amongst them that Christ shall come againe and at his comming all shall be one and gathered into one Shéepfold Their false Prophet Mahomet whom they call Rosulla that is the Messenger of God was but a Larbee as they were but God gaue vnto him power and vnderstanding to make an end of the Law which the Iewes would not suffer Christ to doe and most blasphemously alledge that place in the sixteenth of saint Iohns Gospel to be meant of Mahomet Expedit vobis vt ego vadam si enim non abiero paracletus non veniet advos si autem abiero mittam â—…um advos Images they disallow either in churches or priuate oratories holding this principle None can forgiue sinnes but God onely Other booke of Religion then their Alcoran none may vse neither anie explains by writing the meaning of any place therein be he neuer so learned Therefore if any doubt he must goe to the Priest called Talby and of him be resolued Smal learning maketh a Talby which is onely to learne the Alcoran without booke and it is thus learned First he bath written him a lesson vpon a boord like vnto a horn-booke when he hath learned that Memoriter then is it wiped out and a new written which beeing learned without bookeâ—… is againe wiped out so a third so a fourth vntill he hath learned it all and then hee may be made a Talby Circumcision they vse and a kinde of Baptisme but at their owne houses not in the Churches because women vsed about the Lauature may not enter the Sinagogue first because of their often vncleannesse secondly for their offence because Eue incited Adam to 〈◊〉 the like custom for their women is amongst the Iewes therefore the Moore when a sonne or daughter is borne the eight vay after their birth the parents send for a Talby and some old men and women where after a fewe prayers said the women wash the childe all ouer with water and so giue the name making a banket according to the mans abilitie but it may be the child shall not bee circumcised of two three or eight yeares after according as the father doth thinke good for then he maketh great bankets and vsually to saue cost hath a child marryed or some of his kindred vpon that day They haue foure principall feasts The Easter which is calld Rumedan preceding this feast is their Lent about the constitution of which their Prophet finding it hard to fast fortie dayes together abated them tenne so they fast but thirtie yet is it verie hard for after day breaketh they take no manerof susteâ—…ance in the world not so much as a sup of water before night that the stars doe appeare so strict are they when their Lent falleth high in the yeare which it must needes doe because their yeare is shorter than ours by ten dayes reckoning by the Moone not by the Moneth as many grow faint with fasting and my Authour saith he hath seene diuers layd before the Church doore readie to giue vp the ghost for drought and some haue died holding it no question something meritorious to die in seeking to fulfill their Law And once the same Gentleman trauailing to Morruecos with certaine Moores in his companie in their time of Lent one of the Moores being thirstie with heate and trauaile went to a Conduit in the streetes of Moruecos to drink a little water but the people so wondered at him and reuiled the poore slaue crying out hee knew not God for breaking in publique their Lawe though it doth admit one may breake the fast for great necessitie a day or two in his trauaile so hee take vpon his conscience to fast as many dayes as hee hath missed before the next Rumedan come againe that the poore slaue seeing himselfe condemned of his owne people and dishonoured before the Christian trauailers in a desperate minde which may be counted zeale killed himselfe with his owne dagger The Iewes in that Countrey obserue a Lent in remembrance of their fortie yeares iourney in the Wildernesse but diuide the forty dayes of this their Lent equally into euery moneth some Their second feast called Lidlaber celebrated about our Whitsontide is kept in remembrance of Abrahams obedience in sacrificing his sonne Isaac therefore the Moore be he poore or rich for himselfe and for euerie sonne he hath will buy a shéepe against the day when euery one must kill his shéepe with his owne hands And the King both the like slaying one with his owne hand turning the head into the East The Iewes in their Church or Synagogue thrée or foure times when they are at praiers â—…o blow a shéepes horne in remembrance of this feast but not euery one bloweth it only the greatest Raby or high Priest for solémnitie sake doth it Their third feast is like to our Michaelmasse called Lashour which the Iewes kéepe as the feast of Tabernacles The Moore celebrateth it after his Inning of Corne and fruits The King maketh vse of this positiue Law strengthning it with his authoritie as also with the habite and cloake of Religion and conscience thereby to make his subiect pay the tenths due to bee payed at that time of all his corne and cattle both young and old with greater alacritie All which commeth vnto the Kings coffers Like wise at this time the common people should pay the tenth of their money to the poore and Church something indéed they giue but if the King bée payed yâ— oftentimes is winked at their Church hauing no command to compell yâ— laitie to pay their due for the temporall sword since Augustines time who as many 〈◊〉 report hath preached in Morruecos and not â—…arre from thence lieth buried hath beaten downe the key of the Prelacie the beautie of which being taken from them no doubt is the greatest cause of their barbarisme and slauerie There fourth â—…east is their Candlemasse day called Lidshemaw when euery one must haue a Candle for him selfe and for euery sonne in his house The King that day hath candles carried to him thorow the Citie some like Maypoles other like Castles sixe or eight men carrying one of them they are so great and heauie made so â—…ne with deuises as some are in making sixe moneths That night the king doth heare all his law read and the like is done in all other Churches Likewise vpon their good Fryday in Lent the law is reâ—… ouer and the Talby which can not read it ouer in one night is held as insufficient for his place and function Many of their learned men sit vp all that night because many of the denotest Moores will watch the â—…ight thorow to heare their law not in remembrance of our Sauiour Christ is this méeting but rather to suppâ—…e the sparkes of Christianitie in the mindes of their owne people and darken the remembrance of his most bitter death and passion The manner of going to prayer THey go to seruice â—…xe times in twentie foure hours washing themselues
