the youngest Son of John Huniades their great Captain deceased who not much inferiour to his Father in valour and success in Arms gave the Infidels many a fatal overthrow with the Loss of many of their Armies and gave great hopes to the Christians that he would as indeed he did prove a Bulwark to Christendom Whilst things thus passed Mahomet desirous to revenge himself of Scanderbeg fent Ballabanus with a great Army to invaide his Territories whom Scanderbeg charging furiously overthrew him but Moses and others of his Captains contrary to the command of their General in the heat of fight following their Enemies into the straights of the Mountains where fallen into an Ambush for that purpose layed they were taken Prisoners and carryed to Constantinople by those they had before Vanquished wherewith Sanderbeg sent to desire that he might Ransom them but the crafty Tyrant knowing how much he was weakned by such a loss caused them Cruelly to be flain alive and soon after sent Jacup Bassa with a great Army with whom the renowned Prince ingaging slew him hand to hand and put to the Sword a great part of his Army upon news of which Mahomet mad with Anger raised an Army of 200000 men thinking to overrun the Country but in vain for having a long time layn Siege to Croia and there by the furious Sallies of the Garrison and onsets of Scanderbeg lost near half his men together with Ballabanus his General he with great shame and confusion returned to Constantinople But as all things must yield to Fate so our invincible Champion whom no mortal hand could subdue wearyed with the Toils of a tedious War coming to Lyssa a City of the Venetians fell Sick and calling the Venetian Embassador to him he discovered to him what a troublesome Life he had lived and by what means the War was to be maintained recommending to him the care of his Wife and Children appointing the Venetians the Guardians of his Son till such time he came of Age and in the mean while to secure for him the Kingdom of Epirus admonishing him to be faithful and as much as in him lay to maintain peace and unity Then calling his Wife and Son told them that he must leave the World and exchange this Life for one more durable and willed her that after his death she should pass over into Apulia and there to live upon the inheritance given him by King Ferdinand and then after some devout Prayers gave up the Ghost Anno. 1466. in the 63 year of his Age and 24 of his Reign to the great grief of the Christian Princes and joy of the Turks whose Armys his very name had frequently put to flight After his death he was with great Solemnity buryed in the Cathedral Church at Lyssa where he rested till about 9 years after at what time the Turks taking the City dug up his Bones and happy was he that could get the smallest piece which they wore about them ever after as inestimable Jewels superstitiously imagining that whilst they had them about u'm Scanderbeg's fortune would attend u'm and that they should be invincible Not long after the Death of this renowned Soldier the Hungarians under the leading of their young King seized upon the Kingdom of Bosna and soon rent it from the Turkish Empire demolishing the Castles and driving away the Garrisons placed there by Mahomet at what time the Venetians being abroad with a great fleet of Gallies took divers Cities from the Turks burnt many Villages and carryed away 2000 Captives into the Country of Euboea now called Nigroponte which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared a great Army to invade that Country and recover the spoil in order to effect which he sent Mahomet Bassa with a fleet of 300 Gallies whilst himself with a great Army Marched overland with which the Venetian Admiral not daring to ingage it arrived safe where the Turks landing took Stora Basasilicon and Marching to Chalcis joyned with the Emperors Army who with small Vessels and other Materials made a Bridge over the straight or narrow Sea which divides Euboea from Achaia straightly besieging it both by Sea and Land and with his Cannon for 4 days battered the City incessantly being given to understand by the chief Cannoneer of the 〈◊〉 whom he had bribed which was the weakest part insomuch that in the end several large 〈…〉 made yet was the City so manfully 〈…〉 the Turks could not enter and every day 〈…〉 Turks forced to make a new Battery for such part of the Wall as was in the Day time beaten down which the Citizens in the Night repaired and at length coming to understand the Tretchery of their Gunner hanged him up as a reward of his Tretchery Mahomet perceiving the valor of the defendants resolved after his having rent the Wall with his Cannon in divers places and thirty Days besieged the City to give a general assault with all his power at what time the Venetian Admiral came in sight of the City with his Fleet but would not tho his Captains urged either Fight with Turkish Gallies or endeavour to break the Bridge the which had he done he had shut up Mahomet and all his forces in the Island where through Famine and other necessities he might have greatly distressed him This Cowardice of the Admiral for which he and all his Family was afterwards Banished by the Signory of Venice being perceived by the Turks they gave a furious assault on all parts and were so stoutly repulsed that they with their dead filled up the Trenches and Breaches but their number still increasing and continuing the assault a whole day and a night without intermission the Citizens at last being 3 parts of them Slain and wounded the remaining part retired to the Market and there upon the Turks entering Fought it out to the last man selling their Lives at a dear rate amongst whom many Women disguised in men's apparel Fighting couragiously were Slain The City being thus gained at the price of 40000 Turks Lives the Barbarous Tyrant commanded all that were found therein to be put to the Sword which Paulus Ericus the Governour understanding with his Wise Daughter and trusty Friends betook himself to the Castle who capitulated that upon the surrender of the Castle himself and his Friends should have their Lives and Liberties Granted them which the Tyrant solemnly Swore to but having gotten them in his power made at the great loss he had sustained in winning the City he caused the Governour and all but his Daughter to be presently Slain reserving the young Lady as the only Mirror of Beauty to satiate his lust but she disdaining the Tyrants promises and reviling him for his wicked purposes rather desiring Death then to lose her Chastity by becoming his prostitute he caused her even in his presence to be cruelly put to Death and then proceeded to subdue the other Cities of the Island who terrified with the fate of Chalcis surrendered
after three Months siege having lost 9000 of his Men and 15000 dangerously sick of their Wounds and mortal Distempers he with great shame raised his Siege and after having destroyed all the Trees in that part of the Island imbarked his Men for Constantinople where at his return he received but a Cold Welcom from his imperious Master Whilst Mesites besieged Rhodes Achmetes Bassa passed over into Italy and besieged Otranto a Famous City in Puglia the which after the loss of many of his Turks took it spoiling all the Country round about it which brought such a Fear upon Italy that Sextus Quartus Bishop of Rome being only dreadful to the Christian Princes was about to fly and leave this once Mistress of the World as a prey to the Infidels and doubtless at that time the greatest part of Italy had been subdued had not the Ottoman Forces been Converted another way for the Carramanian King aided by the Persians and Sultan of Egypt having entered the Turkish Dominions on that side had in a mortal Battle overthrown Bajazet Mahomet's eldest Son then Living with the Slaughter of well nigh all his Army to revenge which Mahomet called home his great Bassa Achmetes with all the European Soldiers and in Person passed over into Asia but upon the way within two days journey from Nicomeda a City of Bythinia he fell sick and there for the space of three days grievously Tormented with a pain in his Belly which some supposed to be the Collick though others to proceed from the effects of Poison he Dyed Anno 1481. of his Age 52 years and his Reign 31 years His Body being afterwards Magnificently buried in a Chappel near unto the great Mahometan Temple which himself had built at Constantinople Leaving his Empire to Bajazet against whom Bandied till such time he was Poisoned by the Bishop of Rome who at the Commandment of Bajazet durst do no other Zemes or Zizimus his younger Brother as in the Life of Bajazet will appear CHAP. XIII The Life of Bajazet the second of that Name and second Emperor of the Turks his memorial Exploits Victories and Death MAhomet being dead and Bajazet and Zemes his two Sons absent for the Turkish Tyrants will not permit their Sons to remain at Court when they are Men grown lest they should aspire to Empire before their time the great Bassas and Aga of the Janizaries Conspired together e'r either of them could arrive to make Corcutus younger Son to Bajazet Emperor which accordingly they did of which Bajazet upon his approaching the City of Constantinople hearing horribly Exclaimed against the perfidious dealings of the Bassas and so laboured that at the Instance of Cherseogles Vice-Roy of Greece and the Aga or Captain of the Janizaries the young Emperor being of a mild and Courteous Nature overcome by their Intreaty and the Reverence of his Father resigned unto him his Imperial Government which he took upon him with the general liking of the men of War the finest token of any Turkish Emperors Establishment for if they oppose it 't is in vain for them to hope for Empire and in lieu of this Resignation Bajazet made him Governour of Lycia Caria Ionia and all the pleasant Countries adjoyning where being altogether given to study he Lived quietly all the Reign of Bajazet but after his Death was strangled by the Command of Selymas his Brothers Son as will in his Reign more at large appear During these Troubles Ferdinand King of Naples sent his eldest Son Alphonsus Duke of Calabria with a great Power to besiege Otranto which after several sharp Conflicts he had delivered up to him with all the Country lying about it which had been by Achmetes Bassa taken from the Christians during the Reign of Mahomet to recover which an Army was a second time prepared under the leading of the same Bassa but e'r he arrived in Italy he was Countermanded upon notice that Zemes was coming out of Amasia with an powerful Army to Wrestle with Bajazet for the Empire In which Expedition Achmetes was made General who meeting Zemes by plain Force drove him out of the Field with great slaughter of his Army insomuch that not thinking himself safe in his Brothers Dominions he fled into Syria and from thence into Egypt to Caytbeius Sultan of Egypt and Syria who received him with many great Expressions of joy and at his Request sent an Ambassador to Bajazet to intreat in his behalf that some part of that so great an Empire might be allotted him but the Proud Turk having gotten Possession would not yeild to have so dangerous a Partner Whereupon the Ambassador effecting nothing he joyned with the Caramanian King who by such a Conjunction hoped to recover his Territory taken from him by Mahomet Prince Zemes Father against whose joynt Forces but few in number Bajazet advanced with 200000 Horse and Foot of which the Princes having notice and finding themselves too weak by far to oppose so great a Power not finding as they had been put in hopes any to revolt from Bajazet to them they thought it good to retire before the ways were beset through the Straights of the Mountain Amanus which done they dispersed their little Army and soon after Zemes went to Rhodes where of the great Master he was kindly received with Promise of Protection from the Fury of his Brother hoping by this means if Bajazet should die a natural Death or otherwise misearry this Prince might be set up Emperor and by means ever remain a firm Friend to the Christians During these Transactions there wanted not some in the Court of Bajazet who Envying the Prosperity Achmetes Counselled the Emperor to put him to Death falsly insinuating that he held private Correspondence with Zemes Whereupon at his return from the Wars Bajazet as in kindness to his Bassas made a Royal Supper where after they had Drunk plentifully of Wine which by their Laws is forbid yet frequently amongst the Great ones used at their Feasts he in token of Honouring them caused a Rich Garment to be cast over each of them but when they came to Achmetes they cast over him a black Velvet Garment by the Turks called the Mantle of Death for whosoever that Garment is cast upon none of the Bassas dare be so hardy as to intreat for his Life which the other Bassas perceiving most of them being before privy to the Matter by leave of the Emperor after having kissed the Ground whereon he stood departed amongst whom Achmetes would likewise have gone out but was Commanded to stay for the Emperor and no sooner were the Bassas gone out but the Ministers of Death which are certain strong Men bereaved of Speech whom the Turkish Tyrants keep as Instruments of their Cruelty Entered and were about to strangle the Bassa when one of the Eunuches in great Favour with the great Emperor stood up and advised 〈◊〉 not to be too hasty in Executing so great a Man so beloved by his Soldiers
the wonderful motion and conversion of the celestial frame a curious and strange peice of work devised and perfected by the most cunning Astronomers of Maximilian the Emperour whose noble mind never spared for any cost to obtain things rare of strange device The Ambassadors arriving at Solymans Camp after they had been feasted by the Bassa's with Mutton and Rice onely and delivered their Presents they made it their request that he would deliver Hungary to their Master to whom of right it appertained and that in lien thereof he would become his tributary but were so far from having their desires granted that the proud Turk demanded tribute for Austria the which being refused with disdaign he sent the Governour of Belgrade to spoil that Country as likewise Moravia to whom he joyned Cason the Admiral of his Fleet but by reason of the overflowing of the Rivers and great Rains it being now Autumn they were forced to return without doing any considerable dammage after which Solyman appointing a Hungarian of his own name Governour of Buda returned to Constantinople having first set Lascus King Ferdinand's former Ambassador whom he held Prisoner at Liberty and within a while after having caused Mayle Vayvod of Transilvania to be apprehended and imprisoned contrary to his promise by Mahometes his great Bassa he to recompence the Queen of Hungary and her son for what he had taken from them gave the young King the Province of Transilvania Whilst these things passed the Emperour Charles at the earnest request of his Subjects of Spain to whose Trade the Pirates of Argier had put a stop prepared a great Fleet to invade the Kingdom and take the City at that time commanded by Asan Aga or Asan the Eunuch whom Barbarossa in his absence had appointed his Lieutenant when as the Emperour after considerable dammage by shipwrack coming before the City of Argier sent a Herald on shore to demand the City and upon the refusal of its delivery landed his men who with great courage beating the Turks Moors and Numidians from their defences leaped on shore where after divers skirmishes they encamped in three Battles being in all 60000 Men but long they had not considered which way to make their approaches e're by a horrible Tempest supposed to be raised by Inchantment which continued for the space of two dayes the greatest part of the Fleet consisting of 280 Ships and Gallies was beaten and such as by swimming escaped the danger of the Sea were kill'd by the Numidians and Moors who came down from the Mountains to enrich themselves by the misery of the Christians In this storm which was accompanied with prodigious Rain Thunder and Lightening almost all the Prevision and great Ordnance were lost nor fared they on shoar much better for there three parts of the Tents were torn up and all things in them spoiled by the deluges of Water so that Famine within three dayes sorely vexed the Camp yet the Emperour a man of invincible Courage comforted his men in the best wise causing such Horses as were on shoar to be killed and their Flesh distributed amongst the Souldiers which at than time proved excellent fare but finding he could not subsist by the perswasion of the Duke of Alva his General he resolved to imbark on those few Ships and Gallies that were left and return into Italy whereupon to make room for the Souldiers he caused all the Horses to be thrown overboard but such was his hard fortune that he was no sooner imbarked but another Tempest terrible as the former arose and scattering his Fleet drove two Ships loaden with Spaniards into the Port of Argier who by reason of the departure of the other Gallies had been there slain by the Moors and Numidians had not Asan Aga at their earnest request taken them into mercy and driven away the barbarous people who like ravening Wolves sought eagerly to prey upon their Lives Many ships in their return were likewise swallowed up of the Sea but Heaven so ordered it that at length the Emperour with the remainder of his shattered ships arrived at the Port of New Carthage in Spain not being overcome by the Enemy but by the Tempest his sad disaster being at the beginning of his Expedition foretold by a Witch then living in the City of Argiers Frances the French King being greatly offended with the Emperor for that Antonius Rinuo his Ambassador upon his negotiation to Constantinople was by some of the Emperors Captains slain for that it being reported that he there discovered all the Emperours intentions and incensed Solyman to take up Arms against him being the principal occasion of his last Expedition into Hungary whereupon he having sent Polinus in the stead of Rinuo he incited Solyman to revenge the indignity as well offered to him as to himfelf by sending Barbarus with a squadron of Gallies to molest the coast of Spain and the Emperours Territories in Italy whilst his Master warred on his Countries in Flanders and other places To undertake the like he solicited the Venetians but at that time both his negotiation proved ineffectual for the Venetians utterly refused to intermeddle and the Turk at that time being but slenderly provided with shipping and those was inforced to use on the Danube for the defence of Hungary which King Ferdinando in confederation with the German Princes invaded with a great Army under the leading of Joachimus Marquess of Brandenburgh who passing the Damibius encamped before Pesth which they battered for several dayes making divers large breaches but upon notice that Mahometes Bassa was coming from Belgrade with a great Army to relieve the City though the story was altogether feigned the cowardly General raised the siege and returned to Vienna where that great Army consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot was broke up without doing any thing worthy of name Solyman being rid of this fear began to hearken to the request of the French Ambassador and having Commanded Rustan Bassa his Son-in-law to Feast him he gave order for the making ready his Fleet of Gallies which he sent under the command of Barbarossa to the Aid of the French who to wreck his private revenge called in the common Enemy too prone of himself to lay Christendom wast In their way when once dispatched they took Rhegium burnt it and carried away the Garrison and Citizens at which time Solyman with a great Army entered Hungary to revenge himself upon the Authors of the late Hostilities and had the strong City and Castle of Walpo delivered to him by the Souldiers contrary to the will of the Governour but he was no sooner possessed thereof then he gave them the due Reward of their Treachery by causing them all to be put to the Sword and then having left there a sufficient Garrison he marched to Strigonium sending Amurathes Bassa with a part of the Army to take in Soclosia which he having won put most of the Inhabitants to the Sword Solyman having layed siege
favours towards him then stood with her honour and at the same time Mahomet intending to match him to his Daughter thereby to procure the Friendship of the great Tartarian Cham it so far moved the Sultans or great men of the Court with envy that they slew him in the Palace and at the same time as many reported strangled the Queen whom they found over familiar with him in his Chamber but whether so or not certain it is she was never afterwards seen The Tartars Forces thus destroyed the Terror of the young Persian Prince was so great that what by Stratagem and plain Force he wrested out of the Turks hands most of the Cities they had before possessed Insomuch that the City of Derbent of which Osman Bassa was Governour with the title of Vizar of Sirnan excepted the Turks were driven out of all their strong places nor was it long ere the Persian Sophy practised with Shahamel Lord of the Mountain of Brus whose Daughter Osman had married to betray him and the City into his power for that he was the onely man amongst the Georgians whom Osman trusted who won by the great promises of the Sophy without any respect to the Turk as he was his Son-in-Law undertook to gratifie him in his desire but he carried not the matter so close but his Daughter understanding what that passed and more studious for the preservation of her Husband than furthering her Fathers purpose she still revealed all she knew which so inwardly perplexed Osman that he resolved to prevent the Treachery of his Father-in-law by taking him out of the way whereupon as his usual manner was inviting him to a solemn Feast with a chearful countenance he commanded 500 of his Soldiers to be in a readiness and that as soon as Sahamel was entered the Court off his Pallace to seize him and after having cut of his Head to put all his followers to the Sword which was accordingly put in execution and not so contented he sent out 2000 Horsemen to spoil his Countrey to the great astonishment of all the neighbouring Princes but to the exceeding grief of the Sophy who found his hopes frustrated by the death of Sahamel The year following viz. 1578. Amurath calling to him his Bassa's consulted what was further to be done in relation to the Persian War when after a long debate it was upon mature deliberation resolved that it was a matter of dangerous consequence to send an Army into the heart of Persia where they should not only have a fierce Enemy to deal with but likewise many other difficulties as hunger overflowing of Rivers passing craggy Mountains and the like But that it was therefore necessary that by degrees they should pass conquering on from the Borders still securing all at their backs the care of managing which being referred to Mustapha he sent into all the Heredatary Countries of the Empire commanding the respective Governours to send him store of Pioners and men skilled in Architect as likewise a great number of the most expert Souldiers but especially those that had been disbanded the year before upon notice of which great multitudes flocked to the service who early in the Spring met at Erzirum from whence they marched under the command of the Bassa to Chars a City on the Frontiers of Sirnan which in the late War had been demolished yet now again Rebuilt and Fortified within the space of 23 dayes notwithstanding the abundance of Snow that fell during their labouring therein the which was no sooner finished but news came that the strong Castle of Testis was besieged by the Persians who had reduced the Garrison to so great a straight that through Famine they would be obliged to yield up the place if they were not speedily relieved Upon which in great perplexity he sent Hassan Bassa Son to Mahomet Principal Vizar of the Court and Resuan Captain of the Adventurers with 20000 Horse and Foot furnished with Provisions and others Necessaries for the relief of the Besieged who passing the straits of Tomanis were set upon by 8000 Persians under the leading of Aliculi Cham and Simon two expert Captains who in those intricate mazes slew many of them and took considerable spoil which so hightened them that within a while after setting upon the Turks and thinking to have the like advantage fell into their Ambush so that most of the Persians fell by the Sword or were taken Prisoners and amongst the latter Aliculi Cham wwhich gave Hassan opportunity to march without further controul to Testis where through Famine he found half the Garrison lost yet encouraging them in the best wise and storing them with all manner of Provision and Warlike Munition he having at their request displaced Mahomet the Governour and constituted Amet Bassa in his stead he was about to return the same way he came but upon notice that Simon had strongly possessed himself of the aforesaid straights and barrocadoed them with his great Artillery he was wonderfully perplexed as dispairing of his safe return which Aliculi perceiving promised upon consideration that he would release him to shew him a way both plain and easie through which he might pass without any danger from the Persians whereupon the Bassa swore to perform what he requested but afterwards as is very usual amongst those Infidels revoked his Oath excusing himself by saying it was not in his power to release any Prisoner taken in War without the consent of his General of which perfidious dealing Sinan having notice who before in consideration of the delivery of Aliculi had winked at their passage he with his Light-Horsemen pursued hard after them when overtaking the Rear he charged them with such fury that in great confusion they fled In which flight a great number were slain and taken Prisoners with a great booty especially the Treasure of the Bassa and of Resuan Captain of the Adventurers which loss so sensibly afflicted Mustapha that upon notice thereof he broke up his Army not thinking it convenient to attempt any thing further that year and soon after he being discharged of his Generalship was called home where upon his arrival at Court he was accused by Sinan Bassa for neglecting the Emperours affairs wasting his Treasure in unnecessary buildings and rather giving the Enemy cause to contemn the Ottoman Forces then to fear their Prowess These and many other such like complaints being exhibited against him so incensed Amurath that he resolved he should be strangled in order to which he sent his chief Gentleman Porter attended on by fifteen others to the Bassas Pallace but the crafty old blade being forewarned of what was intended against him caused himself for a long time to be denyed but when the messengers impatient of delay urged that he must and should render obedience to the Emperors warrant which they then produced they were admitted to his presence but frustrated of their design by a Guard that inclosed the Bassa with weapons forbidding any access
the hazard of a Battle to revenge the indignity of whose approach Osman who then lay sick in his Pavilion haveing notice Command Sinan Bassa and Mahumet Bassa should with all the Greek Soldiers and others to the number of 74000 should go out and meet the Enemy who by the craft of the forerunners of his Army drawing the Turks within his strengths had with them there a mortal Battle wherein 10000 of their Souldiers were slain and the two Bassa's in great confusion obliged to fly to the Camp leaving most of their Insigns and all their baggage as a prey to the Persians who hightned with this success advanced within sight of the Turks Camp sending a Herauld to the sick General to demand of him Battle of which accepting though not able to be there present when as Battle being joyned after a long and doubtful fight victory inclined to the Persians who in the end slew 20000 of the Turks and amongst the rest the Bassa's of Caramite and Trepezâ—nd and Sanzack of Brusia with five other Sanzacks and among the Prisoners were taken Amurath Bassa of Caramania and divers other of note Upon news of this bad success the Genral fearing to have his Army wasted to nothing by continual skirmishes in a strange Countrey having Fortified Tauris and made Giaffer Bassa of Tripolis Governour he was about to decamp when on a suddain the neighing of Horses the noise of Drums and Trumpets were heard which putting the Army into a great consternation and soon caused them in great confusion to run all to that side where they supposed the noise was when in the mean while Emir the Persian Prince on the other side without any sound of Trumpet or beat of Drum with 28000 Souldiers entered their Camp took 18000 Camels laden whom he sent away by 6000 of his Souldiers and then charging furiously upon such as he found insomuch that after a hard Battle fought 20000 Turks lay scattered on the Plain many of which were slain by their own Artillery which by Osmans Command being furiously discharged at the Armies the murthering shot made lanes before them without discerning between Friend and Foe but night coming on and the Persians weary with slaughter retired and were for a while faintly pursued by the Turks Osman lying all this while sick in his Pavilion sore afflicted with the Bloody Flux and hearing what havock the Persians had made died the grief of so great a loss hastening his end Yet was his death for a long space kept secret least thereby the Army should be discouraged which now was returning under the leading of Sinan or Cicala as some called him Bassa Osman in his Will having delivered to him the charge of the whole Army Yet the Persian Prince with 14000 Horse and Foot followed them at the heels still cutting of the straglers and had utterly destroyed them had not his design been discovered which obliged him to retreat with the loss of 3000 of his Men so that by long and tedious marches the Turks wasted Army arriving the Van after the publication of the Generals death were discharged all but a certain number retained who under the leading of Dâ—ut Chan a Renegado Persian were sent to the relief of Teflis which without any loss they performed Now the Castle built in Tauris much grieved the Persians to take which they used their utmost endeavour but it being strong of it self and defended by a strong Garrison their attempts proved unsuccessful When at the same time great mischief arose in the Kingdom of Persia for 10000 Turcomans a people bordering upon the Georgians and resolving to revenge themselves for the death of Emir Chan offered their service to the Persian Sophy under the leading of their two Captains Mahomet Chan and Calife Chan to whom the Sophy as a pledge of his love and their safety delivered Tamas his young Son whom they had no sooner got into their power but they proclaimed him King of Persia and in all hast marched towards Casbiu the Regal City in hopes to surprize it and seat young Tamas on his Fathers Throne of which the Sophy and his eldest Son having notice pursued hard after them when overtaking them at a place called Calisteza a dayes journey on this side Casbiu the Prince gave them Battle and after a dangerous and doubtful conflict put them to flight In which they being swiftly pursued the two rebellious Captains were taken and by the Kings Command had their heads stricken off young Tamas being likewise taken was sent Prisoner to the Castle of Cabaca those that escaped the Battle fled to Solyman Bassa of Babylon which put an end to the Rebellion Giaffer Bassa Governour of Tauris after the departure of the Turkish Army understanding that the Persian Prince was Levying a great Army to Besiege the City sent an Express to Sinon or Siculi Bassa to send him Aid for the defence of the City and Castle the which by reason of the flight of some and death of othersome of his men must otherwise fall into the hands of the Enemy now notwithstanding great preparation for that purpose were made they could not be put into the City by reason of the near approach of the Persian Army without manifest hazard of exposing them to the mercy of their Enemies Yet it so fell out that the Governour without any recruits maintained the City and Castle the Persians not being so urgent for the recovery of the same as was expected Upon notice of Osmans death Amurath chose Ferat Bassa once more his General who departing from Constantinople in the month of April 1586 and passed over into Asia where having compleated his Army at Sinas upon notice that Tauris was in danger he marched thitherward though with great caution the enemy should charge him at unawares and by reason of the dissensions arisen amongst the Persian Captains sent to oppose him and the Treason of Aliculican now alienated from his Prince and holding secret correspondence with the Turkish General he without any loss relieved Tauris and having caused a strong Fort to be built at Churchine near unto the said City and two others at Câ—y and Carn and left therein sufficient Garrisons and store of provision he sent succours to Teflis in Georgia and so with little or no loss returned to Erzirum By this time the Persian Prince who and Mahomet his father now grown old ruled the Kingdom had notice of the Treason of Aliculi Chau and Emanguli Chan whom he had drawn into his confederacy he prepared his Forces to march against them whereupon the latter submitted and was received into favour but howsoever it happened whether with his knowledge or not the Prince the chief glory of Persia sleeping in his Pavilion was by an Eunuch run through the body supposed to be done at the instance of Abas Miriza his younger brother to advance whom to the Persian Diadem Aliculi Chan had revolted from the obedience of the Sophy and plotted with the
in German with their Successful Entrance into the Bowels of Hungaria Together with a Table to the whole Book LONDON Printed by Ralph Holt and John Richardson for Thomas Passinger upon London Bridge William Thackery in Duck-Lane and Thomas Sawbridge in Little-Britain 1684. THE Turkish History EPITOMIZED CHAP. I. The Original of the Turks according to the Opinion of sundry Learned Authors with the Means by which they acquired their first Monarchy in Persia Together with the Reign and Death of Tangrolipix their first King IT has and at this day does cause sundry Disputes amongst the Learned from what Nation or People the Turks now so formidable by extending their Empire o're a third part of the known World are sprung or derived some being of opinion that they are descended of the Remnant of the Trojans that scaped the Sword at the Destructiou of the City of Troy and strengthen their Argument with this Reason viz. That the Word Turcii signifying a Trojan is corruptly called Turci or Turk and that on all hands it is affirmed that they originally inhabited the lesser Asia where the City so much Renowned in Story for its holding out a ten years Siege against the Power of the then Grecian Empire stood others affirm they sprung from the ten Tribes carried away captive by Salmanaser the Assyrian King and that from them likewise sprung the Tartars inhabiting the Northern Climes and their Reasons are for as much as the great Lords of Tartary derive their Pedigree from Tribes calling themselves Danists Zebulonians and Napthalists and that the Word Turk in the Hebrew signifies a banished man or one in disgrace and further that they still retain many Ceremonies of the Jewish Nation as Circumcision and the like as also frequently to repeat to themselves Lamentations though corruptly for the fall of Jerusalem and Damascus the chief Cities of Judea and Syria affirming they know not the meaning of such their Lamentations but that they have been taught of their Ancestors so to do Others are of Opinion that they were Scythians who left their Country by reason of the Scarcity thereof and Coldness of the Clime and falling on Armenia grasped it with so hard a hand that all the Power of the Roman Empire then flourishing could not rescue it but as a Token of their first Success in their issuing out of the Caspian Straits they named it Turcomania which name remains to this day And that there were such a People long before their aspiring to Empire in Asia Pomponius Mella Pliny and Ptolomy do aver but about the time of their Eruption Blondus Platina and Segonius disagree the two former declaring it to be in the year of our Lord 755 and the latter in 844. yet conclude upon the reason of their coming forth as aforesaid Their Rise and aspiring to Greatness was after this manner Mahomet the persian Sultan wresting the Government from the Caliph or Successor of Mahomet the Impostor or as they falsly called him their Great Prophet whose Erroneous Doctrine had infected all Asia Affrick and part of Europe to provide against the worst strengthned himself and the better to do it sent to the Turkish Chief in Armenia to furnish him with a competent number of Men of War who in compliance to the Sultans Command caused 3000 to March under the Leading of one of his chief Captains named Tangrolipix by the help of which he overthrew the Caliph of Babylon with an incredible Slaughter of his Army and being further minded to make an Expedition against the Indians that bordered his Country and knowing by Experience the great courage of the Turks and their singular dexterity in Archery he resolved to retain them for his further Service so that when they desired to be conducted over the River Araxis he not only refused to permit it but also threatned them if they offered to make any further mention of their departure which Indignity caused them to take the opportunity of withdrawing themselves into the Desart of Caranonitis and there like Out-laws to live upon Spoil the News of which no sooner reached the Sultan's ear but he commanded ten of his Captains to March against Tangrolipix with an Army of 20000 choice Soldiers composed of divers Nations which Incamping by the border of a Forrest wherein the Turkish Captain resided with his Forces they were in the dead of the night set upon and put to flight with great Slaughter so that the Turks furnishing themselves with the Spoyls of the slain appeared more boldly in the Field and were in a short time increased to 50000 fighting men by such Outlaws and other Villains as upon the bruit of their Success resorted to 'um which caused Mahomet now jealous of his other Subjects revolt to raise a great Army and to advance against Taâ—grolipix First having put out the Eyes of those Captains overthrown in the fight and threatned to disgrace the Souldiers that escaped the slaughter by attiring them in Womans Apparel which afterward redounded to his loss by causing them to avoid future punishment to fly to his Enemy In fine both Armies met on the great Plain before the City Ispahan in Persia and began a dreadful Battle which with great Slaughter lasted till Sultan Mahomet fell from his Horse and broak his neck at what time both Armies ceased from fight and by unanimous consent chose Tangrolipix Sultan of Persia and the Dominions appertaining to that large Kingdom who was no sooner seated in his Throne but he caused the Garrisons that kept the Passage over Araxis to be removed and called in the Turks his Country-men then dwelling on the other side and by degrees advanced them to all the chief Places of Trust deposing the Persians and Sarazens the Ancient Inhabitants of those Dominions but long he had not wielded his Scepter e'r he made War upon Pisasiris the Caliph of Babylon and after sundry Battles having slain him annexed his Kingdom to Persia This Success firing him with a desire to extend his Dominions wider he sent Cutlu-Muses his Nephew to war on the Arabians but those People as dexterous in Archery as the Turks soon overthrew him with the slaughter of a great part of his Army and therefore in his Return requested of Stephen the Greek Emperours Lievtenant in Media that he might pass through those Territories into his own Country but he not only denied him passage but opposed him with a powerful Army which was by the Turks defeated and the Lievtenant taken Prisoner After which the Sultan in Person made an Expedition against the Arabians thinking to revenge the late disgrace but procured a greater for himself was likewise overthrown which caused him to bend his Forces to the Conquest of Media to effect which he sent his Brother Asan but in the mean while his Nephew fearing his displeasure for disobeying his Command fled and gathering to him a strong Power seized on Pasar a strong City of Chorasmians yet the Expedition was not thereby obstructed but
inevitably lost had not the Citizens who were Christians timely come in to their assistance and put the Turks to flight and then the Armies drawing forth marched as far as the River Orontes before they met with any resistance but there the Turks had fortified the Bridge and Banks on the other side but being overwhelmed with showers of English Arrows sent from the Squadron commanded by Robert Duke of Normandy they soon gave ground and left the Passage open and so the Princes passing the River came to the other Antioch in Syria of which one Cassianu was Governour to the Relief of which the Turks came with an Army of 100000 Horse and Foot but were repulsed by the Christians and returned with 20000 less than they brought so that the City on the third day of June 1098. was secretly and contrary to the knowledge of the Governour delivered by one Phirrus to Prince Bohemund of Tarentum who furiously entering a dismal slaughter ensued insomuch that the Streets run with blood The Governour upon notice of what had hapned fled but falling into the hand of the Armenians that were expelled Jerusalem he was slain The loss of Antioch being made known to Corbanus the Persian Sultan's Lievetenant as he lay before Edessa he raised the Sige and with all his Forces marched towards Antioch resolving to put all upon the Hazard of a Battle against whom the Princes drew out their Strengths leaving the Earl of Tholous with a competent number to secure the City from a revolt by reason the Turks still held the Castle and after a long and doubtful fight overthrowing with such incredible slaughter of his men that all the Valleys were filled with blood and bodies of the slain 100000 Turks being adjudged to fall in that Battel and not above 4000 Christians and the next day they took 5000 Cammels with their lading as also a new Castle built but the year before by the aforesaid Lievtenant And thus conquering they passed on taking several Cities of note till they came within the view of Jerusalem upon sight of which they shouted so loud that all the Country resounded with the joyful Acclamations and with their hands and eyes extended towards Heaven they called upon the name of Jesus and many in humility to the place where our Blessed Lord had so often preached his Gospel fell to the Ground and kissed it with great Affection making fresh Vows never to leave the City till they had delivered it from the Infidels but their strength was much impaired by reason of a Pestilence that had the Autumn before hapned in the Army yet in a Council of the Princes and chief Commanders it was resolved that the Siege should immediately be begun and carried on with all the vigour imaginable The Governour having notice of the Christians approach and what was intended delayed not to prepare all things that might conduce to the making a strenuous defence having a little before received a strong recruit of able Soldiers and a supply of all things necessary yet the Christians after having got what knowledge they could of the state of Affairs within the City sat down before it on the North for towards the East and the West the broken Rocks and shattered Hills render it very incommodious Next the Wall incamped Godfry Duke of Lorrain with his Germans and Lorainers near unto him on the right pitched their Tents Robert Duke of Normandy and the Earl of Flanders before the West Gate lay incamped Tancreed and the Earl of Tholous Bohemund and Baldwin being absent the one remaining King at Antioch and the other Governour of Edassa The Christians having refreshed themselves it was concluded amongst the Princes that the fifth day the Assault should be given which accordingly was done with such bravery that the Turks were beaten from their Defences and miserably slaughtered by the shot of the Archers but they wanting scaling Ladders and the weather being exceeding hot the retreat was sounded but being desirous of nothing more than winning the City five days after they gave it another fierce Assault which made the Walls to tremble nothing that Policy or Valour could afford being wanting on the part of the Christians but scarcity of Water afflicting them with drought and the excessive heat of the Weather frustrated this second Attempt for the Enemy had either stopped up or poysoned all the Wells about the City unless that of Siloe whose Water had worked out the Poison and was become wholesome but that yielded not half enough to suffice the Army During the time that the Christians besieged Jerusalem a Fleet of Genoeses arrived at Joppa where having notice that a far greater Fleet of the Egyptian Sultans lay at Ascalon with an intent to relieve the besieged they after having taken out all things necessary sunk their Gallies and marched over land to the Camp where they became very serviceable in making Engines for Assault and moving Towers covered with raw Hides to prevent their being fired one of which they set to the Walls and from it greatly annoyed the besieged which they perceiving prepared to set it on fire but the wind favouring the Christians drove iâ— full in the besiegers face insomuch that the Duke of Lorrain with his German Foot getting upon the Engine beat the Turks and Sarazens from the Wall with great slaughter and leaping thereon fixed his Standard keeping his Ground though the Enemies shot flew as thick as Hail which venturous Attempt so encouraged the rest of the Princes that they pressed on with great fury insomuch that a terrible slaughter ensued the Souldiers in their rage sparing neither Man Woman nor Child which made the most couragious of the Turks Sarazens and Jews retire to Solomon's Temple in the Entrance whereof they maintain'd a bloody and obstinate fight spreading all the Pavement with the bodies of the slain and bedewing it with streams of blood and so eager were the Christians to charge the Infidels that they for haste thrust one another upon the Enemies Weapons yet after great slaughter they gave back and betook them to the Vaults on the top of the Temple from whence they defended themselves till the fury of the Christians was over and a Trumpet sounded to give Quarter upon which they yielded and had their Lives spared Thus was the Famous City of Jerusalem retaken by the Christians in 30 days Anno 1099. after it had remained in the hands of the barbarous Infidels for the space of 409 years and so great was the joy conceived by the Christians who inhabited it and had suffered miserable Persecution under the Turks that they embraced the Souldiers weeping for gladness and every where singing praises for their deliverance Things being at this pass the Princes consulted amongst themselves whom to constitute King of the Holy City and after some deliberation thought none fitter than the valiant Duke of Normandy but he hearing of his Brothers death declined it as desirous to return and take possession of
his Kingdom of England but at his return found it possessed by his younger Brother Henry who not only deprived him of his Kingdom but soon after of his Dutchy of Normandy And finally of his life by putting out his eyes which many held as a Judgment for his refusing the Scepter of Jerusalem Upon the Duke's declining the Princes unanimously chose Godfry of Bolloin Duke of Lorain who accepted the honourable and glorious Trust but at the time of his Inauguration refused to be crowned with a Crown of Gold saying that it became not a Christian to wear a Crown of Gold where Christ the Son of God had for the Salvation of mankind sometime worn a Crown of Thorns but long he had not injoyed his new acquired Dignity e'r News was brought that 100000 Turks Sarazens and Jews were upon their march to recover the City against whom the Christian Army advanced and gave them battle with so fearful an overthrow that all the Field and Plains for the space of ten miles were covered with the bodies of the slain and then passing on won many famous Cities every where putting the Infidels to the rout but not long after a great Mortality happening the Heroick Godfry King of Jerusalem died and was interred in the Church of the Sepulcher of our Saviour on Mount Calvery And Baldwin Count of Edassa his Brother succeeded him who with many Victories and Cities taken much inlarged the Territories of Jerusalem but besieging the City of Ptolemais he was in a Skirmish with those Turks wounded yet took the City and lived many years after but the wound being as was supposed given with an impoysoned weapon and not pertectly cured he died thereof in the eighteenth year of his Reign and was most favourably buried by his Brother his Sepulcher remaining yet visible After him succeeded his Couzen Baldwin Brugenses against whom the Caliph of Egypt aided by the King of Damasco and the Turks came with a great Army but they returned without effecting any thing yet not long after Gazi the greatest Prince of the Turks in the lesser Asia aided by the King of Damasco and Debeis King of Arabia came against Antioch with a great power and incamped at Aleppo against whom Roger Prince of Antioch advanced without staying for King Baldwin who was on his march with a great Army and unadvisedly joyning battel his Army was overthrown and himself slain but King Baldwin coming upon the Turks grown secure by reason of their new acquired Victory put them to the rout far and near filling all the Plains with the bodies of the slain but within a while after encountring with Balac General of the Persian Sultan's Army he was taken prisoner and his Army overthrown but after eighteen Months imprisonment for the Ransom of 100000 Ducats set at liberty and afterwards obtained many signal Victories over the Infidels and in his Reign was setled the order of the Knights Templers Hugh Paganus being the first great Master of that Order but King Baldwin the Second being tired and disordered with the many battels and having received many wounds after he had married Margaret his Eldest Daughter to Foulk Duke of Turin Anjoy and Mayn fell sick in the thirteenth year of his Reign Anno 1131. and constituting his Son in Law to succeed him gave up the Ghost and was buried in the Temple upon Mount Calvery near his Predecessors After the death of Baldwin Foulk was crowned King of Jerusalem viz. on the Sixth of September Anno 1131. by William the Patriark but the Devil envying the spreading of the Christian Religion endeavoured to stir up Division amongst the Christians in the beginning of this King's Reign for Pontius Count of Tripolis by force of Arms endeavoured to rend the City and Territories of Antioch from the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Hugh Count of Joppa being highly concerned in the Treason for fear of punishment joyned with the Sarazens that held the strong City of Ascalon but God prevented the mischief that thereby might have ensued by taking the former away by the Sword of the Turks and the latter being driven out of Ascalon died in Exile the very Heathens abhorring a Traytor These stirs were no sooner over but the Turks invaded Antioch with a powerful Army but the King coming suddainly upon them put them to flight with much slaughter and got in the plundring of their Camp great Riches After which John the Creek Emperor raised a great power to seize upon Antioch pretending it a part of his Empire but the Kings of Europe interposing he was content it should be holden by the present Prince the Earl of Poictou he paying him Homage for his Principality but being a man of a restless Spirit he soon after came again with a powerful Army thinking to have admittance into the City and so to surprize it but found his expectations frustrate for the Citizens would not admit him to enter unless with some few of his Followers in reveage of which he caused the Suburbs to be sacked and so returned into Cilicia where hunting a Boar whilst the furious Beast pressed on the Spear the Emperor held against him the Emperor's hand pressed upon the point of a poysonoâ—s Aâ—â—oâ—â— he had in his Quiver which entring the flesh the force of the poyson was such that in great pain he shortly died upon which Emanuel Elexus his Son was chosen in his stead Jerusalem by this means being â—t peaâ—e the King Queen and many great Commanders went without the Walls to take the Air when there â—â—â—nced a Hare to be started after which the King and those that accompanied him rid and he forcing his Horse he fell so that the King's head fell under him of which mortal bruise he in three days dyed in great torment viz. on the thirteenth of November Anno 1142. and was buâ—ied by his Predecessors greatly lamented of all good Christians and after him succeeded Baldwin his Son the third of that name he being about thirteen years of Age and in his Reign came Conrade the Third Emperor of Germany with a powerful Army to the Assistance of the Christians in Syria who by the way being opposed by the Turks at the River Meander gave them battel and overthrew them with the slaughter of 30000 of the Enemy so that the River for many miles ran 〈◊〉 and then marching forward without the least Impeachment came to Iconium the Chief Seat of the Tâ—â—kâ—sh Kings in the lesser Asia which he besieged but it being strongly fortified and Want increasing in the Camp a Mortality hapâ—ned which destroyed so many of the Souldiers that the Emperor was forced to raise his Siege and to return home The occasion of this 〈◊〉 was said to be occasioned by eating of Meal which the 〈◊〉 Emperor upon their passing through his Dominions had caused to be mingled with Lime 〈◊〉 no less envying the success of the Christians in Syria 〈◊〉 the Turks and by such like Treacheries he frustrated 〈◊〉 Expedition
of Lewis the Eighth King of France who after a long Siege lay'd to Damasco without preâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 it was forced to return with half his Arâ—◠〈…〉 half being through want and diseases lost But 〈…〉 to Baldwin King of Jerusalem after he had given the Turks and Sarazens several Overthrows 〈…〉 Peâ—â—â—d fortified Gaza and taken all the 〈…〉 held in the Terrirories of Jerusalem 〈…〉 accorded a Marriage with the Greek Emperor's â—iece which Emperor in requital thereof desired in Marriage one of the King 's near Kinswomen whereupon he offered him Mathildas an honorable Ladâ—â—â—â—ter to the Count of Tripolis but he refusing her and taking Mary the Daughter of Raymund Earl of Aâ—tâ—â—ch the Count was greatly displeased and with certain Ships of War greatly infested the Emperors Territories and upon the King 's coming to Antioch to solemnize the Marriage he was supposed to be poysoned by one Barac a Jew the Counts Physician for he taking â—â—ysick to prevent Winter sickness immediately fell into a bloody Flux and afterwards a Consumption of which he died at Beritus Anno 1163. when he had reigned prosperously 21 years being generally lamented of his Friends and Enemies Noridan the Turkish General and King of Damasco declaring that the world afforded not his Peer During these stirs in Syria Sultan Solyman and Mahomet his Successor being dead Mansal having upon the overthrow of the Greek Emperor's Army grasped the Scepter of Persia divided his Dominions at his death between his three Sons viz. to Clizasthilon his Eldest he gave Persia with the Towns and Provinces thereunto appertaining to Jagupasan his Second Son he gave Amasa and 〈◊〉 with the fruitful Country of Cappadocia and to Daâ—iâ—n and his Third Son gave he the Cities of 〈◊〉 and Sâ—bastia which Division caused a greater amongst the Brethren so that mortal hate insâ—ed which 〈◊〉 heels brought an Intestine War the Elder who bore the name of Sultan seeking to destroy and dispossess the two younger which intestine broyls the Greek Emanuel sought to augment covertly assisting them both that they by rending the Persian Monarchy might give him an easie means to recover what had been dismembred from his Empire but finding the Sultan powerful he supposed it best to side with him openly which he doing by that means Jagupasan was overthrown in a bloody and doubtful battel and he flying into Arabia had all his Dominions seized upon which an enterview was had between the Sultan and the Emperor wherein a Peace was concluded between those Potentates the former promising at his return to take Caesaria and Sebastia from Dadune and deliver them to the Emperor the former part of this promise he performs viz. the taking the Cities but the latter part of restoring them as he never intended so he never performed but forgetting all former curtesies invaded the Imperial Provinces with Fire and Sword doing great mischief taking by storm Laodicea in Phrygia upon which the Emperor passed the Hellespont with a great Army and fortified Dorileum and Subleum with other strong Holds to hinder the Inroads of the Turks nevertheless they ceased not to infest his Frontiers whereupon the Emperor grievously complained of the Sultan's Ingratitude and breach of Promise and he on the other side of his breach of League in fortifying the Frontier Towns whereupon the Emperor raised the whole power of his Empire resolving to rase Iconium marching with his whole Army Phrygia Laodicea Chonas and other Countries the Turks keeping aloof as not daring to give him â—atrâ—â— but the Sultan sent his Ambassadors with offers of Peace but the Emperor driven head-long on as it were by the Destinies trusting his power slighted all his Proposals willing the Ambassadors to tell their Master he would give him answer under the Walls of Iconium whereupon order was given to the Turks to impoyson the Well and destroy all Corn and Forrage by the way the Emperor should pass which was accordingly put in Execution so that by such means many of the Soldiers and some prime Commanders died and further they fortified the Straights of Zibriâ—â— through which the Christians were to pass upon their departure from Myria-Cephalon which are seven narrow Valleys of five miles long each over which hang Rocks craggy Clifts and Mountains that almost touch at the top yet through these the Emperor would needs pass though he had notice that the Turks â—â—d strongly possessed themselves of the said Valleys having first divided his Army into three Battalia's but he was no sooner entred but the Turks appeared upon the Rocks and Mountains on every side sending showers of poysonous Arrows upon the Imperialists themselves remaining as it were secure under the shelter of the Rock insomuch that e'r he had got through three parts of his Army were destroyed filling the Valleys with blood and the Carcasses of the slain but in the middle of his distress it pleased God to move the Sultan to pity him and conclude a Peace on condition that the fortified Towns should be rased and so dismissed him with the remainder of his broken Army but after repenting that he had suffered his Enemy to escape his hand permitted such as would to fall upon his Rear by which means many were slain yet at last he arrived at Chovas in his own Territories and caused Subleum to be rased but not the other Towns whereupon the Sultan complained of the non-performance of the Articles but receiving no satisfaction to his mind he sent Atapatch one of his great Captains with an Army of 2400 Horse and Foot to destroy the Emperor's Territories even to the Sea-side and in token thereof to bring an Oar some of the Sea water and Sea Sand which the said Captain undertook spoyling Phrygia and all the Cities upon the Banks of the River Meander taking a great Spoyl but in his return he was met withal by John Bataza the Emperor's Nephew and Ducase Constantine who setting upon him about to pass the Meander destroyed him and all his Army recovering the rich Booty And thus the Emperor Emanuel passed over in continual Wars yet by so doing he gave the Christians in Syria rest who after he had sat Emperor for the space of thirty eight years died leaving Alexius Comnenus his Son a Child of twelve years of Age to Reign in his stead under the protection of the Empress both of which were barbarously murdered by Andronicus the deceased Emperor's Couzen who proved so inhuman and unmerciful that one Isaac Angelius whom he designed to murther caused the Citizens to mutiny against him and put him to a shameful death himself being afterwards chosen Emperor in his stead but he reigned not long for proving almost as Tyrannical as the former he was deposed and his Brother Alexius chosen to succeed him who getting him into his power to make all safe put out his eyes and thrust him into a Monastery so that in these suddain alterations the Turks made great spoyl of the Imperial Provinces greatly dismembring the Empire
sore shaken with inrestine broyls But Clisalthâ—n dying gave some Rest by reason his Sons fell at variance among themselves as he and his Brothers had done for he leaving four all grown to Mens estate viz. Maful Coppatine Renâ—â—â—â—ine and Câ—ichofroes he divided his Dominions amongst them but they thinking each other wronged unless every one had all would not content themselves with what their Father had allotted them though Dominions large enough to suffice twenty Kings raised impious Broils But after long contention Masut the Elder seised by force all the Dominions in Persia making himself thereby absolute Sultan where I shall leave him setling his Dominions and return to Jerusalem After the death of Baldwin in Almericus his younger Brother was crowned King on the seventeenth day of February Aâ—â—â— â—163 who was no sooner setled in his Throne but he warred upon Dargan the Egyptian Sultan for refusing to pay him the accustomed Tribute and in a dreadful battel overthrew him who to stay the pursuit cut the Banks of Nilus and lay'd the Country under water But whilst he was busie in Egypt Noridin the King of Damasco making Inrodes upon the Christians near Tripolis was fought with by Gilbert Lacy an english man then great Master of the Templars and by him overthrown with the loss of three parts of his Army but the next year laying Siege to Arethusa the Christian Princes gathered their Forces to oppose him who upon their approach raised his Siege and departed and whilst they eagerly pursued he trained them into certain miry Fens where turning upon them he overthrew their Army with incredible slaughter and the Captivity of all the Princes commanding after which Victory he again laying Siege to the City had it yielded to him but Almericus was more successful in Egypt for he so prevailed against the Turks and Sarazens that they were obliged to purchase their Peace with the delivery of the City of Alexandria and most of the Prisoners taken by Noradin in the late overthrow and within a short while after the Turks infringing the Articles he aided by the Knights Templars and other Christians lay'd Siege to Pelusium which he after three days setting down before it won and gave it to the great Master and the Knights of the Order In this City they took the Sultan of Egypt's Son and Nephew for whose ransom the King received 100000 Duâ—ats and so he returned to Jerusalem when shortly after Sâ—raâ—con the Turkish General in those Parts under pretence of Friendship slew the Sultan of Egypt in his Tent and was in his stead proclaimed Sultan being first Turk 〈◊〉 ever governed Egypt yet he enjoyed not his ill got Dominion above the space or a year before death surprized him when in his stead Saladine his Nephew was crowned Sultan who desirous to be rid of the Caliph who as Successor to the Impostor Mahomet ruled in effect the Kingdom he upon some disgust with his horseman's Mace beat his brains out at a blow and then taking the chief Places of Trust from the Egyptians and giving them to his Turks so well secured himself and his Posterity that for the revolution of many years that fertile Kingdom remained in subjection to the Turks Being by the means aforesaid setled in his Kingdom he raised a great power and entered Palestine and after a short Siege took the City of Daron e're Almericus could come to relieve it and now the Turks increasing in great numbers the King of Jerusalem was obliged to send to the Christian Princes of the West for aid and in the mean while stoutly defended his Territory which the former Kings had extended to the uttermost borders of Arabia Felix larger than what ever the Israelites possessed and Anno 1173. Noridon King of Damasco died the sorest Enemy the Christians had but as Joy seldom comes without some taste of sorrow to allay it so now for Almericus the Sixth famous King of Jerusalem returning from the Siege of Peane 〈…〉 year fell into a Fever which after a short sick 〈…〉 him of life Up 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 Americus his Nephew Baldwi◠〈…〉 nightily opposed the Turks gâ—â—ing them many 〈◊〉 â—â—erthrows but was in the flower of his youth cut 〈◊〉 death the sixteenth of Aâ—â—y 1185. when as he haâ—â—eiâ—â—ed twelve Years and some Months In this King's stead his Son Baldwin the Fifth of that name and Eighth King of Jerusalem was crowned but long he had not reigned e'r his perfidious Mother to advance her second Husband Guy to the Throne poysoned him But Heaven leâ—t not such wickedness unrevenged not long after Guy the Ninth and Last King of Jerusalem took upon him the Scepter the Christians fell at variance amongst themselves ready to turn their Swords upon each other of which Saladine the Egyptian Sultan taking the advantage won many Cities and finally in a bloody battel the Christian Army was overthrown the King and most of his Nobles together with the great Master of the Templers were taken Prisoners which altogether broke the strength of the Christians in Syria for hightned with this success the Sultan with an Army of 200000 Horse and Foot besieged Jerusalem which being naked of men and wanting a Head was after fourteen days Siege and many fierce Assaults delivered up to the Enemy Anno 1187. after it had been in the hands of the European Christians for the space of 100 years upon condition that such Christians as would might still remain there with free exercise of their Religion and those that were minded to depart might be permitted so to do with as much of their Goods as they could carry upon their backs And thus the Holy City again fell into the hands of the Pagans who poluted it with their prophane Idolatries and superstitious Worship through the Christians lukewarmness and disrespect of God's Divine Worship who living in abundance of plenty forgat the hand that protected them trusting in their own arms as the Israelites to their cost had done before them After Jerusalem the Metropolis of the Kingdom was taken Anâ—â—eâ—â— was betrayed by the Patriarck such little regard had Christians of their Fidelity into the hands of the Turks for a certain sum of Gold 〈◊〉 afterward most of the other Cities either revolted or were taken by force Chap. IV. The Second Expedition of the Western Princes for the Recovery of the Holy Land c. JErusalem and most of the Cities of Palestine being lost as aforesaid the European Potentates were not a little grieved and to recover the same raised a mighty power and first that advanced was Frederick the German Emperor who setting forth from Vienna passed with a puissant Army through Hungary Bulgaria and Thracia and so to Constantinople where he passed over into Asia and entring Lyconia gave the Turks a great overthrow after which he besieged and took Iconium giving the Spoyls thereof to his Soldiers and from thence passing into Celicia in the Straights where the Greek Emperor some years before
received his fatal overthrow he had a second conflict with the Turk whom he put to flight with great slaughter and took the City of Philomela and put the Inhabitants to the sword for executing his Messangers he sent to treat with them about delivering it peaceably and then entring â—â—â—â—enia the less he took the City of Melitene and subdued all the Territories round about and there gave the Turks an other fearful overthrow which Army was no sooner vanquished but another not inferiour to â—â— appeared under the heading of Saphadine Saladin the Sultan's Son which with an undaunted bravery he charged and put to rout with incredible slaughter but the joy of Victory was soon turned into Mourning for the good Emperor zealous for the Christian Cause following hâ—â—d upon the flyers his Horse floundered in the River 〈◊〉 and threw him out of the Saddle with his right foot hanging in the Stirrup after which manner e'r he could be relieved he was drag'd through the River and hitting by the way on certain Stumps so bruised that when he was taken up he was heard to say no more then Lord receive my Soul e'r he gave up the Ghost in the seventieth year of his Age and of his Reign 38. Anno 1190. Whereupon his Body was carried to the City of Tire and there in the Cathedral with all Solemnity interred This Heroick Emperor being dead his Son Frederick Duke of Suevia then in the Army was saluted Emperor and General by the consent of the great Commanders but now the Country being purposely destroyed before them pale Famine began to stare them in the face yet on they marched and charging Dodequin Saladius General sent to oppose their Passage gave him a great overthrow and had all the Cities rendred as they passed till they came to Ptolomais where the power of the Christians in Syria were incamped headed by Guy late King of Jerusalem who for a great Sum had obtained his Liberty Upon the Arrival of Frederick the Christians gave a fierce Assault to the City on all Parts and had taken it by Storm had not Saladine the Egyptian Sultan who lay hovering aloof with his Army fallen upon their Camp and thereby in the hottest of the Assault obliged them to draw off to defend the same and having forced him to retire with the loss of a few men they returned again to the Siege expecting the Arrival of Richard the First King of England and Philip the Second King of France who were upon their way with great Forces but they wintering in the Isle of Sicilia the French King out of Envy to the Glory of the English and an old grudge having been formerly about King Richard's refusing the French King's Sister and marrying the Daughter of the King or Navar the French King not long after returned home and withdrew his Army to the frustrating the whole design of recovering Jerusalem yet at present he dissembled the matter and loosing first from the Port of Mesina arrived at Ptolomais where the Christians lay still incomped after whom King Richard shortly followed but sayling by Cyprus his Fleet was dispersed by a Storm and two of his Ships falling on ground on that Coast the Islanders spoyled them and when the rest of the Fleet put in there they rudely withstood their landing which so inraged King Richard that he landing by force seised the Island and took the King thereof Prisoner and sent him bound in Chains of Silver to Syria The King having secured the Island to his use disanchored and sailed to Ptolomais where he was joyfully received of the Christian Princes upon whose Arrival the City after a hot Assault and a great breach in the Wall was surrendred upon condition the Garrison might depart with safety for which they were likewise to pay a great Ransom to deliver they Holy Cross they had in possession and a certain number of them to remain as Hostages that the Saladine should deliver such Christian Prisoners as he had in his power whereupon the Germans of Austria entered first the 〈◊〉 and advanced the Standard of their Duke upon the Wâ—ll as if by their only valour the City had 〈…〉 which so offended King Richard that he 〈◊〉 the Standard to be thrown down and trampled on which indignity the Duke resented so heinously that 〈◊〉 great hindrance of the Wars in Syria he retuâ—â—◠〈…〉 his Forces into Austria as likewise did the 〈◊〉 France with the greatest part of his Army under 〈◊〉 he did it for want of health in so hot a Clime 〈…〉 out of secret Envy to King Richard Salâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of the lessning of the Christian Army and that there still remained amongst them discontent refused to pay the money for the Ransom of the Hostages or deliver up the Christian Prisoners but threatned that if any Extremity was used by the King towards them he would behead all the Christian Prisoners the which notwithstanding the Hostages were not hurt he most barbarously performed in return whereof the King commanded 2500 of the Hostages to be executed in the sight of the Infidels Camp and resolved to give him battel which he perceiving raised his Camp and departed along the Sea Coast ruining the strong Towns to prevent their falling into the hands of the Christians who leaving Ptolomais strongly fortified followed close at his heels resolving to besiege Jerusalem which he perceiving and taking such advantage as the time and place would afford faced about So that both Armies meeting about Noon a dreadful conflict began which continued with great slaughter especially on the part of the Turks till Evening at what time the Victory fell to the Christians who had the Execution of the Infidels for seven miles but Winter coming on they disposed of the Army till Spring in the Towns that Saladine had ruinated repairing and fortifying them stronger than before but when Spring came upon must'ring the Army they were found greatly decreased by diseases and absenting and at the same time the King found the Duke of Burgundia under whose command the French King had left part of his Army still to cross his purpose as desirous to return home having received such Orders privately from the King his Master who was contrary to his Oath taken at his departure warring upon the Normans then King Richard's Subjects and that others were of the like mind found himself altogether too weak to besiege Jerusalem and hearing how the French King had incited his younger Brother John to take upon him the Government of the Kingdom of England fearing lest while he was warring abroad he might loose his Kingdom at home he resolved to make such conditions with the Sultantain as might be best for the advantage of the Christians in Syria and so imbarque for England which the crafty Infidel understanding and finding his power daily to decay would hearken to no other Proposals than that the Christians should surrender all the Towns they had taken Ptolomais excepted and in consideration
Infidels thus foiled though the City still held out Corradiâ—e Sultan of Damasco and Jerusalem sent his Ambassador to the Christian Princes to sue for Peace for himself and his Brother the Sultan of Egypt In lieu whereof he promised to restore the Holy-Cross and all the Towns his Father Saladine had taken from the Christians which large offer was thought reasonable by most of the Princes none opposing it but Pelagius the Popes 〈◊〉 John the late made King of Jerusalem the 〈◊〉 of the Knights Templers and Hospitallers and the Duke of Aâ—siria they alledging that the War was undertaken generally against the Infidels and that they ought not to desist till they had brought them under Whereupon the Sâ—â—â—â—n supposing they would speedily come to Jerusalem caused it to be rased all exceâ—◠〈◊〉 Tower of David and the holy Sepulcher 〈…〉 instance of the Christians there dwelling 〈…〉 with all his people departed to Daâ—â—◠〈◊〉 but 〈…〉 Christians though too late repented their 〈…〉 advantageous an offer for 〈…〉 of the raw 〈◊〉 and Vapors that ascended from Niâ—â—s a mortal Contagion raged in the â—â—mp and much weakened it so that the Sultan taking the advantage indeavoured to put succors into the Town with such speed that many entered ere the Christians could take the Alarum but they falling in the Rear cut off a great number that were shut out lest the Christians should have entered Pell-mel with them into the City and heightened with this success they marched to the Sultans Camp and dared him to battel but he not willing to hazard his Kingdom upon a cast refusing they assaulted him in his Lodging In which daring Attempt the French General was lost with many more of note so that without success they again returned to the Siege Famine beginning to rage extreamly in the City and soon after its attendant the Plague of which such a number died that there were none left to defend it So that the Christians entering found all the Streets paved with the dead 70000 of the Infidels having perished therein through obstinacy who upon surrender might have had their Lives and Liberties Thus this great City after a years Siege was taken the Third of November 1221. After which the Popes Legate laying Claim to it in the behalf of his Master though at the beginning of the War the Princes had concluded that all the Cities and Towâ—◠〈◊〉 should be put into the Possession of the King of Jerusalem a Contest arose between them insomuch that the King retired to 〈◊〉 and was hardly intreated to return upon whose return and the Arrival of the Duke of Bavaria with fresh Forces at the Legates intreaty a great part of the Army was drawn forth in order to the 〈◊〉 the City of Câ—â— which they effected not without hopes of wâ—â—â—ing it but being unacquainted with the Country they iâ— camping in low Ground the 〈…〉 and overflowed their 〈…〉 Waters of a prodigious depthâ—â—â— that many perished therein and at last were obliged to re-deliver Damiata for their Ransom and so the Sultan relieving them with such necessaries as they wanted caused them to be Conducted out of Egypt Whereupon most of them returned into their own Country having first concluded a Peace for eight years with Coradine the Sultan of Damasco which Peace was by the Infidel inviolably observed King John upon his return at the instance of Hâ—â—orâ—us gave his Daughter Yoland in Marriage to Erâ—drick King of Sicilia and with her the Title of Jerusalem from whence the succeedings derived their Titles instiling themselves Kings of Jerusalem And now Henry the second Emperor of Constantinople being dead having Reigned eleven years and some odd days Peter Count of Ausseres was made Emperor in his stead who in revenge to Injuries done to the Veâ—etians by Theodorus Angelius Prince of Epirus besieged him in Dâ—â—rachium but upon his feigned Submission a Peace was concluded when the Emperor too much crediting the perjured Wretch going into the City slenderly attended to an Entertainment to which the Epirâ—â— had invited him was by his Commandment slain Upon the News of this sad disaster the Constantinopâ—liâ—â—ns elected his Son Robert to succeed him but he lived nor long for having married a beautiful Lady before Contracted to a noble man of Burgundia he in revenge in the Emperors absence with a resolute Company broke into the Pallace and there seizing upon the 〈◊〉 cut off her Nose and Ears and afterward 〈◊〉 her Mother who had been the cause of the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Contract threw her into 〈…〉 into the 〈…〉 Mountains living 〈…〉 of his Companions which 〈…〉 the Emperor that going to Rome in his return the died After him succeeded his Son by the name of Baldwin the Second being the fifth and last Emperor of the Lattins in Constantinople For Lasâ—ares of whom I have before spoken after the overthrow he gave the Sultan mightily increasing his Power rigged a great many Ships and Siezed upon all the Islands in the Iconium and Egean Seas Lesbos Chios Saâ—os Rhodes c. And by that means rendered himself so formidable that most Cities before in the possession of the Lattins revolted to him insomuch that without any great resistance he brought his Army to the Gates of Constantinople and then dying lefe his Son John Ducas Batazes to succeed him who prosecuting the War against the Latrius became more terrible then his Father strengthening himself by a Marriage between Hâ—lena daughter to Assan King of Bulgaria and his Son Theodore And after that renewed the League with the Sultain of Iconium who was then 〈◊〉 in Warring against the Tartars During these pâ—ssâ—â—es 〈◊〉 the German Emperor with great forces passed 〈◊〉 Syria but by Reason he did not humble himself to Greogry the ninth the proud Preâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 thereto by his Strumpet Fulminated against 〈◊〉 with Excommunications sending his Leâ—ters to the Christians not to aid nor receive him upon his 〈◊〉 but they did not regard the 〈◊〉 Pope 〈…〉 his Landing with his forces 〈…〉 joyfully and honourably received 〈…〉 to Sultan 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 to his 〈…〉 desire 〈…〉 himself 〈…〉 that after 〈…〉 that the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 was at hardly gladly 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 up the City of Jerusalem with all the Land of Palestine together with the Respective Cities taken by the Sultan Saladine and all the Christian Prisoners in lieu of a ten years Peace which was accorded and the Emperor with his Army coming to the desolate City of Jerusalem and there with great Solemnity on Easter Day Anno 1229 was Crowned King and so having fortifyed the City by repairing the Wall and Garrisoned Nazereth Joppa and other strong Cities and appointed Reynold Duke of Bavaria his Lieutenant in Syria he returned home where the Pope had put his Subjects in an uproar and Seized upon his Kingdom of Naples working him greater troubles then are convenient to be here related as not pertinent to this History only note that this was
