal. By which means it comes to pass that Pashaws Education in the Seraglio in the manner as we have said before without knowledg of their Blood or Family and without the support of powerful Relations or Dependencies being sent abroad to Foreign Governments where they continue but for a short season have no opportunity or possibility of advancing any Interest of their own above that of the Sultan And though some have out of an aspiring and ambitious Spirit assumed a blind Confidence of renting away part of the Empire as Asan Aga Pashaw of Aleppo of late Years with a strong and powerful Army marched as far as Scutary threatning the Imperial City and the Turkish History tells us of the revolt of several Pashaws yet all these Rebellions have been but of short durance the Grand Signior never designing by open Force and Dint of Sword to try his Title to the Empire with his own Slaves but only by some secret Plot and Stratagem getting the Head of the Rebel he is assured of the Victory without other hazard or dispute of War for immediately thereupon the whole Army disperses and every one shifts by flight to save himself from the Sultan's Anger Nor is it imaginable it can be otherwise for these Men are but Strangers and Foreigners in the Countries they ruled
capable of receiving other Customs and Laws and neither remembring nor concerned in former Mutinies will adventure to follow the seditious practices of their Predecessours for men are commonly modest at their first entrance into any condition and unless debauched by corruption and Government are easily contained within the bounds of reasonable moderation And yet notwithstanding that the pride of the Turkish Religion is reduced to so low an abatement of their power and to a condition easily for the future with with good management to be ruled yet this present Sultan Mahomet still retaining the memory and impression of the amazement he suffered in his infancy on occasion of a dangerous combination and conspiracy of the Ianizaries will never confide himself to their guard nor be reconciled to Constantinople in consideration of the many Chambers it contains of that loathed Militia which have been so many Nurseries and Seminaries of Treasons complotted against himself and his other Progenitors CHAP. IX Of the Chiauses THESE having both offensive and defensive Arms assigned them may be reckoned in the number of the Militia though their Office being chiefly in relation to Civil Processes and Laws they may deserve rather the name of Pursuivants or Serjeants They are in number about 5 or 600 their pay is from 12 to 40 Aspers a day and chief Officer is called Chiaus Baschee to whose custody Prisoners of Quality are committed their place of Attendance is the Palace of the Prime Visier to be ready on all occasions to carry Letters and Commands to any part of the Empire such Christian Renegadoes as become Turks they most commonly for their Incouragement and subsistence in the Mahometan Superstition admit into this Rank because having commonly an endowment of other Languages besides the Turkish are most serviceable on messages into foreign Countries and sometimes are sent with the Title of Ambassadours as one was once into England France and Holland Their Arms are a Scimetar a Bow and Arrows and a Truncheon with a knob at the end called in Turkish Topous those of these Officers that are Servants to the Visier or Beglerbegs carry this Truncheon covered with Silver called in Turkish Tcheugbian but the Chianses of simple Pashaws onely of Wood their Harvest they make upon the occasions of Law Suits and Differences between one party and another being Apparitors or Serjeants to call the guilty person to justice or if the business comes to composition they commonly are in the midst to persuade both sides to reason in which action they want not their Fees or acknowledgment of labour from both Parties CHAP. X. Of the other parts of the Turkish Militia the Toptchi THESE are Gunners called so from the word Tope which in Turkish signifies a Cannon and are in number about 1200 distributed in 52 Chambers their Quarters are at Tophana on the place of Guns in the Suburbs of Constantinople few of these are expert in their art and are ill practised in the Proportions and Mathematical part of the Gunners Mystery for were they as skilfull as many Ingeneers in the World they might doubtless with that vast Train of Artillery they either march with in their Camp or found in their Trenches give much more annoyance to the Christian Forces And therefore knowing their own imperfections in this exercise when Christian Gunners are taken in the War they entertain them with better usage than other Captives quartering them in the Chambers appropriated to that Profession allotting them with others a pay from 8 to 12 Aspers a day but because this is too inconsiderable a maintenance to allure men who are otherwise principled most of them as occasion offers desert the service of the Turk and fly to their own Countrey Their Officers are 1. The Topgibaschi or General of the Ordinance 2. The Dukigibaschi or the Chief of them that found the great Guns 3. The Odabaschi the Chief of all the Chambers of the Gunners in the Suburbs of Constantinople 4. Is the Kiatib of their Muster-Master who is always a Spahee Their Guns are the biggest and as well cast and moulded as any in the World for the last Expedition in Hungary there were 40 Pieces of new Cannon cast and transported by way of the Black Sea and thence by the Danube unto Belgrade and Buda Their Gunpowder is made but in small quantities about Constantinople but comes from divers places of Europe but that from Damascus is most esteemed The biggest size of their Bullets are from 36 to 40 Inches Diamiter but these are most commonly of Stone which they make use of in the Castles or Block-houses situate on the Sea as at the Castles upon the Hellespont called anciently Sestos and Abidos and at the Forts at entrance of the Black Sea. Once an English Man Gunner of a Ship which lay at Constantinople had the curiosity and confidence to measure the dimensions of these Bullets but being apprehended in the very act was imprisoned for a Spy but by the intercession of our Ambassadour then Resident with much labour and some expence was at length released Of the Gebegees These are Armourers so called from the word Gebees which signifies in Turkish as much as Arms of Back and Breast they are in number 630 distributed into 60 Chambers and have their Quarters near the Church of Santa Sophia in Constantinople their Office is to conserve the Arms of ancient times from rust by cleaning and oyling them so as to remain as Trophies for ever of the Turkish Conquests Their pay is from 8 to 12 Aspers a day their Officers are first the Gebegibaschi who is their Commander in chief 2. The Odobashees who are so many Masters of the Chambers On all expeditions these Armourers are necessary Officers and oftentimes in days of Battel distribute forth the antique Arms of which they have a care into the hands of the Ianizaries but of these men that are indifferently rich and have favour and friends enjoy their pay with ease at their own homes and like other Ogiacks are capable of being made Oturacbs or retaining their Pension with a dispensation from the War. Of the Delees Delee signifies as much as a mad fellow or a Hector these are the Prime Visier's Life-guard and are in number from 100 to 400 more or less according as the Visier is more or less rich and splendid in his Retinue their Pay is from 12 to 15 Aspers a day they are by Nation of Bosna or Albania their Habit is very ridiculous according to this Picture they are men chosen for their great stature and stomachs they speak big talk of nothing but kâlling and adventurous exploits but in reality their heart and courage is not esteemed proportionable to their bulk and bodies in the City they march before the Visier on foot and make way for him to the Divan oâ journies they are too heavy and lazy not to be well mounted they have a Captain over them called the Delibaschi their Arms are a Lance
Blood and Treasure as all Germany as well as Hungary has felt the fatal effects of it So that Men are apt to look back with Indignation on the Authors of these Troubles and to think them worthy of the extreamest Punishments that have brought their Country to such Ruin and Desolation The greatest part of which Censures will without doubt fall upon the Protestants whose Arms have wanted even Success that popular justification and whose Cause labours under two such fearful appearances as a defection from their Prince and the joyning with the Common Enemy of Christendom tho' perhaps a considering Man will be apt to reâlect on that Cruel severity which forc'd them to take shelter in the Arms of an Infidel at least he will see a fatal instance of the unhappy Conâequences of driving Men to Despair by subverting their Laws Liberties and Religion I shall therefore give an impartial Account of the Causes that exasperated the Protestants of Hungary to this degree and leave them to the Readers judgment either to be condemn'd or acquitted And therefore let us hear what Account the Protestant Writers give of this matter when the Protestant Religion began first to insinuate it self into Hungary under the Reign of King Lewis it met there with the same fate it did in other Countrys viz. Opposition and Persecution But this King unhappily engaging himself in a War against the Turks fell in Battle and leaving no Heir Male the Hungarian Nobility were divided in the choice of a Successor one part Electing Iohn Zapolya Vaivode of Transilvania and the other Ferdinand the first But Iohn dying soon after his Election Ferdinand remain'd in sole possession of that Kingdom who the better to gain the affection of his Subjects granted free exercise of Religion to Cassovia Bartphia Eperias Leuchenia and Libinia the five free Towns of upper Hungary and afterwards to several of the Towns of lower Hungary besides the same Priveleges which he gave to divers of the Nobility Notwithstanding which there being several Commotions and Disturbances on account of Religion still remaining in the year 1606. at the Pacification of Vienna made between Rodolph Emperor and King of Hungary and Stephen Botscai-Kis-Maria in the first Article it was said That as to the business of Religion that notwithstanding the first Constitutions and the last Article of the year 1604. according the Resolution taken by his Imperial Majesty All the Inhabitants and Persons of what Order or Condition soever within that Kingdom as well the great Lords as the Cities and Privileg'd Towns immediately belonging to the Crown or upon the borders of that Kingdom as likewise all the Soldiers of Hungary shall have free and entire Liberty of Conscience without being troubled or molested Nevertheless without prejudice to the Roman Catholick Religion so that that Clergy the Churches and the Temples of the Catholicks may remain in the State wherein they are without Violation or Molestation And that those which had been taken by one side or other should be restor'd to their lawful owners Afterwards the Emperor Matthias himself explain'd that Clause nevertheless without prejudice to the Rom. Cath. Religion by assuring them That it was put in upon a good design and that it only meant that neither Party should be disturbed in the exercise of their Religion This liberty was afterwards often confirm'd as you may see in the Grievances presented to the Emperor which are affix'd to the end of this History The now Reigning Emperor Leopold solemnly confirm'd this Article at his Coronation Vide the sixth Condition in the Imperial Patent running thus Ordered That the exercise of Religion granted to the States of Hungary according to the Constitution of Vienna and those Articles establisht before our Coronation shall remain entirely free as well for the Barons Lords Gentlemen as free Cities and all Orders and States of the Kingdom of Hungary as likewise for the Towns Villages and Hamlets that will accept of it so that no Person of what Condition soever shall be hinder'd in the exercise of his Religion in what manner or under what pretence soever Given in the Royal Citadel of Posonium Iune the 25 th 1655. In despight of all these Edicts made in favour of the Protestants the Clergy especially the Jesuits had so much interest in the Court of Vienna as to get a Manifest publish'd there and Entitled Truth declared to all the World or a Treatise wherein is proved by three Argument that his Caesarean Majesty is not obliged to tolerate the Lutheran or Calvinist Religion in the Kingdom of Hungary Writ by George Barzon titular Bishop of Waradin Priest of the Society and Councellor to his Sacred Majesty The first Argument was drawn from three Conditions under which the liberty of Religion was granted at the Pacification of Vienna The first That it should be without prejudice to the Protestant Religion which Condition being impossible ought to pass for nothing The second That the Clergy and the Catholick Churches should remain in their former Condition without being toucht which was violated by Bethlem and Ragotski The third That what was taken either by one side or the other should be restor'd which the Protestants had not perform'd To this was answered That it did by no means follow that if one Condition or Clause was lookt upon as impossible and so null that the whole Treaty should be so also and besides that the Emperor Matthias himself had explain'd the Condition by declaring that it was not to be made use of for the ruining of that liberty which was granted That whatsoever Bethlem or Ragotski had done this Liberty was notwithstanding confirm'd by the Edicts and Ordinances of the Emperor That if it had been so that Protestants who being daily provok'd by the Papists had gone a little too far yet the innocent ought not to suffer That the Destruction of Temples which were made use of during the Troubles only regarded those that Botskai had taken in the War and not such as had been for a long time in their Hands The second Argument is That this liberty was not establisht by the unanimous consent of the States of the Kingdom to whom it belongs to make Laws with the Consent and Approbation of his Majesty and consequently that those Articles ought to be abolisht But it was urg'd that this was extreamly injurious to those Kings who had confirm'd and ratify'd them and who no question were not so ignorant of the rights of the Kingdom of Hungary That when this Affair was manag'd at Lintz 1645. Tho' the Arch-Bishop of Strigonium George Lippai and some seculars opposed it yet Count Palfy President of the Chamber and divers Catholick Lords consented notwithstanding that opposition so that the Affair being extreamly hindred by that Arch-Bishop and his adherents the Protestants were upon the point of complaining to his Majesty had they not been stopt by the Declaration that was made that they voluntarily subscribed to the Articles of