in his kingdomes by solemne oath vowed allegeaunce to Muley Sheck after the olde kings decease And at that time Boferes the second Sonne by reason of the great plague in Sus and other discontents he receiued from that rebellious people stayed not long there but returned againe to his Father in Moruecos where he stayed with him vntill his Fathers departure to Fes in September 1602. Muley Sidan the third Sonne continued in Tedula a prouince fruitfull and scituate in the flat of Barbarie the mid-way betwéene Fes and Moruecos as I haue told you who gouerned those parts in great peace and quietnes euen in the cheife times of the tuâ—…lts that were in the bordering Dominions of his eldest brother Sheck whereof you shall read hereafter insomuch that he was generally commend ed and liked both of his Father and of all the kingdome for his gouernment being strict in séeing the execution of iustice to be done in those parts that he gouerned not sparing his kindred or nearest followers in those cases From his infancy be naturally hated all manner of théeues whatsoeuer especially thâ—…se which robbed by the high wayes and without any fauour or mercy seuerely punished them Howsoeuer he carryed himselfe very dutifull to his Father whilest he was liuing yet from his Childehoode he was alwayes of an aspiring and ambitious nature which could neuer be brought to subiect it selfe to giue any awefull respect to his elder brethren but to hazard his whole estate in obtaining the Kingdome accounting himselfe his Fathers lawfull heire in that hee was his Fathers eldest Sonne which he had by any of his marryed wiues In this point not regarding the custome and lawe of the Mores who in title of inheritance or succession respect not the mother whether shée be marryed Wife or Concubine bought with money so that her sonne be the eldest in birth Cap. IIII. The misgouernment of Muley Sheck which caused his old Father to visite the Kingdome of Fes the taking of Sheck prisoner the death of the Father BUt to returne againe to Muley Sheck the Kings eldest Sonne who after the death of his Basha Mustepha beheaded by his Fathers commaund soone shewed vnto all men the want of Gouernment that was in him for in his latter times giuing himselfe ouer to drunkennes and other detestable vices which amongst the Mores commonly accompanieth that sinne regarded not at all the gouernment of his kingdome but suffered his seruants followers and souldiers to doe what they would in robbing and spoyling the the goods of his honest minded Subiects without controllment And through want of Iustice duly executed his whole country in a short time swarmed so with théeues and robbers by the high wayes that there was no trauelling through his dominions but in Caffilas or companies of 300 and 400 persons at a time and they hardly sometimes escaped the hands of théeues The Alarbies who continue to this day in tribes and kindreds beeing the husbandmen of the countrey liuing in the fields in tents by â—…illing of the ground and bréeding vp of cattell when as they could not quietly gather in and peaceably enioy the corne and fruits of the ground denyed to paye the King their accustomed dutie and in the fields followed the courses of Muley Shecks seruants in the citie in robbing of all passengers that came within their power And such was his laâ—…ishing manner of spending and consuming of his Treasure that in his humors hée neither regarded what hée gaue nor to whome in so much that a Iew who was a Musitian and vsed to play before him in his drunken fits what with the gifts giuen him by the Prince and what else he gotte out of his house had gotten together in money and iewels in the space of foure or fiue yeares to the value of Foure Hundred Thousand Duckets which is about fortie Thousand Pound sterling This dissolute life and carelesse gouernment of Muley Sheck gréeued the olde King not a little especially to sée such a change or alteration in him whose forwardnes in former times had béene the staye of his age and had mooued him to cause the Alkeyds of the kingdome by oath to confirme their allegeance after his owne death Many wayes he sought to amend what was amisse in those parts and to draw his Son to a more stricte course of life and more carefull kind of gouernment as well by his letters as by sending diuers principall Alkeyds to be Counsellors vnto him Yet such was the small accompt he made either of the one or the other That the old King in the end séeing no amendment but the estate of that Kingdome to grow dayly worse and worse determined to go to Fes in his owne person with an armie aswell to displace his Sonne who had denyed to come vnto him vpon his sending for as also to put in order all matters in those parts which through the ill gouernment of his Sonne were all out of frame And so about the beginning of October 1602. he set forwards from Moruecos with an armie of Eight Thousand shot and some fiue Thousand Horse towards Fes leauing his second Sonne Muley Boferes to gouerne Moruecos and Sus in his absence vntill his returne making such spéedy iourneyes that he was with his forces within one dayes iourney of Fes before his Sonne Muley Sheck was certainly aduised of his setting forth from Moruecos Who when hee vnderstood of his fathers being so néere and himselfe euery way vnprouided to resist him Would haue fled towards Tafilet