the Reuenew of Egypt for that time He laid a foundation of eight hundred thousand Duckers of yearely rent and caused this holy and reuerend place to be serued by nine hundred Priests Men who had the merit of their beginning from Learning and Pietie The Citie being the Queene of the World within few yeares after saw her restorer triumphing ouer the King of Persia and had the grace to keepe in her bosome the precious treasure of Christianity a part of the Crosse of the Redeemer of the World found by the carefull pietie of the Emperours Mother her joy pompe and lustre were growne to that height as it seemed there could be nothing more added it is by succession of time the seate of the greatest Monarches of the Earth Senerus and Anthonin his sonne did enuy it and rauished from its restorer the glory to haue named it calling it Anthonia by one of their names But whatsoeuer hath a beginning in this World must haue an end and the goodliest things paie tribute to change In the yeere 1453. on Tuesday the seuen and twentieth of May it was after a long siege made a prey to the victorious Turke Mahomet the Second of that name and the eleuenth Emperour of the Turks entred it by force spoyled it and sackt it The Emperour Constantine Paliologo lost his life with a great number of men of quality and all the Christian men were subiect to the Sword or to the rigour of bondage the women were a sport to the lubricity of the Turkes and their goods subiect to their spoyle in reuenge some say of the sacke and burning which the Grecians made of Troy from whom they will haue the Turkes to be descended but rather for a punishment of the impiety of the Grecians who blaspheming against Heauen deny that the Holy Ghost proceeds from Iesus Christ the second Person in the ineffable Trinity Mahomet the Second of that name was the first that setled the Othoman Throne there They changed the name among them and called it Stamboll that is to say the great the Royall and the abundant Her goodly places suffer the like inconstancie and are called Baestans the stately Hippodrome is called the place of Horses Atmaydan and the wonderfull Temple of Sainta Sophia is become the chiefe Mosquee of Mahomets superstition This Citie is situated vpon a point of firme Land aduanced into the channell which comes from Pontus Enxinus or the blacke Sea which Geographers call the Bosphorus of Thrace It is watred of three parts by the Sea towards the North by a Gulfe or Arme of the Sea called the Horne which the Bosphorus thrusts into Europe and make the Hauen of Constantinople the goodliest the deepest and the most commodious in Europe Towards the East it is watred by the extremitie of the channell or Bosphorus on the South by the waues of the Propontique Sea and vpon the South it hath the firme Land of Thrace The forme is Triangular whereof the largest side is that towards the Serrail which lookes to the Sea towards the seuen Towers and its vast circuit containes about fiue leagues The wals are of an extraordinary height with two false Brayes towards the Land and inclose seuen Hils within it The first serues as a Theatre to the Imperiall Palace of the Prince where it is commodiously and proudly feated The last lookes vpon the extremity of the farthest parts of the Towne opposite to this and vpon the way which leads to Andrinopolis by Land But betwixt the third and the fourth where a Valley doth extend it selfe called the great is an Aqucduct of rare structure which Constantine caused to be drawne seuen leagues from the City and Solyman the Second aduanced it two Leagues beyond and increased the current of water in so great abundance as they doe serue seuen hundred and forty Fountaines for the publique not reckoning those which are drawne into diuers parts to furnish the great number of Bathes which serue for delights and the Turkes superstition Vpon the last of the seuen Hils are yet to be seene the ancient buildings of a Fort strengthened with seuen Towres in the midst of the situation the Turkes call it Giedicula that is to say the Fort of the seuen Towres in the which the wonders of Art was so great in old time as what was spoken in the one was heard in all the rest not all at one instant but successiuely and in order Two hundred and fifty Souldiers are in guard commanded by a Captaine who hath the charge who may not goe forth without the leaue of the Grand Voâ—ir except it be on two dayes in the yeare when they celebrate their Feasts of Bayrans or Easter The first Turkish Emperour which possest Constantinople lodged their treasure in these Towres The one was full of Ingots and coyned gold two of them contained the siluer that was coyned and in Ingots another had diuers armes and ornaments for Souldiers and the Caparisons for Horses enricht with gold siluer and precious stones the fift serued for ancient Armes Medales and other precious remaynders of Antiquity the sixt contained the Engines for Warre and the seuenth the Rols and Records of the Empire accompanied with a goodly gallery in the which were placed the rich spoyles which Selym the first brought from Tauris when he triumphed ouer Persia All these treasures were carefully kept vntill the Reigne of Selym the Second But it is in estates as with priuate Families In these some gather together with much toyle that which their heires waste prodigally and some Kings heape vp treasure which serue as a subiect of prodigality to their Successors For this Prince base and effeminate who it seemes was not borne but for the ruine of his Empire if Christians could haue imbraced the occasions wasted in the expences of the Nauall Army which the battaile of Lepantho made subject to the Christians and before in the warre of Cyprus the best part of the immense treasure which his Father had heaped vp in these Towres the rest serued for his lasciuious and disordered passions with his Concubines Since Amurath his Sonne changed the place of the treasures of the Empire and from the Towres transferred them into his Serrail so they draw vnto him that which he loues and seeing that money doth possesse the hearts of Men it is reason they should haue a lodging in their Palace This alteration hath since appointed these places of the treasure to be Prisons for the great Men of the Port or Court whom the Sultans will not put to death For the Fortresse being of a great extent such Captiues haue the more libertie They shut vp in the Towres of the blacke Sea which is a Castle vpon Europe side ioyning to the Sea Christian Prisoners of qualitie where in the yeare 1617. Duke Koreski a Prince of Moldania was lodged Constantinople hath within the inclosure of the wals aboue two thousand Mosquees or Turkish Temples built by their Emperors for we