propriarum usu insimul interdictis funeratione verò demortuorum Evangelicorum nisi Plebani Catholici eatenus prout Baptismatum Copulationum Sacramentorum Officio ritu opera uti vellent ad disrepectuosa quadriviorum compitorum campepestrium loca amandata totali integro actuali Articularis Ecclesiae Helvetio Evangelicae beneficio esset orbatum quare plenariam sui praemissorumque occupatorum ablatorum prohibitorum omnium realem restitutionem redintegrationem vi praespecificati Articularis indulti jure merito expeterent Par ratio Oppidi Jafzbrinij Oppidi Comarom Non sine animi dolore conquererentur quoque cives incolae stipendiarij item Milites Hungarici Confinij Comaromiensis Augustanae Helveticae Confessionis Quod posteaquam vigore Articuli 26. Diaetae Soproniensis ubi idem Confinium perexpressun denominaretur tam liberam publicae Religionis exercitij praxin quam Templorum etiam ac Scholarum Parochiarum pacificam adepti fuissent ac in iis imperturbate fine laesione Catholicae Religionis perstitissent utque dum Artic. 1683. ob fatales belli tumultus insperatam Oppidi Conflagrationem Ministris eorundem Evangelicis una cum civibus hinc inde dispersis tale liberum Religionis exercitium quodammodo intermitti contigisset jamnunc annis fatis clementioribus supervenientibus ubi virtute praescripti Articuli 26. idem publicum Religionis suae exercitium reassumere Ministros suos Ecclesiasticos reducere voluissent intervenientibus Excellentissimi D. Comitis à Hoffkircher dicti Confinii Commendantis loci Cleri contradictionibus id effectuare in praesens usque nullatenus permissi imo de die in dies gravioribus minis absterriti totali Religionis suae exercitio inhibiti privati sunt pro uti talem inhibitionem ulterius quoque praeattacti D.D. Catholici practicaturi tribus abhinc mensibus circiter ad pulsum tympani per plateas Confinij factum etiam ad circumjacentia loca egressum Evangelicis pro peragenda devotione sua sub incaptivatione aliis gravibus poenis severissime interminati sunt prohibitis etiam precibus in privatis alias aedibus peragi solitis Hinc non absimiliter pro Articulari sui praemissorumque restitutione redintegratione supplicarent His Accederet Inferioris Hungariae Possessionis Hodos nuncupatae Praedicantem Evangelicum Samueleni Riczkey dictum non obstantibus Protectionalibus ex intimo Consilio Bellico eidem Possessioni gratiose elargitis hinis vicibus per homines Celsiss Rever D. Archiepiscopi Strigoniensis esse expoliatum omni supellectili domestica privatum ultimum etiam in prsona 22 praeteriti mensis Martij captum Posoniumque ad aedes Archiepiscopales in carceres deductum ubi dire dure tractatur nonnisi sicco pane squalida aqua emaceratur Similiter superioris Hungariae Possessionis Totthfalu Praedicantem Evangelicum per Naghybaeniarensis Residentiae Patrem Iesuitam Ravasz vocatum captum vinctumque ad carceres Szatthmarienses deduci curatum ubi etiamnum detineretur miserrime tractaretur Diaetae Posoniensis Ann. 1687. Articulus XXI In negotio Religionis renovantur Articuli 25 26 Ann. 1681. cum interjecta Declaratione LIcet quidem in Negotio Religionis Augustanae Helvetiae Confessioni addicti Articulis 25 26 novissimae Diaetae Soproniensis oppositam iisdem per reclamationem suam abutentes ipso facto eorundem beneficij participes esse desiissent propter bonum nihilominus domesticae unionis pacis internamque Regni tranquillitatem cum sua Majestas Serenissimae ex gratia clementia sua praecitatos Articulos adhuc ratos fore benignissime resolvisset eosdem status quoque ordines ad mentem Paternae resolutionis Cleri aliorum secularium Catholicorum contradictione non obstante pro renovatis priori firmitati restitutis censendos acsi in quantum hactenus ineffectuati vel verò per aliquos abusus ab una aut altera parte medio tempore introductos violati fuissent suae debitae executioni tempore eorundem conditorum Articulorum vel expost occupatorum aut reoccupatorum impendendae restaurationi utprimum demandandos esse statuerunt THE GRIEVANCES Of the two Imperial and Free Cities of Vpper Hungary Cassovia and Epperies wherein are Contain'd the Injuries done to all the Protestant Citizens and Inhabitants of the three Ranks as well in their Civil Liberties against the 25th 26th and 41st Articles of the Diet of Sopron An. 1681. together with their Demands FIRST It must be allow'd that in the 26 th Article of that Diet year 1681. by the Special Favour of His most Sacred Majesty 't was expresly Ordain'd in these very Words But in other parts 't is Order'd according to His Majesty's Gracious Resolution that Places be appointed for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes for the Conveniency of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg That instead of the Churches Schools and Parishes taken from the Protestants there should be Assign'd them by Commissioners appointed from His Majesty commodious and convenient Places and that without any Restriction even in the Cities of upper Hungary according to the literal and genuine sense of the Clause of the said Article which saith Furthermore in the Free and Mountain Cities as also in all the Cities of upper Hungary are Places to be allow'd for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes Nevertheless in the beginning of Ianuary in the year 1687. His Majesty's High-Commissioners appointed with so much Clemency in upper Hungary were so far in their proceedings from satisfying either His Majesty's pious Resolution or the true and clear intent of the Article that even in contempt of them all and in compliance with their own false Glosses they did assign to the Protestants inconvenient and undecent places without the said Cities which have no Suburbs and consequently very remote in the Fields to the evident exterminating of the free Exercise of our Religion from the said Cities Wherefore we do constantly insist on the most Holy Resolution of His Majesty as it is declar'd in the express'd words of the Article before alledg'd and by vertue thereof do humbly implore that instead of the inconvenient appointed Places such others as shall be both commodious and free from all Civil Taxes or Contributions according to the intention of the 8 th Article An. 1647. and the 12 th An. 1649. in the above-mentioned Cities and within the Walls of the same without any Ambiguity since the before-cited 26 th Article includeth the inward not the outward parts of the Cities be granted and assign'd to us the true and lawful Citizens and in no wise deserving so unjust a Banishment from the midst of the Cities Secondly 't is also undeniable that in the 25 th Article immediately foregoing the Gracious Resolution of His Most Sacred Majesty is declar'd in these very words To all and every one through the Kingdom no Protestant Inhabitant
of whatsoever State and Condition or in whatever part of the Kingdom excepted according to the 1st Article in the year 1608. published before the Coronation a free Exercise of their Religion in general is granted and also that none of the said Inhabitants shall any wise be disturbed for the future in the free Exercise of their Religion on the severe punishment that is expresly set down in the 26th Article of the Diet of Sopron Notwithstanding which when the said Protestants of Cassovia and Epperies would have freely us'd and enjoy'd their Right Establish'd by His Majesty s Warrant and continu'd their way of Worship as also the Instruction of their Youth within the said Cities and their Walls as places provided by the above-mention'd Articles and formerly us'd and allow'd they were not only not admitted but severely prohibited and hindred by the Magistrates and Clergy of these Cities nay sent away and Banish'd till this time to the fore-specified places in no wise convenient for them as if they were Strangers and wholly incapable of the Common Liberties of the Kingdom Wherefore in this Point also Relying on the Gracious Resolution of His most Sacred Majesty and the Articles he has been pleased to make with us We do most Humbly implore a lawful Restitution and firm Establishment of the free exercise of our Religion in its former State according to the said Article 1 st Anno 1608 viz. within the Walls of the said Cities We also submissively beg that till we have a convenient opportunity of Building and Erecting new Churches Schools and Parishes which by reason of our great Poverty and the vast Taxes and Contributions to the present War we are not able now to perform it be graciously granted to us that we may anew freely enjoy the said exercise of Religion in certain private and convenient places and have Schools for the Instruction of Youth Thirdly Though the indifferent and common use of Bells and Burials was every where permitted as well to the Protestants as Catholicks by these express words of the 26 th Article of the Diet of Sopron The free use of Bells and Burials is left to the Catholicks of those places as well as to those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg Which nevertheless the Catholick Magistracy and Clergy of Cassovia and Epperies have fully deny'd and do still deny the said free use of Bells and Burials to the Protestant Inhabitants of the said Cities forbidding them with most severe Threats to perform the usual Ceremonies of Burials within the Walls of the said Cities notwithstanding the gracious resolution of His most Sacred Majesty made to the illustrious States of the Kingdom in the Diet of Sopron December the 10 th Anno 1681. So that we earnestly desire the common use of Bells and Burials for the Protestants as well within as without the City Walls free from any molestation or disturbance conformable to the Pious Grant of His most Sacred Majesty Fourthly It is evident also that by Vertue of the general clause inserted in the end of the so often mention'd 26 th Article in these words Provided always That the Laws of the Kingdom confirm'd by the Royal Charter be not hereby prejudiced The standing Laws of the Kingdom concerning the Ecclesiastical Revenues of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg were left in force and consequently any Arbitrary proceedings forbidden especially such as against the instinct of Nature tend to the enriching of some Persons to the Damage and Wrong of othes Nevertheless the Roman Catholick Magistrate and the Clergy of Cassovia and Epperies by their own Authority and by Force have taken and appropriated to themselves all the pious Legacies and Gifts left by Will through the pious zeal of the Protestants for the use of Protestant Churches and Schools viz. in Cassovia four Houses standing within the Wall of the said City one of which the Magistrate has sold and alienated to the illustrious Michael Domeczki a Garden and certain Plow Lands lying in the Territory of the same City as also a Vineyard formerly called Varghaszóló lying in the Territory of Tokai And in Epperies certain Vineyards likewise lying in several Territories of Upper Hungary together with their Revenues actually retaining the same for their own use and for the most part turning them into prophane uses against the 11 th and 14 th Articles of the year 1647 to the great injury and damage of the Protestants Wherefore in this Case also the Protestants appealing to the aforesaid Laws and Constitution of the Kingdom do lawfully require that all the pious Legacies and Church Lands violently taken away and retain'd from them who are the right Owners be restor'd together with their Revenues according to that Rule of Common Justice Render to every one his own Fifthly It is certain likewise that for the paying of the Protestant Ministers and of the Catholick Curates it was evidently enough provided not only by the often mentioned 26 th Article in these words Nevertheless the Catholicks shall not be obliged to pay any thing to the Ministers of the Protestants nor the Protestants to the Curates of the Catholicks But also by the 11 th Article of the year 1647 in these words Let no Protestant be obliged to pay any thing to the Catholick Curates nor the Catholick to the Protestant Ministers Nay in the following 12 th Article of the said year 1647 are contained these words Concerning any use whatever of the Ministerial Functions but where the Protestants have no Parishes let them pay the Ministers that they employ as the Catholicks are to pay their Catholick Curates and where hitherto the Protestants did pay nothing to the Catholick Curates they shall not be obliged hereafter to pay any under any pretence whatsoever nor the Catholicks to the Protestant Ministers Which words together with these of the same 12 th Article concerning the Revenues of Schools but in any place whatsoever the Catholick Curates and the Protestant Ministers shall receive the Revenues of Schools from their respective Followers only Establish this positive Law and Constitution that the Protestants pay the Protestants and the Catholicks the Catholicks Notwithstanding this the Protestants are forced maugre themselves to pay the Catholick Curates whilst not only a Weekly allowance together with other perquisites is constantly paid to the Catholick Curates by the Magistrate out of the publick Purse wherein the Protestants put most being three for one Catholick but also the Revenues of Schools are adjudged and paid to the same Catholick Curates and with the greatest injustice deny'd to the Protestant Ministers and School-Masters Therefore they demand with all Submission and Justice that the Protestant Ministers and School-masters be allow'd out of the publick Purse a Salary equal with that of the Catholick Curates or that neither of the Parties be paid out of that Fond but each by their respective Followers according to the intention of the before mention'd Articles
Sixthly Every body knows that by Vertue of the 25 th Article not only a free return and stay in the Kingdom is granted to the Banisht Ministers and School-masters but also a free exercise of their Religion and Profession and by Vertue of the following 26 th Article it is Order'd That amongst the imperial and free Cities of Upper Hungary Cassovia and Epperies shall be appointed and establish'd places for the publick and free exercise of the Protestant Religion and that hereafter no Subject shall be disturb'd in the free exercise of his Religion under the pain expressed in the 8 th Article of the 6 th Decree of Uladislaus Nevertheless the Magistrate of Epperies on the very Festival Day of St. Bartholomew the Apostle in the Year 1688 last past dar'd deprice the Protestant Church of Epperies establish'd by the Articles of their Ministers and with great dishonour expel all the Protestant Ministers of the three Nations out of the said City and its Territory without letting them know any cause of so injust an usage or shewing them any Warrant of His most Sacred Majesty for it pretending only an unheard of Title of Lord of the Manor which cannot be admitted among Civilians since they enjoy equaly with the Magistrate the common civil Liberty nor amongst Clergy Men who enjoy a special Liberty nor can it in any wise be taken by Magistrate whose Office is but for a year to the great diminishing of His most Sacred Majesty's Authority and the Contempt of the before mentioned Articles Wherefore they humbly beg that the innocent and unjustly Banish'd Protestant Ministers of Epperies be restor'd and may perform as before their Ecclesiastical Duties and that both the Protestant Ministers of Cassovia and those of Epperies employ'd either in Preaching or in Teaching Schools present or to come being always presented by the right Patrons may live quietly and safely in their own or hir'd dwelling places which they have or shall have within the Walls of the said Cities Seventhly No body that knows the Law will deny but in the beginning of the aforesaid 41 st Article of the Diet of Sopron where the Common Liberties and Privileges of the imperial and free Cities are confirm'd and besides the there mention'd Laws and Articles of the Kingdom made in several places are renewed it is expresly ordain'd That the same Laws and Articles be strictly observed both by the Chambers and the Officers of the Army and by any other person whatsoever so that they viz. the same imperial and free Cities be no way disturbed by any one in their free right to chuse a Civil Magistrate nor in any other Privilege Nevertheless the modern Magistrate of the said Cities against the Prohibition contain'd in the 83 th Article of the Illustrious Chamber of Scepusium in the year 1647 out of meer private hatred against our Religion was pleased to take upon him such a Power as to degrade and turn out of their publick Dignities and Civil Employments all the Senators of Cassovia and Epperies and several other Protestant Officers well deserving and qualified for publick Offices and Civil Dignities against the evident Constitution of the aforesaid Article and of those that are cited in it but especially of the 13 th before the Coronation in the year 1608 of the 44 th in the year 1609 and of the 12 th in the year 1649 to the most evident prejudice of the Common Liberties and Civil Privileges and to the considerable oppression of the Protestant Citizens and in the room of the said Senators and Protestant Officers the said Magistrate has put Catholick Citizens either less fit or wholly unacquainted with the Affairs of the said Cities and more minding their private concerns to the damnifying and even undoing of the said Cities Wherefore we require with the deepest Humility First That the free right of chusing the Civil Magistrate and other Officers which hitherto has been so disturbed and wholly taken away from the Protestants against the positive Laws of the Kingdom made in the Illustrious Chamber of Scepusium belonging properly and only to the Sworn Citizens of the same Cities and as well to the Protestants as to the Catholicks be restor'd and maintain'd in its former State and in no wise any more disturbed by any one under the pain mention'd in the renewed and aforesaid Articles Secondly That in order to maintain a Civil mutual Union and put out any Fewel of Division and Hatred a free Election be made of the same Magistrate and other Officers out of the well deserving and well qualified Sworn Citizens without any difference of the Catholick and Protestant Religion and that the Employments and any Civil Dignities whatsoever be indifferently and equally conferr'd and bestowed so that the Catholicks and Protestants promote mutually one another to publick civil Honours according to the intention of the aforesaid 13 th Article of the year 1608 before the Coronation and of the 44 th of the year 1609. Thirdly That in order to observe a just equality of Turns and procure the publick good of the Cities it be graciously granted that the Offices of Judged and Tribune be by Turns and promiscuously exercised for a year according to the intention of the aforesaid Articles and of the 12 th in the year 1649. All the Protestant Citizens and Inhabitants of the three Nations of the Free and Imperial Cities Cassovia and Epperies The Grievance of the Protestants of the Free and Imperial City of Carpona IT is not without a great deal of Grief that all the Noblemen and Gentlemen all the Auxiliary Forces and hired Soldiers of both sorts and all the Protestant Inhabitants and Citizens of Carpona think it their Duty to Represent to Your most Sacred Majesty that altho' according to Your most Sacred Majesty's Resolution inserted in the 26 th Article of the Diet of Sopron Anno 1681. Among the places of the Kingdom which were to be appointed for the Building of new Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes for the conveniency of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg the same City of Carpona is particularly named and established to be one of the places where the free exercise of Religion should entirely and quietly be enjoyed as it may be seen in these words In the Division before the Mountains at Leva Carpona and Tulekin Nevertheless Your Majesty's High Commissioners appointed in the year 1688 last past in the Mountain Cities being come to that of Carpona whereas according to the intention of the aforesaid Article and of Your Majesty's Gracious Resolution and Declaration contain'd in it instead of the convenient Churches and Schools and Parishes which were from the Protestants of the Confession of Ausbourg they should have appointed other convenient and fit places and left the Protestants in the quiet Possession of them according to the intention of the 19 th Article in the year 1647 did on the contrary turn the Protestant Ministers and School-masters out of
