was quickly forced to retire with 10000 less then he brought but this Siege continuing long a mortal Pestilence happen'd in the Army the Kings youngest Son dyed and in the end himself with many of his prime Nobility which greatly incouraged the Moors but their joy lasted not long for soon after came thither Prince Edward Hemy the Third King of Englands eldest Son with sixteen Ships fraught with Valiant English Soldiers as also the King of Ciâ—ilia Navar and Arragon with great Forces upon which the Morish King making many large oâ—â—ers for Peace it was granted in the Name of all the Princes on Condition that he should pay a yearly Tribâ—â—e of 40000 Crowns to the King of Scicily and to suffer the Christian Religion freely to be Exercised throughout his Dominions in all its particulars which Articles being concluded on and ratified though contrary to the mind of Prince Edward they weighed Anchor and stood for the Isle of Scicily intending there to Winter and the next Spring to pass into Syria But coming into the Bay the Princes were no sooner got on shoar but a terrible Storm arose that most of the Fleet were broken to pieces only of Prince Edward's Fleet not one Ship perished in this wrack a great part of the Mariners and Soldiers were drowned and the Plague still raging amongst them in such sort that the French Queen the King of Navar and divers others of great Rank dyed which so discourag'd Philip the French King that he returned into France without Attempting any thing further and with him all the rest Prince Edward his English excepted returned into their Respective Countries but the Prince kept on his way till he arrived at Ptolomais and was received by the Christians with great joy where having rested himself for a while and inquired into the nature of the Country he with 6 or 7000 of his English took Nazareth and upon his return overthrew a great Army of Sarazens that supposed to have intrapped him and at another time overthrew them with great Slaughter near Cakhow a Village about 40 Miles from Pâ—olomais And so succesfull was he in all his undertakings that the Infidels extreamly dreaded him Insomuch that the Admiral of Joppa feigned himself to be converted to the Christian Religion sent one of his Servants to commune with the Prince about diverse Matters who being admitted in Private and seeming as if he would draw a letter out of his Bosom with an Impoisoned knife supposed to have Stabbed the Prince into the Belly but he being aware received the Wound on his Arm and with his foot Struck the Villain down and then wresting from him the knife Stabbed him during which buffle the Guards entered and cut him in Pieces as he lay on the Ground This Villain the Sultan sent to excuse Swearing by Mahomet it was not done with his privity nor consent but however such was the nature of the poison that it was not cured without great difficulty The Prince having a long time in vain expected the coming of the other Christian Princes thought good to return which accordingly he did having first concluded a Peace with the Sultan and shortly after his return his Father Henry dying he was Crowned King of England c. Anno 1273 〈◊〉 having been advanc'd by the Pope to the 〈…〉 upon promise to pass into the 〈…〉 himself for so tedious a Voyage sent his Son Henry Prince of Mâ—â—â—lâ—burg who aâ—â—â—â—ing at 〈◊〉 with a great Power wasted the Territories of Damasco with fire and Sword taking many Towns but at length being intercepted by the Mamaluâ—â—s he was taken Prisoner and a great part of his Army slain in which state he with one Servant remained 26 years no Ransom being accepted for his deliverance at which time a Runagado German coming to the Sultan set him at Liberty and sent him who upon his return was not known to his nearest Relations who supposed him long before silent in his Grave and indeed he lived not long after his return The Princes of the West growing weary of these tedious expeditions the Infidels thereby encouraged under the leading of Alphix or Elpis their Sultan rased Tripolis Sidon and Berythus putting most of the Inhabitants to the Sword the Christians having now nothing left but the strong City Ptolomais and yet they were at variance amongst themselves some for the Government of the City and some for the title of King of Jerusalem During the contest Sultan Araphius sent his Son to besiege Ptolomais who in vain assaulting it many times made large offers if he might have it delivered but they as little prevailed whereupon his Father being dead and himself chosen Sultan he drew down before it 15000 Horse and Foot assaulting it on every side filling up the ditches with his Multitude but the Christians from the Wall and by sallying killed so many of the Infidels that they were forced to retire to their trenches yet in the Skirmish Peter Grand Master of the Templars being Shot with a Poison Arrow died within three days and with him all the courage of the besieged for from that time such as could make their escape by Sea departed so that the City being in the end left destitute of Defendants was by the Sultan taken and rased all such as were found therein being put to the Sword so that the Christians were utterly rooted out of Syria this being the last City which had remained in the hands of the Christians for upwards of 100 years and was lost Anno 1291 just 192 years after the winning of Jerusalem by Duke Godfry And now the Christian Princes despairing to recover what they had lost Cassanes the Tartarian Prince moved thereto by his Wife and her Father the King of Armenia undertook the Enterprize and with a powerfull Army entered Syria wasting all before him when not far from the Mountain Amanus he met with Melsenoser the Sultan of Egypt's Lievtenant and put him to flight with the loss of 40000 of his Souldiers and drave him quite out of Syria sending Molais one of his Captains to pursue him over the desart Sands to the Confines of Egypt then taking in all the Cities as he passed and in the City of Hama lighting upon the Sultans treasure he divided it amongst his Souldiers and having fortified Jerusalem and Damasco he purposed in the Spring to have passed into Egypt and to have destroyed the Country but in the mean time receiving news that great tumults were risen in Persia his new acquired Empire he with part of his Army departed to allay them leaving Capcapus Governour of Damasco and his great Captain Molais of Jerusalem with order to send Embassadors to the Princes of the West but they being Imbroyled amongst themselves nothing could be obtained so that no aids coming from the Tartar nor King of Armenia the Towns were as easily recovered by the Egyptian Sultan as they had been taken from him by the Tartarian Cham. And thus taking my leave
of Syria for the present I shall return into the lesser Asia where I find Mesoot and Rei-Cubades the two Tributary Turkish Princes dead without doing a any thing worthy of note of which the latter left a Son named Aladan who likewise paying Tribute held joyntly the Kingdom that were before possessed by his Father and Uncle This Aladine the last of the Selzuccian Family dying without issue one Sahib his chief Councellour and then a man of great Authority aspired unto the Kingdom but being risen from a mean estate he was highly envyed by the Nobility they casting off all respect from him by force divided the Kingdom amongst themselves every one seizing the Province he could best light on so that Sahib who was first in possession lost all no part remaining as his Lot so that they turned it into a perfect Anarchy of which the greatest share fell to Caraman Alusirus who strongest took Iconium with part of Cilicia Lycaonia Pamphilia Caria and Phrygia and of him descended the Caramanian Kings who in the rise of the Othoman Empire put the Turks so often to the Foil The next to him was Saruchan who possessed himself of the greatest part of Lydia and some other Countries adjoyning Troas Phrygia and part of Mysia fell to Calumus and his Son Carasius the remaining part of Mysia and part of Lydia was seized by Aidin part of Pontus the Cities of Heraclea Pontica Castomonia Synope and others near to the Euxine Sea and Country of Paphlagonia fell into the hands of the Sons of Omer or as the Greeks call them Amar of whom the Country took not their names as did the former of these that possessed them but is commonly called Bolli so named of the Metropolis as also was Mendesia or as some will have it Mentetia a Country in the Lesser Asia These and divers others were the divisions of the Turkish Empire in Persia and the Lesser Asia which Anarchy caused their Subjection and utter subversion as in the Succeeding part of this History will at large appear During this confusion amongst the rest of the great Captains there happened one Othoman of the Oguzian Family who had been raised from a low estate by Sultan Aladine yet by reason he was not of the Selzuccian Family they made little account of him not permiting him to share with them in their division though by what justice is uncertain all of them feared his rising fortune and strove what in them lay to hinder but in vain for the Destinies so ordering it he in a short time became the Founder of the Othoman Empire as in the Perusal of his Life and Actions will appear CHAP. VI. The Rise of the Powerfull Empire of the Turks under Othoman its first Founder with his Life and Actions THat Empires and Kingdoms have their Limitation from the Soveraign Creator and Disposer of all things it is undeniably evident by the Sundry Mutations that have been in all Ages of the World for nothing can be assured of long continuance though never so great and powerful How are the great Monarchies of the Persians Medians Babylonians Chaldeans Romans and the like dwindled away into nothing no more then a bare Relation of their Names and Greatness remaining to testifie the mighty actions they performed when at their becks were half three parts of Mankind And indeed no less famous was the Turkish Empire in Persia and the Lesser Asia till broken and dismembred by the violent intrusion of the Tartars a Savage People bursting from the Frozen-North to the Terror and Subversion of the greatest part of Asia and Africa but now under the Turkish Scepter as shall by the subsequent Discourse appear During the time that the Tartars overwhelmed the Turkish Dominions in Asia Solyman of the Oguzian Family Reigning in the lesser Asia and seeing his Country-man the Sultan of Persia driven from all his Possessions thought it not safe for him of far Inferior force to abide the Sorm but flying with such People as would follow him after long wandring the Tempest being near over and he desiring to return home as he was about to pass the Danube was carried away by the Stream and drowned leaving behind him four Sons viz. Sencur Teken Jundogdis and Ertogrul of some called Orthobules who was the Father of Othoman This Ertogrul after the Death of his Father having notice that Aladine the Sultan had again settled himself in the lesser Asia Sent Messengers to him to desire him that he and the rest of his poor followers who were Herdsmen driving Flocks still before them as they travelled might inhabit in some Corner of his Country The Sultan not unmindful of the state of poor Exiles it having so lately been his own Case appointed them a Village called Suguta lying between the Castle Belezuga and Mount Tmolus in the greater Phrygia during whose residence there with his small Train the Sultan had many Conflicts with the Tartars whose Power by this time was in its Wain and being hard put to it in one Battle near the said Village Ertogrul with four hundred of his Herdsmen unexpectedly came to his Assistance and behaved himself so valiantly that the Tartars were put to flight for which the Sultan honoured him with a rich Cloak and began highly to prize his Valour insomuch that he inlarged his Territories making him a petty Lord which Lordship with great Repute he held during the Reign of the Sultan doing many notable Services as taking the Castle of Cara-Chisar from the Christians who by their many Injuries had exasperated the Sultan but after the Sultans Death those that succeeded being Tributaries to the Tartars till such time as the Kingdom was Anachised he lived quietly at home during which time many conceived great hopes of his younger Son Othoman called by some Osman Gazi or Osman the Warlike by reason of the great delight he had in Arms when he was a Child and when grown up to discourse and Argue with the Commanders and Governours of whom he had the general Esteem of an active Youth designed for great Atchievements as it afterward fell out One day Othoman going to visit the Governour of Eski-Chisar lately taken from the Christians by his Father He fell in Love by the way with a beautiful Damosel named Malhatun and sent to request her in Marriage but she seeming something averse excusing her self that she was of too mean a Parentage and not a fitting Match for him that was so nobly descended he as she conceived designing rather to Debauch her then make her his Wife but this modest repulse making him more and more desire her he in other Discourses declared his Affections to the aforesaid Governour who seeming little to take notice thereof begun to be inflamed with the Love of the Damosel unseen by the lively Description Othoman had given of her rare Perfection which Othoman well perceiving and fearful that he should inforce her to his Lust having great Power in that Country he
the youngest Son of John Huniades their great Captain deceased who not much inferiour to his Father in valour and success in Arms gave the Infidels many a fatal overthrow with the Loss of many of their Armies and gave great hopes to the Christians that he would as indeed he did prove a Bulwark to Christendom Whilst things thus passed Mahomet desirous to revenge himself of Scanderbeg fent Ballabanus with a great Army to invaide his Territories whom Scanderbeg charging furiously overthrew him but Moses and others of his Captains contrary to the command of their General in the heat of fight following their Enemies into the straights of the Mountains where fallen into an Ambush for that purpose layed they were taken Prisoners and carryed to Constantinople by those they had before Vanquished wherewith Sanderbeg sent to desire that he might Ransom them but the crafty Tyrant knowing how much he was weakned by such a loss caused them Cruelly to be flain alive and soon after sent Jacup Bassa with a great Army with whom the renowned Prince ingaging slew him hand to hand and put to the Sword a great part of his Army upon news of which Mahomet mad with Anger raised an Army of 200000 men thinking to overrun the Country but in vain for having a long time layn Siege to Croia and there by the furious Sallies of the Garrison and onsets of Scanderbeg lost near half his men together with Ballabanus his General he with great shame and confusion returned to Constantinople But as all things must yield to Fate so our invincible Champion whom no mortal hand could subdue wearyed with the Toils of a tedious War coming to Lyssa a City of the Venetians fell Sick and calling the Venetian Embassador to him he discovered to him what a troublesome Life he had lived and by what means the War was to be maintained recommending to him the care of his Wife and Children appointing the Venetians the Guardians of his Son till such time he came of Age and in the mean while to secure for him the Kingdom of Epirus admonishing him to be faithful and as much as in him lay to maintain peace and unity Then calling his Wife and Son told them that he must leave the World and exchange this Life for one more durable and willed her that after his death she should pass over into Apulia and there to live upon the inheritance given him by King Ferdinand and then after some devout Prayers gave up the Ghost Anno. 1466. in the 63 year of his Age and 24 of his Reign to the great grief of the Christian Princes and joy of the Turks whose Armys his very name had frequently put to flight After his death he was with great Solemnity buryed in the Cathedral Church at Lyssa where he rested till about 9 years after at what time the Turks taking the City dug up his Bones and happy was he that could get the smallest piece which they wore about them ever after as inestimable Jewels superstitiously imagining that whilst they had them about u'm Scanderbeg's fortune would attend u'm and that they should be invincible Not long after the Death of this renowned Soldier the Hungarians under the leading of their young King seized upon the Kingdom of Bosna and soon rent it from the Turkish Empire demolishing the Castles and driving away the Garrisons placed there by Mahomet at what time the Venetians being abroad with a great fleet of Gallies took divers Cities from the Turks burnt many Villages and carryed away 2000 Captives into the Country of Euboea now called Nigroponte which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared a great Army to invade that Country and recover the spoil in order to effect which he sent Mahomet Bassa with a fleet of 300 Gallies whilst himself with a great Army Marched overland with which the Venetian Admiral not daring to ingage it arrived safe where the Turks landing took Stora Basasilicon and Marching to Chalcis joyned with the Emperors Army who with small Vessels and other Materials made a Bridge over the straight or narrow Sea which divides Euboea from Achaia straightly besieging it both by Sea and Land and with his Cannon for 4 days battered the City incessantly being given to understand by the chief Cannoneer of the 〈◊〉 whom he had bribed which was the weakest part insomuch that in the end several large 〈…〉 made yet was the City so manfully 〈…〉 the Turks could not enter and every day 〈…〉 Turks forced to make a new Battery for such part of the Wall as was in the Day time beaten down which the Citizens in the Night repaired and at length coming to understand the Tretchery of their Gunner hanged him up as a reward of his Tretchery Mahomet perceiving the valor of the defendants resolved after his having rent the Wall with his Cannon in divers places and thirty Days besieged the City to give a general assault with all his power at what time the Venetian Admiral came in sight of the City with his Fleet but would not tho his Captains urged either Fight with Turkish Gallies or endeavour to break the Bridge the which had he done he had shut up Mahomet and all his forces in the Island where through Famine and other necessities he might have greatly distressed him This Cowardice of the Admiral for which he and all his Family was afterwards Banished by the Signory of Venice being perceived by the Turks they gave a furious assault on all parts and were so stoutly repulsed that they with their dead filled up the Trenches and Breaches but their number still increasing and continuing the assault a whole day and a night without intermission the Citizens at last being 3 parts of them Slain and wounded the remaining part retired to the Market and there upon the Turks entering Fought it out to the last man selling their Lives at a dear rate amongst whom many Women disguised in men's apparel Fighting couragiously were Slain The City being thus gained at the price of 40000 Turks Lives the Barbarous Tyrant commanded all that were found therein to be put to the Sword which Paulus Ericus the Governour understanding with his Wise Daughter and trusty Friends betook himself to the Castle who capitulated that upon the surrender of the Castle himself and his Friends should have their Lives and Liberties Granted them which the Tyrant solemnly Swore to but having gotten them in his power made at the great loss he had sustained in winning the City he caused the Governour and all but his Daughter to be presently Slain reserving the young Lady as the only Mirror of Beauty to satiate his lust but she disdaining the Tyrants promises and reviling him for his wicked purposes rather desiring Death then to lose her Chastity by becoming his prostitute he caused her even in his presence to be cruelly put to Death and then proceeded to subdue the other Cities of the Island who terrified with the fate of Chalcis surrendered
commanded it writing to each other many Blasphemous Letters in commendation of their Impostor whom they stile King of Kings and Lord of all Lords attributing to him many other vain Titles nor was it long e'r he became Hydra headed for other despicable Jews finding the cheat take so effectually took up the deceiving Trade which caused the Turkish Ministers to nip them e're they grew too popular by confining the Ring-Leaders to divers Prisons and amongst other things the Jews being ashamed that so many Missias should at once appear procured the Imprisonment of some of them themselves by accusing them of Adultery and other heinous Crimes as for Sabati he finding his fraud too apparent renounced the Judaism and turned Mahometan and drew many of his Nation to follow his Example being for that purpose set at Liberty and allowed a pension for his Maintenance in the Turks Seraglio About this time the Embassadors of either Empire exchanged that is the Turks Embassador returned from Vienna to Constantinople and the German Embassador from Constantinople to Vienna during which the skirmishes between the Venetians and the Turks grew hot Hostilities being on both sides maintained with great fury both by Land and Sea though with various success sometimes on side prevailing and sometimes another till at last in was resolved by the Marquess D' Villa and the Admiral of the Gallies that by reason of the great Inundations occasioned by the incessant rains that the offensive War should be laid aside and the Forces for better security incamp near the Walls of Candia as being the Metropolis of the Island whilst the Gallies divided into two Squadrons scowred the Seas and hindred any new succours from Landing but e're they were incamped Two Thousand Turks sallying from their Trenches set upon the out Guards beating them from their Post and pursuing even to the enterance of the Camp but being reinforced the Turk were obliged in disorder to retire yet the Turks not contented made another attempt but with no better success than the former though the Loss was considerable on either side yet the Turks Camp was greatly annoyed by the shot from which played furiously upon their â—renches but the Marquess D' Villa having notice of the approach of greater Forces thought it wisdom to remove his Camp to a place of more advantage till new aids came to his assistance the which after â—illing up the Trenches and blowing up the Forts that they might not profit the Enemy was performed During this Action the Great Visier with a numerous Army Imbarqued on the Gallies at Constantinople and after touching at Thebes arrived at Candia though by the way Twelve of his Galleys fell into the hands of the Venetians mostly laden with Provision and Ammunition taken near the Gulf of â—olo by the Cavalier Grimani Captain of the Gallies the Visier upon his arrival went to take a view of the City of Candia that Bulwark then of Christendom and finding the taking of it would require much time and labour he returned to Canea to consult the measures used in carrying on the siege when in the mean time the Princes of Christendom being at discord amongst themselves were not so ready in sending the promised succours as was expected only the Pope and Great Duke of Tuscany kept their promise and some few private men out of their proper Treasury sent a supply of Money and Provision insomuch that the juncture did no ways promised success to the Venetians Anno 1667. The Tartars in the depth of Winter entering Poland layed a great part of it desolate carrying away One Hundred Thousand Christians into miserable Bondage which made the Polonian King exhibit a grievous complaint to the Grand Signior but with all desirous to renew the League between them In order to which he sent his Embassador with many rich Presents to the Port but he being too peremptorie in his demands upon his Audidience and receiving no answer agreeable to his expectation uttered such Speeches as caused the Grand Signior to confine him to his own House and a Guard to be set upon him which so increased his fury that growing high it casted him into a Fevour of which he dyed when as his Secretary took upon him the character of an Embassador expecting a reply to what had been proposed and within a while after had an Audience of the Chimacam but in the end could obtain no other answer then that no compensation or pretence should ever after be demanded for the damage sustained by the Tartars in Poland nor that the Polanders should make War upon the Cossacks now revolted from the Obedience of that Crown but that they should immediately make War upon the Muscovite and permit the Turkish Merchants to Trade in their Countrey with this answer the Secretary was obliged to depart though it proved nothing grateful to the Poles who did not vouchsafe to return thanks for this unesteemed favour yet by reason of the differences amongst themselves warred not on Tartary though some of the bordering people with any Authentick Commission joyning with a considerable party of Muscovians entered Tartary and running with Fire and Sword even to the Walls of Coffa their chief City burnt Three Hundred Villages and brought away a great booty of Prisoners Cattle and the like About this time the Bassa of Basora revolted from the Grand Signior and with displayed Insigns marched with an Army of Forty Thousand Horse and to the great terror of those Countreys which he pretended were of right his Legal Inheritance descended to him by his Ancestors but the Bassas of Erzirum Aleppo and Damascus going against him routed his Forces and for the preservation of his Life obliged his to fly to the King of Persia The Venetian Galleys coasting the Island of Candia to hinder what in them lay the Landing of Forces on that Island encountered with Twenty Ships of the Turks laden with Men and Provision most of which they burnt sunk or took and a while after had one of the Turkish Galleys brought to them by the Slaves who had by stratagem taken it from their Masters but these proceedings seemed small to what afterwards happened for by this time the Visier having layed his siege to one of the strongest City in the World fortified by the most industrious of men as far as Humane possibility could render it impregnable dismal things insued The Town was fortified with seven great Bastions viz. the Sabionera Vetturi Jesus Martinengo Betlem Panigra and St. Andrea all incompassed with a large and deep Ditch of which were the Revelin of Spiritto the Revelin of Panigra flanked to the right with the Half-Moon of Mecenigo next thereunto was the Revelin of Batlem bordering on the work of St. Maries which to the left had the Revelin of St. Nicholas and this joyned to the Fortification of de Palma next whereunto was the Revelin of Priuli with the redoubt of Crepa Cuore and over all was the Royal Fort of St.