but being followed by Basha Mustefa hee was constrained to take saâ—…uary with fiue hundred of his best souldiers being very good shotte and well prouided The old King the Father séeing his sonne take the prâ—…ueledge of the place which is much respected in that countrey willed him to come forth and submit himselfe to his mercy But Muley Sheck refused either obstinate in not obeying or fearefull he could not render a good accompt of his Twenty Fiue yeares gouernment in Fes Wherefore Muley Hamet commaunded Mustefa a Basha of Sidans though then in the olde Muleys seruice to take thrée thousand men 〈◊〉 perforce to enter the place which he performed bringing Sheck prisoner and the rest of his company which were left aliue after the conflicte The old man would in no wise admit him into his presence but committed him to the charge and custody of Basha Iudar one of greatest place about the King who caryed Sheck to Mickanes a strong Garrison towne and there remained vntill the time of his Fathers death which was some fiue moneths after The olde King in his iourney to Fes against his eldest sonne passed by the Prouince of Tedula and from thence tooke alongst with him his third son Muley Sidan whom he commaunded to remoue his houshold to Fes from Sidania a Citie which he had begunne to build in Tedula and called it after his owne name intending to leaue him Uizeroy of those parts in the roome of his eldest
sonne whom he purposed to carrie with him from Mickanes where he was prisoner to Morruecos Which he had also performed if hee had not beene preuented by suddaine death For in August 1603 hee hauing set all matters in order in those parts of Fes prouiding for his returne to Morruecos put out his Tents without Fes gates but being abroad hee suddainly fell sicke and his sicknesse so sore increased that on Thursday falling sick on Sunday morning beeing the fourteenth of August 1603. he died Cap. V. Muley Sidan proclaimeth himselfe King in Fes Muley Boferes in Morruecos Muley Nassar would haue done the likein Taradant but is hindered The death of Nassar MVley Sidan by reason his Mother Lilla Isha gouerned the old Kings house vnderstoode of his fathers death before it was noysed abroad whereupon he presently went forth into his fathers campe and tents from whence he carried away all such Iewels and treasure as he found there And after his fathers death he caused himselfe in Fes to bee proclaimed King of Barbarie as lawfull heyre of his deceased father Lilla Iohora mother to Muley Sheck and Muley Boferes seeing her eldest sonne in prison and voide of all meanes to helpe himselfe at that instant was not vnmindfull of her second sonne Boferes whom the old King had left to gouerne Morruecos during his absence To whom shee dispéeded presently letters by one of the kings Eunuchs who made such hast that in foure dayes he came from Fes to his Tents which were some two leagues from Morruecos where he had lien all the Summer before to auoyd the infection of the plague which had béene that Summer in Morruecos and with him was his younger brother Muley Nassar and his eldest brothers sonne Muley Abdela Muley Boferes vnderstanding of his fathers death presently entred Moruecos and gaâ—… possession of the Alcasaua his fathers house Before the newes of his fathers death was noysed abroad and generally knowne fearing how the Alkeyds and people of Morruecos might stand affected vnto him and knowing that if he had once possession of the Alcasaua of his fathers treasure he had the best part of the Kingdome And the next day after his entrance hee caused to bee published generally thorow the whole Citie the newes of his fathers death and withall himselfe to be proclaimed king Writing letters to the Uizeroy of Sus to doe the like in Taradant the chiefe Citie of that Kingdome the which he accordingly performed Muley Nasâ—…ar the fourth sonne of the deceased King hauing beene all the Summer abroad with his brother Boferes when now hee vnderstood of his fathers death followed his brother a farre off as though hee meant to haue entred Morruecos with him But comming to the gates of the Citie in companie with Muley Abdela his Nephew being sonne to Muley Sheck with whom hee was familiar conferred with him about their flying into the Mountaines perswading Muley Abdela that hee might no wayes put any trust in Boferes since his father and he were the chiefest impediments that hindered Boferes from claiming the Kingdome by course of iustice his father Muley Sheck being the old Kings eldest sonne and he the eldest sonne of his father Besides his father being in prison so neere Fes where Muley Sidan was it was to be doubted that Muley Sidan had alreadie gotten him into his power and it might be had made some agréement with him alreadie to ioyne both against Muley Boferes which if it should so fall out would cause Boferes to deale more cruelly with him But these perswasions moued not Abdela who rather chose to enter the Citie and follow his Uncle on whose curtesie he would relie Though Nassar fearing how Boferes would deale with him with all speede fled into the Mountaines to the kindred of his mother from whence after a few daies with some eight hundred or a thousand of those people whome he ioyned together he passed into the plaines of Sus sending to the Alkeyd in Taradant to proclaime him King or else to suffer him quietly to depart But the Alkeyd hauing alreadie proclaimed Muley Boferes withstood him and he hauing no meanes wherewith to pay his souldiers and people that he had gathered togither was soone left of all so returned againe to his mothers kindred and liued priuatly there about seuen Moneths and then dyed of the plague or as some reported secretly poysoned was brought to Morruecos and there buryed Cap. VI. The reuolt of Alkeyd Hamet Monsore Muley Sheck prisoner deliuered to Boferes Muley Sidan rayseth forces against his bother Boferes And the like doth Muley Boferes against Sidan BUt to returne to Fes and those parts after the death of the old