elsewhere vsed the like crueltie Amongst such miseries there happened one extreame and vnnaturallaccident the like whereof was neuer heard before and this it was that the poore and wretched mothers buried aliue their sucking Infants for feare themselues should be discouered by their crying and they poore babes dyed whilst their mothers being in no better saftie dispersed themselues heare and there to auoyde the tyrannie of the Infidels The enemie proceeded euen vnto the lake of Balator and in passing by they fired the citie of the fiue Churches which was all burnt onely the Castell and the faire Temple reserued Whilest the execution of this vnfortunate Battaile and of all those which we haue recited was in doing the Vayuode was almost at Segedin with all the forces of Transiluania who not being able with all his troupes to march with that expedition as he would and desiring notwithstanding to be at this battaile which as he vnderstood could not in any sort be deferred he being in a swift and light Coach and followed with few men in the like wagons went in the greatest haste he could to seeke the King Counte Christopher was also arriued at Zagrabia One part of the Bohemians which came to succour the King were about Iauerine and the rest were not farre from Alberegalis George Marquese of Brandenburg and the Chauncellor of Bohemia named Adam Newhuis were about the same quarter The Queene vnderstanding this vntimely newes of such an vnfortunate ouerthrow suddenly retired her selfe with the Bishop of Vesprimia Alexis Thurson and the Popes Nuntio to Poson which the Hungars name Presburge and transported the best and richest of her mouables by Danubius not yet knowing any thing of the death of the King her husband These moueables and other goods which appertained to the citizens of Buda were rifled and some of them staied by Andrew Orbancz who commaunded the Castle of Strigonium which at this day is called Gran. Neuerthelesse he that writeth this historie and reciteth this vile and infamous outrage doth greatly erre when he added to it that certaine of his light horsemen who are commonly called Vssarons behaued themselues towards the Queenes maides otherwise then their honours required for that in a meriment they put off their shooes to daunce with them The Emperour Soliman soiourning there a certaine time where the battaile was fought and after hauing reunited together all his companies the which he had sent here and there to ruinate and spoyle the countrie set forward towards Buda and there within sixe or seuen nights hee arriued himselfe marching along the shore of Danubius fiering all the townes boroughes and villages by the which he passed He found this towne forsaken of all the garrison and caused it to bee fired not any thing being exempted from the violence therof but the Castle and the Kings stables and the house of wilde beasts From thence the Turke sent many horsemen to spoyle and rob the countrie on this side the riuer They put all to fire and sword whom they met betweene Danubius and the Lake of Balator euen vnto Iauarine The Castle notwithstanding of Strigonium was cowardly left by Andrew Orbancz of whom wee haue spoken before neuerthelesse it was valiantly defended and preserued by a man of base and seruile condition and who a little before lead to the warre the footmen of the Chapter of the great Church of the towne called Mathieu Nagh he being retired thither with a few men The Fortresse of Vissegrade wherein the royall Crowne was alwaies kept was also saued by the Peasants and Friers it being forsaken of the souldiours so greatly was euery man amazed at the Turkes comming vnto Buda These strong places which we haue noted together with those of Thata Comora and Alberegalis were not forced of the enemie for that he I know not by what counsell did content himselfe onely to spoyle the countrie and little respected to assaile the Castles and strong holds As these Barbarians did exercise their enormious cruelties in euery corner so there was no place in Hungarie where they had more resistance then at Maroth by Strigonium This was a fine place of retyre and pleasantly seated belonging to the Archbishop of Strigonium situated in the midst of those Forrests which we name Wiertesies with which it is compassed about Into the said place certaine thousands of Hungars retired themselues with their wiues and children trusting vpon the straight and narrow passages which were strongly shut vp With those the enemie often came to handy strokes and alwaies they receiued the worst and were put to the foile In the end the Turks seeing by no meanes they could force the barracado which the Hungars had made with their wagons they were constrained to bring thither their artillerie by meanes wherof al those wagons other such defences were broken ouerthwrone to the ground and almost all the people put to the sword The great heapes of bones which is to be seene at this day in that place doth sufficiently witnes the greatnes of the massacre the which as those few reporte that escaped was 25000. persons one and other And he who would account the whole number of those which had bin slaine violently put to death retained prisoners or that remained in captiuitie I dare well affirme according to that which I haue vnderstood they were wel neere 200000. That part of Hungarie on this side the riuer from the mouth of Drauus vnto Iauerine being thus spoyled and harried with the Infidels as wee haue said not without the great astonishment of the neighbour countries adioyning others further remote and euen of those of Vienna Soliman also causing a bridge to be made ouer Danubius which reached to Pesthe the 14. day after hee was arriued at Buda transported his men to the other side of Hungarie where he made the like waste as he made on this side The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE HISTORIE OF HVNGARIE THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND BOOKE AFter that the Hungarians were thus ouerthrowne Solyman inuesteth Iohn Zapoly who was Vayuode of Transiluania in the kingdome of Hungarie and then he returned to Constantinople whereupon Ferdinand of Austria pretending title to that kingdome and seeing he could not obtaine it by peace entreth thereinto with a great armie and Iohn forsaketh Buda and retireth into Transiluania is pursued by Ferdinandoes forces and ouerthrowne who then flyeth into Polonia and Ferdinand is crowned King of Hungarie Iohn seeketh aide of Solyman who vndertaketh his defence whereupon Ferdinand sendeth to Solyman for peace but he denounceth warre against him and entreth into Hungarie with a puissant armie who taketh Buda and Altenburg and besiegeth Vienna from whence he is repulsed and discouraged by the gallant exploytes and resolution of the assieged and in the end retireth from thence Many hostilities passe betweene Ferdinand and Iohn and after an agreement made betweene them Iohn dyeth and left a sonne named
Nuntioes consent Certaine summes of money were also demaunded of the Abbots of the gouernours of townes and of the corporations of Villages who said they were free and the like was demaunded of the Saxons the Transiluanians and the Iewes In fine they did on euery side so seeke out money the sinewes of warre that within few daies was collected no small quantitie of treasure During this time letters were daily brought messengers came aswell from the Archbishop of Colocense as frō the Vayuode of Transiluania by which vpon their knowledge they assured that the Turke approched neere vnto Belgrade and that part of his armie which marched before had alreadie passed the riuer Sauus The King and his Councell vpon this vnwelcommed newes hasted all things and principally to defend the passage of Drauus seeing the passage of Sauus could not now bee hindered But seeing that wee must often make mention of the riuers Sauus and Drauus and of other places it is necessarie that we describe the situation of Hungarie and amongst others the parts and countries by which the enemie directed his course against the Hungarians and by which they all marched towards him and wherein battaile was giuen All Hungarie which for certaine is now held to haue receiued this name by the Hunes or Hungers a people come out of Scithia who there made their aboade is parted and diuided in two by the insition of Danubius which is the greatest riuer in Europe taking his originall in the forrest of Martian nigh the towne of Vlmes and so making his source ouerthwart Germanie By this diuision Hungarie doth part it self into two parts whereof the one is on this side the riuer and the other beyond and we write it as if we were at Buda which is the capitall towne of the kingdome That part on this side the riuer is anciently called Pannonia and is separated from that which we call beyond the riuer by Danubius by Austria Bauaria and the skirts of the hill Cecien The riuer Drauus separateth it from Slauonia and the riuer Sauus from Bosnia and Rascia For along the riuer of Danubius drawing towards Belgrade euen vnto the mouth of the riuer Sauus doe these three goodly countries stretch themselues that is to say Walko Posegan and Sirmia which are named Counties and which do part Hungarie from Slauonia The principall towne on this hither part and side of the riuer is Buda which is the capitall seate of the kingdome The most noted townes of fame are Alberegalis recommended in respect it is the place of Coronation and sepultures of the Kings Strigonium which holdeth the Metropolitane place Fiue Churches which is a Bishops seate Besides there are Sopronia Iauerin Sabaria and Stridon which last is noted to be the place where S. Hierome was borne and in that last sauing one Saint Martin tooke his birth Besides the riuers of Drauus and Danubius there are others worthie of note There bee also two great Lakes of speciall note named Balator and Freton one of which is about thirtie miles long but the other not being so long hath a more large compasse When you haue passed and ioyned aboue Drauus you shall enter into Slauonia which in that quarter doth coast this hither part beyond the riuer which of ancient time did make part of high Pannonia going along the side of Hungarie vnto the riuer Sauus passing yet further it doth stretch it selfe euen vnto the riuer of Hune vpon which Croatia bordereth and is adioyned vnto Dalmatia lying along the Adriatique sea part whereof is vnder the obeysance of the Venetians and part vnder the Turkish gouernment and the lesser part thereof is subiect to the King of Hungarie The Bosnians and Rascians who in times past haue been called high Missians doe possesse the countries which are within the same and are further from the sea The principall towne of Slauonia is called Zagrabia That of Croatia is now called Bigihon and in times past it was named Fumium That part of Dalmatia which doth obey the Hungers hath for the chiefe towne Segnia Bosnia hath Iaycza And that of Rassia or Seruia hath Belgrade And such is the situation of Hungarie on this side the riuer and of the countries which are betweene Danubius and the Adriatique Gulfe As for the other part which is beyond Danubius that is by the hils Carpathes which begin aboue Poson and by a long soyle stretch themselues vnto the Euxine Sea separated from Morauia Sclesia Polonia and Russia vnto this Prouince which we name Maromarusia in which the other mountaines and forrests aduancing themselues towards Seuerin doe seuer it from Transiluania and from Valachia Transalpina This furthest Hungarie is watered in the midst of it by the riuer Tibiscus the which of al those that are in that North part doth most abound in fish It doth spring from the mountaines Maromarusians and besides many other lesser streames he receiueth into him the riuers of Zamosse and Marosse comming both from beyond Transiluania In this part of Hungarie are seated towards the North these most noted townes namely Poson Tirnauia Trincin nigh the riuer of Vagus which glideth towards the I le of Comar falling into Danubius Nitria Bistricia with certaine others situate among the mountaines wherein are the Mines of Siluer and Copper Besides there is Vacchia Pesthe which is right ouer against Buda Agria Cassouia and certaine others of the Countie of Sepusa Towards the South are seated those of Colocia Bacchia Zegedin and beyond the riuer of Tibiscus Varadin Debrecin the Ladies brooke with the Mines of gold and siluer Chenadin and the Fortresse of Themesuar which is a gouernment that possesseth the third place among al those of the kingdome Seuerin is in the same preciuct where one may see at this present the reliques of a bridge built by the commaund of the Emperour Traian and many other townes which for the breuitie of this historie I will omit Tibiscus doth mingle it selfe within Danubius neere to the towne of Titulia seated on the other side vpon the shore not farre from Varadin Peter On the other side of these mountaines which wee haue said to extend themselues from the hils Carpathes vnto Seuerin is Transiluania the which in former time did make a part of Dacia and for this cause it was anciently called Pannodacia a name compounded of Pannonia and Dacia and at this day it is commonly called by the Hungars Ortell The principall towne thereof is Albe-iula so called of Iulius Caesar or rather of Hijula Prince of the Huns. Besides this towne there bee others which are rich and wealthie namely Sibinio Brassouia Colosuar Bistricia and many other founded and built by the Germanes whom we call Saxons There doth also inhabite in this Prouince Sicilians who are a people austere stoute and warlike they haue not any