that Frederick that marryed the King of Jerusalem's Daughter and with her had the Title of King of Jerusalem which occasioned his setting forward to take possession of that Kingdom The Emperor was no sooner returned but to spight him and break the ten Years League he sent Lewis King of Navar with a great Power into Syria to invade the Sultans Dominions but his Expedition was no ways prosperous joyning Battle with the Sultans Power he and the rest of the Christians were overthrown which occasioned the loss of Jerusalem soon after 〈…〉 by the Tâ—â—ks all the Souls that were 〈…〉 being put to the Sword and with 〈…〉 hands demolished the 〈◊〉 of our 〈◊〉 Saviour which all other 〈◊〉 had with a 〈◊〉 reverence sorborn to 〈◊〉 The News of the great overthrow and the loss of 〈…〉 to the 〈◊〉 of the Christian Princes of the 〈◊〉 greatly troâ—â—â—ed them but most of all the Emperor and Lewis the Ninth King of France Insomuch that the latter gathering a great Power Anno 1248. set Sail and came to the Isle of Cyprus and there wintered by reason of the far advancement of the Season during which time he received an Embassador from the Master of the Templars to inform him that there was no need of his coming by reason the Sultan oftered honourable terms but the King understanding that it was a contrivance between them that the Templars might have the greater power sent back to command him under pain of forseiting his head that he should receive no more Embassadors from the Sultan and Early in the Spring weighing Anchor within five or six days sail he fell in with the Coast of Egypt and with all his sleet sailing up the River Nile came before Damiata to oppose whose landing the Governour with what forces he could draw out stood upon the banks but in vain they resisted for the French-men manning out their boats thrust on shore and put them to flight leaving the Governour and 500 of their Companions dead upon the Strand and perceiving the Christians were preparing to besiege the City the former Miseries it had indured coming afresh into their mind they in the dead of night set every man his house on fire and sled which the Christians perceiving they entered the City and exstinguished the slames saving so much as was possible and there found abundance of Riches The Sultan upon notice of the loss of this strong City was greatly dismayed 〈◊〉 he sent to the French King to osser him several places in Palestine never yet in the possession of the Christians but his offer was rejected and 〈…〉 by the Earl of 〈◊〉 the Kings brother During these sâ—irs 〈…〉 Brother Melesh-Sâ—llâ—â— or 〈…〉 whom joyned the Sultan of 〈◊〉 to oppose the Christians and with his whole Power drew near to Damiata where the Christian Army lay incamped who Sallying out of their Trenches beat him back but Sallying the next day and following the Enemy too far many of them were slain and the rest were forced to retire Long they were not incamped before a private Messenger came to the King from the Governour of Cairo to inform him that if he would draw near to the Walls of that great City he would put it into his hands the said Governour appearing to be much inclinable to the Christian Religion Or as some will have it oâ—â— of Revenge for the Death of his Brother slain by the Sultans Command Upon which the King assembled all his Power and marched till he came to an Arm of Nâ—â—us with part of his Army under the Command of his Brother Robert Earl of Arthâ—â—s passing at a Board discomfited the Turks that desended the further Bank but contrary to the advice of the renowned Eâ—â—l and the Master of the Templers following the Chase e'r the other part of the Army arrived he was incompassed by the Sultans power that â—ay in Ambush that not above two Templers one Hospitaler and a common Souldier escaped to tell the heavy News This News was seconded with that of the Imprisonment of the Governour of Câ—â—â—â—o which altogether disappointed the King of his purpose Whereupon he pasted the River at the same Board his Brother had done and behold the sad 〈◊〉 of the minâ—â—ed Careasses of the slain each having his Head and Hards â—nâ— off the Sultan the better to incourage his Men haing promised rewards to 〈◊〉 could bring them either but long he had 〈◊〉 them before the 〈◊〉 come upon him 〈…〉 being near ten 〈…〉 and after a 〈…〉 overthrew him cutting the greatest part of his Army in pieces and amongst the rest the Flower of the French Nobility The King and some few of the Nobility were taken Prisoners and for their Ransom delivered up the City of Damiata and payed 8000 pound in Gold with a promise of a ten years Peace but whilst the Sultan was accompanying him to Damiata two desperate Russians assassinated him in the presence of his Nobility instigated thereto by one Turquiminus a Mamaluke or Slave got himself proclaimed Sultan renouncing the League that Melech-Sala had made and made another in his own Name not much different from the former but performed not above the half part but in fine after the surrender of Damiata which the new Sultan caused to be rased the King with all his Retinue were Conducted to Ptolomais and at the end of six years from his setting out sailing from thence arrived in his own Kingdom having lost 60000 of his Subjects in that expedition The Sultan being as aforesaid Traiterously murthered the Mamalukes or Slaves bought by the Sultans of divers Merchants to serve them in their Wars Put an end to the Turkish Kingdom in Egypt by deposing all such as bare Offices or had places of trust advancing those of their own order continually choosing their Sultans from amongst themselves flourishing in great Renown for the space of 267 years at the end of which they were totally subdued by 〈◊〉 the victorious Emperor of the 〈…〉 151â— and the Kingdom of Egypt with all 〈◊〉 and the 〈…〉 as they are at this day annexed to the 〈…〉 as shall be in process of this History 〈…〉 these Actions passed John Daccâ—◠〈…〉 â—â—ed having Reigned successfully for the space of 〈◊〉 three years after whom succeeded 〈◊〉 his Soâ— who renewed the League his Father had made with the Jathanites the Turkish Sultan in the lesser Asia after which with a puissant Army he passed the Straights of Hellispont to appease the troubles raised in Macedonia and Thessalia by the King of Bulgaria his Father in Law and the Despot of Thessalia during which one Michael Paleologus a great Courtier fled to the Turkish Sultan under pretence that he doubted his Life by reason of those Enemies he had at Court that inveighed against him and at his coming to Iconium sound the Sultan leavying an Army to oppose them that spoiled his Country of whom he was kindly received and the Greeks in his Service reduced under his Command
and so marching against the Enemy a dreadful Fight began the Turks charging with great Courage putting the Right-wing to flight and disordering their main Battalion So that Victory began to declare her self in favour of them when one of the Sultans chief Commanders out of some former grudge fell with the Squadron of Persian Horse under his Command to the Enemy and by that means turned the Scale of War so that the Turks who even now were Conquerors fled for their Lives nor durst the Sultan stay in his own Country but fled to Constantinople where of the Emperor he was kindly received and aided with what Force he could spare under the leading of an experienced Captain for which kindness he gave the Emperor the City of Laodicea Not long after this was Palelogus received into Favour and restored to his Dignity upon his solemnly swearing to be true and Loyal to him and his Sons which had not long been done â—'r the Emperor fell sick and dyed Reigning only three years and in his stend was Crowned his Son John a Child of six years old who was by the Emperors last Will bequeathed to the Tutorage of Arsenius the Patriarch and George Muzâ—la the letter of which being of mean Birth having raised for his Vertues and good parts by the departed Emperor which caused him to be greatly envyed by the Courtiers whereupon he assembling together desired to be rid of his Charge but every one seeming unwilling to undertake it he still continued with much Integrity but several having conspired against him of which Paleologus was Chief they during the Obsequies of the defunct Emperor slew him and several that they supposed Favoured him even at the Altar and in a short time Paleologus usurped the Empire not in the least regarding his former Oath About this time Mango the great Cham of Tartary stirred thereto by Amonius the Armenian King of whom he had received the Christian Religion Sent his Brother Haalon with a powerful Army against the Turks and Sarazens in Syria and the Land of Palestine who in the space of six Months over-run all Persia with the Countries adjoyning and came at length into Syria and took the great City Babylon at that time commanded by the Caliph putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword inriching his Soldiers with the spoil and passing from thence through Mesopotamia took the City of Rhoais and there being supplyed with fifty two Horse and Foot entering Syria he rased Aleppo and other strong Towns and soon after won Damasco when as the Sultan with his Wife and Children came and fell before him desiring him to spare his Country but in vain for he wasted all before him but being about to pass on to Jerusalem News was brought him of his Brothers death upon which he returned home yet at his departure for the good Will he bore the Christians he left his Son Abiga with 20000 Horse to aid them in Wars but Abiga hearing of his Fathers Troubles about his Establishment in the Empire departed with 10000 of the 20000 leaving the rest under the Command of Guirboca a valiant Captain who by some affronts put upon him by the Christians became their mortal Enemy yet letted not give battle to the Sultans Army of ten times to the number and not being aided by the Christians was overthrown wherein himself fighting couragiously with greater part of his small Army were slain and thereupon Antioch and most of the Towns holden by the Christians were taken by the Sultan Bandocador By this time the Tartars warring in the lesser Asia had driven Jathanites out of all his Dominions whereupon he fled to the Greek Emperor for aid or Refuge but ingrateful as he was not regarding the Kindness he had received at his Hands when he fled from Theodorus the Emperor he committed him Prisoner at large to the City of Aenus in Thrace appointing several to watch him so narrowly that he should not escape When Paleologus had Reigned at Nice two years he sent Alexus Stregopulus against the Despot of Epirus who raised Tumults in the West this man in his passage with a small Army by the Treachery of the Greeks dwelling in Constantinople found means to surprize that City and again annex it to the Greek Empire After it had been in the hands of the Latines fifty eight years for which service Alexus triumphed in Purple Robes wearing a Crown of Gold commanded that for one year following his Name next to his should be mentioned in all publick Prayer Psalms and Hymns But now the Son of Theodorius whose Right this Emperor had usurped coming to years of Discretion it bred much jealousie in him that lest any discontented Person espousing his Quarrel should pluck the Crown from off his Head and place it where it ought to rest Whereupon to render him unfit for Government he like a barbarous Wretch deprived him of his sight which his Aunt Queen of Bulgaria no sooner understood but with many Arguments stirred up her Husband to make War upon the Usurper and at the same time being solicited by the Sultan Jathanites to deliver him from his Confinement he with a great Power of Scythians his own Subjects entered the Empire wasting all before him with Fire and Sword hoping to surprize the Emperor in his return from his Expedition against the Despot of Servia but failing of him he turned to Aenus and took thence the Sultan the Citizens gladly delivering him to save their Lives and contenting himself with the spoil of Thracia he passed over Ister and returned into his own Country Jathanites the Sultan being set at Liberty by the King of Bulgaria for Grief of his great loss dyed not leaving any Dominions to his Children Yet not long after Gazan the great Cham of Tartary as his Vassals two of his Kinsmen of the Zelzuccian Family viz. Mesot and Rei-Cubades they in acknowledgment thereof paying him a yearly Tribute placed them in part of his Dominions and thus fell the Turkish Empire in the lesser Asia being Rent in pieces by the Tartars who afterward seized upon a great part of the Greek Empire they and the Fugitive Turks together possessing themselves of the Countries from Pontus and Galatia unto the Lyeian and Carian Seas and the River Eurymedon Anno 1270. King Lewis of France aided by Henry the Third of England and divers others resolved upon a second Expedition into the Holy-Land the years Truce being exspired he set out from the Haven of Marseilles with a great Fleet of Ships and coming before Carthage he found in the Port a great number of the Enemies Ships which he seized and after some light Skirmishes with those that kept the shoar Landed his Men and laid close Siege to the City which after many desperate though unsuccessful Sallies of the besieged sarrendered upon Condition to depart Carthage being won the King laid Siege to Tums to relieve which the King of Fez with a great Army of the Moors came down but
of Syria for the present I shall return into the lesser Asia where I find Mesoot and Rei-Cubades the two Tributary Turkish Princes dead without doing a any thing worthy of note of which the latter left a Son named Aladan who likewise paying Tribute held joyntly the Kingdom that were before possessed by his Father and Uncle This Aladine the last of the Selzuccian Family dying without issue one Sahib his chief Councellour and then a man of great Authority aspired unto the Kingdom but being risen from a mean estate he was highly envyed by the Nobility they casting off all respect from him by force divided the Kingdom amongst themselves every one seizing the Province he could best light on so that Sahib who was first in possession lost all no part remaining as his Lot so that they turned it into a perfect Anarchy of which the greatest share fell to Caraman Alusirus who strongest took Iconium with part of Cilicia Lycaonia Pamphilia Caria and Phrygia and of him descended the Caramanian Kings who in the rise of the Othoman Empire put the Turks so often to the Foil The next to him was Saruchan who possessed himself of the greatest part of Lydia and some other Countries adjoyning Troas Phrygia and part of Mysia fell to Calumus and his Son Carasius the remaining part of Mysia and part of Lydia was seized by Aidin part of Pontus the Cities of Heraclea Pontica Castomonia Synope and others near to the Euxine Sea and Country of Paphlagonia fell into the hands of the Sons of Omer or as the Greeks call them Amar of whom the Country took not their names as did the former of these that possessed them but is commonly called Bolli so named of the Metropolis as also was Mendesia or as some will have it Mentetia a Country in the Lesser Asia These and divers others were the divisions of the Turkish Empire in Persia and the Lesser Asia which Anarchy caused their Subjection and utter subversion as in the Succeeding part of this History will at large appear During this confusion amongst the rest of the great Captains there happened one Othoman of the Oguzian Family who had been raised from a low estate by Sultan Aladine yet by reason he was not of the Selzuccian Family they made little account of him not permiting him to share with them in their division though by what justice is uncertain all of them feared his rising fortune and strove what in them lay to hinder but in vain for the Destinies so ordering it he in a short time became the Founder of the Othoman Empire as in the Perusal of his Life and Actions will appear CHAP. VI. The Rise of the Powerfull Empire of the Turks under Othoman its first Founder with his Life and Actions THat Empires and Kingdoms have their Limitation from the Soveraign Creator and Disposer of all things it is undeniably evident by the Sundry Mutations that have been in all Ages of the World for nothing can be assured of long continuance though never so great and powerful How are the great Monarchies of the Persians Medians Babylonians Chaldeans Romans and the like dwindled away into nothing no more then a bare Relation of their Names and Greatness remaining to testifie the mighty actions they performed when at their becks were half three parts of Mankind And indeed no less famous was the Turkish Empire in Persia and the Lesser Asia till broken and dismembred by the violent intrusion of the Tartars a Savage People bursting from the Frozen-North to the Terror and Subversion of the greatest part of Asia and Africa but now under the Turkish Scepter as shall by the subsequent Discourse appear During the time that the Tartars overwhelmed the Turkish Dominions in Asia Solyman of the Oguzian Family Reigning in the lesser Asia and seeing his Country-man the Sultan of Persia driven from all his Possessions thought it not safe for him of far Inferior force to abide the Sorm but flying with such People as would follow him after long wandring the Tempest being near over and he desiring to return home as he was about to pass the Danube was carried away by the Stream and drowned leaving behind him four Sons viz. Sencur Teken Jundogdis and Ertogrul of some called Orthobules who was the Father of Othoman This Ertogrul after the Death of his Father having notice that Aladine the Sultan had again settled himself in the lesser Asia Sent Messengers to him to desire him that he and the rest of his poor followers who were Herdsmen driving Flocks still before them as they travelled might inhabit in some Corner of his Country The Sultan not unmindful of the state of poor Exiles it having so lately been his own Case appointed them a Village called Suguta lying between the Castle Belezuga and Mount Tmolus in the greater Phrygia during whose residence there with his small Train the Sultan had many Conflicts with the Tartars whose Power by this time was in its Wain and being hard put to it in one Battle near the said Village Ertogrul with four hundred of his Herdsmen unexpectedly came to his Assistance and behaved himself so valiantly that the Tartars were put to flight for which the Sultan honoured him with a rich Cloak and began highly to prize his Valour insomuch that he inlarged his Territories making him a petty Lord which Lordship with great Repute he held during the Reign of the Sultan doing many notable Services as taking the Castle of Cara-Chisar from the Christians who by their many Injuries had exasperated the Sultan but after the Sultans Death those that succeeded being Tributaries to the Tartars till such time as the Kingdom was Anachised he lived quietly at home during which time many conceived great hopes of his younger Son Othoman called by some Osman Gazi or Osman the Warlike by reason of the great delight he had in Arms when he was a Child and when grown up to discourse and Argue with the Commanders and Governours of whom he had the general Esteem of an active Youth designed for great Atchievements as it afterward fell out One day Othoman going to visit the Governour of Eski-Chisar lately taken from the Christians by his Father He fell in Love by the way with a beautiful Damosel named Malhatun and sent to request her in Marriage but she seeming something averse excusing her self that she was of too mean a Parentage and not a fitting Match for him that was so nobly descended he as she conceived designing rather to Debauch her then make her his Wife but this modest repulse making him more and more desire her he in other Discourses declared his Affections to the aforesaid Governour who seeming little to take notice thereof begun to be inflamed with the Love of the Damosel unseen by the lively Description Othoman had given of her rare Perfection which Othoman well perceiving and fearful that he should inforce her to his Lust having great Power in that Country he
of them slain and the rest taken Prisoners Things being at this pass and by this means peace Recovered to the Empire intestine broyles began anew to be fomented by the factious Greeks for the young Emperor being dead they stirred up young Adronicus his Son to depose his Grand-father the old Emperor which after several Stratagems and devices he effected taking the City of Constantinople by treason and casting him in Prison where of grief he soon after died These Civil dissensions of the Greeks amongst themselves gave Othoman the opportunity to sound his Empire in Phrygia and Bythima where being successful in all his Attempts he mightily increased his Dominions having by this time subdued 20 Cities with all their Territories and amongst the rest Prusia which after along Siege worn out with Famine Anno 1327 yielded upon several Articles few of which were afterward observed by the Turk which being the greatest City in those parts of Asia became for many years after the seat of the Turkish Kings But as all men must yield to death so in the 28 year of his Reign and the 69 year of his Age Othoman the Founder of the Turkish Empire still called from him the Othoman Empire died and was buried in Prusia where to this day his Tomb is to be seen and in his new acquired Kingdom Orchanes his Second Son succeeded him his eldest dying during his Regency CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia THE Funeral rights of this great Conqueror being performed by his Sons viz. Orchanes alias Vrchan his Second Son and Aladin his third and youngest Son and he having left great store of wealth Orchanes his Successor took upon him the rule of the Kingdom allotting to his Brother Aladin at his request the Lordship of Fodore in the Teckences Country where he lived a private Life without doing any thing worthy of memory but Orchanes now settled in his Kingdom following his fathers footsteps whose Armies of late he had altogether commanded as his General he forgat not to proceed where he had left off and therefore prepare to War upon the Christians but at first with no great Success for the Christians upon the death of Othoman drawing their forces together out of all parts recovered the City of Nice with divers Castles and Towns and amongst the rest the Castle Tzuprichiser which greatly hindered the Turks excursions who dwelt in Bithynia whereupon Orchanes upon notice that it was slenderly Guarded went with several of his followers in the attire of Merchants and by that means deceiving the warders got admittance but were no sooner entered e're they proved fatal ones for drawing their Swords they put all such as they found therein to death and seized the Castle and having Garrisoned it passed on to the City of Nice to which they lay'd siege when to rescue it the young Emperor Andronicus came with such power as he could raise but being for the most part unexperienced Soldiers the Turks from the Mountains as they were passing through the hot Country setting upon them a cruel battel begun but night coming on they parted by consent yet in this fight the Emperor lost near half his People and was himself wounded with an Arrow so that despairing of effecting what he came for leaving his Tents and great store of Furniture therein every man shifted for himself in the dead of Night so that next Morning what they left became a prey to the Infidels who hightened by this Success took in several Sea Towns and within a while recovered the City of Nice by Stratagem As thus the Emperor in his flight thither from his Camp had promised to send them 1000 Horse-men of which Orchanes having notice disguised 800 of his men in Grecian habit and sent them with full instructions who being come within sight of the City he sent out 300 other in Turkish habit as foragers whom the other espying as if they had been ignorant of the Matter turned upon them and after a feigned skirmish put them to flight then taking their way to the City the Citizens who from their walls had beheld what had passed joyfully opened their Gates supposing them to be the Emperors promised Aid but they no sooner entered but the other 300 Horse and several Companies of Foot who lay in Ambush were at their Heels by which means that great City was a second time taken by the Turks whose Riches became a prey to the Soldiers and whose Inhabitants became of free Persons miserable Captives The Fate of this great City followed many others in the same Tract the Turks wasting all before them as they went miserably burning up what they could not carry away so that the Countries before them were dispeopled all the Inhabitants flying from them as a ten-fold Contagion So that no considerable Forces being sent from the Emperor the Cities fell into his Hands in great abundance and above all being desirous to possess the two fair Castles of Abydos and Sestus he sent Accecozza one of his great Captains to win them if possible who by the way having Intelligence that the Captains Son of the Castle of Seamandra being dead his Funeral was such a day to be Solemnized without the Walls whereupon laying an Ambushment they upon the Mourners approach suddenly issued from their Coverts and slew several of them taking the remainder Prisoners and amongst them the Captain whom they carried to the Castle telling those that kept the Walls that if they did not deliver it he should be put to a Cruel Death before their Eyes at which nothing dismayed they returned Answer that they might Kill him Boyl him and Eat him if they pleased but as for the Castle they would not deliver it whereupon he finding it a work of great Difficulty to take by force departed to Sestus which he with little Difficulty took and had his Prisoners Ransomed for a great Mass of Mony and amongst the rest the Captain of Scamandra and now Abydos standing in Europe on the other side the Hellâ—â—â—â— was the only place Aimed at when as Fate would have the Night before the Turks came before it the Captain of the Castles Daughter dreamt that she falling 〈◊〉 miry made her Clean the which as soon as 〈◊〉 the viewed Abdurachman one of the Turkish Captains the fancied him to be the same Person she had 〈…〉 Vision and so strongly her fancy wrong 〈…〉 he lead up his Forces against the Wall 〈…〉 Power from whence she beheld what was 〈…〉 a Letter tyed to a stone at his Feeâ—◠〈…〉 presed her Passion Protesting that 〈…〉 of her Love she would on such a 〈…〉 Castle into his Hands This Letter 〈…〉 Acâ—ecozza he much doubted the 〈…〉 searing it was a design to draw them 〈…〉 upon Abdurachman's Request that he might 〈…〉 the Enterprize he Consented it being agreed that to give the besieged the less Suspicion the Army should give a general assault and then draw
off the which being done the Garrison buried in Sleep and Wine for joy of the Turks departure neglecting their Watches the Captain being Conducted by his Mistress a private way entered with about fifty Followers and putting the Warders to the Sword opened the Gates and let in the Army who the next Morning took the Garrison The Turks departed with their Prisoners and such Booty as they found The Tratyress being given to Abdurachman as a reward of his Adventurous undertaking not long after Accecozza dying Orchanes made his Sons Amurath and Solyman Lords of the Provinces he had taken from the Christians who lay'd Siege to the City of Niâ—â—media which despairing of succour surrender'd upon Condition that so many as would depart might and those that would stay there might without any hurt Either Body or Goods of which City Solyman was made Governour and thereupon he removed his Court from Prusa to Nice that he might be near his new Conquests at all times to give such necessary Orders as were Convenient and so prospered that he soon after got Possession of Taraxa Govinucia and Mndurne and raising a puissant Army he invaded the Country of Carasiana the Brothers of the deceased King being at odds about the Succession and soon over-run it forcing one of the Brothers to fly into Pergamum and the other as his Vassal to hold the Kingdom in Fee of him at the same time made his younger Son Amurath Lord of Prusa The Turkish Kingdom being thus settled in Asia Archanes consulted with his Son Solyman about getting footing in Europe which he promised to effect and upon his return to his Government sent over Ezes-Bey his chief Captain and some others to discover the Country who taking a Greek Prisoner returned and presented him to Solyman who having given him Mony and Rayment inquired of the Nature of the Country who informed them at large Whereupon repassing with a small Force they seized upon the Castle of Zembenick without doing any harm to the Garrison which was indeed but small most of them being gone out to fetch in their Harvest The News of the Turks landing in Europe soon flew to Constantinople but such was their Cowardise and Sloath together with intestine Divisions that no Care was taken to expulse them So that they daily increasing their Power by such as were sent over in Boats seized also upon the Castle of Maditas and afterward spoiled the Country of Chersonesus as far as Callipolis which City they took after having overthrown the Governour in a pitched Battle yet so infatuated were the greater part of the Greeks that they made a jest of the proceedings of the Turks who were by this time advanced 200 from the Castle of Zembenick where they first Landed Whereupon Solyman sent to his Father to acquaint him with what had passed as likewise to desire him to send him fresh supplies of Men not only to secure what he had won but to prosecute his successful beginning upon the receipe of which news Orchanes greatly rejoyced and immediately Commanded 1000 Sarazens and Turks to pass the Hellespont in Boats prepared for that purpose upon whose Arrival Solyman intercepted the Goveronour of Conger Castle who had greatly annoyed the Turks and striking off his Head before the Castle-Gate so terrified those that were within that they soon surrendred the Place from whence the Turks frequently sallying fetched in great Booties venturing even to the Walls of Didymotichum And thus in the space of one year the Turks got strong footing in Europe possessing themselves of divers Castles and Towns with the Countries about them which Solyman as a reward of their Service gave to his Captains and Soldiers as appeareth by the Monuments of Ezes-Beg and Fazel-Beg the first Two Turkish Captains that set Footing in Europe but for a while a stop was put to the Turks Progress occasioned by the Death of Solyman who hawking in the Fields of Bolyre and following too furious in taking a Ditch his Horse threw him where he received such a mortal bruise that he within a few days after died which News coming to his Father Orchanes he for grief fell sick and within two Months gave up the Ghost Anno 1359. and of his Age 80 years having Reigned 31 years This Orchanes was both warlike and Politick Courteous he was to his Friends and stern to his Enemies much devoted to the Mahometan superstition and a great Enemy to the Christians CHAP. VIII The Life and Actions of Amurath the first of that Name and third King of the Turks OChanes and Solyman his eldest Son being dead Amurath succeeded in the Kingdom as the younger Son to the deceased King who at his first Entrance upon his Government had great Contests with the Turkish Princes of the lesser Asia who Envying his aspiring as supposing in the Currant of his Victories he might as well overthrow them as the Christians but having Vanquished their Forces and brought them Terms of Agreement he turned his Arms upon Europe with a great host passing the Hellespont he seized upon the Castle of Benutum when passing on the Greeks now roused out of their security opposed him with such Forces as they could draw together but were soon overthrown After which he won the Town of Trurulus taking likewise all the Castles and small Towns adjoyning as Mesine Burgos Hebrus and soon after Didimotichum and staying there sent one of his Captains named Lala-Schakin to besiege Hadrianople now called Adrianople with whom the Christians fought a great and mortal Battle but such was their ill steered Fate that Victory declared for the Infidels So that that great City being out of all hopes of Relief opened her Gates to the Enemy Anno 1362. The City of Hadrianople being taken or as their own Histories relate taken by Treachery in time of Peace Amuratis made it the chief Seat of the Turkish Kings in Europe as a place from whence he might best annoy Christendom and then sending for his Captains he Commanded to invade the Countries of Philipopolis Zogora and Ipsala the which in a snort time they brought under Subjection The Turkish Kingdom in a small time being spread wide Cura Rustemes the Doctor of the Mahometan Law and Zinderlu Chelil the Chief Justice devised the Order or Constitution of the Janizaries which have ever since been available to Turks in all their Wars after this manner that seeing there were great multitudes of Christian Captives frequently taken the Youths above fifteen years of Age should every fifth be the Kings and if there wanted of five then he who had them shoud pay twenty five Aspers a Head and that those which appertained to the Kind should for three of four years be put to hard Labour the better to inure 'um to Hardship and then being brought to Court to serve in the Wars as the Kings Life-Guard being alway near his Person Which advice was so well approved of that it has continued acceptable to the Othoman Kings and
Emperors ever since Amurath having settled his Conquests in Europe leaving a sufficient Power with his great Captains The Winter coming on the passed over into Asia but early in the Spring upon view tha the Christians were in Arms he returned and by the way took the Town of Boge putting the chief Inhabitants to the Sword and carrying away the rest Captives but held it not long e'r it was recovered and rased by the Christians who served the Turks in like manner In the mean time the Christian Army in Servia and Bulgaria consisting of 50000 Horse and Foot advanced in Order to their besieging Adrianople which obliged him for his better security to haste over the Hellespont giving Order for a great number of Asians to follow him but by reason of the Christians discord amongst themselves and refusing to joyn their Forces they were set upon at advantage and overthrown with the loss of half the Army e'r the Forces arrived from Asia The News of which fatal overthrow spreading wide Anairath's Fame spread wider Insomuch that German-Ogly Reigning in the lesser Asia and being chief of the Zelzuccian Family sent his Ambassadors to intreat a Marriage between his Daughter Hatun and young Bajazet in lieu of which he promised a great part of his Territory and that his Son-in-Law at his Death should succeed him in his Kingdom by that means joyning both Families into one the which in short time was accorded at the Celebration of which Nuptials the Ambassadors of almost all the Princes of the East were present who in the Names of their Lords presented the Bridegroom and Bride with exceeding rich Gifts but Amurath to outdo them all caused Euronoses to bring out of Europe 100 beautiful Boys with as many Virgins all Christian Captives clad in rich Garments imbroidered with Gold and Pearl each of them holding a Cup of Gold in the one hand and a Cup of Silver in the other filled with Jewels Pearls Amber and the like which he caused in requital of their Kindness given to the Ambassador to be At this Marriage Chusun-Beg Prince of Amisum in Galatia sold by his Ambassador his Territories of Amisum to Amurath as doubting to keep them the Turks Power being now so near him The Nuptials Celebrated Amurath making his Son Bajazer Governour of his Countries in Anatolia gathered what Forces he could for the Invasion of Servia taking by the way the strong City of Pherae and entering Servia the Despot no ways able to oppose him he took Nissa the Metropolis of that Province and soon after Apolonia with many other places of strength so in fourteen days over-run nigh all the Provinces but receiving News out of Asia that Aladine King of Caramania who a little before had Married his Daughter wasted his Countries in Asia with Fire and Sword which so inraged Amurath that making Peace with the Despot of Servia he passed over with an Army of 70000 Horse and Foot to whom in number Aladine was not inferior as having Confederated hmself with all the Petty Princes of Asia when after several overtures of Peace proposed and none accepted both Armies joyned on the great Plains of Carramania where after a dreadful Battle Aladin's Army was overthrown he was forced to fly into Iconium his chief City and was there straightly besieged but at the humble Supplication of his Queen who would have no denyal at her Fathers hands he upon his Submission was restored again to his Dignity and Kingdom as likewise were all the Princes his Confederates upon Condition of acknowledging him their supream Lord. Whilst these things passed the Despot of Servia grieving that he had made such a dishonourable League with the Turks and being told by his General sent with Forces to assist Amurath against the Caramanian King how despightfully he had used him and his Soldiers therewithal stirring him up to break the League and cast off the servile Yoak he sent secretly to the King of Bozan to request him to joyn with him against the Turkish Tyrant who willingly accorded and at an interview between the said King and the Despot all things were agreed upon Notice of which Amurath was not a little perplexed but yet resolving to take revenge he gathered great Forces to invade both Princes the which whilst he was doing the Captain of Alexandria took a Castle in the Confines of Bosan came privately to his Tent and offered to deliver to him most part of the Country if he would follow his directions strengthening his Promise with many specious Arguments insomuch that the Greedy Turk giving Credit to what he had said sent twenty thousand Men under the leading of his great Captain and Tutor Lala-Schalin who plundering part of the Country and at last by the said Captains device who had by Amurath been highly honoured especially with a rich Cloak which signifies the Person so invested to be highly in the Favour of the Turkish King but having drawn them within the Danger of the Ambush he sent to the King of Bosan who coming upon them with 30000 Greeks as they were stragling cut of 50000 of them the other 5000 with Schakin hardly escaping to tell the News With this overthrow of his Men Amurath was greatly inraged and gathering all his Power marched into Servia which before he had Relinquished upon the Despots becoming his Tributary where he found the Christians with a formidable Army ready to receive him when after some Towns and Castles taken on either side both Armies met upon the great Plains of Cossovia where when the Captains on either side had put their Men in Order exhorting them to do their best for obtaining the Victory they joyned with such Fury that the Earth trembled under their Feet and such was the horrid noise of Clashing Arms shouts of the Conquerors Cries of the Vanquished and Weeing of Horses that wild Beasts in the Mountains trembled and those that beheld the Fight supposed that showers of Arrows descended from the Clouds At first the Turks gave back being assailed by the Christians in great number and the Right Wing routed but Bajazet coming in with a fresh Power renewed the Battle which having continued eight hours with great slaughter Insomuch that all the Plains were covered with the Bodies of the slain most of the Christian Captains killed Valiantly fighting and amongst the rest Lazerus the Despot the Victory fell to the Turks those that fell in the Battle not being accounted less then 50000. After the Battle was over Amurath greatly Rejoycing in his huge Conquest in a Vain-glorious Humour would needs take a view of the heaps of the dead Carcasses which made the Plain Mountainous when as a half dead Soldier named Cobelits faint with loss of Blood and Wounds rising as it were from the Grave came towards him staggering and falling three or four times in twenty paces when those that were about him would have hindered his approach but Amurath Destiny so ordering Commanded he should have access supposing he
would have Petitioned for his Life when on the contrary without a Word speaking Cobelits drawing forth a Dagger stabbed him into the Belly for which he was presently hewn in pieces nor did Amurath long survive him but within three days after dyed of his Wound and was buryed in Prusia Anno 1390. of his Age 68 years and of his Reign 31 years To whom succeeded Bajazet his eldest Son who was no sooner Crowned but he caused his Brother Jacup to be strangled in his Presence with a Bow-string which wicked Precedent has ever since been put in Practice by the Othoman Kings and Emperors CHAP. X. The Life of Bajazet the first of that Name and Fourth King of the Turks his Wars and Captivity BAjazet a man of a Proud and haughty temper having taken upon him the Regency of his Father's Kingdoms fell heavily upon Servia not so much as vouchsafing to hear the Embassadors sent on their behalf which made the Princes of the West begin to consider their own estate and especially Vincelaus the German Emperor and Sigismond King of Hungary and not contented with the spiols of Servia he made several inroads into Bosan spoiling the Country and carrying away great booties when in the mean while the King of Caramania hearing of his Fathers death began anew to waste his Countries in Asia which caused Bajazet to send a great power who overthrew him and recovered all that was lost taking from him likewise his own Country which obliged him in humble wise to beg their restauration which Bajazet upon condition that he should from that time forward become his vassal restored About this time Philadelphia the only City the Christians had in Asia was besieged by Bajazets Power and after a straight Siege and no hopes of any succours delivered by the Citizens as a ransom for their Lives and Persons Having subdued Servia and the greatest part of Bosan he invaded Thessalia wasting it as he passed with fire and Sword even to the Walls of Thessalonica taking Neopolis in Greece and Joannia in Aetolia and afterward returning into Asia he there spent the Winter but Spring being come with all his Power he repassed the Hellespont and lay'd close Siege to Constantinople the seat of the Greek Emperor Emanuel Paleologus then Reigning who after he had been brought to great extremity went to the German Emperors Court to crave aid who together with many other Christian Princes sent an Army of 250000 under the leading of young Sigismond King of Hungary to oppose whom Bajazet raised his Siege and found them besieging Neocopolis from whence they drew into the great Plain and joyned Battle but by reason of the confusion that was in the Christian Army their Van being overcharged the Rear fled without striking a stroak so that the Turks getting the Victory with a far less number pursued so hard upon the Christians that the greater part of the Army was slain taken prisoners and drowned in passing the River Danubius After this great and unexpected Victory over the Christians occasioned by the emulation that arose amongst their great Commanders Bajazet returned to the Siege of Constantinople now out of all hope to be relieved where whilst he lay casting his eyes upon Despina the slain Despot of Servia's fair Daughter offered by her Mother his former Wife being dead he Married her and for her sake restored to her Brother Stephen all his fathers Principalities Aladin the Carramanian King being dead and his Son of the same name Reigning in his stead desirous to revenge the wrong Bajazet had done his Fathers Subjects coming to Aucyra surprised Temurtasses Bajazet's great Lievtenant but upon the approach of Bajazet with his Army he richly arraying begged his pardon and set him at liberty sending Embassadors to excuse them but Bajazet would not suffer them to come into his sight whereupon the young King gathering all the Power of his Country fought with him a great Battle but being far too weak for such an Enemy was overthrown he taken Prisoner by the Command of Bajazet delivered to Temurtases his Capital Enemy who for the disgrace he had put upon him caused him to be strangled which rash deed much grieved Bajazet the young Prince being his Sisters Son yet he seized upon the greatest part of his Kingdom though he had several Sons living and so inraged was he that he expulsed all the Mahometan Princes in Lesser Asia and seized upon their Territories whereupon they fled to Tamerlane the Great who having Married the daughter of the Cham or Emperor of Tartary and now returned from the Conquest of China he took them into his protection and being at the same time Solicited for aid by Emanuel the Greek Emperor he sent to Bajazet his Embassadors with many rich presents requesting him to cease from molesting his Allies but he in a proud manner not only rejected his presents but with many opprobrious words cast foul reproaches on him telling his Embassadors that he desired nothing more then to meet him in the field and with many taunting expressions dismissed them The report of which so throughly netled the Tartar that he resolved with a puissant Army to go against him being hightened thereto by Axalla his great favourite a Genoway by birth and friend to the Greek Emperor whose cause he daily solicited And Tamerlane who was a well-wisher to the Christians in his opinion differing little from them so well approved of all he said and having taken his leave of his Father-in-Law and his Wife with a powerful Army he passed the Mountains Marching through many Countries none daring oppose his passage till at length coming to Bachichich he mustered his Army and found it to consist of 800000 Horse and Foot of divers Nations to whom he gave general pay not having suffered the least wrong to be done in any Country through which he had passed Bajazet lying at the Siege of Constantinople and hearing the Tartar approached with a Power that covered the Countries as he passed he raised his Siege and contrary to Tamerlains Expectation but even as he wished came over with such forces as he could raise into Asia where he joyned with his Livetenant whilst the Tartars still came on having by this time passed Euphrates and taken all the Cities in their way that appertained to Bajazet and amongst the rest the great City of Sabastia once the chief Seat of the Turkish Sultan utterly rasing it putting all the Citizens to the Sword or as some Buryed them alive in deep Pits he caused to be digged for that purpose unless the Governour whom he set at Liberty to carry the News to Bajazet who was advancing 500000 Strong who upon the Governours coming into his presence demanded which was the greater Army he having seen both to which after having craved pardon he replyed that the Tartars Army must needs be the greatest by Reason he was Lord of far greater Countries whereupon Bajazet Laughing said out of doubt the sight of the
Tartars hath made this Coward so affraid that he thinketh every Enemy two The Armies being come near to each other upon the great Plains of Sennas he thought not good to joyn Battle presently by Reason the Evening approached yet many light Skirmishes happened between the Parthian Horsemen and the Forerunners of the Turkish Army but the next Morning either Hoast being set in Array after some Pause the charge was Sounded whereupon the Prince of Ciarcan Tamarlin's Kins-man with 40000 Horse charged the Turks in the Front and Piercing their Battle put the Jannizaries into disorder but venturing too far was there Slain whereupon Axalla Leading the Vaunt-Guard composed of Sciths and Parthians bore upon the left Wing of the Turks Army cutting in pieces and Bearing down all that oppos'd him at what time his Footmen coming to joyn with him he Faced the Batalion of the Jnnaizaries who behaved themselves Valiantly for the safety of their Prince who in the middle of them Fought on Foot which Fight continued Bloody and doubtful for the space of an Hour all the place being heaped with the Bodies of the Slain till at last the Tartars being overcharged gave Ground which Tamerlain from his Stand perceiving sent 10000 Horse to Reinforce them and other 10000 to Fight in the Rearward and at the same time sent his Foot-men who fell in with the Turks main Battle that remained yet unshaken with such fury that making them give way he opened them to the Rear of the Jannizaries wherein was yet the Person of Bajazet who sustained the greatest Brunt of the Fight but at last overpowered with number they were forced to give Gronnd at what time Tamerlain coming on with 50000 fresh Horse Bore down all before him till he came to the Jannizaries who always Fight in the Heart of the Army and they weary and not able to make sufficient resistance were trodden down on all sides so that the Battle Swerving the Turks betook themselves to Flight and amongst the rest Bajazet wounded as he was who afterwards fell into the Hands of Axalla together with his Son Musa The Despot of Servia and many others of note This great Victory fell to the Tartars chiefly by the revolt of a great number of Bajazet's men who were raised in the Countries of the Mahometan Princes expulsed who in the Heat of the Battle seeing their natural Lords under Tamerline's Standard went over to ' um This Fight lasted Bloody and doubtful from Seven in the Morning till four in the Evening wherein as many report 200000 on either side were Slain and amongst the rest Mustapha Bajazets Son with most of his great Commanders After this Bajazet being brought before Tamerlain and demanded why he oppressed the Christians and made War upon so Noble a Prince as was the Emperor of Greece to which he replyed Even the same thing that hath moved thee to invade me even the desire of Glory and Soveraignty and why said Tamerlain do you use such Tyranny over those you Conquer without Respect of Sex or Age That I did said he to give the greater Terror to my Enemies Ah what wouldst thou have done with me said Tamerlain if it had been thy Fortune to have had me in thy Power I would said the haughty Turk not Conquered tho overcome have put thee in a Cage of Iron and have carryed thee in Triumph about my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlain shalt thou be served and thereupon commanded him out of his presence and as he had determined shortly after Cooped him up in a Cage of Iron and carryed him into the Countries he Conquered whose Calamity may well serve as a memento to all aspiring Mortals by putting them in mind that the Worldly Glory is not perminent After this the Greek Emperor sent his Ambassedor to Tamerlain in his Name to deliver up his City and Empire but he refused saying he had Dominions sufficient of his own and after having seen the City and wondered at its fair Structures and Riches he taking leave of the Emperor he passed with his Army into Egypt to be revenged on the Sultan for assistng Bajazet against him with 30000 Mamalukes having first subdued all or the greatest part of all the Turks Dominions in Asia and intirely restored Europe to its rightful possessors and meeting with the Sultan he overthrew his Army consisting of 174000 Horse and Foot and so wining Damasco Jerusalem Damiata Cairo and most of the Cities in Egypt Syria Lybia and other Eastern Countries making all the Kings as he passed become his Tributaries he left Calibes a great Captain with the greatest part of his Army to pursue the Egyptian Sultan and secure what he had won having news that his Father in Law was sick and that his Wife was desirous of his Company he returned into his Country but ' ere his departure Bajazet as desperate and impatient of his Misfortune had beaten his Brains out against the Bars of his Cage as the mos Authentick Authors affirm tho the Turks say he was set at Liberty by Tamerlain who beforehand had caused to take Poyson of which within three Days he dyed tho their saying is very unlikely to be true but however he was Buryed in Prusa by his beloved Wife Despina Anno 1399. having Reigned seven years and kept under restraint two years CHAP. X. The Life of Mahomet the first King of the Turks and the restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars THough Historians somewhat vary about the Successor of Bajazet yet the most Credible do affirm that his Son Mahomet several of his other Brothers being slain and carried away Captive succeeded him and that the rest might be mistaken in the Name This Mahomet when his Father was taken Prisoner was but fifteen years of Age having been by him appointed his Successor for the great Hope he saw in him for the recovery of the broken and much shattered Kingdom When Mahomet entered upon Kingly Authority the Tartars possessed a great part of the before Turkish Dominion but the Remains of the scattered Army and other Aids resorting to his Standard after the departure of Tamerlain he recovered many Cities some by Force and others by Revolt from the Tartars and not long after in a great and bloody Battle overthrowing Inal Ogly Tamerlain's Lieutenant he advanced more boldly and charged Costor Ogly and Kinpeck Ogly two more of Tamerlain's great Captains whom he likewise overthrew and following his good Fortune passed into the lesser Asia of which Tamerlain having Notice sent for him with a Promise to give him one of his Daughters in Marriage to whom he intended to go but by the way being often forced to fight through the Ambushment of the Tartars he fearing it was a Design to take him Prisoner returned to his Government excusing himself to Tamerlain's Ambassador and sending one of his own Ambassadors to give the reason of his not coming upon Notice of which and that the Turks still prevailed Tamerlaine prepared for
a second Expedition having recruited his huge Army for that purpose But what Man willeth God disposeth whilst he was intent upon the matter falling sick of a Feaver or Ague after three sits he dyed Death Conquering him who in a short space Conquered fifty intire Kingdoms This mighty Tartar being Dead his great Kingdom divided amongst his Sons by their jarring and discontent of the Nobility was soon after rent into pieces most of it falling into the hands of the Turks who at this day possess it And now Mahomet winning all the Dominions his Father held in the greater Asia from the Tartars resolved to recover the rest which his three Brothers Isa Solyman and Mnsa had seized on in Europe and the lesser Asia whereupon assembling all his Forces he marched to Lâ—pacllum near to which Isa being incamped he sent to offer him Caramania and several other Kingdoms in the lesser Asia though indeed they were not his to give being possessed by their rightful Princes whom Tamerlain had re-possessed them off which offer refused from a younger Brother whereupon a bloody Battle insued in which Isa was overthrown and for the preservation of his Life forced to fly to Emanuel the Greek Emperor In this Battle were blain the two famous Basas Eine and Tenurtases of which overthrow Mahomet sent to certifie his Brother Solâ—â—â—â—n then in Constantinople after which he marched with his Army to Prrsa and received under his Protection all the Countries adjoyning and now growing strong he â—eselved to brook no Rival in his Fathers Kingdoms when on the other hand Solyman his Elder Brother hearing what he had done and knowing him to be of an aspiring Temper thought it not Convenient to suffer him longer so Triumphantly to proceed whereupon by the advice of his Grave Counsellors he sent for his Brother Isa then at Constantinople and making him general of his Army gave him Orders to pass over into Asia and curb the Pride of his aspiring Brother Isa glad of this opportunity to revenge his own Injuries sustained in loosing his Dominions obeying his Brother Solyman's Commands entered Mahomet's Dominions and there with Fire and Sword began his Progress which Mahomet understanding came against him and having overthrown his Forces put him to a second flight into Carramania where in obscurity of the Wounds he received in Battle and grief for his foul defeat he dyed Solyman hearing of the defeat prepared a great Army to invade Asia which made Mahomet retire into the Country of Amasa as doubting the affections of his People by reason the Kingdoms of Bajazet of Right appertained to Solyman as Flder This retireing gave Solyman opportunity to advance to the Walls of Prusâ—s which City he besieged and had it presently yielded except the Castle which upon the Interceptions of Mahomet's Letters was likewise surrendered but upon the approach of Mahomet with a great Power doubtful to keep what he had got he with all his People retired to the Straights of Neapolis where he defended himself right valiantly against the assaults of his Brother who by reason of the Intemperance of the Weather and a Letter framed by Alis-Bassa that there was a Conspiracy amongst his Captains to deliver him up to Solyman he retired Whilst these things were acting Musa being set at Liberty by the Tartars came to Mahomet's Camp was of him joyfully received when after some Discourse it was greed that Musa with an Army should pass over the Euxin Sea into Europe and whilst Solyman was busie in Asia seize upon his Country which Expedition he undertaking and making Isfender Prince of Castomonia his Friend and afterward the Prince of Valachia by marrying his Daughter he soon prevailed with the Governours of the chief Cities to Revolt from Solyman when entering Hadrianople he caused himself to be invested with Royal Robes and as King of the Country sent forth his Decrees which Solyman hearing of as he lay at Ancira in Asia passed the Straights of Bosphorus with all the Forces he could raise upon whose Departure Mahomet recovered what ever he had won in Asia Solyman being come into Europe Musa prepared to oppose him and both Armies coming in sight of each other Musa so dealt with Solyman's Captains that they revolted which he perceiving fled accompanied only with Caratze-Beg Cara Muchil and one Country Turk whom they took with them as their Guide whose persidiousness brought them to Destruction for pretending to lead them through the by-ways all Night he misnaming places brought them in the Morning near to Musa's Camp when giving Notice to the Rusticks they set upon them and having killed the two Captains took Solyman and delivered him to Musa who immediately caused him to be strangled whose Body by his Command was carried to Prusa and there buryed by his Ancestors Solyman being Dead Musa took upon him the Goernment of the Turkish Kingdom in Europe as had been agreed between him and his Brother Mahomet but e'r he was settled he began to Tyrannize beyond measure over his Subjects which caused many of his great Captains to leave him and amongst the rest Eurenosie feigning himself Blind found means to depart to Constantinople from whence he wrote to Mahomet then in Asia giving him an Account of his Brothers proceedings and soliciting him to pass over with his Army whose Council Mahomet taking making first a League with Emanuel the Greek Emperor he entered Europe with his Army But by the over eager pursuit of his Army after the Vaunt Couriers of Musa's Army his Orders being broken he was put to flight and forced to repass the Seas into Asia leaving behind him a great part of his Army who were spoiled by the Enemy Mahomet thus foiled and desirous of Revenge resolved once more to try his Fortune and thereupon drawing to his Assistance Dulgader Ogly who sent his Son with great Forces to serve him in his War he repassed the Euxin and by the Council of Eurenosis having procured the revolt of Jegides-Bassa Barack-Beg and Sinon-Beg 3 of Musa's great Captains who came over to him with 3000 valiant Turks he resolved to give his Brother battle the which being joyned Musa by the revolt of other Commanders during the heat of fight was overthrown taken and by the Command of Mahomet strangled receiving therein the same measure he had dealt to his Brother Solyman After this overthrow of Musa Mahomet proceeded to take possession of his Kingdom the which whilst he was doing news came that the Carramanian King spoiled his Countries in Asia and had burnt his great City of prusa which being a frontier City was still exposed to the miseries of War whereupon Mahomet setling his Affairs in Europe as necessity would permit passed into Asia and falling like a tempest upon the Country of Carramama took Aspropolis Despoâ—opolis and Hierapolis laying hard Siege to Iconium which caused the Carramanian to send his Embâ—â—â—dors to treat a Peace the which by reason of the great â—oods of Rain that
King of Poland upon the breaking off of the Match between their Queen and the King of Poland Amurath resolved upon the Conquest of that Kingdom invaded Hungary laying close Siege to Belgrade often in vain assaulting it and now the Queen of Hungary being Dead leaving Ladislans a Child in the Cradle to succeed her who not able to take any Measures about opposing the Turk and the Kingdom in likely hood to be overrun the Nobility concluded to Elect Vldislaus King of Poland a man of great Fame and no less courage their King which done Ambassadors were sent to Amurath still lying at the Siege of Belgrade but they were nothing more able to prevail as to his raising the Siege nor procuring a peace till such time as in divers assaults half his Army were lost overwhelmed with Wild-Fire and strangled in the mines nor then tho he raised the Siege would his haughty mind condescend to a Peace in his return hegreatly troubled the Countries of Servia and Bosan causing the Princes in lien of saving them from the Spoil to pay a yearly tribute of 25000 Ducats Vldislaus being setled in his new Kingdom and having frequently intelligence of the incursions of the Turks into Transylvania the better to resist them on that side Created John Hunides Vayvod or his Vicegerent in that Country who putting all things in order gathered such an Army as he might and upon news that Isa the great Bassa and one of Amuraths most Renowned Captains was returned with a great power and spoiled the Country he went against him incouraging his Soldiers to Fight Couragiously for their Lives Country Wives and Children and then setting upon the proud Bassa after a hard foughten Battle put him to Flight with the loss of 20000 of his men This Victory nothing daunted Amurath but pushed him forward more eagerly to revenge the disgrace whereupon early in the Spring he sent Melites Bassa his Viceroy in Asia with a great Army who spoiling the Country took a great Booty and many Prisoners but in his return being pursued by Huniades he overthrew him Slew the Bassa his Son By that means recovering all the Prisoners and Riches together with the Turkish Camp and many Turkish Prisoners of note which caused the Hungarians and Transilvanians greatly to rejoyce part of the Spoiles with the Head of the Bassa and his Son he sent to King Vldislaus the other part he converted to religious uses and what remained freely bestowed it amongst his Soldiers not reserving any part to himself Upon Bruit of this Victory and the Fame of the Valiant Huniades Moldavia and Valachia before Tributary to the Turks revolted which so inraged Amurath that he sent yet another great Army to reduce them to their former obedience which with great pride under the leading of Schech Abedin Bassa consisting of 80000 Fighting men amongst which were a great number of Janizaries came on wasting the Country with Fire and Sword as they passed to oppose which the great Huniades marched with 15000 Hungarians and Transilvanians and finding them still Plundering near Vascape bid them Battle where after both Armies were put in order and both Generals by moving-Oration had incited their Souldiers to Fight to the utmost Extremity a dreadful Fight began where after six Hours dealing Death on every side the Turkish Army broken and disordered by the Christians were put to Flight with the loss of 30000 Horse and Foot And their rich Camp which became an acceptable Prey to the Souldiers The many Victories gained by Humiades over the Turks made Amurath more inclinable to peace then before yet in his pride he demanded in consideration thereof the delivery of Bellgrade and many other places in Servia upon which King Vldislaus called an Assembly of the Estates of his Kingdom where after many had given their opinions it was resolved that the Pious War should be carryed on with all Vigor Imgainable and that the Christians following their good Fortune should invade the Turkish Countries whereupon a great Army was raised and passing the Danubius lead by the King and Humiades they wasted all the Kingdom of Bulgaria and having intelligence that the Turks were with a great Army coming down against them Humiades drawing out 10000 of the most expert Horsemen having notice where they lay incamped in the Night Broke in amongst them and put 'um almost all the Sword returning the next Day with great Spoil where the King lay incamped where he was received with great Joy This easie Victory wherein there fell 30000 Turks and not past 300 of the Christians so lightned the Souldiers that they desired nothing more then to be lead forward but coming to the great Mountain Hemus and finding all the passages stopped and being greatly afflicted with Hungar and Cold their Courages began to abate and they to conceive a desire of returning home the which whilst they were about to do the Turks under the leading of Caramby Bassa Amuraths Brother in Law came down from the Mountains and fell furiously upon the Rear of the Army commanded by Humiades and the Despot of Servia the King with the Van being a Days march before but after a sharp Incounter were overthrown and the Great Bassaw taken by a common Souldier who being demanded of Humiades what he would have for his Prisoner he asked only 10 Ducats yet Humiades ordered him 400 and the same Night sold him again to the Despot for 40000 Ducats In this Battle but as some say in that Fought near Moravia the famous Scanderbeg found means to fly the Turkish Servitude and leading Amurath's Secretary with him commanded him in the Name of Amurath to Write to the Governour of Croia to deliver him the City that being the Metropolis of Epirus the which when he had done he slew him and as many Turks as were with him to prevent its coming to the knowledge of Amurath before he had accomplished his design And thereupon with several of his trusty Friends Posting away had the City as he wished for put into his possession whither he sent for Prince Amaza his Kinsman and many other of his acquaintance informing them what he intended viz. that he resolved to recover his Rightful inheritance and deliver his Subjects from the Tyranny of the Turks which made them not a little rejoyce and greatly incourage him to proceed in so honourable an undertaking Things being at this pass and the design known great was the resort of the Epirots to their Lawful Prince who for the delivery of his Country from Servitude had set up his Standard Such Cities as conveniently could daily revolting to him as Petrella Petra Alba and Stelusa other he reduced by force and having possession of the greatest part of Epirus he raised what forces he could and the more to provoke the Turk passed into Macedonia spoiling the Country before him and putting the Turks to the Sword Amurath hearing this unexpected news sent 40000 select Souldiers under the leading of Alis
where finding Amurath incamped with a huge Army he bid him Battel which as the former with great Slaughter continued for the space of 3 Days but with better Success for in the end Victory declared for the Christians all the Plains being covered with the Body of the Slain most of the Turkish Commanders either Perished in the Fight or fell into the Hands of Huniades who having recovered many Towns delivered the Prisoners to the Despot and returned with Triumph to Buda And now a quarrel arising between Scanderbeg and the Duke of Venice about one Lech Zachery a Nobleman of Epirus who being shamefully Murthered by Lech Duchagne his Kinsman and having great Territories on the Frontiers of the Kingdom the Duke claimed it as belonging to his Signory seizing upon the City of Dayna part thereof of which trouble Mustapha the Great Bassa who lay in Macedonia with a great Army being advertised by the command of Amurath entered Epirus of which Scanderbeg having notice gathered all his forces and finding him Burning the Country in the upper Dibria where both Armies confronting each other a Turk named Caragusa stepping forth Challenged any in the Christian Camp to Fight him Hand to Hand which bold Challenge being accepted by Manessi one of Scanderbeg's Captains he at the first Incounter slew the Challenger which did not a little dismay the Turks who highly relyed upon the Strength of their Champion for the Battle immediately joyning the Turks were overthrown with great Slaughter and the Bassa taken Prisoner who was afterwards Ransomed by Amurath for 25000 Ducats This overthrow so inraged the Tyrant that raising a mighty Power he came in Person to invade Epirus promising great rewards to those that could bring Scanderbeg's Head of which more then ordinary preparations Scanderbeg having timely notice furnished his Cities with all things necessary providing them with strong Garrisons himself resolving to keep the Field with his Army and by Ambushes and frequent Assaults to weaken and cut off the Enemy which upon the arrival of the Turkish Army he so effectually performed that seldom a Day or Night past that he intrapped not some or other of the Vauntcuriers or broke into their Camp insomuch that they were obliged to be continually in Arms whereupon Amurath designing to win some strong City there to leave a Garrison and so to depart besieged Sfetigrade with all his power continually thundering against it with his great Ordnance But one Prelat a Valiant Captain being Governour right Manfully defended it insomuch that in the frequent Assaults made he lost 20000 of his best men yet being ashamed to raise his Siege ' ere he had won the City sent to offer terms of Peace with great Priviledges and immunities if they surrender'd the place as likewise by secret means indeavoured to corrupt the Captains with great promises but they detesting his offer regarded more their Loyalty to their Prince then his Gold yet at the same time there wanted not one base minded Vallain who for a Sum in Hand and other large offers when he had performed his promise undertook to deliver the City into the Hands of Amurath which by this means he effected This great City standing upon a Rock had in it but one Well which served both the Soldiers and Citizens plentifully with Water into this Well did the Villain by occupation a Smith cast the Carkas of a stinking Dog which the next Morning found by some of the Soldiers and drawn thence the rumour thereof was quickly spread throughout whereupon the Soldiers notwithstanding all the intreaties of the Governour and chief Citizens the Soldiers would not be perswaded to Drink thereof resolving rather to indure the worst Extremity and by this means the City not being tenable the Governor to prevent a mutiny amongst his Soldiers and the danger the City was in to be sacked sent to Amurath to acquaint him that upon condition the Garrison might pass with Bag and Baggage to Scanderbeg and the Citizens live peaceably he would deliver him the City who being glad of this offer freely granted their demand only with this condition that the Citizens should build their Houses without the City These Articles agreed on the City was delivered to Amurath and the Traytor by whose means it was surrendered was rewarded with three rich Suits of Apparel 50000 Aspers and the promise of a yearly Pension of 2000 Ducats but long he had not enjoyed his riches ' ere he received a juster reward of his Treason being as 't is said secretly made away by the command of Amurath who tho he loved the Treason abhorred the Traytor The City being thus gained Amurath having furnished it with a Garrison of his best men departed with the rest of his Army to Hadrianople upon the Rear of which Scanderbeg setting with 8000 Horse and 3000 Foot cut off a great part of his Army And having followed quite out of his Territories returned to Croia and fortified it upon notice that Amurath intended to return with his Army in the Spring in which he was not deceived for the old Turk desirous to subdue the Country of Epirus to obliterate the disgrace he had received by the many overthrows he had there received he sent Sebahyas one of his Bassas before with part of his Army himself following slowly with the rest and upon his arrival sat down before the great City of Croia where having cast 10 Pieces of Cannon he began to batter it the which with great fury he continued to do for the space of 4 Days in two places beating down part of the Wall upon which he commanded the Assault to be given thrusting his men desperately into the Breach giving order that such as Shrunk should be killed by their Fellows and on the other side promising them great reward if they entered the City and Mahomet his Son being then in the Camp and commanding as General promised 100000 Aspers to him that should first advance his Ensign upon the Wall but neither prevailed for Vranacontes the Governour a Valiant man incouraging his Soldiers gave the Turks such a Welcome that they left 8000 of their dead Bodies in the Breach Ditches and Plains adjacent which Amurath perceiving and understanding the invincible courage of the Epirots caused the retreat to be sounded and after many repulses and no hopes of prevailing he fell to his old practice endeavouring to corrupt the Governour and chief Captains with large Gifts and to that end sent a Crafty Bassa with two Servants Loaded with Treasure which the Governour with disdain rejected Vowing that if the like were attempted again that he would cause the Hands Noses and Ears of the Messengers to be cut off and they so returned to their Master During this Siege Scanderbeg was not Idle but still hovered about the Turks Camp frequently Alaruming 'um and breaking into one Quarter or other killing those that Guarded it and taking great Booties insomuch that after several Months Siege and the loss of 30000 men