King Sidan being now proclaimed king in Fes Boferes in Morruecos Sus Muley Sheck prisoner in Mickanes in the keeping of Basha Iudar the souldiers being abroad in their tents without Fes gates began to be in a mutenie as well for sixtéene Moneths pay which the old King owed them as also about their returne to Morruecos where the most of them had left their wiues and children To appease this mutenie Muley Sidan sent out of Fes vnto them Alkeyd Hamet Monsore their chiefe Commaunder in the olde Kings time to promise them as well content in payment as also a speedie returne to Morruecos with Muley Sidan himselfe But Monsore in stead of pacifying laboured to encrease their mutenous humours and at last agreed with them suddainly in the night to take vp their tents and to march with him to Morruecos alleadging vnto them both the vncertaintie of Muley Sidans pay and the small likelyhoode of any speedie iourney he meant to take to Moruecos And being to passe within a little of Mickanes where the Basha kept Muley Sheck prisoner hee wrote vnto the said Basha to know his intent whether hee would goe to Moruecos or no with him To whom the Basha came and brought Muley Sheck with him whom they brought along as prisoner to Moruecos and deliuered him vp to his brother Boferes who kept him close prisoner in his house some 4. or 5. moneths vntill the comming of Muley Sidan against him in battaile by this meanes thinking to haue established the whole kingdome to Muley Boferes who now besides the possession of the city of Moruecos and his Fathers treasure had brought vnto him yâ— greatest part of his Fathers forces 〈◊〉 his elder brother put prisoner into his hands Muley Sidan being thus deceiued by Monsore and likewise by diuers other principall Alkeids who had secretly departed from Fes and left him forthwith dispeeded one Mustefa a Renegâ—…do of his owne whome hee made a Basha with two thousand shot and some companyes of horses to Tedula aswell to receiue from the Alarbies those duties which they alwayes pay vnto their King as also to stoppe and returne to Fes whomsoeuer he should finde flying from thence to Moruecos kéeping possession of that prouince for his vse He made likewise great preparations both of
reqâ—…ested â—…is Maiestie to kâ—…pe on his wâ—…y and saue himselâ—…e â—…y â—…ight he not purposing to persue him anâ—… further And so the Mâ—…ley in this miserablâ—… eâ—…te forsaken almost of all kept on his way to Trimaâ—…e a towne boroâ—…ring vpon the Turkes in the frontiers of the kingâ—…ome of Aâ—…rs and the Alkeids who pursued him returned againe to Fes Cap. IX Muley Sheck proclaimeth himselfe King in Fes Sidan goeth to Tafilet from thence into Sus. A skirmish wherin Mumine Bocrasia is slaine Peace concluded between Muley Boferes and Muley Sidan AFTER Muley Sidans flight in this manner Muley Sheck entred Fes where he was ioyfully receaued of them proclayâ—…ed 〈◊〉 King and not gouernour 〈◊〉 his brother Boreres And it being in the time of â—…ummadan all the Almohallas of Moruecos returneâ—… home against the Pascua froâ—… whence after the celebration of the feast they were sent forth to all parts of the countrâ—… agaâ—…st the Larbâ—…es among whome were as great ciuile wars as among yâ— brâ—…thren for in this time of so many kings they would acknowledge none or pay duty to any of the three brethren Wherevpâ—…on Hameâ—… Monsore with thrée Thousand souldierâ—… was sent into Sus in the moneth of Aprill 1604. but his men dying of the plague which was very hot at that time and thereby the Larbies little regarding his power would bring him no vicâ—…uals so that with remainder of his men hee was constrayned to returne towardes Mâ—…ruecos Diuerse other Aâ—…mohallas were sent abroad into seuerall parts of the countrey but in the beginning of Iune newes comming of Muley Sâ—…daÌ„ns returne from Trimasine to Tafileâ—… they were all sent for by Boferes to returne to Moruecos and bée ioyned together the second time against Muley Sidan who hauing some fewe moneths liued about Trimasine with some fiftie souldiers went towards Tafilet about which part liued the Cassa or caste of Alkaid Absadok who was master of the hawkes to Muley Hamet and brought to Sidan of his caste some twelue hundred Horses with which force he entered Tafilet The Alkeid of Muley Bofeâ—…es flâ—…ing to Dara or Dâ—…aw with his souldiers In Tafilet Muley Sidan stayed some fortye daies where he vnderstood perfectly of the estate of Sus and had letters from diuers of his welwillers there vnderstanding of Alkeâ—…d Hamet Moâ—…sores departure from thence And that the Shebaâ—…es which is the greateâ—…t Cast in all Barbarie and the Casse or Cast of the Muleys mother would not â—…knowlâ—…dge Boâ—…eres for King and likewise how most of all the Casts in Sâ—… desired his comming thither Wherevâ—…on â—…e prepared what forces hee could there get to go iâ—…to Sâ—…s Muley Boâ—…eres vpon the first newes of his brothers comming to Tafileâ—… called in â—…ll his 〈◊〉 and ioyning some foure Thousand shotte of them besidâ—…s horse sent them from 〈◊〉 to Dara vnder the Commâ—…und of his Sonne Muley Abdelmelech with whome went diuers principall Alkeids as Alkeâ—…d Gowiâ—… Vmbilie Mumine Bocrasia who in the first batâ—…aile of Muley Sidan was a principall man of commaund on his side and after his ouerthrow flâ—… from him to Moruecos with diuers others The chiefe intent of these forces was to stop the passages from thence to Sus which Muley Sidan perceiuing before the comming of their whole forces he passed by Alcatouy where yâ— horsemen on each side skirmished the â—…ootmen not being able to come vp and some slaine of either side but no man of account saue onely Alkeid Mumine Bocrasia who as some reported dyed with thirst being ouerheated the battaile being â—…ought in the middest of Iuly or as others reported being wounded and returning to his tent calling for water after hee had drunke it presently dyed whose death was little lamented or pittyed of the Mores they saying he was iustly rewarded