received his fatal overthrow he had a second conflict with the Turk whom he put to flight with great slaughter and took the City of Philomela and put the Inhabitants to the sword for executing his Messangers he sent to treat with them about delivering it peaceably and then entring â—â—â—â—enia the less he took the City of Melitene and subdued all the Territories round about and there gave the Turks an other fearful overthrow which Army was no sooner vanquished but another not inferiour to â—â— appeared under the heading of Saphadine Saladin the Sultan's Son which with an undaunted bravery he charged and put to rout with incredible slaughter but the joy of Victory was soon turned into Mourning for the good Emperor zealous for the Christian Cause following hâ—â—d upon the flyers his Horse floundered in the River 〈◊〉 and threw him out of the Saddle with his right foot hanging in the Stirrup after which manner e'r he could be relieved he was drag'd through the River and hitting by the way on certain Stumps so bruised that when he was taken up he was heard to say no more then Lord receive my Soul e'r he gave up the Ghost in the seventieth year of his Age and of his Reign 38. Anno 1190. Whereupon his Body was carried to the City of Tire and there in the Cathedral with all Solemnity interred This Heroick Emperor being dead his Son Frederick Duke of Suevia then in the Army was saluted Emperor and General by the consent of the great Commanders but now the Country being purposely destroyed before them pale Famine began to stare them in the face yet on they marched and charging Dodequin Saladius General sent to oppose their Passage gave him a great overthrow and had all the Cities rendred as they passed till they came to Ptolomais where the power of the Christians in Syria were incamped headed by Guy late King of Jerusalem who for a great Sum had obtained his Liberty Upon the Arrival of Frederick the Christians gave a fierce Assault to the City on all Parts and had taken it by Storm had not Saladine the Egyptian Sultan who lay hovering aloof with his Army fallen upon their Camp and thereby in the hottest of the Assault obliged them to draw off to defend the same and having forced him to retire with the loss of a few men they returned again to the Siege expecting the Arrival of Richard the First King of England and Philip the Second King of France who were upon their way with great Forces but they wintering in the Isle of Sicilia the French King out of Envy to the Glory of the English and an old grudge having been formerly about King Richard's refusing the French King's Sister and marrying the Daughter of the King or Navar the French King not long after returned home and withdrew his Army to the frustrating the whole design of recovering Jerusalem yet at present he dissembled the matter and loosing first from the Port of Mesina arrived at Ptolomais where the Christians lay still incomped after whom King Richard shortly followed but sayling by Cyprus his Fleet was dispersed by a Storm and two of his Ships falling on ground on that Coast the Islanders spoyled them and when the rest of the Fleet put in there they rudely withstood their landing which so inraged King Richard that he landing by force seised the Island and took the King thereof Prisoner and sent him bound in Chains of Silver to Syria The King having secured the Island to his use disanchored and sailed to Ptolomais where he was joyfully received of the Christian Princes upon whose Arrival the City after a hot Assault and a great breach in the Wall was surrendred upon condition the Garrison might depart with safety for which they were likewise to pay a great Ransom to deliver they Holy Cross they had in possession and a certain number of them to remain as Hostages that the Saladine should deliver such Christian Prisoners as he had in his power whereupon the Germans of Austria entered first the 〈◊〉 and advanced the Standard of their Duke upon the Wâ—ll as if by their only valour the City had 〈…〉 which so offended King Richard that he 〈◊〉 the Standard to be thrown down and trampled on which indignity the Duke resented so heinously that 〈◊〉 great hindrance of the Wars in Syria he retuâ—â—◠〈…〉 his Forces into Austria as likewise did the 〈◊〉 France with the greatest part of his Army under 〈◊〉 he did it for want of health in so hot a Clime 〈…〉 out of secret Envy to King Richard Salâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of the lessning of the Christian Army and that there still remained amongst them discontent refused to pay the money for the Ransom of the Hostages or deliver up the Christian Prisoners but threatned that if any Extremity was used by the King towards them he would behead all the Christian Prisoners the which notwithstanding the Hostages were not hurt he most barbarously performed in return whereof the King commanded 2500 of the Hostages to be executed in the sight of the Infidels Camp and resolved to give him battel which he perceiving raised his Camp and departed along the Sea Coast ruining the strong Towns to prevent their falling into the hands of the Christians who leaving Ptolomais strongly fortified followed close at his heels resolving to besiege Jerusalem which he perceiving and taking such advantage as the time and place would afford faced about So that both Armies meeting about Noon a dreadful conflict began which continued with great slaughter especially on the part of the Turks till Evening at what time the Victory fell to the Christians who had the Execution of the Infidels for seven miles but Winter coming on they disposed of the Army till Spring in the Towns that Saladine had ruinated repairing and fortifying them stronger than before but when Spring came upon must'ring the Army they were found greatly decreased by diseases and absenting and at the same time the King found the Duke of Burgundia under whose command the French King had left part of his Army still to cross his purpose as desirous to return home having received such Orders privately from the King his Master who was contrary to his Oath taken at his departure warring upon the Normans then King Richard's Subjects and that others were of the like mind found himself altogether too weak to besiege Jerusalem and hearing how the French King had incited his younger Brother John to take upon him the Government of the Kingdom of England fearing lest while he was warring abroad he might loose his Kingdom at home he resolved to make such conditions with the Sultantain as might be best for the advantage of the Christians in Syria and so imbarque for England which the crafty Infidel understanding and finding his power daily to decay would hearken to no other Proposals than that the Christians should surrender all the Towns they had taken Ptolomais excepted and in consideration
Infidels thus foiled though the City still held out Corradiâ—e Sultan of Damasco and Jerusalem sent his Ambassador to the Christian Princes to sue for Peace for himself and his Brother the Sultan of Egypt In lieu whereof he promised to restore the Holy-Cross and all the Towns his Father Saladine had taken from the Christians which large offer was thought reasonable by most of the Princes none opposing it but Pelagius the Popes 〈◊〉 John the late made King of Jerusalem the 〈◊〉 of the Knights Templers and Hospitallers and the Duke of Aâ—siria they alledging that the War was undertaken generally against the Infidels and that they ought not to desist till they had brought them under Whereupon the Sâ—â—â—â—n supposing they would speedily come to Jerusalem caused it to be rased all exceâ—◠〈◊〉 Tower of David and the holy Sepulcher 〈…〉 instance of the Christians there dwelling 〈…〉 with all his people departed to Daâ—â—◠〈◊〉 but 〈…〉 Christians though too late repented their 〈…〉 advantageous an offer for 〈…〉 of the raw 〈◊〉 and Vapors that ascended from Niâ—â—s a mortal Contagion raged in the â—â—mp and much weakened it so that the Sultan taking the advantage indeavoured to put succors into the Town with such speed that many entered ere the Christians could take the Alarum but they falling in the Rear cut off a great number that were shut out lest the Christians should have entered Pell-mel with them into the City and heightened with this success they marched to the Sultans Camp and dared him to battel but he not willing to hazard his Kingdom upon a cast refusing they assaulted him in his Lodging In which daring Attempt the French General was lost with many more of note so that without success they again returned to the Siege Famine beginning to rage extreamly in the City and soon after its attendant the Plague of which such a number died that there were none left to defend it So that the Christians entering found all the Streets paved with the dead 70000 of the Infidels having perished therein through obstinacy who upon surrender might have had their Lives and Liberties Thus this great City after a years Siege was taken the Third of November 1221. After which the Popes Legate laying Claim to it in the behalf of his Master though at the beginning of the War the Princes had concluded that all the Cities and Towâ—◠〈◊〉 should be put into the Possession of the King of Jerusalem a Contest arose between them insomuch that the King retired to 〈◊〉 and was hardly intreated to return upon whose return and the Arrival of the Duke of Bavaria with fresh Forces at the Legates intreaty a great part of the Army was drawn forth in order to the 〈◊〉 the City of Câ—â— which they effected not without hopes of wâ—â—â—ing it but being unacquainted with the Country they iâ— camping in low Ground the 〈…〉 and overflowed their 〈…〉 Waters of a prodigious depthâ—â—â— that many perished therein and at last were obliged to re-deliver Damiata for their Ransom and so the Sultan relieving them with such necessaries as they wanted caused them to be Conducted out of Egypt Whereupon most of them returned into their own Country having first concluded a Peace for eight years with Coradine the Sultan of Damasco which Peace was by the Infidel inviolably observed King John upon his return at the instance of Hâ—â—orâ—us gave his Daughter Yoland in Marriage to Erâ—drick King of Sicilia and with her the Title of Jerusalem from whence the succeedings derived their Titles instiling themselves Kings of Jerusalem And now Henry the second Emperor of Constantinople being dead having Reigned eleven years and some odd days Peter Count of Ausseres was made Emperor in his stead who in revenge to Injuries done to the Veâ—etians by Theodorus Angelius Prince of Epirus besieged him in Dâ—â—rachium but upon his feigned Submission a Peace was concluded when the Emperor too much crediting the perjured Wretch going into the City slenderly attended to an Entertainment to which the Epirâ—â— had invited him was by his Commandment slain Upon the News of this sad disaster the Constantinopâ—liâ—â—ns elected his Son Robert to succeed him but he lived nor long for having married a beautiful Lady before Contracted to a noble man of Burgundia he in revenge in the Emperors absence with a resolute Company broke into the Pallace and there seizing upon the 〈◊〉 cut off her Nose and Ears and afterward 〈◊〉 her Mother who had been the cause of the 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 Contract threw her into 〈…〉 into the 〈…〉 Mountains living 〈…〉 of his Companions which 〈…〉 the Emperor that going to Rome in his return the died After him succeeded his Son by the name of Baldwin the Second being the fifth and last Emperor of the Lattins in Constantinople For Lasâ—ares of whom I have before spoken after the overthrow he gave the Sultan mightily increasing his Power rigged a great many Ships and Siezed upon all the Islands in the Iconium and Egean Seas Lesbos Chios Saâ—os Rhodes c. And by that means rendered himself so formidable that most Cities before in the possession of the Lattins revolted to him insomuch that without any great resistance he brought his Army to the Gates of Constantinople and then dying lefe his Son John Ducas Batazes to succeed him who prosecuting the War against the Latrius became more terrible then his Father strengthening himself by a Marriage between Hâ—lena daughter to Assan King of Bulgaria and his Son Theodore And after that renewed the League with the Sultain of Iconium who was then 〈◊〉 in Warring against the Tartars During these pâ—ssâ—â—es 〈◊〉 the German Emperor with great forces passed 〈◊〉 Syria but by Reason he did not humble himself to Greogry the ninth the proud Preâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 thereto by his Strumpet Fulminated against 〈◊〉 with Excommunications sending his Leâ—ters to the Christians not to aid nor receive him upon his 〈◊〉 but they did not regard the 〈◊〉 Pope 〈…〉 his Landing with his forces 〈…〉 joyfully and honourably received 〈…〉 to Sultan 〈◊〉 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 to 〈…〉 to his 〈…〉 desire 〈…〉 himself 〈…〉 that after 〈…〉 that the 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 was at hardly gladly 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 up the City of Jerusalem with all the Land of Palestine together with the Respective Cities taken by the Sultan Saladine and all the Christian Prisoners in lieu of a ten years Peace which was accorded and the Emperor with his Army coming to the desolate City of Jerusalem and there with great Solemnity on Easter Day Anno 1229 was Crowned King and so having fortifyed the City by repairing the Wall and Garrisoned Nazereth Joppa and other strong Cities and appointed Reynold Duke of Bavaria his Lieutenant in Syria he returned home where the Pope had put his Subjects in an uproar and Seized upon his Kingdom of Naples working him greater troubles then are convenient to be here related as not pertinent to this History only note that this was
of them slain and the rest taken Prisoners Things being at this pass and by this means peace Recovered to the Empire intestine broyles began anew to be fomented by the factious Greeks for the young Emperor being dead they stirred up young Adronicus his Son to depose his Grand-father the old Emperor which after several Stratagems and devices he effected taking the City of Constantinople by treason and casting him in Prison where of grief he soon after died These Civil dissensions of the Greeks amongst themselves gave Othoman the opportunity to sound his Empire in Phrygia and Bythima where being successful in all his Attempts he mightily increased his Dominions having by this time subdued 20 Cities with all their Territories and amongst the rest Prusia which after along Siege worn out with Famine Anno 1327 yielded upon several Articles few of which were afterward observed by the Turk which being the greatest City in those parts of Asia became for many years after the seat of the Turkish Kings But as all men must yield to death so in the 28 year of his Reign and the 69 year of his Age Othoman the Founder of the Turkish Empire still called from him the Othoman Empire died and was buried in Prusia where to this day his Tomb is to be seen and in his new acquired Kingdom Orchanes his Second Son succeeded him his eldest dying during his Regency CHAP. VII The Life and Actions of Orchanes otherwise Urchan Second King of the Turks in Asia THE Funeral rights of this great Conqueror being performed by his Sons viz. Orchanes alias Vrchan his Second Son and Aladin his third and youngest Son and he having left great store of wealth Orchanes his Successor took upon him the rule of the Kingdom allotting to his Brother Aladin at his request the Lordship of Fodore in the Teckences Country where he lived a private Life without doing any thing worthy of memory but Orchanes now settled in his Kingdom following his fathers footsteps whose Armies of late he had altogether commanded as his General he forgat not to proceed where he had left off and therefore prepare to War upon the Christians but at first with no great Success for the Christians upon the death of Othoman drawing their forces together out of all parts recovered the City of Nice with divers Castles and Towns and amongst the rest the Castle Tzuprichiser which greatly hindered the Turks excursions who dwelt in Bithynia whereupon Orchanes upon notice that it was slenderly Guarded went with several of his followers in the attire of Merchants and by that means deceiving the warders got admittance but were no sooner entered e're they proved fatal ones for drawing their Swords they put all such as they found therein to death and seized the Castle and having Garrisoned it passed on to the City of Nice to which they lay'd siege when to rescue it the young Emperor Andronicus came with such power as he could raise but being for the most part unexperienced Soldiers the Turks from the Mountains as they were passing through the hot Country setting upon them a cruel battel begun but night coming on they parted by consent yet in this fight the Emperor lost near half his People and was himself wounded with an Arrow so that despairing of effecting what he came for leaving his Tents and great store of Furniture therein every man shifted for himself in the dead of Night so that next Morning what they left became a prey to the Infidels who hightened by this Success took in several Sea Towns and within a while recovered the City of Nice by Stratagem As thus the Emperor in his flight thither from his Camp had promised to send them 1000 Horse-men of which Orchanes having notice disguised 800 of his men in Grecian habit and sent them with full instructions who being come within sight of the City he sent out 300 other in Turkish habit as foragers whom the other espying as if they had been ignorant of the Matter turned upon them and after a feigned skirmish put them to flight then taking their way to the City the Citizens who from their walls had beheld what had passed joyfully opened their Gates supposing them to be the Emperors promised Aid but they no sooner entered but the other 300 Horse and several Companies of Foot who lay in Ambush were at their Heels by which means that great City was a second time taken by the Turks whose Riches became a prey to the Soldiers and whose Inhabitants became of free Persons miserable Captives The Fate of this great City followed many others in the same Tract the Turks wasting all before them as they went miserably burning up what they could not carry away so that the Countries before them were dispeopled all the Inhabitants flying from them as a ten-fold Contagion So that no considerable Forces being sent from the Emperor the Cities fell into his Hands in great abundance and above all being desirous to possess the two fair Castles of Abydos and Sestus he sent Accecozza one of his great Captains to win them if possible who by the way having Intelligence that the Captains Son of the Castle of Seamandra being dead his Funeral was such a day to be Solemnized without the Walls whereupon laying an Ambushment they upon the Mourners approach suddenly issued from their Coverts and slew several of them taking the remainder Prisoners and amongst them the Captain whom they carried to the Castle telling those that kept the Walls that if they did not deliver it he should be put to a Cruel Death before their Eyes at which nothing dismayed they returned Answer that they might Kill him Boyl him and Eat him if they pleased but as for the Castle they would not deliver it whereupon he finding it a work of great Difficulty to take by force departed to Sestus which he with little Difficulty took and had his Prisoners Ransomed for a great Mass of Mony and amongst the rest the Captain of Scamandra and now Abydos standing in Europe on the other side the Hellâ—â—â—â— was the only place Aimed at when as Fate would have the Night before the Turks came before it the Captain of the Castles Daughter dreamt that she falling 〈◊〉 miry made her Clean the which as soon as 〈◊〉 the viewed Abdurachman one of the Turkish Captains the fancied him to be the same Person she had 〈…〉 Vision and so strongly her fancy wrong 〈…〉 he lead up his Forces against the Wall 〈…〉 Power from whence she beheld what was 〈…〉 a Letter tyed to a stone at his Feeâ—◠〈…〉 presed her Passion Protesting that 〈…〉 of her Love she would on such a 〈…〉 Castle into his Hands This Letter 〈…〉 Acâ—ecozza he much doubted the 〈…〉 searing it was a design to draw them 〈…〉 upon Abdurachman's Request that he might 〈…〉 the Enterprize he Consented it being agreed that to give the besieged the less Suspicion the Army should give a general assault and then draw
Tartars hath made this Coward so affraid that he thinketh every Enemy two The Armies being come near to each other upon the great Plains of Sennas he thought not good to joyn Battle presently by Reason the Evening approached yet many light Skirmishes happened between the Parthian Horsemen and the Forerunners of the Turkish Army but the next Morning either Hoast being set in Array after some Pause the charge was Sounded whereupon the Prince of Ciarcan Tamarlin's Kins-man with 40000 Horse charged the Turks in the Front and Piercing their Battle put the Jannizaries into disorder but venturing too far was there Slain whereupon Axalla Leading the Vaunt-Guard composed of Sciths and Parthians bore upon the left Wing of the Turks Army cutting in pieces and Bearing down all that oppos'd him at what time his Footmen coming to joyn with him he Faced the Batalion of the Jnnaizaries who behaved themselves Valiantly for the safety of their Prince who in the middle of them Fought on Foot which Fight continued Bloody and doubtful for the space of an Hour all the place being heaped with the Bodies of the Slain till at last the Tartars being overcharged gave Ground which Tamerlain from his Stand perceiving sent 10000 Horse to Reinforce them and other 10000 to Fight in the Rearward and at the same time sent his Foot-men who fell in with the Turks main Battle that remained yet unshaken with such fury that making them give way he opened them to the Rear of the Jannizaries wherein was yet the Person of Bajazet who sustained the greatest Brunt of the Fight but at last overpowered with number they were forced to give Gronnd at what time Tamerlain coming on with 50000 fresh Horse Bore down all before him till he came to the Jannizaries who always Fight in the Heart of the Army and they weary and not able to make sufficient resistance were trodden down on all sides so that the Battle Swerving the Turks betook themselves to Flight and amongst the rest Bajazet wounded as he was who afterwards fell into the Hands of Axalla together with his Son Musa The Despot of Servia and many others of note This great Victory fell to the Tartars chiefly by the revolt of a great number of Bajazet's men who were raised in the Countries of the Mahometan Princes expulsed who in the Heat of the Battle seeing their natural Lords under Tamerline's Standard went over to ' um This Fight lasted Bloody and doubtful from Seven in the Morning till four in the Evening wherein as many report 200000 on either side were Slain and amongst the rest Mustapha Bajazets Son with most of his great Commanders After this Bajazet being brought before Tamerlain and demanded why he oppressed the Christians and made War upon so Noble a Prince as was the Emperor of Greece to which he replyed Even the same thing that hath moved thee to invade me even the desire of Glory and Soveraignty and why said Tamerlain do you use such Tyranny over those you Conquer without Respect of Sex or Age That I did said he to give the greater Terror to my Enemies Ah what wouldst thou have done with me said Tamerlain if it had been thy Fortune to have had me in thy Power I would said the haughty Turk not Conquered tho overcome have put thee in a Cage of Iron and have carryed thee in Triumph about my Kingdom Even so said Tamerlain shalt thou be served and thereupon commanded him out of his presence and as he had determined shortly after Cooped him up in a Cage of Iron and carryed him into the Countries he Conquered whose Calamity may well serve as a memento to all aspiring Mortals by putting them in mind that the Worldly Glory is not perminent After this the Greek Emperor sent his Ambassedor to Tamerlain in his Name to deliver up his City and Empire but he refused saying he had Dominions sufficient of his own and after having seen the City and wondered at its fair Structures and Riches he taking leave of the Emperor he passed with his Army into Egypt to be revenged on the Sultan for assistng Bajazet against him with 30000 Mamalukes having first subdued all or the greatest part of all the Turks Dominions in Asia and intirely restored Europe to its rightful possessors and meeting with the Sultan he overthrew his Army consisting of 174000 Horse and Foot and so wining Damasco Jerusalem Damiata Cairo and most of the Cities in Egypt Syria Lybia and other Eastern Countries making all the Kings as he passed become his Tributaries he left Calibes a great Captain with the greatest part of his Army to pursue the Egyptian Sultan and secure what he had won having news that his Father in Law was sick and that his Wife was desirous of his Company he returned into his Country but ' ere his departure Bajazet as desperate and impatient of his Misfortune had beaten his Brains out against the Bars of his Cage as the mos Authentick Authors affirm tho the Turks say he was set at Liberty by Tamerlain who beforehand had caused to take Poyson of which within three Days he dyed tho their saying is very unlikely to be true but however he was Buryed in Prusa by his beloved Wife Despina Anno 1399. having Reigned seven years and kept under restraint two years CHAP. X. The Life of Mahomet the first King of the Turks and the restorer of their Kingdom ruined by the Tartars THough Historians somewhat vary about the Successor of Bajazet yet the most Credible do affirm that his Son Mahomet several of his other Brothers being slain and carried away Captive succeeded him and that the rest might be mistaken in the Name This Mahomet when his Father was taken Prisoner was but fifteen years of Age having been by him appointed his Successor for the great Hope he saw in him for the recovery of the broken and much shattered Kingdom When Mahomet entered upon Kingly Authority the Tartars possessed a great part of the before Turkish Dominion but the Remains of the scattered Army and other Aids resorting to his Standard after the departure of Tamerlain he recovered many Cities some by Force and others by Revolt from the Tartars and not long after in a great and bloody Battle overthrowing Inal Ogly Tamerlain's Lieutenant he advanced more boldly and charged Costor Ogly and Kinpeck Ogly two more of Tamerlain's great Captains whom he likewise overthrew and following his good Fortune passed into the lesser Asia of which Tamerlain having Notice sent for him with a Promise to give him one of his Daughters in Marriage to whom he intended to go but by the way being often forced to fight through the Ambushment of the Tartars he fearing it was a Design to take him Prisoner returned to his Government excusing himself to Tamerlain's Ambassador and sending one of his own Ambassadors to give the reason of his not coming upon Notice of which and that the Turks still prevailed Tamerlaine prepared for
a second Expedition having recruited his huge Army for that purpose But what Man willeth God disposeth whilst he was intent upon the matter falling sick of a Feaver or Ague after three sits he dyed Death Conquering him who in a short space Conquered fifty intire Kingdoms This mighty Tartar being Dead his great Kingdom divided amongst his Sons by their jarring and discontent of the Nobility was soon after rent into pieces most of it falling into the hands of the Turks who at this day possess it And now Mahomet winning all the Dominions his Father held in the greater Asia from the Tartars resolved to recover the rest which his three Brothers Isa Solyman and Mnsa had seized on in Europe and the lesser Asia whereupon assembling all his Forces he marched to Lâ—pacllum near to which Isa being incamped he sent to offer him Caramania and several other Kingdoms in the lesser Asia though indeed they were not his to give being possessed by their rightful Princes whom Tamerlain had re-possessed them off which offer refused from a younger Brother whereupon a bloody Battle insued in which Isa was overthrown and for the preservation of his Life forced to fly to Emanuel the Greek Emperor In this Battle were blain the two famous Basas Eine and Tenurtases of which overthrow Mahomet sent to certifie his Brother Solâ—â—â—â—n then in Constantinople after which he marched with his Army to Prrsa and received under his Protection all the Countries adjoyning and now growing strong he â—eselved to brook no Rival in his Fathers Kingdoms when on the other hand Solyman his Elder Brother hearing what he had done and knowing him to be of an aspiring Temper thought it not Convenient to suffer him longer so Triumphantly to proceed whereupon by the advice of his Grave Counsellors he sent for his Brother Isa then at Constantinople and making him general of his Army gave him Orders to pass over into Asia and curb the Pride of his aspiring Brother Isa glad of this opportunity to revenge his own Injuries sustained in loosing his Dominions obeying his Brother Solyman's Commands entered Mahomet's Dominions and there with Fire and Sword began his Progress which Mahomet understanding came against him and having overthrown his Forces put him to a second flight into Carramania where in obscurity of the Wounds he received in Battle and grief for his foul defeat he dyed Solyman hearing of the defeat prepared a great Army to invade Asia which made Mahomet retire into the Country of Amasa as doubting the affections of his People by reason the Kingdoms of Bajazet of Right appertained to Solyman as Flder This retireing gave Solyman opportunity to advance to the Walls of Prusâ—s which City he besieged and had it presently yielded except the Castle which upon the Interceptions of Mahomet's Letters was likewise surrendered but upon the approach of Mahomet with a great Power doubtful to keep what he had got he with all his People retired to the Straights of Neapolis where he defended himself right valiantly against the assaults of his Brother who by reason of the Intemperance of the Weather and a Letter framed by Alis-Bassa that there was a Conspiracy amongst his Captains to deliver him up to Solyman he retired Whilst these things were acting Musa being set at Liberty by the Tartars came to Mahomet's Camp was of him joyfully received when after some Discourse it was greed that Musa with an Army should pass over the Euxin Sea into Europe and whilst Solyman was busie in Asia seize upon his Country which Expedition he undertaking and making Isfender Prince of Castomonia his Friend and afterward the Prince of Valachia by marrying his Daughter he soon prevailed with the Governours of the chief Cities to Revolt from Solyman when entering Hadrianople he caused himself to be invested with Royal Robes and as King of the Country sent forth his Decrees which Solyman hearing of as he lay at Ancira in Asia passed the Straights of Bosphorus with all the Forces he could raise upon whose Departure Mahomet recovered what ever he had won in Asia Solyman being come into Europe Musa prepared to oppose him and both Armies coming in sight of each other Musa so dealt with Solyman's Captains that they revolted which he perceiving fled accompanied only with Caratze-Beg Cara Muchil and one Country Turk whom they took with them as their Guide whose persidiousness brought them to Destruction for pretending to lead them through the by-ways all Night he misnaming places brought them in the Morning near to Musa's Camp when giving Notice to the Rusticks they set upon them and having killed the two Captains took Solyman and delivered him to Musa who immediately caused him to be strangled whose Body by his Command was carried to Prusa and there buryed by his Ancestors Solyman being Dead Musa took upon him the Goernment of the Turkish Kingdom in Europe as had been agreed between him and his Brother Mahomet but e'r he was settled he began to Tyrannize beyond measure over his Subjects which caused many of his great Captains to leave him and amongst the rest Eurenosie feigning himself Blind found means to depart to Constantinople from whence he wrote to Mahomet then in Asia giving him an Account of his Brothers proceedings and soliciting him to pass over with his Army whose Council Mahomet taking making first a League with Emanuel the Greek Emperor he entered Europe with his Army But by the over eager pursuit of his Army after the Vaunt Couriers of Musa's Army his Orders being broken he was put to flight and forced to repass the Seas into Asia leaving behind him a great part of his Army who were spoiled by the Enemy Mahomet thus foiled and desirous of Revenge resolved once more to try his Fortune and thereupon drawing to his Assistance Dulgader Ogly who sent his Son with great Forces to serve him in his War he repassed the Euxin and by the Council of Eurenosis having procured the revolt of Jegides-Bassa Barack-Beg and Sinon-Beg 3 of Musa's great Captains who came over to him with 3000 valiant Turks he resolved to give his Brother battle the which being joyned Musa by the revolt of other Commanders during the heat of fight was overthrown taken and by the Command of Mahomet strangled receiving therein the same measure he had dealt to his Brother Solyman After this overthrow of Musa Mahomet proceeded to take possession of his Kingdom the which whilst he was doing news came that the Carramanian King spoiled his Countries in Asia and had burnt his great City of prusa which being a frontier City was still exposed to the miseries of War whereupon Mahomet setling his Affairs in Europe as necessity would permit passed into Asia and falling like a tempest upon the Country of Carramama took Aspropolis Despoâ—opolis and Hierapolis laying hard Siege to Iconium which caused the Carramanian to send his Embâ—â—â—dors to treat a Peace the which by reason of the great â—oods of Rain that