will make no further relation of the rarities of that Imperiall City but such as are at this day Wee may read the wonders of that ancient City in other Authours and particularly in the Bookes which P. Gillius hath written The chiefe of all these Mosquees is that which hath been erected in the ancient Temple of Sancta Sophia called by the Turkes Ayasophia it hath sixe goodly and sumptuous Forefronts the walls are of bricke couered in old time both within and without with white Marble Porphyry and other rich stones they are now of Lead The open Porches about it haue six doores which augment the beauty foure doores of the Church open at the entry the height of the Vault couered with Lead shewes the magnificence of the worke sixteene great Pillars support it foure are Iasper of the I le of Cyprus foure are of white Marble foure of Porphyry and foure of another stone as rich forty eight other Pillars of lesse bignesse but of the same matter serues to support this great Fabrique and a lesser and lower Vault is supported by foure and twenty Columnes of the same Marble and Porphyry The rare Statues and rich Images wherewith Constantine had adorned it are no more to be seene Mahomet the Second had vowed them to the sack of the City when he tooke it only an Image of the Virgin who bare the Sonne of God remaynes whole and vntoucht in the midst of the Vault not without a particular prouidence of Heauen Yet the Turkes draw a vaile crosse to prohibit the sight but this doth not hinder the Christians by creeping vp by ladders to satisfie their deuotion when as at lawfull houres they may enter into the Mosquee Now the Turkes haue white-cast the Vault in diuers parts to write the Name of God in the Arabique tongue The breadth and length of this Church may be well comprehended by the height the which is limited by the shot of a Harquebusse vnder it is a Vault full of Altars and Sepulchres in respect whereof the Turkes haue caused the doores to be walled vp In a place neere vnto it are found ten great Piles full of Oyle since the time of Constantine which haue continued vnto this day free by reason of the low vault from the fire which consumed the first beauties of this Temple the long continuance at yeares hath made this Oyle white like Milke It now serues for Physique which the Apothecaries vse for the Grand Seigneur By these vaulted places they descended into two hollow Caues which goe vnder the streets of the City the one leads to the Grand Serraill and the other goes farre vnder Constantinople vnprofitable at this day except the one which hath receiued light by some breaches which time hath made serues only to winde silke and brings vnto the Coffers of the Shasna or Exchequer three or foure hundred Zequins of yearely rent But the goodly and ancient buildings which did adorne this admirable Temple haue beene ruined by the Turkish Emperours except those which serue for a dwelling to some Congregations of the Priests of the Alcoran Besides this great and admirable Mosquee there are foure others of note the durable markes of the magnificence of the Turkish Emperours The first was built by Mahomet the Second after that hee had triumphed ouer Constantinople He caused it to be erected after the Modell of Sancta Sophia but much lesse he enricht it with threescore thousand Duckets of Reuenue hee caused two hundred faire Chambers to be built about it couered with Lead as well to lodge the Priests which did serue as to receiue all strange Pilgrimes of what Nation or Religion soeuer they were where they are entertained for three dayes without the Cloyster are also built fiftie other Chambers for poore men The second Mosque was made by Baiazet the second soone to the said Mahomet The third by Selym the first sonne to this man and the fourth by Solyman second sonne to Selym. These three last Princes are euery one buried within the walls of this Mosquee in stately Tombes vpon the which there are continually a great number of Lampes burning and Turkish Priests mumbling of the Alcoran who pray after their manner for the soules of these Monarches The most stately of these foure Mosquees is that of Solyman the Second it exceeds in Marble and other rich stones the pompe of Sancta Sophia but it yeelds to the wonders of the Architecture whereunto few could yet attaine Selym the Second built his Mosquee in the City of Andrinopolis Achmat the last employed excessiue summes of money in the Fabrique of that which he built of late yeares in Constantinople the magnificency of the structure exceeds those which we haue mentioned the Turks call it the new Mosquee and their Priests the Incredulous for that Achmat caused it to be built against the aduice which they gaue him that such a worke would not profit his soules health seeing that hee had made no conquests to enlarge the Empire of their Predecessors For the Law of the state conformable to that Religion forbids Turkish Princes to build any Temples if they haue not extended the limits of their Empire in the Territories of Christians where they may cause their Alcoran to be preached for such workes of piety cannot be vsefull to the health of their soules the Mufties say who are opposite to such designes if their Emperours would vndertake it The Grecians which are Christians haue within Constantinople forty Churches for their diuine Seruice the Armenians haue foure and the Latines lesse fauoured than these haue but two It is true that most of them are lodged at Galats now called Pera which is on the other side of the channell where they haue nine Churches for their Deuotions and holy Mysteries The Iewes haue the credit to be within the City in nine seuerall quarters and haue eight and thirty Synagogues They haue gotten more libertie and power then they haue in Christendome for that they obserue the formers of the Grand Siguior and moreouer they haue the managing of the Domestique Affaires of great Men and Officers of the Port where they are the common giuers of aduice The walls of this Imperiall City are yet firme and entire They are double vpon the firme Land except it be towards the Gate of Ayachapeza that is to say the holy Gate by reason of the great number of Religious bodies which were in a Church neere vnto that Gate Mahomet the Second entred thereby to defile the holinesse of the place there are nineteene Gates aswell vpon the firme Land as towards the Sea which serue for an entrance into this City Many great places are extended for the commodity of the Publike some haue preserued the ancient Pyramides and the workes of Brasse erected by Christian Emperours amongst others that which they call Petrome where there are to be seeene whole Obelisques and three great Serpents of Marble creeping vpward wreathed one within the other One of
Churches The priuiledge of their Burials cost them aboue three thousand Sequins The imposition called of Virgins helpes to fill the Grand Seigneurs Cofers or his Tr◠〈…〉 vpon Maids which marrie whereof they keepe a Register if they be Turks they giue two third parts of a Sequin the Iewes pay a whole one and the Christians a Sequin and a halfe The Christians Latines are for the most part freed from the violence and oppression of these vniust taxes for they get their dependance from some Kings Embassadour or from an inferiour Prince The Albanois they of Raguse and the Geneuois pay not any thing For the payment of so many Tributes wherewith the people is opprest by the Tyrant of the Easterne Regions it is necessarie there should be many sorts of Coine miâ—â—â— In Constantinople the great Imperiall Mint workes continually in Gold and Siluer but no man can bee admitted be a Farmer to these precious 〈◊〉 if hee be not a Grecian borne by a speciall priuiledge of the Grand Seigâ—eur who hath conferred this grace vpon the Gretian in consideration that the Mines of Gold and Siluer are within the 〈◊〉 of Greece wherefoure hundred men labour daily And the Master of this rich Mine is to furnish into the Serraile the first day of euery moneth in the yeare ten thousand Sequins of Gold and twentie thousand of Siluer 〈◊〉 coined the Grand Seigneur hauing so appointed that the monie which is employed in the Serrail shall bee new The said Farmer hath power to make Proclamation that whosoeuer hath any forraigne Coine hee should bring it in within three dayes and receiue the iust price vpon paine of Confiscation He hath likewise power to take the Ingots from the Mines