for being a traitour to Muley Sidan his Master who was not onely contented to leaâ—…e him in his misfortunes and to flye to his brother but also to goe forth into the â—…eld against him Muley Sidans forces were so small that he was not able to match in strength the forces of his enemies and therefore was constrayned to passe into Sus by the waye of the Sahara and durst not passe by Draw In which Sands for want of water both he his whole company had almost perished and after much miserey indured in that iourney he arrâ—…ued at Aca where Sidie Abdela Imbark the great Foker dwelleth the friendshippe of whome obtained he knewe that all his brothers forces could not dispossesse him of the Kingdome of Sus in such great reuerence is that church man held in those partes that the people will obey none but whome hee commaundeth them He being come thither the Foker by letters to Muley Boferes then at Moruecos procured that there might be a treatie oâ—… peace between the two brethren Wherevppon in August following An. 1604. Alkeid Azus was sent to Muley Sidan to Aca where by the endeuours of the said Alkaid and the Foker a peace was concluded betwéene Muley Boferes and his brother Muley Sidan this to enioy the Kingdome of Sus and the other the residue of the Empire wherevpon Sidan peaceably entered Taradant the chiefe Citie in that kingdome vppon whose entrance thither Sus which in all former times had béen the most vnquiet and rebellious part of all Barbarie through his execution of iustice became the onely peaceable and well gouerned countrie of that kingdome all other parts of Barbarie that were vnder the gouernment and belonging to the other two brethren as then remaining very vnquiet and full of all tumults Neither was his gouernment any way to bee misliked but that scarce setled he charged the country with greater impositions then his Father euer demaunded insomuch as Sedie Abdela Imbark who was the onely man that first brought him thither reprooued his courses And the Montaâ—…ers of Atlas being good souâ—…iers excellent shot and their dwelling by nature dâ—…fencible finding his yoke too heauie thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 him or his power which humor of theirs was nourished by secret practises of Boferes lothe that Sâ—…dan should either grow great in friends or treasure But the inhabitants of the plainâ—… and lower regions felt the smart of his rodde knowing their throats lay at his mercey when as the Montaniers defended themselues with open armes and oftentimes gaue the new king his hands full Cap. X. Abdela Muley Shecks Sonne escapeth from Boferes Sidan is sent for to go in battaâ—…le against Muley Sheck he refuseth Abdelmelech Boferes sonne goeth His bad successe THE peace concluded betwixt Boferes and Siâ—…an by the meanes of Abdela Imbark anâ—… Azus the wisest Counsellor that Barbarie hath wâ—…e will leaue Sidan at Sus seeking hiâ—… owne ende once more to become Maister of Morrâ—…ecos and returne to Boferes who was troubled which waye 〈◊〉 contriue the regaining of Mulâ—…y Sheck who like 〈◊〉 bâ—… de had broken cage and was flowne to Fes making a fâ—… pretence to goueâ—…ne but as Uiâ—…eroy yet secretlie
there to stay and expect the euent of his Sonne if it passed well with him then Affricke should hold him otherwise to visite the great Duke of Thuscane on whose courtesie he much rested But the christian Gunners so well obserued their times of shooting and placing their Ordinance as they gotte Abdela the field hoping thereby to haue obtained both libertie and pillage of which most of them poore men fayled as afterward you shall read When Sheck heard Abdela had gotte Moruecos hee grew careles to send prouision or supplie the wants of his thrée Italian Shippes wherefore they set saile from Mamora homewards taking such treasure for their pay as were in their custodies Boferes lost in this battaile about Sir Hundred men fled into the Citie to saue his treasure and his women but for feare of being surprised durst not tarry to take his treasure away with him but in all hast poasted toward the Mountaines willing the Alkeids and chiefest men of his court to bring it after him with the rich Swoâ—…rd the like whereof is not in the world committing also to their conduct his daughter and the châ—…isest of his women amongst whome was the wise of Ben Wash the Kings Marchant At the entrie of the hilles a kindred of the Larbies being fiue hundred horsemen seized vppon these people pillaged their cariages rifled and dishonoured the women not sparing Boferes Daughter whome Abdela determined to haue married but hearing diuers Mores to haue lyen with her also yâ— shée was suspected to haue liued in incest with her father after his enterance into Moruecos he neuer enquired farther after her The Alkeids being well mounted by the swiftnesse of their Horses returned backe to Moruecos and there tooke sanctuarye Abdela vppon their submission promised them pardon on whose Princelie word they relying came foorth the Foker of the place presenting them But Muley Abdela whether incited by enuious counsell or on his owne bloody minde putteth them so secretly to death that sending all their heads in one sacke to Fes for a present to his Father Their deaths was not fullie known in the Citie of Moâ—…uccos before their heads were set vppon Fcs gates Here was the end of Basha Iudar a great souldier in olde Hamets time a faithfull Commaunder during his life to Boferes accompanyed with Sedy Gowie Alkeid Aâ—… his Sonne Alkeid Moden the Cassemie and some foure great men more Cap. XIII Muley Sidan commeth against Muley Abdela getteth Moruecos from him killeth Eight Thousand of his men and vpon colde blood causeth 3000. Thousand Fâ—…zees to bee slaine yeelding vppon good composition THis tyranny of Abdela shewed vppon these valiant and woorthy men and the spoyle which the Fezees had made aswell in robbing the Alkeids houses as in ryâ—…ing the Citizens goods and committing aloutrages which follow war caused many flie to Muley