fell and the Sickness in the Army occasioned by the intemperance of the Weather was by Mahomet accorded but it continued not long e're the Carramanian King in the absence of Mahomet a second time invaded his Countries with whom Mahomet fighting routed his Army taking him and his Son Prisoners for whose Ransoms he had delivered into his possession the principal Cities of Carramania and then returning into Europe seized upon Valachia obliging the Prince thereof to become his Vassal About this time two Persons viz. Buriluzes and Bedredin pretending themselves to be great Prophets drew great multitudes after them who spoiled the Country upon notice of which Mahomet sent forces to apprehend them who dispersing their followers hewed the former in pieces and hanged the latter upon a Sign-post and now Mahomet falling sick without any hopes of recovery assembled all his great Captains and charged them to obey his eldest son Amurath whom after his decease he appointed to succeed him in his Kingdom and lest in his absence he being then at his Government of Amass any disturbance should happen that they that were about him if he should chance to die should conceal his Death All which he at that time dying being accordingly observed for when the Janiziries and Pensioners mistrusting him to be dead and demanded to see him the Bassas attiring him in his Royal Robes like as when he was alive brought him forth into a large Gallery placing a Boy under his Gown who as he was Commanded lifted the Kings Arm and moved his head with which those that were below were well contented and by this Stratagem kept his Death Secret 41 days even till Amurath came and took the Scepter the which had they not done the 〈◊〉 and Pensioners would have spoiled the rich Citie wherein they were quartered as ever since has been observed during an Interregnum CHAP. XI The Life of Amurath the Second of that name and Sixth King of the Turks his Wars Victories and Defeats A Murath had no sooner taken possession of his Kingdom and the Death of Mahomet published but divers Princes revolted from him and invaded his Territories as the Prince of Smyrna Mentesia and others and amongst the rest an obscure fellow of Thessalonica feigning himself to be Mustapha the Eldest Son of Bajazet who was slain in the battle against Tamerlane all the Turkish Cities in Europe fell to him whereupon Amurath sent Bajazet Bassa against him with a great Army which was no sooner landed but it revolted to Mustapha leaving the Bassa alone to shift for himself whereupon the Bassa together with his Brother Hamze submitted themselves to this counterfeit Son of Bajazet but being envyed by the rest of the Captains they raised such Jealousies of his being treacherous in Mustapha that he soon after put him to death and afterward prepared for the Invasion of Amurath's Territories in Asia of which he having notice gathered all his forces to oppose him and after asking Council of a Mahometan Priest who assured him he had after two repulses at the hands of the Great Prophet obtained the favor of making him prosperous in his Wars and so coming to the North-side of the River Vlibad he found the Bridge broken down and Mustapha's great Army incamped on the other side where he so dealt with the great Captains of Mustapha's Army that many of them revolted and at length Mustapha being frighted by forged Letters importing that his Army intended to deliver him up fled by night after which his men submitted to Amurath and he in his flight being taken in Europe was hanged The Rebellion being pacified and Amurath informed that all this had happened by the contrivance of the Greek Emperor besieged Constantinople which in vain he often attempted to take by storm but whilst he lay at this siege news was brought that the King of Caramania had set up another Mustapha viz. his younger Brother Son to Mahomet to whom many Countries in the lesser Asia revolted which made Amurath raise his Siege and with all hast March to oppose him and with large gifts to have the sooner done he so corrupted Ilias Beg the young Princes Tutor that he delivered him up together with the City of Nice where he was by Amurath's command Strangled Amurath having appeased these Rebellious Tumults Lessened his Council from 5 to 2 Bassas viz. Ibrahim and Eivazes the latter of which being much envyed by those that were outed they supposing it was done by his perswasion possessed Amurath that he had a design upon his Life and after that to seize his Kingdom and for that purpose went privately armed to prove the truth of which Amurath one day clasping him in his Arms as in token of Friendship found it so indeed and therefore growing more suspitious notwithstanding his many excuses for his so doing caused his Eyes to be put out and soon after had news of the death of the King of Carramania his Mortal Enemy who having lay'd Siege to the City of Attalia in Pamphilia as he was viewing it to see where he might most conveniently make an Assault was shot into the Brest with an Arrow from a Lope-hole at which Amurath greatly rejoyced but his joy was soon allayed by other news of a fierce Invasion of his Territories made by Tzunites Prince of Smyrna but it soon blew over for the Prince being Vanquished by the Vice-Roy of Anatolia was together with his Son taken Prisoner and contrary to Faith plighted Slain after this Amurath Marryed the Daughter of Prince Isflendiar and then on a suddain in revenge of the pretended wrongs done him by the Greeks besieged and took Thessalonica and dispoiled it of all its Riches leading away the Inhabitants into miserable Captivity At this time amongst other distressed Princes John Castriot Prince of Epirus perceiving the Turks ready to invade him and being no ways Capable to withstand so powerful an Army resolved to avoid the Miseries of War by a timely accord with the Turkish Tyrant promising to become his Tributary and for confirmation thereof as Hostages delivered his 4 Sons viz. George Stanisius Reposuis and Constantine Amurath promising well and honourably to intreat them but as soon as they were within his power he caused them to be Circumcised and brought up in the Superstition of the Mahumetan Religion and after the Death of their Father seized upon his Kingdom and Poysoned all but George whom he Named Scanderbeg who afterwards became the Mawl and terror of the Turks as will in the Sequel appear Amurath being busie in Europe the Carramanian King and the other Mahumetan Princes invaded his Dominions in Asia which caused him to pass over to repress that dangerous Enemy which done he returned into Europe and with Fire and Sword fell upon Hungary and turning thence upon the Prince of Servia's refusing to come to his Court seized Servia tho he had Sworn to the contrary The Hungarians being at Variance amongst themselves and likewise at Wars with the
King of Poland upon the breaking off of the Match between their Queen and the King of Poland Amurath resolved upon the Conquest of that Kingdom invaded Hungary laying close Siege to Belgrade often in vain assaulting it and now the Queen of Hungary being Dead leaving Ladislans a Child in the Cradle to succeed her who not able to take any Measures about opposing the Turk and the Kingdom in likely hood to be overrun the Nobility concluded to Elect Vldislaus King of Poland a man of great Fame and no less courage their King which done Ambassadors were sent to Amurath still lying at the Siege of Belgrade but they were nothing more able to prevail as to his raising the Siege nor procuring a peace till such time as in divers assaults half his Army were lost overwhelmed with Wild-Fire and strangled in the mines nor then tho he raised the Siege would his haughty mind condescend to a Peace in his return hegreatly troubled the Countries of Servia and Bosan causing the Princes in lien of saving them from the Spoil to pay a yearly tribute of 25000 Ducats Vldislaus being setled in his new Kingdom and having frequently intelligence of the incursions of the Turks into Transylvania the better to resist them on that side Created John Hunides Vayvod or his Vicegerent in that Country who putting all things in order gathered such an Army as he might and upon news that Isa the great Bassa and one of Amuraths most Renowned Captains was returned with a great power and spoiled the Country he went against him incouraging his Soldiers to Fight Couragiously for their Lives Country Wives and Children and then setting upon the proud Bassa after a hard foughten Battle put him to Flight with the loss of 20000 of his men This Victory nothing daunted Amurath but pushed him forward more eagerly to revenge the disgrace whereupon early in the Spring he sent Melites Bassa his Viceroy in Asia with a great Army who spoiling the Country took a great Booty and many Prisoners but in his return being pursued by Huniades he overthrew him Slew the Bassa his Son By that means recovering all the Prisoners and Riches together with the Turkish Camp and many Turkish Prisoners of note which caused the Hungarians and Transilvanians greatly to rejoyce part of the Spoiles with the Head of the Bassa and his Son he sent to King Vldislaus the other part he converted to religious uses and what remained freely bestowed it amongst his Soldiers not reserving any part to himself Upon Bruit of this Victory and the Fame of the Valiant Huniades Moldavia and Valachia before Tributary to the Turks revolted which so inraged Amurath that he sent yet another great Army to reduce them to their former obedience which with great pride under the leading of Schech Abedin Bassa consisting of 80000 Fighting men amongst which were a great number of Janizaries came on wasting the Country with Fire and Sword as they passed to oppose which the great Huniades marched with 15000 Hungarians and Transilvanians and finding them still Plundering near Vascape bid them Battle where after both Armies were put in order and both Generals by moving-Oration had incited their Souldiers to Fight to the utmost Extremity a dreadful Fight began where after six Hours dealing Death on every side the Turkish Army broken and disordered by the Christians were put to Flight with the loss of 30000 Horse and Foot And their rich Camp which became an acceptable Prey to the Souldiers The many Victories gained by Humiades over the Turks made Amurath more inclinable to peace then before yet in his pride he demanded in consideration thereof the delivery of Bellgrade and many other places in Servia upon which King Vldislaus called an Assembly of the Estates of his Kingdom where after many had given their opinions it was resolved that the Pious War should be carryed on with all Vigor Imgainable and that the Christians following their good Fortune should invade the Turkish Countries whereupon a great Army was raised and passing the Danubius lead by the King and Humiades they wasted all the Kingdom of Bulgaria and having intelligence that the Turks were with a great Army coming down against them Humiades drawing out 10000 of the most expert Horsemen having notice where they lay incamped in the Night Broke in amongst them and put 'um almost all the Sword returning the next Day with great Spoil where the King lay incamped where he was received with great Joy This easie Victory wherein there fell 30000 Turks and not past 300 of the Christians so lightned the Souldiers that they desired nothing more then to be lead forward but coming to the great Mountain Hemus and finding all the passages stopped and being greatly afflicted with Hungar and Cold their Courages began to abate and they to conceive a desire of returning home the which whilst they were about to do the Turks under the leading of Caramby Bassa Amuraths Brother in Law came down from the Mountains and fell furiously upon the Rear of the Army commanded by Humiades and the Despot of Servia the King with the Van being a Days march before but after a sharp Incounter were overthrown and the Great Bassaw taken by a common Souldier who being demanded of Humiades what he would have for his Prisoner he asked only 10 Ducats yet Humiades ordered him 400 and the same Night sold him again to the Despot for 40000 Ducats In this Battle but as some say in that Fought near Moravia the famous Scanderbeg found means to fly the Turkish Servitude and leading Amurath's Secretary with him commanded him in the Name of Amurath to Write to the Governour of Croia to deliver him the City that being the Metropolis of Epirus the which when he had done he slew him and as many Turks as were with him to prevent its coming to the knowledge of Amurath before he had accomplished his design And thereupon with several of his trusty Friends Posting away had the City as he wished for put into his possession whither he sent for Prince Amaza his Kinsman and many other of his acquaintance informing them what he intended viz. that he resolved to recover his Rightful inheritance and deliver his Subjects from the Tyranny of the Turks which made them not a little rejoyce and greatly incourage him to proceed in so honourable an undertaking Things being at this pass and the design known great was the resort of the Epirots to their Lawful Prince who for the delivery of his Country from Servitude had set up his Standard Such Cities as conveniently could daily revolting to him as Petrella Petra Alba and Stelusa other he reduced by force and having possession of the greatest part of Epirus he raised what forces he could and the more to provoke the Turk passed into Macedonia spoiling the Country before him and putting the Turks to the Sword Amurath hearing this unexpected news sent 40000 select Souldiers under the leading of Alis
where finding Amurath incamped with a huge Army he bid him Battel which as the former with great Slaughter continued for the space of 3 Days but with better Success for in the end Victory declared for the Christians all the Plains being covered with the Body of the Slain most of the Turkish Commanders either Perished in the Fight or fell into the Hands of Huniades who having recovered many Towns delivered the Prisoners to the Despot and returned with Triumph to Buda And now a quarrel arising between Scanderbeg and the Duke of Venice about one Lech Zachery a Nobleman of Epirus who being shamefully Murthered by Lech Duchagne his Kinsman and having great Territories on the Frontiers of the Kingdom the Duke claimed it as belonging to his Signory seizing upon the City of Dayna part thereof of which trouble Mustapha the Great Bassa who lay in Macedonia with a great Army being advertised by the command of Amurath entered Epirus of which Scanderbeg having notice gathered all his forces and finding him Burning the Country in the upper Dibria where both Armies confronting each other a Turk named Caragusa stepping forth Challenged any in the Christian Camp to Fight him Hand to Hand which bold Challenge being accepted by Manessi one of Scanderbeg's Captains he at the first Incounter slew the Challenger which did not a little dismay the Turks who highly relyed upon the Strength of their Champion for the Battle immediately joyning the Turks were overthrown with great Slaughter and the Bassa taken Prisoner who was afterwards Ransomed by Amurath for 25000 Ducats This overthrow so inraged the Tyrant that raising a mighty Power he came in Person to invade Epirus promising great rewards to those that could bring Scanderbeg's Head of which more then ordinary preparations Scanderbeg having timely notice furnished his Cities with all things necessary providing them with strong Garrisons himself resolving to keep the Field with his Army and by Ambushes and frequent Assaults to weaken and cut off the Enemy which upon the arrival of the Turkish Army he so effectually performed that seldom a Day or Night past that he intrapped not some or other of the Vauntcuriers or broke into their Camp insomuch that they were obliged to be continually in Arms whereupon Amurath designing to win some strong City there to leave a Garrison and so to depart besieged Sfetigrade with all his power continually thundering against it with his great Ordnance But one Prelat a Valiant Captain being Governour right Manfully defended it insomuch that in the frequent Assaults made he lost 20000 of his best men yet being ashamed to raise his Siege ' ere he had won the City sent to offer terms of Peace with great Priviledges and immunities if they surrender'd the place as likewise by secret means indeavoured to corrupt the Captains with great promises but they detesting his offer regarded more their Loyalty to their Prince then his Gold yet at the same time there wanted not one base minded Vallain who for a Sum in Hand and other large offers when he had performed his promise undertook to deliver the City into the Hands of Amurath which by this means he effected This great City standing upon a Rock had in it but one Well which served both the Soldiers and Citizens plentifully with Water into this Well did the Villain by occupation a Smith cast the Carkas of a stinking Dog which the next Morning found by some of the Soldiers and drawn thence the rumour thereof was quickly spread throughout whereupon the Soldiers notwithstanding all the intreaties of the Governour and chief Citizens the Soldiers would not be perswaded to Drink thereof resolving rather to indure the worst Extremity and by this means the City not being tenable the Governor to prevent a mutiny amongst his Soldiers and the danger the City was in to be sacked sent to Amurath to acquaint him that upon condition the Garrison might pass with Bag and Baggage to Scanderbeg and the Citizens live peaceably he would deliver him the City who being glad of this offer freely granted their demand only with this condition that the Citizens should build their Houses without the City These Articles agreed on the City was delivered to Amurath and the Traytor by whose means it was surrendered was rewarded with three rich Suits of Apparel 50000 Aspers and the promise of a yearly Pension of 2000 Ducats but long he had not enjoyed his riches ' ere he received a juster reward of his Treason being as 't is said secretly made away by the command of Amurath who tho he loved the Treason abhorred the Traytor The City being thus gained Amurath having furnished it with a Garrison of his best men departed with the rest of his Army to Hadrianople upon the Rear of which Scanderbeg setting with 8000 Horse and 3000 Foot cut off a great part of his Army And having followed quite out of his Territories returned to Croia and fortified it upon notice that Amurath intended to return with his Army in the Spring in which he was not deceived for the old Turk desirous to subdue the Country of Epirus to obliterate the disgrace he had received by the many overthrows he had there received he sent Sebahyas one of his Bassas before with part of his Army himself following slowly with the rest and upon his arrival sat down before the great City of Croia where having cast 10 Pieces of Cannon he began to batter it the which with great fury he continued to do for the space of 4 Days in two places beating down part of the Wall upon which he commanded the Assault to be given thrusting his men desperately into the Breach giving order that such as Shrunk should be killed by their Fellows and on the other side promising them great reward if they entered the City and Mahomet his Son being then in the Camp and commanding as General promised 100000 Aspers to him that should first advance his Ensign upon the Wall but neither prevailed for Vranacontes the Governour a Valiant man incouraging his Soldiers gave the Turks such a Welcome that they left 8000 of their dead Bodies in the Breach Ditches and Plains adjacent which Amurath perceiving and understanding the invincible courage of the Epirots caused the retreat to be sounded and after many repulses and no hopes of prevailing he fell to his old practice endeavouring to corrupt the Governour and chief Captains with large Gifts and to that end sent a Crafty Bassa with two Servants Loaded with Treasure which the Governour with disdain rejected Vowing that if the like were attempted again that he would cause the Hands Noses and Ears of the Messengers to be cut off and they so returned to their Master During this Siege Scanderbeg was not Idle but still hovered about the Turks Camp frequently Alaruming 'um and breaking into one Quarter or other killing those that Guarded it and taking great Booties insomuch that after several Months Siege and the loss of 30000 men
Christendom now worn out with the toyls of War fell sick and although his Disease was grievous yet desirous to receive the blessed Sacrament he would be carried to the Church saying it was not fit that the Lord should come to the House of his Servant But that rather the Servant should go to the House of his Lord and after his being brought home his Sickness Increasing he gave up the Ghost to the Grief of all the Christian Princes and was buried in the Church of St. Stephen in Alba Julia. Mahomet hearing of the Death of this great Captain who opposed the Torrent of his Victories greatly rejoyced and now resolving to extend his Dominions as well by Sea as Land Equipped a great many in the Port of Constantinople with which he invaded the Islands in the Egean Sea reducing several of them to his obedience and Landing his Army straightly besieged the famous City of Rhodes but Calixtus the third then Bishop of Rome being greatly displeased for the loss of Pera a City belonging to his See aided by the Genoways sent out a great Fleet under the Conduct of Lodonicius Patriarch of Aquilla fought with the Turks Gally sunk and burnt most of them And by that means recovered the Islands they had taken which so inraged Mahomet that he prepared an other Fleet against the Spring the which whilst he was doing Ambassadors came from Vsun Cassanus King of Persia with many rich Presents desiring that he would enter into League with the mighty Prince his Master and remit the Tribute payed him by the King of Trepezond that Kingdom as he said after the Death of the then Reigning King revolving to his Master in right of his Wife Daughter to the said King which Peremptory demand so inraged Mahomet that he not only refused his Presents but dismissed his Ambassador with this Answer That he would himself e'r long be in Asia to teach Vsun Cassanes what to request of one greater then himself and thereupon Commanded the Fleet he had prepared for the Invasion of the Isles in the Egeum incontinently to sail to Sinope the chief City of Paphlagonia and to expect his coming thither with his Army by Land which City and Country being under the Persian King he resolved to besiege it on no other Account then to raise a ground of Quarrel which City being but slenderly fortified and not able to indure the Force of the Ordnance it was delivered by Ismaele the Prince of Paphlagonia into his Hands who putting a Garrison therein proceeded to the Siege of Trepezond which he had in like manner yielded to him who sent the Emperor together with his Empress Sons and Daughters Prisoners to Constantinople dispeopling the City and thrusting thereinto a Garrison of his Janizaries by that means bringing the whole Country into Subjection and for ever ruining that Christian Empire And now hearing that Waldus Dracula Prince of Valachia his Tributary went about to joyn with the Hungarians his mortal Enemies he sought by all means to get him into his Power to effect which he sent Chamuzes Bassa and his Secretary accompanied with several others to invite him to Court but the Prince understanding the Design upon his Life hanged the Bassa and Secretary and impailed the rest alive and then invaded his Country with Fire and Sword which so inraged Mahomet that he in Person with a great Army invaded Valachia ruining all with Fire and Sword till at length driving the Prince out of his Country he gave it to his younger Brother who in lieu thereof became his Tributary and upon his return invaded the Islands in the Egeum as he had before purposed and Landing on the Isle of Mittylene took the strong City from whence the Island take its name after twenty seven years Battery with the great Ordnance and then for non-payment of Tribute invaded the Kingdom of Bassan which subdued he by that means incompassed Epirus he having all this while according to his Directions of the Father by one or other of his Bassas maintained War against Scanderbeg but with such bad success that he thought more then Convenient to make Peace with him but such were his Proposals that Scanderbeg with scorn rejected 'um whereupon Mahomet sent Amasa Bassa with 12000 Horsemen to wast Epirus but Scanderbeg incountering with 6000 put his Army to flight and took him Prisoner and worse faired Debreus Bassa who soon after was sent with 14000 Horsemen for ingageing with Scanderbeg's Forces his Army was overthrown and himself slain Mahomet grieved his Affairs prospered no better and finding that by force he could not prevail against Scanderbeg he dealt underhand by giving great Rewards to his Captains thinking if he could cause them to revolt Scanderbeg would easily be subdued and so effectually he wroght with Moses his chief Captain and a great Soldier that in hopes of the Kingdom of Epirus promised by Mahomet when Scanderbeg should be subdued and a great mass of Money he found means to escape to Constantinople and after him Amasa another of Scanderbeg's Captains who were sent by Mahomet with great Power to invade Epirus but being overthrown by the invinsible Prince they received such cold Comfort at their return that fearing their Lives which indeed the Turk had a design to bereive them off Moses fled and humbling himself at the Feet of his Compassionate Prince he notwithstanding his Treachery received him again into his Service who afterward served him faithfully in his Wars but Amaze being overthrown in his expedition with Isaac Bassa with the loss of 20000 Turks upon his return was by the Command of Mahomet as most Conjectured poisoned after which Scanderbeg concluded a Peace with the Turks for a year and was afterwad continued for a longer time during which great War happened between the Turks about the seizing the Islands in the Egeum and thereby hindering the Traffick in the Mediteranian to the great impoverishing their Signiory Wherefore entering into a Confideracy with the Princes they Arme both by Sea and Land into which League they with many perswasions drew Scanderbeg notwithstanding his League made with Mahomet was not expired The Princes thus Confedrated raising great Forces when in the mean time Mahomet sent Scremet Bassa against Scanderbeg to keep him from joyning with the Venetians whose Duke Christopher Maurus was coming to him with ten Gallies appointed with which Bassa Scanderbeg fought and put him to flight with the loss of ten Thousand of his Men taking the Treasurer of the Army and six others of Account Prisoners who were speedily Ransomed at 40000 Duccats and greater things had been done had not the Duke of Venice dyed of a Fever upon whose Death his Army returned home Victor Capella the next year with the Venetian Fleet seized Athens Aulis Chalchis Larsum and the Isle of Himber But attempting to recover Patras was overthrown Hungary being destitute of such a King as might defend them against the Power of the Turks elected Matthias Corroinus
him yearly 8000 Duccats that they might have leave to Traffick in the Euxine-Sea by the Straights of Bosphorus Hellespontus and Thracius and that the Citizens of Scodra and the Garrison contained therein should upon the Delivery of the said City be at their Choice free to Live in the City under the Turkish Government or depart whither they pleased with their Goods c. These Articles concluded on Notice thereof was sent to the Governour who assembling the Citizens related it to u'm as he had received it from the Ambassador who then together with the Venetian Admiral Rode at Anchor in the Mouth of Boliana when after some Debate it was agreed that they would leave the City and not expose themselves to the Mercy of the Tyrant at all times whereupon at a certain time prefixed the City was put into the Hands of the Bassa and the Citizens marching out Bag and Baggage went on Board the Venetian Gallies who carefully Transported them into their other Territories of Italy and thus was this City surrendered Anno 1478. after a years Siege before which 100000 Turks had lost their Lives Mahomet having gotten what he sorely longed for sent Achmetes Bassa with his Gally to take in the Islands of Neritus Zacynthus and Cephalenia upon which he seized without any Resistance Lenord Prince of the same upon the Arrival of the Turks hasting with his Wife and Children into Italy where he was kindly received of King Ferdinand his near Kinsman after that he sent three of his Bassas with a great Army to invade Transilvania Whereupon Stephanas Batore the Vayvod fled to Matthias King of Hungary to crave Aid who at the same time lay sick of the Gout yet he ordered his two Captains viz. Stephanus Cherepetnus and Palus Rivisus to march with his Army who incountering the Turks near Alba Julia in a great and bloody Fight overthrew the Army with the Slaughter of 30000 of their best Men together with Isa Bassa their chief Commander and of the Christians there fell 8000 only Mahomet possessing most of the Islands in the Mediterranian Sea began to be very desirous of the Famous Rhodes and to further his Design at the same time a Fugitive Knight of the Order named Antonius Meligalus residing in his Court gave him a Plat-form of the City informing him in what place the City was easiest to be Assaulted and how the Island might be best subdued Whereupon a great Fleet was fitted out and this Traytor to his Country put on Board with a Command that his Directions should be followed but he by the way falling sick of a loathsome Disease so infected the Ship with his noisome Smell that the Marriners in a great rage threw him Over-Board whilst he vainly Cryed to them for Mercy and thus he received the reward due to his Traiterous Intention The great Master of Rhodes having notice that Mahomet intended to invade his Territories was like an experienced Captain wanting nothing that might conduce to a resolute Defence and having certain Notice that Misistes Bassa had Landed his Power and was marching towards the City he assembled his Captains and with many Christian and Soldier-like perswasions admonished them to fight the Battle of the Lord Jesus against his Enemies which so wrought upon them that they all resolved to Live and Dye in his defence By this time the Bassa had set down his Camp and began to raise his Batteries according to the Directions of one Demetrius another Fugitive Knight who in the first Skirmish according to the Merits of his Treason having his Horse slain under him was miserably trampled to Death most of the Ordnance now bent against the Wall the Bassa sent out a part of his Army to seize upon an Orchard possessed and intrenched by the Christians which those that possessed it not being able to defend against so powerful an Enemy slighted it and retired to the City leaving the Ordnance behind them Out of this Orchard by the advice of one George Trapain a Christian Runagado the Turks battered the Tower standing about 300 paces from the City with great Fury and having made a Breach indeavoured to have entered but were beaten off with great loss after which they framed a Bridge upon Boats over a frith of the Sea fastening by Ropes so indeavouring to besiege the Tower both by Sea and Land the which was no sooner fastened but the Ropes were all cut in sunder by one Garvais Rogers a most expert English Sea-Captain and after that attempting to make another Bridge and plant pieces of Cannon in Lighters and foists the Bridge was broken and the Lighters sunk by Anthony Damboise the great Masters Brother who with his Artillery planted for that purpose on the Bastions beat them to pieces but it had not been long e'r Caly Bassa the younger Arriving in the Camp it was noised that Mahomet was coming with an additional Army of 100000 Turks which so terrified the Spaniards for the Garrison was Composed of all Christian Nations that they desired to be Shipped out of the Island and to return home but for such their Cowardize being sharply reproved by Peter Damboise the great Master a most expert and Valiant French man they as ashamed of what they before proposed begged Pardon and afterwards notably defended the City during the Siege Mesues perplexed that he could not carry the City by Force though with his Artillery he had levelled the Walls in many places which were as soon repaired he resolved by Treachery to perform what otherwise he could not Effect and therefore made large Offers to several discontented Rhodians to poison the great Master which some of them undertook to bring to pass but e'r any thing was done in Relation thereto the wickedness was discovered and the undertakers worthily Executed upon notice of which the Bassa more perplexed then before and yet not knowing without loss of Honour how to raise the Siege sent several Messengers to the great Master in his Name to promise him extraordinary Matters if he would surrender to him the City and to denounce all the Miseries of War upon his Refusal To which the Heroick Old man returned Answer that he would not willingly in his surest Estate use the Council of his Enemy neither in his greatest distress refuse Cheerfully to yeild his Life unto Almighty God to whom he did owe it and that with far better Will then to surrender the City upon any Conditions bear they never so fair a shew of Honour or Profit The Messengers perceiving this constant Resolution of the great Master by other Arguments indeavoured him at least to become Tributary to the Emperor paying a small matter yearly for his Peace but he knowing that to be the ready way to be brought under the Turkish Slavery utterly refused upon which the Messengers returned greatly discontented to him that sent 'um who thereat greatly perplexed gave another general Assault battering the City for four days without Intermission but not prevailing
Hysmael fought by the violence of which such a slaughter was made as well of his own men as of the Enemies mingled together that what for the dust smoak and thundering of the Artillery having on both sides lost their sight and hearing the Persian horse were so terrified that they were not to be ruled wherefore the battle soon became broken and disordered so that both Armies retired upon the Approach of night leaving the Victory doubtful The Turks to express the terror of this day number it amongst their dismal ones calling it the only day of Doom Hysmael in this furious battle having received a wound under the left Shoulder with a small shot by the perswasion of his friends withdrew himself to have his wound search'd which past doubt was the safeguard of Selymus and his Army for the Persians following their King left the Victory almost gotten but the Persian finding his wound not mortal was about to return but hearing of the Death of Vsta Ogli his General a man of Great experience and that by reason of the Thundering of the great Ordnance his Horsemen could not rule their Horses he caused the retreat to be sounded and so retired in good order the Turks so much dispairing of Victory that they durst not follow him and so he passing by the City of Tauris admonished the Inhabitants to open their gates to Selymus thereby to avoid being sacked and so Marched into the Confines of Media The Persians out of sight the Turks then and not till then durst seize upon their Camp where they found divers rich Pavilions wrought with Needle-Work and Gold as also many beauteous Ladies who had accompanied their Husbands to the Wars all which he presently caused to be set at liberty unless one of Hismaels Wives whom he gave in Marriage to one of his Bassas In this Battle fought in the Galderan Fields near the City of Coy Anno 1514. Selymus lost 30000 of his men and amongst them many Bassas and great Commanders even all the flower of his Army which consisted of 300000 Horse and Foot of the Persians there fell not above 8000 Hysmaels Army not consisting of above 30000 so that the Turks were 8 to 1 And amongst the slain were found the Bodies of several Persian Women who Armed had accompanied their Husbands to participate of their good or evil fortune at which Selymus admiring caused them to be Honourably interred and then received the Embassadors of the several adjacent Cities who upon condition their Goods Lives and Liberties might be preserved delivered up the Keys of their respective Cities so that having taken possession thereof he called a Council of his Bassas and great Captains to consult what was best to be done himself being desirous to Winter in Tauris for opposing which Mustapha his chief Bassa was by him disgraced and thrust from all his honours of which the Janizaries having notice began to Mutiny telling him to his face they would not stay in that desolate Country where they had suffered such hardship daily to be exposed to the fury of the Enemy who was raising great forces to come down against them and that if he would not in time depart they were resolved to forsake him whereupon he as needs must changed his former determination resolving to return into Cappadocia whereupon contrary to his Promise exacting a great Mass of Money from them of Taurus and carrying with him 3000 families the best Artificers in that City especially those that were Skilfull in making Armour he raised his Camp and Marched towards Euphrates a longer way then that by which he came fearing to return again by the head of Araxis and the Mountains of Periardes lest he should meet the Iberian and Albanian Horsemen who as he was informed were following hard after him who indeed came within sight of him as he was passing the Euphrates which raised such consternation in his Camp that in hastily passing the River 2000 Turks were drowned and a great many of his Ordnance together with much Baggage left as a Prey to the Persians nor had he better Success in passing the Huge Mountain Anti-Taurus for the Mountain Kings despising him by reason of his bad proceedings with their savage People lay'd all the ways and by frequently falling upon the Rear of his Army killed many of his People and took great spoil though the Kings upon his sending to complain thereof excused the matter promising to punish the offenders so soon as they should be known At length passing the many dangers he came to Amasa where he wintered with his broken and crazed Army resolving to return the next spring with a far greater Power the cause why Hismael being Lord of such great Countries came with so small a Power was for that he to win the Hearts of his People the better to be established in his new acquired Kingdom had remitted most of the Taxes and Customs formerly pay'd to his Prodecessors all his forces consisting in the Souldiers of the Court those that were by right bound to serve him and such as were sent to him by the petty Princes his Neighbours when as on the other side Selymus had always by him an Inestimable Mass of Money kept in seven Towers in Constantinople his yearly tributes and revenues exceeding his expences by a fourth part Selymus not thinking himself sufficiently revenged of the Persians having reised his Camp at Amasa Early in the Spring passing the Euphrates with his whole Army consisting of 300000 Horse and Foot came before Clamassum a City of the Persians situate on the further Banks which he so suddenly invested and so furiously assaulted that the Gates being broken up and the Walls in many places won the defendants retired into the Market-place and there fought against the whole Power of Selymus to the last man after the taking of this City he took two Castles not far distant from it and being pricked forward with the desire of Glory purposed to have subdued the Kingdom of Persia which he might the easier have done by reason Hysmael was Waring against the Bactrians and Hyrcanians a savage People dwelling near the Caspian Sea who had Rebelled against him but considering what damage he had received from Aladeules the Mountain King and others inhabiting the Desolate Countries at the entrance into Armenia he purposed e're he further proceeded to subdue him wherefore he Marched thitherward with all his People of which the poor Prince having notice gathered all his strength and drawing his Horsemen who were but 15000 into a pleasant Valley commanded his Footmen to keep the Mountains and from thence with shot of Arrows annoy the Turks in passing the straights upon which Selymus considering the disadvantage of the place commanded Sinan Bassa General of the European Horsemen to charge him with a square Battle afront whilst himself with the Janizaries and Asian Horsemen followed him in the Rear the Ground by reason of its Scantiness not admitting the use of Wings upon