reioyced But when newes was brought how the Turkes lead captiue more then 60000. prisoners that all the villages and houses in the champion were burnt and ouerthrowne their ioy was presently turned into sadnes beholding with great compassion all the fields to bee disfurnished of men â—easts trees and houses not any remayning to till the ground which miserable spectacle gaue occasion to euery one to lament and sigh bitterly The great Turke being arriued at Buda and willing to performe his promise which he had made confirmed Iohn King of Hungarie with priuiledges written in letters of gold and inuested him in his kingdome calling him his friend and vassall of his house leauing with him Lewis Gritty to aduise and ayde him in all necessarie things and to be an assistant to him in his kingdome And after proceeding on his way with tedious iourneys by reason of the vehemencie of the winter which with snow and frosts was alreadie at hand at length he arriued at Constantinople where with great reioycings and triumphs he was as well receiued of his subiects as if he had conquered all Austria Now after that Lewis Gritty had soiourned a certaine time with King Iohn in the administration and gouernment of the kingdome of Hungary he was called home by Solyman He attained to this honour by the meanes of Abraham Basha a speciall friend of the Duke his father through whose friendship he was so conuersant with the grand Seigniour that one day he inuited him to a feast at his house vnto whom the said Seigniour vouchsafed him the fauour to go the rather in respect of the haughtie spirit and deepe iudgement in all things which he knew was naturally grafted in him in regard of which he had oftentimes sent him to execute great enterprises as this was one wherein he vsed such marueilous wisedome and great expedition and carried himselfe so indifferent to all that his greatnes was not enuied of any one Now the cause of his calling to Constantinople was only to discourse with him of many matters which were of no small importance which when they had aduised vpon he was presently dispatched againe into Hungarie to his charge with ample commission and great authoritie being among other things commanded to remaine at Buda and with his vttermost abilitie to maintaine in those quarters the glorie and renowne of the Ottoman house charging him to bee continually present at all the Councels which should bee held as well for warre as for peace the grand Seigniour furthermore not minding that they should alter any thing in that kingdome whilest he was absent in making warre against the Persians Moreouer he was commanded to enquire if the report which was bruited were true namely that Iohn at the instance and request of the Hungars would accord with Ferdinand and haue peace with the Germanes and Bohemians who continually made incursions into his countrie vpon these conditions that as long as he liued he should peaceably enioy all Hungarie and that after his death he should leaue the possession and all such right as he could any way pretend therein to the children of Ferdinand as we shall hereafter more at large treate of At the time when Solyman went into Armenia Gritty arriued in Valachia hauing for his conuoy certaine Turkish horsemen and companies of Ianisaries and those of the grand Seigniours guard sufficiently tried with some of his owne familiar acquaintance and other Italian companies who of their owne accord being well armed followed him and he had also with him two famous Hungarian Captaines namely Vrbain Batian and Iohn Doce with their companies they in all making about 7000. men as well horse as foote He was besides in outward shew for warre well furnished with Camels Mules Horses cattell and other munition for the seruice and reliefe of his Campe. And with this traine which rather seemed an armie he caused great suspition as well among his friends as his enemies and before he departed from Valachia he made peace with Peter Vayuode of Moldauia who before was made Solymans friend he hauing sent vnto him many rich presents to request his fauourable assistance for his going into Hungarie and to ayde him with men and victuals and with all other necessaries which he stood in neede of vntill he had accorded the strife of Ferdinand for the loue of whom he vndertooke this voyage This league being confirmed by oth of either side Gritty thinking himselfe to be sufficiently strong in those parts to manage such affayres at his pleasure entered presently into Transiluania causing open proclamation euery where to bee made through all the prouinces of Hungary belonging to the Emperour Solyman that all the townes Comminalties and Lords of that kingdome should haue recourse to him as an Arbitrator and Lieutenant for all the prouinces of Hungarie for the grand Seigniour and as the sole Iudge of all their debates strifes processe and discords But this did not greatly please King Iohn and it was afterward the cause of Grittys fall At this time liued Emeric Cibacchy Bishop of Varadin and Vayuode of Transiluania a man who for his noblenes puissance and vertue was very famous among his people being in regard of his calling the second person next the King Against him Iohn Doce bore speciall hatred and open malice for receiuing a blow of him with his fist vpon the nose about a certaine question and controuersie moued betweene them He vpon the bruite of the comming of Gritty to Bresouia made no such haste it may bee as Gritty expected he should haue done in respect of the honour he looked for but making slow speede it thereby seemed that he little regarded those whom the grand Seigniour had sent which made him odious and displeasing to Gritty who sought nothing more then to increase the authoritie which he had and to make it appeare how greatly aboue others the Transiluanians had honoured and reuerenced him Vpon this a common opinion went that Emeric vsed this manner as beseemed a good Christian being greatly displeased in his heart to see the Turkes in his countrie where they neuer came before and that he should consent to open to them a passage whereby they might haue more ample knowledge of the store of townes boroughs and villages of the infinite number of horses of the fertilenes of the land and the fat pastures which are therein by the which they might bee inticed in time to make themselues masters thereof But all such opinions were in the end found false for that without any suspition he went as a friend to receiue and visite him When Gritty was alreadie arriued at Bresouia and that from thence he meant to goe to Megest where he was by many messengers informed that Emeric would come to see him and that he marched well accompanied being lodged but fiue miles from him with a great companie and furnished with many troupes of Caualarie all the chiefe of the prouince
among themselues before their retraict to enter into Transiluania The Queene imagining nothing lesse then of the euill which might ensue of their proceeding forward and fearing that it would happen to her during the peace which had not chanced to her during the time of warre to wit to bee absolutely depriued of her kingdome sent with all expedition to the Frier to informe him that he should vse some present meanes to preuent this inconuenience and to endeuour himselfe with all expedition that these forces might returne into their countries and that she might not neede to send them any presents whereby they would the willinger retire The Frier little respecting her request did not greatly busie himselfe about it but answered coldly that they should cause them to returne who were the cause of their comming and as for presents he was not accustomed to send any to the Turkes but onely to Christians And although he made so seuere and obstinate an answere to the Queene to vexe her the more shewing his peruerse nature yet neuerthelesse did he not omit although it was in vaine to attempt that which the Queene had commaunded him But neither the Basha nor the Vayuodes made no great account of his words nor gifts but still came marching on desirous with their armies to enuiron and subdue the kingdome Vpon such obstinacie of theirs Frier George seeing it was not behoouefull for him to omit any time presently leauied his people at Torde and Egneth which are two great townes of Transiluania and instantly thervpon gaue commaund to all the prouinces of the countrie that euery one should betake himselfe to armes for the common good and defence of the countrie for that the Basha of Buda the Moldauian the Transalpinian would euery one enter vpon that side next adioynant to him and spoile and ruinate the countrie He so diligently applied this busines that within few daies he had gathered together 50000. men with whō he went to Sassebesse that from thence he might march against the Basha of Buda of whom by reason he was a good souldiour and experimented in the warre although he had fewer men he had more dread then of both the other who were not reputed to be so expert souldiours This Basha arriued with his Campe almost at Deua a Castle of good strength situated vpon the riuer of Marosse which is one of the principallest riuers of that countrie When the Frier dislodging from Sassebesse began to march against him he dispatched vpon the way Iohn Chendy a man of good regarde and of a noble house among the Hungars with a good troupe of horse and foote against the Transalpinian to defend and stop the passages whereby he must of necessitie passe if hee would enter into Transiluania and also to hinder him that he should not ioyne with the Basha Chendy diligently proceeding on his iourney and gathering together of the next townes besides the number which he brought with him almost 4000. men arriued priuately with them hard adioyning to the enemie where they were as they thought securely incamped without any feare and being assured by certaine Spies what forme and order they held he appointed his companies to bee stretched forth at large and so gallant was the shew that they appeared to bee infinit and about day breaking he began to assaile the Transalpinians with great noyse of Trumpets and Drummes that with the number of men whereof they were greatly afeard and the long troupes of their enemies which descended from certaine hils ranging