their Offices and with severe Threats forbid both all the Protestant Noblemen and Gentlemen all the Soldiers of the Garison as well as all the Inhabitants and Citizens to continue the Exercise of Religion which had been enjoy'd in the same place from time out of Memory and was confirm'd by the Articles as we have already said till your Majesty's further Resolution were known to the great prejudice of a Spiritual Exercise which suffers no delay and to the diminishing of the Right granted to the Protestants by the Articles and confirm'd by Your Majesty's Favour Therefore they do wholly Rely on the Articles and Your Majesty's Grant and Humbly beg that not only convenient and fit places within the Walls of the said City be appointed to them for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes but also that they may have a Free Exercise of Religion together with the common and indifferent use of Bells and Burials according to the aforesaid 26 th Article of Sopron and as they had formerly The Grievances of the Imperial and Free Protestant Cities Veterozolium Breznobania and Libethbania ALL the Protestants of the same Imperial and Free Cities set forth their most lamentable Case in respect of Religion that whereas they should noy be hinder'd to enjoy at least in private the free Exercise of Religion granted by the Articles of Sopron to all and every where in the Kingdom without excepting any part of it and less the fourth State which comprehends all the Imeprial and Free Cities of the Kingdom belonging properly to the Crown through His Imperial Majesty's Favour according to the clear and evident explication of the 1 st Article made before the Coronation in the year 1608. and confirm'd in the 25 th Article of Sopron but rather by virtue of the following 26 th Article of Sopron which speaks in general of the Cities and by way of instance names only two of each sort viz. of the Mountain Cities and of the Free Cities His Majesty's High Commissioners appointed in the year 1688. should also have appointed them commodious and convenient places for the building of new Churches and Schools and erecting Parishes yet they have obtain'd nothing On the contrary the Ministers have been turn'd at and expell'd by the High Commissioners and the Protestants have been most severely forbidden by the same to exercise their Religion in private or to go to any Neighbouring place where their Religion is Exercised Moreover against the express grant of the 11 th and 12 th Article in the year 1647. maugre the Protestants and by force the said High Commissioners have assign'd and appropriated all the Proper Revenues of Schools and Churches to the Catholick Curates which they have brought in and have very few Followers in the Cities of Veterozolium and Breznobania and but one in Libethbania In fine the said High Commissioners did by all means and do still compell without distinction all the Protestant Inhabitants and Citizens especially the Trades and Handy-craft-men to Ceremonies contrary to their Religion therefore the said Protestants humbly beg the same Liberty of Religion as is granted in the Articles and enjoy'd in other Cities since these in no wise deserve a worse case and that there may be assign'd them convenient places for the building of new Churches and Schools and erecting Parishes The Grievances of the Free and Imperial Cities St. George Bazinga Tyrnaw Szakoliza Kussegh and Rust. THese Free and Imperial Cities do also lament and set forth their desolate Case and great Unhappiness in respect of Religion that whereas according to the genuine Sense of the Articles of Sopron made in the behalf of Religion its free Exercise is granted to every one and every where in the Kingdom they should not be hinder'd to enjoy at least in private the said free Exercise of Religion but by Virtue of the 26 th Article of Sopron which speaks in general of the Cities Places should have been appointed them for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes yet they have obtain'd none of the premisses but on the contrary have been forbidden to exercise any way their Religion their Ministers have been expell'd and forbidden to come any more into the said Cities it is prohibited under the sorest punishment to frequent the places where there is Exercise of Religion to go thither to have Children Baptiz'd or to receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and to send for Protestant Ministers to Sick and Dying Persons in a word the whole Exercise of the Protestant Religion is forbidden against the sense of the aforesaid Articles and the Protestants are compell'd to Ceremonies contrary to their Religion therefore they humbly beg that they may enjoy the same Benefit as is granted in the Articles and have places appointed them for the Building of Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes as well as the other Cities since that Privilege is equally granted to all and therefore the case of some ought not to be worse than that of others The Grievances of the Free and Imperial Cities Trenschin and Modra THese two Free and Imperial Cities complain with a great deal of Sorrow that by Virtue of the 26 th Article of Sopron the Lords Commissioners did indeed assign to them places for the Building of Churches and Schools and erecting Parishes and grant them the free Exercise of their Religion but with such Limitation and Restraint as take away many things essentially requisite and necessary for the said exercise of Religion and are directly contrary to the genuine intention of the Articles as First The Lords Commissioners did lessen the Number of the Protestant Ministers and forbid others to be put in their room after their Death Secondly They did forbid all the Protestants to whom a free Exercise of Religion is granted by Virtue of that General Clause of the 25 th Article to every one and every where in the Kingdom to frequent the Neighbouring Churches and perform in them any duty of Religion Thirdly They did forbid the Ministers to Visit the Estrangers were they never so Sick. Fourthly They did Order that the Handy-craft-men and common sort of People should be compell'd under severe punishment to Ceremonies contrary to their way viz. To walk with the Catholicks in Procession and carry processional Trophies Fifthly They did forbid the Protestant Ministers to go and Administer Baptism or perform other Ceremonies in the Neighbouring Towns. Sixthly They did appoint that there should be no petty Schools but such where Children could Learn only to Read and to Write The Grievances of the Counties of Vpper Hungary Semlin Abavivar Unghwaar Saraz Tornaw c. and of all the Protestant Noblemen and Gentlemen living in the Mountain Towns of the Principality of Tokai THe same Protestants are forc'd to Represent to Your Most Sacred Majesty that although in the following words of the 26 th Article of Sopron but in other Counties as in those of Salawar Vesprim Saraz Moramoruss Abavivar Sellia
permitted but the Petty or as the Commissioners term it such where Children learn only to Read and to Write and but in two places mention'd in the Articles all the others are generally shut and prohibited and their Masters turn'd out although the 25 th Article had restor'd both these and the Ministers in their respective Offices It is strictly forbidden that the Divine Service and Exercise of Religion be performed by Protestant Ministers in the Houses and places of Residence of Noblemen or in the Oratories and Chappels belonging to them but with this admirable Limitation That if any Noble-Man will have the Divine Service done in his House he shall employ no other Minister than one of the two left in the County and that only for themselves and their Family All the Payments whatsoever except those which belong to the two Schools appointed in each County are adjudg'd to the Catholick Curates and are generally wrested by the same with the help of the Soldiers The Peasants are absolutely forbidden to Exercise their Religion in the use of Baptism Marriage Confirmation Burials and of the Lord's Supper as also to frequent the places appointed by the Articles for the Divine Service and are compelled with all possible violence to Ceremonies contrary to their way Moreover in many Towns of the County of Turocz as in Bella Zatureza and Pribocz there were Churches Built at the Charges of the Protestants whose Members had not reconciled themselves to the Church of Rome before the Article was made yet without any regard to the Exception contain'd in the beginning of the 26 th Article all those Churches have been seized upon and the use of Bells and Burials is granted no more to the Protestants unless they ask and pay the Catholick Curates for it In the County of Sachsag the Protestants should freely and peaceably have enjoyed all the Churches which were in their Possession when the Article was made and were left for their use by the same Article yet the Illustrious Wolffgang Earl of Kohary Supreme Earl of the said County by Deputation as he has declar'd of the Illustrious George Earl of Erdedy with the assistance of the Vicount of the same County has seized the same Churches except a very small one which stands in a most despicable Village called Drieno and has not been Built by the Protestants Commanding withal all the Protestant Ministers to go out of their respective Parishes and places of abode under pain of Emprisonment and forbidding all Persons of quality to entertain them any way even privately altho' the Protestants of this County had been establish'd and confirm'd in the free use of all the Churches which were in their Possession when the Article was made The most Humble and Lawful Demands of the aforesaid Counties are these SInce His most Sacred Majesty both by the Confirmation of the 25 th and 26 th Articles of the Diet of Sopron made in 21 st Article of the Diet of Presburg in the year 1687 and by the Resolution declar'd to the Deputies of the said Counties in their Audience has engaged his Royal Word not only to observe the aforesaid Articles in all their Points and Clauses but also to cause the others to observe the same therefore the Protestants of the aforesaid Counties Humbly beg that according to the most simple and evident Sense of the same Articles they may be Redressed Re-establish'd Restor'd and by an express Decree confirm'd in the following particulars That according to the intention of the the 25 th Article of the Diet of Sopron all their Ministers and Rectors may live freely among them and perform the Duties of their Prosession without any Limitation since the same Article Grants thus much restoring both the Ministers and School-Masters even those which were Banish'd annulling their Deeds of Reversion That as many Churches and Chappels whose Members are not reconciled to the Church of Rome and have been Built by the Protestants as stand in the said Counties be restor'd to us to Exercise our Religion in them according to the intent of the aforesaid 26 th Article That according to the intention of the so often mention'd 26 th Article the Protestants of the said Counties be discharg'd from paying any thing to the Catholick Curats and oblig'd only to entertain their own Ministers Lastly That any Protestant of whatsoever State and Condition not excluding the Peasants according to these words of the 25 th Article to every one and every where may freely Exercise his Religion without being compelled to contrary Ceremonies and that neither of the Parties perfume to disturb any way the other under the pain mention'd in the said Article Besides the foregoing Demands wherein the County of Sachsag joyns with the other Counties by a particular Right granted in the Articles the same County of Sachsag requires that all the seized Churches be restor'd to the Protestants which were in their Possession when the Article was made The Grievance of the City of Gyongyos THis City complains that whereas according to the express Grant of the 26 th Article of the Diet of Sopron in these words But in other Counties viz. in those of Salavar Vesprim c. and Geves in which this City stands since the Protetestants are actually in Possession of almost all the Churches there c. Item Finally the Churches which are actually possessed by those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg shall be still for their use c. It should have been left in the actual Possession and use of all the Protestant Churches Parishes and Schools which were quietly possessed by the Protestants before and after the Diet of Sopron to the Date underwritten yet to the great Contempt of His Imperial Majesty's and of the Article's Grant and to the great prejudice of the Protestants Right by Order and Commission of the most Reverend Archbishop of Gran and of the Right Honourable George Earl of Erdody not only the Churches but also the Schools and Parishes with all their Appurtenances consisting in Eleven Vineyards Five Mills One Butcher's Stall and a House which had all been given by Protestants in their Wills or Purchased with the Protestants Money were seized by force on the 21 st of May in the year 1688 last past by the Honourable Iean Almassy of Heves and Francis Setuitter of Pesth Judges of the same Counties moreover the Protestant Ministers and School-masters were Banish'd the Free Exercise of Religion even in private Houses is forbidden as well as the use of Bells and Burials in proper places the Protestants being strictly Commanded to Bury their Dead in remote High-ways and Commons where all the Filth of the Towns is carried Therefore they lawfully Demand a full Restitution of all that has been taken from them and an exact Execution of the aforesaid Article The Grievance of the City of Moramoruss THe Protestant Citizens and Inhabitants together with the Militia of Moramoruss complain that altho' by Vertue of