so many as shall bee needfull for his worke The Mines which furnish most of the Gold and Siluer which is miâ—â—ed in the Turkish Empire in Europe are fiue in number The one is digged in Macedonia vnder the Roots of a Hill called M◠〈◊〉 and this yeâ—lds Gold The other which is of the same substance is opened in Bulgaria vpon the Confines of Macedonia The three of Siluer are in Greece rich and very plentiful Out of all which they draw that which Nature had wisely hidden to be conuersant among men the which doth breed 〈…〉 dissolues Friendship corrupts 〈…〉 Chastitie troubles Estates obscures Mâ— wits rauishes liâ—e vnthrones reason from her seate and robeâ— of himselfe But to returne to this great Citie of Constantinople the Magnificences of the Princes which possesse it at this day and the riches of some 〈◊〉 or great Men of the Court haue caused aboue three hundred Câ—vana serrails to bee built these are great and vast places to lodge Strangers The number of this Hospitals for the poore and 〈…〉 to the number of fourescore 〈…〉 the Turkish Emperours which haue built these pound Mâ—squees haue added them vnto their Râ—bricâ—s where they are eternall markes of their Plâ— Moreouer there are 〈◊〉 Colledges for the instruction of young 〈◊〉 and the 〈◊〉 of the Schoâ—lers which they call in their 〈…〉 that is to say wise Students although they be nothing lesse 〈◊〉 of them hath a Chamber for his Lodging a Carpet for his Table foure loaues by the day a proportion of Pottage and a Candle They giue them two suites of clothes yearely and they are paid out of Reuenewes of the Colledge by the Masters and Prâ—ceptors which teach them who are called Soschaâ—i that is for the first yeare when they enter into the Colledge for to the second they adde to their entertainment an Aspre by the day which is a fift part more then a pennie afterwards they giue two three or foure Aspres by the day according to the number of yeares they haue continued With this poore piâ—â—ance these Turks can keep no great ordinarie vnlesse they receiue it from other places But the gaine they make in writing of Bookes for the Turkes vse no printing is not little but doth furnish their necessitie abundantly yea their Riots they goe also to houses to teach the children of men of qualitie But there is not in all Turkie more dissolute youthes then these Turkie Schollers there is no kind of villanie but they commit with all impunitie The priuiledges wherewith the Turkish Emperours haue honoured them or rather the abuse of them hath drawne them into all sorts of impudencie no man can apprehend them for any crime vnlesse their Generall be present to whom only this power is giuen It is true that the Princes presence in Constantinâ—ple doth restrain the insolencie of their riots But the Townes of Caramaâ— and Naâ—olâ— are wonderfully pesteted Amurath the third desirous by reason of some troubles which happened to know the number of such Gallants they were found to bee aboue nine thousand aswell in Greece as Natolia not reckoning those which studied in Suria Caire Arabia and else-where Another great place inuironed with wall and shut vp with good Gates doth likewise beautifie the Citie of Constantinople the Turkes call it Seracyâ—â—a that is to say the Sellerie or the place where they make Saddles and rich Caparisons for Horses of Seruice and Pompe It is an vnspeakable pleasure for those that loue Horsemanship to see foure thousand workmen in this place labouring in their shops artificially vpon diuers Capariâ—ons for Horses Some 〈◊〉 great round Pearles vpon the Saddle of an Arabian Horse out of the Grand Vizirs stable Others fasten a Bitt of Gold to Reines of rich red Leather of Russia some doe fit stirrop Leathers to stirrops of Gold enricht with a great number of Turkishes of the olde Rocke Others fasten vpon a large Crouper a great number of precious stones In another place you shall see a rich Saddle cast forth a thousand flames the number of the Diamonds wherewith it is enricht make it inestimable The Bitt and stirropes of Gold couered with Diamonds the Tassels of Pearles which are at the Reines and at the Trappers of the Crouper and the other beauties of this royall Harnesse rauish the eyes of such as looke of it with admiration of their wonders and some silently perswade themselues that Fortune adorned with these precious things which depend on her meanes to goe in triumph through Constantinople to let the Turkes see that she dwels amongst them In the midst of this place there is a Mosquee built for the deuotion of these workmen and a goodly Fountaine in the same place which powres forth abundance of fresh water for their vse Two other great places likewise walled about serue for the Lodgings of the Ianizaries which are the best Footmen of the Turkish Armies the one of these places is called Eschiodolar that is to say the old habitations It is of a square forme and diuided into many small Lodgings in the which the Corporals remaine called Ayabassâ— which signifies the chiefe of glorie there are about a hundred and fiftie of this qualitie and either of them commands two hundred Ianizaries who dare
not goe out of the place without leaue the Gates are shut by night and the keyes are kept by the Captaine The Arsenall is one of the goodliest and rarest things in Constantinople it is vpon the Sea shoare and containes a hundred and fourescore Arches vnder either of which enters a great Galley yea three may be safely lodged The Officers which serue in this Arsenall and receiue pay are commonly fortie six thousand men But its greatest force is the good order that is obserued by the which there are certaine Merchants which haue contracted to entertaine fourescore Gallies alwayes furnished with all things necessary and readie to put to Sea the Munition of Powder is kept in diuers Towres in the walls of the Citie which looke towards Pera they bring it from Grand Caire where the Sultans cause it to be made The Garners in the which they keepe their prouision of Corne and other graine are built in a corner of the Citie towards Pera the walls are very strong and the Gates of Iron there is sufficient to serue for many yeares but euery third yeare they renew it In the time of Amurath the third there was found a great quantitie of Millet the which had beene preserued sweet and vncorrupted for the space of foure score yeares But this great Imperiall Citie cannot bee happily gouerned without the execution of Iustice which is the soule of the World and the order of Reason A Soueraigne Iudge is the chiefe the Turkes call him Stambolcadisi that is to say the Iudge of Constantinople He takes notice indifferently both of Ciuill and Criminall Causes and no man is put to death in that place if hee hath not condemned him There are foure Lieutenants generall distinguished into the foure principall Quarters of the Citie and execute vnder him the same Iustice but from their Sentences they appeale vnto the Iudge Besides these there is a great Captaine of Iustice called Sonbasi who doth execute the greatest Function of his charge in Prisons to heare the Causes and to make report vnto the Grand Vizir There are also foure Lieutenants vnder him separated into the Quarters of the Citie by the order of the Policies ther 〈◊〉 and a great number of inferiour Officers as Sergeants aâ—â—ther base persons which serue him The Prisons of Constantinople are diuided into two either of them is beautified if there be any beautifull Prisons with a great Medow in the midst and a pleasing Fountaine It hath two stories in that below are lodged criminall