themselues in battaile they seemed thrice as great as they were they verely thinking the Frier had been there in person with his whole armie whereupon their hearts presently fainted and they by no meanes would attend the issue of the battaile but disbanding themselues they began to flye and with such disorder that Chendies souldiours taking courage and following the victorie pursued them so nigh that in this confusion of slight they killed more then 5000. and tooke as many prisoners bringing with them from their chase 3000. horse and many Ensignes By this victorie Chendy so terrified the Transalpinian that flying from this ouerthrow through the cowardlines of his people he drust not in a lōg time after take armes against the Transiluanians The enemie being thus chased on this side the countrie he incontinently returned backe to Frier George inriched with many prisoners and so great spoyle as it was a woonder to see The Frier after he had dispatched Chendy against the Transalpinian at the same instant commaunded the Sicilians with all expedition they should repayre to defend their most important townes which they thought the Moldauian would assaile that they should fortifie the passages which naturally by the fauour of the steepy mountaines were very inaccessible and such that they might well defend with few men The Sicilians who naturally are ancient enemies to the Saxons being continually catching the one from the other seeing they must passe by Sassebesse a principall towne of the said Saxons and from thence with violence to proceede through their countrie leauing that honest regard which they ought to haue had for the defence of their countrie they proceeded on to a reuenge in such sort that as soone as they arriued at Robet they began to ransacke all the houses which belonged to the Saxons burning and ruinating the townes they passed by insomuch that they did not a little waste and endamage that people carrying with them all the bootie which they got Whilest they were thus occupied in such enormious cruelties they gaue leisure to the Moldauian to enter into their countrie and without any impediment to ruinate and pill their townes and in destroying and burning all their villages to turne all topsie turuie which thing to say trueth was iustly permitted of God to the end that in reason they might endure from their enemies the same calamities and miseries which so vniustly they had caused those to suffer who in consideration of common safetie ought then at the least to haue been reputed their friends Whilest the Sicilians and Moldauians practised these cruell exploites Frier George with tedious iourneys aduanced his Campe against the Basha of Buda hauing sent before Thomas Varcocce into the County of Varadine to gather what force he could as well Infantrie as horse with intent that if the Basha would perhaps attempt to passe the riuer of Marosse being receiued at the halfe passage he should assaile and fight with him before and behinde or else that hee should bee forced to retire halfe broken and ouerthrowne But the Basha also distrusting the same and being aduertised that the Frier came in person to fight with him and fearing that if he proceeded any further he imagined he might be as he well considered thereof surprised in the middest and charged in the rereward by the companies that were vnder the conduct of Varcocce assuring himsefe that he was deceiued by the Queene whereupon
were propounded before the King and the same it may be more necessary then profitable this Captaine turning himselfe towards the King said Most excellent Prince the vertue and force which may come by counsell is not then necessarie when the effect thereof must goe before mens opinions For this cause since our enemies are so readie to fight it is in like sort conuenient and that for two causes that we also prepare our selues to the combat The one is that wee ought to preserue your Maiestie safe and sound and the other that wee may maintaine our honour and reputation for it would bee imputed as a base and seruile thing for vs Hungars who are borne and alwaies accustomed to manage armes now to flye or refuse the battaile which the enemie offereth vs. And for this respect it behoueth vs both with bodie and courage to fight with our inuincible forces and especially now since the commoditie of further aduise is taken from vs the which would greatly haue besteaded vs in this affayre considering that either a memorable victorie must happen to vs or else a glorious death to all and so much the rather also as the necessitie of this war doth take away all benefit and commoditie of the time by the suddaine arriuall of our enemies and yet more then that considering that there is nothing lesse thought of thē the interest which the one and the other pretendeth to the gouernment and rule of this kingdome which cannot acknowledge two Lords and indeed demaundeth but one For these causes although the enemies far exceed vs in number it is necessarie that euery one fight for the glorie and renowne of his Countrie and for the good and quiet repose of the publike weale to the ende that it may not bee thought that we would flie the burthen and daunger of a Battaile and also we ought this day for the benefit and commoditie of euery one rather to hope for a memorable victorie by the point of the sworde then to saue our selues by a cowardly flight and if fortune be fauourable to vs we shall gaine a perpetuall peace or else in dying obtaine an honorable end considering the custome of fortune is such that among those who fight couragiously for the preseruation and defence of their Countrie she doth rather fauour them whose number is but small then those who are followed by thousands of souldiours These speeches being ended presently he began to forme and order his Battaile committing the right left wings to the Transiluanian souldiours and to the Caualary of the same Countrie as reposing greater affiance in them then in the other and he impaled himselfe in the midst of the Hungarish and other souldiours newly gathered together Opposite to these Battalions the Captaines of Ferdinand ordained their squadrons in forme of two wings giuing the right to the souldiours of Austria and to the horsemen of Bohemia and the left wing to the souldiours of Stiria to the horsemen of Carinthia and Valentine was placed in the midst of all with the royall Standard enuironed and followed of all the Hungars and Paul Bacchie a man expert in feates of war being wel acquainted with Turkish deceites with a good cōpanie of Vsarons who are like our light horsemen withdrew himselfe into a secret ambush where he might as he did suddainely assayle the hinder part of the Armie of King Iohn and according to the accidents of fortune annoy him At this instant the souldiours aswell on the one part as on the other without being requested thereunto by their Captaines were inflamed to fight and began now couragiously to march one against the other and after the Artillerie had interchaungeably played not being greatly offensiue to either part they incountred in such rude and fierce maner that the Stirians could not sustaine the violence of the Transiluanians but begā to turne their backes and their Caualarie to disperse here there But on the otherside the Carinthian men of armes bore the shocke force of Ference Bode his squadrons who were but fresh-water souldiours lately leauied and passed through them and brake their arraies In the meane while the Hungars aswell on the one part as on the other valiantly fought with equal art and industry force and courage none being able to iudge on which side the victory would fal and that with such obstinacie that there was sinall or no difference at al betwixt them in respect of their valour courage Neuerthelesse al the Hungarish Battalion of King Iohns was broken and ouerthrowne by the Bohemian armed men who came in to the skirmish At this alteration offortune Bode inforced himselfe to reunite certaine companies which were dispersed and againe to make head against the enemie and to pursue the battaile in executing of which he was suddenly surprised and enuironed by the light horsemen of Paul Bacchie who vntill then held himselfe in couert and there Bode was the second time broken and himselfe taken prisoner and all his armie defeated and cut in peeces and the royall Ensigne of Iohns taken with all the Artillerie and baggage King Iohn seeing fortune incline to Ferdinand and to bee opposite to him and all his armie ouerthrowne and that there was now no more hope left vnto him of any good tooke his flight towards the confines of Sarmatia which wee at this day call Polonia and the Conquerors ranging all ouer the countrie reduced Transiluania with the rest of Hungarie vnder the obedience of Ferdinand to whom was sent Ference Bode with all the Ensignes wonne in the battaile and many other persons of note whereof he receiued great content and causing the fidelitie of Ference Bode to bee sounded to see if he would forsake Iohns part and sweare alleageance to him But not being able to draw from him in any sort that he had a meaning to breake his oth and promise which he had giuen vnto Iohn he was in the end by his commaund sent prisoner to a Castle where in great penurie and not without a pitifull example of fortune and to the great ignominie of him by whom he was imprisoned he ended there his life hauing been a man of singular vertue and wisedome who well might haue been compared to any one of the ancient or worthie Captaines and one might iustly iudge that such calamitie was farre vnfitting such an excellent and worthie man Ferdinand obtaining this victorie and publishing at the same time a Diet of the Hungars to be held at Alberegalis was in like sort after the same manner as Iohn was with Anne his wife crowned King of Hungarie and that by the hands of the same Archbishop of Strigonium and of Peter Peren who had forsaken King Iohn who being brought into poore and meane estate was retired into Polonia he being entertained by Hieromic Lasky a mightie man both in possessions and also well followed in those countries who exceedingly reioyced at the arriuall of so great a