recompence this Imperial Royal Favour with all sort of Happines from above Deliver'd to His Sacred Majesty at Aix la Chapelle upon his going to Vienna the 24 th day of April in the year 1689. Your most Sacred Majesty's most Humble and Faithful Subjects the Deputies of the Evangelicks in the Counties Cities Towns and Frontiers of Upper and Lower Hungary about the Business of their distressed Religion The First Article of the Peace of Vienna in the Year 1606. AS to the Business of Religion notwithstanding the former publick Constitutions and the last Article of the Year 1604 which was made without the Diet and the consent of the Subjects and therefore is annulled it is granted That according to his Imperial Majesty's former Resolution to which the Subjects refer themselves in their replying all and each State of the Kingdom of Hungary as well the Peers and Noblemen as the free Cities and the Privileged Towns belonging immediately to the Crown and all the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers shall any where and at any time profess and exercise their Religion without any Disturbance either from His most Sacr'd Majesty or from any Person whatsoever a free exercise of Religion being hereby granted to all the said States of the Kingdom Provided always That the Roman Catholick Religion be not thereby prejudiced That the Roman Catholick Clergy Churches and Chappels remain free and unmolested and that what has been taken from them in these Troubles be restor'd The First Article made before the Coronation in the Year 1608. concerning Religion COncerning the first Article of the Treaty of Vienna it is resolv'd by the States and Orders of Hungary that the Exercises of Religion shall be left free not only to the Noblemen and to the Inhabitants of the free Cities but also to the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers of the Kingdom of Hungary and to all the Farmers and Peasant that will freely accept the same nor shall any of 'em be disturbed in the free Exercise of Religion but to prevent any effect of hatr'd and dissension between Roman Catholicks and Protestants It is Order'd That each Party shall have a Superior or Surperintendant of his own Profession Although this last first Article of the Year 1608 was renew'd in 77 th Article of the Year 1618 inserted in the General Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of the Emperor Ferdinand the Second in the Year 1622 restor'd to his Force by the 22 d Article of the Year 1625 by the 33 d Article of the Year 1630 and by the 29 th Article of the Year 1635 confirm'd in the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 and 14 th Articles of the new Treaty of Peace made with George Ragoczy Prince of Transilvania in the Year 1648 Ratifyed both in the aforenamed Articles of 1649 and in the 10 th Article of the Year 1649 and in the 18 th Article of the Year 1655 made at Rakocziâ and lastly confirm'd again and inserted in the Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of Leopold the present Emperor in the Year 1659 yet notwithstanding all these the said Article remains without Force and the Exercise of the Protestant Religion is wholly exterminated against the Articles and the publick Constitutions of the Kingdom as well as against the Sacred Imperial Letters Patent And yet all this contributed little towards a Peace for the Results of this Diet concerned none but the good and quiet Men and such as were zealous for the Settlement and Peace of their Country Whilest Tekeli and others of that Spirit whose Minds were possess'd with virulent Malice and Ambition were plotting and contriving the means to set up their own Authority and give themselves into the Hands of the Turks rather than to the Power of their Sovereign Prince of whose natural Clemency thô they were well assur'd yet they suspected and fear'd his Councils which being chiefly influenced and directed by Jesuits and the Spirit of the Clergy could never be reconciled in any tollerable manner to the Protestant profession Thus whilest things were Negotiating in the Diet Tekeli besieg'd Kalo which surrendr'd at discretion with little or no resistance and Prince Apafi joyning with some Parties of the Malecontents laid Seige to Zatmar with an Army composed of Transilvanians Moldavians Turks and Malecontents of Hungary all which acted in four separate Bodies being well provided with Cannon and all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions so soon as Apafi had form'd his Siege he put forth a Manifest or Declaration which he caused to be privately stolen into the Town and there dispers'd signifying that out of Christian piety and compassion to the miserable state of that Kingdom he had left his Country and Dwelling with no other intent than only to cause their Churches to be restor'd to them with a free Liberty of Conscience and Exercise of Religion and that their Estates which had been confiscated for the sake of their Religion and defence of their Rights and Privileges might be again restor'd to them To which he added many Solemn Protestations that he had no other end nor intention than the welfare and happiness of the Kingdom Farther also he said that he had a power sufficient for this Enterprise being well seconded by the Grand Seignior and acted by his Commission and that the Succession to the Principality was promised unto his Son to whom besides the Forces with him he had left a Guard of 20.000 Men. Having made thus much known to the Inhabitants of Zatmar he vigorously proceeded in the Siege having received a Recruit of 8000 Men from the Pasha of Buda being a Detachment from 40.000 which were Encamp'd before the place whereof he was Governour And thô with these Forces the Town of Zatmar was taken yet Serini who Commanded the place retiring into the Castle or Citadel he so well defended the same that Apafi was forc'd to raise the Siege and march away burning several Towns year 1682. and taking a Thousand Prisoners in his Retreat The raising of this Siege was variously interpreted and so ill taken by the Turks that Complaints were made thereof against Apafi at the Port. But it was no time now to make alterations or disturbances in Transilvania Towards the end of this year the Emperor being desirous to Crown the Empress at Oedembourg sent a Convoy of 500 Huâsars 100 Heyduks and 500 Cuirassiers to fetch the Crown of St. Stephen from the Castle of Presburg where it is always lodg'd which being brought thither the Empress was Crown'd Queen of Hungary with great Solemnity And that this Ceremony might be performed with the more order and security a Cessation of Arms was agreed with Tekeli for six Moths And to make appear how propitious this day of Coronation was like to be Count Caprara fell on the Rear of Apafi s Forces as they were retiring into their own Country took all their Baggage and entring into Transilvania burn'd five Castles and divers
1080 Halil Pasha of Sivas 530 Ahmet Pasha of Maras 710 Husaein Pasha of Aleppo 950 Osman Pasha a Sangiac under him 510 Husaein Pasha of Damascus 2300 Hassan Pasha of Armit 500 Bei of Gran Cairo 3000 Basha of Tokai on the Borders of Persia 340 Bekir Pasha 500 27750 This Computation may very well agree with the Forces of the first Year's Expedition out of Asia to which being adjoyned the several Chambers of Janisaries with all the European Forces both Horse and Foot as also the Tartars Transilvanians Moldavians and Valachians with the Hungarian Rebels we may without Romance account the Ottoman Force to consist of a Hundred eighty Thousand effective fighting Men besides Miners Pioniers Sutlers Gunners Attendants on the Train of Artillery Attendants and Servants belonging to the Tents with a vast number of Rascals and Rabble following the Camp which may very well be Calculated to amount unto at least 40 000 more For the Turks above any Nation in the World have their Camp pestered with the Incumbrances of Baggage so that if we consider this vast number of 220.000 Men it will not seem incredible what we find reported that they spread the Country eight Leagues in length The Report of this formidable and as to human Appearance invincible Army caused the Duke of Loraine to hasten with all speed possible the Fortifications of Raab which he designed to enlarge on some rising Grounds near to the Town and to defend them with the whole Body of the Army or at least by the Infantry which having a Communication with the Garrison might be able to oppose that great force of the Enemy and weary them out by a lingring Siege in a Country which was already become desolate and without Forage for above twenty Miles round But the Duke of Loraine having received Intelligence that the Grand Vizier on the 1st of Iuly was entred into Alba Regalis and certainly resolved to Besiege Vienna and to stop at no other place on their March thither He then changed his Measures and having reinforced Raab with the three Regiments of Baden Grana and Souches and given the command of the Place to Colonel Wallis and having also reinforced Comorra and other Places with strong Garrisons his whole Field-Army became reduced unto 24.000 Men only And fearing lest with so small a number he should be surrounded by the multitudes of the Enemy he once resolved to encamp himself under the Cannon of Vienna In the mean time Tekeli having made a Visit to the Grand Vizier in his Camp at Alba Regalis perswaded him to publish a Manifest signifying unto the People That the Grand Seignior did take under his Protection all the Hungarians who should joyn themselves to the Male-contented Party and that he would maintain them in their Priviledges Liberties Estates Laws and Religion And that such who refused to accept this gracious Offer were to expect no Quarter but to be punished with Fire and Sword. This Manifest being divulged by Tekeli at his return from the Vizier to Cassovia so operated on many of the Hungarians that the Towns of Papa Tot and Vesprin accepted of the same and opened their Gate to Tekeli and his Party And such was the Consternation of all Hungary that many other Counties and Towns declared to the Emperor's Commissioners that they would open their Gates to Tekeli at the first Summons rather than expose themselves to Fire and Sword where was no hopes or expectations of Relief This Declaration of the People giving the Emperor just cause to fear lest Neutra and the Mountain Towns should follow the same Example Orders were given to Count Schultz Governour of Neutra to demolish that Fortress and bring the gross Cannon with all the Ammunition from thence and the like Command was given to the Officers of the Mountain Towns where the Mines of Silver were it being impossible to relieve them because Tekeli was Master of all the Passes which led thither which Orders were readily obeyed by the Officers Priests and Religious Men who fled to the Camp of General Schultz on the Banks of the River Waagh Where Schultz having joyned with the six Thousand Polish Horse under the Command of Prince Lubomiski he had the fortune to meet a Party of the Malecontents joyned with some Tartars and to give them a total Defeat killing and taking two Thousand of them with several Colours and all their Baggage In the mean time whilest the Duke of Loraine was in this dubious Condition not knowing what course was best to be taken he resolved once to retire under the Cannon of Vienna and there to govern himself according to the Motion of the Enemy but the Turks came on so fast their Van appearing on the Banks of the River Raab followed by the whole Body of their Army Marching in Batalia that there was no time for any thing but a Precipitous Flight nothing was now to be put to a hazard for the least Defeat might cause the absolute loss of Vienna and open the Enemies way into the Hereditary Countries In this exigency all the Foot was Transported over into the Island of Schultz under the Command of the Count de Zely and all the Horse being about Nine thousand five hundred in number Marched away about Midnight and pitched their Camp near to Altembourg The Infantry being in the Isle of Schultz Marched without danger of the Enemy and were in the way either to Communicate with Raab or to give Succour to Vienna according as they saw the Enemy bend their Course for they were in a Condition to move faster than the multitudes and gross Bodies of the Turks In a few Days it appear'd that the Turks aimed at the Capital City of Vienna and to leave all the other Fortresses behind them as being places which would fall of themselves and follow the Fate of the Imperial Court. The News of all which being carried from the Duke of Loraine by Count Caprara to the Emperor and also that the Baggage of the Duke of Saxelawenburg of Prince Lewis de Baden and of the Counts Caprara and Montecuculi were all taken by the Turks and their Convoy defeated and that the Horse in great disorder had abandoned the Infantry and left them to shift for themselves in the Isle of Schultz and were Marching with great Disorder to Vienna No sooner was this Intelligence arrived than the Tartars appear'd at the same time within two Leagues of the City and set Fire to all the Villages round about the Smoak of which ascending upwards gave visible demonstrations of the truth of these Reports and put all the Court and City into a distracted Consternation The Emperor after the coming of this News made no delay to depart away with the Empress the Arch-Duchess and all the Court for Lintz There was now no time to spare and Fear added Wings as well to the Poor as to the Rich the great Personages whose Offices obliged them to an
of the Honour of the Success of this Day was due to the Bravery of the Germans who were the first to enter into the Camp and Trenches of the Enemy Thus were the Christians become Masters of the Turkish Camp where they lodged that Night in the same Form and Order as the Turks had done the Night before with Fires and Lights in all the Tents only it was a more grateful Spectacle to the Besieged which they could behold with more Comfort and Security than ever they had done the Nights before for this was of Joy and the others of Terrour In the Night the Turks passed the River at Sweker with so much Fear and Precipitation that they not only left their whole Camp standing but even the Standard of the Empire which is the Sacred Banner of their Religion with the three Horse Tails which are the Ensigns of the Vizier's Authority Moreover they abandoned to their Enemies all their Tents Baggage Ammunition and Provisions with all their Cannon and Artillery being One hundred and eighty Pieces and so speedy were they in their Flight that before the next Day in the Evening the Van of their Army had passed Raab Next day early in the Morning Count Staremberg attended with his Son and several of the principal Commanders of the City went out to return Thanks to his Benefactors for so great deliverance and to Congratulate with them their Fortunate Successes and Triumph which would appear Glorious over all the World But the first thing which the Duke of Loraine did that Morning by break of Day was to Order all his Army to put themselves into a readiness to March whilst he consulted with the King of Poland how and in what manner they might pursue the Enemy and improve the Victory But the King seemed so well satisfied with the advantage already gained and with the Prey and Booty of which he was possessed sitting Master in the Vizier's Tent with all the Appurtenances and Accommodations thereunto belonging that he excused all farther Proceedings at present saying That his Army was much Harassed and required Repose and not in a Condition to pursue an Enemy whom they beheld at a far distance advanced in their way before them by the Fires and Smoak whith ascended upwards for as the Turks fled they burnt all the Villages through which they passed And now in the Christian Camp and in the City was time for Joy and Triumph Count Staremberg having paid his Respects and made his Complements to the King of Poland and the Duke of Loraine he conducted them into the City with a numerous attendance of Nobility and Gentry who had served in the late Siege all the Forces were drawn up on both sides of the Streets between which they passed with loud Acclamations of Joy unto the Church of the Augustin Fryers where in the first place as was most just Te Deum was Sung and Thanks returned to God with Sincere Devotion Thence they went to the House of the Governour Count Staremberg where he received the Applause and Praises of the King of Poland and the Duke of Loraine which were due to his Conduct and Valour and the like Commendations were bestowed by them upon all the Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison who had every one signalized themselves during this Siege by some Action or piece of Service or other which was Remarkable and worthy of Observation Afterwards these welcome and long-desired Guests were entertained with a sumptuous Feast at the Governour 's House after which towards the Evening with the like Joy and Festivity they returned to their respective Quarters and Tents in the Camp. In the mean time the Besieged Inhabitants who had long been pent up and inclosed within the