Offenders in that aboue are such as are committed for ciuill causes Heere the Iewes are separated from the Turkes and the Turkes from the Christians but in the lowest they are altogether as Persons whom their Offences haue made common The Almes deeds good workes which are exercised there by the Turkes surpasse in few dayes those which are done in our Countries in many yeeres The Turkish Charitie towardes his Neighbour surmounts ours and it seemes that for such good deeds Heaâ—en suffers them in the Empire of the World for his equitie doth recompence the good in any subiect whatsoeuer aswell as it doth punish the euill The Turkish Emperours themselues shew great compassion they many times deliuer a great number of ciuill Prisoners paying their debts for them The other particularities which concerne the Turkes Iustice shall bee handled in another Tract In the meane time seeing wee are come neere vnto the Imperiall Pallace which is the Serrail let vs striue to enter although the Gates bee carefully garded and let vs see the rare beauties of this famous place CHAP. II. Of the Grand Seigneurs Serrail THree Serrails doe augment the glorie of Constantinople the one is called Eschy Saray that is to say the old Serrail which was the first Royall House built within the Citie after that the Turkes became Masters It is scituated almost in the midst of it the forme is square and the Circle containes an Italian mile and a halfe or halfe a French League such as are in Languedoc or Prouence The women which haue serued the deceased Emperours their Sisters if they bee not married their Childrens Nurses haue it for their Lâ—ing from whence they may not depart vnlesse they maâ— A Dame whose age and discretion hath purchased merit hath the care and conduct of the rest as Superiour they call her Cheira Cadâ—n that is to say Great Dame The Grand Seigneur in his most solitarie humours retires himselfe sometimes into this place to seeke the consolation which he cannot find elsewhere The other Serrail is of a lesse extent it is scituated at the Hippodrome and serues at this day for the solemnizing of Playes Pompes and Sports for the Turkish Princes and for an Academie to foure hundred of the Grand Seigneurs Pages which are there instructed in the Turkish tongue to manage Armes and other Exercises fit for them and they goe not forth vntill they be made Espayn that is to say Men at Armes they are bred vp and taught at their Masters charge this place is called Ebrayn Bassa Saray that is to say the Serrail of Hâ— Bassa who was sonne in Law to Sultan Solyman the Second and his Fauourite for a time Hee caused it to bee built at his owne charge The third is called Boyuâ—h Saray that is the great Serrail now the ordinary abode of the Turkish Emperours It is of this which we meane to speake This great Serrail the Mansion of Turkish Emperours and of their Family is pleasantly scituated in the same place where as Byzance was in old time built vpon a pleasant point of firme Land which lookes towards the mouth of the blacke Sea Its forme is triangular two sides thereof are warred by the waues of the Egaean Sea the third is supported by the Citie it is â—nuironed with high walls and fortified with many Towres which doth better the defence It hath three miles in circuse Many Gates serue for the entrie aswell towardes the Sea as Land one principall neere to Sancta Sophia is vsually open the others are not but when it pleaseth the Grand Seignour This Gate is guarded day and night by Companies of Capigis who are Porters which relieue one another and in the night some I am iâ—â—ies which are without the Gate in little Cabins of wood mounted vpon wheeles are in Sentinell and when need requires aduertise the Corps de Gard of Capigis In the Towres which are vpon the Serrail certaine Aâ—amoglaus that is to say Children without experience or Rusticks of those of the Tribute to see if any one doth approach by Land or any Vessels by Sea neere to this Imperiall House And in that case they discharge certaine Peeces of Artillerie which are ready charged to that effect vpon a little platforme of fiue â—athomebroad which is betwixt the wall of the Serrail and the Sea The Chambers and Royall Hals of the Sultans Lodging are disposed according to the diuers seasons of the yeare Those whither
and rare qualities of the mind haue raised aboue others What entertainment can a great Prince find in such abiect persons and so ill bred and what seruice can hee receiue from a man drawne from the Stable and from the profession of a Horse-keeper or a Coachman from a Huntsman and the bawling of Hounds What contentment from a brutish Faulkoner whilest that Men of merit are in contempt This disorder is sometimes seene in the World yea in the Courts of great Princes to their shame and to the great preiudice of the publique Neere vnto this Chamber is a goodly Librarie where are many Bookes rich for their stately couerings and precious for their workes the immortall markes of the glorie of their Authours This is called the secret Library it is the most renowned of all the Serrail There is another towards their Quarter which serue the Chamber and the Grand Seigneurs Pages filled with a great number of Bookes in all Languages among the which there are to bee seene at this day sixe score Volumes of the ancient Librarie of Great Constantine of an extraordinary bignesse They are aboue a fathome broad and two in length Their leaues are of such thinne Parchment as they seeme rather to be of Silke then Skinnes most part written in letters of Gold especially those which containe the Old and New Testament their couerings are of Siluer gilt after the antique manner set with a great number of precious stones The price without doubt hath preserued them from spoile and ruine where as the rest haue perished by the barbarousnesse of the Turkes who sackt Constantinople in the time of Mahomet the Second The Sultan holds them so precious as he will not allow any one to handle them The number of Gardens in the Serrail are not fewer in number then are delightfull to looke on The Prince hath his the Sultana's theirs and without this Imperiall House there are eighteene planted towardes the Sea whereof the fruites and reuenewes are by the Law of State employed for the entertainment of the Princes Table whereof we will speake elsewhere He which hath the chiefe charge is called Bostangibassi that is to say great Gardiner and is one of the most eminent Dignities of the Empire he is many times much affected by his Master and feared by the other Bashaes to whom hee may doe good and bad Offices with the Prince when hee gouernes him alone in his walkes and entertaines him in affaires of Estate Two Mosquees serue in the Serraile for their Deuotion The one is towardes that Quarter where the Prince and his Officers lodge and the other is neere the Lodging of the women and their slaues And although the Turkes will not admit of the vse of Bells yet there are a great number of little Clockes in the Serrail which strike the houres both by day and night The Grand Seigneurs Pages are instructed to keepe them and most part of the men of qualitie in the Serrail and likewise the women haue little Watches whereof they make vse This is all that can be written of the Grand Seigneurs Serrail at the least that can come vnto the knowledge of Christians to whom the entrie vnlesse it be vpon the dayes of Diuan is expresly forbidden and the inward parts of this Imperiall House whereof wee haue spoken may not be seene by them vnlesse the Prince be absent and yet hee must haue some