highly commended their ordinance The armie being certaine daies refreshed in this towne they all together continued on their iourney vntill they came to Zalnoch which is a Castle enuironed with water where for the guard and safetie thereof before he departed he left 50. Spaniards During the march of this armie and that they hasted to arriue at the place where Frier George was the Queene had published a Diet to bee held at Egneth which is one of the greatest townes of Transiluania there to deliberate and aduise what meanes was best to chase and expell the Frier out of that Prouince He at that time as wee haue said was at his Bishopricke of Varadine and vnderstanding the drift of the Queene and to what purpose she laboured omitting all things which then he was greatly busied about called for his Coach and in the greatest haste he could tooke the way that lead towards Cheresuania Vpon the way passing a little brooke which runneth by a valley it happened that his Coach ouerturned in such dangerous manner that if hee had not instantly been helped by his men he had there been drowned Certaine gentlemen of his traine ill interpreting this accident aduised him to returne from thence but hee smiling made them this answer That such diuinations as were grounded vpon Chariots were exceeding miserable knowing that they had in heauen another Chariot which by his influence would warrant him minding by his pleasant countenance to inferre that the Chariot of Erictonius placed in heauen should among other signes stand him in stead of a guide and so with expedition continuing on his iourney within short time he approached neere to Torde from whence hee wrote to all the Lords who were with the Queene and specially to his friends that if they would see the safegard and defence of their countrie and that the whole kingdome should not bee ouerthrowne and lost and fall into the puissant commaund of the Infidels they would not faile but presently come to the place where hee was and where hee daily expected them that they might speedily prouide for the common good of all Within a while after there came to him certaine bands of souldiours and companies of horse which hee caused to come from Varadine which being come together made a good number of men with whom he determined to goe to this Diet shadowing his intent that they came with him for no other cause but onely to bee a guard for his person Thus against the opinion and liking of all he came from thence to Egneth where being arriued he so throughly dissolued and brake off the Diet that not any so great and mightie was hee durst stay there any longer least the Frier should stomacke and malice them and by this meanes he ouerthrew all the Queenes deseignes which vanished into smoke She vnderstanding the arriuall of the Frier and seeing she could come to no better end of that which to her great charges and trauaile she had alreadie begun suddenly dislodged from that towne with her sonne and retired her selfe to Albe-iula with such force as she had of which Peter Vicchy was Captaine generall who caused the towne to be well fortified But after fearing to be besieged therein by the Frier leauing there as many men as was thought necessary for the defence therof she thought it better to make her retraict to Sassebesse a place for the situation farre stronger then Albe-iula where she determined to stay and expect what would be the issue of her fortune The Frier being aduertised of all this and also vnderstanding certaine newes that the forces which Ferdinand had sent were alreadie on their way and that Castalde came with no small ayde presently determined vpon this occasion to besiege Albe-iula thinking that if he were able to be master thereof he had effected the greatest part of his desires Being there arriued with this resolution he very straightly besieged and battered it in many places with great store of Cannon But those within being nothing possest with feare valiantly defended themselues and more couragiously then the Frier expected He now seeing the constancie and resolution of the besieged to bee such and that Castalde made but slow speede although euery day by letters and Posts vpon Posts he willed him to hasten on his iourney and so much the rather because he besieged this towne which defended it selfe so gallantly that it was greatly needfull for him to haue the helpe of his forces hee againe thought it sitting to seek out meanes once more to accord with the Queene Whilest these matters were treated of Castalde arriued at the confines of Transiluania But since it now very fitly falleth out I will for a while leaue the continuation of this historie and will largely describe the situation the inhabitants the strength the qualitie and fertilitie of that countrie Transiluania is a Prouince of the kingdome of Hungarie making a part thereof enuironed on all sides with high mountaines resembling a well walled towne hauing all his entries and passages very difficill and narrow which maketh me thinke that it tooke his name thereof being anciently named Dacia of King Docus who was Lord and King thereof Towards the North it boundeth vpon Polonia and of one part of Moldauia hauing in the midst the hils Carpates Towards the West it doth confine vpon Hungarie and towards the East it stretcheth it selfe to the shores of Danubius and taketh his ending against Walachia the inhabitants whereof are called Walachians anciently dissended of some Romane Colonie sprung from the familie of the Flacchians who were sent to subdue that countrie of whom that Prouince afterward tooke the name of Flaccia which at this present is corrupted into the name of Walachia which also containeth in it Moldauia being two seuerall Prouinces which now are separated comprised in time past vnder the name of Flacchia Towards the South it neighboureth vpon the Transalpinians and Seruians named Slauons and the Rascians vulgarly called Rhatians who in a manner are as naturall Walachians for that they all liue vnder one law and custome they are Christians and obserue the decrees and ceremonies of the Greeke Church they obey the Patriarke of Constantinople they vse the Italian language but so corrupted that it is hardly vnderstood to be the same they vse armes like to those of the Turks they haue been and are yet a warlike nation cruell and endureth trauaile and wearines of warre more then any other people for that they are naturally very strong Within Transiluania there is a Prouince in a manner linked to a mountaine which separateth it from Moldauia which is named Ceculia and the inhabitants thereof are called Ceculians and at this day they are called Sicilians who are of the Hungarian nation and of the same qualitie and disposition liuing according to the lawes and customes of Hungarie The other part of the kingdome which is the greatest is inhabited
by the Saxons who euer since the time that Charlemaine ouerthrew them by meane of that great battaile which hee obtained against them nigh the mountaine of Ouege haue alwaies remained there For Charlemaine defeating them caused a good number of them to be led into Gaule and forced the other who would not obserue and obey the lawes which he would haue established to goe seeke some other habitations Of these a great part entered into Transiluania to conquer it and making themselues masters thereof by force of armes they there set vp their abode and built seuen townes or Castles whereof for a long time that Prouince tooke the name which continueth vntil this day and in respect whereof it is called in their language Sibemburgen These liue after the Germane manner and obserue their customes speaking the ancient Saxon language they are affable people and of great trueth and fidelitie They are not alwaies in league with the Hungarians neither will they suffer them to build in their townes Their mountaines are inhabited by the Walachians to whom the Saxons who are of the greatest authoritie and rule in that kingdome would not permit them to build any of their houses with chalke and stones nor haue nor possesse much about them And therefore they dwelt in little houses and cottages which they made themselues without any Mason or Carpenter and are but thatched with straw and rushes They labour not nor till the fields in hope of any gaine but onely to gather together so much as is necessarie to nourish and sustaine their familie and the Slaues which they get This kingdome greatly aboundeth in corne wine flesh venison and all manner of fruites and breedeth very many strong and goodly horses There is found in many of those mountaines mynes of gold siluer iron and salt is fetched from thence in so great abundance that most part of Hungarie and Polonia are serued therewith which is an exceeding rich commoditie and bringeth great profit to the King These mynes are not farre from Isembergh Clausemburgh and Saltzburgh Victuals are there sold ordinarily at so cheape a rate that it is a thing incredible The Marchants of this Prouince during the peace and truce might trafficke with their marchandise through all the Turkes dominions and continually haue entercourse with Germanie Hungarie Pololonia and Italie The ayre is many times intemperate by the extreame cold and excessiue heate which often is felt there the cold though neuerthelesse it bee terrible and sharpe yet it dureth not long and happeneth not but at certaine times which being past the heate preuaileth more then the cold All the countrie is vneuen or hillie and the greatest part is like to Tuscane or hillie Spayne and is full of great forrests which yeelde store of wood as well to build as for other priuate commodities There be two great riuers which be nauigable the one runneth through the middest of the kingdome and is called Marosse which springeth from the mountaines of Moldauia towards the North and runneth from one side to another of that countrie vntill it entereth into Tibiscus neere the frontier townes of Lippa and Themesuar which are two strong holds and so named for that they are situated beyond the mountaines towards the West The other is named Alto and at this day the inhabitants call it Cheres which springeth at the foote of Mount Carpatus about the place where it ioyneth with the other hils of Moldauia There is also other small riuers wherein are found amongst the grauell many graines of gold of great value and price Towards the South dwelleth certaine people named Rhatians which were relikes of the ancient Rascians who remaine vntill this day since the time they were chased foorth of their natiue countrie of Macedonia by Lysimachus They are to bee hired of any who will giue most one while they take part with Ferdinand and then againe they are in the Turkes pay They are vnconstant people and of little faith they are Christians and liue after the Greeke Church they are poore hauing no townes peculiar to themselues and they are in great dislike with all other nations for their inconstancie and perfidiousnes They dwell among the Bulgarians and Seruians in two places of the kingdome and on the other side among the mountaines by the Transiluanians which stretch themselues towards Walachia This kingdome of Transiluania after it was reduced to the faith of Iesus Christ was subiect to the Crowne of Hungarie for the gouernment and rule whereof one of the principallest of the Court was deputed and nominated with the title of Vayuode The capitall towne is called Sibinium taking that name of a riuer which passeth by it This towne is named by the Germanes Hermenstat others call it Pressouia alias Cronenstat and it is of great trafficke Thither is brought great store of marchandise from Greece which from thence is dispersed throughout Hungarie There are many other townes as Corone Torde Cassouia and Albe-iula which was built by the Romanes and established for one of their Colonies This Prouince had no absolute King but Iohn who raigned after the death of Lewis King of Hungarie and after that Stephen possessed it who for the present is King who also was called Iohn in memorie of his father and by the Turkes fauour and assistance enioyeth it peaceably and from hence forward wee will call him Iohn and not Stephen Castalde as a little before hath been said being arriued in Transiluania sent Andrew Battor and Thomas Nadasdy before to foresee and suruay the passages of the mountaines by which hee must of necessitie passe giuing them a good troupe of horses with other souldiours Which being well foreseene by the Queene she sent the Marquesse of Balasse a great Lord of Hungarie who a little before was entertained into her seruice through some disgrace offered by Ferdinand for that hee had thrust him out of certaine Castles situated in Hungarie vnder the colour of rebellion which was said to haue been pretended against his Maiestie to possesse those passages with 700. horse and a good troupe of souldiours Castalde being assuredly informed of this was by the aduice of two although it was a thing very tedious and difficult constrained to seeke other passages and waies which being in the end found he commaunded them to bee repayred the best they could which assuredly was a worke long and tedious but neuerthelesse they laboured so diligently and commodiously that by the same way all the Artillerie might passe without any great labour Whilest the Marquesse kept the most frequent passages Castalde by that new vnaccustomed way entered with all his armie into Transiluania without any disturbance and the day following marched in battaile and was forced to passe by a Castle of the Queenes named Dalmas seated in the way vpon the top of a mountaine from when he was saluted with the force of the Cannon hee being not willing to tolerate