Walls of the City were not only desirous to breath in a more open Air but were carried with a Curiosity to see the Approaches which the Enemy had been making on them and how near they had entred to the Heart of the City that it may be doubtful whether it was more pleasant to Men lately delivered from the extremity of a perishing Condition to behold how near they were to the devouring Enemy and yet to escape or to survey with an amazed Curiosity the Tents Batteries Trenches and Approaches which the Turks had formed against them with wonderful Art and Industry The Face of all things was now changed Want and Famine into Plenty Fears and Anguish into Joy and War into Peace In the Vizier's Tent of which the King of Poland was possessed the rich Vestments Jewels and Mony there found were valued at a Million and became the Prey and Booty allotted to his Majesty which no Man envied considering the generous and heroick Action of that Prince for whose Merit no Reward seemed too great Amongst other things in that Tent the Standard of Mahomet was found which the King sent to Pope Innocent the XI by his Secretary Tulenti On the 14th the Emperor with the Electors of Bavaria and Saxony entred into the City of Vienna which he beheld with Eyes of Compassion and Tenderness for seeing the Desolation which the Enemy had made and considering the Slaughter of many of his trusty Citizens and valiant Soldiers he could not refrain from Tears of Sorrow mixed with Joy for the Deliverance and Safety of the superviving Party Being entred within the Gates he went directly to the Cathedral of St. Stephen's not on Horse-back or on a Triumphal Chariot but humbly and meekly on Foot carrying a Taper in his Hand in a kind of penitential manner went to the great Altar to pay his Duty and offer up his solemn Thanks to Almighty God according to his usual Devotion for the wonderful and miraculous Deliverance of that City And having thus in the first place complied with his Service towards God he went in the next to visit the King of Poland whom he overtook at Sweket a Village about a League distant from Vienna as he was proceeding on some farther Enterprise against the Enemy Upon notice of the Emperor's Approach the King whose Army marched in the Van made a stop and the German Army being in the Rear the Emperor placed himself at the head of them and the Polish Army facing at the same time about the Kiâg appeared at the head of his and so between the two Armies these two great Princes attended with a numerous Train of the chief Nobility and Gentry belonging to each Court met and embraced each other and with very affectionate Complements and Expressions of Kindness and Friendship having entertained Discourse together for the space of near half an Hour after second Embraces they departed Never was there a more heroick and generous Action performed in the World than was this of the King of Poland who after a long and tedious March so valiantly exposed his own Person to Hazard and his Army in the face of an Enemy which to human Appearance was Invincible and all this to bring Relief
Breach of the lower Town in the taking of which they lost but Eight Soldiers in that Day and Night's Service which being so cheaply obtained the Generals suspected that the Enemy had abandoned the Place with Design and with Intention to Blow up the Assailants with some Mines prepared for them and for that reason they gave a stop to the Advancement of the Troops but the next Day having searched and examined those Places and finding all secure they proceeded to make a new Lodgment in the Angle of the Wall of the lower Town which answered in a right Line to the main Tower of the upper City under whââh they lay secure from the Enemies Shot This Exploit being performed with the loss only of Sixteen Men there was but little Plunder found therein besides some Horses and Oxen and some few Field-pieces upon one of the Works for all the Houses were beaten down by the Turks themselves and consumed by Fire and the Inhabitants either fled or retired into the upper Fortifications which shews evidently that the Turks looking on that Place as not tenable had drawn their Force into the higher Town in which they placed all their Security hoping to make a most vigorous Resistence both by the advantagious Situation and the goodness of the Fortifications But the Christians finding the Advantage of the lower Ground whereby to offend the upper City employed immediately Two thousand Men with diverse Laboures to draw the Lines and deepen the Approaches from one Gate to the other In the mean time the Turks who lived in the parts adjacent to Buda being put into great Consternation by the concourse of the Christian Arms prepared themselves to fly and seek Refuge in remote parts so that many with their Wives and Children and Servants having taking with them the best of their Housholdstuff and Goods passed over to the Island of St. Margarets which is situate in the Danube and of a very great length but finding this Place of too near Neighbourhood to the Christian Army and very unsecure having got about thirty large Boats and Barges they had laden their Goods and embarked their Persons thereon with design to pass down the River to Belgrade when a Body of Hungarians Hussars and Heydukes under Command of Count Budiani having Advice thereof armed out a good number of Boats and Barges and with Three hundred Dragoons by Land boarded their Vessels and having killed the Boat-men and the chief amongst them easily made themselves Masters of the rest and of all the rich Houshold-stuff Mony and Goods in such abundance that every Common Soldier had a Suit and Vest of Silk for his own Share with other good Booty and Plunder which they carried away and departed but being informed afterwards by some Rascians that the Inhabitants of that Island had committed many Cruelties and Outrages upon the Christians they returned again to the Island which is about seven Hungarian or German Miles long which make about Twenty eight English and there put all to Fire and Sword year 1686. with the Slaughter of about a Thousand Men. After which Count Budiani went purposely to the Duke of Loraine in the Camp to render an account of his late Atchievements and in testimony thereof he presented him with seven Turkish Standards which he had won in that and in an other Rencounter in which he had defeated a Party of the Enemy near Erscin together with some Prisoners of Quality and Condition amongst which there was an Aga and a Chiaus The Christian Soldiers animated with these daily Successes some few of them with more Temerity than Prudence made an attempt to Lodge themselves nearer to the Upper City without those due Precautions of Defence which are commonly used by throwing up of Earth and making some little Blinds as is practiced in all Military Approaches but these bold Men adventured with open Breasts to enlarge their Lodgments on that side of the City which looks towards Strigoniam which when the Turks observed a great number of them flanked on one side by the round Tower and on the other by a Party of Musqueteers throwing Stones and Hand-granadoes assailed the Germans who were not above Fifty in all with so much Fury as forced them to make their Retreat the which notwithstanding they did with good Order being assisted by their Comrades who came to their Help and repulsed the Enemy and made them with some loss to retire back into the City Howsoever in a short time after about the Close of the Evening the Turks made a more vigorous Sally on the Left-hand of the âound Tower of the old City The Count of Ausberg and the Cavalier Rohne having the Command that Night of those Quarters with great Bravery received the Enemy and engaged with them for above an Hour's space when the Prince of Commarcy and the Prince of Vaudemont having their Quarters near thereunto came seasonably into their Succour with many Gentlemen who were Voluntiers and Soldiers of Fortune and forced the Turks back into the City with the loss of about Fifty Ianisaries Of the Christians were about ten killed in this Action which was well paid by the advantage then gained for whilst the Parties were engaged in this manner they opened the Trenches on both sides of the old City with two large Parades or places of Arms and extended the Lines of the Approaches towards the two Bulwarks of the upper City And because it was necessary to Batter the City on that side a Battery was raised without the old Wall of Sixteen Pieces of heavy Cannon from which many Shot were made at the round Tower and several Bombs thrown into the City The Turks nothing disanimated herewith made a vigorous Sally on the Quarters of the Bavarian Forces with Three thousand Horse and Foot and thô the Elector was at that time indisposed in his Health yet his Bravery prompted him to mount on Horseback and with the assistance of the Horse under Command of Lieutenant Colonel Hofkerken which were Quartered in a Vally on the Way towards Strigonium he with a steddy Foot opposed the Turks and forced them to Retire with Disorder into the Town In this Action Twenty four of their Officers were Slain with many Ianisaries and many Wounded Of the Bavarians about Forty were Killed caused by a Surprize at the first beginning of the Sally The Prince of Savoy according to his natural Courage and Valour pressing into the thickest of the Enemies numbers had his Horse Killed under him but mounting another pursued the Enemy to the very Gates of the City Whilst these things were acting it was a matter of great encouragement to the Camp to find their Forces daily augmenting by new Recruits For the Swedes were then newly arrived under the Command of the Marquis of Turlac and took their Station on that side which leads to Alba Regalis These were followed by Lieutenant General Schoning Commander in Chief of
to them in the World since that their Country lying open and without defence would thereby be exposed to all the Hostilities which the most barbarous and cruel Enemy in the World could execute The Duke of Loraine finding that the Commission of these Deputies extended no farther than what they had declared returned them back again with Count Scherffemberg and Baron Falkenhem who were orordered to let Prince Apafi know that since he had refused to assign him Winter-quarters on fair Terms he himself should be constrained to point them out unto his Troops and continue his March into the Bowels of his Country The States of the Principality perceiving the Duke of Loraine to be in earnest and resolved to obtain his Demands were contented to grant him Quarters for a certain number but that not suffising he continued his March towards Clausembourg or Claudiopolis the chief City of that Country and the place where the States of Transilvania did usually Assemble It is situate in a very fuitful Plain upon the little River of Samos it is encompassed with very thick Walls and the Houses are very well Built it is defended by an ancient Fortress the Suburbs are so large and well peopled that it seems to be another Town the Inhabitants are both Hungarians and Saxons who live in so good unity and correspondence together that both are equally capable of Offices and Places of Trust in the Government The Duke of Loraine so soon as he appeared before the Place sent to the Governour to provide Quarters in the Town for some of his Troops but he excusing it and saying that he could not do it without Orders from Prince Apafi immediately Count Caprara was sent to let him know that his Answer was not satisfactory and that Orders were given to the Infantry to prepare all things necessary for making an Attack on the Town Whereupon the Governour considering better of the matter enter'd into a Treaty with the Duke of Loraine who condescended to grant unto the Inhabitants these following Conditions That the Inhabitants should enjoy a free Exercise of their Religion That the Magistrates and Citizens should be maintained in their Liberties and Priviledges and not be forced to pay any extraordinary Contributions That every Officer or Magistrate of the City should be exempt from giving Quarters to any Soldier in his own House That what Forage and Subsistence should be necessary for the Soldiery should be furnished in Specie and no Money exacted in lieu of the same And that the Soldiers be forbidden under severe Penalties to commit any Disorders or Abuse the People That those Citizens who were unwilling to continue their Aboad in the City but were desirous to depart might have Liberty so to do and carry with them all their Goods and Moveables According to these Conditions the Garrison of Apafi marched out at one Gate whilst Three thousand of the Imperialists enter'd in at the other with Drums beating and Colours flying and the Command of the Town was given to Count Guy de Staremberg whith a strict Charge to punish most severely all Insolences of the Soldiers the which was carefully observed not only in that City but also in all parts of Transilvania since their entrance into it The Duke of Loraine having for one day refreshed the rest of his Army in places without the Town marched towards Turtembourg which is another important Pass in that Country in which having left a Garrison he proceeded to Weissembourg otherwise called Alba Iulia so named from the Empress Iulia Mother of Marcus Aurelius and entred into it without any resistance The place is situate on the side of a Hill from whence a vast Plain discovers it self it is reported to have been the ultimate Limit of the Roman Conquests on that side Prince Ragotzki erected an University there which was very flourishing and famous considering the Country Hermanstadt alias Zeben followed the Example of the aforesaid places It is the Metropolis of the whole Province of Savons situate in a Plain full of Boggs and Marshes and no Hills near to command it the Walls are very thick and flanked with very great Bastions Bestrissa and all the other considerable Towns opened in like manner their Gates so that now the whole Army being conveniently Quartered the Duke of Loraine entred into a Treaty with Prince Apafi and the States of Transilvania and concluded on these following Articles I. That the Prince of Transilvania his Children and all persons of his Houshold as also all the Nobles and in General all the People of Transilvania may have liberty according to their Will and Pleasure to go out of Hermanstadt or any other City or Town and return again as shall be most agreeable and expedient to or for their Affairs II. That the Prince and Michael Apafi his Eldest Son who is declared Successor to his Father shall both retain the same Power and Dignity with which the Sultan had invested them and that the Principality should be governed by them and the Estates according to the known Laws and Customs of that Country III. That the Four Religions allowed in Transilvania that is to say the Roman Catholicks the Lutherans the Calvinists and the Unitarians or Socinians shall be permitted to exercise the Rites of their respective Religions and to have Liberty of Conscience equally indulged to them IV. That it shall not be permitted on any pretence whatsoever to molest the Priests or the Ministers of any of the aforesaid Religions in the due exercise of their respective Rites and Ceremonies nor disturb their Schools or Colleges the which with all freedom and liberty shall be allowed and permitted and defended by the Authority and Power of the Emperor V. That the Transilvanians shall be supported and maintained in their Civil Privileges and Franchises VI. In case any Foreign Power shall invade and attack the Country of Transilvania the Imperialists shall use all their power to drive them thence and defend the Country And the Transilvanians shall to that end enter into a defensive alliance with them the which shall by both Parties be confirmed upon Oath VII The Imperial Troops which have their Winter-Quarters in Cities Towns or Villages shall remain no longer therein than until the Spring when they shall be obliged to draw out of those Quarters into the Field that so they may be no longer a charge unto the several Cities and Countries VIII That in case the Weather and Season should be such or some other cause intervene that the Imperialists cannot conveniently draw out into the Field at the beginning of the Spring there shall be an Article expresly formed for this case that so an amicable understanding may be continued between the Emperor and Prince Apafi IX That a General Act of Amnesty or Oblivion shall pass of all Outrages and Hostilities which have been committed on one side or the other wherein all Strangers and Deserters shall be included X.