Amurath through Grief and despair Dyed in his Tent Anno 1450 in the 85 Year of his Age and of his Reign the 28 or as some say the thirtieth leaving Mahomet his Son to succeed him in his troublesome Kingdom charging him to revenge his Death upon Scanderbeg and so having his Corps conveyed to Prusa he was there interred by his Ancestors CHAP. XII The Life of Mahomet the second of that Name seventh King and the first that took upon him the Style of Emperor of the Turks who for his many Victories was surnamed Great A Murath being dead Mahomet the second began his Reign over the Turkish Kingdom Anno 1450. Being of a firey Cruel Nature given to many Debauches not acknowledging any Deity but ascribing all things to Fortune and Chance who e'r he was well settled caused his two Brethren the one an Infant and the other not above twelve years of Age to be put to Death after which he fell to altering the Constitution of the Government by abrogating the Old Laws and Establishing new ones more suitable to his Humour So that he began to be exceedingly hated by his Subjects when to prevent any disorder that might happen by the Soldiers lying Idle he hearing that Ibrahim King of Carramania was entered his Territories in the lesser Asia passed thither upon whose Arrival the King unable to oppose him fled into the Mountains and from thence sent his Ambassadors to treat with him who offered such Submission in the behalf of their Masters as Mahomet was well Content to accept and so returned to his City of Prusa sending Isaac Bassa against Elias Prince of Mentesia or Caria who altogether deprived the said Prince of his Country annexing it to the Turkish Empire for so henceforth I must call it Mahomet being proud of his Petty Conquests without any Colour or Reason only being driven Headlong by Ambition he resolved to make War upon the Greek Emperor and to have the sooner done marched to the Walls of Constantinople with a great Power laying Siege to that Imperial City which had once been Mistress of the World which he reduced to such Extremity that the Citizens for meer Hunger left no filthy thing uneaten and at last Eat one another and perceiving none intended to relieve them they inforced by invincible necessity yielded the fairest City of the World to the Will of the Tyrant having made all the defence that from true Valour could be expected The proud Conqueror entering the City amidst his Cups caused all the Grecian Nobility the chief Citizens and Nobles of other Nations to be slain in his Presence Constantinus Paleologus the Emperor being before slain and Trampled underfoot in the Press as he was indeavouring to escape the Imperial City this taken after a years Siege Pera a City of the Greeks opposite to it surrendred yet were the Citizens used with all manner of Despite And now removing the Imperial Seat from Hadrianople to Constantinople where it has ever since remain'd he repaired the Walls and such Buildings as had been demolished by the Fury of the Cannon Amongst the Captives taken in the City one of his Commanders presented unto him one of the most beautiful Ladies that Nature ever formed named Irene being nobly descended and for Education not to be paralell'd upon this incomparable Beauty Mahomet so doted that he spent whole Days and Nights with her never thinking his time well spent but in her Company So that his warlike Affairs were altogether neglected which caused his Captains to murmur against him though they durst not freely speak their Minds which Mustapha Bassa one that had been bred up with him observing presuming upon the Interest he had in him took upon him boldly to declare his Mind laying before him the glorious Atchievments of his Ancestors and the disgrace and obloquie he incurred by devoting himself to amorous Delights whilst the Affairs of his Empire were neglected At this free Speech of the Bassas Mahomet was wonderfully offended telling him he was worthy of Death for his unseasonable Presumption but notwithstanding he would pardon him for the good Opinion he had of his Fidelity Commanding him the next Morning to assemble all his Captains and chief Councellors the next Morning to attend his Pleasure in his Pallace which being accordingly done he came out of his Chamber leading the fair Greek in most splendid Attire which adding Luster to her rare Perfections made her appear more like an Angel then a Mortal and sternly demanding of them Whether if any of them had such an inestimable Treasure they would not be thrice advised e'r they parted with it To which they all answered that he had with greater reason passed his time with her then any man had to find sault therewith To which the barbarous Tyrant replyed well but now I Will make you to understand how far you have been deceived in me and that there is no earthly thing that can so much blind my Senses or bereave me of my Reason as not to see or understand what beseemeth my high Calling yea I would you should all know that the Honour and Conquest of the Othoman Kings my noble Progenitors is so fixed in my breast with such a Desire in my self to exceed the same as nothing but Death is able to put out of my Remembrance and having so said he presently with one of his Hands catching the fair Greek by the Hair and with the other drawing his Scimiter smote off her Head she vainly Crying out for Mercy and then taking the bloody Head in his Hand turning to his Captains said now by this Judge ye whether your Emperor is able to Bridle his Affections or not and immediately to put this cruel Act out of his Mind gave order for his Army to march to the Invasion of Peloponnesus which he soon brought into Subjection taking most of the principal Cities and putting the Inhabitants to the Sword but upon the Submission of Demetrius the Prince thereof he restored him upon Condition of his becoming Tributary to the Turkish Empire and afterwards being inamoured of his fair Daughter took her to Wife and soon after hearing of the Death of George Despot of Servia he seized upon his Country and so passing on with his Army besieged Belgrade both by Land and Water as having a great Fleet upon the River Danubius on whose Bank that City is seated which Fleet being incountered by several Ships of War sent by Humaides for that purpose were soon destroyed which so inraged the Turk that immediately giving order for the assaulting the City his men were beaten off with the loss of 4000 men and amongst the rest Curaizis Bassa his Lieutenant in Europe who making his approach was slain with a great Shot and so well did the Valiant Humiades defend that City that after many unsuccessful assaults Mahomet was forced to raise his Siege and departed with 40000 less then he brought The great Humiades having thus long stood a Bulwark to
Christendom now worn out with the toyls of War fell sick and although his Disease was grievous yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament he would be carried to the Church saying it was not fit that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord and after his being brought home his Sickness Increasing he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of all the Christian Princes and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia. Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Captain who opposed the Torrent of his Victories greatly rejoyced and now resolving to extend his Dominions as well by Sea as Land Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea reducing several of them to his obedience and Landing his Army straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes but Calixtus the third then Bishop of Rome being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera a City belonging to his See aided by the Genoways sent out a great Fleet under the Conduct of Lodonicius Patriarch of Aquilla fought with the Turks Gally sunk and burnt most of them And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared an other Fleet against the Spring the which whilst he was doing Ambassadors came from Vsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents desiring that he would enter into League with the mighty Prince his Master and remit the Tribute payed him by the King of Trepezond that Kingdom as he said after the Death of the then Reigning King revolving to his Master in right of his Wife Daughter to the said King which Peremptory demand so inraged Mahomet that he not only refused his Presents but dismissed his Ambassador with this Answer That he would himself e'r long be in Asia to teach Vsun Cassanes what to request of one greater then himself and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum incontinently to sail to Sinope the chief City of Paphlagonia and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land which City and Country being under the Persian King he resolved to besiege it on no other Account then to raise a ground of Quarrel which City being but slenderly fortified and not able to indure the Force of the Ordnance it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond which he had in like manner yielded to him who sent the Emperor together with his Empress Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople dispeopling the City and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janizaries by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection and for ever ruining that Christian Empire And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia his Tributary went about to joyn with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies he sought by all means to get him into his Power to effect which he sent Chamuzes Bassa and his Secretary accompanied with several others to invite him to Court but the Prince understanding the Design upon his Life hanged the Bassa and Secretary and impailed the rest alive and then invaded his Country with Fire and Sword which so inraged Mahomet that he in Person with a great Army invaded Valachia ruining all with Fire and Sword till at length driving the Prince out of his Country he gave it to his younger Brother who in lieu thereof became his Tributary and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum as he had before purposed and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City from whence the Island take its name after twenty seven years Battery with the great Ordnance and then for non-payment of Tribute invaded the Kingdom of Bassan which subdued he by that means incompassed Epirus he having all this while according to his Directions of the Father by one or other of his Bassas maintained War against Scanderbeg but with such bad success that he thought more then Convenient to make Peace with him but such were his Proposals that Scanderbeg with scorn rejected 'um whereupon Mahomet sent Amasa Bassa with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus but Scanderbeg incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight and took him Prisoner and worse faired Debreus Bassa who soon after was sent with 14000 Horsemen for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces his Army was overthrown and himself slain Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbeg he dealt underhand by giving great Rewards to his Captains thinking if he could cause them to revolt Scanderbeg would easily be subdued and so effectually he wroght with Moses his chief Captain and a great Soldier that in hopes of the Kingdom of Epirus promised by Mahomet when Scanderbeg should be subdued and a great mass of Money he found means to escape to Constantinople and after him Amasa another of Scanderbeg's Captains who were sent by Mahomet with great Power to invade Epirus but being overthrown by the invinsible Prince they received such cold Comfort at their return that fearing their Lives which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince he notwithstanding his Treachery received him again into his Service who afterward served him faithfully in his Wars but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poisoned after which Scanderbeg concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year and was afterwad continued for a longer time during which great War happened between the Turks about the seizing the Islands in the Egeum and thereby hindering the Traffick in the Mediteranian to the great impoverishing their Signiory Wherefore entering into a Confideracy with the Princes they Arme both by Sea and Land into which League they with many perswasions drew Scanderbeg notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa against Scanderbeg to keep him from joyning with the Venetians whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him with ten Gallies appointed with which Bassa Scanderbeg fought and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men taking the Treasurer of the Army and six others of Account Prisoners who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Duccats and greater things had been done had not the Duke of Venice dyed of a Fever upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella the next year with the Venetian Fleet seized Athens Aulis Chalchis Larsum and the Isle of Himber But attempting to recover Patras was overthrown Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks elected Matthias Corroinus
without being Assaulted So that all the Fruitful Island of Euboea fell into the Hands of the Turks who infinitely inriched themselves in taking the Spoil The Turks thus Triumphing over the Ocean Islands the Christians thought it no ways convenient to be lookers on but in time to oppose them whereupon the Venetians aided by Ferdinand King of Naples Sextus the fourth Bishop of Rome and the Great Master of Rhodes set out a powerful Navy under the command of Petrus Mocenicus a Valiant Venetian Gentleman and the better to Amate him both by Sea and Land drew Alymbeus Vsan Cassanes the great King of Persia into a League with them and so at once by Sea and Land invading the Ottoman Empire took many strong places and Loaded the Fleet with the Spoil which Fleet consisting of 85 so terrified Mahomet that he durst not ingage them nor once oppose their proceedings but in revenge thereof turned his whole force upon Epirus and Dalmatia which Countries having lost their Champion the renowned Scanderbeg growing Weak he mightily wasted with Fire and Sword till he had made an absolute conquest over them and the easier by Reason of the discords that arose amongst the great Commanders during the Minority of the King but ere Mahomet had well setled himself in those so much desired Countries he had news that the Persians with a great Army invaded his Countries in Asia which made him begin to consider how to defend his own rather then further to proceed in Conquering what appertained to others so that increasing his Army with no less then 320000 men he passed over the Helespont and after several Days marching came within a League of the Persian Army lead by Vsan Cassanes their King who after some debate gave the Turks Battle near the Mountains of Armenia in which one of the great Bassas together with 40000 Turks were Slain and the rest put to Flight which so discouraged Mahomet that had not his great Captains used many Arguments to perswade him to the contrary would have returned without attempting any thing further but being roused by their reproofs lest he should be suspected of Cowardise he resolved to try the Fortune of another Field in order to which he drew up his forces in Battalia near to the Straights of the Mountains and so fortified his Camp with Waggons and other cumbersome Carriages that it seemed a Walled City when in the midst of his Army he placed his great Artillery the which upon the first joyning of Battle his men opening to the Right and the Left played so furiously upon the Persian Horse-men that they soon began to Disrank by Reason their Horses upon hearing the unwonted Thundering of the Cannon would know no Ruler but with Head-strong fury Floundered first one way then another and by that means put all things into confusion of which Mahomet taking the advantage commanded his men furiously to charge upon the Enemy as flyers To resist whose fury and to stay the Flight of his men Zeinal Vsan Cassanes Eldest Son Labouring was Slain with a small Shot which more and more discouraged the Persians so that from retreating they betook themselves to plain Flight yet so great was the loss of Mahomet that he contented himself only with the Spoil of the Enemies Camp not thinking it convenient to persue them for it was generally Rumoured that in that Battle he lost 40000 men and the Persians 1000 only after which Mahomet returning home and Vsan Cassanes leaving his second Son with his Army for the defence of Armenia Ambassadors were sent by the former to Treat of a Peace the which to the great dislike of the Christians his Confederates the Persian concluded with the Turks After the Expedition into the Persian Territories Dyed the Couragious Prince Mustapha as some say of a Surfeit but others say that he was strangled by the Commandment of his Father for Ravishing Bassa Achmets Wife a Lady of Incomparable Beauty and Daughter to Isaac Bassa one of Mahomets chief Favorites Mahomet desirous to revenge the wrong done by the Venetians sent Solyman Bassa with 80000 Soldiers to besiege Scodra a strong City then in the possession of the Venetians and an Inlet into Epirus Dalmatia and Albania who Anno 1475 set down before it and having raised his Batteries gave it a furious assault but was repulsed by Antonius Lauretamus the Valiant Governour with great loss when a while after the Venetian Gallies coming up the River Boliana on whose Banks the City standeth and as the Turks were busie in laying a Chain across slew many of them and forced the rest to retire to their Camp out of which soon after Matthias King of Hungary drove them with the Terror of his approach the Bassa being glad after the loss of 14000 of his men to raise his Siege Anno 1476. Mahomet growing impatient to be thus hindred in his progreess of Victory by the Christians confederates set out a great Fleet under the conduct of Geduces Achmetes who did great harm to the Islands in the Mediterranean and hoped by Treason to have surprized the Island of Creet but was prevented by the Venetians who discovering the Plot Executed the Traitors before his arrival yet sailing into the Euxine he Landed his men in Taurica Chersonesus a Friutful Country belonging to the Genoways in hopes to have surprized the rich City of Caffa Scituate near to the Shoar but was repulsed with a great Slaughter of his men but being reinforced by fresh Troops he lay'd Siege to it which by Reason of the Turkish Garrisons all along the shoars of Bosphorus and the Hellespont could have no relief by Sea after a stout resistance surrendered and soon after all the Country to it appertaining most of the Merchants contrary to the promise of the Faithless Bassa being plundered of their Riches Mahomet thus conquering on grew dreadful to the Tartar princes Namely the Precopenses and Destenses who for fear of being invaded Voluntarily submitted themselves and became Tributaries having ever since been greatly serviceable to the Turks in their Wars who now impatient that the Venetians held several strong Towns in the Heart of the Ottoman Solyman Bassa with a great Fleet entering the Gulph of Corinth lay'd Siege to Naupactum now called Lepanto a strong City near Locris over against Pelopennesus but upon the arrival of Antonius Lauretanus with the Venetian Gallies after he had layn 4 Months before it and gave many unsuccesful assaults in a great fury raised his Siege in order to his returning to Constantinople and by the way Landing his men on the Isle of Lemnos in hopes to have surprized the City of Coccinum but were Valiantly repulsed by such Citizens and Merchants Strangers as were then near the Gate and amongst the rest one Merulla a Maiden of the City seeing her Father Slain took up his Weapon and with it made great Slaughter of the Turks that were entering the Gate upon which bad Success the Bassa departed for Constantinople
and soon after was sent to besiege Croia in Epirus to the relief of which the Venetians hast'ned with an Army under the leading of Contarenus a man of great courage who at the first onset overthrew the Turks with great Slaughter obliging them to leave their Camp but not pursuing them by Reason of the near approach of Night whilst they were taking the Spoil the Enemy rallying fell into their disordered Ranks and soon turned the Scale of Victory by subduing those who a little before were Conquerers in which last Fight the General and several of his great Captains were Slain Heightned with this Success the Year following Asa-Beg with a considerable Army passed the River Sontium where being incountered by the Garrison Soldiers of three several Forts under the leading of Hieronimus Nowel the Count of Verona he trained the Venetians into an Ambush by which they being few in number and beset on every side were mostly Slain after which the proud Conquerers proceeded to spoil the Country wasting it with Fire and Sword taking great Spoils and driving before them a number of the miserable People into Captivity The Year following Anno 1478. about Harvest-time they come again and with a great power passing the aforesaid River marched further into the Country wasting all before them and unopposed passed over a part of the Alps towards Germany a way both difficult and dangerous and so plundering the Mountaniers who little dreamt of such troublesome Visitants they returned home laden with great Spoil And now Mahomet remembring the disgrace he received at the Siege of Scodra of which he allowed one a yearly Pension to put him daily in mind he sent for his Soldiers from all parts of his Dominions and under the Leading of several of his Bassaâ— himself being there in person likewise he set down before the City with an Army of 350000 men and there casting several pieces of Ordnance of Mettal he had for that purpose brought thither in Mass one of them carrying a Bullet of 1300 pound Weight he after he had in vain Essayed to have the City delivered by fair means from the Mounts incessantly battered the Walls and withal threw into the City huge Balls of Wild-Fire and Stones of a prodigious Weight which beat down and fired many Houses yet so far were the besieged from being discouraged that they daily animated each other couragiously to defend the City to the last man every Night Countermuring the Breaches the Cannon made with Earth Timber and Planks which Mahomet perceiving commanded his men to give a furious assault and either by Firing the Planks or scaling the Walls to enter the City the which in hopes of great rewards promised them if they happened to be Succesful in the attempt thrust themselves into the mouth of Slaughter being cut off in such numbers by the storm of Shot sent from the Walls that all the plains were covered with their Bodies which Mahomet perceiving and understanding they could not accomplish his desire caused the retreat to be sounded and gave order for the renewing the Battery so that in one day the Engineers sent 194 great Shot into the Breach and immediately caused a second Assault to be made tho with as bad Success as had been the former About this time the Turks under the leading of Solyman Bassa had taken Croia more through Famine then their Valour which City the Inhabitants nigh perished with Hunger and not being able to expect any Relief all the Country about the City being in the hands of the Turks had delivered upon promise of Life and Liberty but the Faithless Bassa not having Regard to his Promise having got Possession put the remaining Skeletons to the Sword which the Scadrians understanding by some Christians in the Turks Camp were the more incouraged resolving manfully to dye rather then trust the perfidious Infidels Mahomet inraged at the besieged obstinacy and the loss of his men in the two assaults after he had with his Artillery beaten down a great part of the Wall Commanded the most Couragious of his Soldiers to give a third Assault which they did with great Fury shouting in the mean while Showers of Arrows and Bullets into the City and at length as men desperate entering into the Breach came to Hand-strokes with the Christians and began a cruel and dreadful Fight in which many were slain on either side The Turks still renewing their assault with fresh Forces till at length they so far prevailed that those who defended the Breach were at the point to retire at what times a fresh Troop brought by the Governour came happily to their Relief and beat off the Assailants with great slaughter Whereupon Mahomet again renewed his Battery and lodged 173 more of his great Shot in the Breach and then sending for his chief Commanders into his Tent-Royal pitched upon a Mount advantagiously to behold what passed and there by Threats and Promises incouraged them to undertake a fourth Assault In which he lost 12000 of his best Men and was forced at last to sound a retreat yet by the several Fights the Christians were sorely weakened in all the Streets lying covered with Turkish Arrows and the Breaches with the mingled Bodies of the Christians rent most miserably by the great Shot they were forced to Labour both Day and Night to repair the Breaches every one incouraging his Fellow in such sort that Mahomet began to despair of Victory and blaspheming God for as he impiously pretended hindering his Proceedings he retired in his Melancholly Mood into his Tent where Tormenting himself for the space of two days he would not be spoken with by any but the third Day calling a Council it was concluded another Assault should be given which was according done with great Fury and much Effusion of Blood on either side but the besieged and resolving to fell their Lives dear so manfully withstood them that with Shame and greater Slaughter then ever they were forced to retire and now all Provision being cust off from the besieged the Tyrant resolved to gain that by Famine he could not do by Force and therefore ceasing any further Assault caused the City to be so closely Blocked up that the Christians were forced to Eat all manner of unclean and loathsome Things as Horses Dogs Cats Rats Mice and the like Which miserable state of theirs made known to the Senate of Venice under whose Protection that City was and they being grown weary of their twenty years tedious War with the Turkish Tyrant sent Benedictus Trivisanus their Embassador to Constantinople whither weary of the Siege Mahomet was returned leaving one of his Bassas with the Army to Block up the City as aforesaid who upon his Arrival being admitted to the Presence of the Tyrant he so ordered the Matter that a Peace was concluded upon these Articles First that the Venetians should deliver him the City of Scodra the Isle of Lemnos the strong Castle of Tenarus in Peloponnesus and pay
him yearly 8000 Duccats that they might have leave to Traffick in the Euxine-Sea by the Straights of Bosphorus Hellespontus and Thracius and that the Citizens of Scodra and the Garrison contained therein should upon the Delivery of the said City be at their Choice free to Live in the City under the Turkish Government or depart whither they pleased with their Goods c. These Articles concluded on Notice thereof was sent to the Governour who assembling the Citizens related it to u'm as he had received it from the Ambassador who then together with the Venetian Admiral Rode at Anchor in the Mouth of Boliana when after some Debate it was agreed that they would leave the City and not expose themselves to the Mercy of the Tyrant at all times whereupon at a certain time prefixed the City was put into the Hands of the Bassa and the Citizens marching out Bag and Baggage went on Board the Venetian Gallies who carefully Transported them into their other Territories of Italy and thus was this City surrendered Anno 1478. after a years Siege before which 100000 Turks had lost their Lives Mahomet having gotten what he sorely longed for sent Achmetes Bassa with his Gally to take in the Islands of Neritus Zacynthus and Cephalenia upon which he seized without any Resistance Lenord Prince of the same upon the Arrival of the Turks hasting with his Wife and Children into Italy where he was kindly received of King Ferdinand his near Kinsman after that he sent three of his Bassas with a great Army to invade Transilvania Whereupon Stephanas Batore the Vayvod fled to Matthias King of Hungary to crave Aid who at the same time lay sick of the Gout yet he ordered his two Captains viz. Stephanus Cherepetnus and Palus Rivisus to march with his Army who incountering the Turks near Alba Julia in a great and bloody Fight overthrew the Army with the Slaughter of 30000 of their best Men together with Isa Bassa their chief Commander and of the Christians there fell 8000 only Mahomet possessing most of the Islands in the Mediterranian Sea began to be very desirous of the Famous Rhodes and to further his Design at the same time a Fugitive Knight of the Order named Antonius Meligalus residing in his Court gave him a Plat-form of the City informing him in what place the City was easiest to be Assaulted and how the Island might be best subdued Whereupon a great Fleet was fitted out and this Traytor to his Country put on Board with a Command that his Directions should be followed but he by the way falling sick of a loathsome Disease so infected the Ship with his noisome Smell that the Marriners in a great rage threw him Over-Board whilst he vainly Cryed to them for Mercy and thus he received the reward due to his Traiterous Intention The great Master of Rhodes having notice that Mahomet intended to invade his Territories was like an experienced Captain wanting nothing that might conduce to a resolute Defence and having certain Notice that Misistes Bassa had Landed his Power and was marching towards the City he assembled his Captains and with many Christian and Soldier-like perswasions admonished them to fight the Battle of the Lord Jesus against his Enemies which so wrought upon them that they all resolved to Live and Dye in his defence By this time the Bassa had set down his Camp and began to raise his Batteries according to the Directions of one Demetrius another Fugitive Knight who in the first Skirmish according to the Merits of his Treason having his Horse slain under him was miserably trampled to Death most of the Ordnance now bent against the Wall the Bassa sent out a part of his Army to seize upon an Orchard possessed and intrenched by the Christians which those that possessed it not being able to defend against so powerful an Enemy slighted it and retired to the City leaving the Ordnance behind them Out of this Orchard by the advice of one George Trapain a Christian Runagado the Turks battered the Tower standing about 300 paces from the City with great Fury and having made a Breach indeavoured to have entered but were beaten off with great loss after which they framed a Bridge upon Boats over a frith of the Sea fastening by Ropes so indeavouring to besiege the Tower both by Sea and Land the which was no sooner fastened but the Ropes were all cut in sunder by one Garvais Rogers a most expert English Sea-Captain and after that attempting to make another Bridge and plant pieces of Cannon in Lighters and foists the Bridge was broken and the Lighters sunk by Anthony Damboise the great Masters Brother who with his Artillery planted for that purpose on the Bastions beat them to pieces but it had not been long e'r Caly Bassa the younger Arriving in the Camp it was noised that Mahomet was coming with an additional Army of 100000 Turks which so terrified the Spaniards for the Garrison was Composed of all Christian Nations that they desired to be Shipped out of the Island and to return home but for such their Cowardize being sharply reproved by Peter Damboise the great Master a most expert and Valiant French man they as ashamed of what they before proposed begged Pardon and afterwards notably defended the City during the Siege Mesues perplexed that he could not carry the City by Force though with his Artillery he had levelled the Walls in many places which were as soon repaired he resolved by Treachery to perform what otherwise he could not Effect and therefore made large Offers to several discontented Rhodians to poison the great Master which some of them undertook to bring to pass but e'r any thing was done in Relation thereto the wickedness was discovered and the undertakers worthily Executed upon notice of which the Bassa more perplexed then before and yet not knowing without loss of Honour how to raise the Siege sent several Messengers to the great Master in his Name to promise him extraordinary Matters if he would surrender to him the City and to denounce all the Miseries of War upon his Refusal To which the Heroick Old man returned Answer that he would not willingly in his surest Estate use the Council of his Enemy neither in his greatest distress refuse Cheerfully to yeild his Life unto Almighty God to whom he did owe it and that with far better Will then to surrender the City upon any Conditions bear they never so fair a shew of Honour or Profit The Messengers perceiving this constant Resolution of the great Master by other Arguments indeavoured him at least to become Tributary to the Emperor paying a small matter yearly for his Peace but he knowing that to be the ready way to be brought under the Turkish Slavery utterly refused upon which the Messengers returned greatly discontented to him that sent 'um who thereat greatly perplexed gave another general Assault battering the City for four days without Intermission but not prevailing
that the Venetian Territories should be certainly known and seperated from the Turks by certain Bounds or Limits These conditions were Solemnly concluded on and confirmed both by Bajazet and the Senate of Venice and so affirmed Peace concluded in Anno 1503 after the Wars had continued between them for the space of 5 years Peace concluded with the Venetians Bajazet raised a great Army intending to invade Hungary but having been often foiled by that warlike Nation he changed his mind and Marched to suppress the insurrection in Albania a part of his Territory which done as he was returning a Derviller which is a Phantastical kind of a beggarly Turkish Monk using no other apparel but two Sheep Skins the one hanging before and the other behind who coming up to him as if he would have asked an Almes with a short Cimiter strock at him and beat him from his Horse and being about to redouble his blow had certainly dispatched him had not Ishender Bassa come in and with his Horsemans Mace struck the Varlet dead who afterwards by the Soldiers was hewn in pieces this treacherous and desperate act so moved Bajazet that he proscribed all them of that Superstitious order and banished them out of his Empire Bajazet after the incessant toiles of War resolving to repose himself committed the Management of his great Affairs to his 3 Bassa's viz. Alis Achmetes Kinsman to him that was slain and Jachia who having got the Reins of Empire in their hands for the space of 5 years suffered things to run into such disorder by regarding their private profit more then the publick good that a great part of the Lesser Asia was in an uproar by the means of Chasan Chelife and Schach Culi or Techellis two Persian Imposters who set the Multitude a madding by spreading a new fangled Doctrine more wicked then that of Mahomet their pretended Prophet To quench this Flame that began dreadfully to blaze into a Rebellion Bajazet was forced to rouse from his Lair yet the Doctrine could not nor is it to this day extirprated for being persecuted by Bajazet they fled into Persia and there pretending themselves to be the true Successor of Mahomet the Imposter and that none but they knew his Will and that those that believed not in their Doctrine should never Injoy any happiness after this Life with a deal of such ridiculous Cant they so besotted Asymbeiuâ—Vsun Cassanes the Persian King that he had to the first Author of this Doctrine viz. one Haider who was Master of these Disciples given his Daughter Martha in Marriage but he dying and his Son Jacup succeeding him in the Kingdom began to have his Brother-in-Law in suspition by reason of the multitude that followed him upon the account of his pretended Sanctity Insomuch that he caused him secretly to be murthered and raised a great Persecution against those that imbraced his Doctrine yet this Haider left a Son which he had by Martha his Wife named Hysmael who afterward became a Sophy of Persia as will appear in his Wars with Selymus Bajazet's Son and Successor but upon the Persecution raised by Jacup Son to Vsun Cassanes the two aforesaid Disciples of Haider fled to Armenia and there dwelling in Rocks began to tell Fortunes and other strange things which made the Rusticks suppose them men more then ordinarily inspired Insomuch that they gathered about them in great numbers insomuch that they came out of their Iurking Holes into walled Towns and taught boldly During the spreading of this Doctrine Hysmael the Son of Haider being grown to mans Estate and his Uncle Jacup dead he by the Aid of such as favoured his Fathers Doctrine won the Kingdom of Armenia and after that overthrowing Eluan the Persian King Son to his Uncle Jacup in a pitched Battle wherein the said King was slain he took Possession of all his Grand-fathers Dominions and from that time was called the great Sophy of Persia being afterward exceedingly beloved of his Subjects This Hysmale was no sooner Established in his Kingdom but he Established to his Power his Fathers Doctrine which Chusan Chelife and Techellis perceiving and understanding the unlooked for success of their Masters Son they resolved not to be Idle but to try their Fortune likewise Whereupon gathering a great number of their Proselytes in Arms they wasted again the Countries in the lesser Asia and being incouraged thereto by Hysmale with Promise of great Succours they set down before the City of Iconium sending out their Proclamations strictly to injoyn all the People thereabout to imbrace their Doctrine threatning them otherwise with Death and Confiscation of Goods which wrought such Terror in the Peasants that they had many of them joyned with them so that within a while their number was increased from 10 to 50000. Whereupon Orchanes and Mahomites two of Bajazets Nephews gathering what Forces they could Sallyed out of the City against them but were put to flight with the loss of most of their Men Corcutus also one of Bajazets Sons and then Governour of Thyatria Sypilus Magnesia and Phocia having leavyed a great Army durst not nevertheless to give them Battle but waited the coming of Caragoses Bassa who was raising great Forces in Cappadocia and Pontus having sent his Command to Achmetes one of Bajazets Sons to do the like but e'r he had gathered a sufficient Power the pretended Prophets came upon him put such Forces as he had to the Rout and forced Caragoses then Vice-Roy of Asia for his safety to fly into the City of Cutaie near unto the Mountain Horminius situate in the middle of the lesser Asia which City they besieged took by force and in it the Vice-Roy his Wife and Children putting most of the Citizens to the Sword and from thence marched to besiege the great City of Prusa but in their way hearing that Alis Bassa was come out of Europe with great Power and followed hard upon them they retreated and passed another way to avoid joyning with the Turks in the plain Ground of which the Bassa having Notice and dispairing to overtake them with his Footmen chose out 8000 of his swiftest Horse leaving Achmetes with the rest of the Army after a tedious March he fell in with their Rear Whereupon Techellis who was chosen General of the Rebels put his men in Battle Array when taking the most advantagious Ground he stayed the coming of the Turkish Horse who charged him in the Front with great Fury but wanting Foot to second them in so Hilly a Country were driven back which the Bassa perceiving drew forth 1000 Harquebusiers who served as Foot to oppose the Front whilst the Horse Charged on the right and left Wings of the Enemies Army which was performed with such Bravery that Techellis's Men gave Ground and in the Rear broke and disordered their own Ranks when Chelife one of the Impostors fighting desperately was slain But Techellis coming with fresh supplies restored the Battle to break which Alis
Bassa Charging furiously with fresh Troops of Horse entering too far amongst the Squadrons of his Enemies was slain which so discouraged his men then at the point to have prevailed that they first fainted and afterwards betook themselves to plain flight so that in passing the Mountains many of them were slain and more taken Prisoners Bajazet hearing of the Success of the Rebels sent Jonuses Bassa against them with 40000 Horse and Foot upon whose approach they retired into the Mountains but being driven thence they fled into Armenia Whereupon the Bassa fretting that he had not beset the ways caused all that he found to imbrace the new Religion or to have born Arms against Bajazet on the behalf of Techellis either to be put to Death Burnt in the Forehead with a hot Iron or Transported into Europe to prevent any future Insurrection and upon his return to Constantinople had Notice that Techellis and his scattered Forces in their flight lighting upon a Caravan of Silks and other Rich Merchandize took the spoil thereof for which outrage coming to Tauris the Captains were all by the Command of Hysmael hanged upon Gibbits and Techellis for a Terror to others burnt alive The Astan Rebellion suppressed by the means aforesaid the year following viz. Anno 1509. a dreadful Earthquake happened in Constantinople and the Countries adjacent which lasted with very little Intermission for the space of eighteen days or as the Turks affirm a Month in which time â—â— tâ—ew to the ground many stately Buildings in Constantinople Hadrianople and other Cities of Greece and in their Ruins overwhelmed 13000 People after which a great Mortality happened which dispeopled many Cities in the Turks Dominions but both being past Bajazet set 80000 to repair the mischief Constantinople had sustained by the Earthquake which they performed in four Months Beautifying the City more then ever Bajazet had by his many Wives eight Sons and six Daughters who lived to be Men and Women grown and the Sons all Governours in divers Provinces of his large Empire whom the Turkish History after this manner reckons up viz. Abdullah Zelebi Alem Scach Tzihan Scach Achmet Machmut Corcut Selim and Mahomet yet as Antonius Vtrius Genois who long time lived in Bajazet's Court accounts they were only six whose Names he recites thus Scieniscia Alemscia Achometes Mahometes Selymus and Corcutus and that the two former dyed long before their Father and were by him greatly lamented now as for Tizhan and Abdula Zelebi the Turks report they were put to Death by their Fathers Command upon Suspition that they aspired too high in Conceit of Empire Of all these Sons Mahometes was of greatest hope who was by his Father made Governour of Magnesia but being by reason of his Youth somewhat Frolicksome he often went disguised to take a view of his Brothers Courts how therein they behaved themselves c. And at last came with two others in the habit oâ— Sea-faring men to the Court of Bajazet where not at first finding Admittance to the Emperors Presence they went and bought a fair Christian Captive and then pretending they had a Present to deliver were by the Warders permitted to enter and having delivered the Present found means to depart being first rewarded with three rich Garments but e'r they were gotten on Ship-board they were met by a Courtier that knew Mahometes who allighting would have done him Reverence but he forbad it as not being willing to be discovered yet it was not kept so close but it came to Bajazet's Ear who jealous as always Tyrants are that under such like Intreagues might be hid some secret Conspiracy against his Life or Empire he wrote to one Asmehemides a Courtier highly in Favour with Mahometes to poison him sending withal a poisonous Powder to effect it which this perfidious Courtier in hopes to succeed him in his Government performed but long it was not e'r the Tyrant repenting him of his inhumane and unnatural Command cast the said Courtier in Prison where he miserably perished Bajazet having caused Mahometes to be poisoned whom he need not to have feared Selymus the Governour of Trepezond one whom he intirely Loved immediately Conspired against him and having Corrupted most of the great Bassas of the Court the better to strengthen himself married the Daughter of Mahometes the Tartarian King who Aiding him with 15000 Tartarian Horse he left his Government and passed over the Euxine into Europe under pretence of invading Hungary where haivng notice that his Father intended to declare Achometes his Successor leaving the Coast of Hungary he marched directly towards Hadrianople where Bajazet lay with his Army and incamping within sight of the City sent a feigned Message to excuse his coming in a Hostile manner the which was as he said only that he might gain Access to his Presence to shew him such Reasons as he doubted not but he would approve of why Achometes should not succeed him but Bajazet not trusting to his fawning sent him word that if he did not immediately return to his Government in Asia and disband his Army he would not fail to chastise him with the Scourge of War But this Speech did not at all dismay the Head-strong Youth nor could all the Presents and fair Words Bajazet could devise avert him but raising his Camp marched directly towards Constantinople which Bajazet perceiving drew his Army out of Hadrianople and marched to prevent his surprizing the Imperial City at whose Departure out of Hadrianople Selymus entered it and having there refreshed his Army followed hard upon his Father cutting off the straglers of his Army and part of his Rear which caused the Old man to Face about and bid him Battle though all the Bassas except Cherseogles disswaded him from it as secretly favouring Selymus which Selymus as willing to accept after both Armies were put into Order and Bajazet with a moving Oration had incouraged his Men a cruel Fight began which continued from Noon till the setting of the Sun at what time the Tartarian Horse sore Gauled with the shot of the Harquebusses and terrified with the Thundering noise disranked and fled in spite of their Rider after which the Foot being Charged by the Janizaries were most of them slain Selymus himself upon a swift Horse hardly scaping In this Battle fought Anno 1511. near Chiurlus 30000 of Selymus his Men were slain and taken Prisoners with the loss only of 7000 of Bajazet's Soldiers after which Bajazet kept on his way to Constantinople where he no sooner arrived but he bountifully rewarded his Men Achometes Bajazet's eldest Son being at Amasia and hearing what had passed raised an Army of 20000 Horse and Foot and by speedy marches came to Scutari Antiently called Christophorus situate upon the Straights of Bosphorus over against Constantinople where incamping he sent Messengers to his Father requesting him as he had frequently determined to declare him his Successor as by Seniority he ought and to resign him the Empire
over at length weary of his unwonted diet he sent his Servant to a Shepherds Cottage to purchase natural Food who suspecting by some words that passed that it was the Prince like a perfidious Swain he gave notice thereof to Coshmos one of Selymus's his Captains who was come insearch of him upon which he was apprehended and carryed towards Prusa of which the Tyrant having notice greatly rejoyced and immediately sent one Kirengi Og'ly a Squint-Ey'd Captain to strangle him by the way who accordingly performed his wicked Masters pleasure and now none remaining alive to obstruct the progress of his greatness but Achometes and his two Sons he resolved to go against them but in the beginning of his Expedition he intercepted some Letters signed by several Commanders of his Camp and directed to Achometes desiring him to advance towards Selymus with all speed and that he might be assured upon his approach a great part of the Army would revolt or at least in the Battle they would kill Selymus Upon this discovery those that were found to be concerned therein were Executed and the Letters notwithstanding sent upon which Achometes presuming made such hast that he left his Footmen behind at what time 10000 Janizaries were come to Selymus out of Europe so that Battle joyning after a most Bloody conflict Achometes was overthrown and seeking to save himself by flight his Horse fell with him into a deep Ditch where he was taken by the pursuers at whose hands he could not procure himself to be Slain tho he earnestly desired it but was lead Captive to his cruel Brother who Commanded the Squint-Ey'd Captain that had dispatched Corcutus to strangle him with a Bow-String and now desiring nothing more then to get in his possession the two Sons of Achometes who to his great Grief heard they were honourably received the one in the Persian and the other in the Egyptian Courts and that Amurath the Elder aided by Hysmael the Great Sophy with ten thousand Persian-Horse was entered into Cappadocia wasting the Country before him for fear of whom most of the adjacent Provinces had submitted to do him homage he resolved after he had driven him back in revenge of the aid the Sophy had lent him to War upon his Countries in Persia wherefore preparing a great Army tho many of his great Commanders lay'd before him the difficulty and danger of the undertaking and amongst the rest Chendemus Vice-Roy of Natolia a man of great Experience and of all others in greatest Credit and Authority with Selymus who used many Arguments to disswade him therefrom which he afterward found to be undeniable truths but some of his Flatterers perswading him that Chendemus was bribed by Amurath to divert his Arms another way and bring certain Ruffains hired for that purpose to attest what they had said the Tyrant caused the faithful Bassa to be slain without hearing his Excuse and then Marching from Arsenga he came to the Confines of Armenia the Less before whose Powerful Army the young Prince fled but Selymus fearing lest the Mountain Kings not being made his friends and yet left behind him should fall upon his Rear sent Ambassadors to them to desire free passage through their Territories and to send him provision for his Money at such time as he should be entered into Armenia the greater to all which they accorded whereupon with all his Army he passed the Mountain Scodrisci and after 8 days Marching over an other great Mountain called Moschiâ— which the famous River Euphrates with his mighty streams and huge broden Banks separateth from the great Mountain Anti-Taurus and with perpetual steep ridges runneth into Iberia and Cholchis Here Selymus with his Ensigns displayed Marching along the Banks of the River departed not from the same for fear in that hot Country he should be distressed for want of Water and so held on his way directly Eastward leaving the Country of Armenia the less upon the Left and the Kingdom of Aladeules on the right and so along to the Banks of Araxes finding all the Country before him destroyed and by reason the Mountain Kings kept not their words in sending him provision his Army began to fall into great want which though too late made him call to mind the faithful Council of Chendemus yet having Marched thus far he could not without great dishonour turn back and therefore passing Arazes about the City of Coy to defend which City Vsta Ogli the Persian General approached with his whole power contrary to the expectation of Selymus whose Souldiers being oppressed by want and for the most part were forced to live upon wild fruit began to Mutinie so that whilst either Army lay Hovering at some distance Hismael came in Person into his Camp and from thence sent a harauld to Selymus to know why he had in hostile manner entered his Country having no title thereto as likewise to take a view of the Turkish Army to which demand Selymus replyed that his Grandfather his Uncle and himself had greatly Indamaged the Othoman Empire by making several Invasions and Aiding the Rebels in the Reigns of Mahomet Bajazet and of late in his Reign yet he esteemed them not as sufficient causes of War but sought after his enemy young Amurath his Brothers Son who had of late spoiled Cappadocia whom if he would quietly and friendly deliver unto him he would withdraw his forces and peaceably return into his own Kingdom otherwise with fire and Sword he would destroy not only the frontiers of Armenia but the heart of Persia also and so dismissing the Herauld both the Armies for that day lay still in their trenches expecting the dreadful event of Battle and after both Armies were Marshalled and put in order the Bloody Blast was sounded whereupon the Persian Horsemen came on with great fury making great Havock of the Vaunt-guard of Selymus his Army overthrowing the Alapi or common Souldiers by heaps which are such as the Turks for the most part carry to stand the first Shock of the Enemies fury and to blunt their Swords nor did the Turkish Horse stand firm but charged in either Wing gave ground which Selymus seeing caused his orders to open and began with his great Ordnances to play furiously to avoid whose Murthering shot the Persian Horsemen opened likewise to the right and the left yet the thundering of the Cannon so amazed the Horses that many of them cast their Riders yet Hysmale with great fury broke and disordered the Turks right Wing composed of Asian Horsemen but whilst Vsta Ogli was indeavouring to do the same to the left he was slain with a harquibus shot which much dismayed the Soldiers under his command yet could they not be forced to retire till Selymus came on with all his Power of Janizaries yet gaining little ground whereupon he commanded all his great Ordnance which he had reserved as his last refuge to be furiously discharged against the right Wing of the Persian Horse where
Hysmael fought by the violence of which such a slaughter was made as well of his own men as of the Enemies mingled together that what for the dust smoak and thundering of the Artillery having on both sides lost their sight and hearing the Persian horse were so terrified that they were not to be ruled wherefore the battle soon became broken and disordered so that both Armies retired upon the Approach of night leaving the Victory doubtful The Turks to express the terror of this day number it amongst their dismal ones calling it the only day of Doom Hysmael in this furious battle having received a wound under the left Shoulder with a small shot by the perswasion of his friends withdrew himself to have his wound search'd which past doubt was the safeguard of Selymus and his Army for the Persians following their King left the Victory almost gotten but the Persian finding his wound not mortal was about to return but hearing of the Death of Vsta Ogli his General a man of Great experience and that by reason of the Thundering of the great Ordnance his Horsemen could not rule their Horses he caused the retreat to be sounded and so retired in good order the Turks so much dispairing of Victory that they durst not follow him and so he passing by the City of Tauris admonished the Inhabitants to open their gates to Selymus thereby to avoid being sacked and so Marched into the Confines of Media The Persians out of sight the Turks then and not till then durst seize upon their Camp where they found divers rich Pavilions wrought with Needle-Work and Gold as also many beauteous Ladies who had accompanied their Husbands to the Wars all which he presently caused to be set at liberty unless one of Hismaels Wives whom he gave in Marriage to one of his Bassas In this Battle fought in the Galderan Fields near the City of Coy Anno 1514. Selymus lost 30000 of his men and amongst them many Bassas and great Commanders even all the flower of his Army which consisted of 300000 Horse and Foot of the Persians there fell not above 8000 Hysmaels Army not consisting of above 30000 so that the Turks were 8 to 1 And amongst the slain were found the Bodies of several Persian Women who Armed had accompanied their Husbands to participate of their good or evil fortune at which Selymus admiring caused them to be Honourably interred and then received the Embassadors of the several adjacent Cities who upon condition their Goods Lives and Liberties might be preserved delivered up the Keys of their respective Cities so that having taken possession thereof he called a Council of his Bassas and great Captains to consult what was best to be done himself being desirous to Winter in Tauris for opposing which Mustapha his chief Bassa was by him disgraced and thrust from all his honours of which the Janizaries having notice began to Mutiny telling him to his face they would not stay in that desolate Country where they had suffered such hardship daily to be exposed to the fury of the Enemy who was raising great forces to come down against them and that if he would not in time depart they were resolved to forsake him whereupon he as needs must changed his former determination resolving to return into Cappadocia whereupon contrary to his Promise exacting a great Mass of Money from them of Taurus and carrying with him 3000 families the best Artificers in that City especially those that were Skilfull in making Armour he raised his Camp and Marched towards Euphrates a longer way then that by which he came fearing to return again by the head of Araxis and the Mountains of Periardes lest he should meet the Iberian and Albanian Horsemen who as he was informed were following hard after him who indeed came within sight of him as he was passing the Euphrates which raised such consternation in his Camp that in hastily passing the River 2000 Turks were drowned and a great many of his Ordnance together with much Baggage left as a Prey to the Persians nor had he better Success in passing the Huge Mountain Anti-Taurus for the Mountain Kings despising him by reason of his bad proceedings with their savage People lay'd all the ways and by frequently falling upon the Rear of his Army killed many of his People and took great spoil though the Kings upon his sending to complain thereof excused the matter promising to punish the offenders so soon as they should be known At length passing the many dangers he came to Amasa where he wintered with his broken and crazed Army resolving to return the next spring with a far greater Power the cause why Hismael being Lord of such great Countries came with so small a Power was for that he to win the Hearts of his People the better to be established in his new acquired Kingdom had remitted most of the Taxes and Customs formerly pay'd to his Prodecessors all his forces consisting in the Souldiers of the Court those that were by right bound to serve him and such as were sent to him by the petty Princes his Neighbours when as on the other side Selymus had always by him an Inestimable Mass of Money kept in seven Towers in Constantinople his yearly tributes and revenues exceeding his expences by a fourth part Selymus not thinking himself sufficiently revenged of the Persians having reised his Camp at Amasa Early in the Spring passing the Euphrates with his whole Army consisting of 300000 Horse and Foot came before Clamassum a City of the Persians situate on the further Banks which he so suddenly invested and so furiously assaulted that the Gates being broken up and the Walls in many places won the defendants retired into the Market-place and there fought against the whole Power of Selymus to the last man after the taking of this City he took two Castles not far distant from it and being pricked forward with the desire of Glory purposed to have subdued the Kingdom of Persia which he might the easier have done by reason Hysmael was Waring against the Bactrians and Hyrcanians a savage People dwelling near the Caspian Sea who had Rebelled against him but considering what damage he had received from Aladeules the Mountain King and others inhabiting the Desolate Countries at the entrance into Armenia he purposed e're he further proceeded to subdue him wherefore he Marched thitherward with all his People of which the poor Prince having notice gathered all his strength and drawing his Horsemen who were but 15000 into a pleasant Valley commanded his Footmen to keep the Mountains and from thence with shot of Arrows annoy the Turks in passing the straights upon which Selymus considering the disadvantage of the place commanded Sinan Bassa General of the European Horsemen to charge him with a square Battle afront whilst himself with the Janizaries and Asian Horsemen followed him in the Rear the Ground by reason of its Scantiness not admitting the use of Wings upon
at the self same time satisfie the Expectation of his Valour and of his Treason but Sybeius the Governour of Damasco dealt otherwise for entering over-thwart the Ranks in the right Wing of the Turks Army he with his Mamalukes Charged with such fury that having made great slaughter of the Asian Horsemen they broak in amongst them like a devouring Tempest bearing down all before them till they came to the Insigns in the midst of the Wing Neither could Mustapha the Beglerbeg nor Imbrahor Bassa with all their Forces withstand him or restrain the Flight of their Soldiers so that cutting in pieces the right Wing he resolutely thrust in between the Battle of the Janizaries and the Pentioners and there made such lamentable Slaughter that the whole Army was in great fear for Selymus by the breaking in of Sybeius was divided from his Footmen in whom he reposed his greatest trust and now the Janizaries hardly charged by Gazellesâ— who following the Fortune of Sybeius had set upon the Front of the Enemies Battle the Asian Horsemen also put to the worst found no means how again to restore the disordered Battle In this Confusion Sinan Bassa came in with the Squadron of Horse under his Command who had been but lightly Skirmished with by Cayerbeius he stayed the Fury of the Mamalukes whereby the Turks taking fresh Courage soon after wrung the Victory out of their Hands for the great Artillery being by the Commandment of Selymus discharged amongst them by the terrible Thundering thereof their Horses were so troubled that they could not well guide them neither could their Riders themselves though they were men of undaunted Courage prevaile being on every side oppressed with the multitude of their Enemies yet in that disaster nothing dismayed setting themselves close together they brake through the midst of their Enemies with great slaughter of the European Horsemen and Pentioners and so with speed fled towards the Camp and City of Aleppo after whom followed Sinan Bassa with the swiftest Horse so that the News of the overthrow being known to Compson the Sultan he indeavoured what he could to stay the flight of his Men but the press being great and the Turks pursuing hard after them making great slaughter every one shifting for himself in that general Calamity without Respect to the Sultan he was overborn in the Press and there by reason of the weight of his Armour and great Age not able to relieve himself was troden to Death who after wards being found amongst the slain was laid to the view of all People that they might not flatter themselves with his being alive and so on his behalf fight more obstinately for the future This great Battle cost Selymus 30000 men and the Egyptians few less amongst which there fell 1000 Mamalukes and was fought on the seventeenth of August Anno 1516. After which Selymus received the City of Aleppo into his obedience the Mamalukes being departed thence to Damasco after whom he likewise sent Jonuses Bassa and followed himself with all the Army but before his Arrival they were departed to Cair and in a full Assembly chose Tomombeius a Circassian born Sultan in the stead of Campson Gaurus who took speedy Care for providing all things necessary to defend his Countries from the Power of the Turks mustering great Companies of such of his Slaves as he thought fit for the War as likewise several Moors and Arabians His Neighbours hiering certian Persons for great Rewards to Travel through the Arrabian Deserts into Mesopotamia and so to Hysmale the Persian King with the Letters earnestly requesting him to invade the Turks Dominions in Asia the less or with all speed to break into Comagena and so to inclose Selymus with both Armies as he lay in the Borders of Judea and by that means greatly destress him by reason he had no Fleet at Sea to relieve him with Provision and by that means might revenge himself and prevent his Territories from Invasion for the future Whilst these things was doing Sinan Bassa with considerable Forces passing through part of Arabia seized upon the City of Gaza of which Gazelles having notice posted thither with 6000 Mamalukes and a considerable number of Arabian Adventurers thinking to surprize the Bassa but he having notice of his approach went to meet him with all his Forces So that both Armies incountering the Egyptians after a Bloody fight being over-powred by numbers and sore Gauled with Harqucbuss Shot left the fight and fled towards Cair but whilst the Turks were departed on this Expedition the Citizens of Gaza had plundered their Camp supposing them to be retired for Fear and discomfited 2000 Turkish Horses sent by Selymus to the Aid of Sinan Bassa who retreating were almost slain by the wild Arabs and had certainly all perished had they not fortunately met with Juleb Governour of Achaia sent with another Power yet the Arabians flocking about them greatly annoyed them with their Shot from the Hills not giving them any time to rest and such through weakness or for to seek Provision stragled from the Army and were cut off so that had not Imbrahor Bassa met them out of Syria they had never passed alive through those Desarts for the Arabians as men living upon spoil still pursued them and in a dispersed manner were continually hovering over their Army yet long they had not marched e'r they met with Selymus who with the remainder of his Army was marching towards Gaza when having notice from those that had been put to flight by the Citizens thereof what had befell them he verily believed that Sinan Bassa and all his men were either slain or taken Prisoners till such time as he was by the Syrian Scouts informed to the contrary at which he not a little rejoyced yet the Arabians daily molested his Army Insomuch that he was inforced to place his Harquebusiers and most of his Artillery in the Rear with order to Charge them as they saw occasion and so in that Order he marched till he came to Jerusalem which was then altogether ruinated and defaced from whence after having viewed the holy Sepulcher kept by a Company of poor yet devout Christians who payed Tribute for that priviledge to the Sultan of Egypt and having made his offering and some miles distant met with Sinan Bassa who having put to Death the Authors of the revolt of that City and Exacted a great sum of Money of the rest came forth to meet him whom he bountifully rewarded giving to the Captains Garments of Silk and to the rest rewards according to their Demerits After he had refreshed his Army at Gaza for the space of four days he leaving a Garrison therein passed over the Dangerous Desolate and unpeopled Sands which at many times moved by the Wind worked like a rough Sea and rising in the Air hindred the sight of the weary Passingers but such was the good fortune of Selymus that a little before he entered them such store of Rain
fell that it not only allayed the Sand but furnished his Army with Water during his passage which took up eight days yet was he frequently assaulted by the Arabians The Deserts passed as aforesaid the Turkish Army drew near unto Cair to receive or rather intrap which Tomombeius the new Sultan near to a Village called Rhodania had intrenched his Camp with deep Ditches filled with Water over which he had laid rotten Hurdles and upon them Earth and lined all the Banks with Artillery not doubting but Selymus would march that way but this their Device which would certainly have gained them a Victory had it took was upon the approach of the Turkish Army discovered to Selymus by four Epirot Mamalukes who secretly Envying the sudden Advancement of Tomombeius had in the Night time withdrawn themselves from his Camp Upon which Selymus altered his determined Courses and marching by by-ways suddenly appeared with his Army drawn up in Battalia in the Rear of the Egyptian Camp which put them into a great Consternation but seeing no Remedy but presently to ingage the Sultan put his Army in readiness and after the Charge sounded furiously with his great Ordnance spoke his indignation and was answered in the same Language from Selymus his Camp but after the second discharge of each particular tire the Armies joyned Charging each other with such Force that all the Ground lay covered with the slain the Mamalukes inraged with mortal Hatred bearing down all before them when in the mean time the Arrabians incompassed the Turks Battle putting the Thracian Macedonian and Epirot Horsemen to the flight the which Sinan Bassa perceiving came in with his Squadron of Horse to stay the wavering Battle but being overcharged by Gazelles and Bidon he was slain and his men disordered So that had not Selymus himself advanced with his surest strength of the Janizary the Victory had fallen to the Sultan but with them restoring the Battle and the Mamalukes being tired with continual Fighting at the approach of Night Tomombeius finding his men to be worsted caused the retreat to be sounded and retired towards Cair leaving his Camp to the Turks In this Battle fought on the 24. of January 1517. Were slain many Thousands on both sides and the Turks had certainly been worsted had it not been for the invincible Courage of the Janizaries The Turks in pursuit having taken the Diadare a man of great Command amongst the Egyptians and Bidon the valiant Captain whom Selymus unworthily caused to be slain in revenge of the Sinan Bassa Tomombeius a man of a warlike Spirit nothing discouraged at what had happened but rather more resolute to revenge his disgrace gathered his Power from all parts and incamped Commodiously between the City of Cair and the River Nilus and there consulted how he might by stratagem most conveniently set upon the Turks Camp e'r they understood what Power he had not thinking it safe so suddenly to try another Field But whilst he was thus plotting all his devices were discovered to Selymus as they had been before by several Mamalukes who now beginning to have his fortune in Contempt revolted from him Insomuch that to prevent the firing of his Camp as was intended Selymus caused strict Watches to be kept and great Fires to be made that so he might discover the Enemies approaches by night which the Sultan perceiving by the advice of his great Commanders retired into the City of Caire there to expect the approach of the Conqueror furnishing it with all manner of Warlike provision and inciteing the Egyptians who stood all this while Newters to take up Arms in the defence of their Country which the more wealthy whillingly did but the poorer sort who in all Nations ever gape after change of Government thinking to advantage themselves thereby yet such were the perswasions of the Mamalukes that in the end most of the Citizens resolved upon the defence of that great City towards which Selymus was advancing a pace wherefore Tomombeius caused Trenches to be drawn Cross the Streets at the bottom of which were fixed sharp Stakes and before them Tin being overlaid with rotten Hurdles so to intrap the too eager Turks for why the City had no Walls but situate upon the River Nilus was adorned with many stately Towers Piramides Pallaces Temples and Monuments of the Egyptian Kings served rather for Pleasure then strength He likewise caused the Houses to be furnished with Harquebusiers and his Pieces of Culvering and other small Pieces to be every where planted Advantagiously for the annoying the Enemy and in the great Street drew up his greatest strength consisting of Mamalukes yet Selymus being now come before it after his having incouraged his Soldiers to undertake the subduing of that great City as the last Refuge of the Sultan he furiously entered the Gate called Basuela and at one instant thrust in his Horsemen at divers Caves but kept his Janizaries in the high Street where the greatest Power of the Mamalukes were Whereupon a dreadful Fight was begun on all parts insomuch that the Channels run Blood like so many Torrents the Artillery and small Shot still thundering from either side made all seem Fire and covered the tops of the Houses with Clouds of smoke when from their Windows and Roof of their Houses the Egyptians cast down Stones Tiles scalding Water Sulphur Pitch Tar and the like to the great annoyance of the Turks who still pressing forward many of them fell into the Covert Trenches and were there impailed on the Stakes and such was the Clamour and Outcries of the enemy where together with the Clashing of Weapons and dreadful Fires that it seemed as if the desolation of all things was come and in this dismal manner continued the Fight for the space of two Days and two Nights without intermission Insomuch that Selymus finding what obstinate Enemies he had to deal with began to despair of winning the City and therefore was about to sound the Retreat as his fainting Soldiers most earnestly desired at what time he had News that Mustapha Bassa had by the Conduct of some Fugitive Mamalukes entered the City on the other side and had taken the Mamalukes Horses which they had left there ready Sadled thereon to make their escapes if matters came to the Extremity which not only Animated the Turks but dismayed the Mamalukes who expected no such Matter So that the Fight were renewed on the third day continuing Bloody and doubtful till the Evening at what time most of the Egyptians were very desirous to be rid of their insolent Lords the Mamalukes revolted to the Turks which the Mamalukes perceiving and that by Reason of the great number of Turks that were sent to stop the Gaps that Death had made they were no longer able to resist their Fury they betook themselves to flight most part of them hasting to the River Nilus with Tomombeius who in that Battle had all in vain proved the utmost of his Prowess and
Policy being Transported over it in Boats fled to Segesta others of them fled into the Houses of the Egyptians and into Caves and Vaults in the City to hide themselves A thousand five hundred of the better sort betook them to the Temple of their pretended Prophet where after an obstinate and tedious defence being disabled by Weariness Thirst and loss of Blood they surrendered themselves upon Diseretion part of whom the furious Soldiers slew in the Porch of the said Temple and the rest within a few days after being sent down the River to Alexendria were there contrary to the Promise of Selymus put to Death This great City subdued after the manner aforesaid Selymus Commanded a part of his Army to extinguish the Fire which raged vehemently in many places which done he exhibited a Proclamation that all the Mamalukes who within twelve hours would furrender themselves should have pardon of Life upon which many came forth of their secret places and that whosoever of the Egyptians should conceal any one of them longer then the time specified he threatned to impail them alive on Stakes and having sold their Wives and Children to burn their Houses which dreadful menace on the one side and hopes of Reward which was also Promised on the other caused many of the Egyptians contrary to their Promises to their old Lords the Mamalukes to deliver some of them up to the Tyrany of Selymus who caused them to be put to Death but some of the Egyptians impeached by their malicious Neighbours chose rather to suffer Death then to prove perfidious in breaking the solemn Protestations they had made to their Lords Nor did the Victorious Turks spare though contrary to Selymus his Promise to rifle the Houses of the Egyptians Murther many of them and defloure their Daughters and ravish their Wives even in their Presence and to use all other Cruelties incident to so great and populous a City upon the entry of an Hunger-starved Army greedy of prey At the taking of Cair Gazales the great and Valiant Captain of the Mamalukes was not present but sent by Tomombeius to raise an Army in Arabia who upon his return finding all lost and that the Sultan was fled he knew not where not thinking it Convenient to hazard a Battle against him whom Fortune so highly favoured he came to Selymus upon his Faith before given for the safety of himself and his Followers which were three Arrabian Captains and a number of good Horsemen and being admitted to his Presence boldly declared that since Fortune had made him her Darling and that he by her aid rather Conquered the Mamalukes then by any Force and that since Tomombeins was fled whose part as long as his Kingly Authority and Majesty remained he had faithfully served he and the rest were at his Devotion if he so pleased to serve him with their Lifes and Fortunes of which offer Selymus joyfully accepted highly Commending Gazeles both for his Virtue and Valour which for the most part gains Credit amongst the roughest Enemies and not long after sending him to suppress the Moors and Arabs that made Incursions into the Country about Cair he suddenly overthrew them and e'r he was expected returned with Victory Tomombeius being in the Country of Segesta whilst Selymus was setling his matters at Cair raised a considerable Army and the rather for that he had frequent advice from the Carians that if he would come suddenly upon the Turks they would raise such a Tumult that he should not only recover the City but destroy the Army who were but few in number and most of those weak through their Wounds and Sickness but e'r he could put this Design in Practice one Albuchomar a man of great Wealth and Authority in the Country of Segesta discovered the design to Selymus who caused all such Citizens as he suspected to be shut up in the Castle and continually guarded the Streets placing along the River Boats and Men and Artillery to keep the Enemy from repassing it and not well assured to hold what he had got from such desperate and resolute Enemies as were the Mamalukes of whom a great Power were again resorted to Tomombeius he resolved to send Ambassadors to him to advise him to submit and in yielding to his Clemency he would provide for him in some other part of his Dominions but e'r the Ambassadors came to his Camp they were way-laid by certain Mamalukes who had vowed no Peace with the Turks and without respect to their Character shamefully murthered them upon notice of which Selymus who was of a hot fiery Nature was so inraged that he could scarcely contain himself And thereupon Commanded a strong Bridge made of Boats and Planks to be laid over Nilus resolving to revenge the affront done to his Majesty the which once finished he drew the greatest part of his Army out of Cair leaving only so many as might keep the City from revolting with an intent to pass into the Country of Segasta to wast it with Fire and Sword of which Tomombeius having knowledge by speedy marches came to the Bridge at what time the Asian Horsemen were passed over and setting furiously upon them e'r they had well put themselves in Order making great slaughter of such as resisted Insomuch that many to avoid the Swords of their Enemies by leaping into the River were there drowned others in passing the Bridge were thrust beside and miserably perished in the Water Nor could Mustapha Bassa with all his Courage resist the Fury of the Mamalukes all the Turks being filled with Fear and Consternation as well on the hither as the further Bank the Artillery was for a while rendered useless by reason that if it had been discharged it must have been against the Turks onely who in fearful Troops covered the further Bank calling for Help to those on the other side Selymus seeing in what state Assairs stood caused all his Boats to be brought and filling them with Janizaries passed them over who Ranging in good order stayed the Fury of the Mamalukes when as Carrgolis Son to the Tartar King and Brother-in-Law to Selymus with his Horsemen took the Water and Swom over with little loss So that now the Battle went hard on all sides and strongly did the Mamalukes press on to gain the Head of the Bridg the which they had done by Cutting the Cables that fastened it they had set it afloat down the River and destroyed that part of the Army with whom they were ingaged e'r they could have been relieved by their Fellows which Mustapha perceiving had drawn to that place both his Insigns and his most experienced Soldiers so that the Fight was for a long time maintianed Bloody and doubtful but the Turks still coming over in great abundance true Valour was obliged to give place to Multitudes for the Mamalukes who had done all that men could do betook themselves to Flight after whom the Tartarian Horsemen followed with great Slaughter as