particular friendship with the Officers of the Serrail and monie in his hand the which doth not only open them the closest Gates in Turkie but doth facilitate the most difficult affaires through the auarice of the Turkes to the which all their other passions seeme to yeeld Let vs come now to the Grand Seigneurs Exercises to his manner of liuing to the number of his Officers and other particularities of his Crowne But let vs begin by his Coronation CHAP. III. Of the Coronation of the Turkish Emperour AFter that death who strikes with an equall hand aswell the stately Pallaces of Kings as poore Cottages couered with straw hath taken out of this World some Turkish Emperour he of his Children which is destinated to the succession of his Scepter parts from the gouernment whither his Father had sent him the which most commonly is Magnesia a Prouince in Asia and comes secretly to Constantinople and into the Serrail by that Port which lookes towards the Sea for the passage whereof the Bostangibassi which is the great Gardiner goes to receiue him in the Imperiall Galley vpon the side of Asia passeth the straight conducts him into the Serrail and leads him into his Fathers Throne whither the great men of the Port that is to say of the Court for so they call it come to adore him and to acknowledge him for their Prince Presently the Basha which is Gouernour of Constantinople causeth Proclamation to be made in the Citie then throughout all the Empire That the Soule of the inuincible Emperour Sultan N. enioyes an immortall Glorie and an eternall Peace and that the Empire of Sultan N. may flourish and prosper in all felicitie for many yeares The third day after they hold the great Diuan which is the generall Councell where as all the great Men of the Court and Officers of the Crowne assist and resolue concerning the affaires of the Estate The Emperour doth not assist yet he is in a Chamber neere and sees but is not seâ—ne and heares through a Lattice window what they treat of and what they say At the end of the Diuan all these Officers goe by foure and foure or by sixe and sixe into the Chamber where the Sultan is and there without speaking any thing make a low reuerence and so passe on going forth to another doore They returne to the Diuan where as Dinner attends them The Sultan dines at the same time and after halfe an houre which is all the time he spends at the Table he mounts vpon a stately Horse being followed by the chiefe Commanders of the Warre hee shewes himselfe to his people of Constantinople and receiues from them their cryes and acclamations of Ioy which are Liue and long may Sultan N. Raigne Hee goes to some Mosquee where his Predecessours haue beene buried Hee makes his prayers which being ended one of the twentie Preachers of his Court goes into the Pulpit and by a short discourse giues him to vnderstand after the Turkish manner the greatnesse of the charge whereunto God hath called him exhorts him to haue a care of his Estate and especially to the maintenance and increase of Mahomets Law The Sermon being ended the same Priest doth blesse him seuen times and at euery time the people answere Amen At the same time the Moufti or high Priest of the Law who is present makes him to take the Oath vpon the Alcoran Girds him with the Sword which in old time Ottoman did weare and blessing him sayes these wordes God send you Ottomans Bountie They doe so much honour the
THE HISTORY OF THE SERRAIL AND OF THE COVRT of the Grand Seigneur Emperour of the Turkes WHEREIN IS SEENE the Image of the Othoman Greatnesse A Table of humane passions and the Examples of the inconstant prosperities of the Court. Translated out of French by Edward Grimeston Serjant at Armes LONDON Printed by William Stansby TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL HIS WORTHY Kinsman S. Harbottell Grimeston Knight and Baronet SIR IT is the vsuall manner of Men whom GOD hath blest with the goods of Fortune when Death summons them to leaue the world with all their wealth they are then â—ous and carefull how to dispose of that which they cannot carrie with them Then they call for Couâ— to aduise them in the drawing of their last Wills and Testaments bequeathing large 〈◊〉 or to their Children Kinsfolke and best respected Friends to remayne as a future testimonie of their bounties But if fareth not so with mee I must say with poore Bias Oâ—nid 〈◊〉 mâ—cum pâ—rto I am now creeping into my Graue and am freed from that care how to dispose of my worldly estate But I feare that my disabilitie will leaue some staine of Ingratitude vpon mee when I dead that I haue left no testimonie of my thankfulnesse to so worthy a friend as your selfe from whom I haue receiued so many fauours To make any reall satisfaction I cannot neither doe you need it Yet to free my selfe in some sort of this imputation of ingratitude I haue be 〈◊〉 you◠〈◊〉 Legacie the last of â—y â—aid â—s I hope you will giue it acceptance and countenance it for your owne whoâ—e you may at your best leisure without any labour trauell or expences enter into the great Turk's Sâ—raglio or Court and there taâ— suruay of the life lusts reuenewes power gouâ— and tyranny of that great Ottoman I bequeath it you as a testimonie of my thankfulnes when I am gone If you make it your recreation after more serious affaires I hope you will receiue some content to reade the State of the proudest and most powerfull Monarch of the World If it please you I shall thinke my selfe very happy hauing performed this last dutie And will euer rest Your truly affected poore Vnckle Edward Grimeston THE GENERALL HISTORY OF THE SERRAIL and of the Court of the Grand SEIGNEVR Emperour of the TVRKES The first BOOKE THe wisest among Men aduise vs to goe vnto Kings as vnto the fire neither â—o neere nor too farre off It burnes when wee approach indifferently and doth not warme hiâ— that stands farre off The glorious lustre of Royall Maiestie consâ— their reâ— presumption of those which approach too neere and the beaâ— of their bounty doe neuer warme those sauage 〈◊〉 which recâ—e in flying from them The true examples which Histories supply haue confirmed the excellency of this counsell yet a desire of the publique good hath enforced me to violate this respect and my vowes to serue it carries 〈◊〉 into the danger there is in gaâ—ing too neere vpon Kings I approach vnto the proudest of all other Princes and the most seuere of Men yea so neere as Idâ—e into his secrets visit his person discouer his most hidden affections and relate his most particular loues If I loose myselfe yet I shall giue proofes of this veritie that in the age wherein wee liue whosoeuer imployes himselfe wholy for the publique in the end ruines himselfe But Man is not borne only for himselfe and the barbarous ingratitude of the times cannot serue for a pretext but vnto idlenesse He that will labour must passe ouer these obstacles for he is not worthy of life which doth not imploy it well and to consume himselfe for the publique good it to reuiue againe gloriously out of his ashes like vnto a new Phoenix I haue conceiued that hauing giuen you the History of the Turkish Empire from its beginning vnto our times it would not be vnprofitable to let you see what their manners are their kind of liuing their conuersation and the order of their gouernement which so powerfull and redoubted a Conquerour doth obserue To doest safely woe must enter into the Serrail where the secret of all these things is carefully shut vp But for that in going thither we must crosse thorough the Citie of Constantinople let vs