Four Quarters of the World as a Signal that therewith he would Fight against all the Enemies of that Kingdom and of the most August House of Austria After which the King descended followed by the Lordh High Chamberlain of the Mountain Cities and Baron Viechter of the Emperor's Privy-Council who scattered Money amongst the People and being entred within the Castle all the Canon were Fired and the King dismounting from his Horse was attended to the Emperor's Apartments with a splendid Train of the Nobility and Gentry and being thence conducted to the Imperial Hall he was entertained there with incomparable Musick both Vocal and Instrumental and with a Sumptuous and Royal Banquet where also all the Prelates Grandees and Strangers were treated at Eighty several Magnificent Tables After which the Solemnities and Triumphs of the day were ended with great Joy Honour and Satisfaction And now in this place it is worthy our Observation that whilst the Germans were employed in the Exaltation of Ioseph the Arch-Duke to the Throne of the Kingdom of Hungary the Turks were on the other side busy in pulling down and deposing Mahomet their Sultan and in his place raising and setting up his Brother Solyman to be their Lord and Emperor Whilst these things were in agitation the Blocade of Agria continued and the place greatly straitned by Marquess Doria. And the Duke of Loraine having agreed all things with the Prince and Estates of Transilvania and setled and secured his Army in their Winter-Quarters found a vacancy to absent himself from the Camp and ease his mind after the troubles of a long and hazardous Campaigne Accordingly the Duke in company with the Marquess of Baden Durlach took his Journey towards the Imperial Court and in his way visited Marquess Doria and taking a survey of the Blocade of Agria gave such Orders therein as were most convenient to force a speedy surrender of the place and thence proceeding to Possonium he was there received by his Imperial Majesty with such Honours and gracious Expressions as befitted the Worth and Merit of so brave and fortunate a General And having remained some few days at this place he took his leave of the Emperor and his Journey to Insprug being all the way honoured with the Praises Acclamations and Blessings of the People In the mean time Agria being miserably straitned for want of Victuals many died and others to avoid Famine abandoned the Town and fled privately to other places Those which remained within grew desperate of all relief For Tekely had promised them Succours and in pursuance thereof intended to pass the Tibiscus but meeting there with some Forces under Count Sarau was forced to retire leaving Agria to its own Fate Of which the People having Information they all arose and with one consent laying before the Pasha their miseries in which they must if not prevented in a short time inevitably perish they constrained him to propose a Treaty and send Two Hostages to the Imperial Camp which being accordingly done the Marquess of Doria accepted them and in exchange thereof sent Two others to the City The Articles were easily agreed but not so soon executed for the Pasha out of an unnecessary caution required that the Capitulations should be confirmed by the Hand of the Emperor in compliance with which demand Marquess Doria dispatched Count Anthony of Lamberg a Carinthian Gentleman with an Aga to make tender of the Articles to the Emperor the which having been examined were Approved Confirmed and Signed by his Imperial Majesty The Articles being returned with their Confirmation and the Writings of Treaty exchanged Count Marsigli with a Commissary of the Artillery was sent into the Town that with his usual Zeal and dexterous Management of Affairs which he had evidenced in several occasions in the Emperor's Service he might take notice of the state of the place and the Provisions belonging to it The Count being entred into the Gates was received kindly by the People and with much faithfulness was shewed all the Magazines Stores and Ammunition of the place We must not expect to receive any account of Victuals for those were long since consumed but as to Ammunition there were Twenty thousand Cannon-Bullets remaining of which Four Thousand were for Whole Cannon One Thousand hundred Weight of Powder Twenty thousand Hand-Granadoes besides great quantities of Bombs and Carcasses many thousands of Match One hundred and Ten Pieces of Cannon five Mortar Pieces and nine Mines and Countermines notwithstanding all which Famine being a stronger Enemy within than all the Troops and Forces were without on the 16 th of December the City was surrender'd year 1687. and according to the Capitulations Carts were provided and the Soldiers and Inhabitants with their Women and Children and with their Goods and Baggage were permitted to March out and then Russan the Pasha deliver'd up the Keys of the City Castle and Magazines to the Hand of General Caraffa who at the Head of the Imperial Troops ranged in good order stood ready to receive them Then the General conducted the Pasha to his Tent and there treated him with a very sumptuous Dinner after which he presented him with several fine Horses and two Carts laden with Refreshments Various discourses having passed between them at length Russan Pasha taking his leave said these words Into your Hands as Commissioner for the Emperor of the Romans I surrender this City without Blood for having endured a Famine of seven Months without Bread I could hold it out no longer but am forced to give up a place which one of my Emperors took with his own Hands wherefore do you give God thanks for this and all other Successes are from the appointment and disposition of the most High. All the Garrison with Men Women and Children which marched out were Three thousand five hundred about Six hundred remained in the place and submitted to the Imperial Sovereignty It was sad to hear the Miseries of those People recounted who had for several Months lived on nothing but boyled Herbs and if a piece of Horse-flesh could have been purchased with Gold to dress and put in the Pot with them it would have been a Feast for several Days The constancy of this People in their sufferings cannot be sufficiently expressed so that as the Blocade it self was the most famous of any in our Age so the Surrender of the place was of high importance for Thirteen Counties depended thereon and the Emperor thereby became absolute Master of all that Country which lies between the Danube and the Tibiscus and laid Mongatz open and exposed to greater danger which was already blocked up by Forces quarter'd round the place Thus having finished the relation of this year's Wars in Hungary it will be pertinent to our History to pass over into the Morea and there take a Survey of that Country and recount the Exploits and Atchievements performed there this year by the Venetian Arms. At the beginning of
And thus ended the Successes of this Year 1687 to the Glory of God and Confusion to the Enemies of the Christian Faith. The Victories and Triumphs in Hungary gained by the Imperial Arms were almost miraculous as is before related the successes in the Morea with the subjection of Patras Athens and other places of Greece were wonderful and the relief given to Singh and taking of Castel Nuovo were all works of the Divine Providence And when we farther consider the Tumults Seditions and Mutinies amongst the Turks themselves to the deposing of their Sultan himself and destruction of their Chief and Principal Officers by the madness and fury of the Soldiers even almost to to the total destruction of their Empire we may believe that the Hand of God was lifted up against this People to bring them to the brink of Ruin and Misery and cause them to cease and be no longer a People Let us therefore proceed to the Ensuing Year and therein relate the sequel of the wonderful works of God in whose hands are the disposal of Empires and Kingdoms year 1688. ANNO 1688. THE Emperor who had from the time of the Incoronation of the King of Hungary remained at Presburg otherwise called Possonium with all the Imperial Court returned now at the beginning of this year to Vienna and arrived there on the 26 th of Ianuary The Season was now come for making Preparations for the next Campaign against the Turks and Consultations were held not only to secure the new Conquests but to advance farther and to enlarge the Imperial Dominions at all which his Cesarean Majesty was pleased to assist in Person But in regard the Work was great and the Charges immense to Recruit the old Regiments and raise new to provide Ammunition Provisions and Forage for that vast Army which was designed for Hungary His Imperial Majesty was pleased to convene all the States of Austria and of his Hereditary Dominions who accordingly meeting and forming an August Assembly the Chancellor in the name of the Emperor declared unto them in a Florid Oration the neccessity that there was for a large supply of Money whereby to carry on the War against the Turks not only on the defensive part but also to advance forward in that way which God had opened and to enlarge the Dominions and extent of Christendom At the Conclusion of the Speech the States of Austria having with most profound Reverence and Respect returned their most humble Thanks to his Imperial Majesty for his gracious Clemency they promised in the most submissive Terms imaginable to answer the just Demands of his Majesty to the utmost of their Power The like was done by the States of Stiria the Governour of which Province called Stubemberg having offer'd to his Majesty the Sum of Three hundred thousand Florins besides the One hundred and Sixty thousand which those States annually pay for Maintenance of their own Charges both Civil and Military and of the Militia which is quarter'd on the Confines of Sclavonia Moreover Messages were sent to the several Princes of the Empire to send their respective Quotas and Contingents and numbers of Soldiers according to the ancient Constitutions of the Empire And in the mean time the Imperial Chamber took such due means and measures in order to the preparations of all things necessary that Recruits were made the Artillery mounted the Magazines filled with Ammunition and Provisions and all sorts of Carriages Pontons Boats Barges and all other appointments for War were provided in great abundance In the mean time the Garrison of Alba Regalis being reduced to great Extremities by Famine and want of all necessaries dispatched away a certain Aga called Achmet with some few Attendants to Belgrade there âo expose to the Governours of that place the Miseries of their languishing City Achmet privately conveying himself out of the Town with his Servants found by chance a small Boat tied on the Banks of the Danube into which being enter'd they quietly passed for some Days down the Stream until they came near to a place called Erdeody which had not long before been possessed by the Christians The Heydukes perceiving the Boat from the Walls immediately suspected that the People therein were Fugitives then making their Escape to prevent which they privately went on Board a Saick or Turkish Vessel and crossing upon them cut them off in their way and firing on them with their Muskets forced them to Steer and Row to the other side but they following them made them all Prisoners Achmet only excepted who being very nimble and active and a kind of a Bog-trotter escaped over a Marsh with all his Letters and fetching a compass ouâ of the way he came over against Valkowar which he supposing to be still a Garrison of the Turks made a Sign for a Boat to Ferry him over the River the Boat passing over rowed and manned by Heydukes seized Achmet who being surprized to see himself made a Prisoner and thinking that they were Turks and not Enemies cried out I am a Turk sent by the Pasha and Garrison of Alba Regalis with a Verbal Commission only to the Port denying to have any Letters about him but they rifling him found near Three hundred Letters which were afterwards sent to Vienna and translated by the Emperor's Interpreter And now Achmet finding it no time longer to conceal his Business openly declared with Tears in his Eyes That he was the more troubled for this misfortune because that thereby he could not answer the expectation of his Friends at Alba Regalis who had dispeeded him for Belgrade to give an Account to those Governours of their distressed Condition and according to such Answers as they should receive from thence to take a Resolution either to Defend or Surrender the Town He farther added That thô sometimes certain Hungarian Friends conveyed into the Town some Flour Pease Beans and Butter yet it was in such small Quantities that all was devoured and the People therein reduced to such Extremites that in case a small number of Germans should appear with Cannon before the City the Bodies of the Garrison and Inhabitants were become so enfeebled by Famine and their Spirits so low that without all doubt they would upon the first Summons Surrender at Discretion But to give the Reader a more evident Narration of the Misery of that place it will not be from our purpose to insert one of the Letters which were taken about Achmet subscribed by the three Pashas from Alba Regalis to the Grand Vizier in these Terms After the Complements and Ceremonious words premised which are commonly long and full of Bombastick Expressions according to the Turkish Stile they began in this manner Most happy Lord IF you enquire after the State of this City and of the Turkish Soldiers therein and in the Parts adjacent all that we can say is That we recommend theirs and our Condition to
at Vienna for hastening the Campaigne and forwarding the Troops and drawing a Scheme for managing the War of this Year many and various were the Opinions At length strict Orders were given to Mareschal Caprara immediately to go to Oseck and there consult with Count Apremont Governor of that place on such methods as might best contribute to the Service of his Imperial Majesty both as to the Enlargement of the Conquests and Subsistence of the Soldiery In order unto which great Numbers of Boats were laden with all sorts of Provision and Ammunition and dispeeded down the Rivers of Danube Vagus Tibiscus and Drave for undertaking some considerable Enterprize Orders were also dispatched from the Council of War to General Caraffa in Transilvania That having committed the command of the Upper Hungaria to Nigrelli and of Transilvania to General Veterani and having also satisfied the Quarters of his own Militia he should forthwith march along the Banks of the Danube but with such Caution and Vigilance as might secure him and his Forces from the Surprizals of Tekely who since the surrender of Agria and Mongatz had made frequent incursions from Temeswar as far as Lippa Iulia and sometimes from Ieno to Waradin It being judged almost impossible to conserve Peter Waradin by reason of the nearness thereunto of Illock where the Enemy maintained a numerous Garrison it was resolved to draw forth the Troops and Provisions from thence Howsoever Caprara being desirous first to take a view of Illock he conveyed himself privately before the place with some Horse of the Regiment of Palfi and about Two hundred Dragoons on Foot and seized on a Mosch before the Gate year 1688. but being discovered by the Turks they Fired such a Volly of Shot upon him that several of his Dragoons were killed and he received Two Musquet-shots through the Folds of his loose Coat with which he retired without other hurt or loss But of more concernment it was to General Caprara to defeat the Camp of the Turks which they were forming in the open Plains of Salankement to which end he prepared Boats and Barges and Bridges to Transport over the Drave the Forces which were on their march from the Upper Hungary But the Waters by excessive Rains had so swollen the Rivers beyond the Banks of their right Channel that both Horse and Foot were constrained to make a stop at Darda to which place the General passed over in a Boat and there remained until the Waters were fallen as did also some Bavarian Troops designed to repass the Danube near Buda on their march to Erdeodi where having raised a Bridge over the Danube and Six more over the Moors and Fenns they joyned with other Forces and marched in a Body towards Illock In the mean time year 1688. whilst the Imperial Court was enjoying the pleasures of the Country at Luxemburg the Duke of Loraine falling sick put the Court into some discomposure for that the Season of the Year being now ripe for Action the want of the General 's presence would be a necessary retardment to the Proceedings of the Campaigne howsoever that was happily supplied by the coming of P. Lewis of Baden who every day entred into consultation with the D. of Loraine in what manner they might best carry on the War on the other side of the Save which being agreed P. Lewis proceeded to the Camp where with Mareschal Caprara the Imperial Forces were for that time commanded and with them it was concluded to pass the Save But now some of the Transilvanians being allured by Succours and great Assistance promised them by the Tartars to renounce their sworn Allegiance to the Emperor the City of Stephanopolis refused to receive a German Garrison which Design was chiefly carried on at the persuasion of the Valachians who considering that by the Submission of Transilvania their Province lay open to the Germans and through that an easie passage into Tartary they both joynned to persuade the People of Stephanopolis to refuse to take in a Garrison of Germans But General Veterani immediately marched to the City with the Regiments of Pace Taff and Stirum and by surprize Attacked the Suburbs in three places and being come within Pistol-shot of the Walls the Dragoons dismounting from their Horses and raising some Barricadoes to cover them from the Enemies Cannon they began to throw Bombs into the Castle by which and by help of the Regiments of Baden and Schaffemberg who brought with them two Pieces of great Cannon and four of small they batter'd the Town to the Terrour and Consternation of the Inhabitants so that with common consent they cried out for Quarter which was granted to them by General Caraffa at Discretion and the City yielded as also the Castle into which five Companies of the Regiment of Baden were admitted In the mean time General Caraffa with like diligence Marched with a Body of an Army to Lippa and having Summoned the City he was answer'd by their great and Small-shot from the Walls Upon which the General without any delay raised two Batteries by which beating down part of the Wall he made an Attack on the Breach from whence thô he was repulsed at the first time by the Bravery of the Defendants yet renewing the Assault again with grater Force and Resolution they enter'd the Town by Storm with the Death of Five hundred Turks the rest giving Fire to their Houses and Magazines retired into the Castle which they maintained a while with good Resolution But Caraffa raising two new Batteries fired incessantly from them and threw Bombs into it with such good effect that the Defendants terrified therewith displayed a white Flag and submitted unto Terms of being made Prisoners to the number of Six thousand Persons Two thousand of which being Men capable to bear Arms were made Slaves but the Women and Children were freed and with a Convoy were sent in safety to Temeswar year 1688. The Surrender of Lippa was of great consequence to the Germans having thereby opened all the Country between the River Maros and the Tibiscus This Success was soon followed by the Surrender of Lagos a Castle four Leagues distant from Lippa which after a small resistance yielded to Colonel Pace on Articles according to which about Two hundred Soldiers with One hundred and Eighty Rascians and Valachians marched out together with the Inhabitants of the lower City and about Six hundred Women and Children Within was only one Mortar-piece and eight Pieces of Cannon but no Victuals or Ammunition The like Fortune had succeeded at the great Castle of Caranzebes had not the Attacks been disappointed by an excessive Rain of four or five days which forced Colonel Pace to return back to General Carafa who remained still in expectation of his coming to Lippa The Indisposition of the Duke of Loraine increasing and little hopes of his Recovery to such a state of Health as was requisite to Conduct an