likewise did Mustapha Gazeles and Cayrebeius Selymus being desirous of nothing more then that Tomombeius might fall into his Hands which at length fell out according to his wish for the next Day he was overtaken when making head with his slender Train he Fought right valiantly but at length overcome he again fled yet so strict was Selymus his command that the great Captains still pursued him denouncing all manner of Torture to the poor Villagers if they did not so watch the passages of the great Marsh whereinto he was entered that he should by no means escape whereupon on the third day finding himself hard beset on everyside he willingly gave his followers leave to forsake him and laying aside his Insigns of Royalty hid himself amongst the Flags and Bushes standing up to the Neck in Water where being found by the Country Peasants he was drawn thence and delivered to the Bassa Mustapha who brought him together with several of his Captains to Cair where Selymus resolving before hand to put him to Death thereby to appease the Ghosts of his slain Ambassadors would not admit him to his presence but commanded him to be delivered to the Tormentors that with exquisite torments they might make him reveal the Treasure of Campson Gourus supposed by him to have been hid all which he indured with a manly courage and stern Countenance uttering nothing unbeseeming his Character after which he in tattered Garments with his Hands bound behind him being set upon a lean Ill-favoured Camel was in division carryed through all the Publick places of the City to be Gazed at as a Spectacle of Misery by those who not a Month before had honoured with profound Reverence as their great mighty King now by the hand of Fortune thrown from the top fo all worldly honour into the Abyss of extreamest Misery and in this manner the insulting Turks having brought him to the chief Gate of the City extended their cruelty yet farther by strangling him with a Rope and that he might be the better seen of all that passed by Hanged him upon a hook under the Gate nor did any of the Princes of the Mamalukes who fell into the Turks Hands fare otherwise The Terror of Selymus his man Victories now spreading wide all the Cities of Egypt submitted to the Conquerour no place between the River Nilus and the Borders of India and Arabia that were either Tributaries or Confederates to or with the Sultan but sent their Ambassadors with Presents to Selymus promising to continue the same with him as they have done with the Sultans only the wild Arabians stood at defiance till such time as with large Gifts he had won many of their great Captains to bring their People over to his obedience at what time Amyrases submitted himself and delivered into his possession the Egyptian Fleet built to oppose the Portugise Trade in the Indias and so Swimming in the currant of Fortunes favour he extended his Dominions as far as the confines of the Great King of Aethiopia called Prester-John and thus having reduced all to his obedience he came down the River Nilus in his Gally to Alexandria and having well reviewed it returned again to Cair from whence he commanded 500 Families of the Wealthier sort of the Egyptians to be removed to Constantinople for the Transportation of which Vessels were purposely prepared as also a great number of Women and Children of the Race of the Mamalukes thereby to prevent future troubles and then staying a while to observe the overflowing of Nilus from which the Egyptians Prognosticate a happy or unhappy Season as it rises little or much he resolved to depart for Syria having made Cayrebius the Traytor Governour of Cair and his great Lieutenant of Egypt which he had reduced into a Province whereat Jonuses the Great Bassa greatly envying as supposing himself greatly wronged by Selymus whom he had faithfuly served in all his Wars in heaping upon a Traytor the honour which he greedily expected by opening his mind therein and refusing to deliver the Largesses appointed for the Soldiers thereby to render his Competior odious he fell so far into the Emperors displeasure that notwithstanding all the excuse he made in defence of himself he caused him to be Strangled even in his presence thereby to deter others from daring to prescribe him what he should Act or on whom he should bestow his favours yet was the fall of this great Bassa worthily Lamented of the Souldiers who spared not to tell the Tyrant to his Face of his many Barbarous Cruelties repeating all the Inhumane Murthers he had caused to be committed but others again remembring how this Bassa had during his being in favour with Selymus causelesly Stabed his Fair and Virtuous Wife Manto upon a jealous tho false and Groundless Suspicion of her Inconstancy said it was a Judgement of God upon him for that Barbarous and unnatural Crime Selymus having left Egypt and arrived in Syria received Letters from Himbracor the Great Master of his Horse whom he had left upon the Frontiers to attend the motions of the Persians certifying him that Hismael's great preparations were dwindled into nothing by reason that most of his forces consisting of Voluntary Gentlemen who served at their own charges and they not bound to pass the Limits of their Country had refused to invade the Turkish Frontiers during the Wars with the Sultans of Egypt All the following Winter Selymus stay'd to settle his Affairs in Syria but early in the Spring having notice from his Lieutenant in Europe that Pope Leo the tenth had stirred up the Christian Princes to invade his Territories on that side leaving Gazeles his Lieutenant in Syria he hasted with his Army to Constantinople where he no sooner arrived but making great preparations he resolved to bend all his forces against the Christians but ' ere he could perform his design God who as he pleses restrains the power of Tyrants even in their greatest pride to make him sensible that he was but a mortal Man struck him with a grievous Canker in the Reins of his Back which deriding Art admitted of no cure but daily increasing with horrible pains he still Rotting above-Ground and well-nigh Poysoning such as were about him with the noisome Contagion in his way to Hadrianople in order to the Solemnizing the profane Feast called Baiâ—â—m or as they Term it the Feast of their Prophet he Breathed out his dismal-Ghost Anno 1520 near to the City Chiurlia on the very spot where he had formerly lifted up his Impious Sword against his Father Bajazet with purpose to have bereaved him of his Life and Empire dying after he had Reigned eight Years and lived 46 filling the World with Murthers and prodigius Slaughters and was Buryed in a new Temple at Constantinople Erected for the purpose by his Son Solyman who succeeded him in the Ottoman Empire and in token of his restless Nature upon his Tomb is Ingraven in Greek Turkish and the
Sclavonian Tongues this following Epitaph Hâ—â— Mâ—ximus adsum Selymus qui orbem Domâ—i non Bellâ— retinquo c. In English thus Lo here I lye great Selymus who held the world in fear The World I leave yet not the Wars which I seek tho not here Not Fortunes chance nor Victors Hand could take from me the Spoils And tho my Bones lye Buryed here my Ghost seeks Bloody Broils CHAP. XV. The Life of Solyman the first of that Name and fourth Emperor of the Turks who for his many great exploits or rather Lofty Carriage was Sirnamed the Magnificent SElymus being dead his Death was Concealed by Ferhaâ—es the only Bassa present at his Departure till such time as Solyman came from Magnesia lest the Souldier but especially the Janizaries should have Spoil'd and Plundered the Merchants-Strangers residing in the great City of Constantinople as is usual with them in Interregnums as they call them which are accounted from the Death of the proceeding Emperor to the time the Succeeding Emperor is presented to be proclaimed by the men of War but such was the Incredulity of Solyman that knowing his Fathers cruel Nature Jealous apprehension of his intent to Aspire to Empire for which he had often been in danger of his Life could not believe what he most desired till he had it certified from all Hands upon which with more then ordinary speed he hasted to Constantinople and there being met by the Great Bassas and the Aga of the Janizaries he was lead into the mid'st of the men of War drawn up for that purpose when as the Aga or chief Captain with a loud Voice said Behold your emperor upon which immediately followed an Universal Shout succeeded with the Joyful Acclamation of Longlive the great Emperor Solyman which consent of the men of War is to the Turkish Emperors the greatest Assurance of their safe Establishment in their Empire and so in great Triumph they brought him into the Royal Pallace and placed him in his Fathers Seat Anno 1520 at what time Charles the fifth was chosen Emperor of Germany The Janizaries by this means disappointed of the Spoil of the Goods belonging to the Jewish and Christian Merchants in Lieu thereof received of the new Emperor great Sums of money and had during his Reign their wage Augmented upon the Death of Selymus Gazeles whom he had made Governour of Syria revolted from Solyman and drew after him the remaining power of the Mamalukes seizing upon several Cities but being Fought with by Ferates Bassa sent against him with a great power he after a long and Bloody Fight was Slain and his forces put to Flight upon which all the Cities of Syria were again reduced to the Turkish obedience And now Solyman desirous to get himself a Name by the Counsel of Pyrrhus-Bassa his Tutor resolved to bend his forces against the Christians who by Reason of the Dissensions amongst themselves lay open to his Invasion a fatal over-sight which ever gave the Ottoman Emperors the opportunity to inlarge their Dominions on the Borders of Christendom whereupon raising a great power and enteriung Hungaria he took Belgrade almost without resistance against which in vain Mahomet the Great Amurath and Bajazet had lost 500000 Men Belgrade strongly Garrisoned he dispersed part of his Army and returned to Constantinople making great preparations for Sea against the Spring as having an Eye upon the famous Island of Rhodes of which the Rhodians not being Ignorant chose for their great Master Philippus Villerius a man of great Wisdom and Courage then following the French Court but upon notice thereof took Shipping at Marcelles and arrived safe in the Port of the City Rhodes tho Solyman had sent out Cortug Ogly a famous Pirate of the Turks with several Gallies to intercept them whereupon at his arrival he was installed by the Knights of the Order and Citizens with great Triumph and more then ordinary expressions of Joy Solyman not aâ—â—ering his Determination yet desirous to know how the Rhodians stood affected and to learn all that was possible of their number and the Strength of the City sent divers insinuating Letters with Superscriptions of his Thundering Titles to the great Master of which this is one viz. Solyman by the Grace of God King of Kings Lord of Lords greatest Emperor of Constaminople and Trepezond most Mighty King of Persia Arabia Syria Egypt Lord of Asia and Europe Prince of Mecha and Aleppo Ruler of Jerusalem and Master of the Universal Sea to Philippus Villerus Lilladamus great Master of Rhodes c. But neither these thumping Titles nor his Threats and Promises could move the great Master to hearken to his Request which was that he would become his Tributary and to deliver into his possession the City and Island so that finding his Expectations Frustrated and that his Name was not so terrible as he supposed after many Letters had passed and repassed he caused a Fleet of 200 Gallies to be furnished with all things necessary for the siege of that strong city of which the great Master being Advertised was not wanting on his part to put all things in order for making a most resolute defence causing Watch and Ward to be kept in every Street and the great Artillary to be planted upon the Walls and Bulwarks opening all the Armories of the City and furnishing every man with Weapons appointing to each his Station there to be ready when occasion required his Service and then taking a General Master of such as were fit for Service he found about 5000 resolute men amongst whom were six hundred Knights of the order each of them capable of Commanding a vast Army as likewise 500 Souldiers of Crâ—â—â— there were come thither for fear of the Turks a number of Villagers who served to Sink Sounds to Countermine the Enemy and to cast up Rampires c. Things thus ordered the great Master calling together his Commanders and Soldiers incouraged them in a most Christian-like manner to fight boldly against the Enemies of Christ and rather to dye in the defence of their Religion then to submit themselves to the Tyraâ—my of the Barbarous Infidels putting them in 〈◊〉 of the Valour of their Ancestors and of the aid they were to expect from the Christian Princes c. Which Sâ—eeâ—h so Animated the Commanders and Souldiers that they desired nothing more then to shew their prowess to the World By this time the Turks Gallies were put to Sea and about twenty being the forerunners of the Fleet for many Days braved the Rhodians before their own Port whereupon the Great Master called a Council to know whether they should be Fought with or not to procure which the Chancellor a man of Admirable Courage earnestly Laboured but the deâ—andents being but few and therefore the smallest loss at Sea tho they should gain the Victory might be a means to Weaken the City yet at length it was resolved upon that they should be permitted to Land in any
part of the Island except the Port without resistance which they accordingly did burning up the Corn and making great Spoil as they passed yet durst they attempt nothing against the City but again entering their Galley stood off to Sea to joyn with the rest of the Fleet which on the 26 of June Anno 1322 was from the Watch-Tower standing upon St. Stephens Hill discerned and notice given thereof to the Great Master who caused Publick Prayers to be put up to God that as it was his pleasure that they at that time should become the Champions of the Christian Religion that so of his infinite Goodness it would please him to strengthen them and give them Victory over the Enemies of his name c. Prayers ended every man betook him to his charge when as the fleet sailing by in Triumph the Vice-Admiral of the Turks in the middle having a fair Wind strook Sail directly before the Mouth of the Haven and caused his Galley to row towards the entrance of the Port Guarded with two strong Towers from which he received such a thundering welcom that he was inforced to retire and so with the rest of the fleet failing along the coast they came to a Promontory called by the Inhabitants Bow where thrusting their Gallies into a small Haven they landed their Artillery and other necessaries fit for the Siege the whole Army consisting of 200000 men and whilst they were preparing to intrench themselves the Great Master sent Embassadors to Charles the Emperor and the French King as likewise to the Pope and Princes of Italy for aid but they by reason of the broils amongst themselves returned the Embassadors only with fair promises in stead of performance The City of Rhodes is Situate upon plain ground every where to be besieged except towards the North which is defended with a good Haven and is incompassed about with a strong double Wall and deep Trenches threatning the Enemy with 13 stately Towers 5 Bulwarks and many strong Gates and what was more available within the City was kept a strict and orderly manner of warlike discipline The defence of the whole City was thus proportioned From the French Tower the which for its exceeding height seems to kiss the Clouds stood the Frenchmen with the Lillies in their Ensign under Johannes Abinus a Knight of the order from thence to St Georges Gate lay the Germans with their Eagle Ensign in the third station were placed the French of Avernois with the Spaniards for that the ditches in that place were neither so deep nor broad as in others next to them lay the English commanded by the great Master himself and lastly were placed they of Narbona and the Italians under the Command of Petrus Balinus and Gregorius Morgutus Valiant Knights of the Order Whilst Affaires stood thus several Turkish Women slaves to the Rhodians had conspired that when the Assault was given they would set their Masters houses on fire thereby to discourage the Souldiers and draw them from their defences to extinguishing the flame but this treachery being timely discovered the Conspirators were executed by this time the Turks had planted several batteries and began to play upon the English Bulwark but without doing any considerable damage when on the other side the Cannon from the Walls furiously playing upon the Turkish Pioneers as they were breaking Ground scattered their dead Bodies all over the Plain when at the same time a strong party Sallying out cut off a great number of such as were sent to guard them during their running the trenches which so discouraged the rest that they began to Murmur and Mutiny against their Commanders seeming daily more and more unwilling to hazard their lives against so strong a City and such resolute Enemies which caused Pyrrhus Bassa General of the Army to send Letters to Solyman then residing at Constantinople to inform him That if he would have the Siege go forward he must without delay come in person for that the Souldiers without regard of shame were ready to rise in Mutiny and to abandon the Siege refusing to be commanded by their Captains upon notice of which Solyman caused his Gallies to be made ready And on the 28 of August came himself to the Camp where reading in the Countenances of his Souldiers the little mind they had to continue the Siege he was exceeding wroth when causing them all to be disarmed he commanded 15000 harquibusiers to incompass them which Harquibusiers he had brought with him and Mounting his Pavilion for that purpose erected he rated with many bitter words calling them Slaves and Cowards after which he incouraged them to assume their Pristine courage and fight manfully against the City till they had subdued it and thereupon pronounced pardon to all that had offended and swore them again to his obedience after which the City was furiously battered with shot of incredible weight and huge stones for many days and was as manfully defended by the Rhodians so that in 200 shot there were but 10 men slain though several houses were shattered with their force of which the Turks having notice from one Appella a Citizen of Rhodes who was for the same executed as a Traytor The Turks perceiving the former Battery ineffectual raised a huge Mount on which they placed 40 great Ordnance with which they played furiously upon the Tower of St. Nicholas which was valiantly defended by one Guido a Frenchman to whom the charge of it was committed but e'r they had made many shot most of their Pieces were dismounted by the Cannon from the City nor durst they when they had made a Breach enter it but used great Diligence to undermine the Wall thirty two of which Mines were frustrated by Countermines yet they so plyed it that on the fourth of September having undermined the English Bulwarks they blew part of it up and in it divers of the Defendants at which Breach the Turks attemptiâ—â— to â—â—tâ—r were kâ—â—ed in the Breach to the number of 2000. Which the rest observing betook themselves to 〈◊〉 Heels but being forced thereby to please the Tyrant they three days after renewed the Assault but with worse success then before yet though they did as much as in them were possible Soly sent them a 〈…〉 to enter at the said Breach in attempting which â—â—â—0 were slain amongst whom were many great Commanders though not without some loss to the besieged for in expulsing them fifty Knights of the Order and 100 of lesser Note were slain These great Losses made the Bassas more wary resolving not longer to assail the besieged with plain Force but to work under ground and by that means to overthrow the Walls but therein for the most part they were unsuccessful as being frustrated by the Countermines yet by so weakening the Walls they rendred it more liable to the Force of their Artillery beating down great Pieces thereof yet stood hovering about being afraid to enter and yet not daring to
retire though they were mowed down in abundance by the great Shot for fear of the Tyrants displeasure yet at length creeping under the Walls to the Spanish Bulwarks they surprized it whilst their Soldiers were drawn off to relieve their Fellows hardly Charged by Achmetes Bassa but e'r they had kept it two hours it was again recovered and all the Turks either put to the Sword or thrown over into the Ditch where they miserably perished And the Bassa sore Gauled by the Flankers was forced to retire though not without great slaughter of his Men who lay on heaps in the Ditch and Breaches which Solyman perceiving caused the retreat to be sounded in this Assault by the Valour of the Christians 20000 Turks fell which so grieved Solyman that in a great rage he Commanded Mustapha Bassa the first mover of the War to be slain as likewise Pyrrhus Bassa for daring to intreat for him but upon the humble Supplication of his Men of War on their behalf he remitted the Execution of the Sentence but would not for a long time receive them into Favour He also Commanded the Admiral of his Gallies to be put to Death for suffering Provision to be carried by Sea into the City but at the intreaty of Achmetes his Life was spared but he not absolutely pardoned for being set upon the Stern of his Ship he there as a Slave by the Commandment of Solyman received 100 Stripes and so much was the Tyrant grieved for the re-ite-rated losses sustained in that Siege that he was about to have raised his Camp and returned to Constantinople the which he had done had not Achmetes Bassa perswaded him to the contrary by Promsing to make him speedily a way into the City at which he taking Courage again heartned his Men to continue the Siege whose Resolutions had long before fainted upon which Achmetes to make good his Promise assailed with all the Forces under his Command the Vamures of the Avergnon Station the which although they were not high were valiantly defended by the Rhodians yet the Turks Power increasing they were at last taken and a great Pent-House claped to the Wall to secure the besiegers from the Shot of the besieged notwithstanding Persanes a notable Engineer caused such abundance of Wild-Fire Pitch Tar Lead hot Ashes and Water to be thrown on them that they were forced to retire but such was the miserable Condition of the Turkish Soldiers that they were forced back again by their Commanders even into the mouth of Slaughter or else by them slain as Cowards or Flyers yet for all they could do the Rhodians forced them to retire in great disorder which inraged Solyman even to Madness but perceiving that his Honour lay at Stake he again by many perswasive Arguments prevailed with them to give another Assault promising them great Rewards if they prevailed and threatning those with Death that should be remiss in the performance of their Duty which either through Hopes or Fear Animated them to another Assault but with no better success then before for being miserably rent by the murthering Shot from the Flankers and Countermurers they were forced to retire leaving Piles of their Dead in the Breach and Ditch and now being altogether heartless yet extreamly vexed that they should be foiled with a handful of Men they resolved for the futere to be the more wary and rather to tire the Rhodians with continual Alarums then venture upon them when in the mean time they set their Pioneers at work to make way through the Breach deep in the Ground and for their defence turned their great Artillery upon it to prevent the Rhodians Sallying and with their multitude proved therein so successful that in a short time they had gained within the City 200 paces in breadth and 150 in length yet durst not Sally out to Scale the Countermurers which the Rhodians had made of the Houses beaten down by the Turks Shot which Solyman perceiving at the instance of Achmetes caused a parley to be offered offering many reasonable Conditions if the Rhodians would at length surrender the almost ruined City but and in Order thereto sent Hieronymus Monelia a Genoway who having procured safe Conduct would not deliver his Message but to some particular men which so incensed the Knights of the Order who now had set down a Resolution to dye in defence of the City that one Franciscus Farnovius a French Knight of singular Valour bent his Piece against him and would not suffer him to do his Message but the Citizens hearing there were Terms of Life and Liberty offered by the insulting Tyrant came to the House of the great Master and beseeched him to take pitty on them their Wives and Children and that since he well saw that the City was not long tenable he would in time provide for their safety and not expose them to the Fury of their Merciless Enemies whereat the great Master a man of singular Piety as well as Warlike Ardour being moved to Compassion sent Antonius Groleus and Robartus Barusinus his Ambassadors to Solyman having first received Pledges for their safe return who coming into the Emperors Presence told him that they were sent to know for what cause he had sent to require Parly who in a fuming heat as if he had been Ignorant of the matter said there was no such thing offered and thereupon Commanding them presently to avoid his Camp sent them away with Letters to the great Master and Citizens to this Effect If I had not Compassion of human Infirmities which often times tumbleth Head-long mens Ambitions and haughty minds into most dangerous and unnecessary Mischiefs truly I would not have directed to you these Letters at this time but as you have well deserved persecute you with Death and most Miserable Servitude which how easie a thing it were for me to do you your selves know but having now sufficiently tryed my force if you be wise make proof of my Clemency you have already satisfyed your own fury your own mad humour Therefore now advise your selves lay your Hands upon your Hearts and without delay yield your selves as I command your Lives I give you your Wealth and more then that your choice to tarry there still or depart refuse not the Grace freely Offered which was of you to have been most heartily desired it shall not be always Lawful as at this present to make choice of both c. Upon the return of the Ambassadors the Citizens of all sorts flocked together to the Great Masters House standing near the Breach to implore him to accept of any Reasonable terms who after he had dismissed the Multitude calling to him the Knights of the Order and chief Citizens after the Letters read he expressed himself after this manner You heard sacred Fellows in Arms and Valiant Citizens of Rhodes these imperious and sorrowful Letters whereunto how we are to answer requireth no great deliberation we must as resolute men either yield or
dye all hopes of Victory is gone except forrain aid come speedily to our Succour wherefore if you will follow my Counsel let us with Weapons in our Hands until the last Gasp and spending the last drop of our Blood like Valiant men defend our Faith and Nobility received from our Ancestors and the honour which we have of long time gotten both at home and abroad and let it never be said that our honour dyed but with our selves This Speech was approved of by all the Knights of the Order and most of the Soldiers but the Citizens looking back upon their Wives Children and Wealth stood mute for a good while but at length Pity working in their Brest they humbly besought the Great Master that he would yet have Compassion on them and accept of the Tyrants reasonable Conditions since Fame sufficient had been won by their doing all that men were capable of performing and that they would yet hazard their Lives to the utmost if they perceived any hopes of defending the City or that any forain aid in time would come to their assistance but since neither of them were to be expected it was but reasonable to yield to inevitable necessity After these and many the like Arguments and others of the resolute Soldiers and Commanders on the contrary it was concluded that the City was not capable of being defended by so small a Power against such a numerous Army whereupon Messengers were sent to require a Truce for 4 Days which was accordingly granted during which time the Turks presuming on the Truce came in great number to View the Works at which Fornovius a French man being greatly offended in a great heat without any command from the Great Master caused a Fire of Artillery to be discharged amongst the thickest of them whereupon they pretending a Breach of Truce on the part of the Rhodians thrust in at the Breach in great Troops but after a sharp Skirmish were forced to retire in revenge whereof one of the Turks Fencers having taken 3 Christians cut off their Hands Noses and Ears and in that posture sent them into the City threatning within 4 Days to serve the Great Master after the same manner yet Solyman dissembling the matter signed and swore to the Articles of Peace brought to him for that purpose by Nicholas Vergotus and Georgius Sandriticus which were to this Effect That the Churches should remain unto the Christians inviolate that no Children should be taken from their Parents or any Christians be inforced to imbrace the Mahometan Superstition That such Christians as were Contented to remain in the City might so do at their Pleasure and that such as would depart might have Liberty so to do with all their Substance to be furnished with Convenient Shipping Provision and Ordnance as far as Creet that the Christians should appoint a reasonable Day for their Departure and that in Consideration thereof the City to be delivered up to such as Solyman should appoint to take Possession thereof Upon the afore-mentioned Articles though they were not all observed by the Turks the City was delivered up Anno 1522. after it had indured six Months Siege and cost Solyman the Lives of 80000 of his Soldiers having been in the Possession of the Knights of the Order 214 years Upon which the great Master being for his Gravity Virtue and Valour highly Honoured and applauded by the Conqueror imbarked together with the Knights of his Order and such others as would accompany him and the Gallies for that purpose ready in the Port and sailed to Mesina where he was joyfully received and after invited to the Courts of most of the Christian Princes having with Indignation refused Solyman's great Offer made to him provided he would have accompanied him to Constantinople and have spent the remainder of his Days in his Service And thus for want of Relief the Christian Princes at that time being at Variance amongst themselves the famous Rhodes was lost where Solyman having stayed awhile to settle his Affairs appointed a Governour and so breaking up his Army returned to Constantinople where for the space of three years he lived Peaceably giving himself up to all manner of Pleasures but at the end thereof perceiving the Discord amongst the Christian Princes managed by Pope Adrian the sixth to grow hot a fatal over-sight that ever gave the Ottoman Kings and Emperors opportunity of extending their Dominions he conceived it best to fish in troubled waters and thereupon raising an Army of 200000 Horse and Foot he fell like a Tempest upon Hungary subduing all before him till he came within sight of the Walls of their chief City at what time Lewis the young King perswaded thereto by Tomoreus a Fryer who assured him of the Victory and several other rash Counsellors not regarding those of more Gravity that diswaded him from so rash an Attempt with an Army of scarce 30000 raw Soldiers gave him Battle but was overthrown with miserable Slaughter of his men and himself seeking to escape passing over a Fenny Ditch his Horse fell backwards upon which he was loaden with his Armor and none coming to his Relief he was smothered in the Water and Mud In this Battle fought on the 29. of October Anno 1526. perished most of the Hungarian Nobility and well near all the Common Soldiers After this great great Victory obtained Solyman having most of the strong Cities delivered into his Possession gave the Kingdom to Joannes Sepusius Vayvod of Transilvania and taking with him such things of Price as he thought convenient leaving two of his Bassas with flying Armies on the Frontiers he returned to Constantinople but he was no sooner departed and John Crowned by the Consent of the remainder of the Hungarian Nobility who durst do no other for fear of the Turks but Ferdinand King of Bohemia laid Claim to the Kingdom and to make his Title more apparent sent his Ambassadors to the Courts of divers Christian Princes to declare from whom he derived his Claim when aided by Charles the Emperor his Brother he entered Hungary with a great Army and without any considerable Resistance took the strong City of Buda at what time many of the Hungarians joyned with him as not in the least favouring John so that fearing delays might be dangerous he caused his Army under the leading of his expert Captains to pass over the River Tibiscus upon a Bridge of Boats and marched directly to the Cattle of Tocai where King John lay with his Army where the Battle being joyned after a sharp Dispute the Victory fell to Ferdinand when as King John seeing all lost and past recovery fled with several of his trusty Followers into Polonia upon whose departure Ferdinand by the advice of such Hungarians as favoured his Cause was Crowned King at Alba-Regalis the usual place for the Coronation of the Hungarian Kings Whereupon having disposed all things to the best advantage and appointing Stephanus Bator his Vice-Roy hereturned into
Bohemia King John by the means aforesaid thrust of his Kingdom grew extreme impatient and often consulted with Sigismond King of Polonia to re-in-throne him in his Kingdom offering to bear the Charge of the War but the Pole being already in League with Ferdinand would not seem unless underhand to favour John but wished him to take counsel with Hieronymus Lascus a great Politician what was best to be done in his Affairs the which Lascus advised him to crave Aid of Solyman now at Leasure to assist him and urged so many Reasons for it that he was content to send him his Ambassador to Constantinople who there with Treasure and fair Speeches so allured the Bassas of the Court to second him in his Request that Solyman promised again to enter Hungaria with a puissant Army and by the Insinuation of this sly Councellor that when King Ferdinand sent Ambassadors to him to make out his Title by which he laid Claim to the Kingdom he would scarcely give them Audience and when he did instead of an Answer to their Ambassy he Herauld-like denounced against their King all the Calamities that attend on War and so commanded speedily to depart the City all which upon their Arrival at Vienna they made known to the Kings Lieutenant who was so far from believing them that he looked upon them as vain and idle Tale-bearers which they perceiving hasted to the King at Spires who then was Labouring to get himself chosen King of the Romans and declared to him all they had in Charge Whereupon he well knowing that the Turk desirous of Glory and the inlarging of his Dominions seldom broke his Word on such occasions he put all his Forces in a readiness earnestly both in Person and by his Ambassadours craved Aid of the German Princes for the Defence of his Kingdom of Hungary against the common Enemy but his Brother Charles having his hands full of his Wars in Italy and he wanting Money to raise a sufficient Army to fight so powerful an Enemy was forced to suffer him without Controul to enter Hungaria for fear of whom the Citizens of Buda mostly fled to Strigonium Alba-Regalis and Possonium So that marching from Belgrade where King John came to wait upon him and received a Confirmation of the Promise he had made to Lascus of restoring him to the Kingdom of Hungary he came before it and had it yeilded with little or no Resistance as likewise the strong Castle though contrary to the Will of the Captain yet contrary to his Promise he caused all that were found in the latter to be put to the Sword except the Captain whom the Soldiers had cast in Bonds for refusing to joyn with them in their treacherous delivery of that strong Piece Buda taken most of the other Cities of Hungary surrendred whereupon he resolved to invade Austria a part of King Ferdinands other Dominions in Order to which he sent Achometes Bassa with the voluntary Horsemen who running through the Heart of Hungary entring into Austria with Fire and Sword passed by Vienna miserably burning and destroying the Country before them even as far as Lyntz driving the Country People like Sheep deflowring Vigins riping up Women alive dashing Infants against the Rocks with all other imaginable Cruelties after whom Solyman followed with the gross of his Army consisting of 500000 Horse and Foot as many Writers affirm who by the way having taken the Castle of Altenbury and in vain assaulted Neapolis he came before the great City of Vienna and incamped about it in five places covering the Ground with his Tents and the multitude of his People 8 miles in Circumference So that Fredrick Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria General of King Ferdinand's Forces not being able to get into the City with his Army sent for that purpose was forced to stay at Chremse yet was his Nephew Philip the Palsgrave a little before the coming of Solyman to the great joy of the Citizens entered with several Troops of valiant Horsemen as likewise Nicholas Count of Salma the Lord William Regendorf Steward of the Kings houshold Johannes Cazzianer Nicholaus Turianus Johannes Hardecus Leonardus Velsâ—â—s Hector Ramsack with divers others all men of great Experience and Valour and daring Resolution yet was the City but badly defended with a Brick Wall without Grafts or Flankers the Ditch altogether dry and although at that time there were found 400 Pieces of Ordnance yet they could find means to mount no more then a 100 notwithstanding the Citizens and Soldiers used all diligence in raising Rampires and Barocading the Gates unless those they reserved to Sally at and by the Command of the Governour every man was assigned his Quarter keeping strict Watch upon the Walls to prevent the Enemies approach for that the Bulwarks were not of Considerable strength The Count of Salma and the Lord Regendorf walking hourly from one place to another to see all things put in a posture of defence the Citizens laboured continually in strengthening the Fortifications and raising Batteries whereon to plant such Pieces as lay useless for want of where to mount them they made likewise divers Fire-works and continually kept Coppers of Tar Pitch Rosin Oyl and scalding Water in a readiness to pour upon the Enemy by that means to prevent their Scaling the Walls every one from the greatest to the least expressing a Cheerfulness for the defence of this place the Metropolis of Austria and chief Hope of the German Empire which the Turks conceived so Considerable that they doubted not but it won all Austria Stiria and Corinthia would be soon at their Devotion The City by this time strengthened and provided of many necessary for a strenuous Defence Messengeres were sent to Count Fredrick to draw near with his Army the more to terrifie and amaze the Enemy whose numerous Camp could not long subsist if supplies of Provision were cut off upon the Arrival of the Messenger the Count highly approved of the Resolution of the besieged and declared he would be always at hand and omit no Indeavours to succour them admonishing the Messenger to remember him to his fellow Soldiers and in his Name intreat them to play the Men for the defence of the Christian Religion and Glory of the German Nation whose Ruin the Infidels sought and so with several presents he dismissed the Messenger who returning related what he had in Charge Whereupon the Lord Regendorf assembled all the chief Commanders and principal Citizens and with an undaunted Courage made this short Oration Christians and fellow Soldiers the time is now come wherein we are to fight under the Banner of our Lord Jesus Christ whom these barbarous Nations have defied let us then shew forth our Courage to the utmost even in the Mouth of Slaughter let not Death nor Danger terrifie us since we fight in a good Cause even for our Religion our Lives our Wives Children and all that we hold dear for what it can
be but Ambition and thirst of Christian Blood that drew this Bloody Monster with his numerous Host from such remote Countries Therefore I say rather let us dye like Men fighting it out to the last Drop of Blood then yield our selves to these Barbarous Infidels who know not how to shew Mercy whose Leagues Vows and Solemn Protestations are all but Wind kept no longer then they prove Advantagious to themselves I for my part have fixed my unalterable Resolution to defend this Place to the last Gasp resolving not to survive its loss This Oration spoken with great Earnestness plainly Demonstrating the Zeal of a brave General was seconded with loud shouts every one promising to Live and Dye with him in the defence of the City Whereupon it was resolved that the next Morning a Sally should be made upon the Enemies to give them a Taste of Christian Valour and how little they valued their Lives fighting in so good a Cause whereupon every one being dismissed went to his Quarters to give necessary Orders and take a View how the Turks lay incamped whose multitude covered all the Hills and Plains before the City The Watch being set the General went round the City attended by several Officers Carefully to survey each Quarter and to see that none neglected his Duty so that all things being in good Order about Midnight six Reigments drew up with a Resolution to fall upon the Enemies Camp but whilst Orders were in giving in what manner they should make their approach a Christian Captive having made his escape from the Turks came running almost breathless and begged to be received into the City Whereupon the Soldiers drew him up with a Pike who being questioned about the state of the Turkish Camp declared that every night since they came forty thousand men were driven up in Battalia to Guard the Camp which was not as yet well intrenched upon notice of which the General changed his Resolution as to the Sally During the preparation within Solyman was not idle having sworn to carry the City by force e're he departed if he could not have it otherwise but appointed to every man his station dividing his Army under Ibrahim the Great Bassa Michael Ogli and Becrambeius so that all things being in a readiness many salleys were made by the Christians with great slaughter of the Enemies though the Asapi and Janizaries from their Trenches poured showers of Arrows into the City for as yet the Turks great Artillery were not come up the Danubius but were dayly expected of which Wolfgangus Hoder a Valiant Captain understanding by several Turkish Prisoners sailed out of the Bay of Possonium and meeting with the Turks Galleys sunk those in which the Ordinance were taking a great Booty of which Solyman having notice was greatly inraged and finding that his small pieces did little other damage than beat down the battlements and over-jets made of wood in stead of Flankers he caused the Miners to be set to the Wall but this their chief hope which with wonderful labour attempted in thirteen places at once was not so secretly done but that it was by Drums layed upon the Ground Basons filled with Water and deep sounds perceived by the defendants who with Countermines not only defeated many of them but destroyed in them by Wild-fire and other Combustible matter Eight Thousand Turks when to prevent such discovery Solyman commanded continual Alarums should be given that so the Christians being imployed in defending the Walls might not regard the Miners which succeeded so to his wish that a great part of the Wall near the Gate that leadeth towards Carinthia was thrown down by the springing of a Mine at which the Turks in great numbers indeavouring to enter were miserably cut off with the Murthering shot bent against the breach for the purpose which no sooner ceased but they were furiously charged by the Germans and in despite of all resistance beaten back with incredible slaughter Not long after the Wall being blown up in two other places they again attempted to enter but were repulsed as before leaving heaps of slain in the Breaches and Ditch nor was their third Assault any more successful so that after three hours withstanding the fury of the resolute Defendants they retired to the Camp Ten Thousand less than they came A while after the Lord Regendorfe perceiving the Turks by parties scatter from their Camp came with a Company of German Horse set upon a Party of Five Thousand Three Hundred with such slaughter that not above One Hundred and Forty of them returned to tell the News Nor did other Commanders of the besieged less indamage the Enemies by frequent Salleys which so inraged the Tyrant that he animated to a fourth Assault promising them great rewards if they prevailed which so far prevailed with them that they resolved amongst themselves either to win the City or dye in the undertaking but when they felt the shot from the besieged like a tempest fall on them they were of a different opinion so that leaving many Thousands of the slain and wounded behind them they retire to the Camp which Solyman perceiving and fretting that his Honour had so much suffered by so great a loss of his Men and so many Repulses dissembled the matter as well as he could and that the Germans should not suppose he raised his siege because he despaired of winning it he caused several Prisoners to be richly cloathed and giving them store of Money sent them into the City to inform the Commanders that he came not to take the City of Vienna but to fight King Ferdinand and restore the Kingdom of Hungaria to King John therefore since he could not draw his Enemy into the Field to give him Battle he would remove thence to seek him wherefore they should do well to yield themselves the which if they would he promised not to enter into the City but to receive both the Citizens and Souldiers into his protection reserving unto 'um their Lives and Goods with perpetual freedom which offer coming to the knowledge of the Princes and great Captains of the Christians scornfully refused whereupon the Imperious Turk perceiving his desires not answered as he expected having caused all the Prisoners to be murthered in a great heat raised his siege and departed not staying till he came to Buda where having restored the Kingdom to John in consideration of his becoming his Tributary he returned to Constantinople yet plotting in his mind to disturb the Christians and revenge the disgrace he had received before at Vienna the next year viz 1530 he leavyed an Army greater than the former purposing with himself to over-run Austria Carinthia Styria and most part of the German Empire to effect which he allowed three years but was altogether deceived in his expectation for Charles the Emperor having ended his Wars in Italy was now at leisure to attend upon the Insolent Turk who calling together his Valiant Captains sent them into Spain
Italy Flanders and other Countreys to leavy Forces which they did in such abundance to oppose the common Enemy that upon the Muster of the Army there were found Ninety Thousand old experienced Foot Souldiers and Thirty Thousand Horsemen well appointed all the flower â—â—â—ermany Italy Bohemia and Hungaria as likewise One Hundred and Forty Thousand of less experience the whole Army consisting of One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Men the approach of which so terrified Solyman that after he had in vain besieged Gonza and harazed the Countrey though with the loss of Ten Tousand of his Men he returned to Constantinople carrying with him into miserable Captivity Thirty Thousand poor Christians taken in divers Countries through which he passed and to appease his fury put no less a number to the Sword And now had the Christian Army composed of divers Nations pursued the Turk by Land and Sea as the Emperour earnestly desired they might have driven him quite out of Europe but Emulation arising amongst the Commanders and the Soldiers frequently mutining this great Army effected nothing more than to oblige Solyman to retire The Empire mindful of the damage sustained by the Turks in Austria Hungary and other Countries to revenge the same early the spring following set forth a Fleet consisting of Thirty Five great Ships and Forty Eight Galleys under the Conduct of Andreas Aurea a most expert Captain who sailing to the Bay of Ambracia thought there to have met with the Turks Admiral who had under his Command Sixty Galleys but he having notice of his coming from the Venetians who stood Newters was sailed to the strong Haven of Calcide whereupon Auria directed his course to Corone a strong City upon the Coast of Peloponesus and had it yielded unto him upon condition that the Garison might depart with bag and baggage where leaving a Garrison of Spaniards he sailed to Patras another City in the same Tract took it and ransacked it permitting the Garrison nevertheleless to march out in safety after which he took all the Castles that guarded the straight of Naupactum without any hindrance which gave Saluiatus General of the Malta Galleys opportunity to waste the Coast of Corinth and take great booties which done he returned loaden with spoils to Naples and from thence to Genoa the place of his birth and residence The Turks grieving at their great loss early in the Spring Anno 1533 lay'd siege to Corone both by Sea and Land of which Mendoza the Governour by Letters advised the Vice-Roy of Naples craving speedy aid with all assuring him he would defend the Town to the utmost extremity upon which Auria was sent with a well appointed Fleet the terror of whose coming so frighted the Turks that they left the siege having lost many Men before it and for haste left all their heavy Carriages which became a Prey to the Garrison Soldiers which exalted their courage to that degree that they requested Macicaus the Governour to lead them forth to the siege of Andrusa a Garrison of the Turks not far distant from Corone but their coming being discovered they could not surprize it as they intended yet ransacked the Suburbs and made great slaughter of the Turk Horsemen quartering therein though with the loss of Macicaus the Governour and divers others yet not long after they took the City being abandoned by the Garrison as not tenable but upon their return to Corone the Plague began to rage so fearfully that fearing if they stay they should all perish and fit opportunity offering it self by reason of the Arrival of several Galleys from Sicily with Corn all the Spaniards together with as many Greeks as would imbarqued with the Cannon and what else they thought convenient leaving the Town to be again possessed by the Turks though not without the consent of the Emperor Anno 1534 Aloysus Grittus Son to the Duke of Venice and Solymans great Favourite being by him â—ade Leiutenant of Hungary inwardly envying at Ameriâ—us Vayvod of Transylvania at the instance of one Docia caused him to be murthered in his Tent which so incensed the Transylvanians that they Arming themselves to the number of Forty Thousand under the Leading Maylat a Valiant Gentleman and Kinsman to the Vayvod pursued the Murtherer who sled to Mega which the Transylvanians besieged and not without great difficulty took and in it Aloysus and Docia the former of which they beheaded and the latter tore in pieces taking the spoil of their Goods which was very great for about Aloysus were found as many precious stones as were esteemed worth Forty Millions Solyman thirsting after Glory and resolving not to let his Soldiers lye idle resolved to invade at once both Africk and Persia the charge of the first he committed to Barbarusa who of a poor Fisher-Boy became a Pirate and afterward King of Argire and then travelling to Constantinople was upon the recommendation of Achometes the Great Bassa made one of the Bassas of Solymans Council Whereupon he cansed all his Galleys to be in a readiness appointing the aforesaid Barbarusa Admiral of all his Sea Forces who had no sooner taken upon him the Command but sailing out of Hellespontus with Eighty Galleys leaving Amurath with twelve to transport Solymans Army in to Asia he shaped his course for Italy when passing the Straights between Italy and Sicily he brought such a fear upon the Inhabitants on either shoar that they fled with all their substance further into the Countrey after which he layed siege to Saint Lucidius formerly called Tempsas which he took putting most of the Inhabitants to the Sword from whence with a rich booty and many Prisoners he marched to Citrarium which he took and burnt together with Seven Galleys that lay in the Port and so sailing by Naples he seized upon Spelunca from which he marched over Land to Fundi ten miles from Spelunca on purpose as was thought to have seized on Jula Gonzaga a Lady of incomparable Beauty whom he intended to have presented to Solyman but she though half naked getting on Horseback fled to the Mountains yet he took the City and put most of the Inhabitants to the Sword and so coasting along Italy and taking many Cities Towns and Castles he brought such a fear upon Rome once Mistress of the World that many conjectured that if he went directly thither with his Fleet the Romans would have forsaken the City but then contrary to the expectation of most he shaped his Course for Africk resolving to invade the Kingdom of Tunes over which Reigned one Muleasses having a little before stepped into the Throne by treacherously causing to be Murthered all his Brethren except Roscetes and Abdemelech the former of which having tryed his utmost fortune for the recovery of the Kingdom in right appertaining to him as Elder Brother to Mueasses he for his safety was fled to Constantinople which opportunity Solyman laying hold on to advantage his Wars in Africk kept him as a
Prisoner at large so that Babarussa landing and every where proclaiming the Name of Roscetes whom the Moors and Numidians greatly favoured hating Muleasses for his extraordinary Tyranny he had Biferta immediately pat into his possession the Moors thinking as indeed the Turks gave it out that Roscetes was in the Fleet and that the Turks had made so great a Preparation to restore him to his Fathers Kingdom Barbarussa having secured Biserta with a strong Garrison doubling the Promontorie where old Carthage stood came to Gulletta a strong Castle standing within the Bay of Tunis where in token of Friendship he saluted it and had the like returned but upon the requesting the surrender thereof he was answered that it should be alwaies at his Command who ruled the City of Tunes so that returning from thence he came before the City upon which by the perswasion of such as affected Roscetes Muleasses fled with a small number of his Favourites and for haste left behind him most of his Treasure which afterwards became a prey to the Enemy Muleasses fled the people joyfully received Barbarussa into Tunes and with eager Eyes and longing expectations flockt into the high streets to have a sight of their new King but when they perceived him not and heard the Soldiers in their Acclamations name none but Solyman and Barbarussa they began to doubt as the truth was that instead of their new King whom they so much desired thay had received the Turkish Government which above all things they utterly abhorred which suspicion once confirmed by several of Roscet's Friends whom Barbarussa had brought with him on purpose to delude the people who grieved to see the ruine of their Countrey at hand for fear of present danger did not spare to tell their Friends and Acquaintance that in vain they expected Roscetes who remained in Bonds at Constantinople which wrought so sudden an alteration in the minds of the Citizens that perceiving themselves deceived at the instance of Abdahar the Mesuar or chief Magistrate who had before perswaded Muleasses to fly in hopes of bringing in Roscetes they every where run to their Arms and from all parts of the City assailed the Turks but for the most part being slightly Armed and in a tumultuary disorder they were not able to stand the fury of the Harquebusiers but after a long and obstinate Fight wherein a great number were killed on both sides they submitted themselves of which Muleasses having notice fled to Constantina the Regal City of Dorax a Numidian Prince his Kinsman where he remained in safety till the coming of Charles the Emperor into Africk as will appear in the sequel of this History Tunes thus taken or rather surprized by Barbarussa all the other Cities thereto appertaining were won with little difficulty and annexed to the Turkish Empire till they were again sundred by the Germans and Muleasses the Exil'd King restored by the Emperor And in this posture leaving the Affairs of Africk I shall take a view of Solyman's proceeding against the Persians Hismael being dead and Tamas his Son succeeding him Ibrahim the Great Bassa who could do all with Solyman perswaded him that now a fit opportunity offered to be revenged on the Persians and the rather by the revolt of Vlemus a Noble Man of Persia who had Espoused King Tama's Sister who having Imbesled the Revenues of the Crown for fear of being called to account for so doing was fled to Constantinople But Solyman's Mother and fair Concubine Roxolan greatly desirous of his Company much opposed the Motion of the Bassa laying before Solyman the danger and inconveniency of so tedious and dangerous an Expedition but not being able to prevail they ever after became Ibrahim's Mortal Enemies not leaving to urge Solyman till at last he gave command that he should be murthered Solyman resolved upon an expedition against the Persian to revenge as he pretended the manifold injuries done to his Grandfather Father and himself raised a great Army part of which he sent before him under the Command of Ibrahim the Great Bassa and Vlemas the Fugitive Persian who by hasty Marches over the Mountains and along the Banks of Euphrates that setting down before the great City Taurus and the Citizens despairing to be relieved by their King he had the City delivered into his possession of which King Tames having notice hasted thither with his Army but e're he attempt any thing for the recovery thereof Solyman with a great multitude of Soldiers had joyned the Bassa whereupon he thought it not good to give Battle to so powerful an Enemy but to hover about his Camp and take all advantages well knowing such a World of people could not subsist without exceeding store of Provisions and other necessaries which device of the Persian Solyman well perceiving left a strong Garrison in Taurus and marched against him who still retired before the Turks even to the Walls of Sultania near to which Solyman pitching his Camp lay many dayes to expect him during which time such a horrible Tempest arose that the Winds driving the Snow off from the steep Hills buryed many Thousands of the Turks alive overthrowing most of their Tents and although it was but the middle of September froze so hard that many were froze to Death others lost the use of their Limbs and most of the Camels and Horses perished which bad Omen together with their Apprehensions they had of the approach of the Enemy and the horrible darkness of the Night so discouraged the Soldiers that they would all have fled had they known which way This Tempest they concluded to be raised by the Persian Magicians to destroy them but whether so or not it greatly discouraged Solyman so that raising his Camp he marched into Assyria and set down before Babylon now Bagdat which being altogether unprovided upon the flight of the Governour fell into his hands as likewise did most of the Cities both of Assyria and Mesopotamia and so far extended the terror of his Name that most of the Countreys round about sent their Embassadors to tender their subjection and in Babylon he Wintered his Army placing Governours in the adjacent Cities And a Beglerbeg as they proudly term him that is a Lord of Lords In Babylon and under him divers Sanzacks or petty Lords during his aboad here he also caused his chief Treasurer to be executed for Imbesling his Revenues Tamas the Persian King having by this time raised a considerable Army marched to Tauris at whose approach the Garrison fled of which Solyman having notice and being strengthned with new supply out of Egypt Syria Judea and Comagena he left Babylon resolving to provoke the Persian to Battle or to sack his regal City Tauris before his face but Tames knowing himself too weak to give him Battle at his approach drew out his Army and fled into the Mountains of Hyrcania destroying all before him to prevent its falling into the hands of his Enemies upon whose departure the
Citizens opened their Gates to the Turks whom they were no wayes able to resist yet notwithstanding at the Commandment of Solyman the City was sacked the Kings Palace and other stately Buildings levelled with the Ground and a great number of the Citizens lead into miserable Captivity and thinking himself sufficiently revenged he resolved to return with his Army into Mesopotamia but having notice that the Persian was following even at his heels he divided his Forces leaving the Bassas of Cair and Syria with Vlemus the Fugitive Persian with Eighteen Thousand to follow in the rere of his Army to repel the assaults of the Fore-runners of Tamas's Army he marched with the rest by speedy Journeys to Amida now called Caraemida In the mean while Tamas coming to Tauris with his Army being the flowr of Parthia Media Iberia and Armenia and beholding what desolation the Turks had made in that famous City was so inraged thereat that he would have pursued them with all his Army to revenge the injury at the hazard of a Battle but being perswaded they were gone too far to be overtaken and the Gentlemen of which his Army chiefly consisted seemed altogether unwilling to undertake so tedious a march he was content to stay at Tauris and send Delimeuthes a Noble Man of Persia who freely offered himself to undertake it with Five Thousand swift Horse to follow them and as he saw his advantage to cut off the Enemies rear the which he so speedily performed that surprizing the Eighteen Thousand under the Command of the two Bassas and Vlemas as they lay securely near the Castle of Belthis that being assisted with the Garrison Soldiers he put them almost all to the Sword the Bassas and Vlemas hardly escaping upon their swift Horse to tell the news for which service he was highly rewarded by Tamas These reiterated losses greatly perplexed Solyman so that calling to mind the presages his Mother had made of his evil success in that expedition of that he was wholly lead thereto by the Council Ibrahim Bassa he therefore conceived such a displeasure against him as ended in his destruction for upon his Arrival to Constantinople he gave such countenance to those that brought complaints against which before they durst not do that at the earnest Request of Roxoâ—anaâ— whose Son Bajazet the Bassa hindred from aspiring to 〈◊〉 Empire and rather favouring Mustapha Solymâ—◠〈…〉 another Woman that he consented to his 〈◊〉 made away and by reason he had sworn never to injure his person whilst he lived he caused for the saving of his Oath an Eunuch to cut his Throat whilst he slept which Jesuitical Evasion he learned of the Musti or Chief Mahometan Priest who being consulted on the matter gave his opinion that Men only are alive when they Move Act and Enjoy their perfect Sences and that sleep depriving them of their reasonable Faculties rendered them as dead Men. Some there are that report the fall of this great Man who whilst he stood high in his Masters favour in effect ruled the Turkish Empire to be caused by his too much favouring the Christians who having in his younger years been brought up in that profession still continued a Christian in his heart and that to spare the shedding of Christian Blood as much as in him lay He turned the Emperors Forces against the Infidels yet however it happened his Body with a great weight fixed to it was cast into the Sea and all his Wealth which was inestimable except a small portion alotted for the maintenance of his Wife and Children was seized to the behoof of Solyman Tunes as aforesaid being taken by Barbarussa and all the other Cities obliged to submit to the Turkish obedience Charles the Emperor who was likewise King of Spain not liking so potent a Neighbour leavyed great Forces solicited thereto by Muleasses the Exil'd King and in revenge of the Injuries sustained by Barbarussa resolved to drive him out of that part of Africk when appointing Alphonsus D'valus Vastius General of the Footmen he with Seven Hundred Sail of great and small Ships and Galleys stood with the African Coast when dubling the Promontory of Carthage came to an Anchor before a Castle which by reason of a great Well beneath is it called by the name of Aquaria or the Water Castle whose unexpected arrival so terrified Barbarussa dreaming of nothing less that he was about to have fled with all his Turks but then fearing to fall into Solymans displeasure which to do he knew was certain death upon second thoughts though he resolved to make all the defence he was able against so powerful an Army as the Emperor lead after him and thereby get him the name of a valiant Soldier though he despaired with the Forces he had to keep either the Cities or Castles whereupon he did what he could to incourage his men with many vain-glorious-speeches and into the strong Castle of Guletta standing upon the bottom of the Bay of Carthage upon a point of Land incompassed almost round with the Sea and the great Lake he thrust his most resolute Captains and Janizaries himself remaining in Tunis to expect supplyes out of Numidia at what time the Emperor having with his great and small shot obliged those that guarded the shoar to retire He landed his men and intrenched them every Nation by themselves during which they had â—equent skirmishes with the Numidian Horsemen nor were they less molested by the Garrison who sallyed as often as they saw their advantage when one dayes sallying under the Command of Salaciaâ— Arch-Pirate they came up to the Mount near the Castle commanded by Count Serney a man famous both for the Honour of his House and great Exploits in War who not using to be so braved descended with the Italians under his Command to drive them back by force but the Enemy being far superiour in number and the Spaniards who were intrenched next him looking on and not coming out to succour him he there fighting valiantly was slain but the Spaniards though they secretly rejoyced at the overthrow of the Count who had so often eclipsed their Glory fared not better for the next day Tobacches another of the Turks Captains sallying out charged them in their Trenches killing many of them and taking what they found therein These Losses made the General sharply reprove the Captains of their neglect of duty in watching to prevent the dangerous attempts of so politique an Enemy which so wrought with the Captains and Soldiers that to regain their credit they vowed to shun no danger nor were they inferiour to their promise for Giaffer Captain of the Janizaries sallying out against the Spaniards was himself slain together with most of his Men whom the Christians pursued even to the Gate of the Castle and had entered with those that fled had not those that were entered shut out a great number of their Fellows to prevent it who were all slain or taken Prisoners after which the
Emperor caused his Batteries to be mounted whilst Auria with the Fleet blocked up the Castle to the Sea-ward so that what from the Ships and the Mounts the great Ordnance in manner of an Earthquake so terribly roated that their continual 〈◊〉 made it seem as if the Earth would have â—ent in sunder and caused the Sea which before was calm to mount as if it had been inraged with a Tempest the Air likewise became thick and the Sky was darkned with smoak so that after ten hours incessant battery the Vamures and Walls of the Castle were in many places beaten down the Turks Canon and Canoneers lying buried together in the Rubbish so that the defendants utterly despairing longer to hold it fled over a wooden Bridge layed for that purpose who being fiercely pursued by the Christians were most of them slain insomuch that the Surface of the Lake was well nigh covered with dead bodies The strong Castle thus taken and most of the Turks Fleet of Galleys at Aâ—â—hor in the Lake yielded to the Conqueror upon notice of which Muleasses the Moorish King came to the Emperors Tent and humbled himself at his Feet promising to become his tributary desiring as his Vassal to be received into his protection swearing never to forget so great a Benefit with many the like expressions which so moved the Emperour that he promised to restore him without any other Tribute than yearly paying a brace of Falcons and a brace of Barbary Horses as likewise to maintain a Thousand Christian Soldiers to keep for him the Castle of Guletta and ever after to be kind to all Christians either Inhabiting or that should have occasion to pass through his Countrey telling him further that if he failed in any point those Armes that restored him could again depose him Matters thus concluded the Emperour marched against Tunis where Barbarussa with the remainder of his Forces were in Garrison who upon the approach of the Christians drew out his Forces consisting for the most part of Numidian Horsemen but scarcely endured the first charge e're he betook himself to flight and again entered the City of Tunis where in his mad mood he determined to kill all the Christian Prisoners and had put his bloody intent into practise had he not been disswaded therefrom by Sinan a Jew one of his chief Captains which turned to his great disadvantage for the Captives to the number of Six Thousand hearing in what danger they were in burst out of the Dungeons in the Castle where they lay in Irons and killing such Turks as they found therein barracaded the doors seizing on such Armour as came first to hand made signs to the Emperor from the Battlements that they kept the Castle to his behoof which Barbarussa perceiving and that all his intreaties for the rendition of it was in vain he in a great rage abandoned the City with such of his followers as would attend him and fled by Sea in Fourteen Galleys to the City of Bona. The Turks having deserted Tunis the Magistrates came forth with the Keyes to meet the Emperor who without any resistance entered the City which he laboured to save from the spoil but such was the fury of the Soldiers that they could not be restrained neither by the Emperor nor Vastius the General but seizing upon all they found killed such of the Moors as resisted them so that in a short time all was in a confusion and great riches carryed to the Ships and Galleys together with many Captives most of which the Emperor caused to be restored and the rest were redeemeâ— by Muleasses Barbarussa not thinking himself safe at Hippona upon the coming of Auria with the Fleet fled to Argier of which the Emperor having notice he placing Muleasses in the Kingdom of Tunesses and furnishing Guletta with all manner of Warlike Provision with a Thousand Spaniards to secure it returned in Triumph to Naples Anno 1537 when the same year Solyman envying at the Portugals trade in the East-Indies sent Solyman Bassa accompanied with Asau Beg a famous Pirate commonly called the Moor of Alexandria with a Fleet to molest them who sailing through the Red-Sea came as far as the River Indus where with all their power they assaulted Dium a Castle of the Portugals scituate upon the mouth of that great River but after many dayes siege both by Sea and Land having tryed their utmost force they were glad to retire leaving behind them for hast most of their great Ordnance when coming to Aden a rich City in Arabia Foelix they allured the King thereof on board their Galleys with promise of safe conduct but having him in their power contrary to their Oaths they hanged him up at the Yards Arm of the Admirals Galley and plundered the City the like they did to another City in the same Tract called Zibith and returned to Constantinople one by Sea and the other by Land at what time Solyman solicited thereto by John Forrest the French Kings Ambassador was preparing for the Invasion of Italy and having for that purpose raised Two Hundred Thousand Men sending before him Lutzis Bassa and Barbarussa with a great Fleet who landing at Otranto and conducted by one Troilus Pignatellus a Fugitive Italian seized on Castrum which contrary to their Faith given they plundered carrying most of the people Prisoners at what time Solyman had by night sent over several Troops of Light-Horsemen in great Palendars who running all along the Sea Coast from Tarentum to Brundusium for the space of Forty miles rummaged the Countrey carrying away a great booty and had been likely enough had Solyman as he intended seconded them with his great power to have overrun all Italy but providence so ordered it that by the wilfulness of Alexander Contarenus a Venetian Captain who meeting with the Admiral of Callipolis and he not vailing his top-sail nor in token of Reverence and Friendship discharge his great Ordnance offended with his proud insolency fiercely assailed the Squadron of Galleys under his command of which he sunk two the Admiral himself perishing in one of them and not long after for the like insolency the Venetian Admiral caused Junusbeus Solymans chief Interpreter passing by Coreyrae to be assailed when to save himself and his Turks he forceing his Galleys on shoar near unto the Mountains called Acroceraunii he fell into a worse danger for being taken by the Mountainiers most of his people were slain and himself hardly released for a great sum of money These Breaches of Peace as the Turks termed them so much incensed Solyman that he recalled his Forces then in Puglia resolving to turn his whole power upon the Venetians upon whose return Auria falling in with Twelve Galleys laden with Janizaries and chosen Horsemen of the Court after a sharp conflict to them all which proved a great weakning to the Tyrants Fleet yet he desperately bent against the Venetians resolving to take from them the rich Island of Corcyra but by
the way himself had like to have been slain in his Tent by a Mountainier which had been effected had he not been discovered by the cracking of a bough to revenge which he sent his Janizaries and other his approved Soldiers who hunting the people inhabiting the high and rough Mountains of Chimera like wild Beasts killed many of them and returned with such spoil as they found after which he with a great Fleet landed on the Isle of Corcyra now called Corfu for fear of whom the Venetian Admiral â—â—thdrew with his Galleys into the Adriatick Gulf 〈◊〉 to expect the other part of his Fleet yet 〈…〉 long while battered the chief City in vain 〈…〉 himself with the spoil of the Villages 〈…〉 Thousand Christian Prisoners departed 〈…〉 return landing on the Isle of Naxos 〈…〉 the City which not being furnished to 〈…〉 so powerful an Army consented to pay the Tâ—â—ant Five thousand Duckates a year Tribute and to hold the Seigniorie of him whereupon without doing further harm he departed to Constantinople at whose return Lutzis Bassa was accused by his Wife Solymans Sister of Sodomy and for that she having in private reproved him thereof he had struck her a box on the Ear and confined her as a Prisoner to her Chamber which complaint so incensed Solyman who for his Sisters sake had raised him from a low Degree to the highest Honour next himself that he banished him into Macedonia where he spent the remainder of his dayes in a poor and private life Though Solyman was returned to Constantinople yet his Wars with the Venetians ended not for he sent strict command to his Governours and Lieutenants bordering upon their frontiers to vex them them with all manner Hostilities who were not wanting to satisfie him therein nor the Venetians on their part to revenge the injuries but the fierceness of the Turks were somewhat restrained by a War undertaken by King Ferdinand against them to revenge former injuries who raising a great power of gallant Soldiers of divers Nations sent them under the leading of Cazzianer by whose Cowardize in leading them through Woods and by-wayes many of them perished for hunger others to avoid that calamity deserted him and in fine the General forsaking his Army for which he was afterward executed It was overthrown near Exek and all the Soldiers either slain or taken Prisoners The news of this great overthrow much troubled the Christian Princes to repair which disgrace the Emperor the Venetians and the Pope set out a great Fleet of Galleys which meeting at Corcyra the Admirals consulted what was best to be done when upon notice that Barbarussa lay with the Turkish Galleys in the Bay of Ambracia they resolved to sail thither where having a while braved him the bold Turk incited thereto by one of Solymans Eunâ—chs came forth to give them battle which Auria perceiving contrary to the minds of the Captains stood away to Corcyra in the rear of whom the Turks fall took several of the stragling Galleys This retreat or rather flight much eclipsed the fame of Auria who before was accounted a second Neptune but being still followed by Barbarussa he returned into Italy to the great dislike of the Venetians without effecting any thing worthy of memory which gave the proud Turk opportunity to make great spoil on the Sea Coast and on the Islands of the Sea yet held by the Venetians and to recover Castronovum a little before taken by the Christians though not without infinite slaughter on either side it being for a long time manfully defended by Sarmentus a Valiant Spanish Captain who amongst heaps of slain expired in the bed of Honour Things being at this pass the Emperor made a peace with the French King both which Potentates solicited the Venetians by their Embassadors to continue the War against Solyman but they weary thereof as lying most obnoxious to his fury could not be perswaded thereto but laboured to procure a peace which with much difficulty they obtained In consideration whereof they yield unto him Nauplium and Epidaurus two Cities of Peloponesus together with Nadium and Labrania two Castles of Dalmatia which happened by reason the secrets of their Embassey was beforehand discovered to Solyman by several treacherous Venetians bribed by him for that purpose some of which being afterward taken were worthily executed at the same time a secret consideration between John King of Hungary and Ferdinand King of Bohemia including that upon the decease of the former the latter should enjoy his Kingdom was discovered to Solyman which grievously incensed him against the Hungarian King whom by his Armes he had restored to his Kingdom to appease which he was content to marry Isabella Daughter to Sigismund King of Polonia by whom he had Issue a Son who after his Fathers Death was crowned King of Hungary and taken into Solymans protection by that means bereaving King Ferdinand of his hope of a peaceable possession whereupon after having requested it by his Embassadors of Solyman and despairing that way to obtain it he with a great Army entered the Kingdom and seized upon Vicegrade Pesth Vacia and Alba Regalis To oppose which sudden Tempest e're it had swept away all her Cities the Queen sent her Embassadors to Solyman to crave Aid against King Ferdinand whereupon he not only sent the young King her Son several Rich Presents but his Letters Mandatory to his Lieutenants on the Frontiers with all their Forces to assist her threatning that if by their neglect she received any dammage their heads should make satisfaction and withal caused Lascus King Ferdinands Embassador at that time residing at Constantinople to be imprisoned This news was joyful to the Queen whereupon she drawing together all her Forces joyned them with those Mahometes and Vstref two of Solymans Bassas had brought into the field and immediately layed siege to Vacia which they took and to prevent its again falling into the hands of the Bohemians set it on fire Vacia thus layed waste they removed to Pesth to which they layed straight siege but after many unsuccessful attempts to carry it by storm raised their Camp and returned over Danubius upon which King Ferdinand sent a great Army under the Leading of the Lord William Regendorff who entring the Kingdom layed siege to Buda and sent Messengers to summon the Queen to surrender the City to his Master and that in lieu thereof and of the other Cities she should have bestowed on her freely the Seignory of Sepusia to which George Bishop of Veradium who altogether governed the Queen answered that she should accept no such proffer and with many opprobrious words dismissed the Messengers whereupon Regendorff having mounted his Canon furiously battered the City making several wide breaches but they were so notably defended that the Germans nor Spaniards could not enter which they perceiving so dealt with one Bornemissa a great man in the City that he promised to deliver them a Gate in the night to enter by