fell that it not only allayed the Sand but furnished his Army with Water during his passage which took up eight days yet was he frequently assaulted by the Arabians The Deserts passed as aforesaid the Turkish Army drew near unto Cair to receive or rather intrap which Tomombeius the new Sultan near to a Village called Rhodania had intrenched his Camp with deep Ditches filled with Water over which he had laid rotten Hurdles and upon them Earth and lined all the Banks with Artillery not doubting but Selymus would march that way but this their Device which would certainly have gained them a Victory had it took was upon the approach of the Turkish Army discovered to Selymus by four Epirot Mamalukes who secretly Envying the sudden Advancement of Tomombeius had in the Night time withdrawn themselves from his Camp Upon which Selymus altered his determined Courses and marching by by-ways suddenly appeared with his Army drawn up in Battalia in the Rear of the Egyptian Camp which put them into a great Consternation but seeing no Remedy but presently to ingage the Sultan put his Army in readiness and after the Charge sounded furiously with his great Ordnance spoke his indignation and was answered in the same Language from Selymus his Camp but after the second discharge of each particular tire the Armies joyned Charging each other with such Force that all the Ground lay covered with the slain the Mamalukes inraged with mortal Hatred bearing down all before them when in the mean time the Arrabians incompassed the Turks Battle putting the Thracian Macedonian and Epirot Horsemen to the flight the which Sinan Bassa perceiving came in with his Squadron of Horse to stay the wavering Battle but being overcharged by Gazelles and Bidon he was slain and his men disordered So that had not Selymus himself advanced with his surest strength of the Janizary the Victory had fallen to the Sultan but with them restoring the Battle and the Mamalukes being tired with continual Fighting at the approach of Night Tomombeius finding his men to be worsted caused the retreat to be sounded and retired towards Cair leaving his Camp to the Turks In this Battle fought on the 24. of January 1517. Were slain many Thousands on both sides and the Turks had certainly been worsted had it not been for the invincible Courage of the Janizaries The Turks in pursuit having taken the Diadare a man of great Command amongst the Egyptians and Bidon the valiant Captain whom Selymus unworthily caused to be slain in revenge of the Sinan Bassa Tomombeius a man of a warlike Spirit nothing discouraged at what had happened but rather more resolute to revenge his disgrace gathered his Power from all parts and incamped Commodiously between the City of Cair and the River Nilus and there consulted how he might by stratagem most conveniently set upon the Turks Camp e'r they understood what Power he had not thinking it safe so suddenly to try another Field But whilst he was thus plotting all his devices were discovered to Selymus as they had been before by several Mamalukes who now beginning to have his fortune in Contempt revolted from him Insomuch that to prevent the firing of his Camp as was intended Selymus caused strict Watches to be kept and great Fires to be made that so he might discover the Enemies approaches by night which the Sultan perceiving by the advice of his great Commanders retired into the City of Caire there to expect the approach of the Conqueror furnishing it with all manner of Warlike provision and inciteing the Egyptians who stood all this while Newters to take up Arms in the defence of their Country which the more wealthy whillingly did but the poorer sort who in all Nations ever gape after change of Government thinking to advantage themselves thereby yet such were the perswasions of the Mamalukes that in the end most of the Citizens resolved upon the defence of that great City towards which Selymus was advancing a pace wherefore Tomombeius caused Trenches to be drawn Cross the Streets at the bottom of which were fixed sharp Stakes and before them Tin being overlaid with rotten Hurdles so to intrap the too eager Turks for why the City had no Walls but situate upon the River Nilus was adorned with many stately Towers Piramides Pallaces Temples and Monuments of the Egyptian Kings served rather for Pleasure then strength He likewise caused the Houses to be furnished with Harquebusiers and his Pieces of Culvering and other small Pieces to be every where planted Advantagiously for the annoying the Enemy and in the great Street drew up his greatest strength consisting of Mamalukes yet Selymus being now come before it after his having incouraged his Soldiers to undertake the subduing of that great City as the last Refuge of the Sultan he furiously entered the Gate called Basuela and at one instant thrust in his Horsemen at divers Caves but kept his Janizaries in the high Street where the greatest Power of the Mamalukes were Whereupon a dreadful Fight was begun on all parts insomuch that the Channels run Blood like so many Torrents the Artillery and small Shot still thundering from either side made all seem Fire and covered the tops of the Houses with Clouds of smoke when from their Windows and Roof of their Houses the Egyptians cast down Stones Tiles scalding Water Sulphur Pitch Tar and the like to the great annoyance of the Turks who still pressing forward many of them fell into the Covert Trenches and were there impailed on the Stakes and such was the Clamour and Outcries of the enemy where together with the Clashing of Weapons and dreadful Fires that it seemed as if the desolation of all things was come and in this dismal manner continued the Fight for the space of two Days and two Nights without intermission Insomuch that Selymus finding what obstinate Enemies he had to deal with began to despair of winning the City and therefore was about to sound the Retreat as his fainting Soldiers most earnestly desired at what time he had News that Mustapha Bassa had by the Conduct of some Fugitive Mamalukes entered the City on the other side and had taken the Mamalukes Horses which they had left there ready Sadled thereon to make their escapes if matters came to the Extremity which not only Animated the Turks but dismayed the Mamalukes who expected no such Matter So that the Fight were renewed on the third day continuing Bloody and doubtful till the Evening at what time most of the Egyptians were very desirous to be rid of their insolent Lords the Mamalukes revolted to the Turks which the Mamalukes perceiving and that by Reason of the great number of Turks that were sent to stop the Gaps that Death had made they were no longer able to resist their Fury they betook themselves to flight most part of them hasting to the River Nilus with Tomombeius who in that Battle had all in vain proved the utmost of his Prowess and
Policy being Transported over it in Boats fled to Segesta others of them fled into the Houses of the Egyptians and into Caves and Vaults in the City to hide themselves A thousand five hundred of the better sort betook them to the Temple of their pretended Prophet where after an obstinate and tedious defence being disabled by Weariness Thirst and loss of Blood they surrendered themselves upon Diseretion part of whom the furious Soldiers slew in the Porch of the said Temple and the rest within a few days after being sent down the River to Alexendria were there contrary to the Promise of Selymus put to Death This great City subdued after the manner aforesaid Selymus Commanded a part of his Army to extinguish the Fire which raged vehemently in many places which done he exhibited a Proclamation that all the Mamalukes who within twelve hours would furrender themselves should have pardon of Life upon which many came forth of their secret places and that whosoever of the Egyptians should conceal any one of them longer then the time specified he threatned to impail them alive on Stakes and having sold their Wives and Children to burn their Houses which dreadful menace on the one side and hopes of Reward which was also Promised on the other caused many of the Egyptians contrary to their Promises to their old Lords the Mamalukes to deliver some of them up to the Tyrany of Selymus who caused them to be put to Death but some of the Egyptians impeached by their malicious Neighbours chose rather to suffer Death then to prove perfidious in breaking the solemn Protestations they had made to their Lords Nor did the Victorious Turks spare though contrary to Selymus his Promise to rifle the Houses of the Egyptians Murther many of them and defloure their Daughters and ravish their Wives even in their Presence and to use all other Cruelties incident to so great and populous a City upon the entry of an Hunger-starved Army greedy of prey At the taking of Cair Gazales the great and Valiant Captain of the Mamalukes was not present but sent by Tomombeius to raise an Army in Arabia who upon his return finding all lost and that the Sultan was fled he knew not where not thinking it Convenient to hazard a Battle against him whom Fortune so highly favoured he came to Selymus upon his Faith before given for the safety of himself and his Followers which were three Arrabian Captains and a number of good Horsemen and being admitted to his Presence boldly declared that since Fortune had made him her Darling and that he by her aid rather Conquered the Mamalukes then by any Force and that since Tomombeins was fled whose part as long as his Kingly Authority and Majesty remained he had faithfully served he and the rest were at his Devotion if he so pleased to serve him with their Lifes and Fortunes of which offer Selymus joyfully accepted highly Commending Gazeles both for his Virtue and Valour which for the most part gains Credit amongst the roughest Enemies and not long after sending him to suppress the Moors and Arabs that made Incursions into the Country about Cair he suddenly overthrew them and e'r he was expected returned with Victory Tomombeius being in the Country of Segesta whilst Selymus was setling his matters at Cair raised a considerable Army and the rather for that he had frequent advice from the Carians that if he would come suddenly upon the Turks they would raise such a Tumult that he should not only recover the City but destroy the Army who were but few in number and most of those weak through their Wounds and Sickness but e'r he could put this Design in Practice one Albuchomar a man of great Wealth and Authority in the Country of Segesta discovered the design to Selymus who caused all such Citizens as he suspected to be shut up in the Castle and continually guarded the Streets placing along the River Boats and Men and Artillery to keep the Enemy from repassing it and not well assured to hold what he had got from such desperate and resolute Enemies as were the Mamalukes of whom a great Power were again resorted to Tomombeius he resolved to send Ambassadors to him to advise him to submit and in yielding to his Clemency he would provide for him in some other part of his Dominions but e'r the Ambassadors came to his Camp they were way-laid by certain Mamalukes who had vowed no Peace with the Turks and without respect to their Character shamefully murthered them upon notice of which Selymus who was of a hot fiery Nature was so inraged that he could scarcely contain himself And thereupon Commanded a strong Bridge made of Boats and Planks to be laid over Nilus resolving to revenge the affront done to his Majesty the which once finished he drew the greatest part of his Army out of Cair leaving only so many as might keep the City from revolting with an intent to pass into the Country of Segasta to wast it with Fire and Sword of which Tomombeius having knowledge by speedy marches came to the Bridge at what time the Asian Horsemen were passed over and setting furiously upon them e'r they had well put themselves in Order making great slaughter of such as resisted Insomuch that many to avoid the Swords of their Enemies by leaping into the River were there drowned others in passing the Bridge were thrust beside and miserably perished in the Water Nor could Mustapha Bassa with all his Courage resist the Fury of the Mamalukes all the Turks being filled with Fear and Consternation as well on the hither as the further Bank the Artillery was for a while rendered useless by reason that if it had been discharged it must have been against the Turks onely who in fearful Troops covered the further Bank calling for Help to those on the other side Selymus seeing in what state Assairs stood caused all his Boats to be brought and filling them with Janizaries passed them over who Ranging in good order stayed the Fury of the Mamalukes when as Carrgolis Son to the Tartar King and Brother-in-Law to Selymus with his Horsemen took the Water and Swom over with little loss So that now the Battle went hard on all sides and strongly did the Mamalukes press on to gain the Head of the Bridg the which they had done by Cutting the Cables that fastened it they had set it afloat down the River and destroyed that part of the Army with whom they were ingaged e'r they could have been relieved by their Fellows which Mustapha perceiving had drawn to that place both his Insigns and his most experienced Soldiers so that the Fight was for a long time maintianed Bloody and doubtful but the Turks still coming over in great abundance true Valour was obliged to give place to Multitudes for the Mamalukes who had done all that men could do betook themselves to Flight after whom the Tartarian Horsemen followed with great Slaughter as
the neglect of Ferat Bassa he by the advice of Sinan Bassa sent for him who trusting to his innocency boldly came to answer to what should be objected against him though warned to the contrary but he was scarce arrived e'r by the command of Mahomet he was strangled and his goods to the value of five hundred thousand Ducats confiscated After the death of Ferat who was somewhat a favourer of the Christians Sinan the proud Bassa son to a Fisherman and their mortal enemy was sent with a great Army into Valachia to reduce that and the other revolted Countries to the Turkish obedience but being encountred by the Transilvanian Forces his Army was overthrown with great slaughter and himself in his flight falling into a Lime-pit hardly escaped with life after which he fled to Canstantinople to plead his own cause having promised upon his undertaking that Expedition at the price of his head to reduce Valachia Moldavia and Transylvania to their former obedience Not long after the overthrow of Sinan the Lords Eckenberg and Leucowitz overthrew twenty thousand who under the leading of the Bassa of Bosna invaded the country of Crotia and following their Victory entred the Turkish Dominions and burnt 15 Villages carrying away a great booty and soon after took Petrina which after a close siege and some furious assaults was abandoned by the Turks In the mean while Sigismund the Transylvanian Prince raised a greater power than before upon notice that Sinan Bassa was again upon his march to invade his Countries at what time the Ziculi or Sciculy a people bordering on the North of Transilvania sent to him to offer him their service as weary of the Turkish thraldom who according to agreement besides many rich presents and store of provision sent him forty thousand men well appointed which no sooner joyned him he had notice that Sinan had passed Danubius by a bridg of Boats whereupon he marched with all dilligence to meet him and in another set battle gave him a fatal overthrow in which there were thirty thousand slain and taken prisoners besides a rich booty nor did the River Danubius upon their hasty repassing the bridge which was near two miles over devour a less number insomuch that Sinan swore in a great rage that the young Prince had in a short time Eclipsed all the renown he in the course of his whole life had got After this overthrow of the Turks which they number amongst their great mischances the Castle and Island in the River with little loss were recovered and then in great Triumph laden with the Turks spoils the Prince returned to Alba Julia at what time by his Captains he took the strong Castle of Jenna and intercepted about 70 waggons richly laden which they of Temeswar fearing to be besieged were sending together with their wives and children to places of greater strength These things perplexing the proud Turk he sent his special Messengers to stir up the Crimesian Tartars a people living for the most part on spoil to invade Moldavia Transylvania and Valachia who were likewise incouraged thereto by the Chancellor of Polonia he so far insinuating with the King that Moldavia was taken from the Transylvanian Prince and a new Vayvod placed therein who opened contrary to his faith given three wayes for the Turks and Tartars to invade Transylvania of which perfidious dealing Pope Clement the Eighth by his Letters to the King of Polonia grievously complained and likewise against Cardinal Zamoskie the Chancelor and first mover of this mischief whom he cited to appear before him at Rome there to answer to what should by the Ambassadours of the Christian Princes be objected against him charging them both with breach of faith and disloyalty to the King of Heaven by betraying the Christians into the hand of the sworn enemies of the Christian Religion yet both the King and Chancelor used such endeavours that they satisfied the Pope in the necessity of their writing better to him to that purpose when at the same time Cham Kazikieri the Tartarian King wrote to Sigismund King of Polonia to put him in mind of his promise to give his Army free passage as likewise to destroy the Cossacks who as he said by daily incursions wasted his Frontier and to make a perpetual League with him yet onely the former request was observed The Christians not pleased with the proceedings of the Polonian to shew how little they esteemed his Friendship inraged as it were with his revolt burnt and destroyed all the Turkish Garrisons uppon his Frontiers whom he durst not protect for fear of having his own Dominions wasted in the like manner but what happened this year 1596 advantagious to the Christians was the death of Sinan Bassa their sworn Enemy who having by his Friends and many rich presents escaped the fury of the angry Sultan Mahomet who had vowed his death soon after through grief and shame of his late overthrow died after he had for Fifty years wasted the Earth with Fire and Sword Yet the following Spring Mahomet with a great power purposed in person to pass into Hungary but by reason of the Plague and Famine that raged throughout his Empire he could not accomplish his design but was more and more perplexed by the revolt of the Georgians and the great Army the new King of Persia was raising for the recovery of Tauris notwithstanding to prevent the worst the Transilvanian Prince in person went to the Courts of the Emperour and Pope to crave Aid where he was with great kindness received and promised such supplies of Men and Mony as his occasion should require but during his stay there the Sciculi rose up in arms against him yet the Rebellion was blown over by the execution of the chief Promoters of the Tumult and Ten Thousand Rascians in a fit time proffered him their service for the Tartars were by this time on their way whereupon having received several rich Presents he returned home being every where joyfully received of his People All this time the Lord Palfi with the Garrison Souldiers of Strigonium was not idle but used his utmost dilligence to surprize the Turks Convoys and Garrisons nor was his expectation frustrated for overrunning the Country as far as the Walls of Temeswar he got many rich booties and removed such Christians as were in danger of the Turks Garrison nearer his own missing but narrowly of the Bassa of Temeswar with all his Treasure as he was going to Belgrade to give place to a new Bassa but however he fell into the hands of the Hungarian Heidons who overthrew his Convoy slew him and took all his riches laden in Seventy Five Waggons to the value of Two Hundred Thousand Hungarian Ducats which so inraged the Turks that gathering Forty Thousand strong they besieged Lippa but after the loss of six Thousand of their number in many furious assaults they left their Trenches and in great confusion retired which flight was occasioned by the
the Turkish obedience The news of which greatly troubled Sigismund the late Prince who resided in Polonia but more Mahomet the Turkish Emperor imbroiled in new troubles by the revolt of Chusahin or Cassan the great Bassa of Carraâ—â—â—â— who had caused most of the Countries in the letter Asia to cast off the Turkish yoke but Mahomet sending great Forces against him under Mahomet Bassa who after several conflicts spoiling the possessions of the Rebells in Arms he so dealt with the chief of them that by bribes and large promises he prevailed with them to leave their ringleader he was taken and brought in chains to Constantinople where with most exquisite torments he was put to death The end of which dangerous Rebellion gave the Ottoman Emperor more leasure to prosecute his wars in Hungary to oppose whose Forces the Christians were not wanting for in an other Diet assembled new supplies were granted by the Electoral Princes for the carrying on the war toward which the Bishop of Rome contributed very largely so that Anno 1600 the Christian Army early in the Spring took the field though to breed delay therein the Turkish Bassa in the name of his master had made many offers tending to peace but e'r any notable action was performed the renowned Lord Palfie the greatest Commander of that Age dyed at his Castle of Bibersperg whereupon the Lord Swartzenburg was by the Emperor appointed Governor of Strigonium in his stead who to the great grief of the Army soon after slain with a shot as he was reducing Papa to its obedience it having a little before at the instigation of De la Mot a seditious French Commander there in Garrison revolted from the Emperor and yet stood neuter not permitting the Turks to enter yet was it again reduced notwithstanding the death of the Lord Swartzenburg and most of the Rebels Executed after the severest manner that could be invented These things passing the troubles in Hungary daily increasing and the Turks were every where put to the worst and amongst the rest the Bassa of Sigeth with five thousand of his Turks and his head sent to the Emperor Jula was likewise surprized and the Bassa thereof with two Sanzacks and Five Hundred common Souldiers slain and now the Government of Transilvania being vacant by the death of Cardinal Battor and the absence of the Prince the Emperor confirmed it to the Vayvod of Valachia who raising a great power went against the Prince who aided by the Turks Tartars and Polonians was coming to try a field Battle for the recovery of his Inheritance and in a set battle overthrew him with great slaughter of his men himself hardly escaping after which he seized upon the Countrey of Moldavia causing all the inhabitants to swear Allegiance to him when the better to incourage him to invade the Turks Dominions the Emperour not only confirmed him in that Principality also but sent him six Thousand Men under the leading of D. Petzen with a mass of mony to pay his Souldiers appointing him one of his Council and cheif Intendant for those Countries but he behaving himself roughly towards the Transilvanian Nobility they sent Ambassadors to Basta the Emperors Lieutenant General praying him to take then into the protection of the Emperor onely and that they might obey no other Soveraign Prince whereupon Basta after mature deliberation resolved to grant their desires and to protect them from the fury of the Vayvod whom he yet not able to appease by fair means he resolved to compel by force of Armes to acquiesce with what he determined and therefore gathering such forces as he could with Eighteen Thousand well appointed Souldiers he awaited on the Frontiers of Transilvania his coming and near to a Village called Mivislo adventured to give him Battle though under his standard he had double the number and after six hours desperate fighting put him to flight with the loss of Ten Thousand of his men taking likewise several Prisoners and a great spoil yet nevertheless the Vayvod bating of his proud temper by the mediation of Friends they were afterwards reconciled Yet the Vayvod jealous of the Imperialist as being also without cause perswaded thereto by the Polonians to prevent as was suggested to him his being taken Prisoner with a few of his followers fled into the fastness of the Mountains whereupon one Simon was placed in his stead by the haughty Chancelor of Poland which choice Basta altogether disliking resolved to displace the upstart Vayvod but the Transilvanians desirous of freedom and in order to recover it raising many rumours portending the mischief intended against the Imperialists at that time hindered his violent proceedings so that for the future the whole matter was referred to the Emperour The Transilvanians likewise casting themselves upon him and when they perceived no remedy desired that Maximilian the Arch-Duke might take upon him the Government of that Province but whilst these affairs were in controversie the Turks with a huge Army besieged Canisia a strong City of Stira to the relief of which came the Imperial Army consisting of Forty Thousand Horse and Foot composed of divers Nations under the leading of Duke Mercury General of the Emperours Forces in Hungary to oppose which Ibrahim Bassa drew out of his Trenches thinking by their multitude to oppress the Christians but was therein deceived for after a bloody and doubtful fight for the space of eight hours victory declared her self against him yet not so apparently but that the next day by reason of the discord amongst the Christian Captains who at the Command of their General refused to charge the Turks in their strengths the scale was turned and their Convoy of Provision upon its way to the Camp being taken by the Tartars they were so straightned that after having layn still for the space of three dayes they rose in the night but not so secretly but that the Turks following hard after them cut off Three Thousand of the rearmost took several pieces of Cannon and a great part of their Baggage and afterwards had the City of Canisae yeilded to them upon condition that the Garrison should be safely convoyed over the River Mur with Bag and Baggage and hightened with this success they afterwards forraged the Countrey of Stira for fear of whom the Inhabitants with such of their substance as they conveniently carry with them fled to the Mountains whereupon the Bassa sent forth a Proclamation commanding them to return and that such as would willingly submit themselves to the Turkish obedience should be taken into safe protection upon which Proclamation many of the half starved people returned and submitted themselves but the ever renowned mirrour of Vertue and Valour the Heroick Count Serenus being the man that the Bassa aimed at as well knowing whilst he went free his new Conquests were slightly cemented to the rest he the better to decoy the Noble Youth into his power wrote to him as followeth We Ibraim Bassa Chief
he would not make a League with the Bohemians tell he was assured of the Grand Signeours assistance in case his affairs required in whereupon he sent his Ambassador to Constantinople who so dealt with the great Bassa's of the Court that by their advice Osman swore to protect him and because the Oath for the strange wording of it will not be amiss to be recited I shall here insert it verbatim Sultan Osman BY the Grace of God unconquerable Turkish Emperour Swears by the highest Almighties and Almighty Gods Holiness by his Kingdom by the substance of the Heavens the Sun the Moon and the Stars by the Earth and all under the Earth by the Brains and all the hairy scalp of my Mother by my Head and all the strength of my Soul and Body by the Holy and great Mahomer and by my Circumcision That I thee my Brother and Son Bechlem Gabor succeeding King of Hangaria in no manner of way in thy great and weighty affairs will leave though it be to the overthrow of my Kingdom to be brought to nothing until there shall be no more left but my self or four or five Turks at the most yet will I be still obliged to desend thee and all those that do any ways appertain unto thee and if thou shalt have need of me I shall be always ready to go with thee and in case this my promise shall in any wise be frustrated then let Gods Justice fall upon my Head and destroy me and my posterity and wipe away whatsoever belongeth unto me and gather it together into a Rock of stone or substance of Earth and that the Earth may cleave insunder and swallow me Body and Soul Dated at Constantinople the 5th of Jan. 1619. The Transilvanian by this Oath assured of the Grand Signeours favour sent his Ambassadors to Prague where meeting with the Commissioners sent thither for that purpose by the States of Bobemia a perpetual League was concluded and in June following the Prince assembled the Estates of Hungary at Newhausell where he proposed to them the necessity of raising an Army to defend the Provinces against the Forces of the Imperialists who by their great preparations made it visible that they would no peace till they had destroyed all the Protestants to this motion the Estates consented when at the same time came their Ambassadors from the Grand Signeour the Venetians and Polonians all which made in the names of the respective principals a League with Gabor which so much pleased the Estates of Hungary willing to shake off the Imperial yoke that by the advice of their Palatine the Transilvanian was proclaimed King of Hungary upon which raising an Army of Fifty Thousand Horse and Foot he subdued almost all Austria Carinthia and Stiria before the Emperours Forces could take the Field in any fit number to make head against him at what time such a fear was brought upon the great City of Vienna that with the Emperours consent the Protestants remaining therein sent their Deputies humbly to beseech him that he would spare the City and Countrey for theirs their Wives and Childrens sakes About this time a strange apparition was seen in the Air over Medina Taluabi in Arabia where Mabomet the Impostor lyes buryed which terrified all the Countrey thereabouts and was as followeth about the 20th of September at midnight there happened a terrible Tempest accompanied with such prodigious Thunder and Lightning that many thinking the dissolution of all things was at handâ— leaped out of their Beds to gaze on the Element at first seeming all on Fire and then covered with thick darkness after which all was serene and calm when in Arabian Characters these words appeared in the Firmament viz. O why will you believe in lies and soon after a Woman beautiful to behold arrayed in white and incompassed with rayes of Light appeared holding in her hand a book coming from the North and opposite against her were seen Armies of Turks Persians and other Mahometans being so conjectured by their garbs ranged in Battalia ready to charge her but she keeping her standing no sooner opened the book but they all fled upon which a suddain murmur as of a Whirlwind troubled the Air and immediately the lamps that were placed about Mahomets Tomb went out and in this manner the Prodigy appeared for several nights together whereupon a Dervice or Religious Turk undertaking to expound the meaning of that unusual sight and declaring that it foreshewed the overthrow of the Mahometan superstition he was therefore miserably put to death calling to the last upon the Woman with the Book to save him and he had no sooner given up the ghost but a fearful Tempest insued Anno 1620 Gasparo the expulsed Vayvod of Moldavia assisted by the Polish Cossacks and such other Troops as he could raise invaded Moldavia in which the Suitan had placed another Vayvod and in revenge of a design the Turks had to strangle him during his Vayvodship made great spoil putting all the Turks he found to the Sword and reducing great part of that Province to his obedience which caused the Sultan to raise a great power drawing all his choice Forces out of both the Asia's to the number of Two hundred thousand and caused a great Fleet of Gallies to put to Sea which spoiled the Coast of Sicilia and Landing Five Thousand Turks in the Kingdom of Naples surprized the strong Town of Manfredonia carry 1500 Christians into miserable Captivity and then joyning with the Pirates of Argier they made a descent upon the Island of Janisa near Majorca possessed by the Spaniards which Island they took making great spoil putting to the Sword and carrying into Captivity all the Inhabitants The Turks thus successful at Sea made them the less doubt their success by Land therefore having found an occasion of quarrel with the Polonian King for that the Cossacks in revenge of the injury they sustained by the Tartars had manned out many small vessels and spoiled the Turks Sea-Coast Towns upon the Bosphorus giving an overthrow to their Gallies and brought away great spoiles Osman in person at the head of 300000 men passing through Moldavia which he again reduced to the obedience of the new Vayvod he entered Podalia Anno Dom. 1621. where he found the great Chancelour of Poland and the Prince Son to the Polonian King strongly intrenched with an Army of 50000 resolute Souldiers and because he could not draw them out of their strengths he with his multitude inclosed their Camp So that by the frequent attacks and sallies that were made a great number were slain on both side but especially of the Turks during which the Tartarian Prince then assisting Osman with 30000 light Horsemon marched into the heart of Poland burning and destroying all before him in a most terrible manner and upon his return to the Camp besides other spoils brought with him 25000 Prisoners of the poor Countrey people which his ravenous crue had scraped together but