Senior of all the Senators then in the Camp he at first was hurt with a Musket-shot in the Side but refusing to yield unto that Wound or to be carried into the Tent for Cure he continued to fight until he was cut down by a Turkish Scimeter with which the Turk would have taken off and carried away his Head but that Seignior Almoro Morosini covered his Body and defended it from the Insults and Indignities of the Enemy Of the Venetians about 200 were wounded amongst which was Prince Harcourt by a Shot on his Breast Prince of Turene in the Arm but the Prince of Wirtemberg mortally In the Trenches all their Cannon and Mortar-pieces were taken with great Numbers of Arms and all their Baggage and Provisions after which with little difficulty the Venetians made themselves Masters of the Suburbs wherein also they found some Cannon Provisions and Arms besides some good plunder The Day following this Action News was brought by a Deserter That the wounded Men brought into the Town were above 1000 and those who were killed were much more amongst which they reckoned the Son of the Sâraskier and one Mustapha Pasha who was Bey of five Gallies with many other Officers The next Day the Venetians continued to batter the Town with Cannon and Bombs and the 23d the Turks made a furious Sally but were repulsed with the loss of 150 Men and 30 killed on the Venetian side For three Days afterwards nothing happened besides the continual shooting of Cannon and Bombs until the 27th when the Christians began to open their Approaches nearer to the Town which continueâ until the 5th of September without the least damage imaginable to the Pioneers or Soldiers when the Turks to the Number of 500 made a Sally from the Part of the Suburbs on the Quarters of the Sclavonians and made themselves Masters of the first Trench but afterwards rallying again in good order they drove them out of the Trench and pursued them to the very Ditch killing about 40 of them with the loss only of 14 Christians General Konismark continuing sick and his Fever increasing on him the Doge substituted the Major of the Troops of Brunswick in his place to oppose the Sally of the Enemies and tho' this brave Man was also at that time laid upon his Bed and labouring under the Access or Fit of a Fever yet he arose and strove against his Natural Weakness to comply with the Command of the Doge but so soon as he was gone out of the Door of his Tent a Cannon-shot from the Enemy stroke his Bed and overthrew it The Night following Captain Verneda the chief Engineer and a Captain of the Regiment of Wirtemberg with some common Soldiers were killed by Musket-shot as they were advancing their Works towards the Ditch The 6th and 7th passed without other Action than firing Cannon on both sides by which the Venetians made a Breach in a Tower on the Sea-side at the end of the Ditch upon which the Engenier Romagnato a Man of resolute Courage made an offer with 50 Persons how difficult soever the Attempt seemed to mount the Breach This generous Offer being accepted and greatly applauded the Doge came ashoar in Person and placed himself in one of the Batteries to be a Spectator of this Enterprize and to give the necessary Orders therein which should be required for seconding so resolute an Enterprize On the eighth an Attack was made and with great courage they mounted the Breach and planted two Ensigns thereon but because the Breach was very narrow without any covert from the Shot of the Enemy and the descent into the Town very deep and hazardous they were forced to quit the Post which they had gained with the loss of six or eight Men amongst which was one of the Ensigns whose Colours howsoever were recovered by another Officer Nor did the Turks escape without some loss on occasion of the Attack for 300 Men being lodged in the Ditch to support those who were to make the first Entrance did great execution on the Turks that appeared on the Breach without any covert or shelter There is one thing very remarkable of a Soldier who in this Assault received six Wounds on his Head and in his Body with Scimeters by which falling on the Ruines was esteemed for Dead and so remained until the Dusk of the Evening when rising up it was not so Dark but that he was perceived by the Enemy who made many Shot at him to avoid which he threw himself into the Sea bleeding with all his Wounds and notwithstanding the many Shot aimed at him of which he received one in his Shoulder he swam away and got ashore at the Camp where he was afterwards cured of his Wounds which made the Doge to give him the Name of the wonderful Man. The Regiments of Count Waldeck and Colonel Bilz belonging to the Troops of Wirtemberg being advanced without any Order for so doing one to the Bank of the Ditch and the other to the Foot of the Tower received an unhappy welcome by several Vollies of small shot both from the Wall and from the false Bray by which two Colonels seven or eight Captains twelve or fourteen Subaltern Officers five Cavalier Adventurers and about 200 common Soldiers were all slain upon the place and as many wounded which was a discouraging loss to the Besiegers tho' the Defendants according to the Report of some Deserters lost double the number within the City Howsoever the Venetians being not dismayed hereat on the 10th of this month forced an Entrance into the Ditch where they began to form a Gallery for a more near approach unto the Wall under which they designed once to form a Mine but because it would be the work of fifteen Days at least before the Mine could be brought to Perfection for want of good Engeniers of which many were Dead and Sick They raised a new Battery on the other side of the Water from whence they made a Breach on the other Tower and with two pieces of Cannon planted on the Bank of the Ditch they bartered the foot of the Courtain between the two Towers The Day following some Deserters from the Town brought Advice That the whole Garrison within did not consist of more than 3000 Men and those much afrighted and discouraged by their many losses only that which supported their Spirits was the free and open passage by the Bridge between the Turkish Camp and the City by which every third day they received Recruits of Men and Supply of Provisions so that now little hopes remained of taking the City for this year the Season also being far advanced All therefore that remained to be done was to continue the Batteries and to throw Bombs of which above 10000 having been already cast into the City few Houses remained standing but all reduced to a Mass of Rubbish and Ashes The Venetians being
a Fortress the like whereof there is none in all the Turkish Empire This being done the General went into the City to visit the Fortifications and afterwards entertained the Pasha the Aga of the Janizaries and Zorbagee Aga at Dinner with some others Then the Garrison marched out consisting of 600 Turks which with the Inhabitants made in all 4000 Souls the which were conducted into the Dominions of the Turks according to the Capitulation It seems that this strong City was surrendred rather by Divisions amongst themselves than for want of Provisions On the Walls were mounted 56 Brass and 10 Iron Cannon the most part of them made in the time of the Emperors Maximilian I. and II and of Charles V and Ferdinand I. In the Magazine or Store-house under the Governor's Palace were found 1540 Musquets and in the Arsenal 2200 more with much Lead Cannon and Musquet-Bullets Swords Granadoes with all sorts of Arms and Warlike Instruments in great abundance Canisia or Canisa is situate on a River towards the Frontiers of Styria near the Drave and not far from the Fort Serin it is so environed on all sides with a Morass or Marsh that no Army can lie near it which renders the Town almost impregnable and inaccessible notwithstanding it was taken by the Turks in the Year 1600. The next Year following Mathias Arch-Duke of Austria Besieged it in the Month of September but was forced to retire after a Siege of two Months In the Year 1664 at the beginning of it in the Month of Ianuary Count Serini by favour of the Frosts which gave him some Footing on the Morass after he had taken Quinque Ecclesiae and some other Places and had burnt Sighet he besieged Canisia which he had infallibly taken if they had sent him the Succours which were promised him but as I have related in my former History so great a Faction was against him at the Imperial Court that they were not willing to see him prosperous but chose rather to Sacrifice the Publick Welfare to Private Animosities but the expected Recruits not arriving at the appointed time and the Year coming on the Ice was Thawed and the Great Vizier advancing with a Powerful Army the Count Sereni being under all these Discouragements was forced to raise his Siege and be gone General Veterani in the mean time whilst things were thus acting at Canisia being much streightned for want of Provisions ordered the Garrisons of Lescowitz and Pyroth to make Incursions into the Turkish Territories which they performed so effectually that they returned back with more than 1000 Head of Cattle the which being divided amongst the Regiments such as were sit for the Slaughter were killed and the rest employed for drawing the Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provisions On the other side the Turks surprized a Village near Belgrade which they Plundered and Burnt killing or carrying away Captives all the Inhabitants of the Place But the Garrison of Pyroth being much animated with their late Success made another Incursion as far as within three Leagues of Philippopolis burning the Villages and killing the Turks which they met in their way but at length being pursued by 1000 Turks they drew themselves up into good order and posting themselves advantageously on the rising of a Hill they engaged the Enemy for two Hours space during which time 30 Turks were killed and many wounded and 28 Prisoners taken with which and some Hundreds of Cattle they returned safe to Pyroth In like manner 100 Germans and some Hussars belonging to the Garrison of Zolnock encountred a Party of 160 Turks and Male-contents which belonged to Giula and having engaged them they killed 20 of them took 60 Prisoners of which 16 were of the Male-contents the remainder throwing themselves into the River were for the most part drowned During this Season of the Year before the Grass was sufficiently grown no other Actions passed but only by Parties sent abroad to surprize Cattle and burn Villages Amongst the rest a Party of Rascians having roved over the Country of Schnepoli returned back to Nissa with a Booty of several Hundred Head of Cattle and some Yoaks of Oxen taken near to Sophia the which Successes still attending the Imperial Arms the Country People on all sides offered to embrace the Imperial Party and implore their Protection so soon as the Christian Army should take the Field On the other side Mahomet Bagavitz Pasha who had some time quietly Quartered at Poza having left 1500 Men for Garrison in that Place he marched out with a Party of about 4000 Men towards the Pass of Bosnia but having in his March received Intelligence That Captain Antonio attended him in the way and was ready to receive him returned and marched towards Bagnia from whence also by reason of the great Snows he was forced to retreat back to Poza without any Action Little more was acted now as we have faid but by Parties of which Kathana Pasha commanding one he made an Incursion therewith into the Neighbourhood of Pyroth where he took several straggling Hussars Another Party of Hungarians to the Number of about 20 commanded by that Valiant Hungarian Captain called Baudi which had made a bold Incursion and roved about 14 Days beyond Sophia near to Philippopolis were at length attacked by a strong Body of Turks with which having fought for a considerable time were at last over-powered and all of them cut off two only excepted who made their Escape to Nissa On the other side a Party from Belgrade surprized a Body of Turks the most of which they killed or took Prisoners Likewise a Party of Rascians made an Excursion as far as Bagnia in Bosnia where they killed 20 Turks and took 12 Prisoners with 400 Head of Cattle Besides which those who guarded the Blockade of Great Waradine beat a Party of the Enemy brought home 11 Heads and eight Prisoners Another Party of 500 Hussars and 40 German Dragoons made a Sally out of Sclavonia under the Command of Lieutenant Boniau and passed the Save and having in their way an Information that the Turkish Garrison belonging to the strong Fortress of Teockzach was sallied abroad having only left eight Men and 15 Women therein they attacked and entered the Fort early in the Morning with the loss of six of their Men killed and eight wounded of the Turks four of the eight with the Women saved themselves in a Tower from whence the Women threw Fire and Stones and hot scalding Water but at length were forced to surrender and leave the Place to the mercy of the Enemy in which they found a good Booty of Turkish Horses and other rich Goods and therewith repassed the Save having left four Troops of Heydukes for defence of the Place The Season of the Year being now far advanced towards the Summer and things preparing for greater Action the German Officers were very intent and studious in what manner to conserve