which accordingly he performed but having agreed that none but Hungarians should enter the better to prevent the effusion of blood and Regendorff contrary to that agreement sending in Germans under the Leading of their Captains to be more sure of the City the Traitor repenting of what he had undertaken refused to lead them to the Market place and they still remaining in the narrow streets and not knowing which way to go a sufficient number could not enter e're the Alarum was taken upon which the Citizens and Garrison Souldiers running to their Armes assaulted them on every side who being in a strange place and their fear augmented by the terror of the night fled back faster than they advanced Spring being come Solyman sent a great Army under the Leading of Mahometes Bassa to the Assistance of the Queen which passing the Danubius intrenched within half a mile of the Bohemians Germans and Italians under the command of the Lord Regendorff and dayly with skirmishes perplexed him having likewise fortified an Island lying in the River called Ceppelia as the General of the Christians had done another opposite to his Camp between which passed likewise many skirmishes but at length the Turks pouring a great number of their men on shoar in the Island held by the Christians caused them to leave the Fortifications and flie over the Bridge layed to pass and repass to the Camp but by the valour of the German Soldiers all was quickly regained and the City furiously assaulted though without success for that a great number of the besieged continually kept such breaches as the Canon had made and the Besiegers by reason of the nearness of the Turks Army durst not go to the assault in such number as otherwise they might have done yet they had so battered the Walls that they despaired not to win it in a short time but in the height of their Expectation news came that Solyman with a great power was near at hand to joyn the Bassa already incamped which infused such a fear into the Christians that the Soldiers whether their General would or no resolved to raise the Seige and pass the Danubius So that he was constrained to accord to the resolves and in the dead of the night raised the Siege but not so secretly but the Turks had notice sent them of what had happened by those in the City Whereupon bursting out of their Camp and the Citizens at the same time sallying by the light of a stack of straw and pursued them with great slaughter insomuch that most part of the Army was either drowned in the hasty passage or fell by the Sword not above a third part of them escaping to Comora So that a great booty by that means fell into the hands of the Turks Upon this defeat Pesih being deserted of her Garrison was taken without resistance by Cason the Turks Fleet then in the Danubius and most that were found therein put to the Sword The Lord Regendorf as a man not desirous to outlive so foul a dishonour brought upon him by the wilfulness of his unruly Souldiers would have died fighting amongst the thickest of his Enemy had he not against his will by strong hand been forced into a Pinace and so carryed by his Captains to Comora within five days after Solyman came to Buda and according to his wonted cruelty caused all the Prisoners to be put to death and one amongst the rest a German Souldier being of wonderous height he appointed to be slain by his Dwarff whose head reached not past his knees which he ordered to be done in derision of the German Nation Solyman having pitched his Camp near Buda sent his Ambassadors with Presents to the Young King viz. Three beautiful Horses with their Bridles of Gold and their Trapings set with precious stones and three Robes of cloth of Gold and unto every one of the chief Nobility a chain of Gold and rich Gowns upon the delivery of these presents as they had it in charge they requested that the Queen would cause the young King to be sent to the Camp to Solyman who was greatly desirous to see him and that he was resolved to take him and his Kingdom into protection until such time as he should of himself be able to defend it against his potent Adversary This request of the Ambassadors though not without some scruple was granted and the young King being then in his swadling Cloths was sent in a rich Chariot together with his Nurse and several great Ladies attended on by such of the Nobility to whom Solyman had sent presents upon whose Arrival the Tyrant took him in his arms and looked upon him commanding his sons then present viz. Selymus and Bajazet begotten on the fair Roâ—colana to kiss him in token of there love to him from thence forward yet notwithstanding these fair shews he consulted with his Bassa's whether he should retain the King and seize on the Kingdom of Hungary having before caused his Soldiers to possess themselves of one of the Gates of Buda called Sabatina it was likewise debated whether all the Nobility then in his possession should be put to death or carried into bondage of all which opinions were some of his Bassa's and others of a far more mild opinion So that Solyman when he well considered what had been argued resolved upon a method between the one and the other when entering Buda on the 30th of August anno 1541. after he had sacrificed to his vain Prophet in the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary he published a Decree the fatal doom of that flourishing Kingdom under which it at this day groans That Buda should from that day be kept with a Garrison of Turks and the Kingdom be converted into a Province of the Turkish Empire that the Queen with her son the young King should presently depart the City and live in Lippa a fertil and quiet Countrey beyond the River Tibiscus near to the borders of her fathers Kingdom and to be safely conducted thither with all her Wealth and Jewels by the Janizaries of which hard conditions the Queen was glad to accept upon which the Hungarian Nobility all but Valentinus her General were set at Liberty having before been retained as Prisoners in the Turkish Camp King Ferdinand residing at Vienna upon notice of what had passed and that Solyman was purposed to invade his Territories first sending to collect his dispersed Forces afterwards he sent Count Salma and Sigismund Lethestaine noble and grave Councellors his Ambassadors to Solyman with rich presents which were a standing cup of Gold after the German fashion richly beset with pearls and pretious stones and a wonderful Silver Globe of most rare and curious device daily expressing the hourly passing of the time the motion of the Planets the Change and Full of the Moon the motion of the Superiour Orbs ever moving by certain wheels or weights curiously conveyed within the same exactly keeping due time and motion lively expressing
in the mean while to Strigonium in which commanded as Governours Liscanus and Salamanca two proud and covetous Spaniards with a Garrison of 1300 Souldiers but e're Solyman began to batter the City he sent to promise them Life Liberty and whatever Goods they were possessed of if they would surrender or upon refusal to denounce against them all the miseries that attend on stormed Cities yet this nothing daunted the Souldiers who returned for answer that they reposed their last hope in their Arms and were not to be won by gifts nor terrified with threats upon notice of which their stout resolution he commanded his Cannon already mounted to play from several Batteries the which was put in Execution with such fury that the Walls were beaten down in several places at which breaches the Turks in great number attempting to enter were beaten back three times successively with great loss and slaughter and amongst the slain fell Bultaces Sanzack of Selymbria a man of great account amongst the Turks but in the end the weakness of the City being discovered to the enemy by a fugitive Calabrian the two aforesaid Governours consulting for their own safety intended secretly to leave the City and carry with them all their Riches but their purpose being discovered to the Captains and Soldiers they proposed a parly perswading the defendants that the City was not to be held against so powerful an Enemy upon which the City was yielded and the Garrison such as would marched to Possonium where the two cowardly Governours who notwithstanding the promise of safe conduct had been robbed by the Turks were by Count Salme committed to safe custody to answer for their cowardly yielding up the City Strigonium being thus obtained on the 10th of August Anno 1543. and the Christian Churches converted to the Mahometan superstition he marched towards Alba regalis taking in his way the Castle of Tatta antiently called Theodota which he utterly rased after which coming before Alba regalis a City famous for the Coronation of the Hungarian kings sâ—ituate in a Marsh and incompassed with a Lake He caused the said Lake with infinite labour to be filled up and thereafter many terrible Assaules in which he lost 20000 of his men took the Suburbs putting all he found therein to the sword and afterward had the City delivered into his possession where entering he contrary to his faith plighted he caused the most wealthy Citizens to be slain after which leaving Ballabanus Governour thereof and placing Governours in other places by him subdued in this Expedition he returned to Constantinople By this time Barbarussa and Polinus were arrived at Marselles where having refreshed themselves they departed to Province where they laid siege to Nice a City belonging to the Emperour which after a long siege they took but the Castle being defended with a strong Garrison they in vain assaulted it which so enraged Barbarussa that he threatened to imprison Polinus for not performing his promise made at Constantinople to furnish his Army with all necessaries when as he said Powder and shot were wanting even in the Country of France which division between the French and the Turks was ended by the raising the seige upon notice that Alphonsus Vastus the Emperors General was coming out of Italy with a great Army when as the French Forces retiring Barbarussa sent most part of his Fleet to Argeir with a command to return early the next spring to Marselles The great preparations of Barbarussa to aid the French King gave Muleasses suspition that they were intended against him whereupon leaving the management of the Affaires of his kingdom of Tunes in the hand of his trusty Counsellors as he supposed and the management of his men of war his son Amida he went to Naples to wait upon Charles the Emperor and of him to crave aid when in the mean time by the perswasion of such as hated Muleasses his son usurped his kingdom who upon notice thereof returning with such Forces as he could gather in Italy was overthrown taken prisoner and by his unnatural Son deprived of his sight dealing to him therein the same measure that he had dealt Yet the unnatural Son escaped not altogether scotfree for Tovarres Governour of Gullet for the Emperour sending for Abdamelech brother to Muleasses of whom I have before spoken he in the absence of Amida surprized the City and Castle of Tunis but injoyed no more then 26 dayes e're he died when leaving his Son Mahometes a Child his Successor he was soon thrust out and Amida restored whereupon Muleasses fled first to Guletta and afterward into Sicily where at the Emperours command he was maintained at the common charge of the Islanders The French King being by this time weary of his new come Guest the Turks having first largely rewarded them sent them away who in their return spoil'd the Island of Elba belonging to the Duke of Florence upon the Governours refusing to deliver the Son of Sinan the Jew held Prisoner there since his being taken at Tunis and after that committed many outrages upon the Coast of Italy burning many Towns and carrying away the people into miserable Captivity but he long enjoyed not his Triumph ere himself was by death lead into Captivity viz. anno 1547. In which year died Mahomet Solyman's Eldest Son Frances the French King and Alphonsus-Daualus-Valtius the Emperours renowned General Solyman having now not made any personal Expedition for the space of three years resolved to invade the Persian King being solicited thereto by Ercases Imirza King of Sirnan and that Kings Brother but after great toil to little or no purpose for the space of 1 year and 9 Months he returned with his 〈◊〉 to Constantinople Imirza in the mean while being delivered to his brother Tamas the Persian King by Treachery was put to death during which Transaction one Dugat a notable Pirate having taken Africa a City in Tunis formerly called Aprodise he greatly troubled the Moors by Land and the Christians by Sea when to remove so troublesome a man the Knights of Malta passed over with a considerable power and after a furious assault possessed themselves of the said City the which by reason it was not tenable without excessive charge they razed carrying away a rich booty and 7000 Captives whereupon the Pirate fled to Constantinople craving aid of Solyman who sent with him Sinan the Jew made Admiral in the stead of Barbarossa with a great Fleet who in revenge of what had happened to Africa landed on the Island of Malta and attempted though in vain the winning that strong City Yet sailing into Africk they after great slaughter of their men took Tripolis in Barbary at that time possessed by certain of the Malta Knights for which Sinan Bassa having as it were Triumphed left Drugat Governour thereof by the Title of Sansack returned to Constantinople Anno 1551. Solyman notwithstanding the five years peace made with King Ferdinand sent Achmetes his Lieutenant in Europe
Prince of great hope to be chosen K. of the Romans who likewise the year following on the 8th of September with all solemnity Crowned at Presburg King of Hungaria to confirm which choice Solyman sent Ibrahim Bassa as his Ambassador to the Emperour as likewise to conclude in his name an eight years peace and the better to gain credit he sent his Letters of credence not usually done by the Turkish Emperors whose proud stile therein I think not amiss to insert which take as followeth I the Lord of Lords Ruler of the East and West who am of power to do and not to do whatsoever pleaseth me Lord of all Grecia Persia and Arabia Commander of all things which can be subject to King and Command the great worthy of these times and strong Champion of the wide World Lord of all the white and black Seas and of the Holy City of Mecha shining with the brightness of God of the City of Medina and of the Holy and Chast City of Jerusalem King of the most noble Kingdom of Egypt Lord of Jovia and of the City of Athens Senan of the Sacred Temple of God Zabilon and Bassio Rethsans and Magodini the Seat and Throne of the great King of Nashin Rettam and Lord of the Island of Argiers Prince of the Kingdom of Tartary Mesopotamia Media of the Georgians Morea Anatolia Asia Armenia Valachia Moldavia and of all Hungary and many other Kingdoms and Territories whereof I am Emperour The most mighty Monarch Sultan Solyman Son of the great Emperour Sultan Selym who hath power from God to rule all People with a bridle and strength to break open the Gates and Bars of all Cities and strong places into whose mighty hand are delivered all the ends of the World none excepted I Ruler of the East from the Island of Tsein unto the farthest bounds of Africa whom God hath appointed a mighty Warrior in the edge of Sword amongst whose most mighty Kingdoms the impregnable Castle of Caesarie is reputed the least and in whose Hereditary Dominions the Kingdom or Empire of Alexander the Great is accounted of us a trifle with me is the strength of the whole World and Virtue of the Firmament For as much as thou King Ferdinand c. Their audacious stile being read in the German Court moved some to indignation and others to secret laughter yet the necessity requiring it peace was concluded but kept no longer then the Emperour lived for upon his Death which happened two years after viz. 1564. new troubles arose in Hungary and several Towns and Castles were won and lost on either side whereupon Solyman resolved in person to come into Hungary but upon second thoughts he changed his mind and bent his Forces against the Island of Malta lying between Africa and Sicilia in length twenty and in breadth twelve miles exceeding fruitful and pleansantly scituate were it not in Summer time too much scorched by the Sun which deprives the inhabitants of their fresh water before which the Turks coming with a Fleet of Two Hundred Ships and Gallies after some loss sustained both by the Sea and Islanders Landed and layed siege to St. Michaels Castle which they furiously battered but it being defended by several Knights of the Order they received great loss before it whereupon they consulted amongst themselves to leave the siege of St. Michael and besiege the Castle of St. Elmo the which with the loss of 18000 of their men they took when in the mean while Valetta the Great Master fortified St. Michael both City and Castle sending to the Viceroy of Sicilia for aid but the Turks incouraged by the comming of the King of Argier with his Ships and a great supply of Victuals besieged St. Michaels Castle a second time as also the City Thundering against it for the space of eight days without intermission but such was the courage of the besieged that they either repaired the breaches or beat back the Assailants who made such slaughter of those that attempted to enter that their dead bodies filling the breaches served as a Rampire to keep out the rest and thus they continued furious to assault the City almost every day till upon notice of the Viceroy of Sicily's approach with a great power both by Sea and Land they raised their siege and departed to meet him near Melita where in a set Battle they were overthrown and most of them slain with the loss of 5000 Christians onely yet those that escaped in their return landed on the Island Chios and took it it being before almost deserted of its inhabitants by reason it lay always obnoxious to the fury of the barbarous Infidels Solyman inraged at this defeat resolved to revenge himself upon the Christian Princes and therefore with a great Army undertook his before determined War against Hungary solicited thereto by the Vayvod of Traâ—sylvania who hoped to be made King thereof but Maximilian being Crowned Emperour he railed a great power being aided by the German Princes and sent them under the leading of several valiant Captains but especially Count Serenus and Count Helffeustin whose good Fortunes proved such that within a short time the Turks were stripped out of most of their Garrisons and a great number of them slain for Maximillian the Emperour long before advertised of Solymans purpose had raised as is said a gallant Army consisting of 40000 Horse and Foot the flower of all Christian Nations besides a Fleet upon the River Danubius which hindered the Turks Provisions and other necessaries from being brought by water By this time Solyman coming to the River Dromus over which with infinite labour he caused a Bridge to be made for the passage of his Army which done he encamped before Sigeth of which Count Serenus was made Governour a valiant man and mortal Enemy to the Turks attended on by a Garrison of 2300 resolute Germans and Hungarians who like a brave Souldier with a most Christian Oration incouraged his men not to be dismaid at the multitude of their Enemies but to trust in God and be of good courage for he by his Almighty power was able by a few to confound the Armies of the proud Concluding that as for himself as he was a Christian and free born so he would by the Grace of God in the same Faith and Freedom end his dayes and that no proud Turk so long as he could hold up his hand should have power to command over him or the ground whereon he stood nor failed he in his resolves for after he had done all that man was capable of doing killing such numbers of Turks that the Plains lay scattered with the dead the Walls being for the most part beaten down and the Town fired about his Eares the Turks in great number entring every where and no relief coming to his assistance he called the poor remainder of his Souldiers about him with whom he was retired into the Castle and with an undaunted resolution spake these his last
words The hard fortune of this sinful Kingdom hath together with our own overtaken us but let us noble Hearts indure with Patience whatsoever is by God to us assigned you know what we have before promised which hitherto God be thanked we have accordingly performed and now let us with like resolutions perform this last the place you see is not longer to be kept the devouring fire grows fast upon us and we in number are but few wherefore let us as becometh valiant men break out into the utter Castle and there dye fighting in the midst of our Enemies to live afterwards with God for ever I will be the first that will go out follow me like men Thus having said the Heroick Count worthy of Eternal fame or a name greater then ever Roman yet could boast with his Sword in his hand charged the thickest of his foes laying them round him on heaps even till the Rampart of the dead hemmed him in nor durst the Turks with their multitude incounter him long at close fight but cowardly at a distance shot him through the head upon which he fell dead amongst the heaps of his Enemies in token of whose matchless prowess the Turks buryed his body and sent his head as a token of his being slain to Count Salma his kinsman in the Emperours camp with this following Letter Muhamet Bassa to Eccius Salma greeâ—ing In token of my Love behold here I 〈◊〉 thee the head of a most resolute and valiant Captain thy Friend the remainder of his body I have honestly buryed as became such a man c. That which lightened the Christians sadness for the loss of so brave a Captain and the taking of Sigeth was the Death of Solyman who far spent with years and distempers died at Quinque Ecclesiae of the Bloody Flux on the 4th of September anno 1566. when he had lived 76 years and reigned 46 not living to see the end of the siege his death was by the Bassa kept secret to prevent disorder in the Army who according to their wonted policy satisfied the inquisitive Janizaries by shewing them his dead body sitting in his Horse-litter giving it out that he was extream ill when after Sigeth having by Treason taken Gyula for which the Traytor was afterward deservedly put to death by Selymus Solymans successor the Bassa's with the Army returned to Constantinople where they published the death of Solyman and proclaimed Selymus his now onely remaining Son Emperour in his stead CHAP. XVI Selymus the second of that name and fifth Emperor of the Turks His Life and Actions SOlyman being dead upon the return of the Army out of Hungaria towards Constantinople Mabumet Bassa by letters advertised Selymus thereof then residing at Cutai a City of Galatia who glad of the news hasted to take possession of the so long expected Empire when being conducted over the straights of Bosphorus he was by Bostanges Bassas and Scander Bassa conveighed into the Imperial Pallace on the 23 of September Anno 1566 from whence he departed to meet his fathers Corps not yet arrived at Constantinople upon the meeting of which he caused the Insignes to be let fall in token of the Emperors death which had been till that time kept secret from the Soldiers to prevent disorders and so with it Marching in the head of the Army returned to Constantinople being first by the men of War saluted Emperor who upon his Arrival to quiet the unruly Soldiers distributed a large sum of mony amongst them with a Promise to augment their wages as is usual at the installment of the Ottoman Emperors or else by reason of the insolency of the Janizaries and other Soldiers of the Court of their Pallace would prove too hot to hold them Selimus thus setled in his Empire with Royal solemnity buried his father in a Chappel which he afterward built together with a Colledge and Hospital erecting over him a stately Tomb near unto which is at this day to be seen the Magnificent Tomb of his beloved wife Roxolana mother to Selimus and of certain of his Murthered children By him hangs his Scimiter in token that he dyed in war an honour not otherwise granted to the Mahometan Princes The Revenues arising of the Countrey about Sigeth won from the Christians a little before his death were given to maintain the houses by him built for devotion which for Magnificence exceed all others Erected by the Mahometan Kings and Emperors except those of Mahomet the Great and Bajazet the Second It was by many thought that Soliman was in good time taken out of the way for that he resolving to winter in Hungary the next Spring purposed with himself to have over-run Austria and a great part of Germany Anno 1567 Solyman being dead great trouble arose notwithstanding in Hungary occasioned by John the Vayvod of Transilvania who used his utmost endeavour to dispossess Maximilian the Emperor of those Cities and Fortresses he held in that Kingdom but they were soon after appeased by a peace concluded between the two Emperors Maximilian and Selimus The principal points on which the peace depended being these That the German Emperor should yearly pay 30000 Ducates to Selimus as a Tribute for Hungary the Tribute to begin upon the conclusion of the Articles of Peace That the Subjects of the Turks should pay nothing to the Subjects of the Emperor nor on the other side the subjects of the Emperor pay nothing to the Subjects of the Turks but to remain both of them exempted from payment of Tax Duty or Contribution and that either Prince should inviolably hold what he was in possession of at the conclusion of the Treaty which peace was confirmed for the space of 8 years in which was included the Vayvod of Transilvania as the Turks Tributary This peace was concluded Anno 1568 as was likwise the year following a peace concluded between Selymus and Tamas the Persian Kings after which the Turk desirous to undertake some 〈◊〉 exploit that might get him a name and out of the Revenues of which he might build him a Temple exceeding any of his Predecessors which those superstitious people hold to be for the good of their souls be plotted in his mind many things but at length being by his mischievous Counsellors of whom he wanted not he was â—â—ged to the conquest of the rich Island of Cyprus lying in the Cicilian Sea and hath on the West Pamphilia on the East Siria on the South Egypt and on the North Cilicia now called Caramania This Island at such time as Selymus was intent on the conquest thereof was in the possession of the Venetians with whom he had contracted a League since the death of Solyman but in vain are Leagues with Infidels any longer then they serve their own turns yet Muhamates the Great Bassa laboured all he could to disswade him therefrom and Marcus Antonius Barbarus the Venetian Ambassador then residing at Constantinople so wrought that he procured the
lascivious Turk to send Cubates as his Ambassador to the Senate of Venice with a letter to certifie them upon what grounds he undertook to invade their Territory since the League had till that time been kept inviolable which was done more to gain time then for any hope he had that Selymus would alter his determination which Ambassador not obtaining what Selymus desired which was to have the fertil Island peaceably put into his possession but on the contrary finding the Venetians resolved to desend it with all their power he returned again to his faithless Master and related what he had in charge whereupon the Great Fleet before prepared for the invasion of Cyprus put to Sea Mustapha Bassa being General of all the Forces and within a while stood with the said Island where the greedy Turks landing spoiled many goodly Villages and after some deliberation having by prisoners taken understood the constitution of the Countrey and of what strength the Islanders were resolved to besiege Nicosia a City standing in the midst of the Island in a plain and Champain ground being in circuit about five miles incompassed with a strong wall defended by eleven strong Bulwarks and three great Fortresses raised by the Venetians the Governour of which was Nicalaus Dandalus a man too weak for so great a burthen as having been alwayes brought up in civil affairs in Garison were 8000 horse and foot but most of them raw soldiers and not acquainted with Martial discipline too few to oppose so powerful an Army as the Bassa drew after him which consisted of near 150000 horse and foot On the 22 of July Anno 1569 the Bassa with his Army Encamped within a mile and half of the City covering with their Tents the hill called Mandia and with incredible labour bringing their Trenches from far cast up several Forts which they raised so high that they overlooked the walls of the City and from their Mounts terribly battered the walls with seventy pieces of great Artillery whose dreadful thundring made the earth to tremble and having by this time run their Trenches to the brim of the ditch hotly assaulted the City in several places which was as valiantly defended by the besieged insomuch that the ditches were well nigh filled on that side with the bodies of the slain and what was beaten down in the day time was with great labour repaired in the night During these passages the Venetians having leagued with the Pope King of Spain and several of the Italian Princes prepared their fleet consisting in all of one hundred and seventeen sail but whiles they lingered for the Additional Forces of the King of Spain the plague so raged amongst the Marriners and Souldiers that twenty thousand dyed e'r its fury was abated and amongst them many men of account but it ceasing and the summer half spent the Venetian Admiral no longer expecting the coming of the Spaniards sailed to Corcyra and there calling a Council it was resolved they should pass over to Cyprus and destroy the Turks fleet but in the height of this expedition dyed Petrus Loridanus Duke of Venice Leaving the care of the war to Aloysius Mocenicus who succeeded him in the Dukedom Mustapha advertized of the approach of the Christian fleet used his utmost endeavour to carry the City by assault but being valiantly repulsed he caused several letters to be shot over the walls fastened to Turkish Arrows therein perswading the Citizens to open their gates and receive him their Mild and Merciful Conqueror and that in so doing they should deliver themselves from the miseries that attended on besieged Cities but these fair promises nothing prevailing he incouraged his soldiers to a fresh Assault in attempting which he lost 4000 of his men and was forced to sound the retreat but in the many conflicts the Christians being wasted either by death sickness or wounds expecting succours from the Princes of the West and none coming to their aid wearyed with continual watching the Turks in the dead of the night secretly entred a Bulwark the day before sore battered by the Ordnance from the mount and putting the drousie Italians and Epirots they found therein to the sword e'r the Allarm could be taken let in such a number of their fellows that the besieged were not able to repell them but with the continual Vollies of shot were on all sides overwhelmed which Eugenius a valiant Captain perceiving and as a man desperate endeavouring to retain his flying Soldiers in thickest danger was slain by a Harquibus shot and now the Turks like a Torrent flowing in at all the Ports made such destruction that it was lamentable to behold sparing in their fury neither man woman nor child whereupon the Soldiers and many of the Citizens casting themselves in a Ring in the Market-place with their weapons in their hands as men desperate resolved to dye fighting against whom the Governour of Aleppo caused several Murthering Pieces to be bent which they perceiving and finding they should be killed at a distance without having power to revenge themselves on their Enemy cast down their weapons and yeilded themselves to the mercy of the Enemy and were thereupon for a while spared but the Gates being strongly guarded that none should escape Dandalus the Governour Contarenus Bishop of Paphos and other the chief men of the City having retired themselves into the Town-hall there resolving to dye like men if they could find no other means to escape sent to the Bassa for life which request he seemed well to approve but whilst messengers passed too and fro the barbarous Turks broke in upon them and put them all to the sword when raging on they likewise killed all those that had submitted themselves and were taken to mercy as is supposed not without the secret command of the Bassa a deadly enemy to the Christians and so great was the inhumane slaughter that eighteen thousand were in all reported to perish by the sword neither was there any end of the spoil till the avaritious enemy had carryed away all that long peace had accumulated which according to the moderatest computation amounted to 20000 Millions of Ducates and notwithstanding the fury of the Barbarous Enemy 200 youths were reserved and sent as a present to Selymus in order to his training them up in the order of Janizaries In the City likewise were taken two hundred and fifty Pieces of Great Ordnance This City was won on the 9 of September 1570 and to this day remains in the hands of the Turks as doth the whole Island Nicosia won the Bassa sent one of his Sanzacks to summon the City of Cyrene of which Palacius was Governour who upon sight of the Turks Army cowardly yeilded the same into their hands which so heightened their courage that they laid siege to Famagusta sending to Summon it to Surrender but finding the resolution of the Garrison to defend it and withall having notice that the Christian Fleet was at hand he raised
of the Christians in this bloody fight died about seven thousand five hundred sixty six the chief of which were John and Bernardinus of the Honourable family of Cordona in Spain Horatio Caraffa and Ferantes Bisballus Virginius and Horatius Noble Romans of the Venetian Nobility were flain Augustinus Barbadicus Benedictus Superantius Vincentius Quirinus Johanes Lauritanus Marinus Contarenus Catharinus Malepetra Georgius Andreas Barbadicus Marcus Antonius Laudus Franciscus Bonus Hieronimus Contarenus Antonius Paschaligus and Hieron Venerius all of the Order of the Senators besides divers other Honourable Gentlemen well deserving to be inrolled in the Records of Fame There were likewise many of note wounded and amongst the rest Venerius the Venetian Admiral by a small shot that passed through his foot This great and welcom victory published in the City of Venice caused such a General joy as the like was never till that time nor only did the Venetians alone rejoyce but likewise all Christian Nations for in this fight the Turks lost so many substantial Gallyes able Commanders Seamen that to this day that loss hath been a weakning to that so mighty Empire and such was the Griefe conceived by Selymus thereat that he retired himself for certain days not permitting any to speak with him and then in his fury passed a Decree for Massacring all the Christians within his Dominions which bloody and barbarous Edict had been put in Execution had not Muhamat the chief Bassa by many perswasions averted his wicked purpose yet that his loss might seem the less he dissembled it as well as he could giving strict orders for the speedy building of new Gallies to supply the place of those that were lost which he had the more leasure to do by reason that after this so signal a victory the Christian Fleet separated with a resolution to meet again the next spring at Coreyra yet the Venetians not satisfied for the loss of Cyprus spoiled the Turks Frontiers winning strong holds and amongst the rest the strong Town of Suppoto formerly taken from them which caused Selimus to put to Sea all the Gallies he had appointing Vluzales a Renegado Christian but now turned Turk Admiral in the room of Haly Bassa slain in the battel of Lepanto of which the Venetian Admiral having notice sent to Don John to come to his Aid but he bearing a grudge against the Venetians for hanging up one of his Mutinous Captains stood a long time in doubt whether he should send any of his Gallies to his assistance or not but at length being by his Captains perswaded that his honour would suffer if through his neglect the Christan cause should be prejudiced he sent Lilly of Andradu with twenty two Galleys to joyn with the Venetian Fleet then lying before Corcyra nor was the Pope slow in sending his Galleys insomuch that the whole Fleet consisted of 155 Galleys 6 Galliasses and twenty ships of war nor was the Turks inferiour in number lying about Maluasia in the entrance of the Bay called Sinus Argolicus of which the Venetian Admiral having notice resolved to give them battle what ever happened but the wary Pirate Vluzales could not be drawnthereto having before to his cost tryed the courage of the Christians lying still in the bay hoping thereby to gain some advantage without which he resolved not to fight but finding the Christians every day ready to charge him as he lay he for his better security found means to sail to Corona upon which the Christian Fleet retired to Cerigo not finding any opportunity of giving the enemy battle Whilst matters went thus Don John sent a Frigate to advertise the Venetian Admiral that he was arrived at Corcyra commanding him to meet him at Zacynthus there to consult about the carrying on the war but when they came thither the General not regarding his word delayed to meet them which did not a little trouble the Venetians but not staying there they sailed to Cocyra where joyning the ships newly sent to their Aid by several Christian Princes they resolved to seek out the Enemy and if possible to oblige him to fight whereupon they loosed Anchor and for the most part sailed by night thinking by that means to oppress the Enemy e'r he was provided to defend himself but this purpose being discovered by some of the Turks Scouts the Christians were prevented in their undertaking yet so resolute was the Venetian Admiral that he pressed the other Generals to enter the Bay and give them Battle even in the mouth of the Harbour but this his resolution though it had past doubt proved successful had it been put in execution was opposed by the Spanish General and Columnius the Popes Admiral as not seasonable but altogether dangerous even to the hazarding the Christian Fleet which as they alledge was the Bullwark of Christendom yet lying before Nauarinum they resolved to besiege the Castle of Modon both by Sea and Land which Castle lying in mouth of the Bay defended the Turks Fleet whereupon Sailing before it they landed seven thousand of their most resolute Soldiers and at the same time appointed several of the Galleasses and Gallies to batter it with their Great Ordnance the which more advantagiously to effect they joyned two Galleys together with Masts Ropes and other tackling in the nature of a floating battery on which they planted Baskets of Earth and several Pieces of Great Ordnance but being overcharged with too great a weight they became useless by reason of the abundance of water that entred them and at the same time having notice that a considerable number of Turkish horsemen had entered by night into the Castle they thought good to give over the siege which made the Turks so adventurous as to send several of their Galleys out of the Bay to seize upon a great ship of the Venetians that was coming from Zacynthus with provision for the Fleet but they were soon obliged to retire which all of them did in safety except Mahomet Nephew to Barbarussa the famous Pirate who to get him a name stayed on purpose to dare the Christians but being Grapled by the Marquess of St. Crux after a fierce Engagement he with almost all his men were slain and the Galley taken in the sight of the Turks Fleet they not daring to come to his assistance after which the Christians besieged the strong Castle of Nauariâ—â—m antiently called Pylus the charge of which was by General consent of the great Commanders committed to Alexander Farnesius Prince of Parma whom the Venetians furnished with Munition and Victuals for the better performance of that service which he no sooner received but landing 2000 Italians 1000 Spaniards and five hundred Germans with twelve Pieces of Ordnance did batter the Castles incessantly but not encompassing it as he ought in the night time a Great number of Turks having made their way through a pathless Forrest entered at an unsuspected Port whilst those of the Garrison were skirmishing with the besiegers
dismissed his Army having done nothing worthy the name of a General In the year 1581 Amurath caused his son Mahomet to be circumcised after the Hebrew manner in honour of which solemnity he made a feast which continued with shews and sports for the space of forty days where all or most of the Christian and Mahometan Princes Ambassadors were present and amongst them the Ambassador of Persia whom Amurath after suffering many affronts to be put upon him caused to be imprisoned with all his Retinue so straightly that though one hundred of his servants dyed of the Plague yet much adoe had he to get himself removed to Erzirum This hard handling of the Ambassador made the conceived hopes of Peace to vanish insomuch that either Potentate prepared for war when as Amurath not well liking the proceedings of Sivan constituted Mahomet Bassa nephew to Mustapha Bassa deceased which choice Sivan greatly inveighed against though all in vain for early in the spring he taking charge of the Army designed for the Persian war departed from Erzirum accompanied with the Bassa of Caramite carrying with him great store of provision and a huge mass of mony but such was his bad fortune that in his way to Teflis passing a River his Army was routed by the Persians and Georgians and most of his best Souldiers slain or taken prisoners a great part of the mony and provision fell likewise into the hands of the enemy so that not having sufficient to relieve the Garison hardly oppressed by famine he had much adoe to perswade the Souldiers to continue in it and exceedingly to straighten his discomfited Army to supply that place with mony and provision all which calamity being supposed to happen by the Sinister Council of one Mustapha a Renagate Georgian then in the Turks Camp who was more then suspected to hold correspondence with his Country wherefore Mahomet with other his trusty Counsellers resolved his death whereupon he called a Council in his own Pavillion pretending letters of instruction from the Emperor and secretly gave order that upon the coming of Mustapha whilst the Letters were in reading the Janizaries should cut off his head but the Georgian having notice chose out fifty of his faithful followers and imparting to them what was intended commanded them to be near at hand and at the first call to enter the Pavilion where if they perceived any violence used towards his person they should not spare the General himself Matters being brought to this pass and Mustapha entred the Pavilion of the Bassa the counterfeit Letters were ordered to be read which done and the Georgian about to depart promising to perform what ever the King should command Capagi Bassa Mahomets Great usher came to him and plucking him by the sleeve would have forced him to have sat down which he perceiving and knowing his life was in danger drew his sword and struck Mahomets Lieutenant so forcibly on the head that he clove him to the stomach then reversing his blow wounded the Bassa of Caramite as likewise many others and had killed the General himself had not the uproar caused many to enter the Pavillion and amongst others his fifty followers who carryed him in safety to his Tent. This action caused grievous complaints to be sent to Amurath from either party whereby he understanding the evil state of his affairs in those Parts exceedingly blamed his Bassa's for pushing on into such a dangerous war and in a rage thrust Sivan Bassa from his Vizarship placing Sciaus Bassa a Hungarian born and to whom he had married his sister in his stead The Turks affairs being at this pass Anno 1582 they had small mind to proceed in their war against the Persians nor was the Persian King less desirous to be rid of so troublesome a guest that he might be the better at leasure to suppress the Rebellion raised by his Son Abas Mirize who countenanced by the chief of the Sultans had seized upon many strong places and was now Fortifying himself in Ateri whither his father passed with a great Army by the way recovering such Towns as had revolted from his obedience and putting such of the Traitors as he found therein to death but coming before the City the young Prince wrote such submissive Letters to his father and elder brother then in his fathers Camp that the old man was well content that he should by his Ambassadors be admitted to purge himself of such crimes as were laid to his charge which he did so effectually that the whole matter appearing to be framed and contrived by Mirize Sulmos who notwithstanding had perswaded the King to make that Expedition against his Son that he might advantage himself by being made General of the Army to put an end to further differences the said Mirize Sulmus was by the Kings command beheaded as being indeed the Author of those intestine troubles These things thus disposed the Sophy was now at leasure to oppose the invading Turks wherefore gathering a great Army he striped them out of many of their holds which so enraged Amurath that appointing Ferat Bassa his General whom with full instructions he dismissed with a great Army with which having roamed about Sunan and Georgia all Summer Anno 1583. with the loss of many of his men and the revolt of Mustaffa he in September returned to Erzirum having done nothing more then destroyed the Countrey of Mustaffa and relieved Teflis The following year the Pâ—â—sian King resolving to drive the Turks out of his Countrey raised a great Army and encamped in the Plains before the City of Tauris of which Ferat having notice would not depart from Erzirum before he had sent to Amurath to have his opinion therein who sent him an express to relieve if possible the Garrison of Teflis with a small power to oppose the rest of the Army against the Enemy whereupon he resolved to put in practice the pleasure of his Lord. In order to which the better to secure the passage or strait of Tomanis he built a Castle in the enterance thereof 1700 yards in compass furnishing it with all necessaries and then sent a detachment of 20000 Horse and Foot under the leading of Resuan Bassa for the releif of Teflis but fearing that power not sufficient sent others after him under the leading of the Bassa of Caramite of which Simon the Georgian Prince having notice yet deceived in their number hasted over the Countrey by short cuts to give them Battle which he was the readier to do because he at first discovered no more then 6000 Turks the rest lying behind a Hill but Battle once joyned they came down upon him like a Tempest and so oppressed his small number not exceeding 4000 who yet fought desperately that he and all his men had been slain had not the other Turks sent by Ferat to strengthen Resuan appeared upon the Hills at a distance whom those Turks that were fighting supposed to be Persians and by that means not
daring to pursue the retiring Georgians for fear of being drawn into an Ambush they easily found means to escape and the Bassa the like to relieve Teflis and with the same facility to return to the Camp which by this time began to be sorely oppressed with Famine insomuch that a bushel of Wheat was sold for 100 Ducates which caused the Camp to rise and march towards the Countrey of Mustaffa formerly called Manucchiar the Georgian Prince who now revolting from the Turks took part with the other Georgian Princes but the many difficulties being apparent to the Soldiers by reason of the advancement of the Season they flatly denyed to obey his command threatning him with great mischief if he did not speedily return to Erzirum nor did they forbear to assault him in his Tent threatning him with present death if he continued to expose them to the miseries of Hunger and Cold which so that finding no means to restrain their insolency or to quiet their continual clamours but a speedy return to Erzirum he was forced to yield to their requests where arriving after a tedious march wherein he lost many of his best Souldiers he broke up the Army The Persian King hovering about Tauris and having notice of all that had passed sent away a great part of his Army an forasmuch as Emir Cham Governour of that City had neglected to oppose the Turks during their building several strong Fortresses to keep the passages of the straits nor assisted him as he ought he caused his Eyes to be put out and himself to be cast into prison where shortly after he died of grief and made Aliculi Cham who a little before had escaped from the Turks Camp Governour in his stead About this time the League between Amurath and Râ—dolphus the German Emperour by reason of some Hostilities committed between their Subjects had like to have ended but upon more mature consideration of what had passed and reparation on the part of the Aggressors for dammages sustained it was again renewed for the space of 8 years after which Ferat Bassa upon the complaint of the great Captains falling into disgrace with Amurath he was deposed from his trust of General and Osman Bassa Governour of Sirvan who for his many victories over the Tartars was become famous appointed General in his stead and made chief Vizar The greatest honour that can be conferred on any person by the Ottoman Emperors And now Amurath casting in his mind the subduing of Tauris caused a great Army to be raised and the better to make the Persian neglect the Fortifying of that City caused it to be bruted that he intended to invade Nassivan but whilst these preparations were intended against the Persians the Villany of a Venetian Captain had gone near to turn them upon the Christian the manner thus The Widow of Ramadan Bassa late Governour of Tripolis in Barbary with her Children and Servant being imbarqued in three Gallies in order to their being transported to Constantinople sailing by the mouth of the Adriatick were by contrary Winds driven into the Gulf where Petrus Emunius a Venetian Captain of the order of the Senators lying with certain Gallies set upon those before mentioned and boarded them where he exercised most barbarous cruelty as well upon the Women as the Men. For having slain the Mariners in number 250 and the Son of Ramadan a Child in his Mothers lap he caused the Women first to be Ravished and then having their Breasts cut off to be cast into the Sea nor did he exercise this cruelty upon the Turks onely but upon such Christians likewise as he found on board using such barbarity as was thought to prevent the discovery of the great Riches he found in those Gallies Yet was it afterwards made manifest by one of the Turks who during the slaughter had hid himself in the hold and was afterwards saved by a Cretian who had in like manner been formerly preserved by the said Turk who coming to Constantinople declared what had happened which so enraged Amurath that he sent to the Venetians speedily to make reparation or to expect their Frontiers to be invaded To which the Senators answered they were altogether Ignorant of what had happened but if so as the Messengers related upon enquiry reparation should be made which being found according to the relation of the Turks they caused Emus to be beheaded the Gally to be restored and to supply the loss of the slaves delivered them a like number of Turks and Moors which for that time appeased the indignation of Amurath Amurath anno 1585. having constituted Hassan Bassa the Queens Eunuch Governour of Caire afterwards casting his Eyes upon Ebraim Bassa a Sclavonian about 23 years of Age resolved to make him his Son-in-law and to raise him to a condition worthy so great an honour as to marry the Daughter of an Emperour he made him soveraign Judge of Egypt of which Hassan having notice and by reason of the suddain advancement of Ebraim doubting his safety fled to Constantinople and fell at the Emperours feet desiring to know what crime he had committed to have a Master so suddainly set over him but had no other answer then that he must to Prison where after he had continued a long time still expecting the fatal hour he was at the earnest intercession of the Empress and the great Ladies of the Court set at Liberty but all his riches seized and converted to the Emperours use Ebraim being settled in his Government of Egypt by extorting great summs of money from the Egyptians and other people subject to his rule in a short time heaped up great Riches when at the end of three years Amurath sent for him to Constantinople to Celebrate the intended Marriage charging him withal to pass through the Countrey of the Drusians a people inhabiting a large Countrey invironed with Joppa Caesaria Palestina and within the Rivers Orantes and Jordan stretching it self even to the Plains of Damasco near to the Hills that compass it about upon the Coast of Mount Libanus and are said to be the race of those Christians that seated themselves there in the time that the Princes of the West sent their Armies to subdue the Holy Land but have since bin perverted to the Mahometan Superstition and at the coming of Ebraim into those parts with his Army they were divided under many Princes of which these were the chief viz. Ebne Man of the Turks called man Ogli Serafadin Mahamet Ebne-Mansur Eben Frec and Ali Ebne-Carfus by the Turks called Ali Carfus-Ogli under whom were divers Lieutenants called their Macademi or Agents all of which except Eben Man Ogli upon the arrival of the Bassa sent him rich Presents whereupon he entering the Countrey of the said Ogli wasted it with Fire and Sword which made the rest of the Princes exceeding angry and underhand to send aid to their Compere with which incamping himself advantagiously he fell upon Veis Bassa who lead a
part of the Turks Army and discomfited him puting 500 of his Men to the Sword and carrying away a rich booty which so inraged Ebraim that he used his utmost diligence to intrap the aforesaid Prince but finding no means to effect the same he began with fair Promises and Presents to corrupt his Macademes one of which together with 300 Drustans he got into his power whom in revenge of Veis his overthrow he caused to be flead alive and all his followers slain and again raged with Fire and Sword throughout the Countrey when afterward by dissimulation and feigned Friendship he got Eben Mansur into his power whom he caused to be fast chained and sent to the Gallies after which he took the spoil of his Countrey and afterward with a great Booty returned to Constantinople where he was in triumph received by his Friends amongst whom he bestowed Liberally the spoils taken from the Drusians even to the value of one Million of Ducates and 200000 Sultanies But upon his departure out of the Drusians Countrey they joyning with the Arabian to revenge the injuries themselves sustained entered the Turks Confines and committed many outrages burning and destroying all before them not in their anger sparing Man Woman or Child passing on even to the Gates of Jerusalem being assisted covertly by the Sub-Bassa of Bethlehem who displeased with the rule of Ebraim watched his opportunity to revolt to the Enemy but was prevented by being slain alive at the Commandment of one of the Sanzaks of Jury Whilst affairs stood thus in Egypt and the Drusians Land Osman had compleated his Army at Erzirum which upon Muster was found to consist of 180000 choice Souldiers with which on the 11th of August 1585. he marched toward Tauris keeping on his way till he came into the vast Chalderan memorable for many Battles fought therein between the Turks and Persians where straitned for want the Soldiers mutined against him upbraiding him with many reproachful words and threatning him with death for that as they said contrary to his promise he had drawn them into a place of danger to become a prey to the Enemy at which the Bassa being much perplexed sent for the Captain and by telling them it was the Sultans express Command and that he did not in the lest doubt but to become victorious and therefore prayed them to rest contented and not Eclipse their honour by their civil dissensions amongst themselves which would rather give the Enemy advantage against them then any thing else and that if it was given out upon the raising the Army that it was intended for Nassivan that specious pretence was as he said to render the Persian more secure and thereby to hinder his great preparations These and such like speeches together with a small distribution of money calmed the Tempest the Mutiners had raised and thereupon the Army rising passed on towards Cay from thence to Marant a City Subject to the Persians and so keeping their way came within sight of Tauris the mark at which they aimed upon which proposing to themselves a kind of security the Van of the Army fell to spoiling the Countrey and seizing upon what best liked them keeping little or no order in their March of which Emir Hamze King Mahumets Eldest Son perceiving with 10000 Horsemen lay in Ambush in a way where they must pass and having got them within his danger burst out upon them with such fury that he overrun that part of the Army put 7000 to the Sword and carrying away a number of Prisoners and so with great spoil retired ere the gross of the Turks Army could come up Yet Osman upon notice of what had happened sent Mahomet Bassa and the Bassa of Caramite after him the victorious Prince with 14 Horse and Foot who by speedy Marches overtaking him had with him a bloody conflict in which 6000 Turks were slain nor had any escaped had not the darkness of the night caused the retreat on both sides to be sounded The next Morning the Turks Camp removed and came within two Miles of Tauris where Aliculi Chan of whom I have before spoken was Governour who desirous to revenge himself upon the perfidious Turks issued out of the City with about 6000 resolute Persians and charging those that were advanced beat them back into their Trenches with great slaughter but upon the opening the Tires of Ordnance and advancing of the Janizaries finding himself not capable of incountering such a multitude he retired into the City after whom the Turks in a confused manner pressed but in the enterance so strongly resisted that the passages were filled with their dead carkasses and all the Ditches swum with their blood but fresh supplies coming on and the City Walls no way built for defence badly furnished with Defendants and worse with Ordnance at length the Turks entered spoiling with incredible barbarity that great City the Regal seat of the Persian Kings Yet such compassion wrought in the breast of Osman the General that he caused Proclamation to be made that upon pain of death none should kill any that made not resistance and when the tumult was over came himself to take a view thereof and gave Orders for its Fortification sending out partys daily to reduce the other place adjacent to the Turkish obedience and so speedy were they in Fortifying that within the space of 36 days a strong Castle was erected Five dayes after the building of the new Castle was began even when the Taurisians thought themselves secure news was brought into the Turkish Camp that 8 Janizaries and divers Spaoglians were seen strangled in a Bath within the City of Tauris whereupon the Zani Spahini and Janizaries in a great rage went to the Generals Pavilion telling him that although he had with too much clemency given Order that none should molest or hurt the Taurisians and that according to his pleasure every man had used his modesty towards them and obedience to him yet the Taurisians themselves had most audaciously strangled several Janizaries and Spaoglians which injury and insolency they said was not to be suffered This outrage whether true or only raised by such as desired to satifie their inordinate lusts is uncertain so moved the Bassa that without any further delay hecommanded the City to be sacked leaving it wholly to the discretion of the Souldiers who like hell-hounds greedy of blood run with full cry into the City filling every place with slaughter of the amazed Taurisians Matrons were Ravished Virgins defloured young Children dashed against the pavement houses fired and other outrages committed that are commonly attendants upon such General calamities so that it was a misery almost inexplicable to behold that City so populous so rich honoured with the Palace of the Persian Kings now subject to the fury of the Turks plunged in calamity and utter destruction The outrages committed in Tauris coming to the knowledge of the Persian King he was greatly offended insomuch that he resolved with
40000 forthwith removed and with great speed hasted toward the Turks of which they having notice by their Espials put themselves in Battle Array and after their vain glorious manner dreamt of nothing but the spoil of the Christians whom they already concluded overthrown by reason of the disproportion of number they being indeed much inferiour in that nature to the Infidels Yet had the Emperours General so ordered his Battles that placing the Crotians and Hussars in the Vauntguard those of Carolstat and the Harquibusires of Keriva in the Left wing In the Right the Borderers of Carania all Horsemen in the main Battle the rest of the Souldiers with the Horsemen of Silesia under the conduct of Sigismund Paradise the Rereward was incompassed with three Companies of the Emperours Souldiers nor were the Turk idle but Marshalled their Battle in the best wise when as the Charge being sounded the Crotians and Hussars in the Vaunt-gard gave the first onset with such fury that being seconded by the Lord Anersburgh they after a cruel Fight obliged the Turks to give ground and with Hassan Bassa their General retire towards the River Odder after whom the Christians following furiously many endeavouring to save themselves by passing over were drowned and those that stayed in a fearful manner on the Banks overwhelmed by the continual Tempest of shot from the Flankers so that within three hours space all the Army was in a confusion every man seeking for his own safety insomuch that 18000 Turks perished either by the Sword or in the Rivers Odder and Kulp and amongst the rest Hassan Bassa Mahomet Beg Achmet Beg Saffer Beg Meni Beg Framatan Beg Curti Beg Operd Beg and Goschus the Bassa's chief Counselor together with Sinan Beg Amuraths Nephew the onely Son of his Sister after which signal victory obtained the Christian Army falling on their knees gave Thanks to God to whom alone they ascribed their miraculous preservation The news of which overthrow coming to the knowledge of Amurath he like a frantick man blasphemed the God of Heaven and perswaded thereto by the tears and intreaties of his Sister to revenge the death of her Son sent a proud and blasphemous denunciation of War to the Emperour Rodolphus wherein he stiled himself The onely Monarch of the World a great and mighty God on Earth an invincible Caesar King of all Kings from the East unto the West c. and proceeded to threaten the said Emperour and his People with all the miseries that attend on War impiously declaring that the Crucified God of the Christians long since dead and buried had not been able to deliver his own Countrey out of his hands much less the German Empire which in despite of him he was resolved to take knowing himself a subverter and sworn Enemy of the Christians and of all that called upon the name of Christ And thereupon the more to terrifie the Christians he sent a great Army under the Command of Sinan Bassa their implacable Enemy who upon his Arrival layed siege to Ciseg which he took putting all he found therein to the Sword and after that took several other places of lesser note yet not without considerable loss and breach of Faith to the besieged who finding themselves oft too weak to defend places of little strength against so powerful an Enemy would surrender them upon promise of Life and Liberty but falling into the hands of the barbarous Infidels seldom obtained either These proceedings of the Turks did not a little alarum the Christian Princes who having mustered 18000 Men under the Command of Count Hardeck Governour of Rab he with marching from Comara came before Alba-Regalis which by force of his Artillery he in a short time made saultable to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda sent Sinan Bassa with 20000 Horse and Foot but he being encountered by the Christians was put to flight with the loss of most of his men whereupon as victors the Christians returned to the siege but finding the season far advanced and a great number of Turks that escaped in the overthrow to be got into the City the Count raised his Camp and returned again to Rab but early in the Spring assisted by fresh supplies the Emperours Captains dividing the Army took the strong Castle of Sabatzka the City of Fileck the Towns of Seeteschiu Blanestine and Salleck the three latter being through fear abandoned by the Turks having first set them for the most part on Fire At the same time the Lord Palfie with a strong party marching to Dregel and Palanka found them likeâ—ise abandoned by the Turks the which having furnished with strong Garrisons of his own he took by force Ainacke Sellecke Westkee and divers other places so that the Turks were in a manner driven out of the Lower Hungary and new Buda and Alba-Regalis the onely Strong holds possessed by the Turks in those parts began to doubt their security for whilst a party out of the latter coming forth to bury the dead that lay scattered round the Walls and by their contagion infected the City they were so suddainly incountered by a Captain of the Hussars Commanding a Troop of Light Horsemen that near 200 of them were slain and 50 taken Prisoners These proceedings coming to the Ears of Amurath and he from all hands certified that the strength of the Christians daily increased he began to doubt his Empire in Europe and therefore to defend the same raised a puissant Army anno 1594. at the head of which he resolved to march in person a thing he had not done since his taking upon him the Government but on the 11th of January as the Army was upon its march not far from Constantinople such a terrible Tempest of Hail Rain Snow Wind Thunder and Lightning arose that by its impetuosity it overturned the Tents Chariots Waggons Horse and Men few being able to stand upright before it The which the Tyrant taking as ominous to his proceedings in great perplexity returned with his formidable Army to Constantinople where casting himself upon his bed after much tumbling and tossing falling asleep he dreamed that he beheld a man of exceeding Stature standing with one his feet upon the Tower of Constantinople and the other over the straight fixed on the Asian shoar who stretching out his Arms held the Sun in one hand and the Moon in the other at whom whilst he was wondering the Monster with his foot struck the Tower which forthwith fell down and in its fall overthrew the great Temple with the Imperial Palace whose Thundering awaking the Turk he much troubled with the strangeness of the dream imediatly sent for his Necromancers and Wizards to Interpret it who to curry favour with their Prince hypocritically answered That for as much as he had not with all his Forces as with a Tempest impugned the Christians their great Prophet Mahomet threatned by that dream to overturn the Tower Temple and Imperial Palace which by a symbolical meaning denoted
the Turkish Religion and Empire which vain and fictitious Interpretation so moved the superstitious Tyrant that having first asked pardon of his Impostor Prophet he swore from henceforth to turn all his Forces upon the Christians and not to give over War till he had done his utmost to subdue them These vain threats did not in the least dismay the Christian Princes yet to ingage a sure Friend on their side they caused publique prayers to be put up in all Churches and that people might perceive on what slender and impious grounds the Tyrant had resolved the prosecution of the War had the vain Dream and the vainer Interpretation read in the Churches of Transylvania and most of the Churches of Hungary The Christian Army having taken the Field and a Present of the Turks spoiles taken some time before sent to Rodolphus the Emperour the Arch-Duke of Austria besieged Novograde which after several assaults was delivered by capitulation in consideration of Life and Liberty which strong Town after it had been Turkish for the space of 60 years was by the Arch-Duke committed to the care of Lord Rebei a Noble Hungarian and the Turkish Governour upon his arrival at Buda was by the Bassa's Command imprisoned Whilst these things were in doing the Emperour sent his Embassadors to the great Duke of Muscovy the King of Poland and Prince of Transilvania in all whose Courts their Negotiation proved successful nor in the mean time was the young Count Serinus idle for that he with 300 Harquibusires and certain Troops of Horse and Companies to the number of 10000 took the Castles of Bresenza Sigesta and Babostcha by the recovery of which strong holds he opened a safe passage even to Ziget the Bassa of which standing at that time in no small doubt to be besieged These things perplexing the Turkish Tyrant who was preparing great Forces for the securing his Province on this side the Danubius he in the mean while sent a Fleet into the Adriatick to besiege Zegna an Imperial City scituate upon the Sea Coast in the Bay of Quernero called in antient time Flanaticus Sinus in order to the prosecution of which he sent his Ambassador to the Venetians to require the use of their Ports in those Seas and that his Gallies might pass and repass without any molestation from the Gallies of that State but the Senate doubting the fidelity of the Turk and loath thereby to disoblige the Christian Emperour would by no means consent yet used the Ambassador honourably and sent him away without obtaining his purpose In the Upper part of Hungaria the Lord Tenffenbeck Commanding as the Arch-Dukes Lieutenant with an Army of 2000 Horse and Foot besieged Hatvan a strong Town of the Turks lying about six miles from Buda Fortified with a Triple Ditch and Bullwarks of exceeding strength to the relief of which the Bassa of Buda came with fifteen thousand Souldiers thinking at unawares to surprize the Christian Camp but was frustrated in his project for the Lord Tenffenbeck drawing off from before the City passed through with much difficulty the River Sagijvay when setting upon the Bassa's Army after a hard fight he put it to the Rout having the execution of the Turks for many miles so that about Ten Thousand of them were slain and taken Prisoners with a great Booty of Provision and Ammunition after which the Christians returned to the siege yet finding the hazards and difficulty that they should meet with in winning it by the directions of the Arch-Duke who with Forty Thousand Men at the same time besieged Strigonium the Siege of Hatvan was given over yet upon the raising thereof the Lord Tenffenbeck discomfited the Bassa of Buda a second time as he was again coming to the relief thereof in which conflict Five Thousand Turks were slain Strigonium after a long siege and the burning of the old Town being relieved by the coming of Sinan Bassa with a great Army the Arch-Duke thought it not yet convenient to let him take breath but on the 28th of June passed Danubius to expect the motion of Sinan Bassa with his huge Army composed of Turks and Tartars and by frequent onsets daily weakned his Camp nor were the Rascians slow to revolt from the Turkish obedience So that having raised a confused power to the number of Fifteen Thousand they took many strong Places and obtained two notable Victories one over the Bassa of Temeswar in which himself and three of his Sanzacks and about Nine Thousand Five Hundred of his Turks were slain And the other over another Bassa that succeeded him upon which they sent to the Arch-Duke to receive them and their Countrey into the Emperours protection and that in consideration thereof they would maintain Ten Thousand Men in the Field whose Proposals were by the Imperial General accepted About this time the Emperour the better to consult the defence of his Provinces called a Diet at Ratisbone where in the assembly of the German Princes he declared how matters stood and repeated the manifold injuries he had sustained by the Turks contrary to the League made with Amurath and that amongst the rest he contrary to the Law of Nations had imprisoned Frederick Creckovitz his Ambassador first at Constantinople and caused the greatest part of his followers to be thrust into the Gallies and afterwards to have sent him with a few of his attendants to Belgrade and thereto have kept him in prison till he ended his dayes To revenge which indignities those daily offered and such as were like to ensue from the great Army at hand he desired the Princes to consider a most speedy way and not by delay to indanger the greatest part of Christendoms falling into the hands of the mercyless Enemy To which the Electoral Princes after a due consideration replyed That they had a regard to his Imperial Majesty and for the preservation of Hungary and others his Hereditary Countries as also for repressing the fury of the Turks yet by reason of the late dearth they were not capable of maintaining such Forces as might be expected yet besides their Annual Contributions they would for the space of six years grant such further relief as they well hoped would prove sufficient for the maintenance of a defensive War both for the present and for the time to come after which resolves of the Princes the Diet broke up and all diligence was used for increasing the Army and Fortifying the strong Holds in Hungaria Austria Styra and Carinthia Countries most obnoxious to the Incursions of the Turks Sinan Bassa all this while not ignorant of the Emperors proceedings lay with an Army of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Fighting men between Buda and Alba Regalis frequently sending out Parties to wast the Countries in possession of the Emperour yet with such indifferent success that he had no cause to boast which made the Bassa to raise his Camp and in sight of the Christian Army which still attended his motions battered Dolis
and St. Martins with such fury that within a short time they fell into his hands the Imperialists at so great an odds not thinking it convenient to hazard a Battle to relief their besieged Friends and after doing other mischief in their Territories layed siege to the City of Rab scituate on the Southside of Danubius where the River dividing it self makes a most fertile Island called Schut about twelve German miles from Vienna in which Island lay the Christian Camp This City was defended by a Garrison of Five Thousand Men under the Command of Count Hardeck a more valiant then at this time faithful Friend for when every one supposed the City impregnable and that the Turks for many dayes had without intermission battered it with Sixty pieces of Cannon and made several unsuccessful assaults with the loss of Fourteen Thousand of their men the said Count contrary to the minds of his Commanders and Souldiers capitulated with the Bassa and in consideration of his departing with all his Treasure delivered that strong piece in his hands For which upon his arrival at Vienna he by the judgement of Sixty of his Peers had his Head and his right Hand stricken off it being proved against him that he in leiw of the surrender had of the Bassa received two bags of Ducats During the siege of Rab the Christians in the Island of Schut received a great loss for Ten Thousand Turks and Tartars getting over in Boats or swimming upon their Horses came so suddainly upon their Camp that having slain Two Thousand of them and put the rest into a great consternation they entered their Trenches and carryed thence a booty valued at Five Hundred Thousand Ducats which loss for a while after sore weakned the Christians Nor were the Turks onely busie in spoiling Hungary but Italy also for with a great Fleet under the leading of Ciala Bassa Amuraths Admiral they surprized Rhegium in Calabria and utterly razed it after which they spoiled all the Countrey about it as likewise the Sea Coasts of Italy in many other places taking several Ships richly laden in the sight of the Garrison of Messina and carrying away a great number of poor people into miserable Captivity Sinan Bassa having by this time received new supplies and repaired Rab putting therein a strong Garrison marched to Comara before which he incamped but upon the approach of Matthias the Arch-Duke with a puissant Army of Germans Bohemians and Hungarians to relieve it he raised his siege not thinking it safe at that time to hazard a Battle and by a Bridge of Boats Transported his Army over Danubius to Dolis where he the following day dismissed them upon which the Arch-Duke without any hinderance coming to Comara caused the breaches to be Repaired and then leaving it to the protection of the Governour viz. The Lord Bruun who had faithfully defended it he departed to take a view of the other Cities About this time Sigismund Prince of Transilvania weary of the grievous exaction and injuries they sustained at the hands of the Turks resolved to cast off their servile yoak which being known to certain of the Nobility pensioners to Amurath they secretly advertized him of the Princes purpose promising to send him in Chains to Constantinople and with the Turks good liking to set up one Balthazor Bator the Princes nigh Kinsman in his stend but the Treason being discovered most of the Traitors were taken and executed upon which the Tarâ—ars to the number of Forty Thousand brake into Transilvania burning and destroying all before them in a fearful manner which obliged the Prince to raise the whole power of his Countrey and to crave aid of the Rascians and other his Neighbours giving freely to his Subjects and Confederates what ever they could take from the Turks who in their first interprize were so successful that they surprized seven of the Turks Gallies laden with Provision Rich Merchandize and store of Treasure and missed but narrowly of the eighth which was the Admiral which loss was so great to the Turks Sinan Bassa upon notice of what had happened is reported to have said that if those Gallies had come to him in safety he could with the Treasure have bought Vienna as he had done Raâ—b after which the Transilvanians hightened with this success marched towards Temeswar but hearing that the Tartars were about to return they retired for the defence of their own Countrey yet by this time headed by their Prince they took many strong Holds from the Turks and still following their returning Army in the rear cut many Thousands of them short and by his example soon after the Valachians and Moldavians rose up in Armes against Amurath and Confederated themselves with the Transilvanian Prince who with one consent sent to Rodolphus the Emperour to make a League with him against the common Enemy which was accordingly concluded very Honourable to the Confederates which made Amurath begin to doubt his safety even in Constantinople and much more when they with their victorious Armies overrun his Countries on every side for grief of which and the disorderly tumults he found amongst his Janizaries and his other Souldiers of the Court he fell Sick when greatly afflicted with the Stone and Falling Sickness his wonted Disease as a man both in Soul and Body tormented he with great Impatiency and Agony of mind gave up the Ghost departing this Life on the Eighteenth of January Anno Domini 1595. When he had lived One and Fifty years or as some say Two and Fifty years and thereof Reigned Nineteen years At the time of whose Death arose so Terrible a Tempest at Constantinople that many thought the world should have presently been dissolved his dead Body within a while after was with all Funeral Solemnities used amongst the Turks buryed by the Body of Mahomet his Eldest Son in the Moschie which himself had builded near unto his Palace CHAP. XVII The Life of Mahomet Third of that Name seventh Emperor of the Turks A Murath being dead his death to prevent tumults was kept secret till such time that Mahomet his Eldest Son then living came from Amasia to Constantinople where contrary to the mind of the Janizaries who generally affected Amurath his younger brother he was saluted Exmperour when by a wile getting his Ten Brethren into his power he caused them to be strangled nay so far extended his barbarity that at his Commandement ten of his Fathers Wives and Concubines whom he suspected to be with Child were drowned in the Sea one of which number as some affirm was his own Mother These violent proceedings made the great Commanders envy him and the better to wreck their spleen secretly to stir up the Janizaries who committed for the space of several days such disorders that the like in no Interregnum had happened and great had the disorder been even to outraging the Emperour himself had not the Bassa Governour of the City causedall the great Ordinance to be bent