Sidan and the rest which remained in Moruecos grewâ—… discontented so that the Sunne-â—…hine of Abdelas happines scarse lasted two moneths for Sidan resting in the halfe way between Moruecos and Fes taking oportunity of this vproare of the Townsemen marched toward Moruecos on the North side of the Towne determining to giue present battaile hearing by the scowâ—…s that Muley Abdela his campe was looged in the great Garden or Orchard called the Almowetto being some two English myles about The first night of Sidans approach the prisoners were released and prisons broken open so that these men getting liberty ran halfe mad vp and downe the Cittie crying long liue Sidan which troubled the citizens not a little And in this vproare Sidans faction let into the Citiâ—… at a secret gate many of his souldiers which made a sally vpon the regiment of Zalâ—… meaning to haue surprised Abdelas campe but himselfe comming to the rescue with two Thousand men continued a hotte skirmish against the Sidanians in which the christians fought valiantly to recouer their Péeces of Artillery which were lost vntill the Sidanians were forced to retyre The next day being the 25 of Aprill Stilo nouo Abdela remooued towards Muley Sidan who was encamped on the North side of the Citie not daring to come on the south-side for feare of the shot which galled his men from the battlements of the Kings house Therefore he hearing of Abdelas remoue and intending to venture his fortune vpon a present battaile set forward to méete him with a regiment of his best horse Abdela perceauing this caused his Canoniâ—… to march formost which could but place fiue Pieces of their Artillery in a â—…rest because the Orchards and Gardens made the passages â—…ery narowe and straight where as the armies should mâ—…te Sidanâ—… horsemen gaue 〈◊〉 very gallant charge but the Canonierâ—… made them retyre Which Abdeâ—… horsâ—… men perceiuing being encouraged and too eager of the chase some Thousand Horse galloped before their own Ordinance and followed their enemie close to Sidans campe their Péeces of Artillary being drawne after them Muley Sidan well knowing the aduantage of the place séeing his enemies depriued of the benefit of their great Ordinance which he most feared encouraged his men to kéepe their ground and bringing with his owne person fresh supplies to second them gaue his aduersaries the Abdelians so hotte a charge that they were faine to retire in great disorder vpon the mouths of their owne Artillary This dis array perceiued by the Christian Gunners it put them in minde to discharge vppon their owne men the Abdelians holding it better to kill Fiue or Sixe Hundred of their owne side then to loose the battaile But the More who was Captaine ouer the Canoniers and other Commaunders would not suffer it Wherefore the Sidanians following in good order and very close fell to the execution with their swords surprised the Artillery and flew the men The slaughter continued some foure houres betwixt seauen or eight Thousand killed and fewe to speake on left aliue for what the souldiers spared the Citizens in reuenge of their disorders pillages and villanies done to their women bereaued them of their liues who being dead were not suffered to bée buried but lay aboue the ground as a prey to the dagges and sowles of the ayre Heauie likewise was the Conquerors hand vppon the Christians which tooke Abdelas part most of them for their fiue moneths seruice to Abdela were either slaine in the fury of battaile or after had his throat cut And this was the ende of them who had liued in the streights of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea not as Marchants by honest trading but hauing committed spoyle vpon diuers Seafaring men felt the bloody hande of a barbarous Nation as a deserued punishment sent from God to execute iustice for their manifold committed wrongs and outrages This battaile being lost with the greatest bloodshed that any hath béen since these warres beganne Muley Abdela fledde to Fes a Hundred persons of his whole armie not left aliue to beare him company And Sidan Maister of the field entered the Citie of
Morâ—…uecos hauing another taske to take in hand ere hée could settle himselfe quietly in his owne nest For the Kings house being Castle wise builded and seuered from the Citty with a defencible and a stronge wall lacking no kind of munition for the defence thereof had within it besides souldeirs of Morruecos three Thousand Fezees who were not at the last battaile but left there to guard the place for Abdela These presuming on their owne valour and strength of the place denyed to render it vppon any tearmes to Sidan though they were sollicited during the space of twoo dayes by all faire meanes therevnto Sidan bringing his Artillary to the walles yet delayed as loath to deface a building so strong costly and beautifull So that in the meane time a Captaine whose house ioyned to the wall by stealth with Fiue Hundred men scaled and wonne the top of the wall crying victory 〈◊〉 Muley Sidan which so amazed the souldiers within thinking the forces which were entered farre greater then they were without more adoe or offering to resist they tooke Sanctnary in the great Church belonging to the Kings house euery man with his Piece and furniture about him Muley Sidan vpon this sent Basha Seleman willing them to deliuer vp their Armes with promise they shuld be pardoned which presently they did yéelding and deliuering both swords and peeces Thus disarmed they séely soules came forth when presently after message came from the King to butcher and cut the throates of them'all which was executed A pittifull matter in my iudgement so many men yeelding vpon good composition after furie of battaile vpon cold blood to be made so pittifull a spectacle it was bootlosse for them to alledge either law or reason in defence of their liues such is the miserie slauerie of that people whose goods and liues lieth alwayes in the will of the King either to saue or destroy at his