will alwaies do it chusing rather the good and glorie of the King your Lord and mine and the publike and generall quiet then my owne proper life as this day I meane to manifest to you not minding to doe any thing but that which shall bee sitting for the office of a louer of peace and publike tranquilitie who ought not to omit vnspoken any speech that may bee necessarie for the good and safetie of this countrie and kingdome although with his owne proper blood he should not faile to sustaine and assist it Now considering the present estate and condition into which you are fallen by the secret hatreds which raigne amongst you one towards an other and by the dissentions sprung amongst you and your former Lords by occasion whereof you haue called the Turke to your ayde and haue brought him into this countrie with the ruine not onely of the vulgar people but also of your selues and haue shewed him an open high way for the time to come in a moment to be masters of you he practising towards you that which he did to the Paleologians Comins Buccals and other of the principall of Greece who for their conceiued hatreds thinking by the Turkes ayde wholly to banish and expulse their Emperour did not only ruinate the Empire but also lost their owne goods honours themselues and liues the Turkes being allured with the goodlines and fertilitie of the countrie and faining to fauour or support the discords of one faction or other learning to make war after their maner hauing therewith in such diligent obseruance noted the situation and passages of their countrie that with little labour they thrust in vpon them with such multitude and force that after they had seene their young infants their deare sisters their beloued wiues and kindred to be prayes and slaues enchained their townes burnt and destroyed the countrie harried and the common people made slaues and they forced to flye and seeke other Prouinces to inhabite wherein liuing in calamity they were forced to end their miserable life of Lords to become seruants and of libertie to be in the thraldome of subiection which is the greatest miserie and calamitie of all and surely which in all the world hath not his like being too painfull and intolerable a burthen that a free man fortunate and rich should become a seruant miserable afflicted and begging to satisfie his necessitie All which mischiefes had assuredly happened to you if Gods goodnes and the bountie of the King had not foreseene it opening the eyes of your vnderstanding to remember the passed glorie and renowne which your Kings haue vndoubtedly atchieued by the victories and triumphs obtained against the Turkes Considering I say this your poore state and knowing that you are not ignorant with what abilitie and force I am come hither and how his Maiestie hath sent me with an armie to take care and charge of this Prouince and to succour and assist it in her afflictions and by your friendly ayde to deliuer it out of the hands of Infidels our common enemies I haue esteemed it necessarie to declare vnto you that you ought to sweare fidelitie to Ferdinand your King and Lord with such homage as you are bound to performe and to perswade you that you ought so much the more to settle your selues in his fauour and clemencie who will imbrace you not as his subiects but will place you in his bosome as his naturall and deare children in such affectionate manner that you may say you haue rather gotten a father then a Lord who will not faile to assist you in your necessities nor forsake you in all chances of fortune counting himselfe happie if they be such and on the other side deeming himselfe wretched with you if it should succeede otherwise which God defend it should seeing the fortune of men is variable and more mutable then the waues of the sea and subiect to infinite hazards But he esteeming you as deare as his owne members it behoueth not you therefore to giue any credit to the dissembling promises of Infidels nor to the inticing perswasion of those who little affect your good and lesse your quiet nor by the instigation of those who secretly practiseth your ruine and would separate you from the bodie of which depende the common health and life but rather it is needfull that you vnite and incorporate your selues into one resolute minde and by that meanes valiantly redoubling your forces you may shew your selues such that in opposing your selues couragiously you may bee able to chase out of this kingdome those enemies who violate our Religion dishonour your Churches force your Virgins and with as much possible wickednes as they can imagine defame your wiues and children neuer obseruing any faith After this your manifest and couragious fidelitie it behoueth that you deliberate and consult with me for the publike libertie although it bee a thing that seemeth daungerous to denounce warre against them which being iustly and discreetly managed will promise to vs victorie and immortall glorie with them that shall succeede vs who learning of vs to esteeme honour and glorie more deare then their liues will freely choose rather to die fighting for faith and libertie then to bee as prayes to these inhumane Barbarians liuing in continuall dishonour And if these reasons are not so perswasiue nor yet of that force to moue your courages yet ought they at least to make them tremble by reason of the horrible cruelties you shall receiue when the Turke shall become your Lord for assure your selues you shall not for all that enioy any great content or quiet but euen daily your sorrowes and griefes will be redoubled with great and tedious impositions for that he will not satisfie himselfe with an ordinarie and reasonable tribute but with an absolute commaund hee will take away the dearest of your children forcing them to denie our faith and to forget both the father and mother who haue begotten produced and brought them vp and will nousle them among his Ianisaries to increase by that meanes their wicked and heathenish opinion and ouerthrow and suppresse ours which is grounded vpon the blood of our deare Sauiour Iesus Christ And besides if you haue a fayre yong daughter who is of seemely and well fauoured countenance and enriched and adorned with vertue she shall presently bee taken from you and put into the Serraile to satisfie the vnsatiable lust and incontinencie of this abominable Tyrant who cōtinually will aspire to no other thing then wholly to extirpate and ruinate you and to make you in the end to become his seruants and perpetuall slaues purloyning from you the best of whatsoeuer you haue and the remainder of all which shall be left vnto you by your ancestors neither can you say any thing in defence of your selues nor contradict them which if you do or make any shew of discontent then shal you be straight in present danger of your life Consider by this and
hee would gladly consort with them and especially knowing betweene them how the other had most iniuriously wronged them and with what crueltie hee had much persecuted them euen to death discouering to them that it was farre more conuenient to make him away by some deuice then to looke for this that he should take away their liues These two greatly ioyed at this vnexpected offer and determined to performe that vpon him which vniustly he had imposed vpon them and to reuenge themselues of the honours which were taken from them and of the shame and obloquie which vndeseruedly they had receiued against all right and reason Many of their friends and kinsemen who thought not wel of that which was done against them conspired with them as also many others who were kinsemen to him who lawfully should haue been Vayuode These altogether complotted with the Bugeron concerning the meanes that should be vsed to put their conspiracie in execution which was that they should suddenly assaile their enemie and kill him as within short time they performed it entering furiously one day into the Vayuods Tent who was laid vpon his bed to repose himselfe imagining that neuer any durst haue the face to offend or disturbe him they gaue him so many stabs with a poynard that they caused him presently to giue vp the ghost and afterwards by the meanes of them that followed them they set vpon 2000. Turks and Tartars which he continually had for his guard cutting and hewing them all in peeces electing him for Vayuode who indeed should be he which being performed they conuerted their furie against the Tyrants kindred killing his mother children and friends as the manner is in that countrie not leauing aliue any of the contrarie faction from whom afterwards they might haue any occasion of mistrust This death seemed to all very profitable and specially to the Transiluanians who by meanes thereof saw themselues deliuered from very great dread and feare of being at any other time assailed by him and on the contrarie they saw this new Vayuode to make some shew to imbrace the amitie and friendship of Ferdinand which possessed them with a speciall hope of a long and quiet repose But all these vaine hopes in the end proued contrary as wee shall more commodiously in another place speake of for that this new Vayuode of Moldauia did not long continue in this league which he brake within a short time after that he might bee in the Turkes grace and fauour Also this death was the speciall cause which hindered the conspiracie that was wrought in Transiluania against Castalde and also because that at that time it came to be discouered insomuch that euery one knew all them that were actors therein and who had promised him to enter thereinto which made Peter Vicchy and Chendy to be greatly doubted as all those likewise who were compacted in this conspiracie of which number Castalde would not punish any therefore knowing it was then no time being on the one side withheld in regard of the feare and suspition of the future warre and on the other side seeing himselfe more troubled then euer he was by the vexations and discontents which his owne people hourely gaue him which farre exceeded those that he receiued by the enemie For the Germanes in respect they were not payed committed the greatest outrages that were possible ranging and spoyling all the plaine countrie killing the inhabitants of villages and doing incredible things without any regard committing vnworthie excesses and such as are vnfit for a Christian who is bound rather to yeeld a rule and forme of an exemplarie and modest life then of wicked or infamous liuers seeing that by the one they might gaine much and by the other lose infinitly From these so execrable extortions proceeded the speciall cause that afterward incensed all the inhabitants of the kingdome to reuolt and specially the Nobilitie who seeing that their first enterprise taken in hand vnder pretext of doing good yet came to no effect propounded one day before Castalde that it was expedient seeing they were all then in the field to goe with all their people to besiege Lippa and vse some stratagem or force to take it it being reported that Cassombassa had few men within it hauing sent from thence the greatest part of the garrison to Mahomet to the siege of Agria importuning him that he would not omit this occasion and commoditie whilest it shewed it selfe fauourable fearing that neuer after the time would bee so conuenient for such an enterprise all of them very willingly offering themselues to this warre They spake this with a dissembling heart to deuise some meanes to worke Ferdinands armie out of the kingdome with an intent they being once out not to suffer them to reenter againe But Castalde who well vnderstood these deuises which they shadowed with a pretence of good and which in effect had an outward appearance of trueth would by no meanes consent to their perswasions but dissembling and possessing them with hope to graunt their requests deferred as much as he could their demaunds and that so much the rather for that he knew how greatly it imported him to remaine in that place where he was then resident from whence he might with good aduantages prouide for all distressed parts and specially for the necessities which daily might happen as also to consider the end to which Mahomets affayres against Agria might tend In this time there arriued at Vienna the Popes Nuntio and Comissaries with articles drawne and propounded by Cardinals deputed thereto touching the information of Frier George his death vpon which they were to examine witnesses and to bee informed by them if it were true that hee practised treason against Ferdinand in fauour of the Turkes and namely to cause him to lose and be depriued of the Realme and so accordingly to censure if the death of Frier George was iust or no. Hereupon Ferdinand and King Maximilian writ to Castalde that he should send them the examination of the witnesses which he had caused to be heard and examined as well in Transiluania as elsewhere to the end that thereby they might censure of the offence as the qualitie and condition of the fact required Castalde receiuing this message caused to be examined one Emeric the Friers Secretarie and an other that was his Chancellor named Adam who deposed certaine things which might giue some shadow and colour of suspition but in their examinations they were quite different the one from the other and the said Emeric vpon some displeasure which he conceiued against the Frier was not accounted an vnblameable witnes Castalde was greatly troubled to finde any who could verefie that which was imputed against the Frier yet within certaine moneths after there were sent to Vienna certaine proceedings which they had passed touching that point and afterwards they were presented to the Comissaries who with speede carried them to Rome As these persons departed