covetous Souldiers whom Mustapha had continually supplyed with the Imperial Treasure to support his bad Title to the Turkish Diadem that Money was wanting to supply necessary occasions Insomuch that the Janizaries were obliged to remit the Largess usually bestowed upon with an Augmentation of their pay at the Coronation of every Emperour and that money which was found was for the most part adulterated insomuch that the Visier sent to the Ambassadors of the Christian Princes residing there to borrow Thirty Thousand Dollars and narrow search was made after the Treasure that had been conveyed away by the Bassa's that bore sway during the distraction in which search Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars were found that had been imbezled by the Visier Darut During these Transactions Abassa Bassa had possessed himself of all most all Asia whereupon it was thought necessary by fair means to perswade him to lay down his Arms and the rather to induce him so to do the Emperour sent unto the Capigi Bassa with a Vest Sword and Letters of Credence giving him thanks for the love he had shewed to his Brother and his Blood but now the revenge belonged to himself of which he would take care and therefore desired him if he were a true subject as he professed himself to be to return to his Government of Arzirum after having dissolved his Army and there to rest till further occasion required his service Upon this order from the Emperor he excused himself that the far advancement of the season would not permit him to retire but promised to live in peace until the spring and then to return in obedience to his Government Nor was this all for the Bassa or Emir of Sidon was up in Arms and with an Army of Thirty Thousand men had seized the strong City and Castle of Damascus and was supposed to hold confederacy with the Christian Princes being himself no favourer of the Mahometan superstition and besides he was a Prince by descent and claimed a right to those Countries as the antient inheritance of his Predecessors nor was the Emperor in a condition to repress him by force therefore intreaties were used as to the former with many large promises nor was the Transilvanian Prince quiet though in a different nature for contrary to his League with the Emperor in a hostile manner he entered Hungary and possessed himself of several Towns To oppose whom the Imperialists raised a considerable Army and incamped in the way he was to pass yet was his coming so suddain that he cut off seven hundred straglers of the Imperialists and had surprized the Camp had not the alarum been given by some that fled yet with his whole Army he so pressed them that they were forced to betake themselves to a small Town Ghoding upon the River of Moran where they Fortified under a Castle that defended it but in the end oppressed with cold and hunger they sent to the Prince to make truce which with the consent of Sultan Morat was accorded on these considerations First That the Emperour should disclaim all right to Hungary and should leave the people free under the Government of the Prince of Transilvania Secondly That the Prince and all the Provinces that had sent their Ambassadors to the Port and had made league with him and had taken the Imperial protection should be restored to their antient Liberty and Estates Thirdly That the Emperor should pay an annual Tribute of forty thousand Dollars pretended to be granted in the dayes of Solyman for Austria and that the Prince and the Bassa of Buda should have full power if they found it convenient at any time to conclude a Peace on the part of the Ottoman Emperor and that all Cities Towns and Castles should remain in the hands of those that possessed them a free intercourse of Trade being allowed between the Subjects of the one and the other Empire This done the Prince of Transilvania made shew as if he would redeem all the poor Captives taken by the Turks at his own charge with some small assistance from the Imperialists upon whom he layed the fault that it was not done for as much as they failing to send their Commissioners to treat about the matter the Turks in the night time decamped and carried away with them contrary to his pleasure twenty thousand Christians into miserable Captivity He likewise warned the Turks to keep in order and not to straggle in their retreat nor to commit any insolency or spoil for that the Country was all in Armes and already inraged but they not following his Council two thousand Hungarian Horse fell upon their Rear and cut off six hundred of them whereupon they turned head and destroyed many Villages killing and taking Prisoners all that came to hand and amongst the rest one of the Hungarian Lords By this time the Persian desirous to dismember the Ottoman Empire with a powerful Army entred the Turkish Dominions in the Province of Babylon and greatly Alarumed that City whereupon a war was proclaimed against him at the Port and all Souldiers in the Emperors pay commanded to repair to the rendezvous upon pain of Confiscation and their wives and children being sold for slaves it was likewise propounded that a reconciliation should be made between the Emperor and Abassa Bassa at any rate least he should joyne with the Persian and that being so gained he might be imployed as General of Turkish Army but the Janizaries would not hear of the advancement of their mortal enemy but rather â—esired to be led against him and fight it out to the utmost but the Spahi were of another mind as rather inclinable to the Bassa yet the Janizaries displaced their Aga for disswading them therefrom and set up in his stead a page of the Court. Thus whilst it was unresolved how to proceed the Persian King omitted no opportunity but Conquered the Province and City of Babylon put to flight Hafis Bassa General of that defensive war and took prisoner Chur Hassen Bassa a renowned old Souldier and cutting in pieces all that opposed him found means to seize upon Mosul antiently called Ninivie and Laska on the Persian Sea and dividing his Army sent part towards Van and Diarbeck and the other towards Mecha incompassing by that means all that part of the Turks Dominions About this time his Majesty of Great Brittain by his Ambassador residing at Constantinople complained of the injuries his Subjects Trading in those Seas had sustained by the Pirates of Argier and Tunis who in two years space had taken about one hundred English Vessels most of them richly laden wherefore the Ambassador demanded that they might be punished for violating the League and be forced to restore such Vessels with their lading as were found not to be imbezled or that they might be left to his Majesty to punish without any offence to the Grand Seigneour but many of the Bassas being interested in those Piracies nothing more could be procured then a
the Imperialists to succour whom two thousand issued out of the Town at what time the fight was renewed and for a long time continued bloody and doubtful and most of the works the Christians had possessed themselves of were recovered the Turks still pressing on to enter the Town with the besieged but being within danger the Imperial Engeniers sprung a mine and thereby destroying about two hundred of the forwardest put a stop to the courage of the rest and gave fresh vigor to the besieged insomuch that again charging the enemy with the former courage and bravery they overthrew them far and near insomuch that five thousand were computed to fall during the action which carnage so infected the Turkish Camp that the soldiers dyed in great numbers which obliged the Visier to remove three or four miles further with the gross of his Army leaving onely a competent number to guard his former Camp and cover the siege The Elector of Bavaria according to his promise having raised an Army of thirteen or fourteen thousand men for the service of the Empire after having mustered them in the presence of the Emperor caused them to march directly towards Kremps to joyn the Imperial Forces resolving in person to follow them with all convenient speed when in the mean while General Dunwalt having notice that seven or eight thousand of the enemy were fallen into the upper Austria he strengthening himself with what Forces he could marched with all diligence to oppose their progress in which they made such devastation that the like had not been formerly known and such was his good success that coming upon them at unawares he put them to the rout killing a great many of them and rescuing two thousand Captive Christians whom they had taken in their progress as also recovered a great booty Upon notice of these and the like successes the Imperial Confederates hastned their quotaes to joyn the Army and for that purpose a Conference was held at Hasford on the 27 of July between the deputies of the Elector of Brandenburg the Bishop of Bamberg and Wittenberg the Princes of Hanspatch Bereith c. wherein it was resolved that the Troops of Franconia designed for the asistance of the Emperor should set forward on the second of August and that the Bishop and Chapter of Wirtzberg should for this service furnish out two Regiments of foot and that four Companies of the Guards of the Elector of Brandenbxrg over and above his Quota as likewise a Regiment of new raised horse should be imployed against the Turks under the command of the Velt Marshal Dorfling Fresh Troops daily arriving at the Imperial Camp and the besieged receiving new assurance of being suddenly relieved would by no means admit of any Treaty with the Turks but generously scorned their pretended advantagious proposals which not a little inraged them so that on the 30 of July they renewed their Battery with great fury against the Red Tower and Scotenburg Gate continually thundring against them for twenty four hours when having made two small Breaches they came on with great resolution but were by the sallyers as strongly opposed whilst the Cannon from the Tower Battlements and Flankers made such destruction amongst them that they retired in great disorder but whilst the Imperialists hotly pursued their own Cannoniers not discerning them from the enemy by reason of a great mist that fell about that time divers of them were killed by the great shot and scarcely was the mistake rectifyed e'r the Turks being seconded with six Regiments of Janizaries and Spahies returned upon them so that the fight on all sides was continued with great fury each being desirous of honour and victory but at length the Turks not being able to endure the Force of the Christians retired yet being commanded to a third assault and receiving fresh supplies from the Camp they again returned strongly possessing the works out of which they had been before beaten 〈◊〉 Count Staremberg accompanyed with divers Commanders and one thousand foot soldiers coming upon them so incouraged his weary men who had been in the heat of the action with little intermission for the space of ten hours that a greater slaughter then ever was made and in sine the Turks put to flight During these three assaults not less then eight thousand of the Besiegers were slain not fewer then three thousand of the besieged So that the Visier fearing the noisomness of the Carnage might oblige his men to forsake their Trenches again desired a Cessation to bury his dead but it would not be granted but rather the slaughter Increased by another sally the besieged made whilst their Cannon on the wall being skillfully mounted overthrew the Turks Cannon and ruined their new Battery against the Scotenburg Gate This great City in the siege of which the Turks have been alwayes unfortunate had not above sixteen hundred Garison soldiers in it the morning of the day wherein it was besieged and but lightly stored with provision but so providence ordered it that in the sight of the Turkish Army two great Vessels laden with provision coming up the River Danubius got into the Port safeâ—â— and the Garrison augmented by sixteen thousand horse and foot left there by the Duke of Loraine as he marched through the City in his retreat nor were the Burgers and Religious Orders less diligent in the defence thereof then the souldiers being by the women animated thereto but more especially by the unwearied example of their Governour who spared no pains nor labour being ever seen in places of greatest danger sacrificing his rest and safety to the Publick good of Christendom and preservation of his Country of which that great City is the only Bulwark and since money was mostly wanting he borrowed it of the Monasteries and Religious foundations promising to refund it with great interest if the City scaped falling into the hands of the Infidels or if it did so be it his Life and Liberty remained to him they should lose nothing By this time the King of Poland having mustered his Army under the walls of Cracovia and furnished himself with all things necessary divided it into two parts and by hasty Marches advanced to joyn the Imperial Camp now swelled big by the daily arrival of fresh Troops and longing to be in action which the Grand Vizier well noting used all diligence in running his Trenches chiefly trusting to his Mines many of which being successefully sprung ruined a great part of the outworks but such was the indefatigable endeavours of the besieged that they made them for the most part good e'r the Turks could enter and frequently by digging deep sounds laying pibbles upon drums and setting basons of water near the walls discovered their Mines which they countermining frustrated destroying the Miners in them for the most part or taking thence the powder Teckely imagining that the Duke of Loraint durst not adventure out of his Camp for fear of being attacked
in German with their Successful Entrance into the Bowels of Hungaria Together with a Table to the whole Book LONDON Printed by Ralph Holt and John Richardson for Thomas Passinger upon London Bridge William Thackery in Duck-Lane and Thomas Sawbridge in Little-Britain 1684. THE Turkish History EPITOMIZED CHAP. I. The Original of the Turks according to the Opinion of sundry Learned Authors with the Means by which they acquired their first Monarchy in Persia Together with the Reign and Death of Tangrolipix their first King IT has and at this day does cause sundry Disputes amongst the Learned from what Nation or People the Turks now so formidable by extending their Empire o're a third part of the known World are sprung or derived some being of opinion that they are descended of the Remnant of the Trojans that scaped the Sword at the Destructiou of the City of Troy and strengthen their Argument with this Reason viz. That the Word Turcii signifying a Trojan is corruptly called Turci or Turk and that on all hands it is affirmed that they originally inhabited the lesser Asia where the City so much Renowned in Story for its holding out a ten years Siege against the Power of the then Grecian Empire stood others affirm they sprung from the ten Tribes carried away captive by Salmanaser the Assyrian King and that from them likewise sprung the Tartars inhabiting the Northern Climes and their Reasons are for as much as the great Lords of Tartary derive their Pedigree from Tribes calling themselves Danists Zebulonians and Napthalists and that the Word Turk in the Hebrew signifies a banished man or one in disgrace and further that they still retain many Ceremonies of the Jewish Nation as Circumcision and the like as also frequently to repeat to themselves Lamentations though corruptly for the fall of Jerusalem and Damascus the chief Cities of Judea and Syria affirming they know not the meaning of such their Lamentations but that they have been taught of their Ancestors so to do Others are of Opinion that they were Scythians who left their Country by reason of the Scarcity thereof and Coldness of the Clime and falling on Armenia grasped it with so hard a hand that all the Power of the Roman Empire then flourishing could not rescue it but as a Token of their first Success in their issuing out of the Caspian Straits they named it Turcomania which name remains to this day And that there were such a People long before their aspiring to Empire in Asia Pomponius Mella Pliny and Ptolomy do aver but about the time of their Eruption Blondus Platina and Segonius disagree the two former declaring it to be in the year of our Lord 755 and the latter in 844. yet conclude upon the reason of their coming forth as aforesaid Their Rise and aspiring to Greatness was after this manner Mahomet the persian Sultan wresting the Government from the Caliph or Successor of Mahomet the Impostor or as they falsly called him their Great Prophet whose Erroneous Doctrine had infected all Asia Affrick and part of Europe to provide against the worst strengthned himself and the better to do it sent to the Turkish Chief in Armenia to furnish him with a competent number of Men of War who in compliance to the Sultans Command caused 3000 to March under the Leading of one of his chief Captains named Tangrolipix by the help of which he overthrew the Caliph of Babylon with an incredible Slaughter of his Army and being further minded to make an Expedition against the Indians that bordered his Country and knowing by Experience the great courage of the Turks and their singular dexterity in Archery he resolved to retain them for his further Service so that when they desired to be conducted over the River Araxis he not only refused to permit it but also threatned them if they offered to make any further mention of their departure which Indignity caused them to take the opportunity of withdrawing themselves into the Desart of Caranonitis and there like Out-laws to live upon Spoil the News of which no sooner reached the Sultan's ear but he commanded ten of his Captains to March against Tangrolipix with an Army of 20000 choice Soldiers composed of divers Nations which Incamping by the border of a Forrest wherein the Turkish Captain resided with his Forces they were in the dead of the night set upon and put to flight with great Slaughter so that the Turks furnishing themselves with the Spoyls of the slain appeared more boldly in the Field and were in a short time increased to 50000 fighting men by such Outlaws and other Villains as upon the bruit of their Success resorted to 'um which caused Mahomet now jealous of his other Subjects revolt to raise a great Army and to advance against Taâ—grolipix First having put out the Eyes of those Captains overthrown in the fight and threatned to disgrace the Souldiers that escaped the slaughter by attiring them in Womans Apparel which afterward redounded to his loss by causing them to avoid future punishment to fly to his Enemy In fine both Armies met on the great Plain before the City Ispahan in Persia and began a dreadful Battle which with great Slaughter lasted till Sultan Mahomet fell from his Horse and broak his neck at what time both Armies ceased from fight and by unanimous consent chose Tangrolipix Sultan of Persia and the Dominions appertaining to that large Kingdom who was no sooner seated in his Throne but he caused the Garrisons that kept the Passage over Araxis to be removed and called in the Turks his Country-men then dwelling on the other side and by degrees advanced them to all the chief Places of Trust deposing the Persians and Sarazens the Ancient Inhabitants of those Dominions but long he had not wielded his Scepter e'r he made War upon Pisasiris the Caliph of Babylon and after sundry Battles having slain him annexed his Kingdom to Persia This Success firing him with a desire to extend his Dominions wider he sent Cutlu-Muses his Nephew to war on the Arabians but those People as dexterous in Archery as the Turks soon overthrew him with the slaughter of a great part of his Army and therefore in his Return requested of Stephen the Greek Emperours Lievtenant in Media that he might pass through those Territories into his own Country but he not only denied him passage but opposed him with a powerful Army which was by the Turks defeated and the Lievtenant taken Prisoner After which the Sultan in Person made an Expedition against the Arabians thinking to revenge the late disgrace but procured a greater for himself was likewise overthrown which caused him to bend his Forces to the Conquest of Media to effect which he sent his Brother Asan but in the mean while his Nephew fearing his displeasure for disobeying his Command fled and gathering to him a strong Power seized on Pasar a strong City of Chorasmians yet the Expedition was not thereby obstructed but
inevitably lost had not the Citizens who were Christians timely come in to their assistance and put the Turks to flight and then the Armies drawing forth marched as far as the River Orontes before they met with any resistance but there the Turks had fortified the Bridge and Banks on the other side but being overwhelmed with showers of English Arrows sent from the Squadron commanded by Robert Duke of Normandy they soon gave ground and left the Passage open and so the Princes passing the River came to the other Antioch in Syria of which one Cassianu was Governour to the Relief of which the Turks came with an Army of 100000 Horse and Foot but were repulsed by the Christians and returned with 20000 less than they brought so that the City on the third day of June 1098. was secretly and contrary to the knowledge of the Governour delivered by one Phirrus to Prince Bohemund of Tarentum who furiously entering a dismal slaughter ensued insomuch that the Streets run with blood The Governour upon notice of what had hapned fled but falling into the hand of the Armenians that were expelled Jerusalem he was slain The loss of Antioch being made known to Corbanus the Persian Sultan's Lievetenant as he lay before Edessa he raised the Sige and with all his Forces marched towards Antioch resolving to put all upon the Hazard of a Battle against whom the Princes drew out their Strengths leaving the Earl of Tholous with a competent number to secure the City from a revolt by reason the Turks still held the Castle and after a long and doubtful fight overthrowing with such incredible slaughter of his men that all the Valleys were filled with blood and bodies of the slain 100000 Turks being adjudged to fall in that Battel and not above 4000 Christians and the next day they took 5000 Cammels with their lading as also a new Castle built but the year before by the aforesaid Lievtenant And thus conquering they passed on taking several Cities of note till they came within the view of Jerusalem upon sight of which they shouted so loud that all the Country resounded with the joyful Acclamations and with their hands and eyes extended towards Heaven they called upon the name of Jesus and many in humility to the place where our Blessed Lord had so often preached his Gospel fell to the Ground and kissed it with great Affection making fresh Vows never to leave the City till they had delivered it from the Infidels but their strength was much impaired by reason of a Pestilence that had the Autumn before hapned in the Army yet in a Council of the Princes and chief Commanders it was resolved that the Siege should immediately be begun and carried on with all the vigour imaginable The Governour having notice of the Christians approach and what was intended delayed not to prepare all things that might conduce to the making a strenuous defence having a little before received a strong recruit of able Soldiers and a supply of all things necessary yet the Christians after having got what knowledge they could of the state of Affairs within the City sat down before it on the North for towards the East and the West the broken Rocks and shattered Hills render it very incommodious Next the Wall incamped Godfry Duke of Lorrain with his Germans and Lorainers near unto him on the right pitched their Tents Robert Duke of Normandy and the Earl of Flanders before the West Gate lay incamped Tancreed and the Earl of Tholous Bohemund and Baldwin being absent the one remaining King at Antioch and the other Governour of Edassa The Christians having refreshed themselves it was concluded amongst the Princes that the fifth day the Assault should be given which accordingly was done with such bravery that the Turks were beaten from their Defences and miserably slaughtered by the shot of the Archers but they wanting scaling Ladders and the weather being exceeding hot the retreat was sounded but being desirous of nothing more than winning the City five days after they gave it another fierce Assault which made the Walls to tremble nothing that Policy or Valour could afford being wanting on the part of the Christians but scarcity of Water afflicting them with drought and the excessive heat of the Weather frustrated this second Attempt for the Enemy had either stopped up or poysoned all the Wells about the City unless that of Siloe whose Water had worked out the Poison and was become wholesome but that yielded not half enough to suffice the Army During the time that the Christians besieged Jerusalem a Fleet of Genoeses arrived at Joppa where having notice that a far greater Fleet of the Egyptian Sultans lay at Ascalon with an intent to relieve the besieged they after having taken out all things necessary sunk their Gallies and marched over land to the Camp where they became very serviceable in making Engines for Assault and moving Towers covered with raw Hides to prevent their being fired one of which they set to the Walls and from it greatly annoyed the besieged which they perceiving prepared to set it on fire but the wind favouring the Christians drove iâ— full in the besiegers face insomuch that the Duke of Lorrain with his German Foot getting upon the Engine beat the Turks and Sarazens from the Wall with great slaughter and leaping thereon fixed his Standard keeping his Ground though the Enemies shot flew as thick as Hail which venturous Attempt so encouraged the rest of the Princes that they pressed on with great fury insomuch that a terrible slaughter ensued the Souldiers in their rage sparing neither Man Woman nor Child which made the most couragious of the Turks Sarazens and Jews retire to Solomon's Temple in the Entrance whereof they maintain'd a bloody and obstinate fight spreading all the Pavement with the bodies of the slain and bedewing it with streams of blood and so eager were the Christians to charge the Infidels that they for haste thrust one another upon the Enemies Weapons yet after great slaughter they gave back and betook them to the Vaults on the top of the Temple from whence they defended themselves till the fury of the Christians was over and a Trumpet sounded to give Quarter upon which they yielded and had their Lives spared Thus was the Famous City of Jerusalem retaken by the Christians in 30 days Anno 1099. after it had remained in the hands of the barbarous Infidels for the space of 409 years and so great was the joy conceived by the Christians who inhabited it and had suffered miserable Persecution under the Turks that they embraced the Souldiers weeping for gladness and every where singing praises for their deliverance Things being at this pass the Princes consulted amongst themselves whom to constitute King of the Holy City and after some deliberation thought none fitter than the valiant Duke of Normandy but he hearing of his Brothers death declined it as desirous to return and take possession of
thereof be suffered to live in Peace which being concluded on the King leaving Count Henry of Champaigne his Lievetenant of Syria imbarked with his fair Queen who had accompanied him in his tedious Expedition but by the way being separated from the rest of his Fleet suffered wrack upon the Coast of Histria and attempting with a small retinue to walk over land in the Habit of a Templar he was discovered and by the command of the Duke of Austria in whose Territories and whom he had disgraced at the Siege of Ptolomais by throwing down his Standard taken Prisoner and by him sold to the Emperor Henry for 40000 pounds who kept him prisoner a year and three months and then received for his Ransom 150000 pounds But the Ship that the Queen and her Ladies were in arrived safe in England Soon after the King's delivery news came that Saladine the great Sultan was dead which caused the Princes of Germany animated by Pope Celestines to undertake a third Voyage for the Recovery of Jerusalem The Dukes of Saxony and Austria commanding in Chief and with them went many Bishops who upon their Arrival joyned with the Christians they found there and repaired Joppa the which whilst they were doing the â—â—â—â—â—ish Army approached whereupon they â—hew out and in pitched battle overthrew them but to the Loss of their two Generals the former dying within four days after the Victory of a Fever and the latter of the Wounds he had received And in fine news coming that Henry the Emperour was dead most of the chief Captains returned home in hopes to be elected Emperour After which the Turks took Joppa and put all they found in it to the Sword but at the instance of Pope Innocent the third Philip the French King sent 5000 Souldiers under the leading of Simon Count of Mont-ferat to joyn the Christians by whose good conduct things were so ordered that they procured to live at peace in Tyre and Ptolomais where I shall leave them and return to the Lesser Asia and relate by what means the Turks first Empire in Persia was brought to nought CHAP. V. The ruin of the Turks first Kingdom in Asia by the Tartars THe Turks having flourished in Persia and the Lesser Asia by the Space of about 200 years under the Succession of divers Sultans and Kings The Tartars a rough Savage People dwelling in the cold barren parts of Asia Northward under the leading of Ziugis their pretended Prophet having wasted all before them passed the high Mountain Caucasus and part of the Mountain Taurus came on upon the more fertile part of Asia like a deluge whose huge numbers were such that in a short time under the leading of Hoccata old Ziugis's Son himself being dead before they had far proceeded they in a trice overrun India Persia and almost all the other Countries of Asia none being able to stand before nay so fearful were they to the Nations that at their Approach without giving battle Kings with their People sled not into fenced Cities but their Contries and amongst the rest Cursumes or as the Greek will have it Corâ—â—â—tes The Turkish Sultan of Persia leaving all the Cities naked to be possessed without resistance by the Barbarous Enemy who in his slight dyed being the last King Linaly defended of the Sâ—lzâ—â—cian Family Reigning in Persia whereupon his Son Vgnâ—â—chan taking upon him the leading the People that followed his Father seized upon Baâ—â—â—â— now called Bagadet supposing it the safest place of refuge and the better to secure it put to the Sword all the inhabitants but kept it not long or the Turks 〈…〉 after him tâ—â—â— the City by Storm and in 〈…〉 expell'd all his People and so 〈◊〉 on Conquered 〈…〉 and many other 〈◊〉 both in the Great and Leâ—â—er Asia formerly possessed by the Turks they by this means 〈…〉 driven out of 〈◊〉 about the year of our Lord 〈…〉 yet there was found one of the Selâ—â—◠〈…〉 Royal Stem named 〈…〉 the scattered Turks 〈…〉 to him in 〈…〉 taking the advantage of the Greeks 〈…〉 themselves 〈…〉 and the Countries 〈◊〉 and there first at 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 erected their 〈◊〉 Kingdom 〈…〉 is by the Turks 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of the Alâ—dine Kings And by this 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 Monarchy in 〈◊〉 was received the 〈…〉 Sâ—iling himself great King and Lord 〈◊〉 the Eastern Countries During this 〈◊〉 the Constanâ—â—◠〈…〉 broyles which 〈…〉 who had deprived his Elder Brother 〈…〉 Empire for the Settlement thereof and securing himself in his throne to seek after the Life of the young Prince his Brothers Son who was active in recovering to his Father the Empire that of right appertained unto him which inforced the Prince to crave aid of Philip the Emperor of Germany and the rest of the Princes of that Empire and so prevailed by means of his Sister who was Married to the said Emperor that being recommended by him and the French King to the Army then making an other expedition into the Holy Land and by them taken into protection with a Solemn promise of restoring him to his rightful Inheritance In consideration of which he obliged himself to pay the French a great sum of Moâ—ey and to make Restitution to the Venations the loâ—â—es they sustained in the time of the Emperor 〈◊〉 by reason of an 〈…〉 lay'd upon their gailies and seâ—â—â—re of the goods of their March and Recompence the 〈◊〉 by reducing the Greek Churches to the obedience of the See of Rome for of those three Nations was mostly this Army composed which consisted of near two hundred thousand Horse and Foot Upon these considerations was the Voyage in order to the Recovery of what was lost in Syria put off and all the forces â—ent against 〈◊〉 where the Usurper resided who held his Brother the rightful Emperour in Prison having deprived him of his sight and coming before the port with their huge fleet that almost covered the Ocean they â—â—on broke the chain and entered with their Galley upon sight of which those that kept the Greek Gallies in the perâ—â—â—â—ed and left them as a prey to the Latins for so they called the Western Christians who not content therewith but resolutely thrusting on shore a 〈…〉 those that guarded it to retire 〈…〉 re-enter the City which the Usurper perceiving and well weighing he was no ways able to oppose such an Army taking with him all his Treasure and several of his trustly Friends 〈◊〉 â—ight upon which the Citizens to avoid being 〈◊〉 â—ook the Old Emperor out of Prison and the Second time proclaimed him Emperor and immediately opened their gates and admitted the Army calling them their deiâ—â—erers but this their Alacrity lasted not for the Prince having made known his promises and the Old Emperor confirmed the same the People upon Settlement of the Taxes whereby such Sums should be raised as might satisfie the Conquerors they grew dissatisfied and raised tumults in several parts of the City the better to Allay which