pleasure Some colour Sidan had for his tyrannie thinking these Fezees would neuer be woonne wholy to be his but vpon fit time and euerie little occasion reuolt from him Secondly he ment to requite Abdela lege Talionis for putting so many commaunders to death prizing euerie one of their liues worth thrée hundred common souldiers Cap. XIIII Sidan sendeth great preparationsagainst Abdela who af-after composition murdereth vorie neare three thousand Sidanians Sidans bloodie decree against the Shraceis for their offence NOw is Sidan setled in Morruecos but scarce secure for the chiefest men in the Citie wished an alteration because their King to get their money and wealth to maintaine his owne estate began to picke quarrels with them making some who began to speake and repine at his doings lose their heads Quoniam Ganis mortuus non latrat The common people whose naturall condition is alwayes to desire nouelties wished for a newe King feeling his oppression and the famine whereof many dyed grewe carelesse of peace thinking euerie change would bring a remedie when indeed it was like the incision of an vnskilful Surgion not ouring the maladie but making the wound wider gangrend and incurable Sidan purposing to purge this malecontented humour of the Comminaltie ratâ—…ed an armie of twelue thousand foote and sixe thousand horse determining to take Fes The chiefe men of commaund ouer thiâ—… armie were these Basha Musâ—…efa Alkeyd Hamet Benbreham Alkeyd Ally Tahila Alkeyd Gago and Alkeyd Hadoe Tobib with diuers others Muley Sidan not going in person with this armie least in his absence Morruecos the seate of the Empire should reuolt Muley Sheck hearing these newes went to Allarocha there tooke a great Flemish Ship from the Marchant with all the goods in her therein shipping his tre asure determining to run away ichis Sonns Abdela should lose Fes Abdela omitted no time to gather new forces so that in small time hee thought himselfe sufficient to méete the Sidanians in open field and so hee did neare to Mickanes where the people on Sidans part missing their King in the field or any one of the blooâ—… royall refused to fight and in stead of striking fell to parlâ—…y That if Abdola would pardon them they would yeeld and so they did yet most of them ranne away except three thousand Morruekyns who presuming vpon Abdelas gentle nature stayd with him hoping kind entertainment into his pay in stead wherof Muley Abdela commaunded all their throats to bee cut graunting them onely this fauour first to bee stripped for fowling their cloathes Thus we may see mercilesse Sidan butcher poore soules at Morruecos pittilesse Abdela murder these vnfortunate slaues at Mickanes both verefying the old prouerbe Quicquid delirant Rogâ—…s plectuâ—…tur Achiui In this battaile were taken betwixt thirtie and fortie English men who serued Muley Sidan as Canoniers yet not any of that companie which serued Abdela at Morruecos when he lost the Citie and field but other voluntaries part of these fledde with the bodie of the armie backe is Morruecos part were taken whome Abdela spared as well in regarde of former seruices the Nation had done him as also for the presenâ—… vse her was to employ them in This expedition of Sidans comming to so vnlooked a disaster made him send forth his Commanders with diuers companies to the Alarbies for fresh supplie of men and treasure amongst which as chiefe was dispéeded Basha Seleman maister of the old Kings horse for Tastlet there to gouerne the countrey carrying with him some fifteene hundred shot of which sixe hundred were Shracies people of the King of Chaus or Coucoes country who hath alwayes warrs with Algers or Argiers These Shraceis were borne in the mountaines of Atlas being of a fierce and bloodie nature not respecting the Turkes might or gouernment no more then the Montaniers of Moâ—…ecos will acknowledge the soueraintie of the Barbarian Some twelue hundred of these had Sidan in his pay halfe part whereof he kept at Monuecos the other was sent with Sâ—…leman These amongst themselues sell into a mutenie neither for want of pay or ill vsage but in desire to doe a mischiefe by force cut off the Bashas head carrying it with them as a Trophie of their victorie and a fit present to winne Abdâ—…las sauour who was then at Fes whither they went for intertainment S dan here with moued made proclamation that for three Moneths what Shracee soeuer souldier or any other were to bee found in Morâ—…uecos or else where in his Dâ—…minions should be put to the sworde and to haue it better and more fully executed it was proclaimed that the manâ—…eller should haue the goodes of the Shracâ—… so killed Many rich men of this Nation or kindred resâ—…ant in Morâ—…uecos felt the furie of the sworde for the follie and foule fault of their tribe such as coulâ—… get packing ran away others of the better sort their friends hid them in their houses vntill Sidan scared with 〈◊〉 of Abdelas comming towards him proclaimed generall pardon for the remainder left aliue and free passage
of trading or commerce for any Shracee which would venture to Moruecos yet few durst come vpon these goodly termes or those who lay hid in Morruecos if they were worth any thing shew themselues in publique for feare this were a pretence to bring the residue vnto the halter Those Shracees who were sole causers of this massacre beeing with Abdela at Fes dayly moued him to goe towardes Morruecos vowing euery man to die in his cause and for reuenge of their wiues children and friends who had smarted for their sakes Abdela something animated with their offers yet delayed knowing his forces farre inferior vnto Sidans vntill still vrged by the Shracies which had brought from the mountaines some store of their kindred verie able and resolute men to his ayde he set forwards about the latter end of August towards Morruecos determining to giue battaile once more to Muley Sidan Of what strength Abdelas armie consisted the certaintie is not knowne but ghessed to be very near