In the meane while Queene Izabella was not any thing idle but practised all the meanes she could to reenter againe with her sonne greatly assisting her selfe by the meanes and fauour of Peter Vicchy and Chendy Ference and other principall men who secretly affected her cause And although Ferdinand writ to her that he was readie at all times to performe that which he promised her and besides to giue her the Dutchie of Monsterberg yet she would by no meanes accept any whit thereof saying that since within the presixed time the premised bargaines and agreements were not of his part performed she for her part meant no lesse to obserue and keepe them and that she was determined againe to haue her owne Vpon which there was newes that the Sicilians intended some treacheries with the Turks in her fauour and that they had sent some priuately to her to restore Iohn into his kingdome By occasion of these tumults there was a Diet assigned at Possouia wherein the people of the kingdome of Transiluania greatly cōplained of the griefes and wrongs which they daily endured as wel by the warre and fortifications as also for the insolencies which they receiued by Ferdinands souldiours importuning to haue redresse thereof and not to taske them with such impositions promising if he did so not to faile his Maiestie but willingly to take armes against the Turkes and valiantly to defend themselues against them and sincerely to maintaine the dutie and homage which they had sworne to his Maiestie Vpon these complaints and demaunds Ferdinand caused them to bee answered that he would not faile as much as he could to ease them of that burthen and that he would cause it to appeare vnto them that his pleasure was no other but alwaies to ayde and defend them against the violence of the common enemie against whom they should not for all that faile to take armes as he for his part would not bee wanting to send them forces and to come in his owne person if necessitie did so require it for their deliuerie or else to send them the King of Bohemia his sonne that presently he would giue order to all those inconueniences of which they complained and that in the meane time they should not omit to persist in the faith and deuotion wherein they had vntill then continued and that there should be no fault in him but that he would vse them as most loyall and faithfull subiects Whereupon euery one held himselfe well contented with these promises Yet for all that these humours slided not out of their braines but increased more and more specially because it was manifest that Bartholmew Coruatte who had the guard of Iula with two Germane companies badly behaued himselfe in this towne spoyling murthering and killing the poore inhabitants thereof preaching to them the Lutheran religion with which opinion he was infected To remedie which Castalde was constrained to depute Paul Banchy in that quarter for Vice Vayuode and commaund Coruatte to depart out of Iula and sent him farre off leauing the charge of this towne to Francis Patocchy who bore himselfe so familiarly amongst the inhabitants that they found themselues greatly reioyced and comforted therewith If on this side Ferdinands souldiours did minister exceeding griefe and disquiet to Castalde they yet on the other side gaue him daily more and more for want of pay he being greatly tormented by Duke Mauris for the payment of his souldiours that was due to them from the time that the siege was raised from before Agria he neuer hauing receiued any seruice from them but rather great damage and infinit ruine through the whole Realme For the redresse and dispatch of which although the winter was come he meant indeede fully to content him and to dissolue his armie which was dismissed from Iauerin and there was put therein another garrison This was the cause that he being desirous to keepe his word with this Duke he could not then satisfie with pay his owne Campe which he had in Transiluania of which for that it was composed of the vassals and subiects of his king and that countrie he had more assurance in their patience then in the other which were straungers and not subiect to him who at their departure although they were well payed yet for all that they desisted not from committing great inormities And although Castalde did what possibly he could to keepe his souldiours in peace prouiding them of good lodgings and causing to bee distributed through the countrie ordinarie victuall more then was sufficient yet could he not so farre preuaile with them as to cause them to desist from or giue ouer their mutinies conspiracies or other horrible mischiefes which did not onely hurt in particular but also in generall because that the inhabitants of the countrie receiuing such iniuries hated and abhorred them greatly and they spake of nothing else but that occasion would offer it self for them to take armes and giue them cause to vnderstand their fault by the massacring which in time they hoped to execute vpon them all of them earnestly desiring that they might the better wade out of such calamities the returning of Iohn into his kingdome By reason of such mischiefes many Captaines and principals of the countrie who in former time had been Ferdinands friends became secretly his deadly enemies and raunged themselues on Queene Izabellaes partie not a little increasing her forces and faction which procured to Castalde infinit discontent Now as Fortune in this quarter managed the actions of mortall men she in better manner then men could think for disposed of them about Deua because that those who were in garrison in this towne hauing intelligence that by the commaund of Cassombech two companies of Turkish horse were departed out of Lippa to enter harrie and spoyle in Transiluania they put themselues in order for an ambuscado and to fight with them as they should passe through difficult places And hauing thus disposed of their people the Caualarie of Cassombech presented themselues with a greedie desire to pill and burne some neighbour places and being now arriued at the passage where they were expected it was suddenly charged on all sides and they all fighting a certaine time not knowing who should haue the best in the end the Turkes finding themselues in the middest of the other souldiours who vntill then kept themselues close began to retire themselues and to leaue the victory to those of Deua who omitted not to pursue them euen within sight of Lippa and slew of them 300. and tooke many prisoners Our people being incouraged at this good fortune and not satisfying themselues with that which they so happely achieued passed further with incurtions into the enemies countrie sacking some villages pilling all which came to their hands performing such warlike exploits that besides the conquest of the prisoners and bootie which was not small they put all that quarter in such a dread that the Turkes a long
Ensigne which was commaunded by the Lord of Arach hauing vnder him for his Lieutenant the Marshall of Vnghemad and the Guidon was caried by the Duke of Pomerania His Maiestie marched towards Attemberg distant two miles from Iauerin while al the horse of Bohemia came to Posson which consisted of 7. Cornets and besides there was 1000. horse marching at their owne charges vnder the commaund of Teufel and 1200. other conducted by Count Gonther of Schuartzemburg The Morauians Slesians and Lusatians made besides the rest a good shew of horse Vratislauia sent 300. horse All these troupes with others who followed Maximilian made to the number of 10000. horse besides those who alreadie were at Iauerin and at Comar All the Armie being assembled at Altemburg the Emperour marched to Iauarin there being at the same time arriued at Comar the Nauale Armie which came a long Danubius Presently there passed many skirmishes in which for the most part the Emperials had the better The more to strengthen the Armie his Maiestie caused the other troupes to come which were at Comar hoping to enterprise vpon Strigonium and by the taking of this towne to diuert the siege which was feared should be made by the enemie before Sighet and Iula For to giue battaile although necessitie seemed so to require it was not requisit least they might hazard the whole estate of the Empire in one battaile which is alwaies vncertaine and doubtfull and on the other side the Emperour had not such forces that he could assure himselfe of victorie The enterprise neuerthelesse of Strigonium was yet then deferred for some good respects Vpon this newes came that Solyman was passed the riuer of Tissa and that of Danubius and that alreadie he was on this side Sighet hauing with great diligence caused to be made in this towne a bridge vpon Drauus for the passage of his Armie for performing whereof he sent before 25000. men This bridge was erected in 16. daies although it was in length 5500. fathum and 14. broade and for the building whereof they vsed an infinit companie of boates bound with Iron chaynes in place of piles which they could not vse by reason of the deepenes of the riuer Certaine dayes before Solyman had giuen the charge of the siege of Sighet to the Basha of Bossina and to him of Armenia but hauing vnderstood the losse of Tata and of Vesprimia he sent them to the succours of the Basha of Buda and gaue the conduct of this siege to the Beglerbey of Armenia He readily marched thither and incamped himselfe within a mile of the Fortresse Solyman within a while after came himselfe This towne is situated in Hungarie vpon the confines of Croatia in the middest of waters and marishes which enuiron it on three sides for the space of more then a mile and on the side of the firme land it hath but one entrance which is defended with two great Bulwarkes made of earth and wood well combined and bound together It is composed of two townes made in frame of a Fortresse with a Castle closed in with foure Courtaines in a square forme Betweene the one and other there are good deepe ditches full of running water In this place commaunded for the Emperour Nicholas Esdrin Count of Serin of whom we haue often before spoken He was Nephew to the Lord Torguat by reason of his sister and there was giuen vnto him the office of Banambt in the kingdomes of Croatia