and so marching against the Enemy a dreadful Fight began the Turks charging with great Courage putting the Right-wing to flight and disordering their main Battalion So that Victory began to declare her self in favour of them when one of the Sultans chief Commanders out of some former grudge fell with the Squadron of Persian Horse under his Command to the Enemy and by that means turned the Scale of War so that the Turks who even now were Conquerors fled for their Lives nor durst the Sultan stay in his own Country but fled to Constantinople where of the Emperor he was kindly received and aided with what Force he could spare under the leading of an experienced Captain for which kindness he gave the Emperor the City of Laodicea Not long after this was Palelogus received into Favour and restored to his Dignity upon his solemnly swearing to be true and Loyal to him and his Sons which had not long been done â—'r the Emperor fell sick and dyed Reigning only three years and in his stend was Crowned his Son John a Child of six years old who was by the Emperors last Will bequeathed to the Tutorage of Arsenius the Patriarch and George Muzâ—la the letter of which being of mean Birth having raised for his Vertues and good parts by the departed Emperor which caused him to be greatly envyed by the Courtiers whereupon he assembling together desired to be rid of his Charge but every one seeming unwilling to undertake it he still continued with much Integrity but several having conspired against him of which Paleologus was Chief they during the Obsequies of the defunct Emperor slew him and several that they supposed Favoured him even at the Altar and in a short time Paleologus usurped the Empire not in the least regarding his former Oath About this time Mango the great Cham of Tartary stirred thereto by Amonius the Armenian King of whom he had received the Christian Religion Sent his Brother Haalon with a powerful Army against the Turks and Sarazens in Syria and the Land of Palestine who in the space of six Months over-run all Persia with the Countries adjoyning and came at length into Syria and took the great City Babylon at that time commanded by the Caliph putting all the Inhabitants to the Sword inriching his Soldiers with the spoil and passing from thence through Mesopotamia took the City of Rhoais and there being supplyed with fifty two Horse and Foot entering Syria he rased Aleppo and other strong Towns and soon after won Damasco when as the Sultan with his Wife and Children came and fell before him desiring him to spare his Country but in vain for he wasted all before him but being about to pass on to Jerusalem News was brought him of his Brothers death upon which he returned home yet at his departure for the good Will he bore the Christians he left his Son Abiga with 20000 Horse to aid them in Wars but Abiga hearing of his Fathers Troubles about his Establishment in the Empire departed with 10000 of the 20000 leaving the rest under the Command of Guirboca a valiant Captain who by some affronts put upon him by the Christians became their mortal Enemy yet letted not give battle to the Sultans Army of ten times to the number and not being aided by the Christians was overthrown wherein himself fighting couragiously with greater part of his small Army were slain and thereupon Antioch and most of the Towns holden by the Christians were taken by the Sultan Bandocador By this time the Tartars warring in the lesser Asia had driven Jathanites out of all his Dominions whereupon he fled to the Greek Emperor for aid or Refuge but ingrateful as he was not regarding the Kindness he had received at his Hands when he fled from Theodorus the Emperor he committed him Prisoner at large to the City of Aenus in Thrace appointing several to watch him so narrowly that he should not escape When Paleologus had Reigned at Nice two years he sent Alexus Stregopulus against the Despot of Epirus who raised Tumults in the West this man in his passage with a small Army by the Treachery of the Greeks dwelling in Constantinople found means to surprize that City and again annex it to the Greek Empire After it had been in the hands of the Latines fifty eight years for which service Alexus triumphed in Purple Robes wearing a Crown of Gold commanded that for one year following his Name next to his should be mentioned in all publick Prayer Psalms and Hymns But now the Son of Theodorius whose Right this Emperor had usurped coming to years of Discretion it bred much jealousie in him that lest any discontented Person espousing his Quarrel should pluck the Crown from off his Head and place it where it ought to rest Whereupon to render him unfit for Government he like a barbarous Wretch deprived him of his sight which his Aunt Queen of Bulgaria no sooner understood but with many Arguments stirred up her Husband to make War upon the Usurper and at the same time being solicited by the Sultan Jathanites to deliver him from his Confinement he with a great Power of Scythians his own Subjects entered the Empire wasting all before him with Fire and Sword hoping to surprize the Emperor in his return from his Expedition against the Despot of Servia but failing of him he turned to Aenus and took thence the Sultan the Citizens gladly delivering him to save their Lives and contenting himself with the spoil of Thracia he passed over Ister and returned into his own Country Jathanites the Sultan being set at Liberty by the King of Bulgaria for Grief of his great loss dyed not leaving any Dominions to his Children Yet not long after Gazan the great Cham of Tartary as his Vassals two of his Kinsmen of the Zelzuccian Family viz. Mesot and Rei-Cubades they in acknowledgment thereof paying him a yearly Tribute placed them in part of his Dominions and thus fell the Turkish Empire in the lesser Asia being Rent in pieces by the Tartars who afterward seized upon a great part of the Greek Empire they and the Fugitive Turks together possessing themselves of the Countries from Pontus and Galatia unto the Lyeian and Carian Seas and the River Eurymedon Anno 1270. King Lewis of France aided by Henry the Third of England and divers others resolved upon a second Expedition into the Holy-Land the years Truce being exspired he set out from the Haven of Marseilles with a great Fleet of Ships and coming before Carthage he found in the Port a great number of the Enemies Ships which he seized and after some light Skirmishes with those that kept the shoar Landed his Men and laid close Siege to the City which after many desperate though unsuccessful Sallies of the besieged sarrendered upon Condition to depart Carthage being won the King laid Siege to Tums to relieve which the King of Fez with a great Army of the Moors came down but
have the next day been Married to the Captain of Bilezuga and gave her in Marriage to his Son Orchanes who had Issue by her Amurath the third King of the Turks and Solyman Bassa and immediately thereupon besieged the Castle of Einegiol which he took and put the Garrison to the Sword and now no longer resolving to play small Games he besieged the City of Nice in Bythinia not many years before the Seat of the Greek Emperor to relieve which the Emperor sent such Forces as could upon so short a warning be drawn together which Othoman encountring with overthrew and afterward by Famine constrained the Citizens upon promise of Life to surrender the City with spoils of which he greatly inriched himself sending part thereof to the Sultan who in requital ordered prayers to be put up for his prosperous Success promising that he should succeed him in his Kingdom of which being disappointed at the death of the said Sultan by those that divided it into an Anarchy he nevertheless took upon him the Dignity of a Sultan Coining Money and Causing publick prayers to be put up in his own name and sezing upon Neapolis made it his Regal seat calling it Despotopolis or the City of the Prince and thus Anno 1300 begun the great Empire of the Turks This upstart Turk having so soon advanced his fortune setled his Government with wholesom Laws the lasting Cords of Empire and then drawing all his forces together lay'd Siege to Prusia during which the Christian Princes that bordered upon him drew all their forces together resolving to give him battle but therein his good fortune prevailing they were overthrown whereupon several Towns and Castles fell into his hands some surrendring voluntarily and others by force compelled so to do but the strong City of Prusia in which was the broken Army of the Christians stood impregnable whereupon he built two Castles to block it up and returned to Neapolis sending his Captains out daily with strong parties to fetch booties out of the Christian Territories and to take in such Castles as by surprize or otherwise might fall into their hands His Power being now greatly increased that he was able to draw into the Field 20 or 30000 Horse and Foot at what time Cossi the Christian Captain revolting turned Turk and stood Othoman in great stead during his Wars nor did the other Turks in the Lesser Asia less indammage the Christians so that the Greek Empire began to Dwindle into a small Circumference occasioned by the divisions amongst themselves about Religion for young Baldwin the Latin Emperor being expelled Constantinople as is aforesaid in flying into Germany lay daily at Charles the Emperor to restore him which Paleologus the Greek Emperor understanding offered unto Pope Gregory the tenth that if he would divert the Emperors forces by intangling him in Domestick troubles he would so order the matter that the Greek Empire in matters of Religion should acknowledge the See of Rome as Supream and from thence take all directions as to Ecclesiastical affairs which Innovation caused divers tumults and many to leave the Empire rather chosing to dwell with the Turks which troubles lasted to the Death of Paleologus nor could he fulfil his promise to the Pope After the Greek Emperors Death Andronicus succeeded in the Empire who was no less troubled with the Incursions of the Turks yet he fought with them several Battles with various with Success but then a difference arising between him and his Brother Constantine all his hopes of prevailing vanish'd though without cause as most believe suspected his Brothers aspiring to Empire who was one of the chiefest Bulwarks a-against the Turks beyond the River Meander giving to them many a fatal overthrow yet was he cast in Prison with many of his followers and one Alexus Philanthropenus made General of the Army in his stead to whom was joyned Libadarius an experienced Captain and grave Councellor the former of which after having obtained many Victories over the Turks and Tartars perswaded by the Cretensians Rebelled against the Emperor taking upon himself the title of Emperor which lasted not long for being overthrown by the latter in a mortal Battle was delivered bound by his Souldiers to the Conqueror who depriving him of his Sight sent him to the Emperor then residing at Constantinople The Rebellion created such Jealousie in the Emperor that he chose rather to trust strangers then his own Subjects so that he having notice of the Massagetes a People dwelling beyond Ister being oppressed by the Tartars he upon their Supplication appointed them part of his Dominions whereupon they came over to him with about 10000 families which caused him to fall into the displeasure of his Subjects these new-come guests being compleatly Armed he sent them with many others against the Turks under one leading of his Son and Partner in the Empire Michael Paleologus who at the first sight of the Turks without so much as striking a stroak fled which gave the Enemy the advantage of conquering the Country as â—ar as Lestos After this as if destiny had so willed it the Emperor called to his aid Ronzerius a Pirate who came with 2000 Catalonians and afterwards increaseâ— his number by sending for more who at first did considerable service but within a while fell to spoiling and plundering the Emperors Dominions in Asia worse then the Turks as likewise by setting out certain Gallies bobbed all the Merchants that passed those Seas till at last their Gallies being destroyed by a Fleet of the Genoways and their Captain slain by the command of the young Emperor they called in the Turks having first seized upon the City of Calipolis against these who with joynt forces harased the Country the young Emperor went in person but was overthrown and most of his Greeks slain upon the revolt of the Massagets and other treacherous Mercenaries who were shortly recompenced according to their deserts for being about to return home with the spoil they had gotten the Catalonians set upon them and put 'um all to the Sword taking from them a rich booty and then passing through many Countries they left the Emperor free till at last coming to the Territories of the Duke of Thebes and he refusing to give them passage they in a set battle overthrew his power and seized on his Country in which they settled themselves where their Posterity to this day remains But this freed not the Emperor of the danger for the Turks coming down in great number and having overthrown the young Emperor spoiled all Thracia to stay whose fury Philes Paleologus a devout man and Kinsman to the Emperor undertook the defence of his bleeding Country and meeting them as they were ranging to and fro burning and destroying all before 'um he in a set battle overthrew 'um and forced 'um into the City of Chersonesus where he so straightly besieged them by Sea and Land that indeavouring to break through the Leaguer they were most
off the which being done the Garrison buried in Sleep and Wine for joy of the Turks departure neglecting their Watches the Captain being Conducted by his Mistress a private way entered with about fifty Followers and putting the Warders to the Sword opened the Gates and let in the Army who the next Morning took the Garrison The Turks departed with their Prisoners and such Booty as they found The Tratyress being given to Abdurachman as a reward of his Adventurous undertaking not long after Accecozza dying Orchanes made his Sons Amurath and Solyman Lords of the Provinces he had taken from the Christians who lay'd Siege to the City of Niâ—â—media which despairing of succour surrender'd upon Condition that so many as would depart might and those that would stay there might without any hurt Either Body or Goods of which City Solyman was made Governour and thereupon he removed his Court from Prusa to Nice that he might be near his new Conquests at all times to give such necessary Orders as were Convenient and so prospered that he soon after got Possession of Taraxa Govinucia and Mndurne and raising a puissant Army he invaded the Country of Carasiana the Brothers of the deceased King being at odds about the Succession and soon over-run it forcing one of the Brothers to fly into Pergamum and the other as his Vassal to hold the Kingdom in Fee of him at the same time made his younger Son Amurath Lord of Prusa The Turkish Kingdom being thus settled in Asia Archanes consulted with his Son Solyman about getting footing in Europe which he promised to effect and upon his return to his Government sent over Ezes-Bey his chief Captain and some others to discover the Country who taking a Greek Prisoner returned and presented him to Solyman who having given him Mony and Rayment inquired of the Nature of the Country who informed them at large Whereupon repassing with a small Force they seized upon the Castle of Zembenick without doing any harm to the Garrison which was indeed but small most of them being gone out to fetch in their Harvest The News of the Turks landing in Europe soon flew to Constantinople but such was their Cowardise and Sloath together with intestine Divisions that no Care was taken to expulse them So that they daily increasing their Power by such as were sent over in Boats seized also upon the Castle of Maditas and afterward spoiled the Country of Chersonesus as far as Callipolis which City they took after having overthrown the Governour in a pitched Battle yet so infatuated were the greater part of the Greeks that they made a jest of the proceedings of the Turks who were by this time advanced 200 from the Castle of Zembenick where they first Landed Whereupon Solyman sent to his Father to acquaint him with what had passed as likewise to desire him to send him fresh supplies of Men not only to secure what he had won but to prosecute his successful beginning upon the receipe of which news Orchanes greatly rejoyced and immediately Commanded 1000 Sarazens and Turks to pass the Hellespont in Boats prepared for that purpose upon whose Arrival Solyman intercepted the Goveronour of Conger Castle who had greatly annoyed the Turks and striking off his Head before the Castle-Gate so terrified those that were within that they soon surrendred the Place from whence the Turks frequently sallying fetched in great Booties venturing even to the Walls of Didymotichum And thus in the space of one year the Turks got strong footing in Europe possessing themselves of divers Castles and Towns with the Countries about them which Solyman as a reward of their Service gave to his Captains and Soldiers as appeareth by the Monuments of Ezes-Beg and Fazel-Beg the first Two Turkish Captains that set Footing in Europe but for a while a stop was put to the Turks Progress occasioned by the Death of Solyman who hawking in the Fields of Bolyre and following too furious in taking a Ditch his Horse threw him where he received such a mortal bruise that he within a few days after died which News coming to his Father Orchanes he for grief fell sick and within two Months gave up the Ghost Anno 1359. and of his Age 80 years having Reigned 31 years This Orchanes was both warlike and Politick Courteous he was to his Friends and stern to his Enemies much devoted to the Mahometan superstition and a great Enemy to the Christians CHAP. VIII The Life and Actions of Amurath the first of that Name and third King of the Turks OChanes and Solyman his eldest Son being dead Amurath succeeded in the Kingdom as the younger Son to the deceased King who at his first Entrance upon his Government had great Contests with the Turkish Princes of the lesser Asia who Envying his aspiring as supposing in the Currant of his Victories he might as well overthrow them as the Christians but having Vanquished their Forces and brought them Terms of Agreement he turned his Arms upon Europe with a great host passing the Hellespont he seized upon the Castle of Benutum when passing on the Greeks now roused out of their security opposed him with such Forces as they could draw together but were soon overthrown After which he won the Town of Trurulus taking likewise all the Castles and small Towns adjoyning as Mesine Burgos Hebrus and soon after Didimotichum and staying there sent one of his Captains named Lala-Schakin to besiege Hadrianople now called Adrianople with whom the Christians fought a great and mortal Battle but such was their ill steered Fate that Victory declared for the Infidels So that that great City being out of all hopes of Relief opened her Gates to the Enemy Anno 1362. The City of Hadrianople being taken or as their own Histories relate taken by Treachery in time of Peace Amuratis made it the chief Seat of the Turkish Kings in Europe as a place from whence he might best annoy Christendom and then sending for his Captains he Commanded to invade the Countries of Philipopolis Zogora and Ipsala the which in a snort time they brought under Subjection The Turkish Kingdom in a small time being spread wide Cura Rustemes the Doctor of the Mahometan Law and Zinderlu Chelil the Chief Justice devised the Order or Constitution of the Janizaries which have ever since been available to Turks in all their Wars after this manner that seeing there were great multitudes of Christian Captives frequently taken the Youths above fifteen years of Age should every fifth be the Kings and if there wanted of five then he who had them shoud pay twenty five Aspers a Head and that those which appertained to the Kind should for three of four years be put to hard Labour the better to inure 'um to Hardship and then being brought to Court to serve in the Wars as the Kings Life-Guard being alway near his Person Which advice was so well approved of that it has continued acceptable to the Othoman Kings and
Amurath through Grief and despair Dyed in his Tent Anno 1450 in the 85 Year of his Age and of his Reign the 28 or as some say the thirtieth leaving Mahomet his Son to succeed him in his troublesome Kingdom charging him to revenge his Death upon Scanderbeg and so having his Corps conveyed to Prusa he was there interred by his Ancestors CHAP. XII The Life of Mahomet the second of that Name seventh King and the first that took upon him the Style of Emperor of the Turks who for his many Victories was surnamed Great A Murath being dead Mahomet the second began his Reign over the Turkish Kingdom Anno 1450. Being of a firey Cruel Nature given to many Debauches not acknowledging any Deity but ascribing all things to Fortune and Chance who e'r he was well settled caused his two Brethren the one an Infant and the other not above twelve years of Age to be put to Death after which he fell to altering the Constitution of the Government by abrogating the Old Laws and Establishing new ones more suitable to his Humour So that he began to be exceedingly hated by his Subjects when to prevent any disorder that might happen by the Soldiers lying Idle he hearing that Ibrahim King of Carramania was entered his Territories in the lesser Asia passed thither upon whose Arrival the King unable to oppose him fled into the Mountains and from thence sent his Ambassadors to treat with him who offered such Submission in the behalf of their Masters as Mahomet was well Content to accept and so returned to his City of Prusa sending Isaac Bassa against Elias Prince of Mentesia or Caria who altogether deprived the said Prince of his Country annexing it to the Turkish Empire for so henceforth I must call it Mahomet being proud of his Petty Conquests without any Colour or Reason only being driven Headlong by Ambition he resolved to make War upon the Greek Emperor and to have the sooner done marched to the Walls of Constantinople with a great Power laying Siege to that Imperial City which had once been Mistress of the World which he reduced to such Extremity that the Citizens for meer Hunger left no filthy thing uneaten and at last Eat one another and perceiving none intended to relieve them they inforced by invincible necessity yielded the fairest City of the World to the Will of the Tyrant having made all the defence that from true Valour could be expected The proud Conqueror entering the City amidst his Cups caused all the Grecian Nobility the chief Citizens and Nobles of other Nations to be slain in his Presence Constantinus Paleologus the Emperor being before slain and Trampled underfoot in the Press as he was indeavouring to escape the Imperial City this taken after a years Siege Pera a City of the Greeks opposite to it surrendred yet were the Citizens used with all manner of Despite And now removing the Imperial Seat from Hadrianople to Constantinople where it has ever since remain'd he repaired the Walls and such Buildings as had been demolished by the Fury of the Cannon Amongst the Captives taken in the City one of his Commanders presented unto him one of the most beautiful Ladies that Nature ever formed named Irene being nobly descended and for Education not to be paralell'd upon this incomparable Beauty Mahomet so doted that he spent whole Days and Nights with her never thinking his time well spent but in her Company So that his warlike Affairs were altogether neglected which caused his Captains to murmur against him though they durst not freely speak their Minds which Mustapha Bassa one that had been bred up with him observing presuming upon the Interest he had in him took upon him boldly to declare his Mind laying before him the glorious Atchievments of his Ancestors and the disgrace and obloquie he incurred by devoting himself to amorous Delights whilst the Affairs of his Empire were neglected At this free Speech of the Bassas Mahomet was wonderfully offended telling him he was worthy of Death for his unseasonable Presumption but notwithstanding he would pardon him for the good Opinion he had of his Fidelity Commanding him the next Morning to assemble all his Captains and chief Councellors the next Morning to attend his Pleasure in his Pallace which being accordingly done he came out of his Chamber leading the fair Greek in most splendid Attire which adding Luster to her rare Perfections made her appear more like an Angel then a Mortal and sternly demanding of them Whether if any of them had such an inestimable Treasure they would not be thrice advised e'r they parted with it To which they all answered that he had with greater reason passed his time with her then any man had to find sault therewith To which the barbarous Tyrant replyed well but now I Will make you to understand how far you have been deceived in me and that there is no earthly thing that can so much blind my Senses or bereave me of my Reason as not to see or understand what beseemeth my high Calling yea I would you should all know that the Honour and Conquest of the Othoman Kings my noble Progenitors is so fixed in my breast with such a Desire in my self to exceed the same as nothing but Death is able to put out of my Remembrance and having so said he presently with one of his Hands catching the fair Greek by the Hair and with the other drawing his Scimiter smote off her Head she vainly Crying out for Mercy and then taking the bloody Head in his Hand turning to his Captains said now by this Judge ye whether your Emperor is able to Bridle his Affections or not and immediately to put this cruel Act out of his Mind gave order for his Army to march to the Invasion of Peloponnesus which he soon brought into Subjection taking most of the principal Cities and putting the Inhabitants to the Sword but upon the Submission of Demetrius the Prince thereof he restored him upon Condition of his becoming Tributary to the Turkish Empire and afterwards being inamoured of his fair Daughter took her to Wife and soon after hearing of the Death of George Despot of Servia he seized upon his Country and so passing on with his Army besieged Belgrade both by Land and Water as having a great Fleet upon the River Danubius on whose Bank that City is seated which Fleet being incountered by several Ships of War sent by Humaides for that purpose were soon destroyed which so inraged the Turk that immediately giving order for the assaulting the City his men were beaten off with the loss of 4000 men and amongst the rest Curaizis Bassa his Lieutenant in Europe who making his approach was slain with a great Shot and so well did the Valiant Humiades defend that City that after many unsuccessful assaults Mahomet was forced to raise his Siege and departed with 40000 less then he brought The great Humiades having thus long stood a Bulwark to
and soon after was sent to besiege Croia in Epirus to the relief of which the Venetians hast'ned with an Army under the leading of Contarenus a man of great courage who at the first onset overthrew the Turks with great Slaughter obliging them to leave their Camp but not pursuing them by Reason of the near approach of Night whilst they were taking the Spoil the Enemy rallying fell into their disordered Ranks and soon turned the Scale of Victory by subduing those who a little before were Conquerers in which last Fight the General and several of his great Captains were Slain Heightned with this Success the Year following Asa-Beg with a considerable Army passed the River Sontium where being incountered by the Garrison Soldiers of three several Forts under the leading of Hieronimus Nowel the Count of Verona he trained the Venetians into an Ambush by which they being few in number and beset on every side were mostly Slain after which the proud Conquerers proceeded to spoil the Country wasting it with Fire and Sword taking great Spoils and driving before them a number of the miserable People into Captivity The Year following Anno 1478. about Harvest-time they come again and with a great power passing the aforesaid River marched further into the Country wasting all before them and unopposed passed over a part of the Alps towards Germany a way both difficult and dangerous and so plundering the Mountaniers who little dreamt of such troublesome Visitants they returned home laden with great Spoil And now Mahomet remembring the disgrace he received at the Siege of Scodra of which he allowed one a yearly Pension to put him daily in mind he sent for his Soldiers from all parts of his Dominions and under the Leading of several of his Bassaâ— himself being there in person likewise he set down before the City with an Army of 350000 men and there casting several pieces of Ordnance of Mettal he had for that purpose brought thither in Mass one of them carrying a Bullet of 1300 pound Weight he after he had in vain Essayed to have the City delivered by fair means from the Mounts incessantly battered the Walls and withal threw into the City huge Balls of Wild-Fire and Stones of a prodigious Weight which beat down and fired many Houses yet so far were the besieged from being discouraged that they daily animated each other couragiously to defend the City to the last man every Night Countermuring the Breaches the Cannon made with Earth Timber and Planks which Mahomet perceiving commanded his men to give a furious assault and either by Firing the Planks or scaling the Walls to enter the City the which in hopes of great rewards promised them if they happened to be Succesful in the attempt thrust themselves into the mouth of Slaughter being cut off in such numbers by the storm of Shot sent from the Walls that all the plains were covered with their Bodies which Mahomet perceiving and understanding they could not accomplish his desire caused the retreat to be sounded and gave order for the renewing the Battery so that in one day the Engineers sent 194 great Shot into the Breach and immediately caused a second Assault to be made tho with as bad Success as had been the former About this time the Turks under the leading of Solyman Bassa had taken Croia more through Famine then their Valour which City the Inhabitants nigh perished with Hunger and not being able to expect any Relief all the Country about the City being in the hands of the Turks had delivered upon promise of Life and Liberty but the Faithless Bassa not having Regard to his Promise having got Possession put the remaining Skeletons to the Sword which the Scadrians understanding by some Christians in the Turks Camp were the more incouraged resolving manfully to dye rather then trust the perfidious Infidels Mahomet inraged at the besieged obstinacy and the loss of his men in the two assaults after he had with his Artillery beaten down a great part of the Wall Commanded the most Couragious of his Soldiers to give a third Assault which they did with great Fury shouting in the mean while Showers of Arrows and Bullets into the City and at length as men desperate entering into the Breach came to Hand-strokes with the Christians and began a cruel and dreadful Fight in which many were slain on either side The Turks still renewing their assault with fresh Forces till at length they so far prevailed that those who defended the Breach were at the point to retire at what times a fresh Troop brought by the Governour came happily to their Relief and beat off the Assailants with great slaughter Whereupon Mahomet again renewed his Battery and lodged 173 more of his great Shot in the Breach and then sending for his chief Commanders into his Tent-Royal pitched upon a Mount advantagiously to behold what passed and there by Threats and Promises incouraged them to undertake a fourth Assault In which he lost 12000 of his best Men and was forced at last to sound a retreat yet by the several Fights the Christians were sorely weakened in all the Streets lying covered with Turkish Arrows and the Breaches with the mingled Bodies of the Christians rent most miserably by the great Shot they were forced to Labour both Day and Night to repair the Breaches every one incouraging his Fellow in such sort that Mahomet began to despair of Victory and blaspheming God for as he impiously pretended hindering his Proceedings he retired in his Melancholly Mood into his Tent where Tormenting himself for the space of two days he would not be spoken with by any but the third Day calling a Council it was concluded another Assault should be given which was according done with great Fury and much Effusion of Blood on either side but the besieged and resolving to fell their Lives dear so manfully withstood them that with Shame and greater Slaughter then ever they were forced to retire and now all Provision being cust off from the besieged the Tyrant resolved to gain that by Famine he could not do by Force and therefore ceasing any further Assault caused the City to be so closely Blocked up that the Christians were forced to Eat all manner of unclean and loathsome Things as Horses Dogs Cats Rats Mice and the like Which miserable state of theirs made known to the Senate of Venice under whose Protection that City was and they being grown weary of their twenty years tedious War with the Turkish Tyrant sent Benedictus Trivisanus their Embassador to Constantinople whither weary of the Siege Mahomet was returned leaving one of his Bassas with the Army to Block up the City as aforesaid who upon his Arrival being admitted to the Presence of the Tyrant he so ordered the Matter that a Peace was concluded upon these Articles First that the Venetians should deliver him the City of Scodra the Isle of Lemnos the strong Castle of Tenarus in Peloponnesus and pay