speake something of the situation antiquitie and beautie of this pompous Citie the fatall abode of the most powerfull Emperours of the Earth CHAP. I. Of the Citie of Constantinople THe Grecians consulting with the Oracle of Apollo l'ytheus what place they should choose to build a City in Thrace had for answere that they should lay the foundations right against the Territory of blind Men so terming the Calcidonians who comming first into that country could not make choice of the fertility of a good soyle and were seated vpon the other side of the Sea vpon the borders of Asia in a place which was vnpleasing and vnfruitfull in old time called the Towne of Calcedonia but now the Borough Scutarâ— Pausanius Captaine of the Spartians had the charge to build it and Byze Generall of the Megarian Floet gaue it his name and called it Byzance It hath carried it for many ages with the glory to be esteemed among the Grecians the most fertile of their Townes the Port of Europe and the Bridge to passe thither from Asia vntill that Great Constantine leauing Italy retired into the East and carried with him the most powerfull Lords which might trouple that estate He built after the Modell of Rome a stately Citie vpon the Antiquities of Byzance where he erected the Eternitie of his Name and called it Constantinople or new Rome The greatnesse of the Wals the safety of the Forts the beautie of the Houses the riches of Columnes which seemed to haue drawne into that place all the Marble I asper and Porphyry of the Earth were the rare wonders of the Architecture but aboue all these things appeared a magnificent Temple which the pietie of this Prince had consecrated to the Diuine Wisdome vnder the name of Saincta Sophia whose building the riches seemed in some sort to enuie the glory of King Salomon in the like designe at the least according to the time and the power of Constantine Seuen rich Lampes ministred occasion to curious spirits to obserue their rare art they all receiued at one instant the substance which did nourish their flames and one being extinct all the rest were quencht This was in the yeare of Grace three hundred and thirty Since two tumultuous factions grew in the Citie who after they had cast the fire of an vnfortunate Sedition into the spirits of Men brought the flames into this goodly Temple and burnt it For this cause Instinian the Emperour employed in the restoring thereof a part of the Treasures which he had greedily gathered together He caused it to be re-edified with more state then it had beene and in seuenteene yeares he imployed thirty foure Millions of gold which was
the which hath a breach in the throat for Mahomet the Second entring into the City had a conceit that they were the worke of some enchanting Sorcerer and spurring on his Horse to be satisfied hee made this breach with his Launce There is euery day a publique Market in some one of these places One Friday it is in three and the most famous are of Wednesday Thrusday and Friday They call them Schibazars that is to say Markets of things necessary for vse About these places are erected aboue two thousand shops for Breakers who sell any thing wherewith to furnish the necessity of those which desire to repaire their want The sole of this old trash is not so little but it yeilds yearely vnto the Princes Coffers six Charges of Mony which is in value eleuen thousand Sequins or foure thousand foure hundred pounds sterling for the Turkish exaction makes profit of euery thing The shops for Merchants exceed the number of forty eight thousand they are diuided according to the diuersity of trades or Merchandizes into diuers places but euery trade thath his quarter and in diuers parts for the commoditie of the Publique Only Goldsmiths Iewellers and Merchants of cloth of gold are in one place called Baystâ—â— that into say Market the others â—â—zars This 〈◊〉 place is in 〈◊〉 with waâ— fiue foot thicke there are foure double Gates our before the other like vnto a little Towne vaulted round aboue This rich 〈◊〉 place 〈◊〉 foure and twenty Pillars which suppoâ—â— the 〈◊〉 vnder the which there are many little shops like vnto boâ—â— in the wall or in the Pillars euery one is fine foote broad and foure long There they shew sorth their rich Merchandizes vpon little Tables which are before them Without doubt the gaine must be exceeding great and the sale ordinary seeing they paid vnto the Prince yearly fiue hundred Sequins or two hundred pounds sterling to haue leaue to sell there These are only Iewellers and Merchants of cloth of gold The Goldsmithes are without about the wals of this place and euery one payes yearely a hundred Sequins or forty pounds sterling to the same end Besides the Bayston there is another lesse inuironed with a wall and supported by sixteene small Pillars in the inclosure whereof they sell linnen cloth and silkes but without it is the detestable Market where they sell men and women on the one side they buy slaues which are already instructed to serue or to practise some trade and on the other those which know not any thing These places represent better then the former the fearefull Image of the Turkish tyranny It binds them to slauery which the God of the World hath crated free the Merchants visit such Merchandizes and such as haue an intent to buy doe first see the persons of either sexe naked they handle the parts of their bodies to obserue if they be sound and they vncouer that which Nature herselfe hath laboured to hide The women if they be faire are bought at a deare rate to serue the 〈◊〉 passions of some â—ous and fearefull Mooâ—e they to whom Nature hath denied such graces are taken to empty the close-stooles of great Turkish Ladies and to wash with water the parts of their body which serue to discharge their bellies as often as they haue 〈◊〉 We will relate the rest of the miseries of this seruitude in another place diuiding them of purpose to make them the more supportable For in truth they are in this worke the most tedious subject of this History Who could without sighing see an infinite number of Christians laden with the fetters of a violent slauery by the barbarisme of the Turks And in a place neare vnto this the Infidels keepe another Market where they only sell Nurses and from this vniust traffique the Princes vndertakers draw sixteene thousand Sequins for the toll of sixe thousand foure hundred pounds sterling Many other places of this starely Citie yeild vnto the treasury the Reuenues of many good summes of money The Tauernes which sell wine publiquely to Christians and to Iewes but in secret to Turkes being aboue fifteene hundred in number pay thirtie sixe charges of monie and euerie charge is valued at sixteene hundred thirtie three Sequins The Sea shoare towards Pera payes for the toll of fish which it sold there eighteene hundred charges of siluer yearely The Market whereas Corne Mealâ— and Pulse is sold yeelds yearely foureteene charges of monie That where the Merchandizes which comes from Caira is â—ted is worth yearely to the Chasua or the Imperiall treasure twentie foure charges of siluer The great custome which is leuied from the Castle of Gallipoli vnto that of the blacke Sea vpon Spices and other Merchandizes which comes by shipping is worth a hundred and fourescore charges of siluer The great Shambles of 〈◊〉 and Muttons which are without the Citie and furnish it with necessarie meate yeeld two and thirtie charges of monie they are called Chaanara two hundred Capsaplâ—rs or Butchers serue them A Superiour called Capsaâ—assa commands them who had a charge they