laid open to the Christians who just as they were about to enter had notice that the Bassa of Buda whom Mahomet had threatned with the loss of his head if he suffered that City which he esteemed worth a whole Kingdom to be lost was coming to relieve it with twenty thousand Turks resolving to fight his way into it whereupon divers parties were sent out to skirmish and by retiring to draw the enemy into the danger of the Christian Army which project was not unsuccesseful for the resolute Bassa coming on between the hills of St. George and St. Thomas near to the Suburbs called the Ruscian City put his Army in order of Battle as did the Christians when in the mean while the Lord Paifi with his Hungarian horsemen fetching a compass about the hill on the one side and the Lord Swartzenburg with such horse as he had under his command on the other side so inclosed the Turks rear that they could not without great danger retire when as both Armies were orderly ranged the signal of battle was given the Turks without any great harm to the Christians discharged seventeen Pieces of Artillery after which with showers of Arrows and the smoak of the Harquibuses the Sky was darkned and in a trice not without great slaughter the battle was brought to the sword at what time Victory declared for the Christians the Turks being every where most miserably beaten down crying out for mercy and flying as they found opportunity and in the end the Bassa himself from his stand perceiving his Army in the rout and that the day was irrecoverably lost fled for his life and about midnight recovered Buda with not above twenty of his followers filling that City with the laments of such as had in the battle lost their friend The slain and those taken prisoners were fourteen thousand and the spoil of the Camp consisting of rich Pavilions Money Plate Ammunition fair horses provision Camels and the like was valued at 300000 Ducates part of which was sent to the Emperour part to the Arch Duke and part distributed amongst the Souldiers to every one according to their deserts The Turkish Army thus overthrown the Christians returned again to the siege when as the Count sent to Summon Alis Beg the Governour to surrender the City and that in consideration thereof he and all that were with him should be suffered to depart but the messengers finding the froward old man obstinate notwithstanding the great dearth that was then in the City he returned without effecting any thing upon which a terrible battery being placed against the lower City it thundred against the walls and Bullwarks so long that laying open a fair breach the Souldiers entred with such fury that bearing down all before them they upon the coming of the Marquess of Burgave with fresh Troops they possessed themselves of it driving the Turks into the Castle and upper City with great slaughter sparing in their rage none that came in their way yet the malitious Turks e'r their departure to deprive the Christians of the benefit they might reap by the spoil had by Trains laid for that purpose fired the building in several places so that inraged by the wind the flame could be hardly extinguished till it had laid most of the goodly building waste yet was this great Victory accompanied with sorrow for the death of the Count Mansfelt who by drinking cold Liquors after his great pains taken in the late battle fell into a feaver which turning to the bloody Flix deprived him of his life to the great grief of the Christian Princes who on his Courage and Conduct had reposed next to God the success of their Arms yet the Christians continued the siege nor was it long e'r the besieged lost Alis Beg their Governour who walking upon the wall to give directions in places of most danger had his arm struck off with a great shot of which he dyed when in his stead the Janizaries in Garrison chose the Bassa of Natolia who upon the overthrow of the Bassa of Buda had escaped into the City with a hundred horsemen when upon notice of the death of Count Mansfelt the Arch Duke came to the Camp who when he had well viewed the Army and the manner of the siege he assembled his chief Commanders to consult what was best to be done who after some debate resolved to give a generall assault which was maintained with great resolution but the besieged as obstinately defending their walls the Duke caused the Retreat to be sounded and then by his Espials understanding that the Turks near Buda were gathering together to relieve the besieged he commanded 8000 chosen horse speedily to march thither who a little before sunset setting upon them expecting nothing less made of them a great slaughter and taking a number of prisoners and amongst the rest the Sanzack of Copan returned again to the siege when as the besieged finding there was no hope of relief and that the famine was greivous amongst them the Governour overcome with such like difficulties and the continual cries of the Citizens and Souldiers at length consented to parly upon reasonable conditions so that in fine it was agreed that the Garrison and all the Citizens Turks should be sent with bag and baggage to Buda and in consideration whereof Strigonium the Metropolis of Hungaria which for the space of 52 years had groaned under the oppression of the Turkish Tyrants was delivered into the hands of the Arch Duke and the conditions with the Turks accordingly performed twenty Ships being for that purpose imployed by the space of two dayes after which the Duke sent 18 thousand to besiege Vicegrade otherwise called Plindenburg a strong Castle of the Turks scituate upon Danubius between Strigonium and Buda which they took and in their march brought such a fear upon Buda that had not the Bassa shut fast the Gates most of the Inhabitants had fled over the Danudius During this good success of the Imperialists the Prince of Transylvania was not idle but with an Army of his best Souldiers setting upon thirty thousand Turks who as unbidden Guests were coming to his wedding which he was then solemnizing with Maria Christina daughter to Charles the late Arch Duke of Austria he gave such a welcome that few of them returned to tell the news after which prosecuting his victory he took Lippa a strong Town with divers other Towns and Castles of the Turks out of which they had for a long time annoyed the Countries round about them about the same time the Lords Herbenstien Lucowitz and Eckenburg incountered with the Bassa of Bosna as he was returning with ten thousand Turks and Tartars from the taking of Babotzka whom after a hard fight they overthrew putting most of them to the sword the Bassa himself upon a swift horse hardly escaping These successefull proceedings of the Christians so inraged the Turk that imputing several of the disgraces that had happened to
sufficient for the management of the War against the Turks and such success had his arms immediately thereon through the good conduct of the Lord Swartzenburg Rab was surprized for certain Engineers coming by night to the Gates finding the Portcullises drawn up in expectation of Waggons loaden with Provision to come from Alba Regalis they fastened several Petards to the said Gates which deadly Engins once fired rent 'um in pieces so that the Army which followed at their heels pressing in after a long fight killed two of the Turks Bassa's and put the rest to the flight who such as could escaped over the Wall and those that could not fell by the Swords of the inraged Soldiers who in the City found so great a booty that many of them were greatly inriched thereby besides One Hundred pieces of great Ordnance and store of all manner of Provisions That City though so easily recovered being one of the strongest Fortresses in Christendom the taking of which so incouraged the General of the Imperialists that upon notice that great differences were arisen between the Janizaries and the Sphai the Turks best Footmen and Horsemen upon a point of preheminency he resolved to besiege Buda the Turks chief strength in Hungary and thereupon marching thither with all his Army on the 16th of October 1598. he sar down before it and for many days battered it with sixteen pieces of Cannon But in fine seeing no hopes of winning it and having notice that a great Army of Turks was hasting to its relief having plundered the Suburbs the General drew his Army out of the Trenches and departed to Strigonium The Transilvanian Prince having exchanged his Country with the Emperour for the Dukedoms of Oppel and Ratibor and yearly Fifty Thousand Joachim or the Revenues of the Bishoprick of Vratislavia Territories lying in Silesia and repenting him of what he had done he came again into Transilvania in disguise and was joyfully received by his Subjects at what time Maximilian the Emperors Generals was marching with the Army to take possession of it which had like to have caused great dissensions amongst the Christian Confederates had not the Prince by many submissive Letters pacified the Emperors displeasure Now were the Turks Army arrived in Hungary and had layed siege to Veradinum which City being at the point to be yielded was relieved by the Lord Basta the Emperours Lieutenant who making semblance to give the Turks Battle and by that means drawing them out of their Trenches in the mean time by an unsuspected way thrust Eight Hundred Souldiers into the City and so drew off through which supply the City was so long defended that the Turks weary of the siege and by reason of the approach of Winter departed leaving for hast many of their Tents and great Ordnance as a prey to the besieged after which the Imperialists spoiled that part of the Lower Hungary which was in the possession of the Turks even to the gates of Buda which brought a great fear upon the Garrison and Citizens When at the same time Michael the Vayvod of Valachia having gathered a strong power took and sacked Nicopolis the rumor of which coming to Constantinople where the Plague then raged it greatly perplexed Mahomet and brought a fear upon that great City Yet to put a stop to the Vayvods proceedings he caused a great number of Turks under the leading of Taut Bassa to march against him who joyning the forces of Mahomet Satergi with which he had besieged Veradinum yet the Vayvod not in the least dismayed marched 100 Miles into the Turks Territories and destroying all before him obtained a great Booty But now contrary to the expectation of all men the Transilvanian Prince instigated thereto by the Polonian King resigned the right he had in that Principality to his Cozen Andrew Battor and thereby defrauded the Emperour of that which by way of Exchange was properly his the Transylvanians having thereupon sworn him fealty yet not to discourage his Confederates the Emperor set light thereby though the proud Cardinal to whom it was resigned submitted himself a Vassal to Mahomet and thereby deprived the Christian Commonwealth of one of her surest Bulwarks Buda blocked up by the Christians and thereby reduced to great extreamity the Bassa thereof upon notice that several waggons laden with provision were on their way issued out with six hundred horse to conduct them safe but being set upon by the free Hadducks his Guard was overthrown his son slain and himself taken prisoner and within a while after the Lord Palfie incountering the Bassa of Bosna who was coming with ten thousand men to relieve the said City overthrew his power slew the Bassa and took all the waggons laden with provision and at the same time five thousand Tartars being set upon by the Lord Swartzenburgs Regiment were all cut in pieces upon notice of Ibraim Bassa with a great power set forward from Constantinople but part of his Forces being encountred by the Imperialists under the command of the Lord Palfis Lieutenant were overthrown and rich booty taken containing all the provision of the Camp and one hundred thousand Dollars which were coming up the Danubius to pay the Souldiers which loss greatly discontented the Bassa and then when he had notice that the Imperialists intended again to besiege Buda which he by reason of the said loss was not in a capacity to relieve as also at the same time news came of a great slaughter of the Turks before the City of Agria the which City had the Christians assaulted in any considerable number the consternation was so great that they might easily have surprised it yet as it happened they took a hundred prisoners and five hundred horses the free Haducks also entring the Turks Territories did great hurt by burning their Villages and carrying away a great number of Inhabitants Buda now had not escaped falling into the hands of the Christians had not Ibraim Bassa received an unexpected supply which increased his Army to the number of one hundred and thirty thousand with which upon his approach the Christians too weak to encounter him were obliged to raise their siege yet so much was the Bassa out of love with war that having relieved the City he by the command of Mahomet the Turkish Emperor laboured to procure a peace with Rodolph the German Emperor in order to which several great Commanders on either side met but the Turks proud demands seem'd so unreasonable to the Christian Commissioners that they rejected them with disdain and so all hopes of peace vanishing the Vayvod of Valachia invaded Transylvania now wholly devoted to Mahomet against whom Cardinal Batter prepared his Forces being strengthened over and above with thirty thousand Turks and Tartars sent by Ibraim yet in a mortal battle he was overthrown by the Vayvod and the Cardinal in endeavouring to escape was slain and his head sent to the Emperour after which most of the Cities of Transylvania revolted from
the Turkish obedience The news of which greatly troubled Sigismund the late Prince who resided in Polonia but more Mahomet the Turkish Emperor imbroiled in new troubles by the revolt of Chusahin or Cassan the great Bassa of Carraâ—â—â—â— who had caused most of the Countries in the letter Asia to cast off the Turkish yoke but Mahomet sending great Forces against him under Mahomet Bassa who after several conflicts spoiling the possessions of the Rebells in Arms he so dealt with the chief of them that by bribes and large promises he prevailed with them to leave their ringleader he was taken and brought in chains to Constantinople where with most exquisite torments he was put to death The end of which dangerous Rebellion gave the Ottoman Emperor more leasure to prosecute his wars in Hungary to oppose whose Forces the Christians were not wanting for in an other Diet assembled new supplies were granted by the Electoral Princes for the carrying on the war toward which the Bishop of Rome contributed very largely so that Anno 1600 the Christian Army early in the Spring took the field though to breed delay therein the Turkish Bassa in the name of his master had made many offers tending to peace but e'r any notable action was performed the renowned Lord Palfie the greatest Commander of that Age dyed at his Castle of Bibersperg whereupon the Lord Swartzenburg was by the Emperor appointed Governor of Strigonium in his stead who to the great grief of the Army soon after slain with a shot as he was reducing Papa to its obedience it having a little before at the instigation of De la Mot a seditious French Commander there in Garrison revolted from the Emperor and yet stood neuter not permitting the Turks to enter yet was it again reduced notwithstanding the death of the Lord Swartzenburg and most of the Rebels Executed after the severest manner that could be invented These things passing the troubles in Hungary daily increasing and the Turks were every where put to the worst and amongst the rest the Bassa of Sigeth with five thousand of his Turks and his head sent to the Emperor Jula was likewise surprized and the Bassa thereof with two Sanzacks and Five Hundred common Souldiers slain and now the Government of Transilvania being vacant by the death of Cardinal Battor and the absence of the Prince the Emperor confirmed it to the Vayvod of Valachia who raising a great power went against the Prince who aided by the Turks Tartars and Polonians was coming to try a field Battle for the recovery of his Inheritance and in a set battle overthrew him with great slaughter of his men himself hardly escaping after which he seized upon the Countrey of Moldavia causing all the inhabitants to swear Allegiance to him when the better to incourage him to invade the Turks Dominions the Emperour not only confirmed him in that Principality also but sent him six Thousand Men under the leading of D. Petzen with a mass of mony to pay his Souldiers appointing him one of his Council and cheif Intendant for those Countries but he behaving himself roughly towards the Transilvanian Nobility they sent Ambassadors to Basta the Emperors Lieutenant General praying him to take then into the protection of the Emperor onely and that they might obey no other Soveraign Prince whereupon Basta after mature deliberation resolved to grant their desires and to protect them from the fury of the Vayvod whom he yet not able to appease by fair means he resolved to compel by force of Armes to acquiesce with what he determined and therefore gathering such forces as he could with Eighteen Thousand well appointed Souldiers he awaited on the Frontiers of Transilvania his coming and near to a Village called Mivislo adventured to give him Battle though under his standard he had double the number and after six hours desperate fighting put him to flight with the loss of Ten Thousand of his men taking likewise several Prisoners and a great spoil yet nevertheless the Vayvod bating of his proud temper by the mediation of Friends they were afterwards reconciled Yet the Vayvod jealous of the Imperialist as being also without cause perswaded thereto by the Polonians to prevent as was suggested to him his being taken Prisoner with a few of his followers fled into the fastness of the Mountains whereupon one Simon was placed in his stead by the haughty Chancelor of Poland which choice Basta altogether disliking resolved to displace the upstart Vayvod but the Transilvanians desirous of freedom and in order to recover it raising many rumours portending the mischief intended against the Imperialists at that time hindered his violent proceedings so that for the future the whole matter was referred to the Emperour The Transilvanians likewise casting themselves upon him and when they perceived no remedy desired that Maximilian the Arch-Duke might take upon him the Government of that Province but whilst these affairs were in controversie the Turks with a huge Army besieged Canisia a strong City of Stira to the relief of which came the Imperial Army consisting of Forty Thousand Horse and Foot composed of divers Nations under the leading of Duke Mercury General of the Emperours Forces in Hungary to oppose which Ibrahim Bassa drew out of his Trenches thinking by their multitude to oppress the Christians but was therein deceived for after a bloody and doubtful fight for the space of eight hours victory declared her self against him yet not so apparently but that the next day by reason of the discord amongst the Christian Captains who at the Command of their General refused to charge the Turks in their strengths the scale was turned and their Convoy of Provision upon its way to the Camp being taken by the Tartars they were so straightned that after having layn still for the space of three dayes they rose in the night but not so secretly but that the Turks following hard after them cut off Three Thousand of the rearmost took several pieces of Cannon and a great part of their Baggage and afterwards had the City of Canisae yeilded to them upon condition that the Garrison should be safely convoyed over the River Mur with Bag and Baggage and hightened with this success they afterwards forraged the Countrey of Stira for fear of whom the Inhabitants with such of their substance as they conveniently carry with them fled to the Mountains whereupon the Bassa sent forth a Proclamation commanding them to return and that such as would willingly submit themselves to the Turkish obedience should be taken into safe protection upon which Proclamation many of the half starved people returned and submitted themselves but the ever renowned mirrour of Vertue and Valour the Heroick Count Serenus being the man that the Bassa aimed at as well knowing whilst he went free his new Conquests were slightly cemented to the rest he the better to decoy the Noble Youth into his power wrote to him as followeth We Ibraim Bassa Chief
Vizar Bassa Cosen to the most Puissant Sultan Mahomet to the Count Serenus sendeth Greeting WE have often heretofore written to thee concerning the matter thou knowest of but what the cause is we received no answer we know not yet could I not but write unto you again that if thou canst be content to begin the matter aright and to submit thy self to our protection we will be ready to receive thee thou seest what we foretold thee is now more then fulfilled both upon thee and thine which thou wouldest never believe nevertheless for the staying the further effusion of blood as well of thy Subjects as our and to come to some good attonement 't is high time for thee to lay thine hand upon thine heart and to consider how much more it concerneth thee then us and that the benefit thereof redoundeth more unto thine then to ours what our affections are towards thee Hierom the Vayvod can tell thee c. This Letter the Count well enough knew were but an outward shew of Friendship and therefore he thinking it not good to trust the Infidel so long as he had his Sword in his hand would not so much as dain to return him an answer whereupon he in a great rage returned to Belgrade vaunting that if Mahomet so Commanded he would the next year lay siege to Vienna and so much extol'd his exploits to the great Sultan that he commanded publick Triumphs for the space of four days in Constantinople for joy of his good success in Stira and sent the proud Bassa a Robe of Gold and a leaders Staff set wit Pearl and pretious Stones The loss of Canisia sore troubled the Christian insomuch that Paradiser the Governour who had so tamely yielded it into the hands of the Turks coming to Vienna was there imprisoned and many things being proved against him his Ensign Bearer Lieutenant and the Mayor of the Town they after many strict Examinations were at the command of the Emperour executed Notwithstanding the death of the Bassa of Carramani in manner as aforesaid the Rebellion was not altogether thereby extinguished but secretly kept alive by the countenance of the Persian Sophy so that now it again began as if revived from its Embers to break out into a flame and in a trice swept away several Towns whereupon Mahomet sent to the Persian to demand for the more assurance of the League one of his Sons as Hostage which was so evilly taken that the Sophy commanded the Turks Ambassador to be slain and although that rigorous sentence was remitted yet by the second Commandment of the Sophy he was bastinadoed and in despite of him that sent him returned with great disgrace the which though it highly offended Mahomet yet he finding himself at that time not in a condition to revenge it only blustered a little and to prevent the worst put strong Garrisons into his Frontire Towns Anno 1601 The Christian Confederates brought a strong Army into the Field for fear of which the Turkish General proposed many ofters of Peace but ere any was concluded the said General Ibraim Bassa died when as the Christians not to omit any opportunity took divers strong places and amongst the rest after a terrible battery and the loss of Eight Thousand men Alba Regalis one of the chiefest and strongest Cities of Hungary into which the furious Souldiers entering through Streets of fire and over heaps of the slain put all they met to the Sword few or none except the Bassa being taken to mercy inriched themselves with a great spoil especially the Walloons who spared not to rifle the Tombs of the Hungarian Kings which barbarity the Turks themselves had abstained from Yet hardly was the spoil taken but news came that Assan Bassa made General in the stead of Ibraim was coming with a great Army to relieve it whereupon Duke Mercury drew out his Forces and in a mortal Battle slew the Bassa and most of his men taking his rich Camp and a great number of Prisoners and amongst the rest Fifty of the Rebels that fled from Papa who yet at the instance of the said Duke were pardoned The Christians hightened with this success were now resolved to attempt the recovery of Canisia from before which after they had a long time besieged it and layed open with their furious battery several breaches killing in the several assaults a number of Turks they were by the unseasonableness of the weather obliged to depart to the great grief of the Commanders though joy of the Souldiers who through the excessive Cold that then happened were become unserviceable many of them being frozen to Death in the Trenches The Turks now greatly disinaid and almost driven out of Hungary unhappy chance turned the Christians Swords upon themselves for although Michael the Vayvod of Valachia was reconciled to the Emperour yet the Transilvanians desirous to be Governed by Sigismund their natural Prince cast Basta the Emperours Leiutenant and by him appointed Governour of that Province into Irons and immediately submitted themselves to Sigismund and likewise imprisoned several of the Nobility whom they suspected to favour the Emperour returning again to the Turkish obedience and this by the contrivance of the Chancelor of Polonia Yet at the mediation of Friends Basta was set at Liberty who thoroughly inraged at the disgrace done to him and the indignity offered thereby to the Emperour his Master raised an Army and joying with Michael the Vayvod invaded Transilvania and in a dreadful Battle overthrew Prince Sigismund with great slaughter of his men upon which Claudiopolis and divers other Cities of Transylvania returned to the Emperours obedience After this great victory the Vayvod still envying at the success of the Imperialists and secretly grudging against Basta by Letters held secret correspondency with the Bassa of Temeswar intending in consideration of Valachia Moldavia and Transilvania to become the Turks Tributary and by the assistance of the Bassa's drive out the Imperialists to prevent which it was agreed that he should be sent Prisoner to Vienna In order to which a Walloon Captain was sent into his Tent with sixty followers but he making ressistance was by the said Captain slain which caused a great uproar amongst his Souldiers but when they understood the cause by Letters produced under his own hand their anger was allayed themselves protesting that had they known so much they would long before dispatched him After the Death of the Vayvod the Transilvanians wholly submitted to themselves to Basta Yet continued not long in that obedience ere stirred up by some restless spirits they again Revolted and Proclaimed Sigismund denying obedience to any other at which suddain mutation of this unstable people Basta not a little troubled to prevent his being again imprisoned as he had been formerly by them withdrew himself with his Followers into a strong Town on the Frontiers from whence he by Letters advertized the Emperour of what had happened and requested him to send him
speedy Aid whereby he might be able to reduce them to their former obedience During these troubles in Transylvania the Turks taking the advantage did mischief in Hungary yet were often met with by the Imperialists and amongst the rest the Bassa of Agria as he was going to besiege Toccaie with ten thousand Turks who being encountered by Ferrant Gonzaga the Emperors Lieutenant was overthrown with the slaughter of almost all his followers nor was Mahomet the Emperor less perplexed with the Carramanian and Natolian Rebels who now getting to a great head under the leading of one Scrivano had given several overthrows to his Bassas sent against them and spread their borders wide drawing into their Confederacy all Asia the Lesser and a part of the Greater and at the same time the Janizaries were in an uproar in Constantinople threatning the Emperor and charging him with Cowardise and the neglect of his affairs to appease whom Cicala Bassa was obliged to bestow amongst them a great sum of money and the Musti or chief Mahometan Priest declaring that all these disorders happened for that Mahomet their Prophet was offended at the excess of wine that was drunk in the City whereupon Proclamation was made that upon pain of death all those that had any wine in their houses the Ambassadors of the Christian Princes excepted should immediately bring it forth and stave it whereupon such abundance was spilt that boats in the high streets might have swam in wine of all sorts By this time Basta having received Forces from the Emperor had so straitned the Transylvanians that Sigismund sent to offer him all the Towns that were in his possession at the time of his being expelled Transylvania of which offer Zachel Moyses the Princes Lieutenant having notice resolved not to suffer any agreement upon such conditions and therefore with the Forces under his Command composed of Turks Tartars and Transylvanians he hasted to oppress Basta in his Camp but finding him as ready as himself a dreadful battle was fought between them wherein Basta with his Germans prevailed making a great slaughter of the enemy To excuse which rash action Sigismund sent several of his Nobility to the Imperial Camp offering to perform what ever he had promised and to go in person to the Emperor which once put in practise all the Countrey returned again to the Emperors obedience nor was Valachia at this time less troubled about Election of a Vayvod that Province being divided into two Factions the one was for choosing Radol a Noble man affecting the Emperors interest and the other for Electing Jeremias who had promised to hold his Province Tributary of the Turk whereupon many Battles were fought with various success but in the end Rodolph assisted by the Emperors Forces overthrew his competitor and obtained a great Victory in which battle two of the Turkish Bassas were slain with all their followers and soon after having overthrown a great power of the Tartars he recovered the Principality nor was Hungary free from the Turkish outrages who bearing themselves upon their small success attempted to surprize Alba Regalis but were by the Christians overthrown with great slaughter and soon after two hundred of their Waggons laden with provision and Amunition was taken by Count Serinus on its way to Canisia and about the same time took Ali Bassa Governour of Pesth prisoner and with him seventy thousand Hungarian Ducates which Bassa for his ransom over and above offered 300000 Sultanies Mahomet not a little troubled with the continual news of his Losses in Hungary and resolving to revenge himself on the Christians sent Hassau Bassa with an Army of one hundred and fifty thousand Turks and Tartars who upon their arrival passing the Danubius laid siege to Alba-Regalis of which the Count Ysolon was Governour when raising three Batteries they incessantly thundered against the wall and Bulwarks and was by the Defendants answered in the same Language and by frequent Sallies cut off a number of the enemies but having all their walls on the West side beaten down and most of the Souldiers either killed or disabled the Count himself wounded in the thigh their powder being almost spent and no hopes of relief they capitulated to deliver the Town upon condition that they should depart thence with all their Goods and be conducted in safety to the neighbouring Garrison which was sworn to by all the Turkish Commanders but having once entred the City they not only spoil and plunder it but destroyed and put to the sword all the Souldiers and Citizens sparing none alive but the Count himself and some few Captains whom they sent in Chains to Constantinople insomuch that the streets flowed with the blood of three thousand Christians in revenge of this loss the Lord Russworm with thirty thousand men laid siege to the strong City of Buda and took the base Town where he got store of Riches and afterwards laid hard siege to the upper City but finding it a work of great difficulty he resolved to turn his Forces upon Pesth a strong Garrison lying on the other side the River from whence the Turks with their great Ordnance annoyed his Army before Buda which place he without much difficulty won and then again returned to the siege of the upper City of Buda but having lost eight thousand of his men and having notice that the Tartars were at hand with a great Army resolving to relieve it he raised his siege having first repulsed the Vizar Bassa before Pesth with the loss of half his Forces Scrivano having rent the Turks Dominions in Asia by taking from them their principal Cities fell sick of which sickness he dyed to the great grief of the Rebels who nevertheless chose his younger brother to lead them who soon after in a great battle overthrew the Turkish Army that was sent against him under the leading of Hassau Bassa and slew the Bassa himself together with almost all his followers whereupon Mahomet doubting his Empire in Asia was obliged to withdraw his Forces out of Hungary yet incited the Tartars by frequent inroads to busie the Imperialists till he could be at leisure to return his Captains with a greater power who according to their wonted mischievous natures committed sundry outrage burning and destroying all in their way but in the end were most of them cut off by the Christians against whose joynt Forces they were no wayes able to stand as being rather inured to spoil than fight Anno 1603 The Turks in the several Garrisons roaming abroad in the depth of winter when Danubius it self was frozen over committed many outrages in Hungaria but in their return being met by Colonel Coblonitz a great number of them were cut in pieces and all the booty recovered so that for want of Victuals Buda was greatly distressed but see again the change of fortune for the Turks coming out of Buda upon the Frozen River braving the Garrison of Pesth the Souldiers sallyed out upon them but being
General to be inclosed within Walls upon notice of his approach after he had put that place in a posture of defence departed thence and after having received a supply of eight Thousand men from the Vayvod of Valachia he went to oppose the Torrent but ere he could prevent it the City of Claudinople fell into the Rebels hands who used the Citizens with all manner of cruelties Yet at length meeting with them before he was aware fell into their danger not expecting them to be above half the number he found them so that he not exceeding Nine Thousand and the Rebels not less then Thirty Thousand when he had done all that became a valiant Souldier retired in good order leaving his Baggage Tents and Artilery with the dead Bodies of One Thousand of his men as prey to the Conquerours but they more greedy of the spoil then to pursue him fell to plundering the Tents with such eagerness that he thereof advertized and turning his recollected Forces suddainly upon them who dreamed of nothing less entered amongst them unarmed as they were every one with his hands full of spoiles made such a slaughter that scarcely a third part of them escaped so that by their carelessness within less then four hours the vanquishers were vanquished and amongst the slain fell Moyses himself whose head was after fixed upon a Launce and set up upon the Walls of Carolstadt This Rebellion suppressed another Rebel aided by the Turks Tartars and Cossacks to the number of Six Thousand made head about Lippa but Three Thousand Haducks being sent out against him his Forces were defeated and himself for the safety of his own Life glad to fly after which good success One Hundred of the Rebels Insignes and the Horse on which Moyses fought traped richly with Gold and Pretious Stones were as a grateful present sent to the Emperour and afterward the Army under the Command of Basta being increased to Twenty Thousand he with Five and Twenty pieces of Cannon marched to besiege Temeswar but ere he long had lain before it by his Souldiers eating of green Fruit the Bloody Flux raged so in his Camp that death triumphing every where over his men he was forced to depart Spring being come the Christian Army in Hungaria being Five and Thirty Thousand strong took the Field under the Command of the Lord Rusworm who having carefully provided for the several Garrisons incamped near to Pesth at what time an Army of One Hundred Thousand Turks shewed it self on the other side the Danubius for fear of which several of the Garrison Souldiers of Pesth fled over to Buda and there were highly entertained by the Bassa who thought to use them as decoys to train their fellows over but this project failed though at that time their wants were great though not long for in spight of the Turks endeavours to hinder them two Convoys of Provision and other necessaries the one by Water and the other by Land were brought thither at what time a Turkish Captain upon some displeasure flying from Alba Regalis to Rab informed the Governour that if he would march thither he would shew him an easie way to surprize the Suburbs if not the City it self whereupon the Christian Souldiers giving credit to the Infidel by his direction succeeded in taking the Suburb as they wished and in it a great Booty but despairing in any further advantage returned with great joy to Rab. The Rebels in Asia being again in Arms Mahomet finding himself not strong enough to suppress them by Force laboured by his Ambassadors to reconcile them offering such advantagious terms of peace as should to all men seem reasonable but they not caring to trust the Tyrant rejected his offers and would have no peace whereupon what the Infidels refused he thought fit to offer to the Christians but on this side he demands so unreasonable viz. that in consideration of his delivering up Agria and Canisia he might have Transilvania Strigonium and Pesth that the Emperour would not accord to any peace upon such terms so that the treaty broke off upon which Hostilities that for a while ceased began afresh so that Collonitz with Six Thousand Imperialists falling upon the Rear of the Turks Army cut off seven Hundred men taking a great spoil and many Prisoners amongst whom was Saxur Beg a man of great repute amongst the Turks who upon Examination confessed the design Hassan Bassa had to besiege Strigonium and Pesth and the number of Turks and Tartars that were daily expected to joyn him of which General Rusworm being informed as also of the state of the Turks Army and also that upon some discontent the Tartars were returned into their own Countrey to the great weakening of the Bassa's Forces wherefore to prevent their putting a Convoy into Buda he caused several Forts to be built and permitting the Turks to pass ever the Danubius by a Bridge trained them into an Ambush layed in the Flags and Osiers for that purpose so that with little loss on the part of the Christians 10000 Turks were slain drowned in the River and taken Prisoners so that a great booty consisting of eighteen Ensigns two Cornets four Brass peices much rich Armour and many Waggons loaden with Provision fell into the hands of the Christians whereby the Turks were so much discouraged that they for a long while attempted nothing Affairs standing thus in Hungary Asia was still in a flame especially upon the revolt of one of Mahomets great Bassa's whom he had despightfully deposed from being General of which confusion the Persian King taking the advantage layed siege to Tauris a strong City taken by Amurath from his Father as is before-mentioned the which by the Aid of several Christians after a terrible battery made against it he took so that the Turk on every side beset was greatly perplexed in mind not knowing which way to turn himself nor fared he better by Sea for the Asian Rebels under pretence of a reconciliation and transporting themselves into Europe to serve him in Hungaria seized upon many of his Gallies sent to Transport them as also the great Duke of Florence's Admiral meeting with Amurat Rais an old Pirate and Mahomets Admiral overthrew his squadron of Gallies taking some and sinking others so that few escaped and his great Army in Hungary after the loss of Thirty Thousand Men in divers conflicts with the Christian atchieving nothing worth mention except putting a Convoy of Victuals into Buda returned to Belgrade under the covert of darkness in manner of a fearful flight which was no sooner perceived by the Lord Rusworm who had often in vain urged the Bassa to fight but he sent his Light Horsemen to pursue them who cutting off the Rearmost for many Miles returned with a considerable booty after which he layed siege to Hatvan and had it after several fierce assaults delivered into his possession the Garrison and Citizens as it was agreed on marching out were conducted by certain
the Turks brought upon Hatvan during their besieging Strigonium that the Garrison abandoned it carrying with them all their moveables and several Pieces of Cannon though the Turks had attempted nothing against it During these troubles in Hungary Bethlem Habor chief of the Rebels in Transylvania assisted by Beckberes Bassa with four thousand Turks entered the Province to have taken possession thereof in the absence of Basta but being incountered by Count Tambire when he suspected no such matter he was overthrown and a thousand of his men slain himself and the Bassa hardly escaping and three dayes after the said Count lighting on several Troops of Turks sent to the assistance of the Rebels by the Bassa of Temeswar put most of them to the sword yet the Rebellion ceased not so for one Botscay a discontented German having drawn a great number of desperate fellows to take part with him and countenanced by the Grand Signiour took the field in the upper Hungary against whom Belgiosia a valiant Captain advanced with such Forces as he in haste could muster up but such was his ill hap that joyning battle he was overthrown by the Rebels and most of his Souldiers slain after which defeat of the imperialists the City of Cassonia was surrendered to the Rebels upon notice of which Basta having gathered a considerable Army marched against Botscay to put a stop to his proceedings e'r he possessed himself of any more of the Hungarian Cities yet the people Generally favouring their causE which wore a mask of Religion and Liberty the number daily increased and notwithstanding the diligence of Basta many strong holds were put into their hands yet after a tedious march the renowned Lieutenant put to flight the forerunners of their Army and after many difficulties and the loss of several of his Souldiers came to a pitched field of which after a cruel and bloody fight he won putting Botscay and his Rebel followers to flight with great slaughter and by that means recovered many Cities and Castles that had cast off the Emperors obedience and taken part with the Rebels The Turks in Persia fared little otherwise then those in Hungary for Cicala Bassa with all his Forces were overthrown by the Persian King and the City of Babylon now called Bagdat taken of which he sent to advertize the German Emperor intreating him to joyn hands with him for abating the Turks pride which he was resolutely determined to do resolving not to give over the war till he had stripped him out of all his Cities in Asia and therefore desired the Emperor to send an Ambassador to confer with him about a lasting peace which was accordingly done nor were they all the trouble the Turkish Empire sustained for by reason of some differences between the Bassas of Damasco and Aleppo they wage mortal battle one with the other wherein the latter was overthrown and flying to his City there besieged till compelled therto by famine he yielded to what the Bassa of Damasco demanded about what time Sultan Achmats first son was born for which there was great rejoycing at Constantinople Anno 1605. The troubles in Hungary and Transylvania more and more increased the former being occasioned by the Bishops in their late assembly passing a decree that all of the reformed Religion should be burnt or banished against which wicked Decree though the Nobility of the Kingdom openly protested against yet were their Churches seized and Publick and Private worship forbidden as also the reading of the Bible to redress which grievances Basta promised redress but Botscay having made them a stirrup to help him into the saddle would hearken to no peace unless Transylvania might be delivered to him and that the Lieutenant of Hungary might be a Hungarian born and that all offices might be bestowed upon Hungarians and the Souldiers of other Nations withdraw except such as were in Garrison and those not to pass their appointed limits and lastly that Hungarian Souldiers should receive the Emperors pay and that when ever an Assembly of the Estates was held at Presburg the Emperor himself should be there in person These proposals were sent to Basta by two Hungarians but without success whereupon all manner of Hostilities were used and more spoil made in a short time then the Turks had done in many years These intestine troubles gave the Turks opportunity to possess themselves of the Cities of Vacia and Vicegrade and committed great outrages in many places and what was more to the disadvantage of the Emperor the Haducks his chief strength favouring the Rebels revolted from him which Basta perceiving and finding his Forces daily to decrease procured of the Emperor a General pardon for all offences past as well Temporal as Ecclesiastical promising upon their submission to restore them to their Liberties priviledges and Religious worship as formerly exercised and that no man should be molested by vertue of any Decree made by the Bishops c. this pardon was proclaimed with the beat of Drum and sound of Trumpet in several places upon which some of the Nobility whose Estates lay in danger to be spoiled by the Souldiers came in and submitted themselves yet the Rebels Army was no whit lessened but rather increased insomuch that the Haducks drawing themselves apart besieged Sacinar in which was an Imperial Garrison and after divers assaults took it and marching from thence indeavoured to have surprised the strong Castle of Tocay but their design was frustrated by the stout resistance of those in Garrison but that which had like to have proved worst of all to Basta was the mutiny of his own Souldiers which he hardly appeased with a great sum of mony The Haducks still roaming about as men greedy of prey lay siege to Fileck which after some loss they took and placed a strong Garrison therein upon which Ambassadors were sent to Boscay the head of the Rebels to treat with him in the Emperors name about a peace but without receiving any satisfaction they were forced to return the Rebel declaring that if they came from the Estates of Hungary he would give them Audience but if from the Emperor the Articles of peace he had proposed he expected to be confirmed without delay if the Emperor expected any and after the departure of the Ambassadors he sent forth his Letters mandatory to Assemble the Nobility at Serentium on the seventeenth of April to settle the affairs of the Kingdom many of which accordingly met but concluded on nothing material the Rebel and such as were of his faction still over-ruling them in all their consultations as well knowing the Emperors Forces for the most part had their hearts with him which caused them frequently to mutiny and reproach their Commanders under pretence of wanting their pay The Haducks now increased in number possessed themselves of Newhawsel Cibinium Dort feld and Schemnitze Thus whilst all Hungary Austria and Stira were as it were in a flame The Turks again besieged several Castles which at
contest between Muley Xequy King of Fess and Muley Sidan his younger brother which increased to that height that mortal wars arose when after many fields fought the latter prevailed and possessed himself of the Kingdom which caused the former to flye into Spain there to crave aid of King Phillip who in consideration of the Barbarians promise to deliver Alarache a strong Town seated on the mouth of the River Lucus in the Kingdom of Fess into his possession furnished him with 100 thousand Duccates therewith to leavy Souldiers in his own Countrey and sent with him likewise his ships of war under the conduct of the Marquess of St. Germaines manned with ten thousand Spaniards who coming before the Town landed the King who was received by several of his friends into a strong Castle that guards the mouth of the River which he put into the hands of the Spaniard but it was no sooner known that he had so done but the Mores from all parts run to their Arms so that e'r they could possess themselves of the Town an obstinate fight was maintained for the space of three hours in which space five hundred Spaniards and three thousand Moores were slain but in the end the former prevailed and possessed themselves of that strong place which had by them been so often desired the news of which caused great rejoycing in Spain This year was fought a great battle between the Son of the late deceased Cham of Tartary and his uncle upon the latters usurping the Imperial dignity during the formers remaining a hostage at Constantinople in which 40000 men were slain and the Victory rested upon the rightful Heir Anno 1611 such a Contagion happened in Constantinople that it ingendring a Pestilence which raged so vehemently that thirty thousand died in one month and amongst the rest one of Achmats sons nor did the Barron of Salignac the French Kings Ambassador escape to succeed whom as soon as the Mortality ceased the Barron of Mole was sent who upon his arrival after having visited the Mufti or chief Mahometan Priest and the great Bassa's of the Court himself and his retinue were attired in Turkish habit no Ambassadors being permitted in the proper habit of their own Countrey to approach the Sultan was conducted to have his Audience of the Grand Seigneour through a litte Court paved with Marble after which he entred the Royal Chamber which was inriched on one side with many Pillars of Marble and square stones of the same beautified with two Fountains on either side the planchers were gilt with Gold and the Walls Inameled with flowers and the flour covered with cloath of Gold and silver at the entery of which stood six Capigi or Royal Porters two of which took the Ambassador by either arm to lead him to the Grand Seigneor a Ceremony pretended for honours sake but indeed to prevent any violence that upon such near access may be offered and has been in use ever since Amurath the first was stabbed in the fields of Cossâ—via and the rest carryed the presents so that the Ambassador having kissed the hem of the imperious Turks Garment was carryed out another way backward because it should not be said that the Minister of any Forrein Prince turned his back upon the Emperor in like manner his attendants fared being obliged to withdraw till the Infidel was more at leisure for as then he stood peeping out at a window to view some disports that were made below for his diversion and a while after being admitted he delivered his letters written in the Turkish Language and in a pithy Oration delivered what else he had in charge Notwithstanding the Peace between the Imperialists and the Turks the latter ceased not covertly to stir up dissensions by which means they procured the revolt of Gabriel Battori Vayvod of Transilvania who raising a great power chased Raduille Prince of Valachia out of his Principality who thereupon fled to Constantine Vayvod of Moldavia when reinforced by the Moldavian he returned again and in a great battle overthrew Gabriel forcing him to flye with his scatered Troops to Hermstad where he committed many Cruelties under pretence that the Citizens went about to deliver him into the hands of his mortal enemies The division stirred up Fortgaâ—sie the King of Hungary to pass into Transylvania to reduce the revolted Cities to the Kings obedience but being waylaid he was forced to travel through desart places where through famine and diseases that raged in his Camp most of his men dyed so that fearing to fall into the hands of those he intended to oppress he fled into Polonia with a slender Train yet ended not the trouble for by this time the Turks had stirred up discontents in Moldavia by sending thither a Competitor to wrestle with Constantine for his Principality but finding himself too weak and not assisted as he expected fled to Constantinople there to crave aid of Achmet but finding many delays he travelled to the Courts of many Christian Princes and amongst others came into England and made his application to King James who moved with his heavy complaints and specious pretences of just claim to the Principality of Moldavia that his Majesty was pleased bountifully to relieve him and by his Letters to recommend him to the care of Sir Thomas Glover his Ambassador then residing at Constantinople who recommended him to the Grand Signeur but such were the counterplots of Constantine that by bribing the great Bassa's he not only prevented him in his purpose but greatly indangered his being made away which had certainly happened had not Sir Thomas sheltered him under his protection and by fortifying his house daunted the blood-thirsty Janizaries whom the Grand Visier had imployed to take him thence by Force but Sir Thomas being soon after recalled The Moldavian despairing to obtain the Principality he so much desired in a rage renounced the Lord that bought him and imbraced the Turkish superstition whereupon he was made Bey of Bursia in Asia but enjoyed not that dignity long e'r Nassuf Bassa returning from the Persian war dispossessed him This year the Gallyes of Florence Malta and Naples greatly endamaged the Turkish Dominions on the Sea-Coasts taking likewise several rich prizes and amongst the rest the Carravan Gally coming from Egypt to Constantinople with the Tribute of that rich Kingdom sinking at the same time five others and descending upon the Isle of Lango and took the Town from which the Island takes its name putting a number of Turks to the sword and taking a great spoil and soon after entered the Bay of Corinth so secretly that Landing they surprized the City sacked it and carryed away besides a rich booty five hundred slaves These things made the Turkish Sultan wish for peace with the Persian that he might be at leasure to turn his Arms upon the Christians especially upon the Knights of Malta who greatly obstructed his Navigation and that which furthered his purpose was the arrival of the
Persian Ambassador at Constantinople whereupon to welcom him he concluded a Marriage between Mehemet Bassa son to Cicula late deceased and his Sister and another between Mechmet Bassa his great Admiral and his Eldest daughter which were cellebrated with all imaginable splendor but soon after the Pestilence began again to rage in that great City whereupon Achmat withdrew himself to his rural Palace at Durat Bassa where whilst he was viewing the Mosque that he had caused to be built a Dariveler or Turkish Monk cast at him a stone with such force that it overthrew him whereupon the Traytor was seized and ordered by Torture to be constrained to confess what moved him to that outrage but the officers of the Port with out further examination the next day executed him which made some conjecture that either they or some great men whom they favoured set him on work During these Passages Moldavia groaned under Clandestine Tumults the Turks still endeavouring to depose Constantine and he with all his power on the contrary labouring to support his dignity so that the Villages in all places went to Rack the Countrey for the most part being laid wast to calm which differences the Polonian Ambassador came to the Court of Constantinople expecting a sudden Audience but was contrary to his expectation after six weeks attendance clapt up in prison with notice that he could not be delivered till such time as the two Capigis which Constantine carryed Captive into Polonia nor was Transylvania free from fraction and civil dissension occasioned by one Giezy set up by the Bassa of Buda to oppose the Palatine of Hungary to whom that Province according to the late Articles of peace does appertain but the upstart finding his Forces too weak too grasp the Government soon after relinquished his claime Achmat the more to amuse the Persian Ambassador and oblige him to wonder at his greatness resolved to shew himself in all his pomp and thereupon making as if he went to Darut Bassa to take the air after a dayes stay returned in this manner Before him a great number of men at Arms marched on horse-back and after them some Troops of Foot The Cadies of Constantinople or his chief Justicers Then all the Talismans or those of Mahomets Law in great number then the Vizar Bassas in great splendor after whom followed ten of the Sultans houshold leading ten goodly horses in rich Caparisons the last of which had a Bridle and Saddle pondered with precious stones and unto the saddle was fastned the Sultans Target and upon it were fastened Tassels of Pearls hanging almost with the ground and over these a horse-cloth richly imbroidered with Pearl after which followed the rest of the Sultans houshold in divers Troops first fifty Janizaries on foot every one of them leading dogs in Leshes for the most part Irish-greyhounds presented to him a little before by the French Ambassador next to whom in order succeeded the Sultans Footmen called Pelks who were Persians born all well attired wearing on their heads bonets of Silver after the Indian fashion Then sixty Archers in the midst of whom came Sultan Achmat attired in a rich robe of Cloath of Gold imbroidered with Pearls and Diamonds and his slave clad in the same manner his Turbant was covered with a Plume of black Feathers inriched with great Diamonds and a chain of the same stones about the lower part of it upon his fingers he had Diamonds of such largeness as they cast admirable light his horse had Caparisons imbroidered with Diamonds Pearls and other precious stones the Ground being Gold and the stirrups of beaten Gold set with Diamonds and from his Horses neck hung great Tassels of Pearl of a more than ordinary size after him there followed three men on Horseback the one carrying his Cloak the other his arms and the third his Imperial Turbant and these were attended on by certain Esquires on horseback Then came the Musick after the Turkish manner consisting of sixty men on Horseback which played upon Fiets Chardons and Trumpets next followed one hundred of the Sultans Pages bravely mounted followed by as many Eunuches fifty of which carryed each of them a Falcon upon his fist having their heads inriched with Diamonds after them came thirty Guards of the Port and fifty Falconers and Huntsmen richly attired each of them carrying upon his saddle bow a Leopard covered all but the head with a Cloath of Gold attended on by an other train of Pages very beautiful chosen from amongst the Tribute infants having their Garments beset with pretious stones the ground being Cloath of Gold curled and after these followed a Troop of youths in plain attire who were appointed to serve the pages The rear of which procession was closed with all the great Officers of the Turkish Empire that were then resident at Constantinople and to make the Magnificence more compleat as the Archers passed by the Sultans lodging 100 pieces of Silk were cast amongst them Four days after this pompous shew Achmat gave Audience to the Persian Ambassador who presented him on the behalf of the King his Master with 100 Bales of Silk a Beazor stone as big as a mans fist 9 bags of Turquoises of a foot and half long and above a finger broad several rich pieces of Tapistry interwoven with Silk and Gold with some other things of great price amongst which he delivered his masters Letters whereupon they began to treat of peace which soon after was accorded principally upon these Articles First That the Persian King should pay unto the Turkish Sultan yearly by way of Tribute two hundred Camells Loads of Silk That the King of Persia's Son should be called Bassa of Iauris and that the Cadi or Soveraign Judge of that City should be sent from Constantinople The Peace thus concluded to the advantage of the Turks and dishonour of the Persians the Ambassador with many rich presents was dismissed leaving allmost all his Retinue behind him dead of the plague nor did he long survive them for upon his arrival at Tauris his master understanding upon what dishonourable Terms he had concluded the peace caused his head to be cut off and sent back the Chiaus that was come with his Ambassador to see him swear the peace so that not long after all vanished into nothing During these Transactions Rodolphus the Emperor died to succeed whom the Electoral Princes made choice of his brother Matthias King of Hungary who upon his taking upon him the Imperial sway sent his Ambassadors to Constantinople to intreat a confirmation of the peace made between his brother deceased and the Sultan and to complain of the daily outrages committed in his Province of Transylvania but the Turk who keep no League any longer then it turns to their advantage not only refused to redress the grievances in Tansylvania but denyed the Emperor to have any right to that Province although in the League it was expresly mentioned that Botscay dying with
out Heirs male the Principality should totally remain a member of the Roman Empire but after all was said that could be said the Ambassador was dismissed without the satisfaction he expected About the end of September Anno 1612 great troubles arose in the Kingdoms of Fess and Morocco occasioned by a quarrel between the Prince Xerif-Muley-Cidan and Xerif-Muley-Achet-Ben-Abdula his nephew when after many battles fought between them the latter was overthrown and in his flight slain having drawn the people into Rebellion against his uncle under the pretence of a Prophesie that foretold his rise and the flourishing State of Barbary under his Government which Prophecy himself not long before invented yet many imagined that he dealt by inchantment and often would he boast that no Bullet could hurt him and indeed many were the Victories he gained over Cidan even with a handful of men in comparison to the great Armies which Cidan lead against him his Allegation was that he was sent from Heaven to purge the world of wicked men About this time the Estates of the United Provinces under Prince Maurice sent Cornelius Hage their Ambassador to Constantinople with Commission to treat of the deliverance of the captive Hollanders that had bin taken by the Turkish Gallies and to require free Traffick in all the Ports of the Ottoman Empire in consideration of which to propose perpetual Amity with the Sultan in all which he succeeded so well that the Spanish King was not a little grieved thereat though himself was afterward obliged to enter into League with the Turk Transilvania altogether disquieted and weakned by civil discord the Sultan thought it a fit time to reduce that Province to his obedience and therefore raised a mighty Army and marched directly thither but whilst he was on his way Fortifying all the important places in his passage Cosmo d' Medicis the great Duke of Tuscany setting out a Fleet of Gallies spoiled the Sea Coasts in the Mediterranean and took many places from the Turks and amongst the rest the strong City of Agliman with 2 Gallies that lay in the Port putting a number of Turks to the Sword by whose example an 1613. the Gallies of Sicily set out and destroyed the Turks Gallies in the Levant making terrible spoil on the Sea-Coast landing several times on the Islands of Chios Samos and Cyprus taking rich spoils and freeing many Christian Captives to oppose whom Ten Turkish Gallies came but after a terrible engagement seven of them fell into the Christians hands and one was sunk the other two hardly escaping under the shelter of the night Achmats Army arriving in Transilvania committed many outrages but upon notice that Bethlem Gabor was acknowledged Prince under the protection of the Sultan and had sent his submission to him the Tempest fo War grew calm and the Turkish power dreadful to the German Empire returned to Constantinople at what time Sâ—gismund Battor the Warlike Prince of Transilvania who had deposed himself and was retired to Prague there to lead a private Life died but the Turks upon their arrival at Constantinople found the City almost desolate by reason the Plague raged there so that Achmat and all his followers retired themselves to Darut Bassa till the Contagion ceased and then in great pomp entered the City publishing an Edict that all the Dogs therein should be transported to Scutary in Asia formerly called Chirsopolis but the Inhabitants of that place not willing to be trouble with such Guests although provision was allowed them humbly besought the Emperor to dispose of them elsewhere so that they were to the number of Fifty Thousand put on shoar in a desolate Island where they all perished The reason why they were not killed was for that the Mufti had told Achmat it was not lawful alledging that Dogs had Souls To conclude this year 1613 the Persian King upon a suspicion that the Armenians were about to reconcile themselves to the Pope and yield obedience to the See of Rome which suspicion was grounded upon forged Letters he caused Twelve Hundred of them to be put to death and kept straightly imprisoned double that number which made the Grcassians Georgians and Armenians with other Eastern Christians send their Ambassadors to Achmat imploring Aid to protect them from the rage of the Persians to counterpoise which the Persian King sent likewise his Ambassador but the Sultan would not admit him to Audience till such time as he heard his Master had stayed the Persecution Anno 1614. divers direful Prodigies were seen in Hungary Silesia Austria and other parts of Christendom which greatly amazed most people who supposed them to be the forerunners of great calamities but nothing followed except the downfal and death of the Nassuf the grand Vizar who fell from the top of Honour into the depth of misery by offending his soon offended Master and by the Sultans Command was by Bestanges Bassa slain in his own house and that Head which during the time he stood high in the Sultans favour had Governed the whole Ottoman Empire stricken off and carried as a present to Achmat and in his stead Mechmet who had Marryed the Sultans Daughter was made chief Vizar Transylvania now rent from the German Empire the Emperour laboured to recover it and for that purpose sent several trusty Councelors to deal with the Nobility to cast off the Turkish yoke and to return to their former obedience of which the Turkish Sultan getting notice sent to the Emperor to admonish him to keep inviolate the peace concluded between them and not to meddle in the affairs of Transylvania though at the same time by his Hostilities in Hungary he had manisestly broke it to which the Emperor replyed he was on his part resolved to keep the peace inviolate though the Sultan had already broken the Articles of the League but as to his tamely parting with his Province of Transylvania confirmed to him by the same League he would resolve nothing therein till he had consulted Princes of the Empire with which answer the Chiaus returning to Constantinople The Emperor Assembling the Estates laid before them the just Grievances of his Subjects and the indignities offered to himself with the manifest breach of the League on the part of the Turks in not only assisting his Rebels but with great Companies of themselves making great spoil in his Hereditary Countries To which the Estates answered that with all their power they would maintain the Dignity of the Emperor and defend the Empire of which resolve Achmat was no sooner advertized but the better to encourage Bethlem Gabor to invade the Emperors Frontiers he sent him a strong power under the command of Sander Bassa with which he besieged Lippa and had it delivered to him as he had also had several other places of less importance which places were put into the possession of the Turks but to remain part of the Transylvanian Principality Affairs standing thus in Transylvania Moldavia was at
he would not make a League with the Bohemians tell he was assured of the Grand Signeours assistance in case his affairs required in whereupon he sent his Ambassador to Constantinople who so dealt with the great Bassa's of the Court that by their advice Osman swore to protect him and because the Oath for the strange wording of it will not be amiss to be recited I shall here insert it verbatim Sultan Osman BY the Grace of God unconquerable Turkish Emperour Swears by the highest Almighties and Almighty Gods Holiness by his Kingdom by the substance of the Heavens the Sun the Moon and the Stars by the Earth and all under the Earth by the Brains and all the hairy scalp of my Mother by my Head and all the strength of my Soul and Body by the Holy and great Mahomer and by my Circumcision That I thee my Brother and Son Bechlem Gabor succeeding King of Hangaria in no manner of way in thy great and weighty affairs will leave though it be to the overthrow of my Kingdom to be brought to nothing until there shall be no more left but my self or four or five Turks at the most yet will I be still obliged to desend thee and all those that do any ways appertain unto thee and if thou shalt have need of me I shall be always ready to go with thee and in case this my promise shall in any wise be frustrated then let Gods Justice fall upon my Head and destroy me and my posterity and wipe away whatsoever belongeth unto me and gather it together into a Rock of stone or substance of Earth and that the Earth may cleave insunder and swallow me Body and Soul Dated at Constantinople the 5th of Jan. 1619. The Transilvanian by this Oath assured of the Grand Signeours favour sent his Ambassadors to Prague where meeting with the Commissioners sent thither for that purpose by the States of Bobemia a perpetual League was concluded and in June following the Prince assembled the Estates of Hungary at Newhausell where he proposed to them the necessity of raising an Army to defend the Provinces against the Forces of the Imperialists who by their great preparations made it visible that they would no peace till they had destroyed all the Protestants to this motion the Estates consented when at the same time came their Ambassadors from the Grand Signeour the Venetians and Polonians all which made in the names of the respective principals a League with Gabor which so much pleased the Estates of Hungary willing to shake off the Imperial yoke that by the advice of their Palatine the Transilvanian was proclaimed King of Hungary upon which raising an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot he subdued almost all Austria Carinthia and Stiria before the Emperours Forces could take the Field in any fit number to make head against him at what time such a fear was brought upon the great City of Vienna that with the Emperours consent the Protestants remaining therein sent their Deputies humbly to beseech him that he would spare the City and Countrey for theirs their Wives and Childrens sakes About this time a strange apparition was seen in the Air over Medina Taluabi in Arabia where Mabomet the Impostor lyes buryed which terrified all the Countrey thereabouts and was as followeth about the 20th of September at midnight there happened a terrible Tempest accompanied with such prodigious Thunder and Lightning that many thinking the dissolution of all things was at handâ— leaped out of their Beds to gaze on the Element at first seeming all on Fire and then covered with thick darkness after which all was serene and calm when in Arabian Characters these words appeared in the Firmament viz. O why will you believe in lies and soon after a Woman beautiful to behold arrayed in white and incompassed with rayes of Light appeared holding in her hand a book coming from the North and opposite against her were seen Armies of Turks Persians and other Mahometans being so conjectured by their garbs ranged in Battalia ready to charge her but she keeping her standing no sooner opened the book but they all fled upon which a suddain murmur as of a Whirlwind troubled the Air and immediately the lamps that were placed about Mahomets Tomb went out and in this manner the Prodigy appeared for several nights together whereupon a Dervice or Religious Turk undertaking to expound the meaning of that unusual sight and declaring that it foreshewed the overthrow of the Mahometan superstition he was therefore miserably put to death calling to the last upon the Woman with the Book to save him and he had no sooner given up the ghost but a fearful Tempest insued Anno 1620 Gasparo the expulsed Vayvod of Moldavia assisted by the Polish Cossacks and such other Troops as he could raise invaded Moldavia in which the Suitan had placed another Vayvod and in revenge of a design the Turks had to strangle him during his Vayvodship made great spoil putting all the Turks he found to the Sword and reducing great part of that Province to his obedience which caused the Sultan to raise a great power drawing all his choice Forces out of both the Asia's to the number of Two hundred thousand and caused a great Fleet of Gallies to put to Sea which spoiled the Coast of Sicilia and Landing Five Thousand Turks in the Kingdom of Naples surprized the strong Town of Manfredonia carry 1500 Christians into miserable Captivity and then joyning with the Pirates of Argier they made a descent upon the Island of Janisa near Majorca possessed by the Spaniards which Island they took making great spoil putting to the Sword and carrying into Captivity all the Inhabitants The Turks thus successful at Sea made them the less doubt their success by Land therefore having found an occasion of quarrel with the Polonian King for that the Cossacks in revenge of the injury they sustained by the Tartars had manned out many small vessels and spoiled the Turks Sea-Coast Towns upon the Bosphorus giving an overthrow to their Gallies and brought away great spoiles Osman in person at the head of 300000 men passing through Moldavia which he again reduced to the obedience of the new Vayvod he entered Podalia Anno Dom. 1621. where he found the great Chancelour of Poland and the Prince Son to the Polonian King strongly intrenched with an Army of 50000 resolute Souldiers and because he could not draw them out of their strengths he with his multitude inclosed their Camp So that by the frequent attacks and sallies that were made a great number were slain on both side but especially of the Turks during which the Tartarian Prince then assisting Osman with 30000 light Horsemon marched into the heart of Poland burning and destroying all before him in a most terrible manner and upon his return to the Camp besides other spoils brought with him 25000 Prisoners of the poor Countrey people which his ravenous crue had scraped together but