equal number on both sides shall hear consider decide and amicably Agree all such Controversies as can arise and shall propound and appoint such Order and Methods by which either Party shall without delay or fraud reduce or compel their Servants and Subjects to a sincere Observance of this Peace But if Matters of such great Moment should arise that such Commissaries are not able to Agree or Determine 'em then shall Affairs be refer'd to the two most Potent Emperors themselves that they themselves may find out and apply so proper Means or Expedients for the setling such Differences that they may in as short a time as possible be finally determin'd nor shall such Resolutions be neglected or long Protracted Whereas in the Sacred Articles of former Treaties between the two Empires Duels and all sort of Challenges in order to 'em have been forbid it is now likewise Agreed that in like manner for the time to come they shall remain unlawful and if any dare presume to enter into single Combates they shall be proceeded against with the utmost rigour XII The Captives that during this present War have on each side been carry'd away and are at present remaining in the publick Prisons considering from this happy Peace they may reasonably expect Release nor can they be retain'd in this Misery without Indignity to the Imperial Majesty and Offence of laudable Custom shall be restor'd by way of Exchange upon the usual or more easie Conditions and in case there are more on one side than on the other or some of greater Quality on one side than on the other yet the Solemn Demands of the Ambassador on each side shall so far prevail upon the Clemency of each Emperor that these Supernumeraries shall with the rest find a Release But as for the Prisoners that are in private Hands or amongst the Tartars they shall be Redeem'd upon Equitable and as moderate Terms as possible But if such fair Agreement cannot be made with the Patrons of these Slaves the particular Iudges of the Places where they live shall settle this Matter of what is to be pay'd for their Redemption but if those ways should fail then the Captives themselves making it appear by Testimonies or Oaths what their Masters pay'd for 'em upon the Repayment of that Money shall be Releas'd Nor shall it be permitted to their Masters to oppose themselves to this Release upon the pretence of a greater Price and considering that on the part of the Ottoman Empire there may be no particular Society of Men employ'd to look after this Redemption of Captives yet it is Agreed That the Caesarean Magistrates stand in Honour oblig'd to see the Turkish Slaves Releas'd upon the Payment of what they cost their Masters so that this work may be carry'd on with equal Sincerity on both sides And that such Captives may at length gain their Liberty the Ambassadors of each Empire shall in the mean time use all good Offices that they may in the mean time be treated with Mildness and Humanity XIII As concerning the Religious Orders or Exercise of the Christian Religion according to the Rites of the Roman Catholick Church it is Agreed by the most Serene and most Potent Ottoman Emperor That whatsoever Indulgences have been made by the precedent most Glorious Ottoman Emperors in their Dominions whether it were by Antecedent Sacred Capitulations by Imperial Signets by Edicts or Special Mandates that all these shall stand good and confirm'd so that the foresaid Religious may repair and rebuild their Churches may Exercise their usual and accustom'd Functions so that it shall not be lawful from any one contrary to these Sacred Capitulations and Divine Laws to impose upon 'em any sort of trouble or pecuniary Exaction let these Religious be of what Order or Condition soever they shall enjoy the usual Protection and Goodness of the Imperial Ottoman Empire Besides it shall be allow'd to the Ambassador of the most Serene and most Potent Roman Emperor to the Fulgid Port to enter into Treaty there according to his Instructions about the Religion and Places of Christian Pilgrimage or Visitation in the Holy City of Jerusalem and he shall there lay before the Imperial Throne his Demands about these Matters XIV The Commerce according to the former Sacred Capitulations shall be free to the Subjects on both sides through all the Kingdoms and Dominions of both Empires but this intercourse of mutual Trade may be perform'd without Fraud and with just Profit at the times of the Solemn Embassies on both sides there shall be appointed Commissioners well vers'd in Mercantile Affairs who shall Debate this Matter and the same Privileges the High Empire allows to other Nations in Friendship with it shall with the same Security and Advantages to the Subjects of his Caesarean Majesty of what Nation soever they may be XV. Whatsoever Conditions are express'd in the Antient Sacred Capitulations shall stand good and be religiously Observ'd provided they do not contradict the Articles of this present Treaty or are no ways prejudicial or obstructive to that free Exercise of Power which each Empire is intended to have in its own Dominions and in case any former Articles come under this Discription then they are declar'd by these Presents null and void XVI And that this present Truce may the better grow and be confirm'd into a mutual Friendship and Confidence betwixt the two most potent Emperors Extraordinary Ambassadors shall be sent on both sides who are to be Receiv'd Treated and Attended from their Entrance into the Confines and during their stay and to the time of their Return till they are again Exchang'd with the usual Ceremonies and for a more manifest Declaration of the Friendship between the two Emperors these Ambassadors shall bring and make voluntary Presents yet such as shall correspond to and be agreeable to the High Dignity of each Emperor And the said Ambassadors by Concert in June in the ensuing Summer at the same time beginning their Iourney shall be Exchang'd in the Confines of Sirmium after the manner that has been us'd upon such Occasions And it shall be permitted to each of the Ambassadors at the Imperial Courts to make what Requests they shall think convenient XVII The Rule for Receiving Entertaining or Treating the Ministers by the Courtiers of each Empire shall be taken from the practice of former times to be executed with all imaginable Candor and Decency according to that distinct Prerogative which theCharacters of those that are sent shall Demand The Caesarean Ambassadors Envoys or Residents and their Attendants shall without the hindrance of any one enjoy a full liberty of using what sort of Garments they please Besides the Caesarean Minister whether he be Vested with the Character of Ambassador Envoy Resident or Agent shall at the Fulgid Port enjoy the same Privileges and Immunities which the Ambassadors or Agents of any other Princes there enjoy and to make a Distinction of the Prerogative of
Summons given promising to yield the City after they had once won the City of Ierusalem From thence they came to Cesarea in Palestine where they solemnly kept the Feast of Whitsontide and so to Rama which they found for fear forsaken of the Infidels Marching from Rama and drawing near to Ierusalem they in the Vantgard of the Army upon the first descrying of the Holy City gave for joy divers great Shouts and Outcries which with the like applause of the whole Army was so doubled and redoubled as if therewith they would have rent the very Mountains and pierced the highest Heavens There might a man have seen the devout passions of these most worthy and zealous Christians uttered in right divers manners some with theâr Eyes and Hands cast up towards Heaven called aloud upon the name and help of Christ Jesus some prostrate upon their faces kissed the ground as that whereon the Redeemer of the World sometime walked others joyfully saluted those holy places which they had heard so much of and then first beheld in brief every man in some sort expressed the joy he had conceived of the sight of the Holy City as the end of their long travel This most ancient and famous City so much renowned in holy Writ is situate in an hilly Country not watred with any River or fresh Springs as other famous Cities for most part be neither yet was it well seated for Wood or Pasture ground but what wanted in these and such other benefits of Nature was by the extraordinary blessings of the most High so supplied as that the Jews there dwelling so long as they kept the Ordinances of the Lord were of all other people in the World justly accounted the most happy and fortunate Yet in those so blessed times was this City for the sin of the people oftentimes delivered into the Enemies hand and the glory thereof defaced as well appeareth by the whole course of the History of holy Scripture as also by the ancient and approved Histories as well of the Jews themselves as others Nevertheless it still rose again though not in like glory as before in the time of King David Solomon and the other next succeeding Kings and so was still repeopled by the Jews until that at last according to the foretelling of our Saviour Christ it was with a great and of all others most lamentable destruction utterly rased and destroyed by the Romans under the leading of Vespasian the Emperor and his noble Son Titus forty years after our Saviour his precious Death and Passion Since which time it was never until this day again repaired or yet well inhabited by the Jews but lying buried in the ruines of it self all the Reign of Domitian Nerva and Trajan until the time of the great Emperor Aelius Adrianus it was again by him re-edified about the year 136 and after the name of him called Aelia who together with the name changed also in some part the ancient situation of the City For whereas before it was seated upon the steep rising of an hill in such sort that towards the East and the South it overlooked the whole ground having only the Temple and the Castle called Antonia in the highest part of the City Adrian translated the whole City unto the very top of the hill so that the place where our blessed Saviour suffered his most bitter Passion with the Sepulchre wherein he was also laid and from whence he in Glory rose again before without the City were then inclosed within the Walls thereof as they are at this day to be seen Yet for all that the Emperor being dead in process of time this new built City recovered again the ancient name of Ierusalem whereby it hath ever since and is at this day yet known This City so re-edified the Emperor first gave unto the Jews whom he afterwards thrust out again for their Rebellion and gave it to the Christians to inhabit over whom one Mark first Bishop of the Gentiles there had the charge But forasmuch as the Roman Emperors were at that time altogether Idolaters and Persecutors of the poor Christians the Church also at Ierusalem with others endured sundry and many grievous Persecutions under the Emperors Antonius Commodus Severus Maximinus Valerianus Aurelianus Dioclesianus and Maxentius until that at length Constantine the Great converted unto the Faith of Christ about the year of Grace 320 suppressing the Pagan Idolatry gave general Peace to the afflicted Church whereby the Christian Church at Ierusalem for the space of three hundred years after happily flourished under the Greek Emperors until the time of the Emperor Phocas who having most cruelly slain the good Emperor Maurice with his Children and so possessed himself of the Empire gave occasion thereby unto Chosroe the Persian King in revenge of the death of Maurice his Father in law with all his Power to invade Syria who as a tempest bearing down all before him took also by force the City of Ierusalem having that year which was about the year Six hundred and ten slain almost an hundred thousand Christians But Phocas the Usurper being by them of his Guard most cruelly slain and Heraclius succeeding in his stead Chosroe was by him again driven out of Syria and the Holy City again recovered about the year 624. In these great Wars against the Persians Heraclius had used the help of the Arabians called Scenite a warlike people of Arabia Deserta altogether given to the Spoil who the Wars now ended expecting to have received their pay were contrary to their expectation and without all reason rejected by them that should have paid them with very foul and contumelious words as that there was not mony enough to pay the Christian Souldiers of the Latines and the Greeks much less those vile dogs whom they so called for that they had but a little before received the damnable Doctrin of the false Prophet Mahomet the great Seducer of the World who even in that time flourished Upon which discontentment they at their return revolted from the Empire and joyned themselves unto their great Prophet and so afterwards unto the Caliphs his Successors extending his Doctrin together with his Soveraignty to the utmost of their power and that with so good success that in short time they had overrun all Aegypâ Syria the Land of Promise and taken the Holy City With these the Disciples of Mahomet and his Successors the Sarasins for so now they would be called the Greek Emperors ensuing had for certain years divers conflicts with diverse fortune for the possession of Syria But at length wearied out and by them overcome they left the aforesaid Countries wholly to their Devotion Hereby it came to pass that the Sarasins for the space of 370 years following held these Countries with many others in great subjection oppressing still the poor Christians in Ierusalem with most grievous Tributes and exactions unto whom they yet left a third part of the City
for them to dwell in with the Temple of the Sepulchre of our Saviour and Mount Sion not for any devotion either unto them or those places but for that it yielded them a great profit by the recourse of devout Christians travelling thither reserving in the mean time unto themselves the other two parts of the City with the Temple of Solomon before re-edified by the Christians Now whilst the Sarasins thus triumph it in the East and not in the East only but over a great part of the West also contenting themselves with such Tributes as they had imposed upon the subdued Nations and Countries up start the Turks a vagrant fierce and cruel people who first breaking into Asia as is before declared and by rare fortune aspiring unto the Kingdom of Persia subdued the Countries of Mesopotamia Syria with the greatest part of the lesser Asia and Iudaea together with the Holy City who both there and in all other places held the poor oppressed Christians in such Subjection and Thraldom as that the former government of the Sarasins seemed in comparison of this to have been but light and easie Neither was there any end or release of these so great miseries to have been expected had not God in mercy by the weak means of a poor Hermit stirred up these most worthy Princes of the West to take up Arms in their defence who having with their victorious Armies recovered the lesser Asia with a great part of Syria were now come unto this Holy City The Governour of Ierusalem understanding by his Espials of the proceedings of the Christians had before their approach got into the City a great garrison of right valiant Souldiers with good store of all things necessary for the holding out of a long Siege The Chrstians with their Army approaching the City encamped before it on the North for that toward the East and the South it was not well to be besieged by reason of the broken Rocks and Mountains Next unto the City lay Godfrey the Duke with the Germans and Lorains near unto him lay the Earl of Flanders and Robert the Norman before the West gate lay Tancred and the Earl of Tholouse Bohemund and Baldwin were both absent the one at Antioch the other at Edissâ The Christians thus strongly encamped the fifth day after gave unto the City a fierce assâult with such chearfulness as that it was verily supposed it might have been even then woon had they been sufficiently furnished with scaling ladders for want whereof they were glad to give over the assault and retire But within a few days after having supplied that defect and provided all things necessary they came on again afresh and with all their power gave unto the City a most terrible assault wherein was on both sides seen great valour policy and cunning with much slaughter until that at length the Christians weary of the long Fight and in that hot Country and most fervent time of the year fainting for lack of Water were glad again to forsake the assault and to retire into their Trenches only the Well of Siloe yielded them water and that not sufficient for the whole Camp the rest of the Wells which were but few being before by the Enemy either filled up or else poysoned Whilst the Christians thus lay at the Siege of Ierusalem a Fleet oâ the Genowaies arrived at Ioppa at which time also a great Fleet of the Aegyptian Sultans lay at Ascalon to have brought relief to the besieged Turks in Ierusalem whereof the Genowaies understanding and knowing themselves too weak to encounter them at Sea took all such things out of their Ships as they thought good and so sinking them marched by Land unto the Camp. There was amongst these Genowaies divers Engineers men after the manner of that time cunning in making of all manner of Engines fit for the besieging of Cities by whose device a great moving Tower was framed of timber and thick planks covered over with raw Hides to save the same from fire out of which the Christians might in safety greatly annoy the Defendants This Tower being by night brought close to the Wall served the Christians instead of a most sure fortress in the assault the next day where whilst they strive with warlike Valour and doubtful Victory on both sides from morning until midday by chance the wind favouring the Christians carried the flame of the fire into the face of the Turks wherewith they had thought to have burnt the Tower with such violence that the Christians taking the benefit thereof and holpen by the Tower gained the top of the Wall which was first footed by the Duke Godfrey and his Brother Eustace wââh their followers and the Ensigns of the Duke there first set up to the great encouraging of the Christians who now pressing in on every side like a violent River that had broken over the Banks bare down all before them All were slain that came to hand Men Women and Children without respect of Age Sex or Condition the Slaughter was great and the sight lamentable all the Streets were filled with blood and the bodies of the dead Death triumphing in every place Yet in this confusion a wonderful number of the better sort of the Turks retiring to Solomons Temple there to do their last Devoir made there a great and terrible Fight armed with dispair to endure any thing and the victorious Christians no less disdaining after the winning of the City to find there so great resistance In this disperate conflict fought with wonderful obstinacy of mind many fell on both sides but the Christians âame on so fiercely with desire of blood that breaking into the Temple the foremost of them were by the press of them that followed after violently thrust upon the weapons of their Enemies and so miserably slain Neither did the Turks thus oppressed give it over but as men resolved to dy desperately fought it out with invincible courage not at the gates of the Temple only but even in the midst thereof also where was to be seen great heaps both of the Victors and the vanquished slain indifferently together All the Pavement of the Temple swam with blood in such sort that a man could not set his foot but either upon some dead man or over the shooes in blood Yet for all that the obstinate Enemy still held the Vaults and top of the Temple when as the darkness of the night came so fast on that the Christians were glad to make an end of the Slaughter and to sound a Retreat The next day for Proclamation was made for mercy to be shewed unto all such as should lay down their weapons the Turks that yet held the upper part of the Temple came down and yielded themselves Thus was the famous City of Ierusalem with great bloodshed but far greater honour recovered by these worthy Christians year 1099. in the year 1099 after it had been in the hands of the Infidels above