shall furnish f◠〈…〉 kill an Oxe or a Sheepe without his permission 〈◊〉 it be for the Sacrifices of the Turkes The 〈…〉 from him to furnish their 〈…〉 should through coâ—etousnesse raise the price of 〈◊〉 aboue the ordinarie taxe which is set downe and that his corruption shall come to the knowledge of the Grâ— Seignâ—ur there is nothing could free him from the rigour of cruell death Hee is toâ—â—â— in â—ces and cut into foure qâ— which they send vnto the Shambles to be an example to other So as fâ—â—re keeping him in awe 〈…〉 before this 〈…〉 which 〈…〉 September and October vpon the 〈…〉 which 〈◊〉 from 〈…〉 great to be easily 〈…〉 people only and not the 〈…〉 you shall 〈…〉 of five and twentie thousand Oxen and 〈◊〉 thousand 〈…〉 also 〈…〉 by the side of Horses Ships Vessels and 〈…〉 hundred of all sorts of Merchandizes by Sea amounts to great and inestimable summes The taxe of those which imbarque themselues to trauaile which is an Aspre for euery head if they be Turkes and two if they be Christians or Iewes is of no small importance The Tribute called is Turkie Charay which is leuied vpon the Iewes in Constantinople after the rate of a Sequin for euerie male Childe is worth eleuen Millions three hundred Sequins yearely although there be many of that Nation which are free from this Tribute They doe also giue a present of three thousand Sequins euerie yeare for the confirmation of their Priuiledges and to haue a Rabbin to command their Synagogues and twelue hundred Sequins to haue leaue to burie their Dead The Christians Grecians within three miles or a league of Constantinople pay for euery Male a Sequin which amounts to the summe of aboue thirtie eight thousand Sequins They doe also giue fiue and twentie thousand yearely for their priuiledge to haue a Patriarch and to preserue the number of their
doth most affect the old women which gouerne them goe downe vnto the Apothecaries shop without the inner Gate of the Serrail and shewing the Physician her Vrine she relates the estate of the sicke person He prescribes without seeing her vpon the report that is made so as many die for want of helpe But if the Queene who hath giuen a Successor to the Empire or some other whom the Sultan loues with passion falls sicke they aduertise the Lachin Bassi which is the chiefe Physician who hauing obtained leaue from the Prince to goe and visit her hee enters into the womens Serrail where the Eunuches receiue him for all the women retire at his comming They lead him into the Chamber of the sicke party who hath her face couered with her couerings for they vse no Linnen to the end the Physician should not see her shee hath her arme only out of the Bed couered with fine Cypresse vpon the which hee feeles her pulse and knowes the Qualitie of the Feuer but it is not lawfull for him to speake whilest hee is before the sicke person After this he retires â—ard for that hee may not turne his backe towards her â—medies which hee doth prescribe are most commonly soâ—us potions all other Physique is in a manner neglected in that Court For the Turkes beleeue that from the day of their birth the time and continuance of their liues is written vpon their foreheads by an ineuitable destinie which no kind of Physicke can change If it were neccessary for the sicke person to change the aire this remedie would be very difficult For the women neuer go out of the Serrail but in the Sultans company and they goe to no other places but to the old Serrail and to his houses of pleasure and are not seene by any Man The black Eunuches which guard them helpe them into their Coaches which they shut vp close before they goe out of the Serrail The streets of Constantinople by the which they are to passe are made cleane and hanged with cloth to the end that no man should violate by his lookes the absolute content which the Prince hath of these goodly creatures who seeme to be only borne for him Hee alone doth see them hee alone doth conuerse with them and he only doth enioy them But seeing the relation of the life of the women of this great Serrail hath brought vs to the Gates of the old Serrail let vs enter into it and finish the History of their Fortune This Imperiall Pallace was sometimes the stately designe of Sultan Mahomet the Second whom the Turkes call Conquerour who after he had taken Constantinople caused it to be built for his Mansion in that part of the Citie which his Architects did hold to be the most beautifull and the most commodious It is spacious enough to lodge a great Prince with all the Officers of his House It s circuit containes aboue halfe a French League or a good English mile the walles are high and strong there is but one Gate guarded by a Company of white Eunuches by the which no man enters but the Emperour If the necessitie of his house drawes him thither they cause the women to retire into a priuate place vntill that he be gone It hath aswell as other Royall houses beautifyings and commodities delightfull Gardens pleasing Fountaines commodious Bathes and a Moschee for their deuotions The three strange Harbingers but all three allied haue lodged many faire women in it that it to say Death Inconstancy and Contempt Death hath sent a great number thither when shee hath taken away the Prince which cherish their beauties and amongst those are the Sultana's Mothers to the Princes Children his Daughters and his Sisters and the Monarches Aunts which is newly seated in the Throne of his Predecessour Inconstancie when as the Sultan wearied with the lasciuious imbracements of the women which haue beene the Idoll of his affections suffered himselfe to be perswaded to a new Loue that they haue abused his fauours and that they haue made themselues vnworthy to continue in his Pallace Contempt when as some of these Virgins which are presented vnto him haue not in his judgement allurements sufficient to captiuate him Or when as yeares an Enemy to beauty doth blemish them with wrinckles and doth rauish the honour of their delicate complexions and the glory of their countenances These vnfortunate Ladies which haue beene that which they are no more haue no other consolation in this kind of exile but the hope to be married to some Basha or some other great Man of the Port at the least such as had no children by the Sultan For the condition of others which are Mothers binds them to a perpetuall widdowhood yet they may easily attaine vnto it if the Sultan giues way if the Chadun or Gouernesse be pleased and if they haue mony Of this last the other two depends by it they gaine the Chadun and she perswades the Prince that they are worthy Thus Gold may doe any thing in all places and the dares which loue imployes in such places haue golden heads This is the reason why they gather together all the Money they can partly by the sparing of their Pensions and partly by the sale of their most rich Commodities brought from the other Serrail in secret and without the priuitie of the Gouernesse who strips them at their going forth but vnjustly of the pearles pretious stones and other rich gifts which their graces haue in their season deserued from the Princes bountie This feuere old woman restores them to the Sultan but most commonly she keeps a share to herselfe A strange alteration of humane things they which formerly had possest the Empire in Mastering its Monarches suffer the disgrace to be shut out of his Pallace and to lose their moueables They which are more politique which haue foreseene their putting out and haue secretly conueyed their richest stuffe they haue the aduantage to be rich They winne the Lady which commands them and by Eunuches let the Bashaes vnderstand the number of their Sultanins wealth These without any further bruit demand them in Marriage and promise the Prince to make them a rich Dowrie Others which by their fruitfulnesse are depriued of this search liue in stately Lodgings in this Pallace with abundance of all sorts of commoditie for life with the which they enjoy the Qualities of Sultanaes and Queenes But those which haue had Fortune aduerse vnto them whâ—ch hath depriued them both of the fauour of the Court of their goods liue in care with a small allowance in this Serrail and if they can make any delicate Workes they haue the gaine by the Traffique of the Iewes which visit them and therewith they doe in some sort case their discommodities In this old Serrail there is a quarter where as no body lodgeth royally furnished and reserued for the Prince when he goes to visit his Kinswomen or practizeth the