Dalmatia and Sclauonia which is as much as Bailife or Seneshall and besides he was Mundschencken of Hungarie that is to say great Butler and Captaine generall for the Emperour about Danubius He was present at the siege of Vienna which heretofore we haue described in the former bookes and for his valour which in this siege was knowen and obserued by euery one he was recompenced with a faire horse and a chaine of golde He was also sufficiently made knowen at the siege of Pesthe and Buda This Captaine a Hungar by birth had in this place 1200. souldiours to defend it The Turke greatly to annoy Maximilian besides the besieging of this place sent 35000. men as well Tartars as Turkes to besiege Iula But the waters hindered them to doe it and at their retraict those within sallied forth and charged them behinde so hotly that many of the enemies remained there Certaine daies after the Turks being returned thither they besieged this place very straightly battering the towne with great peeces but they cooling their fury and seeming carelesse those within seeing their countenance in the night sallied forth and thus surprising the enemie killed many of them and caused the other to retire in such sort that they remained masters of their Artillerie which they choked and rammed vp the enemie not being able to carrie it away The Tartars who at that time might easily haue assailed Schuendy who then had not many people with him and who for that occasion daily importuned the Emperour to haue fresh succours hauing taken some countrie men and knowing of them by supposed speeches that Schuendy had with him 20000. men vpon these words they were so daunted that suddenly they raised the siege and spoyling the countrie all about they fiered fiue villages vsing a marueilous crueltie euery where without respecting any sexe or condition but following their barbarous custome they put all to fire and sword In the meane time the Turkes after the batteries and breaches made at Sighet by meanes of high Forts which Mahomet Basha commaunding all the armie had caused to be raised had giuen eight furious assaults and the 29. of August they gaue thereto a generall assault which continued 24. houres But the besieged defended themselues so couragiously that after they had killed a great number of the enemies and taken the Captaine of the Ianisaries they alwaies valiantly repulsed them The stinke of the dead bodies was so great that Solyman was forced to recoyle foure miles off Serin seeing he had lost in these assaults many of his people caused the towne to bee fiered and retired himselfe to two other Forts This retraict gaue occasion to the Turkes to giue yet another assault vpon the day of the beheading of S. Iohn Solyman trusting in this day which he esteemed very fortunate for him in all his battailes hauing on that day obtained this notable and memorable victorie which he had against Lewis King of Hungarie and hauing on the same day wonne the townes of Rhodes and Buda and defeated in battaile the armie of the King of Persia This fortune neuerthelesse failed the Turkes at this time and they were yet valiantly repulsed The day following which was the 30. of that moneth they yet againe returned to the assault with greater furie and with such courage that their Ensignes were seene vpon the Rampiars but neuerthelesse they were repulsed euen with great slaughter of them Solyman considering the tediousnes of this siege and the valiantnes of Serin caused to
strength There hauing gathered a greater armie he againe assailed them and hauing made a great butcherie of them to the number of 20000. besides the wounded who were in great number he saued from their hands many thousands of soules who they led into miserable seruitude Among these were many gentlewomen which they had taken from the Castle of Beregras to which they were retired for the greater suretie all that countrie remaining in the meane time which is towards Cassouia so desolate for the great and horrible cruelties which these people had vsed that it was not possible to endure any more During such mutinies 400. Ianisaries passed very neere to Filech a place neighbouring to Sepusa committing where they passed infinit outrages and vsing acts altogether barbarous and cruell and hauing taken out of the mountaines more then 8000. soules they gaue a great amazement to all the neighbour people of Danubius of Vagne and of Arabon The Turkes a little before had taken two Forts such as they were named Comar and Calambach as also those of the garrison of Alberegalis had done the like seazing themselues by forces of Ghestez and Vitan and thus daily increasing there was at Palota Vesprimia and at Tata a great doubt of the enemie The Tartars after the ouerthrow which they had receiued of the Transiluanian ioyning themselues a new with other Turkes among which there was a good companie of Ianisaries and many Valachians who robbed and spoiled through all Rossia and Podolia which are countries belonging to the King of Polonia vsing all acts of hostilitie fiering all the villages and Castles massacring the old and impotent persons and making slaues of more then 100000. soules finally attempting to besiege the Palatin of Rossia in a Castle he making many sallies vpon them with a good number of souldiours he n a manner put them all to the sword and taking from them 12. peeces of Artillerie they were forced to retire The Emperour being at the assemblie of his Estates of Austria whom he caused to bee called thither as wee aboue haue written proposed to all the Prelates and principall of the Nobilitie what neede he had of succours to withstand the violence of the enemies And for this effect he demaunded of them the same succours as was graunted the yeere before which amounted to little lesse then 300000. Florins for the entertainment of 900. horse which they were bound to furnish And besides he demaunded of them that he who had 100. Florins of reuenew should pay for a horse and he who should haue more should also furnish one for euery hundred And because that although his Maiestie would march in person to the warre he would not that the Nobilitie of the countrie should goe thither with him and in stead of such a personall seruice he demaunded of them that they would furnish him with the pay of 1000. horse and 5. companies of foote And besides he would that vntill 6. yeeres were compleate euery one should come to labour at Vienna sixe daies in the yeere To these demaunds as very excessiue the Austrians not willing to condiscend were wilfull in their opinions deferring for many daies to make an answere giuing others openly to vnderstand that first they should permit them the exercise of the Confession of Ausbourg The Emperour not being able to containe himselfe from anger caused to be declared vnto them that he had not proposed any article concerning the faith and religion and that therefore they should answer to his demaunds if they would not incurre his indignation In the end they againe assembling together yeelded to these articles to wit that they were content yeerely to giue him 138000. Florins and 300000. for the fortification of Iauerin that he who had 100. Florins of yeerely reuenew should entertaine at his owne charges for the seruice of the warre one horse for three moneths that he who had a greater reuenew should also furnish more that if his Maiestie would march to the confines of the Prouince for the affayres thereof they should bee bound of fifteene persons to furnish him with one if he departed out of the confines they should giue him one of euery thirtie This last offer was in stead of 1000. horse which he demaunded to serue him in place of the Nobilitie After these accords the Austrians minding to renew againe the article of the Confession of Ausbourg being not content with the deniall which the Emperour had made them thereof meant againe to replie But he gaue them to vnderstand that those who would not liue nor beleeue as himselfe did might sell their goods and depart the countrie and by this conclusion he made them silent In the meane time endeuouring himselfe to assure his countries against the incursions of the Turkes who remained with the Transiluanian from the death of Solyman he laboured nothing else but to make peace with the Turkes knowing that Selim after being come to the Empire had confirmed peace with the Venecians who among so great warres which his father had would neuer take armes against him although they were often required thereunto The Princes of Italie endeuoring themselues to bee well liked of with Maximilian sent him new succours among others Cosine de Medicis establishing the more by this meanes his owne Estate The Pope the Duke of Sauoy and he of Ferrara did also succour him with good store of men His Maiestie had before time sent to the Grand Seigniour for Ambassadour George Hossute thinking by him to negotiate some peace with Solyman whom he thought to be yet liuing But this Ambassadour vnderstanding for certaine vpon the way the decease of the Turke returned towards the new Emperour Selim at the same time that he went to Constantinople after the bodie of his father as wee haue said before At this meeting it was permitted him to see his Maiestie but not to entertaine any talke of peace with him Mehemet Basha shewing to him that he had been sent towards the Maiestie of the deceased Solyman and that seeing that he was dead he was not to treate with his successour and that therefore if his King would any thing with Selim he should send another or else himselfe This Basha did particularly counsel him to demaund peace of Selim and that otherwise there could not but euill happen to Maximilian When that Hossute arriued at Belgrade Cheretsken in times past Captaine and Gouernour of Iula was there with bolts on his heeles This man made great promises to the Turke who conducted Hossute to bee permitted to speake to him but he could neuer obtaine it And not being able to attaine this fauour he writ a long letter by which he sent him word of all that which he endured at Iula and how he had been deceiued by a vaine hope of succours alleadging among other things that he had maintained the siege for 70. daies that one day he had seene 14. Turkish Ensignes vpon