after three Months siege having lost 9000 of his Men and 15000 dangerously sick of their Wounds and mortal Distempers he with great shame raised his Siege and after having destroyed all the Trees in that part of the Island imbarked his Men for Constantinople where at his return he received but a Cold Welcom from his imperious Master Whilst Mesites besieged Rhodes Achmetes Bassa passed over into Italy and besieged Otranto a Famous City in Puglia the which after the loss of many of his Turks took it spoiling all the Country round about it which brought such a Fear upon Italy that Sextus Quartus Bishop of Rome being only dreadful to the Christian Princes was about to fly and leave this once Mistress of the World as a prey to the Infidels and doubtless at that time the greatest part of Italy had been subdued had not the Ottoman Forces been Converted another way for the Carramanian King aided by the Persians and Sultan of Egypt having entered the Turkish Dominions on that side had in a mortal Battle overthrown Bajazet Mahomet's eldest Son then Living with the Slaughter of well nigh all his Army to revenge which Mahomet called home his great Bassa Achmetes with all the European Soldiers and in Person passed over into Asia but upon the way within two days journey from Nicomeda a City of Bythinia he fell sick and there for the space of three days grievously Tormented with a pain in his Belly which some supposed to be the Collick though others to proceed from the effects of Poison he Dyed Anno 1481. of his Age 52 years and his Reign 31 years His Body being afterwards Magnificently buried in a Chappel near unto the great Mahometan Temple which himself had built at Constantinople Leaving his Empire to Bajazet against whom Bandied till such time he was Poisoned by the Bishop of Rome who at the Commandment of Bajazet durst do no other Zemes or Zizimus his younger Brother as in the Life of Bajazet will appear CHAP. XIII The Life of Bajazet the second of that Name and second Emperor of the Turks his memorial Exploits Victories and Death MAhomet being dead and Bajazet and Zemes his two Sons absent for the Turkish Tyrants will not permit their Sons to remain at Court when they are Men grown lest they should aspire to Empire before their time the great Bassas and Aga of the Janizaries Conspired together e'r either of them could arrive to make Corcutus younger Son to Bajazet Emperor which accordingly they did of which Bajazet upon his approaching the City of Constantinople hearing horribly Exclaimed against the perfidious dealings of the Bassas and so laboured that at the Instance of Cherseogles Vice-Roy of Greece and the Aga or Captain of the Janizaries the young Emperor being of a mild and Courteous Nature overcome by their Intreaty and the Reverence of his Father resigned unto him his Imperial Government which he took upon him with the general liking of the men of War the finest token of any Turkish Emperors Establishment for if they oppose it 't is in vain for them to hope for Empire and in lieu of this Resignation Bajazet made him Governour of Lycia Caria Ionia and all the pleasant Countries adjoyning where being altogether given to study he Lived quietly all the Reign of Bajazet but after his Death was strangled by the Command of Selymas his Brothers Son as will in his Reign more at large appear During these Troubles Ferdinand King of Naples sent his eldest Son Alphonsus Duke of Calabria with a great Power to besiege Otranto which after several sharp Conflicts he had delivered up to him with all the Country lying about it which had been by Achmetes Bassa taken from the Christians during the Reign of Mahomet to recover which an Army was a second time prepared under the leading of the same Bassa but e'r he arrived in Italy he was Countermanded upon notice that Zemes was coming out of Amasia with an powerful Army to Wrestle with Bajazet for the Empire In which Expedition Achmetes was made General who meeting Zemes by plain Force drove him out of the Field with great slaughter of his Army insomuch that not thinking himself safe in his Brothers Dominions he fled into Syria and from thence into Egypt to Caytbeius Sultan of Egypt and Syria who received him with many great Expressions of joy and at his Request sent an Ambassador to Bajazet to intreat in his behalf that some part of that so great an Empire might be allotted him but the Proud Turk having gotten Possession would not yeild to have so dangerous a Partner Whereupon the Ambassador effecting nothing he joyned with the Caramanian King who by such a Conjunction hoped to recover his Territory taken from him by Mahomet Prince Zemes Father against whose joynt Forces but few in number Bajazet advanced with 200000 Horse and Foot of which the Princes having notice and finding themselves too weak by far to oppose so great a Power not finding as they had been put in hopes any to revolt from Bajazet to them they thought it good to retire before the ways were beset through the Straights of the Mountain Amanus which done they dispersed their little Army and soon after Zemes went to Rhodes where of the great Master he was kindly received with Promise of Protection from the Fury of his Brother hoping by this means if Bajazet should die a natural Death or otherwise misearry this Prince might be set up Emperor and by means ever remain a firm Friend to the Christians During these Transactions there wanted not some in the Court of Bajazet who Envying the Prosperity Achmetes Counselled the Emperor to put him to Death falsly insinuating that he held private Correspondence with Zemes Whereupon at his return from the Wars Bajazet as in kindness to his Bassas made a Royal Supper where after they had Drunk plentifully of Wine which by their Laws is forbid yet frequently amongst the Great ones used at their Feasts he in token of Honouring them caused a Rich Garment to be cast over each of them but when they came to Achmetes they cast over him a black Velvet Garment by the Turks called the Mantle of Death for whosoever that Garment is cast upon none of the Bassas dare be so hardy as to intreat for his Life which the other Bassas perceiving most of them being before privy to the Matter by leave of the Emperor after having kissed the Ground whereon he stood departed amongst whom Achmetes would likewise have gone out but was Commanded to stay for the Emperor and no sooner were the Bassas gone out but the Ministers of Death which are certain strong Men bereaved of Speech whom the Turkish Tyrants keep as Instruments of their Cruelty Entered and were about to strangle the Bassa when one of the Eunuches in great Favour with the great Emperor stood up and advised 〈◊〉 not to be too hasty in Executing so great a Man so beloved by his Soldiers
Bohemia King John by the means aforesaid thrust of his Kingdom grew extreme impatient and often consulted with Sigismond King of Polonia to re-in-throne him in his Kingdom offering to bear the Charge of the War but the Pole being already in League with Ferdinand would not seem unless underhand to favour John but wished him to take counsel with Hieronymus Lascus a great Politician what was best to be done in his Affairs the which Lascus advised him to crave Aid of Solyman now at Leasure to assist him and urged so many Reasons for it that he was content to send him his Ambassador to Constantinople who there with Treasure and fair Speeches so allured the Bassas of the Court to second him in his Request that Solyman promised again to enter Hungaria with a puissant Army and by the Insinuation of this sly Councellor that when King Ferdinand sent Ambassadors to him to make out his Title by which he laid Claim to the Kingdom he would scarcely give them Audience and when he did instead of an Answer to their Ambassy he Herauld-like denounced against their King all the Calamities that attend on War and so commanded speedily to depart the City all which upon their Arrival at Vienna they made known to the Kings Lieutenant who was so far from believing them that he looked upon them as vain and idle Tale-bearers which they perceiving hasted to the King at Spires who then was Labouring to get himself chosen King of the Romans and declared to him all they had in Charge Whereupon he well knowing that the Turk desirous of Glory and the inlarging of his Dominions seldom broke his Word on such occasions he put all his Forces in a readiness earnestly both in Person and by his Ambassadours craved Aid of the German Princes for the Defence of his Kingdom of Hungary against the common Enemy but his Brother Charles having his hands full of his Wars in Italy and he wanting Money to raise a sufficient Army to fight so powerful an Enemy was forced to suffer him without Controul to enter Hungaria for fear of whom the Citizens of Buda mostly fled to Strigonium Alba-Regalis and Possonium So that marching from Belgrade where King John came to wait upon him and received a Confirmation of the Promise he had made to Lascus of restoring him to the Kingdom of Hungary he came before it and had it yeilded with little or no Resistance as likewise the strong Castle though contrary to the Will of the Captain yet contrary to his Promise he caused all that were found in the latter to be put to the Sword except the Captain whom the Soldiers had cast in Bonds for refusing to joyn with them in their treacherous delivery of that strong Piece Buda taken most of the other Cities of Hungary surrendred whereupon he resolved to invade Austria a part of King Ferdinands other Dominions in Order to which he sent Achometes Bassa with the voluntary Horsemen who running through the Heart of Hungary entring into Austria with Fire and Sword passed by Vienna miserably burning and destroying the Country before them even as far as Lyntz driving the Country People like Sheep deflowring Vigins riping up Women alive dashing Infants against the Rocks with all other imaginable Cruelties after whom Solyman followed with the gross of his Army consisting of 500000 Horse and Foot as many Writers affirm who by the way having taken the Castle of Altenbury and in vain assaulted Neapolis he came before the great City of Vienna and incamped about it in five places covering the Ground with his Tents and the multitude of his People 8 miles in Circumference So that Fredrick Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria General of King Ferdinand's Forces not being able to get into the City with his Army sent for that purpose was forced to stay at Chremse yet was his Nephew Philip the Palsgrave a little before the coming of Solyman to the great joy of the Citizens entered with several Troops of valiant Horsemen as likewise Nicholas Count of Salma the Lord William Regendorf Steward of the Kings houshold Johannes Cazzianer Nicholaus Turianus Johannes Hardecus Leonardus Velsâ—â—s Hector Ramsack with divers others all men of great Experience and Valour and daring Resolution yet was the City but badly defended with a Brick Wall without Grafts or Flankers the Ditch altogether dry and although at that time there were found 400 Pieces of Ordnance yet they could find means to mount no more then a 100 notwithstanding the Citizens and Soldiers used all diligence in raising Rampires and Barocading the Gates unless those they reserved to Sally at and by the Command of the Governour every man was assigned his Quarter keeping strict Watch upon the Walls to prevent the Enemies approach for that the Bulwarks were not of Considerable strength The Count of Salma and the Lord Regendorf walking hourly from one place to another to see all things put in a posture of defence the Citizens laboured continually in strengthening the Fortifications and raising Batteries whereon to plant such Pieces as lay useless for want of where to mount them they made likewise divers Fire-works and continually kept Coppers of Tar Pitch Rosin Oyl and scalding Water in a readiness to pour upon the Enemy by that means to prevent their Scaling the Walls every one from the greatest to the least expressing a Cheerfulness for the defence of this place the Metropolis of Austria and chief Hope of the German Empire which the Turks conceived so Considerable that they doubted not but it won all Austria Stiria and Corinthia would be soon at their Devotion The City by this time strengthened and provided of many necessary for a strenuous Defence Messengeres were sent to Count Fredrick to draw near with his Army the more to terrifie and amaze the Enemy whose numerous Camp could not long subsist if supplies of Provision were cut off upon the Arrival of the Messenger the Count highly approved of the Resolution of the besieged and declared he would be always at hand and omit no Indeavours to succour them admonishing the Messenger to remember him to his fellow Soldiers and in his Name intreat them to play the Men for the defence of the Christian Religion and Glory of the German Nation whose Ruin the Infidels sought and so with several presents he dismissed the Messenger who returning related what he had in Charge Whereupon the Lord Regendorf assembled all the chief Commanders and principal Citizens and with an undaunted Courage made this short Oration Christians and fellow Soldiers the time is now come wherein we are to fight under the Banner of our Lord Jesus Christ whom these barbarous Nations have defied let us then shew forth our Courage to the utmost even in the Mouth of Slaughter let not Death nor Danger terrifie us since we fight in a good Cause even for our Religion our Lives our Wives Children and all that we hold dear for what it can
Prisoner at large so that Babarussa landing and every where proclaiming the Name of Roscetes whom the Moors and Numidians greatly favoured hating Muleasses for his extraordinary Tyranny he had Biferta immediately pat into his possession the Moors thinking as indeed the Turks gave it out that Roscetes was in the Fleet and that the Turks had made so great a Preparation to restore him to his Fathers Kingdom Barbarussa having secured Biserta with a strong Garrison doubling the Promontorie where old Carthage stood came to Gulletta a strong Castle standing within the Bay of Tunis where in token of Friendship he saluted it and had the like returned but upon the requesting the surrender thereof he was answered that it should be alwaies at his Command who ruled the City of Tunes so that returning from thence he came before the City upon which by the perswasion of such as affected Roscetes Muleasses fled with a small number of his Favourites and for haste left behind him most of his Treasure which afterwards became a prey to the Enemy Muleasses fled the people joyfully received Barbarussa into Tunes and with eager Eyes and longing expectations flockt into the high streets to have a sight of their new King but when they perceived him not and heard the Soldiers in their Acclamations name none but Solyman and Barbarussa they began to doubt as the truth was that instead of their new King whom they so much desired thay had received the Turkish Government which above all things they utterly abhorred which suspicion once confirmed by several of Roscet's Friends whom Barbarussa had brought with him on purpose to delude the people who grieved to see the ruine of their Countrey at hand for fear of present danger did not spare to tell their Friends and Acquaintance that in vain they expected Roscetes who remained in Bonds at Constantinople which wrought so sudden an alteration in the minds of the Citizens that perceiving themselves deceived at the instance of Abdahar the Mesuar or chief Magistrate who had before perswaded Muleasses to fly in hopes of bringing in Roscetes they every where run to their Arms and from all parts of the City assailed the Turks but for the most part being slightly Armed and in a tumultuary disorder they were not able to stand the fury of the Harquebusiers but after a long and obstinate Fight wherein a great number were killed on both sides they submitted themselves of which Muleasses having notice fled to Constantina the Regal City of Dorax a Numidian Prince his Kinsman where he remained in safety till the coming of Charles the Emperor into Africk as will appear in the sequel of this History Tunes thus taken or rather surprized by Barbarussa all the other Cities thereto appertaining were won with little difficulty and annexed to the Turkish Empire till they were again sundred by the Germans and Muleasses the Exil'd King restored by the Emperor And in this posture leaving the Affairs of Africk I shall take a view of Solyman's proceeding against the Persians Hismael being dead and Tamas his Son succeeding him Ibrahim the Great Bassa who could do all with Solyman perswaded him that now a fit opportunity offered to be revenged on the Persians and the rather by the revolt of Vlemus a Noble Man of Persia who had Espoused King Tama's Sister who having Imbesled the Revenues of the Crown for fear of being called to account for so doing was fled to Constantinople But Solyman's Mother and fair Concubine Roxolan greatly desirous of his Company much opposed the Motion of the Bassa laying before Solyman the danger and inconveniency of so tedious and dangerous an Expedition but not being able to prevail they ever after became Ibrahim's Mortal Enemies not leaving to urge Solyman till at last he gave command that he should be murthered Solyman resolved upon an expedition against the Persian to revenge as he pretended the manifold injuries done to his Grandfather Father and himself raised a great Army part of which he sent before him under the Command of Ibrahim the Great Bassa and Vlemas the Fugitive Persian who by hasty Marches over the Mountains and along the Banks of Euphrates that setting down before the great City Taurus and the Citizens despairing to be relieved by their King he had the City delivered into his possession of which King Tames having notice hasted thither with his Army but e're he attempt any thing for the recovery thereof Solyman with a great multitude of Soldiers had joyned the Bassa whereupon he thought it not good to give Battle to so powerful an Enemy but to hover about his Camp and take all advantages well knowing such a World of people could not subsist without exceeding store of Provisions and other necessaries which device of the Persian Solyman well perceiving left a strong Garrison in Taurus and marched against him who still retired before the Turks even to the Walls of Sultania near to which Solyman pitching his Camp lay many dayes to expect him during which time such a horrible Tempest arose that the Winds driving the Snow off from the steep Hills buryed many Thousands of the Turks alive overthrowing most of their Tents and although it was but the middle of September froze so hard that many were froze to Death others lost the use of their Limbs and most of the Camels and Horses perished which bad Omen together with their Apprehensions they had of the approach of the Enemy and the horrible darkness of the Night so discouraged the Soldiers that they would all have fled had they known which way This Tempest they concluded to be raised by the Persian Magicians to destroy them but whether so or not it greatly discouraged Solyman so that raising his Camp he marched into Assyria and set down before Babylon now Bagdat which being altogether unprovided upon the flight of the Governour fell into his hands as likewise did most of the Cities both of Assyria and Mesopotamia and so far extended the terror of his Name that most of the Countreys round about sent their Embassadors to tender their subjection and in Babylon he Wintered his Army placing Governours in the adjacent Cities And a Beglerbeg as they proudly term him that is a Lord of Lords In Babylon and under him divers Sanzacks or petty Lords during his aboad here he also caused his chief Treasurer to be executed for Imbesling his Revenues Tamas the Persian King having by this time raised a considerable Army marched to Tauris at whose approach the Garrison fled of which Solyman having notice and being strengthned with new supply out of Egypt Syria Judea and Comagena he left Babylon resolving to provoke the Persian to Battle or to sack his regal City Tauris before his face but Tames knowing himself too weak to give him Battle at his approach drew out his Army and fled into the Mountains of Hyrcania destroying all before him to prevent its falling into the hands of his Enemies upon whose departure the
which accordingly he performed but having agreed that none but Hungarians should enter the better to prevent the effusion of blood and Regendorff contrary to that agreement sending in Germans under the Leading of their Captains to be more sure of the City the Traitor repenting of what he had undertaken refused to lead them to the Market place and they still remaining in the narrow streets and not knowing which way to go a sufficient number could not enter e're the Alarum was taken upon which the Citizens and Garrison Souldiers running to their Armes assaulted them on every side who being in a strange place and their fear augmented by the terror of the night fled back faster than they advanced Spring being come Solyman sent a great Army under the Leading of Mahometes Bassa to the Assistance of the Queen which passing the Danubius intrenched within half a mile of the Bohemians Germans and Italians under the command of the Lord Regendorff and dayly with skirmishes perplexed him having likewise fortified an Island lying in the River called Ceppelia as the General of the Christians had done another opposite to his Camp between which passed likewise many skirmishes but at length the Turks pouring a great number of their men on shoar in the Island held by the Christians caused them to leave the Fortifications and flie over the Bridge layed to pass and repass to the Camp but by the valour of the German Soldiers all was quickly regained and the City furiously assaulted though without success for that a great number of the besieged continually kept such breaches as the Canon had made and the Besiegers by reason of the nearness of the Turks Army durst not go to the assault in such number as otherwise they might have done yet they had so battered the Walls that they despaired not to win it in a short time but in the height of their Expectation news came that Solyman with a great power was near at hand to joyn the Bassa already incamped which infused such a fear into the Christians that the Soldiers whether their General would or no resolved to raise the Seige and pass the Danubius So that he was constrained to accord to the resolves and in the dead of the night raised the Siege but not so secretly but the Turks had notice sent them of what had happened by those in the City Whereupon bursting out of their Camp and the Citizens at the same time sallying by the light of a stack of straw and pursued them with great slaughter insomuch that most part of the Army was either drowned in the hasty passage or fell by the Sword not above a third part of them escaping to Comora So that a great booty by that means fell into the hands of the Turks Upon this defeat Pesih being deserted of her Garrison was taken without resistance by Cason the Turks Fleet then in the Danubius and most that were found therein put to the Sword The Lord Regendorf as a man not desirous to outlive so foul a dishonour brought upon him by the wilfulness of his unruly Souldiers would have died fighting amongst the thickest of his Enemy had he not against his will by strong hand been forced into a Pinace and so carryed by his Captains to Comora within five days after Solyman came to Buda and according to his wonted cruelty caused all the Prisoners to be put to death and one amongst the rest a German Souldier being of wonderous height he appointed to be slain by his Dwarff whose head reached not past his knees which he ordered to be done in derision of the German Nation Solyman having pitched his Camp near Buda sent his Ambassadors with Presents to the Young King viz. Three beautiful Horses with their Bridles of Gold and their Trapings set with precious stones and three Robes of cloth of Gold and unto every one of the chief Nobility a chain of Gold and rich Gowns upon the delivery of these presents as they had it in charge they requested that the Queen would cause the young King to be sent to the Camp to Solyman who was greatly desirous to see him and that he was resolved to take him and his Kingdom into protection until such time as he should of himself be able to defend it against his potent Adversary This request of the Ambassadors though not without some scruple was granted and the young King being then in his swadling Cloths was sent in a rich Chariot together with his Nurse and several great Ladies attended on by such of the Nobility to whom Solyman had sent presents upon whose Arrival the Tyrant took him in his arms and looked upon him commanding his sons then present viz. Selymus and Bajazet begotten on the fair Roâ—colana to kiss him in token of there love to him from thence forward yet notwithstanding these fair shews he consulted with his Bassa's whether he should retain the King and seize on the Kingdom of Hungary having before caused his Soldiers to possess themselves of one of the Gates of Buda called Sabatina it was likewise debated whether all the Nobility then in his possession should be put to death or carried into bondage of all which opinions were some of his Bassa's and others of a far more mild opinion So that Solyman when he well considered what had been argued resolved upon a method between the one and the other when entering Buda on the 30th of August anno 1541. after he had sacrificed to his vain Prophet in the Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary he published a Decree the fatal doom of that flourishing Kingdom under which it at this day groans That Buda should from that day be kept with a Garrison of Turks and the Kingdom be converted into a Province of the Turkish Empire that the Queen with her son the young King should presently depart the City and live in Lippa a fertil and quiet Countrey beyond the River Tibiscus near to the borders of her fathers Kingdom and to be safely conducted thither with all her Wealth and Jewels by the Janizaries of which hard conditions the Queen was glad to accept upon which the Hungarian Nobility all but Valentinus her General were set at Liberty having before been retained as Prisoners in the Turkish Camp King Ferdinand residing at Vienna upon notice of what had passed and that Solyman was purposed to invade his Territories first sending to collect his dispersed Forces afterwards he sent Count Salma and Sigismund Lethestaine noble and grave Councellors his Ambassadors to Solyman with rich presents which were a standing cup of Gold after the German fashion richly beset with pearls and pretious stones and a wonderful Silver Globe of most rare and curious device daily expressing the hourly passing of the time the motion of the Planets the Change and Full of the Moon the motion of the Superiour Orbs ever moving by certain wheels or weights curiously conveyed within the same exactly keeping due time and motion lively expressing
Target enameled with divers precious stones and never permitted him to go from his Pavillion without a train of his slaves attending on him Things being at this pass the Bassa was about to raise his Camp to march into the very heart of Persia when loe the face of the Heavens became black as Egyptian darkness and upon a sudden such Prodigious Thunders Lightning Rain and Hail broke from the yielding Clouds that it seemed to most that the dissolution of all things was at hand the wind every where renting the Turkish Tents in pieces and carrying them into the Air which Tempest and the noisom stench arising from the Carkases of the dead caused such a Pestilence in the Camp that upon the muster taken four dayes after forty thousand Turks were wanting yet when the weather cleared up he removed passing by the sides of the Great Mountain and in his way taking in several Castles and Fortresses though not without the loss of many of his men nor were the Persians wanting to cut off his rear and the straglers of his Camp as they found opportunity by which means many thousands of their Forragers and such as greedy of booty left the Army were cut short yet having received a great supply of Provision from Aleppo he marched into the Country of Siruan when by the way Alessandro another Prince of the Georgians came to the Bassas Pavillion submitted himself as the former had done being thereupon welcomed in the same nature receiving rich presents from the Bassa as a token of his favour as likewise a promise that upon his return he would pass through his Countrey to pay him a visit The Turks traveling twelve dayes by long marches came into the confines of Sirvan but finding all the Country destroyed before them they fell into many ill conveniencies for by the means aforesaid pale famine began to stare them in the face which obliged them to search for provision in all places yet finding little as they were about to return to the Camp they happened on several Persian spies out of whom they extorted that after they had passed certain Marshes where Canac discharged it self into Araxis they should find certain fields of Rice and standing Corn together with divers herds of Cattle enough to suffice the whole Army for a months space which being made known unto the Bassa he not greatly credited the Report and therefore would not pass thither with the whole Army but freely permitted such as would to go so that about ten thousand of the most hungerstarved with such necessaries as they thought fit went to seise upon this booty but had no sooner passed the River and some sew Marshes but they fell into the Persian Ambush laid for that purpose who put them almost all to the sword but whilst they were taking the spoil Mustapha having notice by the flyers what had happened came upon them with the whole Army so suddenly that he hemmed them as it were in an Island made by the meandring of Araxis and Canac where setting upon them after a bloody fight put them to the worst killing a great many of them and forcing other to take the River wherein many of them perished Tocomac the General and three other great Captains hardly escaping After which Mustapha resolved to pass the River Canac of which the Souldiers having notice began not only to murmur but to Mutiny throughout the Camp alledging that he carryed them to their certain destruction for that being in a strange Countrey where all necessaries whereby to subsist were wanting whereby they should subsist they must inevitably perish but he urging that it was the command of Amurath and if no man but himself would passe over he himself would obey his Lords command whereupon notwithstanding the unwillingness of three parts of the Army the next day the better to encourage his Captains and Souldiiers himself waded over and after him followed a great number of his slaves and the rest of the great Commanders but so slowly by reason of the swiftness of the River that night approached ere half the Army had gained the farther bank when the stream swelling with the force of the Wind and darkness making the Souldiers fearful 8000 of them were driven headlong down the currant into the deep places where they miserably perished together with a great number of Camels and Horses so that the Persians living upon the Banks many miles distance perceiving the number of dead Turks together with their weapons floating with the stream concluded the Army was overthrown nor was the fortune of those that passed over for a time much better for coming into a barren Countrey a great number of them died for want yet having passed thus far a greater mischief would have befallen them had they returned and therefore being every way beset with danger they resolutely marched forward either to find relief or to end their days in misery But contrary to their expectation after two dayes hard marching they came into a plentiful Countrey stored with all manner of Provisions which did not a little revive them being before even at the point to perish after which having most of the Cities of Sirvan yielded to him he put Garrisons therein and furnishing them with all necessaries at the importunity of his Souldiers resolved to return home and so passing through the Countrey of Prince Aleflander where he revictualled and relieved the Garrison of Testis who through Famine were reduced to such necessity that no unclean thing was left uneaten and so passing through the straights of the rough Mountains where he lost a number of his people he at length arrived at Erzirum where without any muster he discharged his Army thereby to hide the great loss he had sustained from the knowledge of Amurath and forgot not by Letters to magnifie his own exploits sending withal the two Georgian Princes who had submitted themselves with Letters of recommendation to Amurath It was not long after the departure of Mustapha but the Tartars in confederacy with the Turks having left the Fens of Moetis and the unmountable shoars of the Black Sea passing over the Rocks upon Colchis and the frozen crags of the Mountain Caucasus entered Sirvan with an Army of 30000 Horse under the leading of Abdilcherai who no less terrified the Persians then had the Turks but after the taking of many Cities and ranging about the Country for prey as one day they lay dispersed in a Valley near to E'res Emire Hamze Mirize Eldest Son to Mahomet the Persian Sophy came upon them unawares with 12000 Horsemen and ere they could put themselves in a posture of defence slew 15000 of them and took almost all the rest Prisoners and amongst them Abdilcherai Son as he pretended himself to the great Cham who being sent Prisoner to Cabiu the Regal seat of the Persian Sophy so won upon the favour of the King and Queen but specially of the latter who was said to be more prodigal of her
part of the Turks Army and discomfited him puting 500 of his Men to the Sword and carrying away a rich booty which so inraged Ebraim that he used his utmost diligence to intrap the aforesaid Prince but finding no means to effect the same he began with fair Promises and Presents to corrupt his Macademes one of which together with 300 Drustans he got into his power whom in revenge of Veis his overthrow he caused to be flead alive and all his followers slain and again raged with Fire and Sword throughout the Countrey when afterward by dissimulation and feigned Friendship he got Eben Mansur into his power whom he caused to be fast chained and sent to the Gallies after which he took the spoil of his Countrey and afterward with a great Booty returned to Constantinople where he was in triumph received by his Friends amongst whom he bestowed Liberally the spoils taken from the Drusians even to the value of one Million of Ducates and 200000 Sultanies But upon his departure out of the Drusians Countrey they joyning with the Arabian to revenge the injuries themselves sustained entered the Turks Confines and committed many outrages burning and destroying all before them not in their anger sparing Man Woman or Child passing on even to the Gates of Jerusalem being assisted covertly by the Sub-Bassa of Bethlehem who displeased with the rule of Ebraim watched his opportunity to revolt to the Enemy but was prevented by being slain alive at the Commandment of one of the Sanzaks of Jury Whilst affairs stood thus in Egypt and the Drusians Land Osman had compleated his Army at Erzirum which upon Muster was found to consist of 180000 choice Souldiers with which on the 11th of August 1585. he marched toward Tauris keeping on his way till he came into the vast Chalderan memorable for many Battles fought therein between the Turks and Persians where straitned for want the Soldiers mutined against him upbraiding him with many reproachful words and threatning him with death for that as they said contrary to his promise he had drawn them into a place of danger to become a prey to the Enemy at which the Bassa being much perplexed sent for the Captain and by telling them it was the Sultans express Command and that he did not in the lest doubt but to become victorious and therefore prayed them to rest contented and not Eclipse their honour by their civil dissensions amongst themselves which would rather give the Enemy advantage against them then any thing else and that if it was given out upon the raising the Army that it was intended for Nassivan that specious pretence was as he said to render the Persian more secure and thereby to hinder his great preparations These and such like speeches together with a small distribution of money calmed the Tempest the Mutiners had raised and thereupon the Army rising passed on towards Cay from thence to Marant a City Subject to the Persians and so keeping their way came within sight of Tauris the mark at which they aimed upon which proposing to themselves a kind of security the Van of the Army fell to spoiling the Countrey and seizing upon what best liked them keeping little or no order in their March of which Emir Hamze King Mahumets Eldest Son perceiving with 10000 Horsemen lay in Ambush in a way where they must pass and having got them within his danger burst out upon them with such fury that he overrun that part of the Army put 7000 to the Sword and carrying away a number of Prisoners and so with great spoil retired ere the gross of the Turks Army could come up Yet Osman upon notice of what had happened sent Mahomet Bassa and the Bassa of Caramite after him the victorious Prince with 14 Horse and Foot who by speedy Marches overtaking him had with him a bloody conflict in which 6000 Turks were slain nor had any escaped had not the darkness of the night caused the retreat on both sides to be sounded The next Morning the Turks Camp removed and came within two Miles of Tauris where Aliculi Chan of whom I have before spoken was Governour who desirous to revenge himself upon the perfidious Turks issued out of the City with about 6000 resolute Persians and charging those that were advanced beat them back into their Trenches with great slaughter but upon the opening the Tires of Ordnance and advancing of the Janizaries finding himself not capable of incountering such a multitude he retired into the City after whom the Turks in a confused manner pressed but in the enterance so strongly resisted that the passages were filled with their dead carkasses and all the Ditches swum with their blood but fresh supplies coming on and the City Walls no way built for defence badly furnished with Defendants and worse with Ordnance at length the Turks entered spoiling with incredible barbarity that great City the Regal seat of the Persian Kings Yet such compassion wrought in the breast of Osman the General that he caused Proclamation to be made that upon pain of death none should kill any that made not resistance and when the tumult was over came himself to take a view thereof and gave Orders for its Fortification sending out partys daily to reduce the other place adjacent to the Turkish obedience and so speedy were they in Fortifying that within the space of 36 days a strong Castle was erected Five dayes after the building of the new Castle was began even when the Taurisians thought themselves secure news was brought into the Turkish Camp that 8 Janizaries and divers Spaoglians were seen strangled in a Bath within the City of Tauris whereupon the Zani Spahini and Janizaries in a great rage went to the Generals Pavilion telling him that although he had with too much clemency given Order that none should molest or hurt the Taurisians and that according to his pleasure every man had used his modesty towards them and obedience to him yet the Taurisians themselves had most audaciously strangled several Janizaries and Spaoglians which injury and insolency they said was not to be suffered This outrage whether true or only raised by such as desired to satifie their inordinate lusts is uncertain so moved the Bassa that without any further delay hecommanded the City to be sacked leaving it wholly to the discretion of the Souldiers who like hell-hounds greedy of blood run with full cry into the City filling every place with slaughter of the amazed Taurisians Matrons were Ravished Virgins defloured young Children dashed against the pavement houses fired and other outrages committed that are commonly attendants upon such General calamities so that it was a misery almost inexplicable to behold that City so populous so rich honoured with the Palace of the Persian Kings now subject to the fury of the Turks plunged in calamity and utter destruction The outrages committed in Tauris coming to the knowledge of the Persian King he was greatly offended insomuch that he resolved with