that if he had stood out upon the peace concluded between the Sultan and the Polonian the whole stress of War would have rested on him and therefore he desired to be excused adding that he meant not long to conserve the peace therefore desired that he and the Bassa of Buda might have it in joynt Commission to raise such Forces as they thought convenient to invade the Empire when opportunity offered but this request not agreeing with the interest of the Sultan it was rejected About this time the Janizaries in a tumultuary way came to the Court and demanded all the Offices of gain and to be Stewards of the Revenues of the Churches which are great as likewise to take the Farms of Customs wherein they committed many outrages the Visiers not daring to deny them any thing they demanded They drunk Wine in the streets without prohibition contrary to their Law and exacted money of the Christians to purchase it and if denyed took it by force and murthered without being punished and when at any time complaint was made the Magistrates answered they durst not meddle with them that had murthered their King and the Bassa's themselves desired the complainants patience telling them that they would bear a part with the general sufferance About the same time the Janizaries in the Gallies which rid before Smirna commanded by Halil Bassa aslaulted against his will the houses of the Christian Consuls insomuch that the English Consul with all those of that Nation were forced to run naked from their Lodgings and save their lives by swimming to the Admirals Gally upon which the masterless Turks ransacked the lower part of the house there making spoil to the value of Two Thousand Dollars The French sustained more loss and the Venetians at least ten Thousand Dollars the Consul having likewise one of his men cut in pieces nor could the Admiral either by threats or intreaties restrain these outrages but was forced for the prevention of further mischief to put to Sea In Asia there were three Rebellions one at Babylon another at Arzirum upon the borders of Persia and a third at Mesopotamia which threatned the ruine of all Asia yet to prevent the worst several new officers were made and an Army raised in Grecia in order to pass the Hellespont but in the end nothing was done more then assembling to little purpose all the Turkish Forces on Europe side which so impoverished the Treasury that the like had not formerly been known nor were any Exactions and Extortions omitted to raise mony for defraying the necessary charges About this time came to the Court of Poland an Ambassador from the great Duke of Muscovy to intreat a peace which was hardly granted by reason several Letters of the said Ambassadors being intercepted plainly demonstrated that at his first setting out his designs were otherwise upon notice that a Peace was concluded with the Sultan he feigning himself sick upon the Frontiers had sent for new instructions Darut Bassa who had married Sultan Mustapha's Sister falling into the displeasure of the Visier he so dealt with the Spahi that coming to the Court they demanded his Head for the murthering the late Emperour and having gotten him into their hands were about to behead him but whilst he was upon his knees every woman expecting the fatal blow the Janizaries at the instance of the Sultans Mother rescued him and carryed him to their Colledge promising him their protection for which he bestowed amongst them Forty Thousand Chequins But that availed not for soon after he was taken thence and carryed to the prison where he had murthered young Osman and there strangled now the better to please the Polonians and obstruct the cause of War for the future the Ambassador was not only dispatched with several Noblemen of Poland who had since the late War remained Prisoners but it was likewise concluded that Jehan Begh the Tartarian Prince Author of the War should be deposed and Michmet Geheray his Cosen and first of the Blood late Prisoner at the Rhodes should succeed him in that large Kingdom Asia was still in doubt to be lost for that Abassa Bassa Governour of Arzirum with an Army of one hundred thousand Horse and Foot had siezed upon most of the Provinces though without doing any harm to the inhabitants but wheresoever he found any of the Janizaries he sacrificed them to the Ghost of the dead Emperour he as he said being by God appointed the revenger of his Death and for that cause he had taken up arms declaring that he would come to the Port and demand Justice upon the Murtherers and that if he was found a Traytor or guilty he would lay down his head willingly but if those he accused were found guilty he would see execution done nor did the Nobility of Constantinople much disapprove of his march rather esteeming him a friend then an Enemy who came to deliver them from the Tyranny of the Janizaries whose insolencies were insufferable Yet to prevent the worst it was resolved that Mustapha should be deposed the Janizaries not gainsaying it for that they well knew they alone should be exposed to the fury of the Bassa at the rooting out of whose order he chiefly aimed though he had likewise other designes which were to wrest the Grand Visiership from him that held it and make himself Governour of the young Prince Brother to Osman whom he intended to advance to the Empire yet rather for shew then otherwise the Souldiers were ordered to pass the Hellespont in great numbers but the Janizaries would not stir for two reasons first for that the time of receiving their pay was at hand and secondly fearing alone to be exposed to the fury of the Asian Army greatly doubting that if it came to a Battle their Fellows would revolt and by that means easily bring them to destruction CHAP. XXII The Life and Reign of Morat or Amurath the 4th the 11th Emperour of the Turks IN this distraction of the Ottoman Empire the better to calm the tempest ere it turned all into confusion by Shipwracking the State the Grand Visier going with the Janizaries and Spahi to the Seraglio demanded to speak with Mustapha and that he would answer them a few questions which he being no ways able to do and refusing to appear they entered the Palace and took thence Morat or Amurath Brother to Osman and Son to Achmat then about 14 years of Age and carrying him through the streets in triumph caused him every where to be proclaimed Emperour to the great content of the Constantinopolitans who by this mutation hope for peaceful times and the face of Justice restored which for many months had abandoned the City every man doing in a manner what he pleased Thed ay after this innovation the young Emperor made his publique entry from whose lively countenance and apparent activity every one promised great things during his Reign but at that time such had been the policy of the
Letter to the Bassas of those two Cities to send their Commissioners to to the Port to answer to what was objected against them and at length to promise not any more to molest the English in order to the confirmation of which several Articles were drawn and delivered to Sir Thomas Rowe then residing at the Port with the Grand Seigneours Letter of command to the Dage Bassa and Divan of Argier and Tunis to forbear assaulting or in the least injuring any English ships or the Subjects of the King of England in what part of the Ottoman Empire soever they resided insomuch that the fear of punishment did for the space of five years deter those Pirates from molesting the English either by Sea or Land and the better to ingratiate themselves they delivered six hundred English Marriners which they had taken at divers times without Ransom but upon the Expiration of the years aforesaid they again robbed and spoiled the Merchants ships Trading in those parts but were frequently met withall by the English men of war that were sent into those Seas to secure the Traffick Anno 1624 on the 24 of March Ali Bassa the great Visier by whose means Morat was advanced to the Crown was sent for into the Seraglio where being questioned by the young Emperor about the affairs of the Persian Invasion and not answering to the satisfaction of those present he was then and there at the commandment of the Emperour beheaded and his body cast out into the street which caused much murmuring amongst his friends and one Creques Mechemet advanced to the Dignity of Grand Visier but he was not settled in his place before news came that the Roman Emperour had entered Hungary with an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot resolving to recover the Towns a little before take by Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania and that the Cossack with four hundred Boats were abroad in the Black Sea and had taken many vessels laden with Provision as likewise made great spoil upon the Coast To prevent which the Bassas of Buda Temeswar Bosna Canisa and Agria received Orders to joyn with the Transilvanian and several Gallies dispatched into the black Sea nor were the preparations against the Persians slackned who still marched on conquering for by this time Abassa Bassa upon the receipt of the Grand Signeours pardon had submitted himself and with the forces under his command marched towards the frontires to joyn with Hafis Achmet Bassa who made head on that side by which the suspicion of the Janizaries being removed they to the number of Thirty Thousand were mustered for the Wars and Forty thousand Spahi their rendezvous being appointed about Brussia and at the same time Biram Bassa was dispatched General of the frontires of Poland and Bugdania with Four thousand Souldiers and Orders to command all the Begs and Sanzacks to raise such forces as they could and joyn him to prevent the incursions of the Cossacks and more Gallies sent into the black Sea to transport Jean Gheray Han Prince of Tartary the year before deposed by Mechmet and to re-establish him in his Kingdom but Mechmet having notice of his arrival raised an Army of Sixty thousand Horse and drove him from the Land with the slaughter of many Turks which so inraged the Grand Signeour that as he said his honour being engaged he resolved to re-inthrone him for Mechmet was suspected of holding correspondence with the Persian to whose proceeding the Turks and Arabians had by this time put a stop but failed therein for the Captain Bassa with a great Army Landing the second time was routed two Bassas and about Five thousand Turks slain as many taken Prisoners and Twenty pieces of Cannon with much rich Furniture left to the Tartars who by that means found that they were able to deal with the Turks Things falling out thus in Tartary the Cossacks taking the advantage of the Turkish Fleets absence with Eighty Boats or small Barks entered the straights of Bosphorus where lying before Constantinople they brought a general fear upon that great City and after having plundered and razed several Towns upon the Sea Ceast they returned in Triumph unopposed which good success imboldened them with a greater number of Vessels to adventure a second time when as before they returned with a great booty the Turks not being able to prevent it About the same time the Pirates of Tunis and Argiers revolted from the Grand Signeours obedience and robbed many of his Ports in the Mediterranean taking such Ships as they found therein and setting fire to a great number of Storehouses so that the loss the Christian Merchants sustained by them in one Expedition amounted to 4 Millions of Ducates nor did they less harm by Land to such as bordered on their Country neither regarding Friends or Foes any longer then stood with their conveniency and profit being indeed Enemies to all men which intestine troubles obliged Morat to conclude a Peace with Mechmet the Tartar Prince dissembling the intentions he had to depose him laying all the fault of what had happened upon the Captain Bassa whose head had like to have gone off to have rendered his Masters story plausible such danger are those in that live under a Tyrant whose will is his Law not weighing Justice nor good deserts further then may serve his purpose Yet blood was not wanting for Huzein Bassa who sometime before fled being taken and brought to Constantinople where after in hopes to save his Life he had confessed his Treasure he was strangled Abassa Bassa notwithstanding the specious shews he made to march against the Persians linger'd greatly which gave the Janizaries a suspicion that he had contrived the matter only to draw them into his danger and then to destroy them as he had formerly purposed which opinion of theirs had turned all again into confusion had he not at that instance reconciled himself to the Grand Visier and protested that he would not hurt the Janizaries but use his Arms in defence of the Empire So that by swearing three times on the Alcoran that no violence should be done on either side all animosities vanished the Government of Arzirum being confirmed to him and he allowed a competent number of Souldiers to guard the frontires as likewise places of trust bestowed upon most of his chief Officers but upon the Janizaries putting many of his Friends to the Sword who had yielded themselves to the Grand Visier he in a rage fell into their quarter making slaughter of three or four thousand of them though not without the loss of as many of his own men but finding that the Visier had drawn up his Army in Battalia he sounded the retreat and marched to his Government and the Visier kept on his way towards Diarbecher to seek the Persian when in the mean time the Persian General treated with Abassa to deliver up the City of Arzirum to the King his Master promising in lieu thereof great rewards but
he knowing upon such terms he could at any time make his peace who ever was Conqueror seemingly hearkened to that motion so that gaining credit eight thousand Persians was sent to take possession thereof who he no sooner got within his danger but he set upon them put one thousand to the Sword and took most of the remainder Prisoners which caused the Turk to have a better opinion of him then formerly insomuch that they nominated him for Grand Visier the ensuing year Anno 1625. a new Rebellion broke out in Asia headed by an ordinary Spahi who drew down ten thousand men before the City of Smirna the which after some resistance he entered and pretending to reform abuses cut off the heads of two Cadees punished divers others place and displaced the Magistrates as he pleased and then departed without suffering any spoil to be made pretending the Grand Signeours order for what he had done and indeed the Court connived at his proceedings for awing corrupt Officers he restored the face of Justice in those parts but not long after he with a greater power marched toward Brussia in Natolia using the Name of Morat to colour his purpose pretending to work a Reformation in the State but in the ending of great preparations were making to oppose him he disbanded his Army and retired himself And now the mortality raged at Constantinople in such sort that Fifty thousand died in a short space so that the City was left almost desolate which known to the Cossacks they came again in their Boats and sailing through the Bosphorus made great spoil on Europe side attempting to burn the Arsenal to prevent which all the Gallies and small Vessels in the Port were manned out so that between them there happened a fierce ingagement but the Cossacks Boats being small though many in number thirty of them by the shot of the Gallies were sunk and overturned insomuch that five hundred Cossacks were drowned and taken Prisoners and double the number of Turks slain for the Boats being in all three hundred and each Boat manned with thirty or forty Musquetiers they showered their Bullets so thick upon the Decks of the Gallies that scarce a Turk peeped out but he was cut off twice they boarded the Admirals Gally and had taken it had not the Sea of a suddain gone high and the Wind stood against them Upon the approach of great Visier towards the Province of Babylon the King of Persia sent to desire a Treaty of Peace which was only to protract time it in the end coming to nothing yet the Princes of Georgia sent their Ambassadors as willing to be freed from the Persian yoke which Ambassadors were kindly entertained by the Visier their demands granted and the Bishop of Calcedon their Countrey man sent back with them to see the Peace Ratified upon which they raised a great Army and invaded the Territories of Persia to oppose whom the King sent part of his Army under the leading of his great Leiutenant who joyning Battle was overthrown with the loss of seven thousand of his men which greatly incouraged the Visier so that he resolved the next year to besiege Babylon in which was a Garrison of eight thousand Persians besides the Citizens who were five times the number yet early in the Spring Anno 1626. having refreshed his Army he pitched his Camp before that great City but as they were making their approaches Twenty Thousand Persian Horse who attended the motion of the Turks fell into the Visiers quarter doing great excution and by that means troubled the whole Army but in fine the Persians were obliged to retire yet not before they had slain about Six Thousand Turks upon which a muster was taken of the Army which was found much less then was expected for that a number of the Spahi and Janizaries that were inroled had forborn to undertake that dangerous and so often fatal Expedition and seven Princes of the Arabs Tributaries to the Grand Signeour having raised their power refused to advance any further then the Borders of their Principalities alledging that they durst not displease the possessors of Babylon but were ready to obey if the City fell into the hands of the Turks which weakness known to the Persian King he drew thither the strength of his whole Kingdom and running Trenches round about the Turks Camp besieged it in such manner that all Provisions and Succors was cut off and instead of hoping to win the City they were solicitous of nothing more then how to retreat This danger of the Army was made known to the Emperor and Divano at Constantinople but nothing was done till it was too late for through want and diseases the Army was so wasted that they were no wayes able to make head against their Enemies besides a great number of them were slain in the frequent fallies the besieged made out of the City and the Persians Incursions who seldom failed to beat up one quarter or other of the Camp and hearing of no supplies durst advance or were in a probability to relieve the half starved Souldiers who had left no unclean thing uneaten it was resolved that under the favour of the night the Camp should rise and force a way through the Persian Squadron rather choosing to die like men then pine with hunger Whereupon they brake their great Artilery and cast into the Euphrates all such things as they could not convey away to prevent their falling into the hands of the Enemy and then with as little noise as possible broke through one quarter of the Persian Camp yet not so suddainly but that the Persians taking the Alarum overtook them ere they reached Ninive and had the execution of the Army for the space of ten dayes in which time seventy thousand Turks and Tartars fell by the Sword when to cast the odium upon the Bassa's and to save his credit at the Port the Visier caused three of their heads to be stricken off This great blow caused the revolt of many Cities upon the Frontires of Persia and indangered the revolt of all Asia The Turks not having received the like blow since the overthrow of Bajazet the first by Tamerlane the great which caused a general heavyness throughout the City of Constantinople few therein but lost one Friend or other in this unfortunate War of which the Emperour of Germanies Ambassador taking advantage pressed for a speedy conclusion of Peace and laboured to cross the purpose of the Transylvanian Prince but in the interim the Imperial and Transylvanian Armies being abroad on the 16th of October near to the River Gran a mortal Battle was fought between them wherein the latter was put to the rout and in passing confusedly the River over two Bridges layed for that purpose Six thousand were slain drowned and taken Prisoners yet Winter coming on the Prince retired with his Troops and without the consent of the Turks made a Truce with the Imperialists for three months sending to the
Port to excuse himself for so doing by shewing the necessity that induced him so to do But ere a Peace could be concluded as was intended Count Mansfelt and Duke Ernestus who were the greatest inciters thereto died so that nothing for a time was done therein but it was left in the power of the Prince and Bassa of Buda to War upon the Emperour as they found it convenient or most advantagious insomuch that they raised great forces intending to make Austria the seat of War but upon further negotiation that design was layed aside all Parties being more desirous of Peace then War and so matters were left doubtful About this time an Ambassador from the King of Persia with overtures of Peace arrived at Aleppo but could get no Audience of the Visier who remained there with his broken Army till an other Ambassador with presents arrived at Constantinople where he made such overtures that they were approved by many but the non-delivery of Babylon a little before taken by the Persians put a stop to the negotiation the Turks not being willing upon any other Terms to hearken to Peace for that their Army in Asia was by this time recruited and again entered into Persia to avert which the Persians besieged Achiska a strong City near Arzirum being incouraged thereto by Abassa Bassa to whom the Visier sent to draw out his forces and in conjunction with the Georgians to joyn with such forces as he should send him which were three thousand Janizaries under the leading of twelve Captains with whom he sent Provision and other necessaries but for the hatred the Bassa had to that order he commanded them to be set upon in the night and allmost all cut in pieces those that remained and were taken Prisoners he sent to the Persian King and then with such forces as he had Fortified himself in Arzirum The news of this disgrace coming to the ear of the Visier he drew down with all his forces toward the Rebel resolving to punish him if he could by any means get him into his hands Now the treaty between the Imperial Ministers those of the Grand Signeours and Transylvanian Princes growing ripe a Peace was concluded though severally for the Prince having understood that the King of Denmark who was coming to his aid had been overthrown by Walstain the Emperours General and that the Bassa of Buda bought with German Gold had crossed all his purposes at Constantinople and discovered his inmost Councils he grew jealous of his own state and therefore thought it best to make Peace whilst he was in a capacity to obtain honourable condition which Treaty comprised in ten Articles were Ratified at Presburg The chief points of which were That either side should cease from Hostilities and forbear directly or indirectly to assist each others Rebells and that all the City and Towns taken in the late War should be redelivered Nor were the Turks slow in finishing their Treaty as being no ways able to maintain an Army in Europe by reason of their troubles in Asia so that much to the same purpose as the former contained in eleven Articles the Peace was concluded at the Port to the great joy of all parties especially of the Turks who were now at leasure to recover their Towns and quell the Rebellions in Asia Anno 1627. Halil Bassa the great Visier and General of the Turkish Army in having for sometime besieged Abassa Bassa in Arzirum and finding his attempts to win the City vain by reason of the many inconveniencies in his Camp he was forced to rise which the Rebel perceiving sallied out and with all his forces followed hard after for seven dayes cutting off all his Rear and took his Treasure Cannon and Baggage which so discouraged the Souldiers that they mutined against their General and sought to stone him and long was it ere they could be appeased whereupon he wrote to the Grand Signeour informing him that there was no hopes of obedience unless the reverence of his person did revive it yet he rested at Tocat and for the better quieting disorders disbanded a part of his Army who almost naked to the great disgrace of the Visier came to Constantinople which gave Abassa Bassa opportunity to hold correspondence with the Poles Tartars and Cossacks whereupon Husseruph Bassa a Visier of the Bench and late Aga of the Janizaries was chosen conductor of the Militia and passed over into Asia with such forces as could be instantly raised and many great Ordinance cast for the service Gallies were likewise fitted out and all preparations made as far as the Treasure would extend and it was further concluded that Husseruph should march directly to Diarbecher to oppose the Persian and there remain as Bassa of the Province and that on his way to prevent charge the Seal should be sent him and he constituted great Visier in the room of Halil Bassa whose credit therein was had in regard for that he was not sent for home as in disgrace but in the head of the Army delivered up his charge and so retired to the Port there to continue one of the Council Visiers Anno 1628 about the 5th of April Hasseruph was declared Grand Visier and took upon him the charge of the Army with orders to march directly toward Babylon for of Abassa Bassa they had had enough the year before Yet he wrote to the Grand Signeour terming himself his slave promising him that he would hold the Province of Arzirum for him but if he sought to expeâ—â— him by force he would put it into the hands of the Persian but if he might possess it he would defend it against him and still hold him as the capital Enemy of the Turkish Empire nor should his forces be wanting to assist the new General in his Expedition for the recovery of Babylon and this was accepted as a plenary submission Whilst the Grand Signeour was thus busied to settle affairs of Asia and to reduce Abassa Bassa to obedience the Tartar Han was openly declared a Rebel and Enemy to the Turkish Empire and his Brother Schachin Geheray sent out of Persia to raise troubles on that side having exacted a Tribute of the Princes of Bugdania and Valachia he was overthrown by Count Emire a Tartar Captain who undertook to reduce him to the obedience of the Grand Signeour whereupon it was suddainly resolved that it should be once again attempted to restore Ghian Geray to that Kingdom and to expell Mechmet Han in order to which the Captain Bassa once more prepared the Fleet of Gallies so that for a year the Mediterranean was like to be incumbred and the Turkish Empire ingaged in so many troubles that every thing seemed to work towards its subversion but great bodies have strong Luctations and die not with one fit and such was the blindness and misery of the times that whilst the Christian Princes contended in ambitious and envious rather then just quarrels none of them had leasure to
promised to made Husseruph a second time Visier and that Regeb Bassa should officiate till his arrival The storm allayed the Grand Signeour began to consider that Husseruph had raised it by the Influence he had upon the Souldiers and therefore least he should attempt any thing further secret order was given to the Bassa of Buda in whose Government he resided to send his head to Court which was done accordingly but not so privately but that the Soldiers getting notice thereof suddenly made up their many headed monster and in a great rage came to the Seraglio demanding the heads of those that had been any way councelling or consenting to the death of Husseruph otherwise they threatned all with ruin but having no answer suitable to their minds they ran to the house of Regeb demanding of him who it was that had councelled so great a wickedness Whereupon to save his Life which was then in no small danger he protested he knew not and that himself was innocent of the matter yet they forced him with them to the Palace and made him their Orator to demand what they desired upon which the Aga Mufti and Teftardar with a private Servant of the Grand Signeours fled but the latter being the next day taken and sent back he was delivered up as a sacrifice to the insolent Souldiers who after their usual manner in such like cases tore him in pieces Yet they were not so contented but upon a rumour that the Grand Signeour had put his three Brethren to death they broke into the Palace and could hardly be quieted although the young Princes were produced and that several officers swore upon the Alcoran that they see the grand Signeour lay his hand upon the book and swore they should have their demands satisfied In these Tumults the goods of Merchants strangers went to wrack and divers affronts and indignities were offered the several Ambassadors residing at the Port nor was this all for about the same time Eleas Bassa Rebelled against the Grand Signeour and siezed upon the City of Amasia about a League from Smirna infesting all the Countrey with divers outrages his Souldiers living altogether upon spoil insomuch that the Merchants and Consuls at Smirna were forced to remove with their goods to Scio but an Army being sent against him he was in a pitched Battle discomfited and had most of his followers slain himself hardly escaping and now the Grand Signeour supposing Regeb Bassa though indeed he was not the Author of the late tumults sent for him into the Seraglio and there caused him to be strangled About this time a fight for the space of four hours was maintained by two English Merchantmen against thirty of the Turks Gallies till at last the English finding themselves too weak for such odds fired their Vessels and cast themselves over board where many of them perished and those that were taken up put to the Oares in this fight a thousand Turks were slain and amongst them several Begs and men of note of this apparent injury done by the Turks His Majesty of Great Brittain by his Letter complained to the Grand Signeour requiring that those that were taken Captives might be restored to their Liberty that so a right understanding might continue but the Turks alledging that the Voyage of the two Ships were unlawful by reason they Traded in the Levant for Corn the Ambassador could little prevail and had much ado to save the lives of the Captives Yet in the end to hinder the dissolution of the Turkish Trade and to please the Grand Signeour a Decree passed in the Star Chamber prohibiting the Corn Trade in the Levant upon which several of the Captives were set at Liberty Three dayes after this action a Fire happened in Constantinople which consumed Seventy Thousand Houses The Persian War yet continuing that King with a great Army besieged Van a strong City upon the Confines of Diarbecher the news whereof arriving at the Port great preparations were made to prevent that important place from falling into the hands of the Persians it being Decreed that all the Beghs of Asia should repair thither with such forces as they could leavy and endeavour its releif and to joyn them the Grand Visier passed over with all European Souldiers but ere any thing could be done the City was taken whereupon the Visier marched towards Aleppo exacting great sums of money and the better to furnish himself sent the Cadee a slave to Cyprus and siezed upon all his Treasure Soon after the Turks under pretence of the Christians rising siezed all their Arms making it death to those in whose houses any were found after a time prefixed nor content with this they hanged a Venetian Merchant only for his Money and Imprisoned all the Christian Merchants in Constantinople setting a ransom of two thousand Dollars upon each and that if the money was not payed in four dayes they should be executed The four Ambassadors of England France Holland and Venice were likewise convented before the Bassas in the Arsenal and charged for building a House and Chappel without leave from the Grand Signeour to have done it in contempt of his Imperial Majesty and much ado they had to escape being imprisoned but in the end upon the Chappels being demolished and all the Armes they had in their Houses delivered to an officer appointed to receive them the Grand Signeour was pacified though indeed this was used only as a trick to extort mony from them This being the present state of things in the Imperial Port the English Ambassador in the behalf of his King and Nation made known the just resentments of his Master for the affront offered in the person of him his Ambassador as likewise did the rest exclaiming of injustice insomuch that the Captain Bassa told them that indeed the proceedings were too rigid and that for the future care should be taken to prevent the like as for their Armes taken away he said they had been seen by the Grand Signeour and therefore could not be restored but that they had liberty to buy more and the money exacted of the Merchants could not at that time be restored by reason of the urgent occasion of the state and therefore intreated them to be pacified but the French Ambassador was so far fallen into the Grand Signeours displeasure that his Death was determined the execution whereof was with much danger to the disswaders deferred and upon second thoughts changed into an Imprisonment the cause of which was for that he had siezed upon sixty thousand Dollars sent by the Town of Marseilles to pay his Predecessors Debts contracted in Constantinople which money he converted to his own use thereby defrauding the Creditor and obliging them to clamour for Turkish Justice which in it self is cruelty and oppression These intestine troubles gave the Persians Liberty to make themselves Masters of many strong places which greatly alarumed the Ottoman Empire insomuch that great preparations were every where
made the Grand Signeour in person intending to take the Field But ere the Army could be raised and all things gotten in a readiness the Persians were far advanced and taken many places of importance and amongst the rest Reivan a strong place Garrisoned by the Turks taken from the Persians the year before putting all they found therein to the Sword and Ransom The report of these losses arriving ere the Grand Signeour had put himself in a readiness to accompany his Army he layed aside his purpose of going in person and full of discontents remained at home to consult his own safety which was now threatned with such a storm that to shun it was not imagined a possibility in humane Providence for the Souldiers that were abroad began to express their discontents refusing to receive their pay or to be commanded by the Grand Visier for the Turks War with the Persians unwillingly there being no other cause for their invading each other then the emulation of greatness which has successively fired the Lords of those two mighty Empires Besides the Turks seldom meet in Persia with any plentiful spoils so that they are neither incited by their own freeness nor allured by the hopes of any large reward But on the contrary to the Wars of Hungary and Poland they hast as to some delightful spectacle induced thereto by a superstitious zeal as making religion a ground for their attempts and an assurance of large spoiles where the Countries abound in all manner of Plenty This danger of the Souldiers mutiny abroad reached not presently the ears of the Grand Signeour to terrifie him with the apprehensions of a double storm for he had enough to do with the Janizaries who now began to suspect another design on foot for the extirpation of their order which made them cast off all obedience and set the great City of Constantinople in an uproar which obliged the Citizens every where to provide for their safeties for the unruly Souldiers having gotten the knack of making and unmaking Emperors at their pleasure were grown to that height of insolency that they supposed the center of Government to rest in themselves and each individual man of them thought himself superior to any Officer in the Empire insomuch that they accounted the Grand Signeour but as their Steward intrusted by them with the Government and that his Life and safety wholly depended on their pleasure which he well perceiving knew no better means to render them tractable then by distributing large sums of money amongst them which nevertheless at this time much availed not for being bent on mischief they plundered the houses of several Merchants and rich Burghers killing and wounding such as resisted them and in a fury ran to the Palace demanding such Favourites as they named which being denyed they presently fell into a consultation about deposing their Emperour Nay so far proceeded that many perswaded to take away his Life as they had done his Brother Osmans but so divided were they in their Councils that they could come to no result at that time but soon after assembling it was proposed that if the Grand Signeour would make amends by some acknowledgment of his ill intents toward them and confirm their Order and Priviledges his Government he being one that was not insensible of their power might prove advantagious to them but that if his disposition rested yet undiscovered it might render the course of their Lives obnoxious to incertainties for the Grand Signeour in the beginning of his Reign not exceeding fifteen years of age expressed a natural inclination to action which wits his years increased and this had settled some good opinion of him in the unruly Souldiers whose desire is War that by plunder they may inrich themselves Though of late many of the Janizaries contrary to their first institution and the long continued course that former Emperors had obliged them to had married Wives settled themselves to Merchandize and were become both rich and effeminate In these and the like mischievous consultations many dayes were wasted nor could the Janizaries wanting their usual Confederates the Spahi who were then under the leading of the Grand Visier at Arzirum effect their purpose as they were wont which made them more cautious in their proceedings and to keep together in one strong and intire body as fearing to be destroyed by a general Massacre if they separated such a rumour whether spread by themselves to countenance them in their unlawful purposes or really intended being spread about the City and that in the room of them a new Militia should be established less chargeable and more tractable after the same method as Delavire Bassa had formerly purposed and that many were for that purpose inrolled on the Frontires especially European Horsemen that were continually in action to prevent the incursions of the Cossacks and free Heyducks who living mostly upon spoil greatly endammaged the Turks but in the end a right understanding being created between the Emperour and the Janizaries by the mediation of the great Officers of the Court a Reconciliation was made though not without a wonderful mass of money distributed amongst the latter who frequently mutiny for no other purpose then by such means to inrich themselves well knowing that the Grand Signeour has no other way to appease them then by distributing large summs of mony amongst them nor were the Soldiers abroad satisfied till they had sacrificed to their revenge the chief Treasurer of the Army the two Aga's of the Spahi's and the Chiaus Bassa of the Janizaries nor till a new Visier was sent to discharge the Old one and to lead them to the Persian War During these troubles an Ambassador from the King of Persia arrived at Constantinople with many Rich presents which caused him to have the speedier Audience and promise of an honourable Peace bur whilst the Treaty held the Cossacks driven out of Poland by King Uladislaus had siezed upon Asac a strong City of the Grand Signeours scituate upon the mouth of the River Tanais upon the declining of a Hill which they pillaged and afterward Fortified keeping possession thereof for the space of four years at what time the Turk again recovered it as also great troubles arose in Tartary upon the Tartar Hans putting to death the Bassa Musti and Cadi of Caffa for reproving him of Cowardâ—â—â— for thereupon the Grand Signeour secretly maintained Cautimeri and his faction against him who with Fire and Sword wasted his Countrey and at length passing the Niester siezed on the Countrey of Budziack near to Beliegrode and Kilea bordering on the Countrey of Moldavia on which he likewise incroached drawing a World of People after him which raised a jealousie in Vladislaus the Polonian King who doubting they would prove troublesom neighbours resolved to expell them by force of Armes but whilst he delayed the Tartar Han executed his purpose for setting upon Cautimeri with a great Army overthrew him and followed the
execution over the large Plains of Dobruc so that dispairing to appear any more formidable in the Field he fled to Constantinople where the Grand Signeour contrary to his Faith given to curry favour with Tartar Han caused him to be strangled together with his Son when not long after a Nephew of this Cautimeri killed Tartar Han as he was Hunting and by a misguiding path separated from his followers for which Treachery he was applauded at Constantinople as a man of admirable courage and upon news of Hans death caused Becher Gherey his brother to be Proclaimed King of Tartary Notwithstanding the fair Promises of Morat the Persian Ambassador was dismissed without any agreement of Articles in relation to a Peace and order given to prosecute that War with all imaginable rigor intending to go himself in person and knock at the Gates of Babylon whereupon he hung out the Horse taile a certain sign of his or the Grand Visiers taking the Field and increased the number of his Janizaries revoking a Decree he had made to the contrary commanding his Bassas upon the Christian Frontiers to give no occasion of complaint in his absence that might oblige him to retire ere he had accomplished his purpose and so with an Army of five hundred thousand Horse and Foot whereof three hundred thousand were fighting men he entered Persia about the end of May 1638. having joyned the Grand Visier with such forces as he had at Iconium and in his way overthrew a Shegh who had drawn a great number of people into Rebellion under pretence of Religion out of the Mountains of Anatolia but the Impostor escaping Morat to prevent his further attempts caused to be proclaimed that if he was not put into his hands he would destroy all the Countrey with Fire and Sword for fear of which he was discovered by those that he trusted with the knowledge of his aboad and by the Grand Signeours command flead alive and with his skin off carryed to the wheel and there broken without expressing the least sence of pain This let removed Morat passed on to oppose whose passage the Persian King took the Field with one hundred twenty thousand Horse and put 30 thousand men into Babylon with what was necessary for their subsistence but at the same time his Countrey on the other side being invaded by the great Mogul oâ— India who in favour of Morat had raised a powerful Army he did not think it convenient to give the Turks Battle but permitted them to pass the Euphrates over a Brige though not without grâ—â—t loss for the Bridge giving way under so great a weight many Men Horses and Camels perished in the Water but it being repaired the remainder of the Army attained the further Bank and in a short time came to Mosul antiently called Ninive where all the petty Princes whose Countries were near came to the Camp and tendered their Homage to the Grand Signeour bringing many rich presents and promising to become his Tributaries The Army rising from before Mosul Morat marched directly to Babylon otherwise Bagdat accounted the ancientest City in the World reported to be built by Nimrod on the Bank of the River Euphrates which he straitly besieged ordering his Batteries in three places to be raised and each Battalion to be appointed his quarter himself being attired like a private Souldier to be the less exposed to danger protesting he would never change his Cloathes unless he might do it within the Walls of Babylon and with words and gifts so incouraged the Officers and Souldiers that within three dayes the Trenches were opened himself giving Fire to the first Cannon and after that with fifty great pieces he thundered against the Walls incessantly being answered in the same Language by the Defendants who were eighty thousand fighting men four or 5 thousand of which frequently sallyed as they saw advantage making great slaughter of the Turks for the Persian had put into this important place his Souldiers of greatest courage thinking by that means to prevent its falling into the Grand Signeors hands either by their valour or protracting the time till he could be better at leasure to relieve it but notwithstanding the continual skirmishes the Turks numerous Army advanced the Trenches to the brink of the Ditches railing several redoubts to secure themselves and hinder the besieged from sallying and so effectually they wrought hat within one months space they filled up the first and second Ditches with Woolsacks Fagots and the like and then in great numbers assaulted the breaches the Cannon had made but were strenuously repulsed by the Persians who showred on them all manner of warlike instruments of death The great Visier signalizing himself above all by his undaunted courage commanding with his hand and voice was slain by a Musquet shot This fight within the breach continued for the space of five days where both parties fighting like men in despair the dead bodies lay in heaps and blood flowed like a Torrent But at length the number of Turks prevailing they under the leading of Mustapha Bassa on the 22th of December Anno Dom. 1638. entered the City and set up the Royal standard against whom notwithstanding four and twenty thousand Persians made head but quarter being offered them they readily accepted it throwing down their Armes and submitting upon the publick Faith of the Grand Signeour for their safety who contrary to his promise caused them when disarmed most barbarously to be Massacred not sparing either Man Woman or Child The taking of Babylon caused great rejoycing at Constantinople a twenty dayes Feast being thereupon proclaimed and many Ceremonies used according to the Turkish manner and the Grand Signeour having left a Garrison of thirty thousand Men in his new conquered City returned to the Port having in this Expedition lost by the Sword Famine and Pestilence one hundred thousand of his best men and himself very much afflicted with sickness Soon after his return and triumphant enterance an Ambassador arrived from Persia with proposals of Peace who being admitted to Audience and the matter afterwards referred to the Chimacam a Peace was concluded the chief Article being that Reven should remain to the Sophy and Babylon to the Grand Signeour During the Persian War the Venetians having sustained great dammage by the Pyrates of Algier and Tunis set forth a Fleet of Gallies and destroyed many of those Rovers and amongst the rest seven in the Grand Signeours Port of Valona which he highly resented but in the end was by several rich Presents pacified and the Peace renewed and soon after an Envoy extraordinary from the Emperor of Germany arrived at the Port to congratulate the Grand Signeours success in his late Persian War but not bringing such Presents as were expected he was not received with the honour due to his Character and there happening a dispute between the English Ambassador and this Envoy about precedency the Turks granted it the former being made to understand the
being performed afterwards occasioned the loss of Candia as shall in the Reign of Mahomet the fourth be discoursed of more at large Now the year 1644. beginning Rogotskie Prince of Transylvania who succeeded Gabor in that Principality being of a turbulent nature he so wrought with the discontented Hungarians and Austrians that he caused them to Rebel to whom he joyning his Forces drew after him fifty thousand Horse and Foot with which he took Solnock besieged Filek and Cassovia for suppressing of whom the Emperor caused his Troops to advance who in divers skirmishes worsted the Rebels and overthrew six thousand Turks who were coming to the assistance of Rogotski but at length both parties tired with the toiles of War on the 14th of August in the following year a Peace was concluded and soon after the Grand Signeors Mother ruling all in effect caused the Grand Visier to be put to death thereby to render her Authority more dreadful to the rest and caused her Son to appoint Mahomet Bassa of Damascus Grand Visier in his stead who was altogether at her devotion as being first promoted to the Bassa-ship of Damascus at her instant sute to her Son Morat Predecessor to this Emperor Whilst these matters were in agitation the Tartars forgetful of their late Peace made an incursion with thirty thousand men into Russia against whom Konispolski having made head with twenty thousand Horse and Foot defeated them killing twelve thousand and taking three thousand Prisoners pursuing the remainder to the Borders of Valachia in like manner Wisnowick a noble Polander happily encountering another party of Tartars as they were returning from the spoil of a part of Moscovia killed ten thousand of them and recovered a great booty sending the rest naked into their own Countrey The Polonians thus prevailing the Grand Signeour to curry favour with the Polonian King deposed the Tartar Han from his soveraignty which caused various discourses but upon the birth of the Grand Signeours fourth Son that wonder ceased nor was that all which changed the scene of admiration for about this time six Gallies of the Turks passing from Constantinople to Alexandria were taken by the Knights of Malta which greatly incensed the Grand Signeour against the Venetians who had it in charge according to the League concluded between that Signory and the Port to guard those Seas insomuch that under Pretence of destroying the Island of Malta this and former grievances induced the Grand Signeour to make great preparation for the Invasion of Candia formerly called Grete yet the Venetian Balio or Ambassador was caressed at such a rate as he suspected no such Treachery but the state growing jealous upon notice of the great Naval preparation provided cautiously for the safety of their Island During these preparations the Grand Signeor followed his Lascivious courses keeping his female Court in such splendor that his greatest Treasure was spent therein nor was all the Silks of Italy sufficient to suffice his Women but upon the false rumour that the design was against the Maltesians they were not idle but in the best manner Fortified their chief places of strength yet in the end the storm fell not there but upon Candia for the Fleet of a hundred Gallies and fifty great Ships with three hundered Saicks most of the latter being pressed for the transportation of Souldiers being arrived at Scio after refreshment of the Army consisting of seven thousand Janizaries fourteen thousand Spahies fifty thousand Timariots three thousand Pioners besides Cooks Bakers and other necessary followers set sail for Napoli Di Romagnia and having stayed there some time weighed Anchor and touching at divers Islands some belonging to the Venetians and others not they at length came to Candia having taken a Venetian Vessel laden with Ammunition and bound for Retimo by the way where no longer being able to hide their intentions they unmasked themselves by publishing the War both there and at Constantinople the latter of which was attended with the imprisonment of the Balio or Venetian Ambassador and giving order through all the Archipelago for the enslaving and destroying all the subjects of that Republick and here the Turk practised his usual beginning of War with more then ordinary caution for though with other Princes whose Territories border on him by Land he usually endeavours to strike at the same time when he gives the salutation of Peace Yet here being to contend at Sea where he was conscious his forces were inferiour to those of Venice he practised by a different method making many vows and protestations that no such thing was intended till he had safely Landed his Forces yet were not the Venetians so easie of belief but that they likewise Armed thirty Gallies seventeen English and Dutch Ships two Galliasses and several other Vessels of force raising a great power by Land to transport into that important Island imploring the assistance of divers Christian Princes who were not backward to their said sending their Fleet to Sea under the Command of Antonio Capello Francisco Molino being made Proveditor General whose good conduct in affairs caused him to be made Proveditor General and afterwards Duke of Venice and an express sent to Andree Cornaro Inquisitor in Candia to Arm out twenty Gallies from the Arsenal of Canea and to promote this design the better two English an one Dutch Ship then in the Port of Mallomocco were hired to carry Timber fitted and already squared for the compleating the said number of Gallies and Francisco Erizzo was appointed General of all the Naval Forces but he being stricken in years whilst he intended to crown the remainder of his dayes with glory was taken off by death leaving sufficiently graced with the memory of his past actions yet the Fleet was no ways obstructed but with a prosperous gale sailed to Corfu and from thence to Candia where the Turks were arrived before them and had landed without opposition occasioned by the difference that antient Remora amongst the Christian Princes Confederates with the Venetians about bearing the flag which was vigorously contended for by the Genoways and Florentines nor could it be reconciled though the Pope earnestly laboured therein advising them for the deciding the controversie at a time when the urgency admitted of no delay to wave Ceremonies yet ere they could come to the assistance of the Venetians the Turks had spoiled a great part of the Island and after divers skirmishes with much blood and slaughter took Canea the second City of importance and after that Retimo in defence of which Andrea Cornaro lost his Life by a Musquet shot Anno 1646. The opportunity was fair for destroying the Turks Fleet as it carelesly rod at Anchor near the Isle of Theodoro opposite to Canea where had the advantage been improved it might easily have been burnt but such was the contention amongst the Christian Commanders that nothing was attempted worthy of mention whereupon Molino General of the Venetian Land Forces was revoked
by the Senate and dismissed of his high charge Capello being appointed to succeed him who being strengthned with an additional supply of Gallies Galliasses and Ships of War he wasted the Island whilst Morosini with two and twenty Ships faced the Towers of the Dordanellis in the Hellespont and braved the Ottoman power incountering such Gallies as in a dead calm were sent out against him which after a sharp dispute he obliged to retire and then sailed to joyn his Admiral perswading him to give the Turks Battle but whilst he delayed they landed an additional strength of forty thousand men on the Island and kept their Gallies so close within the Harbour that they could not be indammaged without great disadvantage to the Christians nor did the Fire-Ships too late prepared to burn them succeed by reason they took Fire too soon yet the succeeding year Morosini having notice that the Turks were Landed at Scio and that they carelesly romed up and down came thither with divers Ships of War took several of their Gallies and in them many prisoners of note but soon afterward being serated from his Squadron in a storm he was set upon by fifteen Gallies of Rhodes and boarded where fighting valiantly he was slain by a Musquet Bullet yet his Ship upon the coming in of two Galliasses was rescued The funeral solemnity of this renowned Captain was celebrated with all Pomp at Venice Not by Sea only but at Land the Turks invaded the Venetian Territories for pouring a multitude of men into Dalmatia yet were not greatly successful for Leonardo Foscolo the Venetian General on that side overthrew their Forces in divers conflicts In one of which he took the Sanzack Licca and slew his Son recovered Saccovar Polissano Islan and Novogrode the latter of which by order of the Senate he demolished and pursuing his good success took all the Cities and Towns the Turks held on that side utterly driving them out of Dalmatia but this joy was palliated by the unwelcome news of the Fleets being wrecked in the Archipelago and a great number of Ships and Gallies broken to pieces which so raised the drooping courage of the Turks that they advanced to the Walls of Candia and straitly besieged it but were so valiantly repulsed by the Christians that had put themselves into it that after the loss of thirty thousand men they were obliged to retire as not being capable of gaining it though Foscolo about this time proved successful in taking Clissa a strong Fort scituate in the confines of Dalmatia and overthrew Feckeli Bassa killing and taking Prisoners the greatest part of his Army which caused Morlaches to revolt and several of the principal inhabitants of Scutary to treat with the Venetian General about putting that City into his hands to take possession of which seven thousand men were sent who seized some several smal places but ere they could arrive at Scutari their design was discovered and they obliged for the preservation of their lives to betake themselves to the Mountains for as many as were taken the Turks impailed them alive The Grand Visier inraged for the loss of Clissa dispatched Dervis Bassa into part of Bosna with a powerful Army to assault Spelatro against whom the Venetian General marched together with Serich Capt. of Morlaches but by reason of the Christians disorderly march in gathering the spoil of the Countrey the Turks set upon a part of the Army and put it to the rout though Serich and other Dalmatian Captains did all that men could perform In this conflict 400 Christians were slain and as many taken Prisoners amongst the latter of which was the Captain of Moriaches whom the Turks flayed alive and afterwards impailed yet though they subdued his body they could not conquer his invincible mind he bearing the same Constancy and Resolution in his torments as he had done in Battle During these transactions Ibrahim indulged himself in all manner of pleasures leaving the management of all his affairs to his Bassa himself being wholly directed by a wench who in the nature of a Baud or procurer went from bath to bath to take a view of the Ladies and those she perceived fairest she inquired out the places of their abode and recommended them to her Lord who upon hearing her praise their beauty would instantly be enamoured of them and send to fetch them either by fair means or force to his Bed This course taken for a while without coutroul she at length filled his ears with the commendation of a Sultaness Widow to his brother Morat deceased but this Woman could by no intreaty be won to his Lust nor obliged with presents to comply alledging she had vowed perpetual Widowhood and that her former Lord to was living in conceit which denyal the more inraged Ibrahim now grown impatient of delay wherefore he intended to snatch that by force that intreaty could not gain wherefore watching her one day as she came out of the Bath he siezed her in his armes which she perceiving resolved upon the defence of her Chastity and therefore drew her Dagger a weapon which the Sultaness and Chief Lady wear at their sides and offered to wound him in her own defence which observing let go his hold at what time the bustle causing a loud clamour his Mother came from her apartment who understanding what had happened began to reprove her son of his lascivious behaviour during which the Sultaness found means to escape which so incensed Ibrahim that he confined his Mother to the old Seraglio interdicting her his presence till with submission and many intreaties she had obtained pardon After the loss of this Sultaness his procurer called by him Shecher Para casting her eyes upon the Daughter of the Mufti a young Lady of excellent beauty so warmed the heart of Ibrahim with the relation of her rare perfections that he resolved to have her at any rate and therefore at first resolved to send for her by force but considering the power of the Mufti he upon second thoughts suppoled it not convenient to incense him by such a rash action but rather to send for him and to treat with him about taking his daughter to be one of his Sultana's which he did and reasoned with him about that affair but the old man who intirely loved his daughter and well considering the wandering loves of Ibrahim and that he having already sons her off spring would be either poisoned strangled or become sad recluses after his death inwardly resolved not to consent to his request yet dissembled the matter in excusing so great an honour to one that was unworthy of it but withal concluded to deal with his Daughter in the best mannen to the Sultans advantage but by their Law could oblige her therein no further then her free consent allowed Pleased with this answer Ibrahim dismissed the Mufti with several rich presents thinking his wishes should now be satisfied but the old man having hardened his Daughter not to
a Grave Turk placed in his stead who caused several of the Mutiniers to be Apprehended and publiquely Executed Notwithstanding these troubles the Turks desisted not to carry on the War against the Venetian so resolutely were they bent to have Candia In their possession therefore Equiping another Great Fleet they put to Sea in order to relieve their men in the Island but being again fought with by Moâ—errigo the Venetian Admiral all the Fleet was either taken sunk or stranded upon which the Venetians landed on the Island of Tenedos and in four dayes became Masters of it as also they did of Stalimene antiently called Lemnos which losses so incensed the Grand Seignor by this time grown to understanding that he resolved to carry the War into Dalmatia part of the Venetians Seignory but upon second thoughts resolved the recovery of the Islands and in order thereto put another Fleet to Sea who after a great dammage sustained by the Venetian shot thrust their men on shoar in great numbers and by that means the evil Fortified Islands so lately taken by the Venetians were by the Turks recovered in attempting the relief of which Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral had his Ship blown up by his powder accidentally taking fire by which Accident himself together with all that were on board perished These important places regained the treaty of peace was offered to be renewed and some overtures were made by the Venetians but now the Turks would hearken to nothing unless Candia might be intirely put into their hands with the Fortress of Clissia in Dalmatia and payment made of three Millions of Gold for the Dammages sustained by the War which unreasonable proposals so perjudicial to the honour of their Seignoury the Senators Generously rejected rather resolving to maintain the War and defend themselves more vigorously then ever which intention known the Grand Seigniour gave second orders for his Army to spoil Dalmatia but in their March the Grand Vizier who headed them having caused the Bassa of Aleppos brother who had a command in the Army to be put to death for coming later to the Randesvous than was appointed which so â—nraged the Bassa that raising 40000 men he advanced even to the Walls of Constantinople burning up the Country before him and there pitching his Tents sent to demand the head of the great Vizier in reprisal for that of his Murthered brothers but not finding his expectations answered he sent a second Messenger to demand the heads of 4 other Bassas of the Council whom he said had been consenting thereto and upon refusals threatened the destruction of the City but the Plague raging there at that time after he had burnt up all the Country about it he retired into Asia and there seting up a Youth of Twenty Years of Age whom he gave out to be the Lawful Son of Sultan Morat till that time hidden by his Mother from his Uncles fury His Army was wonderfully increased insomuch that he would hearken to no Proposals of an accommodation though the Government of divers Provinces were offered but Exhibited a Proclamation wherein he declared Mahomet the unrightful Heir to the Ottoman Empire upon which he was pronounced a Rebel and all men commanded to rise up against him and destroy him but instead thereof most of the Asian Forces revolted to him which made the Divan suppose it high time to give a check to the Progress of his Armes and thereupon shipped over the Great Vizier with a puissant Army composed of the Flower of the Ottoman Chavalarie in Europe who joyning with the Bassa was in a great and mortal battle overthrown and with his broken Forces obliged to retire which made the Grand Seigniour with such Forces as he could raise pass the Bosphorus and joyning with the Viziers rallied Souldiers Composed an Army of Thirty Thousand Horse and Seventy Thousand Foot with which he Marched against the Bassa whose heart at the approach of so great a power began to fail him and make him more plyable to hearken to Terms of Agreement which he proposing to his Council of War and they approving his Resolution a place was Assigned for Treaty and Mortaza Bassa made the Grand Seigniours Plenipotentiary the Grand Seigniour promising to stand to what ever he should Act as indeed he did for the Bassa under pretence of a Treaty being unadvised drawn from his Army was together with Seventeen of his Attendants strangled by the said Mortaza and such as he had layed in ambush for that purpose upon notice of which his Army that then consisted of Eighty Thousand Horse and Foot dispersed every Man shifting for himself For this Exploit Mortaza was greatly applauded by the Grand Seigniour and Grand Vizier and had a considerable command conferred on him in the War against Rogotski the Transilvanian Prince whose Country about this time the Tartars had entered at the instance of the Sultan with a great power yet was not the Asia Rebellion thus extinguished for a Nephew of the dead Bassas raising great Forces in the Territories of Aleppo advanced with a Resolution to revenge his Uncles death to whom joyned the two sons of Chusaein Bassa whom the Great Vizier had caused to be put to death as also the Bey of Torgne and many others which rendred this Army as formidable as the precedent gave new subject of fear at Constantinople but the great Visier so managed the matter by sowing dissension among the chiefs and bestowing large sums of Money on the Soldiers that the Army dayly diminished till at length it came to nothing leaving many of the Commanders to the mercy of the Visier who never spared any man that was guilty of a crime or suspected to be so Asia being again reduced to Obedience the Grand Seignior had leisure to think of his Wars with the Venetians and therefore gave strict command for part of his Army to march into Daimatia and the other part to be imbarqued for Candia he resolving to besiege the Meâ—ropolitan City of that Name nor were the Venetians slack for having received a reinforcement of Four Thousand French Foot and divers other Aids sent them by the Christian Princes their Confederates They took the Forts of Calamo Calegro and Epicarno hardly distressing the Bassa of Canea in the principal City of his Province insomuch that he was obliged to write to Constantinople for speedy succour leâ—t that City should be lost for the Venetians dayly battered it and pressed it hard with continual Assaults but a supply of Three Thousand fresh men being by Night thrust into it the Venetians raised the siege and marched to New Candia built near to Old Canoia in hopes to beat the Turks out of it but prevailed not according to their expectation About this time the Visier with a Great Army arrived at Belgrade but there falling sick he returned to Adrinople to recover his Health swearing that if he found Death approach he would caâ—â—e all his Physitians to be put to 〈◊〉 which
〈◊〉 servation rendred them double-diligent These were the principal revolutions in the Ottoman Empire from the time Mahomet ascended the Throne till the year 1â—60 Anno Dom. 1661. About the beginning of this year His Majesty of Great Britain sent the Earl of Winchelsea his Embassador to Constantinople who upon his arrival at the Port was received as became his Character with all the Grandeur that the Turks allow to any Embassador and after his Audience conveyed with due Ceremony to the prepared for his reception and now the Turks being at leisure invaded Transylvania in order to depose Prince Rogotski who after having deposed himself and made his submission in hopes to be restored but finding his hopes frustrated and another advanced in his stead Again he assumed his Government and raising a powerful Army made divers Inroads into the Turkish Dominions till at last joyning Battle with the Bassas of Buda and Temeswar near Julia Aâ—ba where being overthrown and wounded he fled to Varadia and there within Fifteen days dyed of the Hurts received in Battle yet was it no ways satisfactory to the proud Bassas unless they might reduce that City which as they alledged had taken part with their Masters Rebels whereupon drawing down their Army they layed close siege which so terrified the Citizens that they sent their Deputies to the Caesarean Emperor to require aid desiring him to take them into his protection but whilst the Imperialists delayed and made many scruples of breaking the League with the Turks after many furious Assaults and great Slaughter on either side the City was surrendered In consideration that the Garrison should march out with Drums beating Colour flying c. and to go whither they pleased which conditions being performed the Turks took possession of that strong Frontire City Varadin thus taken the Citizens of Vienna were not a little alarmed thereat though none used any endeavours either to relieve it when besieged or to recover it when taken nor in the least to annoy the Turks unless Count John Serini a Prince who had a fair Soveraign Inheritance in those parts was under the Emperour made Governour of Croatia who raising a power laid siege to the strong City of Canisia which at that time was almost destroyed by an accidental Fire but upon notice thereof the Emperour not only denyed to assist him in his enterprize but sent an express Command to him to raise his siege at which in a rage he cast his Scimiter on the Ground and for a while stood mute yet not thinking it convenient to disobey his Soveraigns Commands though he might easily have taken the City he raised his siege The Transylvanian blocked up as it were on every side by the Turks about this time implored a second time the Emperors Assistance resolving to shake off the Turkish yoak and in order thereunto they banished Acatius Barklay who since the Death of Ragotski had governed in chief greatly favouring the Turks and in his stead constituted one Kemenus sometimes General of Ragotski's Army which plainly manifesting their hatred to the Turks the German or Caesarean Emperor resolved to assist them they consenting to admit Garrisons of German Souldiers into divers of their Cities using them with all respect and plentifully providing them with all convenient necessaries Yet the Germans made small shew of taking the Field to assist or protect the Transylvanians but on the contrary wrote to the Bassa of Buda to certifiâ— him that the peace should be kept inviolable yeâ— the Turk not contented entered Hungary and layeâ— waste a great part of it that was subject to the Emperor whereupon Count Serini built a Fortress iâ— the Turks Dominions near Canisia e're the Turks were aware at which the Grand Visier was so inraged that he sent an express to strangle the Bassâ— of Buda for permitting it so that the League being apparently broken or infringed on either sidâ— the German Army under the Command of Counâ— Montecuculi and joyned with the Transylvanians under the Leading of Kemenius their General whicâ— Conjunction rendered them so formidable to the Ottoman Empire that Ali Bassa durst not oppose their progress till he had divided the Transylvanians amongst themselves by advancing one Apafi to thâ— principality who being well beloved caused by sundry means the Army of Kemenus for the most part tâ— revolt of which the crafty Bassa taking the advantage set upon him and in a bloody Battle over threw his people with great slaughter obliging him for his safety to fly into Hungary from whence returning after he had recruited his broken Army oncâ— more to try the fortune of a Field he was in a second Battle put to the rout and as he retired beaten from off his Horse by one of his own Souldiers where none relieving him he was trodden to Death under the Horses Feet and left the greatest part oâ— his people a sacrifice to the inraged Turks Kemenius thus dead Apafi's Party was greatly in couraged insomuch that joyning with a Body oâ— Turks they besieged Claudiopolis of which David Râ—tani a right Valiant Souldier was Governour having under his Command a Garrison of German Horse and Foot yet the Turks and Transylvanians battered 〈◊〉 for a while but upon the arrival of General Schenidan who in spight of them put a reinforcement into the Town and made great slaughter of their out-guards About this time the Plague raged in Constantinople in the Camp at such a rate that Fifty Thousand persons of all Ages and Sexes dyed which leaving the City almost desolate the Grand Signior retired to Adrinople and there made his solemn entrance which place so delighted him that he had since for the most part resided there where Rupeâ—ee the Old Visier so dealt with him that he procured a promise that his Son Ahmet whom he had made Chineacam of Constantinople should be assisting to him in his Visier-ship and after his Death succeed him in that place of trust the which though contrary to the Ottoman Custom who hold it dangerous to that any Office should go by Inheritance accordingly came to pass to the great grief of the Court Bassas who are ever emulous of that place c. For old Kuperle after he had been five years Visier and in that time had caused Thirty Thousand Persons to fall by the hands of divers Executioners being the bloodiest that ever officiated that place dying his Son Ahmet had the Grand Signiors Patent and the Seal of the Empire delivered to him taking upon him the Office of Great Visier at the Age of Thirty two years a thing not usual and not to be behind hand with his Father established himself upon the destruction of such as he suspected to envy at his advancement amongst whom the Bassa of Magnesia fell a Sacrifice he likewise procured the Banishment of Solyman Bassa of Damascus and that of the Muphti and indeed caused to be made away or displaced all that he suspected averse to his interest During
Turk Serniswar the Imperials not so much as vouchsafing to relieve it which so afflicted the Noble Mind of the Count Serini that growing Melancholly to divert himself he often used Hunting when one day Chasing a Bore whom he wounded in several places the furious Beast turned upon him and with his Tusk struck him on the Knee which made him fall to the ground when before he could recover himself with a second stroke he was mortally wounded in the head and soon after dyed in the Armes of one of his Pages This was the end of this valiant Captain whom his Enemies could never subdue to the great grief of all worthy Christians and the joy of the Turks whose Mortal Enemy he was a man in dangers most couragious in War valiant and patient in labour in peace courteous and moderate in his pleasure and in fine he was accomplished with all those vertues that renders a man compleat After the death of this Count the Peace between the Empires was concluded when as the Grand Seigniour being at leasure plotted the destruction of his Brothers but at the perswasion of the Muphti altered his Resolution About this time the Grand Visier indeavoured to depose the Tartar Han and place his Son in his stead but the young Tartar though barbarous would not consent thereto but sent his Father secret notice what was intended against him which so inraged the Tartar that he used his utmost indeavour at the Ottoman Court to overthrow the Visier and promote another to that Office in order to which he dealt with the Bassa of Buda promising him his utmost interest at the Port to make him great Visier by which though contrary to his wish he destroyed him for the Visier having notice of what had passed obtained a private Commission from the Grand Seigniour by which he Summoned the Bassa to appear before him when immediately without any process proof or accusation caused his Head to be stricken off Anno Dom. 1665. The Genoese sent the Marquess Durazzo as their Envoy Extraordinary to the Ottoman Court where by gifts and other means he so effectually wrote with the Grand Visier that a peace insued between the Grand Seigniour and that Republick the which was the rather accorded to that the War against Candia might be the better carryed on on which the Turks seemed absolutely bent in order to the Equiping of Gallies and other things necessary the Grand Seigniour came from Adrinople to Constantinople but before his arrival great part of the Seraglio was burnt to the ground fired by some of the women to prevent the discovery of their stealing divers Jewels that garnished the Royal Cradle and upon his arrival he desired of the Earl of Winchelsea Fifteen Sail of English Men of War with the consent of His Majesty of Great Brittain but the Earl excused it saying that though his Majesty of England did always entertain a good affection and zealous disposition towards the affairs of the Ottoman Port yet at present the Wars with Holland and ill understanding with France made his occasions for his own Shipping more urgent then usual and the time most unseasonable to press his Majesty in that particular whereupon the Grand Visier gave order for the building Sixty Gallies against the Spring at what time a great Fleet was in a readyness several English French and Dutch Merchant Men who were at that time found in the prots of Aleppo Smyrna and Alexandria being pressed for the service These proceedings greatly alarumed the Venetians insomuch that they delayed nothing that was requisite for the defence of their important City of Candia the which who ever holds commands the rest of the Island whereupon the Marquess Ghiron Franciseo Villa a brave Souldier was entertained as General of Foot and a Sallary of twelve thousand Crowns per Annum alowed him with a large Commission not to be subject to any command but that of the Captain Generals who with a great train arriving at Venice made an Oration to the people wherein he incouraged them to the utmost to fight against the enemies of their Country and Religion with wearyness and chearfully to provide all necessaries for so honourable a War whereupon they fitted their Fleet with all things necessary and strengthened their Forts both with Horse and Foot drawn out of their Garrisons on the Terra Firma being assisted with Men and Money from other Princes and States The Pope gave them permissions to levy four thousand men out of his Countries the Emperor likewise notwithstanding the peace furnished them with considerable Forces to which were additions made from other parts of Germany and indeed from many of the Christian Princes who were grieved to see an Infidel incroach yet farther into Europe but above all the French King contributed largely though at the same time he sent Mounsier d' Vently his Ambassador to the Port who as the former received many affronts during his residence there The Captain of the Ship that brought him thither likewise was ordered by the Grand Seignior to be Executed for too rudely pressing into his presence which Sentence had been put in Execution had not the Bostangi Bassa interceeded for him yet he nevertheless was imprisoned and put in chains nor could the Ambassador without a great Sum procure his Liberty nor at his Audiences had of the Grand Seignior and Grand Visiâ—r was he received with such respect as became his Character yet he made the best on it boasting to the other Christians Ministers of the ample satisfaction he had received both for his own affronts and the affronts put upon his Predecessors Whilst these things passed the Marquess d' Villa passed into Dalmatia to take a view of the Forts and strong places on that side as fearing whilst the Turks gave out for Candia they might suddenly turn their Forces upon that Frontier Territory of the Venetians but having given such necessary orders as he thought requisite and being certified from Count Lisle the Emperors Ambassador at Constantinople that the Grand Visier early in the Spring would with a puissant Army land on the Island he set over with such Forces as he had to joyn those already there About the beginning of the Year 1666. great troubles had like to have risen in the Ottoman Empire occasioned by one Sabatai Seni a Jew born at Smyrna who impiously pretending himself to be the Messia drew after him a multitude of that unhappy nation declaring that he came to restore them to their temporal Kingdom and to gather the scattered tribes filling their heads with prophesies dreams and false delusions that they every where credited him and laying aside all business prepared for their march to Jerusalem once more to possess the Land of Promise and raise a Glorious Monarchy above what ever their Ancestors could pretend too and to that purpose made themselves Garments according to the Levitical Ordinance several of them affirming that they had seen Elias and that he had expresly