and depend of the Othoman when he confirmes them in their Dignities and sends them the markes thereof by a gilt Staffe a Throne or a Crowne they are bound to giue to him that is sent a Present of that value which is set downe in the great custome of the Empire the which doth taxe euery one to a certaine summe And of this number is the Vallachian the Moldanian the Transiluanian the Tartar and many other Vassalls and Tributaries of the Othoman Crowne This Present is diuided betwixt the Chaoux who receiues it and the Agalari who gaue him or rather sold him the Commission Thus they enrich themselues and make a stocke to furnish themselues vpon the first occasion the which presenting it selfe by the death of some Bassa they are made either Captaine of the Sea or Bassa of Caire or Damas or elsewhere Besides these great and glorious Dignities the Grand Seigneur doth honour them sometimes with the quality of Musaip that is to say hee that may speake vnto the Prince and goe to him in priuate The which the Turkes esteeme aboue any thing in the Empire the which the Othoman Monarches doe for a double intent both to gratifie those whom they loue and to haue men among the greatest of the Court to enforme him of the Bassa's actions and to discouer their Enterprizes against the good of the Estate and the Princes person But all the Agalaris are not so bountifully aduanced Those whom the Sultan will send out of his Serrail with meaner dignities he makes them Aga of the Ianizaries Spacular Agassi who is Captaine of the Spahis or at the least Capâ—igi Bassi who is chiefe of the Porters When they goe out of the Royall Pallace by any great or meane dignity they carry with them all the wealth they haue gathered together Many young men whom a desire of libertie and a curiositie to see the World rather than any care to aduance themselues hath made them abandon the exercises of the Oda and their importunities haue forced the Prince to dismisse them goe forth with the rest without any qualitie or office and with little entertainment by the day But when as he that is aduanced to the quality of a Bassa and Gouernour of some remote Prouince is ready to goe out of the Serrail the Grand Vizir sends to receiue him at the Gate by his Chicaia who is a Steward or Ouer-seer of his house with a troup of Horse to doe him honour and causeth him to be conducted to his Pallace receiues him with all curtesie giues him many Presents and doth accommodate him with lodgings for three or foure dayes vntill his owne be prouided in the Citie After that he hath giuen order he settles his Family and giues the chiefe places to such as came out of the Serrail with him he stayes sometime in Constantinople vntill his haire be growne for he was shauen at his comming forth and likewise to receiue the Presents which the Sultana's send him as goodly Linnen and rich Workes And those which the Bassa's present him as Tapestries Horses Robes of Cloth of Gold and all sorts of moueables necessary for a man of his condition He may be at that time about forty yeares old hauing consumed the best of his dayes in the expectance of this fortune They of the other Oda's succeed him by the order of their reception the which is exactly obserued in the Serrail and fauour cannot depriue any man if he hath not coÌ„mitted some notable fault in the royall Pallace so as they of the third Oda do partly know by the succession what shall become of them and wish daily that it would please the Sultan to send some of his Agalaris to Offices abroad to the end they may make place for them This new Gouernour parts not from the Court to goe vnto his charge before hee hath giuen thankes to the Capiaga for the care which hee hath contributed to his aduancement terming himselfe obligeth vnto him and that he would depend of him for a perpetuall acknowledgement of his fauours intreating him to hold him in his protection neere vnto the Princes person vpon all accidents that might happen He makes this Complement in the Serrail without the Gate of the Sultan's Quarter for being once forth hee enters no more vnlesse the Prince calls for him to treate with him concerning the affaires of his charge Such is their fortune which haue suffered their actions to be gouerned by patience and haue laboured to make themselues capable to serue But such in the choice which the Othoman Monarch makes of men bred and seuerely instructed in their profession about their persons to be in time the greatest Officers of their Empire where they neuer aduance to such Dignities vncapable men who in the whole course of their liues haue not learned any thing but to play as Tennice to cast the Dice to speake brutishly and to practice all sorts of vices Wherefore we must not wonder if the Turkes Estate prospers seeing that amidsts great number of young men they 〈◊〉 the choice of the best Wits to be 〈◊〉 vp with care vnder good Discipline which makes them honest men and 〈◊〉 to the gifts of a happy birth the perfections of 〈…〉 must of necessitie serue for the 〈…〉 great Man Hee that is borne a 〈◊〉 will 〈…〉 them make choice of the best Wits to supply their Religious House 〈◊〉 they haue alwayes amongst them most Learned and most rare Men and as long as they shall follow this course they shall make themselues 〈…〉 and admirable Without a naturall disposition they may well sowe but they shall neuer reape and no man euer made a good Sparrow-hawke of a Buzzard CHAP. IV. Of the foure White Eunuches the chiefe Men of the Serrail and of some other Eunuches WE haue said elsewhere that the womens Serrail hath no other Guard but blacke Eunuches which are sent young to the Court by the Basha's of Caire to be bred vp to that place The Sultans Serrail receiues none but white the which are chosen in their infancie out of that pleasing troupe of children well borne which are taken for Tribute from the Christians whose fortune the precedent Chapter doth describe They are cut or mutilated with their owne consent and not by force the which would in danger their liues The promises of the greatest Offices in Court and the hope one day to enjoy Dignities whereunto they see such men aduanced ouer-swayes their will to suffer themselues to bee cut the promise are true for in time they attaine to the greatnesse of Turkey But the principall of these Eunuches and the most ancient among them which are about the Princes person the first and most powerfull Heads of the Serrail are the foure which follow The first is the Capiaga great Chamberlaine of the Empire in most authority in the Serrail as he who may speake vnto the Grand Seigneur when he thinkes good he doth alwayes assist neere vnto his person