fifteene thousand horse and foote Cap. XV. Sidan flieth the death of the valiant Captaine Iohn Giffard and diuers English men Abdela regaineth Morruecos MMuley Sidan was verie strong for beside his owne souldiers the Morruecans ayded him with eight thousand men and diuers tribes sent supplies to augment his forces Hee had twoo hundred English the most of them voluntaries sixtie field peeces with sufficient shot and powder Ouer the English and all the Christians was generall Captaine Iohn Giffard a Gentleman of a worthy spirit and discended from the auncient and honourable stemme of the Giffards in Buckinghamshire Upon his first entertainment and welcome into the countrey Sidan bestowed vpon him a rich sword valued at a thousand marks and a scarlet cloake richly imbrodered with Pearle sent as a present to Muley Hamet the Kings father from our late soueraigne of famous memorie Quéene Elizabeth besides manie other extraordinarie fauours of good value and often conuersing familiarly yea sometimes visiting Captaine Giffard at his owne Tent. His entertainment was twentie fiue shillings per diom besides many supplies proceeding from the Kings bountie With him as secondarie men in charge was one maister Philip Giffard his neare and verie deare kinsman Captaine Iaques a verie valiant souldier captaine Smith one of the most exquisite enginers in Europe captaine Baker an ancient Brytaine souldier captaine Tailer captaine Faukes captaine Chambers captaine Isack men euerie way able to vndergoe their seuerall commaunds These were dayly stipendaries at twelue shillings a man except the two sea captaines Isack and Chambers who had foure shillings a day and euerie common souldier twelue pence truly payed them These preparations considered Muley Sidan had small reason to leaue the field or feare Abdelas forces being nothing in respect of his â—…ut certaine it is the Muley sending for his Wisards Soothsayers willing them to foretell that hee might foreknow the successe of his embattailed armie their answere was he should loose the battaile be driuen into Sus within fiue Moneths should regaine Morruecos and there during life enioy the kingdom Upon this answere the Muley giuing great credit thervnto as the nature of a Barbarian is verie suspicious commanded Basha Musâ—…a with 3000. souldiers to conuey away his mother wiues and children To Alkeyd Hamet Benbreham and Hado 〈◊〉 he commended the charge of his treasure who laded sixtie Mâ—…les with gold garding them and the Muleters with two thousand of his 〈◊〉 shot These 〈◊〉 â—…ded it may appeare Sidan but honered and would follow yet the battailes met the 26. of Noâ—… 1607. some sisteene miles from the City of Moruecos the Canoniers of Muley Sidan part hauing in the forefront discharged there enemies being somewhat farre off but before they could charge again the enemie was with them The Shracâ—…es did not once discharge a peece great nor small but ioyning themselues close to the Abdelians charged the Sidanians verie fiercely with their Sables reuenge of Sidans tyrannie shewed vppon their kindred enraging their minds and courages or their faithfull promise which they sought to make good to Abdela made them put the Sidanians to flight or els it was Sidans feare that hee shoulde not make good his Southsayers prophecie which made his men to runne away For at the first encounter his Moores fell into a diâ—…-arraay presently into a dishonorable flight whervpon Muley Sidan fled sent th the English Captaines to be gone and to captaine Giffard a good horse to saue him selfe The English returned word that they came not thither to râ—… but rather die an honourable death Captaine Giffard encouraged his men telling them there was no hope of victorie but to 〈◊〉 and die like men like English men and then asking for his Iaq ues whom he loued dearely and taking a 〈◊〉 in his hand thought to haue rode vnto him being told he was not sixscore froÌ„ him and to haue died together but in the way captaine Giffard being charged by eight Abdelians one behinde him shot him thorow and so was he there â—…aine Few of al the English Nation were left aliue the number not exceeding thirtie and none of the Commaunders escaped except captaine Isack captaine Faukes of the Mores were not slaine in all fortie persons Sidan being gone as loath to tarry spend bloud and winne a field Abdela got the ground his enemyes marched vppon but no great victory entered Morruecos without applause or reioyce of the Citizens some yet feeling his late done iniuryes sory for the losse of Sidan who had prooued a Tyrant nor welcomming Abdela vpon hope of amendment but with policy and patience fitted themselues to the misery of the time Abdela once againe Maister of Moruecos got the Kings house but found no treasure to reléeue his wants great were his promises to rewarde the Shraceis with bounty and enrich his followers When the Citty was recouered now hée hauing it there fayled of his expectation and his souldiers lacking both meat and money yet to kéepe them still in hope and so in gouernment it was bruited the yong King had found a well full of treasure within the house which Muley Hamet Xarif had layed vp for a deare yeare but this good newes quicklye vanished the Well not yéelding water to refresh their fainting stomacks Therefore the Shraceis hauing released their kindred recouered their wiues and children which had escaped the fury and bloody decrée of Sidan the last King they tooke good words and kind vsages of Abdela in lieu of payment séeing Moruecos neither afforded them meat nor Abdelas fortune further maintenance and so Thrée Thousand of them departed at one time Muley Abdela with the restdue of his forces kept Moruecos labouring by all possible meanes to giue his souldiers content and kéepe them together so with much aâ—… he liued in Moruecos some two moneths during which time Muley Sidan was gathering a fresh army in Sus. Cap. XVI Muley Hamet Bosonne commeth against Abdela and causeth him flie to his Father Boferes like to bee