himselfe with them and that the Emperour should not be so much offended against them For this consideration they chose for their King Stephen Battor the principall Baron amongst them About this time the Emperour published the resignation which he made of the kingdome of Hungarie to the profit of his eldest sonne Rodolph who the yeere before he caused to come out of Spaine where he had soiourned a certaine time with the Catholike King his vncle The crowning of him with many magnificent and sumptuous ceremonies was made in the towne of Poson And for that such things are notable and worthie to bee knowne for those who desire to please themselues in the knowledge of that which is strange to them I purpose to recite and write them in this historie The place of Poson which anciently was called Pisonium because it was built by Piso a Romane being appointed for this pompe all the States of the countrie were called thither These being assembled the day before their enterie into the towne the Emperour and Empresse entered by night into the towne in their Coaches with many lights and torches accompanied with the Prince Mathias and Maximilian their yonger sonnes the 20. of September not minding no more then did the other Lords of their Court to enter therein publikely in the day time The day following departed from Ambourg otherwise called Sopron Rodolph accompanied with his brother Ernestus and many other Princes and Lords Before him departed out of the towne a league off his two other brothers Mathias and Maximilian in whose companie was the Archbishop of Strigonium Primate of the kingdome who had with him sixe Bishops followed of other Lords of the Nobilitie and Caualarie of Hungarie At the meeting the Archbishop to whom belonged this charge with a briefe and elegant oration in Latin after he had prayed to God that it would please him to make this his entrance and comming prosperous and fortunate for the peace and comfort of his subiects he promised to him in the name of all the kingdome obedience and fidelitie The Prince answered him with a modestie mixt with a sweet kind of grauitie that he thanked the kingdome for so good an affection in his behalfe and that he prayed God that he would giue him that grace in such sort to beare this charge that his diuine Maiestie might be well serued therein that it would please him to make him such an one that all the Prouinces and people of the kingdome might neuer haue occasion to repent themselues to haue obeyed him but rather that they would bee very well content with his election promising to employ all his forces to the good preseruation and augmentation of all the kingdome as well in generall as particular This said they began to proceede on towards Poson with this pompe the Hungarish Caualarie marching before to the number of 3000. horse diuided vnder 42. Ensignes with so goodly an order and so well guarded that it was a marueilous thing to see because that these souldiours did weare vpon their heads most goodly and glistering head-peeces inriched with gold and fayre workes ingrauen vpon them and vpon the front they had great plumes made of white Peacocks feathers that couered all the bodie which they had armed with bright Curasses or Shirts of maile Vpon the left arme they carried Targets after their manner certaine whereof had about them three hemmes or borders of the same feathers and in their hands and at the saddle bow they held Launces Sables Clubbes and Maces of iron They were all mounted vpon very good horses which made them the more worthie to bee regarded for so much as their harnesses was inriched with gold and their head-peeces furnished with great plumes with many precious stones and pearles of great value in such sort that it seemed that this people carried with them all their worth which is a meanes to incourage and defend themselues more couragiously against the enemie That which made this Caualarie seeme yet more proud and gallant were the skinnes of Beares and Tygers which the horsemen did weare vpon their shoulders and mane of their horses After this ordinance marched all the gentlemen of the traine of the Princes of Bauier of the Archduke of Austria of the two yonger sons of the Emperour and many other of his Maiesties house so nobly apparelled and their horses so trimly decked that they made this pompe very magnificent they all hauing chaines of gold about their neckes The Prince Maximilian marched after these hauing on his left hand the Prince of Cleueland After him marched Prince Ernestus who had his brother Mathias on his left hand and Prince Ferdinand of Bauier on his right Behinde came Prince Rodolph in the middest of the Archduke of Austria his vncle and of Prince William of Bauier After these Princes was to be seene the aforesayd Archbishop with his Prelates in the middest of the Emperours guard This new King with this pompe was receiued without the bridge by the Germane Infantrie which was ranged in battaile to the number of 5000. and of others 500. souldiours who were for the guard of the Port and in like sort of all the people who of all sorts of age and condition were gathered together to see and receiue this new King with great applause and to conduct him to the Archiepiscopall palace which was prepared for him He went about euening to kisse the hands of the Emperour and Empresse who imbraced him very louingly The 25. of September the necessarie things for his coronation being prepared the Emperour went to the Cathedrall Church in great pompe with his Emperiall habit accompanied with his Heraulds being carried in a chaire by reason that then he was troubled with the gowte which did daily molest him Before him marched the great Marshall of the Empire hauing in his hand the naked sword After followed the Ambassadours of Princes and the gentlemen of his Court His Maiestie being placed on the top of the quire where his siege was prepared vnder a Canapie and that of the Empresse on his right hand sat the Archduke Charles Prince William of Bauier Prince Ernestus Ferdinand of Bauier Maximilian Mathias and the Prince of Cleue On the left hand was placed Iohn Dolfin the Popes Nuncio the Ambassadour of the Catholike King and he of Venice After arriued the new King accompanied with the Princes which wee haue named and of all the Nobilitie of Bohemia and Hungarie These Princes being entered into the Church and hauing made reuerence to the Emperour tooke their places appointed for them But Rodolph entered into the Vestarie from whence he presently after came out bare headed being apparelled with a white robe which they said sometime was belonging to S. Stephen the first King of Hungarie and before him went tenne Hungarian Barons sumptuously apparelled each one carrying a Standard in his hand wherein were represented the tenne Prouinces subiect to this kingdome although the most
being suddainly taken with a vehement trembling of his members and with a great panting of his heart he ended his dayes He was a Prince who well knew to preserue his Emperiall dignitie and the greatnes of his house Hauing receiued the administration of the Empire his father liuing the care which he alwaies had in his minde was to keepe Germanie in peace and in such sort to effect it that it should not any more feele the former calamities whereinto it was fallen For this cause some seeing Germanie in so great repose had a sinister opinion of him as though he had too much fauored the Protestants But these men did not consider that amongst so many diuisions and hazards as were alreadie in France Flaunders other countries it was not profitable for the Catholike partie to adde Germanie thereto for feare least the rest of the Catholikes might not be in like perill This Prince in his young yeares was very hot of the warre He greatly loued the professours of the liberall arts and especially handicrafts men Hee had a delight to please euery one Hee spoke most familiarly many and diuers sorts of languages so that it seemed he was borne with them and although he had a subtile and fine wit oftentimes hauing an intention contrarie to his actions yet neuerthelesse he was indued with many other vertuous qualities To this man succeeded in the Emperiall dignitie Rodolph second of that name his sonne King of Bohemia and Hungarie a most Catholike and religious Prince He in the same Diet of Ausburg in which he was chosen King of the Romans was receiued for Emperour whilest that the Diet continued Presently his Maiestie commaunded the better to take away all hopes of change from all his subiects in his hereditarie estates that they should liue Catholikely and caused to be made seuere executions against those who would vndertake to preach any other doctrine but Catholike and by his example speeches perswaded all the Princes Catholikes and Protestants carefully to obserue Gods commaundements So soone as he was proclaimed Emperour he caused the Polish Ambassadours to be released and sent to Amurath to demaund truce which without any great difficultie was accorded to him because that the Turke hauing had aduertisement of the war which the King of Persia prepared against him and of the resolution of the Germanes who had made a great leauie of souldiers and money vpon euery estate of the Empire to maintaine warre against him could not any whit assure himselfe to be able to make resistance in so many places his Empire elsewhere being sorely weakened by the iust punishment of God with plague war and famine in regard of which he very easily granted the demaunds of Rodolph At the same time all the Christian Princes sent to his Maiestie to congratulate with him his new promotion in the Emperiall dignitie and amongst others Battor not long before chosen King of Poland also sent his Ambassadours thither for the same effect knowing the release that Rodolph had made of his Ambassadours while he besieged the rich town of Danzit situated at the mouth of Vistula vpon the sea of Prusia being of the demains of Polonia which then held of Maximilians part the inhabitants then knowing nothing of his death but as soone as they were assured thereof they capitulated with their new King and yeelded to him vnder condition that the towne should not be spoyled and that the penaltie should be conuerted into monie They besides gaue him 12. peeces of great Artillerie with other lesser and certaine amongst themselues for hostages to the end the more to assure his Maiestie of their fidellitie towards him This done Battor presently caused his Armie to make head against the Muscouit to recouer the places that the Duke had taken towards Liuonia During this busines he omitted not to send to the Pope to acknowledge him as soueraigne Prelat of the catholike Church and by the same meanes sought through Italie for many Captaines of valour and other men of knowledge offering them great pensions and rich recompences as he manifested to many who both of one and other vocation went to him this Prince being as much giuen to armes as hee was indued with the knowledg of learning and sciences and especially in diuinitie and histories hauing passed his youth in the exercise of armes and learning in Germanie and Italie Within a short time hee recouered all that which the Muscouits and Tartars had vsurped vpon him and tooke many places from them hauing so many times beaten them that he constrayned them in the end to seeke peace of him euen as Demetrius Duke of Muscouia for this effect solicited thereto Pope Gregorie the 13. of that name vsing him as a meane to this Prince to the end that he might obtaine it The Hungars for all this were neuer a whit the more at rest For notwithstanding the truce Amurath as these Princes are barberous proud couetous caused to be stayed at Constantinople the Emperours Ambassadour who at his new arriuall brought not to him the accustomed Present Rodolph willing to reuenge himself of this iniurie commanded his people who were in Hungarie to make incursions vpon the Turkes and to enterprise some thing vpon some of their places in stead of two Forts that these had taken in Croatia The Hungars desirous to attempt somewhat vpon certaine Castles by Alberegalis were in the way intrapped by the Turkes and most of them cut in peeces The Emperour considering that these skirmishes might in the end ingender a greater war caused a Diet to be called in Bohemia soliciting therein the Bohemians that they would succour him against the Turkes who without regard of the truce ran spoyled continually the frontiers of his countries These accorded to him a good summe of monie For the same effect he also called the Hungars to Poson and not being able to be therein for his indisposition he shewed to them by the Prince Ernestus his brother the necessitie which constrayned him to solicite them to haue regard to the common defence against the Turkes by whom daylie they receiued so many oppressions But his Maiestie could then draw nothing from them at that time minding that he himselfe should be in person at the Diet and warre In the end notwithstanding they daylie perceiuing the effects of the violence of their enemies who notwithstanding the warre of Persia in which Amurath was greatly combered ceased not neuerthelesse greatly to molest them and procured them much trouble graunted to the Emperour the greatest part of his demaunds and they all taking courage opposed themselues so valiantly against the Turkes that many times they constrayned them to retire from them and euen to forsake a great part of the Countrie which they vsurped Rodolph notwithstanding so happie successe of his people ceased not to send to Amurath to complaine of the great timeritie of the Turkes who had not any respect to the