Demetrio which Commanded the work of Molino and Sabionera even to the very Sea Before this formidable place the Visier pitched his Tents raised his Battery and provided all things necessary to approach the work running his Trenches with great celerity to the border of the out-works but there met with such blasts of Aetnean Fires from the Mines and Farnellos that they hindred the Turks Traverses and greatly disincouraged them considering that if the Ground was unsecure at that distance what Abysses and Chasmas must there be prepared to make them Graves under the Walls or enterance of the City when not to let them breathe the Christians sallyed twice on them making great slaughter of such as were far advanced in the works when retiring in confusion the Collonel of St. Demetrio fell upon them cutting Two Thousand of them in pieces e're they could recover their main strength about which time Captain General Morosini arrived in the Haven with his Galleys and put One Thousand fresh men into the City which so exasperated the Turks that they resolutely advanced to hinder it but being within danger by the springing of Mines some hundreds of them were sent to cut capers in the Air yet the Turks forced by their Commanders like Moles continued there working under ground where many of them dug their own Graves never more appearing above ground for being countermined they were overwhelmed with the blasts of Powder and dreadful Wild-Fires prepared by Castellan the most expert Enginere in the World for that purpose yet the Turks with their stink pots which flaming they threw into the works so infected the Air with noisom vapours that long it was e're it could be purged with the burning of Juniper-wood and Aquavitae During these dayly rancounters arrived the Auxilarie Galleys from the Pope and Maltesians commanded by Prior Bichi and Bali Del Bene as likewise the Galleys of Naples and Sicily Commanded by Gianettino Doria and the Duke of Ferandina but such was the Cowardise of these Commanders which they imputed to the straitness of their Commission that they durst not come on shoar nor at the instance of the Marquess D' Villa send him so much as a man except such renowned French Voluntiers as would enter the City not being under their Command amongst whom was the Cavalier D' Harcourt of the House of Lorrain who did singular service by his Valour and Conduct nor did these Galleys ought at Sea but after some time coasting the Island ingloriously returned home to theirs and their Masters Infamy These things happening the Signior Giavarina surrendred his charge of Captain of the Galleys to Signeor Pasquelino and by the order of the Senate went again to Constantinople and from thence passed over to treat with the Great Visier about a truce but nothing would be consented to unless Candia was delivered whereupon he generously scorned to treat further though the Visier desired it and appointed a place for that purpose which so inraged him that he commanded the Mines about Panigra to be sprung and a furious Assault to be given but it proved unsuccessful by the great slaughter of the Turks whose bodys filled up the ruines of the Mine At the end of July arrived Six Hundred Foot under the Leading of Ottanio Alba a Noble Venetian bringing with him likewise Twenty Thousand Ducats who entring the City was joyfully received during which spaces the Fights between the Miners under Ground were as bloody as those in the open Field so that the Men seemed to make war in the Grave nor were the Turks slow in placing their Mines to advantage especially one which taking Fire blew up part of the Half-Moon leaving thereby a passage Twelve Foot wide at which the Turks pressing to enter were miserably overwhelmed by the storms of shot that flew like Hail from the Flankers whereupon the better to make their approaches the Turks filled sacks of Earth and planted them near the Walls which the Christians with long Iron hooks drew away and left them open to the fury of Musquitiers who were the more incouraged by another supply of Five Hundred Venetians under the Command of Signeour D' Riva when on the Fifteenth of September the Christians sallyed and after a hot skirmish trained the Turk into the danger of a Mine which being sprung sent Three Hundred of them into the Air yet they continued the Fight very bloody and doubtful till at length the Christians retired under the Bastion of Betlem and the Turks with the shot from thence were beaten off On the Eighteenth they made another salley and trained the Turks into the danger of another Mine though not without some loss of their own their Captain being wounded and Ten or Twelve of them slain yet they again sallyed and sprung several Mines to the destroying of Six Thousand Turks whilst the Enginere framed an Engine to rid the Ditch of the Earth that the Mines had thrown into it but the Turks undermining where it stood blew it into the Air yet the Labourers with Baskets and Sacks supplyed its place and on the Twentieth of October a Mine of Forty Barrels of Powder was fired by the Christians to destroy the Enemies redoubts but on the contrary it burst through an old Gallery with such force as made the City tremble as if an Earthquake had happened and with the confused smoak stifled about Sixty Men. About this time the Grand Signior sent an Express to the Visier to send him an exact account how the siege was carryed on and what hopes there was of winning the piece sending him a Sword and a vest of Sables as a token of his favour to merit which and that the Grand Signiors Inquisitor might be a Spectator of the difficulty in winning the place he commanded a General assault the next day should be made upon Panigra which was carryed on with such desperateness that the Turks entered the Ditches but were soon dislodged by the Springing Mines which made them spraul by Hundreds in the Air and overthrew many of the Enemies redoubts yet the Visier not satisfied with threats and promises obliged them to renew the Assault which they did with such eagerness in hopes of great rewards that notwithstanding the undaunted courage of the Defendants Panigra had been taken had not the General given order for the blowing it up which was done with such a Thunder-crack from the breath of Seventy Barrels of Powder under a huge pile of stones that the Turks Camp trembled and in it perished Three Thousand Turks amongst whom were Three Bassas and many other of note This for the present astonished the Turks and gave a stop to the further proceedings of this Assault This proof gave evident Conviction to the Grand Signiors Inquisitor of the strength of the place and difficulty of the work and having been an Eye-Witness of what had passed returned with dismal stories of a cruel War reporting perhaps and it was related in most parts of Christendom that this was
the place where blood was spilt day and night where Gallant Men had forgot to sleep living in perpetual labours innur'd to intolerable sufferings and hourly dangers there being none secure in Church House or Street for Granadoes spouted fâ—â—e Cannons thundred out their Iron Globes Arrows and Stones fell like Hail so that there were none in that place but who quartered on the brink of the Grave Winter coming on Hostilities ceased not though their heat was somewhat abated and to the wonder of all men the Visier could not be perswaded to forsake his Trenches but proving when necessary he could to secure his Souldiers from the raging cold and prodigeous Rains he immediately dispatched Letters to the Grand Signeour and Divano to send him new supplies for that his Army was so wasted that of one hundred and fifty thousand with which he at first incamped not a third part of them remained adding that he was resolved to take the City or dye under its Walls which resolution was highly approved by the Grand Signeour and a speedy dispatch of Men Provision and Ammunition was made when to the Visier supposing to render the Officers of the City more negligent of their trusts sent to propose certain Articles of Peace and a flag of Truce but his design being perceived he drew in his hornes about which time arrived the new Proveâ—itor Bernardo Navi the other having been killed with a Musquet shot on the Fort of Panigara bringing with him five hundred Souldiers and Matteo Mattheus Serjeant General with recruits from the Pope as likewise three hundred Meddals to bestow upon such Worthies as should best deserve them Anno Dom. 1668. in the month of March a sharp ingagement happened between sixteen Venetian and twelve Turkish Gallies the latter not expecting such a number in those tho indeed they had been sent to surprize yet entering into a sharp dispute six of the Turks Gallies were sunk or taken and the rest much shattered escaped under the shelter of the night having lost most of their Souldiers and Commanders and soon after the Captain General of the Venetians lighting accidentally of six other Turkish Gallies took and sunk them all save one that run her self on shoar Spring being now come the Turks began to creep out of their Trenches having raised a Fort on the side of the Lazaretto which so offended the Port that there was no harbour or access for Vessels and the like they had erected on the other side near unto the Fort of St. Andrea which greatly offended Tramata another harbour on the left hand and in the night passing undiscovered of the Centinels they fixed a strong Cable to the Pallisado of St. Andrea and strained it so hard with an Engine erected for that purpose that they tore away several of the main beams heightned with which success they continued to advance their Lines on that side to prevent which the General commanded two hundred under the leading of Major Motta to sally out upon them which they effected with such expedition and secresie that they slew a great number of them and put the rest that were running the Line to flight overthrowing their redoubts and filling up Lines for which good service the General bestowed amongst them fifty Zechins and commanded the platform to be finished from whence with his Cannon he greatly annoyed the Enemy and having destroyed several Redoubts by springing of Mines sallyed about eight hundred strong and made great slaughter of the Turks driving them out of their Trenches Howsoever the Turks with admirable patience crept forward under the shelter of their Bastion running their Traverses cross the Lines till Maupassau an Engineer by springing several Mines put a stop to their proceedings But now what was the greatest loss to this famous City the Duke of Savoy whose subject the Marquess D' Villa was recalled him home his urgent affairs so requiring notwithstanding many overtures were made for his continuance but in obedience to his Prince he imbarked and left his charge to the Marquess St. Andrea Montbrun a Noble man of France with whom the Venetian Ambassador at Paris by order of the Republick had prevailed to take upon him the defence and protection of that deplorable reduced now almost to its ultimate crisis The new General established in his place of trust took a diligent survey of the Forts and Walls of the City giving such necessary orders as he conceived most convenient nor was his diligence without reason for the Turks dayly pressed nearer to the Walls of the City raising many redoubts with such expedition that they could not be destroyed so fast as they were raised though the Miners ceased not to use their utmost diligence and from them playing with their Cannon many brave men were killed on the Walls and amongst the rest Providetor General Nani and Francisco Bataglia Brother to the Duke of Candia were slain with Musquet shots The long continuance of this siege drew thither many Worthies and amongst others Monsier La Fuillade Duke of Roanez The Count of St. Pauls The Duke De Carderousse The Count D' Villa Maur and the Duke De Chateau Tiery who came accompanied with six hundred Men most of them Gentlemen of note to try their valour in the field of Mars who like so many inraged Lyons by their frequent sallies killed a great number of the Turks beating them through their Trenches and terrifying them at that rate that they scarcely durst make their approach but these men came not to stay but only to see the Wars and so depart which after good service done such as escaped did when in their places several valiant Souldiers sent by the Dukes of Lunenburgh and Brunswick arrived under ther leading of several valiant Chiefs of which Count Waldeck was principle who in a sally venturing into the Enemies Trenches too far received several wounds of which he soon after died Between St. Andrew and the Ravelin of Spirito where the Turks had planted a Battery of three pieces of Cannon and raised several Doubts a Mine of one hundred sacks of Powder was sprung which not only overthrew the Battery and Redoubts but vast quantities of Stones and Timber it carryed into the Air destroyed a great number of Turks in their Trenches and thereupon the Christians sallying put them into a great confusion dismounting and spiking up their Cannon but by the loss of the Duke of Candia who was slain by a Musquet shot much of the joy for this success was abated yet three thousand Turks were slain and amongst them the Bassa of Canea and Major General of the Janizaries This slaughter for a while greatly discouraged the Turks but in the end recovering breath they made a strong assault upon one of the Forts of St. Andrea and gained it pressing on to the Bastion of Sabionera to the West with a force of ten thousand men having the advantage of three batteries each consisting of then pieces of Ordinance and the next
night gave a general assault with all their Forces to the Bastions of Panigra Sabionera and St. Andrea together with the great Fort of St. Demetrius but the besieged were armed with all caution and vigilence against surprize and with that conduct and valour that they gave the Enemy three gallant repulses with much slaughter and confusion but yet this success was diminished by the loss of the Count de Maur an experienced Venetian Captain who after proofs of an invincible courage lost his Life in defence of the Christian cause but not long after the Marquess Cornaro and the Barron Spar arriving with a recruit of three thousand men as if they intended to requite the Turks last assault made so resolute and successful a sally that they killed about two thousand Turks amongst whom were divers Commanders of note About this time whilst the Grand Signeour was at Larissa news came of the near approach of the Excelleâ—â—ssimo Abuisse de Molino Ambassador from the Venetian Republique with Propositions of Peace but the haughty Turks before they would admit him to a nearer approach then a days journey would first be resolved whether or no he brought with him the Keys of Candia to which it was replyed by the Interpreter that he was not capable of giving them satisfaction in that particular being but a menial Servant to whom the secrets of State and resolutions of great men were not committed his office being only to render faithfully the words and sense of his Master and not to enter into the private thoughts and Cabinet of their Councils To which the Chimacam proudly and barbarously replyed That he should go tell his Master that unless he brought the Keys of Candia his head should pay for it and that he presumed not in person to approach nearer unto the Court So the Ambassador remained at a distance till he received orders to pass over into Candia there to treat with the Visier who weary of the tedious siege willingly gave him Audience hoping that he came to treat about a surrender of the City which in any case he desired as fearing notwithstanding his bravadoes he should be forced to raise his siege without success but he only offered Suda and a considerable summe of money which not redounding to the glory of the Visier by reason that might have been had ere the War began he would come to no agreement for the Ambassador insisted that Candia being maintained by the Armes of Forreign Princes it could not without their consent be surrendered but that all the rest of the Island should be the reward of their blood and labour and although the Visier afterwards proposed in lieu thereof the Venetians should have free Licence to rebuild Paleo Castro yet the final answer of the Ambassador was that Candia was capable of no conditions but what were imposed on it by force of Armes About this time the French King by reason of the many indignities put on him in the person of his Embassador recalled him without daigning to send another to negotiate his affairs at the Port which greatly amused the Turks as judging he intended to revenge the affronts received at Constantinople upon the Ottoman Forces before Candia as indeed in some measure he did and might have been the preserver of that important Bulwark of Christenaom to this day had not the Caprice of such as commanded his Forces sent there obstructed it About this time likewise the Earl of â—inchelsea Ambassdor for his Majesty of Great Brittain having had his Audience of the Grand Seignior at Salonica returned into England and was succeeded by Sir Daniel Harvy Anno 1669 The Turks finding a great cheat through their Empire by light and false Moneys introduced by the French Dutch and Italians for in Turky the Money of all Nations in currant to a certain value they complained to the Cadies or chief Judges who with the consent of the Grand Seignior called it into the Mint allowing no more for it than it was in true value to the infinite loss both of Turks and Strangers and soon after the Grand Seignior being greatly fearful that the people growing weary of his Government might place one of his Brothers in the Throne to secure any danger that way sent an Officer to the Queen-Mother under whose Tuition they were to demand their heads and bring them to him at Larissa but she upon sight of his mandate abhorring the Fact secretly gave notice thereof to the Janizaries to whom she had sworn the protection of the Young Princes which unexpected News blew up such a flame as had like to have turned all into confusion and wrote worse effects than any the Grand Seignior had before causelesly imagined but in the end with large promises and larger Donations the Tempest was alayed Spring approaching the Turkish Army which for the most part had layn immured all Winter twixt the Walls of earth crept forth as Worms out of the ground and again began to run their Trenches towards the Walls of Candia before which Mountains and confused heaps of rubbish and Mold lay which had been thrown up by the Mines and Frencellos which so loosned the nerves and pores of the Earth that all about it seemed hollow insomuch that light appeared often out of one Mine into another which gave either side frequent opertunities of stealing ponder out of each others Mines the Turks like Moles working still underground so that the strongest City in the World was rather reduced to extremity by such as knew no use of any thing but of the Spade and Mattock rather than by force of Armes for many were of opinion that all the Forces of the Ottoman Empire could not otherwise have taken it by this means being so near advanced that their Granadoes could easily be slung into the City they did great mischief wounding and killing many of the Prime Commanders and beating down houses in abundance when amongst the rest a Cannon shot fell into a Magazine of Fireworks and striking upon a Granado shell that was filled with powder fired that firing about a hundred more containing thirty barrels of powder which beat down most of the adjacent houses and did great hurt to the Garison and on the 28th of May the Turks sprung 5 Mines in the mouth of the breach they had made on the Fort of St. Andrea and pressed hard to carry it now weak and almost turned into a heap of rubbish which caused the Captain General the Marquess of Montburn and all the chief Officers to take up their quarters on that side The City of Candia thus in danger the Princes of Christendom were not slow in relieving it but above the rest Pope Clement the 9th Expressed his zeal for the defence of this place not only sending succours himself but inciting and stirring up others to do the like and mostly the present French King who was best able to send a strong power who was not wanting to comply for the defence of
the Christian cause who in order thereto raised seven or eight thousand foot under the command of the Duke of Beaufort near Kinsman to the King the Duke of Navailles the Marescaâ—s Lambert and Colebert with many others of note who were desirous to signalize their vallour in the Field of Fame who imbarquing on the Ships for that purpose prepared at Toulon arrived before the City of Candia on the 19th of July where fourteen Venetian carnals laden with horse attended their coming on which they were mounted and now began the hopes of the besieâ—â—â— to rise high and the Turks although within thâ— City in a manner to despair nor were the French slow in entering the City for the night of the same day they arrived the Duke of Navailles with the Regiment of old Souldiers Mounted the guard on the Fort of St. Andrea the place of greatest danger and the next day a council of War was called wherein it was concluded that the Town was not Tenable or to be long maintained without some extraordinary Enterprize attempted on the Enemy and by some furious sally performed with resolution and stratagems of War in order unto which it was resolved that the 27th should be the day for sally both with Horse and Foot an the Fleet not to lose their part in this action but should play their great Guns on that side next St. Andrea making as it were a Wing to the Army The Sally agreed on the Army was drawn up in four Battalions the first called the Admirals commanded by the Sieurs Martel Vander and Grauier the second was the Vice-Admirals commanded by the Sieurs deâ—la-Mothe and Planta the third was the Rear-Admirals under the command of the Chevaliers Bovillion Gabaret and Dailly the fourth was the Battalion of the Sieur d' Almeras commanded under him by the Siâ—urs Panetire de la-Rogne Fontier Bitault and the Chevalier de Nemond On the Left hand of these â—â—re the Guards of the Duke of Beaufort himself though thereto perswaded by all the Nobility not refraâ—ing to make one in the Enterprize who after he had given order for the Fleet to accoast the shoar on the side of St. Andrea as near as coâ—iâ—sted with their security and from thence with their great Guns to play upon their Enemies Camp he resolved to fight at the head of the Forlorn hope consisting of Four Hundred Men preceded by Fifty Granadeers flanked with Three Troops of Horse Commanded by Count Dampire and the Regiment of Guards with Four Troops of Horse for their Wing flanked with Three Regiments of Foot The reference consisted of the Regiments of Harcourt Conti Lignieâ—es Rosan Mont-Pesat and Vendosme flanked with Four Troops of Horse under the Command of Count Choiseul which placed themselves on a rising-ground to hinder all communications between the Visier whose Camp was before St. Andrea and the Janizaries Aga who was Incamped before Sabiâ—â—era between the first and second Line were placed Fifty of the Kings Musquentiers to be assistant on occasion and the other Troops of Horse were to take the left hand along the Trenches leading to the Sabionera The Regiment of â—â—oâ—peyrâ—â—x was appointed to mount the Guard of St. Demetrius to second the retreat if occasion required it in like manner Five Hundred Pioneers were ordered to level the Trenches of the Enemy on the quarter of St. Andrea whilst the Body of the Turks Army was imployed in repulsing the violence of the Sally All things being in a readiness the French about Two hours before day in the secretest manner imaginable sallied at St. Georges Gate the Signal to fall on being the springing of the Royal Mine which through the Dampness of the Powder or the timerousness of the Enginiere took not effect the General impatient of delay not staying for the onset of the forlorn-hope which lay within half Musquet shot of the Enemy assaulted two redoubts took them and put all he found in them to the Sword with the like courage the other Regiments entered the Line and after much blood and slaughter made themselves Masters of the Trenches storming a Fort on which was a Battery directed against St. Demetrio possessed themselves of it 〈…〉 up all the Cannon found therein at what time day appearing discovered the bloody Scene which caused the Turks to hasten from the Hills near New Candia in great number to regain their Trenches whereupon the Duke D' Navailles perceiving his forlorn hardly beset came in with Two Troops of Horse and two Regiments of Foot who with great slaughter beat the Turks out of their Trenches following the Execution even to the heart of their Camp but whilst fortune seemed thus to favour the Christians an unhappy accident fell out which quite turned the scale of Victory for a Magazine of Powder containing One Hundred Thirty Four Kintals being won from the Turks and possessed by the Christians accidentally or as some suppose by lighted Matches purposely dropped into it upon its surrender blew up with such a terrible noise that it not only destroyed most of the Battalian of Guards but terrified the rest of the Army by making the Earth as with a violent Earthquake tremble under them that they verily believing a great number of Mines were springing under them opened in great confusion to the right and left and in the end notwithstanding the endeavours of the Commanders to restrain them the Souldiers betook themselves to open and shameful Flight nor could they be perswaded to rallie or once more face the Enemy but in great disorder re-entered the City The Duke of Beaufort is said to have laboured much in resisting the shameful flight of his Men and ventering his Person into danger from whence he resolved never ingloriously to retreat was oppressed by Numbers and fighting couragiously amongst the thickest of his Enemies expired on the heaps but by reason his Body though much sought after could not be found many conjectured him to have perished by the fatal blow of Powder which so frighted and disordered the Christian Army nor had the French Fleet much better success for being driven from shoar by a strong Wind they little or nothing indamaged the Turks but received considerable dammage for a great Ship of Sixty Brass Guns blew up in which Two Hundred Ninety Two perished and her shot passing through the Admiral killed several on board and indamaged other Ships by the fall of her Timber and Splinters The Loss the Turks sustained is uncertain but however according to their own report Eight Thousand are said to fall in the Trenches Forts and Redoubts the loss amongst the French consisted mostly in their Nobility and Officers of note a fate incident to that Nation the chief of which were the Duke of Beaufort Count Rosan the Marquess D' Fabert the Chevalier Villereceaux and the Chevalier D' Quelas with about Twenty others all Commanders and a Thousand common Souldiers many of note were likewise wounded the Prisoners taken exceeded not Seven or Eight
Officers intimated to Sir John Finch His Majesty of Great Britains Embassador that he might if he pleased receive Audience of the Visier but upon notice what had happened to the French Embassador he excused his going on pretence of an indisposition of body But however Venetian Dutch and Genoan Residents were content the better to curry favour with the Visier to be admitted to Audience on those terms which the Visier would vouchsafe to allow them for though during the time he was Chimacam as is aforesaid he was meek and humble yet being placed in the highest dignity next the Sultan the unexpected Exaltation made him so far forget himself that his pride knew no bounds These things happening and no hopes of accomodation with Poles who by this time had Elected Sobieski for their King great preparations were made for the carrying on that War The Tartar Han in order thereto receiving express command to take the Field which early in the Spring he did and entering Lithuania committed many outrages but being incountered by Sixteen Thousand Poles and Cossacks his Army was put to the rout and in great confusion obliged to repass the Neister leaving behind him all the booty which consisted mostly of People and Cattle during which the Bassa of Kemenitz with a great Body of Horse made an Inroad even to the Walls of Leopolis which caused the King to send his Queen and Children to Cracow resolving to give the Turks Battle and in order to strengthning his Forces summoned all the Polish Nobility to repair to his Standard putting himself and such Troops as he had between the City and the Enemy the better to alienate the fears of the people who upon the approach of the Turks who burnt up all before them had fled and left the City desolate had not the Gates been closed upon them The Turks perceiving the great preparations that were making against them thought fit with such booty as they had gotten to retire into Vckrania but in their retreat were charged by the King with such bravery that Seven Thousand of them were killed and a great number of Captives rescued to their unspeakable joy They finding the Turks were resolutely bent to carry on the War and that the Kingdom was greatly weakned by the Provinces they had already rent from it the better to strengthen himself by Alliance by the Advice of the Senate sent his Embassador to the Court of the Czar of Moscovy to solicite Aid against the common Enemy who upon his arrival was received with great expression of Joy and due Ceremony being dayly heightened with fair promises to expect great matters but in the end nothing worth mention came on it yet it so wrought upon the Turks that for the better preservation of what they had already required the Visier began to be intent on peace but his propositions were so unreasonable that the Poles generously refused them and early in the Spring prepared to take the Field with a puissant Army yet could not so soon draw them together but that the Tartars living on the Frontires joyning with some revolted Cossacks committed divers out-rages burning about Two Hundred Villages carrying away a great number of Christians into miserable captivity whilst Podolia groaned under the oppression of the Turks who now turned their clemency into rigour killing and carrying away great numbers of these distressed people burning their Houses and robbing them of the small matter they had left in such a manner that that fruitful Countrey was layd almost desolate to oppose which Torrent the King drew out his Forces and by fair promises and large gifts procured Threâ— Thousand Cossacks to joyn him when passing thâ— Neister and falling upon the Straglers as they at pleasure were ravaging the Countrey expecting no such matter and killed Five Thousand amongst whom fell One Bassa and Two Sanziacks but upon notice the Tartars in great number was entered the heart of Poland leaving some of his Troops under the Command of Witnowitzki his Lieutenant General he posted to oppose them but upon notice they were Forty Thousand lead by Expert Turkish Commanders he drew near to Leopolis to encourage that City which otherwise terrified at the approach of so great an Army might have been deserted when finding the Tartars made divers halts having put a Garrison into the City and given such necessary orders as he thought convenient he marched towards them and having notice by his Scouts that they approached he commanded his Army to extend large in Front and the Wings of Horse to lie off that they might seem more in number than they were he resolutely descended from a small Hill into the Plain and after having thrice proclaimed the Name of Jesus at the Head of his Troop fell like an unexpected Tempest upon the Infidels insomuch that the Front of their Army was overthrown before the Rear could come up to their assistance which putting them into a great confusion when perceiving the reserves advance to charge them in the flank and supposing the whole power of the Kingdom at hand by reason of great shout from the Hills made by the Rustick set there for that purpose they first gave back and in the end betook themselves to plain flight casting away many of their Arms and Baggage to make the swifter retreat upon whom the Polonian Horsemen followed hard making great slaughter of them for the space of Twelve Miles but night coming on to prevent the pursuers from falling into any ambush that might for that purpose be layed the King caused the retreat to be sounded and returning to the City Victorious he was received with all expressions of joy and the next day commanded a publick Thanksgiving for the Victory so miraculously obtained In this Battle Ninety Thousand Tartars Turks Moldavians and Valachians were slain Seven Hundred taken Prisoners and a great booty recovered of the Poles fell only Seven Hundred their whole Force not exceeding Six Thousand The reasons were gathered from some of the Prisoners why the Tartars c. were so suddenly discouraged were two first for that about ten in the Morning of the same day making a Halt abundance of Snow and Hail fell upon their Army and round about them none was seen to fall which they took as a bad Omen Secondly that when they perceived the large Front of the Polish Army which extended near a Mile they verily believed it to be the fore-runner of the Forces of the whole Kingdom which they had heard were in Arms and therefore having so far advanced into the Countrey and left many Enemies at their backs they feared to be inclosed which occasioned their hasty and disorderly retreat These reiterated Losses and the desire the Grand Signior had to possess himself of the rest of Hungary whose divisions gave him a prospect of reducing it to his Obedience made him more willingly hearken to the proposals of the Polish Embassador so that in the end upon much the same Articles as those
his Person and make as it were his Guard being under the Command of the Aga of the Janizaries all of them attired in Linnen-Garments hanging down beneath their Knees and over them quilted Wast-Coats with half Sleeves of Taffety Damask or Sattin and on their Heads Caps and Feathers carrying Bows and Arrows There are another sort of Foot-men called Peiâ—â—i wonderful swift of Foot whom he imploys in the nature of â—â—â—qâ—ies or Foot-Posts being attired in Cloth of Cold with 〈…〉 of the same tyed fast about them upon their Heads wearing Caps like Butter-pots with a Silver Pike standing out before in the nature of a Horn. The Porters of the Court that give Attendance there are four thousand and are attired like the Janizaries having over them three Capigi Bassa's The Grand Seignior's Power is so absolute and his Government so tyrannical that his Subjects term themselves his Slaves none of them being sure of his Life or Goods beyond his Pleasure for without any Tryal or Process he puts to Death whom it pleaseth him unless restrained by the Souldiers who often rescue their Minions out of his Hands and oblige him to pardon them Their Sutes are few and those very short they rarely being permitted the Favour of Advocates to procrastinate Matters from coming to a speedy Result tho' commonly he who can bribe most fares the best For the Turks are of all Nations the most Avaricious doing no Man a Kindness unless they are fee'd though they have the least Certainty of any People to keep what they have gotten all as is aforesaid being at the Disposal of the Prince They punish Crimes with great Severity and so speedily that it is observed that seldom any Theft or Murther is committed by any private Turk but what Outrages do happen in the City or elsewhere are committed commonly by the Grecians and those that are not of the Progeny of the Turks The Grand Seignior's Chief Councellor is the Great Vizier who wears his Signet and is stiled his Lieutenant every Divano-day giving him an exact Account what is said and done Nor dare he dissemble in ought for that the Grand Seignior has a Window from whence he can see and hear and yet not be seen himself which Window looks into the Divano When this Vizier is abroad which never happens unless to be General of an Army or upon some such like important Occasion at what time he appoints his Lieutenant to officiate in his Absence who is called the Chimacham Next unto the Bassa's of which there are many dispersed throughout the Empire to manage the Affairs thereof are the Beglerbegs or Lords of Lords They are Men of great Authority and have the Command of great Kingdoms and Armies under whose Obedience are divers Sanzacks which are sent as Governors into Provinces during the Princes Pleasure being Men of great Experience for the most part commanding over the Spahi and Timariots the Turks chief Horsmen whom they continually exercise to render them the more expert The Chief of these Beglerbegs is the Beglerbeg of Romania or Grecia under whose Command are twenty one Sanzacks next to him is the Beglerbeg of Buda who hath under his Command thirteen Sanzacks The Beglerbeg of Temeswar has under his Command eight Sanzacks The Beglerbeg of Bosna hath under his Command nine Sanzacks The Beglerbegship of Coffe or Capha who resideth in Taurica Chersonesus and commandeth over the Sanzacks near unto the great River Tanais and the Fenns of Maeotis which was at first but a Sanzackship and depended upon the Beglerbegship of Grecia and is indeed rather a Beglerbegship in Name than in Power These Beglerbegs or Lords of Lords great Governours of the Turkish Empire in Europe besides the Sanzacks have under their Command 257000 Timariots or Horse-men who are bound for certain Lands alotted them by the Grand Seignior out of his Conquests to serve in the Wars upon all Occasions The Beglerbegs or Great Commanders of the Turk's Empire in Asia are thirty in number under whom are a proportionable number of Sanzacks and not less than 400000 Timariots The Beglerbegs commanding the Turk's Empire in Africa are four and have under them fourteen Sanzacks and sixty two thousand Timariots Besides these Timariot-Horsemen there are the Spahi who are for the most part Europeans being such as were brought up in their Infancy or taken Captive As likewise Spaâ—hoglanians Silictarians and Olofagians who have likewise Lands or Annual Pensions assigned them for which they are bound to serve in the Wars for no Man in the Ottoman Empire can have any Lands or Yearly Revenues that way but must be ready or send others in his stead it being held that the whole Empire in Fee simple is the Grand Seigniors No Man being permitted to buy or injoy any Lands longer than it pleases his Prince Nor can any one claim a Propriety to a Foot unless by the Donation of the Grand Seignior or his Assignment and that last at longest but during the Natural Life of him to whom it is so given or assigned These Horsemen march under a white Banner being armed with strong Coats Bows and Arrows Culeverings Scymitars and Battle Axes Another sort of Horsemen there are called Caripices not exceeding eight hundred who still ride near the Grand Seignior as his Life-guard in the middle of the Battalion of the Janizaries and are the best Horsemen accounted of all others being for the most part Sons of the Great Commanders As for his Foot Forces the chief Strength consists of Janizaries who are Children taken from their Christian Parents and inured in their Youth to all manner of Hardship taught all the Use of Arms and trained up in all Warlike Discipline till they are adjudged fit to be inrolled for the War These are taken up in Europe no Children born either in Asia or Africa being admitted into their Seminary These Men always inclose the Person of the Grand Seignior at what time he marches with his Army and are the last that fight unless urgent Necessity require it They wear white Caps carry Harquibusses and sharp Scymitars who since their first Institution have been the chief Supporters of the Turkish Empire but of late they are much degenerated from their former Discipline giving themselves up wholly to Ease and Pleasure yet keep themselves in good order for the most part There remains twenty four thousand of them in Constantinople and a far greater number in divers Places of the Empire They are commanded by their Aga or Captain to whom nothing is so fatal as their Love for him for then the Grand Seignior has him in mistrust and well is it if he be not made away They sleep together in great Halls their Beds being placed on either side and all those of a Squadron feed at one Table the Younger ever serve the Elder And if any one of them be absent from his Lodging in the Night unless upon publick occasion then is he the next day severely câ—dgelled and
Tower overthrew the mortars sallying out at the same time and making a terrible slaughter of the enemy who were advancing to the wall with a design to enter the new breach recovering from them a Bastion of which they had possessed themselves and cutting in pieces all they found therein This bad success making it apparent that the City was not so easie to be taken as the Visier had supposed he commanded Arrows to be shot over the walls with Letters fastened to them containing his admonition to the besieged speedily to surrender and receive liberty in their persons a free exemption of their goods and such treatment as they should desire but if they refused and held out obstinately till the City should be taken by storm or reduced by famine no mischief should be left unpractised that wit or horror could invent but this device not at all prevailed but rather induced the besieged to contemn the besiegers whose weakness thereby they the better understood as observing from former acts of the like nature they never capitulate underhand till they despaire of obtaining their ends or grow weary of the siege All this while the Duke of Loraine lay close in his Camp within sight of the City the better to incourage the besieged daily increasing his number and as earnestly expecting the Polonian King who had sent the Prince Lubomirskie before him with six thousand horse and daily Curriers passed between him and the Emperor who with the Court was retired to Pashaw there to expect the great event on which the eyes of all Nations were fixed The increase of the Christian Camp did not a little trouble the Visier who well knew that if he could not make himself master of the City before the King of Poland arrived he must be obliged to give battle or raise his siege and that if he miscarried in the former it would greatly redound to his disgrace if not hazzard his life by rendring him obnoxious to the Grand Signiours displeasure whom he had assured of taking the City whereupon to hasten the enterprize he spared not his men but thrust them on even into the mouth of slaughter swearing by Mahomet that in whomsoever he found the least mark of cowardise or neglect of duty he should be put to death and thereupon he commanded the Cannon from all the Batteries to play without ceasing but such was the care and skill of the Christian Engineers that they with their great shot dismounted divers of them overthrowing their battery and burying such as were there posted in their ruins yet having made two breaches in the wall one near the red Tower and the other not far from the Imperial Pallace he commanded five thousand Janizaries and ten thousand other souldiers to enter the Breach but Count Staremberg having drawn his chief strength on that side to oppose the Torrent although as men desperate they came on yet the besieged sallying out and coming to hand strokes by plain force drove them back killing about three thousand and recovering the Raveling and Counterscarp of which they had strongly possessed themselves yet in this sally five hundred of the Imperialists fell and two hundred wounded This hot dispute over and the Turks beaten out of divers of their Trenches they lay still for two days not attempting any thing when on the third the Visier sent to the Count Staremberg for a Cessation or a five days Truce to bury the dead whose noisome smells greatly afflicted his Camp with sickness but the Count returned for an answer that he had no need of a Truce nor would he accord to any upon which under the shelter of the night the Turks in great numbers approached the walls but being discovered by lights thrown out for that purpose the shot from the Flankers and Battlements gabled them so desperately that they were obliged to return two thousand less than they came on when upon their retreat three thousand of the Imperialists sallyed and did great execution whereupon the Visier storming and finding the greatnes of the loss he had at divers 〈◊〉 sustained 〈…〉 unsuccessful attempts repaired his Batterie and planted as near as he could his Mortars to the wall with which he threw divers Granadoes and Bombies into the Town freeing some houses on fire and killing 〈…〉 the inhabitants the which he continued all the 21 and 22 of July but by the extraordinary diligence of the besieged who still countermured the breaches repaired what was shattered and earth behind to keep the Bullworks from renting and the wall from shaking by the force of the furious shot the Turks at that vast expence of powder and shot were little advantaged The Duke of Loraine having received another supply of five thousand men part of the Troops of the Circle and certain notice from the King of Poland that he was advancing with all diligence he the better to encourage the besieged sent a Fisherman to assure them of speedy succour commanding him to give him notice of his safe arrival by setting up a blew flag upon the battlements of the Tower and that the besieged if they were in danger should set up a red flag and that rather then the City should sall into the hands of the Infidels he would without the King of Poland endeavour to raise the siege though at the hazard of a Battle nor was it long e'r he safely arrived by swimming over the Danubius and gave the first signal but so far were the besieged from giving the second that they encouraged thereto by their renowned Governour the Count d' Staremberg sallyed early in the morning and finding the Turks advancing their Mines fell upon them with such fury that they overwhelmed the Miners and beat the Janizaries who were appointed to guard them insomuch that the noise arose so great that the Grand Vizier not well assured supposed the Christian Army had at that time attempted the relief of the City and for his own safety caused him to draw up his Army in Battalia Things being at this pass the Duke of Loraine in his Camp where he lay had notice that a Convoy of provision and Ammunition was on its way to the Turkish Camp and arrived within three Leagues thereof whereupon he commanded out a party to intercept it who accordingly performed his desire killing and taking prisoners and putting to flight those Turks who guarded it nor was the booty less worth then forty thousand Dollars On the 24 of July the besieged made a vigorous sally with five thousand horse and foot and charging the Turks in their Trenches with much bravery and resolution drove them thence thereby recovering though not without considerable slaughter on either part divers redoubts of which they had possessed themselves firing the bavins and planks with which they attempted to fill up the Ditch in order to a storm which the next morning was intended but seven thousand Turks being sent to reinforce those that were routed they with fresh fury returned upon
the Imperialists to succour whom two thousand issued out of the Town at what time the fight was renewed and for a long time continued bloody and doubtful and most of the works the Christians had possessed themselves of were recovered the Turks still pressing on to enter the Town with the besieged but being within danger the Imperial Engeniers sprung a mine and thereby destroying about two hundred of the forwardest put a stop to the courage of the rest and gave fresh vigor to the besieged insomuch that again charging the enemy with the former courage and bravery they overthrew them far and near insomuch that five thousand were computed to fall during the action which carnage so infected the Turkish Camp that the soldiers dyed in great numbers which obliged the Visier to remove three or four miles further with the gross of his Army leaving onely a competent number to guard his former Camp and cover the siege The Elector of Bavaria according to his promise having raised an Army of thirteen or fourteen thousand men for the service of the Empire after having mustered them in the presence of the Emperor caused them to march directly towards Kremps to joyn the Imperial Forces resolving in person to follow them with all convenient speed when in the mean while General Dunwalt having notice that seven or eight thousand of the enemy were fallen into the upper Austria he strengthening himself with what Forces he could marched with all diligence to oppose their progress in which they made such devastation that the like had not been formerly known and such was his good success that coming upon them at unawares he put them to the rout killing a great many of them and rescuing two thousand Captive Christians whom they had taken in their progress as also recovered a great booty Upon notice of these and the like successes the Imperial Confederates hastned their quotaes to joyn the Army and for that purpose a Conference was held at Hasford on the 27 of July between the deputies of the Elector of Brandenburg the Bishop of Bamberg and Wittenberg the Princes of Hanspatch Bereith c. wherein it was resolved that the Troops of Franconia designed for the asistance of the Emperor should set forward on the second of August and that the Bishop and Chapter of Wirtzberg should for this service furnish out two Regiments of foot and that four Companies of the Guards of the Elector of Brandenbxrg over and above his Quota as likewise a Regiment of new raised horse should be imployed against the Turks under the command of the Velt Marshal Dorfling Fresh Troops daily arriving at the Imperial Camp and the besieged receiving new assurance of being suddenly relieved would by no means admit of any Treaty with the Turks but generously scorned their pretended advantagious proposals which not a little inraged them so that on the 30 of July they renewed their Battery with great fury against the Red Tower and Scotenburg Gate continually thundring against them for twenty four hours when having made two small Breaches they came on with great resolution but were by the sallyers as strongly opposed whilst the Cannon from the Tower Battlements and Flankers made such destruction amongst them that they retired in great disorder but whilst the Imperialists hotly pursued their own Cannoniers not discerning them from the enemy by reason of a great mist that fell about that time divers of them were killed by the great shot and scarcely was the mistake rectifyed e'r the Turks being seconded with six Regiments of Janizaries and Spahies returned upon them so that the fight on all sides was continued with great fury each being desirous of honour and victory but at length the Turks not being able to endure the Force of the Christians retired yet being commanded to a third assault and receiving fresh supplies from the Camp they again returned strongly possessing the works out of which they had been before beaten 〈◊〉 Count Staremberg accompanyed with divers Commanders and one thousand foot soldiers coming upon them so incouraged his weary men who had been in the heat of the action with little intermission for the space of ten hours that a greater slaughter then ever was made and in sine the Turks put to flight During these three assaults not less then eight thousand of the Besiegers were slain not fewer then three thousand of the besieged So that the Visier fearing the noisomness of the Carnage might oblige his men to forsake their Trenches again desired a Cessation to bury his dead but it would not be granted but rather the slaughter Increased by another sally the besieged made whilst their Cannon on the wall being skillfully mounted overthrew the Turks Cannon and ruined their new Battery against the Scotenburg Gate This great City in the siege of which the Turks have been alwayes unfortunate had not above sixteen hundred Garison soldiers in it the morning of the day wherein it was besieged and but lightly stored with provision but so providence ordered it that in the sight of the Turkish Army two great Vessels laden with provision coming up the River Danubius got into the Port safeâ—â— and the Garrison augmented by sixteen thousand horse and foot left there by the Duke of Loraine as he marched through the City in his retreat nor were the Burgers and Religious Orders less diligent in the defence thereof then the souldiers being by the women animated thereto but more especially by the unwearied example of their Governour who spared no pains nor labour being ever seen in places of greatest danger sacrificing his rest and safety to the Publick good of Christendom and preservation of his Country of which that great City is the only Bulwark and since money was mostly wanting he borrowed it of the Monasteries and Religious foundations promising to refund it with great interest if the City scaped falling into the hands of the Infidels or if it did so be it his Life and Liberty remained to him they should lose nothing By this time the King of Poland having mustered his Army under the walls of Cracovia and furnished himself with all things necessary divided it into two parts and by hasty Marches advanced to joyn the Imperial Camp now swelled big by the daily arrival of fresh Troops and longing to be in action which the Grand Vizier well noting used all diligence in running his Trenches chiefly trusting to his Mines many of which being successefully sprung ruined a great part of the outworks but such was the indefatigable endeavours of the besieged that they made them for the most part good e'r the Turks could enter and frequently by digging deep sounds laying pibbles upon drums and setting basons of water near the walls discovered their Mines which they countermining frustrated destroying the Miners in them for the most part or taking thence the powder Teckely imagining that the Duke of Loraint durst not adventure out of his Camp for fear of being attacked
by the Ottoman Forces he with twenty five thousand Turks and Hungars advanced towards Presburg with a design to besiege it of which the Duke having notice drew out a strong power and came upon him so suddenly that in great disorder he retired but the Imperialists falling in with his rear cut off six or seven hundred of his men taking a like number prisoners together with a thousand Waggons laden with Ammunition Tents and Provision as likewise burnt a great number of Boats and Casks brought to pass a branch of the River Danube sending after him the Prince Lubomirskie with the Polish Horse under his command to prevent his falling into Moravia who still cut off his rear so that from the beginning to the end of the action fifteen hundred of the Rebels and Turks were slain and taken prisoners with the remainder of which Army Teckely passed the Waag where the Turks separating from him returned to the Garisons out of which they were drawn yet the Duke stayed upon the banks of the River Merck two miles from Presburg till he had certain notice thereof when increasing the Garison of that City he returned to his Camp near Kremps where upon his arrival he had certain notice that the King of Poland was within ten dayes March of Vienna when to assure the besieged thereof he sept a person into the City who safely arrived there and thereby gave them great incouragement insomuch that sallying about twilight they mâ—â—e a terrible slaughter of the Janizaries that were lodged in the Counterscarp taking divers or them Prisoners who being strictly examined confessed the Turkish Camp was exceedingly weakened through sickness and want of provision but especially since the Convoy that was on it's way thither fell into the hands of the Imperialists During these Transactions a body of Turks aâ—â— Tartars fell into Croatia burning and destroying all before them leaving no manner of cruelty unpractised to oppose which Torrent the Vice-Roy gathered the strength of the Country and coming upon them at unawares put them to flight following the execution for ten or twelve miles Nor was the success of Count Leshly less against another party of the Infinels who greatly infested the Frontiers 〈…〉 Countrey of Moravia from whom after he had put them to flight he took 78 Waggons laden with the spoils of those Countreys and became the deliverer of divers Christians whom the Infidels were leading fast manacled into miserable Bondage The Duke of Loraine fearing by this time that the besieged were in some strait for that he had received frequent advice that the Turks pressed the siege with great resolution he to be the better satisfied sent another person into the City who in the habit of a Hungarian Rustick safely passed the Leaguers and under the shelter of the night swam over the Danube giving upon his arrival the signal agreed on and the same night returned with advice that the besieged were not as yet in any want either of men or provision though the Turks almost without intermission kept them in action but that which anoyed them most was the bloody flux of which thirty or forty died in a day The Turks having advice of the daily increase of the Imperial Forces now encamped at Enzesdorf nearer then before to the City of Vienna to the great incouragement of the besieged the more eagerly pressed the siege the Visier no way sparing his men but rather as a man desperately resolved rather to lose the whole Army than go whithout that City whose Keyes he had promised to say at his Masters feet He on the twelfth of August caused the Cannon from all the Batteries to fire upon the Scottenburg Gate and Red Tower commanding at the same time sixteen thousand Grecians Hungarians and people of other Nations subject to the Ottoman Scepter to make the Attack and enter the Breach by plain force promising a 1000 Sultanas to him that should plant the first ensign upon the Wall which so animated them that like men altogether careless of their lives they threw themselves into the Ditch where many of them were impailed upon stakes and although a storm of small shot and the loud mouths of eighty pieces of Cannon plyed them with fearful slaughter yet they pressed on and lodged themselves in the ditch but upon the besiegeds sallying and springing a Mine they were driven thence and although great scarcity raged in the Turkish Camp insomuch that horse-flesh was accounted dainty fare and an Ammunition loaf of bread sold at five Dollars yet the proud Bassa sent again to summon the Governour to surrender but the Messenger not being admitted to enter the City or parley with such as kept the outworks That evening a Letter from the Governour to the Duke of Loraine which the Turks had intercepted was shot into the City and another paper in it signed by the Visier admonishing the Governour timely to provide for his own and the peoples safety and not by obstinaâ—â—ly resisting Irritate the Grand Signior but this so little availed that in stead of a 〈…〉 in the Morning the besieged sallyed and 〈…〉 part of the Counterscarp of which the Turks had possessed themselves drove them 〈◊〉 and seconding it by springing a Minâ— which 〈◊〉 their Retreat most of them were cut in pieces yet in this action divers of the besieged fell The better to incourage the besieged a party of Imperial horse sent by the Duke of Loraine passing a branch of the Danube landing upon a small Island fell upon three hundred Turks put most of them to the sword and with inconsiderable loss on their own part returned with two hundred Camels laden with provision and other necessaries which good success was seconded with certain Intelligence to the King of Polands advancing with all speed and that for haste he with his horse was four dayes march before his foot as fearing the ill consequences that might happen by the least delay The Turks finding the time grow short in which they must of necessity win the City or fight a Battle they pressed the siege with more eagerness especially upon their receiving a supply of men and provision So that on the fourteen fifteen and sixteenth of August they advanced thei works in the Ditch and lodged themselves upon the point of the Ravelin form whence they had been before beaten gave two fierce assaults in which they were repulsed with great loss on either side and on the seventeen day being about to make another attack the Governour and Count d' Souches sallyed and having beaten them back ruined their works in the Ditch making a terrible slaughter of such of the Infidels as they found too sar advanced and then returning into the City with the Turkish Ensigns the ensuing day they made another sally wherein they beat the enemy from the point of the Ravelin which they had again possessed killing about three thousand of them in which Action Count Staremberg was wounded in the head with a
stone raised by a Cannon buller that fell three yards short of him and the Count de Souches received a hurt in his leg by an arrow from one of the Trenches yet like men devoting their lives to the service of their Countrey they pressed on couragiously animating the soldiers to pursue the flying enemy which they did making great slaughter and recovering almost all the works they had possessed till such time as eight thousand Janizaries advancing the Turks thereby encuraged returned furiously insomuch that the besieged not being able to stand the charge under the favour of the Cannon retreated into the Town where during the fally the breaches had been made good yet in this action they lost two thousand men and amongst them divers officers of note yet as men not dismayed finding still the Turks incroach they on the 22 sallyed again and finding the enemy had made great lodgments in the Ditch beat them thence and ruined their works and the better to hinder their approaches made several retrenchments within the Bastion which the Turks perceiving threw that day a great many Bombies into the Town which killed twenty men and fired six or seven houses playing very furiously from four Batteries and by this time having possessee themselves of divers small Islands in the River Danube as it were blocked up the City by water yet the Governour resolving to hold out the siege to the last extremity rather then to deliver the City or come to any capitulation he on the twenty sixth made another resolute sally in which coming to handy blows with the enemy and the fight continuing hot for the space of eight hours the loss was great on both sides yet in the end the Turks were beaten out of all their works and three great Mines of theirs being discovered the powder was taken out but so much Christian blood was shed in the action that the Garrison was greatly weakned and great was the want of Officers for since the beginning of the siege were slain one Colonel five Lieutenant Collonels thirty Captains and thirty eight Lieutenants besides divers that dyed of the bloody flux and were at that time sick insomuch that it was resolved not so frequently to Sally but use all endeavours to discover the enemies Mines and Subterranean Traverses and thereby defeat them and that it was convenient to give the Duke of Loraine notice of the strait the City was in whereupon the Count d' Starenberg wrote a Letter wherein he gave his Highness to understand as followeth The Copy of a Letter from the Count D' Staremberg Governour of Vienna to the Duke of Lorrain bearing Date August 27th 1683. I Cast my self at your Highness feet humbly to thank your Highness for the good Opinion you were pleased top express towards me in your last Letter Your Highness knows I am perfectly devoted to you and that I desire nothing more passionately than by my Humble Service to render my self worth thereof Since my last the Enemy have sprung six Mines in the Ravelin which after having repulsed them we presently repaired and still we keep our Retrenchment The Enemy have hitherto gained no more than a Lodgment on the point of the Ravelin We search above and under ground and have Countermined three of the Enemies Mines and sprung two Mines which had good Effect and would have had better were our Miners braver and more expert but being people that we are fain to get together any way it is impossible to make them re-enter the Mine if they hear the Enemy at work In the Counterscarp the Enemy have likewise sprung three Mines near a Retrenchment Palisadoes which we still maintain to cover the Caponiers we have in the Ditch and though the Palisadoes were in some places beaten down by the last Mine yet our men maintained the Post with their Swords in their hands until such time they were made good again and 〈◊〉 still keep it The Enemy have 〈◊〉 other descents in the Ditch one towards the Bastion Lebeland and the other towards that of the Court out of which our men under the favour of the fire we gave did in open day dislodge them whilst others commanded for that purpose filled up their works and burnt their Gabbons and Galleries so that they must begin anew But Sir it is time to succour us we lose a great many Men and many Officers more by the Bloody Flux than by the fire of the Enemy for there dies almost every day sixty of this Distemper We have no more Granadoes which were our best defence our Cannon are partly spoiled by the Enemies Battery and partly burst e're they had endured fifty shot by reason of the ill Temperament of the Mettal and the Enemy finding they cannot with small numbers lodge themselves in the Ditch make great Lodgments on the Counterscarp and keep a great number of men there to make Extraordinary Efforts For the rest it is certain the Enemy have lost and do dayly lose a great many Janizaries and that they have a great multitude wounded and no less number sick of the Bloody Flux which rages amongst them They have several Camps far enough from each other and may be easily beaten if they stay for Your Highness which I do not believe they will do They are not at present 60000 fighting men and one Camp may be beaten before it can be assisted by the other We expect your Highness with the greatest impatience but I not so much to be delivered of this Siege as to have the Honour to assure your Highness of the Respect which I am c. Postcript AT this Instant my Miners Informed me that they hear the Enemy working beneath them under the Bastion of the Court they must have passed the Ditch under ground and there is no more time to be lost This advice greatly alarmed the Imperial Camp not so much for fear as with a desire immediately to march and adventure the relief of the City at the hazard of a Battle whereupon the Duke assembled the Great Commanders in his own Tent laying before them the Danger the City was in and at the same time informed them that he was resolved to attempt its relief though at the hazard of Battle which resolve was liked by most though some there were who alledged that seeing the King of Poland was near at hand it was not safe to attempt any thing till both Armies were joyned and that it was better to hazard the City than the Army upon which the safety of the Empire depended Notwithstanding the Army had express orders to March and had set forward the next day had not advice in the mean while arrived in the camp from the Count d' Staremberg informing his Highness that he had discovered and defeated the great Mine under the Court Bastion and dislodged the Turks in the Counterscarp by successfully springing two Mines which had inabled him to hold out much longer then he supposed therefore he earnestly besought
Poland with his own Troops and such Imperial Auxiliaries as seconded him having broken and quite disordered the left wing pierced even to the flank of the right which the Visier perceiving and finding his Forces two weak longer to maintain the field fled with the formost whilst the Confederate Princes followed making great slaughter having the execution of the enemy even till night came on at what time they prudently weighing that the Turks as their custom is might Rally returned to charge the Turkish Camp in which were left almost all the Janizaries but the King of Poland breaking in with great fury after a hot encounter possessed himself of it putting such as he found there to the sword whilst the like success had the Margrave of Baden who perceiving the Turks Army in rout entred the Trenches and Works of which assisted by the besieged who at the same time sallyed he soon became Master cutting in pieces the Turks that were left to continue the siege and possessed himself of all the Cannon Mortars Powder and Granado shells entering the same evening the almost ruined City which was by sixty dayes close siege brought to such distress that the most couragious doubted to defend it against another assault which the enemy was about to make had they not been prevented for in it at the time it was delivered no more then four thousand five hundred fighting men were found and all the works so ruined that it was left in a manner open to the approaches of the enemy the Cannon spoiled the powder spent and the store of Provision brought to its ultimate Crisis This so great and memorable victory obtained over the daring Infidels on the eleventh of October and the City Vienna intirely lest at liberty all that night the Christian Army stood in Battalia in the enemies Camp to prevent any surprize and the next morning the King of Poland to whom the greatest share of plunder fell found besides the Tent-Moveables and horse of Caera Mustapha the Prime Visier the value of a Million of Crowns the greatest part thereof being in ready money nor did any souldier want to furnish himself with something there were likewise found 80 pieces of Cannon besides those on the Batteries three thousand Quintals of Powder and Provision sufficient for the subsistance of the Turkish Army for three moneths and immediately thereupon the Polish horse were sent out to pursue the flying enemy who upon their return brought into the Camp many prisoners some Camels laden with Tents and Provision and two great pieces of Cannon the one drawn by sixty the other by eighty yoak of Oxen having likewise cut off a considerable number of such as Marched in the Rear and pursued them almost as far as Alba-Regalis so that in this Battle the Turks lost ten or eleven thousand of their best men and by the bloody flux and fire of the besieged thrice the number The City of Vienna thus freed with the loss of not above three hundred Christians on the twelfth of October his Imperial Majesty who had resided at Passaw to give necessary Orders in all great and weighty affairs came to Cuisier-Newburg whither the Count Staremberg and the chief Officers of the Garrison went to pay their duty and were received with great respect when on the fourteenth the Emperor came up the Danube in his Barge and arriving at the Port Royal was received at his landing by the Electors of Bavaria and Saxony attended by their Guards By the Count d' Staremberg most of the great Commanders Magistrates c. the Garrison Souldiers being posted on the Bastion as they were during the Siege the Burghers in Arms and all the Cannon round the Town thrice discharged where his Imperial Majesty passing on took a view of the Bastion and other works ruined during the Siege and the several Retrenchments the besieged had made within the Town and so went to St. Stephens Church where Te Deum was sung after which he went to the Arch Dukes Pallace his own being so much indamaged by the enemies Cannon that it was not capable of receiving him where he gave Publick Audience and in the evening the Duke of Loraine arrived and was by the Emperor received in a most obliging manner and had a long Conference with him relating to the present war at what time the King of Poland sent his under Chancelor in his name to congratulate his Arrival and presented him with the Ottoman Imperial Standard richly Imbroidered and set with precious Stones to a great value the which together with two horse-tailes the usual signals of war amongst the Turks he found in the Visiers Tent as likewise the original Copy of a Letter signed by divers Hungarian Lords wherein they congratulate the Visier upon the successeful progresse of his Arms and encouraged him to undertake the Siege of Vienna and withal the Vice-Chancelor had it in charge to invite his Imperial Majesty into his masters Camp The day following the Emperor left the City and went to visit the Army which was encamped about 2 miles from thence the two wings reaching towards Ebersdorf and Laxemborough when coming first to the Bavarian Troops the Elector at the head of them saluted him with his sword and having performed his complements accompanied him to the Polish Camp where the King had drawn up his Army in Battalia at the head of which attended by the Great Marshal and divers Senators of Poland he advanced to meet the Emperor each approached the other on horseback expressing all possible demonstration of Reciprocal love and friendship and after a short interview the Emperor took a view of the Polish Army and then returned to Vienna whereupon the King of Poland decamped and marched to Wischa and was followed by the Imperial Troops under the Leading of the Duke of Loraine accompanied with the Electors of Bavaria Saxony c. resolving to strip the Turk out of his Garrisons in Hungary and now the Emperor as a signal of his love and respect to Count Staremberg made him great master d' Camp and the Magistrates of Vienna attributing their preservation next Heaven to his courage and conduct in recompence of so great service made him a present of two thousand Ducates and by a Publick act under their seal freed his house for ever of all Taxations or other duties to the payment of which it before was lyable The Grand Visier by this time having considered and well weighed the greatnesse of his loss and the excessive expence his master had been at in Levying and maintaining so vast an Army the conduct of which himself had undertaken ' promising at his setting out no less then the subversion of Austria Croatia Silesia and Moravia and now defeated without acquiring any thing memorable he greatly fearing his head must pay the price of his presumption the better to cast the blame upon another and thereby frame a plausible excuse he in a great rage sent to strangle the Bassa of
Buda which was performed in his Tent the Visier laying to his charge that he had basely and Cowardly suffered the overthrow of those Forces he was conducting to the Camp and had not afterwards taken timely care to recrait his Forces nor send provision and other necessaries to the Camp This Bassa thus made away one Hamet Chellif was made Bassa in his stead but long enjoyed not his honour for at the fight at Barkan he with divers other Bassas was slain as in the sequel of this History will appear The Visier having notice that the Christian Army had entred Hungary with a resolution to set down before some important place and that the Generals had eye upon Gran and New-Hassel he collected his scattered Forces to the number of twenty five thousand encamping near the walls of Stoel-Weissenburg but not thinking himself safe there retired before the Christian Army which marched with all diligence to find him out but the King and Duke having notice that the lower Hungary was intirely ruined and left desolate they repassed the Danube near Comora with a resolution to possesse themselves of Barkan 〈◊〉 Garison of the Turks covering the Bridg of 〈◊〉 and Pest over against Buda the better to secure their winter Quarters in the upper Hungary which the Visier mistrusting had posted there a body of ten or twelve thousand Janizaries and Spahies or Timarii whilst himself marched to Alba-Regalis to be at hand to joyn them in case they should be attacked and caused another small body drawn out of the Garrisons to possess the banks of the River Gran to hinder the Christians passing over But this letted not the progress of their Arms for the King of Poland by swift marches advancing a German mile and a half before the Imperial Army coming near Barkan the Turks came out in small parties to skirmish with whom and to attack the Garrison the King caused his Dragoons to alight who after some dispute caused the enemy to retire but their retreat proved only a design to draw the Poles into their Ambush for whilst the King furiously pursued six thousand Janizaries passing undiscovered behind a hill charged the Kings Battle so strongly in the Flank that piercing the Array they put it into some disorder the horse notwithstanding the King was present breaking rank and giving ground yet wheeling off he soon brought them to recover their order and continued the fight bloody and doubtful when being seconded by foot the Turks were slain in great numbers and about to fly had they not been reinforced by two thousand horse brought on by the Bassa of Buda who in the first charge was himself flain yet they obstinately maintained the fight which making the King doubt that the Visier with a greater power was at hand as having no certain intelligence of his march he sent an express to the Duke of Loraine to let him know he was engaged and to desire him to advance with all convenient speed which he did but not with such celerity as was expected by reason he had a long defile to pass but upon the first approach of his Troops the Poles retired to avoid the confusion they were falling into but being reinforced by six Regiments of Imperial Dragoons they again returned in good order and every where put the Turks to the rout following the execution to the Bridge of Barkan over which a few made their escape but the Bridge once broken and all hope of flight cut off they resolutely threw themselves into the River and their perished so that of the whole body a very small number escaped the sword and drowning unless eight hundred that were taken Prisoners amongst whom was the Bassa of Silestria and the Bassas of Buda and Aleppo fell amongst the slain which were not computed less then ten thousand upon which defeat the Garrison surrendred upon discretion in which was found a rich booty containing part of the spoils of Austria Croatia and Moravia In this Battle fought on the 9 of October thirteen hundred Poles and one hundred Imperialists fell the King himself was much indangered by the enemies shot and Prince Alexander his son had his horse shot under him none of note being killed on the part of the Christians but Kirotski a Polish Palatine This second overthrow greatly discouraged the Visier who was advancing to joyne this body but upon the news of the defeat he in great perplexity retired to Belgrade there to expect new supplyes whilst the King and Duke after thanks for this unexpected Victory returned to Almighty God kept on their way to Gran beating the stragling partyes appointed to let their passage and on the 18 of October coming near the City sent out a commanded party to burn the Suburbs the which after a hot dispute which such Turks as sallyed to prevent it in part they performed and thereupon prepared formally to besiege that important Garrison which no doubt will fall into their hands And now Tekely finding the ottoman sword too feeble to maintain his usurped Title and support him in his Rebellion sent his deputies to the King of Poland earnestly to implore his mediation with the Emperor to pardon his past offences and accept of his future obedience but that king not finding him real in his intentions refused to meddle in that affair And thus much Reader have I thought fit for your satisfaction impartially to recount and conclude with my hearty prayers to Almighty God that as the Christian Arms have been of late successful so may they continue till the haughty Infidels by sad experience know that the crucified God whom they impiously contemn blaspheme and revile is not only able to deliver his people from their merciless cruelties but in his just displeasure to break in pieces their aspiring Monarchy with a Rod of Iron FINIS