that time were governed by valiant Captains so that they prevailed not greatly yet the General confusion made the Emperour desirous of Peace in order to which he sent Sigismund Forgat with full instructions to Kyrpa where the Estates of Hungary were to assemble thither likewise came several Commissioners from Botscay and the Turkish Bassa's of Buda Pesth c. when as in the mean time other Imperial Ministers were sent to Comara to Treat only with the Turks they having so required but the demands of the Turks and Rebels were so unreasonable that many believed they only set that treaty on foot to protract the preparations of the Imperialists so that all hopes of an amicable conclusion vanishing fierce War began to rage more terrible then before all the Countreys round being covered with the smoak of flaming Villages by day and illuminated with shining â—ires by night nor did the Rebels spare to sell the poor Christians like beasts to the merciless Turk by them to be carryed into perpetual slavery nor desisted from comitting such cruelties as even amazed the Infidels to see themselves out done To prevent which outrages the Imperialists drawing together in a body set upon a strong power of the Turks and Rebels who thought to have surprized them in their Camp and after a sharp dispute drove them with great slaughter to the Walls of Canusia and afterwards put strong Garrisons into most of the important towns and Castles which bad success made the Rebels again bethink themselves of a timely peace so that Botscay their Ringleader having received Letters of safe conduct from Matthias the Arch-Duke came with his Wife and Children to Vienna and there by frequent by conferring with the Imperial Commissioners matters were so ordered that peace was concluded between the Emperour and his Rebel Subjects of Hungary according to the Tenour of these Articles Articles of Peace agreed upon Anno 1606. between the Emperor and his discontented Subjects of Hungary 1. That from thenceforth it should be lawful for every man throughout the Kingdom of Hungary to have the free use of his Religion and believe what he would 2. That if the Hungarians so thought good they might chuse a Palatine for their Governor and that in the mean time the Arch-Duke Matthias should no more use the Title of Governour but Vice-Roy 3. That the Crown of Hungary should still be left in the Emperors keeping 4. That the Bishops that were nobly descended in Hungary and had Lands of their own should be forthwith admitted into the Council but the other Bishops not to be so received 5. That Botscay for himself and his heirs male should ever hold Transilvania 6. That the same Countrey of Transilvania should be still subject to the Kingdom of Hungary 7 That for his Arms he should bear three Royal Crowns and three open Helmets 8. That he should not more stile himself Prince but Lord of part of Hungary 9. That they should pay the Heyducks their wages who had leavyed them 10. That the harms done on both sides should for ever be forgotten 11. That Bohemia Moravia Lansnisium and Aâ—stria should not only with their Letters and Seals confirm the Articles but also swear at Vienna to keep the same so far as they conerned them 12. That the Hungarians likewise should send some to Vienna who in their behalfs should with their Letters Seals and Oaths Confirm and Ratifie these Articles 13. That the assembly of the States of Hungary should be referred unto a more convenient time for their meeting 14. That these things being done this Agreement should be publickly confirmed and inrolled in the Records of the Kingdom of Hungary 15. That it should be lawful for the Hungarians by their Ambassadors to invite the Princes of the Empire to the Approving and Confirming of these Articles Peace thus concluded with the Hungarians the Treaty of Peace between the Turkish Sultan and the Emperour went on and with such good success that a Peace was soon after concluded to the joy of all the Emperors Subjects who weary with the continual toils and miseries of War were now desirous of nothing more then to repose themselves in the downy armes of Peace After which Botscay called an assembly of the Estates of Hungary recommending to them the care of preserving inviolable the Articles and the speedy Election of a Palatine and that above all things they would maintain and incourage the Reformed Religion and in the next Assembly labour to have the Articles for burning Hereticks repealed and as much as in them lay to restore the lost Trade of the spoiled Provinces These things done Botscay fell sick which sickness increasing he greatly bewailed his late Rebellion and the blood therein shed wishing nothing more then that before he died he could beg pardon for the same of the whole Roman Empire yet had not his wish but of that sickness died at Cossovia on the 30th of December 1606. perswading in the time of his sickness such as had been his followers to adhere to the Emperours interest yet his Counsel was not so well observed but that after his death notwithstanding Matthias the Arch-Duke had caused himself to be Crowned King of Hungary including the Principality of Transivania there wanted not some who aspired to the Title of Prince which caused new discontents but with relinquishing of that Title they vanished Achmat having made Peace with the Emperour resolved to turn his arms against the Persian King and Asian Rebels against whom Anno 16â—7 early in the Spring he sent the Vizar Bassa who by Policy more then strength appeased the latter when upon notice that the Bassa of Aleppo had overthrown the Bassa's of Tripolis and Daucasco and that at the request of the Sultan he refused to lay down his arms he marched against him with One Hundred Thirty Thousand men which puissant Army the Bassa of Aleppo incountered with Fourty Thousand and in three Battles remained victor but upon notice that the Bassa's of Damasco and Tripolis were coming to the Aid of the Vizar Bassa with great Forces and he by reason of the loss he had sustained not able to withstand their united power fled with most of his Friends to the Mountains Yet at the intercession of the Vizar Bassa but more for fear he should revolt t the Persian he was afterwards pardoned and received into favour upon which the King of Persia wrote to the King of Spain intreating him to joyn Forces with him against the common Enemy but more especially to send his Ships of War into the Gulf and the rather to induce him so to do he sent him several rich presents Whilst these things passed the Turkish Garrisons who for the most part lived by spoiles impatient of Peace with the Christians committed some outrages and secretly incouraged the Heyducks to commit more of which Achmat having notice sent strictly to charge the Bassa of Buda not upon pain of his head to infringe the Capitulation whereupon Six
promised to made Husseruph a second time Visier and that Regeb Bassa should officiate till his arrival The storm allayed the Grand Signeour began to consider that Husseruph had raised it by the Influence he had upon the Souldiers and therefore least he should attempt any thing further secret order was given to the Bassa of Buda in whose Government he resided to send his head to Court which was done accordingly but not so privately but that the Soldiers getting notice thereof suddenly made up their many headed monster and in a great rage came to the Seraglio demanding the heads of those that had been any way councelling or consenting to the death of Husseruph otherwise they threatned all with ruin but having no answer suitable to their minds they ran to the house of Regeb demanding of him who it was that had councelled so great a wickedness Whereupon to save his Life which was then in no small danger he protested he knew not and that himself was innocent of the matter yet they forced him with them to the Palace and made him their Orator to demand what they desired upon which the Aga Mufti and Teftardar with a private Servant of the Grand Signeours fled but the latter being the next day taken and sent back he was delivered up as a sacrifice to the insolent Souldiers who after their usual manner in such like cases tore him in pieces Yet they were not so contented but upon a rumour that the Grand Signeour had put his three Brethren to death they broke into the Palace and could hardly be quieted although the young Princes were produced and that several officers swore upon the Alcoran that they see the grand Signeour lay his hand upon the book and swore they should have their demands satisfied In these Tumults the goods of Merchants strangers went to wrack and divers affronts and indignities were offered the several Ambassadors residing at the Port nor was this all for about the same time Eleas Bassa Rebelled against the Grand Signeour and siezed upon the City of Amasia about a League from Smirna infesting all the Countrey with divers outrages his Souldiers living altogether upon spoil insomuch that the Merchants and Consuls at Smirna were forced to remove with their goods to Scio but an Army being sent against him he was in a pitched Battle discomfited and had most of his followers slain himself hardly escaping and now the Grand Signeour supposing Regeb Bassa though indeed he was not the Author of the late tumults sent for him into the Seraglio and there caused him to be strangled About this time a fight for the space of four hours was maintained by two English Merchantmen against thirty of the Turks Gallies till at last the English finding themselves too weak for such odds fired their Vessels and cast themselves over board where many of them perished and those that were taken up put to the Oares in this fight a thousand Turks were slain and amongst them several Begs and men of note of this apparent injury done by the Turks His Majesty of Great Brittain by his Letter complained to the Grand Signeour requiring that those that were taken Captives might be restored to their Liberty that so a right understanding might continue but the Turks alledging that the Voyage of the two Ships were unlawful by reason they Traded in the Levant for Corn the Ambassador could little prevail and had much ado to save the lives of the Captives Yet in the end to hinder the dissolution of the Turkish Trade and to please the Grand Signeour a Decree passed in the Star Chamber prohibiting the Corn Trade in the Levant upon which several of the Captives were set at Liberty Three dayes after this action a Fire happened in Constantinople which consumed Seventy Thousand Houses The Persian War yet continuing that King with a great Army besieged Van a strong City upon the Confines of Diarbecher the news whereof arriving at the Port great preparations were made to prevent that important place from falling into the hands of the Persians it being Decreed that all the Beghs of Asia should repair thither with such forces as they could leavy and endeavour its releif and to joyn them the Grand Visier passed over with all European Souldiers but ere any thing could be done the City was taken whereupon the Visier marched towards Aleppo exacting great sums of money and the better to furnish himself sent the Cadee a slave to Cyprus and siezed upon all his Treasure Soon after the Turks under pretence of the Christians rising siezed all their Arms making it death to those in whose houses any were found after a time prefixed nor content with this they hanged a Venetian Merchant only for his Money and Imprisoned all the Christian Merchants in Constantinople setting a ransom of two thousand Dollars upon each and that if the money was not payed in four dayes they should be executed The four Ambassadors of England France Holland and Venice were likewise convented before the Bassas in the Arsenal and charged for building a House and Chappel without leave from the Grand Signeour to have done it in contempt of his Imperial Majesty and much ado they had to escape being imprisoned but in the end upon the Chappels being demolished and all the Armes they had in their Houses delivered to an officer appointed to receive them the Grand Signeour was pacified though indeed this was used only as a trick to extort mony from them This being the present state of things in the Imperial Port the English Ambassador in the behalf of his King and Nation made known the just resentments of his Master for the affront offered in the person of him his Ambassador as likewise did the rest exclaiming of injustice insomuch that the Captain Bassa told them that indeed the proceedings were too rigid and that for the future care should be taken to prevent the like as for their Armes taken away he said they had been seen by the Grand Signeour and therefore could not be restored but that they had liberty to buy more and the money exacted of the Merchants could not at that time be restored by reason of the urgent occasion of the state and therefore intreated them to be pacified but the French Ambassador was so far fallen into the Grand Signeours displeasure that his Death was determined the execution whereof was with much danger to the disswaders deferred and upon second thoughts changed into an Imprisonment the cause of which was for that he had siezed upon sixty thousand Dollars sent by the Town of Marseilles to pay his Predecessors Debts contracted in Constantinople which money he converted to his own use thereby defrauding the Creditor and obliging them to clamour for Turkish Justice which in it self is cruelty and oppression These intestine troubles gave the Persians Liberty to make themselves Masters of many strong places which greatly alarumed the Ottoman Empire insomuch that great preparations were every where
a Grave Turk placed in his stead who caused several of the Mutiniers to be Apprehended and publiquely Executed Notwithstanding these troubles the Turks desisted not to carry on the War against the Venetian so resolutely were they bent to have Candia In their possession therefore Equiping another Great Fleet they put to Sea in order to relieve their men in the Island but being again fought with by Moâ—errigo the Venetian Admiral all the Fleet was either taken sunk or stranded upon which the Venetians landed on the Island of Tenedos and in four dayes became Masters of it as also they did of Stalimene antiently called Lemnos which losses so incensed the Grand Seignor by this time grown to understanding that he resolved to carry the War into Dalmatia part of the Venetians Seignory but upon second thoughts resolved the recovery of the Islands and in order thereto put another Fleet to Sea who after a great dammage sustained by the Venetian shot thrust their men on shoar in great numbers and by that means the evil Fortified Islands so lately taken by the Venetians were by the Turks recovered in attempting the relief of which Mocenigo the Venetian Admiral had his Ship blown up by his powder accidentally taking fire by which Accident himself together with all that were on board perished These important places regained the treaty of peace was offered to be renewed and some overtures were made by the Venetians but now the Turks would hearken to nothing unless Candia might be intirely put into their hands with the Fortress of Clissia in Dalmatia and payment made of three Millions of Gold for the Dammages sustained by the War which unreasonable proposals so perjudicial to the honour of their Seignoury the Senators Generously rejected rather resolving to maintain the War and defend themselves more vigorously then ever which intention known the Grand Seigniour gave second orders for his Army to spoil Dalmatia but in their March the Grand Vizier who headed them having caused the Bassa of Aleppos brother who had a command in the Army to be put to death for coming later to the Randesvous than was appointed which so â—nraged the Bassa that raising 40000 men he advanced even to the Walls of Constantinople burning up the Country before him and there pitching his Tents sent to demand the head of the great Vizier in reprisal for that of his Murthered brothers but not finding his expectations answered he sent a second Messenger to demand the heads of 4 other Bassas of the Council whom he said had been consenting thereto and upon refusals threatened the destruction of the City but the Plague raging there at that time after he had burnt up all the Country about it he retired into Asia and there seting up a Youth of Twenty Years of Age whom he gave out to be the Lawful Son of Sultan Morat till that time hidden by his Mother from his Uncles fury His Army was wonderfully increased insomuch that he would hearken to no Proposals of an accommodation though the Government of divers Provinces were offered but Exhibited a Proclamation wherein he declared Mahomet the unrightful Heir to the Ottoman Empire upon which he was pronounced a Rebel and all men commanded to rise up against him and destroy him but instead thereof most of the Asian Forces revolted to him which made the Divan suppose it high time to give a check to the Progress of his Armes and thereupon shipped over the Great Vizier with a puissant Army composed of the Flower of the Ottoman Chavalarie in Europe who joyning with the Bassa was in a great and mortal battle overthrown and with his broken Forces obliged to retire which made the Grand Seigniour with such Forces as he could raise pass the Bosphorus and joyning with the Viziers rallied Souldiers Composed an Army of Thirty Thousand Horse and Seventy Thousand Foot with which he Marched against the Bassa whose heart at the approach of so great a power began to fail him and make him more plyable to hearken to Terms of Agreement which he proposing to his Council of War and they approving his Resolution a place was Assigned for Treaty and Mortaza Bassa made the Grand Seigniours Plenipotentiary the Grand Seigniour promising to stand to what ever he should Act as indeed he did for the Bassa under pretence of a Treaty being unadvised drawn from his Army was together with Seventeen of his Attendants strangled by the said Mortaza and such as he had layed in ambush for that purpose upon notice of which his Army that then consisted of Eighty Thousand Horse and Foot dispersed every Man shifting for himself For this Exploit Mortaza was greatly applauded by the Grand Seigniour and Grand Vizier and had a considerable command conferred on him in the War against Rogotski the Transilvanian Prince whose Country about this time the Tartars had entered at the instance of the Sultan with a great power yet was not the Asia Rebellion thus extinguished for a Nephew of the dead Bassas raising great Forces in the Territories of Aleppo advanced with a Resolution to revenge his Uncles death to whom joyned the two sons of Chusaein Bassa whom the Great Vizier had caused to be put to death as also the Bey of Torgne and many others which rendred this Army as formidable as the precedent gave new subject of fear at Constantinople but the great Visier so managed the matter by sowing dissension among the chiefs and bestowing large sums of Money on the Soldiers that the Army dayly diminished till at length it came to nothing leaving many of the Commanders to the mercy of the Visier who never spared any man that was guilty of a crime or suspected to be so Asia being again reduced to Obedience the Grand Seignior had leisure to think of his Wars with the Venetians and therefore gave strict command for part of his Army to march into Daimatia and the other part to be imbarqued for Candia he resolving to besiege the Meâ—ropolitan City of that Name nor were the Venetians slack for having received a reinforcement of Four Thousand French Foot and divers other Aids sent them by the Christian Princes their Confederates They took the Forts of Calamo Calegro and Epicarno hardly distressing the Bassa of Canea in the principal City of his Province insomuch that he was obliged to write to Constantinople for speedy succour leâ—t that City should be lost for the Venetians dayly battered it and pressed it hard with continual Assaults but a supply of Three Thousand fresh men being by Night thrust into it the Venetians raised the siege and marched to New Candia built near to Old Canoia in hopes to beat the Turks out of it but prevailed not according to their expectation About this time the Visier with a Great Army arrived at Belgrade but there falling sick he returned to Adrinople to recover his Health swearing that if he found Death approach he would caâ—â—e all his Physitians to be put to 〈◊〉 which
so that they were dissembled and although whilst the Ships lay before the City a hundred slaves from on board the Turks Gallies and out of the City escaped by getting on board and amongst them Monsieur de Peau-jeu a Knight of Malta yet that was likewise dissembled and not thought a sufficient ground for War with a Nation whose valour the Turks by fatal experience had tryed but in the end the French became more moderate and new instructions being brought the Ambassador by a man of War he passed to Adrinople where the Grand Signeour was gone and having his second Audience granted his first being had of the Visier he desired that the League so long continued between his Master and the Ottoman Princes might continue and that the capitulation might be renewed only with the Alteration of the customs imposed upon his Masters Subjects from five to three in the hundred according to that priviledge which the English and other Christian Merchants whose league and Friendship was subsequent to theirs but after many delays the Visier would not accord but referred him to his return from the Wars of Poland on which he was intent which disappointment greatly perplexed the Ambassador The Grand Signeour having before missed his design in making away his Brethren for fear of the Janizaries now in their absence most of them being busied in the Wars renewed his resolution and under pretence of Friendship poisoned Orcham the Eldest with a bowl of Wine though some affirm he was strangled with a Bow string and that ere he fell he killed one of the Executioners but howsoever it happened he was made away whose death once known greatly incensed the people against the Grand Signior and prevented the like effects on the other Brother All other matters now layed aside about the beginning of the year 1672. preparations were made for the Polish War though with such deliberation as expressed an unwillingness thereto on the part of the Ottomans who having experienced the force of that warlike Nation moved thereto with caution Yet their motives were not inconsiderable but such as thereon a War might be grounded not only for the continual Piracy of the Cossacks on the Black Sea and their assisting the bordering Princes in their opposing the Turkish Arms and the little regard the Polish Ambassador had of the Port treating there with equal grandure and assuming a Liberty above the Ministers of other Christian Princes and now they lay more open to be assaulted by reason of the divisions amongst themselves whereby an opportunity offered to the Grand Signeour to oblige the Polonians to a complyance of his demands yet whilst preparatians were making on all hands an Ambassador was sent to the Visier he advancing with his Army towards the frontires named Wisozski a Noble man of Poland presuming upon his Power and Authority argued after such a lofty manner and in terms so contrary to the methods of an Ambassador that the Visier much incensed dispatched a Chiaus into Poland with Letters desiring that this Ambassador might be recalled as being a person unable to mannage matters of the least concernment insinuating that if they supplyed his place with another he should be received with due respect and a plain way laid opento conclude his Negotiations to the satisfaction of both parties Upon notice of which the Ambassador was so sensibly touched that he in a rage sent Letters to the assembly of the Polish Nobility to certifie them that he was not only debarred of the allowance usual to Ambassadors but also was imprisoned both of which though untrue for the former he refused as too little for one o0f his Character and the latter being onely his confinement to the City of Constantinople by reason of some outrages his servants committed at his house at Pera being believed kindled such a flame that the Poles imprisoned the Turkish Chiaus and ordered that all the Countrey should be put in Arms rendering the Visier no other answer then that when their Ambassador was set at Liberty and had License to depart the like should be done to theirs Of these proceedings the Grand Signeour having notice was highly offended immediately ordering that Wisoski should depart and at the same time commanded his whole Militia to rise and follow him to the Wars fending a Sword and Vest to the Tartar Han with orders to unite his Forces with the Cossacks that had revolted from the Poles and speedily to invade Polonia which accordingly he did and incountering near Batowa with a Body of Polish Horse under the command of Luzecki Governour of Podolia he overthrew them which was the first bad Omen of the ill success of this unhappy War The Grand Signeour having raised an Army of one hundred fifty thousand men marched towards Poland already sick and languishing with its own intestine distempers and unable to contend with a body united within it self The first enterprize he made was upon impregnable Fortress of the Caminieck which had so often baffled the Ottoman Force but now being weakly manned unprovided of all necessaries and despairing of Relief after fourteen days siege surrendered the Garrison in it submitting to the will of the Conqueror which opened a passage through all Podolia and Volhinia to the very Walls of Leopolis which they passed over rather like Travellers then Enemies not one man in armes appearing to oppose them delighting and sporting themselves in those the most fruitful and delicious Countries of Europe permitted so to do by the animosities and intestine broiles amongst the Nobility who being divided into factions reguarding more their private quarrels then the safety of their Countrey now ready to be devoured by the Infidels and indeed it has been always seen that the divisions of the Christians have layed the foundation of the Turkish greatness which they impute to the merit of their prayers Yet such was the command of the Grand Signeour that no Souldier spoiled or outraged any person which so far won upon the affections of the Polonians that they in all places where he passed submitted and put themselves under his protection which so awakened the Nobility that a Council being called it was resolved that to buy their Peace and be shut of these new come guests That the King of Poland should quit all claim to the Vkrain Pedoli and Russe land That Leopolis and the Countrey thereabouts should pay a Tribute of seventy thousand Dollars a year and all other Capitulations formerly made to stand in full force and vertue These Articles being signed the Grand Signeour committed the Government of Veravia and Podolia to Dorosensko General of the Cossacks and the defence of Cominieck and Chusaein Bassa with a Garrison of twelve thousand Janizaries and so returned to Constantinople dismissing the greatest part of his Army poor and almost naked by reason of their being restrained from plundering About this time Tripolâ—es matined against Osman Bassa their Governour for refusing to divide amongst them such booties as were
sufficient for the management of the War against the Turks and such success had his arms immediately thereon through the good conduct of the Lord Swartzenburg Rab was surprized for certain Engineers coming by night to the Gates finding the Portcullises drawn up in expectation of Waggons loaden with Provision to come from Alba Regalis they fastened several Petards to the said Gates which deadly Engins once fired rent 'um in pieces so that the Army which followed at their heels pressing in after a long fight killed two of the Turks Bassa's and put the rest to the flight who such as could escaped over the Wall and those that could not fell by the Swords of the inraged Soldiers who in the City found so great a booty that many of them were greatly inriched thereby besides One Hundred pieces of great Ordnance and store of all manner of Provisions That City though so easily recovered being one of the strongest Fortresses in Christendom the taking of which so incouraged the General of the Imperialists that upon notice that great differences were arisen between the Janizaries and the Sphai the Turks best Footmen and Horsemen upon a point of preheminency he resolved to besiege Buda the Turks chief strength in Hungary and thereupon marching thither with all his Army on the 16th of October 1598. he sar down before it and for many days battered it with sixteen pieces of Cannon But in fine seeing no hopes of winning it and having notice that a great Army of Turks was hasting to its relief having plundered the Suburbs the General drew his Army out of the Trenches and departed to Strigonium The Transilvanian Prince having exchanged his Country with the Emperour for the Dukedoms of Oppel and Ratibor and yearly Fifty Thousand Joachim or the Revenues of the Bishoprick of Vratislavia Territories lying in Silesia and repenting him of what he had done he came again into Transilvania in disguise and was joyfully received by his Subjects at what time Maximilian the Emperors Generals was marching with the Army to take possession of it which had like to have caused great dissensions amongst the Christian Confederates had not the Prince by many submissive Letters pacified the Emperors displeasure Now were the Turks Army arrived in Hungary and had layed siege to Veradinum which City being at the point to be yielded was relieved by the Lord Basta the Emperours Lieutenant who making semblance to give the Turks Battle and by that means drawing them out of their Trenches in the mean time by an unsuspected way thrust Eight Hundred Souldiers into the City and so drew off through which supply the City was so long defended that the Turks weary of the siege and by reason of the approach of Winter departed leaving for hast many of their Tents and great Ordnance as a prey to the besieged after which the Imperialists spoiled that part of the Lower Hungary which was in the possession of the Turks even to the gates of Buda which brought a great fear upon the Garrison and Citizens When at the same time Michael the Vayvod of Valachia having gathered a strong power took and sacked Nicopolis the rumor of which coming to Constantinople where the Plague then raged it greatly perplexed Mahomet and brought a fear upon that great City Yet to put a stop to the Vayvods proceedings he caused a great number of Turks under the leading of Taut Bassa to march against him who joyning the forces of Mahomet Satergi with which he had besieged Veradinum yet the Vayvod not in the least dismayed marched 100 Miles into the Turks Territories and destroying all before him obtained a great Booty But now contrary to the expectation of all men the Transilvanian Prince instigated thereto by the Polonian King resigned the right he had in that Principality to his Cozen Andrew Battor and thereby defrauded the Emperour of that which by way of Exchange was properly his the Transylvanians having thereupon sworn him fealty yet not to discourage his Confederates the Emperor set light thereby though the proud Cardinal to whom it was resigned submitted himself a Vassal to Mahomet and thereby deprived the Christian Commonwealth of one of her surest Bulwarks Buda blocked up by the Christians and thereby reduced to great extreamity the Bassa thereof upon notice that several waggons laden with provision were on their way issued out with six hundred horse to conduct them safe but being set upon by the free Hadducks his Guard was overthrown his son slain and himself taken prisoner and within a while after the Lord Palfie incountering the Bassa of Bosna who was coming with ten thousand men to relieve the said City overthrew his power slew the Bassa and took all the waggons laden with provision and at the same time five thousand Tartars being set upon by the Lord Swartzenburgs Regiment were all cut in pieces upon notice of Ibraim Bassa with a great power set forward from Constantinople but part of his Forces being encountred by the Imperialists under the command of the Lord Palfis Lieutenant were overthrown and rich booty taken containing all the provision of the Camp and one hundred thousand Dollars which were coming up the Danubius to pay the Souldiers which loss greatly discontented the Bassa and then when he had notice that the Imperialists intended again to besiege Buda which he by reason of the said loss was not in a capacity to relieve as also at the same time news came of a great slaughter of the Turks before the City of Agria the which City had the Christians assaulted in any considerable number the consternation was so great that they might easily have surprised it yet as it happened they took a hundred prisoners and five hundred horses the free Haducks also entring the Turks Territories did great hurt by burning their Villages and carrying away a great number of Inhabitants Buda now had not escaped falling into the hands of the Christians had not Ibraim Bassa received an unexpected supply which increased his Army to the number of one hundred and thirty thousand with which upon his approach the Christians too weak to encounter him were obliged to raise their siege yet so much was the Bassa out of love with war that having relieved the City he by the command of Mahomet the Turkish Emperor laboured to procure a peace with Rodolph the German Emperor in order to which several great Commanders on either side met but the Turks proud demands seem'd so unreasonable to the Christian Commissioners that they rejected them with disdain and so all hopes of peace vanishing the Vayvod of Valachia invaded Transylvania now wholly devoted to Mahomet against whom Cardinal Batter prepared his Forces being strengthened over and above with thirty thousand Turks and Tartars sent by Ibraim yet in a mortal battle he was overthrown by the Vayvod and the Cardinal in endeavouring to escape was slain and his head sent to the Emperour after which most of the Cities of Transylvania revolted from